scholarly journals Folic acid and the methylation of homocysteine by Bacillus subtilis

1972 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 993-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Salem ◽  
J. R. Pattison ◽  
M. A. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Methyl Groups ◽  
Methionine Biosynthesis ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Methyl Group ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Methyl Transfer ◽  
Independent Reaction

1. Cell-free extracts of Bacillus subtilis synthesize methionine from serine and homocysteine without added folate. The endogenous folate may be replaced by tetrahydropteroyltriglutamate or an extract of heated Escherichia coli for the overall C1 transfer, but tetrahydropteroylmonoglutamate is relatively inactive. 2. Extracts of B. subtilis contain serine transhydroxymethylase and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, which are non-specific with respect to the glutamate content of the folate substrates. Methyl transfer to homocysteine requires a polyglutamate folate as methyl donor. These properties are not affected by growth of the organism with added vitamin B12. 3. The synthesis of methionine from 5-methyltetrahydropteroyltriglutamate and homocysteine has the characteristics of the cobalamin-independent reaction of E. coli. No evidence for a cobalamin-dependent transmethylation was obtained. 4. S-Adenosylmethionine was not a significant precursor of the methyl group of methionine with cell-free extracts, neither was S-adenosylmethionine generated by methylation of S-adenosylhomocysteine by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. 5. A procedure for the isolation and analysis of folic acid derivatives from natural sources is described. 6. The folates isolated from lysozyme extracts of B. subtilis are sensitive to folic acid conjugase. One has been identified as 5-formyltetrahydropteroyltriglutamate; the other is possibly a diglutamate folate. 7. A sequence is proposed for methionine biosynthesis in B. subtilis in which methyl groups are generated from serine and transferred to homocysteine by means of a cobalamin-independent pathway mediated by conjugated folate coenzymes.

scholarly journals Rational Protein Engineering of Bacterial N-Demethylases to Create Biocatalysts for the Production of Methylxanthines

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby Brooks Mills ◽  
Meredith B Mock ◽  
Ryan M Summers
Keyword(s):  
Protein Engineering ◽  
Pseudomonas Putida ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Methyl Groups ◽  
Specific Point ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Methyl Group ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Rich History

Methylxanthines have a rich history as therapeutics and pharmaceuticals. However, natural dimethyl- and monomethylxanthines are difficult to produce synthetically, which has limited further exploration of these compounds in medicinal applications. A biosynthetic method for production of methylxanthines from whole cell biocatalysts is an attractive alternative. The bacterium Pseudomonas putida CBB5 contains a set of five enzymes, NdmABCDE, which are responsible for methylxanthine metabolism via N-demethylation to xanthine. The recent elucidation of the crystal structures of NdmA and NdmB, which remove the N1- and N3- methyl groups of caffeine, respectively, has opened new avenues to create biocatalysts for methylxanthine production. We have created a set of fifteen N-demethylase mutants and expressed them in E. coli BL21(DE3) as whole cell biocatalysts. The activity of each mutant was characterized for their affinity towards caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Two mutant enzymes in particular, labeled NdmA3 and NdmA4, both exhibited selectivity towards the N3-methyl group instead of the N1-methyl group. We also discovered that specific point mutations in NdmD resulted in the ability to tune the rate of the N-demethylase reaction. These new enzymes provide the capability of producing high-value methylxanthines, such as paraxanthine and 1-methylxanthine, through a biocatalytic route.

scholarly journals The interaction of folic acid derivatives in the methylation of homocysteine

1965 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 500-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Guest ◽  
DD Woods
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Competitive Interaction ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Independent Synthesis ◽  
Derivatives Of ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

1. The cobalamin-independent synthesis of methionine from serine and homocysteine by ultrasonic extracts of E. coli with tetrahydropteroyltriglutamate as cofactor was inhibited competitively by tetrahydropteroylmonoglutamate and derivatives which were readily converted into this compound. 2. The potency of these inhibitors was directly related to their ability to function as cofactors or substrates in the alternative, cobalamin- dependent mechanism for homocysteine methylation. 3. The cobalamin-dependent and -independent mechanisms of homocysteine methylation were both inhibited by reduced derivatives of aminopterin in a similar manner. 4. It was tentatively concluded that the inhibition was due to a competitive interaction between the folates for N(5)N(10)-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

scholarly journals Oral supplementations of betaine, choline, creatine and vitamin B6 and their influence on the development of homocysteinaemia in neonatal piglets

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Édith Côté-Robitaille ◽  
Christiane L. Girard ◽  
Frédéric Guay ◽  
J. Jacques Matte
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Methyl Groups ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Immune Competence ◽  
Methyl Group ◽  
Neonatal Piglets ◽  
Suckling Piglets

AbstractHomocysteine (Hcy) is an intermediary sulphur amino acid recognised for pro-oxidative properties in several species which may weaken immune competence in piglets. In this species, there is an acute 10-fold increase of concentrations of plasma Hcy (pHcy) during the first 2 weeks of life. The present experiment aimed to determine if pHcy in piglets can be regulated by oral supplementations of betaine as a methyl group supplier, creatine for reducing the demand for methyl groups, choline with both previous functions and vitamin B6 as enzymic co-factor for Hcy catabolism. A total of seventeen sows (second parity) were fed gestation and lactation diets supplemented with folic acid (10 mg/kg) and vitamin B12 (150 µg/kg). Eight piglets in each litter received daily one of the eight following oral treatments (mg/kg body weight): (1) control (saline); (2) betaine (50); (3) choline (70); (4) creatine (300); (5) pyridoxine (0·2); (6) treatments 2 and 5; (7) treatments 3 and 4; and (8) treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5. According to age, pHcy increased sharply from 2·48 µm at birth to 17·96 µm at 21 d of age (P < 0·01). Concentrations of pHcy tended to be lower (P = 0·09) in treated than in control piglets but the highest and sole pairwise significant decrease (23 %) was observed between treatments 1 and 8 (P = 0·03). Growth from birth to 21 d of age was not influenced by treatments (P > 0·70). Therefore, it appears possible to reduce pHcy concentrations in suckling piglets but a combination of all chosen nutrients is required.

Antagonistic activity of Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from various sources

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-364
Author(s):  
A. N. Irkitova ◽  
A. V. Grebenshchikova ◽  
A. V. Matsyura
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Wild Strain ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
Antagonistic Effect ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Test Culture ◽  
Agar Media

<p>An important link in solving the problem of healthy food is the intensification of the livestock, poultry and fish farming, which is possible only in the adoption and rigorous implementation of the concept of rational feeding of animals. In the implementation of this concept required is the application of probiotic preparations. Currently, there is an increased interest in spore probiotics. In many ways, this can be explained by the fact that they use no vegetative forms of the bacilli and their spores. This property provides spore probiotics a number of advantages: they are not whimsical, easily could be selected, cultivated, and dried. Moreover, they are resistant to various factors and could remain viable during a long period. One of the most famous spore microorganisms, which are widely used in agriculture, is <em>Bacillus subtilis</em>. Among the requirements imposed to probiotic microorganisms is mandatory – antagonistic activity to pathogenic and conditional-pathogenic microflora. The article presents the results of the analysis of antagonistic activity of collection strains of <em>B. subtilis</em>, and strains isolated from commercial preparations. We studied the antagonistic activity on agar and liquid nutrient medias to trigger different antagonism mechanisms of <em>B. subtilis</em>. On agar media, we applied three diffusion methods: perpendicular bands, agar blocks, agar wells. We also applied the method of co-incubating the test culture (<em>Escherichia coli</em>) and the antagonist (or its supernatant) in the nutrient broth. Our results demonstrated that all our explored strains of <em>B. subtilis</em> have antimicrobial activity against a wild strain of <em>E. coli</em>, but to varying degrees. We identified strains of <em>B. subtilis</em> with the highest antagonistic effect that can be recommended for inclusion in microbial preparations for agriculture.</p><p><em><br /></em><em></em></p>

Detection of Chemical Exchange in Methyl Groups of Macromolecules

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Gill ◽  
Andrew Hsu ◽  
Arthur G. Palmer, III
Keyword(s):  
Relaxation Rate ◽  
Chemical Exchange ◽  
Double Quantum ◽  
Methyl Groups ◽  
Multiple Quantum ◽  
Relaxation Data ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Methyl Trosy ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Exchange Broadening

<div> <div> <div> <p>The zero- and double-quantum methyl TROSY Hahn-echo and the methyl <sup>1</sup>H-<sup>1</sup>H dipole- dipole cross-correlation nuclear magnetic resonance experiments enable estimation of multiple quantum chemical exchange broadening in methyl groups in proteins. The two relaxation rate constants are established to be linearly dependent using molecular dynamics simulations and empirical analysis of experimental data. This relationship allows chemical exchange broadening to be recognized as an increase in the Hahn-echo relaxation rate constant. The approach is illustrated by analyzing relaxation data collected at three temperatures for <i>E. coli </i>ribonuclease HI and by analyzing relaxation data collected for different cofactor and substrate complexes of <i>E. coli </i>AlkB. </p> </div> </div> </div>

Synthesis of Chalcones and Nucleosides Incorporating [1, 3, 4]Oxadiazolenone Core and Evaluation of their Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 665-679
Author(s):  
Alok K. Srivastava ◽  
Lokesh K. Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Good Antibacterial Activity

Background: [1, 3, 4]oxadiazolenone core containing chalcones and nucleosides were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of a variety of benzaldehyde derivatives, obtained from oxidation of substituted 5-(3/6 substituted-4-Methylphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one and various substituted acetophenone. The resultant chalcones were coupled with penta-O-acetylglucopyranose followed by deacetylation to get [1, 3, 4] oxadiazolenone core containing chalcones and nucleosides. Various analytical techniques viz IR, NMR, LC-MS and elemental analysis were used to confirm the structure of the synthesised compounds.The compounds were targeted against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for antibacterial activity and Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum for antifungal activity. Methods: A mixture of Acid hydrazides (3.0 mmol) and N, Nʹ- carbonyl diimidazole (3.3 mmol) in 15 mL of dioxane was refluxed to afford substituted [1, 3, 4]-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one. The resulted [1, 3, 4]- oxadiazole-2(3H)-one (1.42 mmol) was oxidized with Chromyl chloride (1.5 mL) in 20 mL of carbon tetra chloride and condensed with acetophenones (1.42 mmol) to get chalcones 4. The equimolar ratio of obtained chalcones 4 and β -D-1,2,3,4,6- penta-O-acetylglucopyranose in presence of iodine was refluxed to get nucleosides 5. The [1, 3, 4] oxadiazolenone core containing chalcones 4 and nucleosides 5 were tested to determined minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value with the experimental procedure of Benson using disc-diffusion method. All compounds were tested at concentration of 5 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL, 0.62 mg/mL, 0.31 mg/mL and 0.15 mg/mL for antifungal activity against three strains of pathogenic fungi Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) and for antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterium: Escherichia coli (E. coli), and two Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus subtilis(B. subtilis). Result: The chalcones 4 and nucleosides 5 were screened for antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and B. subtilis whereas antifungal activity against A. flavus, A. niger and F. oxysporum. Compounds 4a-t showed good antibacterial activity whereas compounds 5a-t containing glucose moiety showed better activity against fungi. The glucose moiety of compounds 5 helps to enter into the cell wall of fungi and control the cell growth. Conclusion: Chalcones 4 and nucleosides 5 incorporating [1, 3, 4] oxadiazolenone core were synthesized and characterized by various spectral techniques and elemental analysis. These compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activity against three fungi; viz. A. flavus, A. niger and F. oxysporum. In addition to this, synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against gram negative bacteria E. Coli and gram positive bacteria S. aureus, B. subtilis. Compounds 4a-t showed good antibacterial activity whereas 5a-t showed better activity against fungi.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial and Immunomodulating Activities of Two Endemic Nepeta Species and Their Major Iridoids Isolated from Natural Sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 414
Author(s):  
Neda Aničić ◽  
Uroš Gašić ◽  
Feng Lu ◽  
Ana Ćirić ◽  
Marija Ivanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Metabolite Profiles ◽  
Aspergillus Sp ◽  
First Time

Two Balkan Peninsula endemics, Nepeta rtanjensis and N. argolica subsp. argolica, both characterized by specialized metabolite profiles predominated by iridoids and phenolics, are differentiated according to the stereochemistry of major iridoid aglycone nepetalactone (NL). For the first time, the present study provides a comparative analysis of antimicrobial and immunomodulating activities of the two Nepeta species and their major iridoids isolated from natural sources—cis,trans-NL, trans,cis-NL, and 1,5,9-epideoxyloganic acid (1,5,9-eDLA), as well as of phenolic acid rosmarinic acid (RA). Methanol extracts and pure iridoids displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against eight strains of bacteria and seven strains of fungi. They were especially potent against food-borne pathogens such as L. monocytogenes, E. coli, S. aureus, Penicillium sp., and Aspergillus sp. Targeted iridoids were efficient agents in preventing biofilm formation of resistant P. aeruginosa strain, and they displayed additive antimicrobial interaction. Iridoids are, to a great extent, responsible for the prominent antimicrobial activities of the two Nepeta species, although are probably minor contributors to the moderate immunomodulatory effects. The analyzed iridoids and RA, individually or in mixtures, have the potential to be used in the pharmaceutical industry as potent antimicrobials, and in the food industry to increase the shelf life and safety of food products.

scholarly journals Effects of Periconceptional Multivitamin Supplementation on Folate and Homocysteine Levels Depending on Genetic Variants of Methyltetrahydrofolate Reductase in Infertile Japanese Women

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1381
Author(s):  
Keiji Kuroda ◽  
Takashi Horikawa ◽  
Yoko Gekka ◽  
Azusa Moriyama ◽  
Kazuki Nakao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Homocysteine Level ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Folate Level ◽  
Multivitamin Supplementation ◽  
Mthfr Polymorphisms ◽  
Mthfr Genotype ◽  
Multivitamin Supplements

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has various polymorphisms, and the effects of periconceptional folic acid supplementation for decreasing neural tube defects (NTDs) risk differ depending on the genotypes. This study analyzed the effectiveness of multivitamin supplementation on folate insufficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia, depending on MTHFR polymorphisms. Of 205 women, 72 (35.1%), 100 (48.8%) and 33 (16.1%) had MTHFR CC, CT and TT, respectively. Serum folate and homocysteine levels in women with homozygous mutant TT were significantly lower and higher, respectively, than those in women with CC and CT. In 54 women (26.3% of all women) with a risk of NTDs, multivitamin supplementation containing folic acid and vitamin D for one month increased folate level (5.8 ± 0.9 to 19.2 ± 4.0 ng/mL, p < 0.0001) and decreased the homocysteine level (8.2 ± 3.1 to 5.8 ± 0.8 nmol/mL, p < 0.0001) to minimize the risk of NTDs in all women, regardless of MTHFR genotype. Regardless of MTHFR genotype, multivitamin supplements could control folate and homocysteine levels. Tests for folate and homocysteine levels and optimal multivitamin supplementation in women with risk of NTDs one month or more before pregnancy should be recommended to women who are planning a pregnancy.

scholarly journals Release factor-dependent ribosome rescue by BrfA in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Shimokawa-Chiba ◽  
Claudia Müller ◽  
Keigo Fujiwara ◽  
Bertrand Beckert ◽  
Koreaki Ito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Stop Codon ◽  
Release Factor ◽  
Positive Bacterium ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Bacterium Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Bacterium Bacillus

AbstractRescue of the ribosomes from dead-end translation complexes, such as those on truncated (non-stop) mRNA, is essential for the cell. Whereas bacteria use trans-translation for ribosome rescue, some Gram-negative species possess alternative and release factor (RF)-dependent rescue factors, which enable an RF to catalyze stop-codon-independent polypeptide release. We now discover that the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis has an evolutionarily distinct ribosome rescue factor named BrfA. Genetic analysis shows that B. subtilis requires the function of either trans-translation or BrfA for growth, even in the absence of proteotoxic stresses. Biochemical and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) characterization demonstrates that BrfA binds to non-stop stalled ribosomes, recruits homologous RF2, but not RF1, and induces its transition into an open active conformation. Although BrfA is distinct from E. coli ArfA, they use convergent strategies in terms of mode of action and expression regulation, indicating that many bacteria may have evolved as yet unidentified ribosome rescue systems.

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