A different method of measuring and detecting mono-and dioxygenase activities

A spectrophotometric method of measuring oxygenase activity in cell extracts or in zymograms was developed. It is an easy and cheap method that allows spectrophotometric measurement of activity by a colored reaction and reveals activity bands in a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gel as brown bands. To prove its usefulness, we report on a study with the oxygenase present in strain YR-1, isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils, that uses hydrocarbons as its sole carbon source. Soluble oxygenase activity was detected (under our conditions of cellular homogenization) in the mycelium of a filamentous fungus strain named YR-1. Oxygenase activity from aerobically grown mycelium was detected in growth medium containing the hydrocarbons decane or hexadecane; the enzyme activity exhibited similar optimum pH for the hydroxylation of different aliphatic or aromatic substrates (decane, hexadecane, benzene, and naphthalene) to the corresponding alcohols. Zymogram analysis conducted with partially purified fractions from cell extracts from the aerobic mycelium of the YR-1 strain indicated the existence of only one oxygenase enzyme. Partially purified samples of enzyme, analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate PAGE, indicated the presence of one major protein band with a mol wt of 56 kDa that can be a constituent of the native enzyme. In samples of the enzyme, the 56-kDa protein gave a positive reaction in immuno-detection experiments with antibodies directed against oxygenase from soybean. The partially purified enzyme oxidized different substrates, although higher activity was displayed with benzene. K _m values obtained for benzene and decane indicated a higher affinity for the latter     

Presence and physiologic regulation of alcohol oxidase activity in an indigenous fungus isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils

A soluble alcohol oxidase (AO) activity was detected in the mycelium of a filamentous fungus strain named YR-1, isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils. AO activity from aerobically grown mycelium was detected in growth media containing the hydrocarbons decane or hexadecane; the enzyme activity exhibited optimum pH for the oxidation of different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, and hexadecanol) similar to that of the corresponding aldehyde. Zymogram analysis conducted with purified fractions from aerobic mycelium of YR-1 strain extracts indicated the existence of two AO enzymes (AO-1 and AO-2). Purified samples of both enzymes analyzed by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of three protein bands with molecular sizes 20, 38, and 46 kDa that could be part of the native enzyme. In samples of both enzymes, the 46-kDa protein gave a positive reaction in immunodetection experiments with antibodies directed against AO from Hansenula polymorpha. The purified AO-2 enzyme oxidized different alcohols, although higher activity was displayed with hexadecanol. K _m values obtained for methanol and hexa-decanol indicated a higher affinity for the latter. Analysis of the aminoter-minal sequence of the 46-kDa protein of AO-2 enzyme indicated significant similarity to enzymes involved in the metabolism of biphenyl polychloride compounds.     

Effects of carbon source on expression of alcohol oxidase activity and on morphologic pattern of YR-1 strain, a filamentous fungus isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils

Soluble alcohol oxidase (AO) activity was detected in the supernatant fraction of a high-speed centrifugation procedure after ballistic cellular homogenization to break the mycelium from a filamentous fungus strain named YR-1, isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils. AO activity from aerobically grown mycelium was detected in growth media containing different carbon sources, including alcohols and hydrocarbons but not in glucose. In previous work, zymogram analysis conducted with crude extracts from aerobic mycelium of YR-1 strain indicated the existence of two AO enzymes originally named AO-1 and AO-2. In the present study, we were able to separate the AO-1 band into two bands depending on culture conditions, carbon source, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) separation conditions; the enzyme activity pattern in zymograms from cell-free extracts exhibited three different bands after native PAGE. New nomenclature was used for upper bands AO-1 and AO-2 and lower band AO-3, respectively. The expression of AO activity was studied in the absence of glucose in the culture media and in the presence of hydrocarbons or petroleum as sole carbon source, suggesting that AO expression could be subjected to two regulatory possibilities: carbon catabolite regulation by glucose and induction by hydrocarbons. The possibility of catabolic inhibition of AO by glucose in the active enzyme was also tested, and the results confirm that this kind of regulatory mechanism is not present in AO activity.     

Intracellular fate of hydrocarbons

In previous work, purification procedures and zymogram analysis conducted with supernatants of crude extracts from aerobic mycelium of the YR-1 strain of Mucor circinelloides isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils indicated the existence of only one soluble alcohol oxidase (sAO) activity. In the present work enzymatic activity of alcohol oxidase (AO) was also detected in the mixed membrane fraction (MMF) of a high-speed centrifugation procedure after drastic ballistic cellular homogenization to break the mycelium from strain YR-1. When mycelial cells were gently broken by freezing the mycelium with liquid nitrogen, smashing in a mortar, and submitting the samples to an isopycnic sucrose gradients (10–60% sucrose), AO activity was detected in particular and discrete fractions of the gradient, showing specific density values quite different from the density of peroxisomes. The results suggest that there could be a different intracellular pattern of distribution of the microsomal fraction in aerobically grown mycelium depending on the carbon source used in the culture media, including alcohols and hydrocarbons, but not in glucose. In working with particulate fractions, we found two AO activities: a new membrane alcohol oxidase (mAO) activity and the sAO. Both activities appear to be located in the inner of the cells in specific compartments different from the peroxisomes, so mAO could be in the membrane of these compartments and sAO in the lumen of the vesicles. We also assayed other enzymatic activities involved in hydrocarbon biodegradation to establish its intracellular location and other enzymatic activities such as peroxidase to use them as intracellular markers of different organelles. In the case of monooxygenase, the first enzymatic step in the hydrocarbon biodegradation pathway, its location was in the same fractions where AOs were located, suggesting the existance of a specific organelle that contains the enzymatic activities involved in hydrocarbon biodegradation.     

Purification and characterization of a microbial dehydrogenase

Pseudomonas fluorescens (strain BTP9) was found to have at least two NAD(P)-dependent vanillin dehydrogenases: one is induced by vanillin, and the other is constitutive. The constitutive enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel-filtration, and Q-Sepharose chromatography. The subunit Mr value was 55,000, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The native M _r value estimated by gelfiltration chromatography gave a value of 210,000. The enzyme made use of NAD⁺ less effectively than NADP⁺. Benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, hexanal, and acetaldehyde were not oxidized at detectable rates in the presence of NAD⁺ or NADP⁺. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum indicated that there is no cofactor or prosthetic group bound. The vanillin oxidation reaction was essentially irreversible. The pH optimum was 9.5 and the pI of the enzyme was 4.9. Enzyme activity was not affected when assayed in the presence of salts, except FeCl₂. The enzyme was inhibited by the thiol-blocking reagents 4-chloromercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide. NAD⁺ and NADP⁺ protected the enzyme against such a type of inhibition along with vanillin to a lesser extent. The enzyme exhibited esterase activity with 4-nitrophenyl acetate as substrate and was activated by low concentrations of NAD⁺ or NADP⁺. We compared the properties of the enzyme with those of some well-characterized microbial benzaldehyde dehydrogenases.     

Coenzyme Regeneration in Hexanol Oxidation Catalyzed by Alcohol Dehydrogenase

The enzymatic ways of coenzyme regeneration include the addition of a second enzyme to the system or the addition of the co-substrate. In the present study, both methods of enzymatic coenzyme (NAD⁺) regeneration were studied and compared in the reaction of hexanol oxidation catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). As a source of ADH, commercial isolated enzyme and the whole baker??s yeast cells were used. First, coenzyme regeneration was employed in the reaction of acetaldehyde reduction catalyzed by the same enzyme that catalyzed the main reaction, and then NAD⁺ regeneration was applied in the reaction of pyruvate reduction catalyzed by l-lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH). Hexanal was obtained as the product of hexanol oxidation catalyzed by isolated ADH while hexaonic acid was detected as a product of the same reaction catalyzed by baker??s yeast cells. All of the used biocatalysts were kinetically characterized. The mass reactions were described by the mathematical models. All models were validated in the batch reactor. One hundred percent hexanol conversion was obtained using permeabilized yeast cells using both methods of cofactor regeneration. By using isolated enzyme ADH, the higher conversion was achieved in a system with cofactor regeneration catalyzed by l-LDH.     

Mutation of Tyr-218 to Phe in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus</Emphasis> Secondary Alcohol Dehydrogenase: Effects on Bioelectronic Interface Performance

Bioelectronic interfaces that facilitate electron transfer between the electrode and a dehydrogenase enzyme have potential applications in biosensors, biocatalytic reactors, and biological fuel cells. The secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (2° ADH) from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus is especially well suited for the development of such bioelectronic interfaces because of its thermostability and facile production and purification. However, the natural cofactor for the enzyme, β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP⁺), is more expensive and less stable than β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺). PCR-based, site-directed mutagenesis was performed on 2° ADH in an attempt to adjust the cofactor specificity toward NAD⁺ by mutating Tyr²¹⁸ to Phe (Y218F 2° ADH). This mutation increased the K _m(app) for NADP⁺ 200-fold while decreasing the K _m(app) for NAD⁺ 2.5-fold. The mutant enzyme was incorporated into a bioelectronic interface that established electrical communication between the enzyme, the NAD⁺, the electron mediator toluidine blue O (TBO), and a gold electrode. Cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, constant potential amperometry, and chronoamperometry were used to characterize the mutant and wild-type enzyme incorporated in the bioelectronic interface. The Y218F 2° ADH exhibited a fourfold increase in the turnover ratio compared to the wild type in the presence of NAD⁺. The electrochemical and kinetic measurements support the prediction that the Rossmann fold of the enzyme binds to the phosphate moiety of the cofactor. During the 45 min of continuous operation, NAD⁺ was electrically recycled 6.7 × 10⁴ times, suggesting that the Y218F 2° ADH-modified bioelectronic interface is stable.     

Effect of Enzyme and Cofactor Immobilization on the Response of Ethanol Oxidation in Zirconium Phosphate Modified Biosensors

Two different self‐contained ethanol amperometric biosensors incorporating layered [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺‐intercalated zirconium phosphate (ZrP) as the mediator as well as yeast‐alcohol dehydrogenase (y‐ADH) and its cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) were constructed to improve upon a design previously reported where only this mediator was immobilized in the surface of a modified electrode. In the first biosensor, a [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺‐intercalated ZrP modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was improved by immobilizing in its surface both y‐ADH and NAD⁺ using quaternized Nafion membrane. In the second biosensor, a glassy carbon electrode was modified with [Ru(phend)₂bpy]²⁺‐intercalated ZrP, y‐ADH, and NAD⁺ using Nafion as the holding matrix. Calibration plots for ethanol sensing were constructed in the presence and absence of ZrP. In the absence of ZrP in the surface of the modified glassy carbon electrode, leaching of ADH was observed as detected by UV‐vis spectrophotometry. Ethanol sensing was also tested in the presence and absence of ascorbate to measure the selectivity of the sensor for ethanol. These two ethanol biosensors were compared to a previously reported one where the y‐ADH and the NAD⁺ were in solution, not immobilized.     

Amperometric Ethanol Biosensors Based on Chitosan‐NAD+‐Alcohol Dehydrogenase Films

The reagentless and oxygen‐independent biosensors for ethanol were developed based on the covalent immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and its cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) on chitosan (CHIT) chains. The CHIT‐NAD⁺‐ADH structures were adsorbed onto carbon nanotubes (CNT) in order to provide a signal transduction based on the recycling of redox states of NAD cofactor at CNT (detection limit, 8–30 µM ethanol; dynamic range up to 20 mM). The CHIT‐NAD⁺‐dehydrogenase/CNT hybrid material represents a general approach to the development of dehydrogenases‐based electrochemical biosensors. Interestingly, the CHIT‐NAD⁺ solutions preserved their enzymatic activity even after five years of storage at 4 °C.     

Fungal degradation of poly(ethylene succinate)

Twenty fungi, which all formed a clear zone around the colony on a poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu)-containing medium, were isolated from various environmental samples. Mesophilic strain NKCM1003, with the highest PESu hydrolytic activity among all the isolates, degraded a PESu film at the rate of 21 ± 2 μg/cm²/h when it was aerobically incubated at 30 °C on a medium containing PESu as the sole carbon source. SEM observations showed that the strain gradually degraded the film starting from the amorphous regions of the surface. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strain was closely related to the species Aspergillus clavatus. Zymogram analysis suggested that the secreted enzyme with PESu hydrolytic activity is a P(3HB) depolymerase. The strain also utilized the enzymatic products of PESu, permitting it to grow well. These results indicate that the strain NKCM1003 plays an important role in the PESu-degrading process in the field.     

Production of lipase by a newly isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus coagulans</Emphasis> under solid-state fermentation using melon wastes

Summary An extracellular lipase was produced by Bacillus coagulans by solid-state fermentation. Solid waste from melon was used as the basic nutrient source and was supplemented with olive oil. The highest lipase production (78,069 U/g) was achieved after 24h of cultivation with 1% olive oil enrichment. Enzyme had an optimal activity at 37°C and pH 7.0, and sodium dodecyl sulfate increased lipase activity. NH ₄NO₃ increased enzyme production, whereas organic nitrogen had no effect. The effect of the type of carbon sources on lipolytic enzyme production was also studied. The best results were obtained with starch and maltose (148,932 and 141,629 U/g, respectively), whereas a rather low enzyme activity was found in cultures grown on glucose and galactose (approx 118,769 and 123,622 U/g, respectively). Enzyme was inhibited with Mn⁺² and Ni⁺² by 68 and 74%, respectively. By contrast, Ca⁺² enhanced enzyme production by 5%.     

Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes Non‐covalently Functionalized with Polyarginine: A New Alternative for the Construction of Reagentless NAD+/Dehydrogenase‐based Ethanol Biosensor

This work reports for the first time the development of a reagentless enzymatic amperometric biosensor for ethanol based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) non‐covalently functionalized with polyarginine (Polyarg) as platform for the robust immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and NAD⁺. The new strategy allows to obtain an integrated GCE/MWCNTs‐Polyarg/NAD⁺‐ADH ethanol biosensor with important advantages compared to the existing ethanol biosensors: avoids the external addition of the cofactor for each measurement, ensures a fast and sensitive quantification of ethanol due to the intimate interaction of the components, and allows the detection at considerably lower potentials due to the catalytic activity of the carbon nanostructures. These unique properties have made possible a very efficient ethanol quantification with a sensitivity of (1487±6) μA M^?1, detection limit of 0.65 μM, response time of 8 s, and reproducibility of 5.5 % with a very successful application for the quantification of ethanol in different commercial beverages.     

Lignin peroxidase production by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A

Lignin peroxidase (LiP) production cost should be reduced to justify its use in the control of environmental pollution. In this work, we studied the enzyme production by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A using glucose or corn oil as a carbon source having 0.65% yeast extract as a nitrogen source. Enzyme activity, observed using either 0.65% glucose or corn oil at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% concentration, was 300, 150, 300, and 200 U/L, respectively. Although higher enzyme activity was obtained in both media containing 0.65% glucose and 0.5% corn oil, the use of corn oil resulted in a better LiP stability. When combined carbon sources were used, higher values of enzyme activity (360, 350, and 225 U/L) were observed in media with 0.65% glucose and supplemented with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% corn oil, respectively. Although the presence of both glucose and 0.5% corn oil is favorable for LiP production, satisfactory results in terms of enzyme production and stability could be also observed using 0.5% corn oil as a sole carbon source, which may lead to reduced production costs of the LiP enzyme.     

Immunoaffinity purification and characterization of mitochondrial membrane-bound D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jaculus orientalis</Emphasis>

Background  

The interconversion of two important energy metabolites, 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate (the major ketone bodies), is catalyzed by D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH¹: EC 1.1.1.30), a NAD⁺-dependent enzyme. The eukaryotic enzyme is bound to the mitochondrial inner membrane and harbors a unique lecithin-dependent activity. Here, we report an advanced purification method of the mammalian BDH applied to the liver enzyme from jerboa (Jaculus orientalis), a hibernating rodent adapted to extreme diet and environmental conditions.     

NAD<Superscript>+</Superscript> metabolite levels as a function of vitamins and calorie restriction: evidence for different mechanisms of longevity

Background

NAD⁺ is a coenzyme for hydride transfer enzymes and a substrate for sirtuins and other NAD⁺-dependent ADPribose transfer enzymes. In wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae, calorie restriction accomplished by glucose limitation extends replicative lifespan in a manner that depends on Sir2 and the NAD⁺ salvage enzymes, nicotinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase and nicotinamidase. Though alterations in the NAD⁺ to nicotinamide ratio and the NAD⁺ to NADH ratio are anticipated by models to account for the effects of calorie restriction, the nature of a putative change in NAD⁺ metabolism requires analytical definition and quantification of the key metabolites.

Results

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography followed by tandem electrospray mass spectrometry were used to identify the 12 compounds that constitute the core NAD⁺ metabolome and 6 related nucleosides and nucleotides. Whereas yeast extract and nicotinic acid increase net NAD⁺ synthesis in a manner that can account for extended lifespan, glucose restriction does not alter NAD⁺ or nicotinamide levels in ways that would increase Sir2 activity.

Conclusions

The results constrain the possible mechanisms by which calorie restriction may regulate Sir2 and suggest that provision of vitamins and calorie restriction extend lifespan by different mechanisms.

     

Characterization of xylitol dehydrogenase from debaryomyces hansenii

The xylitol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.9) from xylose-grown cells ofDebaryomyces hansenii was partially purified in two Chromatographic steps, and characterization studies were carried out in order to inves tigate the role of the xylitol dehydrogenase-catalyzed step in the regu lation of D-xylose metabolism. The enzyme was most active at pH 9.0–9.5, and exhibited a broad polyol specificity. The Michaelis con stants for xylitol and NAD⁺ were 16.5 and 0.55 mM, respectively. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺ did not affect the enzyme activity. Conversely, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺ strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. It was concluded that NAD⁺-xylitol dehydrogenase from D.hansenii has similarities with other xylose-fermenting yeasts in respect to optimal pH, substrate specificity, and K_m value for xylitol, and therefore should be named L-iditol:NAD⁺-5-oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.14). The reason D.hansenii is a good xylitol producer is not because of its value of K_m for xylitol, which is low enough to assure its fast oxidation by NAD⁺ xylitol dehydrogenase. However, a higher K_m value of xylitol dehydro genase for NAD⁺ compared to theK _m values of other xylose-ferment ing yeasts may be responsible for the higher xylitol yields.     

Isolation and Identification of a Newly Isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria</Emphasis> sp. ND-16 and Characterization of Xylanase

Alternaria sp. ND-16, a bacterium isolated from soil sample, was identified as a strain of Alternaria mali based on the morphology and comparison of internal transcribed spacer rDNA gene sequence studies. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this strain has xylanase activity, and the activity can be optimized under suitable growing conditions where wheat bran and urea are the primary sources of carbon and nitrogen. Partially purified xylanase from Alternaria sp. ND-16 is shown to have an optimal pH of 6.0 and optimal temperature of 50 °C, making this enzyme potentially suitable for industrial applications. It is also demonstrated that Na⁺ and Mn²⁺ show strong inhibition of the xylanase while K⁺, Li⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ have no significant effect on the activity.     

NADP+-Specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from Oleaginous Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica CLIB122: Biochemical Characterization and Coenzyme Sites Evaluation

NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase from Yarrowia lipolytica CLIB122 (YlIDP) was overexpressed and purified. The molecular mass of YlIDP was estimated to be about 81.3 kDa, suggesting its homodimeric structure in solution. YlIDP was divalent cation dependent and Mg²⁺ was found to be the most favorable cofactor. The purified recombinant YlIDP displayed maximal activity at 55 °C and its optimal pH for catalysis was found to be around 8.5. Heat inactivation studies revealed that the recombinant YlIDP was stable below 45 °C, but its activity dropped quickly above this temperature. YlIDP was absolutely dependent on NADP⁺ and no NAD-dependent activity could be detected. The K _m values displayed for NADP⁺ and isocitrate were 59 and 31 μM (Mg²⁺), 120 μM and 58 μM (Mn²⁺), respectively. Mutant enzymes were constructed to tentatively alter the coenzyme specificity of YlIDP. The K _m values for NADP⁺ of R322D mutant was 2,410 μM, being about 41-fold higher than that of wild type enzyme. NAD⁺-dependent activity was detected for R322D mutant and the K _m and k _cat values for NAD⁺ were 47,000 μM and 0.38 s^?1, respectively. Although the R322D mutant showed low activity with NAD⁺, it revealed the feasibility of engineering an eukaryotic IDP to a NAD⁺-dependent one.     

Emissive Synthetic Cofactors: A Highly Responsive NAD+ Analogue Reveals Biomolecular Recognition Features

Apart from its vital function as a redox cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ( NAD⁺ ) has emerged as a crucial substrate for NAD⁺ -consuming enzymes, including poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase 1 (PARP1) and CD38/CD157. Their association with severe diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and depressions, necessitates the development of new analytical tools based on traceable NAD⁺ surrogates. Here, the synthesis, photophysics and biochemical utilization of an emissive, thieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine-based NAD⁺ surrogate, termed N^thAD⁺ , are described. Its preparation was accomplished by enzymatic conversion of synthetic ^th ATP by nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT1). The new NAD⁺ analogue possesses useful photophysical features including redshifted absorption and emission maxima as well as a relatively high quantum yield. Serving as a versatile substrate, N^thAD⁺ was reduced by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to N^thADH and afforded ^thADP-ribose ( ^th ADPr ) upon hydrolysis by NAD⁺ -nucleosidase (NADase). Furthermore, N^thAD⁺ was engaged in cholera toxin A (CTA)-catalyzed mono(^thADP-ribosyl)ation, but was found incapable in promoting PARP1-mediated poly(^thADP-ribosyl)ation. Due to its high photophysical responsiveness, N^thAD⁺ is suited for spectroscopic real-time monitoring. Intriguingly, and as an N7-lacking NAD⁺ surrogate, the thieno-based cofactor showed reduced compatibility (i.e., functional similarity compared to native NAD⁺ ) relative to its isothiazolo-based analogue. The distinct tolerance, displayed by diverse NAD⁺ producing and consuming enzymes, suggests unique biological recognition features and dependency on the purine N7 moiety, which is found to be of importance, if not essential, for PARP1-mediated reactions.     

Recycling of NAD+ using coimmobilized alcohol dehydrogenase andE. coli

The use of immobilized enzymes has opened the possibility of large scale utilization of NAD⁺-linked dehydrogenases, but the applications of this technique were limited by the necessity of providing the large amounts of NAD⁺ required by its stoichiometric consumption in the reaction. After immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase and intactE. coli by glutaraldehyde in the presence of serum albumin, the respiratory chain was found to be capable of regenerating NAD⁺ from NADH. This NAD⁺ can be recycled at least 100 times, and thus the method is far more effective than any other, and, moreover, does not require NADH oxydase purification. The total NADH oxidase activity recovered was 10–30% of the initial activity. Although, NADH is unable to cross the cytoplasmic membrane, it was able to reach the active site of NADH dehydrogenase after immobilization. The best yield of NADH oxidase activity with immobilized bacteria was obtained without prior treatment of the bacteria to render them more permeable. The denaturation by heat of NADH oxidase in cells that are permeabilized was similar before and after immobilization. In contrast, the heat denaturation of soluble Β-galactosidase required either a higher temperature or a longer exposure after immobilization. The sensitivity of immobilized NADH oxidase to denaturation by methanol was decreased compared to permeabilized cells. As a result, it is clear that the system can function in the presence of methanol, which is necessary as a solvent for certain water insoluble substrates.