Hydrolase-catalyzed beta-mannosylations

Transmannosylations catalysed by beta-mannosidase from snail viscera or beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae were accomplished with 4-nitrophenyl beta-D-mannopyranoside as donor substrate. With suitable hydrophobic acceptor molecules preferentially beta1-4-linked disaccharides were obtained. The activities of both glycosidases in buffer cosolvent mixtures were determined, and conditions for their immobilization were elaborated and optimized. A model of the enzymic transfer mechanism is suggested.     

Trisaccharide synthesis by glycosyl transfer from p-nitrophenyl beta-D-N-acetylgalactosaminide on to disaccharide acceptors catalysed by the beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase from Aspergillus oryzae

The beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase from Aspergillus oryzae catalysed the transfer of beta-D-N-acetylgalactosaminyl residues from p-nitrophenyl beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminide on to disaccharide acceptors consisting of thioethyl glycosides of alpha-D-Glc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glc, beta-D-Glc-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glc and beta-D-Glc-(1-->6)-beta-D-Glc. The principle of 'anomeric control' was exemplified by the results which showed that an alpha-linkage between the units of the acceptor favoured exclusively the formation of a new (1-->4)-linkage, whereas the beta-configuration in the acceptor led to a mixture of (1-->4)- and (1-->3)-linked products, as observed for simple glycosides of monosaccharide acceptors. With the thioethyl beta-lactoside as acceptor, beta-D-Gal-(1-->6)-beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcSEt was formed, owing to the action of residual beta-D-galactosidase activity in the N-acetylhexosaminidase on the thioethyl beta-lactoside acting as both donor and acceptor.     

Carbaxylosides of 4-ethyl-2-oxo-2H-benzopyran-7-yl as non-hydrolyzable, orally active venous antithrombotic agents

A (-)-conduritol F derivative was condensed with 4-ethyl-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one and converted into (+)-4-ethyl-7-[(1'R,2'S,3'S,4'R)-2',3',4'- trihydroxycyclohexyloxy]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ((+)-2). Enantiomer (-)-2 was obtained from a (+)-conduritol F derivative. The carbaxyloside (-)-2 with the L-xylose configuration was more active than (+)-2 in the Wessler's model.     

Overproduction of recombinant Trichoderma reesei cellulases by Aspergillus oryzae and their enzymatic properties

We have established an expression system of Trichoderma reesei cellulase genes using Aspergillus oryzae as a host. In this system, the expression of T. reesei cellulase genes were regulated under the control of A. oryzae Taka-amylase promoter and the cellulase genes were highly expressed when maltose was used as a main carbon source for inducer. The production of recombinant cellulases by A. oryzae transformants reached a maximum after 3-4 days of cultivation. In some cases, proteolysis of recombinant cellulases was observed in the late stage of cultivation. The recombinant cellulases were purified and characterized. The apparent molecular weights of recombinant cellulases were more or less larger than those of native enzymes. The optimal temperatures and pHs of recombinant cellulases were 50-70 degrees C and 4-5, respectively. Among the recombinant cellulases, endoglucanase I showed broad substrate specificities and high activity when compared with the other cellulases investigated here.     

Experimental infection of domestic cats with Bartonella henselae by inoculation of Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) feces

Aqueous methanol extracts from the bulbs of Hyacinthusorientalis were subjected to various ion-exchange column chromatographic steps to give 2(R),5(R)-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3(R),4(R)-dihydroxypyrrolidine (DMDP) (1), 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-dl-glycero-d-manno-heptitol (homoDMDP) (2), 2,5-imino-2,5,6-trideoxy-d-manno-heptitol (6-deoxy-homoDMDP) (3), 2,5-imino-2,5,6-trideoxy-d-gulo-heptitol (4), 1-deoxynojirimycin (5), 1-deoxymannojirimycin (6), alpha-homonojirimycin (7), beta-homonojirimycin (8), alpha-homomannojirimycin (9), beta-homomannojirimycin (10), and 7-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-alpha-homonojirimycin (MDL 25,637) (11). The structures of the new natural products 3 and 4 were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies. Compound 2 was found to be a potent inhibitor of bacterial beta-glucosidase, mammalian beta-galactosidases, and mammalian trehalases, while 3 was a potent inhibitor of rice alpha-glucosidase and rat intestinal maltase. Compound 4 was observed to be a good inhibitor of alpha-l-fucosidase.     

Synthesis of N-acetylglucosamine containing Lewis A and Lewis X building blocks based on N-tetrachlorophthaloyl protection--synthesis of Lewis X pentasaccharide

Phenyl 6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-tetrachlorophthalimido-1-thio-beta-D- glucopyranoside (5a) and thexyldimethylsilyl 6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-tetrachlorophthalimido-beta-D- glucopyranoside (5b) gave with O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)trichloroacetimida te (8) in the presence of BF3.Et2O as catalyst exclusively lactosamine derivatives 7a and 7b, respectively, in high yields. Ensuing reaction with O-(3, 4-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl) trichloroacetimidate (9) in the presence of TMSOTf as catalyst afforded Le(x) trisaccharide intermediates 10a,b. With fucosyl donor 9 and 5a,b as acceptors in the presence of TMSOTf as catalyst glycosylation either at the 3-O or the 4-O was observed, thus leading to mixtures of disaccharides 11a/12a and 11b/12b, respectively; their reaction with 8 furnished Le(x) trisaccharide intermediates 10a,b and Le(a) trisaccharide intermediates 14a,b. Transformation of 10b into the corresponding trichloroacetimidate 17 and reaction with lactose acceptor 19 in the presence of Zn(OTf)2 as catalyst gave protected Le(x) pentasaccahride intermediate 21, which on deprotection led to unprotected Le(x) pentasaccharide 1.     

Expression of listeriolysin O and ActA by intracellular and extracellular Listeria monocytogenes

A gene encoding a chitin synthase with a myosin motor-like domain (csm1) was isolated from Pyricularia oryzae using a PCR fragment amplified from a fungal chitin synthase conserved region. The deduced amino acid sequence of csm1 is homologous to that of CsmA of Aspergillus nidulans (65% identity). The putative gene product of csm1 is consisted of the myosin motor-like domain and a chitin synthase domain as in A. nidulans csmA. The chitin synthase domain of its C-terminus was also homologous to Aspergillus fumigatus ChsE (61.4% identity) and Ustilago maydis Chs6 (48.6% identity) that encode class V chitin synthases. Northern analysis demonstrated that the csm1 was expressed throughout the mycelial growth of P. oryzae. This is the first report on the isolation of the gene encoding a class V chitin synthase with the myosin motor-like domain from P. oryzae.     

Comparison of gene structures and enzymatic properties between two endoglucanases from Humicola grisea

We have cloned two endoglucanase genes (egl3 and egl4) from a thermophilic fungus, Humicola grisea. The coding region of the egl3 gene was interrupted by an intron of 56-bp, and the deduced amino acid sequence of the egl3 gene was 305 amino acids in length and showed 98.4% identity with Humicola insolens EGV. The coding region of the egl4 gene was also interrupted by an intron of 173-bp, which contains 34 TTC repeated sequence units, and the deduced amino acid sequence of the egl4 gene was 227 amino acids in length and showed 61.5% identity with H. grisea EGL3. The typical hinge and the cellulose-binding domain were observed in the C-terminal region of EGL3, but they were not observed in EGL4. In the 5' upstream region of both genes, there were a TATA box or its similar sequence, CAAT motifs, and 6-bp sites which are identical or similar to the consensus sequence for binding a catabolite repressor CREA in Aspergillus nidulans. The egl3 and the egl4 genes were expressed in Aspergillus oryzae, and the translation products were purified. The fusion protein, EGL4CBD, which consists of a catalytic domain of EGL4 and the C-terminal region of EGL3, was also constructed and produced by A. oryzae, and purified. These enzymes showed relatively high activity toward carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and could not hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucoside and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside. The positive effect of substituting the C-terminal region of EGL4 with that of EGL3 was observed in the hydrolysis of CMC.     

Effect of steam-flaked or steam-rolled corn with or without Aspergillus oryzae in the diet on performance of dairy cows fed during hot weather

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of steam-rolled versus steam-flaked corn in the diet with or without the addition of a culture of Aspergillus oryzae on the performance of high producing dairy cows during hot summer weather. Thirty-two Holstein cows averaging 92 (+/- 60) d in milk were fed a pretreatment diet for 21 d followed by a 70-d experimental period in a completely randomized block design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Diets were 1) steam-flaked corn plus 3 g/d of A. oryzae, 2) steam-flaked corn, 3) steam-rolled corn plus 3 g/d of A. oryzae, and 4) steam-rolled corn. Intake was not affected significantly by grain processing or addition of A. oryzae. Compared with effects from steam-rolled corn in the diet, steam-flaked corn increased milk production; percentage of milk protein; yields of milk protein, lactose, and SNF; and the efficiency of conversion of dry matter to fat-corrected milk. Addition of A. oryzae tended to increase protein percentage and increased the percentage of SNF. Changes in body weight and body condition score tended to be higher, and somatic cell count tended to be lower, for cows fed the flaked corn than for cows fed the rolled corn. No interactions were significant. Treatments did not affect rectal temperatures or respiration rates; however, high mean values measured at 1400 h once weekly indicated thermal stress. These data show improved milk production from cows fed steam-flaked corn but not from those fed diets supplemented with A. oryzae.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of a sialylated diantennary N-glycan linked to asparagine

A partial structure of many glycoproteins, a glycosylated asparagine carrying a complex type undecasaccharide N-glycan (Neu5Ac(alpha 2-6)Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-2)Man alpha 1-3) [Neu5Ac(alpha 2-6)Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-2)Man(alpha 1-6)]Man(beta 1-4) GlcNAc(beta 1-4)GlcNAc-Asn) was obtained by total synthesis. As a starting material served a chemically synthesized diantennary heptasaccharide azide which was deprotected in a three-step sequence in high yield. The reduction of the anomeric azide was accomplished with propanedithiol in methanol-ethyldiisopropylamine. Coupling of the glycosyl amine to an activated aspartic acid gave the benzyl protected asparagine conjugate. After removal of the six benzyl functions the resulting free heptasaccharide asparagine was elongated enzymatically in the oligosaccharide part. The use of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase and alpha-2,6-sialytransferase in the presence of alkaline phosphatase allowed the efficient transfer of four sugar units to the acceptor resulting in a full length N-glycan, a sialyated diantennary undecasaccharide-asparagine of the complex type.     

Identification of four new metabolic products of metoclopramide using mass spectrometry

1. N-(Diethylaminoethyl)-4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzamide (metoclopramide, I) N-(ethylaminoethyl)-4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzamide (II), N-(aminoethyl)-4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzamide (III), N-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzamide (IV), N-(diethylaminoethyl)-4-amino-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide (V) and N-(ethylaminoethyl)-4-amino-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide (VI) were obtained from chloroform extracts of incubation mixtures of I or II (HCl salts) with 9000 g liver microsomal preparations from male rabbits.     

Substrate specificities of alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases produced by two species of Aspergillus niger

Precise substrate specificities of alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases from Aspergillus niger 5-16 and Aspergillus niger (Megazyme) were investigated. Both enzymes hydrolyzed arabinan and debranched-arabinan at almost the same rate. The alpha-L-Arabinofuranosidase from A. niger (Megazyme) preferentially released arabinosyl side-chains of arabinan. The enzyme tore off both arabinoses attached to O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1--> 4)-D-xylopyranose and O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[O-alpha-L- arabinofuranosyl-(1-->3)]-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-D-xylopyranose, but did not tear off xylosyl-arabinose from O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->3) -O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-D- xylopyranose. The enzyme from A. niger (Megazyme) hydrolyzed methyl 2-O-, methyl 3-O- and methyl 5-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosides to arabinose and methyl alpha-L-arabinofuranoside in the order of (1-->5)->(1-->2)->(1-->3)-linkages. On the other hand, alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase from A. niger 5-16 successively liberated the arabinose of arabinan from non-reducing terminals. The enzyme hydrolyzed in the order of (1-->2- > (1-->3)- > (1-->5)-linkages. Both of the enzymes hydrolyzed the (1-->3)-linkage more than the (1-->5)-linkage of methyl 3,5-di-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside.     

Acceptor specificity of cellobiose phosphorylase from Cellvibrio gilvus: synthesis of three branched trisaccharides

Cellobiose phosphorylase from Cellvibrio gilvus was examined for its acceptor specificity in the synthetic reaction with glucose-1-phosphate, using substrates in which the C-6 substituent of D-Glc had been altered. A range of disaccharides were also tested for acceptor specificity but only those with (1-->6)-linkages were successful acceptors. Melibiose, gentiobiose, isomaltose and also the monosaccharide glucuronamide were found to react with cellobiose phosphorylase and glucose-1-phosphate giving beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Galp-(1-->6)]-D-Glcp, beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-D-Glcp, beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-D-Glcp and beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-D-GlcUNp, respectively. These products were purified using a range of chromatographic methods and characterised by NMR and FAB-MS. This is the first time cellobiose phosphorylase has been shown to synthesise trisaccharides.     

Characterization of the specificities of human blood group H gene-specified alpha 1,2-L-fucosyltransferase toward sulfated/sialylated/fucosylated acceptors: evidence for an inverse relationship between alpha 1,2-L-fucosylation of Gal and alpha 1,6-L-fucosylation of asparagine-linked GlcNAc

The assembly of complex structures bearing the H determinant was examined by characterizing the specificities of a cloned blood group H gene-specified alpha 1,2-L-fucosyltransferase (FT) toward a variety of sulfated, sialylated, or fucosylated Gal beta 1,3/4GlcNAc beta- or Gal beta 1,3GalNAc alpha-based acceptor structures. (a) As compared to the basic type 2, Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc beta-(K(m) = 1.67 mM), the basic type 1 was 137% active (K(m) = 0.83 mM). (b) On C-6 sulfation of Gal, type 1 became 142.1% active and type 2 became 223.0% active (K(m) = 0.45 mM). (c) On C-6 sulfation of GlcNAc, type 2 showed 33.7% activity. (d) On C-3 or C-4 fucosylation of GlcNAc, both types 1 and 2 lost activity. (e) Type 1 showed 70.8% and 5.8% activity, respectively, on C-6 and C-4 O-methylation of GlcNAc. (f) Type 1 retained 18.8% activity on alpha 2,6-sialylation of GlcNAc. (g) Terminal type 1 or 2 of extended chain had lower activity. (h) With Gal in place of GlcNAc in type 1, the activity became 43.2%. (i) Compounds with terminal alpha 1,3-linked Gal were inactive. (j) Gal beta 1,3GalNAc alpha- (the T-hapten) was approximately 0.4-fold as active as Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc beta-. (k) C-6 sulfation of Gal on the T-hapten did not affect the acceptor activity. (l) C-6 sulfation of GalNAc decreased the activity to 70%, whereas on C-6 sulfation of both Gal and GalNAc the T-hapten lost the acceptor ability. (m) C-6 sialylation of GalNAc also led to inactivity. (n) beta 1,6 branching from GalNAc of the T-hapten by a GlcNAc residue or by units such as Gal beta 1, 4GlcNAc-, Gal beta 1,4(Fuc alpha 1,3)GlcNAc-, or 3-sulfoGal beta 1,4GlcNAc- resulted in 111.9%, 282.8%, 48.3%, and 75.3% activities, respectively. (o) The enhancement of enzyme affinity by a sulfo group on C-6 of Gal was demonstrated by an increase (approximately 5-fold) in the K(m) for Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc beta 1,6(Gal beta 1,3)GalNAc alpha-O-Bn in presence of 6-sulfoGal beta 1,- 4GlcNAc beta-O-Me (3.0 mM). (p) Among the two sites in Gal beta 1, 4GlcNAc beta 1,6(Gal beta 1,3) GalNAc alpha-O-Bn, the enzyme had a higher affinity ( > 3-fold) for the Gal linked to GlcNAc. (q) With respect to Gal beta 1,- 3GlcNAc beta-O-Bn (3.0 mM), fetuin triantennary asialo glycopeptide (2.4 mM), bovine IgG diantennary glycopeptide (2.8 mM), asialo Cowper's gland mucin (0.06 mM), and the acrylamide copolymers (0.125 mM each) containing Gal beta 1,3GlcNAc beta-, Gal beta 1,3(6-sulfo)GlcNAc beta-, Gal beta 1,3GalNAc alpha-, Gal beta 1,3Gal beta-, or Gal alpha 1,3Gal beta- units were 153.6%, 43.0%, 6.2%, 52.5%, 94.9%, 14.7%, 23.6%, and 15.6% active, respectively. (r) Fucosylation by alpha 1,2-L-FT of the galactosyl residue which occurs on the antennary structure of the bovine IgG glycopeptide was adversely affected by the presence of an alpha 1,6-L-fucosyl residue located on the distant glucosaminyl residue that is directly attached to the asparagine of the protein backbone. This became evident from the 4-fold activity of alpha 1,2-L-FT toward bovine IgG glycopeptide after approximately 5% removal of alpha 1,6-linked Fuo.     

The separation and characterization of the methylumbelliferyl beta-galactosidases of human liver

1. A previously uncharacterized form of human liver acid beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23), possibly a dimer of molecular weight 160 000, was resolved by gel filtration. It has the same ability to hydrolyse GM1 ganglioside as the two other acid beta-galactosidase forms. 2. The low-molecular-weight forms of acid beta-galactosidase undergo salt-dependent aggregation. 3. The high-molecular-weight component may consist of the low-molecular-weight forms bound to membrane fragments. It can be converted completely into a mixture of these forms. 4. The neutral beta-galactosidase activity can be resolved into two forms by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. They differ in their response to Cl-ions. 5. A new nomenclature is suggested for the six beta-galactosidases so far found in human liver. 6. The enzymic constituents of the beta-galactosidase bands resolved by electrophoresis were re-examined. The A band contains three components. A two-dimensional electrophoretic procedure for resolving the A band is described. 7. The effect of neuraminidase treatment on the behaviour of beta-galactosidases in various separation systems is examined.     

Three acylated saponins and a related compound from Pithecellobium dulce

Four new oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, pithedulosides H-K (1-4), were isolated from the seeds of Pithecellobium dulce. Their structures were established by extensive NMR experiments and chemical methods. Compounds 1-3 comprised acacic acid as the aglycon and either monoterpene carboxylic acid and its xyloside or monoterpene carboxylic acid as the acyl moiety at C-21. The oligosaccharide moieties linked to C-3 and C-28 were determined as alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 -->6)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl and alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, respectively. Compound 4 was established as an echinocystic acid 3-O-glycoside having the same sugar sequences as 1-3. Also obtained in this investigation was the known compound 5, which was identified as echinocystic acid 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl- (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -->2)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside.     

Successful treatment of intraoperative myocardial ischemia with nicorandil

The relationship between sulfation and polymerization in chondroitin sulfate (CS) biosynthesis has been poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the specificity of bovine serum UDP-GalNAc: CS beta-GalNAc transferase responsible for chain elongation using structurally defined acceptor substrates. They consisted of tetra- and hexasaccharide-serines that were chemically synthesized and various regular oligosaccharides with a GlcA residue at the nonreducing terminus, prepared from chondroitin and CS using testicular hyaluronidase. The enzyme preparation was obtained from fetal bovine serum by means of heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The preparation did not contain the alpha-GalNAc transferase recently demonstrated in fetal bovine serum (Kitagawa et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, 22190-22195, 1995), that utilizes common acceptor substrates. The beta-GalNAc transferase used as acceptors, two hexasaccharide-serines GlcA beta 1-3GalNAc beta 1-4GlcA beta 1-3Gal beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Xyl beta 1-O-Ser and GlcA beta 1-3GalNAc(4-sulfate) beta 1-4GlcA beta 1-3Gal (4-sulfate) beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Xyl beta 1-O-Ser, but neither the monosulfated hexasaccharide-serine GlcA beta 1-3GalNAc(4-sulfate) beta 1-4GlcA beta 1-3Gal beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Xyl beta 1-O-Ser nor tetrasaccharide-serines with or without a sulfate group at C-4 of the third sugar residue Gal-3 from the reducing end. The results indicated that the sulfate group at the Gal-3 C-4 markedly affected the transfer of GalNAc to the terminal GlcA. In addition, a sulfate group at C-4 of the reducing terminal GalNAc of regular tetrasaccharides remarkably enhanced the GalNAc transfer, suggesting that the enzyme recognizes up to the fourth saccharide residue from the nonreducing end. The level of incorporation into a tetra- or hexasaccharide containing a terminal 2-O-sulfated GlcA residue was significant, whereas there was no apparent incorporation into tetra- or hexasaccharides containing a terminal 3-O-sulfated GlcA or penultimate 4,6-O-disulfated GalNAc residue. These results indicated that sulfation reactions play important roles in chain elongation and termination.     

Novel (N-ferrocenylmethyl)amines and (N-ferrocenylmethylen)imines derived from vicinal steroid amino alcohols and amines: synthesis, molecular structure, and biological activity

Novel steroidal (N-ferrocenylmethyl)amines with potential biologic activity and of potential interest as chiral ligands for metal complexation were synthesized. The new compounds were screened in vitro for their potential as antimicrobial agents. The synthesis of the new steroidal ferrocenes, including two X-ray crystal structures and biologic assays, are described. The 16-(ferrocenylmethyl)amino-estratrienes 4a-d, 7b, and 10b exhibited outstanding broad antimicrobial activity particularly against mycobacteria and multi-resistant staphylococci. Thus, they can be considered as new lead structures. In contrast, the analogous 3 alpha-(ferrocenylmethyl)amino-cholestanes 12 possessed only weak activity. The reaction of the four isomeric amino alcohols 1a-d (Scheme 1) with ferrocenecarbaldehyde was studied. 1b and 1c with 16/17-trans configuration yielded nearly quantitatively the (E)-Schiff bases 2b and 2c (Scheme 2). In contrast to the trans-compounds, condensation of the cisconfigurated amino alcohols 1a and 1d furnished tautomeric mixtures of the Schiff bases (2a and 2d, respectively) and their corresponding 1,3-oxazolidines (3a and 3d, respectively). The novel (N-ferrocenylmethyl)amines 4a-d were obtained in excellent yields by reduction of the tautomer mixtures and the uniform Schiff bases with sodium borohydride in ethanol. Starting with the 16 beta-hydroxy compound 5a, the synthesis of 16 beta- and 16 alpha-amino-3-methoxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene (6b, 9b) is described. The corresponding 16-(N-ferrocenylmethyl)amines 7b and 10b and the 3 alpha-(N-ferrocenylmethyl)amino-cholestanes 12 were synthesized (Scheme 3) for comparison in biologic tests.     

Characterization of a strictly specific acid beta-galactosidase from Achatina achatina

An acid beta-galactosidase was isolated from the digestive juice of Achatina achatina and purified to homogeneity by anion exchange, gel-filtration and hydroxyapatite chromatographies. This enzyme is soluble, as are the cytosolic beta-galactosidases, functions at acid pH like the lysosomal enzymes but differs from the other soluble animal beta-galactosidases in that it is highly specific for the beta-D-galactosyl residue. In addition, it cleaves the beta1-4 linkage much faster than the beta1-3 and beta1-6 linkages. The enzyme is a monomeric glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 120-125 kDa and the carbohydrate moiety makes up approximately 6% (w/w) of the protein. The amino acid composition displays an important amount of acidic/amide and hydroxy amino acid residues and a low content of basic residues. The enzyme activity is markedly affected by the ionic strength of the medium and the rate-pH curve was shifted towards higher pH values in the presence of added salt. Acid beta-galactosidase is capable of catalysing transgalactosylation reactions. The yields of galactosylation of hydroxy amino acid derivatives, catalysed by the enzyme in the presence of lactose as the glycosyl donor, were higher than those reported previously with conventional sources of beta-galactosidases. In addition, the pH optimum is different for the hydrolysis (pH 3.2) and transgalactosylation (pH 5.0) reactions. On the basis of this work, the enzyme could be used as a tool in the structural analysis of D-galactose-containing oligosaccharide chains, as well as for the synthesis of glycoconjugates.