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In this work, an atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge process is exploited for the fast deposition of adherent epoxy-rich layers acting as a versatile platform for the efficient one-step biomolecule immobilization in mild aqueous conditions. Particular attention is given to the influence of the plasma process parameters on the chemical and morphological properties of the deposited layers and on their subsequent exploitation for chemical interfacial reactions. As a proof-of-concept, two enzymes with drastically different biological properties, namely dispersin B and a laccase, are immobilized onto functionalized metallic surfaces. The pH of the enzyme solution appears as a key parameter to control the amount of immobilized enzyme on the plasma functionalized surfaces, thus leading to bioactive surfaces with improved stability and activity.

The metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) GOB-1 was expressed via a T7 expression system in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The MBL was purified to homogeneity and shown to exhibit a broad substrate profile, hydrolyzing all the tested β-lactam compounds efficiently. The GOB enzymes are unique among MBLs due to the presence of a glutamine residue at position 116, a zinc-binding residue in all known class B1 and B3 MBL structures. Here we produced and studied the Q116A, Q116N and Q116H mutants. The substrate profiles were similar for each mutant, but with significantly reduced activity compared with that of the wild-type. In contrast to the Q116H enzyme, which bound two zinc ions just like the wild-type, only one zinc ion is present in Q116A and Q116N. These results suggest that the Q116 residue plays a role in the binding of the zinc ion in the QHH site.

Aminophosphonic acids and aminobis(phosphonic acids) have been prepared by the alkylation of Schiff bases with methyl bromoacetate or ethyl acrylate. Other pathways, like the modified Pudovik reaction and Kabachnik-Fields reaction, have been considered for the synthesis of the a-phosphonic bioisoster of aminocitrate. Partial or complete deprotection of the phosphonate ester have been realised by either acidic hydrolysis or by treatment with trimethylsilyl bromide. Evaluation against penicillin-binding proteins has shown that our compounds are modest inhibitors of class A beta-lactamases, but have an interesting activity against R39 (D,D-peptidase/carboxypeptidase). ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)