scholarly journals Symbiotic “Archaezoa” of the Primitive Termite Mastotermes darwiniensis Still Play a Role in Cellulase Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 1571-1576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirofumi Watanabe ◽  
Aya Takase ◽  
Gaku Tokuda ◽  
Akinori Yamada ◽  
Nathan Lo
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Cellulase Production ◽  
Putative Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Cellulose Digestion ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Terminal Amino

ABSTRACT The relictual Mastotermes darwiniensis is one of the world's most destructive termites. Like all phylogenetically basal termites, it possesses protozoa in its hindgut, which are believed to help it digest wood. L. Li, J. Frohlich, P. Pfeiffer, and H. Konig (Eukaryot. Cell 2:1091-1098, 2003) recently cloned the genes encoding cellulases from the protozoa of M. darwiniensis; however, they claimed that these genes are essentially inactive, not contributing significantly to cellulose digestion. Instead, they suggested that the protozoa sequester enzymes produced by the termite in its salivary glands and use these to degrade cellulose in the hindgut. We tested this idea by performing gel filtration of enzymes in extracts of the hindgut, as well as in a combination of the salivary glands, foregut, and midgut. Three major cellulases were found in the hindgut, each of which had a larger molecular size than termite-derived salivary gland enzymes. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of one of the hindgut-derived enzymes showed that it was identical to the putative amino acid sequence of one mRNA sequence isolated by Li et al. (Eukaryot. Cell 2:1091-1098, 2003). The overall activity of the hindgut cellulases was found to be of approximately equal magnitude to the termite-derived cellulases detected in the mixture of salivary gland, foregut, and midguts. Based on these results, we conclude that, contrary to Li et al. (Eukaryot. Cell 2:1091-1098, 2003), the hindgut protozoan fauna of M. darwiniensis actively produce cellulases, which play an important role in cellulose digestion of the host termite.

Effect of extractant and molecular size on the optical and chemical properties of soil humic acids

Soil Research ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
JHA Butler ◽  
JN Ladd
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Humic Acids ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Carboxyl Content ◽  
Peptide Bonds ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Amino Acid Contents

Humic acids extracted from soil with sodium pyrophosphate have greater proportions of lower molecular weight material, less acid-hydrolysable amino acid nitrogen contents, but greater carboxyl contents and extinction values (260 and 450 nm) than humic acids extracted subsequently from the same sample with alkali. Humic acids extracted with alkali from fresh soil samples have intermediate values. Extinction values at 260 nm are directly correlated with carboxyl contents for a given soil. Different crop histories have no significant effect on the measured properties of the extracted humic acids. An alkali-extracted humic acid has been fractionated by gel filtration into seven fractions of different nominal molecular weight ranges. As the molecular weights of the fractions increase, both aliphatic C-H (based on infrared absorption at 2900 cm-1) and acid-hydrolysable amino acid contents increase, whereas extinction values at 260 nm and carboxyl contents decrease. The infrared spectra of the high molecular weight fractions have peaks at 1650 and 1510 cm-1 which correlate with acid-hydrolysable amino acid contents and which correspond to amide I and II bands of peptide bonds. Alkaline hydrolysis to split peptide bonds eliminates both these peaks. The spectra also have peaks at 1720 and 1210 cm-1 which correlate with the carboxyl content.

Physicochemical properties of a novel α-L-arabinofuranosidase fromRhizomucor pusillusHHT-1

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 767-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
A KM Shofiqur Rahman ◽  
Shinya Kawamura ◽  
Masahiro Hatsu ◽  
M M Hoq ◽  
Kazuhiro Takamizawa
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Rhizomucor Pusillus ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
Metal Cofactors

The zygomycete fungus Rhizomucor pusillus HHT-1, cultured on L(+)arabinose as a sole carbon source, produced extracellular α-L-arabinofuranosidase. The enzyme was purified by (NH4)2SO4fractionation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography. The molecular mass of this monomeric enzyme was 88 kDa. The native enzyme had a pI of 4.2 and displayed a pH optimum and stability of 4.0 and 7.0–10.0, respectively. The temperature optimum was 65°C, and it was stable up to 70°C. The Kmand Vmaxfor p-nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside were 0.59 mM and 387 µmol·min–1·mg–1protein, respectively. Activity was not stimulated by metal cofactors. The N-terminal amino acid sequence did not show any similarity to other arabinofuranosidases. Higher hydrolytic activity was recorded with p-nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside, arabinotriose, and sugar beet arabinan; lower hydrolytic activity was recorded with oat–spelt xylan and arabinogalactan, indicating specificity for the low molecular mass L(+)-arabinose containing oligosaccharides with furanoside configuration.Key words: α-L-arabinofuranosidase, enzyme purification, amino acid sequence, Rhizomucor pusillus.

Purification, properties, and partial amino acid sequence of chitinase from a marine Alteromonas sp. strain O-7

1992 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 891-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Tsujibo ◽  
Yukio Yoshida ◽  
Katsushiro Miyamoto ◽  
Chiaki Imada ◽  
Yoshiro Okami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Marine Bacterium ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Anion Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Amino Terminal

Chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) was isolated from the culture supernatant of a marine bacterium, Alteromonas sp. strain O-7. The enzyme (Chi-A) was purified by anion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M) and gel filtration (Sephadex G-100). The purified enzyme showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular size and pI of Chi-A were 70 kDa and 3.9, respectively. The optimum pH and temperature of Chi-A were 8.0 and 50 °C, respectively. Chi-A was stable in the range of pH 5–10 up to 40 °C. Among the main cations, such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, contained in seawater, Mg2+ stimulated Chi-A activity. N-Bromosuccinimide and 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide inhibited Chi-A activity. The amino-terminal 27 amino acid residues of Chi-A were sequenced. This enzyme showed sequence homology with chitinases from terrestrial bacteria such as Serratia marcescens QMB1466 and Bacillus circulons WL-12. Key words: marine bacterium, Alteromonas sp., chitinase.

scholarly journals Proteins of the kidney microvillar membrane. The amphipathic form of dipeptidyl peptidase IV

1979 ◽  
Vol 179 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
D C Macnair ◽  
A J Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Dipeptidyl Peptidase ◽  
Dipeptidyl Peptidase Iv ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Carboxypeptidase Y ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid ◽  
Hydrophobic Domain ◽  
Terminal Amino

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV was solubilized from the microvillar membrane of pig kidney by Triton X-100. The purified enzyme was homogeneous on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation, although immunoelectrophoresis indicated that amino-peptidase M was a minor contaminant. A comparison of the detergent-solubilized and proteinase (autolysis)-solubilized forms of the enzyme was undertaken to elucidate the structure and function of the hydrophobic domain that serves to anchor the protein to the membrane. No differences in catalytic properties, nor in sensitivity to inhibition by di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate were found. On the other hand, several structural differences could be demonstrated. Both forms were about 130,000 subunit mol.wt., but the detergent form appeared to be larger by no more than about 4,000. Electron microscopy showed both forms to be dimers, and gel filtration revealed a difference in the dimeric mol.wt. of about 38 000, mainly attributable to detergent molecules bound to the hydrophobic domain. Papain converted the detergent form into a hydrophilic form that could not be distinguished in properties from the autolysis form. A hydrophobic peptide of about 3500 mol.wt. was identified as a product of papain treatment. The detergent and proteinase forms differed in primary structure. Partial N-terminal amino acid sequences were shown to be different, and the pattern of release of amino acids from the C-terminus by carboxypeptidase Y was essentially similar. The results are consistent with a model in which the protein is anchored to the microvillar membrane by a small hydrophobic domain located within the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the polypeptide chain. The significance of these results in relation to biosynthesis of the enzyme and assembly in the membrane is discussed.

Human hemopexin. Preparation of the heme-rich protein

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladislav Morávek ◽  
Josef Borvák ◽  
Karel Grüner ◽  
Bedřich Meloun ◽  
Petr Štrop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Amino Acid Analysis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Deae Cellulose ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
Simplified Procedure ◽  
Pooled Samples ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid Sequence

A simplified procedure was developed for the preparation of hemopexin from Cohn fraction IV obtained from partially hemolyzed pooled samples of serum. The method is based on precipitation with rivanol, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and gel filtration; it permits large quantities of the material to be treated on a laboratory scale. The preparation of heme-rich hemopexin obtained was characterized by amino acid analysis and the following N-terminal amino acid sequence: Thr-Pro-Leu-Pro-Arg-Gly-Ser-Ala-His-Gly-Asn-Val-Ala-Glu-Gly-Glu-Thr(Thr)Thr-Asn-Pro-Asp-Val-(Gly)(Leu).

Production, Purification, and Characterization of Micrococcin GO5, a Bacteriocin Produced by Micrococcus sp. GO5 Isolated from Kimchi

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
MI-HEE KIM ◽  
YOON-JUNG KONG ◽  
HONG BAEK ◽  
HYUNG-HWAN HYUN
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
High Heat ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid Sequence

Strain GO5, a bacteriocin-producing bacterium, was isolated from green onion kimchi and identified as Micrococcus sp. The bacteriocin, micrococcin GO5, displayed a broad spectrum of inhibitory activity against a variety of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms, as tested by the spot-on-lawn method; its activity spectrum was almost identical to that of nisin. Micrococcin GO5 was inactivated by trypsin (whereas nisin was not) and was completely stable at 100°C for 30 min and in the pH range of 2.0 to 7.0. Micrococcin GO5 exhibited a typical mode of bactericidal activity against Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240. It was purified to homogeneity through ammonium sulfate precipitation, ultrafiltration, and CM-Sepharose column chromatography. The molecular mass of micrococcin GO5 was estimated to be about 5.0 kDa by tricine–sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in situ activity assay with the indicator organism. The amino acid sequence of micrococcin GO5 lacks lanthionine and β-methyllanthionine and is rich in hydrophobic amino acids and glycine, providing the basis for the high heat stability of this bacteriocin. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of micrococcin GO5 is Lys-Lys-Ser-Phe-Cys-Gln-Lys, and no homology to bacteriocins reported previously was observed in the amino acid composition or N-terminal amino acid sequence. Based on the physicochemical properties, small molecular size, and inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes, micrococcin GO5 has been placed with the class II bacteriocins, but its broad spectrum of activity differs from that of other bacteriocins in this class.

Characterization of group A streptococcal M-proteins purified by two methods

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1072-1082
Author(s):  
David C. Straus ◽  
Charles F. Lange
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
M Protein ◽  
M Proteins ◽  
Group A ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
High Concentrations

Ten different group A streptococcal M-protein preparations purified by trichloroacetic acid precipitation and three M-protein preparations purified by cellulose chromatography were examined by SDS and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and analyzed for amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acids. Fingerprinting (both tryptic and chymotryptic) was performed on the cellulose-purified preparations of M1, M12, and M29 proteins which showed these proteins to be structurally related. Trypsin produced maps with 37 to 42 peptides, whereas chymotrypsin digestion resulted in 8 to 12 peptides, depending on the M-type. Sequencing was performed on the M12 protein and tentative identification of nine N-terminal amino acids was made. Molecular weights of the cellulose and TCA-purified M-proteins were determined by SDS gel electrophoresis and chromatography on G-200 Sephadex, with comparable results, indicating molecular size of at least 23 000. The amino acid analyses of the 10 TCA-purified proteins followed the patterns established for M-proteins, with high concentrations of lysine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, and leucine. All 10 proteins had L-alanine as their N-terminal amino acid. Evidence for a one way cross-reaction between type 1 and type 29 streptococci was also found.

Gal3p and Gal1p interact with the transcriptional repressor Gal80p to form a complex of 1:1 stoichiometry

2002 ◽  
Vol 363 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. TIMSON ◽  
Helen C. ROSS ◽  
Richard J. REECE
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Transcriptional Repressor ◽  
Galactose Metabolism ◽  
Genetic Switch ◽  
Sequence Identity ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Small Molecule Ligands ◽  
High Degree

The genes encoding the enzymes required for galactose metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are controlled at the level of transcription by a genetic switch consisting of three proteins: a transcriptional activator, Gal4p; a transcriptional repressor, Gal80p; and a ligand sensor, Gal3p. The switch is turned on in the presence of two small molecule ligands, galactose and ATP. Gal3p shows a high degree of sequence identity with Gal1p, the yeast galactokinase. We have mapped the interaction between Gal80p and Gal3p, which only occurs in the presence of both ligands, using protease protection experiments and have shown that this involves amino acid residue 331 of Gal80p. Gel-filtration experiments indicate that Gal3p, or the galactokinase Gal1p, interact directly with Gal80p to form a complex with 1:1 stoichiometry.

scholarly journals Preparation and characterization of fragments from the N-terminal end of bovine serum albumin under native conditions

1993 ◽  
Vol 296 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Saeed ◽  
A Salahuddin
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Proteolytic Digestion ◽  
Thiol Groups ◽  
Optical Studies ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid ◽  
Hydrodynamic Parameters ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
Domain I

The domain I of BSA, containing residues 1-183 of the protein sequence, was isolated by CNBr treatment. It was further reductively cleaved into two subfragments, N1 and N2, in 8 M urea; the subfragments were regenerated in GSH and GSSG. The fragment N and subfragments N1 and N2 were found to be homogeneous with respect to size and charge. Results for amino acid composition, N-terminal amino acid sequence, thiol groups and M(r) suggested that the fragments N1 and N2 contain residues 88-183 and 1-87 of the intact BSA respectively. Optical studies, intrinsic-viscosity measurements, gel-filtration data and derived hydrodynamic parameters, taken together with the results on proteolytic digestion, showed that fragment N, as well as its subfragments N1 and N2, exist in compact and globular conformation and that the conformation of N2 fragment is more compact than that of the N1 fragment.

scholarly journals Characterization of gastric mucoproteins isolated by equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation in caesium chloride

1974 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 633-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan J. Starkey ◽  
David Snary ◽  
Adrian Allen
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Equilibrium Density ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Gastric Mucus ◽  
Terminal Amino Acid ◽  
Terminal Amino

1. The mucoprotein from pig gastric mucus has been purified by equilibrium centrifugation in a CsCl gradient. 2. This procedure removes the non-covalently bound protein, which is closely associated with the mucoprotein and not easily removed from it by gel filtration. 3. The purified mucoprotein is separable by gel filtration into a high-molecular-weight mucoprotein A (mol.wt. 2.3×106) and a low-molecular-weight mucoprotein B/C (mol.wt. 1.15×106). 4. These two mucoproteins have the same chemical analysis namely fucose 11.3%, galactose 26%, glucosamine 19.5%, galactosamine 8.3% and protein 13.6%. 5. Mucoprotein A contains 3.1% ester sulphate. 6. These mucoproteins are isolated without enzymic digestion and have a higher protein content than the blood-group-substance mucoproteins from proteolytic digestion of gastric mucus. Detailed amino acid analysis shows that the extra protein in the non-enzymically digested material is composed of amino acids other than serine and threonine. 7. Mucoproteins A and B/C contain respectively 130 and 9 half-cystine residues per molecule of which about 78 and 6 residues are involved in disulphide linkages. 8. Cleavage of these disulphide linkages by mercaptoethanol splits both mucoproteins into four equally sized subunits of mol.wt. 5.2×105for mucoprotein A and 2.8×104for mucoprotein B/C. 9. The sole N-terminal amino acid of mucoprotein A is aspartic acid, whereas mucoprotein B/C has several different N-terminal amino acid residues.

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