An alternative purification method for human serum paraoxonase 1 and its interaction with methidathion

In this study, an alternative purification method for human Paraoxonase 1 (hPON1) enzyme was developed using two-step procedures, namely ammonium sulphate precipitation and Sepharose-4B-L-tyrosine-1-aminoanthracene hydrophobic interaction chromatography. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme indicates a single band with an apparent MW of 43 kDa. The enzyme was purified 674-fold with a yield of 16%. Furthermore, we examined the in vitro effect of methidathion on the enzyme activity to understand the better inhibitory properties of the compound. Methidathion is a highly toxic insecticide used to control a broad spectrum of agricultural insect and mite pests. IC₅₀ value was found to be 0.130 mM for the pesticide. Methidathion showed a competitive inhibition with Ki of 0.119 mM for paraoxon.

Effect of cadmium administration in hyperhomocysteinemic mice due to cystathionine beta synthase deficiency

Homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid formed during the metabolism of methionine, is commonly slightly elevated in the plasma of the general population. Additionally, we previously found that cystathionine beta synthase-deficient mice, a murine model of hyperhomocysteinemia, exhibit altered activities of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XME), which dispose of foreign chemicals, in the liver. Thus, hyperhomocysteinemia may result in susceptibility to xenobiotics like cadmium, a heavy-metal toxicant found in drinking water, atmospheric air, and food. Consequently, we exposed hyperhomocysteinemic mice to cadmium via their drinking water for one month to analyze the combined effects of hyperhomocysteinemia and cadmium exposure in liver. No difference in plasma homocysteine level was found after cadmium administration in control and hyperhomocysteinemic mice, but the glutathione level was significantly lower in exposed hyperhomocysteinemic mice compared to control mice, reflecting oxidative stress. We therefore analyzed the effect of Cd administration on hepatic XMEs known to be dysregulated in hyperhomocysteinemic mice: paraoxonase 1, a phase I XME, and

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase, a phase II XME. Cadmium exposure negatively affected activity of paraoxonase 1, a calcium-dependent enzyme. Thus, we analyzed another calcium-dependent enzyme known to be dysregulated in liver of hyperhomocysteinemic mice, calpain, which was also significantly lower after cadmium administration. A comparison of the calculated affinities of cadmium docking versus calcium redocking suggested that cadmium ions may inhibit enzymatic activities by preventing the binding of calcium ions. Moreover, the increased

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase activity observed after cadmium administration could indicate the presence of protective mechanisms in liver of mice. In conclusion, although cadmium administration had no effect on plasma homocysteine level, its effects on plasma glutathionine level suggest a susceptibility to cadmium in the condition of hyperhomocysteinemia, which could be countered by an increased

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase activity.

Systematic review and meta-analysis deciphering the impact of fibrates on paraoxonase-1 status

OBJECTIVE

A significant residual cardiovascular risk is consistently observed in patients treated with statins. A combined treatment with fibrates reduces cardiovascular events in very high-risk patients. Because this is apparently unconnected to an improvement in lipid-related outcomes we hypothesized that the cardioprotective effects of fibrates might be associated with an improvement in paraoxonase-1 (PON1) status.

METHOD

The search for existing evidence, using the Medline, Scopus and Cochrane databases, was systematic and followed the PRISMA statement without restrictions on publication date. We excluded non-clinical and observational studies and we extracted data on baseline and post-treatment values of serum PON1 activity and other measurements of PON1 status.

RESULTS

Nine studies (including 12 treatment arms) in patients with hyperlipidemia, diabetes or metabolic syndrome treated with fibrates, alone or in combination with statins, were included to synthesize results. A meta-analysis of the data using a random-effects model revealed a significant increase in serum PON1 activity following fibrate therapy (WMD: 15.64U/L, 95% CI: 6.94, 24.34, p<0.001), an effect that was robust and not sensitive to any particular study. Subgroup analysis indicated differences in the effect size among types of fibrates and that PON1 alterations were associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol changes following fibrate therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate a significant PON1-enhancing effect of fibrates. Whether this effect is associated with a clinical benefit, although likely, remains to be further investigated.

Toward Understanding the Catalytic Mechanism of Human Paraoxonase 1: Site-Specific Mutagenesis at Position 192

Human paraoxonase 1 (h-PON1) is a serum enzyme that can hydrolyze a variety of substrates. The enzyme exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and organophosphate-hydrolyzing activities. Thus, h-PON1 is a strong candidate for the development of therapeutic intervention against a variety conditions in human. However, the crystal structure of h-PON1 is not solved and the molecular details of how the enzyme hydrolyzes different substrates are not clear yet. Understanding the catalytic mechanism(s) of h-PON1 is important in developing the enzyme for therapeutic use. Literature suggests that R/Q polymorphism at position 192 in h-PON1 dramatically modulates the substrate specificity of the enzyme. In order to understand the role of the amino acid residue at position 192 of h-PON1 in its various hydrolytic activities, site-specific mutagenesis at position 192 was done in this study. The mutant enzymes were produced using Escherichia coli expression system and their hydrolytic activities were compared against a panel of substrates. Molecular dynamics simulation studies were employed on selected recombinant h-PON1 (rh-PON1) mutants to understand the effect of amino acid substitutions at position 192 on the structural features of the active site of the enzyme. Our results suggest that, depending on the type of substrate, presence of a particular amino acid residue at position 192 differentially alters the micro-environment of the active site of the enzyme resulting in the engagement of different subsets of amino acid residues in the binding and the processing of substrates. The result advances our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of h-PON1.

An Engineered Version of Human PON2 Opens the Way to Understand the Role of Its Post-Translational Modifications in Modulating Catalytic Activity

The human paraoxonase 2 (PON2) has been described as a highly specific lactonase hydrolysing the quorum sensing molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL) and having secondary esterase but not phosphotriesterase activity, in contrast with the related enzymes PON1 and PON3. It has been suggested that PON2 enzyme activity is dependent on glycosylation and its N-terminal region has been recently demonstrated to be a transmembrane domain mediating association to membranes. In the present study we describe a mutated form of PON2, lacking the above N-terminal region, which has been further stabilized by the insertion of six amino acidic substitutions. The engineered version, hence forth called rPON2, has been over-expressed in E.coli, refolded from inclusion bodies and purified, yielding an enzyme with the same characteristics as the full length enzyme. Therefore the first conclusion of this work was that the catalytic activity is independent from the N-terminus and protein glycosylation. The kinetic characterization confirmed the primary activity on 3OC12-HSL; accordingly, in vitro experiments of inhibition of the biofilm formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) have demonstrated that rPON2 is more effective than PON1. In addition, we observed small but significant activity against organophosphorothiotes pesticides, m-parathion, coumaphos and malathion.The availability of fair amount of active protein allowed to pinpoint, by mass-spectrometry, ubiquitination of Lys 168 induced in rPON2 by HeLa extract and to correlate such post-translational modification to the modulation of catalytic activity. A mutational analysis of the modified residue confirmed the result.

New chemiluminescent substrates of paraoxonase 1 with improved specificity: synthesis and properties

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an important hydrolase, and the enzyme activity decreases in patients with liver disease, diabetes, coronary heart disease, etc. Phenyl acetate and organophosphates are usually employed as substrates for serum PON1 activity assay. However, phenyl acetate for arylesterase activity assay exhibits disadvantage of high background. According to properties of PON1, four new chemiluminescent acridinium esters were designed, prepared through three steps, and characterized with (1)H NMR and mass spectrometry (MS) data, and their properties as PON1 substrates were investigated. The hydrolyses of the four compounds catalyzed by recombinant human PON1 (rhPON1) (or serum) followed first-order kinetics within 22 min. The PON1 activator (NaCl, 0.10 mol L(-1)) could boost the rhPON1-mediated and serum-mediated hydrolyses of the acridinium esters to 2.01 ~ 2.26 folds, but 1.0 mol L(-1) NaCl decreased the serum arylesterase activity. RhPON1 showed selectivity over other serum esterases such as lipase, acetylcholinesterase, and esterase D more than 300 folds. By using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) inhibitor, the specificities of the four substrates toward serum PON1 were determined as 78.3 ~ 92.9%, which is improved than that of the model compound 9-(4-chloro-phenoxycarbonyl)-10-methylacridinium ester triflate. Due to low toxicity, high specificity, and sensitivity of the substrates, they are useful for serum PON1 activity assay.

Human carotid plaque phosphatidylcholine specifically interacts with paraoxonase 1, increases its activity, and enhances its uptake by macrophage at the expense of its binding to HDL

Human carotid atherosclerotic plaque is in direct contact with circulatory blood components. Thus, plaque and blood components may affect each other. The current study presents the effects of plaque chloroform:methanol (C:M) extract on the HDL-associated enzyme paraoxnase 1 (PON1). This study is part of our investigation on the mutual effects of the interactions between atherosclerotic lesions and blood components. Recombinant PON1 (rePON1) was incubated with the human carotid plaques C:M extract and PON1 activities were analyzed. Lactonase and paraoxonase activities were elevated due to C:M treatment, by 140 and by 69%, respectively. Analytical chemistry analyses revealed specific phosphatidylcholines (PCs) as the plaque active components. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching assay, together with molecular docking, shows that PON1 activity is enhanced in correlation with the level of PC affinity to PON1. Molecular docking revealed that PCs interact specifically with H2-PON1 α-helix, which together with H1 enzyme α-helix links the protein to the HDL surface. These findings are supported by additional results from the PON1 ∆20 mutant that lack its H1-α-helix. Incubation of this mutant with the plaque C:M extract increased PON1 activity by only 20%, much less than the wild-type PON1 that elevated PON1 activity at the same concentration by as much as 95%. Furthermore, as much as the affinity of the enzyme to the PC was augmented, the ability of PON1 to bind to the HDL particle decreased. Finally, PON1 interaction with PC enhance its uptake into the macrophage cytoplasm. In conclusions, Specific lesion phosphatidylcholines (PCs) present in the human carotid plaque significantly enhance PON1 catalytic activities due to their interaction with the enzyme. Such a lesion׳s PC-PON1 interaction, in turn, competes with HDL PCs and enhances PON1 uptake by macrophage at the expense of PON1 binding to the HDL.

Onion extract (Allium cepa L.), quercetin and catechin up-regulate paraoxonase 1 activity with concomitant protection against low-density lipoprotein oxidation in male Wistar rats subjected to oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) protects the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and is a major anti-atherosclerotic protein component of high-density lipoprotein. We explored the effect of onion extract and flavonoids (quercetin and catechin) in the regulation of PON1 expression and correlating with oxidised LDL levels in male Wistar rats subjected to mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) induced oxidative insult. Rats were divided into eight groups: Control, Experimental (HgCl₂), Experimental + onion/catechin/quercetin, Positive control (Normal + onion/catechin/quercetin). Treatment continued for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

PON1 activity and radical scavenging activity decreased in the Experimental group (P < 0.001) with increased susceptibility of LDL for oxidation and plasma malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.001). Onion extract significantly attenuated the adverse effects of HgCl₂ by up-regulating PON1 activity (P < 0.05), radical scavenging activity (P < 0.01), and protected against LDL oxidation (P < 0.001) and lipid peroxidation (P < 0.01). Similar effects were observed with quercetin and to a lesser extent with catechin.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings may explain the anti-atherosclerotic effect of onion and also foods containing quercetin and catechins.

Paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms within a Mississippi USA population as possible biomarkers of enzyme activities associated with disease susceptibility

Paraoxonase (PON1) hydrolyzes paraoxon (PO) and diazoxon (DZO), active metabolites of insecticides parathion and diazinon. The PON1 gene has single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including a codon 192 arginine (R) to glutamine (Q) and methionine (M) to leucine (L) at codon 55. Hydrolysis of PO (POase), DZO (DZOase), dihydrocoumarin (lactonase), and phenyl acetate (arylesterase) were evaluated for associations with race, gender, age, and PON1 55/192 SNP genotypes. Variables were analyzed both individually and in combination. QQ individuals had higher lactonase (p < 0.001) than RR individuals. This might partially explain why predominantly RR African Americans have higher rates of coronary disease than predominantly QQ Caucasians. Significant (p < 0.001) differences in arylesterase were seen among genotypes with QQ and MM lowest whereas RR and LL were highest. This opposes the prevailing belief that arylesterase is unaffected by genotype and suggests that this activity cannot be used to quantify PON1 protein.

Enhanced activity and stability of organophosphorus hydrolase via interaction with an amphiphilic polymer

A simple approach to enhancing the activity and stability of organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) is developed based on interactions between the hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) block of amphiphilic Pluronics and the enzyme. This strategy provides an efficient route to new formulations for decontaminating organophosphate neurotoxins.

Construction of genetically engineered bacteria that degrades organophosphorus pesticide residues and can be easily detected by the fluorescence

Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are widely used in agriculture and industry and there is increased concern about their toxicological effects in the environment. Bioremediation can offer an efficient and cost-effective option for the removal of OPs. Herein, we describe the construction of a genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) that can degrade OPs and be directly detected and monitored in the environment using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion strategy. The coding regions of EGFP, a reporter protein that can fluoresce by itself, and organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH), which has a broad substrate specificity and is able to hydrolyse a number of organophosphorus pesticides, were cloned into the expression vector pET-28b. The fusion protein of EGFP-OPH was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and the protein expression reached the highest level at 11 h after isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside induction. The fluorescence of the GEM was detected by fluorescence spectrophotometry and microscopy, and its ability to degrade OPs was determined by OPH activity assay. Those GEM that express the fusion protein (EGFP and OPH) exhibited strong fluorescence intensity and also potent hydrolase activity, which could be used to degrade organophosphorus pesticide residues in the environment and can also be directly monitored by fluorescence.

Organophosphorus acid anhydrolase from Alteromonas macleodii: structural study and functional relationship to prolidases

The bacterial enzyme organophosphorus acid anhydrolase (OPAA) is able to catalyze the hydrolysis of both proline dipeptides (Xaa-Pro) and several types of organophosphate (OP) compounds. The full three-dimensional structure of the manganese-dependent OPAA enzyme is presented for the first time. This enzyme, which was originally isolated from the marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii, was prepared recombinantly in Escherichia coli. The crystal structure was determined at 1.8 Å resolution in space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 133.8, b = 49.2, c = 97.3 Å, β = 125.0°. The enzyme forms dimers and their existence in solution was confirmed by dynamic light scattering and size-exclusion chromatography. The enzyme shares the pita-bread fold of its C-terminal domain with related prolidases. The binuclear manganese centre is located in the active site within the pita-bread domain. Moreover, an Ni(2+) ion from purification was localized according to anomalous signal. This study presents the full structure of this enzyme with complete surroundings of the active site and provides a critical analysis of its relationship to prolidases.

Catalytic metal ion rearrangements underline promiscuity and evolvability of a metalloenzyme

Although largely deemed as structurally conserved, catalytic metal ion sites can rearrange, thereby contributing to enzyme evolvability. Here, we show that in paraoxonase-1, a lipo-lactonase, catalytic promiscuity and divergence into an organophosphate hydrolase are correlated with an alternative mode of the catalytic Ca(2+). We describe the crystal structures of active-site mutants bearing mutations at position 115. The histidine at this position acts as a base to activate the lactone-hydrolyzing water molecule. Mutations to Trp or Gln indeed diminish paraoxonase-1's lactonase activity; however, the promiscuous organophosphate hydrolase activity is enhanced. The structures reveal a 1.8-Å upward displacement towards the enzyme's surface of the catalytic Ca(2+) in the His115 mutants and configurational changes in the ligating side chains and water molecules, relative to the wild-type enzyme. Biochemical analysis and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that this alternative, upward metal mode mediates the promiscuous hydrolysis of organophosphates. The upward Ca(2+) mode observed in the His115 mutants also appears to mediate the wild type's paraoxonase activity. However, whereas the upward mode dominates in the Trp115 mutant, it is scarcely populated in wild type. Thus, the plasticity of active-site metal ions may permit alternative, latent, promiscuous activities and also provide the basis for the divergence of new enzymatic functions.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the organophosphorus hydrolase OPHC2 from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes

Enzymes that are capable of degrading neurotoxic organophosphorus compounds are of increasing interest because of the lack of efficient and clean methods for their removal. Recently, a novel organophosphorus hydrolase belonging to the metallo-β-lactamase superfamily was identified and isolated from the mesophilic bacterium Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes. This enzyme, named OPHC2, is endowed with significant thermal and pH stability, making it an appealing candidate for engineering studies to develop an efficient organophosphorus biodecontaminant. Combined with biochemical studies, structural information will help decipher the catalytic mechanism of organophosphorus hydrolysis by OPHC2 and identify the residues involved in its substrate specificity. Here, the expression, purification, crystallization and X-ray data collection at 2.1 Å resolution of OPHC2 are presented.

VLDL triglycerides inhibit HDL-associated paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity: in vitro and in vivo studies

We analyzed, for the first time, both in vitro and in vivo, the effect of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), or of pure triglycerides, on high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated paraoxonase1 (PON1) catalytic activities. Incubation of serum or HDL from healthy subjects with VLDL (0-330 μg protein/mL) significantly decreased serum PON1 lactonase or arylesterase activities by up to 11% or 24%, and HDL-associated PON1 lactonase or arylesterase activities by up to 32% or 46%, respectively, in a VLDL dose-dependent manner. VLDL (0-660 μg protein/mL) also inhibited recombinant PON1 (rePON1) lactonase or arylesterase activities by up to 20% or 42%, respectively. Similar inhibitory effect was noted upon rePON1 incubation with pure triglyceride emulsion. Bezafibrate therapy to three hypertriglyceridemic patients (400 mg/day, for one month) significantly decreased serum triglyceride concentration by 67%, and increased serum HDL cholesterol levels by 48%. PON1 arylesterase or paraoxonase activities in the patients' HDL fractions after drug therapy were significantly increased by 86-88%, as compared to PON1 activities before treatment. Similarly, HDL-PON1 protein levels significantly increased after bezafibrate therapy. Finally, bezafibrate therapy improved HDL biological activity, as HDL obtained after drug therapy showed increased ability to induce cholesterol efflux from J774A.1 macrophages, by 19%, as compared to HDL derived before therapy. We thus conclude that VLDL triglycerides inhibit PON1 catalytic activities, and bezafibrate therapy significantly improved HDL-PON1 catalytic and biological activities.

Long term stability of paraoxonase-1 and high-density lipoprotein in human serum

BACKGROUND

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme with numerous functions and receives an increasing interest in clinical and epidemiological studies. Sometimes samples are stored for longer periods at a certain temperature. Therefore the stability of PON1 activity must be checked and retained upon storage for longer periods.

RESULTS

In this study the stability of PON1 activity has been tested in human serum samples during storage up to 12 months at 3 commonly used temperatures, -20°C, -70°C and -196°C. It was found that the stability of the PON1 activity is constant during 12 months of storage at -70°C and -196°C. Storage at -20°C resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease after 6 months to about 94% of its original value. Nonetheless, the rank order between the samples at T = 0 and 12 months remained the same. The same temperature dependence was found for the associated high-density lipoprotein.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that -70°C is the right temperature for storage to maintain the PON1 activity for at least one year. Storage at a lower temperature in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) is not necessary.

Enhanced enzymatic thermal stability and activity in functionalized mesoporous silica monitored by (31) p NMR

Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) is immobilized on ammonium-modified mesoporous silica particles. Thermal stability and activity are measured with a (31) P NMR assay of the conversion of paraoxon (toxic) to its non-toxic hydrolysis product. After immobilization, OPH is significantly more active at room temperature and retained activity even after being heated to 45 °C for 1 month.

Site-specific immobilization of gold binding polypeptide on gold nanoparticle-coated graphene sheet for biosensor application

The effective and strong immobilization of enzymes on solid surfaces is required for current biological applications, such as microchips, biofuel cells, and biosensors. Gold-binding polypeptide (GBP), a genetically designed peptide, possesses unique and specific interactions with a gold surface, resulting in improved enzyme stability and activity. Herein we demonstrated an immobilization method for biosensor applications through site-specific interactions between GBP-fused organophosphorus hydrolase (GBP-OPH) and gold nanoparticle-coated chemically modified graphene (Au-CMG), showing enhanced sensing capability. A flow injection biosensor was fabricated by using GBP-OPH/Au-CMG to detect paraoxons, a model pesticide, showing higher sensitivity, lower detection limit and better operating stability compared that of OPH/Au-CMG. This strategy, which integrates biotic and abiotic moieties through site-specific interactions, has a great potential for use in biosensing and bioconversion process.

Human carotid lesion linoleic acid hydroperoxide inhibits paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity via reaction with PON1 free sulfhydryl cysteine 284

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an HDL-associated lactonase with antiatherogenic properties. These include dampening the oxidation properties of human carotid lesion lipid extract (LLE), which in turn inactivates the enzyme. The aims of this study were to identify the PON1 inhibitor in LLE and explore the mechanism of inhibition. LLE inhibited both recombinant PON1 and HDL-PON1 lactonase activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Addition of antioxidants or electrophiles to LLE did not prevent PON1 inhibition. LLE was unable to inhibit a PON1 mutant lacking Cys284, whereas it did inhibit all other PON1 mutants tested. The inhibitor in the LLE was identified as linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LA-OOH) and inhibition was specific to this hydroperoxide. During its inhibition, PON1 acted like a peroxidase enzyme, reducing LA-OOH to LA-hydroxide via its Cys284. A similar reaction occurred with external thiols, such as DDT or cysteine, which also prevented PON1 inhibition and restored enzyme activity after inhibition. Thus, the antiatherogenic properties of HDL could be, at least in part, related to the sulfhydryl-reducing characteristics of its associated PON1, which are further protected and recycled by the sulfhydryl amino acid cysteine.

Renewable nanocomposite layer-by-layer assembled catalytic interfaces for biosensing applications

A novel, easily renewable nanocomposite interface based on layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled cationic/anionic layers of carbon nanotubes customized with biopolymers is reported. A simple approach is proposed to fabricate a nanoscale structure composed of alternating layers of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes upon which is immobilized either the cationic enzyme organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH; MWNT-OPH) or the anionic DNA (MWNT-DNA). The presence of carbon nanotubes with large surface area, high aspect ratio and excellent conductivity provides reliable immobilization of enzyme at the interface and promotes better electron transfer rates. The oxidized MWNTs were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the surface functionalization of the MWNTs and successful immobilization of OPH on the MWNTs. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that MWNTs were shortened during sonication and that LbL of the MWNT/biopolymer conjugates resulted in a continuous surface with a layered structure. The catalytic activity of the biopolymer layers was characterized using absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis. Experimental results show that this approach yields an easily fabricated catalytic multilayer with well-defined structures and properties for biosensing applications whose interface can be reactivated via a simple procedure. In addition, this approach results in a biosensor with excellent sensitivity, a reliable calibration profile, and stable electrochemical response.

Paraoxonase 1-bound magnetic nanoparticles: preparation and characterizations

This is most probably the first time that covalently binding of Human serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) to superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles via carbodiimide activation was investigated and presented in this study. PON1 was purified from human serum using ammonium sulfate precipitation and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (Sepharose 4B, L-tyrosine, 1-Napthylamine) and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation Fe(+2) and Fe(+3) ions in an ammonia solution at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the magnetic measurements showed that the nanoparticles are magnetite and superparamagnetic, respectively. Direct measurements by dynamic light scattering revealed that the hydrodynamic size was 16.76 nm with polydispersity index (PDI: 0.234). The analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the PON1 was properly bound to magnetic nanoparticles replacing the characteristic band of -NH2 at 1629 cm(-1) with the protein characteristic band at 1744 cm(-1) and 1712 cm(-1). Magnetic measurements determined that PON1-bound nanoparticles have also favorable superparamagnetic properties with zero coercivity and remanence though a slightly smaller saturation magnetization due to the decrease of magnetic moment in the volume friction. The kinetic measurements indicated the PON1-bound nanoparticles retained 70% of its original activity and exhibited an improved stability than did the free enzyme. The PON1 enzyme is seen to be quite convenient to bind superparamagnetic nanoparticles as support material.

Genetic engineering of Stenotrophomonas strain YC-1 to possess a broader substrate range for organophosphates

In this work, Stenotrophomonas sp. strain YC-1, a native soil bacterium that produces methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH), was genetically engineered to possess a broader substrate range for organophosphates (OPs). A surface anchor system derived from the truncated ice nucleation protein (INPNC) from Pseudomonas syringae was used to target organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) onto the cell surface of strain YC-1, reducing the potential substrate uptake limitation. The surface localization of INPNC-OPH was verified by cell fractionation, Western blot, proteinase accessibility, and immunofluorescence microscopy. No growth inhibition was observed for the engineered strain, and suspended cultures retained almost 100% activity over a period of 2 weeks. Concomitant expression of OPH in strain YC-1 resulted in a recombinant strain capable of simultaneously degrading diethyl and dimethyl OPs. A mixture of six OP pesticides (0.2 mM each) could be degraded completely within 5 h. The broader substrate specificity in combination with the rapid degradation rate makes this engineered strain a promising candidate for in situ remediation of OP-contaminated sites.

Orientation specific positioning of organophosphorus hydrolase on solid interfaces for biosensor applications

Protein immobilization on solid interfaces is a crucial aspect of their successful application in technologies such as biosensing, purification, separation, decontamination, etc. Although immobilization can improve the long-term and operational stability of proteins, this is often at the cost of significant losses in the catalytic activity of the tethered enzyme. Covalent attachment methods take advantage of reactive groups on the amino acid side chains. The distribution of the solvent exposed side chains on an enzyme's molecular surface often results in an ensemble of orientations when the protein is immobilized on a surface or in a matrix through these side chain linkages. Depending on the attachment mechanism and resulting orientation, access to and from the active site could be restricted. This study describes a methodology for the design and implementation of an orientation specific attachment of an enzyme to a surface plasmon resonance sensor surface. The enzyme, organophosphorus hydrolase, was structurally analyzed to identify surface resides as candidates for modification to optimize active site accessibility and, thus, sensitivity of detection. A single surface lysine on the active site face of the enzyme dimer was selected for elimination, thus allowing for the immobilization of the catalyst in the preferred orientation. Kinetic evaluation of the enzymes determined that the surface lysine-to-alanine variant retained 80% of the wild-type activity with the neurotoxin substrates, paraoxon and demeton-S. After immobilization, surfaces bearing the variant were determined to be more active even though the enzyme coverage on the sensor surface was reduced by 17%.

Broad-spectrum antioxidant peptides derived from His residue-containing sequences present in human paraoxonase 1

Hydroxyl or peroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) are known to cause the oxidation of lipoproteins. Here, we examined Cu(2+)-binding property of paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and antioxidant actions of peptides, resembling His residue-containing sequences in PON1, against oxidations by Cu(2+), peroxyl radicals or HOCl. When Cu(2+)-binding property of PON1 was examined spectrophotometrically, the maximal Cu(2+) binding was achieved at 1:1 molar ratio of PON1: Cu(2+). Additionally, Cu(2+)-catalyzed oxidative inactivation of PON1 was prevented by Ca(2+)-depleted PON1 at 1:1 ratio, but not diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC)-modified PON1, suggesting the participation of His residue in Cu(2+)-binding. When His-containing peptides were examined for antioxidant actions, those with either His residue at N-terminal position 2 or 3, or His-Pro sequence at C-terminal remarkably prevented Cu(2+)-mediated low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and PON1 inactivation. Especially, FHKALY, FHKY or NHP efficiently prevented Cu(2+)-induced LDL oxidation (24 h), indicating a tight binding of Cu(2+) by peptides. In support of this, the peptide/Cu(2+) complexes exhibited a superoxide-scavenging activity. Separately, in oxidations by 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane hydrochloride or HOCl, the presence of Tyrosine (Tyr) or Cysteine (Cys) residue markedly enhanced antioxidant action of His-containing peptides. These results indicate that His-containing peptides with Tys or Cys residues correspond to broad spectrum antioxidants in oxidation models employing Cu(2+), 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane hydrochloride (AAPH) or HOCl.

3-D structure of serum paraoxonase 1 sheds light on its activity, stability, solubility and crystallizability

Serum paraoxonases (PONs) exhibit a wide range of physiologically important hydrolytic activities, including drug metabolism and detoxification of nerve gases. PON1 and PON3 reside on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (the "good cholesterol"), and are involved in the alleviation of atherosclerosis. Members of the PON family have been identified not only in mammals and other vertebrates, but also in invertebrates. We earlier described the first crystal structure of a PON family member, a directly-evolved variant of PON1, at 2.2 A resolution. PON1 is a 6-bladed beta-propeller with a unique active-site lid which is also involved in binding to HDL. The 3-D structure, taken together with directed evolution studies, permitted analysis of mutations which enhanced the stability, solubility and crystallizability of this PON1 variant. The structure permits a detailed description of PON1's active site and suggests possible mechanisms for its catalytic activity on certain substrates.