Properties and applications of phytepsins from thistle flowers.

Aqueous extracts of thistle flowers from the genus Cynara-Cardueae tribe Cass. (Cynareae Less.), Asteraceae Dumortier-are traditionally used in the Mediterranean region for production of artisanal cheeses. This is because of the presence of aspartic proteases (APs) with the ability to coagulate milk. Plant APs, collectively known as phytepsins (EC 3.4.23.40), are bilobed endopeptidases present in an ample variety of plant species with activity mainly at acidic pHs, and have two aspartic residues located on each side of a catalytic cleft that are responsible for catalysis. The cleavage of the scissile peptide-bond occurs primarily between residues with large hydrophobic side-chains. Even when aspartylendopeptidase activity in plants is normally present at relatively low levels overall, the flowers of several species of the Cardueae tribe possess APs with extremely high specific activities in certain tissues. For this reason, in the last two decades, APs present in thistle flowers have been the subject of intensive study. Present here is a compilation of work that summarizes the known chemical and biological properties of these proteases, as well as their biomedical and biotechnological applications.

Biochemical characterization, cDNA cloning, and molecular modeling of araujiain aII, a papain-like cysteine protease from Araujia angustifolia latex.

Araujiain aII, the protease with highest specific activity purified from latex of Araujia angustifolia (Apocynaceae), shows optimum proteolytic activity at alkaline pH, and it is completely inhibited by the irreversible inhibitor of cysteine proteases trans-epoxysucciny-L: -leucyl-amido(4-guanidino) butane. It exhibits esterolytic activity on several N-α-Cbz-amino acid p-nitrophenyl esters with a preference for Gln, Ala, and Gly derivatives. Kinetic enzymatic assays were performed with the thiol proteinase substrate p-Glu-Phe-Leu-p-nitroanilide (K (m) = 0.18 ± 0.03 mM, k (cat) = 1.078 ± 0.055 s(-1), k (cat)/K (m) = 5.99 ± 0.57 s(-1) mM(-l)). The enzyme has a pI value above 9.3 and a molecular mass of 23.528 kDa determined by mass spectrometry. cDNA of the peptidase was obtained by reverse transcription-PCR starting from total RNA isolated from latex. The deduced amino acid sequence was confirmed by peptide mass fingerprinting analysis. The N-terminus of the mature protein was determined by automated sequencing using Edman's degradation and compared with the sequence deduced from cDNA. The full araujiain aII sequence was thus obtained with a total of 213 amino acid residues. The peptidase, as well as other Apocynaceae latex peptidases, is a member of the subfamily C1A of cysteine proteases. The enzyme belongs to the alpha + beta class of proteins, with two disulfide bridges (Cys22-Cys63 and Cys56-Cys95) in the alpha domain, and another one (Cys150-Cys201) in the beta domain, as was suggested by molecular modeling.

Sodium tetrathionate effect on papain purification from different Carica papaya latex crude extracts.

Papain from latex of Carica papaya was purified up to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry homogeneity by salt precipitation from two different crude extract sources: a refined preparation obtained in our laboratory and a commercial one. Sodium tetrathionate was tested in the purification process to preserve the enzymatic activity of the peptidase. Purification was checked by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and cation exchange chromatography, using commercial pure papain as standard for a rapid comparison. The best purification yields (3.4%) were obtained in presence of 30 mM sodium tetrathionate for the crude extract prepared in our laboratory. The described purification method proved to be robust and reliable to obtain pure papain on a preparative scale.

Characterization of papain-like isoenzymes from latex of Asclepias curassavica by molecular biology validated by proteomic approach.

Latices from Asclepias spp are used in wound healing and the treatment of some digestive disorders. These pharmacological actions have been attributed to the presence of cysteine proteases in these milky latices. Asclepias curassavica (Asclepiadaceae), "scarlet milkweed" is a perennial subshrub native to South America. In the current paper we report a new approach directed at the selective biochemical and molecular characterization of asclepain cI (acI) and asclepain cII (acII), the enzymes responsible for the proteolytic activity of the scarlet milkweed latex. SDS-PAGE spots of both purified peptidases were digested with trypsin and Peptide Mass Fingerprints (PMFs) obtained showed no equivalent peptides. No identification was possible by MASCOT search due to the paucity of information concerning Asclepiadaceae latex cysteine proteinases available in databases. From total RNA extracted from latex samples, cDNA of both peptidases was obtained by RT-PCR using degenerate primers encoding Asclepiadaceae cysteine peptidase conserved domains. Theoretical PMFs of partial polypeptide sequences obtained by cloning (186 and 185 amino acids) were compared with empirical PMFs, confirming that the sequences of 186 and 185 amino acids correspond to acI and acII, respectively. N-terminal sequences of acI and acII, characterized by Edman sequencing, were overlapped with those coming from the cDNA to obtain the full-length sequence of both mature peptidases (212 and 211 residues respectively). Alignment and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that acI and acII belong to the subfamily C1A forming a new group of papain-like cysteine peptidases together with asclepain f from Asclepias fruticosa. We conclude that PMF could be adopted as an excellent tool to differentiate, in a fast and unequivocal way, peptidases with very similar physicochemical and functional properties, with advantages over other conventional methods (for instance enzyme kinetics) that are time consuming and afford less reliable results.

Biochemical analysis of a papain-like protease isolated from the latex of Asclepias curassavica L.

Most of the species belonging to Asclepiadaceae family usually secrete an endogenous milk-like fluid in a network of laticifer cells in which sub-cellular organelles intensively synthesize proteins and secondary metabolites. A new papain-like endopeptidase (asclepain c-II) has been isolated and characterized from the latex extracted from petioles of Asclepias curassavica L. (Asclepiadaceae). Asclepain c-II was the minor proteolytic component in the latex, but showed higher specific activity than asclepain c-I, the main active fraction previously studied. Both enzymes displayed quite distinct biochemical characteristics, confirming that they are different enzymes. Crude extract was purified by cation exchange chromatography (FPLC). Two active fractions, homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, were isolated. Asclepain c-II displayed a molecular mass of 23,590 Da, a pI higher than 9.3, maximum proteolytic activity at pH 9.4-10.2, and showed poor thermostability. The activity of asclepain c-II is inhibited by cysteine proteases inhibitors like E-64, but not by any other protease inhibitors such as 1,10-phenantroline, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, and pepstatine. The Nterminal sequence (LPSFVDWRQKGVVFPIRNQGQCGSCWTFSA) showed a high similarity with those of other plant cysteine proteinases. When assayed on N-alpha-CBZ-amino acid-p-nitrophenyl esters, the enzyme exhibited higher preference for the glutamine derivative. Determinations of kinetic parameters were performed with N-alpha-CBZ-L-Gln-p-nitrophenyl ester as substrate: K(m)=0.1634 mM, k(cat)=121.48 s(-1), and k(cat)/K(m)=7.4 x 10(5) s(-1)/mM.

Callus culture for biomass production of milk thistle as a potential source of milk clotting peptidases

The objective of this work was the optimization of the conditions of in vitro culture for callus production of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae). Sections of cotyledons, previously disinfected by washing successively with ethanol 70º, NaClO (10 percent w/v) and Tween 20 (0.05 percent v/v) and rinsing with sterile distilled water, were used as explants. For its initial culture, B5 medium supplemented with BA and 2,4-D solidified with phytagel was used, and a 63 percent survival was achieved. To obtain callus, two solid media were assayed (S1 and S2) using B5 medium supplemented with growth regulators (BA and 2,4-D or NAA and BA, respectively). The calli were grown at 25ºC during 45 days in darkness. Growth kinetics was studied using S1 medium obtaining a typical growth curve with an exponential phase after 14 days of incubation (rate of growth 0.005 g dry weight/ day) and stationary phase after 35 days. The rate of growth in S2 medium was slower, and rhizogenesis was observed starting on the fifth week of incubation. From these results, the best culture medium for callus production of Silybum marianum was S1 medium.

Behavior of Araujiain, a new cysteine phytoprotease, in organic media with low water content

In this paper we studied the effect of different organic solvents (1-octanol, trichloroethylene, ethanol, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexane, propanone, acetonitrile, dichloromethane, chlorobenzene, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetophenone, diethyl ether, methanol, ethylene glycol and toluene) with low and constant water content on substrate preferences, thermostability and stability (caseinolytic activity retention after 4 h) of proteases of Araujia hortorum Fourn. (Asclepiadaceae). The stability of araujiain was high in N,N-dimethylformamide and ethanol at 40 ºC, but decreased at higher temperature. Araujiain substrates preferences in buffer Tris-HCl (pH 8), ethylene glycol and N,N-dimethylformamide exhibited different patterns, but the enzyme showed a high preference by glutamine derivative in all cases. According to FTIR spectroscopy studies, araujiain changed its secondary structure and as a consequence, it also changed its substrate preferences. This enzyme showed lower beta-helical character and greater beta-sheet folding in buffer than in organic media. A larger amount of antiparallel beta-sheet residues indicates the formation of tighter intermolecular hydrogen bonds and enzymatic aggregates. These facts could explain the higher esterolytic activities, the greater stability and good hydrolytic potential of araujiain in some organic media such as N,N-dimethylformamide.

Extraction and partial characterization of a coagulant preparation from Silybum marianum flowers. Its action on bovine caseinate.

An outstanding parameter in cheese making is the type of coagulant, which greatly influences the characteristics of the final products. Proteolysis is the most important set of biochemical changes during ripening of most cheeses, and is carried out, in different magnitude, by proteolytic agents originated in milk, rennet (or rennet substitute), and starter and non-starter micro-organisms (Silva & Malcata, 2000). The demand for alternative sources of milk coagulants, to replace the expensive and limited natural rennet supplies, has increased (Esteves et al. 2001). All commercial enzymes employed as milk coagulant are aspartic proteinases, which are most active at acidic pH and preferentially cleave peptide bonds between residues with hydrophobic side-chains (Silva & Malcata, 1999). Because of the presence of aspartic proteinases, aqueous crude extracts from flowers of Cynara cardunculus (Veríssimo et al. 1995, 1996), Cynara humilis, and/or Cynara scolymus are traditionally employed in the Iberian Peninsula as vegetable rennet for cheesemaking (Reis et al. 2000). Milk clotting activity was also proved in flowers of Centaurea calcitrapa and Onopordum turcicum (Tamer, 1993; Domingos et al. 1998). All these species are included within the Asteraceae family and furthermore in the same tribe: Cardueae Cass.= Cynareae Less. (Ariza Espinar & Delucchi, 1998). When a potential rennet substitute is studied, it is particularly important to evaluate adequately the degradation patterns of the caseins because of their effects on yield, consistency, and flavour of the final cheese (Fox, 1989). It is important to guarantee a well-balanced breakdown of curd proteins (caseins) in order to avoid formation of undesired attributes in cheese such as low viscosity and high bitterness (Visser, 1993). One of the most frequently used methods to monitor proteolytic processes on caseins is urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. On the other hand, tricine-SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis improves the separation, identification and quantification of casein hydrolysates because it allows the visualization of large and small peptides (Pardo & Natalucci, 2001), with the additional advantage of allowing the estimation of molecular masses. Both methods are then suitable to characterize the performance of vegetable rennet in different ways. This preliminary study had the following objectives: the partial characterization of (i) the aspartic proteolytic activity present in flowers of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae); and (ii) the hydrolytic profile of bovine caseins.

Purification and biochemical characterization of asclepain c I from the latex of Asclepias curassavica L.

In this work we report the isolation, purification and characterization of a new protease from latex of Asclepias curassavica L. Crude extract (CE) was obtained by gathering latex on 0.1 M citric-phosphate buffer with EDTA and cysteine with subsequent ultracentrifugation. Proteolytic assays were made on casein or azocasein as substrates. Caseinolytic activity was completely inhibited by E-64. Stability at different temperatures, optimum pH and ionic strength were evaluated by measuring the residual caseinolytic activity at different times after the incubation. CE showed the highest caseinolytic activity at pH 8.5 in the presence of 12 mM cysteine. CE was purified by cation exchange chromatography (FPLC). Two active fractions, homogeneous by SDS-PAGE, were isolated. The major purified protease (asclepain cI) showed a molecular mass of 23.2 kDa by mass spectrometry and a pI higher than 9.3. The N-terminal sequence showed a high similarity with those of other plant cysteine proteinases. When assayed on N-alpha-CBZ-aminoacid-p-nitrophenyl esters, the enzyme showed higher preference for the glutamine derivative. Determinations of kinetic parameter (km and Kcat) were performed with PFLNA.

Proteolytic properties of Funastrum clausum latex.

As part of a screening of latex endopeptidases from plants growing in Argentina, the presence of proteolytic activity in the latex of Funastrum clausum stems is reported. The proteases present in the crude extract showed the main characteristics of the cysteine proteolytic class, i.e. optimum pH at alkaline range, isoelectric point (pI) higher than 9.0, and inhibition of proteolytic activity by thiol blocking reagents. A remarkable thermal stability was also evident in the crude extract. Endosterolytic preference tried on p-nitrophenyl esters of N-alpha-carbobenzoxy-L-amino acids was higher for the alanine, asparagine and tyrosine derivatives. Preliminary peptidase purification by two-step ionic exchange showed the presence of two proteolytic fractions with molecular masses of approximately 24.0 kDa according to SDS-PAGE.

Funastrain c II: a cysteine endopeptidase purified from the latex of Funastrum clausum.

A cysteine endopeptidase, named funastrain c II, was isolated and characterized from the latex of Funastrum clausum (Asclepiadaceae). The molecular mass (mass spectrometry) of the protease was 23.636 kDa. The analysis of funastrain c II by SDS-PAGE revealed a single polypeptide chain. The enzyme showed a remarkable stability of its caseinolytic activity after incubation at temperatures as high as 70 degrees C. Inhibition and activation assays indicated the cysteinic nature of the funastrain c II catalytic site. The optimum pH of funastrain c II enzymatic activity varied according to the substrate used (9.0-10.0 for casein and 6.2-6.8 for PFLNA). Kinetic parameters were determined for N-alpha-CBZ-Ala p-nitrophenyl ester (Km = 0.0243 mM, kcat = 1.5 s(-1)) and L-pyroglutamyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucine-p-nitroanilide (PFLNA; KM = 0.1011 mM, kcat = 0.9 s(-1)). The N-terminal sequence of funastrain c II showed considerable similarity to other proteases isolated from latex of different Asclepiadaceae species as well as to other cysteine proteinases belonging to the papain family.

Morrenain b I, a papain-like endopeptidase from the latex of Morrenia brachystephana Griseb. (Asclepiadaceae).

A new cysteine endopeptidase (morrenain b I) has been purified and characterized from the latex of stems and petiols of Morrenia brachystephana Griseb. (Asclepiadaceae). Morrenain b I was the minor proteolytic component in the latex but showed higher specific activity than morrenain b II, which was the main active fraction. Both enzymes showed similar pH profiles and molecular masses, but kinetic parameters and N-terminal sequences were quite distinct, demonstrating that they are different enzymes instead of different forms of the same enzyme.