A simplified and miniaturized glucometer-based assay for the detection of β-glucosidase activity / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

β-Glucosidase activity assays constitute an important indicator for the early diagnosis of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and qualitative changes in medicinal plants. The drawbacks of the existing methods are high consumption of both time and reagents, complexity in operation, and requirement of expensive instruments and highly trained personnel. The present study provides a simplified, highly selective, and miniaturized glucometer-based strategy for the detection of β-glucosidase activity. Single-factor experiments showed that optimum β-glucosidase activity was exhibited at 50 °C and pH 5.0 in a citric acid-sodium citrate buffer when reacting with 0.03 g/mL salicin for 30 min. The procedure for detection was simplified without the need of a chromogenic reaction. Validation of the analytical method demonstrated that the accuracy, precision, repeatability, stability, and durability were good. The linear ranges of β-glucosidase in a buffer solution and rat serum were 0.0873-1.5498 U/mL and 0.4076-2.9019 U/mL, respectively. The proposed method was free from interference from β-dextranase, snailase, β-galactosidase, hemicellulase, and glucuronic acid released by baicalin. This demonstrated that the proposed assay had a higher selectivity than the conventional dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) assay because of the specificity for salicin and unique recognition of glucose by a personal glucose meter. Miniaturization of the method resulted in a microassay for β-glucosidase activity. The easy-to-operate method was successfully used to detect a series of β-glucosidases extracted from bitter almonds and cultured by Aspergillus niger. In addition, the simplified and miniaturized glucometer-based assay has potential application in the point-of-care testing of β-glucosidase in many fields, including medical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

Enzyme activity of ß-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis and Aspergillus oryzae on simulated conditions of human gastrointestinal system / Atividade de ß-galactosidase de Kluyveromyces lactis e Aspergillus oryzae, em condições simuladas do sistema gastrintestinal humano

An alternative to relieve the symptoms of lactose intolerance is the intake of the enzyme ?-galactosidase in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The ability of ?-galactosidase produced by Kluyveromyces lactis and Aspergillus oryzae to hydrolyze lactose in simulated conditions of the human gastrointestinal tract was investigated. The experiment was carried out in the optimum temperature for each enzyme activity, 40 and 55°C, respectively, and at the normal human body temperature (37°C) at concentrations of 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 g/L (enzyme from A. oryzae) or mL/L (enzyme from K. lactis). Both enzymes were completely inactivated under simulated gastric conditions (pH 2). When the enzymes were subjected to simulated small intestine conditions (pH 7.4), lactose hydrolysis has occurred, but at 37°C the percentage was lower than that under the optimal temperatures. At concentrations of 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 mL/L the enzyme from K. lactis hydrolyzed 76.63%, 88.91% and 94.80% of lactose at 40°C, and 55.99%, 80.91% and 81.53% at 37°C, respectively. In contrast, the enzyme from A. oryzae hydrolyzed 7.11%, 16.18% and 21.29% at 55°C, and 8.4%, 11.85% and 16.43% at 37°C. It was observed that under simulated intestinal conditions, the enzyme from K. lactis was more effective on lactose hydrolysis as compared to the enzyme from A. oryzae. Considering the findings of this study, it is extremely necessary to use an enteric coating on ?-galactosidase capsules so that this enzyme is released only in the small intestine, which is its site of action, thus not suffering the action of the stomach pH.(AU)

Uma das alternativas para amenizar os sintomas da intolerância à lactose é a ingestão de ?-galactosidase em formas farmacêuticas. Neste trabalho avaliou-se a capacidade de hidrólise de ?-galactosidase produzida por Kluyveromyces lactis e Aspergillus oryzae simulando as condições do trato gastrintestinal humano. O teste foi realizado nas temperaturas ótimas de ação para cada enzima, 40 e 55°C, respectivamente, e na temperatura corpórea humana (37°C), nas concentrações de 1,5; 3,0 e 5,0 g/L para a enzima de Aspergillus oryzae ou mL/L para a de Kluyveromyces lactis. Na simulação da condição estomacal humana (pH 2), ambas enzimas foram totalmente inativadas. Quando as enzimas foram submetidas às condições simuladas do intestino delgado (pH 7,4), observou-se hidrólise da lactose, porém, a 37°C, a porcentagem foi menor do que a observada nas temperaturas ótimas de cada enzima. A enzima de K. lactis nas concentrações de 1,5; 3,0 e 5,0 mL/L apresentou hidrólise de 76,63%, 88,91% e 94,80% a 40°C e 55,99%, 80,91% e 81,53%, a 37°C, respectivamente. Nas concentrações 1,5; 3,0 e 5,0 g/L, a porcentagem de hidrólise pela enzima de A. oryzae a 55°C foi de 7,11%, 16,18% e 21,29%. Para esta enzima, nessas concentrações, a hidrólise obtida a 37°C foi 8,4%, 11,85% e de 16,43%. Sob condições intestinais simuladas, a enzima de K. lactis apresentou maior eficiência na hidrólise da lactose quando comparada à enzima de A. oryzae. Considerando-se as etapas avaliadas neste estudo, observa-se que é extremamente necessário o uso de um revestimento entérico em cápsulas de ?-galactosidase, para que esta enzima seja liberada somente no intestino delgado, seu local de ação, não sofrendo, portanto, a ação do pH estomacal.(AU)

The use of lacZ marker in enumeration of Azotobacter chroococcum in carrier based inoculants

A transconjugant of Azotobacter chroococcum Mac 27 tagged with lac Z(A. chroococcum Mac27 L) was found to possess high levels of β-galactosidase activity constitutively.Further, the lac Z marker was found to be stably integrated into the chromosome of the A. chroococcum Mac 27 and did not have any adverse effect on growth, nitrogen fixation and excretion of ammonia. A quick method to determine the viable cell number in broth culture and carrier based inoculants has been developed on the basis of β-galactosidase assay. It was found that there was a direct relationship between the number of cell as determined by standard plate count and intensity of colour that developed upon degradation of ONPG due to β-galactosidase activity .The method was found to be sensitive enough to determine 1.7 x 10(6) CFU mL-1 in broth culture as well as carrier based Azotobacter inoculants. Further, it was observed that when A. chroococcum Mac27 L was inoculated on Brassica campestris, it could be detected in the presence of other bacteria capable of growing on Burks agar medium containing X-gal on the basis of lac Z genetic marker.

Arctiin blocks hydrogen peroxide-induced senescence and cell death though microRNA expression changes in human dermal papilla cells

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important etiological factor for the induction of dermal papilla cell senescence and hair loss, which is also known alopecia. Arctiin is an active lignin isolated from Arctium lappa and has anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and anti-carcinogenic effects. In the present study, we found that arctiin exerts anti-oxidative effects on human hair dermal papilla cells (HHDPCs). RESULTS: To better understand the mechanism, we analyzed the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxicity, cell death, ROS production and senescence after arctiin pretreatment of HHDPCs. The results showed that arctiin pretreatment significantly inhibited the H2O2-induced reduction in cell viability. Moreover, H2O2-induced sub-G1 phase accumulation and G2 cell cycle arrest were also downregulated by arctiin pretreatment. Interestingly, the increase in intracellular ROS mediated by H2O2 was drastically decreased in HHDPCs cultured in the presence of arctiin. This effect was confirmed by senescence associated-beta galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) assay results; we found that arctiin pretreatment impaired H2O2-induced senescence in HHDPCs. Using microRNA (miRNA) microarray and bioinformatic analysis, we showed that this anti-oxidative effect of arctiin in HHDPCs was related with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Wnt signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data suggest that arctiin has a protective effect on ROS-induced cell dysfunction in HHDPCs and may therefore be useful for alopecia prevention and treatment strategies.

Statistical investigation of Kluyveromyces lactis cells permeabilization with ethanol by response surface methodology

The aim of our study was to select the optimal operating conditions to permeabilize Kluyveromyces lactis cells using ethanol as a solvent as an alternative to cell disruption and extraction. Cell permeabilization was carried out by a non-mechanical method consisting of chemical treatment with ethanol, and the results were expressed as β-galactosidase activity. Experiments were conducted under different conditions of ethanol concentration, treatment time and temperature according to a central composite rotatable design (CCRD), and the collected results were then worked out by response surface methodology (RSM). Cell permeabilization was improved by an increase in ethanol concentration and simultaneous decreases in the incubation temperature and treatment time. Such an approach allowed us to identify an optimal range of the independent variables within which the β-galactosidase activity was optimized. A maximum permeabilization of 2,816 mmol L-1 oNP min-1 g-1 was obtained by treating cells with 75.0% v/v of ethanol at 20.0 °C for 15.0 min. The proposed methodology resulted to be effective and suited for K. lactis cells permeabilization at a lab-scale and promises to be of possible interest for future applications mainly in the food industry.

Gamma-tocotrienol modulation of senescence-associated gene expression prevents cellular aging in human diploid fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE: Human diploid fibroblasts undergo a limited number of cellular divisions in culture and progressively reach a state of irreversible growth arrest, a process termed cellular aging. The beneficial effects of vitamin E in aging have been established, but studies to determine the mechanisms of these effects are ongoing. This study determined the molecular mechanism of γ-tocotrienol, a vitamin E homolog, in the prevention of cellular aging in human diploid fibroblasts using the expression of senescence-associated genes. METHODS: Primary cultures of young, pre-senescent, and senescent fibroblast cells were incubated with γ-tocotrienol for 24 h. The expression levels of ELN, COL1A1, MMP1, CCND1, RB1, and IL6 genes were determined using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell cycle profiles were determined using a FACSCalibur Flow Cytometer. RESULTS: The cell cycle was arrested in the G0/G1 phase, and the percentage of cells in S phase decreased with senescence. CCND1, RB1, MMP1, and IL6 were upregulated in senescent fibroblasts. A similar upregulation was not observed in young cells. Incubation with γ-tocotrienol decreased CCND1 and RB1 expression in senescent fibroblasts, decreased cell populations in the G0/G1 phase and increased cell populations in the G2/M phase. γ-Tocotrienol treatment also upregulated ELN and COL1A1 and downregulated MMP1 and IL6 expression in young and senescent fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: γ-Tocotrienol prevented cellular aging in human diploid fibroblasts, which was indicated by the modulation of the cell cycle profile and senescence-associated gene expression.

AmpC beta lactamases among Gram negative clinical isolates from a tertiary hospital, South India

AmpC â-lactamases are cephalosporinases that hydrolyze cephamycins as well as other extended-spectrum cephalosporins and are poorly inhibited by clavulanic acid. Although reported with increasing frequency, the true rate of occurrence of AmpC â-lactamases in different organisms, including members of Enterobacteriaceae, remains unknown. The present study was designed to determine the occurrence of AmpC enzyme-harbouring Gram-negative clinical isolates in a tertiary care hospital in Pondicherry state, South India. A total of 235 Gram negative clinical isolates were tested for resistance to cefoxitin, third generation cephalosporin (3GC) antibiotics, ampicillin, amikacin, co-trimoxazole, gentamicin, meropenem and tetracycline by disc diffusion method. Isolates found resistant to 3GC and cefoxitin were tested for the production of AmpC â -lactamases by three dimensional extraction method and AmpC disc method. Isolates found to sensitive to 3GC were subjected to disc antagonism test for inducible AmpC production. One hundred and thirty four (57 percent) strains were resistant to 3GC, among which 63(47 percent) were positive for plasmid-mediated AmpC beta lactamases production. Among the 101 strains sensitive to 3GC, 23 (22.7 percent) revealed the presence of inducible AmpC beta lactamases by disc approximation test. A total of 80.9 percent (51/63) of screen positive isolates were detected by Amp C disc test and 93.6 percent (59/63) by three dimensional extraction method. Out of the 86 AmpC producers, 67 (77.9 percent) were cefoxitin resistant .Inducible AmpC was not found in Esch.coli and Klebsiella spp. The AmpC producers also concurrently showed multidrug resistance pattern. AmpC producers were found to be prevalent in our hospital and though three dimensional extraction test detects AmpC better, the disk test is easier to perform routinely and is user- friendly.

Differential binding with ERá and ERâ of the phytoestrogen-rich plant Pueraria mirifica

Variations in the estrogenic activity of the phytoestrogen-rich plant, Pueraria mirifica, were determined with yeast estrogen screen (YES) consisting of human estrogen receptors (hER) hERá and hERâ and human transcriptional intermediary factor 2 (hTIF2) or human steroid receptor coactivator 1 (hSRC1), respectively, together with the â-galactosidase expression cassette. Relative estrogenic potency was expressed by determining the â-galactosidase activity (EC50) of the tuber extracts in relation to 17â-estradiol. Twenty-four and 22 of the plant tuber ethanolic extracts interacted with hERá and hERâ, respectively, with a higher relative estrogenic potency with hERâ than with hERá. Antiestrogenic activity of the plant extracts was also determined by incubation of plant extracts with 17â-estradiol prior to YES assay. The plant extracts tested exhibited antiestrogenic activity. Both the estrogenic and the antiestrogenic activity of the tuber extracts were metabolically activated with the rat liver S9-fraction prior to the assay indicating the positive influence of liver enzymes. Correlation analysis between estrogenic potency and the five major isoflavonoid contents within the previously HPLC-analyzed tuberous samples namely puerarin, daidzin, genistin, daidzein, and genistein revealed a negative result.

Measuring b-Galactosidase activity at pH 6 with a differential pH sensor

The b-Galactosidase activity at pH 6 is used as a cellular marker to identify senescent cell cultures. The classic method to identify this enzymatic activity is using cytochemical staining with X-Gal after 16 hrs. In this work, a differential pH sensor was used to measure b-Galactosidase activity at pH 6. The measurement is easy and only takes 3 min.

A gene-trap strategy identifies quiescence-induced genes in synchronized myoblasts.

Cellular quiescence is characterized not only by reduced mitotic and metabolic activity but also by altered gene expression. Growing evidence suggests that quiescence is not merely a basal state but is regulated by active mechanisms. To understand the molecular programme that governs reversible cell cycle exit, we focused on quiescence-related gene expression in a culture model of myogenic cell arrest and activation. Here we report the identification of quiescence-induced genes using a gene-trap strategy. Using a retroviral vector, we generated a library of gene traps in C2C12 myoblasts that were screened for arrest-induced insertions by live cell sorting (FACS-gal). Several independent gene- trap lines revealed arrest-dependent induction of betagal activity, confirming the efficacy of the FACS screen.The locus of integration was identified in 15 lines. In three lines,insertion occurred in genes previously implicated in the control of quiescence, i.e. EMSY - a BRCA2--interacting protein, p8/com1 - a p300HAT -- binding protein and MLL5 - a SET domain protein. Our results demonstrate that expression of chromatin modulatory genes is induced in G0, providing support to the notion that this reversibly arrested state is actively regulated.

Evoluçäo da atividade e expressäo de enzimas e modificaçäo de polímeros da parede celular de mamöes durante o amadurecimento / Evolution of the activity and enzyme expression and modification of the cellular wall of papayas during the ripening

Foram analisadas expressão dos genes e atividades enzimáticas da pectinametilesterase, beta-galactosidase e poligalacturonase, bem como modificação in situ de polímeros da parede celular de frutos de mamão em diversos estádios de amadurecimento. Após a clonagem e sequenciamento de fragmentos do gene para cada enzima sua expressão foi analisada por Northern blot. A imunolocalização dos polímeros da parede foi feita por microscopia eletrônica. De acordo com os resultados apresentados, é possível evidenciar indução da transcrição do gene para a beta-galactosidase, presença constante de transcrito para a poligalcaturonase e ausência de evidências da expressão do gene para pectinametilesterase...

Purification of microbial (beta)-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces fragilis by bioaffinity partitioning

This work investigated the partitioning of (beta)-galactosidase from "Kluyveromyces fragilis" in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) by bioaffinity. PEG 4000 was chemically activated with thresyl chloride, and the biospecific ligand p-aminophenyl 1-thio-(beta)-D-galactopyranoside (APGP) was attached to the activated PEG 4000. A new two-step method for extraction and purification of the enzyme (beta)-galactosidase from "Kluyveromyces fragilis" was developed. In the first step, a system composed of 6(per cent) PEG 4000-APGP and 8(per cent) dextran 505 was used, where (beta)-galactosidase was strongly partitioned to the top phase (K = 2.330). In the second step, a system formed of 13(per cent) Peg-APGP and 9(per cent) phosphate salt was used to revert the value of the partition coefficient of (beta)-galactosidase (K = 2.0E-5) in order to provide the purification and recovery of 39(per cent) of the enzyme in the bottom salt-rich phase

Aryl beta-galactosidase from Sclerotium rolfsii: physiological and biochemical studies.

Production of beta-galactosidase by Sclerotium rolfsii NCIM 1084 was studied under submerged fermentation conditions. The enzyme was produced extracellularly and constitutively on glucose. The enzyme production was enhanced when galactose, raffinose, cellobiose, sucrose, xylose, maltose, cellulose and pectin were used as carbon sources. Cellulose and diammonium hydrogen phosphate were best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Surfactants such as Sag, Paraffin oil, Tween 20 and Tween 80 increased the enzyme production. Maximum yield of beta-galactosidase obtained was 3.8-4.2 nkat/ml. The optimum pH, optimum temperature and molecular weight of the beta-glactosidase were 2.7, 60 degrees C and 2,21,000 daltons, respectively. The enzyme is an aryl beta-glactosidase and did not hydrolyse lactose. The Km value for o-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactoside was 3.7 mM. Galactose and 2-mercaptoethanol inhibited the enzyme.

Pattern of disaccharidases in chronic diarrhoea and malabsorption

Disaccharide-splitting enzymes were analyzed in the jejunal mucosae of 48 patients suffering from chronic diarrhoea and/or malabsorption, and the results were compared to those of 11 controls. Four [36.4%] of the controls were found to have partial lactase deficiency with a mean ratio of sucrase to lactase activity of 54.8 [SEM +/- 60.06] Significant reduction in the disaccharidases [lactase, sucrase, maltase, and isomaltase] were observed in patients with celiac disease and primary intestinal lymphoma; other groups exhibited variable affection in all disaccharidasas. High incidence of hypolactasia in these patients is the net results of both genetic influence on lactase activity and as a consequence to mucosal injury. It is suggested that further studies should be carried out using intestinal biopsy and direct enzyme assay in a large number of healthy adults

Correlative study of oral lactose hydrogen breath test, lactase activity and intestinal morphology in Giardia lamblia infected children

Oral Lactose Hydrogen Breath Test [OLHBT], biochemical assay of lactase activity [LA] and histomorphologie examination of jejunal biopsies were done in 30 children [6-12 years old and both sexes] with abdominal pain and stools analysis showing trophozoites and cysts of Giardia Lamblia [GL] compared to 30 normal control of the same age group and sexes. The results showed that there was significantly increased incidence of hypolactasia in cases with giardiasis compared to control group [33.3% 10.0% respectively]. Also, the study showed that LA was significantly decreased in infected group compared to control group. Concerning histomorphologic changes in the form of shortening, atrophy and chronic cellular infiltration were present in 30% of cases. There was significantly increased incidence of abnormal histomorphologic lesions of the small intestinal mucosa in Giardiasis compared to control group. Lastly, in present work, upon doing matrix correlation the results showed that medium negative correlation was observed between the grade of histopathologic features of jejunal biopsies and the LA [micro t molgram/min] while medium positive correlation was noted between the grade of histopathologic features of Jejunal biopsies and maximum rise in H2 breath concentration [p.p.m] detected by OLHBT

Producao e propriedades de beta-galactosidade de Kluyveromyces fragilis NRRL Y-2415 / Production and properties of the Kluyveromyces fragilis NRRL Y-2415 beta-galactosidase

Permeado de soro de queijo e soro de proteinado por acidificacao podem ser utilizados como meio de crescimento de Kluyveromyces fragilis NRRL Y-2415 para obtencao de beta-galactosidase. A suplementacao destes meios com 0,1//de (NH4)2SO4 e 0,05//de KH2PO4 aumenta as producoes de massa celular seca e beta-galactosidase. A extracao da enzima das celulas de levedura feita por autolise em tampao fosfato e 2//de cloroformio foi mais rapida do que quando se substituiu o cloroformio por 2//de tolueno, sendo a atividade obtida funcao da concentracao celular na suspensao. Esta enzima tem pH otimo entre 6,6 e 6,8; a sua estabilidade com respeito a pH de pre-incubacao por uma hora e baixa, o que indica que durante o processo de sua obtencao deve-se trabalhar na faixa otima de pH e temperaturas baixas. Quanto a temperatura de atividade maxima, nao ha diferenca em trabalhar a 30 graus centigrados e a 37 graus centigrados; a 50 graus centigrados a enzima e totalmente inativada. Uma alternativa para pre-purificar esta enzima e utilizar membranas. Usando membrana de 0,08 micro, foi possivel obter o extrato enzimatico livre de fragmentos celulares; com outra de 15.000 Daltons, foi possivel aumentar sua concentracao, obtendo-se no final extrato com 2.500 unidade internacionais de ortonitrofenil beta-D-galactopiranosideo por mL