Primary structure of carboxypeptidase III from malted barley

Isolation and characterization of carboxypeptidase III from germinating triticale grains

Carboxypeptidase III from germinating triticale grains was purified 434.2-fold with a six-step procedure including: homogenization, ammonium sulfate precipitation, cation-exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose, gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-150, cation-exchange chromatography on SP8HR column (HPLC), and affinity chromatography on CABSSepharose 4B. Triticale carboxypeptidase III is a monomer with a molecular weight of 45 kDa, which optimally hydrolyzes peptides at temperature 30-50 degrees C and pH 4.6. N-CBZ-Ala-Phe, N-CBZ-Ala-Leu, and N-CBZ-Ala-Met are hydrolyzed at the highest rates. Amino acids with aromatic or large aliphatic side chains are preferred in position P1', whereas the presence of these types of groups in position P1 of the substrate results in a lower rate of hydrolysis. Peptides containing glutamic acid in positions P1 are poor substrates for the enzyme. This phenomenon suggests the hydrophobic substrate- binding sites S1 and S1'. The active site contains serine since diisopropylfluorophosphate and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride reduce the activity by 89.9% and 81.5%, respectively. Moreover, the activity of triticale carboxypeptidase III is reduced by mercury ions and organomercurial compounds, which suggests the presence of a sulfhydryl group adjacent to the active site of the enzyme. Identification of purified enzyme by mass spectrometry method demonstrated that the enzyme is a homolog of barley carboxypeptidase III.

A rice serine carboxypeptidase-like gene OsBISCPL1 is involved in regulation of defense responses against biotic and oxidative stress

Serine carboxypeptidase-like proteins (SCPLs) comprise a large family of protein hydrolyzing enzymes that play roles in multiple cellular processes. During the course of study aimed at elucidating the molecular basis of induced immunity in rice, a gene, OsBISCPL1, encoding a putative SCPL, was isolated and identified. OsBISCPL1 contains a conserved peptidase S10 domain, serine active site and a signal peptide at N-terminus. OsBISCPL1 is expressed ubiquitously in rice, including roots, stems, leaves and spikes. Expression of OsBISCPL1 in leaves was significantly up-regulated after treatments with benzothiadiazole, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, and also up-regulated in incompatible interactions between rice and the blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants with constitutive expression of OsBISCPL1 were generated and disease resistance assays indicated that the OsBISCPL1-overexpressing plants showed an enhanced disease resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Alternaria brassicicola. Expression levels of defense-related genes, e.g. PR1, PR2, PR5 and PDF1.2, were constitutively up-regulated in transgenic plants as compared with those in wild-type plants. Furthermore, the OsBISCPL1-overexpressing plants also showed an increased tolerance to oxidative stress and up-regulated expression of oxidative stress-related genes. The results suggest that the OsBISCPL1 may be involved in regulation of defense responses against pathogen infection and oxidative stress.

The serine carboxypeptidase like gene family of rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica)

Serine carboxypeptidases (SCPs) comprise a large family of protein hydrolyzing enzymes and have roles ranging from protein turnover and C-terminal processing to wound responses and xenobiotic metabolism. The proteins can be classified into three groups, namely carboxypeptidase I, II and III, based on their coding protein sequences and the fact that each family is characterized by a central catalytic domain of unique topology designated as the "alpha/beta hydrolase fold". The available SCP protein sequences have been utilized as datasets to build a HMM (hidden Markov model) profile, which is used to search the rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica) proteome. A total of 71 SCP and serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) protein-coding genes exist in rice. The intron-exon structure, chromosome localization, expression and characteristics of encoded protein sequences of the 71 putative genes are reviewed.

The amino acid sequences of carboxypeptidases I and II from Aspergillus niger and their stability in the presence of divalent cations

The amino acid sequences of serine carboxypeptidase I (CPD-I) and II (CPD-II), respectively, from Aspergillus niger have been determined by conventional Edman degradation of the reduced and vinylpyridinated enzymes and peptides hereof generated by cleavage with cyanogen bromide, iodobenzoic acid, glutamic acid cleaving enzyme, AspN-endoproteinase and EndoLysC proteinase. CPD-I consists of a single peptide chain of 471 amino acid residues, three disulfide bridges and nine N-glycosylated asparaginyl residues, while CPD-II consists of a single peptide chain of 481 amino acid residues, has three disulfide bridges, one free cysteinyl residue and nine glycosylated asparaginyl residues. The enzymes are closely related to carboxypeptidase S3 from Penicillium janthinellum. Both Ca2+ and Mg2+ stabilize CPD-I as well as CPD-II, at basic pH values, Ca2+ being most effective, while the divalent ions have no effect on the activity of the two enzymes.

Protease inhibitor studies and cloning of a serine carboxypeptidase cDNA from germinating seeds of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

The nature of the proteolytic activity found within the germinating pea (Pisum sativum) seed, 4 days from the initiation of imbibition, was determined by the use of specific protease inhibitors. These studies have shown most of the activity to belong to metallo or metal-activated and serine proteases. In order to investigate further the serine protease activity, a pea cotyledon germination cDNA library was, therefore, screened with a wheat cDNA (2437) [Baulcombe, D.C., Barker, R.F. & Jarvis, M.G. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 13726-13735] which had extensive similarity to the yeast serine carboxypeptidase Y gene. A positive cDNA clone (pNY551) was obtained which had extensive similarity to the four carboxypeptidases, Arabidopsis thaliana carboxypeptidase Y-like protein, rice serine carboxypeptidase III, barley serine carboxypeptidase III and wheat serine carboxypeptidase III precursor. Northern-blot analysis showed mRNA homologous to pNY551 to be expressed in late developmental pea seed and again during germination.

Lysosomal protective protein/cathepsin A. Role of the "linker" domain in catalytic activation

Lysosomal protective protein/cathepsin A is a serine carboxypeptidase that forms a complex with beta-galactosidase and neuraminidase. The enzyme is synthesized as a 54-kDa precursor/zymogen and processed into a catalytically active 32- and 20-kDa two-chain form. We have expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells the human one-chain precursor as well as the two separate subunits in order to establish the mode of catalytic activation of the zymogen and the assembly and activation of the two subunits. Infected insect cells synthesize large quantities of the exogenous proteins, which are glycosylated and secreted but not processed. Co-expression of the two subunits results in their assembly into a two-chain form of 34- and 20-kDa with negligible enzymatic activity. Limited proteolysis with trypsin of the 54-kDa precursor and the reconstituted 34- and 20-kDa form gives rise to a fully active 32- and 20-kDa product. These results enabled us to map the sites of proteolytic cleavage needed for full activation of the cathepsin A zymogen. They further indicate that the 34- and 20-kDa form is a transient processing intermediate that is converted into a mature and active enzyme by removal of a 2-kDa "linker" peptide from the COOH terminus of the 34-kDa subunit.

The primary structure of carboxypeptidase S3 from Penicillium janthinellum IBT 3991

The complete amino acid sequence of penicillopeptidase S3, a serine carboxypeptidase isolated from Penicillium janthinellum IBT 3991, has been determined. The enzyme consists of 481 amino acids arranged in a single polypeptide chain. Six glycosylation sites were established in positions 41, 218, 256, 326, 384 and 392. The molecule contains six cysteinyl residues among which disulfide bridges was established between Cys-71-Cys-333 and Cys-233-Cys-289. Carboxypeptidase S3 is homologous to carboxypeptidase PEPF (or carboxypeptidase I) from Aspergillus niger (67% identical positions). It is proposed that these enzymes form a separate sub-family among the serine carboxypeptidases.

Protective protein as an endogenous endothelin degradation enzyme in human tissues

An enzyme hydrolyzing the carboxyl terminus of endothelin-1 was detected in control human tissues but was deficient in tissues from a patient with galactosialidosis, a metabolic disease caused by the protective protein gene mutation. It was proportional to the amount of immunologically estimated mature protective protein. An antibody against the lysosomal protective protein/beta-galactosidase complex precipitated the enzyme activity almost completely. Transfection of the human cDNA for protective protein resulted in high expression of the enzyme activity in transformed fibroblasts from a galactosialidosis patient. These results indicated that the mature protective protein is a major soluble endogenous endothelin degradation enzyme in human tissues.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the scpZ gene encoding the serine carboxypeptidase of Absidia zychae

Carboxypeptidase Z is a serine carboxypeptidase secreted by Absidia zychae NRIC 1199. The cDNA and genomic DNA carrying the scpZ gene encoding carboxypeptidase Z were cloned and sequenced. The nucleotide sequences of the cDNA (1.4 kb) and the genomic DNA (3.3 kb) were analyzed and the intervening sequences were located by a comparison of the two. It was found that the scpZ gene was interrupted by 11 short introns, 50-75 nucleotides in length. Genomic Southern analysis showed that there was only one scpZ gene in the genome of A. zychae. The gene encoded a putative pre-pro-enzyme composed of 409 amino-acid residues of the mature carboxypeptidase Z (M(r) 45,421) and an additional N-terminal sequence of 51 amino-acid residues. The amino-acid sequence around the active serine residue of carboxypeptidase Z (-G-E-S-Y-G-G-) differed from the consensus (-G-E-S-Y-A-G-) which is conserved in most of the serine carboxypeptidases so far analyzed.

Cloning, characterization and expression of pepF, a gene encoding a serine carboxypeptidase from Aspergillus niger

We have cloned a gene (pepF) encoding a serine carboxypeptidase, proteinase F (PEPF), from Aspergillus niger. The sequences were identified in a phage lambda genomic DNA library using a synthetic probe based on the N-terminal sequence of PEPF. Nucleotide sequence data from pepF genomic and cDNA clones reveals that it is composed of four exons of 199, 283, 227 and 881 bp, interrupted by three introns of 53, 69 and 59 bp. The sequence of pepF codes for a polypeptide of 530 amino acids (aa), of which the first 52 aa are not present in the mature PEPF. This region may represent a prepro sequence that is removed by proteolytic cleavage as a monobasic cleavage site (Lys52). Northern blot analysis of total cellular RNA extracted from A. niger cells indicates that pepF is transcribed as a single 1.8-kb mRNA, which is regulated by nitrogen and carbon repression, specific induction and the pH of the culture medium.

Molecular cloning of hydroxynitrile lyase from Sorghum bicolor (L.). Homologies to serine carboxypeptidases

The heterotetrameric enzyme hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) from sorghum (EC 4.1.2.11) is involved in the catabolism of the cyanogenic glycoside dhurrin. We have isolated a cDNA clone comprising about 90% of the COOH terminal sequence of a precursor which encodes both subunit of HNL from Sorghum bicolor L. (SbHNL). Hence the subunits of SbHNL must be the result of post-translational processing. The deduced amino acid sequence of HNL shares significant sequence homology with members of the serine carboxypeptidase family. In particular, HNL from sorghum shares the catalytical triad Asp. His, and Ser with these enzymes which evolved in 3 groups of enzymes (carboxypeptidase, chymotrypsin, and subtilisin) by convergent evolution. Moreover, like serine carboxypeptidases, HNL from sorghum consists of two pairs of glycosylated cysteine linked A and B chains forming a heterotetramer of a molecular weight of 105,000 (carboxypeptidases 120,000). Thus, HNL from sorghum closely resembles to serine carboxypeptidases but differs from all other HNLs described so far. Western blotting experiments revealed cross reaction between carboxypeptidase from wheat and anti SbHNL antisera. Therefore, convergent evolution of HNLs from various ancestoral enzymes is conceivable. Hybridization of SbHNL cDNA to northern blots of total RNAs isolated from various organs of young sorghum seedlings shows the same expression pattern of HNL as found by means of western blotting or enzyme assays. Using PCR and Southern blot analysis, we demonstrated that the gene of SbHNL is free of introns. Further sequence analysis of cDNA clones and genomic DNA revealed a stretch of 23 adenine residues in the 3'-untranslated part of the gene. Both, intronless organisation of the gene and a genomic stretch of oligo A suggests that SbHNL may have evolved by a reverse transcription event.

The expression of serine carboxypeptidases during maturation and germination of the barley grain

cDNA clones encoding three additional serine carboxypeptidases (Ser-CPs) have been isolated from a gibberellic acid-induced barley aleurone cDNA library. The three deduced Ser-CPs belong to the two-chain subfamily of Ser-CPs; they are synthesized as precursors with a putative signal peptide, propeptide, and linker peptide between the A and B chains. Their identification provides the proof for the existence of more than three Ser-CPs in cereal grains, and, based on their sequences, they may exhibit new substrate specificities. The expression of these and of the three previously isolated Ser-CPs from barley grains (CP-MI, CP-MII, and CP-MIII) has been investigated by Northern and Western analysis and RNA PCR. CP-MII is the only Ser-CP to be expressed and accumulate in the developing grain and is stored in its active form in the mature grain. All six Ser-CPs are expressed de novo in the germinating grain, in the scutellum, and/or in the aleurone. Furthermore, at least CP-MI, CP-MII, and CP-MIII are secreted into the endosperm. In addition, all Ser-CPs (except CP-MI) are also expressed in the roots and shoots of the growing seedling. This enzyme family thus appears to be ubiquitous in the barley plant, which suggests that Ser-CPs play additional roles besides their participation in the mobilization of storage proteins.

Enzymes for the resolution of alpha-tertiary-substituted carboxylic acid esters

Aromatic alpha-amino-alpha-methyl acids and alpha-hydrazino-alpha-methyl acids are known aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitors. Specific derivatives such as 2-amino-2-methyl-3-(3,4- dihydroxyphenyl)propanoate, Aldomet, and 2-hydrazino-2-methyl-3-(3,4- dihydroxyphenyl)propanoate, Lodosyn, have been developed as therapeutic agents to treat hypertension and Parkinson's disease, respectively. We recently reported a method for the kinetic resolution of the racemic esters of such compounds using a crude preparation of a novel enzyme catalyst from the yeast Candida lipolytica (Yee, C.; Blythe, T.A., McNabb, T.J.; Walts, A.E. J. Org. Chem. 1992, 57, 3525-3527). Here we report the purification and initial characterization of the active enzyme component, an enzyme given the name Candida lipolytica ester hydrolase (CLEH). CLEH was purified to > 95% homogeneity by chromatography on Matrex Blue B resin. The enzyme was found to be a glycoprotein with M(r) = 80,000-300,000. In addition to esterolytic activity, the enzyme was found to catalyze the hydrolysis of amides, anilides and peptides. Sequence analysis of internal peptides of CLEH revealed striking homology to a number of enzymes belonging to the group of serine carboxypeptidases (E.C. 3.4.16.1). One peptide aligned with the canonical serine carboxypeptidase active site sequence, GESYAG. Based on the structural relationship of CLEH to serine carboxypeptidases, three representative serine carboxypeptidases were evaluated for their utility in resolving racemic alpha-tertiary ester substrates and compared with the activity of CLEH. All enzymes revealed similarly high activity and enantioselectivity towards the alpha-hydrazino-alpha-methyl ester precursor of the Parkinson-drug Carbidopa. However, differences in enantioselectivity were observed with other alpha-tertiary-substituted ester substrates. Serine carboxypeptidase-catalyzed ester resolutions thus offer a new route to many sterically hindered homochiral alpha-amino, alpha-hydrazino and alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids.

A conserved glutamic acid bridge in serine carboxypeptidases, belonging to the alpha/beta hydrolase fold, acts as a pH-dependent protein-stabilizing element

Serine endopeptidases of the chymotrypsin family contain a salt bridge situated centrally within the active site, the acidic component of the salt bridge being adjacent to the catalytically essential serine. Serine carboxypeptidases also contain an acidic residue in this position but it interacts through a short hydrogen bond, probably of low-barrier type, with another acidic residue, hence forming a "glutamic acid bridge." In this study, the residues constituting this structural element in carboxypeptidase Y have been replaced by site-specific mutagenesis. It is demonstrated that the glutamic acid bridge contributes significantly to the stability of the enzyme below pH 6.5 and has an adverse effect at pH 9.5. Carboxypeptidase WII from wheat contains 2 such bridges, and it is more stable than carboxypeptidase Y at acidic pH.

The primary structure of carboxypeptidase S1 from Penicillium janthinellum

The complete amino acid sequence of carboxypeptidase S1 from Penicillium janthinellium has been determined by N-terminal sequencing of the reduced and vinylpyridinated protein and of peptides obtained by cleaved with cyanogen bromide, iodosobenzoic acid, hydroxylamine, endoproteinase LysC, endoproteinase AspN and Glu-specific proteinase from B. licheniformis. The enzyme consists of a single peptide chain of 433 amino acid residues and contains 9 half-cystine residues and one glycosylated asparagine residue. A comparison to other carboxypeptidases shows that the enzyme is homologous to carboxypeptidase-Y and carboxypeptidase-MIII from malt. Specificity and binding of substrates are discussed from a three-dimensional model based on the known structure of carboxypeptidase-Y from Saccharomyces cereviciae and carboxypeptidase II from wheat.

Purification and characterization of two serine carboxypeptidases from Aspergillus niger and their use in C-terminal sequencing of proteins and peptide synthesis

A procedure was developed to prepare in large amounts two carboxypeptidases, CPD-I and CPD-II, from Aspergillus niger. They were each shown to be serine proteases and single-chain monomers with molecular masses of ca. 81 kDa and containing 22% carbohydrates. Amino acid analysis, carbohydrate determination, and N-terminal sequencing (20 to 25 residues) were performed on each enzyme. CPD-I showed sequence homologies with malt carboxypeptidase II, while the N terminus of CPD-II was different from that of any known serine carboxypeptidase. Like carboxypeptidase Y from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and carboxypeptidase III from malt, CPD-II contained a free sulfhydryl group that could play a role in catalysis. Both A. niger enzymes had pH optima of about 4 and were unstable above pH 7. Their specificities for substrate positions P1 and P'1 were characterized by use of, as substrates, a series of N-blocked amino acid esters and dipeptides. Both enzymes were specific for Arg, Lys, and Phe in P1. CPD-I preferred hydrophobic residues in P'1, while CPD-II was highly specific for Arg and Lys in this position. Each displayed an original specificity when P1 and P'1 were considered together. The specificities were also studied by analyzing the time course of the release of amino acids from eight different peptides of various lengths. CPD-I and CPD-II appeared to be quite suitable for C-terminal sequence studies as well as for the synthesis of peptide bonds. The latter was studied with two peptide esters as aminolysis substrates and a series of amino acid amides as nucleophiles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)