Comparative review of the recent enzymatic methods used for selective assay of l-lysine.

l-Lysine is an essential amino acid important for maintaining human health. To date, many enzymatic methods for assay of l-lysine have been developed. The first method has been developed using l-lysine α-oxidase (l-LysOα). However, low specificity towards l-lysine of l-LysOα is a disadvantage inherent in this method. Recently, methods more specific to l-lysine were developed using newly discovered enzymes such as l-lysine ε-oxidase (l-LysOε), l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase (l-AAO/MOG) and l-lysine decarboxylase/oxidase (l-Lys-DC/OD). The present paper reviews recent enzymatic methods used for assay of l-lysine. These l-lysine selective assays rely on detecting and quantifying hydrogen peroxide, a product generated by the oxidase reaction of these enzymes. l-LysOε catalyzes the oxidative deamination of the ε-amino group of l-lysine, thus assays using this enzyme are more specific towards l-lysine than the ones using l-LysOα. The l-AAO/MOG has high substrate specificity towards l-lysine; however it exhibits l-lysine oxidase and monooxygenase activities. The sensitivity of l-AAO/MOG method was improved either by using its mutant, which has reduced monooxygenase activity, or by coupling with an aminoamide-oxidizing enzyme. The l-Lys-DC/OD exhibits both l-lysine decarboxylase and oxidase activities. The sensitivity of the l-Lys-DC/OD method was improved by using putrescine oxidase to oxidize the decarboxylation product of l-lysine.

Effects of codon optimization and glycosylation on the high-level production of hydroxynitrile lyase from Chamberlinius hualienensis in Pichia pastoris.

A hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) from the millipede Chamberlinius hualienensis has high potential for industrial use in the synthesis of cyanohydrins. However, obtaining sufficient amounts of millipedes is difficult, and the production of the Chamberlinius hualienensis HNL (ChuaHNL) in E. coli has not been very successful. Therefore, we investigated the conditions required for high-yield heterologous production of this enzyme using Pichia pastoris. When we employed P. pastoris to express His-ChuaHNL, the yield was very low (22.6 ± 3.8 U/L culture). Hence, we investigated the effects of ChuaHNL codon optimization and the co-production of two protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) [from P. pastoris (PpPDI) and C. hualienensis (ChuaPDI1, ChuaPDI2)] on His-ChuaHNL production. The productivity of His-ChuaHNL was increased approximately 140 times per unit culture to 3170 ± 144.7 U/L by the co-expression of codon-optimized ChuaHNL and PpPDI. Moreover, we revealed that the N-glycosylation on ChuaHNL had a large effect on the stability, enzyme secretion, and catalytic properties of ChuaHNL in P. pastoris. This study demonstrates an economical and efficient approach for the production of HNL, and the data show that glycosylation has a large effect on the enzyme properties and the P. pastoris expression system.

Expression of alcohol oxidase gene from Ochrobactrum sp. AIU 033 in recombinant Escherichia coli through the twin-arginine translocation pathway.

We cloned a set of genes encoding alcohol oxidase from Ochrobactrum sp. AIU 033 (OcAOD), which exhibits the appropriate substrate specificity for glyoxylic acid production from glycolic acid. The set of genes for OcAOD contained two open reading frames consisting of 555-bp (aodB) and 1572-bp (aodA) nucleotides, which encode the precursor for the ß-subunit and α-subunit of OcAOD, respectively. We expressed the cloned genes as an active product in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant OcAOD oxidized glycolic acid and primary alcohols with C2-C8 but not glyoxylic acid (as is the case for native OcAOD), whereas the Km and Vmax values for glycolic acid and the pH stability were higher than those of native OcAOD. A consensus sequence for the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway was identified in the N-terminal region of the precursor for the ß-subunit, and the active form of OcAOD was localized in the periplasm of recombinant E. coli, which indicated that OcAOD would be transported from the cytoplasm to the periplasm by the hitchhiker mechanism through the Tat pathway. The OcAOD productivity of the recombinant E. coli was 24-fold higher than that of Ochrobactrum sp. AIU 033, and it was further enhanced by 1.2 times by the co-expression of additional tatABC from E. coli BL21(DE3). Our findings thus suggest a function of the ß-subunit of OcAOD in membrane translocation, and that the recombinant OcAOD has characteristics that are suitable for the enzymatic synthesis of glyoxylic acid as well as native OcAOD.

Characterization of a novel hydroxynitrile lyase from Nandina domestica Thunb.

The leaves of Nandina domestica Thunb. exhibited high hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) activity in (R)-mandelonitrile synthesis. The specific activity of young leaves was significantly higher than that of mature leaves. We isolated two HNLs with molecular mass of 24.9 kDa (NdHNL-S) and 28.0 kDa (NdHNL-L) from the young leaves. Both NdHNLs were composed of two identical subunits, without FAD and carbohydrates. We purified NdHNL-L and revealed its enzymatic properties. The whole deduced amino acid sequence of NdHNL-L was not homologous to any other HNLs, and the specific activity for mandelonitrile synthesis by NdHNL-L was higher than that by other plant HNLs. The enzyme catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of (R)-cyanohydrins, exhibited high activity at pH 4.0, and high stability in the pH range of 3.5-8.0 and below 55°C. Thus, NdHNL-L is a novel HNL with novel amino acid sequence and has a potential for the efficient production of (R)-cyanohydrins.

Ligand complex structures of l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813 and its conformational change.

l-Amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813 (l-AAO/MOG) catalyzes both the oxidative deamination and oxidative decarboxylation of the α-group of l-Lys to produce a keto acid and amide, respectively. l-AAO/MOG exhibits limited specificity for l-amino acid substrates with a basic side chain. We previously determined its ligand-free crystal structure and identified a key residue for maintaining the dual activities. Here, we determined the structures of l-AAO/MOG complexed with l-Lys, l-ornithine, and l-Arg and revealed its substrate recognition. Asp238 is located at the ceiling of a long hydrophobic pocket and forms a strong interaction with the terminal, positively charged group of the substrates. A mutational analysis on the D238A mutant indicated that the interaction is critical for substrate binding but not for catalytic control between the oxidase/monooxygenase activities. The catalytic activities of the D238E mutant unexpectedly increased, while the D238F mutant exhibited altered substrate specificity to long hydrophobic substrates. In the ligand-free structure, there are two channels connecting the active site and solvent, and a short region located at the dimer interface is disordered. In the l-Lys complex structure, a loop region is displaced to plug the channels. Moreover, the disordered region in the ligand-free structure forms a short helix in the substrate complex structures and creates the second binding site for the substrate. It is assumed that the amino acid substrate enters the active site of l-AAO/MOG through this route. Database: The atomic coordinates and structure factors (codes 5YB6, 5YB7, and 5YB8) have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank (http://wwpdb.org/). EC numbers: 1.4.3.2 (l-amino acid oxidase), 1.13.12.2 (lysine 2-monooxygenase).

Characterization of two carbonyl reductases from Ogataea polymorpha NBRC 0799.

The enzyme responsible for the enantioselective production of (S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol ((S)-TFP) from 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone (TFA) has been identified in Ogataea polymorpha NBRC 0799. We purified two carbonyl reductases, OpCRD-A and OpCRD-B from this strain, and revealed their characteristics. Both enzymes were specific to NADH, but the following characteristics were different: The molecular mass of subunit OpCRD-A was 40 kDa and that of OpCRD-B was 43 kDa. Amino acid sequences of both enzymes were only 21% identical. OpCRD-B contained 4 mol of zinc per mole of enzyme, but OpCRD-A did not. The optimal pH, temperature, pH stability, thermostability, and inhibitor specificity were also remarkably different. With regard to substrate specificity, both enzymes exhibited high reductase activity toward a wide variety of ketones, aldehydes and fluoroketones, and dehydrogenase activity toward 2-propanol and 2-butanol. The reductase activity was much higher than the dehydrogenase activity at acidic pH. OpCRD-A enantioselectively produced (S)-TFP from TFA, but OpCRD-B preferentially produced (R)-TFP. Thus, we concluded that OpCRD-A plays the main role in the production of (S)-TFP by a reaction of O. polymorpha NBRC 0799 cells and that OpCRD-A has great potential for efficient production of (S)-TFP, as it is an S-specific enzyme and does not catalyze the dehydrogenation of (S)-TFP.

An enzymatic method for the production of 6-oxohexanoic acid from 6-aminohexanoic acid by an enzyme oxidizing ω-amino compounds from Phialemonium sp. AIU 274.

An enzymatic method for 6-oxohexanoic acid production was developed using 6-aminohexanoic acid and an ω-amino group-oxidizing enzyme (ω-AOX) from Phialemonium sp. AIU 274. 6-Oxohexanoic acid was produced from 6-aminohexanoic acid with 100% yield by incubation with 0.3 U of the ω-AOX and 20 U of catalase at 30 °C for 30 h in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0).

New alkalophilic ß-galactosidase with high activity in alkaline pH region from Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1.

A ß-d-galactosidase exhibiting high activity in the alkaline pH region was purified from Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1, which we previously isolated as a unique fungal producer of three acidophilic and one alkalophilic ß-d-galactosidases (Isobe et al., J. Biosci. Bioeng., 116, 171-174, 2013). The enzyme was stable in the pH range 7.5-10.0 and exhibited optimal activity at pH 8.0 and 60°C. The enzyme hydrolyzed 2-nitrophenyl ß-d-galactopyranoside, 4-nitrophenyl ß-d-galactopyranoside, and lactose, and the Km values were estimated to be 0.349 mM, 0.488 mM, and 701 mM, respectively. Chelating reagents (EDTA and o-phenanthroline) and metals (Cu2+and Ni2+) inhibited the enzyme activity, and Mn2+ was a good activator. The enzyme also exhibited transgalactosylation activity for lactose. The enzyme's molecular mass was estimated to be 180 kDa, and its structure was monomeric. Thus, the enzymatic and physicochemical characteristics of the alkalophilic ß-galactosidase in this study clearly differed from those of the previously known alkalophilic ß-d-galactosidases.

Novel acidophilic ß-galactosidase with high activity at extremely acidic pH region from Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1.

A ß-galactosidase exhibiting maximal activity at pH 1.0 was purified from Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 180 kDa and consisted of two heterosubunits of 120 kDa and 66 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the large subunit was found to be SPNLQDIVTVDGESY. These physicochemical properties differed from those of other microbial ß-galactosidases. At pH values of 1.5 and pH 4.5, the enzyme exhibited its highest activity at temperatures of 70°C and 80°C, respectively. Thus, the enzyme exhibited the lowest optimal pH and highest optimal temperature among the microbial ß-galactosidases thus reported. The enzyme retained more than 80% of its original activity in the pH range from 2.0 to 8.0 by incubation at 50°C for 30 min. The enzyme hydrolyzed 4-nitrophenyl-ß-D-fucopyranoside, 2-nitrophenyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside, and 4-nitrophenyl-ß-D-galacto-pyranoside at relative reaction rates of 100, 59, and 24, respectively, at pH 1.5, and its affinity for ß-D-galactopyranosides was higher than that for ß-D-fucopyranosides. The enzyme also efficiently hydrolyzed lactose in milk and whey from yoghurt at pH 1.5.

Characterization of two amine oxidases from Aspergillus carbonarius AIU 205.

We have reported that Aspergillus carbonarius AIU 205, which was isolated by our group, produced three enzymes exhibiting oxidase activity for 4-aminobutanamide (4-ABAD) (J. Biosci. Bioeng., 117, 263-268, 2014). Among three enzymes, characteristics of enzyme I have been revealed, but those of the other two enzymes have not. In this study, we purified enzymes II and III, and compared their characteristics with those of enzyme I. Enzymes II and III also oxidized aliphatic monoamines, aromatic amines, and aliphatic aminoalcohols. In addition, the oxidase activity of both enzymes was strongly inhibited by carbonyl reagents and specific inhibitors for copper-containing amine oxidases. Thus, enzymes II and III were also classified into the copper-containing amine oxidase group (EC 1.4.3.6) along with enzyme I. However, these three enzymes differed from each other in their enzymatic, kinetic, and physicochemical properties. The N-terminal amino acid sequences also differed from each other; that of enzyme I was modified, that of enzyme II was similar to those of peroxisomal copper-containing amine oxidases, and that of enzyme III was similar to those of copper-containing amine oxidases from the genus Aspergillus. Therefore, we concluded that A. carbonarius AIU 205 produced three different types of amine oxidase in the mycelia.

A new aldehyde oxidase catalyzing the conversion of glycolaldehyde to glycolate from Burkholderia sp. AIU 129.

We found a new aldehyde oxidase (ALOD), which catalyzes the conversion of glycolaldehyde to glycolate, from Burkholderia sp. AIU 129. The enzyme further oxidized aliphatic aldehydes, an aromatic aldehyde, and glyoxal, but not glycolate or alcohols. The molecular mass of this enzyme was 130 kDa, and it was composed of three different subunits (αßγ structure), in which the α, ß, and γ subunits were 76 kDa, 36 kDa, and 14 kDa, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of each subunit showed high similarity to those of putative subunits of xanthine dehydrogenase. Metals (copper, iron and molybdenum) and chelating reagents (α,α'-dipyridyl and 8-hydroxyquinoline) inhibited the ALOD activity. The ALOD showed highest activity at pH 6.0 and 50°C. Twenty mM glycolaldehyde was completely converted to glycolate by incubation at 30°C for 3 h, suggesting that the ALOD found in this study would be useful for enzymatic production of glycolate.

New enzymatic methods for selective assay of L-lysine using an L-lysine specific decarboxylase/oxidase from Burkholderia sp. AIU 395.

We developed new enzymatic methods for the selective assay of L-lysine by utilizing an oxidase reaction and a decarboxylation reaction by the L-lysine-specific decarboxylase/oxidase (L-Lys-DC/OD) from Burkholderia sp. AIU 395. The method utilizing the oxidase reaction of this enzyme was useful for determination of high concentrations of L-lysine. The method utilizing the decarboxylase reaction, which proceeded via the combination of the L-Lys-DC/OD and putrescine oxidase (PUO) from Micrococcus rubens, was effective for determination of low concentrations of L-lysine. Both methods showed good linearity, and neither was affected by other amino acids or amines. In addition, the within-assay and between-assay precisions of both methods were within the allowable range. The coupling of L-Lys-DC/OD with PUO was also useful for the differential assay of L-lysine and cadaverine. These newly developed methods were applied to the assay of L-lysine in biological samples and found to be effective.

Characterization of a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent l-lysine decarboxylase/oxidase from Burkholderia sp. AIU 395.

A novel enzyme, which catalyzed decarboxylation of l-lysine into cadaverine with release of carbon dioxide and oxidative deamination of l-lysine into l-2-aminoadipic 5-semialdehyde with release of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, was found from a newly isolated Burkholderia sp. AIU 395. The enzyme was specific to l-lysine and did not exhibit enzyme activities for other l-amino acids, l-lysine derivatives, d-amino acids, and amines. The apparent Km values for l-lysine in the oxidation and decarboxylation reactions were estimated to be 0.44 mM and 0.84 mM, respectively. The molecular mass was estimated to be 150 kDa, which was composed of two identical subunits with molecular mass of 76.5 kDa. The enzyme contained one mol of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate per subunit as a prosthetic group. The enzyme exhibiting decarboxylase and oxidase activities for l-lysine was first reported here, while the deduced amino acid sequence was homologous to that of putative lysine decarboxylases from the genus Burkholderia.

Mutational and crystallographic analysis of l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813: Interconversion between oxidase and monooxygenase activities.

In this study, it was shown for the first time that l-amino acid oxidase of Pseudomonas sp. AIU813, renamed as l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase (l-AAO/MOG), exhibits l-lysine 2-monooxygenase as well as oxidase activity. l-Lysine oxidase activity of l-AAO/MOG was increased in a p-chloromercuribenzoate (p-CMB) concentration-dependent manner to a final level that was five fold higher than that of the non-treated enzyme. In order to explain the effects of modification by the sulfhydryl reagent, saturation mutagenesis studies were carried out on five cysteine residues, and we succeeded in identifying l-AAO/MOG C254I mutant enzyme, which showed five-times higher specific activity of oxidase activity than that of wild type. The monooxygenase activity shown by the C254I variant was decreased significantly. Moreover, we also determined a high-resolution three-dimensional structure of l-AAO/MOG to provide a structural basis for its biochemical characteristics. The key residue for the activity conversion of l-AAO/MOG, Cys-254, is located near the aromatic cage (Trp-418, Phe-473, and Trp-516). Although the location of Cys-254 indicates that it is not directly involved in the substrate binding, the chemical modification by p-CMB or C254I mutation would have a significant impact on the substrate binding via the side chain of Trp-516. It is suggested that a slight difference of the binding position of a substrate can dictate the activity of this type of enzyme as oxidase or monooxygenase.

Characterization and application of aminoamide-oxidizing enzyme from Aspergillus carbonarius AIU 205.

We isolated Aspergillus carbonarius AIU 205 as a new producer of an enzyme catalyzing oxidative deamination of 4-aminobutanamide (4-ABAD) to 4-oxobutanamide with the subsequent release of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. Since the strain produced three enzymes with different Km values for 4-ABAD, the enzyme with lowest Km value (0.31 mM) was purified and revealed certain remarkable properties. The enzyme also oxidized aliphatic monoamines, aromatic amines and aliphatic aminoalcohols, but did not oxidize l-amino acids and aliphatic diamines. The Vmax/Km values for aliphatic monoamines were higher than that for 4-ABAD, and the enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by inhibitors of copper-containing amine oxidases. Thus, it was concluded that the enzyme might belong to a group of copper-containing amine oxidase. The 4-ABAD oxidase activity of this enzyme was optimum at pH 7.0, and the enzyme activity at pH 6.0 was 65% of that at pH 7.0. The enzyme was useful for increasing the sensitivity of l-lysine assay using l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813.

Characterization of a novel l-amino acid oxidase with protein oxidizing activity from Penicillium steckii AIU 027.

An enzyme exhibiting oxidase activity for ß-lactoglobulin, myoglobin, and l-lysine-containing peptides was found from a newly isolated fungal strain, Penicillium steckii AIU 027. The enzyme also oxidized l-amino acids, N(α)-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine (N(α)-Z-l-lysine) and N(ε)-Z-l-lysine, but not d-amino acids and amines. Thus, the enzyme was classified into a group of l-amino acid oxidases (l-AAOs). However, characteristics of this l-AAO were significantly different from those of other l-AAOs as follows. The l-AAO from P. steckii AIU 027 oxidized both the α-amino group and the ε-amino group in l-amino acids and l-lysine-containing peptides, and the Km values for l-lysine-containing polypeptides were lower than those for N(α)-Z-l-lysine and l-lysine-containing dipeptides. The enzyme contained flavin and iron, and composed of four identical subunits with molecular mass of 75.3 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence, ENIADVADAMGPWFDGVAYMKSKKN, was different from that of other l-AAOs. Thus, the l-AAO with protein oxidase activity was first reported here from P. steckii AIU 027.

Characterization of new ß-galactosidase from acidophilic fungus, Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1.

The ß-galactosidase exhibiting high activity from an extremely acidic pH region to neutral pH region was efficiently purified from an acidophilic fungus, Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1, using affinity chromatography with Toyopearl resins immobilized 4-aminophenyl-ß-d-galactopyranoside. The enzyme was stable in the pH range from 1.5 to 7.0, and exhibited optimal activity at pH 2.5-4.0 and 70°C. 2-Nitrophenyl-ß-d-galactopyranoside, 4-nitrophenyl-ß-d-galactopyranoside and lactose were rapidly hydrolyzed, and the apparent Km values were estimated to be 0.19 mM, 1.2 mM and 170 mM, respectively. Thus, the enzyme can be used in the wide pH range for hydrolysis of lactose. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 140 kDa with two hetero subunits of 86 kDa and 50 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the small subunit was found to be NTRMIIFNDK. These enzymatic and physicochemical characteristics are remarkably different from those of the previously known ß-galactosidases.

Acidophilic fungus, Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1, produces multiple forms of intracellular ß-galactosidase.

Teratosphaeria acidotherma AIU BGA-1 isolated from an acidic and high temperature hot spring produced four intracellular ß-D-galactosidases with different pH activity profiles, in which three forms were acidophilic and stable from extremely acidic to neutral pH region. The other one was alkalophilic and unstable in the acidic pH region.

Characterization and application of a L-specific amino acid oxidase from Rhodococcus sp. AIU LAB-3.

An L-specific amino acid oxidase (L-AAO) suitable for assay of N-acyl-L-amino acid amidohydrolase (L-aminoacylase) activity was purified from Rhodococcus sp. AIU LAB-3. The enzyme exhibited broad substrate specificity and catalyzed an oxidative deamination of the a-amino group of L-amino acids. The optimal enzyme activities for L-amino acids tested were observed in the pH range from 6.0 to 8.5, and more than 80% of the maximum activity was obtained at pH 7.5. The enzyme was stable in the pH range from 7.0 to 8.5, and the apparent Km values for those L-amino acids were small. We, therefore, developed a new enzymatic method for assay of L-aminoacylase activity using the L-AAO at pH 7.5. The new enzymatic method had advantages that the L-aminoacylase reaction was spectrophotometrically followed by measuring absorbance at 555 nm. The L-aminoacylase activity was assayed within 10 min using a small reaction volume. Thus, the new enzymatic method was simple and sensitive compared to the ninhydrin method.

Purification and characterization of an L-amino acid oxidase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813.

An L-amino acid oxidase was found from a newly isolated strain, Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813. This enzyme was remarkably induced by incubation with L-lysine as a nitrogen source, and efficiently purified using an affinity chromatography with L-lysine as ligand. The enzyme oxidized L-lysine, L-ornithine and L-arginine, but not other L-amino acids and d-amino acids. The oxidase activity for L-lysine was detected in a wide pH range, and its optimal was pH 7.0. In contrast, the oxidase activity for L-ornithine and L-arginine was not shown in acidic region from pH 6.5, and optimal pH for both substrates was 9.0. The enzyme was a flavoprotein and composed of two identical subunits with molecular mass of 54.5 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was similar to that of putative flavin-containing amine oxidase and putative tryptophan 2-monooxygenase, but not to that of L-amino acid oxidases.