Catalytically active monomers of E. coli glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Monomeric forms of E. coli glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase have been prepared using two different experimental approaches: (1) covalent immobilization of a tetramer on a solid support via a single subunit with subsequent dissociation of non-covalently bound subunits in the presence of urea, and (2) entrapment of monomeric species into reversed micelles of Aerosol OT in octane. Isolated monomers were shown to be catalytically active, exhibiting KM values close to the parameters characteristic of the tetrameric forms. Like tetramers, isolated monomers did not use NADP7 as a coenzyme.

Thermobarostability of alpha-chymotrypsin in reversed micelles of aerosol OT in octane solvated by water-glycerol mixtures

Thermostability of alpha-chymotrypsin at normal pressure in reversed micelles depends on both an effective surfactant solvation degree and glycerol content in the system. The difference in alpha-chymotrypsin stability in reversed micelles at various glycerol concentrations [up to 60% (v/v)] was more pronounced at high surfactant degrees of solvation, R >/= 16. After a 1-h incubation at 40 degrees C in "aqueous" reversed micelles (in the absence of glycerol), alpha-chymotrypsin retained only 1% of initial catalytic activity and 10, 22, 59, and 48% residual activity in glycerol-solvated micelles with 20, 30, 50, and 60% (v/v) glycerol, respectively. The explanation of the observed effects is given in the frames of micellar matrix structural order increasing in the presence of glycerol as a water-miscible cosolvent that leads to the decreasing mobility of the alpha-chymotrypsin molecule and, thus the increase of its stability. It was found that glycerol or hydrostatic pressure could be used to stabilize alpha-chymotrypsin in reversed micelles; a lower pressure is necessary to reach a given level of enzyme stability in the presence of glycerol.

Formate dehydrogenase in a reversed micelle system: regulation of catalytic activity and oligomeric composition of the enzyme

Formate dehydrogenases from the methylotrophic bacteria Pseudomonas sp. 101 and Mycobacterium vaccae N10 were studied in a system of Aerosol OT reversed micelles in octane. Three peaks of the catalytic activity were found on the plot of activity versus surfactant hydration degree (the size of the micellar inner cavity) which corresponded to functions of the enzyme in various oligomeric forms: monomeric, dimeric, and octameric. Kinetic data were confirmed by results of sedimentation analysis. The enzyme was chemically modified by a bifunctional reagent (dimethyl suberimidate) to obtain a catalytically active non-dissociating dimeric molecule of formate dehydrogenase. In the case of the covalently-linked non-dissociating dimeric enzyme, the peak which corresponded to the monomeric form of the enzyme was found to disappear from the catalytic activity curve.

Formation and properties of dimeric recombinant horseradish peroxidase in a system of reversed micelles

Wild-type recombinant horseradish peroxidase purified and refolded from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies has been studied in the system of bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulphosuccinate sodium salt (Aerosol OT)-reversed micelles in octane. In contrast with native horseradish peroxidase the wild-type recombinant enzyme forms dimeric structures as judged by sedimentation analysis. Peroxidase substrates affect the equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric enzyme forms. The dependence of the catalytic activity of recombinant peroxidase on the degree of hydration of the surfactant exhibits two maxima with pyrogallol, o-phenylene- diamine, guaiacol and o-dianisidine, with different ratios of activities for the first and second maxima. The differences in activities of monomeric and dimeric forms of the recombinant horseradish peroxidase provide evidence for active-site screening in dimeric forms. This has been used to model a dimeric structure of recombinant horseradish peroxidase with the screened entrance to the active site. In the model structure obtained, three of eight glycosylation sites were screened. This might explain the absence of dimeric structures in native enzyme peroxidase. The system of reversed micelles provides, for the first time, evidence for the formation of dimeric structures by recombinant plant peroxidase with an altered substrate specificity compared with the native enzyme. Thus one can assume that haem-containing peroxidases in general are able to form dimeric structures.

Dimerization of recombinant horseradish peroxidase in a reversed micellar system

Recombinant horseradish peroxidase reactivated from E. coli inclusion bodies was studied in a reversed micellar system of AOT in octane. The ability of the recombinant enzyme, in contrast to native horseradish peroxidase, to form a dimeric structure was found. The existence of the dimer was proved by results of sedimentation analysis. Dimer/monomer ratio in the enzyme-containing micelles and dimer catalytic activity were found to depend on the substrate used (pyrogallol, guaiacol, o-dianisidine, o-phenylenediamine). Computer modelling was used to describe possible structures of the dimeric recombinant horseradish peroxidase.

Formation of homo- and heterooligomeric supramolecular structures by D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase in reversed micelles of aerosol OT in octane

The supramolecular structure of oligomeric enzymes can be specifically regulated by changing the size of an inner cavity of Aerosol OT reversed micelles in octane. Both D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) reveal an ability to exist and function in monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric forms (homooligomers). Various heterooligomeric complexes, in particular, GAPDH monomer--LDH monomer, GAPDH dimer--LDH tetramer were detected in reversed micelles.

Stability and stabilization of recombinant peroxidase in reversed micelles

Stability of recombinant peroxidase lacking carbohydrate residues on the surface of the protein molecule has been characterized in reversed micelles of Aerosol OT in octane. The enzyme stability was found to depend on the surfactant hydration degree (w0 = [H2O]/[AOT]). Residual activity after 1 h incubation dropped to zero at w0 = 7 but was 54% at w0 = 25. However, the residual activity levels at all values of hydration degree were definitely low compared to that of glycosylated wild-type horseradish peroxidase. The stability of the enzyme apparently depends on the presence of carbohydrate residues. Stabilization of recombinant peroxidase in reversed micellar system involved sugar-containing co-surfactants such as Tweens and Spans is proposed. As an example, addition of 1 mM Span 80 (1% relative to AOT concentration) increased the recombinant peroxidase stability up to that of wild-type peroxidase.

High-pressure stabilization of alpha-chymotrypsin entrapped in reversed micelles of aerosol OT in octane against thermal inactivation

alpha-Chymotrypsin (CT) solubilized in reversed micelles of sodium bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-sulfosuccinate (AOT) undergoes thermal inactivation and the enzyme stability decreases significantly when temperature increases (25-40 degrees C). The half-life of CT in micelles shows a bell-shaped dependence on the degree of hydration of AOT (wo) analogous to the previously obtained dependence on wo for the enzyme activity. The optima of catalytic activity and thermal stability have been observed under conditions where the diameter of the inner aqueous cavity of the micelle is close to the size of the enzyme molecule (wo = 10). Application of high hydrostatic pressure in the range of 1-1500 atm (bar) stabilizes CT against thermal inactivation at all hydration degrees (wo) from 7 to 20; the stabilization effect is most pronounced under the experimental conditions being far from the optimum for catalytic activity.

Lectin-like center in the molecule of alpha-chymotrypsin: formation of complexes with peroxidase and artificially glycosylated alpha-chymotrypsin

Using the system of reversed micelles of Aerosol OT1 in octane as an instrument revealing the possibility of supramolecular structures formation, we have shown that the native alpha-chymotrypsin can form complexes with glycoproteins. Dimers of the native alpha-chymotrypsin with the artificially glycosylated one and with horseradish peroxidase (natural glycoprotein) were obtained. The position of the optimum on the dependence of the catalytic activity upon the hydration degree confirms the compact organization of the formed complexes. The ability of alpha-chymotrypsin to form such kind of complexes seems to play a key role in its absorption on glycocalix in vivo.

Revealing active site on the light subunit of penicillin acylase

Serine-specific irreversible inhibitor phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) inactivates penicillin acylase subunits, which were chromatographically separated under denaturing conditions and refolded by dialysis, in aqueous solution and Aerosol OT reversed micelles. The activities of both alpha and beta subunits decrease with increasing PMSF concentration but the dependence is no longer linear, in contrast with the native enzyme. The enzyme inactivated in aqueous solution, when solubilized in the micellar system at Wo = 12, exhibits an additional activity, which can be further inhibited by PMSF.

Catalytic activity of refolded penicillin acylase subunits in aqueous solution and aerosol ot reversed micelles in octane

Refolded alpha and beta subunits of penicillin acylase were produced by gel-filtration under denaturing conditions followed by removal of urea through dialysis. Preparations of both renatured subunits hidrolysed specific substrate--phenylacetic acid p-nitroanilide in buffer and in the system of Aerosol OT reversed micelles, the alpha subunit being most catalytically active at Wo = 11.9, while the beta subunit--at Wo = 17.5. There was a good correlation between the position of the found maxima, the theoretically calculated optimal hydration degrees as well as the earlier reported profile of enzymatic activity for native enzyme in reversed micelles.

Artificially glycosylated alpha-chymotrypsin in reversed micelles of Aerosol OT in octane. A new approach to elucidation of the role of carbohydrate moieties in glycoproteins

A comparative study of native and artificially glycosylated alpha-chymotrypsin in reversed micelles of Aerosol OT in octane was carried out. D-Glucosamine and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide were used as modifying agents to yield glycosylated enzyme. Unlike the native alpha-chymotrypsin, the modified protein tended to form reversible oligomeric structures, revealed by the appearance of an additional maximum (characteristic of dimeric forms of protein functioning) as a result of the enzyme catalytic activity being dependent on the AOT hydration degree. Dependence of the enzyme catalytic activity on the surfactant concentration in the case of the modified enzyme was similar to that of glycoproteins, and suggests its membrane affinity. The role of carbohydrate moieties in the functioning of glycoproteins is discussed.

Regulation of the supramolecular structure and the catalytic activity of penicillin acylase from Escherichia coli in the system of reversed micelles of Aerosol OT in octane

The properties of penicillin acylase from E. coli solubilized by hydrated reversed micelles (RM) of Aerosol OT in octane were studied. The dependence of catalytic activity on the hydration degree, a parameter which determines the size of the micelle inner cavity, has a curve with three optima, each one corresponding to the enzyme functioning either in a dimer form (wo = 23) or in a form of separate subunits, a heavy one, beta, and a light one, alpha (wo = 20 and 14, respectively). The reversible dissociation of the enzyme was confirmed by ultracentrifugation followed by electrophoresis.

Subunit separation in reversed micelle system reveals the existence of active centers both on light and heavy gamma-glutamyltransferase subunits

Regulation of supra-macromolecular composition and catalytic activity of a heterodimeric enzyme, gamma-glutamyltransferase, in the system of Aerosol OT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) reversed micelles in octane were studied. Variation of the surfactant hydration degree (parameter, determining dimensions of the polar inner cavity of the micelle) causes a reversible dissociation of the enzyme to light and heavy subunits. Both enzyme subunits possess catalytic activity. The light and heavy subunits of the enzyme were separated on a preparative scale in a reversed micelle system using ultracentrifugation. The active centers of gamma-glutamyltransferase were studied using its irreversible inhibitor--AT-125 (L-(alpha S, 5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid). Separation of the gamma-glutamyltransferase subunits results in the 'opening' of a new active center located at the heavy subunit. In the dimer form of the enzyme this center is masked and it is not accessible to both substrate and inhibitor molecules.

Engineering of functional supramacromolecular complexes of proteins (enzymes) using reversed micelles as matrix microreactors

The size of the inner water cavity of reversed micelles formed in a triple system 'water-surfactant-organic solvent' can be widely varied by changing the degree of surfactant hydration. This gives grounds to use reversed micelles as matrix microreactors for the design of supramolecular complexes of proteins. Using ultracentrifugation analysis, it has been demonstrated that the oligomeric composition of various enzymes (ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) solubilized in reversed micelles of Aerosol OT [sodium bis(2-ethylehexyl)sulfosuccinate] in octane changes upon variation of the degree of hydration. An oligomeric complex forms under conditions when the radius of the micelle inner cavity is big enough to incorporate this complex as a whole. At lower degrees of hydration the micelles 'uncouple' such complexes to their components. The catalytic properties of various oligomeric complexes have been studied. Possibilities of using reversed micelles for the separation of subunits of oligomeric enzymes under non-denaturating conditions have been demonstrated. In particular, the isolated subunits of alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate have been found to be active in Aerosol OT reversed micelles. The dependences of the catalytic activity of oligomeric enzymes represent saw-like curves. The maxima of the catalytic activity observed at these curves relate to the functioning of various oligomeric forms of an enzyme. The radii of the micelle inner cavity under conditions when these maxima are observed correlate with the linear dimensions of the enzyme oligomeric forms. Correlation of the position of a maximum with the shape of an oligomeric complex is discussed.

Regulation of the catalytic activity and oligomeric composition of enzymes in reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents

The phenomenon of regulation of the catalytic activity of enzymes via changing their oligomeric composition in the system of reversed micelles of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) in octane was studied using alpha-chymotrypsin (CT) from bovine brain and alkaline phosphatase (AP) from calf intestinal mucosa. The dependences of the enzyme catalytic activity on the AOT hydration degree (Wo = [H2O]/[AOT]), the parameter determining the radius (rc) of the inner cavity of micelles, usually represent the bell-shaped curves. The maximal catalytic activity is observed at such Wo when rc is equal to the size of the enzyme molecule. The position of this maximum strictly correlates with the enzyme oligomeric composition. Thus, in the case of CT this is observed at Wo = 12 when rc is equal to the radius (rp) of the CT globule. In the case of artificially produced conjugate containing six cross-linked CT molecules, this is observed at Wo = 43 when rc is equal to the radius of the sphere surrounding the absolute octahedron composed of six CT globules. The dependence of the catalytic activity of AP on Wo represents a curve with two maxima that are observed when rc is equal to rp of either AP monomer (Wo = 17) or AP dimer (Wo = 25). Ultracentrifugation experiments revealed that variation of Wo causes a change in the oligomeric composition of AP - its transition from monomeric (Wo less than 20) to dimeric form (Wo greater than 20). Hence, the observed maxima correspond to functioning of different oligomeric forms of AP.

Fixation of a highly reactive form of alpha-chymotrypsin by micellar matrix

Using reversed micelles of surfactants solvated by water-organic cosolvent mixtures as a matrix for enzyme entrapping, it is possible to fix the highly reactive alpha-chymotrypsin form. The reactivity of alpha-chymotrypsin towards nonspecific substrates increases to the extent comparable with that observed in reactions involving specific substrates.

Catalytic activity and denaturation of enzymes in water/organic cosolvent mixtures. Alpha-chymotrypsin and laccase in mixed water/alcohol, water/glycol and water/formamide solvents

The dependence of the catalytic activities of alpha-chymotrypsin and laccase on the concentration of organic cosolvents (alcohols, glycols and formamides) in mixed aqueous media has a pronounced threshold character: it does not change up to a critical concentration of the non-aqueous cosolvents added, yet further increase of the latter (by only a small percentage, by vol.) leads to an abrupt decrease in enzyme activity. Fluorescence studies indicate that the inactivation results from reversible conformational changes (denaturation) of the enzymes. There is a linear correlation between the critical concentration of residual water (at which the enzyme inactivation occurs in a threshold manner) and the hydrophobicity of the organic cosolvents added. A quantitative criterion is suggested for the selection of organic cosolvents to be used for enzymatic reactions in homogeneous water/organic solvent media.

A new way in homogeneous immunoassay: reversed micellar systems as a medium for analysis

Possibilities of a new principle for the homogeneous enzyme immunoassay utilizing the systems of surfactant reversed micelles in organic solvents have been demonstrated taking thyroxine determination as an example. The catalytic activity of an enzyme, solubilized in such systems, is determined by the ratio of geometric dimensions of the micellar matrice and the enzyme molecule. The addition of antibodies against thyroxine to the peroxidase-thyroxine conjugate, solubilized in the system of reversed micelles of aerosol OT in octane, leads to the formation of the immune complex whose size differs substantially from that of the initial enzyme-antigen conjugate. This induces changes in the peroxidase catalytic activity. The addition of free thyroxine to the system stimulates the conjugate release from the immune complex and, consequently, the reduction of the peroxidase activity to the initial level. Sensitivity of the analysis in reversed micellar systems can be regulated by changing the surfactant hydration degree. Substances of different nature (both hydrophobic and hydrophylic) can be solubilized in reverse micellar systems under standard conditions, which allows determination of water insoluble antigens.

A new strategy for the study of oligomeric enzymes: gamma-glutamyltransferase in reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents

A heterodimeric enzyme (gamma-glutamyltransferase) was studied in the reversed micellar medium of Aerosol OT (AOT) in octane. As was shown earlier, the size (radius) of inner cavity of the AOT-reversed micelles is determined by their hydration degree, i.e., [H2O]/[AOT] molar ratio, in the system. Owing to this, the dependence of hydrolytic, transpeptidation and autotranspeptidation activities of the enzyme on the hydration degree was investigated using L- and D-isomers of gamma-glutamyl(3-carboxy-4-nitro)anilide and glycylglycine as substrates. For all of the reaction types, the observed dependences are curves with three optima. The optima are found at the hydration degrees, [H2O]/[AOT] = 11, 17 and 26 when the inner cavity radii of reversed micelles are equal to the size of light (Mr 21,000) and heavy (Mr 54,000) subunits of gamma-glutamyltransferase, and to their dimer (Mr 75,000), respectively. Ultracentrifugation experiments showed that a change of the hydration degree resulted in a reversible dissociation of the enzyme to light and heavy subunits. The separation of light and heavy subunits of gamma-glutamyltransferase formed in reversed micelles was carried out and their catalytic properties were studied. The two subunits catalyze hydrolysis and transpeptidation reactions; autotranspeptidation reaction is detected only in the case of the heavy subunit. These findings imply that the reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents function as the matrices with adjustable size permitting to regulate the supramolecular structure and the catalytic activity of oligomeric enzymes.

The second E.C. Slater lecture. Micellar enzymology: its relation to membranology

Micellar enzymology, a new trend in molecular biology, studies catalysis by enzymes entrapped in hydrated reversed micelles composed of surfactants (phospholipids, detergents) in organic solvents. The key research problems of micellar enzymology and its relation to enzyme membranology are discussed.

Catalysis by enzymes entrapped into hydrated surfactant aggregates having lamellar or cylindrical (hexagonal) or ball-shaped (cubic) structure in organic solvents

Instead of aqueous solutions, universally recognized in enzymology, ternary systems of the water/organic solvent/surfactant type are suggested as liquid-crystalline media for enzymatic reactions. Two systems, water/octane/Aerosol OT and water/cyclohexane/Brij 96, have been used to solubilize acid and alkaline phosphatases and peroxidase. The enzymes under study do function in liquid-crystalline mesophases having lamellar, cylindrical (reversed hexagonal) and ball-shaped (reversed cubic) packing of the surfactant molecules. A significant result is that the phase transition from one liquid-crystalline structure to another entails, as a rule, a reversible change in the catalytic activity of the solubilized enzyme.

Gene expression in cytokinin-and light-mediated plastogenesis of Cucurbita cotyledons: ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

The effects of a cytokinin (N(6)-benzyladenine, BA) and light on plastogenesis have been studied in detached Cucurbita cotyledons using the key enzyme of photosynthetic CO2 fixation, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCase), as an example of a coordinated program of plastid and nucleo-cytoplasmic gene expression. Treatment of etiolated cotyledons with either BA in darkness or in light or light alone results in a marked and correlated stimulation of enzyme activity, quantity and biosynthesis (in-vivo [(14)C]leucine incorporation into immunoprecipitated enzyme protein), indicating an increase of de-novo synthesis under the influence of the two effectors. Cell-free translation of non-polyadenylated (poly(A)(-))RNA in an Escherichia coli system and total RNA in a wheat-germ system likewise demonstrate a light and hormone-dependent increase in the amounts of translatable mRNAs for the large (LS) and small subunits (SS) of RuBPCase (among other polypeptides). Hybridisation of poly(A)(-)RNA with a nick-translated LS gene of spinach RuBPCase reveals also two-to three-fold BA-or light-induced enhancement of LS mRNA content. Indications for stimulation of SS mRNA transcription are derived from inhibitor experiments with cordycepin. We conclude that the observed stimulation of de-novo RuBPCase synthesis by cytokinin and by light can be referred to the level of mRNA transcription, but it remains open whether this is a primary action. Furthermore, our results indicate that the coaction of the two exogenous factors is additive at different steps of RuBPCase formation, indicating independent actions in the causal chain between effector-signal transduction and RuBPCase gene expression.

Colloidal solution of water in organic solvents: a microheterogeneous medium for enzymatic reactions

To simulate in vitro the conditions under which enzymes act in vivo, enzyme molecules have been entrapped in hydrated reverse micelles of a surfactant in organic solvents. In this system the catalytic activity of one of the enzymes studied (peroxidase) became much higher than in water, and the specificity of the other enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) was dramatically altered.