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Cloning and sequencing of an Agrobacterium tumefaciens beta-glucosidase gene involved in modifying a vir-inducing plant signal molecule.

Induction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens virulence genes by plant phenolic compounds is essential for successful T-DNA transfer to a host plant. In Douglas fir needles, the major virulence region inducer is the glycoside coniferin (J. W. Morris and R. O. Morris, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:3612-3618, 1990). Agrobacterium strains with high beta-glucosidase activity respond to coniferin and infect Douglas fir seedlings, whereas most strains with low beta-glucosidase activity fail to respond to coniferin and are avirulent on this host. We have cloned two beta-glucosidase genes from A. tumefaciens B3/73 and sequenced one of them, cbg1. It appears to be part of a polycistronic unit and shows a high bias for GC-rich codons. When expressed in Escherichia coli, Cbg1 beta-glucosidase hydrolyzes coniferin but not cellobiose. The 88-kDa predicted product of cbg1 is highly similar to one other bacterial beta-glucosidase and several fungal beta-glucosidases. There is little homology between Cbg1 and other bacterial beta-glucosidases, including an Agrobacterium cellobiase.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

Phospho-beta-glucosidases and beta-glucoside permeases in Streptococcus, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus.

The presence of phospho-beta-glucosidases and beta-glucoside permeases was found in strains of Streptococcus, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus. In streptococci, the phospho-beta-glucosidase activity depends on the antigenic group. The highest activity was found in strains of group D. In group D strains, phospho-beta-glucosidase activity is induced by beta-methyl glucoside and cellobiose but not by thiophenyl beta-glucoside (TPG). With the exception of four strains isolated in Japan, all strains of B. subtilis tested possess an inducible phospho-beta-glucosidase activity, beta-methyl glucoside, cellobiose, and TPG acting as inducers. S. aureus strains possess phospho-beta-glucosidase A but not phospho-beta-glucosidase B, whereas most S. albus strains show no detectable phospho-beta-glucosidase activity. The prompt fermentation of beta-methyl glucoside by S. aureus strains could serve as an additional criterion for their differentiation from S. albus. A comparative investigation of the active uptake of (14)C-TPG showed that a Streptococcus group D strain and a B. subtilis strain posses two inducible permeases with characteristics similar to the beta-glucoside permeases I and II of Enterobacteriaceae. In S. aureus, TPG is accumulated by a constitutive permease with high affinity for aromatic beta-glucosides and glucose. The active uptake of TPG by S. aureus appears to depend on the activity of the phosphoenol pyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system.

Bacillus↗

Production of beta-glucosidase and diauxic usage of sugar mixtures by Candida molischiana.

The fermentation of cellobiose is a rare trait among yeasts. Of the 308 yeast species that utilize cellobiose aerobically, only 12 species ferment it, and only 2 species, Candida molischiana and Candida wickerhamii, also ferment cellodextrins. Candida molischiana produced beta-glucosidase activity on all carbon sources tested, except glucose, mannose, and fructose. When these sugars were added to cultures growing on cellobiose, the synthesis of beta-glucosidase ceased. However, the total amount of enzyme activity remained constant, indicating that the C. molischiana beta-glucosidase is catabolite repressed and not catabolite inactivated. When grown in medium initially containing glucose plus xylose, cellobiose, maltose, mannitol, or glucitol, C. molischiana preferentially utilized glucose and produced little beta-glucosidase activity until glucose was nearly depleted from the medium. When grown in medium containing cellobiose plus either fructose or mannose, the yeast preferentially utilized the monosaccharides and produced little beta-glucosidase activity. Candida molischiana produced beta-glucosidase and co-utilized cellobiose and xylose, maltose, or trehalose. Glucose and fructose, mannose, or trehalose were co-utilized; however, no beta-glucosidase activity was detected. Thus, the order of substrate preference groups appeared to be (glucose, trehalose, fructose, mannose) > (cellobiose, maltose, xylose) > (mannitol, glucitol).

Candida↗

Biosynthesis and transport of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase in the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2: secretion from the apical surface.

The human adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 was used for studies on the biosynthesis and transport of lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase in polarized epithelial cells. Metabolic labelling revealed that in Caco-2 cells alpha-glucosidase is synthesized as a precursor form of 110 x 10(3) Mr. This form is converted into a precursor of slightly higher Mr (112 x 10(3)) by the addition of complex oligosaccharide chains. Via an intermediate form of 95 x 10(3) Mr, this precursor is processed into a mature form of 76 x 10(3) Mr. Combination of metabolic labelling with subcellular fractionation showed that the 112 x 10(3) Mr precursor of alpha-glucosidase is transported to the lysosomes. However, the same form is secreted into the culture medium (20% of newly synthesized enzyme after 4 h of chase). Immunoprecipitation of alpha-glucosidase from culture medium derived from either the apical or basolateral site of radiolabelled Caco-2 cells, showed that 70-80% of the total amount of precursor form present in the medium is secreted from the apical membrane. Measurement of enzyme activities also showed that alpha-glucosidase, unlike other lysosomal enzymes, is mainly secreted via the apical pathway. Furthermore, immunocytochemistry showed the presence of a precursor form of alpha-glucosidase on the apical, but not the basolateral, membrane of the Caco-2 cells. We conclude that alpha-glucosidase is, unlike all other secretory proteins studied so far, secreted preferentially from the apical membrane of Caco-2 cells.

Cell Polarity↗

[Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of oligo-1,6-glucosidase gene from Bacillus subtilis HB002].

The gene coding for oligo-1,6-glucosidase of Bacillus subtilis HB002 was cloned by the shotgun-cloning method and sequenced by the chain-termination method of Sanger et al. It consists of an open reading frame of 1683 bp. The amino acid sequence of oligo-1,6-glucosidase deduced from its nuecleotide sequence predicts a protein of 561 amino acid residues with a Mr of 65.985 kD, which is 81% and 67% identical to those of oligo-1,6-glucosidase from Bacillus sp. and Bacillus coagulans, respectively, 89% and 79% similar to those of oligo-1,6-glucosidase from Bacillus sp. and Bacillus coagulans, respectively. The oligo-1,6-glucosidase gene of Bacillus subtilis HB002 was cloned into Escherichia coli expression plasmid pBV220, the result of SDS-PAGE showed that the oligo-1,6-glucosidase gene had been expressed in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha, the expressed oligo-1, 6-glucosidase has enzymatic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Proline residues responsible for thermostability occur with high frequency in the loop regions of an extremely thermostable oligo-1,6-glucosidase from Bacillus thermoglucosidasius KP1006.

The gene encoding for an extremely thermostable oligo-1,6-glucosidase from Bacillus thermoglucosidasius KP1006 (DSM2542, obligate thermophile) was sequenced. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the gene (1686 base pairs) corresponded to a protein of 562 amino acid residues with a Mr of 66,502. Its predicted amino acid composition, Mr, and N-terminal sequence of 12 residues were consistent with those determined for B. thermoglucosidasius oligo-1,6-glucosidase. The deduced sequence of the enzyme was 72% homologous to that of a thermolabile oligo-1,6-glucosidase (558 residues) from Bacillus cereus ATCC7064 (mesophile). B. cereus oligo-1,6-glucosidase contained 19 prolines. Eighteen of these were conserved at the equivalent positions of B. thermoglucosidasius oligo-1,6-glucosidase. This enzyme contained 14 extra prolines besides the conservative prolines. The majority of extra prolines was replaced by polar or charged residues (Glu, Thr, or Lys) in B. cereus oligo-1,6-glucosidase. The extra prolines were responsible for the difference in thermostability between these two enzymes. We suggested that 11 of the extra prolines in B. thermoglucosidasius oligo-1,6-glucosidase occur in beta-turns or in coils within the loops binding adjacent secondary structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[beta-D-glucosidase in the microvillous zone of small intestine enterocytes in experimental coccidiosis in suckling piglets].

In the small intestine mucosa of 24 gnotobiotic farrows experimentally infected with the oocysts of coccidiosis of Isospora suis (infection administration--100,000 oocysts) on the first day after the delivery, we carried out the microdensitometric evaluation of the activity of beta-D-glucosidase (phlorizin-hydrolase; hetero-beta-galactosidase; lactase-beta-glucosidase complex; EC. 3.2.1.21). Great attention was paid to the topochemistry of enzyme, deposited in a microvillous zone of enterocytes. We studied likewise the activity of beta-D-glucosidase in the striped fringe of enterocytes of the four control gnotobiotic farrows, in the age from 2 to 5 days. We found out that in healthy farrows the reaction product of studied disaccharidase is located in high concentrations in the microvillous zone of absorptive cells of the whole small intestine. We proved a topographic gradient at which the beta-D-glucosidase activity decreases in control farrows the duodenum mucosa in the aboral direction. When using the choice substrate for beta-D-glucosidase (5-Br-4-Cl-beta-indolyl-3-D-glucoside) we did not prove the enzyme deposition in the small intestine wall. The negative enteral effect of coccidiosis I. suis was provable in the farrows experimentally infected already on the first day after the infection (DPI) when the beta-D-glucosidase activity decreased within the whole small intestine by 15% (ileum) and even by 23% (middle jejunum). The activity reduction had been deepening since the first after the infection and it reached its maximum on the 9th day after the infection when the enzyme concentration in the microvillous zone of absorptive cells reached only 11% of the activity level found in control farrows. On the 10th and 11th day after the infection we registered the increase of the density of beta-D-glucosidase reaction product, however the microvillous zone was even in that final stage of experimental infection significantly deficient (31% of intestine mucosa activity of control farrows).

Animals↗

Secretion of a precursor form of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase from the brush border of human kidney proximal tubule cells.

We have shown previously (R.P.J. Oude Elferink, E.M. Brouwer-Kelder, I. Surya, A. Strijland, M. Kroos, A.J.J. Reuser, J.M. Tager, Eur. J. Biochem. 139, 489-495 (1984)) that human urine contains considerable amounts of a precursor form of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase (about 50% of the total alpha-glucosidase activity present). We have now purified alpha-glucosidase from human kidney. Only about 5 to 10% of the total lysosomal alpha-glucosidase present in kidney comprises the precursor form of the enzyme. By means of immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies, the precursor of alpha-glucosidase was detected in the brush border of the proximal tubule cells. Taking into account the amount of precursor alpha-glucosidase excreted daily into the urine and the amount present in the kidneys, we conclude that extensive secretion of precursor alpha-glucosidase occurs from the brush border of the proximal tubules.

Blotting, Western↗

Glucosidase II, a protein of the endoplasmic reticulum with high mannose oligosaccharide chains and a rapid turnover.

Glucosidase II is regarded as a resident protein of the endoplasmatic reticulum. The enzyme removes alpha-1-3-linked glucose from high mannose oligosaccharides N-linked to asparagine residues of glycoproteins. Monospecific antibodies raised against the pig kidney enzyme are used to study the metabolism of the enzyme in a rat hepatoma cell line. These antiglucosidase II antibodies specifically immune precipitate glucosidase II as a 100,000-Da species from [35S]methionine-labeled cells. In addition, protein blotting and immune staining of cell extracts from both rat liver and human and rat hepatoma cell lines show identity in apparent Mr (100,000). Glucosidase II synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin is approximately 94,000 Da, indicating the presence of one or more N-linked oligosaccharide chains. Cell-free protein synthesis of rat hepatoma total RNA demonstrates that glucosidase II is synthesized as a slightly higher molecular weight species as compared to the polypeptide synthesized in whole cells in the presence of tunicamycin, indicating that the enzyme has a cleavable signal sequence. Using a pulse-chase protocol, the apparent molecular weight does not change upon longer chase periods. In addition, the 100,000-Da protein remains sensitive to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H regardless of prolonged chase periods. The cells incorporate [3H]mannose into the enzyme; after release with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, most of the radioactivity comigrates with Glc1-Man9-GlcNAc on a gel filtration column. Phase separation in Triton X-114 shows a partition between the aqueous and the Triton phase, the major portion being separated in the aqueous phase. In rat hepatoma cells glucosidase II has a half-life of 50 min. This value is not altered if the cells are grown in the presence of monensin nor of methyl-deoxynoijirimycin. However, tunicamycin and low concentrations or primaquine (raising the pH of acidic compartments) causes a 100% increase in half-life of glucosidase II. We conclude that glucosidase II is a hydrophilic, probably not a transmembrane membrane, protein with a short half-life. It is the first example of an oligosaccharide-processing enzyme not being an integral membrane protein.

Animals↗

Partial purification from Saccharomyces cerevisiae of a soluble glucosidase which removes the terminal glucose from the oligosaccharide Glc3Man9GlcNAc2.

Glucosidase activities capable of removing the three glucose residues from Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide were detected in a cell-free preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae X-2180. The glucosidase which cleaves the glucose residue at the nonreducing terminus (Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide glucosidase) was equally distributed between the particulate and the supernatant fractions obtained after centrifugation of the yeast homogenate at 27,000 X g for 30 min. The membrane-bound activity was stimulated by Triton X-100, whereas the supernatant activity was not affected. The soluble Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide glucosidase was partially purified from the supernatant by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. It was clearly separated from alpha-glucosidase, which acts onp-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside, but still contained beta-glucosidase and alpha-mannosidase acting on p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and alpha-D-mannopyranoside, respectively. The Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide glucosidase had a pH optimum of 6.8, and showed no requirement for divalent cations. The enzyme was very active with glucose-labeled Glc3Man9GlcNAc2, was slightly active with Glc2Man9GlcNAc2, and showed no activity with Glc1Man9GlcNAc2. These properties suggest that this enzyme is involved in the first step of processing of oligosaccharides after transfer from dolichyl pyrophosphate to proteins.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

Carboxy-group modification: high-temperature activation of charge-neutralized and charge-reversed beta-glucosidases from Aspergillus niger.

Purified beta-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger NIAB280 was chemically modified by l-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbodi-imide (EDC) in the presence of glycinamide (GAM) as nucleophile under various conditions to study the role of carboxy groups in the catalytic mechanism of this enzyme. beta-Glucosidase was inactivated by the binding of one mol of EDC per mol of the enzyme with a second-order rate constant of 4.77 x 10(-2) mM min-1. Glucose, as competitive inhibitor, partly protected the active-site carboxy group against chemical modification, with a Kd of 3.64 mM. The pH dependence of chemical modification by EDC showed that first-order rate constants decreased with increasing pH, indicating that the proton donating group is a carboxy group. The pKa values of the acidic and basic limbs of the native enzyme were 2.9 and 6.5 respectively. beta-Glucosidase was modified by EDC in the presence of GAM and ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (EDAM) as nucleophiles for 60 min. The effects of neutralization (GAM) and reversal (EDAM) of the negative charges of surface carboxy groups on the kinetic properties of the enzyme were also studied. Native beta-glucosidase, GAM and EDAM had Vmax/K(m) values of 0.73, 1.22 and 0.60 respectively at 40 degrees C. Interestingly, the activation energy profiles of native beta-glucosidase (103 and 79 kJ/mol) were biphasic, whereas those of GAM (137, 101 and 30 kJ/mol) and EDAM (285, 100 and 29 kJ/mol) were triphasic, indicating significant activation of modified beta-glucosidases at temperatures higher than 50 degrees C. The pKa values of both the active-site carboxy groups as well as the pH optima of GAM and EDAM were also significantly decreased compared with those of the native beta-glucosidase.

Aspergillus niger↗

beta-Glucosidase excretion by Trichoderma pseudokoningii: correlation with cell wall bound beta-1.3-glucanase activities.

The formation and excretion of beta-glucosidase from Trichoderma pseudokoningii was studied during growth on different carbon sources. The enzyme was present under all conditions examined, but increased activity was found during growth on carbon sources favouring slow growth. Two different patterns of beta-glucosidase excretion were observed: on carbon sources allowing fast growth a relatively high percentage of total activity was found in the culture fluid, which decreases as the culture grows older, but which increases again during the phase of cell lysis; on carbon sources favouring slow growth, excretion is initially low, but commences at later culture stages. Changes in cell wall composition and cell wall lytic enzyme activities associated with the cell walls were examined during phases of high and low ratios of extracellular to cell-wall bound beta-glucosidase activities. With no component of the cell wall (chitin, alpha-glucan, beta-glucan, galactosamine) could correlation with beta-glucosidase excretion be identified. Among a number of cell-wall lytic, cell-wall associated enzymes (alpha-glucanases, beta-glucanases, glucosaminidase, galactosaminidase), beta-1.3-glucanase activity correlated well with the excretion of beta-glucosidase. The results suggest a possible role of beta-1.3-glucanases in the mechanism of release of beta-glucosidase from cell walls of T. pseudokoningii; this is discussed.

Cell Wall↗

[Chemical galactosylation of acid alpha-glucosidase to provide directed transport of the enzyme into lysosomes of liver parenchymal cells].

Chemical galactosylation of human liver tissue lysosomal alpha-glucosidase was carried out. As a result of the modification some physicochemical properties of the enzyme were altered, while its stability and catalytic activity were maintained. An ability of the galactosylated alpha-glucosidase to interact with asialoglycoprotein receptor from mice liver tissue was studied in vitro. The reaction required Ca2+. A specific inhibitor of the receptor, N-acetyl galactosamine, as well as high concentrations of native glycoproteins and neoglycoproteins containing terminal galactose inhibited the receptor binding of the 125I-galactosylated alpha-glucosidase. Native alpha-glucosidase was not bound with the receptor. Antireceptor antibodies inhibited similarly binding of both native ligand, asialoorosomucoid and the galactosylated alpha-glucosidase. These data on specific interaction between the galactosylated form of alpha-glucosidase and asialoglycoprotein receptor are discussed in connection with the problem of directed transport of the enzyme into liver parenchymatous cells by means of receptor-dependent endocytosis, which may be of importance in development of enzymotherapy of hereditary lysosomal enzymopathies.

Animals↗

Properties of alpha-glucosidase from Lactobacillus acidophilus NCTC 1723.

Lactobacillus acidophilus NCTC 1723 produced intracellular and extracellular alpha-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20). The alpha-glucosidase was partially purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and attained a 10.3-fold purification. The Km for alpha-PNPG was 2.9 mM and the Vmax for alpha-PNPG hydrolysis was 6.45 mumole ml-1 min-1. The enzyme was stable only at pH 6.0-7.5 while incubated at 25 degrees C. At pH 6.5, a 100% activity was retained at 15 degrees-37 degrees C. However, the enzyme was easily destroyed at 50 degrees C. The pH optimum for stability of the enzyme at low temperature (2 degrees C) was between 5 and 6. It was found that addition of Mn++, Ba++ and EDTA, to the medium stimulated alpha-glucosidase activity, while the presence of Hg++, Cu++, Co++, Ni++, Zn++, L-histidine, arabitol, erythritol, sorbitol and glycerol inhibited enzyme activity. Although isomaltase activity was found in the partially purified alpha-glucosidase, it was not known whether this activity was an intrinsic capability of the enzyme. Transglucosylase and weak glucoamylase activities were also found to associate with the partially purified alpha-glucosidase. Since only the alpha-1,6 linked isomaltose was detected as the transferase product, it was thought that the alpha-glucosidase was capable of glucosyl transfer via alpha-1,6-glucosidic bonds.

Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase↗

Purification and characterization of a beta-glucosidase from rye (Secale cereale L.) seedlings.

Cyclic hydroxamic acids and a glucosidase that occur in rye seedlings were investigated. The concentration of the glucoside of 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA-Glc) in shoots increased soon after germination and decreased to a lower, constant level as the plants started autotrophic growth. Cyclic hydroxamic acid glucoside beta-glucosidase activity also occurred transiently, and the timing of the increase and decrease was concurrent with that of cyclic hydroxamic acid glucosides. The glucosidase was isolated from 48-h-old rye shoots and purified to apparent homogeneity by using isoelectric precipitation, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The isoelectric point and the optimum reaction temperature were 4.9-5.1 and 25-30 degrees C, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was almost identical to that of the wheat glucosidases, but did not show any similarity to the sequences of other glucosidases of plant origin. SDS- and native-PAGE analyses showed that rye had several isozymes of glucosidase, and each isozyme was an oligomer of 60-kDa monomers with a molecular mass of approximately 300 kDa. The enzyme was highly active not only for DIMBOA-Glc but also for its 7-demethoxy analogue, DIBOA-Glc, which was different from the specificities of maize and wheat glucosidases.

Journal Article↗

Synthesis of alpha-glucosidase I inhibitors showing antiviral (HIV-1) and immunosuppressive activity.

The synthesis of a series of analogues of the monosaccharide alpha-glucosidase I inhibitor N-decyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (1) is described. With the incorporation of a single oxygen atom particularly at position seven in the N-decyl side chain, i.e. to give N-7-oxadecyl-dNM (4), the therapeutic ratio (alpha-glucosidase I inhibitory activity over toxicity in HepG2 cells) increases considerably. N-7-Oxadecyl-dNM inhibits purified porcine liver alpha-glucosidase I with an IC50 value of 0.28 microM. The position of the oxygen atom in the N-decyl side chain is of importance since N-3-oxadecyl-dNM is less active and, moreover, is toxic to HepG2 cells at 3 mM. Subsequently, the synthesis of a disaccharide inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase I is described. The aminodisaccharide ManNH2 alpha 1,2Glc (12) inhibits alpha-glucosidase I with an IC50 value of 15.7 microM. Two closely related monosaccharide derivatives of 12 did not inhibit the enzyme at low microM concentrations (no inhibition at 5 microM), showing the additional effect of binding of the aglycon fragment of the molecule to the active site of alpha-glucosidase I. Next, the N-alkyl-dNM derivatives were analysed for antiviral and immunomodulatory activity in-vitro. It is found that the most potent alpha-glucosidase I inhibitor from this study, N-7-oxadecyl-dNM (4) inhibits HIV-1 induced syncytia formation and lymphocyte proliferation in-vitro. Finally, compound 4 was also investigated in-vivo. N-7-Oxadecyl-dNM (4) reduced adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats making this compound a potential candidate for treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗

Hydrolysis of beta-glucosyl ester linkage of p-hydroxybenzoyl beta-D-glucose, a chemically synthesized glucoside, by beta-glucosidases.

To investigate the hydrolysis of glucosyl esters by beta-glucosidase, p-hydroxybenzoyl beta-D-glucose (pHBG) was chemically synthesized. The hydrolytic activity of some beta-glucosidases for pHBG was compared to that for p-nitrophenyl beta-glucoside (pNPG). The Clavibacter michiganense and Flavobacterium johnsonae enzymes could hydrolyze pHBG and steviol glycosides which are natural glucosyl esters. The commercial beta-glucosidase originating from Caldocellum saccharolyticum also hydrolyzes pHBG despite having no activity for steviol glycosides. The beta-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger cleaved the glucosyl ester linkage much more weakly than the glucosidic linkage. The pH-activity profile for the hydrolysis of pHBG was similar to that of pNPG by the C. saccharolyticum beta-glucosidase. The similar profiles for these substrates suggested that the active site for the glucosyl ester chemically resembles that for glucoside with respect to catalysis. Kinetic analysis of the C. saccharolyticum beta-glucosidase for mixed substrates of pHBG and pNPG showed that the hydrolysis of pHBG competed with that of pNPG. This result indicated that there is only one active site for both the glucosyl ester and glucoside. Mass spectroscopic analysis of the hydrolysates of pHBG in H218O suggested that beta-glucosidase hydrolyzes glucosyl esters between the anomeric carbon of glucose and the carbonyl oxygen, not between the carbonyl carbon and the carbonyl oxygen.

Journal Article↗

Critical Importance of alpha-glucosidase contained in rice kernel for alcohol fermentation of rice polish.

In our previous study, we proposed a new alcoholic beverage called nuka-sake, which is made from uncooked rice polish without any enzyme source such as koji. In nuka-sake brewing, the uncooked rice polish serves not only as the fermentation material but also as the enzyme source. In the present study, the results of both laboratory-scale nuka-sake brewing runs with various grades of rice polish and analysis of amylolitic enzyme distribution in rice polish suggested that alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) is a key enzyme of parallel fermentation in nuka-sake brewing. Miglitol, a specific inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase, strongly inhibited glucose production from rice polish. To obtain further evidence regarding the contribution of alpha-glucosidase, this enzyme was purified from rice grain kernels (Yamadanishiki cultivar) and supplied for both rice polish saccharification and nuka-sake brewing. The purified alpha-glucosidase promoted both glucose production from rice polish and alcohol fermentation in nuka-sake brewing. Based on these results, it was considered that the alpha-glucosidase contained in rice polish plays an important role in glucose production. This role may be a rate-limiting factor for parallel fermentation in nuka-sake brewing. Moreover, oligosaccarides accumulated during the saccharification of uncooked rice polish, implying the contribution of not only alpha-glucosidase but also alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1). Through this result, it can be speculated that the starch contained in rice polish will be decomposed to glucose as a result of the action of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase contained in rice polish.

Journal Article↗