Schiff Base Linkage Research Articles

Immobilization of (S)-mandelate dehydrogenase and its catalytic performance on stereoselective transformation of mandelic acid

(S)-Mandelate dehydrogenase (SMDH) is a FMN-dependent enzyme and catalyzes the oxidation of (S)-mandelic acid to benzoylformic acid, resulting in the reduction of FMN. SMDH was immobilized on chitosan beads through glutaraldehyde by Schiff base linkage, and its immobilization yield was 78% and activity was 12.8U/g. Some characteristics of immobilized SMDH were evaluated. It was found that its optimal pH was 3.4 and optimal temperature was 45°C. The Km value of immobilized SMDH for racemic mandelic acid was 0.27mM and that for ferricyanide was 0.75mM. Compared with immobilized SMDH, the Km values of soluble SMDH for racemic mandelic acid (0.92mM) and ferricyanide (3.8mM) were higher. The Vmax was 0.49μmol/min. The immobilized SMDH showed some improvement on thermal stability and storage stability, with a 5-fold reduction of the deactivation rate for 45°C heat treatment and that for 4°C storage was about 1.4-fold. The stereoselective biotransformation of mandelic acid was studied using immobilized SMDH, with the cofactor FMN regenerated by low-cost ferricyanide. The ee value of (R)-mandelic acid in the final reaction mixture was above 99%.

An Empirical Test of Convergent Evolution in Rhodopsins

Rhodopsins are photochemically reactive membrane proteins that covalently bind retinal chromophores. Type I rhodopsins are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotic microbes, whereas type II rhodopsins function as photoactivated G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in animal vision. Both rhodopsin families share the seven transmembrane α-helix GPCR fold and a Schiff base linkage from a conserved lysine to retinal in helix G. Nevertheless, rhodopsins are widely cited as a striking example of evolutionary convergence, largely because the two families lack detectable sequence similarity and differ in many structural and mechanistic details. Convergence entails that the shared rhodopsin fold is so especially suited to photosensitive function that proteins from separate origins were selected for this architecture twice. Here we show, however, that the rhodopsin fold is not required for photosensitive activity. We engineered functional bacteriorhodopsin variants with novel folds, including radical noncircular permutations of the α-helices, circular permutations of an eight-helix construct, and retinal linkages relocated to other helices. These results contradict a key prediction of convergence and thereby provide an experimental attack on one of the most intractable problems in molecular evolution: how to establish structural homology for proteins devoid of discernible sequence similarity.

Synthesis, characterisation and liquid crystalline properties of some Schiff base and cinnamate central linkages involving 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazolone ring system and their Cu(II) complexes

Two new mesogenic homologous series, each containing 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazolone derivatives, 4-n-alkoxyphenyl and Schiff base–cinnamate central linkages, have been synthesised to give 4-[(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methyleneamino] phenyl 3-(4-n-alkoxyphenyl)acrylate [Series-A] and 4-[(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-p-tolyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyleneamino] phenyl 3-(4-n-alkoxyphenyl)acrylate [Series-B] and their Cu(II) complexes have also been synthesised. These compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), carbon-13 NMR (13C NMR) and ultraviolet (UV)-visible and mass spectral studies. Their mesomorphic behaviour was studied by polarising optical microscope (POM) with a heating stage. POM data were compared with differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. In Series-A and -B, all compounds exhibit mesomorphism. Series-A compounds exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase except propyl derivative, while a smectic A (SmA) mesophase is observed from the heptyl derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologous series. n-Heptyloxy derivative is monotropic for SmA phase. Series-B compounds also exhibit the enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while the SmA mesophase is observed from the heptyl derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologous series. n-Dodecyloxy derivative exhibits monotropic SmA and nematic mesophases. The mesomorphic properties of both series are compared with each other and the other structurally related compounds. The study reveals that cinnamate linkage containing liquid crystals have higher thermal stability compared to structurally related series containing chalcone linkage. In case of complex series, only one compound from each series gives nematic mesophase.

Immobilization of Procerain B, a Cysteine Endopeptidase, on Amberlite MB-150 Beads

Proteases are involved in several crucial biological processes and reported to have important physiological functions. They also have multifarious applications in different industries. The immobilized form of the enzyme further improves its industrial applicability. Here, we report covalent immobilization of a novel cysteine endopeptidase (procerain B) on amberlite MB-150 beads through glutaraldehyde by Schiff base linkage. The immobilized product was examined extensively by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The characterization of the immobilized product showed broader pH and thermal optima compared to the soluble form of the enzyme. The immobilized form of procerain B also showed lower Km (180.27±6 µM) compared to the soluble enzyme using azocasein as substrate. Further, immobilized procerain B retains 38.6% activity till the 10th use, which strongly represents its industrial candidature.

Thermal Stability of Rhodopsin and Progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Over 100 point mutations in the rhodopsin gene have been associated with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a family of inherited visual disorders. Among these, we focused on characterizing the S186W mutation. We compared the thermal properties of the S186W mutant with another RP-causing mutant, D190N, and with WT rhodopsin. To assess thermal stability, we measured the rate of two thermal reactions contributing to the thermal decay of rhodopsin as follows: thermal isomerization of 11-cis-retinal and hydrolysis of the protonated Schiff base linkage between the 11-cis-retinal chromophore and opsin protein. We used UV-visible spectroscopy and HPLC to examine the kinetics of these reactions at 37 and 55 °C for WT and mutant rhodopsin purified from HEK293 cells. Compared with WT rhodopsin and the D190N mutant, the S186W mutation dramatically increases the rates of both thermal isomerization and dark state hydrolysis of the Schiff base by 1-2 orders of magnitude. The results suggest that the S186W mutant thermally destabilizes rhodopsin by disrupting a hydrogen bond network at the receptor's active site. The decrease in the thermal stability of dark state rhodopsin is likely to be associated with higher levels of dark noise that undermine the sensitivity of rhodopsin, potentially accounting for night blindness in the early stages of RP. Further studies of the thermal stability of additional pathogenic rhodopsin mutations in conjunction with clinical studies are expected to provide insight into the molecular mechanism of RP and test the correlation between rhodopsin's thermal stability and RP progression in patients.

Unsymmetrical tetracatenar liquid crystals containing 2-phenylbenzoxazole: Synthesis and characterisation

A series of 2-phenylbenzoxazole derivatives containing an intramolecular hydrogen-bonded Schiff's base linkage have been synthesised. All are liquid crystalline, displaying only the smectic phase transition, apart from one compound which seems to be non-mesogenic. These compounds may be the first examples reported of tetracatenar liquid crystals containing the 2-phenylbenzoxazole moiety. The optical properties of the target compounds were evaluated in solution.

The Active Site of Melanopsin: The Biological Clock Photoreceptor

The nonvisual ocular photoreceptor melanopsin, found in the neurons of vertebrate inner retina, absorbs blue light and triggers the "biological clock" of mammals by activating the suprachiasmatic nuclei (a small region of the brain that regulates the circadian rhythms of neuronal and hormonal activities over 24 h cycles). The structure of melanopsin, however, has yet to be established. Here, we propose for the first time a structural model of the active site of mouse melanopsin. The homology model is based on the crystal structure of squid rhodopsin (λ(max) = 490 nm) and shows a maximal absorbance (λ(max) = 447 nm) consistent with the observed absorption of the photoreceptor. The 43 nm spectral shift is due to an increased bond-length alternation of the protonated Schiff base of 11-cis-retinal chromophore, induced by N87Q mutation and water-mediated H-bonding interactions with the Schiff base linkage. These findings, analogous to spectral changes observed in the G89Q bovine rhodopsin mutant, suggest that single site mutations can convert photopigments into visual light sensors or nonvisual sensory photoreceptors.

Structural Determinants of the β-Selectivity of a Bacterial Aminotransferase

Chiral β-amino acids occur as constituents of various natural and synthetic compounds with potentially useful bioactivities. The pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent S-selective transaminase from Mesorhizobium sp. strain LUK (MesAT) is a fold type I aminotransferase that can be used for the preparation of enantiopure β-Phe and derivatives thereof. Using x-ray crystallography, we solved structures of MesAT in complex with (S)-β-Phe, (R)-3-amino-5-methylhexanoic acid, 2-oxoglutarate, and the inhibitor 2-aminooxyacetic acid, which allowed us to unveil the molecular basis of the amino acid specificity and enantioselectivity of this enzyme. The binding pocket of the side chain of a β-amino acid is located on the 3'-oxygen side of the PLP cofactor. The same binding pocket is utilized by MesAT to bind the α-carboxylate group of an α-amino acid. A β-amino acid thus binds in a reverse orientation in the active site of MesAT compared with an α-amino acid. Such a binding mode has not been reported before for any PLP-dependent aminotransferase and shows that the active site of MesAT has specifically evolved to accommodate both β- and α-amino acids.

Mesomorphic behavior of new benzothiazole liquid crystals having Schiff base linker and terminal methyl group

Abstract A homologous series of heterocycles, 6-methyl-2-(4-alkoxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles, were synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectrometric analysis. Enantiotropic nematic phase was observed for shorter members. Smectic A phase only emerged from octyloxy derivative onwards. The terminal methyl group at the benzothiazole fragment and the Schiff base linkage influenced the mesomorphic behavior of the present series.

Electrodeposition of a Biopolymeric Hydrogel: Potential for One-Step Protein Electroaddressing

The electrodeposition of hydrogels provides a programmable means to assemble soft matter for various technological applications. We report an anodic method to deposit hydrogel films of the aminopolysaccharide chitosan. Evidence suggests the deposition mechanism involves the electrolysis of chloride to generate reactive chlorine species (e.g., HOCl) that partially oxidize chitosan to generate aldehydes that can couple covalently with amines (presumably through Schiff base linkages). Chitosan's anodic deposition is controllable spatially and temporally. Consistent with a covalent cross-linking mechanism, the deposited chitosan undergoes repeated swelling/deswelling in response to pH changes. Consistent with a covalent conjugation mechanism, proteins could be codeposited and retained within the chitosan film even after detergent washing. As a proof-of-concept, we electroaddressed glucose oxidase to a side-wall electrode of a microfabricated fluidic channel and demonstrated this enzyme could perform electrochemical biosensing functions. Thus, anodic chitosan deposition provides a reagentless, single-step method to electroaddress a stimuli-responsive and biofunctionalized hydrogel film.

Schiff Base Protonation Changes in Siberian Hamster Ultraviolet Cone Pigment Photointermediates

Molecular structure and function studies of vertebrate ultraviolet (UV) cone visual pigments are needed to understand the molecular evolution of these photoreceptors, which uniquely contain unprotonated Schiff base linkages between the 11-cis-retinal chromophore and the opsin proteins. In this study, the Siberian hamster ultraviolet cone pigment (SHUV) was expressed and purified in an n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside suspension for optical characterization. Time-resolved absorbance measurements, over a spectral range from 300 to 700 nm, were taken for the purified pigment at time delays from 30 ns to 4.64 s after photoexcitation using 7 ns pulses of 355 nm light. The resulting data were fit globally to a sum of exponential functions after noise reduction using singular-value decomposition. Four exponentials best fit the data with lifetimes of 1.4 μs, 210 μs, 47 ms, and 1 s. The first photointermediate species characterized here is an equilibrated mixture similar to the one formed after rhodopsin's Batho intermediate decays into equilibrium with its successor, BSI. The extremely large red shift of the SHUV Batho component relative to the pigment suggests that SHUV Batho has a protonated Schiff base and that the SHUV cone pigment itself has an unprotonated Schiff base. In contrast to SHUV Batho, the portion of the equilibrated mixture's spectrum corresponding to SHUV BSI is well fit by a model spectrum with an unprotonated Schiff base. The spectra of the next two photointermediate species revealed that they both have unprotonated Schiff bases and suggest they are analogous to rhodopsin's Lumi I and Lumi II species. After decay of SHUV Lumi II, the correspondence with rhodopsin photointermediates breaks down and the next photointermediate, presumably including the G protein-activating species, is a mixture of protonated and unprotonated Schiff base photointermediate species.

Acetylcholinesterase capillary enzyme reactor for screening and characterization of selective inhibitors

The aim of the present work is to report on the optimized preparation of capillary enzyme reactors (ICERs) based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7), for the screening of selective inhibitors. The AChE-ICERs were prepared by using the homobifunctional linker glutaraldehyde through Schiff base linkage. The enzyme was anchored onto a modified fused silica capillary and employed as an LC biochromatography column for online studies, with UV–vis detection. Not only did the tailored AChE-ICER result in maintenance of the activity of the immobilized enzyme, but it also significantly improved the stability of the enzyme in the presence of organic solvents. In addition, the kinetic studies demonstrated that the enzyme retained its activity with high stability, preserving its initial activity over 10months. The absence of non-specific matrix interactions, immediate recovery of the enzymatic activity, and short analysis time were the main advantages of this AChE-ICER. The use of AChE-ICER in the ligands recognition assay was validated by evaluation of four known reversible inhibitors (galanthamine, tacrine, propidium, and rivastigmine), and the same order of inhibitory potencies described in the literature was found. The immobilized enzyme was utilized in the screening of 21 coumarin derivatives. In this library, two new potent inhibitors were identified: coumarins 20 (IC50 17.14±3.50μM) and 21 (IC50 6.35±1.20μM), which were compared to the standard galanthamine (IC50 12.68±2.40μM). Considering the high inhibitory activities of these compounds, with respect to the AChE-ICER, the mechanism of action was investigated. Both coumarins 20 and 21 exhibited a competitive mechanism of action, furnishing Ki values of 8.04±0.18 and 2.67±0.18μM, respectively. The results revealed that the AChE-ICER developed herein represents a useful tool for the biological screening of inhibitor candidates and evaluation of action mechanism.

Full-Quantum chemical calculation of the absorption maximum of bacteriorhodopsin: a comprehensive analysis of the amino acid residues contributing to the opsin shift.

Herein, the absorption maximum of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is calculated using our recently developed method in which the whole protein can be treated quantum mechanically at the level of INDO/S-CIS//ONIOM (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p): AMBER). The full quantum mechanical calculation is shown to reproduce the so-called opsin shift of bR with an error of less than 0.04 eV. We also apply the same calculation for 226 different bR mutants, each of which was constructed by replacing any one of the amino acid residues of the wild-type bR with Gly. This substitution makes it possible to elucidate the extent to which each amino acid contributes to the opsin shift and to estimate the inter-residue synergistic effect. It was found that one of the most important contributions to the opsin shift is the electron transfer from Tyr185 to the chromophore upon excitation. We also indicate that some aromatic (Trp86, Trp182) and polar (Ser141, Thr142) residues, located in the vicinity of the retinal polyene chain and the β-ionone ring, respectively, play an important role in compensating for the large blue-shift induced by both the counterion residues (Asp85, Asp212) and an internal water molecule (W402) located near the Schiff base linkage. In particular, the effect of Trp86 is comparable to that of Tyr185. In addition, Ser141 and Thr142 were found to contribute to an increase in the dipole moment of bR in the excited state. Finally, we provide a complete energy diagram for the opsin shift together with the contribution of the chromophore-protein steric interaction.

Arrestin Allows All-Trans-Retinal to Enter the Ligand Binding Pocket of Phosphorylated Opsin

Within the rod cell of the retina, absorption of light by the G-protein coupled receptor rhodopsin leads to the formation of the agonist all-trans-retinal directly within the ligand binding pocket of opsin and the eventual formation of the active species Metarhodopsin II (Meta II). Meta II signaling is terminated by phosphorylation and binding of arrestin, and Meta II eventually decays to opsin and free retinal via the spontaneous hydrolysis of the covalent retinal Schiff-base linkage. It has been known for some time that arrestin binds photo-decayed phosphorylated rhodopsin, as well as phosphorylated opsin (OpsP) supplied with exogenous all-trans-retinal. We find that all-trans-retinal can enter OpsP and form a Schiff-base in an arrestin-dependent fashion, thus forming a Meta II-like species. The agonist, arrestin, and the receptor exist in coupled equilibria, such that arrestin stabilizes an activated form of OpsP that allows all-trans-retinal to enter the binding pocket. This is the first direct observation of the reversible formation of a Meta II-like species from opsin and all-trans-retinal in the native membrane environment. As we recently reported for arrestin binding to Meta II (Sommer ME, Hofmann KP and Heck M (2011) JBC 286: 7359-69), we now find that one arrestin binds for every two OpsP receptors in the presence of excess all-trans-retinal. Furthermore, arrestin can induce the formation of the Meta II-like species in only half of the OpsP population. Likewise, regeneration of half the arrestin-bound OpsP population with 11-cis-retinal is blocked, supposedly because the binding pocket is already occupied. Regeneration of the remaining half of OpsP requires release of arrestin via the removal of all-trans-retinal by retinal dehydrogenase. Together these results suggest that arrestin serves to both terminate Meta II signaling and to regulate retinoid flow through opsin.

Molecular Mechanisms of Disease for Mutations at Gly-90 in Rhodopsin

Two different mutations at Gly-90 in the second transmembrane helix of the photoreceptor protein rhodopsin have been proposed to lead to different phenotypes. G90D has been classically associated with congenital night blindness, whereas the newly reported G90V substitution was linked to a retinitis pigmentosa phenotype. Here, we used Val/Asp replacements of the native Gly at position 90 to unravel the structure/function divergences caused by these mutations and the potential molecular mechanisms of inherited retinal disease. The G90V and G90D mutants have a similar conformation around the Schiff base linkage region in the dark state and same regeneration kinetics with 11-cis-retinal, but G90V has dramatically reduced thermal stability when compared with the G90D mutant rhodopsin. The G90V mutant also shows, like G90D, an altered photobleaching pattern and capacity to activate Gt in the opsin state. Furthermore, the regeneration of the G90V mutant with 9-cis-retinal was improved, achieving the same A(280)/A(500) as wild type isorhodopsin. Hydroxylamine resistance was also recovered, indicating a compact structure around the Schiff base linkage, and the thermal stability was substantially improved when compared with the 11-cis-regenerated mutant. These results support the role of thermal instability and/or abnormal photoproduct formation in eliciting a retinitis pigmentosa phenotype. The improved stability and more compact structure of the G90V mutant when it was regenerated with 9-cis-retinal brings about the possibility that this isomer or other modified retinoid analogues might be used in potential treatment strategies for mutants showing the same structural features.

Metallic inorganic/organic hybrid system through functionalized Schiff-base linkage: Molecular assembly, characterization and luminescence

In this paper, two Schiff-base compounds (N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-ethylenediamine (BSEA) and N,N′N″-tris(salicylidene)-(2-aminoethyl) amine (TSAEA)) are modified with a crosslinking reagent isocyanate propyl triethoxysilane (TESPIC) to achieve two linkages (BSEASi and TSAEASi). Then metallic (Ni 2+, Mn 2+, Co 2+) inorganic/organic hybrids with functionalized Schiff-base linkages are prepared with coordination bonding. Then the corresponding mesoporous hybrids with BSEASi functionalized SBA15 host are assembled. All these hybrids are characterized in detail and particularly the photoluminescence of them shows that they all show the luminescence of the organically bonded host and metal ions that only disturb it.

Synthesis of Multiresponsive and Dynamic Chitosan-Based Hydrogels for Controlled Release of Bioactive Molecules

An inexpensive, facile, and environmentally benign method has been developed for the preparation of multiresponsive, dynamic, and self-healing chitosan-based hydrogels. A dibenzaldehyde-terminated telechelic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was synthesized and was allowed to form Schiff base linkages between the aldehyde groups and the amino groups in chitosan. Upon mixing the telechelic PEG with chitosan at 20 °C, hydrogels with solid content of 4-8% by mass were generated rapidly in <60 s. Because of the dynamic equilibrium between the Schiff base linkage and the aldehyde and amine reactants, the hydrogels were found to be self-healable and sensitive to many biochemical-stimuli, such as pH, amino acids, and vitamin B6 derivatives. In addition, chitosan could be digested by enzymes such as papain, leading to the decomposition of the hydrogels. Encapsulation and controlled release of small molecules such as rhodamine B and proteins such as lysozyme have been successfully carried out, demonstrating the potential biomedical applications of these chitosan-based dynamic hydrogels.

Crystal Structures of Aspartate Aminotransferase Reconstituted with 1-Deazapyridoxal 5′-Phosphate: Internal Aldimine and Stable l-Aspartate External Aldimine

The 1.8 Å resolution crystal structures of Escherichia coli aspartate aminotransferase reconstituted with 1-deazapyridoxal 5'-phosphate (deazaPLP; 2-formyl-3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzyl phosphate) in the internal aldimine and L-aspartate external aldimine forms are reported. The L-aspartate·deazaPLP external aldimine is extraordinarily stable (half-life of >20 days), allowing crystals of this intermediate to be grown by cocrystallization with L-aspartate. This structure is compared to that of the α-methyl-L-aspartate·PLP external aldimine. Overlays with the corresponding pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) aldimines show very similar orientations of deazaPLP with respect to PLP. The lack of a hydrogen bond between Asp222 and deazaPLP, which serves to "anchor" PLP in the active site, releases strain in the deazaPLP internal aldimine that is enforced in the PLP internal aldimine [Hayashi, H., Mizuguchi, H., Miyahara, I., Islam, M. M., Ikushiro, H., Nakajima, Y., Hirotsu, K., and Kagamiyama, H. (2003) Biochim. Biophys. Acta1647, 103] as evidenced by the planarity of the pyridine ring and the Schiff base linkage with Lys258. Additionally, loss of this anchor causes a 10° greater tilt of deazaPLP toward the substrate in the external aldimine. An important mechanistic difference between the L-aspartate·deazaPLP and α-methyl-L-aspartate·PLP external aldimines is a hydrogen bond between Gly38 and Lys258 in the former, positioning the catalytic base above and approximately equidistant between Cα and C4'. In contrast, in the α-methyl-L-aspartate·PLP external aldimine, the ε-amino group of Lys258 is rotated ~70° to form a hydrogen bond to Tyr70 because of the steric bulk of the methyl group.

γ-Hydroxy-1,N2-propano-2′-deoxyguanosine DNA Adduct Conjugates the N-Terminal Amine of the KWKK Peptide via a Carbinolamine Linkage

The γ-hydroxy-1,N2-propano-2′-deoxyguanosine adduct (γ-OH-PdG) was introduced into 5′-d(GCTAGCXAGTCC)-3′·5′-d(GGACTCGCTAGC)-3′ (X = γ-OH-PdG). In the presence of excess peptide KWKK, 13C isotope-edited NMR revealed the formation of two spectroscopically distinct DNA–KWKK conjugates. These involved the reaction of the KWKK N-terminal amino group with the N2-dG propylaldehyde tautomer of the γ-OH-PdG lesion. The guanine N1 base imino resonance at the site of conjugation was observed in isotope-edited 15N NMR experiments, suggesting that the conjugated guanine was inserted into the duplex and that the guanine imino proton was protected from exchange with water. The conjugates could be reduced in the presence of NaCNBH3, suggesting that they existed, in part, as imine (Schiff base) linkages. However, 13C isotope-edited NMR failed to detect the imine linkages, suggesting that these KWKK conjugates existed predominantly as diastereomeric carbinolamines, in equilibrium with trace amounts of the imines. The structures of the diastereomeric DNA–KWKK conjugates were predicted from potential energy minimization of model structures derived from the refined structure of the fully reduced cross-link [Huang, H., Kozekov, I. D., Kozekova, A., Rizzo, C. J., McCullough, A., Lloyd, R. S., and Stone, M. P. (2010) Biochemistry, 24, 6155−6164]. Molecular dynamics calculations carried out in explicit solvent suggested that the conjugate bearing the S-carbinolamine linkage was the major species due to its potential for intramolecular hydrogen bonding. These carbinolamine DNA–KWKK conjugates thermally stabilized duplex DNA. However, the DNA–KWKK conjugates were chemically reversible and dissociated when the DNA was denatured. In this 5′-CpX-3′ sequence, the DNA–KWKK conjugates slowly converted to interstrand N2-dG:N2-dG DNA cross-links and ring-opened γ-OH-PdG derivatives over a period of weeks.

Glutaraldehyde-Activated Chitosan Matrix for Immobilization of a Novel Cysteine Protease, Procerain B

Proteases have several applications in the food industry. We report the immobilization of procerain B, a novel cysteine protease, on glutaraldehyde-activated chitosan beads through covalent attachment. Glutaraldehyde not only serves as a cross-linking agent but also links the procerain B on the surface of bead through primary amine group (either lysine side chain or N-terminal) by Schiff base linkage. Immobilized procerain B was characterized for optimum functional range and stability with respect to pH and temperature. The chitosan-immobilized procerain B has broad pH and thermal optima. The effects of substrate concentration and reusability of immobilized beads were also studied. It showed nearly 50% activity until the 10th use.