Transglutaminases: purification and activity assays

A Calcium- and GTP-Dependent Transglutaminase in Leishmania infantum

While human and animal leishmaniasis affect several millions of people worldwide, L. infantum is the species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis in Europe, Middle East, and America. Antileishmanial drugs present issues associated with drug toxicity and increasing parasite resistance. Therefore, the study of this parasite with a focus on new potential drug targets is extremely useful. Accordingly, we purified and characterized a transglutaminase (TGase) from L. infantum promastigotes. While Tgases are known to be involved in cell death and autophagy, it appears that these functions are very important for parasites' virulence. For the first time, we showed a Ca²⁺- and GTP-dependent TGase in Leishmania corresponding to a 54 kDa protein, which was purified by two chromatographic steps: DEAE-Sepharose and Heparin-Sepharose. Using polyclonal antibodies against a 50-amino-acid conserved region of the catalytic core of human TGase 2, we revealed two other bands of 66 and 75 kDa. The 54 kDa band appears to be different from the previously reported TGase, which was shown to be Ca²⁺- independent. Future research should address the identification of the purified enzyme sequence and, subsequently, its cloning to more comprehensively investigate its pathophysiological function and possible differences from mammal enzymes.

Micropipette Tip-Based Immunoassay with Electrochemical Detection of Antitissue Transglutaminase to Diagnose Celiac Disease Using Staples and a Paper-Based Platform

In this work, 1-200 μL polypropylene micropipette tips were used as platforms for performing immunoassays after converting their inner surfaces on a capture zone for the analyte of interest. We have used a micropipette-tip immunoelectroanalytical platform for the detection of antitissue transglutaminase (IgA), the main biomarker for celiac disease. Modification of the tip wall with poly-l-lysine allowed adsorption of tissue transglutaminase (tTG), which will capture later anti-tTG (IgA) antibodies developed in celiac-affected people. A sandwich-type format was followed, incubating simultaneously the analyte and the detection antibody, labeled with horseradish peroxidase. With this new application for an extremely common lab material, we can perform quantitative analysis by dispensing the liquid into a low-cost and miniaturized staple-based paper electrochemical platform. The analytical signal was the reduction of the enzymatically oxidized substrate, recorded chronoamperometrically (i-t curve). The intensity of the current obtained at a fixed time after the application of the cathodic potential followed a linear relationship with anti-tTG (IgA) concentration. The relative standard deviation obtained for immunoassays performed in different tips indicates the adequate precision of this new methodology, which is very promising for decentralized analysis. Negative and positive controls produced results that were in accordance with those obtained with spectrophotometric enzyme linked-immunosorbent assays.

Separation of transglutaminase by thermo-responsive affinity precipitation using l-thyroxin as ligand

Transglutaminase (TGase) is widely used in the food industry. In this study, TGase was purified by affinity precipitation using l-thyroxin, coupled to a thermo-responsive polymer (PNBN), as an affinity ligand. The lower critical solution temperature and recovery of the affinity polymer were 31.0 °C and 99.6 %, respectively. The optimal adsorption condition was 0.02 mol/L phosphate buffer (pH 5.0). The recoveries 99.01 % (protein) and 98.85 % (activity) were obtained by 0.2 mol/L Gly-NaOH buffer (pH 10.0) as the elution agent. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and FortéBio Octet system were used to explore the interactions between l-thyroxin and TGase. The results show that l-thyroxin is suitable for affinity precipitation of TGase. The purity of the final product was verified using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Uncovering protein polyamination by the spermine-specific antiserum and mass spectrometric analysis

The polyamines spermidine and spermine, and their precursor putrescine, have been shown to play an important role in cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Because of their polycationic property, polyamines are traditionally thought to be involved in DNA replication, gene expression, and protein translation. However, polyamines can also be covalently conjugated to proteins by transglutaminase 2 (TG2). This modification leads to an increase in positive charge in the polyamine-incorporated region which significantly alters the structure of proteins. It is anticipated that protein polyamine conjugation may affect the protein-protein interaction, protein localization, and protein function of the TG2 substrates. In order to investigate the roles of polyamine modification, we synthesized a spermine-conjugated antigen and generated an antiserum against spermine. In vitro TG2-catalyzed spermine incorporation assays were carried out to show that actin, tubulins, heat shock protein 70 and five types of histone proteins were modified with spermine, and modification sites were also identified by liquid chromatography and linear ion trap-orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometry. Subsequent mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomic analysis also identified 254 polyaminated sites in 233 proteins from the HeLa cell lysate catalyzed by human TG2 with spermine, thus allowing, for the first time, a global appraisal of site-specific protein polyamination. Global analysis of mouse tissues showed that this modification really exists in vivo. Importantly, we have demonstrated that there is a new histone modification, polyamination, in cells. However, the functional significance of histone polyamination demands further investigations.

Tissue transglutaminase: an emerging target for therapy and imaging

Tissue transglutaminase (transglutaminase 2) is a multifunctional enzyme with many interesting properties resulting in versatile roles in both physiology and pathophysiology. Herein, the particular involvement of the enzyme in human diseases will be outlined with special emphasis on its role in cancer and in tissue interactions with biomaterials. Despite recent progress in unraveling the different cellular functions of transglutaminase 2, several questions remain. Transglutaminase 2 features in both confirmed and some still ambiguous roles within pathological conditions, raising interest in developing inhibitors and imaging probes which target this enzyme. One important prerequisite for identifying and characterizing such molecular tools are reliable assay methods to measure the enzymatic activity. This digest Letter will provide clarification about the various assay methods described to date, accompanied by a discussion of recent progress in the development of inhibitors and imaging probes targeting transglutaminase 2.

Detection of transglutaminase activity using click chemistry

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a Ca²⁺-dependent enzyme able to catalyze the formation of ε(γ-glutamyl)-lysine crosslinks between polypeptides, resulting in high molecular mass multimers. We have developed a bioorthogonal chemical method for the labeling of TG2 glutamine-donor proteins. As amine-donor substrates we used a set of azide- and alkyne-containing primary alkylamines that allow, after being crosslinked to glutamine-donor proteins, specific labeling of these proteins via the azide-alkyne cycloaddition. We demonstrate that these azide- and alkyne-functionalized TG2 substrates are cell permeable and suitable for specific labeling of TG2 glutamine-donor substrates in HeLa and Movas cells. Both the Cu(I)-catalyzed and strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition proved applicable for subsequent derivatization of the TG2 substrate proteins with the desired probe. This new method for labeling TG2 substrate proteins introduces flexibility in the detection and/or purification of crosslinked proteins, allowing differential labeling of cellular proteins.

A Rapid Transglutaminase Assay for High-Throughput Screening Applications

Transglutaminases (TGs) are widely distributed enzymes that catalyze posttranslational modification of proteins by Ca2+-dependent cross-linking reactions. The family members of TGs participate in many significant processes of biological functions such as tissue regeneration, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and certain pathologies. A novel technique for TG activity assay was developed in this study. It was based on the rapid capturing, fluorescence quenching, and fast separation of the unreacted fluorescent molecules from the macromolecular product with magnetic dextran-coated charcoal. As few as 3 ng of guinea pig liver transglutaminase (gpTG) could be detected by the method; activities of 96 TG samples could be measured within an hour. The Km of gpTG determined by this method for monodansylcadaverine (dansyl-CAD) and N, N-dimethylcasein was 14 and 5 μM, respectively. A typical competitive inhibition pattern of cystamine on dansyl-CAD for gpTG activity was also demonstrated. The application of this technique is not limited to the use of dansyl-CAD as the fluorescent substrate of TG; other small fluor-labeled TG substrates may substitute dansyl-CAD. Finally, this method is rapid, highly sensitive, and inexpensive. It is suitable not only for high-throughput screening of enzymes or enzyme inhibitors but also for enzyme kinetic analysis.

Characterization of a Microbial Transglutaminase Cross-linked Type II Collagen Scaffold

This study investigated the effect on the mechanical and physicochemical properties of type II collagen scaffolds after cross-linking with microbial transglutaminase (mTGase). It is intended to develop a collagen-based scaffold to be used for the treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs. By measuring the amount of epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide formed after cross-linking, it was determined that the optimal enzyme concentration was 0.005% (w/v). From the production of covalent bonds induced by mTGase cross-linking, the degradation resistance of type II collagen scaffolds can be enhanced. Rheological analysis revealed an almost sixfold increase in storage modulus (G') with 0.005% (w/v) mTGase cross-linked scaffolds (1.31 +/- 0.03 kPa) compared to controls (0.21 +/- 0.01 kPa). There was a significant reduction in the level of cell-mediated contraction of scaffolds with increased mTGase concentrations. Cell proliferation assays showed that mTGase crosslinked scaffolds exhibited similar cytocompatibility properties in comparison to non-cross-linked scaffolds. In summary, cross-linking type II collagen with mTGase imparted more desirable properties, making it more applicable for use as a scaffold in tissue engineering applications.

Characterization of a transglutaminase from scallop hemocyte and identification of its intracellular substrates

Scallop hemocytes contain a transglutaminase (TGase) that is electrophoretically different from the TGase in the adductor muscle. The optimum temperature of the hemocyte TGase was lower (about 15 degrees C), compared with the muscle TGase (35-40 degrees C). Other properties, such as the high sodium chloride (NaCl) and CaCl2 concentrations required for activation, instability in salt solutions, and the Km values against monodansylcadaverine (MDC) and succinylated casein, were similar for both enzymes. When hemocyte homogenate was incubated with MDC at 10 degrees C, MDC was incorporated into the 230 k and 100 k proteins of the hemocytes. The 100 k protein was only detected in the supernatant, the 230 k protein was insoluble, and the 210 k protein was detected in both fractions. In the absence of MDC, the 230 k, 210 k, and 100 k proteins were cross-linked by endogenous transglutaminase. The 230 k protein was most quickly cross-linked and formed huge polymers within 5 min. These results suggest that if scallop tissues are injured, hemocyte transglutaminase may be activated, initially cross-linking the insoluble hemocyte 230 k protein, followed by the 210 k and 100 k proteins, to form a cross-linked protein matrix with inter cross-linking of hemocyte sheets, to stop the bleeding.

Deamidation and cross-linking of gliadin peptides by transglutaminases and the relation to celiac disease

Activation of small intestinal gluten-reactive CD4+ T cells is a critical event in celiac disease. Such cells predominantly recognise gluten peptides in which specific glutamines are deamidated. Deamidation may be catalysed by intestinal tissue transglutaminase (TG2), a protein which is also the main autoantigen in celiac disease. Our aim was to study how the two main catalytic activities of transglutaminase--deamidation and transamidation (cross-linking) of an immunodominant gliadin epitope--are influenced by the presence of acceptor amines in the intestinal mucosa, and thereby contribute to further elucidation of the pathogenetic mechanisms in celiac disease. We prepared monoclonal antibodies, reacting specifically with the non-deamidated epitope QPFPQPQLPYPQPQ-amide and/or the deamidated epitope QPFPQPELPYPQPQ-amide. A solid phase immunoassay combined with gel filtration chromatography was used to analyse deamidation and cross-linking of these peptides to proteins. Our results show that QPFPQPQLPYPQPQ-amide was deamidated when incubated with purified TG2, with fresh mucosal sheets and with mucosal homogenates. Of other transglutaminases tested, only Streptoverticillium transglutaminase was able to generate the deamidated epitope. A fraction of the non-deamidated epitope was cross-linked to proteins, including TG2. The results suggest that intestinal TG2 is responsible for generation of the active deamidated epitope. As the epitope often occurs in a repeat structure, the result may be cross-linking of a deamidated, i.e., activated cell epitope. Alternatively, the deamidation may occur by reversal of the cross-linking reaction. The results provide a basis for the suggestion that binding of a peptide to a protein, in connection to its modification to a T cell epitope, might be a general explanation for the role of TG2 in celiac disease and a possible mechanism for the generation of autoantigens.

Modulation of chondrocyte production of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (ePPi) both inhibits and promotes different forms of pathologic mineralization. Basic calcium phosphate (BCP) deposition results from depressed levels of ePPi while excess levels of ePPi leads to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition (CPPD) disease. These crystals are also often identified in patients with osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form of arthritis causing significant morbidity.

RECENT STUDIES

The two primary hypotheses for generation of ePPi, export of inorganic pyrophosphate through the multipass transmembrane protein ANK and generation of ePPi by ectoenzyme activity, continue to be supported and better understood through animal models and study of families with CPPD deposition disease.

SUMMARY

As the pathophysiology of crystal formation in both articular cartilage and synovial fluid is better understood, the opportunity for prevention and treatment of pathologic mineralization increases. In particular, a more complex understanding of the ank gene, ectoenzyme PC-1, and the transglutaminase enzyme family may eventually translate into therapeutic application for both BCP deposition and CPPD deposition disease.

Interactive effects of microbial transglutaminase and recombinant cystatin on the mackerel and hairtail muscle protein

Interactive effects of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and recombinant cystatin on the mackerel and hairtail water soluble protein (WSP), salt soluble protein (SSP), and muscle protein (MP) were investigated. According to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and enzymic activity analyses, cross-linking of mackerel and hairtail myosin heavy chain and low molecular mass compounds and formation of epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine cross-links were observed on samples with MTGase, while the recombinant cystatin could effectively inhibit the cathepsins and subsequently prevent degradation of proteins during setting. The cathepsins and MTGase activities in WSP, SSP, and MP solutions decreased, but the recombinant cystatin activity increased during setting at 45 degrees C.

Expression and rapid purification of highly active hexahistidine-tagged guinea pig liver transglutaminase

Tissue transglutaminase has been identified as a contributor to a wide variety of diseases, including cataract formation and Celiac disease. Guinea pig tissue transglutaminase has a very broad substrate specificity and therefore is useful for kinetic studies using substrate analogues. Here, we report the expression in Escherichia coli of a hexahistidine-tagged guinea pig liver tissue transglutaminase (His(6)-tTGase) allowing rapid purification by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography. Using this procedure we have obtained the highest reported specific activity (17 U/mg) combined with a high yield (22 mg/L of culture) for recombinant TGase using a single-step purification protocol. Using two independent spectrophotometric assays, we determined that the K(m) value of the recombinant enzyme with the substrate Cbz-Gln-Gly is in the same range as values reported in the literature for the native enzyme. We have thus developed a rapid and reproducible protocol for the preparation of high quality tissue TGase.

The transglutaminase, Factor XIIIA, is present in articular chondrocytes

OBJECTIVES

The transglutaminase (TGase) family includes seven different enzymes that catalyse a protein cross-linking reaction resulting in structural and functional alterations in substrate proteins. TGase activity is easily measureable in mature articular cartilage where it may contribute to CPPD deposition disease through its actions on growth factors, crystal components or extracellular matrix proteins. In contrast, low levels of TGase activity are found in chondrocytes from young animals. We previously demonstrated type II TGase protein in articular chondrocytes. Earlier work also suggested the presence of another form of TGase in chondrocytes. We sought to determine if articular chondrocytes contain the TGase, Factor XIIIA (FXIIIA).

METHODS

Western blots with FXIIIA antibody were used to detect FXIIIA in young and old porcine articular chondrocytes and articular cartilage vesicles (ACVs). The presence of FXIIIA mRNA was confirmed by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Old chondrocyte conditioned medium, cytosol, and membrane fractions contained FXIIIA protein on Western blots, while less FXIIIA was detectable in cell fractions or media from young chondrocytes. ACVs also contained FXIIIA. FXIIIA mRNA was demonstrated by PCR in old and young chondrocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

FXIIIA is present in articular chondrocytes. FXIIIA levels correlate with TGase activity in chondrocytes. The presence of two forms of TGase in articular chondrocytes suggest an important function for this enzyme family in articular cartilage.

Antibodies to tissue transglutaminase: comparison of ELISA and immunoprecipitation assay in the presence and in the absence of calcium ions

Endomysial antibodies are characteristic of coeliac disease and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) has been identified as a major component of the endomysial antigen. tTG autoantibodies were measured in sera from patients with coeliac disease using ELISA based on guinea pig tTG and immunoprecipitation assay (IPA) based on 35S-labelled human tTG produced in an in vitro transcription/translation system. In addition, the effect of calcium ions on the interaction between tTG autoantibodies in the two assays was studied. Under standard (i.e. Ca2+-free) conditions, 36/39 (92%) coeliac sera were positive for IgA tTG antibodies by ELISA and 34/39 (87%) sera were positive by IPA. Comparison of ELISA and IPA results showed three sera positive by ELISA but negative by IPA and one serum which was positive by IPA but negative by ELISA. Bland and Altman analysis of the correlation between the ELISA and IPA showed that the results for 37 out of 39 samples were in the agreement. The results by ELISA carried out without and with Ca2+ were in good agreement (r=0.99; n=39). IPA using Ca2+ containing buffer detected fewer samples compared to IPA using standard assay buffer however the results of the two assays also showed a good agreement (r=0.93; n=39). Our studies confirm that antibodies to tTG are good markers of coeliac disease and indicate that the autoantibody binding sites on tTG are formed in a way which is essentially independent of Ca2+.

Use of microbial transglutaminase for the enzymatic biotinylation of antibodies

Nowadays many reagents are available for the biotinylation of proteins. As most of them bind to amino groups of the protein the degree of labelling differs from batch to batch and the possibility exists that the biological activity of the target protein may be affected by the labelling procedure. In the present study we have investigated an enzymatic approach to biotinylation using microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) from Streptoverticillium mobaraense. The proposed method is particularly suitable when only a few biotin molecules need to be attached to the target proteins. The enzyme catalyses the acyl transfer reaction between gamma-carboxyamide groups and various primary amines. This was exploited for biotinylation using two amino-modified biotin derivatives, biotinamido-5-pentylamin (BIAPA) and biotinoyl-1,8-diamino-3, 6-dioxaoctane (BIDADOO) as acyl acceptors and a monoclonal IgG against the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as the acyl donor. Kinetic studies revealed that the MTGase-mediated reaction proceeds with low velocity and is almost complete after 34 h. Conjugation ratios ranging from 1.1 to 1.9 biotins per IgG were found by mass spectrometry. To investigate the influence of antibody conjugation on antigen binding a competitive ELISA for the determination of 2,4-D employing MTGase-biotinoylated IgGs was developed. In this assay lower limits of detection of 0.3 and 1.0 microg/l of 2,4-D were achieved with BIDADOO- and BIAPA-modified antibodies, respectively.

Guinea pig liver transglutaminase: A modified purification procedure affording enzyme with superior activity in greater yield

Tissue transglutaminase purified from guinea pig livers has a very broad substrate specificity in comparison with other members of the transglutaminase family and therefore is useful for substrate analogue kinetic studies. Modifications made in our laboratory to the standard purification protocol (J. E. Folk and S. I. Chung, 1985, Methods Enzymol. 113, 358-364) have yielded a 28% increase in specific activity and 55% increase in overall yield, while reducing the number of steps to the purification. Herein we report some of the highest yields and specific activities for guinea pig liver transglutaminase found in the literature, as well as the use of lyophilization as a solution to the long-standing problem of enzyme stability during storage.

Troponin I degradation and covalent complex formation accompanies myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Selective troponin I (TnI) modification has been demonstrated to be in part responsible for the contractile dysfunction observed with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. We have isolated and characterized modified TnI products in isolated rat hearts after 0, 15, or 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 45 minutes of reperfusion using affinity chromatography with cardiac troponin C (TnC) and an anti-TnI antibody, immunological mapping, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Rat cardiac TnI becomes progressively degraded from 210 amino acid residues to residues 1-193, 63-193, and 73-193 with increased severity of injury. Degradation is accompanied by formation of covalent complexes between TnI 1-193 and, respectively, TnC residues 1-94 and troponin T (TnT) residues 191-298. The covalent complexes are likely a result of isopeptide bond formation between lysine 193 of TnI and glutamine 191 of TnT by the cross-linking enzyme transglutaminase. With severe ischemia, cellular necrosis results in specific release of TnI 1-193 into the reperfusion effluent and TnT degradation in the myocardium (25-, 27-, and 33-kDa products). Two-dimensional electrophoresis demonstrated that phosphorylation of TnI prevents ischemia-induced degradation. This study characterized the modified TnI products in isolated rat hearts reperfused after a brief or severe period of ischemia, revealing the progressive nature of TnI degradation, changes in phosphorylation, and covalent complexes with ischemia/reperfusion injury. Finally, we propose a model for ischemia/reperfusion injury in which the extent of proteolytic and transglutaminase activities ultimately determines whether apoptosis or necrosis is achieved.