scholarly journals Raw-starch-digesting and thermostable α-amylase from the yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2: purification, characterization, cloning and sequencing

1996 ◽  
Vol 318 (3) ◽  
pp. 989-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruyuki IEFUJI ◽  
Mariko CHINO ◽  
Miyoshi KATO ◽  
Yuzuru IIMURA

A starch-degrading enzyme produced by the yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2 was purified in only one step by using an α-cyclodextrin–Sepharose 6B column, and was characterized as an α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1). The molecular mass and isoelectric point of purified α-amylase (AMY-CS2) were estimated to be 66 kDa and 4.2 respectively. AMY-CS2 has raw-starch-digesting and raw-starch-absorbing activities. Furthermore it was shown to be thermostable. An open reading frame of the cDNA specified 611 amino acids, including a putative signal peptide of 20 amino acids. The N-terminal region of AMY-CS2 (from the N-terminus to position 496) had 49.7% similarity with the whole region of α-amylase from Aspergillus oryzae (Taka-amylase), whereas the C-terminal region had a sequence that was similar to the C-terminal region of glucoamylase G1 from A. niger. In addition, putative raw-starch-binding motifs exist in some amylolytic enzymes. A mutant AMY-CS2 that lacks the C-terminal domain lost not only its ability to bind or digest raw starch, but also its thermostability. Consequently it is possible that the putative raw-starch-binding domain of AMY-CS2 plays a role not only in the molecule's raw-starch-digesting ability but also in its thermostability.

2000 ◽  
Vol 350 (2) ◽  
pp. 477-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-ichi SUMITANI ◽  
Tadashi TOTTORI ◽  
Takashi KAWAGUCHI ◽  
Motoo ARAI

The α-amylase from Bacillus sp. no. 195 (BAA) consists of two domains: one is the catalytic domain similar to α-amylases from animals and Streptomyces in the N-terminal region; the other is the functionally unknown domain composed of an approx. 90-residue direct repeat in the C-terminal region. The gene coding for BAA was expressed in Streptomyces lividans TK24. Three active forms of the gene products were found. The pHand thermal profiles of BAAs, and their catalytic activities for p-nitrophenyl maltopentaoside and soluble starch, showed almost the same behaviours. The largest, 69kDa, form (BAA-α) was of the same molecular mass as that of the mature protein estimated from the nucleotide sequence, and had raw-starch-binding and -degrading abilities. The second largest, 60kDa, form (BAA-β), whose molecular mass was the same as that of the natural enzyme from Bacillus sp. no. 195, was generated by proteolytic processing between the two repeat sequences in the C-terminal region, and had lower activities for raw starch binding and degrading than those of BAA-α. The smallest, 50kDa, form (BAA-γ) contained only the N-terminal catalytic domain as a result of removal of the C-terminal repeat sequence, which led to loss of binding and degradation of insoluble starches. Thus the starch adsorption capacity and raw-starch-degrading activity of BAAs depends on the existence of the repeat sequence in the C-terminal region. BAA-α was specifically adsorbed on starch or dextran (α-1,4 or α-1,6glucan), and specifically desorbed with maltose or β-cyclodextrin. These observations indicated that the repeat sequence of the enzyme was functional in the starch-binding domain (SBD). We propose the designation of the homologues to the SBD of glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger as family I SBDs, the homologues to that of glucoamylase from Rhizopus oryzae as family II, and the homologues of this repeat sequence of BAA as family III.


1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (12) ◽  
pp. 3091-3099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir V. Zverlov ◽  
Galina V. Velikodvorskaya ◽  
Wolfgang H. Schwarz ◽  
Karin Bronnenmeier ◽  
Josef Kellermann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The nucleotide sequence of the Clostridium thermocellumF7 cbhA gene, coding for the cellobiohydrolase CbhA, has been determined. An open reading frame encoding a protein of 1,230 amino acids was identified. Removal of a putative signal peptide yields a mature protein of 1,203 amino acids with a molecular weight of 135,139. Sequence analysis of CbhA reveals a multidomain structure of unusual complexity consisting of an N-terminal cellulose binding domain (CBD) homologous to CBD family IV, an immunoglobulin-like β-barrel domain, a catalytic domain homologous to cellulase family E1, a duplicated domain similar to fibronectin type III (Fn3) modules, a CBD homologous to family III, a highly acidic linker region, and a C-terminal dockerin domain. The cellulosomal localization of CbhA was confirmed by Western blot analysis employing polyclonal antibodies raised against a truncated enzymatically active version of CbhA. CbhA was identified as cellulosomal subunit S3 by partial amino acid sequence analysis. Comparison of the multidomain structures indicates striking similarities between CbhA and a group of cellulases from actinomycetes. Average linkage cluster analysis suggests a coevolution of the N-terminal CBD and the catalytic domain and its spread by horizontal gene transfer among gram-positive cellulolytic bacteria.


Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 1649-1663
Author(s):  
Oliver Z Nanassy ◽  
Kelly T Hughes

Abstract The Hin recombinase catalyzes a site-specific recombination reaction that results in the reversible inversion of a 1-kbp segment of the Salmonella chromosome. The DNA inversion reaction catalyzed by the Salmonella Hin recombinase is a dynamic process proceeding through many intermediate stages, requiring multiple DNA sites and the Fis accessory protein. Biochemical analysis of this reaction has identified intermediate steps in the inversion reaction but has not yet revealed the process by which transition from one step to another occurs. Because transition from one reaction step to another proceeds through interactions between specific amino acids, and between amino acids and DNA bases, it is possible to study these transitions through mutational analysis of the proteins involved. We isolated a large number of mutants in the Hin recombinase that failed to carry out the DNA exchange reaction. We generated genetic tools that allowed the assignment of these mutants to specific transition steps in the recombination reaction. This genetic analysis, combined with further biochemical analysis, allowed us to define contributions by specific amino acids to individual steps in the DNA inversion reaction. Evidence is also presented in support of a model that Fis protein enhances the binding of Hin to the hixR recombination site. These studies identified regions within the Hin recombinase involved in specific transition steps of the reaction and provided new insights into the molecular details of the reaction mechanism.


Author(s):  
Shan Wang ◽  
Hai Deng

Abstract The introduction of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids (βHAAs) into organic molecules has received considerable attention as these molecules have often found widespread applications in bioorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and biomaterial science. Despite innovation of asymmetric synthesis of βHAAs, stereoselective synthesis to control the two chiral centres at Cα and Cβ positions is still challenging, with poor atomic economy and multi protection and deprotection steps. These syntheses are often operated under harsh conditions. Therefore, a biotransformation approach using biocatalysts is needed to selectively introduce these two chiral centres into structurally diverse molecules. Yet, there are few ways that enable one-step synthesis of βHAAs. One is to extend the substrate scope of the existing enzyme inventory. Threonine aldolases have been explored to produce βHAAs. However, the enzymes have poor controlled installation at Cβ position, often resulting in a mixture of diastereoisomers which are difficult to be separated. In this respect, l-threonine transaldolases (LTTAs) offer an excellent potential as the enzymes often provide controlled stereochemistry at Cα and Cβ positions. Another is to mine LTTA homologues and engineer the enzymes using directed evolution with the aim of finding engineered biocatalysts to accept broad substrates with enhanced conversion and stereoselectivity. Here, we review the development of LTTAs that incorporate various aldehyde acceptors to generate structurally diverse βHAAs and highlight areas for future developments. Key points • The general mechanism of the transaldolation reaction catalysed by LTTAs • Recent advances in LTTAs from different biosynthetic pathways • Applications of LTTAs as biocatalysts for production of βHAAs


Genome ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 644-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Koo ◽  
W. Dorsey Stuart

The gene product of the mtr locus of Neurospora crassa is required for the transport of neutral aliphatic and aromatic amino acids via the N system. We have previously cloned three cosmids containing Neurospora DNA that complement the mtr-6(r) mutant allele. The cloned DNAs were tightly linked to restriction fragment length polymorphisms that flank the mtr locus. A 2.9-kbp fragment from one cosmid was subcloned and found to complement the mtr-6(r) allele. Here we report the sequence of the fragment that hybridized to a poly(A)+ mRNA transcript of about 2300 nucleotides. We have identified an 845-bp open reading frame (ORF) having a 59-bp intron as the potential mtr ORF. S1 nuclease analysis of the transcript confirmed the transcript size and the presence of the intron. A second open reading frame was found upstream in the same reading frame as the mtr ORF and appears to be present in the mRNA transcript. The mtr ORF is predicted to encode a 261 amino acid polypeptide with a molecular mass of 28 613 Da. The proposed polypeptide exhibits six potential α-helical transmembrane domains with an average length of 23 amino acids, does not have a signal sequence, and contains amino acid sequence homologous to an RNA binding motif.Key words: sequence, membranes, ribonucleoprotein.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 354-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Sousa ◽  
Christina Johansson ◽  
Celine Charon ◽  
Hamid Manyani ◽  
Christof Sautter ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A diversity of mRNAs containing only short open reading frames (sORF-RNAs; encoding less than 30 amino acids) have been shown to be induced in growth and differentiation processes. The early nodulin geneenod40, coding for a 0.7-kb sORF-RNA, is expressed in the nodule primordium developing in the root cortex of leguminous plants after infection by symbiotic bacteria. Ballistic microtargeting of this gene into Medicago roots induced division of cortical cells. Translation of two sORFs (I and II, 13 and 27 amino acids, respectively) present in the conserved 5′ and 3′ regions ofenod40 was required for this biological activity. These sORFs may be translated in roots via a reinitiation mechanism. In vitro translation products starting from the ATG of sORF I were detectable by mutating enod40 to yield peptides larger than 38 amino acids. Deletion of a Medicago truncatula enod40 region between the sORFs, spanning a predicted RNA structure, did not affect their translation but resulted in significantly decreased biological activity. Our data reveal a complex regulation of enod40action, pointing to a role of sORF-encoded peptides and structured RNA signals in developmental processes involving sORF-RNAs.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5593-5603
Author(s):  
Y S Yang ◽  
J H Hanke ◽  
L Carayannopoulos ◽  
C M Craft ◽  
J D Capra ◽  
...  

We have cloned the ubiquitous form of an octamer-binding, 60-kDa protein (NonO) that appears to be the mammalian equivalent of the Drosophila visual and courtship song behavior protein, no-on-transient A/dissonance (nonAdiss). A region unprecedently rich in aromatic amino acids containing two ribonuclear protein binding motifs is highly conserved between the two proteins. A ubiquitous form of NonO is present in all adult tissues, whereas lymphocytes and retina express unique forms of NonO mRNA. The ubiquitous form contains a potential helix-turn-helix motif followed by a highly charged region but differs from prototypic octamer-binding factors by lacking the POU DNA-binding domain. In addition to its conventional octamer duplex-binding, NonO binds single-stranded DNA and RNA at a site independent of the duplex site.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 5673-5682 ◽  
Author(s):  
A D Bergemann ◽  
Z W Ma ◽  
E M Johnson

The human Pur factor binds strongly to a sequence element repeated within zones of initiation of DNA replication in several eukaryotic cells. The protein binds preferentially to the purine-rich single strand of this element, PUR. We report here the cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding a protein with strong affinity for the PUR element. Analysis with a series of mutated oligonucleotides defines a minimal single-stranded DNA Pur-binding element. The expressed Pur open reading frame encodes a protein of 322 amino acids. This protein, Pur alpha, contains three repeats of a consensus motif of 23 amino acids and two repeats of a second consensus motif of 26 amino acids. Near its carboxy terminus, the protein possesses an amphipathic alpha-helix and a glutamine-rich domain. The repeat region of Pur cDNA is homologous to multiple mRNA species in each of several human cell lines and tissues. The HeLa cDNA library also includes a clone encoding a related gene, Pur beta, containing a version of the 23-amino-acid consensus motif similar, but not identical, to those in Pur alpha. Results indicate a novel type of modular protein with capacity to bind repeated elements in single-stranded DNA.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1711-1721
Author(s):  
E M McIntosh ◽  
R H Haynes

The dCMP deaminase gene (DCD1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated by screening a Sau3A clone bank for complementation of the dUMP auxotrophy exhibited by dcd1 dmp1 haploids. Plasmid pDC3, containing a 7-kilobase (kb) Sau3A insert, restores dCMP deaminase activity to dcd1 mutants and leads to an average 17.5-fold overproduction of the enzyme in wild-type cells. The complementing activity of the plasmid was localized to a 4.2-kb PvuII restriction fragment within the Sau3A insert. Subcloning experiments demonstrated that a single HindIII restriction site within this fragment lies within the DCD1 gene. Subsequent DNA sequence analysis revealed a 936-nucleotide open reading frame encompassing this HindIII site. Disruption of the open reading frame by integrative transformation led to a loss of enzyme activity and confirmed that this region constitutes the dCMP deaminase gene. Northern analysis indicated that the DCD1 mRNA is a 1.15-kb poly(A)+ transcript. The 5' end of the transcript was mapped by primer extension and appears to exhibit heterogeneous termini. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the T2 bacteriophage dCMP deaminase with that deduced for the yeast enzyme revealed a limited degree of homology which extends over the entire length of the phage polypeptide (188 amino acids) but is confined to the carboxy-terminal half of the yeast protein (312 amino acids). A potential dTTP-binding site in the yeast and phage enzymes was identified by comparison of homologous regions with the amino acid sequences of a variety of other dTTP-binding enzymes. Despite the role of dCMP deaminase in dTTP biosynthesis, Northern analysis revealed that the DCD1 gene is not subject to the same cell cycle-dependent pattern of transcription recently found for the yeast thymidylate synthetase gene (TMP1).


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