Cilastatin-sensitive dehydropeptidase I enzymes from three sources all catalyze carbapenem hydrolysis and conversion of leukotriene D4 to leukotriene E4

The dipeptidase, dehydropeptidase I (EC 3.4.13.11), was purified to homogeneity from rat lung, rat kidney, and hog kidney. Analysis of physical parameters (subunit molecular weights, Km values for glycyldehydrophenylalanine, Ki values for dehydropeptidase I inhibitors, and immunoreactivity) showed the rat dipeptidases to be similar to each other but different from the hog dipeptidase. However, all three enzymes hydrolyzed imipenem and converted leukotriene D4 to leukotriene E4, and these activities were inhibited by cilastatin.     

Studies on regulatory functions of malic enzymes. VI. Purification and molecular properties of NADP-linked malic enzyme from Escherichia coli W.

NADP-linked malic enzyme [EC 1.1.1.40] was highly purified from Escherichia coli W cells. The purified enzyme was homogeneous as judged by ultracentrifugation and gel electrophoresis. The apparent molecular weights obtained by sedimentation equilibrium analysis, from diffusion and sedimentation constants, and by disc electrophoresis at various gel concentrations were 471,000, 438,000, and 495,000, respectively. The subunit molecular weights obtained by sedimentation equilibrium analysis in the presence of 6 M guanidine hydrochloride and gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate were 76,000 and 82,000, respectively. The sedimentation coefficient (S(0)20, W) was 13.8S, and the molecular activity was 44,700 min-1 at 30 degrees C. The amino acid composition of the enzyme was determined, and the results were compared with those of NAD-linked malic enzyme from the same organism and those of pigeon liver NADP-linked malic enzyme. The partial specific volume was calculated to be 0.738 ml/g. The Km value for L-malate was 2.3 mM at pH 7.4. Malonate, tartronate, glutarate, and DL-tartrate competitively inhibited the activity. The saturation profile for L-malate exhibited a marked cooperativity in the presence of both chloride ions and acetyl-CoA. However, acetyl-CoA alone did not show cooperativity or produce inhibition in the absence of chloride ions. Vmax and Km were determined as a function of pH. The optimum pH for the reaction was 7.8. Inspection of the Dixon plots suggested that three ionizable groups of the enzyme are essential for the enzyme activity. In addition to the oxidative decarboxylase activity, the enzyme preparation exhibited divalent metal ion-dependent oxaloacetate decarboxylase and alpha-keto acid reductase activities. Based on the above results, the molecular properties of the enzymatic reaction are discussed.     

Shape of proteins S3 and S17 from the small subunit of Escherichia coli ribosome.

The shapes of proteins S3 and S17 purified from the 30 S subunit of Escherichia coli A19 were studied by hydrodynamic methods. The proteins have s020,w values of 2.1 +/- 0.1 S and 1.2 +/- 0.1 S and D020,w values of 7.4 +/- 0.5 . 10(-7) cm2/s and 11.4 +/- 0.6 . 10(-7) cm2/s. The respective molecular weights determined by sedimentation equilibrium are 25 800 +/- 500 and 9900 +/- 300. The intrinsic viscosity values for the two proteins are 5.8 +/- 0.3 ml/g and 4.2 +/- 0.2 ml/g. From these hydrodynamic parameters a slightly elongated shape for S3 and a globular shape for S17 have been concluded.     

Physical and chemical properties of the NH2-terminal glutamic acid and lysine forms of human plasminogen and their derived plasmins with an NH2-terminal lysine heavy (A) chain.

Comparative physical and chemical data are described for the human NH2-terminal Glu-plasminogen and Lys-plasminogen forms in order to determine the exact relationship between these two types of the zymogen. The molecular weights of Glu-plasminogen and Lys-plasminogen were similar and were determined to be 83, 800 plus or minus 4, 500 and 82, 400 plus or minus 3, 300, respectively, by sedimentation equilibrium methods. The molecular weights were identical in dodecyl sulfate solutions, approximately 83, 000, by sedimentation equilibrium methods. The sedimentation coefficients, s-020, w of Glu-plasminogen and Lys-plasminogen were determined to be 5.0 S, and 4.4 S, respectively. These two plasminogen forms had different partial specific volumes, and calculations of the frictional coefficients from sedimentation coefficients and molecular weights indicated conformation differences. Glu-plasminogen appeared to be larger in size than Lys-plasminogen in acrylamide gel-dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis. The amino acid compositions of Glu-plasminogen and Lys-plasminogen, and their major isolated isoelectric forms, were found to be similar, but several amino acid residues (glutamic acid, alanine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and lysine) were found to be significantly higher in the Glu-plasminogen forms. The derived plasmins from both the Glu- and Lys-plasminogens with an nh2-terminal Lys- heavy (A) chain were found to have identical molecular weights of 76, 500 plus or minus 2, 500, and sedimentation coefficients, s-020, w of 4.3 S.     

Purification and identification of two carnosine-cleaving enzymes, carnosine dipeptidase I and Xaa-methyl-His dipeptidase, from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)

Three enzymes, carnosine dipeptidase I (EC 3.4.13.20, CNDP1), carnosine dipeptidase II (EC 3.4.13.18, CNDP2), and Xaa-methyl-His dipeptidase (or anserinase: EC 3.4.13.5, ANSN), are known to be capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine), in vertebrates. Here we report the purification and identification of two unidentified carnosine-cleaving enzymes from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica). Two different dipeptidases were successfully purified to homogeneity from the skeletal muscle; one exhibited a broad substrate specificity, while the other a narrow specificity. N-terminal amino-acid sequencing, deglycosylation analysis, and genetic analysis clearly revealed that the former is a homodimer of glycosylated subunits, encoded by ANSN, and the latter is another homodimer of glycosylated subunits, encoded by CNDP1; that is, Xaa-methyl-His dipeptidase, and carnosine dipeptidase I respectively. This is the first report on the identification of carnosine dipeptidase I from a non-mammal. Database search revealed presence of a CNDP1 ortholog only from salmonid fishes, including Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout, but not from other ray-finned fish species, such as zebrafish, fugu, and medaka whose genomes have been completely sequenced. The mRNAs of CNDP1 and ANSN are strongly expressed in the liver of Japanese eel, compared with other tissues, while that of CNDP2 is widely distributed in all tissues tested.     

Structural characterization of insulin receptors. I. Hydrodynamic properties of receptors from turkey erythrocytes

Insulin receptors from turkey erythrocyte plasma membranes were solubilized in nondenaturing detergents (Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate). Their hydrodynamic properties were determined by sedimentation analyses in H2O and D2O, and gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. Two specific insulin-binding species are observed after velocity sedimentation in linear sucrose density gradients: peaks I and II. In Triton X-100, the sedimentation coefficient (s20,w), partial specific volume (Vc), and Stokes radius (a) for peaks I and II are, respectively, 10.2 +/- 0.5 S and 6.6 +/- 0.5 S, 0.75 +/- 0.02 ml/g, and 0.76 +/- 0.02 ml/g, and 89 +/- 3 A and 76 +/- 3 A, to yield Mr = 410,000 +/- 75,000 and 235,000 +/- 55,000, respectively, for the protein-Triton X-100 complex. The corresponding values in deoxycholate solution are: 10.7 +/- 0.5 S and 6.9 +/- 0.5 S, 0.71 +/- 0.03 ml/g and 0.70 +/- 0.04 ml/g, and 86 +/- 3 A and 69 +/- 3 A for peaks I and II, respectively, to yield 360,000 +/- 65,000 and 180,000 +/- 45,000, respectively, for the molecular weight of the protein-deoxycholate complex. These data are consistent with a model whereby each receptor species binds to one micelle of the appropriate detergent. In agreement with this model, it was also found that, in both Triton X-100 and deoxycholate, concentrations higher than the critical micellar concentration are required in order to maintain discrete receptor species in solution. At concentrations below the critical micellar concentration, the receptors aggregate to a broad band that sediments faster than 11.3 S. This is typical of membrane proteins that are stabilized in solution by insertion into detergent micelles. Based on these results, the protein molecular weights of peaks I and II are estimated to be 355,000 +/- 65,000 and 180,000 +/- 45,000, respectively. When membranes are treated with the reducing agent dithiothreitol, peak I is converted to peak II. This fact, together with the estimates obtained for the protein molecular weights of the two receptor species, suggests that peak I is a disulfide-linked dimer of peak II. The sedimentation characteristics of insulin receptors in many different cell types appear to be similar. As with turkey erythrocytes, detergent extracts of membranes from rat liver contained two native receptor species whose sedimentation coefficients were similar to peaks I and II. However, in all the other cell types examined, including rat adipocytes, rat heart muscle, 3T3-L1 adipocytes, 3T3-C2 fibroblasts, and FAO hepatoma cells, peak I (the native dimer) was the predominant species observed.     

The effect of Mn2+ and Co2+ on the activities of a zinc metallodipeptidase from a mouse ascites tumor.

Kinetic studies of the effect of addition of Co2+ or Mn2+ to a highly purified dipeptidase from Ehrlich-Lettré mouse ascites tumor cells show that these metals specifically activate the hydrolyses of certain classes of dipeptides. This enzyme was previously (S. Hayman and E. K. Patterson, 1971, J. Biol. Chem. 246, 660) reported to be a Zn-metalloenzyme. It is now shown that Zn is the only metal that can partially restore the activity of the EDTA-inhibited dipeptidase in cleaving Ala-Gly. Addition of Co2+ increases the Vmax of N-terminal Gly-dipeptides with increase in Km while addition of Mn2+ primarily activates the hydrolysis of Pro-Gly, again with increases in both Vmax and Km. Prior incubation (5 min, 30 degrees) of the dipeptidase with the appropriate metal ions causes decrease in initial lag time in the Co2+-activated hydrolysis of Gly-Gly and the Mn2+-activated hydrolysis of Pro-Gly. Long-term (6-19 hr, 0 degrees) incubation of the enzyme with Co2+ results in loss of activity toward Ala-Gly with a concomitant 13-fold increase in the rate of Gly-Gly hydrolysis and loss of 70% of the Zn2+ from the dipeptidase; these effects can be partially reversed by addition of Zn2+. In contrast, long-term incubation of the enzyme with Mn2+ results in no loss of Zn2+ and a twofold increase in activity toward Pro-Gly. One affinity constant of 1.4 muM for Co2+ and two constants of 0.23 and 27 muM for Mn2+ were determined by kinetic experiments. Comparison of the properties of this tumor enzyme with a dipeptidase purified in our laboratory from Escherichia coli B, and with mammalian dipeptidases highly purified by others, shows remarkable similarities in molecular weights and molecular activities toward the preferred substrates but in the case of bacterial dipeptidase, differences in substrate specificities and in the effect of metal ions.     

Purification and properties of human pancreas dipeptidase

Dipeptidase [EC 3.4.13] was purified from human pancreas; the activity was followed with L-Leu-L-Leu as a substrate. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the final preparation was homogeneous. The molecular weight of the dipeptidase was estimated to be 135,000 by gel filtration. From the result of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it was found that the enzyme consisted of two subunits with equal molecular weights of 68,000. By atomic absorption analysis, the dipeptidase was shown to be a zinc metalloenzyme containing one atom of zinc for each subunit. Cu2+ and Hg2+ (1 mM) inhibited the enzyme by 50%. o-Phenanthroline strongly inhibited the enzyme. The dipeptidase hydrolyzed dipeptides such as L-Ala-L-Ala, L-Met-L-Met, L-Ala-L-Leu, L-Leu-Gly, and L-Leu-L-Leu but did not hydrolyze tripeptides, Bz-amino acids, CBz-amino acids, or L-amino acid beta-naphthylamides. The dipeptidase from human pancreas was immunologically distinct from human liver dipeptidase.     

Glycyl-l-leucine hydrolase, a versatile `master' dipeptidase from monkey small intestine

1. A highly active and electrophoretically homogeneous dipeptidase was purified from the soluble extracts of monkey small-intestinal mucosa. 2. By gel-filtration studies the molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 107000. It is composed of two identical, subunits of molecular weight 54000. 3. A paper-chromatographic method of dipeptidase assay was developed to overcome some of the difficulties encountered in the generally used spectrophotometric procedure. By using this method, the K_m and k₀ values of a few substrates were determined. 4. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was investigated in great detail with substrates of a wide range of possible structural types. The enzyme hydrolyses a very large proportion of the range of dipeptides tested. This enzyme, which exhibits such a wide range of action, has been termed the `master' dipeptidase of the intestine. Glycylglycine, glycyl-l-proline, glycyl-l-histidine, l-prolylglycine and some of the arginine- and aspartic acid-containing dipeptides were not substrates and are possibly hydrolysed by other peptidases. These results therefore suggest that in the intestine the number of dipeptidases is rather limited. 5. In the light of these findings, the implications on the role of dipeptidases in intestinal peptide transport are discussed.     

The genome of infectious bursal disease virus consists of two segments of double-stranded RNA.

The RNA of infectious bursal disease virus was reexamined in a detailed analysis. It could be established that its genome consists of two segments of double-stranded RNA. The RNA is RNase resistant and has a sedimentation coefficient of 14S and a buoyant density of 1.62 g/ml. The purine/pyrimidine ratio is nearly 1; the guanine plus cytosine content is 55.3%; the Tm is 95.5 degrees C. The molecular weights of the two double-stranded segments were determined to be 2.2 x 10(6) and 2.5 x 10(6).     

Physicochemical characterization of Rhesus low density lipoproteins.

The serum low density lipoprotein (LDL; p 1.019-1.050 g/ml) of the normal Macaca mulatta monkey (rhesus), kept on a low-fat Purina primate chow diet, was isolated by ultracentrifugal flotation, and its physicochemical properties were compared with those previously reported for human LDL. Rhesus LDL was found to be chemically similar to human LDL. The values for the sedimentation (S25, w-O) and diffusion (D25,w-O) coefficients were 7.09 S and 2.50 times 10- minus-7 cm-2 sec- minus-1, respectively. The intrinsic viscosity was 3.40 ml g- minus-1. The partial specific volume of rhesus LDL, determined in an Anton Paar precision density meter, was 0.960 ml g- minus-1. Molecular weights, calculated from a combination of S-O and D-O and of S-O and [n], were in agreement with the weight-average molecular weight, Mw, of 2.29 times 10-6 obtained by high-speed sedimentation equilibrium. In addition, a Z-average molecular weight, Mz, of 2.73 times 10-6 was calculated because curvature in the graphs of log c vs. r-2 indicated that rhesus LDL was heterogeneous. From the frictional ratio of 1.02, a maximum hydration of 0.1 g of H2O/g of lipoprotein was obtained. On electron micrographs, rhesus LDL appeared spherical with a mean diameter of 196 A, which was substantiated by hydrodynamic analysis.     

Characterization of acetylcholinesterase molecular forms in slow and fast muscle of rat

Multiple molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE EC 3.1.1.7) from fast and slow muscle of rat were examined by velocity sedimentation. The fast extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) hydrolyzed acetylcholine at a rate of 110 mumol/g wet weight/hr and possessed three molecular forms with apparent sedimentation coefficients of 4S, 10S, and 16S which contribute about 50, 35, and 15% of the AChE activity. The slow soleus muscle hydrolyzed acetylcholine at a rate of 55 mumol/g wet weight/hr and has a 4S, 10S, 12S, and 16S form which contribute 22, 18, 34, and 26% of AChE activity, respectively. A single band of AChE activity was observed when a 1M NaCl extract with CsCl (0.38 g/ml) was centrifuged to equilibrium. Peak AChE activity from EDL and SOL extracts were found at 1.29 g/ml. Resedimentation of peak activity from CsCl gradients resulted in all molecular forms previously found in both muscles. Addition of a protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl chloride did not change the pattern of distribution. The 4S form of both muscles was extracted with low ionic strength buffer while the 10S, 12S, and 16S forms required high ionic strength and detergent for efficient solubilization. All molecular forms of both muscles have an apparent Km of 2 x 10(-4) M, showed substrate inhibition, and were inhibited by BW284C51, a specific inhibitor of AChE. The difference between these muscles in regards to their AChE activity, as well as in the proportional distribution of molecular forms, may be correlated with sites of localization and differences in the contractile activity of these muscles.     

Localization and some properties of lysosomal dipeptidases in rat liver.

1. The rates of hydrolysis of 26 synthetic dipeptides by extracts from highly purified lysosomal fractions from rat liver at pH 5.0 and by whole liver homogenates at pH 7.4 have been determined. Extracts from the lysosomal fractions hydrolysed most peptides at a lower rate per mg protein than the homogenates, and some peptides not at all. 2. Properties of two dipeptidases present in the extracts from the lysosomal fractions, splitting Ile-Glu and Leu-Gly, respectively, were studied in greater detail. The enzyme that hydrolysed Ile-Glu was strongly activated by dithiothreitol, showed optimal activity at pH 4.5 and had a molecular weight of about 120 000. Leu-Gly dipeptidase did apparently not contain an essential thiol group and had a molecular weight of approx. 90 000. It showed maximal activity at pH 6.5. 3. After differential centrifugation of liver homogenates, Ile-Glu and Leu-Gly-splitting activities were determined in the fractions, under the optimal conditions mentioned above. The Ile-Glu-hydrolysing enzyme activity showed about the same distribution as the lysosomal marker enzyme acid phosphatase. Leu-Gly-splitting activity, however, was largely present in the cytosol fraction, with only a small peak in the lysosomal fraction. We obtained evidence that the activities present in the lysosomal fraction and in the cytosol fraction were due to different enzymes, and that one of these enzymes was localized exclusively in lysosomes. 4. It is concluded that some dipeptides originating from intralysosomal proteolysis might be split by lysosomal dipeptidases, whereas others are probably hydrolysed only in the extra-lysosomal compartment of the cell.     

Protease activities in normal and schizophrenic human prefrontal cortex and white matter

Endo- and exopeptidase activities have been measured in normal post-mortem human prefrontal cortex and subjacent white matter to estimate their relative capabilities for protein and peptide degradation. Cathepsin D and three dipeptidases versus leucyl-glycine, glycyl-l-leucine and glycyl-glycine) were assayed in serial, microtome prepared frozen sections (± 125 g fresh weight) and related to histological composition (Nissl stain), dry weight, total protein, and DNA content. RNA concentrations were similarly determined, serving as approximate indices of protein synthetic potential. Cathepsin D activity and RNA concentration were, respectively, threefold and twofold greater in cortical gray than in subcortical white matter. Each dipeptidase showed somewhat higher activity in white matter than in cortex. In both tissues the order of activities were: glycyl-leucine> glycyl-glycine>leucyl-glycine dipeptidase. The results are consistent with preferential localizations of cathepsin D in cortical neurons and dipeptidases in neuroglia. None of the four enzymes showed differences in activity in comparable cortex from six patients with chronic schizophrenia.     

Thermostable dipeptidase from Bacillus stearothermophilus: its purification, characterization, and comparison with aminoacylase

Dipeptidase (dipeptide hydrolase [EC 3.4.13.11]) has been purified to homogeneity and crystallized from the cell extract of Bacillus stearothermophilus IFO 12983. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 86,000, and is composed of two subunits identical in molecular weight (43,000). The enzyme contains 2 g atoms of zinc per mol of protein. A variety of dipeptides consisting of glycine or only L-amino acids serve as substrates of the enzyme; Km and Vmax values for L-valyl-L-alanine are 0.5 mM and 68.0 units/mg protein, respectively. The enzyme is significantly stable not only at high temperatures but also on treatment with protein denaturants such as urea and guanidine hydrochloride. The enzyme also catalyzes hydrolysis of several N-acylamino acids with Vmax values 3-30% of those for the hydrolysis of dipeptides. The thermostable dipeptidase shares various properties with bacterial aminoacylase [EC 3.5.1.14]: their subunit molecular weight, metal content and requirement, amino acid composition, and amino acid sequence in the N-terminal region are very similar.     

MOLECULAR PROPERTIES AND DIFFERENTIATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN SEA URCHIN EMBRYOS*

The two molecular forms of acethylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) in sea urchin embryos were characterized by several physical methods. The sedimentation coefficients determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation are 7.6S and 10.6S. The Stokes radii determined by gel filtration are 65 Å and 91 Å. From these parameters, molecular weights were estimated as 190,000 and 380,000; the one is twice as large as the other. Both forms have similar electric property and buoyant density in a CsCl gradient. When the enzyme solution was concentrated, the 10.6S form became predominant. These results suggest that the two forms are monomer and dimer. The sea urchin enzymes resemble globular forms of acetylcholinesterase of the electric organ of fishes. The activity of the enzyme abruptly increases in post-gastrulation embryos. Inhibition of concomitant protein synthesis by a specific inhibitor, emetine, does not affect the increase in enzyme activity. The result suggests that post-translational processes may be involved in the differentiation of this enzyme in sea urchin development. The following sea urchins were used in the study: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, and Dendraster excentricus.     

Amino acid composition and physiochemical characterization of chondroitinase from Arthrobacter aurescens.

The amino acid and carbohydrate compositions of chondroitinase AC [EC 4.2.2.5] from Arthrobacter aurescens were determined, and its physicochemical properties were examined. 1. The enzyme has been shown to be a glycoprotein containing mannose, glucose, glucosamine, and glucuronic acid (3:5:4:2). 2. Its molecular wieght was estimated to be 76,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, 75,000-80,000 by SDS disc electrophoresis, and 75,800 by sedimentation veolcity. No subunits were detected in the molecule. 3. The physicochemical properties determined include: sedimentation coefficient (s(o)20, w=5.14 S), diffusion constant (D(o)=6.09 X 10(-7) cm2/sec), frictional ratio (f:f(o)=1.19) and apparent partial specific volume (v=0.73 ml/g). 4. The optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism of the enzyme were investigated. The contents of alpha-helix and beta-structure of the enzyme were estimated to be 16 and 25%, respectively.     

Low density lipoprotein heterogeneity in the cebus monkey

In studies of cebus monkey plasma lipoproteins, we have used an ultracentrifugally generated density gradient to isolate two distinct species of low density lipoproteins (LDL). Compositional analyses revealed that each of the ultracentrifugally isolated fractions was enriched in cholesteryl esters and contained a single apolipoprotein which in terms of its mobility on SDS gels corresponded to apolipoprotein B-100, the major apolipoprotein of human LDL. Hydrodynamic measurements carried out in the analytical ultracentrifuge showed that F1.20 values were 30.0 for LDL1 and 23.5 for LDL2. In a solution of density 1.0069 g/ml, the sedimentation rates were 5.9 and 7.2 S for LDL1 and LDL2, respectively. In addition to sedimentation velocity data, we describe a new approach for using these same data to obtain calculated values for molecular weight. The hydrated densities calculated for the two fractions were 1.033 and 1.045 g/ml and calculated molecular weights were 3.08 million for LDL1 and 2.42 million for LDL2. Hydrated density values were in excellent agreement with those calculated from compositional data. Electron microscopy data showed that LDL1 had a larger mean diameter of 26.7 nm than LDL2 which had a diameter of 19.3 nm. Native gel electrophoretic analyses of the two LDL fractions in 3.5% acrylamide showed that, consistent with its size, LDL1 had slower mobility than LDL2.     

Mammary glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Molecular weight studies

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was isolated from lactating rat mammary glands by a procedure extended and modified from one previously described. The sedimentation coefficient, S_20,W, was 10.3 in 0.01 m potassium phosphate, pH 6.9, containing 0.1 m NaCl at three protein concentrations between 0.51 and 1.45 mg/ml. The partial specific volume, v?, was 0.735 ml/g as determined by equilibrium sedimentation centrifugation in H₂O and D₂O containing buffers at pH(D) 6.5 containing 0.01 m potassium phosphate and 0.1 m NaCl. In the same buffer, but with 2.0 m NaCl, the apparent partial specific volume, φ′, was 0.756 ml/g. Equilibrium sedimentation of the enzyme at an initial concentration of 0.8 mg/ml was performed in 0.01 m potassium phosphate, pH 6.5, containing 1.0 mm EDTA, 7.0 mm mercaptoethanol, and various concentrations of NaCl between 0 and 2.0 m and with or without 0.1 mm NADP⁺. Weight-average and Z-average molecular weights were calculated and, from these values, the molecular weights of the monomer and dimer were derived. Under these conditions, the enzyme existed principally as a dimer, of molecular weight approximately 235,000, at low salt concentration, and as a monomer, of molecular weight approximately 120,000 in 1.0 m and 2.0 m NaCl. The subunit molecular weight was found to be 64,000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. Equilibrium sedimentation in 6 m guanidine hydrochloride gave a subunit molecular weight of 62,000 (assuming v? was unaltered) or 58,000 or 54,000 (assuming v? is decreased by 0.01 or 0.02, respectively, in 6 m guanidine). We conclude that rat mammary glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase has a molecular weight similar to that of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenases isolated from various other mammalian sources with the notable exception of human erythrocyte glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase which, like the microbial glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenases thus far examined, has a significantly lower molecular weight.     

Physical and Biological Properties of Phage φ29 Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules having a mean length of 5.8 mum were released from purified Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi29 with 2 m sodium perchlorate. Small 0.1 to 0.2-mum molecules were also detected in these DNA preparations. Since intact single chains annealed to form linear duplex molecules, phage phi29 DNA was found to be nonpermuted. The molecular weights of single chains of phi29 DNA were approximately half that of native DNA, as determined by analytical band sedimentation in CsCl, indicating that phi29 DNA is composed of two continuous polynucleotide chains. The molecular weight values of native and annealed phi29 DNA from sedimentation agreed with the molecular weight values obtained from electron microscopy. The infectivity of phi29 DNA was reduced to a low level by alkaline denaturation and was partially restored by annealing.