Structural Analysis of β-Fructofuranosidase from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous Reveals Unique Features and the Crucial Role of N-Glycosylation in Oligomerization and Activity

A review of fructosyl-transferases from catalytic characteristics and structural features to reaction mechanisms and product specificity

Carbohydrate-active enzymes are accountable for the synthesis and degradation of glycosidic bonds among diverse carbohydrates. Fructosyl-transferases represent a subclass of these enzymes, employing sucrose as a substrate to generate fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and fructan polymers. This category primarily includes levansucrase (LS, EC 2.4.1.10), inulosucrase (IS, EC 2.4.1.9), and β-fructofuranosidase (Ffase, EC 3.2.1.26). These three enzymes possess a similar five-bladed β-propeller fold and employ an anomer-retaining reaction mechanism mediated by nucleophiles, transition state stabilizers, and general acids/bases. However, they exhibit distinct product profiles, characterized by variations in linkage specificity and molecular mass distribution. Consequently, this article comprehensively explores recent advancements in the catalytic characteristics, structural features, reaction mechanisms, and product specificity of levansucrase, inulosucrase, and β-fructofuranosidase (abbreviated as LS, IS, and Ffase, respectively). Furthermore, it discusses the potential for modifying catalytic properties and product specificity through structure-based design, which enables the rational production of custom fructan and FOS.

Rhodanine-benzamides as potential hits for α-amylase enzyme inhibitors and radical (DPPH and ABTS) scavengers

A series of 3-substituted and 3,5-disubstituted rhodanine-based derivatives were synthesized from 3-aminorhodanine and examined for α-amylase inhibitory, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities in vitro. These derivatives displayed significant α-amylase inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 11.01-56.04 µM in comparison to standard acarbose (IC50 = 9.08 ± 0.07 µM). Especially, compounds 7 (IC50 = 11.01 ± 0.07 µM) and 8 (IC50 = 12.01 ± 0.07 µM) showed highest α-amylase inhibitory activities among the whole series. In addition to α-amylase inhibitory activity, all compounds also demonstrated significant scavenging activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals, with IC50 values ranging from 12.24 to 57.33 and 13.29-59.09 µM, respectively, as compared to the standard ascorbic acid (IC50 = 15.08 ± 0.03 µM for DPPH; IC50 = 16.09 ± 0.17 µM for ABTS). These findings reveal that the nature and position of the substituents on the phenyl ring(s) are crucial for variation in the activities. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed that the compounds bearing an electron-withdrawing group (EWG) at para substitution possessed the highest activity. In kinetic studies, only the km value was changed, with no observed changes in Vmax, indicating a competitive inhibition. Molecular docking studies revealed important interactions between compounds and the α-amylase active pocket. Further advanced research needs to perform on the identified compounds in order to obtain potential antidiabetic agents.

Synthesis and In Vitro α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Dual Inhibitory Activities of 1,2,4-Triazole-Bearing bis-Hydrazone Derivatives and Their Molecular Docking Study

There is an increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus throughout the world, and new compounds are necessary to combat this. The currently available antidiabetic therapies are long-term complicated and side effect-prone, and this has led to a demand for more affordable and more effective methods of tackling diabetes. Research is focused on finding alternative medicinal remedies with significant antidiabetic efficacy as well as low adverse effects. In this research work, we have focused our efforts to synthesize a series of 1,2,4-triazole-based bis-hydrazones and evaluated their antidiabetic properties. In addition, the precise structures of the synthesized derivatives were confirmed with the help of various spectroscopic techniques including ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and HREI-MS. To find the antidiabetic potentials of the synthesized compounds, in vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were characterized using acarbose as the reference standard. From structure-activity (SAR) analysis, it was confirmed that any variation found in inhibitory activities of both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes was due to the different substitution patterns of the substituent(s) at variable positions of both aryl rings A and B. The results of the antidiabetic assay were very encouraging and showed moderate to good inhibitory potentials with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.70 ± 0.05 to 35.70 ± 0.80 μM (α-amylase) and 1.10 ± 0.05 to 30.40 ± 0.70 μM (α-glucosidase). The obtained results were compared to those of the standard acarbose drug (IC₅₀ = 10.30 ± 0.20 μM for α-amylase and IC₅₀ = 9.80 ± 0.20 μM for α-glucosidase). Specifically, compounds 17, 15, and 16 were found to be significantly active with IC₅₀ values of 0.70 ± 0.05, 1.80 ± 0.10, and 2.10 ± 0.10 μM against α-amylase and 1.10 ± 0.05, 1.50 ± 0.05, and 1.70 ± 0.10 μM against α-glucosidase, respectively. These findings reveal that triazole-containing bis-hydrazones act as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors, which help develop novel therapeutics for treating type-II diabetes mellitus and can act as lead molecules in drug discovery as potential antidiabetic agents.

Synthetic benzofuran-linked chalcones with dual actions: a potential therapeutic approach to manage diabetes mellitus

Background: Identification of molecules having dual capabilities to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative stress is one of the therapeutic approaches to treat diabetes mellitus. In this connection, a library of benzofuran-linked chalcone derivatives were evaluated for their dual action. Methods: A series of substituted benzofuran-linked chalcones (2-33) were synthesized and tested for α-amylase inhibitory as well as 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities. Results: All compounds showed α-amylase inhibitory activity ranging from IC₅₀ = 12.81 ± 0.03 to 87.17 ± 0.15 μM, compared with the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 13.98 ± 0.03 μM). Compounds also demonstrated radical scavenging potential against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Conclusion: The identified compounds may serve as potential leads for further advanced research.

Design, synthesis and bio-evaluation of indolin-2-ones as potential antidiabetic agents

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a serious global health concern, and this is expected to impact more than 300 million people by 2025. The current study focuses on identifying substituted indolin-2-one-based inhibitors for two indispensable drug targets, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Methods: The structures of synthetic compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for enzyme inhibition activities. Kinetic and in silico studies were also performed. Results: All compounds exhibited good-to-moderate inhibitory potential. Most importantly, compounds 1, 2, 6, 16 and 17 were identified as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors (IC₅₀ = 9.15 ± 0.12-13.74 ± 0.12 μM). Conclusion: This study identified that these synthetic compounds might serve as potential lead molecules for antidiabetic agents.

Synthesis, In Vitro α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and Molecular Docking Study of New Benzotriazole-Based Bis-Schiff Base Derivatives

This study was carried out to synthesize benzotriazole-based bis-Schiff base scaffolds (1-20) and assess them in vitro for α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials. All the synthetics analogs based on benzotriazole-based bis-Schiff base scaffolds were found to display an outstanding inhibition profile on screening against the α-glucosidase enzyme. The synthetic scaffolds showed a varied range of inhibition profiles having IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.10 ± 0.05 µM to 28.30 ± 0.60 µM when compared to acarbose as a standard drug (IC₅₀ = 10.30 ± 0.20 µM). Among the series, fifteen scaffolds 1-3, 5, 6, 9-16, 18-20 were identified to be more potent than standard acarbose, while the five remaining scaffolds 4, 7, 8, 16, and 17, also showed potency against the α-glucosidase enzyme but were found to be less potent than standard acarbose. The structure of all the newly synthesized scaffolds was confirmed using different spectroscopic techniques such as HREI-MS and ¹H- and ¹³C- NMR spectroscopy. To find a structure-activity relationship, molecular docking studies were carried out to understand the binding mode of the active inhibitors with the active sites of the enzyme and the results supported the experimental data.

Insights into the Structure of the Highly Glycosylated Ffase from Rhodotorula dairenensis Enhance Its Biotechnological Potential

Rhodotorula dairenensis β-fructofuranosidase is a highly glycosylated enzyme with broad substrate specificity that catalyzes the synthesis of 6-kestose and a mixture of the three series of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), fructosylating a variety of carbohydrates and other molecules as alditols. We report here its three-dimensional structure, showing the expected bimodular arrangement and also a unique long elongation at its N-terminus containing extensive O-glycosylation sites that form a peculiar arrangement with a protruding loop within the dimer. This region is not required for activity but could provide a molecular tool to target the dimeric protein to its receptor cellular compartment in the yeast. A truncated inactivated form was used to obtain complexes with fructose, sucrose and raffinose, and a Bis-Tris molecule was trapped, mimicking a putative acceptor substrate. The crystal structure of the complexes reveals the major traits of the active site, with Asn387 controlling the substrate binding mode. Relevant residues were selected for mutagenesis, the variants being biochemically characterized through their hydrolytic and transfructosylating activity. All changes decrease the hydrolytic efficiency against sucrose, proving their key role in the activity. Moreover, some of the generated variants exhibit redesigned transfructosylating specificity, which may be used for biotechnological purposes to produce novel fructosyl-derivatives.

Efficient one-pot synthesis of arylated pyrazole-fused pyran analogs: as leads to treating diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

Background: To discover novel lead molecules against diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and oxidative stress, a library of arylated pyrazole-fused pyran derivatives, 1-20, were synthesized in a one-pot reaction. Materials & methods:¹H-NMR spectroscopic and electron ionization mass spectrometry techniques were used to characterize the synthetic hybrid molecules 1-20. Analogs were screened against four indispensable therapeutic targets, including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. Results: Except for derivatives 17 and 18, all other compounds exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory activities against target enzymes. The kinetic studies revealed that the synthetic molecules followed a competitive-type mode of inhibition for α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, as well as a non-competitive mode of inhibition for α-glucosidase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. In addition, molecular docking studies identified crucial binding interactions of ligands with the enzyme's active site. Conclusion: These molecules may serve as a potential drug candidate to cure diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and oxidative stress in the future.

BmSuc1 Affects Silk Properties by Acting on Sericin1 in Bombyx mori

BmSuc1, a novel animal-type β-fructofuranosidase (β-FFase, EC 3.2.1.26) encoding gene, was cloned and identified for the first time in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. BmSuc1 was specifically and highly expressed in the midgut and silk gland of Bombyx mori. Until now, the function of BmSuc1 in the silk gland was unclear. In this study, it was found that the expression changes of BmSuc1 in the fifth instar silk gland were consistent with the growth rate of the silk gland. Next, with the aid of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, the BmSuc1 locus was genetically mutated, and homozygous mutant silkworm strains with truncated β-FFase (BmSUC1) proteins were established. BmSuc1 mutant larvae exhibited stunted growth and decreased body weight. Interestingly, the molecular weight of part of Sericin1 (Ser1) in the silk gland of the mutant silkworms was reduced. The knockout of BmSuc1 reduced the sericin content in the silkworm cocoon shell, and the mechanical properties of the mutant line silk fibers were also negatively affected. These results reveal that BmSUC1 is involved in the synthesis of Ser1 protein in silk glands and helps to maintain the homeostasis of silk protein content in silk fibers and the mechanical properties of silk fibers, laying a foundation for the study of BmSUC1 regulation of silk protein synthesis in silk glands.

Engineering the β-Fructofuranosidase Fru6 with Promoted Transfructosylating Capacity for Fructooligosaccharide Production

Levan-type fructooligosaccharides (FOS) exhibit enhanced health-promoting prebiotic effects on gut microbiota. The wild type (WT) of β-fructofuranosidase Fru6 could mainly yield 6-ketose. Semirational design and mutagenesis of Fru6 were exploited to promote the transfructosylating capacity for FOS. The promising variants not only improved the formation of 6-kestose but also newly produced tetrasaccharides of 6,6-nystose and 1,6-nystose (a new type of FOS), and combinatorial mutation boosted the production of 6-kestose and tetrasaccharides (39.9 g/L 6,6-nystose and 4.6 g/L 1,6-nystose). Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation confirmed that the mutated positions reshaped the pocket of Fru6 to accommodate bulky 6-kestose in a reactive conformation with better accessibility for tetrasaccharides formation. Using favored conditions, the variant S165A/H357A could yield 6-kestose up to 335 g/L, and tetrasaccharides (6,6-nystose and 1,6-nystose) reached a high level of 121.1 g/L (134.5 times of the mutant S423A). The β-(2,6)-linked FOS may show the potential application for the prebiotic ingredients.

Syntheses, in vitro, and in silico studies of rhodanine-based schiff bases as potential α-amylase inhibitors and radicals (DPPH and ABTS) scavengers

A two-step reaction method was used to synthesize a series of rhodanine-based Schiff bases (2-33) that were characterized using spectroscopic techniques. All compounds were assessed for α-amylase inhibitory and radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS) activities. In comparison to the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 9.08 ± 0.07 µM), all compounds demonstrated good to moderate α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 10.91 ± 0.08-61.89 ± 0.102 µM). Compounds also demonstrated significantly higher DPPH (IC₅₀ = 10.33 ± 0.02-96.65 ± 0.03 µM) and ABTS (IC₅₀ = 12.01 ± 0.12-97.47 ± 0.13 µM) radical scavenging activities than ascorbic acid (DPPH, IC₅₀ = 15.08 ± 0.03 µM; ABTS, IC₅₀ = 16.09 ± 0.17 µM). The limited structure-activity relationship (SAR) suggests that the position and nature of the substituted groups on the phenyl ring have a vital role in varying inhibitory potential. Among the series, compounds with an electron-withdrawing group at the para position showed the highest potency. Kinetic studies revealed that the compounds followed a competitive mode of inhibition. Molecular docking results are found to agree with experimental findings, showing that compounds reside in the active pocket due to the main rhodanine moiety.

Isatin thiazoles as antidiabetic: Synthesis, in vitro enzyme inhibitory activities, kinetics, and in silico studies

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases nowadays. Several marketed drugs are available for the cure and treatment of diabetes, but there is still a dire need of introducing compatible drug molecules with lesser side effects. The current study is based on the synthesis of isatin thiazole derivatives 4-30 via the Hantzsch reaction. The synthetic compounds were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition potential. Of 27 isatin thiazoles, five (4, 5, 10, 12, and 16) displayed good activities against the α-amylase enzyme with IC₅₀ values in the range of 22.22 ± 0.02-27.01 ± 0.06 µM, and for α-glucosidase, the IC₅₀ values of these compounds were in the range of 20.76 ± 0.17-27.76 ± 0.17 µM, respectively. The binding interactions of the active molecules within the active site of enzymes were studied with the help of molecular docking studies. In addition, kinetic studies were carried out to examine the mechanism of action of the synthetic molecules as well. Compounds 3a, 4, 5, 10, 12, and 16 were also examined for their cytotoxic effect and were found to be noncytotoxic. Thus, several molecules were identified as good antihyperglycemic agents, which can be further modified to enhance inhibition ability and to find the lead molecule that can act as a potential antidiabetic agent.

Enzymatic and structural characterization of β-fructofuranosidase from the honeybee gut bacterium Frischella perrara

Fructooligosaccharide is a mixture of mostly the trisaccharide 1-kestose (GF₂), tetrasaccharide nystose (GF₃), and fructosyl nystose (GF₄). Enzymes that hydrolyze GF₃ may be useful for preparing GF₂ from the fructooligosaccharide mixture. A β-fructofuranosidase belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 32 (GH32) from the honeybee gut bacterium Frischella perrara (FperFFase) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The time course of the hydrolysis of 60 mM sucrose, GF₂, and GF₃ by FperFFase was analyzed, showing that the hydrolytic activity of FperFFase for trisaccharide GF₂ was lower than those for disaccharide sucrose and tetrasaccharide GF₃. The crystal structure of FperFFase and its structure in complex with fructose were determined. FperFFase was found to be structurally homologous to bifidobacterial β-fructofuranosidases even though bifidobacterial enzymes preferably hydrolyze GF₂ and the amino acid residues interacting with fructose at subsite - 1 are mostly conserved between them. A proline residue was inserted between Asp298 and Ser299 using site-directed mutagenesis, and the activity of the variant 298P299 was measured. The ratio of activities for 60 mM GF₂/GF₃ by wild-type FperFFase was 35.5%, while that of 298P299 was 23.6%, indicating that the structure of the loop comprising Trp297-Asp298-Ser299 correlated with the substrate preference of FperFFase. The crystal structure also shows that a loop consisting of residues 117-127 is likely to contribute to the substrate binding of FperFFase. The results obtained herein suggest that FperFFase is potentially useful for the manufacture of GF₂. KEY POINTS: • Frischella β-fructofuranosidase hydrolyzed nystose more efficiently than 1-kestose. • Trp297-Asp298-Ser299 was shown to be correlated with the substrate preference. • Loop consisting of residues 117-127 appears to contribute to the substrate binding.

Characterization of fructooligosaccharide metabolism and fructooligosaccharide-degrading enzymes in human commensal butyrate producers

Butyrate produced by gut microbiota has multiple beneficial effects on host health, and oligosaccharides derived from host diets and glycans originating from host mucus are major sources of its production. A significant reduction of butyrate-producing bacteria has been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancers. Although gut butyrate levels are important for host health, oligosaccharide metabolic properties in butyrate producers are poorly characterized. We studied the metabolic properties of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and other prebiotic oligosaccharides (i.e. raffinose and xylooligosaccharides; XOSs) in gut butyrate producers. 1-Kestose (kestose) and nystose, FOSs with degrees of polymerization of 3 and 4, respectively, were also included. Fourteen species of butyrate producers were divided into four groups based on their oligosaccharide metabolic properties, which are group A (two species) metabolizing all oligosaccharides tested, group F (four species) metabolizing FOSs but not raffinose and XOSs, group XR (four species) metabolizing XOSs and/or raffinose but not FOSs, and group N (four species) metabolizing none of the oligosaccharides tested. Species assigned to groups A and XR are rich glycoside hydrolase (GH) holders, whereas those in groups F and N are the opposite. In total, 17 enzymes assigned to GH32 were observed in nine of the 14 butyrate producers tested, and species that metabolized FOSs had at least one active GH32 enzyme. The GH32 enzymes were divided into four clusters by phylogenetic analysis. Heterologous gene expression analysis revealed that the GH32 enzymes in each cluster had similar FOS degradation properties within clusters, which may be linked to the conservation/substitution of amino acids to bind with substrates in GH32 enzymes. This study provides important knowledge to understand the impact of FOS supplementation on the activation of gut butyrate producers. Abbreviations: SCFA, short chain fatty acid; FOS, fructooligosaccharide; XOS, xylooligosaccharide; CAZy, Carbohydrate Active Enzymes; CBM, carbohydrate-binding module; PUL, polysaccharide utilization locus; S6PH sucrose-6-phosphate hydrolase.

The β-Fructofuranosidase from Rhodotorula dairenensis: Molecular Cloning, Heterologous Expression, and Evaluation of Its Transferase Activity

The β-fructofuranosidase from the yeast Rhodotorula dairenensis (RdINV) produces a mixture of potential prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) of the levan-, inulin- and neo-FOS series by transfructosylation of sucrose. In this work, the gene responsible for this activity was characterized and its functionality proved in Pichia pastoris. The amino acid sequence of the new protein contained most of the characteristic elements of β-fructofuranosidases included in the family 32 of the glycosyl hydrolases (GH32). The heterologous yeast produced a protein of about 170 kDa, where N-linked and O-linked carbohydrates constituted about 15% and 38% of the total protein mass, respectively. Biochemical and kinetic properties of the heterologous protein were similar to the native enzyme, including its ability to produce prebiotic sugars. The maximum concentration of FOS obtained was 82.2 g/L, of which 6-kestose represented about 59% (w/w) of the total products synthesized. The potential of RdINV to fructosylate 19 hydroxylated compounds was also explored, of which eight sugars and four alditols were modified. The flexibility to recognize diverse fructosyl acceptors makes this protein valuable to produce novel glycosyl-compounds with potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives as novel and potential leads for diabetic management

A variety of dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives (1-37) were synthesized via "one-pot" three-component reaction scheme by treating aniline and different aromatic aldehydes with isatoic anhydride in the presence of acetic acid. Chemical structures of compounds were deduced by different spectroscopic techniques including EI-MS, HREI-MS, ¹H-, and ¹³C-NMR. Compounds were subjected to α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. A number of derivatives exhibited significant to moderate inhibition potential against α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 23.33 ± 0.02-88.65 ± 0.23 μM) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 25.01 ± 0.12-89.99 ± 0.09 μM) enzymes, respectively. Results were compared with the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 17.08 ± 0.07 μM for α-amylase and IC₅₀ = 17.67 ± 0.09 μM for α-glucosidase). Structure-activity relationship (SAR) was rationalized by analyzing the substituents effects on inhibitory potential. Kinetic studies were implemented to find the mode of inhibition by compounds which revealed competitive inhibition for α-amylase and non-competitive inhibition for α-glucosidase. However, in silico study identified several important binding interactions of ligands (synthetic analogues) with the active site of both enzymes.

Synthesis of indole-based-thiadiazole derivatives as a potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase enzyme along with in silico study

A series of nineteen (1-19) indole-based-thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized, characterized by ¹HNMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, and screened for α-glucosidase inhibition. All analogs showed varied α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ value ranged between 0.95 ± 0.05 to 13.60 ± 0.30 µM, when compared with the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 1.70 ± 0.10). Analogs 17, 2, 1, 9, 7, 3, 15, 10, 16, and 14 with IC₅₀ values 0.95 ± 0.05, 1.10 ± 0.10, 1.30 ± 0.10, 1.60 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.10, 2.80 ± 0.10, 4.10 ± 0.20 and 4.80 ± 0.20 µM respectively showed highest α-glucosidase inhibition. All other analogs also exhibit excellent inhibitory potential. Structure activity relationships have been established for all compounds primarily based on substitution pattern on the phenyl ring. Through molecular docking study, binding interactions of the most active compounds were confirmed. We further studied the kinetics study of analogs 1, 2, 9 and 17 and found that they are Non-competitive inhibitors.

Synthesis of azachalcones, their α-amylase, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, kinetics, and molecular docking studies

Diabetes being a chronic metabolic disorder have attracted the attention of medicinal chemists and biologists. The introduction of new and potential drug candidates for the cure and treatment of diabetes has become a major concern due to its increased prevelance worldwide. In the current study, twenty-seven azachalcone derivatives 3-29 were synthesized and evaluated for their antihyperglycemic activities by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Five compounds 3 (IC₅₀ = 23.08 ± 0.03 µM), (IC₅₀ = 26.08 ± 0.43 µM), 5 (IC₅₀ = 24.57 ± 0.07 µM), (IC₅₀ = 27.57 ± 0.07 µM), 6 (IC₅₀ = 24.94 ± 0.12 µM), (IC₅₀ = 27.13 ± 0.08 µM), 16 (IC₅₀ = 27.57 ± 0.07 µM), (IC₅₀ = 29.13 ± 0.18 µM), and 28 (IC₅₀ = 26.94 ± 0.12 µM) (IC₅₀ = 27.99 ± 0.09 µM) demonstrated good inhibitory activities against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, respectively. Acarbose was used as the standard in this study. Structure-activity relationship was established by considering the parent skeleton and different substitutions on aryl ring. The compounds were also subjected for kinetic studies to study their mechanism of action and they showed competitive mode of inhibition against both enzymes. The molecular docking studies have supported the results and showed that these compounds have been involved in various binding interactions within the active site of enzyme.

Synthesis and screening of (E)-3-(2-benzylidenehydrazinyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine analogs as novel dual inhibitors of α-amylase and α-glucosidase

(E)-3-(2-Benzylidenehydrazinyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazines analogs 1-27 were synthesized by multi-step reaction scheme and subjected to in vitro inhibitory screening against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Out of these twenty-seven synthetic analogs, ten compounds 14-17, 19, and 21-25 are structurally new. All compounds exhibited good to moderate inhibitory potential in terms of IC₅₀ values ranging (IC₅₀ = 13.02 ± 0.04-46.90 ± 0.05 µM) and (IC₅₀ = 13.09 ± 0.08-46.44 ± 0.24 µM) in comparison to standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 12.94 ± 0.27 µM and 10.95 ± 0.08 µM), for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Structure-activity relationship indicated that analogs with halogen substitution(s) were found more active as compared to compounds bearing other substituents. Kinetic studies on most active α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors 5, 7, 9, 15, 24, and 27, suggested non-competitive and competitive types of inhibition mechanism for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Molecular docking studies predicted the good protein-ligand interaction (PLI) profile with key interactions such as arene-arene, H-<, <-<, and <-H etc., against the corresponding targets.

Implications of the mutation S164A on Bacillus subtilis levansucrase product specificity and insights into protein interactions acting upon levan synthesis

Mutation S164A largely affects the transfructosylation properties of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase (SacB). The variant uses acceptors such as glucose and short levans with an average molecular weight of 7.6 kDa more efficiently than SacB, leading to the enhanced synthesis of medium and high molecular weight polymer and a blasto-oligosaccharide series with a polymerization degree of 2-10. A 3-fold increase in blasto-oligosaccharides yield is provoked by the modified interplay between the variant and glucose. Despite its modified product specificity, protein-carbohydrate and protein-protein interactions are still a major factor affecting size and distribution of levan molecular weight. This study highlights the importance of critical factors such as protein concentration in the analysis of wild-type and mutagenized levansucrases. Docking experiments with the crystal structures of SacB and variant S164A - the latter obtained at a 2.6 Å resolution - identified unreported potential binding subsites for fructosyl moieties on the surface of both enzymes.

Exploring efficacy of indole-based dual inhibitors for α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes: In silico, biochemical and kinetic studies

α-Glucosidase and α-amylase are enzymes which are associated with diabetic II. These enzymes break macromolecules of sugar into monosugar molecules which is soluble in body, hence increase the sugar level in blood. There is need to develop economical and save inhibitors to prevent them from breaking sugar macromolecules to soluble molecules which will control the level of sugar in blood. Therefore, we synthesized indole-based derivatives (1-18) and evaluated as dual inhibitor for α-glucosidase and α-amylase. These chemical scaffolds were built with variation in aryl ring which were found active with good to moderate activity for α-glucosidase having IC₅₀ value ranging from 13.99 ± 0.10 to 59.09 ± 0.30 μM when compared with standard acarbose with IC₅₀ of 11.29 ± 0.10 μM; for α-amylase IC₅₀ value ranging from 13.14 ± 0.10 to 58.99 ± 0.30 μM when compared with the standard acarbose with IC₅₀ of 11.12 ± 0.10 μM. Structure activity relationship (SAR) has been established for all compounds. Enzymatic kinetic study and molecular docking study have been carried out to investigate the binding interactions α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme.

Deciphering the molecular specificity of phenolic compounds as inhibitors or glycosyl acceptors of β-fructofuranosidase from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous

Enzymatic glycosylation of polyphenols is a tool to improve their physicochemical properties and bioavailability. On the other hand, glycosidic enzymes can be inhibited by phenolic compounds. In this work, we studied the specificity of various phenolics (hydroquinone, hydroxytyrosol, epigallocatechin gallate, catechol and p-nitrophenol) as fructosyl acceptors or inhibitors of the β-fructofuranosidase from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (pXd-INV). Only hydroquinone and hydroxytyrosol gave rise to the formation of glycosylated products. For the rest, an inhibitory effect on both the hydrolytic (H) and transglycosylation (T) activity of pXd-INV, as well as an increase in the H/T ratio, was observed. To disclose the binding mode of each compound and elucidate the molecular features determining its acceptor or inhibitor behaviour, ternary complexes of the inactive mutant pXd-INV-D80A with fructose and the different polyphenols were analyzed by X-ray crystallography. All the compounds bind by stacking against Trp105 and locate one of their phenolic hydroxyls making a polar linkage to the fructose O2 at 3.6–3.8 Å from the C2, which could enable the ulterior nucleophilic attack leading to transfructosylation. Binding of hydroquinone was further investigated by soaking in absence of fructose, showing a flexible site that likely allows productive motion of the intermediates. Therefore, the acceptor capacity of the different polyphenols seems mediated by their ability to make flexible polar links with the protein, this flexibility being essential for the transfructosylation reaction to proceed. Finally, the binding affinity of the phenolic compounds was explained based on the two sites previously reported for pXd-INV.

Unique N-glycosylation of a recombinant exo-inulinase from Kluyveromyces cicerisporus and its effect on enzymatic activity and thermostability

Background

Inulinase can hydrolyze polyfructan into high-fructose syrups and fructoligosaccharides, which are widely used in food, the medical industry and the biorefinery of Jerusalem artichoke. In the present study, a recombinant exo-inulinase (rKcINU1), derived from Kluyveromyces cicerisporus CBS4857, was proven as an N-linked glycoprotein, and the removal of N-linked glycan chains led to reduced activity.

Results

Five N-glycosylation sites with variable high mannose-type oligosaccharides (Man_3–9GlcNAc₂) were confirmed in the rKcINU1. The structural modeling showed that all five glycosylation sites (Asn-362, Asn-370, Asn-399, Asn-467 and Asn-526) were located at the C-terminus β-sandwich domain, which has been proven to be more conducive to the occurrence of glycosylation modification than the N-terminus domain. Single-site N-glycosylation mutants with Asn substituted by Gln were obtained, and the Mut with all five N-glycosylation sites removed was constructed, which resulted in the loss of all enzyme activity. Interestingly, the N362Q led to an 18% increase in the specific activity against inulin, while a significant decrease in thermostability (2.91 °C decrease in T_m) occurred, and other single mutations resulted in the decrease in the specific activity to various extents, among which N467Q demonstrated the lowest enzyme activity.

Conclusion

The increased enzyme activity in N362Q, combined with thermostability testing, 3D modeling, kinetics data and secondary structure analysis, implied that the N-linked glycan chains at the Asn-362 position functioned negatively, mainly as a type of steric hindrance toward its adjacent N-glycans to bring rigidity. Meanwhile, the N-glycosylation at the other four sites positively regulated enzyme activity caused by altered substrate affinity by means of fine-tuning the β-sandwich domain configuration. This may have facilitated the capture and transfer of substrates to the enzyme active cavity, in a manner quite similar to that of carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs), i.e. the chains endowed the β-sandwich domain with the functions of CBM. This study discovered a unique C-terminal sequence which is more favorable to glycosylation, thereby casting a novel view for glycoengineering of enzymes from fungi via redesigning the amino acid sequence at the C-terminal domain, so as to optimize the enzymatic properties.

Synthesis of benzotriazoles derivatives and their dual potential as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors in vitro: Structure-activity relationship, molecular docking, and kinetic studies

Benzotriazoles (4-6) were synthesized which were further reacted with different substituted benzoic acids and phenacyl bromides to synthesize benzotriazole derivatives (7-40). The synthetic compounds (7-40) were characterized via different spectroscopic techniques including EI-MS, HREI-MS, ¹H-, and ¹³C NMR. These molecules were examined for their anti-hyperglycemic potential hence were evaluated for α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. All benzotriazoles displayed moderate to good inhibitory activity in the range of IC₅₀ values of 2.00-5.6 and 2.04-5.72 μM against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, respectively. The synthetic compounds were divided into two categories "A" and "B", in order to understand the structure-activity relationship. Compounds 25 (IC₅₀ = 2.41 ± 1.31 μM), (IC₅₀ = 2.5 ± 1.21 μM), 36 (IC₅₀ = 2.12 ± 1.35 μM), (IC₅₀ = 2.21 ± 1.08 μM), and 37 (IC₅₀ = 2.00 ± 1.22 μM), (IC₅₀ = 2.04 ± 1.4 μM) with chloro substitution/s at aryl ring were found to be most active against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. Molecular docking studies on all compounds were performed which revealed that chloro substitutions are playing a pivotal role in the binding interactions. The enzyme inhibition mode was also studied and the kinetic studies revealed that the synthetic molecules have shown competitive mode of inhibition against α-amylase and non-competitive mode of inhibition against α-glucosidase enzyme.

Crystal structure of a β-fructofuranosidase with high transfructosylation activity from Aspergillus kawachii

β-Fructofuranosidases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 32 are enzymes that hydrolyze sucrose. Some GH32 enzymes also catalyze transfructosylation to produce fructooligosaccharides. We found that Aspergillus kawachii IFO 4308 β-fructofuranosidase (AkFFase) produces fructooligosaccharides, mainly 1-kestose, from sucrose. We determined the crystal structure of AkFFase. AkFFase is composed of an N-terminal small component, a β-propeller catalytic domain, an α-helical linker, and a C-terminal β-sandwich, similar to other GH32 enzymes. AkFFase forms a dimer, and the dimerization pattern is different from those of other oligomeric GH32 enzymes. The complex structure of AkFFase with fructose unexpectedly showed that fructose binds both subsites −1 and +1, despite the fact that the catalytic residues were not mutated. Fructose at subsite +1 interacts with Ile146 and Glu296 of AkFFase via direct hydrogen bonds.