Unusual activation during peroxidase reaction of a cytochrome c variant

Catalytic parameters and thermal stability of chondroitinase ABCI on red porous silicon nanoparticles

The bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABC, which digests extracellular chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, has been shown to enhance axonal regeneration. However, the utilization of this enzyme as therapeutics is notably restricted due to its thermal instability. Therefore, red luminescent porous silicon that hold promise for potential applications in biological/medical imaging was used as a carrying matrix for chondroitinase with the aim of enhancing its stability. Porous Si nanoparticles were prepared by electrochemical etching of silicon wafers in ethanolic HF solution. The size of nanoparticles (210 nm) and the mean pore diameter (8 -20 nm) were determined using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Purified chondroitinase was then incorporated into the silicon pores. Results revealed similar K_m and lower V_max value for the immobilized enzyme when compared with the free enzyme. The immobilized chondroitinase exhibited about a 4 fold increase in stability at 37 °C after 50 min. It is likely possible that, the enzyme was protected inside the pores resulted in higher stability. Moreover, porous silicon was seen to be capable of holding the chondroitinase for repeated cyclic tests for three times. The cell viability assay exhibited no significant cytotoxicity for Psi-chondroitinase up to 24 h.

Specific methionine oxidation of cytochrome c in complexes with zwitterionic lipids by hydrogen peroxide: potential implications for apoptosis

The rise of H₂O₂ concentration that characterizes the initiation of apoptosis can specifically oxidize Met80 in cytochrome c bound to zwitterionic phospholipids, yielding a stable peroxidase.

Cytochrome c (Cyt-c) has been previously shown to participate in cardiolipin (CL) oxidation and, therefore, in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization during the early events of apoptosis. The gain in this function has been ascribed to specific CL/Cyt-c interactions. Here we report that the cationic protein Cyt-c is also able to interact electrostatically with the main lipid components of the mitochondrial membranes, the zwitterionic lipids phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), through the mediation of phosphate anions that bind specifically to amino groups in the surfaces of protein and model membranes. In these complexes, Cyt-c reacts efficiently with H₂O₂ at submillimolar levels, which oxidizes the sulfur atom of the axial ligand Met80. The modified protein is stable and presents significantly enhanced peroxidatic activity. Based on these results, we postulate that the rise of H₂O₂ concentrations to the submillimolar levels registered during initiation of the apoptotic program may represent one signaling event that triggers the gain in peroxidatic function of the Cyt-c molecules bound to the abundant PE and PC membrane components. As the activated protein is a chemically stable species, it can potentially bind and oxidize important targets, such as CL.

Immobilization of peroxidase enzyme onto the porous silicon structure for enhancing its activity and stability

In this work, a commercial peroxidase was immobilized onto porous silicon (PS) support functionalized with 3-aminopropyldiethoxysilane (APDES) and the performance of the obtained catalytic microreactor was studied. The immobilization steps were monitored and the activity of the immobilized enzyme in the PS pores was spectrophotometrically determined. The enzyme immobilization in porous silicon has demonstrated its potential as highly efficient enzymatic reactor. The effect of a polar organic solvent (acetonitrile) and the temperature (up to 50°C) on the activity and stability of the biocatalytic microreactor were studied. After 2-h incubation in organic solvent, the microreactor retained 80% of its initial activity in contrast to the system with free soluble peroxidase that lost 95% of its activity in the same period of time. Peroxidase immobilized into the spaces of the porous silicon support would be perspective for applications in treatments for environmental security such as removal of leached dye in textile industry or in treatment of different industrial effluents. The system can be also applied in the field of biomedicine.