• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.439-446
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• 2022

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes are ubiquitous, catalyzing various biochemical reactions of approximately 4% of all classified enzymatic activities. They transform amines and amino acids into important metabolites or signaling molecules and are important drug targets in many diseases. In the crystal structures of PLP-dependent enzymes, organic cofactor PLP showed diverse conformations depending on the catalytic step. The conformational change of PLP is essential in the catalytic mechanism. In the study, we review the sophisticated catalytic mechanism of PLP, especially in transaldimination reactions. Most drugs targeting PLP-dependent enzymes make a covalent bond to PLP with the transaldimination reaction. A detailed understanding of organic cofactor PLP will help develop a new drug against PLP-dependent enzymes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2019

The study of the genus Streptomyces is of particular interest because it produces a wide array of clinically important bioactive molecules. The genomic sequencing of many Streptomyces species has revealed unusually large numbers of cytochrome P450 genes, which are involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Many macrolide biosynthetic pathways are catalyzed by a series of enzymes in gene clusters including polyketide and non-ribosomal peptide synthesis. In general, Streptomyces P450 enzymes accelerate the final, post-polyketide synthesis steps to enhance the structural architecture of macrolide chemistry. In this review, we discuss the major Streptomyces P450 enzymes research focused on the biosynthetic processing of macrolide therapeutic agents, with an emphasis on their biochemical mechanisms and structural insights.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.spc1
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• pp.101-109
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• 2005

To gain maximal benefit in a competitive environment, single-celled bacteria have adopted a community genetic regulatory mechanism, known as quorum sensing (QS). Many bacteria use QS signaling systems to synchronize target gene expression and coordinate biological activities among a local population. N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) are one family of the well-characterized QS signals in Gram-negative bacteria, which regulate a range of important biological functions, including virulence and biofilm formation. Several groups of AHL-degradation enzymes have recently been identified in a range of living organisms, including bacteria and eukaryotes. Expression of these enzymes in AHL-dependent pathogens and transgenic plants efficiently quenches the microbial QS signaling and blocks pathogenic infections. Discovery of these novel quorum quenching enzymes has not only provided a promising means to control bacterial infections, but also presents new challenges to investigate their roles in host organisms and their potential impacts on ecosystems.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2002

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.385-390
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• 2000

Overwintering plants should survive the various biotic and abiotic stresses that occur during winter. Previous studies indicated that active oxygen species are involved in freezing, dehydration, anoxia and pathogen infections. As the importance of the events that occur in the intercellular compartment became apparent in disease resistance, we examined the nature of intercellular antioxidant enzymes in order to access their possible involvement in the winter hardiness of barley. The levels of intercellular peroxidase, catalase, and SOD activities on the unit protein basis were 394, 18, and 9% of those of cellular activities, respectively. Major intercellular peroxidase isoforms consisted of four neutrals and four basic forms; whereas major cellular isoforms were two basic forms. Out of the two major catalase isoforms a higher molecular weight form was predominantly abundant in both cellular and intercellular compartments. Among the five major cellular SOD isoforms, three were also present in the intercellular compartment. The presence of substantial amounts of intercellular antioxidant enzymes in overwintering barley leaves may suggest the involvement of these enzymes in the tolerance mechanism to the various stresses that occur during winter.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2001

The mutant enzymes of N-carbamyl-D-amino aicd amidohydrolase (N-carbamylase) from Agrobacterium radiobacter NRRL B11291, showing a negligible activity, were selected from the library generated by random mutagenesis. From the sequence analysis, these mutants were found to contain the amino acids substitutions at Cys172, Glu47, and Glu146. Previously, Cys172 was reported to be necessary for the enzyme catalysis. The chemical modification of the N-carbamylase by carboxyl group specific chemical reagent, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide(EDC), resulted in a loss of activity. The replacement of glutamic acids with glutamines by site-directed mutagenesis led to aggregation of the enzymes. Mutant enzymes fused with maltose binding protein (MBP) were expressed in soluble form, but were inactive. These results indicate that two glutamic acid residues play an important role in structure and function of the N-carbamylase. Multiple sequence alignment of the related enzymes revealed that Glu47 and Glu146 are rigidly conserved, which suggests that tese residues are crucial for the structure and function of the functionally related C-N hydrolases.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.43-55
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• 2020

Most reports demonstrated the substrate specificity-based kinetic properties of chitin or chitosan degrading enzymes. However, there is virtually less information on the high quality and quantity production of chitin or chitosan hydrolysates having a larger than (GlcN)₇ from the hydrolysis of high molecular weight chitosan using specific enzymes and their biological activity. Therefore, the production of such molecules and the discovery of such enzyme sources are very important. Fortunately, the author has established a mass production method of chitosan hydrolysates (GlcN)_n, n=2-13 that have been characterized as a potent antioxidant substance, as well as antifungal and antibacterial activities against Penicillium species and highly selective pathogenic bacteria. In addition, preclinical studies using (GlcN)_n, n=5-25 demonstrated that these molecules played a very important role in maintaining biometric balance. Collectively, it is implicated that the application of these mixed substances to foods with significant biological activity is very encouraging.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.678-682
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• 2006

To remove nitrate from wastewater, a novel bioelectrochemical denitrification system is introduced. In this proposed system, biological reactions are coupled with reactions on the electrode, whereby the electrons are transferred to the bacterial enzymes via a mediator as an electron carrier. The denitrification reaction was achieved with permeabilized Ochrobactrum anthropi SY509 containing denitrifying enzymes, such as nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and nitrous oxide reductase, and methyl viologen was used as the mediator. The electron transfer from the electrode to the enzymes in the bacterial cells was confirmed using cyclic voltammetry. A high removal efficiency of nitrate was achieved when the bioelectrochemical system was used with the permeabilized cells. Furthermore, when the permeabilized cells were immobilized to a graphite felt electrode using a calcium alginate matrix containing graphite powder, a high removal efficiency was achieved (4.38 nmol/min mg cell) that was comparable to the result when using the free permeabilized cells.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2002

The cyclic amidohydrolase family enzymes, which include allantoinase, dihydroorotase, dihydropyrimidinase and (phenyl)hydantoinase, are metal-dependent hydrolases and play a crucial role in the metabolism of purine and pyrimidine in vivo. Each enzyme has been independently characterized, and thus well documented, but studies on the higher structural traits shared by members of this enzyme family are rare due to the lack of comparative study. Here, we report upon the expression in E. coli cells of maltose-binding protein (MBP)- and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused cyclic amidohydrolase family enzymes, facilitating also for both simple purification and high-level expression. Interestingly, the native quaternary structure of each enzyme was maintained even when fused with MBP and GST. We also found that in fusion proteins the favorable biochemical properties of family enzymes such as, their optimal pHs, specific activities and kinetic properties were conserved compared to the native enzymes. In addition, MBP-fused enzymes showed remarkable folding ability in-vitro. Our findings, therefore, suggest that a previously unrecognized trait of this family, namely the ability to functional fusion with some other protein but yet to retain innate properties, is conserved. We described here the structural and evolutionary implications of the properties in this family enzyme.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.115-130
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• 2022

Though information exists regarding the pathogenesis of the shot-hole disease (SH) in flowering cherry (FC), there has been a lack of research focusing on SH management. Therefore, here, we investigated the inhibitory activities of antagonistic bacteria against SH pathogens both in vitro and in vivo as well as their biochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds. Two biosurfactant-producing bacterial antagonists, identified as Bacillus velezensis strains JCK-1618 and JCK-1696, exhibited the best effects against the growth of both bacterial and fungal SH pathogens in vitro through their cell-free culture filtrates (CFCFs). These two strains also strongly inhibited the growth of the pathogens via the action of their antimicrobial diffusible compounds and antimicrobial volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Crude enzymes, solvent extracts, and biosurfactants of the two strains exhibited antimicrobial activities. Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of the partially purified active fractions revealed that the two antagonists produced three cyclic lipopeptides, including iturin A, fengycin A, and surfactin, and a polyketide, oxydifficidin. In a detached leaf assay, pre-treatment and co-treatment of FC leaves with the CFCFs led to a large reduction in the severity of the leaf spots caused by Epicoccum tobaicum and Bukholderia contaminans, respectively. In addition, the two antagonists produced indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore, and a series of hydrolytic enzymes, along with the formation of a substantial biofilm. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the antimicrobial activities of the diffusible compounds and VOCs of B. velezensis against the SH pathogens and their efficiency in the biocontrol of SH.