Isolation and characterization of cDNAs from Atlantic cod encoding two different forms of trypsinogen

Characterization and Hydrolysis Mechanism Analysis of a Cold-Adapted Trypsin-Like Protease from Antarctic Krill

Cold-adapted proteases are capable of efficient protein hydrolysis at reduced temperatures, which offer significant potential applications in the area of low temperature food processing. In this paper, we attempted to characterize cold-adapted proteases from Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill possesses an extremely active autolytic enzyme system in their bodies, and the production of peptides and free amino acids accompanies the rapid breakdown of muscle proteins following the death. The crucial role of trypsin in this process is recognized. A cold-adapted trypsin named OUC-Pp-20 from Antarctic krill genome was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Recombinant trypsin is a monomeric protein of 26.8 ± 1.0 kDa with optimum reaction temperature at 25 °C. In addition, the catalytic specificity of OUC-Pp-20 was assessed by identifying its hydrolysis sites through LC-MS/MS. OUC-Pp-20 appeared to prefer Gln and Asn at the P1 position, which is an amino acid with an amide group in its side chain. Hydrolysis reactions on milk and shrimp meat revealed that it can effectively degrade allergenic components in milk and arginine kinase in shrimp meat. These findings update the current knowledge of cold-adapted trypsin and demonstrate the potential application of OUC-Pp-20 in low temperature food processing.

Effects of Mulberry Leaf Extract on the Liver Function of Juvenile Spotted Sea Bass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

In order to explore the effect of mulberry leaf extract (ELM) on the liver function of spotted sea bass, 360 fish with healthy constitution (average body weight 9.00 ± 0.02 g) were selected and randomly divided into six groups with three repetitions, and six groups of fish were randomly placed into 18 test tanks (200 L) with 20 fish per tank for the 52-day feeding test. Every day, the fish were fed the experimental feed with different concentrations (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 g/kg) to the level of apparent satiation, with a crude protein content of 48.0% and a crude fat content of 8.6%. And the water temperature was maintained at 25-28°C with a salinity of 0.5%-1‰. After feeding, five fish were randomly selected to collect their livers and serum for detection of indicators. The results showed that, compared with the control group, ELM significantly increased the activities of lipase (LPS) and trypsin (TRS) in the liver, and reached the highest level when the amount of ELM added was 6 g/kg (P < 0.05). ELM significantly increased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) involved in the metabolic process in liver tissue, and GOT activity reached the highest when ELM was added at 9 g/kg, and LDH activity reached the highest when ELM was added at 15 g/kg (P < 0.05). ELM had no significant effect on liver antioxidant enzymes (P > 0.05), but the content of malondialdehyde was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, ELM significantly increased the activities of AKP and ACP in the liver, and the AKP activity reached the highest when the ELM addition amount was 3 g/kg, and the ACP activity reached the highest when the ELM addition amount was 9 g/kg (P < 0.05). Through comparative transcriptomic analysis, it was indicated that ELM enhanced the hepatic lipids and carbohydrates metabolism ability, as manifested in the upregulation of expression of phosphatidate phosphatase, glucuronosyltransferase, inositol oxygenase, carbonic anhydrase, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2. ELM can also increase the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, ATP-dependent RNA helicase and C-X-C motif chemokine 9 involved in the immune process. The above results show that the ELM can enhance the digestion, metabolism, and immunity of the liver by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes, metabolic enzymes, and the expression of metabolism and immune regulation genes. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of ELM in the cultivation of spotted sea bass by exploring the effect of ELM on the liver function of spotted sea bass.

Effects of temperature on feeding and digestive processes in fish

As most fish are ectotherms, their physiology is strongly affected by temperature. Temperature affects their metabolic rate and thus their energy balance and behavior, including locomotor and feeding behavior. Temperature influences the ability/desire of the fish to obtain food, and how they process food through digestion, absorb nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, and store excess energy. As fish display a large variability in habitats, feeding habits, and anatomical and physiological features, the effects of temperature are complex and species-specific. The effects of temperature depend on the timing, intensity, and duration of exposure as well as the speed at which temperature changes occur. Whereas acute short-term variations of temperature might have drastic, often detrimental, effects on fish physiology, long-term gradual variations might lead to acclimation, e.g. variations in metabolic and digestive enzyme profiles. The goal of this review is to summarize our current knowledge on the effects of temperature on energy homeostasis, with specific focus on metabolism, feeding, digestion, and how fish are often able to "adapt" to changing environments through phenotypic and physiological changes.

A thermostable trypsin from freshwater fish Japanese dace (Tribolodon hakonensis): a comparison of the primary structures among fish trypsins

Trypsin from Japanese dace (Tribolodon hakonensis) (JD-T) living in freshwater (2-18 °C) was purified. JD-T represented typical fish trypsin characteristics regarding the effects of protease inhibitor, calcium-ion, and pH. For the effect of temperature, JD-T quite resembled to the trypsins from tropical-zone marine fish and freshwater fish (the catfish cultured in Thailand), i.e., the optimum temperature was 60 °C, and it was stable below 60 °C at pH 8.0 for 15 min incubation. From the data, it seemed that the trypsin from freshwater fish is thermostable in spite of the fact that their habitat temperatures are low. So, we determined the primary structure of JD-T to discuss its thermostability-structure relationship. JD-T possessed basic structural features of fish trypsin such as the catalytic triad, the Asp189 residue for substrate specificity, 12 Cys residues forming six disulfide-bridges, and the calcium-ion-binding loop. On the other hand, the contents of charged amino acid residues in whole JD-T molecule (16.2%) and N-terminal region (13.8%) were similar to those of tropical-zone marine fish and other freshwater fish trypsins. Then, JD-T conserved the five amino acid residues (Glu70, Asn72, Val75, Glu77, and Glu80) coordinate with calcium-ion, and the proportion of negatively charged amino acids to charged amino acids in the calcium-ion-binding region of JD-T (75.0%) was equivalent to those of tropical-zone marine fish and freshwater fish trypsins. Therefore, it was suggested that the high thermostability of JD-T are stemmed from these structural specificities.

Biochemical characterization of a native group III trypsin ZT from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Atlantic cod trypsin ZT is biochemically characterized for the first time in this report in comparison to a group I trypsin (cod trypsin I). To our knowledge, trypsin ZT is the first thoroughly characterized group III trypsin. A more detailed understanding of trypsin ZT biochemistry may give insight into its physiological role as well as its potential use within the biotechnology sector. Stability is an important factor when it comes to practical applications of enzymes. Compared to trypsin I, trypsin ZT shows differences in pH and heat stability, sensitivity to inhibitors and sub-site substrate specificity as shown by multiplex substrate profiling analysis. Based on the analysis, trypsin ZT cleaved at arginine and lysine as other trypsins. Furthermore, trypsin ZT is better than trypsin I in cleaving peptides containing several consecutive positively charged residues. Lysine- and arginine-rich amino acid sequences are frequently found in human viral proteins. Thus, trypsin ZT may be effective in inactivating human and fish viruses implying a possible role for the enzyme in the natural defence of Atlantic cod. The results from this study can lead to multiple practical applications of trypsin ZT.

Two trypsin isoforms from albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) liver: Purification and physicochemical and biochemical characterization

Two trypsins (A and B) from the liver of albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) were purified to homogeneity using a series of column chromatographies including Sephacryl S-200, Sephadex G-50 and Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose. Purity was increased to 80.35- and 101.23-fold with approximately 3.1 and 19.2% yield for trypsins A and B, respectively. The molecular weights of trypsins A and B were estimated to be 21 and 24kDa, respectively, by SDS-PAGE and size exclusion chromatography. Both trypsins showed only one band on native-PAGE. Trypsins A and B exhibited the maximal activity at 60°C and 55°C, respectively, and had the same optimal pH at 8.5 using N^α-p-Tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (TAME) as a substrate. Stabilities of both trypsins were well maintained at a temperature up to 50°C and in the pH range of 7.0-11.0 and were highly dependent on the presence of calcium ion. The inhibition test demonstrated strong inhibition by soybean trypsin inhibitor and TLCK. Activity of both trypsins continuously decreased with increasing NaCl concentration (0-30%). The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 20 residues of the two trypsin isoforms had homology when compared to those of other fish trypsins.

Express Sequence Tag Analysis - Identification of Anseriformes Trypsin Genes from Full-Length cDNA Library of the Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and Characterization of Their Structure and Function

Trypsins are key proteins important in animal protein digestion by breaking down the peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of lysine and arginine residues, hence it has been used widely in various biotechnological processes. In the current study, a full-length cDNA library with capacity of 5·10(5) CFU/ml from the duck (Anas platyrhynchos) was constructed. Using express sequence tag (EST) sequencing, genes coding two trypsins were identified and two full-length trypsin cDNAs were then obtained by rapid-amplification of cDNA end (RACE)-PCR. Using Blast, they were classified into the trypsin I and II subfamilies, but both encoded a signal peptide, an activation peptide, and a 223-a.a. mature protein located in the C-terminus. The two deduced mature proteins were designated as trypsin-IAP and trypsin-IIAP, and their theoretical isoelectric points (pI) and molecular weights (MW) were 7.99/23466.4 Da and 4.65/24066.0 Da, respectively. Molecular characterizations of genes were further performed by detailed bioinformatics analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that trypsin-IIAP has an evolution pattern distinct from trypsin-IAP, suggesting its evolutionary advantage. Then the duck trypsin-IIAP was expressed in an Escherichia coli system, and its kinetic parameters were measured. The three dimensional structures of trypsin-IAP and trypsin-IIAP were predicted by homology modeling, and the conserved residues required for functionality were identified. Two loops controlling the specificity of the trypsin and the substrate-binding pocket represented in the model are almost identical in primary sequences and backbone tertiary structures of the trypsin families.

Elucidation of different cold-adapted Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) trypsin X isoenzymes

Trypsins from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), consisting of several isoenzymes, are highly active cold-adapted serine proteases. These trypsins are isolated for biomedical use in an eco-friendly manner from underutilized seafood by-products. Our group has explored the biochemical properties of trypsins and their high potential in biomedicine. For broader utilization of cod trypsins, further characterization of biochemical properties of the individual cod trypsin isoenzymes is of importance. For that purpose, a benzamidine purified trypsin isolate from Atlantic cod was analyzed. Anion exchange chromatography revealed eight peaks containing proteins around 24kDa with tryptic activity. Based on mass spectrometric analysis, one isoenzyme gave the best match to cod trypsin I and six isoenzymes gave the best match to cod trypsin X. Amino terminal sequencing of two of these six trypsin isoenzymes showed identity to cod trypsin X. Three sequence variants of trypsin X were identified by cDNA analysis demonstrating that various forms of this enzyme exist. One trypsin X isoenzyme was selected for further characterization based on abundance and stability. Stepwise increase in catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) of this trypsin X isoenzyme was obtained with substrates containing one to three amino acid residues. The study demonstrates that the catalytic efficiency of this trypsin X isoenzyme is comparable to that of cod trypsin I, the most abundant and highly active isoenzyme in the benzamidine cod trypsin isolate. Differences in pH stability and sensitivity to inhibitors of the trypsin X isoenzyme compared to cod trypsin I were detected that may be important for practical use.

Metal-sensitive and thermostable trypsin from the crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) pyloric caeca: purification and characterization

BACKGROUND

Over the past decades, the economic development and world population growth has led to increased for food demand. Increasing the fish production is considered one of the alternatives to meet the increased food demand, but the processing of fish leads to by-products such as skin, bones and viscera, a source of environmental contamination. Fish viscera have been reported as an important source of digestive proteases with interesting characteristics for biotechnological processes. Thus, the aim of this study was to purify and to characterize a trypsin from the processing by-products of crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) fish.

RESULTS

A 27.5 kDa trypsin with N-terminal amino acid sequence IVGGFECTPHVFAYQ was easily purified from the pyloric caeca of the crevalle jack. Its physicochemical and kinetic properties were evaluated using N-α-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BApNA) as substrate. In addition, the effects of various metal ions and specific protease inhibitors on trypsin activity were determined. Optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 50°C, respectively. After incubation at 50°C for 30 min the enzyme lost only 20% of its activity. Km, kcat, and kcat/Km values using BApNA as substrate were 0.689 mM, 6.9 s-1, and 10 s-1 mM-1, respectively. High inhibition of trypsin activity was observed after incubation with Cd2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ at 1 mM, revealing high sensitivity of the enzyme to metal ions.

CONCLUSIONS

Extraction of a thermostable trypsin from by-products of the fishery industry confirms the potential of these materials as an alternative source of these biomolecules. Furthermore, the results suggest that this trypsin-like enzyme presents interesting biotechnological properties for industrial applications.

Molecular characterization of two trypsinogens in the orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, and their expression in tissues during early development

In this study, we cloned two trypsinogens of the orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, and analyzed their structure, expression, and activity. Full-length trypsinogen complementary (c)DNAs, named T1 and T2, were 900 and 875 nucleotides, and translated 242 and 244 deduced amino acid peptides, respectively. Both trypsinogens contained highly conserved residues essential for serine protease catalytic and conformational maintenance. Results from isoelectric and phylogenetic analyses suggested that both trypsinogens were grouped into trypsinogen group I. Both trypsinogens had similar expression patterns of negative relationship with body weight; expression was first detected at 1 day post-hatching (DPH) and exhibited steady-state expression during early development at 1-25 DPH. Both expression and activity levels significantly increased after 30 DPH due to metamorphosis. Grouper larval development is very slow with insignificant changes in total length and body weight before 8 DPH. The contribution of live food to an increase in the trypsin activity profile may explain their importance in food digestion and survival of larvae during early larval development.

Potential use of Atlantic cod trypsin in biomedicine

Surface proteins of viruses and bacteria used for cell attachment and invasion are candidates for degradation by proteases. Trypsin from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) was previously demonstrated to have efficacy against influenza viruses in vitro and on skin. In this paper, cod trypsin is shown to be 3–12 times more effective in degrading large native proteins than its mesophilic analogue, bovine trypsin. This is in agreement with previous findings where cod trypsin was found to be the most active among twelve different proteases in cleaving various cytokines and pathological proteins. Furthermore, our results show that cod trypsin has high efficacy against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro. The results on the antipathogenic properties of cod trypsin are important because rhinovirus, RSV, and influenza are the most predominant pathogenic viruses in upper respiratory tract infections. Results from a clinical study presented in this paper show that a specific formulation containing cod trypsin was preferred for wound healing over other methods used in the study. Apparently, the high digestive ability of the cold-adapted cod trypsin towards large native proteins plays a role in its efficacy against pathogens and its positive effects on wounds.

Characterization of cold-adapted Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) trypsin I--kinetic parameters, autolysis and thermal stability

Atlantic cod trypsin I is a highly active cold-adapted protease. This study aimed at further characterization of this enzyme with respect to kinetic parameters, sites of autolysis and stability. For that purpose, trypsin I was purified by anion exchange chromatography. Its purity and identity was verified by SDS-PAGE analysis and mass spectrometry. Concomitantly, another cod trypsin isozyme, trypsin X, previously only described from its cDNA sequence was detected in a separate peak from the ion exchange chromatogram. There was a stepwise increase in the catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of cod trypsin I obtained with substrates containing one to three amino acid residues. As expected, the activity of trypsin I was maintained for longer periods of time at 15 degrees C than at higher temperatures. The residues of the trypsin I molecule most sensitive to autolysis were identified using Edman degradation. Eleven autolytic cleavage sites were detected within the trypsin I molecule. Unfolding experiments demonstrated that autolysis is a contributing factor in the stability of trypsin I. In addition, the data shows that cod trypsin I is less stable towards thermal unfolding than its mesophilic bovine analogue.

Molecular characterization of trypsinogens and development of trypsinogen gene expression and tryptic activities in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and topmouth culter (Culter alburnus)

This study examined the gene structures and expression of trypsinogens, as well as the trypsin activities of the grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus (herbivorous) and the topmouth culter Culter alburnus (carnivorous), which are commercially important freshwater species of the family Cyprinidae in China. Isolated full-length trypsinogen cDNA clones were 869 bp and 857 bp. The deduced amino acid sequences were 242aa and 247aa long, both containing the highly conserved residues essential for serine protease catalytic and conformational maintenance. The results from isoelectric and phylogenetic analyses suggest that grass carp trypsinogen is grouped with teleost trypsinogen group I, while topmouth culter trypsinogen is grouped with group II. The expression pattern of trypsinogen mRNA was similar between these two species, appearing 2 days post-hatching (dph) and reaching peaks at 11 and 23 dph. The trypsin-specific activities in both species were detected 2 dph and reached the major peaks at 8 dph, however the minor peaks were observed at 20 dph in the grass carp and 17 dph in the topmouth culter. The trypsin-specific activity was significantly higher in the grass carp than in the topmouth culter, which may be attributed to the nature of their different nutritional habits.

Trypsin from the pyloric ceca of pectoral rattail (Coryphaenoides pectoralis): purification and characterization

Trypsin from the pyloric ceca of pectoral rattail (Coryphaenoides pectoralis) was purified and characterized. Purification was carried out by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by column chromatographies on Sephacryl S-200, DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-50. The enzyme was purified 89-fold with a yield of 2.2%. Purified trypsin had an apparent molecular weight of 24 kDa when analyzed using SDS-PAGE and size exclusion chromatography. Optimal profiles of pH and temperature of the enzyme were 8.5 and 45 degrees C, respectively, using N(alpha)-p-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride as a substrate. It was stable in a wide pH range of 6-11 but unstable at a temperature greater than 40 degrees C. Trypsin was stabilized by calcium ion. The activity of purified trypsin was effectively inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and TLCK and was partially inhibited by EDTA. Activity continuously decreased with increasing NaCl concentration (0-30%). The kinetic trypsin constants K(m) and K(cat) were 0.15 mM and 210 s(-1), respectively, while the catalytic efficiency (K(cat)/K(m)) was 1400 s(-1) mM(-1). The N-terminal amino acid sequence of trypsin was determined to be 12 residues (IVGGYECQEHSQ), and the sequence showed high homology to other fish trypsins.

The novel trypsin Y from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - isolation, purification and characterisation

This report describes the isolation and partial characterization of the novel group III trypsin Y from the pyloric caeca of Atlantic cod. Other Atlantic cod trypsins have been used as food processing aids with good results. Trypsin Y was purified by p-aminobenzamidine affinity chromatography and characterized by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis, as well as by activity measurements towards synthetic substrates. Identification of trypsin Y was done with polyclonal antibodies raised towards the recombinant form of the enzyme and by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Trypsin Y is the only group III trypsin isolated from its native source and characterized by biochemical methods. In accordance with the r-trypsin Y, the native enzyme shows dual substrate specificity, i.e. towards trypsin and chymotrypsin specific substrates. This, along with the high cold-adapted character of trypsin Y, may be valuable for its use as a processing aid for sensitive products such as seafood.

Molecular characterization and gene expression of six trypsinogens in the flatfish Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup) during larval development and in tissues

The application of large-scale genomics to Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) has allowed for the identification of six different trypsinogen genes. The catalytic triad (His-57, Asp-102, and Ser-195) and other residues required for trypsin functionality were conserved across all trypsinogens. Sequence identities, charges and phylogenetic analysis allowed them to be classified into three groups: group I or anionic trypsinogens (ssetryp1a, ssetryp1b and ssetryp1c), group II or cationic trypsinogen (ssetryp2) and group III or psychrophilic trypsinogens (ssetryp3 and ssetrypY). The expression profiles of these genes were studied in juvenile tissues and during larval development using a real-time PCR approach. In juvenile fish, trypsinogens were expressed mainly in the intestine. Transcripts of ssetryp1c were the highest in all tissues except in brain where those of ssetryp2 were the most abundant. During larval development, ssetryp1 variants and ssetryp2 transcript levels increased from 2 to 6 days after hatching, and decreased thereafter. In contrast, transcripts of group III trypsinogens increased slightly or not significantly in premetamorphosis and decreased at metamorphosis. The expression levels ssetryp3 and ssetrypY were the lowest in larvae (from 172- to 1391-fold lower than ssetryp1 and ssetryp2). In contrast, they were expressed at a similar level as ssetryp2, although lower than ssetryp1, in juvenile tissues.

Trypsin from the pyloric caeca of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Trypsin was purified from the pyloric caeca of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) by ammonium sulfate precipitation, acetone precipitation and soybean trypsin inhibitor-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. Bluefish trypsin migrated as a single band using both sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and native-PAGE and had a molecular mass of 28 kDa. The optima pH and temperature for the hydrolysis of benzoyl-dl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) were 9.5 and 55 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was stable over a broad pH range (7 to 12), but was unstable at acidic pH, and at temperatures greater than 40 degrees C. The enzyme was inhibited by specific trypsin inhibitors: soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), N-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) and the serine protease inhibitor phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride (PMSF). CaCl2 partially protected trypsin against activity loss at 40 degrees C, but NaCl (0 to 30%) decreased the activity in a concentration dependent manner. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of trypsin was determined as IVGGYECKPKSAPVQVSLNL and was highly homologous to other known vertebrate trypsins.

Sequence analysis and tissue expression pattern of Sparus aurata chymotrypsinogens and trypsinogen

Two apparently full-length cDNA clones encoding chymotrypsinogens I and II (CHTRI, 1022 bp; CHTRII, 909 bp) and one cDNA clone encoding trypsinogen II (TRPII, 848 bp) were isolated from a cDNA library prepared from gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) liver. The deduced amino acid sequences of the isolated cDNAs contain highly conserved residues essential for serine protease catalytic activity and conformational maintenance. The deduced amino acid sequences of CHTRI and CHTRII are 261 aa and 277 aa long, respectively, and share only 61% identity. Sea bream CHTRII appears to be the longest of all known teleostean chymotrypsinogen forms and contains a high number of methionine residues. Compared with CHTRI, CHTRII is more hydrophobic and has a lower isoelectric point. On the other hand, deduced amino acid sequence of TRPII is 241 aa long and has a signal peptide of thirteen amino acid residues and an activation peptide of seven amino acids long. In contrast to CHTRI and CHTRII, TRPII has a low isoelectric point (4.95), which makes it anionic at neutral pH. Northern blot analysis revealed that liver is the major transcription site for all zymogens. As expected, all zymogen transcripts were detected in parts of the digestive tract (stomach, pyloric caeca, anterior and posterior intestine) and pyloric caeca presented the most intense expression. In all tissues and amongst all zymogens, TRPII constitutive expression was the highest.

29 kDa Trypsin from the pyloric ceca of Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda): recovery and characterization

Trypsin from the pyloric ceca of Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) was purified and characterized with respect to its purity; molecular weight; sensitivity to temperature, pH, and inhibition; and N-terminal sequence. The purified trypsin had a molecular weight of 29 kDa as per sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and optimal activity was observed at pH 9 and 65 degrees C with BAPNA as a substrate. The enzyme was stable to heat treatment up to 50 degrees C and within the pH range of 7-12. It was stabilized by calcium ions, but its activity was strongly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, N-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, and phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride. The enzyme exhibited a progressive decrease in activity with increasing NaCl concentration (0-30%). The N-terminal 20 amino acid residues of Atlantic bonito trypsin were determined as IVGGYECQAHSQPWQPVLNS and were homologous with other trypsins.

Development of a qRT-PCR assay to determine the relative mRNA expression of two different trypsins in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

A fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based quantitative RT-PCR method (qRT PCR) was developed in this study for measuring the mRNA expression of trypsins Y and I in the Atlantic cod. Atlantic cod beta-actin was used as the reference gene and standard curves were created for quantification of the mRNA expression levels. For yet unknown reasons, the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) produces several trypsins with different characteristics. Trypsin I is the most common and best characterized of these but trypsin Y is a recently discovered enzyme. The recombinant form of trypsin Y was found to have unique characteristics relative to trypsin I. The native form of trypsin Y has proven difficult to isolate from the cod and activity assays do not distinguish between the activities of trypsin I and trypsin Y. The results show that trypsin Y mRNA is expressed in a very low copy number relative to that of trypsin I (ratio of 1:1340), which may explain the difficulty of isolating the native form of trypsin Y.

Purification and characterization of trypsin from the spleen of tongol tuna (Thunnus tonggol)

Trypsin from tongol tuna (Thunnus tonggol) spleen was purified to 402-fold by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by a series of chromatographic separations. The molecular mass of trypsin was estimated to be 24 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Trypsin appearing as a single band on native PAGE showed the maximal activity at pH 8.5 and 65 degrees C. It was stable in a wide pH range of 6-11 but unstable at the temperatures greater than 50 degrees C. The enzyme required calcium ion for thermal stability. The activity was strongly inhibited by 1.0 g/L soybean trypsin inhibitor and 5 mM TLCK and partially inhibited by 2 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Activity was lowered with an increasing NaCl concentration (0-30%). The enzyme had a Km for Nalpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride of 0.25 mM and a Kcat of 200 s-1. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of trypsin was determined as IVGGYECQAHSQPHQVSLNA and was very homologous to other trypsins.

Trypsins from yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) spleen: purification and characterization

Two anionic trypsins (A and B) were purified to homogeneity from yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) spleen by a series of column chromatographies including Sephacryl S-200, Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-cellulose. Purity was increased to 70.6- and 91.5-fold with approximately 2.8% and 15.6% yield for trypsin A and B, respectively. The apparent molecular weight of both trypsins was estimated to be 24 kDa by size exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE. Both trypsin A and B appeared as a single band on native-PAGE. Trypsin A and B exhibited the maximal activity at 55 and 65 degrees C, respectively, and had the same optimal pH at 8.5 using TAME as a substrate. Both trypsins were stable to heat treatment up to 50 degrees C and in the pH range of 6.0 to 11.0. Both trypsin A and B were stabilized by calcium ion. The activities were inhibited effectively by soybean trypsin inhibitor, TLCK and partially inhibited by EDTA, but were not inhibited by E-64, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetic acid, TPCK and pepstatin A. Activity of both trypsins continuously decreased with increasing NaCl concentration (0-30%). Apparent Km and Kcat of trypsin A and B for TAME were 0.2-0.33 mM and 66.7-80 S(-1), respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of trypsin A, IVGGYECQAHSQPHQVSLNA, and trypsin B, IVGGYECQAHSQPPQVSLNA, indicated the high homology between both enzymes.

Atlantic cod trypsins: from basic research to practical applications

Atlantic cod trypsin I is an appropriate representative of the traditionally classified cold-adapted group I trypsins, and the recombinant form of cod trypsin Y is the only biochemically characterized member of the novel group III trypsins. Trypsin Y is adapted to lower temperatures than all other presently known trypsins. This review describes the basic characteristics of and practical uses for trypsins of Atlantic cod, as well as those of other organisms. Overexpression of the recombinant forms of cod trypsins I and Y in microorganisms is explained as well as the advantages of using site-directed mutagenesis to increase their stability toward autolysis and thermal inactivation. Trypsins appear to play a key role in the nutrition and development of marine fish. We discuss the potential use of cod trypsins as biomarkers to evaluate the nutritional status of cod larvae and describe the industrial applications of cod trypsin I and other trypsins.

Recombinant cold-adapted trypsin I from Atlantic cod-expression, purification, and identification

Atlantic cod trypsin I is a cold-adapted proteolytic enzyme exhibiting approximately 20 times higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) than its mesophilic bovine counterpart for the simple amide substrate BAPNA. In general, cold-adapted proteolytic enzymes are sensitive to autolytic degradation, thermal inactivation as well as molecular aggregation, even at temperatures as low as 18-25 degrees C which may explain the problems observed with their expression, activation, and purification. Prior to the data presented here, there have been no reports in the literature on the expression of psychrophilic or cold-adapted proteolytic enzymes from fish. Nevertheless, numerous cold-adapted proteolytic microbial enzymes have been successfully expressed in bacteria and yeast. This report describes successful expression, activation, and purification of the recombinant cod trypsin I in the His-Patch ThioFusion Escherichia coli expression system. The E. coli pThioHis expression vector used in the study enabled the formation of a fusion protein between a highly soluble fraction of HP-thioredoxin contained in the vector and the N-terminal end of the precursor form of cod trypsin I. The HP-thioredoxin part of the fusion protein binds to a metal-chelating ProBond column, which facilitated its purification. The cod trypsin I part of the purified fusion protein was released by proteolytic cleavage, resulting in concomitant activation of the recombinant enzyme. The recombinant cod trypsin I was purified to homogeneity on a trypsin-specific benzamidine affinity column. The identity of the recombinant enzyme was demonstrated by electrophoresis and chromatography.

Purification and characterization of myofibril-bound serine protease from lizard fish (Saurida undosquamis) muscle

Myofibril-bound serine protease (MBSP) from lizard fish (SAURIDA UNDOSQUAMIS: Synodontidae) skeletal muscle was purified to homogeneity with higher purification (1260-fold) and higher recovery (7%) than our previous report in lizard fish (Saurida wanieso). The new purification method combines a heat-treatment for dissociation from washed myofibrils, acid-treatment at pH 5.0 before and after lyophilization, and alcohol-treatment, followed by two column chromatographies. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 50 kDa under non-reducing conditions and 28 kDa under reducing conditions by SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the MBSP was determined to be 22 residues (IVGGYEXEAYSKPYQVSINLGY) and the sequence showed high homology to carp and other fish trypsins (64-77%), but did not show high homology to carp MBSP (41%). The enzyme activity was inhibited by serine protease inhibitors such as Pefabloc SC, leupeptin, TLCK and native protein inhibitors (soybean trypsin inhibitor, alpha(1)-antitrypsin and aprotinin). The purified enzyme specifically hydrolyzed at the carboxyl side of the arginine residue of synthetic 4-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide substrate. When purified MBSP was stored at -35 degrees C in the presence of 50% ethylene glycol (V/V), the enzyme activity was entirely preserved over 6 months and stable against freezing and thawing. Activities for both casein and the synthetic substrate were most active at pH 9.0, and the enzyme was most active approximately 55 degrees C with casein and between 35 and 45 degrees C for synthetic substrate. When myofibrils were incubated with purified MBSP, myosin heavy chain was mostly degraded approximately 55 degrees C, but the degradation of actin was very slow.

Cold-adapted and mesophilic brachyurins

Two different types of brachyurins, termed I and II, have been described in the literature. Within type I there are two subtypes, Ia and Ib. The prototype for the type I brachyurins is Fiddler crab collagenase I. Its cold-adapted analogue from Antarctic krill, termed euphaulysin, shares many of its characteristics. Both enzymes are distinguished by their broad substrate specificity as well as the ability to cleave collagen. The precursor form of euphaulysin has been expressed in Pichia pastoris and processed to its fully active form using cod trypsin. A molecular model of euphaulysin, based on the known crystal structure of crab collagenase I, indicates that the core structure of these enzymes is almost identical. As a cold-adapted enzyme, euphaulysin has a higher catalytic efficiency than crab collagenase I. It is also more sensitive to thermal inactivation and autolysis. Furthermore, euphaulysin has an increased length of several surface loops compared to crab collagenase I. Extended surface loops have been suggested to play a role in the cold activity of some bacterial enzymes. Sensitivity to autolysis is an important factor which contributes to the thermal instability of euphaulysin. Substitution of a highly exposed residue in the 'autolysis loop' of euphaulysin resulted in an increased stability of the enzyme towards thermal inactivation without altering its catalytic efficiency.