Determination of specific activities and kinetic constants of biotinidase and lipoamidase in LEW rat and Lactobacillus casei (Shirota)

Structural and Biochemical Analysis Reveals Catalytic Mechanism of Fucoidan Lyase from Flavobacterium sp. SA-0082

Fucoidans represent a type of polyanionic fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs) that are cleaved by fucoidan-degrading enzymes, producing low-molecular-weight fucoidans with multiple biological activities suitable for pharmacological use. Most of the reported fucoidan-degrading enzymes are glycoside hydrolases, which have been well studied for their structures and catalytic mechanisms. Little is known, however, about the rarer fucoidan lyases, primarily due to the lack of structural information. FdlA from Flavobacterium sp. SA-0082 is an endo-type fucoidan-degrading enzyme that cleaves the sulfated fuco-glucuronomannan (SFGM) through a lytic mechanism. Here, we report nine crystal structures of the catalytic N-terminal domain of FdlA (FdlA-NTD), in both its wild type (WT) and mutant forms, at resolutions ranging from 1.30 to 2.25 Å. We show that the FdlA-NTD adopts a right-handed parallel β-helix fold, and possesses a substrate binding site composed of a long groove and a unique alkaline pocket. Our structural, biochemical, and enzymological analyses strongly suggest that FdlA-NTD utilizes catalytic residues different from other β-helix polysaccharide lyases, potentially representing a novel polysaccharide lyase family.

Discovery of thiosemicarbazone derivatives as effective New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) inhibitors against NDM-1 producing clinical isolates

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) is capable of hydrolyzing nearly all β-lactam antibiotics, posing an emerging threat to public health. There are currently less effective treatment options for treating NDM-1 positive “superbug”, and no promising NDM-1 inhibitors were used in clinical practice. In this study, structure–activity relationship based on thiosemicarbazone derivatives was systematically characterized and their potential activities combined with meropenem (MEM) were evaluated. Compounds 19bg and 19bh exhibited excellent activity against 10 NDM-positive isolate clinical isolates in reversing MEM resistance. Further studies demonstrated compounds 19bg and 19bh were uncompetitive NDM-1 inhibitors with Ki = 0.63 and 0.44 μmol/L, respectively. Molecular docking speculated that compounds 19bg and 19bh were most likely to bind in the allosteric pocket which would affect the catalytic effect of NDM-1 on the substrate meropenem. Toxicity evaluation experiment showed that no hemolysis activities even at concentrations of 1000 mg/mL against red blood cells. In vivo experimental results showed combination of MEM and compound 19bh was markedly effective in treating infections caused by NDM-1 positive strain and prolonging the survival time of sepsis mice. Our finding showed that compound 19bh might be a promising lead in developing new inhibitor to treat NDM-1 producing superbug.

Wide Range of Biotin (Vitamin H) Content in Foodstuffs and Powdered Milks as Assessed by High-performance Affinity Chromatography

The biotin (vitamin H) contents of various foodstuffs were determined by using a newly developed high-performance affinity chromatography with a trypsin-treated avidin-bound column. Biotin was derivatized with 9-anthryldiazomethane (ADAM) to fluorescent biotin-ADAM ester. A wide range of biotin contents were found in various foodstuffs depending upon the species (strain), season, organ (of plants and animals), geography, freshness, preparation method and storage method. Among the foodstuffs and fermented foods tested, it was found that wide distributions of biotin content were observed in powdered milk, natto, sake (rice wine), beer, edible oil and sea weed. Since powdered milk is important for child health and development, 14 kinds of powdered and special milks for use in children’s diseases were intensively measured. We found that several special milk powders for children with allergies contained low levels of free biotin. Use of these powdered milks caused skin diseases and alopecia in some patients possessing thermolabile serum biotinidase, and administration of free biotin improved their symptoms dramatically. Therefore, it is essential to estimate the total and free biotin contents on each foodstuff in order to improve effective biotin intake and support better health and quality of life for people.