The use of Light Green and Orange II as quantitative protein stains, and their combination with the Feulgen method for the simultaneous determination of protein and DNA

The protein dyes Light Green and Orange II were studied separately and in combination with the Feulgen-Pararosanilin(SO2) and -Thionin(SO2) method for the simultaneous determination of DNA and protein. - With polyacrylamide modelfilms the pH dependency, specificity and stoichiometry of Light Green and Orange II have been investigated. The results of both staining methods with different biological objects have been compared. - In addition, the Feulgen-Thionin(SO2) method was studied with model films with respect to its specificity and stoichiometry. In biological objects it has been compared with the Feulgen-Pararosanilin(SO2) method. - When combining the Light Green staining with the Feulgen-Pararosanilin(SO2) procedure and the Orange II staining with Feulgen-Thionin(SO2), both Feulgen-DNA stainings, which were first applied, proved to be unaffected by the following protein staining procedure. When the Feulgen procedure was carried out without the dye, followed by Light Green staining, the latter became reduced when a sulfite water rinse was included but was unaffected when a running tap water rinse was used. In the case of the Orange II staining a serious reduction in dye binding capacity was found in both situations. - When the Feulgen-Pararosanilin(SO2) Light Green procedure was carried out on isolated nuclei with all dyes present, a decrease of protein dye binding was observed, similar to that found with the well-known Feulgen-Pararosanilin(SO2) Naphthol Yellow S combination. It is concluded that in spite of this reduction the latter two combinations can be used for the cytophotometric analysis of DNA and protein in the same object.     

Junctional uvomorulin/E-cadherin and phosphotyrosine-modified protein content are correlated with paracellular permeability in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelia

Strains I and II of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, which differ markedly in transepithelial resistance (R _t ) and paracellular permeability, have been used to investigate whether differences in the cellular content of uvomorulin/E-cadherin and phosphotyrosine may be correlated with junctional properties. Using immunocytochemistry, the strain I tight epithelia showed significantly stronger uvomorulin staining at regions of cell-cell contact compared with strain II leaky MDCK epithelia. In contrast, strain I MDCK cells showed a relatively faint phosphotyrosine staining, distributed evenly throughout the cytoplasm, while strain II MDCK cells displayed intense staining for phosphotyrosine residues in the junctional region and the lateral cell membrane with additional labelling of the cytoplasm. Exposure to vanadate in conjunction with H₂O₂ (which are potent inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases) resulted in a dramatic increase in phosphotyrosine staining at the intercellular area and, concomitantly, induced changes in cell morphology, a significant decrease in R _t , increase in paracellular inulin permeability, and time-dependent disappearance of uvomorulin from the cell-cell contact sites. Moreover, the effects of vanadate/H₂O₂ treatment were more dramatic in strain II compared with strain I cells, consistent with greater generation of tyrosine-modified protein in strain II cells. An inverse relationship was demonstrated between membrane-associated uvomorulin/E-cadherin and cellular phosphotyrosine content, which varied between the two strains of MDCK cells and when phosphotyrosine was directly manipulated. These data support the hypothesis that regulation of paracellular permeability may result from specific tyrosine phosphorylation of protein components of the junctional complex.     

Ultrastructural localization of the maltose-binding protein within the cell envelope of Escherichia coli

Logarithmically growing cells of Escherichia coli were fixed with glutaraldehyde and incubated with antimaltose-binding protein F_ab coupled to horseradish peroxidase (molecular weight of the complex 80,000). The position of this complex within the cell envelope was determined by reacting with diaminobenzidine-H₂O₂, staining with osmium tetroxide and processing for thin section electron microscopy. The following observations were made: (i) induction of the maltose-binding protein resulted in swelling and staining of the outer membrane; (ii) the swelling and staining was more prominent in short cells, less prominent or absent in long cells; (iii) rare examples exhibited granular staining in the space between the plasma membrane and the peptidoglycan layer. These stainings were observable mainly in pole caps; (iv) a mutant lacking the receptor for phage showed altered staining pattern. Treatment of glutaraldehyde-fixed cells with EDTA-lysozyme prevented the specific labelling of the maltose-binding protein.Lists of Non Common Abbreviations MBP maltose-binding protein - MBP-F_ab)-HRPO F_ab fragments against maltose-binding, protein coupled to horseradish peroxidase - IgG immunoglobulin - PBS pnosphate buffered saline     

Purification and identification of the violaxanthin deepoxidase as a 43 kDa protein

Violaxanthin deepoxidase (VDE) has been purified from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves. The purification included differential sonication of thylakoid membranes, differential (NH₄)₂SO₄ fractionation, gel filtration chromatography and finally either hydrophobic interaction chromatography or anion exchange chromatography. A total purification of more than 5000-fold compared to the original thylakoids enabled the identification of a 43 kDa protein as the VDE, in contrast to earlier reported molecular weight of 54–60 kDa. A detailed comparison was made for the VDE activity and polypeptide pattern for the different fractions throughout the purification and the best correlation was always found for the 43 kDa protein. The highest specific activity obtained was 256 mol g^–1 s^–1 protein, which is at least 10-fold higher than reported earlier. We estimate that there is 1 VDE molecule per 20–100 electron transport chains. The 43 kDa protein was N-terminally sequenced, after protection of cysteine residues with -mercaptoethanol and iodoacetamid, and a unique sequence of 20 amino acids was obtained. The amino acid composition of the protein revealed a high abundance of charged and polar amino acids and remarkably, 11 cysteine residues. Two other proteins (39.5 kDa and 40 kDa) copurifying with VDE were also N-terminally sequenced. The N-terminal part of the 39.5 kDa protein showed complete sequence identity both with the N-terminal part of cyt b ₆ and an internal sequence of polyphenol oxidase.Abbreviations DMSO dimethylsulfoxid - HIC hydrophobic interaction chromatography - MGDG monogalactosyl diacylglycerol - VDE violaxanthin deepoxidase A preliminary report of these results was presented at the Xth Int. Congress on Photosynthesis, Montpellier, France, 1995.     

Comparison of two bacterial azoreductases acquired during adaptation to growth on azo dyes

Selection for utilization of carboxy-Orange I [1-(4-carboxyphenylazo)-4-naphthol] in the chemostat yielded Pseudomonas strain K24 which was unable to grow on carboxy-Orange II [1-(4-carboxyphenylazo)-2naphthol] while selection for growth on carboxy-Orange II had previously led to strain KF 46 which did not utilize carboxy-Orange I. Orange I azoreductase of strain K24, the key enzyme of dye degradation, was purified 80-fold with 17% yield to electrophoretic homogeneity and compared to the previously purified Orange II azoreductase of strain KF46. Common properties of the two enzymes were their monomeric structure, their specificity for NADPH and NADH as cosubstrates, the range of their K _m values for substrates and cosubstrates as well as their reactivity towards a series of substrate analogs. They differed from each other with respect to molecular weight (21,000 and 30,000) and in the absolute requirement of Orange I azoreductase for a hydroxy group in the 4 position of the naphthol ring of the substrate molecule as compared to the requirement for substrates with a 2-naphthol moiety by Orange II azoreductase. The pure enzymes did not exhibit immunological cross-reaction with each other. Crude extracts of strains K24 and KF46 and of azoreductase-negative strains isolated at different stages of the adaptation experiments, however, contained material which cross-reacted (CRM) with both anti Orange I azoreductase serum and anti Orange II azoreductase serum. The CRM may represent a common precursor protein of the azoreductases in strains K24 and KF46.Abbreviations Orange I 1-(4-sulfophenylazo)-4-naphthol - carboxy-Orange I 1-(4-carboxy phenylazo)-4-naphthol - Orange II 1-(4-sulfophenylazo)-2-naphthol - carboxy-Orange II 1-(4-carboxyphenylazo)-2-naphthol - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - DCAB 4,4-dicarboxyazobenzene - CRM cross reacting material - anti OrIar serum antiserum against Orange I azoreductase - anti OrIIar serum antiserum against Orange II azoreductase Enzymes Orange I azoreductase or NAD(P)H 1-(4-sulfophenylazo)-4-naphthol oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.6-) - Orange II azoreductase or NAD(P)H 1-(4-sulfophenylazo)-2-naphthol oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.6-)     

Inhibition of photosynthesis,acidification and stimulation of zeaxanthin formation in leaves by sulfur dioxide and reversal of these effects

Leaves of Pelargonium zonale L. and Spinacia oleracea L. were fumigated with high concentrations of SO₂ for very short periods of time with the aim of first producing acute symptoms of damage and then observing repair. The response of different photosynthetic parameters to SO₂ was monitored during and after fumigation. The following results were obtained: (1) Inhibition of CO₂ assimilation in the light was accompanied by increased reduction of the quinone acceptor, Q_A, of photosystem II and by increased oxidation of the electrondonor pigment P₇₀₀ of photosystem I. Increased control of photosystem II activity in the SO₂-inhibited state was also indicated by increased light scattering and by increased non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Both are indicators of chloroplast energization. Apparently, SO₂ did not decrease but rather increased energization of the chloroplast thylakoid system by light. (2) Accumulation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate, fructose-1,6-phosphate and ribulose-1,5-phosphate and a decrease of 3-phosphoglycerate and hexosephosphate indicated that SO₂ inhibited enzymes of the Calvin cycle. (3) Stimulated postillumination CO₂ evolution suggested that when photosynthesis declined respiration increased to provide energy for repair reactions. (4) Increased leaf absorbance at 505 nm indicated increased stimulation of zeaxanthin formation in thylakoid membranes under the influence of SO₂. A similar increase in 505-nm absorbance could be induced by high concentrations of CO₂. In darkened leaves, SO₂ did not produce changes in 505-nm absorbance. (5) While zeaxanthin formation was stimulated, changes in the fluorescence of the pH-indicating dye pyranine, which had been fed to the leaves, indicated acidification of the cytoplasm of leaf cells by SO₂. Maximum acid production by SO₂ required light. In contrast, cytoplasmic acidification of leaf cells by CO₂ was similar in the light and in the dark. (6) Since zeaxanthin formation is known to depend on the acidification of the thylakoid lumen, SO₂-dependent zeaxanthin formation indicated SO₂-dependent acidification of the thylakoid lumen as the indirect result of cytoplasmic acidification by SO₂. (7) Inhibition of photosynthesis and other effects of SO₂ were fully reversible in the light. Detoxification of SO₂ and reactivation of the photosynthetic apparatus were slow or absent in the dark. Light had a dual effect on the action of SO₂. Transiently, it first increased the extent of inhibition of assimilation, but, finally, it reversed inhibition. Sulfur dioxide was inhibitory as a consequence of the chemical reactivity of its hydration products rather than as a result of cellular acidification by the produced acid. The initial acidification was followed by an appreciable alkalisation demonstrating the action of the pH-stat mechanism. (8) The data are discussed in relation to SO₂ toxicity under field conditions when plants are chronically exposed to polluted air.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - DHAP dihydroxyacetone phosphate - FBP fructose-1,6-bisphosphate - F6P fructoce-6-phosphate - F, Fm, Fm, Fo, Fo chlorophyll fluorescence levels - PGA 3-phosphoglycerate - P₇₀₀ primary donor of photosystem I - Q_A primary quinone acceptor of photosystem II - q_p photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence - NPQ non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence - RuBP ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Dedicated to Professor O.L. Lange on the occasion of his 65th birthdayOn leave from the Centre for Multidisciplinary Sciences, University of Belgrade, YugoslaviaThis work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the Sonderforschungsbereich 251 of the University of Würzburg. S. V.-J. acknowledges support by the Leibniz program of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and by the Fonds for Science of the Republic of Serbia (contract no. 8604). We are grateful to Drs. Z.-H. Yin, U. Takahama and K.-J. Dietz (Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Würzburg, FRG) for cooperation and helpful discussions.     

Spectroscopic studies of the multiple binding modes of a trimethine-bridged cyanine dye with DNA

The interaction between DNA and a benzothiazole-quinoline cyanine dye with a trimethine bridge (TO-PRO-3) results in the formation of three noncovalent complexes. Unbound TO-PRO-3 has an absorption maximum (λ_max) of 632 nm, while the bound dyes (with calf thymus DNA) have electronic transitions with λ_max = 514nm (complex I), 584nm (complex II) and 642 nm (complex III). The blue shifts in the electronic transitions and the bisignate shape of the circular dichroism bands indicate that TO-PRO-3 aggregates with DNA. Complex I has a high dye:base pair stoichiometry, which does not depend on base sequence or base modifications. The bound dyes exhibit strong interdye coupling, based on studies with a short oligonucleotide and on enhanced resonance scattering. From thermal dissociation studies, the complex is weakly associated with DNA. Studies with poly(dGdC)₂ and poly(dIdC)₂ and competitive binding with distamycin demonstrate that complex II is bound in the minor groove. This complex stabilizes the helix against dissociation. For complex III, the slightly red-shifted electronic transition and the stoichiometry are most consistent with intercalation. Using poly(dAdT)₂, the complexes have the following dye mole fractions (X_dye): X_dye = 0.65 (complex I), 0.425 (complex II) and 0.34 (complex III).     

Oxidation and removal of industrial textile dyes by a novel peroxidase extracted from post-harvest lentil (Lens culinaris L.) stubble

The degradation and removal of a series of dyes used in the textile industry for polyester/wool (PES/WO) blends and present in effluents, such as Green, Ash-Grey, Black, Navy Blue, Red and Yellow Domalan, and Orange and Red Bemacid, by catalytic action, in the presence of H₂O₂, of extracts of a novel peroxidase from postharvest lentil stubble was investigated. The extracts of this peroxidase (LSP) were effective in degrading these lastgeneration textile dyes, especially Green Domalan, Orange Bemacid, Grey and Black Domalan. A sensitivity study was carried out for Green Domalan biodegradation to determine the effects of process parameters such as pH, H₂O₂, enzyme and dye concentrations, contact and centrifugation times, and temperature. Standard ecotoxicity studies performed with Vibrio fischeri revealed that the dye solutions treated with peroxidase and H₂O₂ were less ecotoxic than the untreated ones.     

Phosphorylation of smooth muscle myosin by type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

Brain type II Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was found to phoshorylate smooth muscle myosin, incorporating maximally 2 mol of phosphoryl per mol of myosin, exclusively on the 20,000 dalton light chain subunit. After maximal phosphorylation of myosin or the isolated 20,000 dalton light chain subunit by myosin light chain kinase, the addition of type II Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase led to no further incorporation indicating the two kinases phosphorylated a common site. This conclusion was supported by two dimensional mapping of tryptic digests of myosin phosphorylated by the two kinases. By phosphoamino acid analysis the phosphorylated residue was identified as a serine. The phosphorylation by type II Ca ²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase of myosin resulted in enhancement of its actin-activated Mg²⁺-ATPase activity. Taken together, these data strongly support the conclusion that type II Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphorylates the same amino acid residue on the 20,000 dalton light chain subunit of smooth muscle myosin as is phosphorylated by myosin light chain kinase and suggest an alternative mechanism for the regulation of actin-myosin interaction.Abbreviations SDS-PAGE Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis - EGTA Ethylene Glycol Bis (-amino-ethyl ether)-N,N,N,N-Tetraacetic Acid - DTT Dithiothreitol - LC₂₀ Gizzard Smooth Muscle Phosphorylatable 20 kDa Myosin Light Chain - LC₁₇ Gizzard Smooth Muscle, 17 kDa Myosin Light Chain - H Chain Gizzard Smooth Muscle 200 kDa Myosin Heavy Chain - TPCK L-1-Tosylamido-2-Phenylethyl Chloromethyl Ketone - MOPS 3-(N-morpholino) Propanesulfonic Acid     

Half-sandwich Ru[9]aneS3 complexes structurally similar to antitumor-active organometallic piano-stool compounds: Preparation, structural characterization and in vitro cytotoxic activity

The preparation, structural characterization, and chemical behavior in aqueous solution of a series of new Ru[9]aneS₃ half-sandwich complexes of the type [Ru([9]aneS₃)Cl(NN)][CF₃SO₃] and [Ru([9]aneS₃)(dmso-S)(NN)][CF₃SO₃]₂ (5–15, NN = substituted bpy or 2 × 1-methylimidazole) are described. The X-ray structures of [Ru([9]aneS₃)Cl(3,3′-H₂dcbpy)][CF₃SO₃] (9) (3,3′-H₂dcbpy = 3,3′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine), [Ru([9]aneS₃)Cl(4,4′-dmobpy)][CF₃SO₃] (13) (4,4′-dmobpy = 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine), and [Ru([9]aneS₃)Cl(1-MeIm)₂][CF₃SO₃] (15) (1-MeIm = 1-methylimidazole) were also determined. The new compounds are structurally similar to anticancer-active organometallic half-sandwich complexes of formula [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl(NN)][PF₆]. Three chloro compounds (5, 9, 15) were tested in vitro for cytotoxic activity against two human cancer cell lines in comparison with the previously described [Ru([9]aneS₃)Cl(en)][CF₃SO₃] (1, en = ethylenediamine), [Ru([9]aneS₃)Cl(bpy)][CF₃SO₃] (2), and with their common dmso precursor [Ru([9]aneS₃)Cl(dmso-S)₂][CF₃SO₃] (3). Only the ethylenediamine complex 1 showed some antiproliferative activity, ca. one order of magnitude lower than the reference organometallic half-sandwich compound RM175 that contains biphenyl instead of [9]aneS₃. This compound was further tested against a panel of human cancer cell lines (including one resistant to cisplatin).     

Protoplasmaresistenz von Meeresalgen und Meeresanthophyten gegen Schwermetallsalze

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Resistenz des Plasmas von 14 Phaeophyceen, 32 Rhodophyceen, 17 Chlorophyceen und 3 Meeres-Phanerogamen durch Einlegen der Thalli 48 Stunden lang in konzentrationsabgestuften Lösungsreihen von MnSO₄, ZnSO₄, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, VOSO₄ und CuSO₄ (10^–6–1 Mol/L) ermittelt.Diese Resistenzgrenzen in den verschiedenen Lösungen von Mangan-, Zink-, Chrom-, Vanadyl- und Kupfersulfat ergeben für die einzelnen Meeresalgen charakteristische Resistenzkombinationen, die der Ausdruck konstitutioneller Unterschiede des Plasmas der einzelnen Algen sind. Die Resistenzkombinationen der untersuchten Meeresalgen decken sich im allgemeinen mit denen von Anthophyten.Alle von uns untersuchten Algen und Meeres-Phanerogamen sind durch eine hohe Resistenz gegen Mangansulfat, die Meeres-Phanerogamen auch gegen Zinksulfat ausgezeichnet.Das Protoplasma der meisten untersuchten Phaeophyceen und der drei Meeres-Phanerogamen weist gegen Mangansulfat die höchste Resistenz auf (1 Mol/L), während das Protoplasma der Rhodophyceen die geringste Resistenz besitzt (0,1–10^–2 Mol/L). Das Protoplasma der Chlorophyceen nimmt hinsichtlich der Resistenzgrenzen gegenüber Mangansulfat eine Stellung zwischen Phaeophyceen und Rhodophyceen ein.Die Resistenzgrenzen des Plasmas der untersuchten Meeresalgen gegen Zink-, Chrom-, Vanadyl- und Kupfersulfat liegen in niederen, hypotonischen Konzentrationen.Es ist zu vermuten, daß die Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen hypertonische Konzentrationen —wie bei uns in MnSO₄ — darauf beruht, daß auf dem Plasma eine irreversibel koagulierte Oberflächenschicht erzeugt wird, welche den Salzen ein weiteres Eindringen ins Binnenplasma verwehrt. Da bei niedrigeren, hypotonischen Konzentrationen — wie bei uns in ZnSO₄, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, VOSO₄ und CuSO₄ — diese Möglichkeit nicht gegeben ist, stirbt das Plasma ab, falls es nicht resistent ist.

---

Protoplasmic resistances of marine algae and marine anthophytes to heavy metal salts

Summary Plasmatic resistances of 14Phaeophyceae, 32Rhodophyceae, 17Chlorophyceae, and 3 marine phanerogams were determined by immersion of thalli for 48 hours into concentration-graded solution series of MnSO₄, ZnSO₄, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, VOSO₄, and CuSO₄ (10^–6–1 mol/l).These limits of resistance in various solutions of manganese, zinc, chromium, vanadyl, and copper sulfates yield resistance combinations characteristic for the algal species, which are an expression of constitutional differences in the plasma of the algae tested. Resistance combinations of the marine algae investigated generally coincide with those of anthophytes. All the algae and marine phanerogams investigated by us are characterized by high resistance to manganese sulfate, the marine phanerogams also to zinc sulfate.The protoplasm of most of thePhaeophyceae investigated and of the three marine phanerogams shows the highest resistance to manganese sulfate (1 mol/l), whereas the protoplasm of theRhodophyceae is least resistant (10^–1–10^–2 mol/l). The protoplasm ofChlorophyceae occupies an intermediate position betweenPhaeophyceae andRhodophyceae in respect to the resistance limits.Plasmatic resistance limits to zinc, chromium, vanadyl, and copper sulfates of the marine algae investigated correspond to low, hypotonic concentrations.It may be guessed that the resistance to hypertonic concentrations—as, in our case, of MnSO₄—is due to the formation of an irreversibly coagulated surface layer, which prohibits the salts from entering the ground plasm. Since this possibility is absent in lower, hypotonic concentrations (as, in our experiments, in ZnSO₄, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, VOSO₄, and CuSO₄) the protoplasm is killed, provided it is not hardy.

     

Light and the maintenance of photosynthetic competence in leaves of Populus balsamifera L. during short-term exposures to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide

Leaves of Populus balsamifera grown under full natural sunlight were treated with 0, 1, or 2 l SO₂·1^-1 air under one of four different photon flux densities (PFD). When the SO₂ exposures took place in darkness or at 300 mol photons·m^-2·s^-1, sulfate accumulated to the levels predicted by measurements of stomatal conductance during SO₂ exposure. Under conditions of higher PFD (750 and 1550 mol·m^-2·s^-1), however, the predicted levels of accumulated sulfate were substantially higher than those obtained from anion chromatography of the leaf extracts. Light-and CO₂-saturated capacity as well as the photon yield of photosynthetic O₂ evolution were reduced with increasing concentration of SO₂. At 2 l SO₂·1^-1 air, the greatest reductions in both photosynthetic, capacity and photon yield occurred when the leaves were exposed to SO₂ in the dark, and increasingly smaller reductions in each occurred with increasing PFD during SO₂ exposure. This indicates that the inhibition of photosynthesis resulting from SO₂ exposure was reduced when the exposure occurred under conditions of higher light. The ratio F _v/F _M (variable/maximum fluorescence emission) for photosyntem II (PSII), a measure of the photochemical efficiency of PSII, remained unaffected by exposure of leaves to SO₂ in the dark and exhibited only moderate reductions with increasing PFD during the exposure, indicating that PSII was not a primary site of damage by SO₂. Pretreatment of leaves with SO₂ in the dark, however, increased the susceptibility of PSII to photoinhibition, as such pretreated leaves exhibited much greater reductions inF _V/F _M when transferred to moderate or high light in air than comparable control leaves.Abbreviations and symbols A₁₂₀₀ photosynthetic capacity (CO₂-saturated rate of O₂ evolution at 1200 mol photons·m^-2·s^-1) - F_o instantaneous fluorescence emission - F_M maximum fluorescence emission - F_V variable fluorescence emission - PFD photon flux density (400–700 nm) - PSII photosystem II     

Surface thermodynamic properties and chromatographic and salting-out behavior of IgA and other serum proteins

By means of contact angle determinations with two liquids, on hydrated as well as on dried protein layers, the long-range and the short-range contributions to the protein surface tensions, and from these the protein (G ₁₃₁) and the protein-ligand (G ₁₃₂) free energies of interaction in aqueous media, were determined. For human serum albumin (HSA), human IgG, and human IgA, the differences between G ₁₃₁ ^HYDRATED and G ₁₃₁ ^DRY were connected with the behavior of these proteins in low concentrations of (NH₄)₂SO₄ versus saturated (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions. By interpolation, intermediate points are found that correlate well with the known salting-out properties of these three proteins. On the basis of the data, it is predicted that the precipitation of IgG by 1/3 saturated (NH₄)₂SO₄ is preventable, or reversible, by the admixture of 15% dimethylsulfoxide; both predictions are confirmed experimentally. From the G ₁₃₂ values found, it is shown that HSA and IgG should attach to phenyl ligands under physiological conditions, but that IgA is so hydrophilic that it only can adhere to phenyl ligands after partial dehydration brought about when admixed with 1 M (NH₄)₂SO₄. Closer analysis of the values obtained for the long-range and short-range components of the surface tensions of HSA, IgG, and IgA allow deeper insight into their functional, chemical, and physicochemical properties.     

Water relations and xylem transport of nutrients in pepper plants grown under two different salts stress regimes

Two iso-osmotic concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ were used for discriminating between the effects of specific ion toxicities of salt stress on pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in hydroponic conditions, in a controlled-environment greenhouse. The two salts were applied to plants at different electrical conductivities, and leaf water relations, osmotic adjustment and root hydraulic conductance were measured. Leaf water potential (_w), leaf osmotic potential (_o) and leaf turgor potential (_p) decreased significantly when EC increased, but the decrease was less for NaCl- than for Na₂SO₄-treated plants. The reduction in stomatal conductance was higher for NaCl-treated plants. There were no differences in the effect of both treatments on the osmotic adjustment, and a reduction in root hydraulic conductance and the flux of solutes into the xylem was observed, except for the saline ions (Na⁺, Cl^– and SO₄ ^2–). Therefore, pepper growth decreased with increasing salinity because the plants were unable to adjust osmotically or because of the toxic effects of Cl^–, SO₄ ^2– and/or Na⁺. However, turgor of NaCl-treated plants was maintained at low EC (3 and 4 dS m^–1) probably due to the maintenance of water transport into the plant (decrease of stomatal conductance), which, together with the lower concentration of Na⁺ in the plant tissues compared with the Na₂SO₄ treatment, could be the cause of the smaller decrease in growth.     

Intracellular K+ activities and cell membrane potentials in a K+-transporting epithelium,the midgut of tobacco hornoworm (Manduca sexta)

Summary Transbasal electrical potential (V _b) and intraepithelial potassium chemical activity ((K⁺) _i ) were measured in isolated midgut epithelium of tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) using double-barrelled glass microelectrodes. Values ofV _b ranging from +8 to –48 mV (relative to blood side) were recorded. For all sites, (K⁺) _i is within a few millivolts of electrochemical equilibrium with the blood side bathing solution. Sites more negative than –20 mV show relatively high sensitivity ofV _b to changes in blood side K⁺ concentration: 43% of these sites can be marked successfully with iontophoresed Lucifer yellow CH dye and shown to represent epithelial cells of all three types present in the midgut. In about half of successful marks, dye-coupling of several adjacent cells is seen. Low potential sites — those withV _b less negative than –20 mV —typically do not show high sensitivity ofVb to changes of external K⁺, but rather (K⁺) _i rapidly approaches the K⁺ activity of blood side bathing solution. These sites can seldom be marked with Lucifer yellow (4% success). The mean (K⁺) _i of the high potential sites is 95±29 (sd)mm under standard conditions, a value which is in accord with published values for the whole tissue.     

Global Analysis of Myocardial Peptides Containing Cysteines With Irreversible Sulfinic and Sulfonic Acid Post-Translational Modifications

Cysteine (Cys) oxidation is a crucial post-translational modification (PTM) associated with redox signaling and oxidative stress. As Cys is highly reactive to oxidants it forms a range of post-translational modifications, some that are biologically reversible (e.g. disulfides, Cys sulfenic acid) and others (Cys sulfinic [Cys-SO₂H] and sulfonic [Cys-SO₃H] acids) that are considered “irreversible.” We developed an enrichment method to isolate Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides from complex tissue lysates that is compatible with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The acidity of these post-translational modification (pK_a Cys-SO₃H < 0) creates a unique charge distribution when localized on tryptic peptides at acidic pH that can be utilized for their purification. The method is based on electrostatic repulsion of Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides from cationic resins (i.e. “negative” selection) followed by “positive” selection using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. Modification of strong cation exchange protocols decreased the complexity of initial flowthrough fractions by allowing for hydrophobic retention of neutral peptides. Coupling of strong cation exchange and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography allowed for increased enrichment of Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H (up to 80%) from other modified peptides. We identified 181 Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H sites from rat myocardial tissue subjected to physiologically relevant concentrations of H₂O₂ (<100 μm) or to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury via Langendorff perfusion. I/R significantly increased Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-modified peptides from proteins involved in energy utilization and contractility, as well as those involved in oxidative damage and repair.Cysteine (Cys)¹ is an integral site for protein post-translational modification (PTM) in response to physiological and pathological stimuli. Numerous studies have identified roles for biologically reversible Cys PTM, including disulfides, S-nitrosothiols, and sulfenic acids (Cys-SOH), in the regulation of protein function during redox signaling (reviewed in (1, 2)). Additionally, Cys can be oxidized in pathologies associated with oxidative stress (e.g. neurodegeneration, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (2)). Various redox proteomics methods exist for enrichment of these reversibly oxidized Cys, based on reduction to the thiol and then capture by: 1) alkylation with a chemical tag (e.g. isotope coded affinity tags) (3–6); 2) thiol-disulfide exchange (7–10); or 3) heavy metal ion chelation (11, 12). Oxidative Cys PTMs with predominantly no known means of enzymatic reduction have also been identified. These “over” or “irreversibly” oxidized Cys PTM (sulfinic [Cys-SO₂H] and sulfonic [Cys-SO₃H] acids) are primarily associated with oxidative stress. Only one example of reversible Cys-SO₂H modification has been characterized—in peroxiredoxins (Prx) by the ATP-dependent sulfiredoxin (Srx)(13); however, Srx is not thought to reduce Cys-SO₂H in other proteins, and no mechanism has yet been found for Cys-SO₃H reduction. At basal levels, ∼1–2% of Cys exist as Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H (14), and the RSO₂H modification has functional significance in some proteins (e.g. DJ-1 is activated in Alzheimer''s disease by Cys-SO₂H at Cys-106) (15).Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H are produced via sequential oxidation of Cys-SOH, which itself is formed because of Cys thiol oxidation by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or peroxynitrite. This reaction is relatively inefficient and requires three equivalents of oxidant, as well as the protection of the initial Cys-SOH from nucleophilic attack. Therefore, Cys forming these PTM, particularly at biologically relevant concentrations of oxidant, are likely to be highly reactive or located in a unique microenvironment that accommodates their production without prior reduction of the Cys-SOH (e.g. by thiol or amine attack). Such sites may thus be candidates as redox or regulatory sensors (reviewed in (16)). Alternatively, over-oxidation to Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H during elevated oxidative stress may serve as a marker of oxidative damage, and target proteins for degradation.Information on Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H PTM in complex samples has thus far been generated only by amino acid analysis (hydrolyzed lysates) (14) or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), where these PTM cause an acidic shift (17, 18). The former provides no information on specific proteins, whereas the latter relies on the modified population being of sufficient intensity for observation and/or the availability of antibodies against a protein-of-interest. A recent study identified 44 Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-modified peptides in nonphysiologically H₂O₂ oxidized (440 μm) cells utilizing long column ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (LC) (19). Global analysis of irreversible Cys-PTM thus requires enrichment that considers: (1) Cys is the second least abundant amino acid in proteins (∼1.5%) (20), and (2) Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H are expected to occupy only 1–2% of these Cys sites, under physiological (and perhaps even pathological) conditions.Specific peptide enrichment by LC followed by bottom-up proteomics is a common approach used successfully for many PTMs (21, 22). Limited studies, however, have explored such techniques for Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides, and none have examined complex lysates—only single purified proteins (23, 24). Given that these PTM are among the most acidic modifications, with an average pK_a of RSO₂H < 2 and RSO₃H ∼−3, it is pertinent to isolate these peptides by exploiting their unique charge distribution. At acidic pH, where nonmodified tryptic peptides will have an average in-solution charge state between one and two (depending on pK_a of acidic residues and the C terminus), Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides will have an added negative charge, and, thus, have average charge distribution ≤ 1. Selection can therefore be performed on either positively or negatively charged resins with the former being a “positive” selection for Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides (retained by the resin), whereas the latter is a “negative” selection (Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides will not be retained by the resin). Both approaches have been used (23, 24) to capture peptides from bovine serum albumin (BSA) oxidized by performic acid – causing scission of disulfide bonds and conversion of Cys to Cys-SO₃H, and methionine (Met) to the sulfone Met(O₂). The studies gave comparative results, with positive selection (24) increasing Cys coverage in comparison to negative selection (23) (60% versus 45%) at the expense of specificity, with more non-Cys peptides observed in the elution.Ultimately, any enrichment approach must be able to purify Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides from cells and tissues under physiological and/or pathological conditions, both of which will generate considerably lower levels of Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H than performic acid. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury is characterized by a “burst” of ROS/RNS that is observed upon reperfusion (25, 26). These ROS/RNS overwhelm the natural antioxidant defenses of the heart (27) and lead to oxidative stress that contributes to contractile dysfunction (28–30). Several studies have observed an increase in reversible Cys PTM following I/R (31–36), and an increase in Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H may also contribute to cellular dysfunction that ultimately leads to apoptosis and necrosis that follows prolonged I/R (myocardial infarction). Given the common practice of peptide fractionation with strong cation exchange (SCX) as a first dimension during bottom-up proteomics, we wished to explore its utility in identifying Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H sites in complex samples. Performic oxidized BSA and myocardial protein extracts were utilized to study the interactions occurring at each step of the method, and then the method was applied to myocardial protein extract that had been exposed to a high concentration of a less efficient oxidant (H₂O₂). Finally, the method was used to identify Cys-SO₂H/SO₃H-containing peptides derived from either physiologically relevant concentrations of H₂O₂ (i.e. ≤100 μm, an estimate of the likely pathological H₂O₂ levels (37, 38)) or from rat myocardial tissue subjected to I/R injury.     

The histochemical specificity of High Iron Diamine—Alcian Blue

Summary The specificity of the High Iron Diamine—Alcian Blue pH2.5 (HID—AB 2.5) procedure was examined in tissue sites containing sialogycoproteins alone or differing proportions of sialo- and sulphosialoglycoproteins. Studies with HID in differing final concentrations of hydrochloric acid or sodium chloride confirmed that staining is dependent upon both the pH and the ionic strength of the dye bath and demonstrated a marked heterogeneity in the pKa of the anionic groups of sialosulphoglycoproteins. Use of the sequence High Iron Diamine—Alcian Blue pH 1.0 demonstrated that complete or almost complete staining ofO-sulphate esters occurred when HID was prepared in water (final pH 1.3). However, under these conditions HID—AB 2.5 was shown to be non-specific because only black HID staining was observed in sites containing large quantities of sialic acids. This non-specificity was due either to the masking of Alcian Blue staining by HID and/or the black HID staining of anionic groups other than sulphate. These results may account for some of the conflicting data obtained by different groups of investigators who have studied transitional mucosa in human colonic diseases. Caution should be used in drawing conclusions from the use of HID—AB 2.5 without confirmatory evidence from other more specific procedures.     

Sulfur Isotope Enrichment during Maintenance Metabolism in the Thermophilic Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Desulfotomaculum putei

Values of Δ³⁴S (, where δ³⁴S_HS and indicate the differences in the isotopic compositions of the HS⁻ and SO₄²⁻ in the eluent, respectively) for many modern marine sediments are in the range of −55 to −75‰, much greater than the −2 to −46‰ ɛ³⁴S (kinetic isotope enrichment) values commonly observed for microbial sulfate reduction in laboratory batch culture and chemostat experiments. It has been proposed that at extremely low sulfate reduction rates under hypersulfidic conditions with a nonlimited supply of sulfate, isotopic enrichment in laboratory culture experiments should increase to the levels recorded in nature. We examined the effect of extremely low sulfate reduction rates and electron donor limitation on S isotope fractionation by culturing a thermophilic, sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfotomaculum putei, in a biomass-recycling culture vessel, or “retentostat.” The cell-specific rate of sulfate reduction and the specific growth rate decreased progressively from the exponential phase to the maintenance phase, yielding average maintenance coefficients of 10⁻¹⁶ to 10⁻¹⁸ mol of SO₄ cell⁻¹ h⁻¹ toward the end of the experiments. Overall S mass and isotopic balance were conserved during the experiment. The differences in the δ³⁴S values of the sulfate and sulfide eluting from the retentostat were significantly larger, attaining a maximum Δ³⁴S of −20.9‰, than the −9.7‰ observed during the batch culture experiment, but differences did not attain the values observed in marine sediments.Dissimilatory SO₄²⁻ reduction is a geologically ancient, anaerobic, energy-yielding metabolic process during which SO₄²⁻-reducing bacteria (SRB) reduce SO₄²⁻ to H₂S while oxidizing organic molecules or H₂. SO₄²⁻ reduction is a dominant pathway for organic degradation in marine sediments (23) and in terrestrial subsurface settings where sulfur-bearing minerals dominate over Fe³⁺-bearing minerals. For example, at depths greater than 1.5 km below land surface in the fractured sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Witwatersrand Basin of South Africa, SO₄²⁻ reduction is the dominant electron-accepting process (3, 26, 46, 48, 61).The enrichment of ³²S in biogenic sulfides, with respect to the parent SO₄²⁻, imparted by SRB, is traceable through the geologic record (10, 54). The magnitude of the Δ³⁴S (= δ³⁴S_pyrite − δ³⁴S_{barite/gypsum}, where δ³⁴S_pyrite and δ³⁴S_{barite/gypsum} are the isotopic compositions of pyrite and barite or gypsum) increases from −10‰ in the 3.47-billion-year-old North Pole deposits to −30‰ in late-Archaean deposits (55), to −75‰ in Neoproterozoic to modern sulfide-bearing marine sediments (13).The kinetic isotopic enrichment, ɛ³⁴S, deduced from trends in the δ³⁴S values of SO₄²⁻ and HS⁻ in batch culture microbial SO₄²⁻ reduction experiments using the Rayleigh relationship, ranges from −2‰ to −46‰ (6, 7, 11, 17, 22, 27, 28, 30, 31, 38, 39). The variation in ɛ³⁴S values has been attributed to the SO₄²⁻ concentration, the type of electron donor and its concentration, the SO₄²⁻ reduction rate per cell (csSRR) (22), temperature, and species-specific isotope enrichment effects. In these laboratory experiments, doubling times are on the order of hours and csSRRs range from to 0.1 to 18 fmol cell⁻¹ h⁻¹ (7, 12, 17, 22, 30, 32, 39, 40).Experiments performed during the 1960s found that the magnitude of ɛ³⁴S was inversely proportional to the csSRR for organic electron donors (16, 31, 38, 39) when SO₄²⁻ was not limiting. More-recent batch culture experiments on 3 psychrophilic (optimum growth temperature, <20°C) and mesophilic (optimum growth temperature, between 20°C and 45°C) SRB strains (7) and on 32 psychrophilic to thermophilic SRB strains (22), however, have failed to reproduce such a relationship. In 2001, Canfield (11) reported an inverse correlation between ɛ³⁴S and reduction rate using a flowthrough sediment column and demonstrated that ɛ³⁴S values of approximately −35 to −40‰ were produced when organic substrates added by way of amendment were limited with respect to SO₄²⁻. Because it was not possible to readily evaluate changes in biomass in the sediment column with changes in temperature or substrate provision rate, it was inferred that changes in ɛ³⁴S were related to changes in the csSRRs. More recently, Canfield et al. (12) observed a 6‰ variation in ɛ³⁴S values related to the temperature of the batch culture experiments relative to the optimum growth temperature. The few early experiments that were performed using H₂ as the electron donor yielded ɛ³⁴S values ranging from −3 to −19‰ (22, 38, 39), which appear to correlate with the csSRR (39). Hoek et al. (32) also found that the ɛ³⁴S values for the thermophilic SO₄²⁻ reducer Thermodesulfatator indicus increased from between −1.5‰ and −10‰ in batch cultures with high H₂ concentrations to between −24‰ and −37‰ in batch cultures grown under H₂ limitation with respect to SO₄²⁻. Detmers et al. (22) found that the average ɛ³⁴S of SRB that oxidize their organic carbon electron donor completely to CO₂ averaged −25‰, versus −9.5‰ for SRB that release acetate during their oxidation of their organic carbon electron donor. Detmers et al. (22) speculated that the greater free energy yield per mole of SO₄²⁻ from incomplete carbon oxidation relative to that for complete carbon oxidation promotes complete SO₄²⁻ reduction and hinders isotopic enrichment due to isotopic exchange of the intracellular sulfur species pools.None of these experiments, however, have yielded ɛ³⁴S factors capable of producing the Δ³⁴S values of −55 to −75‰ observed in the geological record from ∼1.0 billion years ago to today. Various schemes have been hypothesized, and observations that involve either the disproportionation of S₂O₃²⁻ (36), the disproportionation of S⁰ produced by oxidation of either H₂S or S₂O₃²⁻ (15), or the disproportionation of SO₃²⁻ (29) have been made. Attribution of the increasing Δ³⁴S values recorded for Achaean to Neoproterozoic sediments to the increasing role of H₂S oxidative pathways makes sense in the context of increasing O₂ concentrations in the atmosphere (14) but is not consistent with the lack of significant fractionation observed during oxidative reactions (29). To explain the Δ³⁴S values of −55 to −77‰ reported to occur in interstitial pore waters from 100- to 300-m-deep, hypersulfidic ocean sediments (51, 64, 67), where the presence of a S-oxidative cycle is unlikely, an alternative, elaborate model of the SO₄²⁻-reducing pathway has been proposed by Brunner and Bernasconi (9). This model attributes the large Δ³⁴S values to a multistep, reversible reduction of SO₃²⁻ to HS⁻ involving S₃O₆²⁻ and S₂O₃²⁻ (20, 25, 41, 42, 52, 66). The conditions under which the maximum ɛ³⁴S values might be expressed are a combination of elevated HS⁻ concentrations, electron donor limitations, nonlimiting SO₄²⁻ concentrations, and a very low csSRR. The csSRR for subsurface environments has been estimated from biogeochemical-flux modeling to be 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁷ fmol cell⁻¹ h⁻¹ (23), with a corresponding cell turnover rate greater than 1,000 years (37).Batch and chemostat culture systems, despite low growth rates, cannot completely attain a state of zero growth with constant substrate provision and therefore do not accurately reflect the in situ nutritional states of microbes in many natural settings. Retentostats, or recycling fermentor vessels, recycle 100% of biomass to the culturing vessel, allowing experimenters to culture microbial cells to a large biomass with a constant nutrient supply rate until the substrate supply rate itself becomes the growth-limiting factor and cells enter a resting state in which their specific growth rate approaches zero and they carry on maintenance metabolism (1, 47, 53, 58, 59, 62, 63). Utilizing this approach, Colwell et al. (18) were able to obtain a cell-specific respiration rate of 7 × 10⁻⁴ fmol of CH₄ cell⁻¹ h⁻¹ for a mesophilic marine methanogen, a rate that is comparable to that estimated for methanogenic communities in deep marine sediments off the coast of Peru (49).In this study, the conditions that Brunner and Bernasconi (9) hypothesized would lead to the large Δ³⁴S values seen in nature were recreated in the laboratory by limiting the electron donor supply rate with respect to the SO₄²⁻ supply rate in a retentostat vessel. The S isotopic enrichment by a resting culture of Desulfotomaculum putei at an extremely low csSRR was compared to that of a batch culture experiment to determine whether the ɛ³⁴S values produced under the former conditions approach the Δ³⁴S seen in nature.     

Quantitative cytochemistry of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins using the Naphthol Yellow S and dinitrofluorobenzene staining methods

Summary The total protein staining of biological specimens with the electrostatically binding Naphthol Yellow S or the covalently binding dinitrofluorobenzene must be interpreted as methods which yield data on the specific amino acid pool of the proteins concerned. Both dyes bind to certain free amino-acid side-chains, giving different dye-protein ratios for various proteins. In the presence of DNA, dinitrofluorobenzene stains all proteins present in cell nuclei, whereas Naphthol Yellow S only stains the majority of the non-histone proteins. When protein staining methods are combined with the Feulgen-Pararosaniline (SO₂) procedure for DNA, decreased Feulgen-DNA contents were measured in dinitrofluorobenzene-stained isolated nuclei and lymphocytes.