Com o objetivo de estudar a potencialidade do emprego de termolisina como catalisador nas reações de incorporação de N-acil-asparagina a ésteres de aminoácidos e peptídeos, foram sintetizados os seguintes di- e tripeptídeos: Boc-Asn-Ile-OBzl, Z-Asn-Ile-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-OBzl, Boc-Asn-Leu- OBzl, Z-Asn-Leu-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Leu-OBzl, Z-Asn-Leu-OEt, Boc-Asn-Phe-OBzl, Z-Asn-Phe-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Phe-OBzl, Z-Asn-Phe- OEt, Z-Asn-Val-OBzl, Moz-Asp-Val-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-Gly-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-Ala-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-Leu-OBzl e Moz-Asn- Ile-Phe-OBzl. Todos os peptídeos foram obtidos na forma pura, com bom rendimento e foram analisados e caracterizados por cromatografia em camada delgada, ponto de fusão, análise elementar, análise de aminoácidos e ressonância magnética protônica. Entre os grupos protetores de asparagina, benziloxicarbonil e p-metoxibenziloxicarbonil permitiram a obtenção dos dipeptídeos com excelentes rendimentos. Foi observado que os tripeptídeos requerem para a sua síntese menores concentração de enzima e tempo de reação em relação aos dipeptídeos. Não foi possível estabelecer a especificidade secundária da termolisina para o resíduo P\'2 pois os rendimentos dos tripeptídeos sintetizados não apresentaram diferença significativa. Foi também realizado um estudo metodológico para determinar as condições ótimas de síntese de Boc-Asn-Ile-OBzl, que consistiu em analisar a influência do pH, concentração de enzima, concentraçao e volume da solução de acetato de sódio, proporção entre os componentes carboxílico e amínico, temperatura e adição de solvente orgânico ao meio de reação. / With de objective of studying the potential for the use of thermolysin as a catalyst in reactions of incorporation of N-acyl-asparagine into esters of aminoacids and peptides, the following di- and tripeptides were synthesized: Boc-Asn-Ile-OBzl, Z-Asn-Ile-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-OBzl, Boc-Asn-Leu-OBzl, Z-Asn-Leu-OBzI, Moz-Asn-Leu-OBzl, Z-Asn-Leu-OEt, Boc-Asn-Phe-OBzl,Z-Asn-Phe-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Phe-OBzl, Z-Z-Asn-Phe-OEt, Z-Asn-Val-OEt, Moz-Asn-Val-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-Gly-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-Ala-OBzl, Moz-Asn-Ile-Leu-OBzl e Moz-Asn-Ile-Phe-OBzl. All of these peptides were obtained in pure form in good yield and analyzed and characterized by thin layer chromatography, melting point, elemental analysis, aminoacid analysis and proton magnetic resonance. Among the protecting groups of asparagine, benzyloxycarbonyl and p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl gave excellent yields of the dipeptides. Relative to the dipeptides, the synthesis of the tripeptides was found to require lower enzyme concentrations and temperatures. Since the yields of the tripeptides failed to exhibit significant differences, it was not possible to establish the existence of a secondary specificity of thermolysin for the residue P\' 2 . A methodological study was also performed to determine the optimum conditions for synthesis of Boc-Asn-Ile-OBzl. This study consisted of an analysis of the influence of pH, enzyme concentration, concentration and volume of the solution of sodium acetate, relative proportions of the carboxyl and amino components, temperature, and addition of organic solvent to the reaction medium.

Brain glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter-amino butyric acid (GABA) from the substrate L-glutamic acid. Severe lapse in GABA neurotransmission is one of the etiologies documented in the manifestation of certain neurodegenerative diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease etc. Because GAD65 synthesizes GABA, any modulation of GAD65, therefore, has direct implications on the quanta of GABA released at the synapse. Hence, the major objective of this study was to focus on the regulation of GAD65, with special emphasis on investigating the proteolytic cleavage of fGAD65. Previously, we have shown in vitro that GAD65 was cleaved to form its truncated form (tGAD65), which was more active than the full length form (fGAD65). The enzyme responsible for cleavage was later identified as calpain. Calpain is known to cleave its substrates either under a transient physiologica l stimulus or upon a sustained pathological insult. However, the precise role of calpain cleavage of fGAD65 is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the cleavage of fGAD65 under a range of conditions encompassing both physiological and pathological aspects, including rats under ischemia/reperfusion insult, rat brain synaptosomes or primary neuronal cultures subjected to excitotoxic stimulation with KCl. It was observed that the formation of tGAD65 progressively increased with increasing stimulus concentration. More importantly, cleavage of synaptic vesicle (SV) - associated fGAD65 by calpain was demonstrated, and the resulting tGAD65 harboring the active site of the enzyme was detached from the SVs. Vesicular uptake of the newly synthesized GABA into the SVs was found to be reduced in calpain treated SVs. Furthermore, we also observed that the levels of tGAD65 in the focal cerebral ischemic rat brain tissue increased corresponding to the elevation of local glutamate indica / d by in vivo micro dialysis. Based on these observations, we conclude that calpain cleavage of fGAD65 occurs under pathological conditions. / by Chandana Buddhala. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expanded plyglutamine repeat in the huntingtin protein. In this study, I focused on the effect of the mutant huntingtin protein (mhtt) on the subcellular localization of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme responsible for synthesizing gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Subcellular distribution of GAD65 is significantly altered in two neuronal cell lines that express either the N-terminus or full length mhtt. GAD65 is predominantly associated with the Golgi membrane in cells expressing normal huntingtin (Htt). However, it diffuses in the cytosol of cells expressing mhtt. Palmitoylation of GAD65 is required for GAD65 trafficking, and I demonstrated the palmitoylation of GAD65 is reduced in the HD model. Overexpression of huntingtin-interacting protein 14 (HIP14), the enzyme that palmitoylates GAD65, rescues GAD65 palmitoylation and vesicle-associated trafficking. This data suggests that impairment of GAD65 palmitoylation by mhtt may alter its localization and lead to altered inhibitory neurotransmission in HD. / by Daniel Rush. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Molecular chaperones guide peptide fold conformation throughout the lifetime of the peptide. One network of chaperone proteins involved in this activity, Heat shock protein 70s (Hsp70s), are well characterized at restoring peptide fold, utilizing J-domain containing protein chaperone cofactors to activate Hsp70 activity. DnaJ (Hsp40) homolog, subfamily C, member 25 (DNAJC25) is a class III transmembrane J-domain containing protein that to date is underrepresented in the literature. Recently, Hejtmancik et al. 2012. (unpublished data) have revealed that missense mutation to DNACJ25 at Pro90Leu (P90L) is strongly correlated with inherited Closed-Angle Glaucoma. Inherited mutations are well characterized for Open-Angle Glaucoma, however, prior to this finding, were unknown for Closed-Angle Glaucoma. In this report, analysis of the in vitro chaperone activity of DNAJC25 w+ and P90L is assessed utilizing an Hsp70 mediated Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase refolding system, SWISS-MODEL predictions are performed for the J-domain structure of DNAJC25 w+ and P90L with consequent analysis of DNAJC25 Pro90 conservation relative to other type I, II, and III J-domain containing proteins. DNAJC25 P90L demonstrated decreased chaperone activity in vitro compared to w+ DNAJC25. / by Daniel C. Chauss. / Vita. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) comprise a family of four proteins in humans that modulate the turnover of the extracellular matrix by regulating the activities of endopeptidases that catalyze its degradation, especially the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). In general, the four TIMPs are broad-spectrum tight binding inhibitors of MMPs with individual differences in specificity. In this study, we attempted to understand the basis of such variation by using membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP) as a model, since it is inefficiently inhibited by TIMP-1 in contrast with the other TIMPs. We designed and engineered mutations in the N-domain of TIMP-1, based on current knowledge of TIMP interactions. By measuring inhibition levels of each mutant against several MMPs, including MT1-MMP, we were able to obtain a triple mutant with an vii improved affinity for MT1-MMP. / Our results, along with previous data, confirm that multiple residues in the critical interface segments between TIMPs and MMPs, namely at positions 2, 4, 5, 6, and 98, are key in determining the basic interaction between the two molecules. The second part of this work focused on naturally occurring mutations in TIMP-3 which cause an early form of macular degeneration called Sorsby's Fundus Dystrophy (SFD). The TIMP-3 mutants identified so far share certain features but the mechanism by which they result in macular disease is not yet understood. As an initial step, we expressed recombinant TIMP-3 carrying a truncation mutation, glutamic acid 139 to a stop codon (E139X), and assessed its activity towards representative MMPs and tumor necrosis factor-(Sa (Bconverting enzyme, another metalloproteinase normally inhibited by TIMP-3. Our results indicate that this mutation does not impair the inhibitory activity of TIMP-3. / Expression of this mutant in mammalian retinal cells revealed a difference in localization between wild-type and E139X mutant TIMP-3. Therefore, we concluded that the SFD mutations may actually influence the processing and/or binding properties of TIMP-3 in the retina. / by Asmaa Bilal Hamze. / Vita. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

O processo adaptativo a hipóxia implica em modificações nas funções endócrinas e metabólicas. Embora seja bem estabelecido que o metabolismo de carboidratos é profundamente alterado pela hipóxia, muito pouco se sabe acerca dos efeitos in vivo do estresse hipóxico no metabolismo de proteínas na musculatura esquelética. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos agudos da hipóxia intermitente nos processos de síntese e degradação protéica em músculos esqueléticos de ratos e a possível participação dos glicocorticóides na resposta induzida pela hipóxia. Para isso, ratos jovens (~80g) foram expostos à hipóxia intermitente aguda (HIA) por 8 horas (6% O2 durante 40 segundos em intervalos de 9 minutos). Os resultados mostram que a HIA é uma situação catabólica que resulta no aumento da glicose e insulina plasmática, na redução do conteúdo do glicogênio hepático (97%), oxidação de glicose muscular (40%) e massa do tecido adiposo branco retroperitoneal e epididimal (30%), sem alterações na massa muscular. No metabolismo protéico, os animais hipóxicos apresentaram aumento da proteólise total em músculos soleus e EDL acompanhada por uma hiperativação dos sistemas proteolíticos dependente de ubiquitina (Ub)-proteassoma e dependente de cálcio, sem que houvesse alterações na síntese protéica. Essa resposta foi associada ao maior conteúdo de proteínas miofibrilares conjugadas à Ub e à ativação da expressão de genes relacionados à atrofia (atrogina-1 e MuRF1) e autofagia (LC3 e GABARAP ). Adicionalmente, em músculos soleus, observou-se redução da fosforilação da Akt (Ser473), uma proteína chave no controle do metabolismo protéico. Verificou-se ainda que a adrenalectomia em animais hipóxicos preveniu a ativação dos sistemas proteolíticos e a transcrição do RNAm dos \"atrogenes\" sem alterar a autofagia. Esses dados mostram que a HIA, durante 8 horas, age como um gatilho catabólico no processo de degradação de proteínas dependente de Ub-proteassoma e cálcio assim como na hiperexpressão de genes relacionados à atrofia e autofagia. A ativação do programa atrófico induzido pela HIA parece ser mediada pelos glicocorticóides sendo esta resposta provavelmente importante para o fornecimento de aminoácidos do músculo para o fígado e manutenção da hiperglicemia. Portanto, essa resposta catabólica se sustentada pode levar à perda de massa muscular esquelética em situações de exposição prolongada à hipóxia intermitente. / The adaptive process to hypoxia involves changes in endocrine and metabolic functions. Although it is well established that the carbohydrate metabolism is profoundly altered by hypoxia, the in vivo effects of hypoxic stress on protein metabolism in skeletal muscle is still poorly understood. Thus, the main goal of the present work was to investigate the acute effects of intermittent hypoxia on the processes of synthesis and protein degradation in rat skeletal muscles and the possible role of glucocorticoids in the responses induced by hypoxia. For this, young rats (~80g) were exposed to acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) for 8 hours (6% O2 for 40 seconds at 9 minutes intervals). The data show that AIH is a catabolic situation that increases plasma levels of glucose and insulin, reduces the content of liver glycogen (97%), the muscle glucose oxidation (40%) and the retroperitoneal and epididymal white adipose tissue mass (30%), without changing muscle mass. With respect to the protein metabolism, AIH rats showed an increase in the rates of overall proteolysis in soleus and EDL muscle, which were accompanied by a hyperactivity of the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome and calcium-dependent proteolytic systems, without changes in rates of protein synthesis. This response was associated with a high content of myofibrillar proteins Ub-conjugates and mRNA levels of atrophy-related genes (atrogin-1 and MuRF1) and autophagic genes (LC3 and GABARAP). Furthermore, in soleus muscle, we observed reduction of Akt phosphorylation (Ser473), a key protein in the control of protein metabolism. It was also found that adrenalectomy prevented activation of proteolytic systems and gene transcription of \"atrogenes\" in hypoxic rats, while the autophagic genes were not affected. The data suggest that the AIH, during 8 hours, acts as a catabolic trigger activating the Ub-proteassome and calcium-dependent proteolytic processes, as well as the expression of atrophy-related genes and autophagy. The activation of atrophy program induced by hypoxia seems to be mediated by glucocorticoids, and is probably important for the provision of amino acids from muscle to the liver which maintains the hyperglycemia. Therefore, this catabolic response, if sustained, can lead to the loss of skeletal muscle mass in situations of prolonged exposure to intermittent hypoxia.

During the activation and transferring process, E1 and E2 form a thioester-linkage with SUMOs. By using an in vitro assay, it is demonstrated that SENP1 is able to cleave the thioester-linkage between SUMO-1/SUMO-3 and E1/E2. This finding suggests that SUMO proteases regulate the sumoylation pathway, not only during maturation and deconjugation, but also in the E1 activation and E2 conjugation processes. / Recently, reactive oxygen species have been demonstrated to influence the equilibrium of sumoylation-desumoylation. Here, by in vitro assay, it is shown that H2O2 induces formation of inter-molecular disulfide linkage of human SUMO protease SENP1, via the active-site Cys 603 and a unique residue Cys 613. Such reversible modification confers higher enzyme activity recovery which is also observed in yeast Ulp1, but not in human SENP2, suggesting its protective role against irreversible sulfhydryl oxidation. The physiological relevance of the disulfide-linked dimer of SENP1 is also detected in cultured cells upon oxidative stress. The modifications are further verified by the crystal structures of Ulp1 with catalytic cysteine oxidized to sulfenic, sulfinic and sulfonic acids. The current findings suggest that, in addition to SUMO conjugating enzymes, SUMO proteases may act as redox sensors and effectors, which modulate the desumoylation pathway and allow immediate specific cellular responses to oxidative stress. / SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) is a member of the ubiquitin-like protein family that is highly conserved in all eukaryotic organisms and regulates cellular function of a variety of target proteins. SUMO proteins are expressed in their precursor forms and precursor processing involves cleavage of the residues after the conserved 'GG' region by the hydrolytic activity of SUMO-specific protease. The exposed second glycine then forms a covalent bond with the epsilon-amino group of a substrate lysine residue at the psiKxE motif by a cascade of SUMO El, E2 and E3 ligases. As a reversible modification, SUMO proteases can cleave SUMOs from their substrates during de-conjugation process. / To date, four SUMO family members, SUMO-1, -2, -3 and -4 and six SUMO proteases, SENP1--3 and 5-7 (where SENP stands for sentrin-specific protease) have been identified in human. By characterizing the maturation reactions of SUMO-1, -2 and -3 catalyzed by SENP1, it is demonstrated that SENP1 contains the highest maturation efficiency for SUMO-1, followed by SUMO-2 and SUMO-3. By mutagenesis study, it is further identified that the two amino acids immediately after GG motif could influence the maturation efficiency of SENP1. By comparison with another investigation which showed the preference of the maturation reaction of SUMO-2 by SENP2, the results suggest that SUMO proteases with specific tissue distribution control the availability of different mature SUMOs in human. / To gain a deeper insight into the molecular basis of maturation and de-conjugation processes catalyzed by SENP1, it has been determined, at 2.8 A resolution, the X-ray structure of a complex between the catalytic domain of SENP1C(C603S) and matured SUMO-1. The structure shows that the substituted serine residue does not undergo any local structural rearrangements at the active site as observed in the previously solved SENP2/SUMO-1 complex structure. This finding suggests that SUMO proteases require a self-conformational change prior to the cleavage reaction, and further disclose the cleavage mechanism of the hydrolytic reactions catalyzed by SUMO proteases. Moreover, analysis of the interface of SENP1 and SUMO1 has identified four amino acids that are unique in SENP1 sequence and facilitate the interaction of SENP1 and SUMO-1. / Xu, Zheng. / "July 2007." / Advisers: Shannon Au Wing Ngor; Tzi-Bun Ng. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-01, Section: B, page: 0125. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-194). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Neste trabalho descrevemos o isolamento, a caracterização funcional e estrutural de uma metaloprotease hemorrágica, denominada BjussuMP-I. A proteína foi isolada da peçonha de Bothrops jararacussu por combinação de dois passos cromatográficos, utilizando filtração molecular em Sephacryl S-200, equilibrada em tampão Tris-HCl (0,01 M, pH 7,0) seguida de cromatografia de interação hidrofóbica em Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, equilibrada em tampão Tris-HCl (0,01 M, pH 7,6 mais NaCl 4 M) e eluída com gradiente de NaCl (4-0 M) a 25°C no mesmo tampão. BjussuMP-I é uma proteína com massa molecular de 60 kDa e pI 5,6, a qual induziu hemorragia após injeção intradérmica em camundongos, com uma dose hemorrágica mínima (DHM) de 4,5 g. A atividade hemorrágica da BjussuMP-I foi totalmente inibida após incubação com um agente quelante (EDTA), confirmando a dependência de metal da enzima para esse efeito. BjussuMP-I possui atividade proteolítica sobre a caseína e fibrinogênio e nenhum efeito sobre a gelatina. Por outro lado, demonstrou alta especificidade pela cadeia do fibrinogênio enquanto que a cadeia somente foi hidrolisada na presença de altas concentrações da metaloprotease. A protease foi ativa sobre o fibrinogênio em pH neutro e alcalino e inativada a 75 °C. A dependência de metal da enzima foi demonstrada pela inibição exercida por EDTA, EGTA e 1,10 fenantrolina. Verificou-se uma inibição parcial pelo ?-mercaptoetanol e PMSF, enquanto que leupeptina e aprotinina não afetaram a atividade fibrinogenolítica. A enzima foi ativada na presença de íons Ca++ e Mg++, sendo inibida por Mn++, Fe++, Zn++, Co++ e Ni++. Além disso, baixas concentrações da enzima produziram lise no coágulo de fibrina. BjussuMP-I também demonstrou inibição da agregação plaquetária induzida por colágeno e ADP e atividade bactericida sobre Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus. Verificou-se que as atividades hemorrágica e proteolítica da BjussuMP-I foram neutralizadas pelo diterpenóide clerodane (Bt-CD) de Bacharis trimera. Também se observou uma inibição total do efeito hemorrágico, utilizando o extrato aquoso de Pentaclethra macroloba (EPema). A enzima foi reconhecida por anticorpos antineuwiedase, com uma reação de identidade imunológica parcial. A seqüência completa do cDNA da BjussuMP-I com 1540 pb codificou para uma proteína de 547 resíduos de aminoácidos, que conservou os domínios comuns a metaloproteases hemorrágicas de alto peso molecular da classe PIII: (i) pré-pró-peptideo, (ii) metaloprotease, (iii) disintegrina-símile e (iv) domínio rico em cisteína. / In this study the isolation, functional and structural characterization of a hemorrhagic metalloprotease, named BjussuMP-I is reported. The protein was isolated from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom by a combination of two chromatographic steps, using gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 (0.01 M Tris-HCl, pH7.6 buffer) and Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B chromatography (0.01 M Tris-HCl plus 4 M NaCl, pH7.6 buffer) followed by a concentration gradient from 4 to 0 M NaCl at 25°C in the same buffer. BjussuMP-I is a 60 kDa protein with a pI 5.6, which induced hemorrhage after intradermal injection in mice with a minimum hemorrhagic dose (MHD) of 4.5 g. The hemorrhagic activity of BjussuMP-I was totally abolished after incubation with a chelating agent (EDTA), corroborating the metal-dependence of this effect. BjussuMP-I shows proteolytic activity on casein, collagen and fibrinogen, although no effect on gelatin was observed. In addition, it presented a high specificity toward the -chain of fibrinogen, while the -chain was only hydrolyzed at high concentrations of the metalloprotease. The protease was active against fibrinogen in neutral and alkaline pH and was inactivated at 75°C. The metal dependence of the enzyme was confirmed through inhibition by EDTA, EGTA and 1,10 phenantroline. A partial inhibition was observed with -mercaptoetanol and PMSF, while leupeptin and aprotinin did not inhibit the fibrinogenolytic activity. The enzyme was active in the presence of Ca++ and Mg++ and it was inhibited by Mn++, Fe++, Zn++, Co++ and Ni++. In addition, low concentrations of the enzyme presented lyses in fibrin plate after 12 h of incubation. BjussuMP-I also displayed inhibitory effect on collagen- and ADP-stimulated platelet aggregation, as well as bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. It was reported that both hemorrhagic and proteolytic activities of BjussuMP-I were neutralized by the clerodane diterpenoide (Bt-CD) from Bacharis trimera. Full inhibition of hemorrhage was also observed by using aqueous extract from Pentaclethra macroloba (EPema). The enzyme was recognized by anti-neuwiedase antibodies in a reaction of partial immunologic identity. The complete cDNA sequence of BjussuMP-I with 1540 pb encoded open reading frames of 547 amino acid residues which conserved the common domains of P-III high molecular weight hemorrhagic metalloproteases: (i) pre-pro-peptide, (ii) metalloprotease, (iii) disintegrin-like and (iv) rich cysteine domain.

The effect of proteolytic enzymes on the transformation and transfection of Streptococcus lactis LM2301 protoplasts was examined in an attempt to eliminate the variability observed. By using both chymotrypsin and mutanolysin to form protoplasts followed by spread plating, consistent frequencies of 104 to 105 transformants per μg of pGB301 DNA, and 105 transfectants per μg of c2 bacteriophage DNA where achieved. Optimum transformation and transfection frequencies were obtained when 16 h cultures were treated simultaneously with 25 U/ml mutanolysin and 1.25 U/ml chymotrypsin for 15 min. Trypsin and pronase in conjunction with mutanolysin also increased transformation frequencies higher than when mutanolysin was used alone, but pronase was not as effective as chymotrypsin or trypsin. These results may explain the variability in transformation of mutanolysin-treated cells of S. lactis since commercial sources of mutanolysin contain varying amounts of proteolytic enzyme activity. Transformation of Streptococcus cremoris CS224 at low frequency (5 transformants per μg of pGB301 DNA) was achieved. Plasmid pGB301 was able to replicate and express antibiotic resistance in the resultant transformant (designated S. cremoris SW301). The presence of pGB301 in S. cremoris SW301 was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis.

The effects of whey-based and milk -based starter media, and low concentrations (0.02% each) of citrate, phosphate and calcium upon various milk coagulation properties were measured. Samples inoculated with milk-based starter medium had shorter coagulation times, faster rate of curd formation, and greater final curd firmness than those inoculated with externally neutralized whey-based starter. Starter medium treatment was statistically interacted with calcium for coagulation time and rate of curd formation. Citrate addition caused longer coagulation times, slower rates of curd formation, and weaker final coagula. Citrate interacted with calcium and phosphate for several of the parameters measured. Addition of phosphate did not affect any of the measured parameters but was involved in several significant two-factor interactions as was calcium addition.