Rapid and simple colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in apple juice using a novel recombinant bacteriophage-based Method.

In this study, a bacteriophage-based method for the colorimetric detection of E. coli O157:H7 in apple juice was investigated. Firstly, a gene encoding Cytochrome c Peroxidase (CCP) chromogenic enzyme was inserted into a wild type PP01 phage genome to construct the recombinant PP01ccp phage that was used in the production of the chromogenic enzyme through specific infection into E. coli O157:H7. The method was then examined in the colorimetric detection of E. coli O157:H7 in broth, and the appearance of E. coli O157:H7 in broth was confirmed by the color change after a few minutes of the enzyme assay. Secondly, the method was investigated in the colorimetric detection of E. coli O157:H7 in apple juice. A low E. coli O157:H7 concentration as 1 CFU mL(-1) was detected in 15 h that was in a shorter time than in previous bioluminescence phage-based methods. Moreover, the method is much simpler compared to other previous phage-based methods since it enables detection without the need for expensive apparatus.

A novel colorimetric method for the detection of Escherichia coli using cytochrome c peroxidase-encoding bacteriophage.

A new rapid and simple method was developed for the detection of Escherichia coli by constructing a recombinant T4 phage carrying the cytochrome c peroxidase gene derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (T4ccp) using which, the colorimetric detection of E. coli K12 was examined. The oxidation activity toward the chromogenic substrate cytochrome c was demonstrated by the cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) produced from the T4ccp genome. The color change caused by the oxidation of the substrate could be visually perceived. The possibility of interference in the detection by the coexistence of other bacteria was assessed using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a nontarget bacterium, and it was confirmed that the coexistence of P. aeruginosa caused no interference in the detection of E. coli K12.

Paramagnetic properties of the low- and high-spin states of yeast cytochrome c peroxidase.

Here we describe paramagnetic NMR analysis of the low- and high-spin forms of yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP), a 34 kDa heme enzyme involved in hydroperoxide reduction in mitochondria. Starting from the assigned NMR spectra of a low-spin CN-bound CcP and using a strategy based on paramagnetic pseudocontact shifts, we have obtained backbone resonance assignments for the diamagnetic, iron-free protein and the high-spin, resting-state enzyme. The derived chemical shifts were further used to determine low- and high-spin magnetic susceptibility tensors and the zero-field splitting constant (D) for the high-spin CcP. The D value indicates that the latter contains a hexacoordinate heme species with a weak field ligand, such as water, in the axial position. Being one of the very few high-spin heme proteins analyzed in this fashion, the resting state CcP expands our knowledge of the heme coordination chemistry in biological systems.

Optimized biorecognition of cytochrome c 551 and azurin immobilized on thiol-terminated monolayers assembled on Au(111) substrates.

Molecular recognition between two redox partners, azurin and cytochrome c 551, is studied at the single-molecule level by means of atomic force spectroscopy, after optimizing azurin adsorption on gold via sulfhydryl-terminated alkanethiol spacers. Our experiments provide evidence of specific interaction between the two partners, thereby demonstrating that azurin preserves biorecognition capability when assembled on gold via these spacers. Additionally, the measured single-molecule kinetic reaction rate results are consistent with a likely transient nature of the complex. Interestingly, the immobilization strategy adopted here, which was previously demonstrated to favor electrical coupling between azurin (AZ) and the metal electrode, is also found to facilitate AZ interaction with the redox partner, if compared to the case of AZ directly adsorbed on bare gold. Our findings confirm the key role of a well-designed immobilization strategy, capable of optimizing both biorecognition capabilities and electrical coupling with the conductive substrate at the single-molecule level, as a starting point for advanced applications of redox proteins for ultrasensitive biosensing.

Single molecule recognition between cytochrome C 551 and gold-immobilized azurin by force spectroscopy.

Recent developments in single molecule force spectroscopy have allowed investigating the interaction between two redox partners, Azurin and Cytochrome C 551. Azurin has been directly chemisorbed on a gold electrode whereas cytochrome c has been linked to the atomic force microscopy tip by means of a heterobifunctional flexible cross-linker. When recording force-distance cycles, molecular recognition events could be observed, displaying unbinding forces of approximately 95 pN for an applied loading rate of 10 nN/s. The specificity of molecular recognition was confirmed by the significant decrease of unbinding probability observed in control block experiments performed adding free azurin solution in the fluid cell. In addition, the complex dissociation kinetics has been here investigated by monitoring the unbinding forces as a function of the loading rate: the thermal off-rate was estimated to be approximately 14 s(-1), much higher than values commonly estimated for complexes more stable than electron transfer complexes. Results here discussed represent the first studies on molecular recognition between two redox partners by atomic force microscopy.

Heme peroxidase activity measured in single mosquitoes identifies individuals expressing an elevated oxidase for insecticide resistance.

Optimum conditions are described for a simple, rapid, microplate-based assay that indirectly measures the differences in oxidase levels between individual susceptible, resistant, or induced mosquitoes. A small proportion (0.01-0.1) of a single mosquito is used, allowing multiple replicates of the oxidase assay. Cytochrome C is used as a positive control. The levels of oxidase found in sample populations of pyrethroid-susceptible, pyrethroid-resistant, and phenobarbital-induced Anopheles albimanus mosquitoes are characterized with the assay.

Resonance Raman spectroscopy of cytochrome c peroxidase single crystals on a variable-temperature microscope stage.

Good quality resonance Raman (RR) spectra have been obtained for cytochrome c peroxidase single crystals (0.2 x 0.5 x 1 mm) lying on their 110 faces on a microscope stage. Crystal orientation and polarization effects are observed which differentiate the RR bands on the basis of the symmetries of the porphyrin vibrational modes. The measured depolarization ratios are accurately calibrated for isolated bands of both totally symmetric and non totally symmetric modes by using a model of D4h chromophores in an oriented gas using the crystal structure atomic coordinates. The calculations indicate that the electronic transition moments are approximately along the lines connecting the methine bridges, suggesting an electronic steering effect of the vinyl groups. Deviations are observed for bands associated with the porphyrin v10 and the vinyl C = C stretching modes, which may be due to their near-resonant interaction. The band frequencies correspond to those of a five-coordinate high-spin FeIII heme, as previously observed in solution, consistent with the X-ray structure showing the Fe atom to be out of the heme plane on the proximal side with a distal water molecule located at a nonbonded distance, 2.4 A. The temperature dependence of the RR spectrum was determined with a Joule-Thompson cryostat on crystals sealed in glass capillaries. As the temperature is lowered, the spectrum converts to one characteristic of a low-spin FeIII heme. The conversion, which is readily reversible, is quite gradual. It is detectable at -50 degrees C but is incomplete even at -190 degrees C. A temperature effect on the protein structure is proposed which permits the Fe atom to approach the heme plane and bind the distal water molecule, or the distal histidine.

Effects of temperature and glycerol on the resonance Raman spectra of cytochrome c peroxidase and selected mutants.

The high-frequency resonance Raman spectra of FeIII yeast native cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) and five of its mutants [CCP(MI), Phe-51, Leu-48, Lys-48, Asn-235, and Phe-191] were recorded in phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, and in glycerol/phosphate mixtures at 295 and 10 K. Glycerol induces heme coordination changes in some of the CCP mutants at room temperature. It apparently weakens the binding of the Fe atom to ligands in the distal heme cavity and drives the heme toward the 5-coordinate, high-spin state. At 10 K, native CCP and all the mutants (except Phe-51 which remains 6-coordinate, high-spin) show various distributions of spin and coordination states which differ from those observed at 295 K. Upon cooling in phosphate buffer, pH 7, and to a much lesser extent in 66% glycerol/phosphate, an internal strong-field ligand is coordinated to the Fe. A likely candidate is H2O-595, which could become a strong-field ligand on H-bonding and/or proton transfer to H2O-648, and/or the distal His-52. However, distal His-52 itself cannot be ruled out as the coordinating ligand considering that the Phe-51 mutant, which binds H2O-595 at room temperature, does not show a large 6-coordinate, low-spin component at 10 K like the other mutants. These results clearly indicate that the Fe coordination in CCP and its mutants is sensitive to both temperature and solvent composition.

Transient resonance Raman spectroscopy shows unrelaxed heme following CO photodissociation from cytochrome-c peroxidase.

The 7 ns 436 nm pulses of an H2-shifted YAG laser have been used to photolyze the CO adduct of cytochrome-c peroxidase and produce the resonance Raman spectrum of the photoproduct. A 3 cm-1 downshift, relative to the spectrum of reduced enzyme, was observed for the porphyrin C-N breathing mode, v4. The downshift diminishes with decreasing CO /protein ratio, implying, in conjunction with a recent study of CO binding, that the unrelaxed heme is associated with adduct having a tilted, H-bonded FeCO unit. The downshift is eliminated when the phosphate buffer concentration is increased from 0.01 to 0.1 M. It is proposed that the heme relaxation under study involves a transition between two conformations, B and A, differing in the disposition of the distal residues, and having different v4 frequencies for unligated Fe(II) heme. Conformation B allows H-bonding to bound CO, and is favored at high CO and phosphate concentrations, while conformation A, which is unfavorable to CO H-bonding, is favored at low CO and phosphate concentrations. The recently reported absence of unrelaxed frequencies in the 7 ns photo-product of the CO adduct of horseradish peroxidase has been confirmed, and is attributed to lower stability for conformation B and a smaller A - B v4 difference.

Localization of cytochrome C oxidase and cytochrome C peroxidase in mitochondria of Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda).

The intramitochondrial localization of cytochrome c oxidase and cytochrome c peroxidase in adult Hymenolepis diminuta was investigated. Mitochondria were fractionated into inner membrane, outer membrane, intermembrane space and matrix and the efficacy of fractionation was monitored employing marker enzymes. Cytochrome c oxidase was associated with the mitochondrial inner membrane. Whereas 55% of the cytochrome c peroxidase activity was in the matrix, 32% of the activity was in the intermembrane space fraction. Based upon the distribution of marker enzymes, a dual compartmentalization of cytochrome c peroxidase is apparent in H. diminuta mitochondria.

Resonance Raman spectroscopy shows different temperature-dependent coordination equilibria for native horseradish and cytochrome c peroxidase.

Resonance Raman spectra are reported for native horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) at 290, 77 and 9 K, using 406.7 nm excitation, in resonance with the Soret electronic transition. The spectra reveal temperature-dependent equilibria involving changes in coordination or spin state. At 290 K and pH 6.5, CCP contains a mixture of 5- and 6-coordinate high-spin FeIII heme while at 9 K the equilibrium is shifted entirely to the 6-coordinate species. The spectra indicate weak binding of H2O to the heme Fe, consistent with the long distance, 2.4 A, seen in the crystal structure. At 290 K HRP also contains a mixture of high-spin FeIII hemes with the 5-coordinate form predominant. At low temperature, a small 6-coordinate high-spin component remains but the 5-coordinate high-spin spectrum is replaced by another which is characteristic either of 6-coordinate low-spin or 5-coordinate intermediate spin heme. The latter species is definitely indicated by previous EPR studies at low temperature. This behavior implies that, in contrast to CCP, the distal coordination site of HRP is only partially occupied by H2O at any temperature and that lowering the temperature significantly weakens the Fe-proximal imidazole bond. Consistent with this inference, the 77 K spectrum of reduced HRP shows an appreciable fraction of molecules having an Fe-imidazole stretching frequency of 222 cm-1, a value indicating weakened H-bonding of the proximal imidazole.

Circular dichroism studies on cytochrome c peroxidase and cytochrome c-551 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of ferric, ferrous and ferrous-carbonyl forms of Pseudomonas cytochrome c peroxidase have been recorded in the wave length range 200 to 650 nm. CD spectra in the Soret region show that in the oxidized enzyme the two hemes are degenerate, whereas in the reduced form the hemes are perturbed differently and one of the hemes appears to be non-degenerate. Changes in optical activity upon formation of the carbonylderivative suggest a spin-state conversion and indicate the presence of one high-spin and a low-spin heme. A histidine residue is proposed for the axial ligand of the heme iron. The alpha-helical content of the enzyme is estimated to be 34%. Ligand binding or changes in the oxidation state of the heme iron do not alter the conformation of the protein backbone. The dichroic spectra of oxidized and reduced cytochrome c-551 (P. aeruginosa) are included for comparison. In the visible region the cytochrome exhibits CD spectra similar to those of the peroxidase, whereas in the Soret region the dichroic spectra of the cytochrome are simpler. CD spectra in the far-ultraviolet region show the cytochrome to have a high alpha-helix content.

Pseudomonas cytochrome c peroxidase. XIII. pH-denaturation of the enzyme.

The effect of pH on the oxidized Pseudomonas cytochrome c peroxidase molecule was studied by measuring the peroxidatic activity, the sedimentation velocity, the circular dichroic spectra in the far UV and Soret regions, and the optical absorption spectra of the enzyme in the pH range 2.5-13.0 at a constant ionic strength (micron = 0.1). The enzyme was stable in a narrow pH region, pH 6.0 - 7.4. In the low pH range the gross tertiary structure was observed to change quite simultaneously with the enzymatic activity and secondary structure. The optical absorption spectra indicated that there were no coordinated internal protein liqands in the 6th coordination positions of the heme prosthetic groups at the lowest pH studied. In the high pH range the secondary structure and the protein environment of hemes were observed to remain stable after the tertiary structure had changed and the activity had decreased. According to the optical absorption spectra the 6th internal protein ligands of hemes were retained at the highest pH studied.

The intramitochondrial location of cytochrome c peroxidase in wild-type and petite Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cytochemical and ultrastructural analysis of wild-type cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, grown aerobically in a glucose-limited chemostat, shows that cytochrome c peroxidase is localized between the membranes of the cristae, that is, in the intracristal space. This enzyme is thus positioned appropriately within the organelle to act as an alternate terminal oxidase for the respiratory chain. The proximity of the peroxidase to major sites of generation of its two substrates may account for the small leakage of hydrogen peroxide from yeast mitochondria, as compared with the larger outflow from mammalian mitochondria. In the cytoplasmic petite mutant, gross distortion of promitochondrial membrane arrangement is evident. Nevertheless, cytochrome c perioxidase activity is present in the same amounts as is found in wild-type cells, and is localized predominantly within annuli of membrane which constitute the promitochondria in these cells. No unequivocal evidence was obtained for the localization of catalase in microbodies or other organelles in either wild-type or petite cells.

Histochemical studies on reserve substances and enzymes in female gametophyte of Zea mays.

Cytochemical changes during the early development of maize caryopsis are reported. Changes in the localization of different reserve substances (e.g. polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids) and enzymes (acid phosphatase, esterase, lipase, phosphorylase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase and peroxidase) have been studied in unfertilized and fertilized ovules. Before pollination very feeble enzyme activity (acid phosphatase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase and peroxidase) was observed. Reserve substances were present in low amounts before pollination. Pollination stimulated the accumulation of several substances and enzymes in the tip of the nucellus, micropylar zone. Just prior to, during and after fertilization, the cells in the micropylar zone had strong reaction for several enzymes indicating temporary enhancement of metabolic activity in the micropylar zone. The role of antipodals in the storage of reserve food products and nutrition of embryo and early stages of endosperm development is discussed. The pattern of enzymatic changes within the embryo sac reflected the biochemical changes operative during quiescent and active stages. The nucellus of Zea mays contains many enzymes required for hydrolysis of reserved food substances. A role of acid phosphatase in autolysis of nucellar cells, after fertilization is suggested. Post-fertilization increase in the activity of enzymes and accumulation of reserve materials is interpreted as reflecting a presumed increase in the metabolic rate relative to growth and differentiation.