Adenovirus-mediated expression of antisense RNA transcripts complementary to pig alpha(1,3) galactosyltransferase mRNA inhibits expression of Gal alpha(1,3) Gal epitope

AIM

To examine the effects of the expression of antisense RNA transcripts complementary to the pig alpha(1,3) galactosyltransferase [alpha(1,3)GT]mRNA on the expression of Gal alpha(1,3) Gal structure (gal epitope) in cultured cell lines.

METHODS

Human adenoviral vectors were used to mediate the expression of antisense RNA. The expression levels of H blood group antigens and gal epitopes were analyzed by flow cytometry using FITC-UEA-I and FITC-GS-IB4 lectins, respectively.

RESULTS

Recombinant adenoviruses, Ad5anti-sGT600 and Ad5-anti-sGT1100, which express antisense RNA complementary to different regions of the pig alpha(1,3) GT mRNA, were constructed and used to infect cell line of NIH3T3. The results showed about 30% reduction in the expression level of gal epitopes on the surface of NIH3T3 cells. In addition, co-expression of human secretor type alpha(1,2) fucosyltransferase [alpha(1,2)FT]cDNA and antisense RNA complementary to the pig alpha(1,3) GT mRNA led to a further reduction in the gal epitope level.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant adenoviruses, Ad5anti-sGT600 and Ad5anti-sGT1100, are effective to down-regulate the gal epitope expression.

Transcriptional co-regulation of five chitinase genes scattered on the Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) chromosome

Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) strain M145 has eight chitinase genes scattered on the chromosome: six genes for family 18 (chiA, B, C, D, E and H) and two for family 19 (chiF and G). In this study, the expression and regulation of these genes were investigated. The transcription of five of the genes (chiA, B, C, D and F) was induced in the presence of colloidal chitin while that of the other three genes (chiE, G and H) was not. The transcripts of the five induced chi genes increased and reached their maximum at 4 h after the addition of colloidal chitin, all showing the same temporal patterns. The induced levels of the transcripts of chiB were significantly lower than those of the other four genes. Dynamic analysis of the transcripts of the chi genes indicated that chiA and chiC were induced more strongly than chiD and chiF. Addition of chitobiose also induced transcription of the chi genes, but significantly earlier than did colloidal chitin. When cells were cultured in the presence of colloidal chitin, an exponential increase of chitobiose concentration in the culture supernatant was observed prior to the induced transcription of the chi genes. This result, together with the immediate effect of chitobiose on the induction, suggests that chitobiose produced from colloidal chitin is involved in the induction of transcription of the chi genes. The transcription of the five chi genes was repressed by glucose. This repression was apparently mediated by the glucose kinase gene glkA.

Enzymatic synthesis of fucose-containing disaccharides employing the partially purified alpha-L-fucosidase from Penicillium multicolor

The alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-D-GlcpNAc disaccharide structure is a vital core unit of the oligosaccharide components of glycoconjugates isolated from human milk and blood group substances. Alpha-L-Fucosidase from Penicillium multicolor catalyses the transfer of L-fucose from donor structures such as alpha-L-FucpOpNP and alpha-L-FucpF to various GlcpNAc derivatives and Glcp, forming alpha-(1 --> 3) linkages. The synthesis of several biologically relevant disaccharides including alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GlcpNAcOMe, alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GlcpNAcOAll, alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-GlcpNAcOAll, alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-D-GlcpNAc and alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-D-Glcp has been achieved in up to 34% yields by application of this enzyme.

Saccharide production from methanol by transposon 5 mutants derived from the extracellular polysaccharide-producing bacterium Methylobacillus sp. strain 12S

A CH3OH-utilizing bacterium that has the ability to produce extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) was isolated from a soil sample, and was identified as the obligate methylotroph Methylobacillus sp. strain 12S on the basis of its 16S rDNA sequence and growth-substrate specificity. The EPS produced by strain 12S was purified and the sugar composition was analysed by GC-MS and HPLC to reveal that the EPS was a heteropolymer composed of glucosyl, galactosyl, and mannosyl residues in the molar ratio 3:1:1. In order to produce mono- and/or oligosaccharides by single-step fermentation from CH3OH, stain 12S was mutagenized by transposon 5. Among eleven EPS-deficient mutants, three strains were found to accumulate significant amounts of reducing sugars in the media. The amounts of the reducing sugars produced by the mutants ( > ca. 700 mg glucose equivalent/l) were > 11-22 times higher than those produced by the wild-type strain (<ca. 60 mg glucose equivalent/l). The GC-MS analysis showed that all the mutants accumulated glucose, erythrose, threose and a disaccharide-like compound in the media.

Adenovirus-mediated expression of human secretor type alpha(1,2) fucosyltransferase reduces level of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal epitope

AIM

To test the potential of human secretor type alpha(1, 2) fucosyltransferase [Se alpha(1,2)FT] to downregulate the expression of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal epitope (gal epitope) in cultured cell lines.

METHODS

Expression of Se alpha(1,2) FT was mediated by human adenoviral vector. Flow cytometric analysis was used to compare the expression level of H blood group antigen or gal epitope. MTT was employed to assess the susceptibility of mouse NIH3T3 cells to human natural antibody and complement mediated lysis.

RESULTS

A recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus (rAdv) containing human Se alpha(1,2)FT cDNA (Ad5hSeFT) was designed and successfully constructed. Flow cytometric analysis showed that after mock infection, Ad5null infection, and Ad5hSeFT infection, the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) values for the binding of Ulex europaeus I (UEA-I) lectin to NIH3T3 cells were 2.3 +/- 0.6, 2.1 +/- 1.0, and 36.5 +/- 5.9, respectively; MFI values for the binding of Griffonia simplicifolia isolectin B4 (GS-IB4) lectin to NIH3T3 cells were 167 +/- 23, 170 +/- 19, and 100 +/- 14, respectively; MFI values for the binding of human natural IgG and IgM antibodies to NIH3T3 cells were 31 +/- 3, 32 +/- 4, and 22 +/- 4, respectively.

CONCLUSION

H blood group antigen was detected on NIH3T3 cells after Ad5hSeFT infection and resulted in more than 40% reduction in the level of gal epitope on the cell surface. This reduction increased the resistance of NIH3T3 cells to lysis by normal human serum.

Difructose anhydrides: their mass-production and physiological functions

Difructose anhydrides (DFAs) are the smallest cyclic disaccharides consisting of two fructose residues, and are expected to have novel physiological functions from their unique structures and properties. For mass-production of alpha-D-fructofuranose-beta-D-fructofuranose-2',1:2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) and beta-D-fructofuranose-beta-D-fructofuranose-2',6:2,6'-dianhydride (DFA IV), Arthrobacter sp. H65-7 and A. nicotinovorans GS-9 were selected as the best producers of inulase II, which produced DFA III from inulin and LFTase, which produced DFA IV from levan. The enzymes were purified and their genes were subsequently cloned and expressed in E. coli at higher levels than in the original bacteria. Thus, it became possible to provide a large amount of DFA III and DFA IV for evaluating their physiological properties. DFA III and DFA IV have half the sweetness of sucrose, but cannot be digested by the digestive system of rats. Their use by the intestinal microorganisms was observed in vivo even though their assimilation could not be detected in vitro. This implied that they were degraded by an unknown system in the intestine. It was also found that they affected calcium absorption mainly in the small intestine through mechanisms different from the known stimulants such as fructooligosaccharides and raffinose.

Biosynthesis of beta1,4- and beta1,beta1-galactopyranosyl xylopyranosides in the mammary gland of lactating cow

Lactose is a principal carbohydrate in nearly all species of mammalian milk. In order to examine the acceptor substrate specificity of lactose synthase in vivo, D-xylose as an acceptor substrate was injected into the jugular vein of a Holstein cow during lactation, then a milk sample obtained by milking. beta1, beta1-galactopyranosyl xylopyranoside, a nonreducing disaccharide, was separated from the bovine milk sample after elimination of reducing sugars, identified by fast-atom bombardment (FAB)-MS and 1H-NMR analysis. A mixture of beta1,beta1- and beta1, 4-galactopyranosyl xylopyranoside fractions was also obtained by thin layer chromatography from the milk sample and elucidated by electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS and 1H NMR analysis. Comparison of the integrated intensity of the products shows that the beta1,beta1 and beta1,4 isomers are present in a ratio of 1.0 : 1.4, suggesting that D-xylose, transported from capillary blood across the plasma membrane of the mammary gland, was recognized by lactose synthase in its normal and reverse orientation owing to high symmetry of its structure. While the beta1,4-isomer is known as a fragment of the linkage region between the protein and the polysaccharide chain of proteoglycans, the beta1,beta1-isomer has not been identified in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that galactosylation of D-xylose transported from the capillary blood can occur by lactose synthase catalysis in the mammary gland while the usual galactosylation of D-glucose proceeds. In addition, these results suggest that the possibility of endogenous occurrence of the beta,beta-trehalose type disaccharide in the mammary gland of lactating mammals may not be ruled out.

High-level expression of the Neisseria meningitidis lgtA gene in Escherichia coli and characterization of the encoded N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase as a useful catalyst in the synthesis of GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal and GalNAc beta 1-->3Gal linkages

We have expressed the Neisseria meningitidis lgtA gene at a high level in Escherichia coli. The encoded beta-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, referred to as LgtA, which in the bacterium is involved in the synthesis of the lacto-N-neo-tetraose structural element of the bacterial lipooligosaccharide, was obtained in an enzymatically highly active form. This glycosyltransferase appeared to be unusual in that it displays a broad acceptor specificity toward both alpha- and beta-galactosides, whether structurally related to N- or O-protein-, or lipid-linked oligosaccharides. Product analysis by one- and two-dimensional 400 MHz 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy reveals that LgtA catalyzes the introduction of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc in a beta 1-->3-linkage to accepting Gal residues. The enzyme can thus be characterized as a UDP-GlcNAc:Gal alpha/beta-R beta 3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase. Although lactose is a highly preferred acceptor substrate the recombinant enzyme also acts efficiently on monomeric and dimeric N-acetyllactosamine revealing its potential value in the synthesis of polylactosaminoglycan structures in enzyme assisted procedures. Furthermore, LgtA shows a high donor promiscuity toward UDP-GalNAc, but not toward other UDP-sugars, and can catalyze the introduction of GalNAc in beta 1-->3-linkage to alpha- or beta-Gal in the acceptor structures at moderate rates. LgtA therefore shows promise to be a useful catalyst in the preparative synthesis of both GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal and GalNAc beta 1-->3Gal linkages.

Recent advances in xenotransplantation

The major barrier to clinically successful pig-to-human xenotransplantation is antibody- and complement-dependent hyperacute rejection, known to be due to host anti-Galalpha(1,3)Gal antibodies. Strategies aimed at eliminating hyperacute rejection involve transgenic approaches to eliminate or reduce expression of Galalpha(1,3)Gal or to reduce complement activation; some of these are now in clinical trials in primates. Another important role of Galalpha(1,3)Gal that is becoming more evident is in antibody-dependent and -independent xenograft rejection that is mediated by natural killer cells and monocytes.

XynX, a possible exo-xylanase of Aeromonas caviae ME-1 that produces exclusively xylobiose and xylotetraose from xylan

A gene, xynX, encoding a novel xylanase, was cloned from Aeromonas caviae ME-1. This gene encoded an enzyme that was constituted of 334 amino acid residues (38,580 Da) and was similar in sequence to Family 10 (Family F) beta-1,4 endo-xylanases. XynX produced only xylobiose and xylotetraose from birch wood xylan, and xylotriose, xylopentaose, and higher oligosaccharides were not detected in the TLC analysis. We designated it as X2/X4-forming xylanase. This enzyme does not have transglycosylation activity. These data suggested that this enzyme is a possible exo-xylanase. According to homology modeling, the enzyme has a ring-shaped (alpha/beta)8 barrel (TIM barrel) structure, typical of Family 10 endo-xylanases, with the extraordinary feature of a longer bottom-loop structure.

Differential galactose alpha(1,3) galactose expression by porcine cardiac vascular endothelium

Galactose alpha(1,3) galactose (Gal) is the terminal carbohydrate moiety recognized by xenoreactive natural antibodies during hyperacute rejection (HAR). Binding of these antibodies in HAR triggers rapid microvascular thrombosis. We examined the distribution of Gal on the endothelium of porcine hearts before and after heterotopic xenotransplantation into baboons. We found that Gal is strongly expressed on the endothelium of porcine capillaries with less expression on the endothelium of larger vessels. The distribution of Gal staining remains unchanged after xenotransplantation and correlates with the intensity of IgM and membrane attack complex (MAC) deposition. Thus, the Gal epitope is differentially expressed in the pig vasculature, which affects the pattern of xenoreactive antibody and MAC deposition and directs the distribution of vascular thrombosis.

Purification and characterization of stachyose synthase from lentil (Lens culinaris) seeds: galactopinitol and stachyose synthesis

Stachyose synthase (STS) (EC 2.4.1.67) was purified 313-fold from mature seeds of lentil. The final preparation had a specific activity of 9.09 nkat stachyose formed per milligram of protein. The enzyme was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 88.6 kDa (SDS-PAGE) and an isoelectric point of 4.8 (chromatofocusing). Western analysis revealed cross-reactivity of polyclonal antibodies raised against STS from adzuki bean with the lentil enzyme. The purified enzyme catalyzed a range of different galactosyl transfer reactions. In addition to the genuine STS reaction (raffinose + galactinol --> stachyose + myo-inositol), the enzyme catalyzed the reversible galactosyl transfer from galactinol to d-pinitol (1d-3-O-methyl-chiro-inositol), yielding galactopinitol A (O-alpha-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-4-O-methyl-d-chiro-inositol) and myo-inositol. Galactopinitol A could be further galactosylated by STS to give ciceritol (O-alpha-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-O-alpha-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-4-O-methyl-d-chiro-inositol). Enzymatic synthesis of galactopinitol A and ciceritol is a new observation. However, STS was not only able to utilize galactopinitol A as galactosyl acceptor, but also as galactosyl donor to form stachyose from raffinose. The role of STS in the metabolism of galactosyl cyclitols and oligosaccharides in plant seeds is discussed.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe produces novel Gal0-2Man1-3 O-linked oligosaccharides

Schizosaccharomyces pombe whole-cell glycoproteins, previously depleted of N-linked glycans by sequential treatment with endo-ss-N-acetylglucosaminidase H and peptide-N4-asparagine amidohydrolase F, were ss-eliminated with 0.1 M NaOH/1 M NaBH4 to release the O-linked oligosaccharides. The saccharide-alditols were separated by gel-exclusion chromatography into pools from Hexitol to Hex4Hexitol in size. Analysis of the Hexitol pool indicated Man to be the only sugar linked to Ser or Thr residues. The Hex1Hexitol pool contained two components, Galalpha1,2Man-ol (2A) and Manalpha1, 2Man-ol (2B). The Hex2Hexitol pool contained two components, Galalpha1,2Manalpha1,2Man-ol (3A) and Manalpha1,2Manalpha1,2Man-ol (3B). The two Hex3Hexitol components were Galalpha1,2(Galalpha1, 3)Manalpha1,2Man-ol (4A) and Manalpha1,2(Galalpha1,3)Manalpha1, 2Man-ol (4B). The Hex4Hexitol component was found to be a single isomer with the composition of Galalpha1,2(Galalpha1,3)Manalpha1, 2Manalpha1,2Man-ol (5AB). Surprisingly, galactobiose was not detected in any of these oligosaccharides. The gma12 (T. G. Chappell and G. Warren (1989) J. Cell Biol., 109, 2693-2707) and gth1 (T. G. Chappell personal communication) alpha1, 2-galactosyltransferase-deficient mutants and the gma12/gth1 double mutant S.pombe strains were similarly examined. The results indicated that gma12p is solely responsible for the addition of terminal alpha1,2-linked Gal in compound 2A, while one or both of gma12p and gth1p are required for the alpha1,2-linked Gal in 4A. Both transferases are largely responsible for terminal Gal in isomer 5AB. Neither gma12 nor gth1 had any discernible effect on the structure of the large N-linked galactomannans as determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Thus, while gth1p and gma12p appear responsible for adding alpha1,2-linked Gal to terminal Man, neither adds galactose side chains to the N-linked poly alpha1,6-Man outerchain, nor the O-linked branch-forming alpha1,3-linked Gal. Furthermore, the presence of Hexalpha1,2(Galalpha1,3)Manalpha1,2- structures in the O-linked glycans implies the presence of a novel branch-forming alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase in S.pombe.

Modelling of oligosaccharide synthesis by dextransucrase

Dextransucrase catalyses the formation of dextran, but also of numerous oligosaccharides from sucrose and different acceptors, if appropriate conditions are chosen. Much experimental work has been carried out and a scheme of reactions and a mathematical model have been developed to describe the complex kinetic behaviour of the enzyme. A computer program was used to calculate the parameters of the model from a broad range of experimental data, investigating a large number of kinetic tests with the acceptors maltose and fructose. The results lead to design considerations for a continuous reactor system with immobilized dextransucrase to produce leucrose, a disaccharide of industrial interest.

Glucolipsin A and B, two new glucokinase activators produced by Streptomyces purpurogeniscleroticus and Nocardia vaccinii

During the screening of the natural products for their ability to increase the activity of glucokinase by relieving inhibition by long chain fatty acyl CoA esters (FAC), two novel compounds, glucolipsin A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the butanol extracts of Streptomyces purpurogeniscleroticus WC71634 and Nocardia vaccinii WC65712, respectively. The structures of these two compounds were established by spectroscopic methods and chemical degradation. Glucolipsin A (1) and B (2) relieved the inhibition of glucokinase by FAC with RC50 values of 5.4 and 4.6 microM.

High-level porcine endothelial cell expression of alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase reduces human monocyte adhesion and activation

BACKGROUND

Monocyte binding to and activation by human endothelium requires a number of interactions, including those involving sialylated endothelial cell ligands. As porcine endothelial cell transfection with alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase has been shown to reduce terminal sialylation, we investigated whether high-level expression of alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase by porcine endothelium would reduce human monocyte adhesion and functional activation.

METHOD

Purified human monocytes were labeled with 51Cr, and measured for adherence to human or porcine endothelial cell monolayers in the presence of either medium or monoclonal antibodies against monocyte lectins or sialylated endothelial cell ligands. Monocyte production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using supernatants collected from cultures performed between human monocytes and human or porcine endothelial cell monolayers. Finally, monocyte adhesion and activation were measured after culture with a porcine endothelial cell line transfected with alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase, expressing reduced surface expression of terminal Gal alpha(1,3)-Gal and sialic acid residues.

RESULTS

Human monocytes adhered by 50% higher levels to porcine endothelium than to human endothelium. This increased level of adherence was associated with augmented monocyte activation, as defined by 3.3-fold higher levels of PGE2 production and 7.3-fold higher levels of IL-1beta production. Monoclonal antibodies against CD62L (L-selectin) on monocytes or CD15s (sialylated Lewis X) on porcine endothelium reduced monocyte adhesion by 38% and 52%, respectively. Porcine endothelial cell transfection with alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase reduced terminal sialic acid expression by 65%, monocyte adherence by 50%, and the production of PGE2 and IL-1beta by 67% and 38%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these results demonstrate that human monocytes use surface lectins to bind to sialylated carbohydrate structures on porcine endothelium, and indicate that reduction in porcine endothelial cell surface expression of terminally sialylated structures by high-level alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase activity reduces monocyte adherence and activation.

Catalytic mechanism and specificity for hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions of cytosolic beta-glucosidase from guinea pig liver

Cytosolic beta-glucosidase (CBG) from mammalian liver is known for its broad substrate specificity and has been implicated in the transformation of xenobiotic glycosides. CBG also catalyzes a variety of transglycosylation reactions, which have been been shown with other glycosylhydrolases to function in synthetic and genetic regulatory pathways. We investigated the catalytic mechanism, substrate specificity, and transglycosylation acceptor specificity of guinea pig liver CBG by several methods. These studies indicate that CBG employs a two-step catalytic mechanism with the formation of a covalent enzyme-sugar intermediate and that CBG will transfer sugar residues to primary hydroxyls and equatorial but not axial C-4 hydroxyls of aldopyranosyl sugars. Kinetic studies revealed that correction for transglycosylation reactions is necessary to derive correct kinetic parameters for CBG. Further analyses revealed that for aldopyranosyl substrates, the activation energy barrier is affected most by the presence of a C-6 carbon and by the configuration of the C-2 hydroxyl, whereas the binding energy is affected modestly by the configuration and substituents at C-2, C-4, and C-5. These data indicate that the transglycosylation activity of CBG derives from the formation of a covalently linked enzyme-sugar intermediate and that the specificity of CBG for transglycosylation reactions is different from its specificity for hydrolysis reactions.

Analysis of the oligosaccharide units of xyloglucans by digestion with isoprimeverose-producing oligoxyloglucan hydrolase followed by anion-exchange chromatography

A method for rapidly identifying six of the most commonly found xyloglucan oligosaccharide units, XXXG, XLXG, XXLG, XLLG, XXFG, and XLFG was developed by high-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) before and after digestion with purified isoprimeverose-producing oligoxyloglucan hydrolase (IPase). Using this method, the compositions of oligosaccharide units of soybean and mung bean xyloglucans were re-examined. Significant amounts of oligosaccharides that have not previously been reported to be oligosaccharide units of soybean and mung bean xyloglucans were found.

Expression of Gal alpha(1,3)gal on neonatal porcine islet beta-cells and susceptibility to human antibody/complement lysis

Neonatal porcine pancreases may be a potential source of islets for transplantation into patients with type 1 diabetes; however, whether these cellular grafts will be susceptible to damage by human natural antibody-mediated rejection remains controversial. Although we and others have demonstrated that porcine islets bind human IgG and IgM, it remains unknown if they express the xenoreactive antigen Gal alpha(1,3)Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc-R (Gal epitope). In this study, by using the Gal-specific lectin IB4 for immunohistochemistry and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, we determined which cell types present in porcine neonatal islet cell (NIC) aggregates express the Gal epitope and which ones are susceptible to lysis by activation of the human complement. After FACS analysis, 30.0 +/- 3.0% of porcine NICs were shown to express Gal, whereas 70.0 +/- 2.0% did not. Histological assessment of Gal-expressing cells revealed that 54.9 +/- 8.8% stained positive for either insulin or glucagon. In contrast, 68.8 +/- 8.4% of the Gal-negative population stained positive for the pancreatic hormones insulin and glucagon. Incubation of either the Gal-positive or -negative cells with human AB serum plus complement for 1.5 h resulted in the lysis of >90% of the cells. These results demonstrate that porcine NIC aggregates are composed of Gal-expressing cells and that expression of Gal is not restricted to nonendocrine cells. Furthermore, both Gal-positive and Gal-negative cells are susceptible to human antibody/complement-mediated cytolysis, suggesting that this form of immunological destruction is an obstacle that will need to be overcome before porcine NIC aggregates can be used clinically.

Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of 6-O-Beta-D-xylopyranosyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose, a structural analog of primeverose

The synthesis of the disaccharide 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (N-acetylprimeverosamine), structurally related to the natural disaccharide 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-D-glycopyranose (primeverose), was obtained via a transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by a crude preparation of beta-D-xylosidase from Aspergillus niger, using p-nitrophenyl beta-D-xylopyranoside as the donor and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose as the acceptor. The yield of the reaction was 36% on a molar basis with respect to the donor. The chemical identity of the product was assessed by HPLC, ionspray mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.

Hydrolase-catalyzed beta-mannosylations

Transmannosylations catalysed by beta-mannosidase from snail viscera or beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae were accomplished with 4-nitrophenyl beta-D-mannopyranoside as donor substrate. With suitable hydrophobic acceptor molecules preferentially beta1-4-linked disaccharides were obtained. The activities of both glycosidases in buffer cosolvent mixtures were determined, and conditions for their immobilization were elaborated and optimized. A model of the enzymic transfer mechanism is suggested.

High-level expression of an endoxylanase gene from Bacillus sp. in Bacillus subtilis DB104 for the production of xylobiose from xylan

To produce xylobiose from xylan, high-level expression of an endoxylanase gene from Bacillus sp. was carried out in Bacillus sabtilis DB104. A 1.62-kb SmaI DNA fragment, coding for an endoxylanase of Bacillus sp., was ligated into the Escherichia coli/B. subtilis shuttle vector pJH27 delta 88, producing pJHKJ4, which was subsequently transformed into B. subtilis DB104. A maximum endoxylanase activity of 105 U/ml was obtained from the supernatant of B. subtilis DB104 harboring pJHKJ4. The endoxylanase was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography and the production profile of xylooligosaccharides from xylan by the endoxylanase was examined by HPLC with a carbohydrate analysis column. Xylobiose was the major product from xylan at 40 degrees C and its proportion in the xylan hydrolyzates increased with the reaction time; at 12 h, over 60% of the reaction products was xylobiose. These results suggest that xylobiose, which has a stimulatory effect on the selective growth of the intestinal bacterium Bifidobacterium, can be mass-produced effectively by the endoxylanase of Bacillus sp. cloned in B. subtilis.

Expression of Lex antigen in Schistosoma japonicum and S.haematobium and immune responses to Lex in infected animals: lack of Lex expression in other trematodes and nematodes

Adults of the human parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni, which causes hepatosplenic/intestinal complications in humans, synthesize glycoconjugates containing the Lewis x (Lex) Galbeta1-->4(Fucalpha1-->3)GlcNAcbeta1-->R, but not sialyl Lewis x (sLex), antigen. We now report on our analyses of Lexand sLexexpression in S.haematobium and S.japonicum, which are two other major species of human schistosomes that cause disease, and the possible autoimmunity to these antigens in infected individuals. Antigen expression was evaluated by both ELISA and Western blot analyses of detergent extracts of parasites using monoclonal antibodies. Several high molecular weight glycoproteins in both S. haematobium and S. japonicum contain the Lexantigen, but no sialyl Lexantigen was detected. In addition, sera from humans and rodents infected with S.haematobium and S.japonicum contain antibodies reactive with Lex. These results led us to investigate whether Lexantigens are expressed in other helminths, including the parasitic trematode Fasciola hepatica , the parasitic nematode Dirofilaria immitis (dog heartworm), the ruminant nematode Haemonchus contortus , and the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . Neither Lexnor sialyl-Lexis detectable in these other helminths. Furthermore, none of the helminths, including schistosomes, express Lea, Leb, Ley, or the H-type 1 antigen. However, several glycoproteins from all helminths analyzed are bound by Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin , which binds Fucalpha1-->3GlcNAc, and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin, which binds GalNAcbeta1-->4GlcNAc (lacdiNAc or LDN). Thus, schistosomes may be unique among helminths in expressing the Lexantigen, whereas many different helminths may express alpha1,3-fucosylated glycans and the LDN motif.