Statistical medium formulation and process modeling by mixture design of experiment for peptide overexpression in recombinant Escherichia coli

The medium formulation and robust process modeling for anti-HIV peptide (T-20) production by recombinant Escherichia coli overexpression were studied by employing a crossed experimental design. The crossed design, a mixture design combined with process factor (induction duration), was used to find the optimal medium formulation and process time. The optimal settings for three major components, (7.75 mL of NPK sources, 5.5 mL of glucose, and 11.75 mL of MgSO₄) characterized by %T-20 (14.45%), the proportion of peptide to the total protein, were observed in a total of 100 mL of medium inducted at an optical density of 0.67 with 0.7 mM isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside) for a 3-h induction duration at shake-flask scale. These conditions were further investigated to find robust, process conditions (8.2 mL of NPK sources, 5.6 mL of glucose, and 11.3 mL of MgSO₄, and a 3.5-h induction duration time) for T-20 production (13.9%) by applying propagation of error. Coauthors     

Compactin Production Studies Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium brevicompactum</Emphasis> Under Solid-State Fermentation Conditions

In the present study, compactin production by Penicillium brevicompactum WA 2315 was optimized using solid-state fermentation. The initial one factor at a time approach resulted in improved compactin production of 905 μg gds⁻¹ compared to initial 450 μg gds⁻¹. Subsequently, nutritional, physiological, and biological parameters were screened using fractional factorial and Box–Behnken design. The fractional factorial design studied inoculum age, inoculum volume, pH, NaCl, NH₄NO₃, MgSO₄, and KH₂PO₄. All parameters were found to be significant except pH and KH₂PO₄. The Box–Behnken design studied inoculum volume, inoculum age, glycerol, and NH₄NO₃ at three different levels. Inoculum volume (p = 0.0013) and glycerol (p = 0.0001) were significant factors with greater effect on response. The interaction effects were not significant. The validation study using model-defined conditions resulted in an improved yield of 1,250 μg gds⁻¹ compactin. Further improvement in yield was obtained using fed batch mode of carbon supplementation. The feeding of glycerol (20% v/v) on day 3 resulted in further improved compactin yield of 1,406 μg gds⁻¹. The present study demonstrates that agro-industrial residues can be successfully used for compactin production, and statistical experiment designs provide an easy tool to improve the process conditions for secondary metabolite production.     

Statistical medium formulation and process modeling by mixture design of experiment for peptide overexpression in recombinant Escherichia coli

The medium formulation and robust process modeling for anti-HIV peptide (T-20) production by recombinant Escherichia coli overexpression were studied by employing a crossed experimental design. The crossed design, a mixture design combined with process factor (induction duration), was used to find the optimal medium formulation and process time. The optimal settings for three major components (7.75 mL of NPK sources, 5.5 mL of glucose, and 11.75 mL of MgSO4) characterized by %T-20 (14.45%), the proportion of peptide to the total protein, were observed in a total of 100 mL of medium inducted at an optical density of 0.67 with 0.7 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside) for a 3-h induction duration at shake-flask scale. These conditions were further investigated to find robust process conditions (8.2 mL of NPK sources, 5.6 mL of glucose, and 11.3 mL of MgSO4, and a 3.5-h induction duration time) for T-20 production (13.9%) by applying propagation of error.     

Isopiestic Investigation of the Osmotic and Activity Coefficients of {yMgCl2+(1−y)MgSO4}(aq) and the Osmotic Coefficients of Na2SO4⋅MgSO4(aq) at 298.15 K

Isopiestic vapor-pressure measurements were made for {yMgCl₂+(1−y)MgSO₄}(aq) solutions with MgCl₂ ionic strength fractions of y=(0,0.1997,0.3989,0.5992,0.8008, and 1) at the temperature 298.15 K, using KCl(aq) as the reference standard. These measurements for the mixtures cover the ionic strength range I=0.9794 to 9.4318 mol⋅kg⁻¹. In addition, isopiestic measurements were made with NaCl(aq) as reference standard for mixtures of {xNa₂SO₄+(1−x)MgSO₄}(aq) with the molality fraction x=0.5000 that correspond to solutions of the evaporite mineral bloedite (astrakanite), Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂⋅4H₂O(cr). The total molalities, m _T=m(Na₂SO₄)+m(MgSO₄), range from m _T=1.4479 to 4.4312 mol⋅kg⁻¹ (I=5.0677 to 15.509 mol⋅kg⁻¹), where the uppermost concentration is the highest oversaturation molality that could be achieved by isothermal evaporation of the solvent at 298.15 K. The parameters of an extended ion-interaction (Pitzer) model for MgCl₂(aq) at 298.15 K, which were required for an analysis of the {yMgCl₂+(1−y)MgSO₄}(aq) mixture results, were evaluated up to I=12.075 mol⋅kg⁻¹ from published isopiestic data together with the six new osmotic coefficients obtained in this study. Osmotic coefficients of {yMgCl₂+(1−y)MgSO₄}(aq) solutions from the present study, along with critically-assessed values from previous studies, were used to evaluate the mixing parameters of the extended ion-interaction model.     

Synthesis and assessment of molecular recognizability by RP-HPLC of an N-alkyl-β-Ala-L-Phe-derived organic phase with self-assembling ability

An N-alky-β-Ala-L-Phe derivative, N'-octadecyl-N ^α -[(N-acryloyl)-β-alanyl]-L-phenylalanineamide (1), with a polymerizable head group has been synthesized and telomerized with the silane coupling agent 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS). SEM and DSC observations indicated that both 1 and its telomer (T-1) could self-assemble into fibrillar forms with highly ordered structures in organic media such as benzene through complementary hydrogen bonding between the amide moieties. T-1 was grafted onto porous silica gels through the terminal trimethoxysilyl group and then packed into a stainless steel column. RP-HPLC results for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) demonstrated that significantly higher molecular shape recognition could be achieved by silica-supported T-1 (Sil-T-1). In this paper, the mechanism of the selectivity enhancement in HPLC by Sil-T-1 is discussed on the basis of comparing with the corresponding L-Phe derivative N'-octadecyl-N ^α -(acryloyl)-L-phenylalanineamide (2) without β -Ala and the stationary phase (Sil-T-2) obtained from it. The HPLC column materials Sil-T-1 and Sil-T-2 were characterized by DSC, TGA, DRIFT-IR, and ¹³C and ²⁹Si CP-MAS NMR spectroscopic measurements. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Production of Raw Starch-Saccharifying Thermostable and Neutral Glucoamylase by the Thermophilic Mold <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae</Emphasis> in Submerged Fermentation

Among physical and nutritional parameters optimized by “one variable at a time” approach, four cultural variables (sucrose, MgSO₄ ^.7H₂O, inoculum size, and incubation period) significantly affected glucoamylase production. These variables were, therefore, selected for optimization using response surface methodology. The p-values of the coefficients for linear effect of sucrose and inoculum size were less than 0.0001, suggesting them to be the key experimental variables in glucoamylase production. The enzyme production (34 U/ml) attained under optimized conditions (sucrose, 2%; MgSO₄ ^.7H₂O, 0.13%; yeast extract, 0.1%; inoculum size, 5 × 10⁶ spores per 50 ml production medium; incubation time, 48 h; temperature, 40°C; and pH 7.0) was comparable with the value predicted by polynomial model (34.2 U/ml). An over all 3.1-fold higher enzyme titers were attained due to response surface optimization. The experimental model was validated by carrying out glucoamylase production in shake flasks of increasing capacity (0.25–2.0 l) and 22-l laboratory bioreactors (stirred tank and airlift), where the enzyme production was sustainable. Furthermore, the fermentation time was reduced from 48 h in shake flasks to 32 h in bioreactors.     

Experimental Determination of the Isotherm at 15°C of the System Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/Cl<Superscript>−</Superscript>, SO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>2</Superscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Summary.  The diagram of the ternary system Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O was established at 15°C by means of analytical and conductimetric measurements. Three compounds were found in this diagram, which are MgSO₄·6H₂O, MgSO₄·7H₂O, and MgCl₂·6H₂O. The solubility field of MgSO₄·7H₂O is important whereas those of MgSO₄·6H₂O and MgCl₂·6H₂O are small. The compositions (mass-%) of the two invariant points determined by the two methods are: MgSO₄:MgCl₂=2.73:33.80 and MgSO₄: MgCl₂=3.38:28.91. Both the measured and the calculated isotherm at 15°C have been used for modelling of the diagram Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O between 0 and 35°C. The polythermal invariant point was approximately located between 15 and 10°C.  Corresponding author. E-mail: ariguib@planet.tn Received October 16, 2002; accepted (revised) December 3, 2002 Published online April 24, 2003 RID="a" ID="a" Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Heinz Gamsj?ger on the occasion of his 70^th birthday     

Production and Physico-chemical Characterization of a Biosurfactant Produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> OBP1 Isolated from Petroleum Sludge

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain OBP1, isolated from petroleum sludge, was used to produce biosurfactant from a modified mineral salt medium with 2% n-hexadecane as sole source of carbon. The crude biosurfactant was fractionated using TLC and HPLC. Using FTIR spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, and LC-MS analyses, the chemical structure of the purified fraction of crude biosurfactant was identified as rhamnolipid species. The LC-MS spectra show that monorhamnolipid (l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-hydroxydecanoyl-β- hydroxydecanoate, Rha-C₁₀-C₁₀) was produced in abundance with the predominant congener [M–H]⁻ ions for l-rhamnopyranosyl-l-rhamnopyranosyl-3-hydroxydecanoyl-3-hydroxydecanoate (Rha-Rha-C₁₀-C₁₀). Seven different carbon substrates and five nitrogen sources were examined for their effect on rhamnolipid production. Using n-hexadecane (20 g/l) as carbon substrate and urea along with (NH₄)₂SO₄ (2 g/l each) as nitrogen source was found to be the best, with a maximum yield of 4.8 g/l. The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension of water to 31.1 mNm⁻¹ with a critical micelle concentration of 45 mg/l. The biosurfactant showed a better emulsifying activity against a variety of hydrocarbon and achieved a maximum emulsion index of 82% for diesel. The purified biosurfactant showed a significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 μg/ml.     

Density and viscosity of magnesium sulphate in formamide + ethylene glycol mixed solvents

Densities (ρ) and viscosities (η) of different strengths of magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) in varying proportions of formamide (FA) + ethylene glycol as mixed solvents were measured at room temperature. The experimental values of ρ and η were used to calculate the values of the apparent molar volume, (φ_1,), partial molar volume, (φ₁,^ℴ) at infinite dilution,A- andB-coefficients of the Jones-Dole equation and free energies of activation of viscous flow, (Δμ ₁ ^0* ) and (Δμ ₂ ^0* ), per mole of solvent and solute respectively. The behaviour of these parameters suggests strong ion-solvent interactions in these systems and also that MgSO₄ acts as structure-maker in FA + ethylene glycol mixed solvents.     

Β-d-Xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium: Catalyzed Reactions with Natural and Artificial Substrates

Catalytically efficient β-d-xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium (SXA) exhibits pK _as 5 and 7 (assigned to catalytic base, D14, and catalytic acid, E186) for k _cat/K _m with substrates 1,4-β-d-xylobiose (X2) and 1,4-β-d-xylotriose (X3). Catalytically inactive, dianionic SXA (D14⁻E186⁻) has threefold lower affinity than catalytically active, monoanionic SXA (D14⁻E186^H) for X2 and X3, whereas D14⁻E186⁻ has twofold higher affinity than D14⁻E186^H for 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside (4NPX), and D14⁻E186⁻ has no affinity for 4-nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranoside. Anomeric isomers, α-d-xylose and β-d-xylose, have similar affinity for SXA. 4-Nitrophenol competitively inhibits SXA-catalyzed hydrolysis of 4NPX. SXA steady-state kinetic parameters account for complete progress curves of SXA-catalyzed hydrolysis reactions. The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

A Temperature and Salt-Tolerant <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Glutaminase from Gangotri Region of Uttarakhand Himalaya: Enzyme Purification and Characterization

Purification and characterization of halotolerant, thermostable alkaline l-glutaminase from a Bacillus sp. LKG-01 (MTCC 10401), isolated from Gangotri region of Uttarakhand Himalaya, is being reported in this paper. Enzyme has been purified 49-fold from cell-free extract with 25% recovery (specific activity 584.2 U/mg protein) by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation followed by anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Enzyme has a molecular weight of 66 kDa. l-Glutaminase is most active at pH 11.0 and stable in the pH range 8.0–11.0. Temperature optimum is 70 °C and is completely stable after 3 h pre-incubation at 50 °C. Enzyme reflects more enhanced activity with 1–20% (w/v) NaCl, which is further reduced to 80% when NaCl concentration was increased up to 25%. l-Glutaminase is almost active with K⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺ ions and K _m and V _max values of 240 μM and 277.77 ± 1.1 U/mg proteins, respectively. Higher specific activity, purification fold, better halo-tolerance, and thermostability would make this enzyme more attractive for food fermentation with respect to other soil microbe derived l-glutaminase reported so far.     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the electron-transfer reactions between diaquabisethylenediaminecobalt(III) and ethylenediaminetetraacetatocobaltate(III) with promazine in acidic aqueous media

The kinetics of the electron-transfer reactions between promazine (ptz) and [Co(en)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺ in CF₃SO₃H solution ([Co^III] = (2–6) × 10⁻³ m, [ptz] = 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ m, [H⁺] = 0.02 − 0.05 m, I = 0.1 m (H⁺, K⁺, CF₃SO ₃ ⁻ ), T = 288–308 K) and [Co(edta)]⁻ in aqueous HCl ([Co^III] = (1 − 4) × 10⁻³ m, [ptz] = 1 × 10⁻⁴ m, [H⁺] = 0.1 − 0.5 m, I = 1.0 m (H⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻), T = 313 − 333 K) were studied under the condition of excess Co^III using u.v.–vis. spectroscopy. The reactions produce a Co^II species and a stable cationic radical. A linear dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate constant (k _obs) on [Co^III] with a non-zero intercept was established for both redox processes. The rate of reaction with the [Co(en)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺ ion was found to be independent of [H⁺]. In the case of the [Co(edta)]⁻ ion, the k _obs dependence on [H⁺] was linear and the increasing [H⁺] accelerates the rate of the outer-sphere electron-transfer reaction. The activation parameters were calculated as follows: ΔH ^≠ = 105 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS ^≠ = 93 ± 11 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for [Co(en)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺; ΔH ^≠ = 67 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS ^≠ = − 54 ± 28 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for [Co(edta)]⁻.     

Experimental Determination of the Isotherm at 15°C of the System Mg2+/Cl?, SO42–H2O

 The diagram of the ternary system Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O was established at 15°C by means of analytical and conductimetric measurements. Three compounds were found in this diagram, which are MgSO₄·6H₂O, MgSO₄·7H₂O, and MgCl₂·6H₂O. The solubility field of MgSO₄·7H₂O is important whereas those of MgSO₄·6H₂O and MgCl₂·6H₂O are small. The compositions (mass-%) of the two invariant points determined by the two methods are: MgSO₄:MgCl₂=2.73:33.80 and MgSO₄: MgCl₂=3.38:28.91. Both the measured and the calculated isotherm at 15°C have been used for modelling of the diagram Mg²⁺/Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻–H₂O between 0 and 35°C. The polythermal invariant point was approximately located between 15 and 10°C.     

New cobalt and iron pivalate complexes with 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

The mononuclear complexes (η³-terpy)M(Piv)²·MeCN (M = Fe ⁱⁱ (3) and Co ⁱⁱ (4), and Piv is the pivalate anion) were synthesized by the reactions of polymeric iron(ii) and cobalt(ii) pivalates with 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy). The oxidation of compound 3 affords the pentanuclear heterospin iron(ii,iii) complex (η³-terpy)Fe₅(μ₄-O)(μ₃-OH)(μ-OH)₂(μ-Piv)₇(η¹-Piv)₂ (5). All compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the L. Ya. Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1186–1190, June, 2008.     

Kinetics and mechanism of bromide ions oxidation by cerium(IV) in sulphuric acid solutions revisited

Kinetics of Br⁻ anion oxidation by cerium(IV) species in aqueous H₂SO₄ solutions have been reexamined. The rate of reaction was determined spectrophotometrically based on a factor analysis of the absorbance – time data collected in the wavelength range 318–390 nm – the region characteristic for the cerium(IV) sulphato complexes. The data fit very well to a pseudo-first order dependence under a large molar excess of the reductant. The rate law of the form –d[Ce^IV]/dt = k[Ce^IV][Br^–]² has been obtained at constant H₂SO₄ concentration and ionic strength I = 2 m. The pseudo-first order rate constant decreases with an [H₂SO₄] increase from 0.1 to ca. 0.4 m range, then increases for higher [H₂SO₄]. The apparent activation parameters have been calculated from the third order rate constants k for different [H₂SO₄].     

Optimization of Fermentation Parameters to Enhance the Production of Ethanol from Palmyra Jaggery Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> in a Batch Fermentor

Application of statistical experimental designs for optimization of fermentation parameters to enhance ethanol production, which is an economical and renewable energy source using Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3090 from palmyra jaggery, was studied in a batch fermentor. Using Plackett–Burman design, impeller speed, concentrations of CoCl₂ and KH₂PO₄ were identified as significant variables, which highly influenced ethanol production, and these variables were further optimized using a central composite design (CCD). The ethanol production was adequately approximated with a full quadratic equation obtained from three factors and five levels of CCD. Maximum ethanol concentration of 132.56 g/l (16.8% [v/v]) was obtained for an impeller speed of 247.179 (≈250) rev/min, CoCl₂ of 0.263 g/l and KH₂PO₄ of 2.39 g/l. A second-order polynomial regression model was fitted and was found adequate with R ² of 0.8952. This combined statistical approach enables rapid identification and investigation of significant parameters for improving the ethanol production and could be very useful in optimizing processes.     

Structure-function relationships of a catalytically efficient β-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D</Emphasis>-xylosidase

β-d-Xylosidase from Selenomonas ruminantium is revealed as the best catalyst known (k _cat, k _cat/K _m) for promoting hydrolysis of 1,4-β-d-xylooligosaccharides. ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance experiments indicate the family 43 glycoside hydrolase acts through an inversion mechanism on substrates 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside (4NPX) and 1,4-β-d-xylobiose (X2). Progress curves of 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylobioside, xylotetraose and xylohexaose reactions indicate that one residue from the nonreducing end of substrate is cleaved per catalytic cycle without processivity. Values of k _cat and k _cat/K _m decrease for xylooligosaccharides longer than X2, illustrating the importance to catalysis of subsites −1 and +1 and the lack there of subsite +2. Homology models of the enzyme active site with docked substrates show that subsites bey ond−1 are blocked by protein and subsites bey ond +1 are not formed; they suggest that D14 and E186 serve catalysis as general base and general acid, respectively. Individual mutations, D14A and E186A, erode k _cat and k _cat/K _m by <10³ and to asimilar extent for substrates 4NPX and 4-nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranoside (4NPA), indicating that the two substrates share the same active site. With 4NPX and 4NPA, pH governs k _cat/K _m with pK _a values of 5.0 and 7.0 assigned to D14 and E186, respectively. k _cat (4NPX) has a pK _a value of 7.0 and k _cat (4NPA) is pH independent above pH 4.0, suggesting that the catalytically inactive, “dianionic” enzyme form (D14-E187-) binds 4NPX but not 4NPA. The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are end orsed or recommended by the US Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

Acid-catalysed hydrolysis of cis -[Cr(C2O4)(AaraNH2)(OH2)(OSO2)]? (where AaraNH2 denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α,d -arabino-hexopyranoside)

The synthesised complex cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)(OSO₂)]⁻ anion with SO ₃ ²⁻ as a ligand in the inner coordination sphere, where AaraNH₂ denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranoside, was hydrolysed in the presence of acid at H⁺ concentrations from 0.01 to 2.7 m (HClO₄). The reaction kinetics was studied with the stopped-flow spectrophotometric (u.v.–vis.) technique at temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 18 and 20 °C. This hydrolysis turned out to be a single-step process. Determined for this reaction were the rate constant k ₁ for the removal of SO₂ from the coordination sphere of the cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)(OSO₂)]⁻ ion and the constant pK ₁ of the protonation of this species in the reaction preceding the hydrolysis. The final product of this reaction – a new complex of Cr^III, cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(AaraNH₂)(OH₂)₂]⁺, was obtained. A mechanism for the acid hydrolysis reaction is put forward based on the analysis of the rate constants obtained.     

Interference of certain ions with the catalytic action of iodine in the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction

Summary On the basis of changes in the rate constant values in the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, amounting to ±5 percent, the concentrations of agents, responsible for these changes and equivalent to ±0.001 g of I^–, were determined. It was found that these substances, in the amounts given, stimulate the reaction, viz.: KBr 0.3 mg; CuSO₄ 1.0 mg; MgSO₄ 4.0 mg; NaCl 40.0 mg, while the following cause a lowering of the iodine value by 0.001 g: NaF 0.04 mg; KH₂PO₄ 1.0 mg; Na⁺ 5mg; KCl 40.0 mg and ZnSO₄ 65.0 mg.

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Zusammenfassung Es werden die Störungen bei der katalytischen Beschleunigungswirkung von Jodid auf die Reaktion zwischen Cer(IV) und Arsen(III) (nach Sandell u. Kolthoff) untersucht. Als störend wird jede Veränderung der Geschwindigkeitskonstanten um ±5% (entsprechend ±0,001 g I^–) betrachtet. Mehr als 0,3 mg KBr, 1,0 mg CuSO₄, 4,0 mg MgSO₄ oder 40,0 mg NaCl verursachen eine Änderung um +5%, während mehr als 0,04 mg NaF, 1,0 mg KH₂PO₄, 5 mg Na⁺, 40,0 mg KCl oder 65,0 mg ZnSO₄ eine solche von — 5% verursachen.

     

Novel Activity of UDP-Galactose-4-Epimerase for Free Monosaccharide and Activity Improvement by Active Site-Saturation Mutagenesis

Uridine diphosphogalactose-4-epimerase (UDP-galactose-4-epimerase, GalE, EC 5.1.3.2) mediates the 4-epimerization of nucleic acid-activated galactose into UDP-glucose. To date, no enzyme is known to mediate 4-epimerization of free monosaccharide substrates. To determine the potential activity of GalE for free monosaccharide, Escherichia coli GalE was expressed and purified using Ni-affinity chromatography, and its ability to mediate 4-epimerization of a variety of free keto- and aldohexoses was assessed. Purified GalE was found to possess 4-epimerization activity for free galactose, glucose, fructose, tagatose, psicose, and sorbose at 0.47, 0.31, 2.82, 9.67, 15.44, and 2.08 nmol/mg protein per minute, respectively. No 4-epimerization activity was found for allose, gulose, altrose, idose, mannose, and talose. The kinetic parameters of 4-epimerization reactions were K _m = 26.4 mM and k _cat = 0.0155 min⁻¹ for d-galactose and K _m = 237 mM and k _cat = 0.327 min⁻¹ for d-tagatose. The 4-epimerization of tagatose, a reaction of commercial interest, was enhanced twofold (19.79 nmol/mg protein per minute) when asparagine was exchanged with serine at position 179. The novel activity of GalE for free monosaccharide may be beneficial for the production of rare sugars using cheap natural resources. Potential strategies for developing enhanced GalE with increased 4-epimerization activity are discussed in the context of the above findings and an analysis of a 3D structural model.