A genetic variant of esterase in mice is used to demonstrate for the first time that an enzyme of maternal origin is taken up intracellularly by two mid-gestation tissues dervied from the embryo: trophoblast and yolk sac (visceral endoderm). Although other alternatives are still possible, it is likely that the esterase is transported from the mother to the trophoblast via the serum. If so, the ...

Mycobacteria are shaped by a thick envelope made of an array of uniquely structured lipids and polysaccharides. However, the spatial organization of these molecules remains unclear. Here, we show that exposure to an esterase from Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msmeg_1529), hydrolyzing the ester linkage of trehalose dimycolate in vitro, triggers rapid and efficient lysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis,...

The influence of ampicillin and chloramphenicol administered intraperitoneally singly or in combination on the protein content and the activities of hepatic esterase and amidase have been investigated in rats. The results have been compared to the effects of phenobarbitone (inducer) and p-nitrophenyl-phosphate (inhibitor) of hepatic hydrolases. Ampicillin pretreatment reduced protein level and ...

The generation of C'1 esterase activity in siliconed plasma obtained from individuals with hereditary angioneurotic edema in remission tends to occur spontaneously, but can be hastened during its incubation with preparations of activated Hageman factor. This effect of activated Hageman factor could not be shown during its incubation with normal siliconed plasma, nor could consumption of normal ...

A purified feruloyl esterase (EC 3.1.1.73) from Aspergillus nidulans produced in Pichia pastoris was used to study the de-esterification of large feruloyl oligosaccharides consisting of 4 to 20 pentose residues and (xylose plus arabinose) and one ferulic acid residue. The feruloyl oligosaccharides were prepared from total oligosaccharidic hydrolysates from wheat bran treated with a purified end...

In Australia, the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, has a long history of resistance to conventional insecticides. Transgenic cotton (expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac) has been grown for H. armigera control since 1996. It is demonstrated here that a population of Australian H. armigera has developed resistance to Cry1Ac toxin (275-fold). Some 70% of resistant H. armigera ...

When purified human C'1 esterase is injected intradermally in man, increased vascular permeability results. This effect is not blocked by soybean trypsin inhibitor and is not abolished by pretreatment with the antihistamine, pyribenzamine, or by compound 48/80. Thus, the effect is not due to the release of endogenous histamine. The decreased permeability response of individuals with a specific ...

Feruloyl esterase forms a part of the enzyme complex that acts collectively and synergistically to completely hydrolyze xylan to its monomers. The enzyme has found potential uses in a wide variety of applications of interest to the agrifood and pharmaceutical industries. This review describes the enzymology of feruloyl esterases involved in xylan degradation. The occurrence of feruloyl esterase...

The mechanisms of hydrolysis and accumulation of cholesteryl oleate-lipid droplets prepared in vitro were studied in acid cholesteryl-esterase-deficient fibroblasts (GM00863, GM03111). Acid cholesteryl esterase activity was reduced in both GM00863 and GM03111 (8.9% and 17.4% of the normal level, respectively), while neutral cholesteryl esterase activity was highly stimulated in GM03111. The hyd...

The value of the one minute leucocyte esterase-nitrite chemical strips as a screening procedure for detecting appreciable levels of pyuria and bacteriuria was assessed by comparison with microscopy and culture results. The likelihood that a negative leucocyte esterase result indicated less than 10 white cells/cu mm by microscopy (the negative predictive value), was 90.1% and that a negative nit...