Purification and characterization of secretory phospholipase B, lysophospholipase and lysophospholipase/transacylase from a virulent strain of the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans

2000 ◽  
Vol 347 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon C. A. CHEN ◽  
Lesley C. WRIGHT ◽  
John C GOLDING ◽  
Tania C. SORRELL
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Virulent Strain ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Peptide Fragments ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Dipalmitoyl Phosphatidylcholine ◽  
Control Value ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Phospholipase B

Infection caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is potentially fatal. A highly active extracellular phospholipase, demonstrating phospholipase B (PLB), lysophospholipase (LPL) and lysophospholipase/transacylase (LPTA) activities, was purified to homogeneity from C. neoformans using (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, and hydrophobic-interaction, anion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. All three enzyme activities co-purified as a single protein with an apparent molecular mass of 70-90 kDa by SDS/PAGE and 160-180 kDa by gel filtration. The ratio of the three activities remained constant after each purification step. The amino acid composition, as well as the sequences of the N-terminus and of five internal peptide fragments were novel. The protein was an acidic glycoprotein containing N-linked carbohydrate moieties, with pI values of 5.5 and 3.5. The apparent Vmax values for PLB and LPL activities were 12.3 and 870 μmol/min per mg of protein respectively; the corresponding Km values were approx. 185.3 and 92.2 μM. The enzyme was active only at acidic pH (pH optimum of 4.0 for PLB and 4.0-5.0 for LPL and LPTA). Enzyme activity did not require added cations, but was inhibited by Fe3+. LPL and LPTA activities were decreased by 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 to 50% of the control value. Palmitoylcarnitine (0.5 mM) inhibited PLB (97% inhibition) and LPL and LPTA activities (35% inhibition) competitively. All phospholipids except phosphatidic acid were degraded by PLB, but dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine were the preferred substrates. This is the first complete description of the purification and properties of a phospholipase, which may be involved in virulence, from a pathogenic fungus.

scholarly journals Analysis of leukotriene B4 metabolism in human promyelocytic HL-60 cells

1991 ◽  
Vol 279 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kasimir ◽  
W Schönfeld ◽  
R A Hilger ◽  
W König
Keyword(s):  
Phorbol Myristate Acetate ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Subcellular Fractionation ◽  
Leukotriene B4 ◽  
Dimethyl Sulphoxide ◽  
Lipid Mediator ◽  
Myristate Acetate ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Undifferentiated State

We previously reported that human alveolar macrophages rapidly metabolize the chemotactic active lipid mediator leukotriene B4 (LTB4) into the dihydro-LTB4 by reduction of one of the conjugated double bonds. We herein report that human HL-60 cells (a myeloid precursor which can be differentiated into granulocyte- as well as monocyte-like cells by dimethyl sulphoxide or phorbol myristate acetate) express a highly active LTB4 reductase in the undifferentiated state. Differentiation by dimethyl sulphoxide (1.3%) along the granulocyte lineage, as confirmed by light microscopy, conversion of NitroBlue Tetrazolium into formazan, failed to induce a substantial capacity for omega-oxidation of LTB4; this reaction is exclusively found in mature granulocytes. Studies with the cell homogenate of undifferentiated HL-60 cells indicated that the activity of the enzyme depends on the presence of NADPH, Ca2+ and Mg2+, with a pH optimum of 7.5 at 37 degrees C. The enzyme was not released into the supernatant after stimulation of HL-60 cells with phorbol myristate acetate (100 ng) or Ca2+ ionophore (7.5 microM). Subcellular fractionation revealed evidence that the LTB4 reductase is located within the membrane fraction. Purification of the enzyme by gel filtration and gel electrophoresis suggests an apparent molecular mass of 40 kDa.

scholarly journals In Vitro Antifungal Activities of Inhibitors of Phospholipases from the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1561-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjini Ganendren ◽  
Fred Widmer ◽  
Vatsala Singhal ◽  
Christabel Wilson ◽  
Tania Sorrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Fungal Enzymes ◽  
Compound A ◽  
Phospholipase B ◽  
The One ◽  
Dioctadecyldimethylammonium Bromide

ABSTRACT Secreted phospholipase B is a proven virulence factor for the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and exhibits three phospholipase activities in the one protein. These are phospholipase B (PLB), lysophospholipase (LPL), and lysophospholipase transacylase (LPTA). Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of using this enzyme as a target for antifungal therapy. We determined in C. neoformans var. grubii strain H99 that 82% of PLB activity was secreted but that 64% of LPL activity and 70% of LPTA activity were cell associated. Cell-associated activities (cytosolic and membrane) were further characterized, since it is likely that any fungicidal effect would depend on inhibition of these enzymes. Four commercially available compounds with structural similarities to phospholipid substrates were tested as inhibitors. These were alexidine dihydrochloride (compound A), dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (compound O), 1,12 bis-(tributylphosphonium)dodecane dibromide (compound P), and decamethonium dibromide (compound D). The best phospholipase inhibitors (compounds A and P) were also the most potent antifungal agents by the standard broth microdilution test. Compound A was highly selective for secreted and cell-associated PLB activities and showed no inhibition of mammalian phospholipase A 2 at 0.25 μM. Compound O, which was specific for secretory and cytosolic LPL and LPTA and membrane-associated PLB, was not antifungal. We conclude that inhibitors of cryptococcal phospholipases can be selective for fungal enzymes and intrinsically antifungal. They also provide tools for assessing the relative importance of the various enzyme activities in virulence. Our results enable further rational structure-function studies to validate the use of phospholipases as antifungal targets.

scholarly journals A Unique α-1,3 Mannosyltransferase of the Pathogenic Fungus Cryptococcus neoformans

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (17) ◽  
pp. 5482-5488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara L. Doering
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Glucuronic Acid ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Product Formation ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Major Virulence Factor

ABSTRACT The major virulence factor of the pathogenic fungusCryptococcus neoformans is an extensive polysaccharide capsule which surrounds the cell. Almost 90% of the capsule is composed of a partially acetylated linear α-1,3-linked mannan substituted with d-xylose and d-glucuronic acid. A novel mannosyltransferase with specificity appropriate for a role in the synthesis of this glucuronoxylomannan is active in cryptococcal membranes. This membrane-associated activity transfers mannose in vitro from GDP-mannose to an α-1,3-dimannoside acceptor, forming a second α-1,3 linkage. Product formation by the transferase is dependent on protein, time, temperature, divalent cations, and each substrate. It is not affected by amphomycin or tunicamycin but is inhibited by GDP and mannose-1-phosphate. The described activity is not detectable in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, consistent with the absence of a similar polysaccharide structure in that organism. A second mannosyltransferase from C. neoformans membranes adds mannose in α-1,2 linkage to the same dimannoside acceptor. The two activities differ in pH optimum and cation preference. While the α-1,2 transferase does not have specificity appropriate for a role in glucuronoxylomannan synthesis, it may participate in production of mannoprotein components of the capsule. This study suggests two new targets for antifungal drug discovery.

scholarly journals Identification of phospholipase B from Dictyostelium discoideum reveals a new lipase family present in mammals, flies and nematodes, but not yeast

2004 ◽  
Vol 382 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive P. MORGAN ◽  
Robert INSALL ◽  
Lee HAYNES ◽  
Shamshad COCKCROFT
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Affinity Purification ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Peptide Fragments ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Phospholipase B ◽  
The Social ◽  
Single Fatty Acid

The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum exhibits high activities of phospholipase and lysophospholipase [Ferber, Munder, Fischer and Gerisch (1970) Eur. J. Biochem. 14, 253–257]. We assayed Dictyostelium lysates to demonstrate the presence of a highly active phospholipase B (PLB) enzyme that removed both fatty-acid chains from phosphatidylcholine and produced the water-soluble glycerophosphorylcholine. We purified the PLB activity from Dictyostelium cytosol using standard agarose media (size exclusion and ion exchange), and combined this with an affinity purification step using myristoylated ARF1 (ADP-ribosylation factor 1), a protein which has a single fatty acid at its N-terminus. Two proteins co-purified (48 kDa and 65 kDa), and the 48 kDa protein was digested with trypsin, peptide fragments were separated by reverse-phase chromatography, and the resultant peptides were sequenced by Edman degradation. From the peptide sequences obtained, database searches revealed a gene which encodes a protein of 65 kDa with unknown function. The 48 kDa protein therefore appears to be a fragment of the full-length 65 kDa product. Expression of the gene in Escherichia coli confirmed that it encodes a PLB. Characterization of its substrate specificity indicated that, in addition to phosphatidylcholine deacylation, the enzyme also hydrolysed phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The PLB identified in the present study is not related to existing PLBs found in bacteria, fungi or mammals. There are, however, genes similar to Dictyostelium PLB in mammals, flies, worms and Giardia, but not in yeast. We therefore have identified a novel family of intracellular PLBs.

Isolation and Characterization of Plasminogen Activator from Pig Leucocytes

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (01) ◽  
pp. 072-085 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kopitar ◽  
M Stegnar ◽  
B Accetto ◽  
D Lebez
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Ph Range ◽  
Inhibition Studies ◽  
Final Purification

SummaryPlasminogen activator was isolated from disrupted pig leucocytes by the aid of DEAE chromatography, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and final purification on CM cellulose, or by preparative gel electrophoresis.Isolated plasminogen activator corresponds No. 3 band of the starting sample of leucocyte cells (that is composed from 10 gel electrophoretic bands).pH optimum was found to be in pH range 8.0–8.5 and the highest pH stability is between pH range 5.0–8.0.Inhibition studies of isolated plasminogen activator were performed with EACA, AMCHA, PAMBA and Trasylol, using Anson and Astrup method. By Astrup method 100% inhibition was found with EACA and Trasylol and 30% with AMCHA. PAMBA gave 60% inhibition already at concentration 10–3 M/ml. Molecular weight of plasminogen activator was determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The value obtained from 4 different samples was found to be 28000–30500.

Synthesis of hepatitis B surface antigen pre-S2 region fragments and studies on their immunogenicity

1988 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 2952-2956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Lammek ◽  
Zbigniew Maćkiewicz ◽  
Izabela Derdowska ◽  
Hanna Świderska ◽  
Adam Nowosławski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Surface Antigen ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Antigenic Determinants ◽  
Phase Method ◽  
Peptide Fragments ◽  
Humoral Immune

Two peptide fragments of hepatitis B surface antigen pre-S2 region were synthesized by the solid phase method. The peptides were purified by gel filtration or ion-exchange chromatography on Sephadex SP-C-25. Both peptides induced a cellular and humoral immune response in rabbits. The results showed that fragment 14-22 of pre-S2 region contains one of the antigenic determinants.

scholarly journals A chromatographic preparation of ox growth hormone

1966 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Wallis ◽  
HBF Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Deae Cellulose ◽  
Starch Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Cross Linkage ◽  
Starch Gel

1. A method is described for the chromatographic preparation of ox growth hormone. It involves chromatography of an extract of anterior pituitary lobes on DEAE-cellulose, followed by rechromatography on a dextran gel of low cross-linkage (Sephadex G-100). 2. The product is highly active in growth-hormone assays, and is obtained in good yield. It was homogeneous by several criteria, but showed some heterogeneity on starch-gel electrophoresis. 3. The molecular weight of the hormone was estimated from its behaviour on gel-filtration columns under various conditions. Evidence that the hormone may dissociate into sub-units under some conditions is presented.

Identification, purification, and characterization of phosphotyrosine-specific protein phosphatases from cultured chicken embryo fibroblasts

1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1003-1012
Author(s):  
R L Nelson ◽  
P E Branton
Keyword(s):  
Chicken Embryo ◽  
Protein Phosphatases ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Deae Cellulose ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Phosphoprotein Phosphatases ◽  
Embryo Fibroblasts ◽  
Chicken Embryo Fibroblasts

Tyrosine phosphorylation catalyzed by a unique class of protein kinases is an important process in both normal cell proliferation and oncogenic transformation. In this study, phosphoprotein phosphatases specific for the dephosphorylation of phosphotyrosine residues were partially purified from secondary chicken embryo fibroblasts, using 32P-labeled immunoglobulin G phosphorylated by pp60src as substrate. Crude cell extracts contained ca. 70% of the activity in the soluble form and ca. 30% associated with a crude membrane fraction. The soluble activity was purified by using DEAE-cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose column chromatography and gel filtration, and at least three enzyme species of apparent Mr 55,000 (pTPI), 50,000 (pTPII), and 95,000 (pTPIII)--comprising ca. 20, 45, and 35%, respectively, of the total activity--were resolved. All three enzymes possessed somewhat similar properties. They had a pH optimum of about 7.4, they were inhibited by Zn2+, vanadate, ATP, and ADP, and they were unaffected by divalent metal cations, EDTA, and F- under standard assay conditions employing a physiological ionic strength. These properties suggest that they represent a class of enzymes distinct from well-known phosphoseryl-phosphothreonyl-protein phosphatases and that dephosphorylation of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins may be carried out by a unique family of phosphoprotein phosphatases. Transformation by Rous sarcoma virus resulted in a small increase in phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase activity.

Acid proteases from species of Mucor. III. Interaction with concanavalin A and concanavalin A Sepharose

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Rickert ◽  
P. A. McBride-Warren
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Concanavalin A ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Apparent Molecular Weight ◽  
Affinity Column ◽  
Mucor Miehei ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Elution Buffer ◽  
Turbidimetric Assay ◽  
Ph Range

The reaction of Mucor miehei protease with concanavalin A was followed by a turbidimetric assay in the pH range 5–8. At pH 4.0, no turbidity developed but binding of the enzyme to concanavalin A could be demonstrated by gel filtration. Two fractions of apparent molecular weight 65 000 and 52 000 were isolated, the 65 000 molecular weight species apparently representing a protomer of concanavalin A (24 000) bound to the enzyme. An analysis of the circular dichroism spectrum of this complex suggested that protomer binding results in a conformational change in the enzyme which is associated with a 30% increase in proteolytic activity.At pH 6.0, the enzyme was strongly bound to columns of concanavalin A Sepharose but could be removed by including α-methyl D-glucoside and NaCl in the elution buffer. Some column degradation occurred at room temperature but was not detectable at 4 °C where rapid elution of the enzyme resulted in a greater than 90% yield of highly active protein. Periodate-oxidized Mucor miehei protease and Mucor rennin did not react with concanavalin A and were not bound to the affinity column.

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