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Proteolytic activity of the 20S proteasome is regulated by activators that govern substrate movement into and out of the catalytic chamber. However, the physiological relationship between activators, and hence the relative role of different proteasome species, remains poorly understood. To address this problem, we characterized the total pool of cytosolic proteasomes in intact and functional form using a single-step method that bypasses the need for antibodies, proteasome modification, or column purification. Two-dimensional Blue Native(BN)/SDS-PAGE and tandem mass spectrometry simultaneously identified six native proteasome populations in untreated cytosol: 20S, singly and doubly PA28-capped, singly 19S-capped, hybrid, and doubly 19S-capped proteasomes. All proteasome species were highly dynamic as evidenced by recruitment and exchange of regulatory caps. In particular, proteasome inhibition with MG132 markedly stimulated PA28 binding to exposed 20S alpha-subunits and generated doubly PA28-capped and hybrid proteasomes. PA28 recruitment virtually eliminated free 20S particles and was blocked by ATP depletion. Moreover, inhibited proteasomes remained stably associated with distinct cohorts of partially degraded fragments derived from cytosolic and ER substrates. These data establish a versatile platform for analyzing substrate-specific proteasome function and indicate that PA28 and 19S activators cooperatively regulate global protein turnover while functioning at different stages of the degradation cycle.

Oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) catalyzes the cotranslational transfer of high-mannose sugars to nascent polypeptides during N-linked glycosylation in the rough endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Nine OST subunits have been identified in yeast. However, the composition and organization of mammalian OST remain unclear. Using two-dimensional Blue Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we now demonstrate that mammalian OST can be isolated from solubilized, actively engaged ribosomes as multiple distinct protein complexes that range in size from approximately 500 to 700 kDa. These complexes exhibit different ribosome affinities and subunit compositions. The major complex, OSTC(I), had an apparent size of approximately 500 kDa and was readily released from ribosome translocon complexes after puromycin treatment under physiological salt conditions. Two additional complexes were released only after treatment with high salt: OSTC(II) ( approximately 600 kDa) and OSTC(III) ( approximately 700 kDa). Both remained stably associated with heterotrimeric Sec61alphabetagamma, while OSTC(III) also contained the tetrameric TRAP complex. All known mammalian OST subunits (STT3-A, ribophorin I, ribophorin II, OST48, and DAD1) were present in all complexes. In addition, two previously uncharacterized proteins were also copurified with OST. Mass spectrometry identified a 17 kDa protein as DC2 which is weakly homologous to the C-terminal half of yeast Ost3p and Ost6p. The second protein (14 kDa) was tentatively identified as keratinocyte-associated protein 2 (KCP2) and has no previously known function. Our results identify two potential new subunits of mammalian OST and demonstrate a remarkable heterogeneity in OST composition that may reflect a means for controlling nascent chain glycosylation.

Lipid peroxidation has been implicated in a variety of pathophysiological processes, including inflammation, atherogenesis, neurodegeneration, and the ageing process. Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) is the only major antioxidant enzyme known to directly reduce phospholipid hydroperoxides within membranes and lipoproteins, acting in conjunction with alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Here we describe the generation and characterization of GPX4-deficient mice by targeted disruption of the murine Gpx4 locus through homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Gpx4(-/-) embryos die in utero by midgestation (E7.5) and are associated with a lack of normal structural compartmentalization. Gpx4(+/-) mice display reduced levels of Gpx4 mRNA and protein in various tissues. Interestingly, cell lines derived from Gpx4(+/-) mice are markedly sensitive to inducers of oxidative stress, including gamma-irradiation, paraquat, tert-butylhydroperoxide, and hydrogen peroxide, as compared to cell lines derived from wild-type control littermates. Gpx4(+/-) mice also display reduced survival in response to gamma-irradiation. Our observations establish GPX4 as an essential antioxidant enzyme in mice and suggest that it performs broad functions as a component of the mammalian antioxidant network.

We have isolated a lipase-overproducing mutant, GE14, from Serratia marcescens 8000 after three rounds of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis. The mutant GE14 produced 95 kU/ml of extracellular lipase in the lipase medium, which was about threefold higher than that of produced by the original strain 8000. Enzymatic characteristics including specific activity of purified lipases from culture supernatants of GE14 and 8000 were almost same. The lipase gene (lipA) of GE14 contained two base substitutions; one in the promoter region and another in the N-terminal region of the lipA gene without an amino acid substitution. Promoter analysis using lipA-lacZ fusion plasmids revealed that these substitutions were responsible for the increase in the lipA expression level, independently. In contrast, no base substitution was found in the genes encoding the lipase secretion device, the Lip system. In addition, the genes coding for metalloprotease and the cell surface layer protein which are both secreted through the Lip system and associated with extracellular lipase production, also contained no base substitution. The strain GE14 carrying a high-copy-number lipA plasmid produced a larger amount of the extracellular lipase than the recombinant strains of 8000 and other mutants also did, indicating that GE14 was not only a lipase-overproducing strain, but also an advantageous host strain for overproducing the lipase by a recombinant DNA technique. These results suggest that the lipase-overproducing mutant GE14 and its recombinant strains are promising candidates for the industrial production of the S. marcescens lipase.

The Serratia marcescens Lip exporter belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) exporter is known to be involved in signal peptide-independent extracellular secretion of a lipase and a metalloprotease. Although the genes of secretory proteins and their ABC exporters are usually all reported to be linked in several gram-negative bacteria, neither the lipase nor the protease gene is located close to the Lip exporter genes, lipBCD. A gene (slaA) located upstream of the lipBCD genes was cloned, revealing that it encodes a polypeptide of 100 kDa and is partially similar to the Caulobacter crescentus paracrystalline cell surface layer (S-layer) protein. The Lip exporter-deficient mutants of S. marcescens failed to secrete the SlaA protein. Electron micrography demonstrated the cell surface layer of S. marcescens. The S-layer protein was secreted to the cultured media in Escherichia coli cells carrying the Lip exporter. Three ABC exporters, Prt, Has and Hly systems, could not allow the S-layer secretion, indicating that the S. marcescens S-layer protein is strictly recognized by the Lip system. This is the first report concerning secretion of an S-layer protein via its own secretion system.

Practical preparation methods of an optically active intermediate of diltiazem, (+)-(2S,3S)-5-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy- 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one [(+)-7], have been developed by the use of physicochemical and chemical resolutions. 1) The salt of (+/-)-7 with 3-amino-4-hydroxy-benzenesulfonic acid (AHS), was found to exist as a conglomerate and could be reproducibly resolved into (+)-7.AHS and (-)-7.AHS of 94-98% ee by a preferential crystallization procedure. 2) (+)-(1R)-3-Bromocamphor-9-sulfonic acid [(+)-BCS] was found to be an efficient resolving agent for (+/-)-7 and the diastereomeric resolution provided (+)-7.(+)-BCS.2H2O salt in > 43% yield and > 97% ee by fractional crystallization. It is presumed that the crystal water of (+)-7.(+)-BCS.2H2O plays an important role in the selective crystallization during this efficient resolution.

The gene for aromatic amino acid aminotransferase (ArAT) from Paracoccus denitrificans was cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli cells. The sequence differed from that reported previously [Takagi, T., Taniguchi, T., Yamamoto, Y., and Shibatani, T. (1991) Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem. 13, 112-119]. The enzyme (pdArAT) was purified to homogeneity, and characterized. It was similar to aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) and ArAT of E. coli (ecArAT) in many respects, including gross protein structure and spectroscopic properties. pdArAT showed activities toward both dicarboxylic and aromatic substrates, and analysis of the binding of substrate analogs and quasisubstrates to the enzyme showed that both dicarboxylic and aromatic substrates take a similar orientation in the active site of pdArAT; these properties are essentially identical with those of ecArAT. As in the case of ecArAT, neutral amino acids with larger side chains are better substrates for pdArAT, suggesting that hydrophobic interaction between the substrate and the enzyme is important for the recognition of substrates with neutral side chains. pdArAT catalyzed transamination of phenylalanine and tyrosine far more efficiently (10(2)-fold in terms of kcat/Km) than those of straight-chain aliphatic amino acids with similar side-chain surface area, whereas ecArAT did not show significant preference for aromatic amino acids over aliphatic amino acids. This shows that the substrate-side-chain-binding pocket of pdArAT, as compared with the pocket of ecArAT, is well suited in shape for interaction with the phenyl and hydroxyphenyl rings of substrates. Thus, pdArAT is an ideal enzyme among ArATs for the study of the high-specificity recognition of two different kinds of substrates, the one having a carboxylic side chain and the other having an aromatic side chain.

We improved the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test for endotoxins in parenteral drugs using immobilized histidine and a filtration plate. In order to deal with many samples at the same time and to apply to a routine assay, we used a filtration plate having 96 wells instead of a filter unit with a working volume of 2 ml. LAL test-affecting substances which are contained in a parenteral drug were separated from endotoxins by adsorbing endotoxins on immobilized histidine in the well of a filtration plate. Then the absorbed endotoxins were allowed to react with LAL reagent in the same well. We defined that this method had the higher precision than conventional methods and was not influenced by the concentrations of endotoxin and parenteral drugs. Hence we examined the recovery of endotoxin spiked to 23 kinds of parenteral drugs by this method, as a result, 100 +/- 25% of recovery was obtained from 17 kinds of them.

The L-phenylalanine transaminase gene of Paracoccus denitrificans was cloned by a shotgun method using the Escherichia coli K-12 mutant DG30, which lacks three distinct transaminase genes. Plasmid pPAP142 was constructed by inserting a 2.2-kb fragment carrying the transaminase gene into pUC18. Strain E. coli K-12 HB101 cells harboring the plasmid produced 20-fold to 30-fold more transaminase than wild type P. denitrificans cells. The nucleotide sequence of the 2.2-kb fragment was determined, revealing that the deduced amino acid sequence of the transaminase of P. denitrificans is similar to that of other transaminases.

To develop an efficient method for the production of urocanic acid, optimal conditions for the production of microbial L-histidine ammonia lyase and for the conversion of L-histidine to urocanic acid by this enzyme were studied. A number of microorganisms were screened to test their ability to form and accumulate urocanic acid from L-histidine. Achromobacter liquidum was selected as the best organism. With this organism, enzyme activity as high as 2.0 units/ml could be produced by a shaking culture at 30 C in a medium containing glucose, urea, potassium phosphate, L-histidine, yeast extract, peptone, and inorganic salts. Appropriate addition of a surface-active agent to the reaction mixture shortened the time required for the conversion. A large amount of L-histidine was converted stoichiometrically to urocanic acid in 48 h at 40 C. Accumulated urocanic acid was readily isolated in pure form by ordinary procedures with isoelectric precipitation. Yields of isolated urocanic acid of over 92% from L-histidine were easily attainable. When the culture of Achromobacter liquidum was added to DL-histidine, D-histidine and urocanic acid were simultaneously obtained in high yields.

To develop an efficient method for the production of coenzyme A (CoA), optimal conditions for its formation from pantothenic acid, cysteine, and adenine were studied. A number of microorganisms were screened for production of CoA. Strains belonging to the genera Sarcina, Bacillus, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, and Serratia accumulated CoA. Among these, Sarcina lutea was selected as the best organism, and the culture conditions for the production of CoA were investigated with this organism. Under optimal conditions, 600 mug of CoA per ml was accumulated in the culture broth. CoA was readily isolated in high purity by the use of charcoal, diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, Sephadex G-25, and Dowex-50. Yields of isolated CoA were over 33% from culture broth.

An improved method for the purification of high molecular weight urokinase to homogeneity from human urine was established. A yield of 32% with a 3,100-fold purification was obtained by Hyflo Super-Cel treatment, heat treatment at 60 degrees C for 10 hr, serial column chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and O-[3-(p-sulfophenylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-cellulose (SFOP-cellulose), and gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 54. The low molecular weight form of urokinase was also purified to homogeneity by chromatography on hydroxyl apatite and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 after the SFOP-cellulose column step. The high molecular weight urokinase had only one isoelectric form with a pI of 9.7, whereas the low molecular weight form had six isoelectric subforms with pI values between 9.4 and 6.4. The absorption coefficients at 280 nm of both urokinase forms were 13.61 and 13.50, respectively. Fibrinolytic and esterolytic activities of the two urokinase forms were compared in various assay methods.

Crystalline L-histidine ammonia-lyase of Achromobacter liquidum was prepared with a 24% recovery of the activity. The specific activity of the pure enzyme (63 mumol of urocanic acid min-1 mg-1) is similar to those so far reported for the enzyme from other sources. The purified enzyme appeared to be homogeneous by analytical disc electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing (pI = 4.95). The molecular weight determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration is 200000. The optimum pH is 8.2, and the optimum temperature is 50 degrees C. The enzyme showed strict specificity to L-histidine (Km = 3.6 mM). Several histidine derivatives are not susceptible to the enzyme but do inhibit the enzyme activity competitively; the most effective inhibitors are L-histidine methyl ester (Ki = 3.66 mM) and beta-imidazole lactic acid (Ki = 3.84 mM). L-Histidine hydrazide (Ki = 36 mM) and imidazole (Ki = 6 mM) noncompetitively inhibited the enzyme EDTA markedly inhibited enzyme activity and this inhibition were reversed by divalent metal ions such as Mn2+, Co2+ Zn2+, Ni2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+. These results suggest that the presence of divalent metal ions is necessary for the catalytic activity of histidine ammonia-lyase. Sodium borohydride and hydrogen peroxide inhibited the enzyme activity.

Release of fluoride ion from a newly-developed fluoride-releasing resin (F-resin) into phosphate buffer and incorporation of fluorine by the dentin were studied in vitro. The rate of fluoride release (amount of daily release) from a pellet of cured F-resin showed rapid decrease to 1/2 of the initial value by day 6, and then moderate decrease to 1/4 of the initial by day 30. However, the pellet continued to release fluoride at a low but constant rate for more than 520 days. In the first 30 days after F-resin was applied to the dentin surface, large amount of fluorine was concentrated within 100 mu of the subsurface dentin. With longer incubation period, the peak concentration of fluorine at the dentin surface decreased but the depth of penetration increased to about 180 mu by day 180.

The human root dentin was covered with a fluoride-releasing resin (F-resin) and incubated for various periods up to 180 days in phosphate buffer. After removal of the F-resin, resistance of the dentin to decalcification by acetic acid--sodium acetate buffer was assessed by measuring both the amount of calcium dissolved during decalcification and the knoop hardness of dentin after decalcification. The acid resistance progressively increased for 90 days when assessed by measurement of calcium dissolution and for 30 days by measurement of the knoop hardness. The percent inhibition of calcium dissolution achieved by 30 days of incubation was about 90% of the maximal inhibition obtained by incubation in concentrated sodium fluoride solution (2.4 x 10(-2) M). The enhancement of acid resistance was not induced by the resin infiltrated layer of the surface dentin but by the fluoride released from the F-resin into the dentin.

Pyridoxal phosphate N-oxide and 2'-hydroxypyridoxal phosphate served as the coenzyme for aspartate beta-decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.12) from Pseudomonas dacunhae. Reconstituted enzymes with those pyridoxal phosphate analogues exhibited an absorption band near 370 nm. Close to 1 mole of vitamin B6 derivative is bound per minimal catalytic unit with high affinity. The decarboxylase, desulfinase, and transaminase activites of the both pyridoxal phosphate derivate-enzymes are relatively low. But the Km values for aspartate and cysteine sulfinate are not affected.

To develop an efficient method for the production of l-citrulline, optimum conditions for the conversion of l-arginine to l-citrulline by microbial l-arginine deiminase and for production of the enzyme were studied. A number of micro-organisms were screened to test their ability to form and accumulate l-citrulline from l-arginine. Pseudomonas putida was selected as the best organism. With this organism, enzyme activity as high as 9.20 units per ml could be produced by a shaking culture at 30 C in a medium containing glucose, ammonium phosphate, l-arginine hydrochloride, yeast extract, peptone, and inorganic salts. Appropriate addition of a surface active agent to the reaction mixture was found to shorten the time required for the conversion. A large amount of l-arginine hydrochloride was converted stoichiometrically to l-citrulline in 62 hr at 37 C. Accumulated l-citrulline was readily isolated in pure form by ordinary procedures with ion-exchange resins. Yields of isolated l-citrulline of over 90.5% from l-arginine hydrochloride were easily attainable.