METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE BY THE RAT OVARY: FORMATION OF 3β-HYDROXY-5α-PREGNAN-20-ONE BY OVARIAN MICROSOMES

1969 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zmigrod ◽  
H. R. Lindner
Keyword(s):  
Oxidation Product ◽  
Microsomal Fraction ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Metabolite Identification ◽  
Enzymic Activity ◽  
Chromatographic Behaviour ◽  
Rat Ovary ◽  
Chromatographic Characterization

ABSTRACT A microsomal fraction from rat ovaries incubated with [4-14C] progesterone in the presence of NADPH produced radioactive 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one as the major metabolite. Identification of this compound, not hitherto isolated from mammalian ovaries, was based on (i) paper and gas-chromatographic behaviour of the free compound and its acetate, (ii) gas-chromatographic characterization of the thioketal derivative and the oxidation product, and (iii) recrystallization with authentic carrier to constant specific activity. Ovaries from both pregnant and prooestrous rats showed this enzymic activity. The possible biological function of ovarian steroid reductases is discussed.

scholarly journals Purification and characterization of a novel phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from banana fruit

1995 ◽  
Vol 307 (3) ◽  
pp. 807-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
R D Law ◽  
W C Plaxton
Keyword(s):  
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Immune Serum ◽  
Enzymic Activity ◽  
Banana Fruit ◽  
Native Molecular Mass ◽  
Apparent Homogeneity ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Cnbr Cleavage

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) from ripened banana (Musa cavendishii L.) fruits has been purified 127-fold to apparent homogeneity and a final specific activity of 32 mumol of oxaloacetate produced/min per mg of protein. Non-denaturing PAGE of the final preparation resolved a single protein-staining band that co-migrated with PEPC activity. Polypeptides of 103 (alpha-subunit) and 100 (beta-subunit) kDa, which stain for protein with equal intensity and cross-react strongly with anti-(maize leaf PEPC) immune serum, were observed following SDS/PAGE of the final preparation. CNBr cleavage patterns of the two subunits were similar, but not identical, suggesting that these polypeptides are related, but distinct, proteins. The enzyme's native molecular mass was estimated to be about 425 kDa. These data indicate that in contrast to the homotetrameric PEPC from most other sources, the banana fruit enzyme exists as an alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetramer. Monospecific rabbit anti-(banana PEPC) immune serum effectively immunoprecipitated the activity of the purified enzyme. Immunoblotting studies established that the 100 kDa subunit did not arise via proteolysis of the 103 kDa subunit after tissue extraction, and that the subunit composition of banana PEPC remains uniform throughout the ripening process. PEPC displayed a typical pH activity profile with an alkaline optimum and activity rapidly decreasing below pH 7.0. Enzymic activity was absolutely dependent on the presence of a bivalent metal cation, with Mg2+ or Mn2+ fulfilling this requirement. The response of the PEPC activity to PEP concentration and to various effectors was greatly influenced by pH and glycerol addition to the assay. The enzyme was activated by hexose-monophosphates and potently inhibited by malate, succinate, aspartate and glutamate at pH 7.0, whereas the effect of these metabolites was considerably diminished or completely abolished at pH 8.0. The significance of metabolite regulation of PEPC is discussed in relation to possible functions of this enzyme in banana fruit metabolism.

Assays for Phospholipid-Dependent Formation of Thrombin and Xa: A Potential Method for Quantifying Lupus Anticoagulant Activity

1991 ◽  
Vol 66 (04) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Potential Method ◽  
Quantitative Expression ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Apparent Association

SummaryLupus anticoagulants (LAs) are antibodies which interfere with phospholipid-dependent procoagulant reactions. Their clinical importance is due to their apparent association with an increased risk of thrombo-embolic disease. To date there have been few assays for quantifying the specific activity of these antibodies in vitro and this has hampered attempts to purify and characterize these antibodies. Methods for determining phospholipid-dependent generation of thrombin and factor Xa are described. Isolated IgG fractions from 7 of 9 patients with LAs were found to reproducibly inhibit enzyme generation in these assay systems, permitting quantitative expression of inhibitor activity. Different patterns of inhibitory activity, based on the relative inhibition of thrombin and factor Xa generation, were found, further substantiating the known heterogeneity of these antibodies. These systems may prove helpful in further purification and characterization of LAs.

Thin-layer chromatographic characterization of metabolites formed from an AMPA antagonist drug candidate

2001 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 266-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katalin Migléczi ◽  
István Hazai ◽  
Katalin Jemnitz ◽  
Márta Pátfalusi
Keyword(s):  
Thin Layer ◽  
Drug Candidate ◽  
Ampa Antagonist ◽  
Chromatographic Characterization

Influence of Seeding Conditions on Initial Biofilm Development during the Startup of Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactors

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ehlinger ◽  
J. M. Audic ◽  
G. M. Faup
Keyword(s):  
Fluidized Bed ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Fluidized Bed Reactor ◽  
Fluidized Bed Reactors ◽  
Support Material ◽  
Biofilm Development ◽  
Initial Biofilm

The characterization of the biofilm of an anaerobic fluidized-bed reactor was completed under standard conditions. The distribution of the fixed protein concentration depended on the level in the reactor. The protein concentration reached 1520 µg.g−1 of support at the top of the reactor and only 1200 µg.g−1 at the bottom after 504 hours of operation but the specific activity of the biofilm was 33×10−4 µM acetate.h−1.mg−1 proteins at the bottom and only 26×10−4 µM.h−1.mg−1 at the top. The efficiency of a fluidized bed reactor and the composition of the biofilm changed with an increase of the pH from 7 to 8.5 during the seeding of the support material. Future development of the biofilm and the specific activity of the support were affected.

Purification of Glycerol Kinase by "Dye-Ligand" Chromatography and Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography on Bead-Cellulose Derivatives

1993 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimír Žúbor ◽  
Albert Breier ◽  
Marta Horváthová ◽  
Dagmar Hagarová ◽  
Peter Gemeiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrophobic Interaction ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography ◽  
Glycerol Kinase ◽  
Enzymic Activity ◽  
Cellulose Derivatives ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Bead Cellulose ◽  
Term Storage

The crude extract of cytosole enzymes was obtained from homogenized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by partition. The enzyme was then isolated from the lower aqueous phase displaying higher glycerol kinase activity by dye-ligand chromatography on Cibacron Blue (CB) or Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RB)-derivatized bead-cellulose, ATP being the eluent. The specific activity of glycerol kinase rised more than 10 and 7-times after affinity dye-ligand chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, respectively. Glycerol kinase obtained by the latter method was purified by CB-bead cellulose. The final preparation maintained its enzymic activity without noticeable losses during a long-term storage at 4 °C in dark.

scholarly journals Biochemical characterization of specific Alanine Decarboxylase (AlaDC) and its ancestral enzyme Serine Decarboxylase (SDC) in tea plants (Camellia sinensis)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peixian Bai ◽  
Liyuan Wang ◽  
Kang Wei ◽  
Li Ruan ◽  
Liyun Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Duplication ◽  
Camellia Sinensis ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Protein Sequences ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
High Similarity ◽  
New Gene ◽  
Tea Plants

Abstract Background Alanine decarboxylase (AlaDC), specifically present in tea plants, is crucial for theanine biosynthesis. Serine decarboxylase (SDC), found in many plants, is a protein most closely related to AlaDC. To investigate whether the new gene AlaDC originate from gene SDC and to determine the biochemical properties of the two proteins from Camellia sinensis, the sequences of CsAlaDC and CsSDC were analyzed and the two proteins were over-expressed, purified, and characterized. Results The results showed that exon-intron structures of AlaDC and SDC were quite similar and the protein sequences, encoded by the two genes, shared a high similarity of 85.1%, revealing that new gene AlaDC originated from SDC by gene duplication. CsAlaDC and CsSDC catalyzed the decarboxylation of alanine and serine, respectively. CsAlaDC and CsSDC exhibited the optimal activities at 45 °C (pH 8.0) and 40 °C (pH 7.0), respectively. CsAlaDC was stable under 30 °C (pH 7.0) and CsSDC was stable under 40 °C (pH 6.0–8.0). The activities of the two enzymes were greatly enhanced by the presence of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate. The specific activity of CsSDC (30,488 IU/mg) was 8.8-fold higher than that of CsAlaDC (3467 IU/mg). Conclusions Comparing to CsAlaDC, its ancestral enzyme CsSDC exhibited a higher specific activity and a better thermal and pH stability, indicating that CsSDC acquired the optimized function after a longer evolutionary period. The biochemical properties of CsAlaDC might offer reference for theanine industrial production.

scholarly journals Isolation and characterization of a new cold-active protease from psychrotrophic bacteria of Western Himalayan glacial soil

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleem Farooq ◽  
Ruqeya Nazir ◽  
Shabir Ahmad Ganai ◽  
Bashir Ahmad Ganai
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Temperature Range ◽  
Psychrotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Cold Active ◽  
Active Protease ◽  
Quantitative Screening ◽  
First Time ◽  
Low K

AbstractAs an approach to the exploration of cold-active enzymes, in this study, we isolated a cold-active protease produced by psychrotrophic bacteria from glacial soils of Thajwas Glacier, Himalayas. The isolated strain BO1, identified as Bacillus pumilus, grew well within a temperature range of 4–30 °C. After its qualitative and quantitative screening, the cold-active protease (Apr-BO1) was purified. The Apr-BO1 had a molecular mass of 38 kDa and showed maximum (37.02 U/mg) specific activity at 20 °C, with casein as substrate. It was stable and active between the temperature range of 5–35 °C and pH 6.0–12.0, with an optimum temperature of 20 °C at pH 9.0. The Apr-BO1 had low Km value of 1.0 mg/ml and Vmax 10.0 µmol/ml/min. Moreover, it displayed better tolerance to organic solvents, surfactants, metal ions and reducing agents than most alkaline proteases. The results exhibited that it effectively removed the stains even in a cold wash and could be considered a decent detergent additive. Furthermore, through protein modelling, the structure of this protease was generated from template, subtilisin E of Bacillus subtilis (PDB ID: 3WHI), and different methods checked its quality. For the first time, this study reported the protein sequence for psychrotrophic Apr-BO1 and brought forth its novelty among other cold-active proteases.

scholarly journals Purification and characterization of fat body lipase from the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahma R. Z. Mahdy ◽  
Shaimaa A. Mo’men ◽  
Marah M. Abd El-Bar ◽  
Emad M. S. Barakat
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ions ◽  
Kinetic Parameters ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Larval Instar ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Molecular Weights

Abstract Background Insect lipid mobilization and transport are currently under research, especially lipases and lipophorin because of their roles in the production of energy and lipid transport at a flying activity. The present study has been conducted to purify intracellular fat body lipase for the first time, from the last larval instar of Galleria mellonella. Results Purification methods by combination of ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] precipitation and gel filtration using Sephadex G-100 demonstrated that the amount of protein and the specific activity of fat body lipase were 0.008633 ± 0.000551 mg/ml and 1.5754 ± 0.1042 μmol/min/mg protein, respectively, with a 98.9 fold purity and recovery of 50.81%. Hence, the sephadex G-100 step was more effective in the purification process. SDS-PAGE and zymogram revealed that fat body lipase showed two monomers with molecular weights of 178.8 and 62.6 kDa. Furthermore, biochemical characterization of fat body lipase was carried out through testing its activities against several factors, such as different temperatures, pH ranges, metal ions, and inhibitors ending by determination of their kinetic parameters with the use of p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB) as a substrate. The highest activities of enzyme were determined at the temperature ranges of 35–37 °C and 37–40 °C and pH ranges of 7–9 and 7–10. The partially purified enzyme showed significant stimulation by Ca2+, K+, and Na+ metal ions indicating that fat body lipase is metalloproteinase. Lipase activity was strongly inhibited by some inhibitors; phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), ethylene-diaminetetractic acid (EDTA), and ethylene glycoltetraacetic acid (EGTA) providing evidence of the presence of serine residue and activation of enzymes by metal ions. Kinetic parameters were 0.316 Umg− 1 Vmax and 301.95 mM Km. Conclusion Considering the purification of fat body lipase from larvae and the usage of some inhibitors especially ion chelating agents, it is suggested to develop a successful control of Galleria mellonella in near future by using lipase inhibitors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document