ABSTRACT
Abstract Knowledge of specific enzyme activity, along with animal habits and digestive capacity is essential in formulating an appropriate diet for any species. In this study, we evaluated and characterized the activity of digestive enzymes present in the liver, intestine, and stomach of Paralichthys orbignyanus. The effects of pH and temperature on enzyme activity were also evaluated via the use of specific substrates. The use of specific substrates and inhibitors showed strong evidence of the presence of trypsin (BApNA= 0.51 ± 0.2 mU mg-1), chimotrypsin (SApNA= 2.62 ± 1.8 mU mg-1), and aminopeptidases (Leu-p-Nan =0.9709 ± 0.83 mU mg-1) in the intestine. Optimum pH for the activity of trypsin, chemotrypsin, leucino aminopeptidase, amilase, and pepsin were 9.5, 9.0, 8.0, 7.5, and 3.5, respectively, while optimum temperatures were 50, 50, 50, 40, and 45 °C, respectively. These results provide additional information regarding the biology of Brazilian flounder and can be used as a basis for further studies regarding fish feeding physiology.
Resumo O conhecimento da atividade enzimática é essencial para formular uma correta dieta específica para espécie, além de estarem correlacionadas com o hábito da alimentação e capacidade digestive. Neste estudo determinamos e caracterizamos a atividade enzimática presente no intestino, estômago e fígado do linguado Paralichthys orbignyanus. Os efeitos da temperatura e pH sobre a atividade enzimática também foram avaliados utilizando substratos específicos. O uso de substratos e inibidores específicos mostrou uma forte evidência da presença da tripsina (BApNA = 0,51 ± 0,2 mU mg-1), quimotripsina (SAPNA = 2,62 ± 1,8 mU mg-1), e as aminopeptidases (Leu-p-Nan = 0,97 ± 0,83 mU mg-1) no intestino. O pH ótimo observado para a atividade de tripsina, quimotripsina, leucino aminopeptidase, amilase e pepsina foi 9,5, 9,0, 8,0, 7,5 e 3,5, respectivamente. A temperatura ótima observada foi 50, 50, 50, 40 e 45 °C, respectivamente. Estes resultados fornecem informações adicionais sobre a biologia do linguado brasileiro e pode ser usado como base para novos estudos sobre fisiologia alimentar.
Subject(s)
Animals , Flounder/physiology , Fish Proteins/metabolism , Fish Proteins/chemistry , Gastrointestinal Tract/enzymology , Aminopeptidases/metabolism , Aminopeptidases/chemistry , Temperature , Enzyme Stability , Brazil , Serine Endopeptidases/metabolism , Serine Endopeptidases/chemistry , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Liver/enzymologyABSTRACT
Activities of digestive hydrolases associated with midgut of the third instar larva of Cephalopina titillator were investigated. Based on the hydrolysis of synthetic substrates and optimum pH, it was found that C. titillator midgut contains trypsin-like [optimum pH, 9], chymotrypsin esterase-like [optimum pH, 8], carboxypeptidase A and B [optimum pH at 8.5 and 7 respectively], alkaline- and acidphosphatase [optimum pH at 9 and 5 respectively] and membrane bound leucine aminopeptidase [optimum pH, 8]. An acid proteinase activity was detected, by the ability to hydrolyze acid denaturated haemoglobin; and it seems to be close to pepsin than cathepsin-like enzyme. It has a maximum activity at pH 3.5. alpha-Glucosidase activity, and was also identified [optimum pH at 6] in the midgut, and seems to be membrane bound
Subject(s)
Animals , Larva , Hydrolases/chemistry , Peptide Hydrolases/chemistry , Aminopeptidases/chemistry , Acid Phosphatase/chemistry , Alkaline Phosphatase/chemistry , Nasal Cavity/pathology , Hydrogen-Ion ConcentrationABSTRACT
The aminopeptidase activity of a homogenate of rabbit kidney treated with Triton X-100 was measured using L-aminoacyl-2-naphthylatmides (AA-NA). After gradient elution ion-exchange chromatography, four peaks of aminopeptidase activity were eluted. The enzyme eluted at 450 muS containing 33.5 per cent of the activity towards Arg-NA was applied to a Superdex 75 column and presented only one protein band on 10 per cent SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 78 kDa, is five-fold activated by 0.15 M NaCl and the highest Vmax/Km ratio was obtained with Arg-NA. Enzyme activity was inhibited 100 per cent by 0.13 mM sodium p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, 20 per cent by 0.75 mM EDTA and 100 per cent by 0.66 mM ophenanthroline. Puromycin and bestatin behaved like competitive inhibitors with a Ki of 0.60 mM and 5.0 muM, respectively.
Subject(s)
Rabbits , Animals , 2-Naphthylamine/chemistry , Aminopeptidases/chemistry , In Vitro Techniques , Kidney/chemistry , ElectrophoresisABSTRACT
An aminopeptidase from the skeletal muscle of fish, Tilapia mossambica, was partially purified to 96-fold using salt precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography and molecular sieve chromatography. The enzyme showed optimum activity between pH 6.5-7.5 at 43 degrees C and Vmax and Km of 14.36 units/mg and 0.059 mM respectively with alanine beta-naphthylamide as the substrate. The aminopeptidase having a molecular weight of 305 kDa was activated by sulphydryl compounds and Co2+ and inhibited by bestatin, puromycin and metal chelators. Inhibition caused by metal chelators could be reversed by the addition of Co2+. Inclusion of L-amino acids, particularly isoleucine and leucine, in the assay medium caused inhibition of the enzyme activity. Substrate specificity together with inhibition and activation pattern indicated that the enzyme is alanine aminopeptidase.