Flow injection system based on the sandwich technique for saving expensive reagents

We report the application of a sandwich technique in flow injection systems which afford low consumption of expensive reagents and two reagent recirculation systems. The potential applicability of the technique thus developed was assessed by determining glucose in serum samples by the enzymatic glucosidase/peroxidase method. It was possible to perform up to 450 determinations with the same amount of reagent used to perform 50 determinations by batch procedures. The sampling rate was 80 determinations per hour with a 0.9% relative standard deviation.

Protein kinase C activation potently down-regulates the expression of its major substrate, 80K, in Swiss 3T3 cells

The amino acid sequence of 80K, the major acidic protein kinase C (PKC) substrate of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, was deduced from a cDNA nucleotide sequence. Overall, 25% of the predicted amino acid sequence is supported by direct protein sequence data. Southern blot analysis suggests that the mouse genome contains a single copy of this gene. Two 80K mRNA species, a major band of 2.25 kb and a minor band of 3.9 kb, were detected by Northern blot analysis. Stimulation of PKC by biologically active phorbol esters, including phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB), reduced the steady state level of 80K mRNA to 8.8% of control within 5-7 h. This effect was dose-dependent, and was abolished by prior depletion of PKC. The PDB-induced down-regulation of 80K mRNA levels was transient, and recovery coincided with the disappearance of PKC activity. A similar transient decrease in 80K mRNA levels was also demonstrated in tertiary cultures of mouse embryo fibroblasts. The down-regulation of 80K mRNA levels was completely abolished by actinomycin D, cycloheximide or anisomycin if added up to 30 min after PDB addition. Since the rate of transcription of the 80K gene was unaltered by PDB treatment, we concluded that the PKC-induced down-regulation of 80K mRNA is mediated by a post-transcriptional mechanism. In addition, PDB transiently decreased the level of 80K protein within 14-18 h, thus reflecting the effects of this phorbol ester on mRNA expression.

Structures of sugar chains of water-soluble glycoproteins in developing castor bean cotyledons

The structures of sugar chains from the water-soluble glycoproteins in developing castor beans have been identified. The structural analyses were done by a fluorescence method combined with exoglycosidase digestions and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The identified structures fell into two categories; one was an oligomannose-type, the other xylomannose-type or xylose-containing type. Among these oligosaccharides, Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (M3FX; 38%) and Man6GlcNAc2 (M6B; 22%) were the major structures. The higher mannose-content oligosaccharides (Man8-7GlcNAc2) were only 4.1%, and the further-modified structures (GNM3FX, M2FX) than M3FX were 22% of the total.

Phagocytic response modifying reactivity of enzymatic cell wall digests of Nocardia opaca

Aqueous extracts (ENOCW) and enzymatic digests of purified Nocardia opaca cell wall fragments, virtually free of muramyl peptides, were monitored for their phagocytic response modifying reactivity on polymorphonuclear leucocytes, separated or unseparated in whole human blood. In the presence of ENOCW a 74% increased production of superoxide during the respiratory burst of TPA-activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes was observed, as compared to the unprimed control. Delipidation of this preparation resulted in a further increase in reactivity (144%). Even in the presence of whole human blood, as a model for competitive binding in biological fluids, an enhanced generation of superoxide by TPA activated blood phagocytes remained detectable. A 37-75% decreased phagocytic reactivity in samples of HIV-seropositive blood was considerably restored in the presence of ENOCW.

Production and partial characterization of the extracellular polysaccharides from oral Streptococcus salivarius

The production of polysaccharides from sucrose by extracellular enzymes from oral Streptococcus salivarius isolates and the physico-chemical properties of water-insoluble products (IPs) were investigated. Extracellular enzymes from all the 18 strains tested produced insoluble alpha-D-glucans (IGs) as well as soluble beta-D-fructans, and formed adhering deposits on glass. Generally, the IPs (mostly IGs) of S. salivarius strains differed from the S. sobrinus IPs by (a) containing significant proportions of alpha-D-(1----4)-, in addition to alpha-D-(1----3)- and alpha-D-(1----6)-glucosyl linkages, and much higher proportions of alpha-D-(1----3) than alpha-D-(1----6) linkages, (b) being more susceptible to hydrolysis by mutanase than by dextranase, (c) possessing low or no streptococcal cell-agglutinating ability, and (d) showing weaker adhesion to a glass surface. The degree of the polysaccharide adherence differed greatly among the S. salivarius strains and, therefore, they were divided into three groups of adherence producers; heavy, moderate, and slight. The IPs of the three groups contained, generally in descending order, a higher proportion of higher-molecular-weight fractions, and consisted of higher proportions of IG containing higher proportions of -(1----6)-alpha-D and -(1----4)-alpha-D glucosyl linkages and (1----3,6) branches, but showed higher susceptibility to hydrolysis by mutanase as well as dextranase. Thus, the production and the properties of extracellular insoluble alpha-D-glucans from sucrose differ considerably between oral S. salivarius and cariogenic S. sobrinus.

Isolation of cDNAs encoding a substrate for protein kinase C: nucleotide sequence and chromosomal mapping of the gene for a human 80K protein

An acidic phosphoprotein of Mr 80,000, the 80K protein, is a substrate for protein kinase C in fibroblasts and epidermal carcinoma cells. We purified the 80K protein from human squamous carcinoma Ca9-22 cells and fractionated it into two distinct molecular species, designated the 80K-L and 80K-H proteins. The amino acid sequences of the NH2-terminal region and cyanogen bromide-cleaved fragments of the 80K-H protein were determined and a corresponding oligonucleotide sequence was synthesized. Using this as a probe, two cDNA clones, lambda 80H-1 and lambda 80H-2, were selected from a lambda gt10 cDNA library from human A431 cells. The nucleotide sequence has an open reading frame of 1581 nucleotides encoding a protein of 527 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed an extremely Glu-rich region. RNA blot analysis with the lambda 80H-1 cDNA clone detected two polyadenylated transcripts of 2.3 and 3.5 kb in Ca9-22 cells. Spot blot hybridization using flow-sorted human chromosomes provided evidence that the gene (G19P1) encoding 80K-H protein maps to human chromosome 19.

Immobilization of linamarase and its use in the determination of bound cyanide in cassava using flow injection analysis

Extracts from the tubers (cortex and parenchyma) and leaves of Manihot esculenta Crantz (cassava) were analyzed for their releasable cyanide content using flow injection analysis incorporating an immobilized linamarase bioreactor. Linamarase was immobilized under very mild conditions to an activated 2-fluoro-N-methylpyridinium Fractogel support. The released cyanide, which was monitored spectrophotometrically at 525 nm using an alkaline picrate reagent, was found to be highest in the cortex and lowest in the parenchyma.

Carbohydrate moieties of peanut agglutinin receptors isolated from human gastric cancer cells

Receptors for peanut agglutinin (PNA) were isolated from Kato III human gastric cancer cells by affinity chromatography on PNA agarose, and were labeled by the galactose oxidase-NaB3H4 method. Alkaline NaBH4 treatment of the labeled receptors released two small oligosaccharide alcohols, which were identified as Gal beta 1----3GalNAc-ol and Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----6(Gal beta 1----3)GalNAc-ol. Higher oligosaccharides and glycopeptides of both N- and O-linked type were also detected, but they did not appear to bear PNA binding sites. The presence of oligo-N-acetyllactosamine units in the N-linked type sugars was indicated by endo-beta-galactosidase digestion.

Structural features of sulfated glycans from the tunic of Styela plicata (Chordata-Tunicata). A unique occurrence of L-galactose in sulfated polysaccharides

The sulfated polysaccharides in the tunic of Styela plicata occur as three fractions that differ markedly in molecular mass and chemical composition. The high-molecular-mass fraction has a high galactose content and a strong negative optical rotation while the low-molecular-mass fractions have a higher proportion of amino sugars and glucose. The galactose occurs in these polysaccharides entirely in the L-enantiomeric form. Although L-galactose is a constituent of several polysaccharides, this is the first report of sulfated polysaccharides that contain high amounts of L-galactose, and that lack the D enantiomorph of this sugar. Furthermore, the structure of the high-molecular-mass fraction, which is composed mainly of a core of alpha-L-galactopyranose residues, sulfated at position 3, linked glycosidically though position 1----4, and with non-sulfated L-galactopyranose non-reducing end-units, is unique among other previously described sulfated glycans. These data are of considerable interest as they show an unusual example of possible variants of polyanionic glycans with structure function in living tissues.

A novel immobilized-enzyme system utilizing microcapsules

A novel immobilized-enzyme system that has glucoamylase on the surface of, and glucose oxidase within, polyurea microcapsules was developed. This system was found to carry out its sequential enzymatic reaction effectively. It was also demonstrated that the use of microcapsules was useful for this immobilized-enzyme system since a large amount of the second enzyme, glucose oxidase, was required for the sequential reaction to proceed efficiently. In addition, this system was found helpful for making the size of reaction batches smaller.

[Activity and stability of glucoamylase preparations in different methods of immobilization]

Catalytic activity and stability of glucoamylases immobilized by different methods (adsorption, covalent binding) are studied comparatively. The highest stability is shown to be obtained under covalent binding. The binding efficiency and immobilized glucoamylase properties depend on the nature of insoluble carrier and a purification degree of the enzyme preparations. The choice of the cross-linking agent promoting a binding between the enzyme and the carrier is very significant. The activity and stability of immobilized glucoamylases obtained when using different cross-linking agents rise in such a sequence: 2,4-toluylenediisocyanate, cyanurochloride, glutaric dialdehyde, gossypol. Catalytic properties and stability are determined for soluble and immobilized glucoamylase forms from different sources.

Characterization of Crithidia fasciculata oligosaccharide-lipid and its elongation by bovine mammary microsomes

It was recently shown that a Man7(GlcNAc)2-lipid species serves as the precursor for the biosynthesis of asparagine-linked glycoproteins in the trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata. Preliminary results indicated it to be similar to the intermediate in the major pathway for the biosynthesis of lipid-linked Glc3Man9(GlcNAc)2 in animal systems. To explore the potential of this glycolipid as an acceptor for studying the biosynthesis of mammary glycoproteins, we conducted a detailed structural analysis of the labelled Man7(GlcNAc)2-lipid isolated from exponentially growing cells of C. fasciculata. The results showed its structure to be Man alpha 1----2Man alpha 1----2Man alpha 1----3(Man alpha 1----2Man alpha 1----3Man alpha 1----6)Man beta----GlcNAc beta----GlcNAc, identical to the nonasaccharide synthesized by the animal systems. Incubation of the Man7(GlcNAc)2-lipid with bovine mammary microsomes along with GDP-mannose or mannosyl-phosphodolichol elongates it to give Man9(GlcNAc)2-lipid having the same structure as the corresponding intermediate in animal systems. Inhibition of the elongation reaction by EDTA or amphomycin indicates that the intermediary formation of mannosyl-phosphodolichol is required for the incorporation of mannose residues into the nonasaccharide-lipid. Mannosyl.phosphoretinol failed to serve as a mannosyl donor in this reaction.

Studies on the size and shape of rabbit intestinal glucoamylase-maltase complex

Rabbit intestinal glucoamylase-maltase was examined in detail with respect to its molecular weight, sedimentation, diffusion and viscosity. It is a large asymmetrical molecule, with a molecular weight of 750 000-760 000. Its appearance under the electron microscope supports the idea that it is a long string (62.0 nm) consisting of eight beads of diameter 6.0 nm each and a surface-to-surface interbead distance of approx. 2.0 nm. The shape of the enzyme derived from its hydrodynamic behaviour by using the string-of-spherical-beads model originally proposed by Kuhn [(1932) Z. Phys. Chem. Abt. A 161, 1-32] and later modified by Shulman [(1953) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75, 5846-5852] fits moderately well with the electron-microscopic picture. The beads might represent about six subunits, and the absence of sulphur from the enzyme and the inability to dissociate the enzyme by conventional methods indicate the possibility of unusual covalent cross-linking between the subunits and between the beads.

A novel method for quantitation of favism-inducing agents in legumes

A new method for the quantitation of the favism-inducing agents in legumes is described. The procedure involves differential extraction of the glucosides vicine and convicine with acetic acid (25%), followed by an enzymatic hydrolysis by beta-glucosidase under anaerobic conditions. Each of the aglycone moieties, isouramil and divicine, anaerobically reduces two molecules of o-ferriphenanthroline to o-ferrophenanthroline. This reaction is readily followed spectrophotometrically at 515 nm. Using this procedure, it was found that in various strains of Vicia faba, the level of these two glucosides comprises approximately 0.5% of the wet weight of the seeds. In contrast, these glucosides could not be detected in either green peas or chick peas.

Structures of heterooligosaccharides synthesized by levansucrase

In the presence of excess amounts of various monosaccharides as acceptors, Bacillus subtilis levansucrase synthesized various heterooligosaccharides as a result of transfer of the fructosyl residue from sucrose. The saccharides produced in the presence of D-glucose, D-mannose, and D-xylose were all non-reducing disaccharides and were identified as beta-D-fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (sucrose), beta-D-fructo-furanosyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (mannosucrose), and beta-D-fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-xylopyranoside (xylsucrose), respectively. The saccharides produced in the presence of D-galactose were also non-reducing, but consisted of di-, tri-, and tetrasaccharides. The di- and trisaccharides were galsucrose and 6F-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-galsucrose. The saccharide synthesized in the presence of L-arabinose was a reducing saccharide and was determined to be 4-O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-L-arabinose. In the presence of D-fructose, several reducing levan oligomers, levanbiose, levantriose, levantetraose, etc., were produced, which were not observed in the synthesis of levan from sucrose alone.

[Glucoamylase immobilization on silochrome using gossypol]

The paper is concerned with conditions of glucoamylase binding with silanized silochrome using gossypol, dialdehyde isolated from cotton-plant. Kinetic properties of the immobilized enzyme are studied. The enzyme pH optimum does not change with immobilization and the temperature optimum is shifted from 50 degrees to 60 degrees C; a certain increase of the seeming Km is also observed. A high yield of the enzyme activity in immobilization evidences for the possibility of using gossypol as a binding agent in glucoamylase immobilization.

Isolation and structure of a tryptic glycopeptide from the active site of beta-glucosidase A3 from Aspergillus wentii

A radioactive glycopeptide with a molecular weight of 13 200 was isolated from beta-glucosidase A3 after labeling the active site with [3H]conduritol B epoxide and cleavage with trypsin. The glycopeptide consists of 63 amino acids and 29 +/- 1 sugar residues. Its amino acid sequence was derived from the results of sequence analysis of peptic and cyanogen bromide peptides. The radioactive inhibitor is bound to aspartic acid 12 of the sequence, the sugar residues are probably bound as N-glycosides to asparagine 48 and asparagine 56, since O-glycosidic linkages have been ruled out.

Presence in a plant of a compound similar to the dolichyl diphosphate oligosaccharide of animal tissue

A compound with properties identical with the glucose-containing dolichyl diphosphate oligosaccharide present in animal tissues was detected in alfalfa roots incubated with [14C]glucose. The products of mild acid hydrolysis behaved the same on paper chromatography, on treatment with specific glucosidases and on N-deacetylation.

Glycoenzymes: an unusual type of glycoprotein structure for a glucoamylase

Glucoamylase, (1 leads to 4)(1 leads to 6)-alpha-D-glucan glucohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.3), hydrolyzes starch and glycogen completely to D-glucose and is used industrially in the manufacture of D-glucose from starch. The enzyme is elaborated by many types of fungi and occurs in two isoenzymic forms (glucoamylase I and glucoamylase II) in extracts from certain fungi. The isoenzymes from Aspergillus niger are glycoenzymes containing D-mannose, D-glucose, and D-galactose as integral structural components. New data from experiments on reductive alkaline beta-elimination and from methylation analyses show that the carbohydrate chains of glucoamylase I are linked O-glycosidically from D-mannose residues to L-serine or L-threonine residues of the protein moiety. In this enzyme, the carbohydrate residues are present as 20 single D-mannose residues, 11 disaccharides components having the structure 2-O-D-mannopyranosyl-D-mannose, 8 trisaccharides, and 5 tetrasaccharides composed of various combinations of D-mannose, D-glucose, and D-galactose residues joined by (1 leads to 3) and (1 leads to 6) glycosidic linkages. Such an array of carbohydrate chains in a glycoprotein is unusual, and may account for some of the unique properties exhibited by glucoamylase.

Effect of pore diffusion limitation on dextrin hydrolysis by immobilized glucoamylase

Data reported here and previously indicate that when dextrin is hydrolyzed in the presence of immobilized glucoamylase, use of a larger average molecular weight substrate leads to lower overall rates of hydrolysis, while the maltose concentration during the bulk of the reaction and the maximum glucose concentration are lower than when the soluble form of the enzyme is employed under the same conditions. Computer simulation of the system demonstrated that all three observations were caused by pore diffusion limitation: the first by slow diffusion of substrate, the second by slow diffusion of intermediates, and the third by slow diffusion of glucose. Follow-up experiments with glucoamylase immobilized to particles of different sizes confirmed this finding, as results with the smallest beads were identical to those with soluble glucoamylase.