Biochemical characterization of Helicobacter pylori α-1,4 fucosyltransferase: metal ion requirement, donor substrate specificity and organic solvent stability

Biometals. 2009 Dec;22(6):1011-7. doi: 10.1007/s10534-009-9252-1.

Abstract

The effect of metal ions on the activity, the donor substrate specificity, and the stability in organic solvents of Helicobacter pylori α-1,4 fucosyltransferase were studied. The recombinant enzyme was expressed as soluble form in E. coli strain AD494 and purified in a one step affinity chromatography. Its activity was highest in cacodylate buffer at pH 6.5 in the presence of 20 mM Mn2+ ions at 37°C. Mn2+ ions could be substituted by other metal ions. In all cases, Mn2+ ions proofed to be the most effective (Mn2+ > Co2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Cu2+ > Ni2+ > EDTA). The enzyme shows substrate specificity for Type I disaccharide (1) with a KM of 114 μM. In addition, the H. pylori α-1,4 fucosyltransferase efficiently transfers GDP-activated L-fucose derivatives to Galβ1-3GlcNAc-OR (1). Interestingly, the presence of organic solvents such as DMSO and methanol up to 20% in the reaction medium does not affect significantly the enzyme activity. However, at the same concentration of dioxane, activity is totally abolished.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cations / metabolism
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Disaccharides / metabolism
  • Enzyme Stability
  • Escherichia coli
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics
  • Fucosyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Guanosine Diphosphate Fucose / metabolism
  • Helicobacter pylori / enzymology*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Metals / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cations
  • Disaccharides
  • Metals
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Solvents
  • Guanosine Diphosphate Fucose
  • Fucosyltransferases