Electrically ‘wired’ tyrosinase enzyme inhibition electrode for the detection of respiratory poisons

The use of the solution redox species, [Os(bpy)₂Cl₂]^+/0, [Os(bpy)₂(MeIm)Cl]^2+/+ and [Fe(CN)₆]^4−/3−, where bpy is 2,2-bipyridine and MeIm is N-methylimidazole, as electron mediators in the enzymatic reduction of oxygen by tyrosinase is investigated. Co-immobilization of both enzyme and an osmium redox mediator in a hydrogel on glassy carbon electrodes results in a biosensor for the ‘reagentless’ addressing of enzyme activity, consuming only oxygen present in solution. Immobilized enzyme inhibition biosensors can thus be constructed for the detection of tyrosinase inhibitors, such as sodium azide, using this approach. The enzyme inhibition biosensor can detect levels of azide as low as 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ in solution and may be useful in environmental monitoring applications and as an early warning poison sensor.     

Amperometric Enzyme‐Based Biosensor for Direct Detection of Formaldehyde in the Gas Phase: Dependence on Electrolyte Composition

An enzymatic sensor detecting the analyte formaldehyde directly from the gas phase is under investigation. In contrast to existing systems, it enables the quantification of the analyte without prior sampling or accumulation and thus can be used as an online system to monitor the formaldehyde concentration in ambient air. The amperometric sensor depends on the enzymatic conversion of the analyte using formaldehyde dehydrogenase from P. putida [EC. 1.2.1.46] as the recognition element. It shows a linear response curve up to 15 ppm, with a detection limit of 0.03 pm (S/N=3). In order to optimize the sensor performance the electrolyte composition within the sensor was varied with respect to pH value, buffer concentration and the addition of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. To elucidate the influence of the mediator and the enzyme on the sensor performance the stability and activity of the electrochemical mediator and the enzyme alone was examined separately in these different electrolytes.     

Chitosan‐Glutamate Oxidase Gels: Synthesis,Characterization, and Glutamate Determination

The biopolymer chitosan (CHIT) was chemically modified with glutaric dialdehyde (GDI) and used for the covalent immobilization of enzyme glutamate oxidase (GmOx). The relationships between the loaded, retained, and active units of GmOx in the CHIT‐GDI‐GmOx gels were determined by electrochemical assays. The latter indicated that on average ca. 95% of the GmOx was retained in the CHIT‐GDI matrix that was loaded with 0.10–3.0 units of the enzyme. The maximum activity of the GmOx immobilized in the gels corresponded to ca. 5% of the activity of the free enzyme. Platinum electrodes coated with CHIT‐GDI‐GmOx gels (films) were used as amperometric biosensors for glutamate. Such biosensors displayed good operational and long‐term stability (at least 11 h and 100 days, respectively) in conjunction with low detection limit of 0.10 μM glutamate (S/N=3), linear range up to 0.5 mM (R²=0.991), sensitivity of 100 mA M^?1 cm^?2, and short response time (t_90%=2 s). This demonstrated an efficient signal transduction in the Pt/CHIT‐GDI‐GmOx+glutamate system. The CHIT‐GDI‐GmOx gels constitute a new biosensing element for the development of glutamate biosensors.     

On‐plate enzyme and inhibition assay of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase using thin‐layer chromatography

We performed on‐plate enzyme and inhibition assays of glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase using thin‐layer chromatography. The assays were accomplished based on different retardation factors of the substrates, enzyme, and products. All the necessary steps were integrated on‐plate in one developing process, including substrate/enzyme mixing, reaction starting, and quenching as well as product separation. In order to quantitatively measure the enzyme reaction, the developed plate was then densitometrically evaluated to determine the peak area of the product. Rapid and high‐throughput assays were achieved by loading different substrate spots and/or enzyme (and inhibition) spots in different tracks on the plate. The on‐plate enzyme assay could be finished in a developing time of only 4 min, with good track‐to‐track and plate‐to‐plate repeatability. Moreover, we determined the K_m values of the enzyme reaction and K_i values of the inhibition (Pb²⁺ Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ as inhibitors), as well as the corresponding kinetics using the on‐plate assay. Taken together, our method expanded the application of thin‐layer chromatography in enzyme assays, and it could be potentially used in research fields for rapid and quantitative measurement of enzyme activity and inhibition.     

Characterisation of naringinase fromAspergillus niger

Naringinase fromAspergillus niger shows -L-rhamnosidase and -D-glucosidase activity. The ratio of these enzymatic activities varies, depending on the protein concentration as well as thepH. The rhamnosidase activity is nearly independent of thepH in the range from 3 to 7, whereas glucosidase shows a distinct optimum which varies betweenpH4 andpH6 depending on its pretreatment. By gel filtration the enzyme complex can be separated into various oligomers, which are multiples of the smallest active subunit with a molecular weight of 95 000. The oligomers show either both enzymatic activities or mere rhamnosidase action. Protein fractions with glucosidase activity only could not be isolated. However in fractions with rhamnosidase activity only, the glucosidase activity could be restored by immobilisation. Glucosidase activity is related to the concentration of protein in solution, disappearing in very diluted solutions, where rhamnosidase is still active.Dedicated to Professor Dr.Karl Schlögl at the occasion of his 60^th anniversary.     

Characterization of Cyclodextrin Glucanotransferase Produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus megaterium</Emphasis>

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase, produced by Bacillus megaterium, was characterized, and the biochemical properties of the purified enzyme were determined. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was tested with different α-1,4-glucans. Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase displayed maximum activity in the case of soluble starch, with a K _m value of 3.4 g/L. The optimal pH and temperature values for the cyclization reaction were 7.2 and 60 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at pH 6.0–10.5 and 30 °C. The enzyme activity was activated by Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Cu²⁺, and it was inhibited by Zn²⁺and Ag⁺. The molecular mass of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase was established to be 73,400 Da by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 68,200 Da by gel chromatography, and 75,000 Da by mass spectrometry. The monomer form of the enzyme was confirmed by the analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence. Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase formed all three types of cyclodextrins, but the predominant product was β-cyclodextrin.     

Immobilization of Enzymes on the Nano‐Au Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide and Glucose

A new enzyme‐based amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide was developed relying on the efficient immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to a nano‐scaled particulate gold (nano‐Au) film modified glassy carbon electrode (GC). The nano‐Au film was obtained by a chitosan film which was first formed on the surface of GC. The high affinity of chitosan for nano‐Au associated with its amino groups resulted in the formation of nano‐Au film on the surface of GC. The film formed served as an intermediator to retain high efficient and stable immobilization of the enzyme. H₂O₂ was detected using hydroquinone as an electron mediator to transfer electrons between the electrode and HRP. The HRP immobilized on nano‐Au film maintained excellent electrocatalytical activity to the reduction of H₂O₂. The experimental parameters such as the operating potential of the working electrode, mediator concentration and pH of background electrolyte were optimized for best analytical performance of amperometry. The linear range of detection for H₂O₂ is from 6.1×10^?6 to 1.8×10^?3 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 6.1 μmol L^?1 based on signal/noise=3. The proposed HRP enzyme sensor has the features of high sensitivity (0.25 Almol^?1cm^?2), fast response time (t_90%≤10 s) and a long‐term stability (>1 month). As an extension, glucose oxidase (GOD) was chemically bound to HRP‐modified electrode. A GOD/HRP bienzyme‐modified electrode formed in this way can be applied to the determination of glucose with satisfactory performance.     

A Prospect for the Analysis of Species Acting as Enzyme Inhibitors as Illustrated by Heavy Metal Inhibition

Abstract

A flow system incorporating an amperometric glucose oxidase enzyme electrode has been used to study the inhibitory effects of 16 metal cations on glucose oxidase. Only copper(II), mercury(II) and silver(I) caused any significant inhibition. the enzyme electrode could be reactivated by EDTA, the reactivation being most effective for copper(II) and least so for silver(I). Other complexing agents were tried for reactivation but proved to be unsatisfactory.

The ability to reactivate the enzyme on the electrode following copper(II) inhibition, and the linear response of the system to the level of this inhibitor according to I/A = -9.49 × 10^?7 log([Cu]/M) + 4.84 × 10^?8; r = 0.994 between 2.5 × 10^?4M and 5 × 10^?3M [Cu]²⁺ indicates a prospect for the use of a flow system for determining enzyme inhibitors in samples.     

Magnetite Nanoparticles Immobilized Pectinase: Preparation,Characterization and Application for the Fruit Juices Clarification

In this work, pectinase was immobilized on the surface of silica‐coated magnetite nanoparticles via covalent attachment. The magnetite‐immobilized enzyme was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometery techniques. Response Surface Methodology using Minitab Software was applied for statistical designing of operating conditions in order to immobilize pectinase on magnetic nanoparticles. The optimal conditions were obtained at 30 °C and pH 5.5 with 42.97 μl pectinase for 2 h. The immobilization yield was 50.6% at optimized conditions. Compared to the free pectinase, the immobilized pectinase was found to exhibit enhanced enzyme activity, better tolerance to the variation of pH and temperature, and improved storage stability. Both free and immobilized samples reduced the viscosity of apple juice from 1.12 to 0.88 and 0.92 mm²s^?1, respectively, after 30 min at their optimum temperature. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme could be reused six consecutive cycles and the efficiency loss in viscosity reduction was found to be only 8.16%.     

Covalent conjugation of tetrameric bovine liver catalase to liposome membranes for stabilization of the enzyme tertiary and quaternary structures

Tetrameric bovine liver catalase (BLC) is unstable because of its dissociation into subunits at low enzyme concentrations and the conformational change of the subunits at high temperatures. In this work, for stabilization of BLC, the enzyme was covalently conjugated with liposome membranes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), cholesterol and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-glutaryl (NGPE). The NGPE, which was responsible for the BLC/membrane coupling, was altered from 0.05 to 0.2 in its liposomal mole fraction f_G. The catalase-conjugated liposome (CCL) with f_G of 0.15 showed the maximum number of the conjugated BLC molecules of 28 per liposome. The reactivity of CCLs to H₂O₂ was as high as that of free BLC at 25 °C in Tris–HCl buffer of pH 7.4. Among the CCLs, the catalyst with f_G of 0.15 was the most stable at 55 °C in its enzyme activity in the buffer because the appropriate number of BLC/liposome covalent bonding prevented the dissociation-induced enzyme deactivation. Furthermore, the CCL showed much higher stability at 55 °C than the free BLC/enzyme-free liposome mixture and free BLC at the low BLC concentration of 340 ng/mL. This was because BLC in the CCL was located in the vicinity of the host membrane regardless of the catalyst concentration, which could induce the effective stabilization effect of the membrane on the enzyme tertiary structure as indicated by the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence analysis. The results obtained demonstrate the high structural stability of BLC in the CCL system, which was derived from the covalent bonding and interaction between BLC and liposomes.     

Biochemical Characterization of an Arginine 2,3‐Aminomutase with Dual Substrate Specificity

The radical S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) aminomutases represent an important pathway for the biosynthesis of β‐amino acids. In this study, we report biochemical characterization of BlsG involved in blasticidin S biosynthesis as a radical SAM arginine 2,3‐aminomutase. We showed that BlsG acts on both L‐arginine and L‐lysine with comparable catalytic efficiencies. Similar dual substrate specificity was also observed for the lysine 2,3‐aminomutase from Escherichia coli (LAM_EC). The catalytic efficiency of LAM_EC is similar to that of BlsG, but is significantly lower than that of the enzyme from Clostridium subterminale (LAM_CS), which acts only on L‐lysine rather than on L‐arginine. Moreover, we showed that enzymes can be grouped into two major phylogenetic clades, each corresponding to a certain C3 stereochemistry of the β‐amino acid product. Our study expands the radical SAM aminomutase members and provides insights into enzyme evolution, supporting a trade‐off between substrate promiscuity and catalytic efficiency.     

CuII‐Containing 1‐Aminocyclopropane Carboxylic Acid Oxidase Is an Efficient Stereospecific Diels–Alderase

In the context of developing ecofriendly chemistry, artificial enzymes are now considered as promising tools for synthesis. They are prepared in particular with the aim to catalyze reactions that are rarely, if ever, catalyzed by natural enzymes. We discovered that 1‐aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid oxidase reconstituted with Cu^II served as an efficient artificial Diels–Alderase. The kinetic parameters of the catalysis of the cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene and 2‐azachalcone were determined (K_M=230 μm , k_app=3 h^?1), which gave access to reaction conditions that provided quantitative yield and >99 % ee of the (1S,2R,3R,4R) product isomer. This unprecedented performance was rationalized by molecular modeling as only one docking pose of 2‐azachalcone was possible in the active site of the enzyme and this was the one that leads to the (1S,2R,3R,4R) product isomer.     

Immobilization of manganese peroxidase fromLentinula edodes on azlactone-functional polymers and generation of Mn3+ by the enzyme-polymer complex

Manganese peroxidase (MnP) purified fromLentinula edodes was covalently immobilized on 3M’s azlactone-functional copolymer, 3M EmphazeTM AB1 Biosupport Medium. Tethered MnP is capable of generating Mn³⁺ from Mn²⁺ and H₂O₂. Mn₃₊, properly chelated, can be used as a nonspecific oxidant of organopollutants. A variety of conditions designed to maximize coupling efficiency while maintaining Mn³⁺ -generating catalytic activity were tested. Biochemical characteristics of the MnP enzyme, including amino acid composition, pH and temperature stability, and concentration of its Mn²⁺ substrate, influenced chemical conditions necessary for the coupling reaction. The physical parameters of immobilization reaction time, protein concentration, ionic conditions, pH, and temperature were examined. Results of these experiments indicated maximum coupling efficiency and enzyme activity were achieved by immobilizing at MnP concentrations < 2 mg/mL for at least 2 h using pH 7.0 buffer containing 1.0M sodium sulfate and 1.0 mM Mn²⁺. Increasing coupling reaction temperature also improved coupling efficiency. A synthesis of these optimized immobilizations yielded MnP coupling efficiencies of 40–50% with 35% of the coupled protein retaining enzymatic activity. Results of MnP immobilizations on nonporous azlactone-functional dispersion polymers more hydrophobic than Emphaze are also reported, and coupling efficiencies > 65% with 100% of the coupled enzyme active have been measured.     

Determination of enzyme activity inhibition by FTIR spectroscopy on the example of fructose bisphosphatase

A mid-infrared enzymatic assay for label-free monitoring of the enzymatic reaction of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with fructose 1,6-bisphosphate has been proposed. The whole procedure was done in an automated way operating in the stopped flow mode by incorporating a temperature-controlled flow cell in a sequential injection manifold. Fourier transform infrared difference spectra were evaluated for kinetic parameters, like the Michaelis–Menten constant (K _M) of the enzyme and V _max of the reaction. The obtained K _M of the reaction was 14 ± 3 g L⁻¹ (41 μM). Furthermore, inhibition by adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) was evaluated, and the K _M^App value was determined to be 12 ± 2 g L⁻¹ (35 μM) for 7.5 and 15 μM AMP, respectively, with V _max decreasing from 0.1 ± 0.03 to 0.05 ± 0.01 g L⁻¹ min⁻¹. Therefore, AMP exerted a non-competitive inhibition.     

Enzymatic C4-Epimerization of UDP-Glucuronic Acid: Precisely Steered Rotation of a Transient 4-Keto Intermediate for an Inverted Reaction without Decarboxylation

UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) 4-epimerase illustrates an important problem regarding enzyme catalysis: balancing conformational flexibility with precise positioning. The enzyme coordinates the C4-oxidation of the substrate by NAD⁺ and rotation of a decarboxylation-prone β-keto acid intermediate in the active site, enabling stereoinverting reduction of the keto group by NADH. We reveal the elusive rotational landscape of the 4-keto intermediate. Distortion of the sugar ring into boat conformations induces torsional mobility in the enzyme's binding pocket. The rotational endpoints show that the 4-keto sugar has an undistorted ⁴C₁ chair conformation. The equatorially placed carboxylate group disfavors decarboxylation of the 4-keto sugar. Epimerase variants lead to decarboxylation upon removal of the binding interactions with the carboxylate group in the opposite rotational isomer of the substrate. Substitutions R185A/D convert the epimerase into UDP-xylose synthases that decarboxylate UDP-GlcA in stereospecific, configuration-retaining reactions.     

烷基咪唑离子液体对脂肪酶催化酯水解反应活性的影响

考察了1-烷基-3-甲基咪唑类离子液体对柱状假丝酵母脂肪酶(CRL)催化橄榄油水解反应活性的影响,利用电导法确定了磷酸盐缓冲液中Br^-,Cl^-,[BF₄]^-系列咪唑离子液体的临界胶束浓度(CMC)和[PF₆]^-系列咪唑离子液体的溶解度.结果显示,离子液体的阴、阳离子对酶活性的影响规律与离子液体的Kosmotropicity性质无明显关联,但与离子液体在体系中的含量密切相关,在最适离子液体含量时,酶活性达到最高;阳离子[C_nMIM]⁺中的n越大,可促进酶活性的离子液体适宜含量越低;Br^-,[BF₄]^-系列离子液体的浓度超过CMC时则抑制酶活;阴离子对酶活性的最大促进作用顺序为Br^->Cl^->[BF₄]^->[PF₆]^-.离子液体对酶活性的影响随体系pH和温度的不同而改变,在最适离子液体浓度时的最适pH均为7.000.在pH 7.000,30 ^oC以及[C₈MIM]Br离子液体浓度为47.6 mmol/L的最佳条件下,最高相对酶活力和比活力分别达到1734%和54.4 U/mg protein.     

Determination of the kinetic parameters of adenosine deaminase by electrophoretically mediated microanalysis

The possibility of determining the Michaelis constant of the irreversible deamination of adenosine to inosine by adenosine deaminase, using capillary electrophoresis, was investigated. This paper describes the use of electrophoretically mediated microanalysis (EMMA) as the technique for carrying out the assay. Initial reaction velocities of the enzymatic reaction were estimated from the peak area of inosine, and the Michaelis constant was calculated according to the Lineweaver-Burk equation. The result (K_m = 5.3 × 10⁻⁵ M ± 8 × 10⁻⁶ M) was consistent with previously reported values. Using the present method, a total amount of as few as 1.2 fmole of enzyme and 9.2 ng of substrate were injected in the capillary for the construction of a Michaelis Menten curve (seven concentrations of substrate, each concentration analyzed in triplicate), which is far smaller than the quantities required in conventional methods.     

Activation Mechanisms for Pseudomonas Species Lipase by Cardiovascular Drugs in Vitro

The goal of this work was to determine the reaction mechanism for Pseudomonas species lipase activation by cardiovascular drugs such as lovastatin, simvastatin, amlodipine besylate, nifedipine, and hydralazine hydrochloride based on the results from enzyme kinetics. These drugs are the essential activators of Pseudomonas species lipase in the presence of triton‐X 100 or taurochloate in vitro. Moreover, QSAR studies show that the pK_A values are correlated with the molecular weights of these drugs.     

Contact Free Impedance Methodology for Investigating Enzymatic Reactions into Dielectric Polymer Microchip

A methodology for free contact microchannel impedance measurements through a dielectric microchip was developed for monitoring the kinetics of enzymatic reactions. For that purpose, we propose a procedure which consists of subtracting the impedance contribution of the dielectric polymer layer, which separates the two parallel microband electrodes embedded in it, from the global microchip impedance. This operation allows microchannel impedance enhancement for real time monitoring of impedance modulus changes without direct electrical contact. Application for determination of kinetic parameters of enzyme‐substrate reaction independently of optical or electrochemical properties of the substrates is demonstrated. Hydrolysis 4‐nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP) and 4‐aminophenylphosphate (pAPP), which are two substrates for Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), are taken as examples. Moreover, signal amplification response of the impedance modulus is achieved by the use of superparamagnetic microbeads as enzyme supports. Plotting the maximum rate against the ALP concentration gives rise to straight lines with a slope that is the hydrolysis catalytic pseudo first‐order rate constant, k_cat. Sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility of these measurements have been demonstrated comparatively with both substrates. k_cat values were 103 s^?1 and 52 s^?1 with pAPP and pNPP, respectively.     

Study of the mimetic peroxidase-catalysed chemiluminescence reaction

The chemiluminescence behaviour of the reaction in which the Mn-TPPS₄ complex the mimetic enzyme of peroxidase [manganese tetrakis(sulphophenyl)porphine] acts as a catalyst for the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide was studied. The reaction product luminesces at 427 nm. Trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide and glucose can be determined with detection limits of 5.5 × 10^?9 and 2.7 × 10^?9 M, respectively. The characteristics of Mn-TPPS₄ were compared with those of horseradish peroxidase.