A transfer membrane method for in situ detection and quantification of trehalase.

A method for the detection and quantification of trehalase activity (EC 3.2.1.28) by immobilization to a membrane support has been developed. Protein samples partly enriched for porcine and Galleria mellonella wax moth larvae trehalase activities were fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by electrophoretic transfer to PVDF membranes, and incubated in a solution containing trehalose (20 mg/ml), glucose oxidase (40 U/ml), phenazine methosulfate (0.06 mg/ml), and nitro blue tetrazolium (0.24 mg/ml) in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.5. The intensity of the red-colored bands, developed directly on the membrane, was quantified using a computing, laser densitometer and shown to be linearly proportional to the original enzyme activity in extracts determined by liquid assay. The temperature inactivation profile of wax moth trehalase was measured. Alteration of the electrophoresis sample buffer composition further revealed the presence of putative trehalase isoforms in wax moth larval extracts whose relative levels of activity were altered during the course of starvation and infection with Tipula iridescent virus.

Modulation of trehalase activity in two insect cell lines by virus infection and trehalose.

Trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28), an important glycosidase involved in regulating trehalose levels and metabolic energy in insects, was measured in cell lines from fall army worm, Spodoptera frugiperda and salt marsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea, treated with either glucose or trehalose in the presence or absence of Tipula Iridescent Virus (TIV), a cytoplasmic deoxyribovirus. In medium containing 15-35 mM trehalose, both of these cells increased their trehalase activities by 4.5 to 8x the basal levels from cells in glucose medium. Trehalase activity was rapidly reduced after cells were exposed to TIV. Maximum loss in activity (70-90%), occurring about the same time as peak viral DNA synthesis, was significantly delayed when cells were pre-incubated with 30 mM trehalose. These experiments demonstrate the potential utility of trehalase as a marker for monitoring stresses induced by viral infection and changes in nutrition.

Stimulation of carbohydrate metabolising enzymes by synthetic hypertrehalosemic peptides in thoracic musculature of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana.

The ability of the synthetic hypertrehalosemic peptides, HT-I and HT-II, to influence the activities of glycogen phosphorylase, trehalase and hexokinase via elevation of Ca++ and cAMP levels was examined in thoracic musculature of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. The peptides effect dose- and time-dependent activation of phosphorylase, trehalase and hexokinase activities that occur concomitantly with elevated levels of intracellular calcium. In addition, HT-I increases the accumulation of cyclic AMP in muscle cells.

Purification and characterization of trehalase inhibitor from hemolymph of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana.

An endogenous proteinaceous inhibitor of trehalase (alpha,alpha-trehalose-1-glucohydrolase: EC 3.2.1.28) has been isolated and purified from the serum of resting adult American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana. Purification procedures involved decreasing ionic strength, gel filtration, and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Homogeneity was confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and end group analysis. The purified protein inhibited trehalase activity in a dose-dependent manner and was estimated to have a molecular weight of 86,000 and to contain sugar chains. An automated gas-phase sequencer was used to determine the following sequence for the N-terminal amino acid residues: H-Ala-Ilu-Pro-Thr-Pro-His-Val-Tyr-Lys-Val-X-Val-Pro-Asp-Gly-Ala-Le u-Asn-Asp.

Influence of octopamine on trehalase activity in muscle and hemolymph of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L.

Injection of adult male cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) with 10 microliter 1 microM octopamine causes elevated activity of trehalase (alpha, alpha-trehalose glucohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.28) in hemolymph and muscle but not in gut. Tyramine, dopamine and glutamate, at the same concentration, failed to elicit any effect on trehalase activity. Determination of some kinetic parameters for muscle and hemolymph trehalases reveal that octopamine causes an increase in Vmax without any significant alteration in the Km of the enzyme for trehalose. The results are discussed in terms of the physiological significance of octopamine-mediated activation of tissue trehalases.