Preparation and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a new crystal form of L-asparaginase from Escherichia coli.

L-Asparaginase is an enzyme which hydrolyzes asparagine to produce aspartic acid and ammonia. It is an effective chemotherapeutic drug, especially in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. The enzyme from Escherichia coli was crystallized in a new crystal form with space group C2, unit-cell parameters a = 76.3 (0), b = 134.6 (2), c = 64.8 (7) A, beta = 110.5 (1) degrees and a dimer in the asymmetric unit. Synchrotron-radiation diffraction data have been collected to 1.95 A resolution.

Stability of L-asparaginase: an enzyme used in leukemia treatment.

L-asparaginase from Escherichia coli is an important enzyme widely used in leukemia treatment under the trade name Elspar. Up to now, however, the aspects of its stability and storage has not been studied in detail. The aim of this work is to analyze the factors that could interfere in the enzyme's stability. The enzymatic activity was found to be stable in wide pH range (4.5-11.5), showing a slight increase in activity and stability in alkaline pHs, which indicates a more stable conformation of the molecule. The enzyme proved to have a high activity restoration capacity when submitted to temperatures of 65 degrees C, in pH 8.6 buffer and, surprisingly, in physiologic solution. This suggests a positive effect of sodium ions on such restoration capacity. Stability was high in different diluents used as parenteral solutions and in recipients used in medical practice without significant loss of activity for at least 7 days. These results lead us to conclude that the enzyme has a high stability after the lyophilized form has been reconstituted (at least 7 days), since the necessary precautions are taken in terms of sterile manipulation and if it is stored in a suitable parenteral vehicle under low temperature (about 8 degrees C).

Transcriptional control of the cellulase genes in Trichoderma reesei.

The expression of the cellulase transcripts of Trichoderma reesei is controlled by the nature of the energy carbon sources used in the culture medium. Cellulose and the soluble disaccharide sophorose, but not glycerol or glucose, act as inducers. Evidence is presented suggesting that a low constitutive extracellular cellulolytic system catalyzes the formation of a soluble inducer from cellulose, and this inducer triggers the expression of the cellulase transcripts. This basal and cellulose-induced expression of the cellobiohydrolase I mRNAs (cbh1), the major member of the cellulase system, is transcriptionally controlled by two independent cis-acting DNA regions. In addition, expression of the cbh1 transcript is influenced by the physiological state of the mitochondria and this sensitivity is controlled through the 5'-flanking DNA sequence of this gene.

Transcriptional control of the cellulase genes in Trichoderma reesei

The expression of the cellulase transcripts of Trichoderma reesei is controlled by the nature of the energy carbon sources used in the culture medium. Cellulose and the soluble disaccharide sophorose, but not glycerol or glucose, act as inducers. Evidence is presented suggesting that a low constitutive extracellular cellulolytic system catalyzes the formation of a soluble inducer from cellulose, and this inducer triggers the expression of the cellulase transcripts. This basal and cellulose-induced expression of the cellobiohydrolase I mRNAs (cbh1), the major member of the cellulase system, is transcriptionally controlled by two independent cis-acting DNA regions. In addition, expression of the cbh1 transcript is influenced by the physiological state of the mitochondria and this sensitivity is controlled through the 5,-flanking DNA sequence of this gene.

Hexokinase production from S. cerevisiae. Culture conditions.

The effects of pH (4.0, 4.5, or 5.0), temperature (T) (30, 35, or 40 degrees C) and dissolved oxygen (DO) (0.2, 2.0, 4.0,or 6.0 mg O2/L) on hexokinase and invertase formation by yeast were studied. The highest enzyme activities were attained at pH 4.0, DO = 4.0 mg O2/L, and T = 35 or 40 degrees C.

Mitochondrial functions mediate cellulase gene expression in Trichoderma reesei.

We examined the effects of inhibition of mitochondrial functions on the expression of two nuclear genes encoding the extracellular cellobiohydrolase I (cbh1) and endoglucanase I (egl1) of the cellulase system of the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. The cbh1 and egl1 transcripts are repressed at a low oxygen tension, and by glucose at a concentration known to repress mitochondrial respiration. The transcripts are also down-regulated by chemical agents known to dissipate the proton electrochemical gradient of the inner mitochondrial membrane and blocking of the electron-transport chain, such as DNP and KCN, respectively. These results suggest that expression of those transcripts is influenced by the physiological state of the mitochondria. In addition, heterologous gene fusion shows that the sensitivity of the expression of those transcripts to the functional state of the mitochondria is transcriptionally controlled through the 5'-flanking DNA sequence of those genes.

Characterization of phosphofructokinase II and regulation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in Trichoderma reesei.

Phosphofructokinase II (PEK II) from Trichoderma reesei was partially purified (247-fold). The calculated Km values for fructose 6-phosphate and ATP were 0.7 mM and 40 microM, respectively. Upon incubation in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, the enzyme formed a radioactive phosphoprotein with molecular mass of 67 kDa in autoradiography analysis after SDS-PAGE. Upon incubation in the presence of ATP-Mg and the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, its activity was not modified. The same result was obtained when a cell-free extract of T. reesei was incubated with ATP-Mg and cAMP. 2,4-Dinitrophenol caused a transient rise in cAMP levels in the fungal cell. The results provide evidence that the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate level in T. reesei is independent of cAMP concentrations and not related to a cAMP-dependent mechanism, but to the availability of substrate fructose 6-phosphate.