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Peng George Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Peng George Wang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Influence of substrate conformation on the deglycosylation of ribonuclease B by recombinant yeast peptide:N-glycanase.

Peptide:N-glycanase has been thought to be responsible for proteasome-dependent degradation of misfolded glycoproteins translocated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cytosol. Therefore, the enzyme was supposed to be able to distinguish between native and non-native glycoproteins. In the present study, a recombinant, yeast peptide:N-glycanase, Png1p, was expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusion bodies and was purified, refolded and characterized. The results showed that the recombinant enzyme has a broad pH range adaptation, from pH 4.0 to pH 10.0, and has an optimum temperature of 30 degrees C. This enzyme is a zinc metalloenzyme. Its activity was abolished with the addition of EDTA and not restored by adding metal ions. Furthermore, the deglycosylation efficiency of recombinant Png1p from E. coli was investigated with respect to the substrate conformation in vitro. When ribonuclease B (RNase B) was denatured at 60-65 degrees C or by 40-60 mM dithiothreitol, indicated by its obvious structural change and sharpest activity change, its deglycosylation by Png1p was most prominent. The deglycosylation efficiency of RNase B by Png1p was found to be related to its structural conformation and enzymatic activity.

Glycosylation↗
PubMed2006

Thio-isoglobotrihexosylceramide, an agonist for activating invariant natural killer T cells.

Thio-isoglobotrihexosylceramide (S-iGb3) might be resistant to alpha-galactosidases in antigen-presenting cells and have a longer retaining time in the lysosome before being loaded to CD1d. The biological assay showed that S-iGb3 demonstrates a much higher increase as a stimulatory ligand toward invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells as compared to iGb3. [structure: see text].

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Biochemical characterization of UDP-GlcNAc/Glc 4-epimerase from Escherichia coli O86:B7.

The O-antigen of lipopolysaccharide in Gram-negative bacteria plays an important role in bacterium-host interactions. Escherichia coli O86:B7 O-unit contains five sugar residues: one fucose (Fuc) and two each of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and galactose (Gal). The entire O-antigen gene cluster was previously sequenced: orf1 was assigned the gne gene for the biosynthesis of UDP-GalNAc. To confirm this annotation, overexpression, purification, and biochemical characterization of Gne were performed. By using capillary electrophoresis, we showed that Gne can catalyze the interconversion of both UDP-GlcNAc/GalNAc and UDP-Glc/Gal almost equally well. The Km values of Gne for UDP-Glc, UDP-Gal, UDP-GlcNAc, and UDP-GalNAc are 370, 295, 323, and 373 microM, respectively. The comparison of kinetic parameters of Gne from Escherichia coli O86:B7 to those of other characterized UDP-GlcNAc/Glc 4-epimerases indicated that it has relaxed specificity toward the four substrates, the first characterized enzyme to have this activity in the O-antigen biosynthesis. Moreover, the calculated kcat/Km values for UDP-GalNAc and UDP-Gal are approximately 2-4 times higher than those for UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-Glc, suggesting that Gne is slightly more efficient for the epimerization of UDP-GalNAc and UDP-Gal. One mutation (S306Y) resulted in a loss of epimerase activity for non-acetylated substrates by about 5-fold but totally abolished the activity for N-acetylated substrates, indicating that residue S306 plays an important role in the determination of substrate specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Enzyme specific activation of benzoquinone ansamycin prodrugs using HuCC49DeltaCH2-beta-galactosidase conjugates.

To activate prodrugs for cancer treatment, an anti-TAG-72 antibody (HuCC49DeltaCH2) was used for delivery of an activation enzyme (beta-galactosidase) to specifically activate a geldanamycin prodrug (17-AG-C2-Gal) against colon cancer. The geldanamycin prodrug 17-AG-C2-Gal was synthesized by coupling a galactose-amine derivative with geldanamycin at the C-17 position. Molecular docking with two different programs (Affinity and Autodock) showed that the prodrug (17-AG-C2-Gal) was unable to bind to Hsp90; however, the product (17-AG-C2), enzymatically cleaved by beta-galactosidase conjugate, bound to Hsp90 in a similar way as geldanamycin and 17-AG. The computational docking results were further confirmed in experimental testing by the tetrazolium [3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)]-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay and mass spectrometry. HuCC49DeltaCH2 was chemically conjugated to beta-galactosidase. The antibody-enzyme conjugate was able to target tumor antigen TAG-72 with the well-preserved enzymatic activity to activate 17-AG-C2-Gal prodrug. The released active drug 17-AG-C2 was demonstrated to induce up to 70% AKT degradation and enhance anticancer activity by more than 25-fold compared to the prodrug.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2006

Immobilization of UDP-galactose 4-epimerase from Escherichia coli on the yeast cell surface.

UDP-galactose 4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2, Gal E) from Escherichia coli catalyzes the reversible reaction between UDP-galactose and UDP-glucose. In this study, the Gal E gene from E. coli, coding UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, was cloned into pYD1 plasmid and then transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100 for expression of Gal E on the cell surface. Enzyme activity analyses with EBY100 cells showed that the enzyme displayed on the yeast cell surface was very active in the conversion between UDP-Glc and UDP-Gal. It took about 3 min to reach equilibrium from UDP-galactose to UDP-glucose.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed2006

Formation of a new O-polysaccharide in Escherichia coli O86 via disruption of a glycosyltransferase gene involved in O-unit assembly.

The majority of hetero-polysaccharide biosynthesis in Gram-negative bacteria utilizes the wzy-dependent pathway, in which repeating O-units are first synthesized in the cytosol and then subsequently translocated to the periplasmic face of the inner membrane where polymerization is initiated by the Wzy polymerase. Wzy proteins share little primary sequence homology and are specific for their cognate O-unit structures. Our previous studies on O-polysaccharide biosynthesis in Escherichia coli O86 identified the wbnI gene, which encodes a galactosyltransferase responsible for the introduction of alpha-(1-->3)-Galp residues as side chains of the polysaccharide. In this work, we functionally inactivated the wbnI gene and showed that the mutant strain produced a different polysaccharide without the side chain Galp residue. The yield of the polysaccharide was substantially lower than the one produced by the wild-type strain. This study indicated that the complete O-unit structure is the preferred substrate for the polymerization, thus further confirming the specificity of Wzy. On the other hand, these studies also suggest that the Wzy polymerase might have moderate tolerance of side-chain truncated O-unit substrates.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed2006

The wbnH gene of Escherichia coli O86:H2 encodes an alpha-1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase involved in the O-repeating unit biosynthesis.

O-repeating unit biosynthesis is the first committed step in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis in a variety of gram-negative bacteria. The wbnH gene was previously proposed to encode a glycosyltransferase involved in O-repeating unit synthesis in Escherichia coli O86:H2 strain. In this work, we provide biochemical evidence to show that wbnH encodes a N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase (GalNAcT) that catalyzes the transfer of GalNAc from UDP-GalNAc to the GalNAc-pyrophosphate-lipid acceptor. WbnH activity was characterized using a synthetic acceptor substrate GalNAc alpha-PP-O(CH2)11-OPh. The resulting disaccharide product GalNAc-alpha-1,3-GalNAc alpha-PP-O(CH2)11-OPh was analyzed by LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. Substrate specificity study indicates that pyrophosphate and hydrophobic lipid moiety are structural requirements for WbnH activity. Divalent metal cations are not required for enzyme catalysis, suggesting WbnH belongs to glycosyltransferase GT-B superfamily. Our results complete the characterization of O86 O-unit assembly pathway, and provide the access of chemically defined O-unit substrates for the further investigation of O-antigen biosynthetic mechanism.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed2006

Carbohydrate-protein interactions by "clicked" carbohydrate self-assembled monolayers.

A Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition "click chemistry" was employed to immobilize azido sugars (mannose, lactose, alpha-Gal) to fabricate carbohydrate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. This fabrication was based on preformed SAM templates incorporated with alkyne terminal groups, which could further anchor the azido sugars to form well-packed, stable, and rigid sugar SAMs. The clicked mannose, lactose, and alpha-Gal trisaccharide SAMs were used in the analysis of specific carbohydrate-protein interactions (i.e., mannose-Con A; ECL-lactose, alpha-Gal-anti-Gal). The apparent affinity constant of Con A binding to mannose was (8.7 +/- 2.8) x 10(5) and (3.9 +/- 0.2) x 10(6) M(-1) measured by QCM and SPR, respectively. The apparent affinity constants of lactose binding with ECL and alpha-Gal binding with polyclonal anti-Gal antibody were determined to be (4.6 +/- 2.4) x 10(6) and (6.7 +/- 3.3) x 10(6) M(-1), respectively by QCM. SPR, QCM, AFM, and electrochemistry studies confirmed that the carbohydrate SAM sensors maintained the specificity to their corresponding lectins and nonspecific adsorption on the clicked carbohydrate surface was negligible. This study showed that the clicked carbohydrate SAMs in concert with nonlabel QCM or SPR offered a potent platform for high-throughput characterization of carbohydrate-protein interactions. Such a combination should complement other methods such as ITC and ELISA in a favorable manner and provide insightful knowledge for the corresponding complex glycobiological processes.

Carbohydrates↗
PubMed2006

Syntheses and biological activities of 3'-azido disaccharide analogues of daunorubicin against drug-resistant leukemia.

Anthracyclines, such as daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (Dox), are widely used for cancer therapy but are limited by drug resistance and cardiotoxicity. To overcome drug resistance, we synthesized a novel class of disaccharide analogues of DNR against drug-resistant leukemia. In these disaccharide analogues (1-6) the first (inner) sugar in the carbohydrate chain is a 3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-L-lyxo-alpha-hexopyranose; the second (outer) sugars that are linked via alpha(1-->4) to the first sugar are a series of uncommon sugars. Their cytotoxicities were examined in drug-sensitive leukemia cells K562 and doxorubicin-resistant K562/Dox cells by MTS assay. In drug-sensitive cells, compounds 1-6 were found to be active against leukemia K562 cells with IC50 in the nanomolar range (200-1100 nM), while compounds 2-5 with 2,6-dideoxy sugars showed better activity than compounds 1 and 6 with 2,3,6-trideoxy sugars. In doxorubicin-resistant K562/Dox cells, compounds 1, 3, and 5 exhibited much better activities (with IC50 between 0.29 and 2.0 microM) than DNR (with IC50 > 5 microM). Compound 3 emerged as the most active compound, showing at least 17-fold higher activity against drug-resistant cells than parent compound DNR. The IC50 values of compound 3 in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells are identical, which indicates that compound 3 completely overcomes drug resistance. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies showed that the substitution and orientation of the 3-OH group in the second sugar significantly influence its activity against drug-resistant leukemia. These results suggest that sugar modifications of anthracyclines change their activity and overcome drug resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

Chemoenzymatic syntheses of iGb3 and Gb3.

Efficient chemoenzymatic syntheses of iGb3 and Gb3 have been developed. Isoglobotrihexose and globotrihexose were enzymatically synthesized by a three-enzyme system in both solid and solution phases. Then iGb3 and Gb3 were chemically synthesized by coupling of the corresponding trisaccharides with lipid.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Overexpression and characterization of Wzz of Escherichia coli O86:H2.

O-Antigen plays a critical role in the bacterium-host interplay, the chain length is an important factor in O-antigen functions. Wzz protein is responsible for O-antigen chain length regulation, but the mechanism is still unknown. Here, we overexpressed the Wzz of Escherichia coli O86:H2 in wzz mutant O86:H2 strain, the yield can achieve 15 mg/L. The recombinant Wzz was purified to 99% purity in dodecylmaltoside by sequential Ni-affinity chromatography and anion-exchange. Size exclusion chromatography and in vivo cross-linking experiments both showed that Wzz formed tetramer. Furthermore, analysis with circular dichroism revealed that the predominant structural composition in Wzz is alpha-helices, and incubation with O-antigen significantly changed Wzz conformation. The results suggested that Wzz protein can interact with O-antigen.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed2006

Discovery of a daunorubicin analogue that exhibits potent antitumor activity and overcomes P-gp-mediated drug resistance.

Anthracyclines are considered to be some of the most effective anticancer drugs for cancer therapy. However, drug resistance and cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines limit their clinical application. We hypothesize that direct modifications of the sugar moiety of anthracyclines avert P-glycoprotein (P-gp) recognition and efflux, increase drug intracellular concentration in cancer cells, and thus overcome P-gp-mediated drug resistance. Daunorubicin (DNR) analogues with sugar modifications were synthesized by directly transforming the amino group of DNR to an azido group or triazole group. Molecular docking showed that the lead compound (3'-azidodaunorubicin, ADNR) averts P-gp binding, while daunorubicin (DNR) extensively interacts with multidrug-resistance (MDR) protein through H-bonds and electrostatic interactions. FACS assay demonstrated that these new compounds abolished P-gp drug efflux and accumulated high intracellular concentration in the drug-resistant leukemia K562/Dox. P-gp inhibition by CsA confirmed that these new analogues are no longer P-gp substrates. ADNR exhibited potent anticancer activity in both drug-sensitive (K562) and drug-resistant leukemia cells (K562/Dox), with a 25-fold lower drug resistance index than DNR. An in vivo xenograft model demonstrated that ADNR showed more than 2.5-fold higher maximum growth inhibition rate against drug-resistant cancers and significant improvement for animal survival rate versus DNR. No significant body weight reduction in mice was observed for ADNR at the maximum tolerable dose, as compared to more than 70% body weight reduction for DNR. These data suggest that sugar modifications of anthracyclines avert P-gp binding, abolish P-gp-mediated drug efflux, increase intracellular drug concentration, and thus overcome P-gp-mediated drug resistance in cancer therapy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed2006

Synthesis and biological evaluation of alpha-galactosylceramide (KRN7000) and isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3).

Glycoceramides can activate NKT cells by binding with CD1d to produce IFN-gamma, IL-4, and other cytokines. An efficient synthetic pathway for alpha-galactosylceramide (KRN7000) was established by coupling a protected galactose donor to a properly protected ceramide. During the investigation, it was discovered that when the ceramide was protected with benzyl groups, only beta-galactosylceramide was produced from the glycosylation reaction. In contrast, the ceramide with benzoyl protecting groups produced alpha-galactosylceramide. Isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3) was prepared by glycosylation of Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4Glc donor with 2-azido-sphingosine in high yield. Biological assays on the synthetic KRN7000 and iGb3 were performed using human and murine iNKT cell clones or hybridomas.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A glycosylated nitric oxide donor, beta-Gal-NONOate, and its site-specific antitumor activity.

So far, nitric oxide (NO) donors have been applied to various aspects of antitumor therapy. To selectively sensitize tumor cells and avoid unwanted side effects, we recently synthesized a beta-galactosidase-activatable NO-releasing compound, beta-galactosyl-pyrrolidinyl diazeniumdiolate (beta-Gal-NONOate). In this study, we first verified its superiority over its parent diazeniumdiolate (NONOate) in terms of targeted intracellular NO-releasing and antitumor activity with 9L/LacZ cells (rat glioma cell line 9L with transformed LacZ gene) in vitro. beta-Gal-NONOate only released NO when hydrolyzed by induced beta-galactosidase in 9L/LacZ cells, which led to its more powerful cytotoxicity than that of NONOate. The results showed that beta-Gal-NONOate produced higher NO levels than NONOate in 9L/LacZ cells at equal concentration, and hence induced optimal NO levels for antitumor activity. However, in 9L cells, beta-Gal-NONOate showed less toxicity than NONOate. Therefore, it is demonstrated that beta-Gal-NONOate is a site-specific prodrug for targeting NO intracellularly as a beta-galactosidase-sensitive NO donor, and it is also expected to be a promising probe in numerous experimental settings and a potential therapeutic drug for antitumor treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

RebG- and RebM-catalyzed indolocarbazole diversification.

Rebeccamycin and staurosporine represent two broad classes of indolocarbazole glycoside natural products with antitumor properties. Based upon previous sequence annotation and in vivo studies, rebG encodes for the rebeccamycin N-glucosyltransferase, and rebM for the requisite 4'-O-methyltransferase. In the current study, an efficient in vivo biotransformation system for RebG was established in both Streptomyces lividans and Escherichia coli. Bioconversion experiments revealed RebG to glucosylate a set of indolocarbazole surrogates, the products of which could be further modified by in vitro RebM-catalyzed 4'-O-methylation. Both RebG and RebM displayed substrate promiscuity, and evidence for a remarkable lack of RebG regioselectivity in the presence of asymmetric substrates is also provided. In the context of the created indolocarbazole analogues, cytotoxicity assays also highlight the importance of 4'-O-methylation for their biological activity.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2006

Bioenergy beads: a tool for regeneration of ATP/NTP in biocatalytic synthesis.

Active inclusion bodies of recombinant polyphosphate kinase were obtained by simple washing of Escherichia coli cells with nonionic detergent and then they were immobilized in agar/TiO2 beads. Bioenergy beads obtained are charged by polyphosphate to act as rechargeable supply of adenosine/nucleoside triphosphates (ATP/NTP), a practical tool for synthesis of artificial receptors.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗