Hydroxamic Acid Glucosyltransferases from Maize Seedlings

Hydroxamic acids occur in several forms in maize (Zea mays L.) with 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) being the predominant form and others including 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA) being found at lower concentrations. Two enzymes capable of glucosylating hydroxamic acids were identified in maize protein extracts and partially purified and characterized. The total enzyme activity per seedling increased during the first 4 days of germination and was concurrent with the accumulation of DIMBOA. Purification of the enzymes by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by Sephadex G-200 and Q-Sepharose gel chromatography resulted in a 13-fold increase in specific activity. The enzymes are initially separated into two peaks (peak 1 and peak 2) of activity by Q-Sepharose gel chromatography. The peak 1 glucosyltransferase had 3.6% of the DIMBOA glucosylating activity when DIBOA was used as substrate, whereas this percentage increased to 57% for the peak 2 enzyme. The enzyme in peak 2 has a K(m) of 174 micromolar for DIMBOA and a K(m) of 638 micromolar for DIBOA; the enzyme in peak 1 has a K(m) of 217 micromolar for DIMBOA and its activity on DIBOA was too low to determine a K(m). The identification of two glucosyltransferases capable of glucosylating hydroxamic acids in vitro serves as an initial step in the characterization of the enzymes involved in production of hydroxamic acids in maize.