Cytosolic Cysteine Synthase Switch Cysteine and Mimosine Production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucaena leucocephala</Emphasis>

In higher plants, multiple copies of the cysteine synthase gene are present for cysteine biosynthesis. Some of these genes also have the potential to produce various kinds of β-substitute alanine. In the present study, we cloned a 1275-bp cDNA for cytosolic O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (cysteine synthase) (Cy-OASTL) from Leucaena leucocephala. The purified protein product showed a dual function of cysteine and mimosine synthesis. Kinetics studies showed pH optima of 7.5 and 8.0, while temperature optima of 40 and 35 °C, respectively, for cysteine and mimosine synthesis. The kinetic parameters such as apparent K_m, k_cat were determined for both cysteine and mimosine synthesis with substrates O-acetylserine (OAS) and Na₂S or 3-hydroxy-4-pyridone (3H4P). From the in vitro results with the common substrate OAS, the apparent k_cat for Cys production is over sixfold higher than mimosine synthesis and the apparent K_m is 3.7 times lower, suggesting Cys synthesis is the favored pathway.     

Purification and Characterization of a Zinc-Dependent Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Leucaena leucocephala,a Tree Legume

A cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) from the secondary xylem of Leucaena leucocephala has been purified to homogeneity through successive steps of ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE cellulose, Sephadex G-75, and Blue Sepharose CL-6B affinity column chromatographies. CAD was purified to 514.2 folds with overall recovery of 13 % and specific activity of 812. 5 nkat/mg. Native and subunit molecular masses of the purified enzyme were found to be ～76 and ～38 kDa, respectively, suggesting it to be a homodimer. The enzyme exhibited highest catalytic efficiency (Kcat/Km 3.75 μM^?1 s^?1) with cinnamyl aldehyde among all the substrates investigated. The pH and temperature optima of the purified CAD were pH 8.8 and 40 °C, respectively. The enzyme activity was enhanced in the presence of 2.0 mM Mg²⁺, while Zn²⁺ at the same concentration exerted an inhibitory effect. The inclusion of 2.0 mM EDTA in the assay system activated the enzyme. The enzyme was inhibited with caffeic acid and ferulic acid in a concentration-dependent manner, while no inhibition was observed with salicylic acid. Peptide mass analysis of the purified CAD by MALDI-TOF showed a significant homology to alcohol dehydrogenases of MDR superfamily.     

Alliin Lyase (Alliinase) from Garlic (Allium sativum)

The garlic plant (Allium sativum) alliinase (EC 4.4.1.4), which catalyzes the synthesis of allicin, was purified to homogeneity from bulbs using various steps, including hydrophobic chromatography. Molecular and biochemical studies showed that the enzyme is a dimer of two subunits of MW 51.5 kDa each. ItsK _m using synthetic S-allylcysteine sulfoxide (+isomer) as substrate was 1.1 mM, its pH optimum 6.5, and its isoelectric point 6.35. The enzyme is a glycoprotein containing 6% carbohydrate. N-terminal sequences of the intact polypeptide chain as well as of a number of peptides obtained after cyanogen bromide cleavage were obtained. Cloning of the cDNAs encoding alliinase was performed by a two-step strategy. In the first, a cDNA fragment (pAli-1-450 bp) was obtained by PCR using a mixed oligonucleotide primer synthesized according to a 6-amino acid segment near theN- terminal of the intact polypeptide. The second step involved screening of garlic λgt11 and λZAPII cDNA libraries withpAli-1, which yielded two clones; one was nearly full length and the second was full length. These clones exhibited some degree of DNA sequence divergence, especially in their 3′ noncoding regions, suggesting that they were encoded by separate genes. The nearly full length cDNA was fused in frame to a DNA encoding a signal peptide from a wheat gliadin, and expressed inXenopus oocytes. This yielded a 50 kDa protein that interacted with the antibodies against natural bulb alliinase. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that the bulb alliinase was highly expressed in bulbs, whereas a lower expression level was found in leaves, and no expression was detected in roots. Strikingly, the roots exhibited an abundant alliinase activity, suggesting that this tissue expressed a distinct alliinase isozyme with very low homology to the bulb enzyme.     

Determination of Cysteine using the Fluorescence from a L-Tyrosine-Copper(II) Complex

A simple and sensitive method for the determination of cysteine is reported based on fluorescence quenching and recovery of L-tyrosine. At pH 10, copper(II) reacted with L-tyrosine to form a 1:1 complex that resulted in the quenching of L-tyrosine. However, the quenched fluorescence of L-tyrosine was recovered upon adding cysteine due to the strong affinity between these components. Under the optimized conditions, the recovered fluorescence was linearly proportional to the concentration of cysteine from 6.5?×?10^?7 to 4?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.32?×?10^?8?mol?L^?1, demonstrating high sensitivity for the determination of cysteine. The mechanisms of fluorescence quenching and recovery were characterized and the method was used to determine cysteine in a pharmaceutical product with satisfactory results.     

Ultrafast electron transfer from oligo(p-phenylene-ethynylene)thiol to gold

The electron transfer dynamics of oligo(p-phenylene-ethynylene) (OPE) SAM on Au(111) was studied by resonant photoemission spectroscopy. The ultrafast electron transfer from OPE molecules to Au substrate was clearly observed. The time scale for this charge transfer is much less than 6 fs, the core-hole lifetime for C 1s. This strongly suggests that there is an intense interfacial electronic coupling between OPE molecules and the Au substrate.     

An Unusual Chimeric Diterpene Synthase from Emericella variecolor and Its Functional Conversion into a Sesterterpene Synthase by Domain Swapping

Di‐ and sesterterpene synthases produce C₂₀ and C₂₅ isoprenoid scaffolds from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) and geranylfarnesyl pyrophosphate (GFPP), respectively. By genome mining of the fungus Emericella variecolor, we identified a multitasking chimeric terpene synthase, EvVS, which has terpene cyclase (TC) and prenyltransferase (PT) domains. Heterologous gene expression in Aspergillus oryzae led to the isolation of variediene ( 1 ), a novel tricyclic diterpene hydrocarbon. Intriguingly, in vitro reaction with the enzyme afforded the new macrocyclic sesterterpene 2 as a minor product from dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) and isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP). The TC domain thus produces the diterpene 1 and the sesterterpene 2 from GGPP and GFPP, respectively. Notably, a domain swap of the PT domain of EvVS with that of another chimeric sesterterpene synthase, EvSS, successfully resulted in the production of 2 in vivo as well. Cyclization mechanisms for the production of these two compounds are proposed.     

Methylsulfonyl benzothiazole (MSBT): a selective protein thiol blocking reagent

A new thiol blocking reagent, methylsulfonyl benzothiazole, was discovered. This reagent showed good selectivity and high reactivity for protein thiols.     

Self-assembled monolayers of a bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine-substituted thiol on Au(111)

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of a bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine-substituted thiol (bpp-SH) on Au (111)/mica were studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). Using substrates precoated with perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (PTCDA), preparation at elevated temperatures yields highly ordered layers whose structure is described by a rectangular (5 x radical3) unit cell containing one molecule. The bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (bpp) units exhibit pi-stacking along the 112 direction, and they are tilted significantly. We conclude the three imine nitrogen atoms in the bpp headgroup adopt a trans,trans arrangement.     

Inhibition of Cysteine Proteases by 6,6′-Dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) from Nuphar lutea

The specificity of inhibition by 6,6′-dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) on cysteine proteases was demonstrated in this work. There were differences in the extent of inhibition, reflecting active site structural-steric and biochemical differences. Cathepsin S (IC₅₀ = 3.2 μM) was most sensitive to inhibition by DTBN compared to Cathepsin B, L and papain (IC₅₀ = 1359.4, 13.2 and 70.4 μM respectively). DTBN is inactive for the inhibition of M^pro of SARS-CoV-2. Docking simulations suggested a mechanism of interaction that was further supported by the biochemical results. In the docking results, it was shown that the cysteine sulphur of Cathepsin S, L and B was in close proximity to the DTBN thiaspirane ring, potentially forming the necessary conditions for a nucleophilic attack to form a disulfide bond. Covalent docking and molecular dynamic simulations were performed to validate disulfide bond formation and to determine the stability of Cathepsins-DTBN complexes, respectively. The lack of reactivity of DTBN against SARS-CoV-2 M^pro was attributed to a mismatch of the binding conformation of DTBN to the catalytic binding site of M^pro. Thus, gradations in reactivity among the tested Cathepsins may be conducive for a mechanism-based search for derivatives of nupharidine against COVID-19. This could be an alternative strategy to the large-scale screening of electrophilic inhibitors.     

Low-temperature mobility and structure formation of a prochiral aromatic thiol (2,5-dichlorothiophenol) on Cu(111)

We present a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy study of increasing coverages of 2,5-dichlorothiophenol, an asymmetrically halo-substituted aromatic thiol, on Cu(111). At low coverage, deprotonation of the thiol occurs spontaneously upon adsorption at 80 K. Albeit the low deposition temperature, we find the formation of adsorbate islands at low coverage, which coalesce into a well-ordered film of horizontally adsorbed molecules at increasing coverage. This behavior indicates (i) significant mobility of the thiols on Cu(111) even at low temperatures and (ii) attractive adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. At higher coverages intermolecular interactions prevent long-range diffusion of adsorbates and thermal activation of the S-H bond becomes necessary. A close analysis of the molecular films reveals chiral recognition between neighboring molecules, which leads to the formation of enantiopure areas on the surface. Upright orientation of individual molecules starts at the boundaries between such phases and can be induced by scanning tunneling microscopy.     

[Li(tmeda)2][cyclo-(P5But4)]: An unusual ion-separated lithium oligophosphanide

The reaction of lithium with Bu^tPCl₂ and PCl₃ in the ratio 12:4:1 in THF gave a product mixture comprising cyclo-(P₄Bu^t₄), Li₂(P₄Bu^t₄), and lithium tetra-tert-butylcyclopentaphosphanide Li[cyclo-(P₅Bu^t₄)] (1) among other phosphanides and phosphanes. Optimization of the reaction conditions and recrystallization from THF/TMEDA (TMEDA: Me₂NCH₂CH₂NMe₂) gave [Li(tmeda)₂][cyclo-(P₅Bu^t₄)] (1b) which was characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies showed the presence of separated [Li(tmeda)₂]⁺ cations and [cyclo-(P₅Bu^t₄)]^? anions. 1b represents the first structure of a “naked” [cyclo-(P₅Bu^t₄)]^? anion.     

Activation and Stabilization of The Hydroperoxide Lyase Enzymatic Extract from Mint Leaves (Mentha spicata) Using Selected Chemical Additives

The effects of selected lyoprotecting excipients and chemical additives on the specific activity and the thermal stability of the hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) enzymatic extract from mint leaves were investigated. The addition of KCl (5%, w/w) and dextran (2.5%, w/w) to the enzymatic extract, prior to lyophilization, increased the HPL specific activity by 2.0- and 1.2-fold, respectively, compared to the control lyophilized extract. From half-life time (t _1/2), it can be seen that KCl has enhanced the HPL stability by 1.3- to 2.3-fold, during long-period storage at ?20 °C and 4 °C. Among the selected additives used throughout this study, glycine appeared to be the most effective one. In addition to the activation effect conferred by glycine, it also enhanced the HPL thermal stability. In contrast, polyhydroxyl-containing additives were not effective for stabilizing the HPL enzymatic extract. On the other hand, there was no signification increase in HPL activity and its thermal stability with the presence of Triton X-100. The results also showed that in the presence of glycine (10%), the catalytic efficiency of HPL was increased by 2.45-fold than that without additive.     

Detection of a metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-1) by fluorescent probes having dansyl and thiol groups

A fluorescent probe for the detection of a metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-1), N-[2-(5-dimethylaminonaphthalen-1-ylsulfonylamino)ethyl]-3- mercaptopropionamide (Dansyl-C2SH), 1, was designed based on combining the inhibitory function of mercaptocarboxylate and a fluorophore. The binding of 1 to IMP-1 was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Compound 1 can act as fluorescent probe for detecting IMP-1 selectively.     

Synthesis of Peptide Cysteine Dimedone Using Fmoc-Cys(Dmd)-OH: Glutathione Cysteine Dimedone as a Probe in Investigating the Sulfenic Acid Mediated Oxidation of Glutathione

Dimedone is the most widely used chemical probe for detection of cysteine sulfenic acid in peptides and proteins. The reaction of dimedone with cysteine sulfenic acid results in the formation of unique cysteine dimedone motif containing thioether bridge. Based on the structure of cysteine dimedone residue in polypeptide, a new building block of Fmoc-Cys(Dmd)-OH was developed for solid phase synthesis of peptide cysteine dimedone. Mass spectrometric sequencing of synthetic peptides have confirmed successful incorporation of cysteine dimedone in peptide chain using HBTU/HOBt as a coupling agent. The new method permits synthesis of peptides containing both cysteine thiol and cysteine dimedone in the same sequence which was difficult to achieve by conventional methods. The synthetic peptide of glutathione cysteine dimedone was used as a standard in probing the air-mediated oxidation of thiol to disulfide form of glutathione. The co-elution of standard peptide and reaction mixture of oxidation of glutathione in presence of dimedone using RP-HPLC have confirmed the formation of glutathione cysteine sulfenic as an intermediate in the air-mediated oxidation of glutathione. The synthetic peptides of cysteine dimedone may find application in the field of redox proteomics and generation of antibodies against modified cysteine residue.