Ureases

Functions, Classes, and Applications

1st Edition - February 16, 2024
Editors: Rodrigo Ligabu Braun, Celia Regina R Da S Carlini
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 1 8 0 0 - 8
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 7 2 0 0 - 0

Ureases: Foundations, Classes, and Applications provides a thorough, practical analysis of ureases—enzymes of growing relevance across a range of biotechnological applicati… Read more

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Ureases: Foundations, Classes, and Applications provides a thorough, practical analysis of ureases—enzymes of growing relevance across a range of biotechnological applications and drug discovery. Unique in many aspects, ureases are one of the few enzymes to have nickel in their active sites. This book covers all aspects of this enzymatic class starting with foundational overview and then providing historical urease research and current state, from basic biochemistry to the use of ureases as hallmarks in enzymology, crystallography, and bioinorganic chemistry. The different classes of ureases, structurally diverse but chemically equivalent, are individually discussed.

The multi-protein, multi-step activation of ureases (with chemical modification of residues, transport, and transfer of nickel ions) are examined in-depth, along with the catalytic mechanisms of ureolysis and its inhibitors. The final two sections of the book address multiple applications of ureases in health and biotechnology, respectively, going from gastric ulcer treatment to architectural uses in buildings and engineering. Future applications and next steps in research are also considered.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
About the editors
Preface
Part I: Introduction
1. Ureases: an overview
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Structure and activation
1.3 Relevance in health and technology
1.4 Conclusions
References
Part II: Historical aspects
2. Historical hallmarks in urease study
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 From urea to urease: 1700–1900
2.3 Enzymes are proteins and they can have nickel: 1900–75
2.4 Structure-function(s) of urease: 1981–currently
2.5 Urease origins: notes on urease prehistory
References
3. Genetics of plant urease, the enzyme that keeps surprising us
Abstract
3.1 An innocent young man
3.2 A quixotic quest: biological and biographical background
3.3 The urease play, with a cast of “firsts”
3.4 Nickel enters the fray
3.5 Soybean urease isozymes enter the fray
3.6 Nickel insertion proteins enter the fray (in vitro activation of soybean urease)
3.7 Does urea enter the fray? Of course, but from which tissues?
3.8 Dueling metabolic precursors of urea enter the fray
3.9 A urease-mediated insight into plant associations with bacteria
3.10 Other nickel roles in the plant world?
3.11 Are urea and NO children of the same parents?
3.12 Dedication
References
4. Microbial ureases
Abstract
4.1 Historical aspects and relevance of microbial ureases
4.2 Structural organization of microbial ureases and evolution
4.3 Genomic organization and expression regulation of bacterial ureases
4.4 Urease-negative bacteria
4.5 Beneficial roles of bacterial ureases
4.6 Microbial ureases as virulence factors
4.7 Nonenzymatic properties of three-chained ureases
4.8 Concluding remarks
References
Part III: Classes and special cases
5. Plant ureases: biochemistry, structure, physiological functions, role of urease inhibitors, and urease applications in industry
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Historical milestones of urease
5.3 Biochemistry of urea catalysis
5.4 A Ubiquitous enzyme
5.5 Structure of plant urease
5.6 Urease inhibitors of agricultural interest
5.7 Physiological role of urease in plants
5.8 Nonenzymatic properties of plant ureases
5.9 Applications of ureases
5.10 Conclusion
References
6. Jack bean urease
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Role of plant urease
6.3 Urease architecture
6.4 Challenges in crystallizing jack bean urease
6.5 Crystallization of JBU
6.6 X-ray analysis of native and fluoride-inhibited JBU
6.7 Structure determination of native and fluoride-inhibited JBU
6.8 Structure of JBU monomer
6.9 Oligomeric assembly
6.10 Active site architecture of JBU
6.11 Active site mobile flap
6.12 Insecticidal activity
Acknowledgment
References
7. Fungal ureases
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Producers of fungal ureases
7.3 Environmental role of fungal ureases
7.4 Fungal ureases as virulence factors
7.5 The role of ureases in fungal cell metabolism
7.6 Conclusion
References
Part IV: Activation, catalysis, inhibition
8. Urease: structure, function, catalysis, and inhibition
Abstract
8.1 Introduction
8.2 The three-dimensional architecture of ureases
8.3 The active site of urease
8.4 The urease operon
8.5 The accessory proteins of urease
8.6 The urease maturation process
8.7 The catalytic mechanism
8.8 The inhibition of urease
References
9. Inhibition of ureases: studies and applications
Abstract
9.1 Introduction: the importance of urease inhibitors and inactivators
9.2 Proper design of urease inhibitor/inactivator studies
9.3 Inhibitors that bind directly to the urease metallocenter
9.4 Inactivators that react with the flexible protein flap covering the urease active site
9.5 Other compounds that reduce urease activity
9.6 Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
10. Nonenzymatic properties of ureases
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Entomotoxic property of plant ureases
10.3 Antifungal effect of ureases
10.4 Exocytosis-inducing activity of ureases
10.5 Pro-inflammatory properties of ureases
10.6 Neurotoxicity of ureases in rodents
10.7 Structure versus nonenzymatic activities of ureases
10.8 Concluding remarks
Acknowledgments
References
Part V: Health applications
11. Ureases as drug targets in urinary tract infections
Abstract
11.1 Urinary tract infections
11.2 Role of urease activity in urinary tract infections
11.3 Ureases from urinary tract pathogens
11.4 Ureases from gram-negative bacteria
11.5 Ureases from gram-positive bacteria
11.6 Inhibition of uropathogenic ureases by specific chemicals
11.7 Hydroxyurea and other urea analogs
11.8 Acetohydroxamic acid and other hydroxamates
11.9 Flurofamide and other phosphoramides
11.10 Polyphenolic compounds
11.11 Omeprazole and other imidazoles
11.12 Inhibition of uropathogenic ureases by herbal extracts
11.13 Green tea extract
11.14 Uva ursi extract
11.15 Cranberry extract
11.16 Garlic extract
11.17 Other extracts
11.18 Further studies
11.19 New chemical inhibitors of urease activity
11.20 Inhibition of urease formation
11.21 Inhibition of Ni2+ incorporation
11.22 Urease-specific vaccines
11.23 Conclusions
References
12. Ureases as drug targets in fungal infections
Abstract
12.1 Fungal infections
12.2 Fungal targets to drugs
12.3 Ureases as virulence factors in fungi
12.4 Fungal ureases as drug targets
References
Part VI: Biotechnological applications
13. Reaching food security: harnessing urease inhibitors to meet the challenges of growing global population
Abstract
13.1 Introduction
13.2 NBPT as a promoter of crop production
13.3 Use of hydroquinone
13.4 Use of Azolla to improve NBPT effectiveness
13.5 Use of Limus
13.6 Use of biochar
13.7 Use of biological preparations
Acknowledgments
References
14. Ureases as pesticides
Abstract
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Synthetic pesticides versus biological control
14.3 Ureases as pesticides
14.4 Final conclusions and perspectives
Acknowledgment
References
15. Ureases in the beverage industry
Abstract
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Acid urease
15.3 Application of acid urease to beverages
15.4 Kinetics of urea removal in wines
15.5 Use of immobilized acid urease in beverages
15.6 Concluding remarks
References
16. Versatility of ureases: many uses for biotechnological and medical applications
Abstract
16.1 Why urease? Historical aspects of urease-based applications
16.2 Immobilization of ureases
16.3 Biocementation, bioremediation, and archeology
16.4 Dairy production
16.5 Beverage industry
16.6 Urease-assisted chemical synthesis
16.7 Biosensors
16.8 Medical applications
16.9 Concluding remarks
References
Index

Life sciences

Physical sciences & Engineering

Social sciences & Humanities

Health