Study of yeasts transglycosylases

This study is interested in properties of fungal transglycosylases, specifically Phr1, Phr2 and Crh2. These enzymes are involved in the remodelling of yeast cell walls due to their cleavage of structural donor polysaccharides and transfer of their fragments to the other acceptor (poly)saccharide molecules. The mammalian cells do not contain cell walls, nor cell wall transglycosylases, that´s why these enzymes are possible targets for antifungal agents. In this diploma thesis the effect of 67 commercially available inhibitors on Phr1 and Phr2 enzymes was studied by rapid screening. In the case of the Phr1 enzyme, two inhibitors showed a potential effect which was subsequently tested by size exclusion chromatography column incorporated into HPLC device. None of the inhibitors were found to have an inhibitory effect on Phr1 or Phr2 enzymes in contrast to DMSO in which all inhibitors were dissolved. The mode of action of Phr enzymes was also studied by thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The first method allowed to monitor the formation of products only in the later stages of the reaction, but more sensitive size exclusion chromatography showed the product formation at the beginning of the reaction. Phr1 cleaved the donor substrate near the non-reducing end and forms small fragments that are transfered to labeled acceptors during the whole reaction. Phr2 utilized random action pattern, thus creating products with higher molecular weight from the beginning of reaction. The effect of the polymerization degree of acceptor on it´s affinity with the Crh2 was also studied. The Michaelis-Menten constants showed no effect of acceptor lenght on the affinity between enzyme and substrate