Ameliorative Effects of Peptides Derived from Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) on Immunomodulatory Function and Gut Microbiota Structure in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice.

The intestinal flora is recognized as a significant contributor to the immune system. In this research, the protective effects of oyster peptides on immune regulation and intestinal microbiota were investigated in mice treated with cyclophosphamide. The results showed that oyster peptides restored the indexes of thymus, spleen and liver, stimulated cytokines secretion and promoted the relative mRNA levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10). The mRNA levels of Occludin, Claudin-1, ZO-1, and Mucin-2 were up-regulated, and the NF-κB signaling pathway was also activated after oyster peptides administration. Furthermore, oyster peptides treatment reduced the proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, increased the relative abundance of Alistipes, Lactobacillus, Rikenell and the content of short-chain fatty acids, and reversed the composition of intestinal microflora similar to that of normal mice. In conclusion, oyster peptides effectively ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal damage and modified gut microbiota structure in mice, and might be utilized as a beneficial ingredient in functional foods for immune regulation.

Effect of organic cosolvent on kinetic resolution of tert-leucine by penicillin G acylase from Kluyvera citrophila.

Penicillin G acylase (PGA) from Kluyvera citrophila immobilized on Amberzyml was used for enantioselective hydrolysis of N-phenylacetylated-DL-tert-leucine (N-Phac-DL-Tle) to produce L-tert-leucine (L-Tle). The effects of various organic cosolvents on hydrolysis of N-Phac-DL-Tle have been investigated in aqueous-cosolvent medium. It was founded that the rate of PGA-catalyzed reaction was significantly affected by the presence of 2% (v/v) organic cosolvent concentration. The initial rate fell with increasing logP of the cosolvent, but for logP values less than -0.24 the rate was faster than in purely aqueous medium. Additionally, the relative rate increases with the increase of dielectric constant (epsilon) of organic cosolvents. The yields of L-Tle in all aqueous-cosolvent systems were above 95% with the enantiomeric excess (ee) of >99%.

Preparation of optically pure tert-leucine by penicillin G acylase-catalyzed resolution.

Penicillin G acylase, from Kluyvera citrophila, was used in kinetic resolution of DL-tert-leucine. N-phenylacetylated-DL-tert-leucine, chemically synthesized from DL-tert-leucine, was enantioselctively hydrolyzed by penicillin G acylase to obtain L-tert-leucine, D-tert-leucine was prepared by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the remaining substrate. The total yields of D-tert-leucine and L-tert-leucine are 80.6% and 83.1%, respectively. The enantiomeric excess of the two products, D-tert-leucine and L-tert-leucine, are 98.5% and 99%. This is a practical way for the preparation of D-tert-leucine and L-tert-leucine.