We have identified and characterized a thermostable thioredoxin system in the aerobic hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix K1. The gene (Accession no. APE0641) of A. pernix encoding a 37 kDa protein contains a redox active site motif (CPHC) but its N-terminal extension region (about 200 residues) shows no homology within the genome database. A second gene (Accession no. APE1061) has high homology to thioredoxin reductase and encodes a 37 kDa protein with the active site motif (CSVC), and binding sites for FAD and NADPH. We cloned the two genes and expressed both proteins in E. coli. It was observed that the recombinant proteins could act as an NADPH-dependent protein disulfide reductase system in the insulin reduction. In addition, the APE0641 protein and thioredoxin reductase from E. coli could also catalyze the disulfide reduction. These indicated that APE1061 and APE0641 express thioredoxin (ApTrx) and thioredoxin reductase (ApTR) of A. pernix, respectively. ApTR is expressed as an active homodimeric flavoprotein in the E. coli system. The optimum temperature was above 90°C, and the half-life of heat inactivation was about 4 min at 110°C. The heat stability of ApTR was enhanced in the presence of excess FAD. ApTR could reduce both thioredoxins from A. pernix and E. coli and showed a similar molar specific activity for both proteins. The standard state redox potential of ApTrx was about )262 mV, which was slightly higher than that of Trx from E. coli ()270 mV). These results indicate that a lower redox potential of thioredoxin is not necessary for keeping catalytic disulfide bonds reduced and thereby coping with oxidative stress in an aerobic hyperthermophilic archaea. Furthermore, the thioredoxin system of aerobic hyperthermophilic archaea is biochemically close to that of the bacteria.
An endoglucanase homolog from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii was expressed in Escherichia coli, and its enzymatic characteristics were examined. The expressed protein was a hyperthermostable endoglucanase which hydrolyzes celluloses, including Avicel and carboxymethyl cellulose, as well as -glucose oligomers. This enzyme is the first endoglucanase belonging to glycosidase family 5 found from Pyrococcus species and is also the first hyperthermostable endoglucanase to which celluloses are the best substrates. This enzyme is expected to be useful for industrial hydrolysis of cellulose at high temperatures, particularly in biopolishing of cotton products.In the textile industry, cellulases have been used in large quantity for biopolishing of cotton products. This process is essential for removing fuzz and giving a soft touch and clean appearance to the fabrics. The enzymes that are presently used for this purpose are mesophilic cellulases from fungi, and their optimum reaction temperatures are between 50 and 55°C. If they are replaced by a hyperthermostable enzyme with an optimum temperature close to 100°C, which will make it possible to treat cotton products in steam, the processing will be much more simple, quick, and efficient than in the presently employed method. Desizing, the step to remove starch from the fabrics, is performed at temperatures at least 70°C, and higher temperatures are preferred. Because amylases active at these temperatures are available, this process is performed at temperatures higher than 70°C. However, cellulase treatment, which usually follows desizing, is performed at lower temperatures, since a cellulase that is active and stable in this temperature range has not been available. If such a hyperthermostable cellulase is introduced, it will be possible to combine desizing and biopolishing in a single step.For the purpose of producing such a hyperthermostable cellulase, we investigated the possibility of utilizing the genetic resources of hyperthermophilic archaea. Pyrococcus horikoshii
Peroxiredoxin (Prx) reduces hydrogen peroxide and alkyl peroxides to water and corresponding alcohols, respectively. The reaction is dependent on a peroxidatic cysteine, whose sulphur atom nucleophilically attacks one of the oxygen atoms of the peroxide substrate. In spite of the many structural studies that have been carried out on this reaction, the tertiary structure of the hydrogen peroxide-bound form of Prx has not been elucidated. In this paper, we report the crystal structure of Prx from Aeropyrum pernix K1 in the peroxide-bound form. The conformation of the polypeptide chain is the same as that in the reduced apo-form. The hydrogen peroxide molecule is in close contact with the peroxidatic Cys50 and the neighbouring Thr47 and Arg126 side chain atoms, as well as with the main chain nitrogen atoms of Val49 and Cys50. Bound peroxide was also observed in the mutant C50S, in which the peroxidatic cysteine was replaced by serine. Therefore, the sulphur atom of the peroxidatic cysteine is not essential for peroxide binding, although it enhances the binding affinity. Hydrogen peroxide binds to the protein so that it fills the active site pocket. This study provides insight into the early stage of the Prx reaction.
The kinetic parameters (kcat/Km) and the cleaved-bond distributions for the hydrolysis of linear maltooligosaccharides Gn (3 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 9) by Saccharomycopsis alpha-amylase (Sfamy) secreted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were determined at pH 5.25 and 25 degrees C. The subsite affinities of Sfamy were also evaluated from these data. The subsite structure of Sfamy is characteristic of the active site of an endo-cleavage type enzyme, consisting of internal repulsive sites with the catalytic residues and external attractive sites. Moreover, the pKa values of the catalytic residues were calculated from the pH dependence plot of the kinetic parameter (kcat/Km). The amino acid residues which contribute to the subsite affinities and the catalytic activity of Sfamy are proposed and compared with those of Taka-amylase A.
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