03 Fakultät Chemie

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/handle/11682/4

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 13
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Insight into the mechanism of the IMP-1 metallo-beta-lactamase by molecular dynamics simulations
    (2003) Ölschläger, Peter; Schmid, Rolf D.; Pleiss, Jürgen
    Two models, a purely nonbonded model and a cationic dummy atom approach, were examined for the modeling of the binuclear zinc-containing IMP-1 metallo-beta-lactamase in complex with a mercaptocarboxylate inhibitor. The cationic dummy atom approach had substantial advantages as it maintained the initial, experimentally determined geometry of the metal-containing active site during molecular dynamics simulations in water. The method was extended to the modeling of the free enzyme and the enzyme in complex with a cephalosporin substrate docked in an intermediate structure. For all three systems, the modeled complexes and the tetrahedral coordination of the zinc ions were stable. The average zinc-zinc distance increased by about 1 Å in the substrate complex compared to the inhibitor complex and the free enzyme in which a hydroxide ion acts as a bridging ligand. Thus, the zinc ions are predicted to undergo a back and forth movement upon the cycle of hydrolysis. In contrast to previous assumptions, no interaction of the Asn167 side chain with the bound cephalosporin substrate was observed. Our observations are in agreement with quantum-mechanical calculations and experimental data and indicate that the cationic dummy atom approach is useful to model zinc-containing metallo-beta-lactamases as free proteins, in complex with inhibitors and in complex with substrates.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    A model of the pressure dependence of the enantioselectivity of Candida rugosa lipase towards (±)-menthol
    (2001) Kahlow, Ulrich; Schmid, Rolf D.; Pleiss, Jürgen
    Transesterification of (±)-menthol using propionic acid anhydride and Candida rugosa lipase was performed in chloroform and water at different pressures (1, 10, 50, and 100 bar) to study the pressure dependence of enantioselectivity E. As a result, E significantly decreased with increasing pressure from E=55 (1 bar) to E=47 (10 bar), E=37 (50 bar), and E=9 (100 bar). In order to rationalize the experimental findings, molecular dynamics simulations of Candida rugosa lipase were carried out. Analyzing the lipase geometry at 1, 10, 50, and 100 bar revealed a cavity in the Candida rugosa lipase. The cavity leads from a position on the surface distinct from the substrate binding site to the core towards the active site and is limited by F415 and the catalytic H449. In the crystal structure of the Candida rugosa lipase, this cavity is filled with 6 water molecules. The number of water molecules in this cavity gradually increased with increasing pressure: 6 molecules in the simulation at 1 bar, 10 molecules at 10 bar, 12 molecules at 50 bar, and 13 molecules at 100 bar. Likewise, the volume of the cavity progressively increased from about 1864 ų in the simulation at 1 bar to 2529 ų at 10 bar, 2526 ų at 50 bar, and 2617 ų at 100 bar. At 100 bar, one water molecule slipped between F415 and H449, displacing the catalytic histidine side chain and thus opening the cavity to form a continuous water channel. The rotation of the side chain leads to a decreased distance between the H449-N and the (+)-menthyl-oxygen (non-preferred enantiomer) in the acyl enzyme intermediate, a factor determining the enantioselectivity of the lipase. While the geometry of the preferred enantiomer is similar in all simulations, the geometry of the non-preferred enantiomer gets gradually more reactive. This observation correlates with the gradually decreasing enantioselectivity E.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Regioselectivity of CYP2B6 : homology modelling, molecular dynamics simulation, docking
    (2002) Bathelt, Christine; Schmid, Rolf D.; Pleiss, Jürgen
    Human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6 activates the anticancer prodrug cyclophosphamide (CPA) by 4-hydroxylation. In contrast, the same enzyme catalyzes N-deethylation of a structural isomer, the prodrug ifos-famide (IFA) thus causing severe adverse drug effects. To model the molecular interactions leading to a switch in regioselectivity, the structure of CYP2B6 was modelled based on the structure of rabbit CYP2C5. We mod-elled the lacking 22 residue loop in CYP2C5 between helix F and G (F-G loop) which is not resolved in the X-ray structure by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using a simulated annealing protocol. The modelled conformation of the loop was validated by unconstrained MD simulations of the complete enzymes (CYP2C5 and CYP2B6) in water for 70 and 120 ps, respectively. The simulations were stable and led to a backbone r.m.s. deviation of 1.7 Å between the two CYPs. The shape of the substrate binding site of CYP2B6 was further analyzed. It consists of three well-defined hydro-phobic binding pockets adjacent to the catalytic heme. Size, shape and hydrophobicity of these pockets was compared to the shapes of the two structurally isomeric substrates. In their preferred orientation in the binding site both substrates fill all three binding pockets without repulsive interactions. The distance to the heme iron is short enough for 4-hydroxylation and N-deethylation to occur for CPA and IFA, respectively. However, if the substrates are docked in the non-preferred orientation (such that 4-hydroxylation and N-deethylation would occur for IFA and CPA, respectively), one pocket is left empty, and clashes were observed between the substrates.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Design of acetylcholinesterases for biosensor applications
    (2003) Schulze, Holger; Vorlová, Sandra; Villatte, Francois; Bachmann, Till T.; Schmid, Rolf D.
    In recent years, the use of acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) in biosensor technology has gained enormous attention, in particular with respect to insecticide detection. The principle of biosensors using AChE as a biological recognition element is based on the inhibition of the enzyme’s natural catalytic activity by the agent that is to be detected. The advanced understanding of the structure-function-relationship of AChEs serves as the basis for developing enzyme variants, which, compared to the wild type, show an increased inhibition efficiency at low insecticide concentrations and thus a higher sensitivity. This review describes different expression systems that have been used for the production of recombinant AChE. In addition, approaches to purify recombinant AChEs to a degree that is suitable for analytical applications will be elucidated as well as the various attempts that have been undertaken to increase the sensitivity of AChE to specified organophosphates and carbamates using side-directed mutagenesis and employing the enzyme in different assay formats.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Development, validation, and application of an acetylcholinesterase-biosensor test for the direct detection of insecticide residues in infant food
    (2002) Schulze, Holger; Scherbaum, Ellen; Anastassiades, Michelangelo; Vorlová, Sandra; Schmid, Rolf D.; Bachmann, Till T.
    A highly sensitive and rapid food-screening test based on disposable screen-printed biosensors was developed, which is suitable for monitoring infant food. The exposure of infants and children to neurotoxic organophosphates and carbamates is of particular concern because of their higher susceptibility to adverse effects. The European Union has therefore set a very low limit for pesticides in infant food which must not contain concentrations exceeding 10 μg/kg for any given pesticide. The maximum residue limit (MRL) has been set to be near the determination threshold that is typically achieved for pesticides with traditional analytical methods. The biosensor method could detect levels lower than 5 μg/kg and thus clearly fulfills the demands of the EU. To substantiate these measurements, recovery rates were determined and amounted on average to 104 % in food. Matrix effects were eliminated by the introduction of a special electrode treatment. The test was compared with two traditional pesticide multiresidue analysis methods (GC/MS, LC/MS) using 26 fruit and vegetable samples from local markets and 23 samples of processed infant food from Germany, Spain, Poland and the USA. Three infant food samples exceeded the MRL of 10 μg/kg when analyzed by either biosensor test or multiresidue methods.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    High-yield expression of the recombinant, atrazine-specific Fab fragment K411B by the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris
    (2001) Lange, Stefan; Schmitt, Jutta; Schmid, Rolf D.
    In this report, we describe the high-yield secretory expression (~ 40 mg l-1) of pure, atrazine-specific Fab fragments (K411B) from P. pastoris that was achieved by co-integration of the genes encoding the heavy and light chains (both under the control of the alcohol oxidase promoter) into the genome of the yeast cells. Antibody-expressing clones were selected by SDS-PAGE and ELISA and fed-batch fermentations were carried out in a 5 l scale. Both chains of the Fab were successfully expressed upon methanol induction and almost no other proteins were secreted into the media. Approximately 30 % of the two chains formed the active Fab fragment containing the intermolecular disulphide bond, as determined by Western blot analysis under non-reducing conditions. Crude culture supernatant was used to study the binding properties of the Fab fragment toward different s-triazines by means of competitive ELISA: the IC50 value for the detection of atrazine was determined from the standard curve as 3 µg l-1, which is one magnitude higher than the value obtained with the parental mAb K4E7 but equals that obtained when the same Fab fragment was expressed in E. coli cells. In addition, the cross-reactivity pattern of the Fab from Pichia is comparable to that of E. coli and the parental mAb K4E7.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    The molecular mechanism of enantiorecognition of tertiary alcohols by carboxylesterases
    (2003) Henke, Erik; Bornscheuer, Uwe Theo; Schmid, Rolf D.; Pleiss, Jürgen
    Carboxylesterases containing the sequence motif GGGX catalyze hydrolysis of esters of chiral tertiary alcohols, albeit at only low to moderate enantioselectivity towards three model substrates (linalyl acetate, methyl-1-pentin-1-yl acetate, 2-phenyl-3-butin-2-yl acetate). In order to understand the molecular mechanism of enantiorecognition and to improve enantioselectivity towards this interesting substrate class, the interaction of both enantiomers with the substrate binding sites of acetylcholinesterases and p-nitrobenzyl esterase from Bacillus subtilis was modeled and correlated to experimental enantioselectivity. For all substrate-enzyme pairs, enantiopreference and ranking by enantioselectivity could be predicted by the model. In p-nitrobenzyl esterase, one of the key residues in determining enantioselectivity was G105: exchange of this residue by alanine led to a six-fold increase of enantioselectivity (E=19) towards 2-phenyl-3-butin-2-yl acetate. However, the effect of this mutation is personalized: towards the substrate linalyl acetate, the same mutant had a reversed enantiopreference. Thus, depending on the substrate structure, the same mutant had either increased enantioselectivity or opposite enantiopreference compared to wild type enzyme.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Directed evolution of a bacterial alpha-amylase : towards enhanced pH-performance and higher specific activity
    (2003) Bessler, Cornelius; Schmitt, Jutta; Maurer, Karl-Heinz; Schmid, Rolf D.
    Alpha-Amylases, in particular, microbial Alpha-amylases are used widely in industrial processes such as starch liquefaction and pulp processes and more recently in detergency. Following the need for Alpha-amylases adapted to latter, we enhanced the alkali-activity of the Alpha-amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAA). The genes coding for the wild type BAA and the mutants BAA S201N and BAA N297D were subjected to error prone PCR and gene shuffling. For the screening of mutants we developed a novel, reliable assay suitable for high throughput screening based on the Phadebas® assay. One mutant (BAA 42) has an optimal activity at pH 7, corresponding to a shift of one pH unit compared to the wild type. BAA 42 is active over a broader pH-range than the wild type resulting in a fivefold higher activity at pH 10. In addition, the activity in periplasmic extracts and the specific activity increased 4 and 1.5 fold, respectively. Another mutant (BAA 29) possesses a wild type like pH-profile but reveals a 40-fold higher activity in periplasmic extracts and a nine fold higher specific activity. The comparison of the amino acid sequences of these two mutants with other homologous microbial Alpha-amylases revealed the mutation of the highly conserved residues W194R, S197P and A230V. In addition, three further mutations were found K406R, N414S and E356D, the latter being present in other bacterial Alpha-amylases.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Structural basis of stereoselectivity in Candida rugosa lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of secondary alcohols
    (2001) Schulz, Tanja; Schmid, Rolf D.; Pleiss, Jürgen
    Lipases are widely applied catalysts for highly enantioselective resolution of chiral secondary alcohols. While stereopreference is determined predominantly by the substrate structure, stereoselectivity (enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity) depends on atomic details of interactions between substrate and lipase. Experimentally obtained stereoselectivity and activity in the hydrolysis of butanoic acid esters of two secondary alcohols with two neighbouring stereocenters by Candida rugosa lipase have been investigated by computer-aided molecular modeling of tetrahedral substrate intermediates in complex with the lipase. Breakdown of this intermediate is considered to be the rate-limiting step. Sterical interactions of stereo isomers with the side chain of catalytic histidine led to different orientations of the imidazole. The distance d(HNε-Oalc) between HNε of the imidazole side chain of catalytic histidine and the alcohol oxygen of the substrate was identified to correlate with the experimentally determined reactivity order of the four stereo isomers. Modelled distances d(HNε-Oalc) were short (≤ 1.8 Å) for RR stereo isomers, which were also experimentally found to be hydrolyzed most rapidly; distances d(HNε-Oalc) were about 2 Å for SS and SR stereo isomers, which were converted at similar rates but at lower rate than RR stereo isomers; finally, distances d(HNε-Oalc) for SR stereo isomers were greater than 4 Å, in accordance with very slow conversion of SR stereo isomers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Rapid detection of neurotoxic insecticides in food using disposable acetylcholinesterase-biosensors and simple solvent extraction
    (2002) Schulze, Holger; Schmid, Rolf D.; Bachmann, Till T.
    The extensive use of pesticides to protect agricultural crops necessitates reliable tools for the detection of residues in food and water, thus ensuring environmental protection and consumer safety. Neuroinhibitors such as organophosphates and carbamates in particular, represent a potential hazard to human health. These compounds are frequently found in food but conventional methods of analysis are limited as they are either time consuming or not sufficiently sensitive. As a result, a rapid and sensitive biosensor test based on AChE-inhibition was developed. The disposable AChE-biosensor was directly applied in solvent extracts of food samples using isooctane as extraction solvent. A complete assay could be performed in less than 2 hours. Recovery rates of 84 % were obtained in tests with spiked orange juice samples. Tests in food samples with a lower water content resulted in reduced recovery rates (44 % for peach pap baby food). Phosphorothionate insecticides could be detected after direct oxidation in food with N-bromosuccinimide and solvent extraction. The assay displayed a detection limit of 2 μg/kg paraoxon which was sufficient for the monitoring of maximum residue limits in food according to EU regulations.