Isolation and properties of 5′-nucleotidase isolated from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) mantle muscle from the Gulf of California,Mexico

The enzyme 5′-nucleotidase of jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) mantle was purified and its SDS–PAGE showed a single band of 33 kDa, whereas a protein with a molecular mass of 107 kDa was detected by gel filtration suggesting a homotrimeric nature of this enzyme. Subunits of the named enzyme were not linked by covalent bonds. Isoelectric focusing of this enzyme showed a pI of 3.6–3.8 and presented a hyperbolic kinetics with V_max of 1.16 μM/min/mg of protein, K_m of 1.49 mM, K_cat of 3.48 μM of P_ι s⁻¹ and K_cat/K_m relation of 356.52 ((mol/L)⁻¹ s⁻¹). Purified enzyme preferred AMP as substrate (by 6.7-folds) than IMP, showing a K_m of 6.34 mM, V_max of 0.19 μM/min/mg of protein a K_cat of 0.3388 mol of P_ι s⁻¹ and K_cat/K_m relation of 53.44 ((mol/L)⁻¹ s⁻¹). The low K_m in relation to purified AMP deaminase of the same organism suggested a high contribution of 5′-nucleotidase in AMP degradation in jumbo squid mantle.     

Physiochemical properties and kinetics of glucoamylase produced from deoxy-d-glucose resistant mutant of Aspergillus niger for soluble starch hydrolysis

Glucoamylases (GAs) from a wild and a deoxy-d-glucose-resistant mutant of a locally isolated Aspergillus niger were purified to apparent homogeneity. The subunit molecular mass estimated by SDS–PAGE was 93 kDa for both strains, while the molecular masses determined by MALDI-TOF for wild and mutant GAs were 72.876 and 72.063 kDa, respectively. The monomeric nature of the enzymes was confirmed through activity staining. Significant improvement was observed in the kinetic properties of the mutant GA relative to the wild type enzyme. Kinetic constants of starch hydrolysis for A. niger parent and mutant GAs calculated on the basis of molecular masses determined through MALDI-TOF were as follows: k_cat = 343 and 727 s⁻¹, K_m = 0.25 and 0.16 mg mL⁻¹, k_cat/K_m (specificity constant) = 1374 and 4510 mg mL⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters for soluble starch hydrolysis also suggested that mutant GA was more efficient compared to the parent enzyme.     

Identification of pepsinogens and pepsins from the stomach of European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Three pepsinogens (PG-I, PG-II and PG-III) were purified to homogeneity from the stomach of freshwater fish European eel (Anguilla anguilla) by ammonium sulphate fractionation, column chromatography on anion exchange and gel-filtration. Their molecular masses were determined as 36, 37 and 36 kDa, respectively, by SDS–PAGE, which were in agreement with the results obtained by Sephacryl S-200 and Superdex 75 gel-filtration. PG-I, PG-II and PG-III converted into corresponding pepsins with molecular masses of approximately 30 kDa at pH 2.0 and showed maximal activity at pH 3.5, 2.5 and 2.5. Optimal temperatures of these pepsins were 40, 40 and 35 °C, using bovine haemoglobin as substrate. Western blot analysis revealed that anti-sea bream PG-I and PG-II polyclonal antibodies cross-reacted with all three PGs of European eel. On the other hand, anti-sea bream PG-III and PG-IV antibodies cross-reacted with PG-II and PG-III of European eel, while no cross-reaction with PG-I was detected. The kinetic constants of K_m and k_cat of pepsins (P-I, P-II and P-III) for haemoglobin were calculated as 8.8 × 10⁻⁵ M, 23.7 s⁻¹; 9.2 × 10⁻⁵ M, 19.4 s⁻¹ and 7.0 × 10⁻⁵ M, 34.4 s⁻¹, respectively.     

Giant Amazonian fish pirarucu (Arapaima gigas): Its viscera as a source of thermostable trypsin

A trypsin was purified from pyloric caeca of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas). The effect of metal ions and protease inhibitors on its activity and its physicochemical and kinetic properties, as well its N-terminal sequence, were determined. A single band (28.0 kDa) was observed by SDS–PAGE. Optimum pH and temperature were 9.0 and 65 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable after incubation for 30 min in a wide pH range (6.0–11.5) and at 55 °C. The kinetic parameters K_m, k_cat and k_cat/K_m were 0.47 ± 0.042 mM, 1.33 s⁻¹ and 2.82 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹, respectively, using BApNA as substrate. This activity was shown to be very sensitive to some metal ions, such as Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, and was highly inhibited by trypsin inhibitors. The trypsin N-terminal sequence IVGGYECPRNSVPYQ was found. The features of this alkaline peptidase suggest that it may have potential for industrial applications (e.g. food and detergent industries).     

Characterisation of thermostable trypsin and determination of trypsin isozymes from intestine of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Trypsin from intestinal extracts of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) was characterised. Three-step purification – by ammonium sulphate precipitation, Sephadex G-100, and Q Sepharose – was applied to isolate trypsin, and resulted in 3.77% recovery with a 5.34-fold increase in specific activity. At least 6 isoforms of trypsin were found in different ages. Only one major trypsin isozyme was isolated with high purity, as assessed by SDS-PAGE and native-PAGE zymogram, appearing as a single band of approximately 22.39 kDa protein. The purified trypsin was stable, with activity over a wide pH range of 6.0–11.0 and an optimal temperature of approximately 55–60 °C. The relative activity of the purified enzyme was dramatically increased in the presence of commercially used detergents, alkylbenzene sulphonate or alcohol ethoxylate, at 1% (v/v). The observed Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) and catalytic constant (K_cat) of the purified trypsin for BAPNA were 0.16 mM and 23.8 s⁻¹, respectively. The catalytic efficiency (K_cat/K_m) was 238 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹.     

Purification and characterization of trypsin from the pyloric caeca of brownstripe red snapper (Lutjanus vitta)

Trypsin was purified from the pyloric caeca of brownstripe red snapper (Lutjanus vitta) by ammonium sulphate (40–60% saturation) precipitation, soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI)-Sepharose 4B column and DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography. Purified trypsin showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and native-PAGE. A yield of 4.9% with the purification-fold of 20 was obtained. Trypsin had an apparent molecular weight of 23 kDa. SBTI and N-ρ-tosyl-l-lysine-chloromethylketone (TLCK) showed a strong inhibitory effect on the purified trypsin, while other protease inhibitors exhibited negligible inhibition. Trypsin had maximal activity at pH 8.5 and 60 °C for the hydrolysis of α-N-benzoyl-dl-arginine-ρ-nitroanilide (BAPNA). It was stable within the temperature range of 25–55 °C and pH range of 7.0–10.0. Purified trypsin had a Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) and catalytic constant (k_cat) of 0.507 mM and 4.71 s⁻¹, respectively, when BAPNA was used as the substrate. For the hydrolysis of α-N-ρ-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester (TAME), K_m and k_cat were 0.328 mM and 112 s⁻¹, respectively.     

A NaCl-stable serine proteinase from Virgibacillus sp. SK33 isolated from Thai fish sauce

An extracellular proteinase from Virgibacillus sp. SK33, isolated from 1 month-old fish sauce, was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity, using hydrophobic interaction chromatography and hydroxyapatite with purification fold of 2.5 and 7% yield. The anomalous molecular weight (MW) of 19 kDa was obtained from SDS–PAGE, whereas a MW of 33.7 kDa was determined by MALDI-TOF. Optimum conditions for catalytic activity were 55 °C and pH 7.5. The proteinase was strongly inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and preferentially hydrolysed Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-AMC, indicating a serine proteinase with subtilisin-like characteristics. K_m and k_cat of the purified proteinase were 27 μM and 12 s⁻¹, respectively. Proteinase activity, toward both synthetic and anchovy substrates, increased with NaCl up to 25%. The proteinase exhibited high stability in both the absence and presence of NaCl up to 25%. Approximately 2.5-fold increase in activity was observed in the presence of divalent cations, including Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Sr²⁺ at 100 mM. MALDI-TOF MS and LC–ESI-MS/MS analyses, as well as N-terminal sequences, revealed that the purified enzyme did not match microbial proteinases in the database, indicating it to be a novel proteinase.     

Substrate specificity of a recombinant d-lyxose isomerase from Providencia stuartii for monosaccharides

The specific activity and catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) of the recombinant putative protein from Providencia stuartii was the highest for d-lyxose among the aldose substrates, indicating that it is a d-lyxose isomerase. Gel filtration analysis suggested that the native enzyme is a dimer with a molecular mass of 44 kDa. The maximal activity for d-lyxose isomerization was observed at pH 7.5 and 45 °C in the presence of 1 mM Mn²⁺. The enzyme exhibited high isomerization activity for aldose substrates with the C2 and C3 hydroxyl groups in the left-hand configuration, such as d-lyxose, d-mannose, l-ribose, d-talose, and l-allose (listed in decreasing order of activity). The enzyme exhibited the highest activity for d-xylulose among all pentoses and hexoses. Thus, d-lyxose was produced at 288 g/l from 500 g/l d-xylulose by d-lyxose isomerase at pH 7.5 and 45 °C for 2 h, with a conversion yield of 58 % and a volumetric productivity of 144 g l^− 1 h^− 1. The observed k_cat/K_m (920 mM^− 1 s^− 1) of P. stuartiid-lyxose isomerase for d-xylulose is higher than any of the k_cat/K_m values previously reported for sugar and sugar phosphate isomerases with monosaccharide substrates. These results suggest that the enzyme will be useful as an industrial producer of d-lyxose.     

Purification and characterization of chymotrypsins from the hepatopancreas of crucian carp (Carassius auratus)

Two chymotrypsins (chymotrypsin A and B) have been purified to homogeneity from the hepatopancreas of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) by ammonium sulphate fractionation and chromatographies on DEAE-Sepharose, Sephacryl S-200 HR, Phenyl-Sepharose and SP-Sepharose. The molecular masses of chymotrypsin A and B were approximately 28 and 27 kDa, respectively, by SDS–PAGE. Purified chymotrypsins also revealed single bands by native-PAGE. Optimum temperatures of chymotrypsin A and B were 40 and 50 °C, and optimal pHs were 7.5 and 8.0 using Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-AMC as substrate. Both enzymes were effectively inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors and slightly activated by metal ions such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, while inactivated by Mn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ to different degrees. Apparent K_ms of chymotrypsin A and B were 1.4 and 0.5 μM, and K_cats were 2.7 S⁻¹ and 3.4 S⁻¹, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis using anti-chymotrypsin B weakly cross reacted with chymotrypsin A.     

Neriifolin S, a dimeric serine protease from Euphorbia neriifolia Linn.: Purification and biochemical characterisation

A dimeric serine protease Neriifolin S of molecular mass 94 kDa with milk clotting activity has been purified from the latex of Euphorbia neriifolia by anion exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. It hydrolyses peptidyl substrates l-Ala-pNA with highest affinity (K_m of 0.195 mM) and physiological efficiency (K_cat/K_m of 144.5 mM s). Enzyme belongs to the class of neutral proteases with pI value of 6.8, optimal proteolytic activity displayed at pH 9.5 and temperature 45 °C. Its proteolytic activity is strongly stimulated in the presence of Ca⁺² ions and exclusively inhibited by serine protease inhibitors. Enzyme is fairly stable toward chemical denaturants, pH and temperature. The apparent T_m, was found to be 65 °C. Thermal inactivation follow first order kinetics with activation energy (Ea), activation enthalpy (ΔH∗), free energy change (ΔG∗) and entropy (ΔS∗) of 27.54 kJ mol⁻¹, 24.89 kJ mol⁻¹, −82.34 kJ mol⁻¹ and 337.20 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹.     

Isolation of cathepsin B from the muscle of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and comparison of cathepsins B and L actions on surimi gel softening

Cathepsin B from silver carp muscle was purified to 263-fold by acid treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, followed by a series of chromatographic separations. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was 29 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. The purified enzyme was activated by dithiothreitol and cysteine while it was substantially inhibited by E-64, suggesting the purified enzyme belongs to the cysteine proteinase family. Optimal pH and temperature were 5.5 and 35 °C, respectively. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of Z-Arg-Arg-MCA with a parameter of K_m (90 μM) and K_cat (20.3 s⁻¹), but hardly hydrolyzed Arg-MCA. Analysis of surimi gel strength and microstructure showed that cathepsins B and L were capable of destroying the network structure of silver carp surimi gels, consequently causing gel softening. Cathepsin L might play an important role in the modori effect.     

Purification and characterization of a novel glucoamylase from Fusarium solani

Thermostable enzymes are currently being investigated to improve industrial processes of starch saccharification. A novel glucoamylase was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the culture supernatant of Fusarium solani on a fast protein liquid chromatographic system (FPLC). The recovery of glucoamylase after gel filtration on FPLC was 31.8% with 26.2-fold increase in specific activity. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 40 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 41 kDa by gel filtration. The glucoamylase exhibited optimum activity at pH 4.5. The K_cat and K_m were 441/min and 1.9 mg/ml, respectively, for soluble starch, specificity constant (K_cat/K_m) was 232. The enzyme was thermally stable at 50 °C and retained 79% activity after 60 min at this temperature. The half-life of the enzyme was 26 min at 60°C. The enzyme was slightly stimulated by Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Fe³⁺.     

Trypsin from viscera of vermiculated sailfin catfish, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, Weber, 1991: Its purification and characterization

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus viscera trypsin was purified by fractionation with ammonium sulphate, gel filtration, affinity and ion exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sepharose). Trypsin molecular weight was approximately 27.5 kDa according to SDS–PAGE, shown a single band in zymography. It exhibited maximal activity at pH 9.5 and 40 °C, using N-benzoyl-dl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) as substrate. Enzyme was effectively inhibited by phenyl methyl sulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) (100%), N-α-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) (85.4%), benzamidine (80.2%), and soybean trypsin inhibitor (75.6%) and partially inhibited by N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) (10.3%), ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (8.7%) and pepstatin A (1.2%). Enzyme activity was slightly affected by metal ions (Fe²⁺ > Hg²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > K⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Li⁺ > Cu²⁺). Trypsin activity decreased continuously as NaCl concentration increased (0–30%). K_m and k_cat values were 0.13 mM and 1.46 s⁻¹, respectively. Results suggest the enzyme have a potential application where room processing temperatures (25–35 °C) or high salt (30%) concentration are needed, such as in fish sauce production.     

Characterisation of trypsin purified from the viscera of Tunisian barbel (Barbus callensis) and its application for recovery of carotenoproteins from shrimp wastes

Trypsin was purified from the viscera of barbel by precipitation using ammonium sulphate (0-80%), Sephadex G-100, and Mono Q-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography. The trypsin was purified 27-fold, with 79 U/mg specific activity and 31% recovery. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 24 kDa; purified trypsin appeared as a single band on native-PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity were pH 10.0 and 55 °C with BAPNA used as a substrate. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 12 amino acids of the purified trypsin was IVGGYECTPYSQ. The Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) and catalytic constant (k_cat) values of the enzyme were 0.018 mM and 1.21 s⁻¹, respectively. The study also investigated the effects of purified trypsin on the recovery of carotenoproteins from shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) shells through hydrolysis using 1.0 U barbel trypsin/g shrimp shells for 1 h at 30 °C. The freeze-dried carotenoproteins recovered contained 71.09% protein, 16.47% lipid, 7.78% ash, and 1.79% chitin.     

Purification and characterisation of trypsins from the pyloric caeca of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

Two trypsins of anionic form (trypsin A) and cationic form (trypsin B) from the pyloric caeca of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) were highly purified by a series of chromatographies, including DEAE-Sephacel, Sephacryl S-200 HR, Q-Sepharose or SP-Sepharose. Purified trypsins revealed a single band on native-PAGE. The molecular weights of trypsin A and B were 21 kDa and 21.5 kDa, respectively, as estimated by SDS–PAGE, both under reducing and non-reducing conditions. Zymography analysis showed that both trypsins were active in degrading casein. Trypsin A and B exhibited maximal activity at 35 °C and 40 °C, respectively, and shared the same optimal pH of 8.5, using Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA as substrate. The two trypsins were stable up to 45 °C and in the pH range from 4.5 to 11.0. Trypsin inhibitors are effective on these two enzymes and their susceptibilities were similar. Both trypsins were activated by metal ions such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and inactivated by Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Al³⁺, Ba²⁺ and Co²⁺ to different degrees. Apparent K_m values of trypsin A and B were 2.18 μM and 1.88 μM, and K_cat values were 81.6 S⁻¹ and 111.3 S⁻¹ for Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis using anti-common carp trypsin A positively cross-reacted with the two enzymes, suggesting their similarity. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of trypsin B was determined as IVGGYECEAH, which is highly homologous with trypsins from other species of fish.     

Biochemical characterization of an isoform of chymotrypsin from the viscera of Monterey sardine (Sardinops sagax caerulea), and comparison with bovine chymotrypsin

Chymotrypsin II from the viscera of Monterey sardine was characterized as an isoform of chymotrypsin I previously characterized from the same source and compared with bovine chymotrypsin. Chymotrypsin II had a molecular weight of 25,500 Da, similar to bovine chymotrypsin. The isoform identity as chymotrypsin was established by its catalytic specificity on the specific substrates succinyl-l-ala-ala-pro-l-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide and benzoyl-l-tyrosine ethyl ester, showing higher specific activity than bovine chymotrypsin. Both enzymes showed maximal activity at pH 8.0, chymotrypsin II being stable at alkaline pH while bovine chymotrypsin was stable at acid and alkaline pH. Optimum temperature was 45 °C for chymotrypsin II and 55 °C for bovine chymotrypsin. Both enzymes were inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl-fluoride and soybean trypsin inhibitor, and partially by N-toluenesulfonyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl-ketone. This is valid only in specific conditions of this work. K_m and k_cat for chymotrypsin II were 0.048 mM and 4.8 s⁻¹, and 0.09 mM and 1.9 s⁻¹ for bovine chymotrypsin. Catalytic efficiency of chymotrypsin II was 4.8-fold higher than bovine chymotrypsin.     

24 kDa Trypsin: A predominant protease purified from the viscera of hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus)

Trypsin was purified to homogeneity from the viscera of hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus) through ammonium sulphate fractionation and a series of chromatographies including Sephacryl S-200, Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-cellulose. It was purified to 47.6-fold with a yield of 12.7%. Based on native-PAGE, the purified trypsin showed a single band. The molecular weight of purified trypsin was estimated as 24 kDa by size exclusion chromatography and SDS–PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature for N^α-p-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (TAME) hydrolysis were 8.0 and 60 °C, respectively. Trypsin was stable to heat treatment up to 50 °C, and over a pH range of 6.0–11.0. Trypsin was stabilized by calcium ion. The trypsin activity was strongly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and N-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone and partially inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Activity decreased continuously as NaCl concentration (0–30%) increased. Apparent K_m value of trypsin was 0.3 mM and K_cat value was 92.1 S⁻¹ for TAME. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 20 residues of trypsin was IVGGYECQAHSQPPTVSLNA, which is highly homologous with trypsins from other species of fish.     

Biochemical properties of two isoforms of trypsin purified from the Intestine of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)

Two trypsins (A and B) from the intestine of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) were purified by Sephacryl S-200, Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-cellulose with a 177- and 257-fold increase in specific activity and 23% and 21% recovery for trypsin A and B, respectively. Purified trypsins revealed a single band on native-PAGE. The molecular weights of both trypsins were 24 kDa as estimated by size exclusion chromatography and SDS–PAGE. Trypsin A and B exhibited the maximal activity at 55 °C and 60 °C, respectively, and had the same optimal pH at 9.0. Both trypsins were stable up to 50 °C and in the pH range from 6.0 to 11.0. Both trypsin A and B were stabilised by calcium ion. Activity of both trypsins continuously decreased with increasing NaCl concentration (0–30%) and were inhibited by the specific trypsin inhibitors – soybean trypsin inhibitor and N-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone. Apparent K_m and K_cat of trypsin A and B were 0.22–0.31 mM and 69.5–82.5 S⁻¹, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the first 20 amino acids of trypsin A and B were IVGGYECQAHSQPPQVSLNA and IVGGYECQAHSQPPQVSLNS, respectively.