Purification of citrus limonoids and their differential inhibitory effects on human cytochrome P450 enzymes

Recent studies demonstrated that citrus limonoids and flavonoids possess numerous health promoting properties. In the present study, glucosides of limonoids and flavonoids were purified from citrus molasses and limonoid aglycones from citrus seeds. Glucosides were separated on styrene (divinylbenzene), Q‐sepharose resins with increasing concentration of sodium chloride. A pH‐dependent cold precipitation was carried out for the isolation of naringin in large quantity. Major aglycones such as limonin and nomilin were isolated from seeds by direct crystallization and minor limonoids were purified by vacuum liquid chromatography. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by NMR spectra. Individual limonoids were tested for O‐dealkylase and hydroxylase activities of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes such as CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP3A4 and CYP19, using ethoxyresorufin, methoxyresorufin and dibenzylfluorescein as substrates. Partial to high inhibition of CYPs was observed in dose‐dependent assays. Significant (P < 0.001) reductions in enzyme activities were observed with purified compounds above 2 µmol. Kinetic analyses indicated that limonin glucoside inhibited CYP19 competitively (IC₅₀, 7.1 µ mol L^?1), whereas Nomilinic acid glucoside inhibited it noncompetitively (IC₅₀, 9.4 µ mol^?1). Nomilinic acid glucoside was the most potent limonoid, with an overall IC₅₀ of < 10 µ mol, for all the enzymes tested. The differential inhibition of CYPs can be ascribed to structural variations of the limonoid nucleus. Limonoid inhibition of key CYPs involved in carcinogenesis supports growing evidence that citrus limonoids act as anticancer agents. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Purification,characterisation and application of α‐l‐rhamnosidase from Penicillium citrinum MTCC‐8897

An α‐l ‐rhamnosidase secreted by Penicillium citrinum MTCC‐8897 has been purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of the fungal strain using ammonium sulphate precipitation and cation‐exchange chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose. The sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the purified enzyme gave a single protein band corresponding to the molecular mass 51.0 kDa. The native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis also gave a single protein band confirming the enzyme purity. The K_m and V_max values of the enzyme for p‐nitrophenyl α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside were 0.36 mm and 22.54 μmole min^?1 mg^?1, respectively, and k_cat value was 17.1 s^?1 giving k_cat/K_m value of 4.75 × 10⁴ m ^?1 s^?1. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 7.0 and 60 °C, respectively. The purified enzyme liberated l ‐rhamnose from naringin, rutin, hesperidin and wine, indicating that it has biotechnological application potential for the preparation of l ‐rhamnose and other pharmaceutically important compounds from natural glycosides containing terminal α‐l ‐rhamnose and also in the enhancement of wine aroma.     

Paracoccin from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis; purification through affinity with chitin and identification of N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase activity

The dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, the most frequent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Our group has been working with paracoccin, a P. brasiliensis lectin with MM 70 kDa, which is purified by affinity with immobilized N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Paracoccin has been described to play a role in fungal adhesion to extracellular matrix components and to induce high and persistent levels of TNFα and nitric oxide production by macrophages. In the cell wall, paracoccin colocalizes with the β‐1,4‐homopolymer of GlcNAc into the budding sites of the P. brasiliensis yeast cell. In this paper we present a protocol for the chitin‐affinity purification of paracoccin. This procedure provided higher yields than those achieved by means of the technique based on the affinity of this lectin with GlcNAc and had an impact on downstream assays. SDS–PAGE and Western blot analysis revealed similarities between the N‐acetylglucosamine‐ and chitin‐bound fractions, confirmed by MALDI–TOF–MS of trypsinic peptides. Western blot of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis of the yeast extract showed a major spot with M_r 70 000 and pI approximately 5.63. Morevover, an N‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucosaminidase activity was reported for paracoccin, thereby providing new insights into the mechanisms that lead to cell wall remodelling and opening new perspectives for its structural characterization. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of free radical scavenging of dietary carotenoids by the stable radical 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl

In order to avoid the interference of compounds with a chromophoric system when the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^·) method is used, a new measure of the decrease in absorbance at 580 nm was performed (correlation coefficient between absorbance and DPPH^· concentration, 0.9979; p < 0.01). The antioxidant effectiveness of dietary carotenes and xanthophylls towards the stable free radical DPPH^· was measured. The antioxidant activity expressed as the amount of antioxidant able to reduce the initial DPPH^· concentration to 50% (EC₅₀), given in terms of moles of antioxidant per mole of DPPH^·, ranged from 0.16 ± 0.01 (lycopene) to 3.29 ± 0.31 (lutein). The parameter antiradical efficiency (AE), which involves the potency (1/EC₅₀) and the time taken to reach the steady state at EC₅₀ (T_EC50), was calculated to discriminate carotenoids with no significant difference between their EC₅₀. Comparison of the structures of the carotenoids tested revealed that the scavenging ability towards DPPH^· was increased by the length of the effective conjugated double‐bond system and was modulated by the addition of chemical groups on the terminal rings (xanthophylls). © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

α‐l‐Rhamnosidase from Aspergillus flavus MTCC‐9606 isolated from lemon fruit peel

An α‐l ‐rhamnosidase producing fungal strain has been isolated from decaying lemon fruit. The fungal strain has been identified as Aspergillus flavus. The α‐l ‐rhamnosidase has been purified from the culture filtrate of the fungal strain using ultra filtration and cation exchange chromatography on carboxy methyl (CM) cellulose. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme determined by SDS–PAGE analysis was 41 kDa. The K_m values of the enzyme using p‐nitrophenyl‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside and naringin as the substrates were 1.89 and 1.6 mm respectively. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 11.0 and 50 °C respectively. The effects of various chemical species present in grape fruit juice and wine on the activity of the enzyme have been determined.     

Functional characterization of the PP2C phosphatase CaPtc2p in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans

Type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) are monomeric enzymes and their activities require the presence of magnesium or manganese ion. There are seven PP2C‐like genes in Candida albicans. In this study, we demonstrate that CaPtc2p is a PP2C phosphatase. Surprisingly, in addition to the cytoplasmic localization, CaPtc2p is partially associated with mitochondria in yeast‐form and filamentous cells of C. albicans. Expression of CaPTC2 is developmentally regulated during the serum‐induced filamentation. Deletion of CaPTC2 renders C. albicans cells sensitive to SDS and azole antifungals, as well as the DNA methylation agent methylmethane sulphonate and the DNA synthesis inhibitor hydroxyurea. Therefore, CaPtc2p might fulfil multiple functions, including the regulation of mitochondrial physiology and checkpoint recovery from DNA damage in C. albicans cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and characterization of the type 2C protein phosphatase Ptc4p in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans

Type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) are monomeric enzymes and their activities require the presence of magnesium or manganese ions. There are seven PP2C genes, named from PTC1 to PTC7, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the current study we identified the CaPTC4 gene in Candida albicans and demonstrated that the CaPtc4p protein is a typical PP2C enzyme, which is highly conserved in fungal species. Deletion of CaPTC4 renders Candida cells sensitive to sodium and potassium ions as well as to antifungal azole drugs. In addition, we have shown that CaPtc4p is localized in the mitochondrion, suggesting that CaPtc4p is likely to be involved in the regulation of a mitochondrial function related to ion homeostasis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An α‐l‐rhamnosidase from Aspergillus awamori MTCC‐2879 and its role in debittering of orange juice

The extracellular α‐l ‐rhamnosidase has been purified by growing a new fungal strain Aspergillus awamori MTCC‐2879 in the liquid culture growth medium containing orange peel. The purification procedure involved ultrafiltration using PM‐10 membrane and anion‐exchange chromatography on diethyl amino ethyl cellulose. The purified enzyme gave single protein band in SDS‐PAGE analysis corresponding to molecular mass 75.0 kDa. The native PAGE analysis of the purified enzyme also gave a single protein band, confirming the purity of the enzyme. The K_m and V_max values of the enzyme for p‐nitrophenyl‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside were 0.62 mm and 27.06 μmole min^?1 mg^?1, respectively, yielding k_cat and k_cat/k_m values 39.90 s^?1 and 54.70 mm ^?1 s^?1, respectively. The enzyme had an optimum pH of 7.0 and optimum temperature of 60 °C. The activation energy for the thermal denaturation of the enzyme was 35.65 kJ^?1 mol^?1 K^?1. The purified enzyme can be used for specifically cleaving terminal α‐l ‐rhamnose from the natural glycosides, thereby contributing to the preparation of pharmaceutically important compounds like prunin and l ‐rhamnose.     

Candida albicans phosphatidylinositol synthase has common features with both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian phosphatidylinositol synthases

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) synthase (cytidine 5′-diphospho (CDP)-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol:myo-inositol 3phosphatidyltransferase, EC 2.7.8.11) was isolated from the microsomal cell fraction of Candida albicans. The Triton X-100 extracted enzyme was enriched 140-fold by affinity chromatography on CDP-diacylglycerol–Sepharose. The enzyme had a pH optimum at 9·5 in glycine/NaOH buffer. It had an absolute requirement for Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺ and was inhibited by Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺. Maximal activity was at 0·2–0·6 mm-CDP-diacylglycerol, higher concentrations inhibited the enzyme. With 2′-deoxy-CDP-diacylglycerol as the lipid substrate, optimal activity was at 0·7 mm. The K_m for myo-inositol was determined to be 0·55 mm. The optimal temperature for the PI synthase reaction was 55°C. The C. albicans PI synthase shows differences to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme, such as activation by bivalent cations, inhibition by nucleotides, temperature optimum and activation energy, but also to the human PI synthase in preference for the lipid substrates, inhibition by nucleoside monophosphates and stabilization by Mn²⁺ and phospholipids.     

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pdr16p restricts changes in ergosterol biosynthesis caused by the presence of azole antifungals

Pdr16p belongs to the family of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins in yeast. The absence of Pdr16p results in enhanced susceptibility to azole antifungals in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the major fungal human pathogen Candida albicans, CaPDR16 is a contributing factor to clinical azole resistance. The current study was aimed at better understanding the function of Pdr16p, especially in relation to azole resistance in S. cerevisiae. We show that deletion of the PDR16 gene increased susceptibility of S. cerevisiae to azole antifungals that are used in clinical medicine and agriculture. Significant differences in the inhibition of the sterol biosynthetic pathway were observed between the pdr16Δ strain and its corresponding wild‐type (wt) strain when yeast cells were challenged by sub‐inhibitory concentrations of the azoles miconazole or fluconazole. The increased susceptibility to azoles, and enhanced changes in sterol biosynthesis upon exposure to azoles of the pdr16Δ strain compared to wt strain, are not the results of increased intracellular concentration of azoles in the pdr16Δ cells. We also show that overexpression of PDR17 complemented the azole susceptible phenotype of the pdr16Δ strain and corrected the enhanced sterol alterations in pdr16Δ cells in the presence of azoles. Pdr17p was found previously to be an essential part of a complex required for intermembrane transport of phosphatidylserine at regions of membrane apposition. Based on these observations, we propose a hypothesis that Pdr16p assists in shuttling sterols or their intermediates between membranes or, alternatively, between sterol biosynthetic enzymes or complexes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Expression,purification, and characterization of human intestinal maltase secreted from Pichia pastoris

A gene encoding human intestinal maltase (HMA) was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris under the control of the methanol-induced alcohol oxidase (AOX1) promoter. The secreted recombinant HMA fused with a His₆-tag was produced (150 U/L) and was easily purified from culture supernatants in a 3-step diafiltration, ultrafiltration, and affinity column chromatography protocol. The specific activity of the purified HMA was 16.8 U/mg. Endoglycosidase H digestion of the protein showed that the recombinant HMA was N-glycosylated. The purified HMA was maximally active at pH 6.5 and stable (≥90%) up to 65°C. The kinetic parameters K _m and V _max were 3.3±0.25 mM maltose and 61.9±2 U/mg, respectively.     

α‐(1,4)‐Amylase,but not α‐ and β‐(1,3)‐glucanases,may be responsible for the impaired growth and morphogenesis of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis induced by N‐glycosylation inhibition

The cell wall of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, which consists of a network of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, is essential for fungal pathogenesis. We have previously reported that N‐glycosylation of proteins such as N‐acetyl‐β‐d ‐glucosaminidase is required for the growth and morphogenesis of P. brasiliensis. In the present study, we investigated the influence of tunycamicin (TM)‐mediated inhibition of N‐linked glycosylation on α‐ and β‐(1,3)‐glucanases and on α‐(1,4)‐amylase in P. brasiliensis yeast and mycelium cells. The addition of 15 µg/ml TM to the fungal cultures did not interfere with either α‐ or β‐(1,3)‐glucanase production and secretion. Moreover, incubation with TM did not alter α‐ and β‐(1,3)‐glucanase activity in yeast and mycelium cell extracts. In contrast, α‐(1,4)‐amylase activity was significantly reduced in underglycosylated yeast and mycelium extracts after exposure to TM. In spite of its importance for fungal growth and morphogenesis, N‐glycosylation was not required for glucanase activities. This is surprising because these activities are directed to wall components that are crucial for fungal morphogenesis. On the other hand, N‐glycans were essential for α‐(1,4)‐amylase activity involved in the production of malto‐oligosaccharides that act as primer molecules for the biosynthesis of α‐(1,3)‐glucan. Our results suggest that reduced fungal α‐(1,4)‐amylase activity affects cell wall composition and may account for the impaired growth of underglycosylated yeast and mycelium cells. © 2013 The Authors. Yeast published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 5·8S rDNA and adjacent ITS2 region of Candida albicans and related species

We have determined the nucleotide sequence for the DNA encoding the 5·8S RNAs and downstream internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) regions for Candida albicans and the taxonomically related species C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and C. krusei. Phylogenetic analysis of all known fungal 5·8S RNA sequences revealed a close relationship between C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, and to a lesser extent C. albicans within the yeast-like fungi. This group can itself be delineated from predominantly filamentous species. The more distal relationships between Candida (torulopsis) glabrata and C. krusei support previous findings based on small (18S) ribosomal RNA sequence analysis, suggesting a greater degree of evolutionary divergence of these species from the C. albicans group. Among strains of C. albicans we observed conservation of the ITS2 region of the nucleotide level. Conservation was also observed for a more limited number of C. parapsilosis strains. Although the 3′ region of the ITS spacer was species specific, sequence homology was observed in the 5′ end within the albicans/parapsilosis/tropicalis group. Our findings suggest a rapid approach to species identification through the use of non-conserved regions flanked by highly conserved, functional domains.     

Isolation and characterisation of a kallikrein-like enzyme from Agkistrodon halys pallas snake venom

BACKGROUND: Viper snake venoms contain a great variety of toxic proteins. These components mediate their toxicity by either stimulating or inhibiting the haemostatic system of human victims or experimental animals, resulting in common clinical complications of blood clotting or uncontrolled haemorrhage. Therefore it is deemed important to isolate the active component(s) from snake venom with kallikrein‐like activity. RESULTS: A kallikrein‐like proteinase of Agkistrodon halys pallas snake venom, designated AHP‐Ka, was purified by anion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography. Physicochemical studies showed that the purified enzyme was a 34 kDa monomeric glycoprotein, the molecular weight of which decreased to 26 kDa after deglycosylation with peptide N‐glycosidase F (PNGase F). Sequence studies on the NH₂‐terminal region of the protein indicated that AHP‐Ka shared a high degree of sequence homology with other serine proteinases from snake venoms. AHP‐Ka showed high catalytic activity and kallikrein‐like activity on substrates such as arginine esterase BAEE and chromogenic H‐D‐Pro‐Phe‐Arg‐pNA·2HCl (S‐2302) and was inhibited by protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). CONCLUSION: The results showed that AHP‐Ka isolated from A. halys pallas snake venom and purified by anion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography is in fact a kallikrein‐like enzyme. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Purification and Some Properties of a Protease from Sorghum Malt Variety KSV8–11

A protease from sorghum malt variety KSV8–11 was purified by a combination of dialysis against 4 M sucrose, ion‐exchange chromatography on Q‐Sepharose (Fast flow), gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G‐100 and hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Phenyl Sepharose CL‐4B. The enzyme was purified 5‐fold to give a 14.1% yield relative to the total activity in the crude extract and a final specific activity of 1348.9 U mg^?1 protein. SDS‐PAGE revealed a single migrating protein band corresponding to a relative molecular mass of 16 KDa. Using casein as substrate, the purified protease had optimal activity at 50°C and maximal temperature stability between 30°C and 40°C but retained over 64% of its original activity after incubation at 60°C for 30 min. The pH optimum was 5.0 with maximum stability at pH 6.0 but 60% of the activity remained after 24 h between pH 5.0 and 8.0. The protease was inhibited by Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺, iodoacetic acid (IAA) and p‐chloromercuribenzoate (p‐CMB), stimulated by Cu²⁺, Sr²⁺, phenylmethylsulfonyl‐fluoride (PMSF) and 2‐mercaptoethanol (2‐ME) while Mn²⁺ and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) had no effect. The purified enzyme had a K_m of 18 mg·mL^?1 and a V_max of 11.1 μmol · mL^?1 · min^?1 with casein as substrate.     

The effect of histatin 5, adsorbed on PMMA and hydroxyapatite,on Candida albicans colonization

The limited number of treatments for oral candidiasis resulted in the emergence of azole‐resistant Candida albicans strains, thus enforcing the need for novel antifungal treatments. Although histatin 5 (H5) demonstrates antifungal activity, its inhibitory effect when adhered to hydroxyapatite and Polymetylmethacrylate (PMMA) surfaces, resembling conditions of the in vivo pellicle, remains unexplored. The objective of this in vitro study was to determine whether surface‐adhered H5 inhibits the colonization of C. albicans on hydroxyapatite and/or PMMA. The C. albicans assay involved developing a mono‐protein pellicle (either H5 or albumin) on hydroxyapatite and PMMA discs, introducing C. albicans and counting the number of adhered cells, throughout time, using scanning electron microscopy. A negative binomial statistical model and the Tukey–Kramer test were used for statistical analysis, with p < 0.01 indicating significance. H5‐coated PMMA had significantly reduced number of cells compared to albumin‐coated PMMA at 30, 90 and 1440 min (p < 0.0001), with the number of cells decreasing significantly in 90 and 1440 min (p < 0.0001). Similarly, H5‐coated hydroxyapatite had significantly fewer cells compared to the albumin‐coated surface at 90 and 1440 min (p < 0.0001), with the number of cells decreasing significantly at 30, 90 and 1440 min (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, C. albicans colonization was most inhibited by PMMA and hydroxyapatite‐adhered H5 after 1440 min, illustrating the time‐dependent effect of H5. In addition, yeast cells colonized albumin‐coated PMMA, while dense hyphal networks formed on albumin‐coated hydroxyapatite, suggesting that C. albicans morphology is influenced by the surface available for albumin adhesion. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Purification and enzymatic identification of an acid stable and thermostable α‐amylase from Rhizopus microsporus

Rhizopus microsporus, recently isolated from a solid culture of Heng‐Shui Lao‐Bai‐Gan (HSLBG, a famous distilled liquor in Northern China) was found to produce a novel extracellular acid stable and thermostable α‐amylase. This fungal α‐amylase was purified using ammonium precipitation, Sephadex G‐25 desalination and DEAE‐52 cellulose chromatography. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 75 kDa by SDS–PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature of this enzyme was pH 5.0 and 70°C respectively. Thermostability and kinetic analysis through the Arrhenius and Michaelis–Menten equations revealed that this enzyme showed an exceptional activity at low pH and high temperature. A combination of this thermostability and acid stability could be a valuable trait for the efficient hydrolysis of amylose to glucose in large‐scale biotechnology applications. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Purification and functional characterisation of an α‐l‐rhamnosidase from Penicillium citrinum MTCC‐3565

An extracellular α‐l ‐rhamnosidase from Penicillium citrinum MTCC‐3565 has purified to homogeneity from its culture filtrate using ethanol precipitation and cation‐exchange chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose. The purified enzyme gave a single protein band corresponding to molecular mass of 45.0 kDa in SDS‐PAGE analysis showing the purity of the enzyme preparation. The native PAGE analysis showed the monomeric nature of the purified enzyme. Using p‐nitrophenyl α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside as substrate, K_m and V_max values of the enzyme were 0.30 mm and 27.0 μm min mg^?1, respectively. The k_cat value was 20.1 s giving k_cat/K_m value of 67.0 mm s^?1 for the same substrate. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 8.5 and 50 °C, respectively. The activation energy for the thermal denaturation of the enzyme was 29.9 KJ mol^?1. The α‐l ‐rhamnosidase was able to hydrolyse naringin, rutin and hesperidin and liberated l ‐rhamnose, indicating that the purified enzyme can be used for the preparation of α‐l ‐rhamnose and pharmaceutically important compounds by derhamnosylation of natural glycosides containing terminal α‐l ‐rhamnose. The α‐l ‐rhamnosidase was active at the level of ethanol concentration present in wine, indicating that it can be used for improving wine aroma.     

Additional cassettes for epitope and fluorescent fusion proteins in Candida albicans

Epitope tags that confer specific properties, including affinity for resins or antibodies or detection by fluorescence microscopy, are highly useful for biochemical and cell biological investigations. In Candida albicans and several other related yeasts, the CUG codon specifies serine instead of leucine, requiring that molecular tools be customized for use in this important human fungal pathogen. Here we report the construction of a set of plasmids containing 13‐Myc, 3HA, GST, V5 or His9 epitope cassettes that facilitate PCR‐mediated construction of epitope‐tagged proteins. Common primer sets amplify the different tags with two different selectable markers. In addition, we report construction of a codon‐optimized Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRFP) gene. Like mCherryRFP, this DsRFP signal is detectable in transformants at the colony level and is useful in double‐labelling experiments with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Finally, we describe a construct that directs PCR‐mediated two‐step insertion of GFP internal to a coding sequence, which facilitates tagging of secreted proteins, including GPI‐anchor cell wall proteins that require endogenous N‐ and C‐termini for function. These reagents expand the repertoire of molecular tools available for working with C. albicans and other members of the CUG clade of pathogenic yeasts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.