Efficient depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene furanoate by engineered PET hydrolase Cut190.

The enzymatic recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be a promising approach to tackle the problem of plastic waste. The thermostability and activity of PET-hydrolyzing enzymes are still insufficient for practical application. Pretreatment of PET waste is needed for bio-recycling. Here, we analyzed the degradation of PET films, packages, and bottles using the newly engineered cutinase Cut190. Using gel permeation chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, the degradation of PET films by the Cut190 variant was shown to proceed via a repeating two-step hydrolysis process; initial endo-type scission of a surface polymer chain, followed by exo-type hydrolysis to produce mono/bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate and terephthalate from the ends of fragmented polymer molecules. Amorphous PET powders were degraded more than twofold higher than amorphous PET film with the same weight. Moreover, homogenization of post-consumer PET products, such as packages and bottles, increased their degradability, indicating the importance of surface area for the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET. In addition, it was required to maintain an alkaline pH to enable continuous enzymatic hydrolysis, by increasing the buffer concentration (HEPES, pH 9.0) depending on the level of the acidic products formed. The cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride promoted PET degradation via adsorption on the PET surface and binding to the anionic surface of the Cut190 variant. The Cut190 variant also hydrolyzed polyethylene furanoate. Using the best performing Cut190 variant (L136F/Q138A/S226P/R228S/D250C-E296C/Q123H/N202H/K305del/L306del/N307del) and amorphous PET powders, more than 90 mM degradation products were obtained in 3 days and approximately 80 mM in 1 day.

Suppression of colonic oxidative stress caused by chronic ethanol administration and attenuation of ethanol-induced colitis and gut leakiness by oral administration of sesaminol in mice.

Chronic consumption of excess ethanol is one of the major risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC), and the pathogenesis of ethanol-related CRC (ER-CRC) involves ethanol-induced oxidative-stress and inflammation in the colon and rectum, as well as gut leakiness. In this study, we hypothesised that oral administration of sesaminol, a sesame lignan, lowers the risk of ER-CRC because we found that it is a strong antioxidant with very low prooxidant activity. This hypothesis was examined using a mouse model, in which 2.0% v/v ethanol was administered ad libitum for 2 weeks with or without oral gavage with sesaminol (2.5 mg per day). Oral sesaminol administration suppressed the ethanol-induced colonic lesions and the ethanol-induced elevation of the colonic levels of oxidative stress markers (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxyalkenals). It consistently suppressed the chronic ethanol-induced expressions of cytochrome P450-2E1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase and upregulated heme oxygenase-1 expression, probably via the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 pathway in the mouse colon. Oral sesaminol administration also suppressed the chronic ethanol-induced elevation of colonic inflammation marker levels, such as those of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, probably via the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Moreover, it prevented the chronic ethanol-induced gut leakiness by restoring tight junction proteins, giving rise to lower plasma endotoxin levels compared with those of ethanol-administered mice. All of these results suggest that dietary supplementation of sesaminol may lower the risk of ER-CRC by suppressing each of the above-mentioned steps in ER-CRC pathogenesis.

Alteration of oxidative-stress and related marker levels in mouse colonic tissues and fecal microbiota structures with chronic ethanol administration: Implications for the pathogenesis of ethanol-related colorectal cancer.

Chronic ethanol consumption is a risk factor for colorectal cancer, and ethanol-induced reactive oxygen species have been suggested to play important roles in the pathogenesis of ethanol-related colorectal cancer (ER-CRC). In this study, the effects of 10-week chronic administration of ethanol on the colonic levels of oxidative stress and advance glycation end product (AGE) levels, as well as fecal microbiota structures, were examined in a mouse model. Chronic oral administration of ethanol in mice (1.0 mL of 1.5% or 5.0% ethanol (v/v) per day per mouse, up to 10 weeks) resulted in the elevation of colonic levels of oxidative stress markers (such as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and 4-hydroxynonenal) compared to control mice, and this was consistently accompanied by elevated levels of inflammation-associated cytokines and immune cells (Th17 and macrophages) and a decreased level of regulatory T (Treg) cells to produce colonic lesions. It also resulted in an alteration of mouse fecal microbiota structures, reminiscent of the alterations observed in human inflammatory bowel disease, and this appeared to be consistent with the proposed sustained generation of oxidative stress in the colonic environment during chronic ethanol consumption. Moreover, the first experimental evidence that chronic ethanol administration results in elevated levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptors (RAGE) in the colonic tissues in mice is also shown, implying enhanced RAGE-mediated signaling with chronic ethanol administration. The RAGE-mediated signaling pathway has thus far been implicated as a link between the accumulation of AGEs and the development of many types of chronic colitis and cancers. Thus, enhancement of this pathway likely exacerbates the ethanol-induced inflammatory states of colonic tissues and might at least partly contribute to the pathogenesis of ER-CRC.

Butyrate attenuates lipolysis in adipocytes co-cultured with macrophages through non-prostaglandin E2-mediated and prostaglandin E2-mediated pathways.

BACKGROUND: Interactions between adipocytes and macrophages are associated with metabolic disorders. Production of pro-inflammatory mediators and the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) increase when these cells are co-cultured; butyrate significantly diminishes these effects by suppressing both the macrophage inflammatory and adipocyte lipolysis pathways. Butyrate is known to up-regulate the expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Therefore, we hypothesized that PGE2 is associated with the suppression of lipolysis by butyrate in co-culture. METHODS: Using contact or transwell co-culture methods with differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages, we investigated the effects of butyrate on the release of PGE2 into the medium and on lipolysis in adipocytes. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we examined the effects of butyrate on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in co-cultured cells, and cyclic adenine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A type 1-α regulatory subunit (PRKAR1A) in co-cultured adipocytes. Silent interfering (si)RNA targeting of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPR)41 and 109A was employed to examine the effect on lipolysis in TNF-α-stimulated adipocytes. RESULTS: Co-culture increased PGE2 release into the medium, compared with cells cultured separately. Butyrate significantly increased PGE2 production. Co-culture elevated COX2 expression in macrophages and adipocytes, and butyrate further enhanced this effect. Co-culture enhanced cytosolic PLA2 activity in macrophages, which was further enhanced by butyrate. As for lipolysis, co-culture increased the release of FFAs and free glycerol into the medium, whereas butyrate (and to a lesser extent, PGE2) suppressed FFAs and free glycerol release. An inhibition study using a prostaglandin E receptor 3-selective antagonist suggested that approximately 40% of the suppressive effect of butyrate depends on the PGE2-mediated pathway, whereas 60% depends on a non-PGE2-mediated pathway. Co-culture increased cAMP and PRKAR1A levels in adipocytes, whereas butyrate restored the levels to those of the control. Similarly, in TNF-α-stimulated adipocytes, butyrate reduced FFAs and free glycerol release. siRNA inhibition of GPR41 and GPR109A suggested that the GPR109A-mediated pathway predominates, but the GPR41-mediated pathway also regulates the effect of butyrate on lipolysis in TNF-α-stimulated 3T3-L1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Butyrate attenuates lipolysis in adipocytes co-cultured with macrophages via non-PGE2-mediated and PGE2-mediated pathways.

Butyrate attenuates inflammation and lipolysis generated by the interaction of adipocytes and macrophages.

AIM: Paracrine interaction between macrophages and adipocytes in obese visceral fat tissues is thought to be a trigger of chronic inflammation. The immunomodulatory effect of the short chain fatty acid, butyric acid, has been demonstrated. We hypothesize that sodium butyrate (butyrate) attenuates inflammatory responses and lipolysis generated by the interaction of macrophages and adipocytes. METHODS: Using contact or transwell co-culture methods with differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages, we investigated the effects of butyrate on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and the release of free glycerol, free fatty acids (FFAs) into the medium. We also examined the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in co-cultured macrophages, as well as lipase activity and expression in co-cultured adipocytes. RESULTS: We found increased production of TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, and free glycerol, FFAs in the co-culture medium, and butyrate significantly reduced them. Butyrate inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPKs, the activity of NF-κB in co-cultured macrophages, and suppressed lipase activity in co-cultured adipocytes. Lipase inhibitors significantly attenuated the production of TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-6 in the co-culture medium as effectively as butyrate. Butyrate suppressed the protein production of adipose triglyceride lipase, hormone sensitive lipase, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 in co-cultured adipocytes. Pertussis toxin, which is known to block GPR41 completely, inhibited the antilipolysis effect of butyrate. CONCLUSION: Butyrate suppresses inflammatory responses generated by the interaction of adipocytes and macrophages through reduced lipolysis and inhibition of inflammatory signaling.

Polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol form polymer bodies in the periplasm of Sphingomonads that are able to assimilate them.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows remarkable morphological surface changes in Sphingopyxis sp. 113P3 cells grown in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) but not in Luria-Bertani medium (LB) (Hu et al. in Arch Microbiol 188: 235-241, 2007). However, transmission electron microscopy showed no surface changes in PVA-grown cells and revealed the presence of polymer bodies in the periplasm of PVA-grown cells, which were not observed in LB-grown cells. The presence of polymer bodies was supported by low-vacuum SEM observation of PVA- and LB-grown cells of strain 113P3, and the presence of similar polymer bodies was also found when Sphingopyxis macrogoltabida 103 and S. terrae were grown in polyethylene glycol (PEG). The extraction of PVA and PEG from the periplasmic fraction of cells using a modified Anraku and Heppel method and their analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry strongly suggested that the polymer bodies are composed of PVA and PEG, respectively, in Sphingopyxis sp. 113P3 (PVA degrader) and Sphingopyxis macrogoltabida 103 or S. terrae (PEG degraders). PEG-grown S. macrogoltabida 103 and S. terrae showed higher transport of (14)C-PEG 4000 than LB-grown cells. Recombinant PegB (TonB-dependent receptor-like protein consisting of a barrel structure) interacted with PEG 200, 4000 and 20000, suggesting that the barrel protein in the outer membrane contributes to the transport of PEG into the periplasm.

Butyrate enhancement of inteleukin-1ß production via activation of oxidative stress pathways in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 cells.

In inflammatory bowel diseases, interleukin-1ß production is accelerated. Butyrate, a short chain fatty acid, plays an important role in inflammatory bowel diseases. We investigated the effect of butyrate on interleukin-1ß production in macrophage and elucidated its underlying mechanism. We stimulated THP-1 cells, a human premonocytic cell line, by lipopolysaccharide alone and by butyrate with lipopolysaccharide. Butyrate with lipopolysaccharide increased interleukin-1ß production more than lipopolysaccharide alone. Butyrate with lipopolysaccharide increased caspase-1 activity more than lipopolysaccharide alone. As for the phosphorylation pathway, PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK1/2 inhibitor) decreased caspase-1 activity and interleukin-1ß production to approximately 50% of the controls. Pertussis toxin (G protein-coupled signal transduction pathway inhibitor) also reduced interleukin-1ß production to approximately 50%. Butyrate with lipopolysaccharide increased reactive oxygen species levels more than lipopolysaccharide alone. The addition of N-acetyl L-cysteine reduced reactive oxygen species levels to a level similar to that of lipopolysaccharide alone. Butyrate with lipopolysaccharide increased nitric oxide production more than lipopolysaccharide alone, and the addition of N-acetyl L-cysteine reduced the elevated amount of nitric oxide. In conclusions, butyrate enhances interleukin-1ß production by activating caspase-1, via reactive oxygen species, the phosphorylation of MAPK, and G protein mediated pathways in lipopolysaccharide stimulated THP-1 cells.

Cloning and expression of soluble cytochrome c and its role in polyvinyl alcohol degradation by polyvinyl alcohol-utilizing Sphingopyxis sp. strain 113P3.

The gene encoding cytocrome c in the pva operon of Sphingopyxis sp. strain 113P3 was cloned, on the basis of the sequence of the gene for cytochrome c (GenBank accession no. AB190288). The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene showed homologies (37% and 47% identities) with two cytochromes c of different origins. The recombinant cytochrome c tagged with hexahistidines was expressed in the periplasm of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) harboring pT-GroE, which was in accordance with the localization of cytochrome c in strain 113P3; the protein was purified to homogeneity. The purified recombinant cytochrome c was a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of 16.5 kDa. The oxidized and reduced forms of the protein showed absorption maxima at 409 nm and at 414, 520 and 550 nm, respectively. The recombinant cytochrome c was fully reduced by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), coupled with a catalytic amount (1/10 molar concentration) of the recombinant PVA dehydrogenase (PVADH) of the same origin, suggesting that the cytochrome c involved in the pva operon is a physiological primary electron acceptor for PVADH and that PVA dehydrogenation is linked with the respiratory chain in Sphingopyxis sp. strain 113P3.

The pva operon is located on the megaplasmid of Sphingopyxis sp. strain 113P3 and is constitutively expressed, although expression is enhanced by PVA.

The upstream and downstream regions of the tentative pva operon including genes encoding oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrolase (oph), PVA dehydrogenase (pvaA) and cytochrome c (cytC) from Sphingopyxis sp. strain 113P3 were sequenced. The resultant 7.9 kb sequence contained orf1 in the upstream region and orf2 and orf3 in the downstream region. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses revealed that the intergenic regions between orf1 and oph or between cytC and orf2 were expressed neither in PVA medium nor glucose medium, indicating that the pva operon consists of three genes. A transcription start site was determined by 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends to be 428 bp upstream of the start codon of the oph. The stop codon of cytC was followed by a sequence of inverted repeats that could function as a factor-independent transcription terminator. Strain 113P3 had one megaplasmid including the pva operon. Northern blot hybridization for the three genes revealed that mRNA size was approximately 3 to 4 kb and expression was elevated in PVA medium compared to glucose medium.

Cell surface structure enhancing uptake of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is induced by PVA in the PVA-utilizing Sphingopyxis sp. strain 113P3.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-utilizing Sphingopyxis sp. 113P3 (re-identified from Sphingomonas sp. 113P3) removed almost 0.5% PVA from culture supernatants in 4 days. Faster degradation of 0.5% PVA was performed by the periplasmic fraction. The average molecular size of PVA in the culture supernatant or cell-bound PVA was gradually shifted higher, suggesting that lower molecular size molecules are degraded faster. Depolymerized products were found in neither the culture supernatant nor the cell-bound fraction; however they were recovered from the periplasmic fraction. As extracellular or cell-associated PVA oxidase activity was almost undetectable in strain 113P3, degradation of PVA must be performed by periplasmic PVA dehydrogenase after uptake into the periplasm. Following the consumption of PVA, a dent appeared on the cell surface on day 2 and increased in size and depth for 4 days and was maintained for 8 days. Ultrastructural change on the cell surface was only observed in PVA medium, but not in nutrient broth (NB), suggesting that the change is induced by PVA. Fluorescein-4-isothiocyanate-labeled PVA was bound more to cells grown in PVA than to cells grown in NB. No binding was found with PVA-grown cells treated with formaldehyde. Thus, a dent on the cell surface seems to be related to the uptake of PVA.

Cloning and expression of the gene for periplasmic poly(vinyl alcohol) dehydrogenase from Sphingomonas sp. strain 113P3, a novel-type quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase.

A gene for periplasmic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) dehydrogenase (PVADH) was cloned, based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified PVADH from Sphingomonas sp. 113P3 and the sequence of the gene for PVADH (pvaA, GenBank accession no. AB190288). The recombinant PVADH tagged with hexahistidine was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The recombinant enzyme had the same characteristics as the purified enzyme from Sphingomonas sp. strain 113P. In addition to PVA, the recombinant PVADH could oxidize glycols such as polypropylene glycols and 1,3-butane/cyclohexanediol and 2,4-pentanediol, but neither primary nor secondary alcohols. The amino acid sequence of the recombinant PVADH showed similarity with those of PVADH from Pseudomonas sp. strain VM15C, putative PVADHs from Azoarcus sp. EbN1, and Xanthomonas species (54-25 % identity), and the quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases (QH-ADHs) from Comamonas testosteroni, Ralstonia eutropha and Pseudomonas putida (25-29 % identity). PVADHs from strains 113P3 and VM15C have a conserved superbarrel domain (SD), probable PQQ-binding amino acids in the SD and a haem-binding domain (HBD) (they should be designated QH-PVADHs), but the positions of the amino acid sequences for the HBD and SD are the reverse of those of QH-ADHs. A protein structure of QH-PVADHs is proposed. Results of dot-blot hybridization and RT-PCR indicated that the three genes encoding oxidized PVA hydrolase, PVADH and cytochrome c are expressed constitutively and form an operon.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of a periplasmic hydrolase for oxidized polyvinyl alcohol from Sphingomonas sp. strain 113P3.

Oxidized polyvinyl alcohol hydrolase (OPH) and polyvinyl alcohol dehydrogenase were found to be constitutively present in the periplasm of Sphingomonas sp. strain 113P3 (formerly Pseudomonas sp. 113P3). The OPH was purified to homogeneity with a yield of 40 % and a 5.9-fold increase in specific activity. The enzyme was a homodimer consisting of 35 kDa subunits. Its activity was inhibited by PMSF, Hg(2+) and Zn(2+). The enzyme hydrolysed oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (oxidized PVA) and p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA), but did not hydrolyse any of the mono- or diketones tested. K(m) and V(max) values for oxidized PVA and PNPA were 0.2 and 0.3 mM, and 0.1 and 3.4 micromol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. The gene for OPH was cloned and sequenced. Sequencing analysis revealed that the open reading frame consisted of 1095 bp, corresponding to a protein of 364 amino acids residues, encoding a signal peptide and a mature protein of 34 and 330 amino acids residues, respectively. The presence of a serine-hydrolase motif (a lipase box; Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly) strongly suggested that the enzyme belongs to the serine-hydrolase family. The protein exhibited homology with OPH of the Pseudomonas sp. strain VM15C (63 % identity) and the polyhydroxybutyrate depolymerases from Mesorhizobium loti, Rhizobium sp. and Sinorhizobium meliloti (29-32 % identity). The oph gene was expressed in Escherichia coli under the control of the lac promoter. The recombinant protein had the same molecular mass and N-terminal amino acid sequence as the purified OPH from strain 113P3.