Use of esterase isoenzymes revealed by gel isoelectric focusing as an aid in chemotaxonomical study of the genusAllium

Eleven species of the genusAllium belonging to the sectionCepa, Phyllodolon, Rhizirideum, Melanocrommyum andAlliun ware investigated as to the presence of esterase isoenzymes by means of the gal isoelectric focusing which shows better resolution than polyaorylamide gel electrophoresis. In all examined species twenty six isoenzymes were found. The individual sections are well characterized by esterase isoenzymes revealed by this method, on the other hand, the differences, as shown by the Jaceard index, between the subganera are insignificant. Investigation of seven cultivars ofAllium cepa shows the isolated position of the cultivar Ka?tická. These results are in full agreement with those found with use of the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and show the usefulness of gel isoelectric focusing for the solution of the chemotaxonomical problems.     

Hormonal regulation and distribution of peroxidase isoenzymes in the Cucurbitaceae

Ethylene enhanced the levels of peroxidases in the roots, stems, leaves, and cotyledons of 2-week-old cucumber Cucumis sativus cv Poinsett 76 seedlings. Antibodies to the isoelectric point (pl) 9 and pl 4 isoenzymes were used in a radial immuno-diffusion assay to demonstrate that ethylene induced similar peroxidases in other cultivars of C. sativus, other species of Cucumis and other genera of Cucurbitaceae. Examination of ethylene-induced peroxidases, using isoelectric focusing gels, demonstrated the presence of a series of other peroxidases, mostly slightly acidic, whose isoelectric focusing pH was approximately 6. These pl 6 peroxidases were partially purified on a cation exchange column. Ouchterlony double diffusion gels indicated that these proteins cross-reacted with antibodies to both the pl 9 and pl 4 peroxidase. The data presented here suggest that the induction of peroxidase isoenzymes during ethylene-induced senescence is a common response in this family of plants. In addition, antibody and isoelectric focusing studies indicate that both acidic and basic peroxidase are highly conserved in members of this family.     

Cathepsin D. Purification of isoenzymes from human and chicken liver

1. The Barrett (1967) assay for cathepsin D was slightly modified. 2. The enzyme was purified from liver of man and chicken by a procedure involving autolysis, acetone fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing. 3. Several isoenzymes of cathepsin D were resolved in the isoelectric-focusing step, and three major forms, alpha,beta and gamma, were distinguished for each species. 4. A modified analytical method of isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel indicated a high degree of homogeneity of the purified beta and gamma isoenzymes from each species, and this was supported by their constant high specific activities. 5. Gel filtration of the isoenzymes in a calibrated column of Sephadex G-100 showed that each had a molecular weight of 45000. 6. Human cathepsin D had a pH optimum of 3.5, and that of chicken enzyme was 3.0, haemoglobin being used as substrate. In each species, the three isoenzymes have the same pH-dependence curve. 7. The purified cathepsin D samples showed very little action on acid-denatured albumin.     

Identification of Cultivar Differences in Seed Polypeptide Composition of Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) by Two-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Seed polypeptides from several cultivars of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) have been compared by means of a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein was extracted from the defatted peanut meal by homogenizing in 5 millimolar K₂CO₃-9.5 molar urea. After addition of Nonidet P-40 (2%, v/v) and dithiothreitol (0.5%, w/v) the solution was centrifuged at 25,000 g. This procedure led to solubilization of more than 95% of the total protein. The clear supernatant fraction was then subjected to two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, employing isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and electrophoresis in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate in the second. After examining several cultivars, it was possible to construct a composite map to include all of the polypeptide species found among all of the cultivars examined. At least 74 major and between 100 and 125 minor components were detectable by Coomassie blue staining. The majority of these had isoelectric points between pH 4.4 and 8.0, and molecular weights between 16,000 and 75,000. Several different cultivars have been compared using this method and it has been shown that considerable variation exists among the major polypeptides present. The method should prove valuable for analyzing different genotypes and selecting varieties with a particular storage protein make-up, as well as for following compositional changes that occur during seed development and germination.     

Chemotaxonomical and karyological comparison of three species of theGenus Allium

Karyotypes ofAllium fistulosum, A. altaicum andA. cepa cv. Karmen are described and protein patterns of their seeds determined by immunoelectrophoresis are compared. Esterase isoenzymes were evaluated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectrofocusing. Karyological and chemotaxonomical analysis confirmed thatA. fistulosum andA. altaicum are closely related and both species are taxonomieally distant fromA. cepa cv. Karmen.     

Fractionation of horseradish peroxidase by preparative isoelectric focusing, gel chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography.

Horseradish peroxidase has been fractionated by preparative isoelectric focusing in a density gradient and in a layer of granulated gel using pH-3-10 and narrow-pH-range carrier ampholytes at different total enzyme loads. The resolution of peroxidase isoenzymes in preparative-layer isoelectric focusing was comparable to that obtained by analytical thin-layer isoelectric focusing. Isoelectrically homogeneous isoenzymes could be isolated with good recovery in a single fractionation step. Despite the excellent separation of the individual isoenzymes by isoelectric focusing in gel layers, an effective purification, indicated by the absorbance ratio A403mn/A278nm, could not be achieved by focusing applied as a single step. By different fractionation sequences combining gel chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and isoelectric focusing, individual isoenzymes with a high purity and homogeneous with respect to their size and charge properties have been isolated.     

Purification and physical characterization of colicin 0 111

A colicin isolated from a strain of Escherichia coli 0 111:B4:H2 has been purified by a combination of molecular sieve chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and ion-exchange chromatography on CM-Sephadex C50. The protein is homogeneous by the criteria of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.5, 8.5, and 10.0, by dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and by isoelectric focusing. The colicin has a molecular weight of 69,000, a sedimentation coefficient of 4.2 S, and a frictional ratio of 1.49. Isoelectric focusing indicated a pI of 9.50.     

Purification and properties of glycollate oxidase from Pisum sativum leaves

A rapid and efficient method for the isolation of glycollate oxidase from pea leaves is described. The method utilizes the unusually high isoelectric point (pH 9·6) which has been determined for the enzyme using isoelectric focusing. The enzyme is apparently homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and has a MW of ca 100000. Some properties of the enzyme are described.     

Rapid, multisample isoelectric focusing in sucrose density gradients using conventional polyacrylamide electrophoresis equpiment: a two-peak transient in the approach-to-equilibrium.

Using a semiporous plug of agar gel to support a sucrose density gradient column without restricting electrical conductivity, Massey and Deal [J. Biol. Chem.248, 56 (1973)] were able to use a conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis apparatus to carry out single tube isoelectric focusing experiments in density gradients in only 2 hr using minute amounts (50 μg) of sample and very little ampholyte (0.18 ml); no cooling apparatus was required. In this work we report that 1) polyacrylamide provides a superior gel plug and 2) that ten isoelectric focusing tubes can easily be run simultaneously in a conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis apparatus. In addition, the isoelectric points of eight proteins, with pI values ranging from 5.1 to 8.8 have been determined and the kinetics of the approach-to-isoelectric-focusing-equilibrium have been analyzed. Of special interest is the discovery that in the initial stages of focusing, in these sucrose density gradients, a major peak is formed at each end of the column; these two peaks migrate toward each other and finally coalesce into a single peak. Similar, although less pronounced, effects were previously observed by Catsimpoolas and Wang [Anal. Biochem.39, 141 (1971)] in focusing experiments in polyacrylamide gels. With all other conditions constant, the time required to reach equilibrium is 1) less in broad range (e.g., 3–10) pH gradients than it is in narrow range (e.g., 5–8) pH gradients and 2) generally greater with higher molecular weight substances than with lower molecular weight substances. Explanations are given for all of these kinetic phenomena.     

Isolation and properties of four alpha-amylase isozymes from human submandibular saliva

Four isoamylases have been isolated from human submandibular secretions by gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. The isozymes (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) were each purified about 8-fold and each yielded one major band on disc gel electrophoresis. In all cases the major protein band contained more than 95% of the protein and amylase activity recovered. The isoenzymes, in order of their relative positions on the polyacrylamide gels (from the anodal end), their isoelectric points, and percentage distribution in the submandibular secretion are as follows: isozyme 2A, pH 5.9, 9%; isozyme 1A, pH 5.9, 18%; isozyme 2B, pH 6.4, 63%; isozyme 1B, pH 6.4, 10%. Amino acid analyses showed that the protein compositions of the four isoamylases were essentially the same. Possible differences were noted in aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, and proline contents. Molecular weights, determined by SDS disc gel electrophoresis, were 57,000 for 1A and 1B, and 54,000 for 2A and 2B. This molecular weight difference is attributed mainly to the presence of bound carbohydrate on isozymes 1A and 1B. Gas Chromatographic analysis was used for determining the carbohydrate compositions. Molar ratios of sugars were similar for both glycoprotein amylases (moles sugar/mole enzyme): glucosamine, 3; mannose, 3; galactose, 2; fucose, 3. Isoamylase 1A, which had more carbohydrate than 1B, also contained about 2 moles of N-acetylneuraminic acid. Sialic acid was not detected in isozyme 1B.     

A simplified and efficient procedure for the purification of apolipoprotein AI from human serum high-density lipoprotein-3 by preparative isoelectric focussing on polyacrylamide gel beads

An improved method is described for the purification of milligram amounts of apolipoprotein AI from serum apo-HDL₃ by isoelectric focussing on polyacrylamide gel beads. The procedure involves a single focussing over a narrow (1.3 unit) pH gradient, and permits isolation of apo-AI of exceptional purity and in high yield (75% recovery of HDL₃ protein, ca. 50% corresponding to pure apo-AI). The electrophoretic mobility, pI values, molecular weight, antigenicity and amino acid composition of such apo-AI were indistinguishable from those reported in the literature. A rabbit antiserum to apo-AI isolated by focusing exhibited similar immunological reactivity to one prepared from an antigen isolated by gel filtration chromatography; moreover, apo-AI purified by the respective procedures reacted identically with both antisera. We conclude that isoelectric focussing on a support of polyacrylamide gel beads (as Bio-Gel P60) presents certain advantages for the isolation of highly purified apo-AI over both conventional chromatographic procedures and isoelectric focussing on a Sephadex support.     

The lipoxygenases in developing soybean seeds, their characterization and synthesis in vitro

A number of lipoxygenase isoenzymes were identified in developing soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill cv Provar) seeds and two have been partially characterized. In a study of lipoxygenase level in developing soybean seeds, the enzyme content increased markedly during development. Comparisons of the lipoxygenases from mature soybean seeds and immature seeds by isoelectric focusing, chromatofocusing, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and peptide mapping identified two categories of isoenzyme. The isoenzymes from immature seeds were found by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to be isolated at least in part as the high spin iron(III) or active form of the enzyme in contrast to lipoxygenases from mature seeds which were isolated as electron paramagnetic resonance silent, high spin iron(II) species. The discovery of increased levels of lipoxygenases during seed development and their isolation in an active form suggests that the enzyme may play a physiological role during the maturation process. The incorporation of iron-59 from the nutrient medium into lipoxygenase during culture of immature seeds was indicative of de novo synthesis of the enzyme. The efficiency of the iron uptake was high, as indicated by the level of radioactivity found in the enzyme (one gram atom of iron per mole of lipoxygenase).     

Polymorphism of human salivary amylase

Summary Variation of human salivary amylase isoenzymes was investigated by isoelectric focusing on thin-layer polyacrylamide gel. Preliminary studies indicate a genetic polymorphism.     

Deletion map of the Escherichia coli K-12 dnaB gene

Summary Acid phosphatase isoenzymes of Chlamydomonas reinhardii were investigated by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel systems. In this paper we describe in detail an original method for isoelectric focusing of acid phosphatases extracted from wildtype and acid phosphatase-lacking mutant algae, obtained from Laboratoire de Génetique of University of Liège. Three isoenzymes can be separated from the buffer-soluble components of these cells. An additional isoenzyme type can be visualized using the nonionic detergent NP40 as solubilizer. We conclude that these four isoenzymes are releated to the structural gene of the soluble constitutive acid phosphatase, which was shown by their appearance in P ₂ and their total absence in mutant P _a. The pl values of soluble constitutive acid phosphatase isoenzymes range between pH 5.2 and 6.2. As a result of treatment with NP40 the extracts from both wild-type and mutant lines contain two additional active phosphatase forms which can be characterized by their high heat resistance and low pI values. These enzymes are fully active using either -naphthyl phosphate or different acetate esters as substrates.     

Malate dehydrogenase of a mosquito,Culex p. quinquefasciatus: Developmental changes,polymorphism, and physicochemical characterization

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) of larval, pupal, and adult stages of Culex p. quinquefasciatus has been characterized by electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and other physicochemical means. It exists as a multiple molecular form possessing a large number of isoenzymes, from a minimum of three in early instar larvae to as many as 14 in adults. The isoenzyme pattern changes during development with respect to both relative activity and the appearance of some new forms and disappearance of others. Each developmental stage possesses a characteristic electrophoretic and gel isoelectric focusing pattern. MDH isoenzymes differ in their response to heat and thiol reagents. Similar electrophoretic variants from larvae, pupae, and adults show great differences in their response to heat treatment at 50 C and 56 C, indicating some differentiation of isoenzymes in each stage of development. Homogenization of whole mosquitos in mercaptoethanol solution results in a sharp increase in the activity of the principal bands and a decrease or disappearance of minor ones. The possibility of some minor bands being "conformers" arising due to nongenetic factors is discussed.     

Carbohydrate composition of rat hepatocyte nuclear membrane as compared to normal, Morris hepatoma 7800, and phenobarbital-induced microsomal membranes

The composition of the nonhistone nuclear proteins of rat liver, brain, thymus, and kidney has been analyzed by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel. Approximately 20–30 components were separated with a wide range of isoelectric points (pl) in the 3- to 10-pH region.Different extraction procedures applied to liver nuclei removed protein mixtures with similar components present in varying amounts. 8 m Urea 50 mm phosphate, pH 7.6, was the most successful and removed most of the nonhistone protein.The thiol groups of proteins extracted from the nuclei of liver, brain, thymus, and kidney with 8 M urea, 50 mM phosphate were labeled with [¹⁴C]N-ethylmaleimide. Although there was a slight variation in the overall thiol content of these tissue proteins, separation of the mixture by isoelectric focusing and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed complex patterns indicating greater heterogeneity than was apparent from the Coomassie blue dye binding.     

ISOLATION OF AN ACID-SOLUBLE BASIC PROTEIN FROM MONKEY BRAIN

—A basic protein, soluble in 0·1 m -perchloric acid, has been purified from brain of Macaca irus. The protein is homogeneous as indicated by ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, gel isoelectric focusing and gel electrophoresis at pH 2·9, 4·3 and 7·5. The molecular weight is estimated to be 16,000 by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gels. This result is in agreement with the value of 16,728 obtained from the amino acid analysis. The protein dimerizes under alkaline conditions. The predominant amino acid is glycine (15%) and the protein also contains 4% cysteine. The ratio of acidic to basic amino acids is 1·6, but a high amide content gives the protein a basic character. An isoelectric point of 9·5 is observed in gel isoelectric focusing.     

High-resolution polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (PGGE) of isoenzymes from five Naegleria species

High-resolution polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (PGGE) was used to separate isoenzymes of 12 Naegleria strains: one N. australiensis, two N. lovaniensis, one N. jadini, two N. gruberi isolated from environmental samples, and six N. fowleri strains isolated from patients with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Of the eight enzymes studied, seven showed zymograms with interspecific variation that identified all the species tested. Although the six N. fowleri strains were biochemically the most homogeneous, they showed intraspecific isoenzyme variation that allowed them to be grouped into four zymodemes. The PGGE technique, which separates isoenzymes by their molecular shape, is both sensitive and economical. It offers an addition or an attractive alternative to isoelectric focusing which has commonly been used to aid species identification of Naegleria by separating isoenzymes by their isoelectric point.     

Purification and characterization of neuraminidase from Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens cells were cultivated on a large scale using an automatic system. Neuraminidase secreted by the cells into the culture medium was purified 380 000-fold by: precipitation with ammonium sulfate between 50 and 85% saturation, filtration on Sephadex G-75, electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, and by isoelectric focusing. Three enzyme fractions with different migration rates were obtained by preparative disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, and five fractions with isoelectric points between pH 4.7 and 5.4 were observed after isoelectric focusing. This microheterogeneity disappeared after denaturation of the enzyme in 0.1% sodium dodecylsulfate or 8M urea. The isoelectric point of the denatured enzyme corresponded to pH 4.3. All enzyme fractions were identical with regard to their immunological and kinetic properties; they had the same molecular weights. The origin of the different "conformers" of neuraminidase is discussed. The existence of genuine isoenzymes could largely be excluded. The yield of neuraminidase was 65%, which corresponded to about 10 mg of pure enzyme from 100 l of culture medium. The enzyme was free of protease and various other glycosidase activities. The neuraminidase preparation appeared not to be contaminated by other proteins as judged by electrophoretic analysis using either the native enzyme or the enzyme denatured by sodium dodecylsulfate or urea; ultracentrifugation; chromatography on Sephadex G-200; and immunological methods. The molecular weights of the native or denatured enzyme were found to be in the range between 60 000 and 69 000 (on an average 63 750) using four independent methods. The existence of subunits of neuraminidase was excluded. The neuraminidase exhibited a spec. act. of 580 or 615 U/mg protein with glycopeptides from edible birds' nests or sialyllactose, respectively, as substrates. Additional kinetic properties and the UV-absorption spectrum of the enzyme are described.     

A lead conversion method for staining thiamine pyrophosphatase and other phosphatases in rat brain after thin layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing

Rat brain thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) was separated by thin layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (IF) and stained with a modification of the lead conversion method of Allen and Hyncik (1963). 10 bands with TPPase activity were observed in the pH range 4.6-7.1. The overall IF pattern of TPPase was similar to that of uridine diphosphatase and inosine diphosphatase but was clearly different from that of adenosine diphosphatase, p-nitrophenyl phosphatase, alpha-naphthyl phosphatase and thiamine monophosphatase. A semiquantitative assessment of TPPase isoenzymes has been performed using laser densitometry.