Substitutability of metal-binding sites in an alcohol dehydrogenase / 生物工程学报

Covalently anchoring of a ligand/metal via polar amino acid side chain(s) is often observed in metalloenzyme, while the substitutability of metal-binding sites remains elusive. In this study, we utilized a zinc-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Thermoanaerobacter brockii (TbSADH) as a model enzyme, analyzed the sequence conservation of the three residues Cys37, His59, and Asp150 that bind the zinc ion, and constructed the mutant library. After experimental validation, three out of 224 clones, which showed comparative conversion and ee values as the wild-type enzyme in the asymmetric reduction of the model substrate tetrahydrofuran-3-one, were screened out. The results reveal that the metal-binding sites in TbSADH are substitutable without tradeoff in activity and stereoselectivity, which lay a foundation for designing ADH-catalyzed new reactions via metal ion replacement.

Molecular epidemiological characteristics of metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Changsha / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the genotypes and epidemic of metallo-β-lactamase-(MBL )-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P .aeruginosa)in Changsha.Methods P .aeruginosa isolated from seven comprehensive hospitals in Changsha were collected and performed identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing,pheno-types of MBL were detected with EDTA-disk synergy test and E-test,genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),homology analysis were conducted by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR).Results Preliminary screening by EDTA-disk synergy test and E-test showed that only 10 of 81 iso-lates were strong positive;PCR result showed that 18 isolates were positive for MBL,11 of which were IMP-9-type MBL,1 was IMP-1-type,and 6 were VIM-2-type.SIM,SPM,GIM,and NDM-1-types were not found.ERIC-PCR showed that 12 strains of IMP-producing P .aeruginosa has multiple types,6 VIM-2-producing strains were of the same type.Conclusion IMP-9 and VIM-2 are main genotypes in P .aeruginosa in Changsha.

Functional divergence outlines the evolution of novel protein function in NifH/BchL protein family.

Biological nitrogen fixation is accomplished by prokaryotes through the catalytic action of complex metalloenzyme, nitrogenase. Nitrogenase is a two-protein component system comprising MoFe protein (NifD&K) and Fe protein (NifH). NifH shares structural and mechanistic similarities as well as evolutionary relationships with light-independent protochlorophyllide reductase (BchL), a photosynthesis-related metalloenzyme belonging to the same protein family. We performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the NifH/BchL family in order to elucidate the intrinsic functional diversity and the underlying evolutionary mechanism among the members. To analyse functional divergence in the NifH/ BchL family, we have conducted pair-wise estimation in altered evolutionary rates between the member proteins. We identified a number of vital amino acid sites which contribute to predicted functional diversity.We have also made use of the maximum likelihood tests for detection of positive selection at the amino acid level followed by the structure-based phylogenetic approach to draw conclusion on the ancient lineage and novel characterization of the NifH/BchL protein family. Our investigation provides ample support to the fact that NifH protein and BchL share robust structural similarities and have probably deviated from a common ancestor followed by divergence in functional properties possibly due to gene duplication.

Purification and characterization of Mn-peroxidase from Musa paradisiaca (banana) stem juice.

Mn-peroxidase (MnP), a biotechnologically important enzyme was purified for the first time from a plant source Musa paradisiaca (banana) stem, which is an agro-waste easily available after harvest of banana fruits. MnP was earlier purified only from the fungal sources. The enzyme was purified from stem juice by ultrafiltration and anion-exchange column chromatography on diethylamino ethylcellulose with 8-fold purification and purification yield of 65%. The enzyme gave a single protein band in SDS-PAGE corresponding to molecular mass 43 kDa. The Native-PAGE of the enzyme also gave a single protein band, confirming the purity of the enzyme. The UV/VIS spectrum of the purified enzyme differed from the other heme peroxidases, as the Soret band was shifted towards lower wavelength and the enzyme had an intense absorption band around 250 nm. The Km values using MnSO4 and H2O2 as the substrates of the purified enzyme were 21.0 and 9.5 μM, respectively. The calculated kcat value of the purified enzyme using Mn(II) as the substrate in 50 mM lactate buffer (pH 4.5) at 25°C was 6.7s-1, giving a kcat/Km value of 0.32 μM-1s-1. The kcat value for the MnP-catalyzed reaction was found to be dependent of the Mn(III) chelator molecules malonate, lactate and oxalate, indicating that the enzyme oxidized chelated Mn(II) to Mn(III). The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 4.5 and 25°C, respectively. The enzyme in combination with H2O2 liberated bromine and iodine in presence of KBr and KI respectively. All these enzymatic characteristics were similar to those of fungal MnP. The enzyme has the potential as a green brominating and iodinating agent in combination with KBr/KI and H2O2.

Metallo-?-lactamase Produced by Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To study the metallo-?-lactamases of 5 carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates,which were recovered at 2006 in the Third People's Hospital of Yueqing. METHODS K-B method was used to determine the antimicrobial agents susceptibility in 5 isolates. The minimal inhibitive concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents to these strains were determined by agar dilution method. Double disk synergy test was used to detect the metallo-?-lactamase. Molecular screening for blaIMP,blaVIM,and blaSPM was carried out using PCR method. The PCR product was sequenced. RESULTS One out of the 5 carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa was positive for MBL double disk synergy test,and confirmed to contain blaVIM-2 gene. CONCLUSIONS A blaVIM-2-producing isolate of P. aeruginosa is identified. This carbapenem-resistant isolate is all multi-drug resistant.