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PubMed1992

New rapid identification test for Clostridium difficile.

AIMS: A set of five tests were developed and tested for their ability to confirm the identity of C difficile colonies within 30 minutes. METHODS: The relevant substrates were incorporated into four filter paper squares attached to a plastic carrier (Diffstrip), five enzymes/products (prolyl aminopeptidase, galactosidase, leucine aminopeptidase, acid phosphatase and indole). The strips were inoculated, incubated for 20 minutes, and reagents added. RESULTS: 96.4% (212 of 220) strains of C difficile were immediately differentiated from 51 other Clostridium spp tested. The remaining 3.6% (eight of 220) of C difficile isolates produced a reaction pattern similar to some of the Clostridium sporogenes tested and required additional tests. None of the other Clostridium spp tested produced reaction patterns similar to C difficile. CONCLUSION: The Diffstrip allowed colonies of C difficile to be confirmed within 30 minutes for 96.4% of isolates, with less than 4% requiring any additional tests. No strains of C difficile were misidentified and no strains of other Clostridium spp tested were misidentified as C difficile.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed1986

[Comparative characteristics of soluble and membrane brain aminopeptidases. II. Substrate specificity].

Comparative studies on substrate specificity of the soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidases from bovine brain were carried out. A series of p-nitroanilides and beta-naphthylamides of amino acids, di- and tripeptides with the aminoterminal phenylalanine residue, as well as a biologically active pentapeptide--[Leu5]enkephalin--were used as substrates. The soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidases manifested identical specificity towards the employed substrates. The aminopeptidases were equally effective towards the p-nitroanilides of amino acids and peptides, whereas beta-naphthylamides were more susceptible to hydrolysis by both aminopeptidases than p-nitroanilides and peptides. Taking into account physico-chemical characteristics of these enzymes, it was concluded that the soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidases are quite similar or perhaps identical. Their role in the regulation of nervous system functioning was discussed. A comparison of specificities for brain aminopeptidases and leucine aminopeptidase from bovine lens led to the conclusion that they belong to different groups. This feature allows planning the synthesis of selective inhibitors.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1980

[Histoenzymologic data on the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus & Callithrix penicillata)].

The gastric mucosa of marmosets is devoid of UDPG-GT; phosphorylases; G-6-PA; F-1,6-PA; alanyl aminopeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase. Only the acid phosphatase was seen with a stronger reactivity in the chief cells. The other enzymes (LDH; G-6-PDH; 6-PGDH; NADPH2-TR; cis-aconitase; ICDH; SDH; MDH; cytochrome oxidase; NADH2-TR; a-GPDH; b-OHBDH and nonspecific esterase) showed a stronger reactivity in the parietal cells.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Peptide hydrolases of marine organisms].

The survey is devoted to the description of properties of proteolytic enzymes of some sea organisms. Structure peculiarities and properties of proteinases of trypsin and chymotrypsin type, carboxypeptidases A and B, aminopeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase of molluscs, stars, shrimps, fishes and other sea organisms have been considered. Data are presented about trypsins typical of the sea organisms which are characterized by high content of asparaginic and glutaminic acids and small values of activation energy of the reactions which they catalyse. Data are discussed concerning stability of enzymes as to heat denaturation, effect of the environment with external values of pH. Based on the similarity of the substrate specificity of enzymes, their sensitivity to inhibitors, it is concluded that the enzymes of the sea organisms and mammals are similar.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Characterisation of aminopeptidase activity in scab mites (Psoroptes spp.).

Soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidase activities were demonstrated in extracts of P. cuniculi (Delafond). Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity in the soluble fraction of P. cuniculi extracts displayed substrate preference for amino acid derivatives with terminal leucine and methionine over those with acidic, basic or heterocyclic groups. P. cuniculi LAP was inhibited by leucinethiol (IC(50) = 1.4 +/- 0.4 nM), bestatin (IC(50) = 3.9 +/- 1.7 microM), Arphamenine A (IC(50) = 0.37 +/- 0.03 mM) the chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline (IC(50) = 2.3 +/- 0.5 mM), Zn(2+), Cu(2+) Ni(2+), and Co(2+), and activated by Mn(2+) and Mg(2+). The LAP activity was visualised as a single major band after electrophoresis on native gels and eluted from a size exclusion column as a single major peak representing a molecular mass range of 85-116 kDa. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify short fragments of genomic DNA containing nucleotide sequence coding for the cation-binding motifs of the co-catalytic Zn(2+) binding domains of dizinc leucine aminopeptidases in both P. cuniculi and P.ovis (Hering). The major soluble aminopeptidase from these mites therefore displays most of the characteristics associated with typical cytosolic leucine aminopeptidases belonging to the M17 family of metalloproteinases.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Age-related response of the small intestine to severe starvation and refeeding in rats.

The impact of severe starvation and refeeding on the intestinal mucosa of rats of different ages has been studied in a diet-controlled model. Structural and functional alterations of the small intestinal mucosa were assessed by standard parameters including mucosal protein, DNA content as well as maltase, sucrase and leucine aminopeptidase enzymatic activities. Decreases in mucosal mass, DNA, protein and leucine aminopeptidase activity in both the jejunum and ileum caused by starvation, diminished with age. The depression of disaccharidase activities increased with age in the jejunum but not in the ileum. Except for jejunal protein and leucine aminopeptidase activity, the recovery from starvation, after refeeding, was complete for the other parameters studied, regardless of age.

Aging↗

PubMed1990

Effect of histamine H2-receptor antagonist, ranitidine on renal brush border and basolateral membranes.

The antiulcerogenic drug ranitidine, given orally to mice, brought about reductions of kidney-bound hydrolytic enzymes at three different dose levels, viz. 10 mg, 100 mg, and 1000 mg/kg body weight, and for three different time points (single administration for 2 h and 24 h, and daily administration for 15 days). The activities of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, Ca2(+)-ATPase, and Mg2(+)-ATPase (marker enzymes of basolateral membranes) were reduced, and these reductions were significant at higher doses and after a 24-h single treatment or 15 days' daily treatment. Maltase, alkaline phosphatase, and leucine aminopeptidase (marker enzymes of brush border membrane [BBM]) activities were significantly inhibited after ranitidine treatment. Kinetic analysis of BBM-associated enzymes indicated that ranitidine decreased the maximum of apparent initial enzyme velocity (Vmax) of maltase, alkaline phosphatase, and leucine aminopeptidase. The substrate affinity constant (Km) was decreased in the case of alkaline phosphatase and maltase, while it was not altered in the case of leucine aminopeptidase. In vitro addition of ranitidine to renal BBM also produced significant inhibition of these enzymes, the inhibition constants (Ki) for maltase, alkaline phosphatase, and leucine aminopeptidase being 7.5, 15.5, and 3.5 mM, respectively. Membrane-bound lipid estimation showed a significant increase in phospholipids, triglycerides, and free fatty acids. Cholesterol, however, was decreased in both renal basolateral and brush border membranes.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1991

Purification and characterization of leucine-specific aminopeptidase from the soluble fraction of human placenta.

A soluble aminopeptidase distinct from two enzymes described previously was isolated from human placenta and some of its properties were investigated. The three aminopeptidases were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The newly found aminopeptidase exhibits specific hydrolysis of leucine derivatives among various synthetic substrates. However, a broad substrate specificity was observed toward some natural bioactive peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Alteration in the regulation of plasma membrane glycoproteins of the hepatocyte during ontogeny.

The expression of four integral membrane glycoproteins was examined in detail utilizing monospecific antibodies during liver development. These included asialoglycoprotein receptor, a hepatocyte glycoprotein residing in the sinusoidal domain, and three bile canalicular glycoproteins, leucine aminopeptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and a Mr 110,000 glycoprotein denoted GP 110. It was observed that asialoglycoprotein receptor, GP 110, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV were present in low amounts in fetal liver and reached adult levels between 1 to 3 weeks. In contrast, leucine aminopeptidase was present in nearly adult amounts in 18-day-old fetal livers. These observations were qualitatively confirmed by indirect immunofluorescent staining of frozen thin liver sections obtained from fetal and adult rats. Further, in fetal livers it was found that leucine aminopeptidase was not localized to typical bile canalicular areas. Immunoprecipitation studies performed in the presence of proteolytic inhibitors using detergent-solubilized extracts of metabolically labeled liver minces revealed that GP 110 was present in low amounts as Mr 110,000 and Mr 105,000 polypeptides in 17-day fetal livers but by 21 days of gestation the larger polypeptide was the major synthesis product. Conversely, the apparent molecular weights of leucine aminopeptidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV were not altered during development. Experiments determining relative rates of synthesis using excess amounts of antibodies showed that the concentrations of the three bile canalicular glycoproteins in liver during ontogeny reflect their rates of synthesis. These results underscore that plasma membrane constituents of the hepatocyte undergo dramatic changes in expression and localization as the liver changes its physiological role at birth.

Aging↗

PubMed2001

Input of protein to lake water microcosms affects expression of proteolytic enzymes and the dynamics of Pseudomonas spp.

The objective of this study was to determine how an input of protein to lake water affects expression of a proteolytic potential and influences the abundance and composition of a specific group of bacteria. Pseudomonas spp. were chosen as a target group that can be recovered on selective growth media and contain both proteolytic and nonproteolytic strains. Amendment with 2 mg of casein per liter increased total proteinase activity (hydrolysis of [(3)H]casein) by 74%, leucine-aminopeptidase activity (hydrolysis of leucine-methyl-coumarinylamide) by 133%, bacterial abundance by 44%, and phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) by 39%. The casein amendment also increased the abundance of culturable Pseudomonas spp. by fivefold relative to control microcosms but did not select for proteolytic isolates. Soluble proteins immunochemically related to the Pseudomonas fluorescens alkaline proteinase, AprX, were detected in amended microcosms but not in the controls. The expression of this class of proteinase was confirmed exclusively for proteolytic Pseudomonas isolates from the microcosms. The population structure of Pseudomonas isolates was determined from genomic fingerprints generated by universally primed PCR, and the analysis indicated that casein amendment led to only minor shifts in population structure. The appearance of AprX-like proteinases in the lake water might thus reflect a general induction of enzyme expression rather than pronounced shifts in the Pseudomonas population structure. The limited effect of casein amendment on Pseudomonas population structure might be due to the availability of casein hydrolysates to bacteria independent of their proteinase expression. In the lake water, 44% of the total proteinase activity was recovered in 0.22-microm-pore-size filtrates and thus without a direct association with the bacteria providing the extracellular enzyme activity. Since all Pseudomonas isolates expressed leucine-aminopeptidase in pure culture, proteolytic as well as nonproteolytic pseudomonads were likely members of the bacterial consortium that metabolized protein in the lake water.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1999

Purification and identification of potentially bioactive peptides from enzyme-modified cheese.

Antihypertensive peptides inhibiting angiotensin I-converting enzyme have been isolated from enzymatic hydrolysates of various food materials, but no information is available on the isolation of antihypertensive peptides from enzyme-modified cheese. In this study, several bioactive peptides, mainly potential antihypertensive peptides from enzyme-modified cheese prepared by commercial and Lactobacillus casei enzymes, were purified and identified. Enzyme-modified cheese samples were prepared by combination of Neutrase (1883.0 U/ml), L. casei enzymes (amino peptidase activity 86.4 leucine aminopeptidase U/g), and Debitrase (22.0 leucine aminopeptidase U/g). The water-soluble fractions of the enzyme-modified cheeses that were prepared by different enzymes were subjected to reverse-phase HPLC on a Delta Pak C18 column. Each peak was purified on the same column using a binary gradient. One peak from the Neutrase digest, five peaks from the Neutrase-Debitrase digest, and two peaks from the Neutrase-Lactobacillus enzyme digest were purified and identified by API mass spectrometry. On the basis of their molecular masses, amino acid sequences of purified peptides were identified. beta-Casomorphin with a sequence like that of beta-casein (YPFPGPI f 60-66) was found after the Neutrase digest. All of the peptides purified from the digests with combination of Neutrase and Debitrase or Neutrase and L. casei enzymes contained active sites in their sequences. The presence of sites containing potential antihypertensive peptides suggests that the purified peptides may have antihypertensive properties. Thus, the enzyme-modified cheese process, mainly designed to produce flavor ingredients, may simultaneously produce bioactive peptides, which are considered to be of physiological importance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1982

The effect on amino acid transport of trypsin treatment of rat renal brush border membranes.

Trypsin treatment of isolated rat renal brush border membrane vesicles which preferentially releases L-leucine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.2) decreases their ability to take up a variety of amino acids under Na+ -gradient conditions. Such treatment did not alter the osmotic properties of the vesicles nor affect their fragility. A linear correlation could be demonstrated between the L-leucine aminopeptidase activity of the membranes and the initial rate of uptake of L-leucine and L-proline. Velocity of uptake-concentration dependence studies with these substrates indicate that the major effect of trypsinization is to decrease the maximum velocity (Vmax1) of the low-Km high-affinity system with little effect on the Vmax2 of the high-Km low-affinity transport process and no effect on the apparent Michaelis constants of either. Although the data indicate that L-leucine aminopeptidase activity and uptake of l-leucine and L-proline are affected in parallel, they should not be construed to imply a role of the enzyme in the transport process, especially in view of the global decrease in the uptake of various amino acids and sugars.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed2000

Characterization of a solvent resistant and thermostable aminopeptidase from the hyperthermophillic bacterium, Aquifex aeolicus.

A leucine aminopeptidase gene of Aquifex aeolicus, a hyperthermophilic bacterium, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and its expression product was purified and characterized. The expressed protein was purified to homogeneity by using heat to denature contaminating proteins followed by ion-exchange chromatography to purify the heat-stable product. The purified enzyme gave a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 54 kDa. Kinetic studies on the purified enzyme confirmed that it was a leucine aminopeptidase. The optimum temperature for its activity was around 80 degrees C and the optimum pH was in the range from 8.0 to 8.5. It was stable at high temperatures and 27% of its activity was retained after heating at 115 degrees C for 30 min. The purified enzyme had a pH stability range between 4.0 and 11.0. This aminopeptidase was highly resistant to organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, acetonitrile, dimethyl formamide, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and dioxane.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi and P. falciparum: inhibition of aminopeptidase and parasite growth by bestatin and nitrobestatin.

The major leucine aminopeptidase of the rodent malarial parasite Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi was partially purified using a combination of high-pressure liquid chromatography on a size-exclusion column and affinity chromatography using the aminopeptidase-specific inhibitor bestatin as the ligand. The purified enzyme showed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics when the fluorogenic peptide analogue leucyl-7-amino-4-methyl-courmarin served as the substrate, and it was strongly inhibited by both bestatin (Ki = 50.7 +/- 21.0 nM) and nitrobestatin (Ki = 2.51 +/- 0.2 nM) in a competitive manner. These inhibitors were also potent blockers of the growth of P. c. chabaudi and the human parasite P. falciparum in culture, and nitrobestatin was again the more potent. Therefore, the leucine aminopeptidase represents an important target to which novel anti-malarial agents could be directed.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Intramolecularly-quenched fluorescent peptides as fluorogenic substrates ofleucine aminopeptidase and inhibitors of clostridial aminopeptidase.

Fluorogenic oligopeptide derivatives of the type Lys(ABz)-ONBzl, where ABz iso-aminobenzoyl (anthraniloyl), X stands for Ala Phe, or Ala-Ala, and ONBzlis p-nitrobenzyloxy, were synthesized and shown to be hydrolyzed by leucine aminopeptidase. The hydrolysis is accompanied by an increase in fluorescence due to disruptionof the intramolecular quenching of the fluorescent anthraniloyl moiety by the nitrobenzyester group. The spectral characteristics of the compounds are not consistent withan energy transfer mechanism according to Förster, therefore the quenching isassumed to be caused by a direct encouter between the quenching and the fluorecentgroups. The change in fluorescence that accompanies the enzymic hydrolysis ofthe first peptide bound was used for quantitative measurement of the activity ofthe activity of leucine aminopeptidase and for the determination of some of itskinetic parameters. A bacterial aminopeptidase from Clostrdium histolyticumthat is very similar to leucine aminopeptidase in its substrate specificity inits substrate specificity did not hydrolyze the above peptidederivatives. Thehydrolysis of leucine p-nitroanilide by this enzyme was found to be inhibitedby the three peptides and the corresponding inhibition constants were determined.

Aminopeptidases↗

PubMed1983

The function of N alpha-acetylation of the eye-lens crystallins.

The putative protective role of the N alpha-acetyl group of proteins has been investigated. Synthetic, non-acetylated N-terminal tetrapeptides of the alpha A2- and gamma II-crystallin chains are good substrates for leucine aminopeptidase, while the acetylated ones are completely resistant. In the native, non-acetylated, gamma-crystallin the N terminus is not degraded by leucine aminopeptidase. Newly synthesized alpha A2-crystallin, in which the normally occurring N-terminal acetylation has been prevented during cell-free translation, is virtually resistant against degradation by leucine aminopeptidase. Only at extreme enzyme-substrate ratios the N-terminal methionine is removed. Although the N alpha-acetyl group by its very nature protects against this exopeptidase, we conclude that the group is not essential for this purpose in the native crystallins.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed1981

The role of bestatin, an inhibitor of cell surface proteases, in the interaction of serum with untransformed cells in culture.

Bestatin is an inhibitor of cell surface-associated aminopeptidase B and leucine aminopeptidase. This microbial product simulates the role of serum as an activator of uridine uptake in quiescent BHK cells. The compound significantly stimulates the incorporation of labelled thymidine into the acid-insoluble fraction of serum-starved Nil 8 cells in the presence of low concentration of serum. The possible mechanisms of these interactions are discussed.

Aminopeptidases↗

PubMed1989

[Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in hospitalized patients and in galactosamine hepatitis of the rat: Activity and lectin affinity chromatography in serum and hepatic plasma membranes].

The activity of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was studied in the sera of 378 hospitalized patients. The mean activity of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was elevated significantly in patients with neoplasmata and hepatitis, but not in patients with liver cirrhosis. Significant correlations (p less than 0.001) existed with gamma-glutamyl transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase. A significant correlation with lactate dehydrogenase existed only in patients with neoplasmata. Principal component analysis, performed with aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, revealed correlations between the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and between alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase, but neither dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV nor lactate dehydrogenase showed any correlation with either of these two groups. In lectin affinity chromatography with concanavalin A and wheat germ lectin sepharose, serum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV from liver cirrhosis patients showed the same binding pattern as that from healthy subjects. The activity and glycosylation of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in serum and hepatic plasma membranes was investigated in rats, following the induction of hepatitis with galactosamine. In the serum, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV activity was elevated as early as 6 h after galactosamine injection, and the elevated activity persisted until the 7th day. At the same time dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV activity was also elevated in the hepatic plasma membrane. Ninety eight percent of hepatic dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV bound to concanavalin A as well as to wheat germ lectin and this value was unchanged during hepatitis. In the serum of control rats, 90% of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV bound to concanavalin A but only 39% to wheat germ lectin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗