PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEASES FROM OYSTER (CRASSOTREA GIGAS)

Proteases in oyster (Crassotrea gigas) were extracted with 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer solution and purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex G-150 gel filtration, repeated DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and CM-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. Three fractions with caseinolytic activity, named I, II and III, were obtained from CM-Sepharose CL-6B and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography. The three proteases were purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. Substrate specificity studies indicated that protease I was a carboxypeptidase A-like enzyme; II and III were trypsin-like enzymes. The optimal pH of protease I for hydrolysis of hippuryl-L-phenylalanine was 9.0, II and III for hydrolysis of p-toluenesulfonyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME) was 8.0. The temperatures which inactivated 50% of enzymes were 78°C for protease I in 30 min; 50 and 52°C for protease II and III, respectively, in 5 min. The molecular weights of proteases I, II and III were 23,000, 34, 400 and 31, 000, respectively.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AMINOPEPTIDASE FRACTIONS FROM SQUID (ILLEX ILLECEBROSUS) HEPATOPANCREAS

Atlantic short finned squid hepatopancreas (HP) aminopeptidases (APs) were partially separated from endoproteinases to determine their usefulness in accelerating Cheddar cheese ripening. Squid HP endoproteinases were predominantly cysteine proteases. The main peptidases identified in squid HP were APs. Several of the APs identified were metalloproteases and were activated by Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ or Mg²⁺ salts. Squid HP homogenate was held at pH 7 at OC for 20 h, incubated with 5 mM ZnSO₄, fractionated by ammonium sulfate (20–80%) and dialyzed against 25 mM ZnSO₄. The procedure resulted in a 3–186 fold increase in the ratio of exopeptidase to endoproteinase activity with different AP substrates. Recovery of specific APs ranged between 14–47%. The partially purified squid HP peptidases had a higher ratio of exopeptidase to endoproteinase activity than two commercial products with AP activity, Flavozyme and Neutrase.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEASES FROM THE VISCERA OF MILKFISH (CHANOS CHANOS)

Proteases in acetone powder prepared from milkfish ( Chanos chanos ) viscera were extracted with deionized water and purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, repeated DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and CM-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. Four fractions with caseinolytic activity, named A, B, C and D, were obtained from CM-Sepharose CL-6B and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography. The four proteases were purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. Substrate specificity studies indicated that proteases A and B were carboxypeptidase A-like and chymotrypsin-like enzymes, respectively; C and D were trypsin-like enzymes .

ABSTRACT

The optimal temperatures of proteases A, B, C and D for hydrolysis of casein were found to be 60, 60, 55 and 60°C, respectively. The optimal pH of protease A for hydrolysis of hippuryl-L-phenylalanine was 9.0, B for hydrolysis of acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester was 8.0, C and D for hydrolysis of tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester was 8.0. The temperatures which inactivated 50% of enzymes in 5 min were 20°C for protease B; 51°C for protease C; 56°C for protease A; and 61°C for protease D. The molecular weights of proteases A, B, C, and D were 14,800, 16,800, 24,800 and 22,000 daltons, respectively.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACIDIC PROTEASES FROM THE STOMACH OF THE DEEPWATER FINFISH ORANGE ROUGHY (HOPLOSTETHUS ATLANTICUS)

Acidic proteases were extracted and purified from the stomach of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus). Protease I and II were glycoproteins with molecular weights of 33.5 and 34.5 KDa, respectively. Protease I had an isoelectric point of 5.30. The two forms of protease II (a and b) had isoelectric points of 4.35 and 4.40, respectively, and N-terminal sequence identity for 12 amino acids. The proteases exhibited optimal temperature activity at 37C. They had high activity at low temperatures and low thermal stability compared to mammalian pepsins. They were stable in the pH range of 2–4.5 and unstable above pH 6.5. Protease I and II had pH optima of 2.5 and 3.5, respectively, and K _m’values for the hydrolysis of hemoglobin (pH 3.0, 37C) of 124 μM and 517 μM, respectively. Enzyme activities were inhibited by pepstatin A and high NaCl concentrations, and were slightly stimulated by Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A PHYTASE FROM SPELT

Four soluble phytases were identified in germinating spelt. Although numerous purification strategies were applied, none of the four phytases could be purified to homogeneity. The purest phytase preparation, called D21, contained a phytase (major component) and an acid phosphatase (APH) (minor component). The phytase behaves like a monomeric protein of a molecular mass of about 68 kDa and shows a broad substrate specificity. Optimal pH for degradation of phytate was 6.0 and the optimal temperature 45C. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of Na-phytate were K_M 400 μmoll^?1 and k_cat 368s^?1 at pH 6.0. The spelt phytase D21 degrades phytate stepwise.     

EFFECTS OF FEED DIETS ON DIGESTIVE PROTEASES FROM THE HEPATOPANCREAS OF WHITE SHRIMP (Penaeus vannamei)

Protease activities in the hepatopancreas extract (HP) from white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) fed one of seven test diets for 30 days were evaluated by several methods. The test diet contained 85% of a reference ration for shrimp and 15% of either anchovy meal, tuna waste meal, deboned white fish meal, langostilla meal, soybean meal, and two menhaden meals as a protein replacer. One of the menhaden fish meals tested (B) had the lowest quality as a shrimp feed based on amino acid analysis. SDS-PAGE zymograms of HP from each of the seven diet groups showed similar proteins activity patterns with casein as substrate. The degree of hydrolysis of casein, measured by pH-stat, was also the same for HP from the seven diet groups (P > 0.05). However, total protease activity measured by azocasein hydrolysis (units/g HP) was higher for the diet group fed the test ration containing tuna waste as a replacer (P > 0.05). Trypsin and chymotrypsin activities measured with synthetic substrates (units/mg protein; units/g HP) from animals reared on the diet with menhaden meal B replacer were greater than in the other diet groups (P < 0.05). This study shows that a relatively small amount (15%) of a specific protein replacer in white shrimp rations can influence the protease activity of shrimp HP. Given that digestive proteases such as trypsin can leach into the muscle of postharvest shrimp and thereby cause softening of the meat, the impact of the rearing diet on postharvest shelf-life should be considered along with the standard measures of feed quality that are used by the fish farmer, i.e. animal growth and heatlh.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CHYMOTRYPSIN FROM PENAEUS VANNAMEI (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA)

The purification and characterization of a chymotrypsin from the hepatopan-creas of the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei is described. Only one chymotrypsin was detected in contrast to other shrimp that have two major forms. P. vannamei chymotrypsin has a molecular mass of 33.2 kDa and a pI of 3.1. The molecular mass is high relative to other penaeid chymotrypsins. The proteinase is acid labile and exhibits optimum activity at pH 8. The enzyme is thermostable both at 25 and 37C. It is a serine proteinase. Phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride and soybean trypsin inhibitor blocked the activity of the enzyme, and it was not affected by chymotrypsin inhibitors such as tosyl-PheCH₂Cl or benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-CH₂Cl. Protein profiles of the hepatopancreas from two populations varied     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHENOLOXIDASE ISOFORMS FROM TAIWANESE BLACK TIGER SHRIMP (PENAEUS MONODON)1

Two phenoloxidase (PPO) isoforms were purified from Taiwanese black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) purified via ammonium sulfate precipitation and high performance hydrophobic interaction chromatography on phenyl Sepharose CL-4B. Optimal DL-ã-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (D, L-DOPA) oxidation by these isoforms was observed to occur at pH 6.0, and at 45°C. The isoforms showed both mono- and di-PPO activities, and preferential medabolism of both monoand di-phenolic substrates lacking a carboxyl group either directly attached to the ring, or in the side chain moiety of the phenolic structure.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRYPSIN FROM PYLORIC CAECA OF BIGEYE SNAPPER (PRICANTHUS MACRACANTHUS)

Trypsin from the pyloric caeca of bigeye snapper was purified and characterized. Trypsin had an apparent molecular weight of 23.8 kDa when analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and substrate‐gel electrophoresis. The trypsin fraction consisted of three isoforms as evidenced by the appearance of three different bands on native‐PAGE. Optimal activity was observed at 55C and pH range of 8–11. The activity of trypsin fraction was completely inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and was partially inhibited by E‐64 and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. CaCl₂ partially protected the trypsin fraction from activity loss at 40C, while NaCl (0–20%) decreased the activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) and catalytic constant (k_cat) were 0.312 mM and 1.06 s, respectively when Nα‐Benzoyl‐dl ‐arginine ρ‐nitroanilide was used as a substrate. Trypsin from the pyloric caeca of bigeye snapper generally showed similar characteristics to other fish trypsins.     

PURIFICATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO α-AMYLASE INHIBITORS FROM BLACK BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris)1

Two α-amylase inhibitors from black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) were purified to homogencity using ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, phenyl-Sepharose hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration with Sephadex G-100. The inhibitors were designated I–1 and I–2 based on their order of elution from the phenyl-Sepharose column. Both inhibitors are mannose containing glycoproteins, composed of subunits; active against porcine pancreatic, human salivary, and insect α-amylases and inactive against bacterial, mold, and plant α-amylases. The inhibitors I-1 and I–2 have molecular weights of 49,000 and 47,000 and isoelectric points 4.93 and 4.86, respectively. Both inhibitors have similar amino acid compositions and are rich in aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, valine, and threonine and are low in sulfur containing amino acids. I–2 is more resistant to heat denaturation than I-1.     

THE EFFECT OF CRAWFISH PROTEASES ON INACTIVATION AND THE HYDROLYTIC CLEAVAGE OF PECTIC ENZYMES1

Four proteases (CP‐I, ‐II, ‐111 and ‐IV) were isolated and purified from hepatopancreas of crawfish. Based upon their activities with known inhibitors, they resembled trypsin. All were cross‐reactive with polyclonal antibodies raised against CP‐II, indicating they shared structural components. Each of these was able to inactivate orange peel pectinesterase, tomato pectinesterase and pectate lyase C at room temperature under nondenaturing conditions. Using matrix‐assisted‐laser‐desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDl‐TOF MS), an analysis of peptides generated during proteolysis of pectate lyase C from Erwinia chrysenthemi showed similar peptide patterns for the four crawfish proteases, indicating a common specificity for each isozyme. However, the cleavage patterns were different from those obtained by the action of bovine trypsin on pectate lyase C. These studies indicate the four proteases from the hepatopancreas of crawfish are isozymes which may be used for the inactivation of pectinolytic enzymes.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THREE POLYPHENOL OXIDASE ISOZYMES FROM LOBSTER (HOMARUS AMERICANUS)

ABSTRACT Three isozymes of polyphenol oxidase (PPO I, PPO II and PPO III) were purified from lobster (Homarus americanus) by ion-exchange chromatography and preparative isoelectric focusing using a Rotofor cell. The purified isozymes migrated as single protein bands in polyacrylamide gels with R_f values corresponding to molecular weights of 32,180, 35,480 and 39,300, respectively. The pI values of the PPO isozymes were 3.89, 4.26 and 4.54, respectively. PPO I was most active at pH 6.5 and most stable from pH 6.0 to 7.0; PPO II was most active within the pH range 6.0 to 7.0, and most stable within the pH range 4.0 to 9.0; while PPO III was most active at pH 7.0 and most stable in the pH range 6.0 to 8.0. The temperature optimum for the PPO-dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidation reaction was 35C with PPO I and 45C with PPO II or III. Lobster PPO I lost about 30% of its initial activity after 30 min incubation at 45C, while PPO II and II retained virtually all their activity after the same heat treatment. The catalytic specificities of the PPO isozymes were relatively higher with dihydroxyphenylalanine as substrate than with chlorogenic acid.     

PRODUCTION, PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PECTIN METHYLESTERASE (PME) FROM ARTHROBOTRYS OLIGOSPORA

Arthrobotrys oligospora, when grown in synthetic medium with pectin as sole carbon source, produced pectin methylesterase (PME) on the fourth day under static conditions at 25C. Through ammonium sulfate fractionation and successive chromatography on hydroxyapatite and Sephadex G-100 a 26.4 fold purification was achieved. PME was stable between pH values of 5–8. Its optimum activity was at pH 7.5 and at 37C. The energy of activation (E_a) was determined to be 11.9 kcal/mole. It had K_m of 0.9 mg/ml for pectin. The molecular weight of PME was found to be 50 kilo daltons by both Sephadex G-100 column chromatography and by SDS-PAGE. During electrophoresis PME appeared as a lipoprotein when prestained with sudan black-B.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYPHENOL OXIDASE FROM POTATO: I. PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES

Polyphenol oxidase (Isozyme I) from potato was extracted and purified with ammonium sulfate, cation-exchange (Bio-Rad Bio-Scale S2) and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The enzyme was purified 11.8 fold resulting in a specific activity of 250.3 units/mg. Optimum pH of the enzyme was 6.6. Optimum temperature of the enzyme was 40C and its half-life was 0.8 min at 70C. The K_mfor catechol, pyrogallol, 4-methyl catechol, caffeic acid and L-DOPA were 4.11 mM, 0.61 mM, 0.78 mM, 0.50 mM and 32 mM, respectively. However, monophenols such as tyrosine, p-cresol and 1-naphtol did not show any activity. Data for V_max/K_m which represents catalytic efficiency show that 4-methyl catechol has the highest value. The molecular weight of the active enzyme was 86,000 Da, composed of two identical subunits. The number of Cu²⁺ ions bound was found to be 2 per enzyme molecule.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THREEISOZYMES OF PECTIN METHYLESTERASE FROM TOMATO FRUIT

Three isozymes of pectin methylesterase (EC 3.1.1.11) have been purified to homogeneity from tomato (var. S. marzano). The isozymes were separated by affinity chromatography on Heparin-Sepharose column. They exhibited a molecular mass of 31 kDa when analyzed in sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and of 35 kDa in gel-filtration chromatography in native conditions. The isoelectric points of all three isozymes were found to be higher than 9.3. The K_ms calculated for the three isozymes were different toward citrus pectin used as substrate; one had a K_m of 9.7 mM (by expressing the pectin concentration as mmoles/L of methoxy groups) and the other two had similar K_ms of 3.0 and 2.6 mM, respectively. The isozyme having the higher K_m for substrate was inhibited by citrus pectin (which had a degree of methylation of 70%) at concentrations higher than 5 mM, but no inhibition was found using a pectin with a degree of methylation of 30% at concentrations up to 13 mM (i.e. 9 mg/ml) with a K_m of 14.7 mM. Furthermore, this isozyme showed a more broad range of activity in a pH range 5–10 with respect to that exhibited by the other two isozymes. All three isozymes were found to be glycosylated, although to different extents.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HOMOGENEOUS ACID PHOSPHATASE FROM NONGERMINATED BUCKWHEAT (FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM) SEEDS

A buckwheat acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric‐monoester phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.2) was purified about 250‐fold from nongerminated buckwheat seeds to apparent homogeneity with a recovery of 4% from the acid phosphatase activity in the crude extract. It is the major acid phosphatase among eight different acid phosphatases identified in the crude extract. The purified enzyme behaved as a monomeric protein of molecular mass about 45 kDa. The purified enzyme exhibited a single pH optimum at 5.25. Optimum temperature for the degradation of p‐nitrophenyl phosphate was 50C. The kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl phosphate were determined to be K_M= 76 μmol L^?1 and k_cat= 924 s^?1 at pH 5.25 and 37C. While the enzyme failed to act on phytate as a substrate, the enzyme exhibited a broad substrate selectivity. The purified enzyme showed no measureable carboxylesterase activity and no divalent metal ion requirement.     

PURIFICATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A LECTIN FROM THE SEEDS OF DIOCLEA GUIANENSIS1

A lectin was purified from seeds of Dioclea guianensis by Sephadex G-50 affinity chromatography. Apparent homogeneity of the lectin was demonstrated by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, chromatography on DEAE- and CM-Sepharose, and immunochemistry. The lectin showed a carbohydrate specificity for D-mannose (D-glucose)-binding, had a requirement for Ca^?2 and Mn^?2, contained no covalently bound carbohydrate and had an amino acid composition characterized by high content of aspartic acid, serine and threonine, and low levels of sulfur-containing amino acids. At pH 7.5 it exists as two species of molecular weight about 100 and 47 kD and in dissociating solvents three subunits of approximate size of 30, 18 and 12 kD were obtained. The lectin agglutinated erythocytes from rabbit and chicken but not from human, cow, sheep, goat or pig and was toxic to brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae. It was relatively heat-stable, retaining half of its original activity even after 90 min at 70°C.