scholarly journals Biochemical Characterization of a Polysialyltransferase from Mannheimia haemolytica A2 and Comparison to Other Bacterial Polysialyltransferases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren W. Wakarchuk ◽  
Theresa Lindhout ◽  
Cynthia R. Bainbridge ◽  
Will J. Costain ◽  
Michel Gilbert

Polysialic acids are bioactive carbohydrates found in eukaryotes and some bacterial pathogens. The bacterial polysialyltransferases (PSTs), which catalyze the synthesis of polysialic acid capsules, have previously been identified in select strains of Escherichia coli and Neisseria meningitidis and are classified in the Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes Database as glycosyltransferase family GT-38. In this study using DNA sequence analysis and functional characterization we have identified a novel polysialyltransferase from the bovine/ovine pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica A2 (PSTMh). The enzyme was expressed in recombinant form as a soluble maltose-binding-protein fusion in parallel with the related PSTs from E. coli K1 and N. meningitidis group B in order to perform a side-by-side comparison. Biochemical properties including solubility, acceptor preference, reaction pH optima, thermostability, kinetics, and product chain length for the enzymes were compared using a synthetic fluorescent acceptor molecule. PSTMh exhibited biochemical properties that make it an attractive candidate for chemi-enzymatic synthesis applications of polysialic acid. The activity of PSTMh was examined on a model glycoprotein and the surface of a neuroprogenitor cell line where the results supported its development for use in applications to therapeutic protein modification and cell surface glycan remodelling to enable cell migration at implantation sites to promote wound healing. The three PSTs examined here demonstrated different properties that would each be useful to therapeutic applications.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren W. Wakarchuk ◽  
Theresa Lindhout ◽  
Cynthia R. Bainbridge ◽  
Will J. Costain ◽  
Michel Gilbert

Polysialic acids are bioactive carbohydrates found in eukaryotes and some bacterial pathogens. The bacterial polysialyltransferases (PSTs), which catalyze the synthesis of polysialic acid capsules, have previously been identified in select strains of Escherichia coli and Neisseria meningitidis and are classified in the Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes Database as glycosyltransferase family GT-38. In this study using DNA sequence analysis and functional characterization we have identified a novel polysialyltransferase from the bovine/ovine pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica A2 (PSTMh). The enzyme was expressed in recombinant form as a soluble maltose-binding-protein fusion in parallel with the related PSTs from E. coli K1 and N. meningitidis group B in order to perform a side-by-side comparison. Biochemical properties including solubility, acceptor preference, reaction pH optima, thermostability, kinetics, and product chain length for the enzymes were compared using a synthetic fluorescent acceptor molecule. PSTMh exhibited biochemical properties that make it an attractive candidate for chemi-enzymatic synthesis applications of polysialic acid. The activity of PSTMh was examined on a model glycoprotein and the surface of a neuroprogenitor cell line where the results supported its development for use in applications to therapeutic protein modification and cell surface glycan remodelling to enable cell migration at implantation sites to promote wound healing. The three PSTs examined here demonstrated different properties that would each be useful to therapeutic applications.


2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (14) ◽  
pp. 2417-2433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiota S. Filippou ◽  
Sofia Farkona ◽  
Davor Brinc ◽  
Yijing Yu ◽  
Ioannis Prassas ◽  
...  

Human tissue kallikrein 9 (KLK9) is a member of the kallikrein-related family of proteases. Despite its known expression profile, much less is known about the functional roles of this protease and its implications in normal physiology and disease. We present here the first data on the biochemical characterization of KLK9, investigate parameters that affect its enzymatic activity (such as inhibitors) and provide preliminary insights into its putative substrates. We show that mature KLK9 is a glycosylated chymotrypsin-like enzyme with strong preference for tyrosine over phenylalanine at the P1 cleavage position. The enzyme activity is enhanced by Mg2+ and Ca2+, but is reversibly attenuated by Zn2+. KLK9 is inhibited in vitro by many naturally occurring or synthetic protease inhibitors. Using a combination of degradomic and substrate specificity assays, we identified candidate KLK9 substrates in two different epithelial cell lines [the non-tumorigenic human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) and the tumorigenic tongue squamous carcinoma cells (SCC9)]. Two potential KLK9 substrates [KLK10 and midkine (MDK)] were subjected to further validation. Taken together, our data delineate some functional and biochemical properties of KLK9 for future elucidation of the role of this enzyme in health and disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peixian Bai ◽  
Liyuan Wang ◽  
Kang Wei ◽  
Li Ruan ◽  
Liyun Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Alanine decarboxylase (AlaDC), specifically present in tea plants, is crucial for theanine biosynthesis. Serine decarboxylase (SDC), found in many plants, is a protein most closely related to AlaDC. To investigate whether the new gene AlaDC originate from gene SDC and to determine the biochemical properties of the two proteins from Camellia sinensis, the sequences of CsAlaDC and CsSDC were analyzed and the two proteins were over-expressed, purified, and characterized. Results The results showed that exon-intron structures of AlaDC and SDC were quite similar and the protein sequences, encoded by the two genes, shared a high similarity of 85.1%, revealing that new gene AlaDC originated from SDC by gene duplication. CsAlaDC and CsSDC catalyzed the decarboxylation of alanine and serine, respectively. CsAlaDC and CsSDC exhibited the optimal activities at 45 °C (pH 8.0) and 40 °C (pH 7.0), respectively. CsAlaDC was stable under 30 °C (pH 7.0) and CsSDC was stable under 40 °C (pH 6.0–8.0). The activities of the two enzymes were greatly enhanced by the presence of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate. The specific activity of CsSDC (30,488 IU/mg) was 8.8-fold higher than that of CsAlaDC (3467 IU/mg). Conclusions Comparing to CsAlaDC, its ancestral enzyme CsSDC exhibited a higher specific activity and a better thermal and pH stability, indicating that CsSDC acquired the optimized function after a longer evolutionary period. The biochemical properties of CsAlaDC might offer reference for theanine industrial production.


1985 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. C. Wimberly ◽  
D. O. Slauson ◽  
N. R. Neilsen

Antigen-specific challenge of equine leukocytes induced the non-lytic release of a platelet-activating factor in vitro. The equine platelet-activating factor stimulated the release of serotonin from equine platelets in a dose-responsive manner, independent of the presence of cyclo-oxygenase pathway inhibitors such as indomethacin. Rabbit platelets were also responsive to equine platelet-activating factor. The release of equine platelet-activating factor was a rapid reaction with near maximal secretion taking place in 30 seconds. Addition of equine platelet-activating factor to washed equine platelets stimulated platelet aggregation which could not be inhibited by the presence of aspirin or indomethacin. Platelets preincubated with equine platelet-activating factor became specifically desensitized to equine platelet-activating factor while remaining responsive to other platelet stimuli such as collagen and epinephrine. The following biochemical properties of equine platelet-activating factor are identical to those properties of 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine (AGEPC): stability upon exposure to air and acid; loss of functional activity after basecatalyzed methanolysis with subsequent acylation that returned all functional activity; and identical relative mobilities on silica gel G plates developed with chloroform:methanol:water (65:35:6, volume/volume). The combined functional and biochemical characteristics of equine platelet-activating factor strongly suggest identity between this naturally occurring, immunologically derived equine factor and AGEPC.


2005 ◽  
Vol 389 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taisei KIKUCHI ◽  
Hajime SHIBUYA ◽  
John T. JONES

We report the cloning and functional characterization of an endo-β-1,3-glucanase from the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus acquired by horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. This is the first gene of this type from any nematode species. We show that a similar cDNA is also present in another closely related species B. mucronatus, but that similar sequences are not present in any other nematode studied to date. The B. xylophilus gene is expressed solely in the oesophageal gland cells of the nematode and the protein is present in the nematode's secretions. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene is very similar to glycosyl hydrolase family 16 proteins. The recombinant protein, expressed in Escherichia coli, preferentially hydrolysed the β-1,3-glucan laminarin, and had very low levels of activity on β-1,3-1,4-glucan, lichenan and barley β-glucan. Laminarin was degraded in an endoglucanase mode by the enzyme. The optimal temperature and pH for activity of the recombinant enzyme were 65 °C and pH 4.9. The protein is probably important in allowing the nematodes to feed on fungi. Sequence comparisons suggest that the gene encoding the endo-β-1,3-glucanase was acquired by horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. B. xylophilus therefore contains genes that have been acquired by this process from both bacteria and fungi. These findings support the idea that multiple independent horizontal gene transfer events have helped in shaping the evolution of several different life strategies in nematodes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixia Wang ◽  
Weihong Guo ◽  
Chunyun Fang ◽  
Wenli Feng ◽  
Yumeng Huang ◽  
...  

AbstractX-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (X-linked NDI) is a rare inherited disease mainly caused by lost-of-function mutations in human AVPR2 gene encoding arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (V2R). Our focus of the current study is on exploration of the functional and biochemical properties of Ile324Met (I324M) mutation identified in a pedigree showing as typical recessive X-linked NDI. We demonstrated that I324M mutation interfered with the conformation of complex glycosylation of V2R. Moreover, almost all of the I324M-V2R failed to express on the cell surface due to being captured by the endoplasmic reticulum control system. We further examined the signaling activity of DDAVP-medicated cAMP and ERK1/2 pathways and the results revealed that the mutant receptor lost the ability in response to DDAVP stimulation contributed to the failure of accumulation of cAMP and phosphorylated ERK1/2. Based on the characteristics of molecular defects of I324M mutant, we selected two reagents (SR49059 and alvespimycin) to determine whether the functions of I324M-V2R can be restored and we found that both compounds can significantly “rescue” I324M mutation. Our findings may provide further insights for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of AVPR2 gene mutations and may offer some implications on development of promising treatments for patients with X-linked NDI.


2000 ◽  
Vol 347 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian S. FINLIN ◽  
Haipeng SHAO ◽  
Keiko KADONO-OKUDA ◽  
Nan GUO ◽  
Douglas A. ANDRES

Here we report the molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of Rem2 (for Rem, ad and G-related 2), a novel GTP-binding protein identified on the basis of its homology with the Rem, Rad, Gem and Kir (RGK) family of Ras-related small GTP-binding proteins. Rem2 mRNA was detected in rat brain and kidney, making it the first member of the RGK family to be expressed at relatively high levels in neuronal tissues. Recombinant Rem2 binds GTP saturably and exhibits a low intrinsic rate of GTP hydrolysis. Surprisingly, the guanine nucleotide dissociation constants for both Rem2 and Rem are significantly different than the majority of the Ras-related GTPases, displaying higher dissociation rates for GTP than GDP. Localization studies with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged recombinant protein fusions indicate that Rem2 has a punctate, plasma membrane localization. Deletion of the C-terminal seven amino acid residues that are conserved in all RGK family members did not affect the cellular distribution of the GFP fusion protein, whereas a larger deletion, including much of the polybasic region of the Rem2 C-terminus, resulted in its redistribution to the cytosol. Thus Rem2 is a GTPase of the RGK family with distinctive biochemical properties and possessing a novel cellular localization signal, consistent with its having a unique role in cell physiology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 13366
Author(s):  
Xuechun Wang ◽  
Nan Chao ◽  
Aijing Zhang ◽  
Jiaqi Kang ◽  
Xiangning Jiang ◽  
...  

Caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE) hydrolyzes caffeoyl shikimate into caffeate and shikimate in the phenylpropanoid pathway. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis of the CSE gene family and investigated the possible roles of CSE and CSE-like genes in Populus. We conducted a genome-wide analysis of the CSE gene family, including functional and phylogenetic analyses of CSE and CSE-like genes, using the poplar (Populus trichocarpa) genome. Eighteen CSE and CSE-like genes were identified in the Populus genome, and five phylogenetic groups were identified from phylogenetic analysis. CSEs in Group Ia, which were proposed as bona fide CSEs, have probably been lost in most monocots except Oryza sativa. Primary functional classification showed that PoptrCSE1 and PoptrCSE2 had putative function in lignin biosynthesis. In addition, PoptrCSE2, along with PoptrCSE12, might also respond to stress with a function in cell wall biosynthesis. Enzymatic assay of PoptoCSE1 (Populus tomentosa), -2 and -12 showed that PoptoCSE1 and -2 maintained CSE activity. PoptoCSE1 and 2 had similar biochemical properties, tissue expression patterns and subcellular localization. Most of the PoptrCSE-like genes are homologs of AtMAGL (monoacylglycerol lipase) genes in Arabidopsis and may function as MAG lipase in poplar. Our study provides a systematic understanding of this novel gene family and suggests the function of CSE in monolignol biosynthesis in Populus.


Author(s):  
Esraa Haji ◽  
Saeed Al Mahri ◽  
Yumna Aloraij ◽  
Shuja Shafi Malik ◽  
Sameer Mohammad

Adrenergic receptor β3 (ADRβ3) is a member of the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor family. The binding of the ligand to ADRβ3 activates adenylate cyclase and increases cAMP in the cells. ADRβ3 is highly expressed in white and brown adipocytes and controls key regulatory pathways of lipid metabolism. Trp64Arg (W64R) polymorphism in the ADRβ3 has been associated with the early development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, lower resting metabolic rate, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance. It is unclear how the substitution of W64R affects the functioning of ADRβ3. This study was initiated to functionally characterize this obesity-linked variant of ADRβ3. We evaluated in detail the expression, subcellular distribution, and post-activation behavior of the WT and W64R ADRβ3 using a single cell quantitative fluorescence microscopy. When expressed in HEK 293 cells, ADRβ3 shows a typical distribution displayed by other GPCRs with a predominant localization at the cell surface. Unlike Adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRβ2), agonist induced desensitization of ADRβ3 does not involve loss of cell surface expression. WT and W64R variant of ADRβ3 displayed comparable biochemical properties and there was no significant impact of the substitution of Tryptophan with Arginine on the expression, cellular distribution, signaling, and post-activation behavior of ADRβ3. The obesity-linked W64R variant of ADRβ3 is indistinguishable from the WT ADRβ3 in terms of expression, cellular distribution, signaling, and post-activation behavior.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krithika Rajagopalan ◽  
Jonathan Dworkin

AbstractIn bacteria, signaling phosphorylation is thought to occur primarily on His and Asp residues. However, phosphoproteomic surveys in phylogenetically diverse bacteria over the past decade have identified numerous proteins that are phosphorylated on Ser and/or Thr residues. Consistently, genes encoding Ser/Thr kinases are present in many bacterial genomes such asE. coli,which encodes at least three Ser/Thr kinases. Since Ser/Thr phosphorylation is a stable modification, a dedicated phosphatase is necessary to allow reversible regulation. Ser/Thr phosphatases belonging to several conserved families are found in bacteria. One family of particular interest are Ser/Thr phosphatases which have extensive sequence and structural homology to eukaryotic Ser/Thr PP2C phosphatases. These proteins, called eSTPs (eukaryotic-like Ser/Thr phosphatases), have been identified in a number of bacteria, but not inE. coli.Here, we describe a previously unknown eSTP encoded by anE. coliORF,yegK,and characterize its biochemical properties including its kinetics, substrate specificity and sensitivity to known phosphatase inhibitors. We investigate differences in the activity of this protein in closely relatedE. colistrains. Finally, we demonstrate that this eSTP acts to dephosphorylate a novel Ser/Thr kinase which is encoded in the same operon.ImportanceRegulatory protein phosphorylation is a conserved mechanism of signaling in all biological systems. Recent phosphoproteomic analyses of phylogenetically diverse bacteria including the model Gram-negative bacteriumE. colidemonstrate that many proteins are phosphorylated on serine or threonine residues. In contrast to phosphorylation on histidine or aspartate residues, phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues is stable and requires the action of a partner Ser/Thr phosphatase to remove the modification. Although a number of Ser/Thr kinases have been reported inE. coli, no partner Ser/Thrphosphatases have been identified. Here, we biochemically characterize a novel Ser/Thr phosphatase that acts to dephosphorylate a Ser/Thr kinase that is encoded in the same operon.


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