Production Of 6-aminopenicillanic Acid Research Articles

Visualized characterization of bacterial penicillin G acylase for the hydrolysis of β-lactams using an activatable NIR fluorescent probe

Penicillin G acylase (PGA) identified from bacteria, is used as industrial biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of penicillins along with the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid, a key intermediate of the semi-synthetic β-lactam antibiotics. Due to wide usage of PGA, some novel homology bioactive enzymes are investigated in various bacteria, and visualized analysis technique would be necessary and helpful for the development and utilization of PGA function in living systems. In the present work, an activated off-on near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (DDAP) deduced from a novel fluorophore has been designed and developed for sensitively and selectively detecting endogenous PGA in real-time. The hydrolysis mechanism has been elucidated using in silico docking analysis, which confirmed DDAP as the specific substrate of PGA. Using DDAP as the fluorescent probe, the endogenous bacterial PGA was imaged in living systems successfully, which could be applied to identify bacteria with PGA expression from complex microorganism samples. Furthermore, using DDAP as the staining agent, the endogenous PGA in various bacteria has been profiled visually on native-PAGE gel, and the PGA activity in bacterial lysates could be effectively determined. The PAGE-gel for PGA analysis stained by DDAP was more sensitive than generally used silver and Coomassie Blue dyes. Finally, a series of β-lactams were hydrolyzed by recombinant PGA to further confirm its hydrolase property, corresponding to the hydrolysis of DDAP.

Optimization of aqueous two-phase systems for the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid in integrated microfluidic reactors-separators

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) were screened for the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) catalyzed by penicillin acylase, followed by the extractive separation of 6-APA from the reaction mixture. The key point of this study was to find an ATPS exhibiting a large difference in the partition coefficients of the biocatalyst and reaction products. Several ATPSs based on polyethylene glycol (PEG)/phosphate, PEG/citrate, and PEG/dextran were tested. We found that an ATPS consisting of 15 wt% of PEG 4000, 10 wt% of phosphates, 75 wt% of water (pH value 8.0 after dissolution) provided optimal separation of 6-APA from the enzyme. While the 6-APA was mainly found in the top PEG phase, the free enzyme favored the bottom salt-rich phase. This ATPS also fulfils other important requirements: (i) high buffering capacity, reducing an undesirable pH decrease due to the dissociation of phenylacetic acid (the side product of the reaction), (ii) a relatively low cost of the ATPS components, (iii) the possibility of electrophoretic transport of fine droplets as well as the reaction products for both the acceleration of phase separation and the enhancement of 6-APA concentration in the product stream. Extraction experiments in microcapillary and batch systems showed that the transport of 6-APA formed in the salt-rich phase to the corresponding PEG phase could occur within 30 s. The experimental results described form a base of knowledge for the development of continuously operating integrated microfluidic reactors-separators driven by an electric field for the efficient production of 6-APA.

Monolithic biocatalytic systems with enhanced stabilities constructed through biomimetic silicification-induced enzyme immobilization on rGO/FeOOH hydrogel

In this study, we present a green and facile method of utilizing biomimetic silicification to trigger enzyme immobilization on the surface of the rGO/FeOOH hydrogel for constructing stable monolithic biocatalytic systems. In brief, the rGO/FeOOH hydrogel is firstly prepared through metal ion-induced reduction/assembly of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, which is then utilized to adsorb cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI). This cationic PEI, as the mineralization-inducing agent, catalyzes the condensation of silicate to form silica (biomimetic silicification) on the rGO surface, where enzyme is simultaneously entrapped. The resultant rGO/FeOOH/silica hydrogel shows an extraordinary three-dimensional (3D) porous structure. The silica content on the rGO surface can be facilely tailored through changing the silica precursor concentration. Combined with monolithic macroscale of the rGO/FeOOH/silica hydrogel, the acquired monolithic biocatalytic systems display easy recyclability and elevated pH/thermal/recycling/storage stabilities during the catalytic production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) in comparison to enzyme in free form and enzyme adsorbed on rGO/FeOOH hydrogel. Notably, the activity can be retained up to 93.3% of its initial activity after 11 reaction cycles for our biocatalytic systems.

Biotransformation of penicillin V to 6-aminopenicillanic acid using immobilized whole cells of E. coli expressing a highly active penicillin V acylase

ABSTRACTThe production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) is a key step in the manufacture of semisynthetic antibiotics in the pharmaceutical industry. The penicillin G acylase from Escherichia coli has long been utilized for this purpose. However, the use of penicillin V acylases (PVA) presents some advantages including better stability and higher conversion rates. The industrial application of PVAs has so far been limited due to the nonavailability of suitable bacterial strains and cost issues. In this study, whole-cell immobilization of a recombinant PVA enzyme from Pectobacterium atrosepticum expressed in E. coli was performed. Membrane permeabilization with detergent was used to enhance the cell-bound PVA activity, and the cells were encapsulated in calcium alginate beads and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Optimization of parameters for the biotransformation by immobilized cells showed that full conversion of pen V to 6-APA could be achieved within 1 hr at pH 5.0 and 35°C, till 4% (w/v) concentration of the substrate. The beads could be stored for 28 days at 4°C with minimal loss in activity and were reusable up to 10 cycles with 1-hr hardening in CaCl2 between each cycle. The high enzyme productivity of the PVA enzyme system makes a promising case for its application for 6-APA production in the industry.

Improved A. faecalis Penicillin Amidase Mutant Retains the Thermodynamic and pH Stability of the Wild Type Enzyme

Penicillin amidase from Alacaligenes faecalis is an attractive biocatalyst for hydrolysis of penicillin G for production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid, which is used in the synthesis of semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotics. Recently a mutant of this enzyme with extended C-terminus of the A-chain comprising parts of the connecting linker peptide was constructed. Its turnover number for the hydrolysis of penicillin G was 140 s(-1), about twice of the value for the wild-type enzyme (80 s(-1)). At the same time the specificity constant was improved about three-fold. The wild-type and the mutant enzymes showed similar pH stability suggesting that the linker peptide fragment covalently attached to the A-chain does not alter the electrostatic interactions in the protein core. Although the global stability of A. faecalis wild-type enzyme and the T206GS213G variant does not differ, the presence of the linker fragment stabilizes the domains interface, as evidenced by the monophasic transition of the mutant enzyme from folded to unfolded state during urea-induced denaturation. The high stability and activity of the mutant enzyme provides a rationale to use it as a biocatalyst in the industrial processes, where the enzyme must be more robust to fluctuations in the operational conditions.

Comparative Production of 6-Aminopenicillanic Acid by Different E. coli Strains and Their Acridine Orange (AO) Induced Mutants

The present study was conducted to see the difference in production of 6-APA I) between wild strains of E. coli collected from local environment and their acridine orange (AO) induced mutants and ii) between mutants and E. coli strains (ATCC 11105 and ATCC 9637) of American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) used commercially for enzymatic production of 6-APA. The optimum conditions for bioconversion were standardized and 6-APA was obtained in crystalline form. Relative PGA activity of local and foreign E. coli strains varied significantly with the highest being 12.7 in mutant strain (BDCS-N-M36) and the lowest 4.3 mg 6-APA h(-1) mg(-1) wet cells in foreign strain (ATCC 11105). The enzyme activity exhibited by mutant strain (BDCS-N-M36) was also two folds higher compared to that in wild parent BDCS-N-W50 (6.3 mg 6-APA h(-1) mg(-1) wet cells). The overall production of 6-APA and conversion ratios ranged between 0.25-0.41 g of 6-APA per 0.5 g of penicillin G and 51-83%, respectively. Maximum conversion ratio (83%) was achieved by using crude cells of mutant strain (BDCS-N-M36) which is the highest value ever reported by crude cells on a shake-flask scale whereas reported 6-APA production by immobilized cells is 60-90% in batch and continuous systems. Results are being discussed with reference to importance of local bacterial strains and their significance for industrially important enzymes.

Application of cross-linked enzyme aggregates of Bacillus badius penicillin G acylase for the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid

Optimization of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) production using cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA) of Bacillus badius penicillin G acylase (PAC). CLEA-PAC was prepared using purified/partially purified PAC with phenylacetic acid as active-site blocking agent and glutaraldehyde as cross-linker. Conversion of penicillin G to 6-APA by CLEA-PAC was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) (central composite rotatable design) consisting of a three-factor-two-level pattern with 20 experimental runs. Nearly, 80% of immobilization yield was obtained when partially purified enzyme was used for the preparation of CLEA-PAC. Quantitative conversion of penicillin G to 6-APA was observed within 60 min and the CLEA-PAC was reusable for 20 repeated cycles with 100% retention of enzyme activity. The faster conversion of penicillin G to 6-APA by CLEA-PAC and efficient reusability holds a strong potential for the industrial application.

An Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Process for Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Penicillin G in Cloud Point System

Enzymatic hydrolysis of penicillin G by immobilized penicillin acylase in a nonionic surfactant mediated cloud point system was presented. The effect of the operation parameters on equilibrium pH of this enzymatic hydrolysis process without pH control was examined. A relatively high equilibrium pH in cloud point system without pH control can be obtained. The feasibility of recycling utilization of the nonionic surfactant, a novel green solvent, was also investigated experimentally. Enzymatic hydrolysis of penicillin G in a discrete semi-batch mode, which simulates a semi-continuous process, envisages a completely eco-friendly, sustainable and efficient process for production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid.

Production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid in aqueous two-phase systems by recombinant Escherichia coli with intracellular penicillin acylase.

Bioconversion of penicillin G in PEG 20000/dextran T 70 aqueous two-phase systems was achieved using the recombinant Escherichia coli A56 (ppA22) with an intracellular penicillin acylase as catalyst. The best conversion conditions were attained for: 7% (w/v) substrate (penicillin G), enzyme activity in bottom phase 52 U ml(-1), pH 7.8, temperature 37 degrees C, reaction time 40 min. Five repeated batches could be performed in these conditions. Conversions ratios between 0.9-0.99 mol of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) per mol of penicillin G, were obtained and volumetric productivity was 3.6-4.6 micromol min(-1) ml(-1). In addition the product 6-APA could be directly crystallized from the top phase with a purity of 96%.

Biotechnological applications of penicillin acylases: state-of-the-art.

This review describes the most recent developments in the biotechnological applications of penicillin acylases. This group of enzymes is involved mainly in the industrial production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid and the synthesis of semisynthetic beta-lactam antibiotics. In addition, penicillin acylases can also be employed in other useful biotransformations, such as peptide synthesis and the resolution of racemic mixtures of chiral compounds. Particular emphasis is placed on advances in detection of new enzyme specificities towards other natural penicillins, enzyme immobilization, and optimization of enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis and synthesis in the presence of organic solvents.

A novel enzyme reactor using gluten membrane entrapping cell-associated enzyme.

A membrane enzyme reactor consisting of variable pieces of replaceable cell-immobilized membranes was proposed for the continuous production of bioproducts. To demonstrate the characteristics of the reactor, cell-immobilized membranes were prepared by the entrapment of permeabilized recombinant Escherichia coli cells containing penicillin G acylase within the gluten matrices. A stainless-steel net that was created with a mesh frame was used to support each gluten membrane so that the membranes could be filled into the rectangular-shaped reactor. The reactor equipped with either six or 12 pieces of cell-immobilized gluten membranes containing a biomass concentration of 5%, w/w was effective in catalyzing the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid from penicillin G. In comparison with intact cells, the cell-immobilized preparation was more stable and the half-life time of the immobilized cell-associate enzyme in gluten membrane was estimated to be 36 days by a long-term operation. As the substrate solution was forced to flow through the reactor equipped with six membranes and in the direction perpendicular to the membranes, the pressure drop was determined to be less than 50 cm H(2)O with a flow-rate up to 50 mL/min. This low pressure due to the porous structure of gluten membrane would lead to a lower operational cost. Increasing either the number of membranes or the area of each cell-immobilized membrane can easily do scaling-up of this membrane reactor.

Kinetically controlled synthesis of ampicillin with immobilized penicillin acylase in the presence of organic cosolvents

Penicillin acylase (PA) is used in the industrial production of 6-amino penicillanic acid (6-APA). However, by proper control of reaction medium, the enzyme can be used in the reverse synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics from the corresponding β-lactam nuclei and suitable acyl donors. Under thermodynamically controlled strategy, the use of organic cosolvents can favor synthesis over hydrolysis by lowering water activity and favoring the non-ionic reactive species. Under kinetically controlled strategy using activated acyl donors, organic solvents can favor synthesis by depressing hydrolytic reactions. Results are presented on the synthesis of ampicillin from phenylglycine methyl ester and 6-APA with immobilized Escherichia coli PA in the presence of organic cosolvents. Several solvents were tested in terms of enzyme stability and solubility of substrates. Ethylene glycol, glycerol, 1–2 propanediol and 1–3 butanediol were selected accordingly and ampicillin synthesis was performed in all of them. Best results in terms of yield and productivity were obtained with ethylene glycol, with which further studies were conducted. Variables studied were enzyme to limiting substrate ratio, acyl acceptor to acyl donor ratio, organic solvent concentration, pH and temperature. Experimental design based on a two-level fractional factorial design was conducted. pH was determined as the most sensitive variable and was further optimized. The best conditions for ampicillin synthesis in terms of productivity, within the range of values studied for those variables, were pH 7.4, 28°C, 36 US PA/mmol 6-APA, 3 mol PGME/mol 6-APA and 45 % (v/v) ethylene glycol concentration. Productivity was 7.66 mM ampicillin/h, which corresponds to a specific productivity of 7.02 μmol ampicillin/h US at 55 % yield. Productivity was lower than in buffer but product yield was higher because of the much lower relative hydrolysis rates.

Sanitization of immobilized biocatalysts for the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid

Five different chemical reagents and γ-rays were tested for the sanitization of immobilized biocatalysts with high penicillin G acylase (PGA) activity. The most effective chemical reagents were N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol (thymol). The optimum concentration of CTAB for the treatment of the immobilized enzyme was 0.25% [w/v] and 1 h, for immobilized cells 0.06% [w/v] and 3 h. The optimum concentration of thymol for the immobilized enzyme was found to be 0.1% [w/v] and 1 h, for immobilized cells 0.27% [w/v] and 2 h. The optimum dose of γ-rays for the sanitization of the immobilized enzyme was established as 3.2 kGy, for immobilized cells as 4.5 kGy.

MULTI-POINT IMMOBILIZATION OF PENICILLIN G ACYLASE ON SILICA-GLYOXYL: INFLUENCE OF THE DEGREE OF ACTIVATION

Multi-point immobilization, by an intense enzyme-support attachment, may increase the operational stability of a biocatalyst. Penicillin G acylase has many applications, from the hydrolysis of penicillin G (production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid) to the synthesis of semi-synthetic antibiotics. The application of this technique in macroporous silica involves support activation with 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimetoxysilane, followed by acidic hydrolysis and oxidation with sodium periodate. The aldehyde-glyoxyl groups so formed react subsequently with the enzyme. The degree of activation affects the yield and stability of the enzyme immobilization. For 20 UI of enzyme, the results show an immobilization yield equal to 100%, whenever there are more than 140 <FONT FACE="Symbol">m</FONT> Eq of aldehyde groups/g of dry silica. The immobilized enzyme half-life is 23 minutes at 60ºC; under the same conditions, the soluble enzyme has no residual activity after a few minutes. The increase in the degree of activation does not lead to higher stability, which indicates the negative influence of sub-products, formed during the activation of the support

Reaction heat measurements in the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction of penicillin GK to obtain 6-APA

The purpose of this study was to measure heats involved in the hydrolysis process for the industrial production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) using dynamic calorimetry techniques. The experimental design was planned using Hess' law. The information derived from the calorimeter was correlated mathematically to determine the heat released during enzymatic hydrolysis. This is important for temperature control systems and reactor design. The results obtained with the calorimetric measurements at 308 K and pH 7.5 are the penicillin hydrolysis, ΔH hydrol , at 35.9 ± 5.7 kJ mol −1 and phenyl acetic acid neutralization, ΔH neut , at −47.1 ± 3.8 kJ mol −1.

Penicillin acylase has a single-amino-acid catalytic centre.

Penicillin acylase (penicillin amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.11) is widely distributed among microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi. It is used on an industrial scale for the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid, the starting material for the synthesis of semi-synthetic penicillins. Its in vivo role remains unclear, however, and the observation that expression of the Escherichia coli enzyme in vivo is regulated by both temperature and phenylacetic acid has prompted speculation that the enzyme could be involved in the assimilation of aromatic compounds as carbon sources in the organism's free-living mode. The mature E. coli enzyme is a periplasmic 80K heterodimer of A and B chains (209 and 566 amino acids, respectively) synthesized as a single cytoplasmic precursor containing a 26-amino-acid signal sequence to direct export to the cytoplasm and a 54-amino-acid spacer between the A and B chains which may influence the final folding of the chains. The N-terminal serine of the B chain reacts with phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride, which is consistent with a catalytic role for the serine hydroxyl group. Modifying this serine to a cysteine inactivates the enzyme, whereas threonine, arginine or glycine substitution prevents in vivo processing of the enzyme, indicating that this must be an important recognition site for cleavage. Here we report the crystal structure of penicillin acylase at 1.9 A resolution. Our analysis shows that the environment of the catalytically active N-terminal serine of the B chain contains no adjacent histidine equivalent to that found in the serine proteases. The nearest base to the hydroxyl of this serine is its own alpha-amino group, which may act by a new mechanism to endow the enzyme with its catalytic properties.

Production of 6-Aminopenicillanic Acid in Immobilized Enzyme Reactor with Electrodialysis.

Phenylacefic acid, an inhibitory product, was formed through the hydrolysis of penicillin G by immobilized penicillin acylase. In this study, electrodialysis was applied to remove phenylacetic acid continuously from the reaction mixture and to enhance the efficiency of the reaction.The permeation rate of phenylacetic acid, in this electrodialysis system was found to be much faster than those of two other compounds, penicillin G and 6-aminopenicillanic acid. Therefore, the membranes selected here might be suitable for continuous removal of phenylacefic acid from the reaction mixture for penicillin G hydrolysis. However, the permeation rate of phenylacetic acid was significantly influenced by the penicillin G concentration; it decreased with increasing penicillin G concentration. A theoretical model was developed to describe this phenomenon and was applied to the hydrolysis of penicillin G by means of a combination of immobilized penicillin acylase and electro dialysis. The experimental data were compared to those predicted by a model using independently determined parameters such as the Michaelis constant, inhibition constants and permeation rate constants. Fairly good agreement was found between the theoretical and experimental data. When a 100 mol·m–3 penicillin G solution was used as the substrate, the time required to reach 98% conversion could be reduced to 24.7% by using the combination with electrodialysis.

Production of 6-APA using a recirculated packed bed batch reactor

A recirculated packed bed batch reactor has been designed for the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid. It was observed that the flow rate of penicillin G solution is a rate limiting step for its hydrolysis. Under the conditions used, the maximum rate of hydrolysis of penicillin G was observed at a flow rate of 3.0 L/min.

Cell aggregates ofEscherichia coli with benzylpenicillin amidase activity

Intact cells Escherichia coli CCM 2843, exhibiting substantial benzylpenicillin amidase activity, were bound mutually with supporting waste microbial cells, native or treated, to obtain an inexpensive biocatalyst for the production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA). The bond was effected by glutaraldehyde (GA) and Sedipur CL-930 (PEI), without any carrier. The optimal concentration of GA was 2%, that of PEI 1%. The optimal biocatalyst was obtained by immobilization of productive cells with their fragments at a mass ratio of 4:1. The cell aggregates were used for hydrolysis of potassium benzyl-penicillin at a concentration of 5% to 6-APA. After 25 repeated batch conversions the degree of conversion did not decrease; its average value was 96.4%.

Production of 6-aminopenicillanic acid by immobilized Pleurotus ostreatus

6-Aminopenicillanic acid from penicillin V is produced by Pleurotus ostreatus immobilized by entrapment in a chitosan matrix. In these carriers the cell concentration increases after network formation by irreversible shrinking of the biocatalyst. Specific activity of the biocatalyst for the hydrolysis reaction is 1,31 μmol.min-1. (g wet weight of catalyst)-1 corresponding to a relative activity of 38%. Catalytic half-life of immobilized Pl. ostreatus is 25 days compared to 2.5 days for free suspended cells.