Characterization of a Novel Esterase Belonging to Family V from Marinobacter flavimaris

Lipolytic enzymes have attracted enormous attentions because of their ability in ester hydrolysis,ester synthesis,transesterification and other biochemical reactions.Bacteria are important sources of lipolytic enzymes applied in industry.Here,a novel lipolytic enzyme encoded by esterase gene est1347 was identified in Marinobacter flavimaris WLL162,and was purified and characterized.The lipolytic enzyme Est1347 consisted of 312 amino acid residues and a 21-amino-acids N-terminal signal peptide with a predicted molecular weight of 34.2 kDa.It belongs to family V of bacterial lipolytic enzymes based on the amino acid sequence homology analysis.Est1347 is a mesophilic and alkali-resistant enzyme with the highest activity at 45℃and pH 8.5;it is stable at temperatures below 50℃and pH 7.5–11.0.Est1347 showed a preference for middle-length chain substrate p-NPC10 and a wide range of other substrates.The Km,Vmax,Kcat and Kcat/Km values of Est1347 for p-NPC10 in pH 8.5 at 45℃were 0.9411 mmol L^(−1),1285μmol min^(−1)mg^(−1),698.91 s^(−1)and 743.65 s^(−1)(mmol L^(−1))^(−1),respectively.It is also tolerant to the metal ions,organic solvents and detergents.In conclusion,the esterase Est1347 laid a foundation for further study of bacterial lipolytic enzyme family V.

Biochemical Insights into Siderophore Esterases

Iron is an essential but excessively toxic nutrient. Although iron is rich in nature, the acquisition of iron is a challenge to life. Its solubility is very low because it is mostly in the form of oxidation or hydroxide. In order to overcome this, microorganisms have evolved a variety of iron absorption pathways, the most important of which is the siderophore-dependent iron absorption pathway. Both bacteria and fungi require specific siderophore esterases to encourage the release of iron within the cell. A deeper understanding of siderophore esterases is crucial for the development of new antibacterial and antifungal diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. There have been many recent studies on anti-infectives via siderophore antibiotic couplers in which siderophore esterases have also played an important role, and in this review, we provide an overview of several of the more common iron carriers as well as siderophore esterases in terms of structure as well as function.

Inhibitory effect of procyanidin B2 and tannin acid on cholesterol esterase and their synergistic effect with orlistat

This study was aimed to analyze the effect of procyanidin B2(PC)and tannin acid(TA)on the activities of cholesterol esterase(CEase)and the inhibitory mechanisms of enzymatic activity.The interaction mechanisms were investigated by enzymatic kinetics,multi-spectroscopy methods,thermodynamics analysis,molecular docking,and dynamic simulations.PC and TA could bind with CEase and inhibit the activity of enzyme in a mixed-competitive manner and non-competitive manner,which was verified by molecular docking simulations and dynamics simulations.Also,PC and TA showed the synergistic inhibition with orlistat.Fluorescence,UVvis and the thermodynamic analysis revealed that the complexes were formed from CEase and inhibitors by noncovalent interaction.As revealed by the circular dichroism results,both PC and TA decreased enzymatic activities by altering the conformations of CEase.The inhibition of PC and TA on CEase might be one mechanism for its cholesterol-lowering effect.

Emerging significance of butyrylcholinesterase

Butyrylcholinesterase(BChE;EC 3.1.1.8),an enzyme structurally related to acetylcholinesterase,is widely distributed in the human body.It plays a role in the detoxification of chemicals such as succinylcholine,a muscle relaxant used in anesthetic practice.BChE is well-known due to variant forms of the enzyme with little or no hydrolytic activity which exist in some endogamous communities and result in prolonged apnea following the administration of succinylcholine.Its other functions include the ability to hydrolyze acetylcholine,the cholinergic neurotransmitter in the brain,when its primary hydrolytic enzyme,acetylcholinesterase,is absent.To assess its potential roles,BChE was studied in relation to insulin resistance,type 2 diabetes mellitus,cognition,hepatic disorders,cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,and inflammatory conditions.Individuals who lack the enzyme activity of BChE are otherwise healthy,until they are given drugs hydrolyzed by this enzyme.Therefore,BChE is a candidate for the study of loss-of-function mutations in humans.Studying individuals with variant forms of BChE can provide insights into whether they are protected against metabolic diseases.The potential utility of the enzyme as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease and the response to its drug treatment can also be assessed.

Effects of inoculating feruloyl esterase-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A1 on ensiling characteristics,in vitro ruminal fermentation and microbiota of alfalfa silage

Background Ferulic acid esterase(FAE)-secreting Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A1(Lp A1)is a promising silage inoculant due to the FAE’s ability to alter the plant cell wall structure during ensiling,an action that is expected to improve forage digestibility.However,little is known regarding the impacts of Lp A1 on rumen microbiota.Our research assessed the influences of Lp A1 in comparison to a widely adopted commercial inoculant Lp MTD/1 on alfalfa’s ensilage,in vitro rumen incubation and microbiota.Results Samples of fresh and ensiled alfalfa treated with(either Lp A1 or Lp MTD/1)or without additives(as control;CON)and ensiled for 30,60 and 90 d were used for fermentation quality,in vitro digestibility and batch culture study.Inoculants treated silage had lower(P<0.001)pH,acetic acid concentration and dry matter(DM)loss,but higher(P=0.001)lactic acid concentration than the CON during ensiling.Compared to the CON and Lp MTD/1,silage treated with Lp A1 had lower(P<0.001)aNDF,ADF,ADL,hemicellulose,and cellulose contents and higher(P<0.001)free ferulic acid concentration.Compared silage treated with Lp MTD/1,silage treated with Lp A1 had significantly(P<0.01)improved ruminal gas production and digestibility,which were equivalent to those of fresh alfalfa.Realtime PCR analysis indicated that Lp A1 inoculation improved the relative abundances of rumen’s total bacteria,fungi,Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens,while the relative abundance of methanogens was reduced by Lp MTD/1 compared with CON.Principal component analysis of rumen bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed a clear distinction between CON and inoculated treatments without noticeable distinction between Lp A1 and Lp MTD/1 treatments.Comparison analysis revealed differences in the relative abundance of some bacteria in different taxa between Lp A1 and Lp MTD/1 treatments.Silage treated with Lp A1 exhibited improved rumen fermentation characteristics due to the inoculant effects on the rumen microbial populations and bacterial community.Conclusions Our findings suggest that silage inoculation of the FAE-producing Lp A1 could be effective in improving silage quality and digestibility,and modulating the rumen fermentation to improve feed utilization.

Serum Esterase Polymorphisms and Their Associations with Prolificacy in Small Tail Han Sheep

[ Objective] The aim of this research was to provide a theoretical basis for the.breeding and identification of multiparous Small Tail Han sheep. [ Method] The polymorphisms of serum esterase （Es） locus in Small Tail Han sheep were detected by vertical discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （PAGE）. According to the statistical analysis of different genotypes and their litter size, the correlation between Es polymor- phisms and litter size was analyzed. [ Result] There were three genotypes in Es locus, and Es^＋- was the dominate genotype. The differences of ewe litter size in the 1 ,t parity among these three genotypes were nonsignificant （ P 〉 0.05）, As far as the 2^nd and 3rd parity was considered, the litter size of genotype Es＋＋ was significantly （P〈0.05） higher than that of Es-- and Es^＋- ; the average litter size of Es＋＋ was extremely significant （ P 〈 0.01 ） higher than that of Es - - and Es ＋ - while there was no significant difference （ P 〉 0.05） between the latter two. [ Conclusion] The Es lo- cus could be regarded as a genetic marker locus for early selection of high-yielding ewes and Es ＋＋ is the high-yielding genotype of Small Tail Han sheep.

结缕草属种质资源EST-SSR遗传多样性分析

本研究以43份不同来源的结缕草属种质为材料,利用表达序列标签-简单重复序列(Expressed Sequence Tag-Simple sequence repeat,EST-SSR)引物对其进行遗传多样性分析。结果表明:从125对EST-SSR引物中筛选出30对能稳定扩增、条带清晰的引物;共检测到124个标记,平均每对引物检测到4个,多态性标记有108个,多态性位点百分率为88.60%;种质间遗传相似性系数为0.530~0.864,平均为0.711;共检测到104个观察等位基因,平均每对引物检测到3个;有效等位基因数范围为0~5,平均为3;Shannon信息指数变化范围为0~1.593,平均为0.940。Nei’s基因多样性指数范围为0~0.793,平均为0.541;在遗传相似性系数为0.800时,利用非加权组平均法(Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means,UPGMA)法将43份种质划分为4个类群,聚类结果与种质地理位置有一定的关联,但联系不紧密。本研究结果表明43份种质的遗传多样性处于上等水平,EST-SSR标记能有效地评价结缕草属种质的遗传差异,为结缕草属种质资源的鉴定评价及分子标记辅助育种提供参考依据。

Characterization of a novel marine microbial esterase and its use to make D-methyl lactate

A novel marine microbial esterase PHE14 was cloned from the genome of Pseudomonas oryzihabit‐ans HUP022 isolated from the deep sea of the western Pacific Ocean. Esterase PHE14 exhibited very good tolerance to most organic solvents, surfactants and metal ions tested, thus making it a good esterase candidate for organic synthesis that requires an organic solvent, surfactants or metal ions. Esterase PHE14 was utilized as a biocatalyst in the asymmetric synthesis of D‐methyl lactate by enzymatic kinetic resolution. D‐methyl lactate is a key chiral chemical. Contrary to some previous reports, the addition of an organic solvent and surfactants in the enzymatic reaction did not have a beneficial effect on the kinetic resolution catalyzed by esterase PHE14. Our study is the first report on the preparation of the enantiomerically enriched product D‐methyl lactate by enzymatic kinetic resolution. The desired enantiomerically enriched product D‐methyl lactate was obtained with a high enantiomeric excess of 99%and yield of 88.7%after process optimization. The deep sea mi‐crobial esterase PHE14 is a green biocatalyst with very good potential in asymmetric synthesis in industry and can replace the traditional organic synthesis that causes pollution to the environment.

Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: An update on leucocyte esterase reagent strips

Ascites remain the commonest complication of decompensated cirrhosis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is defined as the infection of ascitic fluid (AF) in the absence of a contiguous source of infection and/or an intraabdominal inflammatory focus. An AF polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocyte count ≥ 250/mm 3 -irrespective of the AF culture resultis universally accepted nowadays as the best surrogate marker for diagnosing SBP. Frequently the results of the manual or automated PMN count do not reach the hands of the responsible medical personnel in a timely manner. However, this is a crucial step in SBP management. Since 2000, 26 studies (most of them published as full papers) have checked the validity of using leukocyte esterase reagent strips (LERS) in SBP diagnosis. LERS appear to have low sensitivity for SBP, some LERS types more than others. On the other hand, though, LERS have consistently given a high negative predictive value (> 95% in the majority of the studies) and this supports the use of LERS as a preliminary screening tool for SBP diagnosis. Finally, an AF-tailored dipstick has been developed. Within the proper setting, it is set to become the mainstream process for handling AF samples.

Characterization ofanovel deep-seamicrobial esterase EstC 10 and its use in the generation o f(R)-methyl 2-chloropropionate

A novel esterase EstC10 from Bacillus sp. CX01 isolated from the deep sea of the Western Pacific Ocean and the functionalities of EstC 10 was characterized. At present, the reports about the kinetic resolution ofracemic methyl 2-chloropropionate were quite rare. So we developed deep-sea microbial esterase EstC10 as a novel biocatalyst in the kinetic resolution of racemic methyl 2-chloropropionate and generate （R）-methyl 2-chloropropionate with high enantiomeric excess （〉99%） after the optimization of process parameters such as pH, temperature, organic co-solvents, surfactants, substrate concentration and reaction time. Notably, the optimal substrate concentration （80 mmol/L） of esterase EstC10 was higher than the kinetic resolution of another esterase, Estl2-7 （50 mmoFL）. The novel microbial esterase EstC10 identified from the deep sea was a promising green biocatalyst in the generation of （R）-methyl 2-chloropropionate as well of many other valuable chiral chemicals in industry.

Sub-Lethal Effects of Fenvalerate on the Development, Fecundity, and Juvenile Hormone Esterase Activity of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

The toxicities of fenvalerate （20% EC） to the 3rd instar larvae of diamondback moth （DBM）, Plutella xylostella （L.）, reared on three host plants viz., radish, oilseed rape, and cabbage were tested. The LC50 values of fenvalerate to the 3rd instar larvae of DBM varied with host plants, however, there wasn＇t any significant difference among them （P〉 0.05）. Similarly, DBM fed on three host plants had same pupal weight, pupal period, pupation rate, adult emergence rate, female ratio, and fecundity. The activity of juvenile hormone esterase （JHE, EC 3.1.1.1） in the 3rd instar larvae of DMB did not significantly vary with host plants, either. These suggested that DBM had similar fitness on the three host plant species. When fed on the host plants pretreated with fenvalerate at the concentrations equivalent to LC20, LC50 and LC50, the pupation rate, pupal weight, adult emergence rate, female ratio, fecundity, and JHE activity of the tested insects were declined as compared with insects in control treatments fed on the same host plant species. Furthermore, the pupal period of the tested insects was extended after fenvalerate treatment. The decrease in JHE activity after fenvalerate treatment in the tested insects could partly explain the changes in the mentioned growth parameters. Whether the role of fenvalerate in the inhibition of JHE activity could serve as a new way to control DBM needs further investigation.

Cancer detection by ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 methylation in pancreatobiliary fluids

AIM:To evaluate the utility of measuring epigenetic alterations in pancreatic and biliary fluids in determining molecular markers for pancreatobiliary cancers.METHODS:DNA was extracted from undiluted pancreatic and biliary fluids.As a surrogate for a genomewide hypomethylation assay,levels of long interspersed nuclear element-1(LINE-1) methylation were analyzed using bisulfite pyrosequencing.CpG island hypermethylation of 10 tumor-associated genes,aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor,adenomatous polyposis coli,calcium channel,voltage dependent,T type α1G subunit,insulin-like growth factor 2,O-6-methyl-guanine-DNA methyltransferase,neurogenin 1,CDKN2A,runt-related transcription factor 3(RUNX3),secreted frizzled-related protein 1,and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1(UCHL1),was analyzed using MethyLight.To examine the role of CpG methylation and histone deacetylation in the silencing of UCHL1,human gallbladder carcinoma cell lines and pancreatic carcinoma cell lines were treated with 2 or 5 μmol/L 5-AZA-dC for 72 h or 100 nmol/L Trichostatin A for 24 h.After the treatment,UCHL1 expression was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:Pancreatobiliary cancers exhibited significantly lower LINE-1 methylation levels in pancreatic and biliary fluids than did noncancerous pancreatobiliary disease(58.7% ± 4.3% vs 61.7% ± 2.2%,P = 0.027;53.8% ± 6.6% vs 57.5% ± 1.7%,P = 0.007);however,LINE-1 hypomethylation was more evident in pancreatic cancer tissues than in pancreatic fluids(45.4% ± 5.5% vs 58.7% ± 4.3%,P < 0.001).CpG island hypermethylation of tumor-associated genes was detected at various frequencies,but it was not correlated with LINE-1 hypomethylation.Hypermethylation of the UCHL1 gene was cancer-specific and most frequently detected in pancreatic(67%) or biliary(70%) fluids from patients with pancreatobiliary cancer.As a single marker,hypermethylation of the UCHL1 gene in pancreatic and biliary fluids was most useful for the detection of pancreatic and pancreatobiliary cancers,respectively(100% specificity).Hypermethylation of the UCHL1 and RUNX3 genes in pancreatic and biliary fluids was the most useful combined marker for pancreatic(87% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and pancreatobiliary(97% sensitivity and 100% specificity) cancers.Treatment with a demethylating agent,5-AZA-2'-deoxycytidine,restored UCHL1 expression in pancreatobiliary cancer cell lines.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that hypermethylation of UCHL1 and RUNX3 in pancreatobiliary fluid might be useful for the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary cancers.

菜豆EST-SSR分子标记开发及部分种质分子身份证构建

为开发菜豆高效新型分子标记,从分子水平解析菜豆重要种质的遗传多样性及亲缘关系,基于菜豆转录组数据,设计EST-SSR引物,建立EST-SSR标记系统.利用PCR筛选出多态性引物,结合毛细管电泳,分析81份菜豆种质的亲缘关系,并构建分子身份证.通过MISA软件,在菜豆转录组数据85276条非冗余序列中,共挖掘出11649个EST-SSR位点.菜豆转录组SSR标记主要重复单元为1~3个碱基,其中单碱基为主要类型,占总量的56.7%;其次是三碱基重复,占总量的21.1%.从128对EST-SSR引物中筛选出18对多态性高、重复性好的引物进行PCR扩增.供试种质的多态性信息量(PIC)为0.50~0.95,平均为0.88;遗传相似性系数为0.15~0.65,以0.35为阈值可将81份种质分为3大类,其中贵州种质主要分布于第Ⅰ,Ⅲ类,而省外品种仅分布在第Ⅱ类.利用核心引物TDc9和TDc66可以有效区分81份菜豆种质,并构建其分子身份证.研究开发的EST-SSR标记系统,可用于菜豆种质的鉴定及亲缘关系分析.

Carboxylic Esterase and Its Associations With Long-term Effects of Organophosphorus Pesticides

To examine a） the effect of organophosphorus pesticide exposure on activity of carboxylic esterases, namely butyrylcholinesterase （BChE）, carboxylesterase （CarbE） and paraoxonase （PonE）; and b） the association of polymorphisms of BChE and PonE with individual genetic susceptibility to organophosphorus pesticide exposure. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 75 workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides and 100 non-exposed controls. The serum activity of these enzymes was measured. Variant forms of BCHE-K, PON-192, and PON-55 were detected. A symptom score was developed as a proxy measure of clinical outcomes. Results Activities of both BChE and CarbE were lower in exposed workers （27.3±21.65 runol.hl.mL^-l and 235.6±104.03 nmol-min^-l.mL^-l） than in non-exposed workers （78.313±30.354 nmol.h^-l.mL^-1 and 362.681_＋194.997 nmol.min^-1.mL^-1）. The activity of PonE was not associated with exposure status. The AChE activity in the exposed workers with BCHE-K genotype UU （61 cases）, genotype UK （12 cases） and genotype KK （2 cases） was 105.05, 84.42 and 79.00 mmol-h^-1.mL^-1, respectively and the accumulative symptom scores were 3.74, 9.17, and 12.50 accordingly. The AChE activity in the exposed workers with PON-192 genotype BB （37）, genotype AB （27） and genotype AA （11） was 116.8, 91.2, and 72,3 mmol-h^-1.mL^-1, respectively and the symptom scores were 2.00, 6.74, and 9.73 accordingly. The AChE activity in those with PON-55 genotype LL （70） and genotype LM （5） was 102.4 and 82.8 mmol-h^-1.mL^-1 and the symptom scores were 4.53 and 9.20. The symptom score was the highest in individuals with abnormal homozygote for each of the three gene loci. Condusions Long-term exposure to organophosphorus pesticides can inhibit BChE and CarbE activity, but exerts no inhibitory effect on PonE activity. Different genotypes of BCHE-K, PON-192, and PON-55 may be related to the severity of adverse health effects of organophosphorus pesticide exposure. Implications of potentially higher susceptibility of workers with mutant homozygotes should be evaluated to reduce health risks.

Comparative Study of Malathion Toxicity and General Esterases in Larvae and Adults from a Field Population of Oxya chinensis (Thunberg) (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)

The susceptibility of Oxya chinensis to malathion was compared in larvae and adults from a field population, collected from Jinyuan outskirt, Shanxi Province. The results showed that Oxya chinensis was more susceptible to malathion in the adult stage than in the larval stage. The LD50 values for malathion susceptibility of Oxya chinensis were 4.94 and 2.44 mg g-1 body weight in the larvae and adults respectively. The results indicated that the larvae were 2.02-fold less susceptible to malathion than the adults. The general esterases and the kinetics were characterized and compared between the two life stages and between females and males. Larval preparations of Oxya chinensis were more active than adult preparations in females and males. The larvae showed 1.18-, 1.49-, and 1.17- fold higher specific activities than the adults in females with α-NA, α-NB and β-NA respectively. In males, the ratios were 1.34-, 1.70-, and 1.06-fold. Female preparations were more active than those of males in the adults. The reverse results were observed in the larvae where male preparations were more active than female preparations. Kinetic studies showed that Km values of general esterases hydrolyzing α-NA, α-NB, and β-NA in the adult stage were 1.36-, 1.32- and 1.39-fold respectively, higher than those in the larval stage in females. In males, the ratios were 1.24-, 2.14-, and 1.20-fold. The esterase from male insects had a higher affinity (lower Km value) to the substrate than those from females. The results also showed that the Vmax values of general esterase hydrolyzing α-NA, α-NB, and β-NA in the two stages were similar. From the results of bioassays and biochemical analyses, it has been inferred that a higher level of resistance to malathion in larvae than in adults would appear to result from differences in the expression of resistance mechanisms in these two life stages. Enhanced esterase activities appeared to play a major role in resistance to malathion in both larvae and adults. From the analysis of inhibition in vitro, the esterases in the two life stages were B-type, and carboxylesterases were predominant enzymes in the composition of the esterases in the two stages.

Denaturing Effects of Urea and Guanidine Hydrochloride on Hyperthermophilic Esterase from Aeropyrum pernix K1

The changes in the activity and the conformation of the hyperthermophilic esterase derived from aerobic thermophilic Aeropyrum pernix K1 （ APE1547 ） were studied during denaturation by guanidine hydrochlofide （ GdnHC1 ） and urea. The denaturation course of APE1547 was followed by the steady-state and time resolved fluorescence methods. An increase in the denaturant concentration in the denatured system can significantly enhance the inactivation and unfolding of APE1547. The enzyme can be completely inactivated with a urea concentration of 2.7 mol/L or a GdnHCl concentration of 7.5 mol/L. The fluorescence emission maximum of the enzyme protein red shifts in magnitude to a maximum value（355 nm） when the concentration of GdnHCl is 5.1 mol/L. The experimental results indicate that APE1547 has a high resistance to urea. Unfolding of APE1547 in GdnHCI（4. 2-6.0 mol/L） was shown to be an irreversible process. The present results indicate that the ion pairs in this protein may be a key factor for the stability of this esterase.

Effect of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide on intracerebral acetylcholinesterase and monoamine neurotransmitters in a D-galactose-induced aging brain mouse model

BACKGROUND： The most prominent characteristic of brain aging is decreased learning and memory ability. The functions of learning and memory are closely related to intracerebral acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） and monoamine neurotransmitter activity. Previous studies have shown that Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide has an anti-aging effect. OBJECTIVE： To explore the effects of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide on AChE activity and monoamine neurotransmitter content, as well as learning and memory ability in a D-galactose-induced aging mouse brain model compared with the positive control drug Kangnaoling. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Completely randomized, controlled experiment based on neurobiochemistry was performed at the Pharmacological Laboratory, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September to December 2003. MATERIALS： Schisandra chinensis was purchased from Henan Provincial Medicinal Company. Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide was obtained by water extraction and alcohol precipitation. Kangnaoling pellets were provided by Liaoning Tianlong Pharmaceutical （batch No. 20030804; state drug permit No. H21023095）. A total of 50 six-week-old Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups： blank control, model, Kangnaoling, high and low dosage Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide groups, with 10 mice per group. METHODS： Mice in the blank control group were subcutaneously injected with 0.5 mL/20 g normal saline into the nape of the neck each day, while the remaining mice were subcutaneously injected with 5% D-galactose saline solution （0.5 mL/20 g） in the nape for 40 days to induce a brain aging model. On day 11, mice in the high and low dosage Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide groups were intragastrically infused with 20 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide solution （0.2 mL/10 g）, respectively. Mice from the Kangnaoling group were intragastrically infused with 35 mg/mL Kangnaoling suspension （0.2 mL/10 g）, and the mice in the model group were intragastrically infused with the same volume of normal saline （0.2 mL/10 g） once per day for 30 consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Two hours after the final administration, pathohistological changes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were observed using hematoxylin ＆ eosin staining. AChE activity was detected using chromatometry. Monoamine neurotransmitter content was measured using fluorimetry. Learning and memory was measured using the step down test and darkness avoidance test. RESULTS： Both Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide and Kangnaoling improved pathological injury to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in a mouse model of brain aging. Compared with the blank control group, AChE activity and content of norepinephrine （NA）, dopamine （DA）, and 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） were significantly decreased in the model group （P 〈 0.01 ）. In contrast, AChE activity and NA, DA, and 5-HT levels significantly increased in the Kangnaoling and high dosage Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide groups （P 〈 0.01）, while NA levels significantly increased in the low dosage Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide group （P 〈 0.01）. Drug treatment improved learning and memory abilities （P 〈 0.01 or P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide significantly increased levels of central neurotransmitters and improved learning and memory in a mouse model of brain aging. The effects of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide were equal to that of Kangnaoling pellets.

Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel Gene Encoded Alkaline Esterases from an Alkaline Soil Metagenomic Library

The development of industrial biotechnology has created an increasing demand for alkaline lipolytic enzymes with functional diversity. In this study, an alkaline soil metagenomic library was constructed to search for new lipolytic enzymes. Two novel gene encoded alkaline esterases（designated as estA and estB） were isolated by functional screening from the library. The estA gene consisted of 834 bp and coded for 277 amino acids with a molecular mass of 29998. Amino acid sequence homology analysis indicates that EstA belongs to α/β hydrolase fold family 4.4（abH4.4）, with EstA being the smallest member of that family yet reported. The estB gene consisted of 1185 bp and encoded 394 amino acids with a theoretical molecular mass of 40090. Its conserved domain analysis shows that EstB belongs to the GDSL hydrolase superfamily. Both EstA and EstB exhibit only moderate identity（〈38%） in amino acid sequence to the known lipolytic enzyme genes in the database. The two genes were respectively expressed in Escherichia coli and the protein products were purified for functional characterization. While the expressed EstA did not exhibit the functional properties that were superior to those of other esterases previously reported, the EstB was stable at temperature up to 45 ℃ and its maximum activity was measured to be 53.6 U/mg at pH=10. Both the en- zymes have further enriched the diversity of the lipolytic enzymes database and also appear to be promising biocatalysts for potential biotechnological application.

The Susceptibilities of Oxya chinensis(Orthoptera:Acridoidea) to Malathion and Comparison of the Esterase Properties from Three Collected Populations in Tianjin Area,China

The susceptibilities of Oxya chinensis to malathion were studied in three populations collected from outskirt of Tianjin, China, using bioassays and biochemical analysis. Populations were chosen to represent different exposure to insecticides： BDG （Beidagang; low exposure）, BD （Baodi; high exposure previously but low exposure now）, and JN （Jinnan; high exposure）. The results showed that the LD50 values of BD and JN populations were 3.95- and 12.02-fold and 3.64- and 10.07- fold higher than that of BDG population in females and males, respectively. The LD50 values in females were higher than those in males. The results of biochemical analysis indicated that the esterase （EST） activities in JN population were higher than those in BD and BDG populations. They showed that when α-NA, α-NB, and α-NA were used as substrates, females＇ EST activities of JN population were 1.11-, 1.30-, and 1.14-fold and 1.39-, 1.59-, and 1.54-fold higher than those of BD and BDG populations, respectively. When α-NA, α-NB, and β-NA were used as substrates, males＇ EST activities of JN population were 1.13-, 1.12-, and 1,00-fold and 1.20-, 1.14-, and 1.07-fold higher than those of BD and BDG populations, respectively. The results also showed that the specific activities of the females were higher than those of the males in the BD and JN populations, whereas the specific activities of the males were higher than those of the females in the BDG population. The results of bioassay were consistent with those of biochemical analysis. Thus, it was inferred that the elevated ESTs activities might play an important role in conferring the differences of susceptibility of O. chinensis to malathion in the three collected populations. Enzyme kinetic studies indicated that the Km and Vmax values were different among the three collected populations and between the females and the males. The observed changes in the kinetic parameters might be explained by differential expression patterns of isozymes so that the insect esterases have different affinities and maximum velocities toward the same substrate.

Evaluation of leukocyte esterase and nitrite strip tests to detect spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients

AIM： To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of leukocyte esterase and nitrite reagent strips for bedside diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis （SBP）. METHODS： A total of 63 consecutive patients with cirrhotic ascites （38 male, 25 female） tested between April 2005 and July 2006 were included in the study. Bedside reagent strip testing was performed on ascitic fluid and the results compared to manual cell counting and ascitic fluid culture. SBP was defined as having a polymorphonuclear ascites count of ≥ 250/mm^3. RESULTS： Fifteen samples showed SBP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the leukocyte esterase reagent strips were; 93%, 100%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the nitrite reagent strips were 13%, 93%, 40%, and 77%, respectively. The combination of leukocyte esterase and nitrite reagents strips did not yield statistically significant effects on diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION： Leukocyte esterase reagent strips may provide a rapid, bedside diagnostic test for SBP.