In Situ Generation and Consumption of H2O2 by Bienzyme-Quantum Dots Bioconjugates for Improved Chemiluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer.

Exploration of quantum dots (QDs) as energy acceptors revolutionizes the current chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET), since QDs possess large Stokes shifts and high luminescence efficiency. However, the strong and high concentration of oxidant (typically H2O2) needed for luminol chemiluminescence (CL) reaction could cause oxidative quenching to QDs, thereby decreasing the CRET performance. Here we proposed the use of bienzyme-QDs bioconjugate as the energy acceptor for improved CRET sensing. Two enzymes, one for H2O2 generation (oxidase) and another for H2O2 consumption (horseradish peroxidase, HRP), were bioconjugated onto the surface of QDs. The bienzyme allowed fast in situ cascaded H2O2 generation and consumption, thus alleviating fluorescence quenching of QDs. The nanosized QDs accommodate the two enzymes in a nanometric range, and the CL reaction was confined on the surface of QDs accordingly, thereby amplifying the CL reaction rate and improving CRET efficiency. As a result, CRET efficiency of 30-38% was obtained; the highest CRET efficiency by far was obtained using QDs as the energy acceptor. The proposed CRET system could be explored for ultrasensitive sensing of various oxidase substrates (here exemplified with cholesterol, glucose, and benzylamine), allowing for quantitative measurement of a spectrum of metabolites with high sensitivity and specificity. Limits of detection (LOD, 3σ) for cholesterol, glucose, and benzylamine were found to be 0.8, 3.4, and 10 nM, respectively. Furthermore, multiparametric blood analysis (glucose and cholesterol) is demonstrated.

Effects of amine oxidases in allergic and histamine-mediated conditions.

This review provides an update on histamine, on diamine oxidase (DAO) and on their implications in allergy and various conditions or affections, such as food histaminosis, ischemia and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The review also presents, in brief, patent coverage on therapies for allergy and IBD with the focus on histamine-related treatments.

Long-term high copper intake: effects on indexes of copper status, antioxidant status, and immune function in young men.

BACKGROUND: Short-term high copper intake does not appear to affect indexes of copper status or functions related to copper status, but the effects of long-term high copper intake are unknown. OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted in men to determine the effect of long-term high copper intake on indexes of copper status, oxidant damage, and immune function. DESIGN: Nine men were confined to a metabolic research unit (MRU) for 18 d and were fed a 3-d rotating menu providing an average of 1.6 mg Cu/d. The men continued the study under free-living conditions for 129 d and supplemented their usual diets with 7 mg Cu/d. The men then returned to the MRU for 18 d of the same diet as during the first period, except that copper intake was 7.8 mg/d. Plasma copper, ceruloplasmin activity, ceruloplasmin protein, plasma malondialdehyde, benzylamine oxidase activity, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, hair copper, urinary copper, and urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were measured during each MRU period. RESULTS: Ceruloplasmin activity, benzylamine oxidase, and superoxide dismutase were significantly higher at the end of the second MRU period than at the end of the first. Urinary copper excretion, hair copper concentrations, and urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were significantly higher during the second MRU period than during the first. Polymorphonuclear cell count, the percentage of white blood cells, lymphocyte count, and interleukin 2R were affected by copper supplementation. Antibody titer for the Beijing strain of influenza virus was significantly lower in supplemented subjects after immunization than in unsupplemented control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Under highly controlled conditions, long-term high copper intake results in increases in some indexes of copper status, alters an index of oxidant stress, and affects several indexes of immune function. The physiologic implications of these changes are unknown.

A benzilomino-oxidade (BZAO)-oxidade em portadores de carcinoma esofágico avançado / A Benzylamine-oxidade in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma

RAcional - A benzilamino-oxidase (BzAO) é uma enzima de substrato fisiológico ainda não totalmente conhecido, presente em todos os tecidos humanos e localiza-se nas células nusculares lisas dos vasos sanguíneos, especulando-se daí que a sua função esteja relacionada a angiogenese...

Induction and characterization of a novel amine oxidase from the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus.

An amine oxidase from the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus was induced, purified and completely characterized; it was shown to belong to the class of copper-containing amine oxidases (E.C. 1.4.3.6). The enzyme was induced by putrescine and, very strongly, by copper(II); structural-functional characterization of the enzyme was performed, including determination of molecular weight, glycosylation, copper and TPQ content, isoelectric point, K(M) and k(CAT) (with benzylamine as substrate), pH, temperature and ionic strength effect on catalysis, substrate and inhibitor specificity. A 700 bp clone was isolated containing the cDNA that encodes for the C-terminus of the enzyme; the amino acid sequence deduced (the first available for a benzylamine oxidase from yeast) was compared to that of other copper amine oxidases from microorganisms and higher organisms. From the results obtained, the putrescine/benzylamine oxidase from Kluyveromyces marxianus was found to have a good homology with other enzymes of this class from microorganisms, and particularly with AO I from Aspergillus niger. Nonetheless, some features resulted closer to those of animal amine oxidases and histaminases. Some potential biotechnological applications are proposed. The cDNA Accession No. is AJ320485.

A benzilamino-oxidase (BzAO) em portadores de adenocarcinoma gástrico avançado / Benzylamine oxidase in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma

OBJETIVO: Realizar dosagens da benzilamino-oxidase (BzAO), uma enzima tissular localizada na túnica média dos vasos sanguíneos, mais precisamente no músculo liso, em fragmentos tumorais e não tumorais de peças cirúrgicas ressecadas de portadores de adenocarcinoma gástrico avançado. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 24 doentes (18 masculinos e seis femininos com média de idade de 55,4 anos). Quanto à localização do tumor, eram 11 do antro gástrico, nove do corpo, dois da cárdia, um do corpo e antro e um do fundo, sendo que 12 doentes foram submetidos a gastrectomia subtotal e os demais a gastrectomia total com esplenectomia, todos com linfadenectomia a D2. As dosagens de BzAO foram correlacionadas com idade , sexo , tempo de história da doença, local do tumor no estômago, tipo histopatólogico e cirurgia realizada. RESULTADOS: A atividade enzimática da BzAO nos tecidos gástricos normais variou de 22,9 mM a 111 mM (média de 57,1), sendo superior nos tecidos tumorais em todos os casos, variando de 35,5 mM a 148 mM (média de 70,7). A análise estatística pelo teste t de student mostrou diferença significativa entre as duas dosagens (desvio padrão de 2,373 e p = 0,0263, portanto p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: As dosagens de BzAO foram mais elevadas nos fragmentos tumorais gástricos, sugerindo existir correlação entre a BzAO e a angiogênese, e, portanto, a possibilidade de utilização de terapias antiangiogênicas que atuem inibindo o crescimento tumoral e metastático.

Methylamine and benzylamine induced hypophagia in mice: modulation by semicarbazide-sensitive benzylamine oxidase inhibitors and aODN towards Kv1.1 channels.

1. In starved mice, the anorectic activity of methylamine (MET) and benzylamine (BZ), both substrates of semicarbazide-sensitive benzylamine oxidases (Bz-SSAO), was compared with that of the potassium channel blocking agents charybdotoxin (ChTX), tetraethylammonium (TEA), gliquidone (GLI), ammonium chloride (NH(4)(+)) and of the anoressants amphetamine (AMPH) and nicotine (NIC). After i.c.v. administration, an approximate ranking order of potency was: ChTX> or =AMPH>NIC=TEA> or =GLI> or =MET>BZ>NH(4)(+). 2. Clorgyline (2.5 mg kg(-1) i.p.) or deprenyl (10 mg kg(-1) i.p.) potentiated the anorectic effect of i.c.v.-administered BZ, NIC and AMPH. The effect of TEA was increased only by deprenyl, while MET, NH(4)(+), ChTX and GLI were not affected by either of the inhibitors. 3. The Bz-SSAO inhibitors alpha-aminoguanidine (50 mg kg(-1) i.p.), B24 (100 mg kg(-1) i.p.) and MDL 72274 (2.5 mg kg(-1) i.p.) potentiated the effect of i.p., but not of i.c.v.-administered MET. 4. Antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (aODN) to Kv1.1 potassium channels abolished the effect of BZ and TEA, but was ineffective in reducing the activity of MET and other compounds. 5. These results suggest that MET is endowed with peculiar hypophagic effects at dosage levels that are not able to affect gross behaviour in mice. The effect of MET, differently from BZ, seems unrelated to an increase in the central release of monoaminergic mediators, as well as to a Kv1.1 blocking activity. Through a reduction of the endogenous breakdown of MET, Bz-SSAO inhibitors enhance the central pharmacological activity of this amine.

High-level expression of human liver monoamine oxidase B in Pichia pastoris.

The high-level heterologous expression, purification, and characterization of the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme human liver monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris expression system are described. A 2-L culture of P. pastoris expresses approximately 1700 U of MAO B activity, with the recombinant enzyme associated tightly with the membrane fraction of the cell lysate. By a modification of the published procedure for purification of bovine liver MAO B [Salach, J. I. (1979) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 192, 128-137], recombinant human liver MAO B is purified in a 34% yield ( approximately 200 mg from 2 L of cell culture). The isolated enzyme exhibits an M(r) of approximately 60, 000 on SDS-PAGE and 59,474 from electrospray mass spectrometry measurements, which is in good agreement with the mass predicted from the gene sequence and inclusion of the covalent FAD. One mole of covalent FAD per mole of MAO B is present in the purified enzyme and is bound by an 8alpha-S-cysteinyl(397) linkage, as identified by electrospray mass spectrometry of the isolated tryptic/chymotryptic flavin peptide. Recombinant human liver MAO B and bovine liver MAO B are shown to be acetylated at the seryl residues at their respective amino termini. The benzylamine oxidase activity of recombinant MAO B ranges from 3.0 to 3.4 U/mg and steady-state kinetic parameters for this enzyme preparation compare well with those published for the bovine liver enzyme: k(cat) = 600 min(-1), K(m)(benzylamine) = 0.50 mM, and K(m)(O(2)) = 0.33 mM. Kinetic isotope effect parameters using [alpha,alpha-(2)H(2)]benzylamine are also similar to those found for the bovine enzyme. Recombinant MAO B exhibits a (D)k(cat) = 4.7, a (D)[k(cat)/K(m)(benzylamine)] = 4.5, and a (D)[k(cat)/K(m)(O(2))] = 1.0. In contrast to bovine liver MAO B, no evidence was found for the presence of any anionic flavin radical either by UV-vis or by EPR spectroscopy in the resting form of the enzyme. These data demonstrate the successful heterologous expression of a functional, membrane-bound MAO B, which will permit a number of mutagenesis studies as structural and mechanistic probes not previously possible.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidases in heart and bovine serum.

In guinea pig dorsal skin the semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) is localised in fibroblasts. Fibroblasts in culture lose the ability to express this enzymatic activity with doublings, thus suggesting that the SSAO expression needs some factors which are not present in the 10% bovine serum culture medium. Fresh bovine serum of adult animals contains two SSAO activities, one with high affinity for benzylamine and one with lower affinity. The enzyme with lower affinity for benzylamine was identified as spermine oxidase, the oxidation of [14C]-benzylamine was inhibited by semicarbazide, alpha-aminoguanidine and B24, a specific inhibitor of benzylamine oxidase and spermine oxidase, both SSAO enzymes. The enzymatic activity of bovine serum was partially purified, the kinetic properties and sensitivity to inhibitors studied. A mathematical procedure for the analysis of the kinetics resulting from the activity of two enzymes acting on the same substrate seems to give better results than the methods previously described.

Possible different fates for the hydrogen peroxide produced by rat white adipocyte amine oxidases.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and benzylamine oxidases (Bz-SSAO) of rat white adipocytes, deaminating benzylamine and tyramine produce hydrogen peroxide at different cellular levels. The peroxide produced by their activity has a very short half-life in adipocyte suspension. The addition of a catalase inhibitor allows for the recovery of the intact peroxide within the first 10-min of its production. Thus, benzylamine and tyramine-dependent peroxide recovery is different, suggesting that the fate of the peroxide produced by the two amine oxidases might be different depending on the cellular site of its production.

The mechanism of inhibition of benzylamine oxidase by 3,5-diethoxy-4-aminomethylpyridine (B24).

B24, 3,5-diethoxy-4-aminomethylpyridine, is a specific inhibitor of the semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase with high affinity for benzylamine (BnNH2.SSAO). It is a site-directed inhibitor of pig plasma benzylamine oxidase (BAO) with an affinity for the enzyme much higher than that for benzylamine. B24 inhibition is dependent on the molar ratio B24/BAO because the inhibitor reacts mole to mole with the enzyme and benzylamine appears to be ineffective in removing the inhibitor from the adduct [EI]. B24 is a weak substrate of BAO and for this reason the degree of inhibition (when the molar ratio B24/BAO is lower than 1) decreases with the incubation time as well as with the preincubation time. This decrease is dependent on the gradual release of free enzyme which reacts with the substrate, giving [ES] without any interfering free B24. When the B24/BAO molar ratio is higher than 1, the free enzyme released by the oxidative deamination of B24 reacts with the substrate, but the free B24 present competitively inhibits the formation of [ES] and the affinity of benzylamine is therefore reduced. This is the reason why B24, in the kinetic experiments in which the inhibitor is not pre-incubated with the enzyme, may appear to be a competitive inhibitor or a mixed inhibitor, mainly competitive. When B24 is preincubated with the enzyme and the initial rate of benzylamine oxidation is measured, it appears as a non-competitive inhibitor becoming a mixed one only when the B24/BAO molar ratio is high and the incubation time is long.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activity in the human heart.

A semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase with affinity for benzylamine (Bz.SSAO) was found in the human heart. This enzymatic activity has a K(m) of 278 +/- 35.3 microM and a V(m) of 114.7 +/- 14.7 nmol mg-1 min-1 (mean +/- SE of eight hearts) for benzylamine and is strongly inhibited by 1 mM histamine and by B24, a specific inhibitor of Bz.SSAO. No diamine oxidase activity was found in the human heart. The levels of MAo and B were assayed: MAO A showed a K(m) of 137.1 +/- 16.2 microM and a V(m) of 10.4 +/- 2.5 nmol mg-1 min-1 for serotonin; MAo B had a K(m) of 9.9 +/- 1.6 microM and V(m) of 4.3 +/- 1.1 nmol mg-1 min-1 for beta-phenylethylamine (mean +/- SE of seven hearts). The human heart has high MAO B activity and Bz.SSAO with histaminase activity.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase in pig heart.

A semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) (E.C.1.4.3.6) has been purified from pig heart. Western blot analysis showed that the enzyme reacts with a polyclonal antibody raised against homogeneous crystalline pig plasma benzylamine oxidase (BAO). A subunit molecular mass of 97 KDa obtained by SDS electrophoresis is identical to the plasma enzyme. The purification procedure consisted of sequential DEAE cellulose, octyl-Sepharose, Con A-Sepharose and hydroxyapatite columns. Two peaks of activity were obtained on octyl-Sepharose which were found to be kinetically and immunologically indistinguishable. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 0.045 mumol/min/mg of protein at 37 degrees C and the Km for benzylamine was estimated to be 63 microM. The enzyme was inhibited by carbonyl reagents such as semicarbazide but was insensitive to the effect of pargyline.

Development of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-generating oxidases in chick organs with special reference to kidneys.

The developmental pattern of H2O2-producing oxidases (OX) was studied in chick kidneys (mesonephros, metanephros), intestine, liver, yolk sac and adrenal glands between embryonic days (ED) 5-20 as well as in chick organs after hatching. Sections from snap frozen tissue fixed in cold cacodylate-buffered 2% glutaraldehyde were processed by cerium-DAB-Co-H2O2 methods for benzylamine OX, diamine OX, histamine OX, alpha-hydroxyacid OX, D-amino acid OX (AAOX) and monoamine OX (MAOX). Prenatally, only activities of AAOX and MAOX could be demonstrated. AAOX appeared primarily in the proximal tubular cells of both types of kidneys. In the metanephros the enzyme was also detected in the thick ascending limbs of Henle's loops. The amount of reaction product in tubular cells increased with their maturation. MAOX activity was detected in immature enterocytes, in smooth muscle cells of large systemic arteries (on ED 5-6) as well as in proximal tubular cells of the mesonephros and adrenal gland. Later the enzyme appeared also in smooth muscle cells of the intestinal wall and in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of arterioles of the mesonephros. In the metanephros MAOX was detected at the same locations with a time delay because of a developmental shift of the kidney. Inhibition tests revealed that MAOX differs in epithelial cells from that in smooth muscle cells. Benzylamine OX, diamine OX and histamine OX were detected postnatally in smooth muscle cells of the arterial media and muscularis externa of the intestinal wall with low activities. It is concluded that MAOX and AAOX activities represent useful markers in the development of renal tubules. In addition, MAOX activity can be considered an indicator of maturation of components of the vascular wall.

Evidence of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activity in guinea pig tissues.

Lung, heart tissues and blood plasma of guinea pigs were investigated to see if tissue-bound semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activities with a high affinity for benzylamine (Bz.SSAO) were present in this species as well as in others. This paper shows that these enzymic activities are present in guinea pig lung and heart where they are mainly localized in the cytosol and in microsomal fraction. These activities have a high affinity for benzylamine and appear unable to oxidize histamine at an appreciable rate in agreement with the observation that the purified Bz.SSAO of guinea pig skin shows weak histaminase activity. These guinea pig Bz.SSAO activities show some homology with the pure pig plasma benzylamine oxidase. They crossreact with the antibodies raised in the rabbit against the pig plasma enzyme. Benzylamine oxidase activity was also found in guinea pig blood plasma.

Ethanol ingestion on allylamine-induced experimental subendocardial fibrosis.

Effects of ethanol ingestion on allylamine-induced subendocardial fibrosis of the myocardium and intimal hyperplasia of the intramyocardial coronary artery were investigated in male Wistar rats. The toxic effect of allylamine is ascribed to acrolein produced from allylamine by benzylamine oxidase. Animals were forced to drink allylamine solution for 12 weeks. Incidence and size of subendocardial fibrosis were examined, and the lesions of the intramyocardial artery were scrutinized. Effects of ethanol on the systemic blood pressure and benzylamine oxidase activity were investigated in another experiment. Treatment with allylamine resulted in subendocardial fibrosis (size = 4.2%) in 4 of 12 rats. The incidence of fibrosis was increased (up to 6/12) and the area of fibrosis was augmented (to 6.8%) in animals additionally treated with epinephrine. The lesions in the intramyocardial vasculature were also augmented. Ethanol ingestion reduced allylamine-induced subendocardial fibrosis and intramyocardial coronary lesions. The effects were significant in animals additionally treated with epinephrine. Systemic blood pressure and benzylamine oxidase activity were not significantly affected by allylamine or by ethanol. The vasodilatory effect of ethanol may have prevented the development of microvascular spasm induced by allylamine.

Identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of an adduct between pure pig plasma benzylamine oxidase and the inhibitor 3,5-diethoxy-4-aminomethylpyridine.

3,5-Diethoxy-4-aminomethylpyridine (B24) interacts with pure pig plasma benzylamine oxidase (BAO), giving a Schiff base with the carbonyl active site. This Schiff base was reduced, isolated by chemical hydrolysis of the enzyme, purified by HPLC and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after derivatization. The isolated B24 adduct had the same absorption spectrum, retention time on HPLC and GC and the same mass spectrum as B24-pyridoxamine. B24, which is a reversible enzyme inhibitor, is also a weak substrate and competes with benzylamine, which is the best substrate, for the active site. These results further indicate the presence of pyridoxal-phosphate covalently linked to the pig plasma benzylamine oxidase and involved in the active site of this enzyme.