Quantitation by fast-atom bombardment/mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry: kinetic analysis of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity

Quantitation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity by means of fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry with mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrum scanning is described. Characteristic peaks of the substrate, cyclic AMP, and product, AMP, were identified in positive-ion FAB mass spectra and MIKE scans of the protonated molecules. By spiking enzyme incubates with known quantities of cyclic AMP and AMP and measuring peak heights in the MIKE spectra of both spiked and unspiked samples, the concentrations of cyclic AMP and AMP in solution at the end of a series of enzyme incubations have been estimated. From the data obtained the Km and Vmax of the enzymes were calculated as 181 microM and 28.6 nmol/min respectively, showing excellent agreement with values of the Michaelis constant, Km = 205 microM and the maximum velocity Vmax = 33.2 nmol/min obtained by radioactive assay.     

An Improved Enzyme Assay for Molybdenum-Reducing Activity in Bacteria

Molybdenum-reducing activity in the heterotrophic bacteria is a phenomenon that has been reported for more than 100 years. In the presence of molybdenum in the growth media, bacterial colonies turn to blue. The enzyme(s) responsible for the reduction of molybdenum to molybdenum blue in these bacteria has never been purified. In our quest to purify the molybdenum-reducing enzyme, we have devised a better substrate for the enzyme activity using laboratory-prepared phosphomolybdate instead of the commercial 12-phosphomolybdate we developed previously. Using laboratory-prepared phosphomolybdate, the highest activity is given by 10:4-phosphomolybdate. The apparent Michaelis constant, K _m for the laboratory-prepared 10:4-phosphomolybdate is 2.56 ± 0.25 mM (arbitrary concentration), whereas the apparent V _max is 99.4 ± 2.85 nmol Mo-blue min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein. The apparent Michaelis constant or K _m for NADH as the electron donor is 1.38 ± 0.09 mM, whereas the apparent V _max is 102.6 ± 1.73 nmol Mo-blue min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein. The apparent K _m and V _max for another electron donor, NADPH, is 1.43 ± 0.10 mM and 57.16 ± 1.01 nmol Mo-blue min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein, respectively, using the same batch of molybdenum-reducing enzyme. The apparent V _max obtained for NADH and 10:4-phosphomolybdate is approximately 13 times better than 12-phoshomolybdate using the same batch of enzyme, and hence, the laboratory-prepared phosphomolybdate is a much better substrate than 12-phoshomolybdate. In addition, 10:4-phosphomolybdate can be routinely prepared from phosphate and molybdate, two common chemicals in the laboratory.     

Effective immobilisation of lipase to enhance esterification potential and reusability

A commercial lipase, “Lipolase T100”, was immobilised onto silica by means of physical adsorption. The silica-bound lipase was subsequently exposed to 1 vol. % glutaraldehyde (pentane-1,5-dial). The silica was loaded repeatedly with the Lipolase T100 in 0.05 M Tris buffer (pH 8.5) until saturation was achieved. During the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th cycles of loading of silica with the enzyme, the protein-binding on the silica achieved 51.73 %, 48.27 %, 26.92 %, 10.73 %, and 4.29 %, respectively. The synthesis of methyl salicylate (methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate) and linalyl ferulate (3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate) carried out at 45°C under shaking with mole ratios of 200 mM of acid and 500 mM alcohol in DMSO using 15 mg mL^?1 of hyper-activated biocatalyst resulted in yield(s) of 77.2 % of methyl salicylate and 65.3 % of linalyl ferulate in the presence of molecular sieves. The hyper-activated biocatalyst was more efficient than the previously reported silica-bound lipase with minimum leaching of the enzyme from the reaction mixture. The K _m and V _max of the free (0.142 mM and 38.31 μmol min^?1 mL^?1, respectively) and silica-bound lipase (0.043 mM and 26.32 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, respectively) were determined for the hydrolysis of p-NPP. During repeated esterification studies using silica-bound lipase, yields of 50.1 % of methyl salicylate after the 5th cycle, and 53.9 % of linalyl ferulate after the 7th cycle of esterification were recorded. In the presence of molecular sieves (30 mg mL^?1) in the reaction mixture, the maximum syntheses of methyl salicylate (77.2 %) and linalyl ferulate (65.3 %) were also observed. In a volumetric batch scale-up, when the reaction volume was increased to 50 mL, 44.9 % and 31.4 % yields of methyl salicylate and linalyl ferulate, respectively, were achieved.     

Purification and biochemical characterization of two major thermophilic xylanase isoforms (T70 and T90) from xerophytic Opuntia vulgaris plant spp.

Thermostable xylanase isoforms T₇₀ and T₉₀ were purified and characterized from the xerophytic Opuntia vulgaris plant species. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity employing three consecutive steps. The purified T₇₀ and T₉₀ isoforms yielded a final specific activity 134.0 and 150.8 U mg^?1 protein, respectively. The molecular mass of these isoforms was determined to be 27 kDa. The optimum pH for the T₇₀ and T₉₀ xylanase isoforms was 5.0 and the temperature for optimal activity was 70 and 90 °C, respectively. The Km value of T₇₀ and T₉₀ enzyme isoforms was 3.49, 2.1 mg ml^?1, respectively when oat spelt xylan was used as a substrate. The T₇₀ had a Vmax of 10.4 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, and T₉₀ had a Vmax of 8.9 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, respectively. In the presence of 10 mM Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺ the activity of T₇₀ and T₉₀ isoforms increased, where as 90 % inhibition was noted with of the use 10 mM Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ while partial inhibition was observed in the presence of Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺and Mg²⁺. The T₇₀ and T₉₀ isoforms retained nearly 50 % activity in the presence of 2.0 M urea, while use of 40 mM SDS lowered the activity nearly 38–41 %. The substrate specificity of both T₇₀ and T₉₀ isoforms showed maximum activity for oat spelt xylan. Western blot, immunodiffusion, and in vitro inhibition assays confirmed reactivity of the T₉₀ isoform with polyclonal anti-T₉₀ antibody raised in rabbit, as well as cross-reactivity of the antibody with the T₇₀ xylanase isoform.     

Dye decolorisation by laccase immobilised in lens-shaped poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel capsules

In this study, laccase (from Trametes versicolor, 8.3 U mg _enz ^?1 ) was used for the decolorisation of Saturn Blue L4G (10 mg L^?1). The efficiency of the decolorisation (ratio between the amount of decolorised dye and initial amount of dye) by a free enzyme was 48 % and the decolorisation rate was determined at 2.11 × 10^?3 mg_dye mg _enz ^?1 min^?1. After immobilisation in lens-shaped poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel capsules LentiKats® Biocatalyst (LB) (concentration of immobilised enzyme: 4 mg per g of particles; volume-loading rate of LB: 10 g per 100 mL of medium), the enzyme retained 16.1 % of its original activity (1.34 U mg _enz ^?1 ). Immobilised laccase was used for the dye decolorisation in 130 repeated batch tests with 71 % efficiency (LB activity: 7 × 10^?3 mgdye min^?1 g _LB ^?1 ). In continuous mode (after 716.5 h), the efficiency of the dye decolorisation was 48 % (LB activity: 3.3 × 10^?4 mg_dye min^/?1 g _LB ^?1 ).     

Gene Cloning,Expression, and Characterization of an Exo-inulinase from Paenibacillus polymyxa ZJ-9

An inulinase-producing strain, Paenibacillus polymyxa ZJ-9, was isolated from natural sources to produce R,R-2,3-butanediol via one-step fermentation of raw inulin extracted from Jerusalem artichoke tubers. The inulinase gene from P. polymyxa ZJ-9 was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and the purified recombinant inulinase was estimated to be approximately 56 kDa by both sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and gel filtration chromatography. This result suggests that the active form of the inulinase is probably a monomer. Terminal hydrolysis fructose units from the inulin indicate that enzymes are exo-inulinase. The purified recombinant enzyme showed maximum activity at 25 °C and pH 6.0, which indicate its extreme suitability for industrial applications. Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Mg²⁺ stimulated the activity of the purified enzyme, whereas Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ inhibited enzyme activity. The K _m and V _max values for inulin hydrolysis were 1.72 mM and 21.69 μmol min^?1 mg^?1 protein, respectively. The same parameters toward sucrose were 41.09 mM and 78.7 μmol min^?1 mg^?1 protein, respectively. Considering its substrate specificity and other enzymatic characteristics, we believe that this inulinase gene from P. polymyxa ZJ-9 could be transformed into other special bacterial strains to allow inulin conversion to other biochemicals and bioenergy through one-step fermentation.     

Analysis of tetrabenzyl N-giucosidic,N-mannosidic and N-galactosidic Isomers using fast atom bombardment/mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry

A series of new synthetic tetrabenzyl N-glucosidic, N-mannosidic and N-galactosidic isomers were investigated by fast atom bombardment (FAB)/mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry. The [M + H]⁺ ions were obtained with high abundance in the FAB spectra when using 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol as the matrix. The FAB/MIKE spectra provide characteristic daughter ions fragmented from selected molecular parent ions, allowing these isomers to be differentiated. In addition, an interesting rearrangement was found from the MIKE spectra, indicating that the benzyl (Bzl) group on the sugar ring is rearranged on to the N atom of the base (R) group to form [R + Bzl + H]⁺ and [R+ 2Bzl]⁺ ions.     

Expression and Characterization of a Novel 1,3-Propanediol Dehydrogenase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus brevis</Emphasis>

1,3-Propanediol dehydrogenase (PDOR) is important in the biosynthesis of 1,3-propanediol. In the present study, the dhaT gene encoding PDOR was cloned from Lactobacillus brevis 6239 and expressed in Escherichia coli for the first time. Sequence analysis revealed that PDOR containing two Fe²⁺-binding motifs and a cofactor motif belongs to the type III alcohol dehydrogenase. The purified recombinant PDOR exhibited a single band of 42 kDa according to SDS-PAGE. Optimal temperatures and pH values of this dehydrogenase are 37 °C, 7.5 for reduction and 25 °C, 9.5 for oxidation, respectively. We found that PDOR was more stable in acid buffer than in alkaline condition, and 60 % of its relative activity still remained after a 2-h incubation at 37 °C. The activity of PDOR can be enhanced in the presence of Mn²⁺ or Fe²⁺ iron and inhibited by EDTA or PMSF by different degrees. The K _m and V _max of this dehydrogenase are 1.25 mM, 64.02 μM min^?1 mg^?1 for propionaldehyde and 2.26 mM, 35.05 μM min^?1 mg^?1 for 1,3-PD, respectively. Substrate specificity analysis showed that PDOR has a broad range of substrate specificities. The modeling superposition indicated that the structural differences may account for the diversity of PDORs’ properties. Thus, our PDOR is a potential candidate for facilitating the 1,3-PD biosynthesis.     

Hemoglobin‐Titanate Composite Based Biosensor for the Amperometric Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide in Acidic Medium

A hemoglobin‐titanate composite based biosensor was chosen for determination of H₂O₂ in an acidic medium. CV results of the Hb‐titanate modified pyrolytic graphite electrode showed a pair of well‐defined, quasi‐reversible redox peaks centered at ?246 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) in a pH 5.0 HAc‐NaAc buffer solution. The modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic response for monitoring H₂O₂ and had a large linear detection range from 20 μM to 3.2 mM with a detection limit of 8 μM (S/N=3) and a sensitivity of 29.7 mA M^?1 cm^?2 in the pH 5.0 solution. The biosensor also possessed good long term storage stability.     

A Novel Alkaliphilic Xylanase from the Newly Isolated Mesophilic Bacillus sp. MX47: Production, Purification, and Characterization

A newly isolated bacterial strain, Bacillus sp. MX47, was actively producing extracellular xylanase only in xylan-containing medium. The xylanase was purified from the culture broth by two chromatographic steps. The xylanase had an apparent molecular weight of 26.4?kDa with an NH₂-terminal sequence (Gln-Gly-Gly-Asn-Phe) distinct from that of reported proteins, implying it is a novel enzyme. The optimum pH and temperature for xylanase activity were 8.0 and 40?°C, respectively. The enzyme activity was severely inhibited by many divalent metal ions and EDTA at 5?mM. The xylanase was highly specific to beechwood and oat spelt xylan, however, not active on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), avicel, pectin, and starch. Analysis of the xylan hydrolysis products by Bacillus sp. MX47 xylanase indicated that it is an endo-??-1,4-xylanase. It hydrolyzed xylan to xylobiose as the end product. The K _m and V _max values toward beechwood xylan were 3.24?mg?ml^?1 and 58.21???mol?min^?1?mg^?1 protein, respectively.     

Determination of the epimerization rate constant of amygdalin by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

A new method for separation and determination of amygdalin and its epimer (neoamygdalin) in the epimerization of amygdalin by MEEKC is proposed. For the chiral separation of amygdalin and neoamygdalin, a running buffer composed of 80 mM sodium cholate, 5.0% v/v butan‐1‐ol, 0.5% v/v heptane and 94.5% v/v 30 mM Na₂B₄O₇ buffer (pH 9.00) is proposed. Under optimum conditions, the basic separation of amygdalin and neoamygdalin can be achieved within 7 min. The calibration curve for amygdalin showed excellent linearity in the concentration range of 20–1000 μg/mL with a detection limit of 5.0 μg/mL (S/N=3). The epimerization rate constant of amygdalin in basic microemulsion was first determined by monitoring the concentration changes of amygdalin, and the epimerization rate constant of amygdalin was found to be 2×10^?3 min^?1 at 25°C under the above optimum microemulsion conditions.     

Electrocatalytically Active Fe‐(O‐C2)4 Single‐Atom Sites for Efficient Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia

Single‐atom catalysts have demonstrated their superiority over other types of catalysts for various reactions. However, the reported nitrogen reduction reaction single‐atom electrocatalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction exclusively utilize metal–nitrogen or metal–carbon coordination configurations as catalytic active sites. Here, we report a Fe single‐atom electrocatalyst supported on low‐cost, nitrogen‐free lignocellulose‐derived carbon. The extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectra confirm that Fe atoms are anchored to the support via the Fe‐(O‐C₂)₄ coordination configuration. Density functional theory calculations identify Fe‐(O‐C₂)₄ as the active site for the nitrogen reduction reaction. An electrode consisting of the electrocatalyst loaded on carbon cloth can afford a NH₃ yield rate and faradaic efficiency of 32.1 μg h^?1 mg_cat.^?1 (5350 μg h^?1 mg_Fe^?1) and 29.3 %, respectively. An exceptional NH₃ yield rate of 307.7 μg h^?1 mg_cat.^?1 (51 283 μg h^?1 mg_Fe^?1) with a near record faradaic efficiency of 51.0 % can be achieved with the electrocatalyst immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode.     

Immobilisation of acid pectinase on graphene oxide nanosheets

Recent progress in nanotechnology has prompted research interest in immobilised enzymes on graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets for their large specific surface area and abundant functional groups. In the present work, acid pectinase was immobilised on the GO via the cross-linking of amino groups on pectinase and functional groups (e.g. carboxyl group) on the GO surface. Acid pectinase was effectively immobilised on the support and high loading densities were obtained (2400 mg per g of support). In addition, the immobilised enzyme achieved a better catalytic efficiency (K _cat/K _m) than its free counterpart; 3.7 mg^?1 min^?1 mL for immobilised pectinase, 3.5 mg^?1 min^?1 mL for free pectinase. Under acidic conditions, pectinase immobilised on GO will be agglomerated, but the addition of surfactant PEG 6000 could solve the problem and afford higher catalytic activity and catalytic efficiency.     

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric study of some unsaturated aryl C-glycosides

Fast atom bombardment (FAB), FAB mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (FAB MIKE) and collision-activated dissociation (FAB CAD-MIKE) mass spectra were obtained for two series of unsaturated anomeric aryl C-glycosides. These tandem mass spectrometric techniques allowed the differentiation of the anomers by analysing either the [M + H]⁺ ion or the [M + met]⁺ ion (met=Li, Na).     

Influence of instrumental parameters and sample preparation on mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectra with fast atom bombardment exemplified with the oxonium ion of peracetylated ribopyranose

When mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectra are required to discriminate between isomeric ions formed under conditons of fast atom bombardment (FAB) in the ion source, severe interference may be observed. The interfering peaks in MIKE spectra obtained with a reversed-geometry instrument can arise from different sources. Moreover, the intensity distribution of the true ions from the selected precursor ion may depend strongly on the instrument being used. This means that the FAB–MIKE or collisionally induced dissociation (CID) spectrum is not an absolute characteristic of a particular ion. The [M + H ? HOAc]⁺ ion in the spectrum of peracetylated ribopyranose is used as an example to illustrate this and to trace and discuss the origin of the phenomena observed.     

FAB and chemical ionization in the production of [M+ H]+ and [M− H]− species from 2-aryl-2-methyl-1,3-dithianes

The unimolecular fragmentations of [M + H]⁺ and [M – H]^? ions from four 2-aryl-2-methyl-1,3-dithianes are described and clarified with the aid of deuterated derivatives. Comparison of the MIKE spectra of [M + H]⁺ species obtained under chemical ionization and fast atom bombardment (FAB) conditions reveals differences which are attributed to the different energetics involved in the two ionization processes. It is suggested that FAB is a ‘softer’ ionization technique but, at the same time, it provides, for the possibility of solvation, reaction sites not available in gas-phase protonation. [M – H]^? species and anionic fragments thereof were generally not obtained under FAB(?) conditions. [M – H]^? ions are readily produced in gas-phase reactions with OH^? via proton abstraction from C(4) or C(5), and from the 2-methyl substituent; and they fragment according to several reaction pathways.     

Screening, Gene Sequencing and Characterising of Lipase for Methanolysis of Crude Palm Oil

Staphylococcus sp. WL1 lipase (LipFWS) was investigated for methanolysis of crude palm oil (CPO) at moderate temperatures. Experiments were conducted in the following order: searching for the suitable bacterium for producing lipase from activated sludge, sequencing lipase gene, identifying lipase activity, then synthesising CPO biodiesel using the enzyme. From bacterial screening, one isolated specimen which consistently showed the highest extracellular lipase activity was identified as Staphylococcus sp. WL1 possessing lipFWS (lipase gene of 2,244 bp). The LipFWS deduced was a protein of 747 amino acid residues containing an α/β hydrolase core domain with predicted triad catalytic residues to be Ser474, His704 and Asp665. Optimal conditions for the LipFWS activity were found to be at 55 °C and pH 7.0 (in phosphate buffer but not in Tris buffer). The lipase had a K _M of 0.75 mM and a V _max of 0.33 mM?min^?1 on p-nitrophenyl palmitate substrate. The lyophilised crude LipFWS performed as good as the commonly used catalyst potassium hydroxide for methanolysis of CPO. ESI-IT-MS spectra indicated that the CPO was converted into biodiesel, suggesting that free LipFWS is a worthy alternative for CPO biodiesel synthesis.     

Gene Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of a Thermostable Xylanase from Nesterenkonia xinjiangensis CCTCC AA001025

An endo-β-1,4-xylanase-encoding gene, xyn11NX, was cloned from Nesterenkonia xinjiangensis CCTCC AA001025 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene encoded a 192-amino acid polypeptide and a putative 50-amino acid signal peptide. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited a high degree of similarity with the xylanases from Streptomyces thermocyaneoviolaceus (68%) and Thermobifida fusca (66%) belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 11. After purification to homogeneity, the recombinant Xyn11NX exhibited optimal activity at pH 7.0 and 55 °C and remained stable at weakly acidic to alkaline pH (pH 5.0–11.0). The enzyme was thermostable, retaining more than 80% of the initial activity after incubation at 60 °C for 1 h and more than 40% of the activity at 90 °C for 15 min. The K _m and V _max values for oat spelt xylan and birchwood xylan were 16.08 mg ml^?1 and 45.66 μmol min^?1 mg^?1 and 9.22 mg ml^?1 and 16.05 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, respectively. The predominant hydrolysis products were xylobiose and xylotriose when using oat spelt xylan or birchwood xylan as substrate.     

Thermokinetic Studies on the Activation of Arginase by Glycine

The activation of bovine liver arginase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of L‐arginine to L‐ornithine and urea, by glycine was studied by thermokinetic methods at 37°C in 40 mmol·L^?1 sodium barbiturate‐HCl buffer solution (pH 9.4). Results of this experiment indicate that an appropriate concentration of glycine can enhance the activity of arginase, and the relative activation rate reached its maximum value, 74%, when the concentration of glycine in reaction system was 1 mmol·L^?1 and the initial concentration of arginine was 5 mmol·L^?1. With the increase of substrate concentration, the relative activation rate decreased in a definite glycine concentration. Michealis constant K_m of reaction decreased from 5.53 to 3.31 mmol·L^?1 and inhibition constant of product L‐ornithine K_p increased from 1.18 to 3.73 mmol·L^?1 when glycine concentration was 1 mmol·L^?1. For these reasons one possible activation mechanism of arginase by glycine was suggested that the activation effect results from the competition of glycine and arginine to enzyme activity position. When one or two of the activity positions of arginase are occupied by glycine, it is propitious for the enzyme to complex with substrate and obstruct L‐ornithine from combining with enzyme, and when all of the activity positions are occupied by glycine, the activation effect vanishs and the inhibition effect appears.     

Thermokinetic Study on the Reversible Competitive Inhibition of Bovine Liver Arginase

Introduction Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) is a widespread and very im-portant enzyme in mammals, which specifically cata-lyzes the hydrolysis of L-arginine to urea and the non-protein amino acid L-ornithine, a key step in the urea cycle.1 Urea is the principal metabolite for disposal of nitrogen as a neutral and nontoxic waste product formed during amino acid metabolism in mammals. L-ornithine serves as a biosynthetic precursor to L-proline and the polyamines such as putrescine, sper-mine (in eucar…