Biomedical subjects

Christoph Mayer

Publications and source records attributed to Christoph Mayer.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Characterization of a beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase and a beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase/beta-glucosidase from Cellulomonas fimi.

The gram-positive soil bacterium Cellulomonas fimi is shown to produce at least two intracellular beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases, a family 20 beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (Hex20), and a novel family 3-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase/beta-glucosidase (Nag3), through screening of a genomic expression library, cloning of genes and analysis of their sequences. Nag3 exhibits broad substrate specificity for substituents at the C2 position of the glycone: kcat/Km values at 25 degrees C were 0.066 s(-1) x mM(-1) and 0.076 s(-1) x mM(-1) for 4'-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide and 4'-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucoside, respectively. The first glycosidase with this broad specificity to be described, Nag3, suggests an interesting evolutionary link between beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases and beta-glucosidases of family 3. Reaction by a double-displacement mechanism was confirmed for Nag3 through the identification of a glycosyl-enzyme species trapped with the slow substrate 2',4'-dinitrophenyl 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Hex20 requires the acetamido group at C2 of the substrate, being unable to cleave beta-glucosides, since its mechanism involves an oxazolinium ion intermediate. However, it is broad in its specificity for the D-glucosyl/D-galactosyl configuration of the glycone: Km and kcat values were 53 microM and 482.3 s(-1) for 4'-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide and 66 microM and 129.1 s(-1) for 4'-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminide.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

PubMed2006

MurQ Etherase is required by Escherichia coli in order to metabolize anhydro-N-acetylmuramic acid obtained either from the environment or from its own cell wall.

MurQ is an N-acetylmuramic acid-phosphate (MurNAc-P) etherase that converts MurNAc-P to N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate and is essential for growth on MurNAc as the sole source of carbon (T. Jaegar, M. Arsic, and C. Mayer, J. Biol. Chem. 280:30100-30106, 2005). Here we show that MurQ is the only MurNAc-P etherase in Escherichia coli and that MurQ and AnmK kinase are required for utilization of anhydro-MurNAc derived either from cell wall murein or imported from the medium.

Cell Wall↗

PubMed2005

Controlled formation and topologies of thiophenolate-based macrocycles: rings, cylinders and bowls.

The Schiff-base condensations of 1,3-diaminopropane with a protected thiophenol dialdehyde in the presence of Ni(2+), Pd(2+) or Zn(2+) can be controlled to yield either mononuclear acyclic, or 2 + 2 and 4 + 4 macrocyclic complexes by the choice of both metal cation and counteranion. The Ni(2+) complex of the 2 + 2 macrocycle contains two square-planar nickel ions and shows an arrangement similar to one observed previously: the mu-S atoms of the thiophenolate groups are pyramidal and lie on the same side of the plane defined by the four N atoms of the macrocycle to give a V-shaped molecule. By contrast, the Zn(2+) complex of the 2 + 2 macrocycle undergoes oligomerization to yield a bowl-shaped hexanuclear complex that includes a mu(3)-carbonate anion. Essential for this topology is the presence of three mu(3)-S-thiophenolato groups that link the three macrocyclic units to form a Zn(3)S(3) ring that seals the bottom part of the bowl. In this arrangement, one of the pyramidal mu(3)-S atoms in each dinuclear Zn(2+) complex is inverted relative to the arrangement observed for the dinickel complexes. Molecular modelling suggests that inversion about the mu-S atoms of the 2 + 2 macrocyclic complexes is readily accessible at room temperature and that the contrasting arrangements observed for the Ni(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes are those energetically most favourable for the respective metal ions. Rare 4 + 4 macrocyclic complexes are isolated as neutral dinuclear complexes for Ni(2+) and Pd(2+) and as a tetranuclear complex cation for Zn(2+). The topologies of these systems contrast significantly: those with two square-planar Ni(2+) or Pd(2+) ions form extended rings, while that with Zn(2+) forms a sulfur-lined cylinder which hosts acetonitrile molecules in the crystalline state. Reaction conditions can also be optimised to produce 2 + 1 acyclic ligands as their mononuclear Ni(2+) and Pd(2+) complexes, providing potentially useful building blocks for production of more complicated macrocyclic and supramolecular systems.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Serine proteinases of the human body louse (Pediculus humanus): sequence characterization and expression patterns.

After the previous characterization of one trypsin gene (Try1) of the human body louse Pediculus humanus, genes encoding a second trypsin (Try2) and a chymotrypsin (Chy1) have been cloned using degenerate serine proteinase primers and 5'- and 3'-RACE, and sequenced. The deduced 259 and 267 amino acid sequences of Try2 and Chy1 show an identity of 33%-40% to trypsinogens and chymotrypsinogens of other insects. Considering previously published partial sequences, P. humanus possesses at least one Try1 gene, five variants/isoforms of Try2 and six variants/isoforms of Chy1. The genomic DNA of Try2 contains three introns and Chy1 contains five introns. Using whole mount in situ hybridization, gene expression of Try1, Try2 and Chy1 has been localized not only in the distensible anterior region of the midgut of lice but sometimes also in the area following the distensible region. The Try2 gene was always expressed at much lower levels than Try1 or Chy1. This lower expression, the constitutive expression of Try1 and Chy1 at 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after feeding of adults and the regional differences have been verified in quantitative real-time PCR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Scission of the lactyl ether bond of N-acetylmuramic acid by Escherichia coli "etherase".

The ubiquitous bacterial cell wall sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) carries a unique D-lactyl ether substituent at the C3 position. Recently, we proposed an etherase capable of cleaving this lactyl ether to be part of the novel bacterial MurNAc dissimilation pathway (Dahl, U., Jaeger, T., Nguyen, B. T., Sattler, J. M., Mayer, C. (2004) J. Bacteriol. 186, 2385-2392). Here, we report the identification of the first known MurNAc etherase. The encoding gene murQ is located at 55 min on the Escherichia coli chromosome adjacent to murP, the MurNAc-specific phosphotransferase system. A murQ deletion mutant could not grow on MurNAc as the sole source of carbon and energy but could be complemented by expressing murQ from a plasmid. The mutant had no obvious phenotype when grown on different carbon sources but accumulated MurNAc 6-phosphate at millimolar concentrations from externally supplied MurNAc. Purified MurQ-His6 fusion protein and extracts of cells expressing murQ both catalyze the cleavage of MurNAc 6-phosphate, with GlcNAc 6-phosphate and D-lactate being the primary products. The 18O label from enriched water is incorporated into the sugar molecule, showing that the C3-O bond is cleaved and reformed by the enzyme. Moreover, an intermediate was detected and identified as an unsaturated sugar molecule. Based on this observation, we suggested a lyase-type mechanism (beta-elimination/hydration) for the cleavage of the lactyl ether bond of MurNAc 6-phosphate. Close homologs of murQ were found on the chromosome of several bacteria, and amino acid sequence similarity with the N-terminal domain of human glucokinase-regulatory protein (GckR or GKRP) was recognized.

Carbon↗

PubMed2004

Sheet preparations expose the dermal nerve plexus of human skin and render the dermal nerve end organ accessible to extensive analysis.

Since vertical tissue sections used for the study of the human cutaneous nervous system inherently allow visualization of only a small part of the mainly horizontally oriented cutaneous nerves, we searched for possibilities to extend this view. We now propose a method based on the immuno-staining of dermal sheet preparations for subsequent analysis by electron-, light- or laser scanning microscopy. Dermal sheet preparations for the first time allowed the imaging of the complex structure of the nerve end organ over several cm2, and facilitated viewing of its topological relationship to other tissue components. We could visualize that the bulk of free ending nerve fibers ramified within 25 microm of the dermo-epidermal junction, whereas below that only larger nerve bundles were present. This method further allowed the detection and quantification of NCAM/CD56+ non-myelinating Schwann cells which envelope terminal axons within the dermis. Depending on the body region, we detected between 140 to over 300 individual terminal Schwann cells per mm2 skin surface. Our method should allow the acquisition of new insights into the highly organized architecture of the skin nerve end organ. Its further application will give new impetus in the investigation of alterations of this skin compartment under pathological conditions.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2004

Identification of a phosphotransferase system of Escherichia coli required for growth on N-acetylmuramic acid.

We report here that wild-type Escherichia coli grows on N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) as the sole source of carbon and energy. Analysis of mutants defective in N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) catabolism revealed that the catabolic pathway for MurNAc merges into the GlcNAc pathway on the level of GlcNAc 6-phosphate. Furthermore, analysis of mutants defective in components of the phosphotransferase system (PTS) revealed that a PTS is essential for growth on MurNAc. However, neither the glucose-, mannose/glucosamine-, nor GlcNAc-specific PTS (PtsG, ManXYZ, and NagE, respectively) was found to be necessary. Instead, we identified a gene at 55 min on the E. coli chromosome that is responsible for MurNAc uptake and growth. It encodes a single polypeptide consisting of the EIIB and C domains of a so-far-uncharacterized PTS that was named murP. MurP lacks an EIIA domain and was found to require the activity of the crr-encoded enzyme IIA-glucose (EIIA(Glc)), a component of the major glucose transport system for growth on MurNAc. murP deletion mutants were unable to grow on MurNAc as the sole source of carbon; however, growth was rescued by providing murP in trans expressed from an isopropylthiogalactopyranoside-inducible plasmid. A functional His(6) fusion of MurP was constructed, isolated from membranes, and identified as a polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis. Close homologs of MurP were identified in the genome of several bacteria, and we believe that these organisms might also be able to utilize MurNAc.

Acetylglucosamine↗

PubMed2004

Ultrasound affects distribution of plasminogen and tissue-type plasminogen activator in whole blood clots in vitro.

Ultrasound of 2 MHz frequency and 1.2 W/cm(2) acoustic intensity was applied to examine the effect of sonication on recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA)-induced thrombolysis as well as on the distribution of plasminogen and t-PA within whole blood clots in vitro. Thrombolysis was evaluated quantitatively by measuring clot weight reduction and the level of fibrin degradation product D-dimer (FDP-DD) in the supernatant. Weight reduction in the group of clots treated both with ultrasound and rt-PA was 35.2% +/-6.9% which is significantly higher (p<0.0001) than in the group of clots treated with rt-PA only (19.9% +/-4.3%). FDP-DD level in the supernatants of the group treated with ultrasound and rt-PA increased sevenfold compared to the group treated with rt-PA alone, (14895 +/-2513 ng/ml vs. 2364 +/-725 ng/ml). Localization of fibrinolytic components within the clots was accomplished by using gel-entrapping technique and immunohistochemistry. Spatial distributions of t-PA and plasminogen showed clearly that ultrasound promoted the penetration of rt-PA into thrombi significantly (p<0.0001), and broadened the zone of lysis from 8.9 +/-2.6 microm to 21.2 +/-7.2 microm. We speculate that ultrasound enhances thrombolysis by affecting the distribution of rt-PA within the clot.

Fibrinolysis↗

PubMed2003

Cell wall-associated enzymes in fungi.

This review compiles and discusses previous reports on the identity of wall-associated enzymes (WAEs) in fungi and addresses critically the widely different terminologies used in the literature to specify the type of bonding of WAEs to other entities of the cell wall compartment, the extracellular matrix (ECM). A facile and rapid fractionation protocol for catalytically active WAEs is presented, which uses crude cell walls as the experimental material, a variety of test enzymes (including representatives of polysaccharide synthases and hydrolases, phosphatases, gamma-glutamyltransferases, pyridine-nucleotide dehydrogenases and phenol-oxidising enzymes) and a combination of simple hydrophilic and hydrophobic extractants. The protocol provides four fully operationally defined classes of WAEs, with constituent members of each class displaying the same basic type of physicochemical interaction with binding partners in situ. The routine application of the protocol to different species and cell types could yield easily accessible data useful for building-up a general objective information retrieval system of WAEs, suitable as an heuristic basis both for the unravelling of the role and for the biotechnological potentialities of WAEs. A detailed account is given of the function played in the ECM by WAEs in the metabolism of chitin (chitin synthase, chitinase and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase) and of phenols (tyrosinase).

Cell Wall↗

PubMed2003

A basement membrane-like matrix formed by cell-released proteins at the medium/air interface supports growth of keratinocytes.

Epithelial cells require adherence to a matrix for regular growth. During standard keratinocyte cell culture in serum-free medium, we observed that cell colonies formed not only on the bottom of the culture vessels but also at the medium/air interface. Coomassie blue staining detected a protein membrane that extended up to several centimeters between the colonies of floating cells. Ultrastructural investigation of this membrane revealed structures closely resembling those of basement membranes, and immunochemical staining confirmed the presence of laminins-1 and -5 as well as collagen IV, representative components of basement membranes. Cells attached to the floating membrane proliferated and could be cultivated for up to six months. When keratinocyte-conditioned medium was filtered and transferred to a culture vessel without cells, the protein membrane at the liquid/air interface formed within one week suggesting self-assembly of cell-released proteins. Our findings provide a basis for the production of epidermal basement membranes for potential medical uses.

Basement Membrane↗

PubMed2002

Solid-phase oligosaccharide and glycopeptide synthesis using glycosynthases.

Enzymatic approaches for the preparation of oligosaccharides are interesting alternatives to traditional chemical synthesis, the main advantage being the regio- and stereoselectivity offered without the need for protecting groups. The use of solid-phase techniques offers easy workup procedures and the prospect of automatability. Here, we report the first application of glycosynthases to solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis by use of the 51 kDa serine and glycine mutants of Agrobacterium sp. beta-glucosidase, Abg E358S and E358G. Acceptors were linked to PEGA resin through a backbone amide linker (BAL), and using these mutated enzymes, a galactose moiety was transferred from a donor sugar, alpha-D-galactosyl fluoride, with high efficiency (>90%) together with excellent recovery of material. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that a resin-bound model glycopeptide was also an acceptor for the glycosynthase.

Acetylation↗

PubMed2002

Caspase-14 expression by epidermal keratinocytes is regulated by retinoids in a differentiation-associated manner.

Caspase-14 is the only member of the caspase family that shows a restricted tissue expression. It is mainly confined to epidermal keratinocytes and in contrast to other caspases, is not activated during apoptosis induced by ultraviolet irradiation or cytotoxic substances. As it is cleaved under conditions leading to terminal differentiation of keratinocytes we suggested that caspase-14 plays a part in the physiologic cell death of keratinocytes leading to skin barrier formation. Here we show that retinoic acid, at concentrations inhibiting terminal differentiation of keratinocytes, strongly suppressed caspase-14 mRNA and protein expression by keratinocytes in monolayer culture and in a three-dimensional in vitro model of differentiating human epidermis (skin equivalent). By contrast, the expression of the caspases 3 and 8, which are both activated during conventional apoptosis, was increased and unchanged, respectively, after retinoic acid treatment. In addition to inhibition of differentiation in skin equivalents, retinoic acid treatment led to keratinocyte apoptosis and activation of caspase-3, both of which were undetectable in differentiated control skin equivalents. As this occurred in the absence of detectable caspase-14, our data demonstrate that caspase-14 is dispensable for keratinocyte apoptosis. The fact that in contrast to caspase-3 and caspase-8, caspase-14, similarly to other keratinocyte differentiation-associated proteins, is downregulated by retinoids, strongly suggests that this caspase, but not caspase-3 and -8, plays a part in terminal keratinocyte differentiation and skin barrier formation.

Apoptosis↗