Enzymuria of the rat: the preparation of urine for enzyme analysis

The effects of sample preparations by dialysis and gel filtration on the catalytic concentrations of alanine aminopeptidase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, and beta-glucuronidase are described. Individual urines were collected during 24 hours on 3 consecutive days from 10 male rats. Gel filtration (Sephadex G25) was more effective than dialysis against water in the removal of inhibitors of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase. For alanine aminopeptidase, slightly higher results were obtained by dialysis. Inhibitor contents varied from day to day. Activity decreases of beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase were found in some of the urine samples and interpreted as removal of activators. Gel filtration is recommended for the preparation of rat urine for the measurement of these three enzymes. The slightly inferior effect of gel filtration on alanine aminopeptidase should be disregarded for the sake of practicality.

Purification and characterization of a beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Octopus vulgaris. Determination of specificity by using 360-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy

We have purified a beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from the hepatopancreas of the octopus which we have called beta I. The enzyme was homogeneous as judged by Sephadex column chromatography, isoelectric focusing, non-denaturing gel electrophoresis at two different pH and with sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The native protein has an apparent molecular weight of 120 000 and we can conclude that it is a tetramer made up of two alpha and two beta subunits with apparent Mr of 27 000 and 34 000, respectively. Using NMR spectroscopy we have examined the specificity of beta I and have established that the enzyme hydrolyses the beta 1,4 linkage of N-acetylglucosamine but at only a specific site of the substrates used, two glycopeptides isolated from ovalbumin. To our knowledge this is the first known exoglycosidase which has both linkage and site specificity.

Demonstration of the enzymatic mechanisms of alpha-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-1-phosphodiester N-acetylglucosaminidase (formerly called alpha-N-acetylglucosaminylphosphodiesterase) and lysosomal alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase

An enzyme that is capable of removing the outer N-acetylglucosamine residues from phosphodiesters present on the high-mannose-type oligosaccharides of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes has been described. This enzyme has been called an alpha-N-acetylglucosaminylphosphodiesterase, based upon its substrate specificity and on inhibitor studies. In this study it is demonstrated by the 18O enrichment method that the enzyme cleaves the C-O bond rather than the O-P bond, and therefore acts by a glycosidase type of mechanism. In addition, the enzyme has no significant activity toward alpha-N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate, and therefore requires an underlying phosphodiester for activity. In accordance with the IUB recommendations for enzyme nomenclature, it is therefore suggested that the enzyme be renamed alpha-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-1-phosphodiester N-acetylglucosaminidase (systematic name, 2-acet-amido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucose 1-phosphodiester acetamidodeoxyglucohydrolase). For convenience, the trivial name phosphodiester glycosidase is proposed. Lysosomal alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase also has a glycosidase type of mechanism but it is active toward alpha-N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate as well as phosphodiesters with outer N-acetylglucosamine residues.

Degradation of biogenic oligosaccharides by beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase secreted by Entamoeba histolytica

beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase secreted by Entamoeba histolytica was extracted from the growth medium by affinity chromatography on CH-Sepharose 4 B coupled to p-aminophenyl-1-thio-beta-2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucopyranoside. The enzyme was further purified by isoelectric focusing, by sequential chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-150, and by preparative disc gel electrophoresis. Chitobiose (betaGlcNAc1-4GlcNAc) derived from chitin as well as the oligosaccharides betaGlcNAc1-4 betaGlcUA1-3GlcNAc, betaGlcNAc1-4 betaGlcUA1-3 betaGlcAc1-4GlcUA, and betaGlcNAc1-4 betaGlc-UA1-3 betaGlcNAc1-4 betaGlcUA1-3 betaGlcNAc1-4GlcUA derived from hyaluronic acid were tested as potential physiological substrates. All these oligosaccharides are susceptible to action of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from E. histolytica. Under identical conditions chitobiose is cleaved 38-48 times faster than hyhyauronate oligosaccharides. No release of N-acetylglucosamine was observed when glycopeptides from ovalbumin were used as substrate. The pH optimum of hydrolase activity was 4.5 when chitobiose was used as substrate. Optimal hydrolysis of aluronate oligosaccharides was observed at pH 3.0 for trisaccharide and pH 2.0 for tetra- and hexasaccharide, respectively. Estimation of molecular weight by means of gel filtration gave values of 75 000. The isoelectric point was 5.02 beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase from E. histolytica does not act on macromolecular chitin and hyaluronic acid.

The chitin-degrading enzyme system of a Streptomyces species

1. In the study of natural chitin metabolism by a strain of Streptomyces, we have separated by affinity chromatography the different extracellular chitinolytic enzymes synthetised by the microorganism. 2. N-acetylglucosaminidase (pHi = 3.6) with activity against the synthetic soluble derivatives from beta-D-N-acetylglucosamine, and against the chitobiose, with respectively pH optimum = 4.4-4.7 and 5.3 (mol. wt = 50,000). 3. N-acetylhexosaminidase (pHi = 8.5) with activity against M.U.G. 4. Chitinase (pHi = 4.25) with solubilizing activity against colloïdal chitin, and hydrolyzing activity against 3,4-dinitrophenylchitotetraoside, if the pH is 6 less than pH less than 10. (mol. wt 56,000). 5. Chitinases (pHi = 7.5 and 8.2) with activity against colloïdal chitin if the pH is 4.5 less than pH less than 9. (mol wt = 20,000).

Purification and characterization of three separate bacteriolytic enzymes excreted by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus simulans, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus

As a further development of previous investigations showing that different staphylococcal species display different bacteriolytic activity patterns (lyogroups), the bacteriolytic enzymes excreted by three different Staphylococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus (lyogroup I), S. simulans (lyogroup II), and S. saprophyticus (lyogroup IV); have been purified and characterized. A representative strain from each species was grown in a preselected medium made of fully dialyzable products. Culture supernatants were collected in the appropriate growth phase. Two different affinity adsorbents were used for enzyme purification. One was obtained by coupling lysozyme-digested pure peptidoglycan from Micrococcus luteus to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B. The second affinity adsorbent used was chitin. The S. aureus bacteriolytic enzyme bound to the solubilized peptidoglycan but not to chitin, whereas the opposite was true for the S. simulans enzyme. The bacteriolytic enzyme from S. saprophyticus did not bind to either the Sepharose 4B-peptidoglycan resin or to chitin, and its purification was achieved by two ion-exchange chromatography steps combined with gel filtration. All three enzymes were purified to apparent homogeneity. Their subsequent characterization indicated that all acted as endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases. However, the three glucosaminidases differed significantly in their kinetics of activity and bacteriolytic spectrum against heat-killed cells of a variety of microorganisms. Very different values also resulted from molecular weight determinations: 80,000 for the S. aureus enzyme, 45,000 for the S. simulans enzyme, and 31,000 for the S. saprophyticus enzyme. Other important differences were observed in their stability, optimal pH and ionic strength for their activity, and their responses to temperature and divalent cations. These results confirmed the previous proposal that different staphylococcal species excrete different lytic enzymes.

Purification and characterization of a beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase of sea-squirt

A beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase [EC 3.2.1.30] was isolated from internal organs of the sea-squirt, Styela plicata. The enzyme was purified 1,560-fold in 5% yield. The preparation was fairly homogeneous as examined by disc and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Sephadex G-200 chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 132,000 by gel chromatography and 66,000 by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Therefore, this beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase was considered to be a dimer. The optimum pH for activity was 4.0 but the enzyme was stable in the pH range from 5 to 6. The isoelectric point was 4.99. This enzyme was inhibited by Fe2+, Hg2+, Ag+, and PCMB but not by acetate. The isolated enzyme hydrolyzed both p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide and p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosaminide. The hydrolysis rate of p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosaminide was 43% of that of p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide. The enzyme liberated N-acetylhexosamine from asialodegalactosyl ovomucoid glycopeptide, asialodegalactosyl fetuin glycopeptide and the fragment of hyaluronic acid prepared by hyaluronidase treatment.

Detection of a gonococcal endo-beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase and its peptidoglycan cleavage site

Neisseria gonorrhoeae contains several hydrolases which may be responsible for gonococcal cell lysis. One of these enzymes, an endo-beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase, has been extracted from supernatants of sonicated gonococci and partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. This enzyme has a different specificity than egg white lysozyme and cleaves the beta 1 leads to 4 glycosidic linkage between N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid in gonococcal peptidoglycan.

Effects of mannoprotein mutations on Saccharomyces cerevisiae core oligosaccharide structure

By the combined actions of an endo-alpha-1 leads to 6-mannanase and an endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, the core oligosaccharides can be released from Saccharomyces cerevisiae X2180 mnn2 mannoproteins. The effects of various mannoprotein mutations were evaluated by structural comparison of these core oligosaccharides with those prepared from double mutant strains with the genotypes mnn1 mnn2, mnn2 mnn3, mnn2 mnn4, and mnn2 mnn5. The results indicate that only the mnn1 lesion has a major effect on the mannoprotein core structure. Whereas the mnn2 mannoprotein yields a core composed of 6 fragments that differ in size from each other by single mannose units, only the two smallest species predominate in the mnn1 mnn2 preparation. This change is correlated with a loss of terminal alpha 1 leads to 3-mannosyl residues, an effect on the mnn1 lesion that is found also in the polysaccharide outer chain and hydroxyamino acid-linked mannooligosaccharides. The mnn3 and mnn5 mutations also had slight effects on the core size, but clear differences in linkage composition were not apparent. The results suggest that core oligosaccharides have an average composition of Man11GlcNAc, whereas Man9GlcNAc is the major oligosaccharide in strains containing the mnn1 defect. These values are 2 to 3 sugars less than those estimated previously (Nakajima, T., and Ballou, C. E. (1975) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 66, 870-879). Detailed analysis of the major core oligosaccharide from the mnn1 mnn2 mutant revealed that the two mannoses in alpha 1 leads to 3 linkage to the backbone were adjacent to each other and that the oligosacccharide is nearly identical with one isolated from chinese hamster ovary cell membranes (Li, E., and Kornfeld, S. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 1600-1605). This finding provides strong evidence for the evolutionary conservation of this structural feature of the high mannose core oligosaccharides.

Effect of tunicamycin on insulin binding and on proteoglycan synthesis and distribution in Swarm rat chondrosarcoma cell cultures

Tunicamycin, an inhibitor of dolichol-diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine formation and hence an inhibitor of N-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis, suppressed total proteoglycan synthesis by Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes without affecting the size of the proteoglycan molecule, its secretion from the cell, or its ability to be retained in the extracellular matrix. In addition, tunicamycin did not substantially alter the ability of the chondrocytes to polymerize glycosaminoglycan onto an exogenous beta-D-xyloside acceptor. A secondary effect of tunicamycin suppression of proteoglycan synthesis was that a lesser amount of newly synthesized proteoglycan diffused from the extracellular matrix into the culture medium. The ability of exogenous hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan to increase the percentage of newly synthesized 35S-proteoglycan in the medium in tunicamycin-treated cultures indicates that matrix retention of 35S-proteoglycan is related to the total extracellular uronic acid content rather than to the presence or absence of mannose oligosaccharides bound to the proteoglycan molecule. These noncytotoxic concentrations of tunicamycin (33-333 ng/ml) decreased [3H]mannose incorporation to the same extent that they decreased total [35S]sulfate and [3H]serine incorporation, and caused the chondrocyte to synthesize and secrete a species of beta-hexosaminidase that was mannose-deficient as assessed by its failure to bind to concanavalin A. The additional finding of decreased insulin binding to tunicamycin-treated chondrosarcoma chondrocytes suggested that the inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis was due to diminution of receptors which respond to stimulatory hormones.

Purification and partial characterization of the carbohydrate structure of lysosomal N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidases from bovine brain

1. The lysosomal forms A and B, and an intermediate form I of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) were isolated from bovine brain, resulting in the following purification factors and specific activities: hexosaminidase A 20255, 103 U mg-1; hexosaminidase B 34715, 134 U mg-1; hexosaminidase I 15241, 78 U mg-1. 2. The molecular weights of the polypeptide chains were identical for each isoenzyme: two bands of 50 and 53 k daltons were found. 3. Carbohydrate analysis showed the presence of mannose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid. This composition, and the absence of N-acetylgalactosamine, indicated that only N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide chains are present. 4. The amino-acid composition showed no substantial differences for the three isoenzymes.

Cleavage of the (1 goes to 3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl linkage present in keratan sulfate. The A and B isoenzymes of human liver hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30)

The disaccharide 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 goes to 3)-D-[1-3H]-galactitol, prepared from keratan sulfate, was rapidly hydrolyzed by the A and B isoenzymes of normal human liver hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), and by the B isoenzyme prepared from the liver of a patient who had died of Tay-Sachs disease. The disaccharide substrate was also hydrolyzed by extracts of normal, cultured-skin fibroblasts, and fibroblasts of patients with Tay-Sachs disease, whereas it was not hydrolyzed by fibroblast extracts of patients with Sandhoff disease. Thus, effective degradation of keratan sulfate, secondary to a defect of the beta subunits present in the A and B isoenzymes of hexosaminidase, may contribute to the appearance of skeletal lesions in patients affected by Sandhoff disease.

Isolation of two endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases from fig latex

Two endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases (mannosyl-glycoprotein 1,4-N-acetamidodeoxy-beta-D-glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.96) (type F-I and type F-II) have been isolated from fig latex. At pH 7.0, type F-1 was retained by the DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column, whereas type F-II was not adsorbed by the column. The optimum pH of type F-I was found to be pH 5.9 and type F-II, pH 5.4. Type F-I enzyme hydrolyzes the tri-mannosyl derivatives di-N-acetylglucosaminylasparagine faster than the penta- or hexa-mannosyl compounds. Type F-II hydrolyzes the penta- and hexa-mannosyl derivatives, but not the tri-mannosyl compound.

Spectrophotometric assay for urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity

An improved assay for N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in urine is described that involves (a) gel filtration to separate the enzyme from inhibitors in urine, (b) enzymic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide at pH 4.4, and (c) spectrophotometry of the liberated p-nitrophenylate. Measurements of activity of the enzyme in 58 urine specimens correlated closely (r = 0.9998) with results by an established procedure. The within-run coefficient of variation (CV) was 3.7%; the between-run CV averaged 6.8%. Reference values for the activity were established by assays of urine specimens from 135 healthy persons, age two weeks to 52 years. Efficacy of the assay for detection of nephrotoxicity was demonstrated in rats after experimental induction of reversible renal insufficiency by intraperitoneal injection of nickel chloride. Clinical application of the assay in approximately 1000 patients corroborated its utility for detection and monitoring of renal disorders.

Isolation and further characterization of bovine brain hexosaminidase C

Hexosaminidase C (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside acetamidodeoxyglucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.30) was partially purified from bovine brain tissue. The resulting preparation, free of its lysosomal counterparts, was used for the characterization of the enzyme and for further purification (lectin affinity chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, substrate-ligand affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, chromatography on activated thiol-Sepharose 4B). Only ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel appeared to improve the purity. The Michaelis constant was 0.46 mM for the substrate 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The enzyme was not inhibited by acetate or N-acetylgalactosamine. Inhibition by N-acetylglucosamine was competitive, with a Ki value of 8.0 mM. Inhibition by divalent metal ions increased in the order Fe less than Zn less than Cu. Dithiothreitol and beta-mercaptoethanol, at an optimum concentration of about 10 mM, stimulated the activity. The enzyme is apparently not a glycoprotein since it did not bind to various lectins, nor did sialidase change its isoelectric point.

[Endo-N-acetylglucosaminidase formed by Streptomyces levoris]

Endo-N-acetylglucoseaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) was prepared from the cultural broth of Streptomyces levoris 96 using precipitation with ammonium sulfate, gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The isoelectric point of the enzyme is 4.2 Str. levoris produces various quantities of the enzyme depending on the composition of the growth medium. A medium in which the enzyme is produced in maximal amounts has been selected. The effect of peptidoglycan, cell walls and chitin added to the medium on the enzyme biosynthesis was studied. Chitin induced biosynthesis of the enzyme by 35--45%.

Ligatin binds phosphohexose residues on acidic hydrolases

Ligatin, a receptor that recognizes phosphorylated sugars, was isolated from plasma membranes of mouse macrophages, rat ileum, and rat brain. Several acidic hydrolases including N-acetyl beta-D-glucosaminidase (beta-NAG) were solubilized with this receptor. The solubilized beta-NAG bound to ligatin in vitro as demonstrated by affinity chromatography using the immobilized receptor. beta-N-Acetyl D-glucosaminidase-ligatin complexes were dissociated by low concentrations of mannose 6-phosphate (Man6P) and/or glucose 1-phosphate (Glc 1P). The effectiveness of these two phosphomonosaccharides varied depending on the source of the enzyme: ileal beta-NAG-ligatin complexes showed a four-fold preferential dissociation with Man6P; macrophage complexes showed a 160-fold preferential dissociation with Glc 1P. Brain complexes dissociated with nearly equal preference for Man6P and Glc 1P. Heterologous complexes displayed the specificity characteristic of the source of the enzyme regardless of the source of the ligatin. Treatment of the solubilized hydrolases with endoglucosaminidase H released phosphorous-32 label from these enzymes and prevented binding of beta-NAG to ligatin. However, treatment of the solubilized hydrolases with alkaline phosphatase reduced the binding of beta-NAG to ligatin by no more than 30%. This apparent resistance of beta-NAG to dephosphorylation was consistent with the chromatographic behavior of QAE of 3H-labeled acidic oligosaccharides isolated from the solubilized hydrolases. The oligosaccharides that contain phosphorylated hexose were less acidic than phosphomonoesters and were insensitive to alkaline phosphatase until subjected to acid hydrolysis. These results suggested the presence of a phosphodiester on beta-NAG analogous to the NAC glucosamine 1 P6 mannose present on beta-glucuronidase isolated from mouse lymphoma cells (Tabas I, Kornfield, S: J Biol Chem 255: 6633, 1980).

Purification, properties, kinetics, and mechanism of beta-N-acetylglucosamidase from Aspergillus niger

Beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase has been purified from an acetone extract of Aspergillus niger. The protein has a Mr = 149,000. It contains neither Mn2+, Zn2+, nor cysteine and exhibits no cation requirement for activity. Isoelectric focusing separates two isozymes; the major isoenzyme has a pI = 4.4. Both isozymes exhibit beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and beta-glucosidase, as well as glucosaminidase activity. The mechanism of action of this enzyme has been studied in detail using a variety of substrate structure/activity and kinetic experiments. Rate data plotted versus pH depends on the following ionization constants, respectively: for pKm, 2.95; for log Kcat, 7.6; and for log kcat/Km, 2.95 and 8.25. The kcat value of H2O/D2O for p-nitrophenyl-beta-N-acetylglucosaminide hydrolysis is 1.27 at pH 4.6 and 1.00 at pH 7.0. The rho value for the hydrolysis of para-substituted phenylglucosaminides is +0.36; rho for the hydrolysis of fluoro-substituted N-acetyl derivatives is -1.41. Two sulfur-containing substrate analogues, the 1-thioglucosaminide, and the N-thioacetyl derivative, exhibit either no or little substrate activity. The hydrolysis of the 2,4-dinitrophenyl-glucosaminide is not biphasic as indicated by stopped flow kinetic studies. These several results are interpreted to show that: 1) enzymatic nucleophilic catalysis is not employed by beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase; 2) the glycosidic oxygen is protonated very early in the reaction, perhaps even in the Michaelis complex; 3) the acetamido oxygen provides anchimeric assistance to hydrolysis via charge stabilization of the oxocarbonium ion (or via oxazoline formation); 4) additional charge stabilization is provided by an enzymic anion, perhaps a side chain carboxylate group. The role of the acetamido group is discussed and comparisons are made between lysozyme, beta-galactosidase, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase.