Enzymatic synthesis of bioactive compounds by Rhus laccase from Chinese Rhus vernicifera

A simple one step synthesis of pinoresinol and its derivatives-active components of Du-Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides)-from coniferyl alcohol and p-courmaryl alcohol with higher yields was achieved by Rhus laccases (RL) catalysis in water miscible organic solvents. Biomacromolecules dehydrogenative polymers (DHP) were only synthesized by fungal laccases, not by RL. The structures and the reaction mechanism were discussed to promote the understanding of the function of laccases in the process of lignin biosynthesis. Supported by the Research Project Grant A by Institute of Science & Technology, Meiji University, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30170757).     

Rhus laccase catalysis and product characterization of 1,2-dimethoxyphenol in organic solutions

Dimethoxyphenol was a widely used substrate in determination of laccases activity. It was surprised, however, that the products of it had not been completely determined until now. Studies were thus conducted on Rhus laccase （RL） and immobilized Rhus laccase （IRL）-catalyzed oxidation of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol （DMP） in water-organic solvent systems. Only one product, 3,3′,5,5′- tetramethoxy-1 ,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diol （TMBP）, was produced by RL catalysis, and it was thoroughly characterized by FT-IR, NMR and GC-MS, etc.     

Dioxygen reactivity of laccase

A study was carried out on the dioxygen reactivity of the laccases from Trametes villosa, Rhizoctonia solani, Myceliophthora thermophila, Scytalidium thermophilum, and Coprinus cinereus. At pH 5.5, these laccases showed an apparently constant K _m (about 20–50 μM) for O₂ with either 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) or methyl syringate as the reducing substrate, in contrast to the k _cat , which varied up to 100-fold. O₂ reactivity of the Trametes and Myceliophthora laccases was also studied at various pH and NaF concentrations. The apparent K _m of Trametes and Myceliophthora laccases varied only slightly when pH changed from 3.0 to 8.0 or when the laccases were inhibited by F⁻ at pH 5.5, although the apparent k _cat were more significantly affected by both factors. The dependence of the apparent K _m on the source of laccase, pH, and F⁻ inhibition suggested that the fungal laccases might have a conserved O₂ pocket and that the F⁻ or OH⁻ inhibition might affect the O₂ reduction step (k _cat ) more than the O₂ binding step (K _m ) under steady-state conditions.     

Synthesis and Transesterification of the Complexes of Methyl 2-Methyl-3-trichlorostannylpropoinate with Benzylmethylsulfoxide

2-Methyl-3-trichlorostannylpropionate, Cl3SnCH2CH(CH3)CO2R, a novel type of mono- organotin compounds containing ester group, have received considerable attention since Hutton et al. reported their synthesis because of the variety of coordination geometry about tin atom1-4. Organotin compounds5 like organotin carboxylates or oxides were already used as transesterification catalysts, however, little attention was paid to transestrifications of 2-methyl-3-trichlorostannylpropionate complexe…     

Novel laccase redox mediators: spectral, electrochemical, and kinetic properties

The screening of potential redox mediators for laccase was performed using homogeneous enzyme preparations from Coriolus hirsutus and Coriolus zonatus. It was discovered that derivatives of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-pyrazolones were efficient substrates for the laccases. The characterization of two representatives of the 1-phenyl-pyrazolone class, sodium 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4- methylamino-pyrazolone-5-N(4)-methanesulfonate and 1-(3'-sulfophenyl)-3- methylpyrazolone-5, in the reaction catalyzed by laccase was carried out using spectral, electrochemical, and enzyme kinetics methods. The kinetic parameters for the oxidation of the newly discovered substrates were comparable with those for 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) oxidation by laccase. Electrochemical experiments demonstrated that oxidation of these compounds yielded two high-potential intermediates capable of oxidizing veratryl alcohol, which was used as a lignin model substrate, to the corresponding aldehyde and acid. 1-(3'-Sulfophenyl)-3- methylpyrazolone-5 was about 30-40% as effective in degrading veratryl alcohol compared to ABTS as judged from high-performance liquid chromatography kinetic studies. 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-pyrazolones may be of commercial interest for oxidoreductase-catalyzed biodegradation of organic compounds.     

Novel laccase redox mediators

The screening of potential redox mediators for laccase was performed using homogeneous enzyme preparations from Coriolus hirsutus and Coriolus zonatus. It was discovered that derivatives of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-pyrazolones were efficient substrates for the laccases. The characterization of two representatives of the 1-phenyl-pyrazolone class, sodium 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-methylamino-pyrazolone-5-N(4)-methanesulfonate and 1-(3′-sulfophenyl)-3-methylpyrazolone-5, in the reaction catalyzed by laccase was carried out using spectral, electrochemical, and enzyme kinetics methods. The kinetic parameters for the oxidation of the newly discovered substrates were comparable with those for 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) oxidation by laccase. Electrochemical experiments demonstrated that oxidation of these compounds yielded two high-potential intermediates capable of oxidizing veratryl alcohol, which was used as a lignin model substrate, to the corresponding aldehyde and acid. 1-(3′-Sulfophenyl)-3-methylpyrazolone-5 was about 30–40% as effective in degrading veratryl alcohol compared to ABTS as judged from high-performance liquid chromatography kinetic studies. 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-pyrazolones may be of commerical interest for oxidoreductase-catalyzed biodegradation of organic compounds.     

Nuclear amination catalyzed by fungal laccases: reaction products of p-hydroquinones and primary aromatic amines

[reaction: see text] Nuclear amination of p-hydroquinones with primary aromatic amines was catalyzed by fungal laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) from Trametes spec. and Myceliophthora thermophila. This is the first report of laccase-catalyzed synthesis of aminoquinones. Incubation of two compounds with laccase in the presence of oxygen resulted in the formation of the corresponding monoaminated or diaminated quinones. No hydroquinonoids were formed. Observed differences in the reaction courses for different p-hydroquinones and aromatic amines with different laccases are discussed.     

Composition of Surface Layer at the Water–Air Interface and Micelles of Triton X-100 + Rhamnolipid Mixtures

Measurements of the surface tensions, densities and viscosities of aqueous solutions of Triton X-100 (TX-100) and rhamnolipid (RL) mixtures, at constant concentration of RL or TX-100, were carried out. The measured values of the surface tension were compared to those determined using different theoretical models and on the basis of the surface tension of aqueous solutions of individual surfactants. From the surface tension isotherms, the Gibbs surface excess concentration of TX-100 and RL, the composition of surface layer and the standard Gibbs free energy of adsorption at the water–air interface were determined. Moreover, on the basis of surface tension, density and viscosity isotherms, the CMC of surfactants mixtures were evaluated. From the density isotherms, apparent and partial molar volumes of TX-100 and RL were also determined. These volumes were compared to those calculated from the sizes of TX-100 and RL molecules. There was observed a synergetic effect in the reduction of water surface tension and micelle formation, which was confirmed by the intermolecular interactions parameter. In the case of micelle formation, this effect was discussed based on the standard Gibbs free energy of micellization as well as of TX-100 and RL mixing in the micelles. The synergism of TX-100 and RL mixtures in the reduction of water surface tension and micelle formation was explained on the basis of electrostatic interactions between the hydrophilic part of TX-100 and RL molecules; this was supported by pH measurements.     

Direct electron transfer reactions of laccases from different origins on carbon electrodes

Electrochemical studies of laccases from basidiomycetes, i.e., Trametes hirsuta, Trametes ochracea, Coriolopsis fulvocinerea, Cerrena maxima, and Cerrena unicolor, have been performed. Direct (mediatorless) electrochemistry of laccases on graphite electrodes has been investigated with cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry as well as potentiometry. For all mentioned high potential laccases direct electron transfer (DET) has been registered at spectrographic graphite and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite electrodes. The characteristics of DET reactions of the enzymes were analysed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It is shown that the T1 site of the laccase is the primary electron acceptor, both in solution (homogenous case) and at surface of the graphite electrode (heterogeneous case). A mechanism of ET for the process of the electro-reduction of oxygen at the laccase-modified graphite electrodes is proposed and the similarity of this heterogeneous process to the laccase catalysed oxygen reduction homogeneous reaction is concluded.     

High-speed DNA sequencing by tube-based capillary electrophoresis

We assessed the feasibility of high-speed DNA sequencing by tube-based capillary electrophoresis (TCE) with electrokinetic sample injections. We developed a water-circulated TCE system to control the capillary temperature precisely. Using this system and a ready-made sieving matrix at 50 degrees C, single-stranded DNA size marker fragments were separated at various pairs of the electric field strength, E, of 128-480 V/cm and the capillary effective length, L, of 100-360 mm. Assuming the read length (RL) is the fragment size at which the peak width equals the peak interval per base in obtained electropherograms, we estimated the values of RL (E, L), the RL at the pair (E, L). The points in ELz-space, (E, L, RL(E, L)), form a curved surface expressed by z = RL(E, L). Analyzing the contour lines of this curved surface, we determined the pairs of E and L providing target RLs of 300-500 bases within a minimum time. At a pair optimized for a 500-base RL (330 V/cm, 200 mm), one-color sequencing fragments were successfully separated up to 529 bases within 9.6 min. These results demonstrate that high-speed DNA sequencing comparable with that obtained by microfabricated chip-based capillary electrophoresis (MCE) can be achieved with TCE, which is more suitable in automation than MCE.     

生物表面活性剂鼠李糖脂及其复配体系界面行为和性质的介观模拟

采用介观模拟耗散颗粒动力学（DPD）方法研究不同结构的鼠李糖脂在油/水界面行为差异和结构对活性的影响,并探讨了其与不同类型表面活性剂如十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS）、十二烷基苯磺酸钠（SDBS）、脂肪醇聚氧乙烯醚（AEO3）复配时体系的界面性质,给出不同结构的鼠李糖脂的行为特点及与常用合成表面活性剂在油/水界面的相互作用规律...     

Reactive landing of peptide ions on self-assembled monolayer surfaces: an alternative approach for covalent immobilization of peptides on surfaces

Soft landing of mass-selected peptide ions onto reactive self-assembled monolayer surfaces (SAMs) was performed using a newly constructed ion deposition apparatus. SAM surfaces before and after soft landing were characterized ex situ using time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). We demonstrate that reactive landing (RL) results in efficient covalent linking of lysine-containing peptides onto the SAM of N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester-terminated alkylthiol on gold (NHS-SAM). Systematic studies of the factors that affect the efficiency of RL revealed that the reaction takes place upon collision and is promoted by the kinetic energy of the ion. The efficiency of RL is maximized at ca. 40 eV collision energy. At high collision energies the RL efficiency decreases because of the competition with scattering of ions off the surface. The reaction yield is independent of the charge state of the projectile ions, suggesting that peptide ions undergo efficient neutralization upon collision. Chemical and physical properties of the SAM surface are also important factors that affect the outcome of RL. The presence of chemically reactive functional groups on the SAM surface significantly improves the reaction efficiency. RL of mass- and energy-selected peptide ions on surfaces provides a highly specific approach for covalent immobilization of biological molecules onto SAM surfaces.     

Synthesis and microwave absorbing properties of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) microspheres

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) solid and hollow microspheres were successfully synthesized by simply adjusting the concentration of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and the molar ratio of EDOT to ammonium persulfate (APS) (represented by (EDOT)/(APS)), respectively. Microwave absorbing properties of PEDOT microspheres with tunable reflection loss (RL) and microwave frequency band were described in detail. The relationships between the conductivity and RL of PEDOT microspheres were also discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

生漆与二异氰酸酯的反应及漆膜性能

本文用红外光谱（IR）、动态机械热分析（DMTA）、扫描电镜等仪器和物理、化学手段,研究生漆和2,4-甲苯二异氰酸酯（TDI）的反应特性、聚合成膜机理及漆膜性能等。结果表明,在漆酶和TDI共同作用下,生漆／TDI混合物的固化成膜速率比生漆快得多。当生漆与TDI混合后,生漆乳液的连续相中的漆酚迅速与TDI发生加成反应并生成聚氨酯化合物;在漆酶的催化作用下,该化合物的漆酚基上不饱和侧链双键进一步发生氧化聚合;所得的生漆／TDI涂膜具有优良的物理机械性能。     

The purification and identification of human blood serum proteins with affinity to the antitumor active RL2 lactaptin using magnetic microparticles

The cytopoxic effect of RL2 lactaptin (the recombinant analog of proteolytic fragment of human kappa‐casein) toward tumor cells in vitro and in vivo presents it as a novel promising antitumor drug. The binding of any drug with serum proteins can affect their activity, distribution, rate of excretion and toxicity in the human body. Here, we studied the ability of RL2 to bind to various blood serum proteins. Using magnetic microparticles bearing by RL2 as an affinity matrix, in combination with mass spectrometry and western blot analysis, we found a number of blood serum proteins possessing affinity for RL2. Among them IgA, IgM and IgG subclasses of immunoglobulins, apolipoprotein A1 and various cortactin isoforms were identified. This data suggests that in the bloodstream RL2 lactaptin takes part in complicate protein–protein interactions, which can affect its activity.     

Influences of Different Enzymatic Treatment on Denim Garment

In current study, the effects of different enzymatic treatment including acid cellulases, neutral cellulases, and combination of laccases with cellulases on denim garment were investigated. The color changes of different samples were compared by colorimetric indices for the garment surface and back and also white pocket. Abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and crease recovery angle of the samples were measured within the standard methods. Also, surfaces of the treated samples were observed by SEM. The results showed that the combination of laccases with cellulases help to improve the lightness and decrease staining on both back of garment and on white pocket.     

The Minor Recombinant Laccase Isozymes of Trametes hirsuta 072: Preparation and Properties

Moscow University Chemistry Bulletin - Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are multicopper polyphenol oxidases found in various organisms, in particular, in fungi. Fungal laccases are encoded by multigene...     

An assessment of the relative contributions of redox and steric issues to laccase specificity towards putative substrates

Laccases catalyze the one-electron oxidation of a broad range of substrates coupled to the 4 electron reduction of O2 to H2O. Phenols are typical substrates, because their redox potentials (ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 V vs. NHE) are low enough to allow electron abstraction by the T1 Cu(II) that, although a relatively modest oxidant (in the 0.4-0.8 V range), is the electron-acceptor in laccases. The present study comparatively investigated the oxidation performances of Trametes villosa and Myceliophthora thermophila laccases, two enzymes markedly differing in redox potential (0.79 and 0.46 V). The oxidation efficiency and kinetic constants of laccase-catalyzed conversion of putative substrates were determined. Hammett plots related to the oxidation of substituted phenols by the two laccases, in combination with the kinetic isotope effect determination, confirmed a rate-determining electron transfer from the substrate to the enzyme. The efficiency of oxidation was found to increase with the decrease in redox potential of the substrates, and the Marcus reorganisation energy for electron transfer to the T1 copper site was determined. Steric hindrance to substrate docking was inferred because some of the phenols and anilines investigated, despite possessing a redox potential compatible with one-electron abstraction, were scarcely oxidised. A threshold value of steric hindrance of the substrate, allowed for fitting into the active site of T. villosa laccase, was extrapolated from structural information provided by X-ray analysis of T. versicolor lac3B, sharing an identity of 99% at the protein level, thus enabling us to assess the relative contribution of steric and redox properties of a substrate in determining its susceptibility to laccase oxidation. The inferred structural threshold is compatible with the distance between two phenylalanine residues that mark the entrance to the active site. Interaction of the substrate with other residues of the active site is commented on.     

Design and characterization of a directly polarized radioluminescent light source

The properties of several directly polarized radioluminescent light (RL) sources are described. The RL sources are composed of a [small beta]-particle-emitting (90)Sr radioisotope coupled to polarization-oriented light-emitting plastic scintillators. The polarization of the scintillator molecules was achieved through a mechanical stress applied to the polymer matrix. The emission stability of the RL sources is described. It was found that the degree of polarization of light emitted by the sources varied from zero to 26%, depending on the matrix and scintillating material. The RL source with the highest degree of polarization was constructed from polystyrene and anthracene.     

Enhanced Hydrolysis and Acidification of Waste Activated Sludge by Biosurfactant Rhamnolipid

The effect of biosurfactant rhamnolipid (RL) on hydrolysis and acidification of waste activated sludge (WAS) was investigated. The results indicated that RL could greatly reduce the surface tension of sludge, resulting in stimulating the hydrolysis rate of WAS and enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). With the increase of RL dosage from 0.2 to 0.5 g/g DS, the maximum soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), protein and carbohydrate concentration increased correspondingly. After 6 h of hydrolysis, SCOD, protein and carbohydrate concentration increased from 371.9, 93.3 and 9.0 mg/l to 3,994.5, 800.0 and 401.4 mg/l at RL 0.3 g/g DS, respectively. Furthermore, the release of NH₄ ⁺-N, PO₄ ^3?-P and the accumulation of SCFAs also improved in the presence of RL. The maximum SCFAs was 1,829.9 mg COD/l at RL 0.3 g/g DS, while it was only 377.7 mg COD/l for the blank test. The propionic acid and acetic acid were the mainly SCFAs produced, accounting for 50–60% of total SCFAs.