title: Purification and properties of a plant beta-D-glucuronidase form Scutellaria root.
abstract: beta-D-Glucuronidase (baicalinase, GUS [EC 3.2.1.31]) activity in the crude drug, Scutellaria root, was assayed in line with the quality control standards of Kampo (Japanese Herbal) medicines. GUS was purified to homogeneity in the purification steps including DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow and chromatofocusing used PBETM94 and Polybuffer 74. These results suggest that the Scutellaria GUS is composed of 55kDa active subunits and that the isoelectric point of this enzyme is pH 5.4. Optimal catalytic activity was found at pH 4.7 in the pH range 3.6--6.2 in 50 mM Na-citrate buffer. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed baicalin and wogonin glucuronide, but did not hydrolyze glycyrrhizin or some beta-glucosides found in other crude drugs. GUS activity in several crude drugs is also described.
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Medical Resources, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Japan.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsunae
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hisamitsu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Murakoshi
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D007700:Kinetics; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000201:enzymology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000201:enzymology*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C038044:baicalin; D005966:Glucuronidase