Characterization of a Type II L-Asparaginase from the Halotolerant Bacillus subtilis CH11.

L-asparaginases from bacterial sources have been used in antineoplastic treatments and the food industry. A type II L-asparaginase encoded by the N-truncated gene ansZP21 of halotolerant Bacillus subtilis CH11 isolated from Chilca salterns in Peru was expressed using a heterologous system in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)pLysS. The recombinant protein was purified using one-step nickel affinity chromatography and exhibited an activity of 234.38 U mg-1 and a maximum catalytic activity at pH 9.0 and 60 °C. The enzyme showed a homotetrameric form with an estimated molecular weight of 155 kDa through gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme half-life at 60 °C was 3 h 48 min, and L-asparaginase retained 50% of its initial activity for 24 h at 37 °C. The activity was considerably enhanced by KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, mercaptoethanol, and DL-dithiothreitol (p-value < 0.01). Moreover, the Vmax and Km were 145.2 µmol mL-1 min-1 and 4.75 mM, respectively. These findings evidence a promising novel type II L-asparaginase for future industrial applications.

Caracterización bioinformática y producción de L-asparaginasa de Bacillus sp. M62 aislado de las salinas de Maras, Cusco, Perú

El objetivo del estudio fue realizar la caracterización bioinformática, así como optimizar la producción de L-asparaginasa extracelular de Bacillus sp. M62 aislada de las salinas de Maras (Cusco). Para ello, se verificó la producción de L-asparaginasa mediante el viraje del medio M9 modificado con azul de bromofenol 0.0075%, pH 7.4 a 37 °C por 72 h. A la vez, se extrajo el ADN genómico para amplificar los genes ribosómicos 16S y el gen ansA3. La secuencia aminoacídica codificada por el gen ansA3 se predijo mediante análisis bioinformático. La producción de L-asparaginasa intracelular y extracelular se evaluó a diferentes niveles de glucosa, L-asparagina, NaCl y pH en el medio M9 modificado. Adicionalmente, las actividades enzimáticas de L-asparaginasa y L-glutaminasa se determinaron mediante cuantificación del amonio liberado por el método de Nessler. Así, Bacillus sp. M62 produjo el viraje del medio M9 modificado, obtuvo alta similitud y cercanía evolutiva con Bacillus licheniformis, se encontró que el gen ansA3 amplificado codificaba para 319 aa, dentro de la cual se predijo una secuencia patrón del sitio activo (GFVITHGTDTM ) y 15 sitios inmunogénicos. La producción de L-asparaginasa extracelular fue superior a la intracelular, la que se optimizó de 0.37 U/mL (0.24 U/mg) a 2.15 ± 0.39 U/mL (0.63 U/mg). Finalmente, se encontró que Bacillus sp. M62 presenta L-asparaginasa extracelular con mínima actividad de L-glutaminasa.

The aim of this study was to perform bioinformatics characterization and optimize the production of extracellular L-asparaginase from Bacillus sp. M62, isolated from the Maras salt ponds (Cusco). To achieve this, the production of L-asparaginase was verified by the change in color of modified M9 medium, containing 0.0075% bromophenol blue, at pH 7.4 and 37°C for 72 hours. Genomic DNA was extracted to amplify the 16S ribosomal genes and the ansA3 gene. The amino acid sequence encoded by the ansA3 gene was predicted using bioinformatic analysis. The production of intracellular and extracellular L-asparaginase was evaluated at different levels of glucose, L-asparagine, NaCl, and pH in modified M9 medium. Additionally, the enzymatic activities of L-asparaginase and L-glutaminase were determined by quantifying the released ammonium using the Nessler method. Bacillus sp. M62 showed the change in color of the modified M9 medium, high similarity, and evolutionary closeness to Bacillus licheniformis. The amplified ansA3 gene was found to encode for 319 amino acids, with a predicted active site pattern (GFVITHGTDTM) and 15 immunogenic sites. The production of extracellular L-asparaginase was found to be higher than intracellular L-asparaginase and was optimized from 0.37 U/mL (0.24 U/mg) to 2.15 ± 0.39 U/mL (0.63 U/mg). Finally, it was found that Bacillus sp. M62 presents extracellular L-asparaginase with minimal L-glutaminase activity.

Protection against Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Alterations by Synthetic Peptides Derived from Erythrina edulis Seed Protein.

The ability of multifunctional food-derived peptides to act on different body targets make them promising alternatives in the prevention/management of chronic disorders. The potential of Erythrina edulis (pajuro) protein as a source of multifunctional peptides was proven. Fourteen selected synthetic peptides identified in an alcalase hydrolyzate from pajuro protein showed in vitro antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and/or anti-obesity effects. The radical scavenging properties of the peptides could be responsible for the potent protective effects observed against the oxidative damage caused by FeSO4 in neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, their affinity towards the binding cavity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) were predicted by molecular modeling. The results demonstrated that some peptides such as YPSY exhibited promising binding at both enzymes, supporting the role of pajuro protein as a novel ingredient of functional foods or nutraceuticals for prevention/management of oxidative stress, hypertension, and metabolic-alteration-associated chronic diseases.

Albumin from Erythrina edulis (Pajuro) as a Promising Source of Multifunctional Peptides.

Multifunctional peptides, capable of acting on different body systems through multiple mechanisms of action, offer many advantages over monofunctional peptides, including lower adverse side effects and costs. Erythrina edulis (pajuro) is a legume with a large number of high-quality proteins, of which their potential as a source of antioxidant peptides has been recently reported. In this study, the behavior of these proteins under a sequential enzymatic hydrolysis with digestive and microbial enzymes was investigated by evaluating the multi-functionality of the hydrolyzates. The albumin hydrolyzates obtained after the action of pepsin, pancreatin, and Alcalase showed antioxidant, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV inhibitory activities. The radical scavenging properties of the hydrolyzate could be responsible for the potent protective effects observed in FeSO4-induced neuroblastoma cells. The findings support the role of pajuro protein as an ingredient of functional foods or nutraceuticals for health promotion and the prevention of oxidative stress, hypertension, and metabolic alteration-associated chronic diseases.

Production and Characterization of Extremophilic Proteinases From a New Enzyme Source, Barrientosiimonas sp. V9.

Microbial proteases are widely used as commercial enzymes, which have an active role in several industrial processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the production and properties of extracellular proteases from Barrientosiimonas sp. strain V9. The cultivation conditions for protease production were studied using different carbon and nitrogen sources. Maximum protease production was obtained in medium containing 25 g L-1 sucrose, 7 g L-1 KNO3, and initial pH 7.0 at 35 °C and 150 rpm during 72 h. Under these conditions, maximum proteolytic activity reached 1200 U mL-1. The enzyme extract showed optimum activity at 60 °C, pH 9.0, and was stable from 30 to 50 °C within a pH range from 4.0 to 10.0 and NaCl concentration up to 2.5 M. The enzyme was stable in the presence of EDTA, urea, Triton X-100 and laundry detergent (sodium lauryl sulfate as main component). The addition of 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, Tween-80, or Tween-20 increased the activity by 183% and 119% respectively, while 2-mercaptoethanol reduced the activity to 71%. Casein zymogram analysis revealed three hydrolysis zones suggesting that Barrientosiimonas sp. V9 expresses proteases with molecular weights about 60, 45, and 35 kDa, which were inhibited in the presence of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Barrientosiimonas sp. V9 produces halotolerant serine proteases with great biotechnological potential.

Ausencia de asociación entre polimorfismos de los genes ABCB1 c.C3435T y ABCC2 c. -24C>T con epilepsia farmacorresistente en pacientes peruanos / Lack of association between ABCB1 and ABCC2 gene polymorphisms and drug-resistant epilepsy in Peruvian patients

Las variantes de los genes ABCB1 y ABCC2 han sido asociadas a mayor riesgo de epilepsia farmacorresistente pero tal proceso ha sido poco estudiado mediante comparaciones entre poblaciones. En Latinoamérica solo se han realizado 3 estudios. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre las variantes C3435T del gen ABCB1 y -24C>T del gen ABCC2 con epilepsia farmacorresistente en pacientes peruanos atendidos en la Unidad de Epilepsia del Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins (HNERM). Material y Métodos: Se analizaron muestras sanguíneas de 22 pacientes con epilepsia farmacorresistente y ocho pacientes con epilepsia de respuesta favorable a tratamiento farmacológico, entre Mayo 2016 y Junio 2017. La identificación de la variante C3435T del gen ABCB1 se realizó mediante reacción de cadena de la polimerasa y posterior digestión enzimática; la variante -24C>T del gen ABCC2 se obtuvo por secuenciación. Resultados: Se obtuvo una frecuencia alélica de 0,717 para C en la variante C3435T del gen ABCB1 y 0,967 para C en la variante -24C>T del gen ABCC2. La comparación de las frecuencias alélicas y genotípicas entre pacientes farmacorresistentes y farmacorrespondedores no mostró diferencia significativa, de lo cual se infiere ausencia de asociación entre la epilepsia farmacorresistente y las variantes C3435T del gen ABCB1 y -24C>T del gen ABCC2 (p>0.05). Conclusiones: En una muestra de pacientes peruanos con epilepsia, no se encontró asociación entre epilepsia farmacorresistente y los polimorfismos C3435T del gen ABCB1 y -24C>T del gen ABCC2.

Variants of the genes ABCB1 and ABCC2 have been associated with an increased risk of drug-resistant epilepsy; this phenomenon, however, has been scarcely tested by means of comparisons between populations: In Latin America there have only been 3 studies. Objective: To evaluate the association between the variants C3435T of the gene ABCB1, and --24C> T of the gene ABCC2 with drug-resistant epilepsy in Peruvian patients treated at the Epilepsy Unit of a Peruvian Hospital. Material and Methods: Blood samples from 22 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and eight patients with pharmaco-responsive epilepsy were analyzed between May 2016 and June 2017. The identification of the C3435T variant of the ABCB1 gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent enzymatic digestion; the -24C>T variant of the ABCC2 gene was obtained by sequencing. Results: An allelic frequency of 0.717 was obtained for C in the C3435T variant of the gene ABCB1, and 0.967 for C in the-24C> T variant of the gene ABCC2. When genetic and allelic frequencies were compared between drug-resistant and drug-responsive patients no significant difference was observed, from which a lack of association between drug-resistant epilepsy and the C3435T variant of the gene ABCB1 and the -24C> T variant of the gene ABCC2 (p>0.05) was inferred. Conclusions: In a sample of Peruvian patients with epilepsy, no association was found between drug-resistant epilepsy and the C3435T and -24C>T polymorphisms of the genes ABCB1 and ABCC2, respectively.

Predominance of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains in Peruvian Amazonian Fruits.

The objective of this research was the identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Peruvian Amazonian fruits. Thirty-seven isolates were obtained from diverse Amazonian fruits. Molecular characterization of the isolates was performed by ARDRA, 16S-23S ITS RFLP and rep-PCR using GTG5 primers. Identification was carried out by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene. Phenotypic characterization included nutritional, physiological and antimicrobial resistance tests. Molecular characterization by Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) and 16S-23S ITS RFLP resulted in four restriction profiles while GTG5 analysis showed 14 banding patterns. Based on the 16S rDNA gene sequence, the isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum (75.7%), Weissella cibaria (13.5%), Lactobacillus brevis (8.1%), and Weissella confusa (2.7%). Phenotypic characterization showed that most of the isolates were homofermentative bacilli, able to ferment glucose, maltose, cellobiose, and fructose and grow in a broad range of temperatures and pH. The isolates were highly susceptible to ampicillin, amoxicillin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromicyn, penicillin, and tetracycline and showed great resistance to kanamycin, gentamycin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and vancomycin. No proteolytic or amylolytic activity was detected. L. plantarum strains produce lactic acid in higher concentrations and Weissella strains produce exopolymers only from sucrose. Molecular methods allowed to accurately identify the LAB isolates from the Peruvian Amazonian fruits, while phenotypic methods provided information about their metabolism, physiology and other characteristics that may be useful in future biotechnological processes. Further research will focus especially on the study of L. plantarum strains.The objective of this research was the identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Peruvian Amazonian fruits. Thirty-seven isolates were obtained from diverse Amazonian fruits. Molecular characterization of the isolates was performed by ARDRA, 16S-23S ITS RFLP and rep-PCR using GTG5 primers. Identification was carried out by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene. Phenotypic characterization included nutritional, physiological and antimicrobial resistance tests. Molecular characterization by Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) and 16S-23S ITS RFLP resulted in four restriction profiles while GTG5 analysis showed 14 banding patterns. Based on the 16S rDNA gene sequence, the isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum (75.7%), Weissella cibaria (13.5%), Lactobacillus brevis (8.1%), and Weissella confusa (2.7%). Phenotypic characterization showed that most of the isolates were homofermentative bacilli, able to ferment glucose, maltose, cellobiose, and fructose and grow in a broad range of temperatures and pH. The isolates were highly susceptible to ampicillin, amoxicillin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromicyn, penicillin, and tetracycline and showed great resistance to kanamycin, gentamycin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and vancomycin. No proteolytic or amylolytic activity was detected. L. plantarum strains produce lactic acid in higher concentrations and Weissella strains produce exopolymers only from sucrose. Molecular methods allowed to accurately identify the LAB isolates from the Peruvian Amazonian fruits, while phenotypic methods provided information about their metabolism, physiology and other characteristics that may be useful in future biotechnological processes. Further research will focus especially on the study of L. plantarum strains.

Determinación de secuencia y modelaje por homología de la lipasa de Marinobacter sp. LB / Sequence determination and homology modeling of lipase from Marinobacter sp. LB

Las lipasas de la familia I son reconocidas a nivel industrial por sus actividades catalíticas de esterificación, interesterificación y transesterificación. En esta investigación se caracterizó por análisis in silico a la lipasa de Marinobacter sp. LB aislado de las Salinas de Pilluana, San Martín. Con tal finalidad, se amplificó el gen lip mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) de punto final y la secuencia nucleotídica fue analizada in silico. Se elucidó la estructura terciaria empleando como molde a la lipasa 1EX9 de Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 y se ejecutó el acoplamiento molecular con tres sustratos. El gen lip presentó 927 pb y la proteína madura, 284 aminoácidos. La lipasa posee un peso molecular de 29.99 kDa y un pI de 8.89. Asimismo, se identificaron residuos Ser78, Asp229 e His251, típicos de la triada catalítica de una lipasa de la familia I. Además, se evidenciaron once α-hélices periféricas y siete láminasβ internas. La región del bolsillo de unión y su afinidad por lípidos fue demostrada realizando acoplamientos moleculares con trioctanoina, tributirina y trioleina, con energías de -314.28, -248.11 y -215.44 kcal/mol, respectivamente; siendo los aminoácidos de interacción Asn167, Lys106, Trp172, Thr164, Ala179. En conclusión, la estructura tridimensional de la lipasa de Marinobacter sp. LB fue construida por modelamiento homólogo y validada en base a la calidad estereoquímica y el entorno de sus aminoácidos; mientras que, los análisis de acoplamiento con sustratos de lipasas permitieron evidenciar los aminoácidos que participan en el bolsillo de unión.

Family I lipases are industrially recognized for their catalytic activities of esterification, interesterification and transesterification. In this study, Marinobacter sp. LB lipase isolated from Salinas de Pilluana, San Martín was characterized by in silico analysis. For this purpose, lip gene was amplified by conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequence was analyzed in silico. The tertiary structure was elucidated using the 1EX9 lipase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 as a template and molecular docking was executed with three substrates. The lip gene had 927 bp and mature protein, 284 amino acids. The lipase had a molecular weight of 29.99 kDa and pI of 8.89. Also typicall catalytic triad residues of family I lipases (Ser78, Asp229 and His251) were identified. In addition, eleven peripheral α-helixs and seven internal β-sheets were found. Binding pocket and its affinity for lipids were demonstrated by making molecular couplings with trioctanoin, tributyrin and triolein, with energies of -314.28, -248.11 and -215.44 kcal/mol, respectively; amino acids of interaction being Asn167, Lys106, Trp172, Thr164, Ala179. In conclusion, a 3D structure of Marinobacter sp. LB lipase was built using homologous modeling and validated based on the stereochemical quality and amino acids environment; while docking analysis with lipases substrates allowed to demonstrate the amino acids that participate in the binding pocket.