The binding of chondroitin sulfate to pleiotrophin/heparin-binding growth-associated molecule is regulated by chain length and oversulfated structures

Pleiotrophin is an 18-kDa heparin-binding growth factor, which uses chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan, PTPzeta as a receptor. It has been suggested that the D-type structure (GlcA(2S)beta1-3GalNAc(6S)) in CS contributes to the high affinity binding between PTPzeta and pleiotrophin. Here, we analyzed the interaction of shark cartilage CS-D with pleiotrophin using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor to reveal the importance of D-type structure. CS-D was partially digested with chondroitinase ABC, and fractionated using a Superdex 75pg column. The > or =18-mer CS fractions showed significant binding to pleiotrophin, and the longer fractions had stronger affinity for pleiotrophin than the shorter ones. The approximately 46-mer CS fraction bound to densely immobilized pleiotrophin with high affinity (K(D) = approximately 30 nM), and the binding reactions fitted the bivalent analyte model. However, when the density of the immobilized pleiotrophin was lowered, the strength of affinity remarkably decreased (K(D) = approximately 2.5 microM), and the reactions no longer fitted the model and were considered to be monovalent binding. The 20 approximately 24-mer fractions showed low affinity binding to densely immobilized pleiotrophin (K(D) = 3 approximately 20 microM), which seemed to be monovalent. When approximately 22-mer CS oligosaccharides were fractionated by strong anion exchange HPLC, each fraction differed in affinity for pleiotrophin (K(D) = 0.36 approximately >10 microM), and the affinity correlated with the amounts of D- and E- (GlcAbeta1-3GalNAc(4S,6S)) type oversulfated structures. These results suggest that the binding of pleiotrophin to CS is regulated by multivalency with CS approximately 20 mer as a unit and by the amounts of oversulfated structures.     

An electron microscopic and functional study of very low density lipoproteins in intestinal lymph

Previous studies with fasting rats showed that the intestine produces endogenous very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) which resemble those in the plasma. Intestinal VLDL also were found to be important in lipid transport during absorption of saturated but not of unsaturated fat. These findings depended upon separations of a chylomicron-rich fraction (S(f) > 400) from VLDL (S(f) 20-400) by preparative ultracentrifugation methods based on particle flotation rates. The present studies correlate this method with electron microscopic measurement of lipoprotein particle size. Almost all intestinal lymph lipoprotein particles from fasting rats were less than 750 A in diameter, and could not be distinguished morphologically from plasma VLDL. Cholestyramine administration or bile diversion led to decreased lymph lipid output, correlating with marked reduction in VLDL. This supports the concept that lymph VLDL contain endogenous lipid which is reabsorbed from the intestinal lumen. During exogenous fatty acid absorption, lymph lipoprotein particle sizes were significantly smaller after administration of palmitate than after administration of linoleate, a finding consistent with ultracentrifugal evidence of the importance of VLDL in lipid transport during palmitate absorption. These studies fully confirm and extend earlier observations. Together, they show that the intestine is a source of endogenous VLDL in the fasting animal. In addition, significant quantities of exogenous lipid are transported in VLDL during palmitate absorption, whereas with linoleate absorption nearly all lipid is in chylomicrons. These findings indicate that the small intestine plays a role in lipoprotein metabolism which extends beyond the absorption of dietary fat.     

Molecular and complex-chemical studies on methemoglobin from Chironomus thummi thummi and various isolated fractions]

1. Six different hemoglobin (Hb) fractions were isolated and characterized from the larvae of Chironomus thummi thummi using column chromatographic procedures. 2. Chromatographic and sedimentation-analytic studies (sedimentation coefficients of 2.0 +/- 0.2 (S)) have shown three Hb fractions to exist basically in a monomeric form. The molecular weight of component M-2 was determined by sedimentation equilibrium technique to be 15,470 +/- 400. The dimeric Hb was found to have sedimentation coefficients of 3.0 +/- 0.1 (S) in the weakly acidic pH region. In alkaline milieu, the reversible dissociation proceeds into the monomeric molecules (S20, W = 1.9 +/- 0.1 (S)). Molecular weights vary between pH 5.7 and 9.8 not only with hydrogen ion concentration, but also with protein concentration in correspondence with a dissociation-association equilibrium consisting of monomers and dimers. 3. For the Hb fraction M-2, a friction ratio of f/fo = 1.03 was calculated, suggesting an almost spherical shape of this protein. In contrast, the dimeric component appears to have a much more asymmetric structure (f/fo = 1.19). 4. The indivdual MetHb fractions bind the ligands: fluoride, imidazole and azide with different affinities.     

Modification of the bicinchoninic acid protein assay to eliminate lipid interference in determining lipoprotein protein content.

The bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay method for the determination of protein has been investigated for its utility in measuring the protein content of plasma lipoproteins. Although other methods, principally those based on the method of Lowry et al. (1951, J. Biol. Chem. 193, 265-275) have been extensively used for this purpose, the tolerance of the BCA method to many commonly encountered detergents and buffers offers a definite advantage over the Lowry-based methods. In this study, lipoprotein protein values obtained by the BCA method were compared to a standard modification of the Lowry et al. procedure since this assay forms the basis of much of the relevant literature. The standard BCA assay was found to overestimate the protein content of very low density lipoprotein by approximately 70% and low density lipoprotein by approximately 30%; high density lipoprotein values compared favorably. Overestimations by the BCA assay paralleled the relative phospholipid content of the lipoprotein fractions. This apparent lipid effect was eliminated by the addition of 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate to samples prior to the analysis. In the presence of this detergent, BCA assay measurements for these three lipoprotein fractions were 97, 90, and 98%, respectively, of the reference assay values.     

Plasma lipoproteins behave as carriers of extracellular sphingosine 1-phosphate: is this an atherogenic mediator or an anti-atherogenic mediator?

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) concentration in plasma and serum has been estimated to be within 200-900 nM. Among plasma and serum components, S1P is concentrated in lipoprotein fractions with a rank order of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)>low-density lipoprotein (LDL)>very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)>lipoprotein-deficient plasma (LPDP) when expressed as the per unit amount of protein. It is well known that LDL, especially oxidized LDL, is closely correlated and HDL is inversely correlated, with the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. Evidence was presented that a part of HDL-induced actions previously reported are mediated by the lipoprotein-associated S1P. Furthermore, S1P content in LDL was markedly decreased during its oxidation. This paper will discuss whether S1P is an atherogenic mediator or an anti-atherogenic mediator.     

Proteinuria increases oxylipid concentrations in VLDL and HDL but not LDL particles in the rat

We previously established that proteinuria alters the apolipoprotein content of lipoproteins. This study was conducted to establish whether proteinuria also alters the concentrations of oxidized lipids within lipoprotein density fractions. To this end, we induced passive Heymann nephritis in Sprague Dawley rats and measured an array of alkaline-stable oxylipids in VLDL, LDL, and HDL particles. Proteinuria increased the total oxylipid amounts in the HDL and VLDL fractions. More importantly, these levels were increased when expressed per unit lipoprotein protein, indicating that the oxidized lipid load per particle was increased. Epoxides and diols increased approximately 2-fold in HDL and approximately 5-fold in VLDL, whereas LDL showed approximately 2-fold decreases. The hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs) increased >4-fold in HDL and >20-fold in VLDL, whereas LDL showed approximately 2-fold decreases in the HODEs. Therefore, nephrotic syndrome alters the lipoprotein oxylipid composition independently of an increase in total lipoprotein levels. These proteinuria-induced changes may be associated with the cardiovascular risk of lipoprotein oxidation.     

Studies on 30S ribosomal protein S1 from E. coli. I. Purification and physicochemical properties.

1. The distribution of ribosomal protein S1 in subcellular fractions of E. coli was determined by radioimmunoassay. It was found that about 70%, 20% and 10% of protein S1 were present in the high salt (1.0 M NH4Cl)-washed ribosomes, the ribosomal wash and the S100 fraction, respectively. 2. Protein S1 was purified from unwashed ribosomes by an improved procedure which included: (i) extraction of protein S1 from unwashed ribosomes with 1.2 M LiCl and 1.0 M NH4Cl, (ii) ammonium sulfate fractionation, (iii) two successive column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex, and (iv) hydroxylapatite column chromatography. Purified protein S1 was homogeneous in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native and denatured conditions. 3. The molecular weights determined by sedimentation equilibrium and by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 83,000 and 70,000 respectively. The sedimentation coefficient was estimated as 3.0S by glycerol gradient centrifugation. The stokes radius determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration was 45 A. From these data, the frictional ratio of protein S1 was calculated to be 1.65, assuming the molecular weight and partial specific volume to be 70,000 and 0.736, respectively. Protein S1 had an elongated shape with an axial ratio of approximately 8.5. 4. Protein S1 contained 2 residues of half-cystine and about 10 residues of tryptophan. From CD measurements, the contents of alpha-helix and beta-structure were estimated to be 32 and 27%, respectively. 5. As reported by Kolb et al. (1977) (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 74, 2379-2383), and Draper et al. (1977) (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 74, 4786-4790), the intrinsic fluorescence of protein S1 was markedly quenched on interaction with poly(U). The maximal quenching was observed when 30 mol of poly(U) (as UMP residues) was added to one mol of the protein.     

Isolation of serum chylomicrons prior to density gradient ultracentrifugation of other serum lipoprotein classes

A method for the removal of serum chylomicrons before density gradient ultracentrifugation of the other serum lipoproteins using an SW 41 swinging bucket rotor is presented. In a preliminary spin, the chylomicrons with an Sf greater than 400 X 10(-13) s float to the top of the gradient, whereas the other lipoproteins are retained in the infranatant fraction. After removal of the chylomicrons, the other serum lipoproteins are subsequently fractionated by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation. Analysis of the separated lipoprotein fractions suggested that this procedure permits isolation of a chylomicron fraction consisting solely of chylomicrons but that the very low density lipoprotein fraction subsequently isolated also contains chylomicrons or chylomicron remnants with an Sf less than 400 X 10(-13) s, and that there is considerable overlap in flotation rate and particle size of very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons.     

Alterations of the plasma lipoproteins and apoproteins following cholesterol feeding in the rat.

The feeding of cholesterol to rats resulted in marked alterations in the type and distribution of the plasma lipoproteins and their apoproteins. The hyperlipoproteinemia was characterized by an increase in the d < 1.006 lipoproteins (B-VLDL and VLDL), an increase in the intermediate and low density lipoproteins (LDL), and the appearance of HDL(c). Associated with these lipoproteins was a prominence of the arginine-rich apoprotein. The high density lipoproteins (HDL) were decreased. A two-dimensional immunoelectrophoretic procedure was adapted to quantitate the changes in distribution of the arginine-rich apoprotein in the plasma and various ultracentrifugal fractions obtained from control and cholesterol-fed rats. In rats fed the cholesterol diet, the total plasma arginine-rich apoprotein increased from a control value of approximately 29 mg/dl to 47 mg/dl. The method of ultracentrifugation, however, was found to markedly alter the quantitative results. When the 60 Ti rotor was used at maximum speed to isolate the ultracentrifugal fractions, less than 50% of the total plasma arginine-rich apoprotein was associated with the lipoproteins in the d < 1.006 or the d 1.006-1.02, 1.02-1.063, or 1.063-1.21 ultracentrifugal fractions. By contrast, after limited ultracentrifugation with the 40 rotor, much less arginine-rich apoprotein was lost, with approximately 20% of the arginine-rich apoprotein in control rats and 10% in cholesterol-fed rats found in the d > 1.21 fraction. Significant alterations in the arginine-rich apoprotein quantitation notwithstanding, the observations of increased arginine-rich apoprotein in the B-VLDL, intermediate fraction, and HDL(c) following cholesterol feeding remained valid. However, precise quantitation awaits refinements in lipoprotein isolation techniques.     

In Vitro Protein Phosphorylation in Head Preparations from Normal and Mutant Drosophila melanogaster

We have characterized protein phosphorylation in vitro in subcellular fractions from Drosophila melanogaster heads. Optimal conditions for the incorporation of 32P into proteins, and its dependence on ATP, divalent cations, and cyclic nucleotides have been determined, as well as the effect of inhibitors of ATPase, protein phosphatase, and protein kinase on protein phosphorylation. Among these inhibitors, Zn2+ was found to affect the incorporation of 32P into specific bands and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate was found to be most suited for freezing the activity of both kinases and phosphatases. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-dPK) activity was present in both supernatant (S2) and particulate (P2) fractions, with the majority (60-85%, depending on the homogenization medium) being associated with S2, as determined by phosphorylation of exogenous synapsin I. cAMP-dPK catalyzed the phosphorylation of at least 18 endogenous polypeptides in S2 and at least 10 endogenous polypeptides in P2. These proteins could be classified on the basis of the extent of stimulation of phosphorylation by cyclic nucleotides, dependence on cyclic nucleotide concentration, and rate of phosphorylation. A phosphoprotein of 51 kilodaltons (pp51) was a major component of the S2 and P2 fractions and displayed properties expected from the regulatory subunit of the cAMP-dPK, R-II. A phosphoprotein doublet of approximately 37 kilodaltons (pp37) was stimulated to the largest extent by cAMP in the P2 and S2 fractions. The phosphorylation of several proteins in both fractions was significantly lowered by the mammalian Walsh inhibitor of cAMP-dPK, whereas in some cases the stimulation of phosphorylation of the same proteins by exogeneous cAMP was relatively small. Phosphoproteins from two learning mutants known to be deficient in cAMP metabolism, dnc and rut, were analyzed for their extent of phosphorylation in the presence of a stable cAMP analogue; no significant differences from normal were detected, suggesting that the genetic defect in cAMP metabolism is not accompanied by constituent abnormalities in phosphorylated substrates in the adult fly, and that the physiological defects in these mutants result from aberrations in the interaction of the cAMP cascade with normal substrates. The majority of Ca2+/calmodulin kinase activity (80-90%, depending on the homogenization procedure) was associated with S2, as revealed by phosphorylation of exogenous synapsin I. Two endogenous substrates for this kinase in P2 had molecular masses of approximately 45 and 87 kilodaltons. At least 11 substrates for the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase were detected in S2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Evaluation of antibody immobilization methods for piezoelectric biosensor application

The immobilization of anti-Salmonella antibodies by two methods were studied and evaluated for their potential use in a piezoelectric biosensor. The optimum temperature-time combinations for the highest immobilization yields were determined for both methods. Protein A binding was found to be 67.4+/-3.8% on the gold surface which then allowed an immobilization of 42.1+/-2.09% antibody. The degree of antibody immobilization via surface aldehyde groups of glutaraldehyde (GA) on a precoated quartz crystal with polyethylenimine (PEI) was 31.6+/-0.3%. A piezoelectric probe was designed and used in dry assays to observe the frequency change due to addition of mass by the immobilization layers. The frequency changes recorded showed a better reproducibility and less added mass for the Protein A method. The frequency decrease due to microg of added antibodies was compared to frequency decrease calculated by the Sauerbrey equation. The experimental data was found to be only approximately 8% of theoretical data. The functionality of the immobilized antibodies with the Protein A method was tested with S. typhimurium in a wet chamber and the frequency decrease was compared to results of a similar system activated with PEI-GA immobilization. The frequency decreases with S. typhimurium concentration of approximately 1.5 x 10(9) CFU/ml were 50+/-2 Hz and 44+/-3 Hz for the Protein A method and PEI-GA method, respectively. It was concluded that although both methods resulted in comparable activities in terms of % immobilized protein and frequency decreases due to Salmonella binding, the Protein A method was favorable due to stability and better reproducibility of the immobilization layers.     

Depletion of hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase from erythrocyte cytosolic samples by preparative clear native electrophoresis

Proteomic analysis of red cells is compromised by the presence of high-abundance proteins (hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase-1), which completely obscure low-abundance species. The depletion method presented here involves performing native gel electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel tube using a modified electroelution cell. The electrophoretic run is interrupted intermittently to allow the recovery of at least three different liquid fractions, which can be analyzed by both native PAGE and 2D isoelectric focusing SDS-PAGE, or by shotgun mass spectrometry analysis after trypsin in-solution protein digestion. This low-cost, reproducible technique can be used to process large amounts of sample, and it increases the likelihood of detecting low-abundance proteins, thereby resulting in greater proteome coverage. The separation procedure takes approximately 6-7 h.     

Angiotensin I-converting-enzyme-inhibitory and antibacterial peptides from Lactobacillus helveticus PR4 proteinase-hydrolyzed caseins of milk from six species

Sodium caseinates prepared from bovine, sheep, goat, pig, buffalo or human milk were hydrolyzed by a partially purified proteinase of Lactobacillus helveticus PR4. Peptides in each hydrolysate were fractionated by reversed-phase fast-protein liquid chromatography. The fractions which showed the highest angiotensin I-converting-enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory or antibacterial activity were sequenced by mass spectrum and Edman degradation analyses. Various ACE-inhibitory peptides were found in the hydrolysates: the bovine alpha(S1)-casein (alpha(S1)-CN) 24-47 fragment (f24-47), f169-193, and beta-CN f58-76; ovine alpha(S1)-CN f1-6 and alpha(S2)-CN f182-185 and f186-188; caprine beta-CN f58-65 and alpha(S2)-CN f182-187; buffalo beta-CN f58-66; and a mixture of three tripeptides originating from human beta-CN. A mixture of peptides with a C-terminal sequence, Pro-Gly-Pro, was found in the most active fraction of the pig sodium caseinate hydrolysate. The highest ACE-inhibitory activity of some peptides corresponded to the concentration of the ACE inhibitor (S)-N-(1-[ethoxycarbonyl]-3-phenylpropyl)-ala-pro maleate (enalapril) of 49.253 micro g/ml (100 micro mol/liter). Several of the above sequences had features in common with other ACE-inhibitory peptides reported in the literature. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of some of the crude peptide fractions was very low (16 to 100 micro g/ml). Some identified peptides were chemically synthesized, and the ACE-inhibitory activity and IC(50)s were confirmed. An antibacterial peptide corresponding to beta-CN f184-210 was identified in human sodium caseinate hydrolysate. It showed a very large spectrum of inhibition against gram-positive and -negative bacteria, including species of potential clinical interest, such as Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Staphylococcus aureus. The MIC for E. coli F19 was ca. 50 micro g/ml. Once generated, the bioactive peptides were resistant to further degradation by proteinase of L. helveticus PR4 or by trypsin and chymotrypsin.     

Replication intermediates formed during initiation of DNA synthesis in methotrexate-resistant CHOC 400 cells are enriched for sequences derived from a specific, amplified restriction fragment

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) inhibits nuclear DNA replication in Chinese hamster ovary cells by an efficient chain termination mechanism without affecting the rate at which cells traverse G1 and enter S [Heintz, N. H., & Hamlin, J. L. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 3557-3562]. Here we have employed ara-C to enrich for replication intermediates formed during initiation of DNA synthesis in synchronized CHOC 400 cells, a methotrexate-resistant derivative of Chinese hamster ovary cells that contains approximately 1000 copies of an early replicating 150-kb chromosomal domain. This highly amplified domain includes the gene for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). CHOC 400 cells were collected at the G1/S boundary of the cell cycle with aphidicolin prior to release into S in the presence of both [methyl-3H] thymidine and various concentrations of ara-C. Chromatographic fractionation of restriction endonuclease digests over benzoylated naphthoylated DEAE-cellulose (BND-cellulose) showed that high concentrations of ara-C inhibited the maturation of chromosomal replication intermediates containing ssDNA (replication forks) into dsDNA for up to 60 min. The effect of ara-C on the sequence complexity of replication intermediates formed during early S phase was determined by hybridizing purified intermediates labeled with 32P in vitro to Southern blots of genomic DNA derived from both methotrexate-sensitive and methotrexate-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells. In the absence of ara-C, 32P-labeled ssDNA BND-cellulose fractions from cultures released into S for 30-60 min hybridized to a spectrum of restriction fragments encompassing 40-50 kb of the amplified DHFR domain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The influence of automobile exhausts on mutagenicity of soils: contamination with, fractionation, separation, and preliminary identification of mutagens in the Salmonella/reversion assay and effects of solvent fractions on the sister-chromatid exchanges in human lymphocyte cultures and in the in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay

To test the assumption that automobile exhausts contribute to soil mutagenicity, two soils with low levels of mutagenic activities were exposed to traffic exhausts at a heavily charged junction of German motorways (Autobahnen) for 3, 7, 10, 13, 17, 21, and 26 weeks. Indeed, in the presence of a metabolic activation system from rat liver (S9), an average increase of 8 and 9 (4 and 12) revertants per gram per week was found in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 (TA 100). In the absence of S9, meaningful measurements were impossible on account of a concurrent dose dependent increase of toxicity. No correlation between the increase of mutagenicity and the contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) could be detected. In another series, soils sampled at the roadside and at distances of 10 and 50m of five roads near Mainz expressed 10-20-fold higher mutagenicity (revertants per gram) under identical test conditions as compared with the average of agricultural soils. Toxic effects, however, again confounded the results and no correlation between the distance from roads and the levels of mutagenicity could be demonstrated. Subsequently, Soxhlet-extraction with the solvent sequence dichloromethane, acetone, and toluene/diethylketone was found to be an optimum procedure for soils at roadsides. The mass balance of solvent fractionation of such soils revealed that <2% each belonged to organic acids and bases, approximately 4% to fractions designed polar neutrals, approximately 8% to polar aromatics, approximately 7% to dichloromethane solubles, and approximately 79% to cylohexane solubles, among them approximately 63% acetone soluble compounds. The major part of mutagenicity (55-65%) was present in the fraction of polar aromatics, followed by polar neutrals and the acetone subfraction of cyclohexane solubles ( approximately 10% each) summarizing the results obtained with S. typhimurium TA 98, TA 98NR, YG 1021, YG 1024, TA 100, YG 1026, and YG 1029 with and without addition of S9. The modified tester strains, either deficient in nitroreductase (TA 98NR) or overproducing nitroreductase (YG 1021, 1026) or O-acetyl-transferase (YG 1024, 1026), indicated a major contribution of nitroarenes to soil mutagenicity. With respect to mutagenic PAH, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that >90% of dibenz[a,h]anthracene (4.18mg/kg soil), benzo[a]pyrene (1.96mg), benzofluoranthenes (0.14mg), and benz[a]anthracene (0. 18mg) were present in the acetone subfraction of cyclohexane solubles. Concentrations and mutagenic activities, however, did not correlate. Additional preparative and analytical HPLC of the solvent fractions of polar neutrals and polar aromatics, resulted in the tentative identification of 2-nitrofluorene. Analysis of the vertical profile of soil revealed an increase of mutagenicity per gram from the surface to a maximum at 5-15cm depth and a subsequent decrease with very little activity remaining deeper than 35cm. In human lymphocyte cultures, the fraction of polar aromatics, 0.01-0. 3microg/ml, induced 11.27+/-4.76-20.70+/-6.19 sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) per cell in the absence of S9 (solvent control: 10. 16+/-4.83 SCE per cell) and 12.77+/-6.53-17.87+/-4.93 SCE per cell in the presence of S9 (solvent control: 8.37+/-3.92 SCE per cell). However, no activities could be detected in the fractions of polar neutrals and non-polar neutrals. Again, negative results were obtained in the in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay at 2000mg/kg p.o. with all fractions.     

Studies of Male Survivors of Myocardial Infarction due to “Essential” Atherosclerosis: II. Lipids and Lipoproteins

Serum lipids (total, ester and free cholesterol, phospholipid and standard S_f 0-12, 12-20, 20-100 and 100-400 lipoproteins) were determined in 102 men, ages 30-70, with atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (C.H.D.), free of hypertension, diabetes or other complicating variables. All the lipid fractions had a lognormal distribution. All were significantly higher than in the controls up to the seventh decade. An explanation for the declining serum lipid levels with age was found. Contrary to previous reports, there was no abnormality in the relation of various lipid fractions to one another in C.H.D. A spurious correlation between C/P ratio and total cholesterol was found in both groups. In separating coronary and control subjects, cholesterol and 0-12 lipoproteins were the most reliable criteria and were equal in this respect. The misclassification rises from 20% in the fourth to 33% in the seventh decade. C/P ratio offered no improvement. The triglyceride-containing 100-400 lipoprotein was an inferior discriminator. Employing all the lipid fractions, discriminant analysis provided a minimum 12% misclassification in the fourth decade. There was no demonstrable relationship of cholesterol to body measurements, physical activity or family history of C.H.D.     

Real-time monitoring of the development and stability of biofilms of Streptococcus mutans using the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring

Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was used for continuous in-situ monitoring of cell attachment and growth of Streptococcus mutans as biofilms. Cell attachment and proliferation were monitored within an overnight period of 20 h. Biofilms generated using a 'continuous flow' method had a greater mass and were more dissipative (more viscoelastic) than those established using an 'attach and flow' strategy. Cell numbers (as colony forming units, c.f.u.) in biofilms formed inside the QCM-D device after a 2-h attachment phase and during a 20-h growth period could be related to frequency (f) changes. The percentage surface coverage on the QCM-D crystals by bacteria was estimated using the surface analysis features of the atomic force microscope and image analysis software. Both mean percentage coverage and c.f.u increased after growth of S. mutans. The energy losses displayed by the increases in the dissipative factor (D) indicated an increase in 'softness' of the attached cells. The ratio of D/f was used to provide information of the way in which viscoelasticity changed per unit mass. Flow conditions over the cells on the surface appeared to be important in creating biofilms of a greater complexity and stability and the QCM-D enabled properties of cells during attachment and binding, proliferation and removal to be monitored continuously.     

The binding components for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Separation from the rat and mouse hepatic cytosol and characterization of a light density component

Using sucrose density gradient centrifugation in a vertical rotor, we have separated three major binding components contained in hepatic cytosols from C57BL/6 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. Using this preparative method we have obtained, after a 3-h run of 2.4 ml of crude cytosol from 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichlorodipyridyloxy)]benzene-treated C57BL/6 mice (approximately 50 mg of protein: 10,000 fmol of Ah receptor) 50 and 75% yields of isolated Ah receptor and carcinogen-binding protein (4 S binding protein), respectively. Both binding components may be kept at -70 degrees C for several months without loss of activity. A third binding component, which did not sediment in a sucrose density gradient (5-20%), even after a 4-h run at 63,000 rpm, was recovered from the top fractions of gradients. When applied to Sephacryl S-300 columns this component was eluted in the void fraction. Resistant to the direct degradative action of nucleases and proteases, this large complex was sequentially converted to its subcomponents by lipoprotein-lipase, proteinase K, and phospholipases. Only the phospholipases are able to abolish the binding capacity of this light density component (LDC) for [3H]2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: hence, we conclude that phospholipids are the true binders of this radioligand. In vitro, this lipoprotein irreversibly binds many hydrophobic radioligands (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,3-methylcholanthrene, benzo(a)pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, and dexamethasone). Using single vertical spin density gradient ultracentrifugation, the major part (80%) of LDC was characterized as a very low-density lipoprotein, and a minor part (20%) as a low-density lipoprotein. This conclusion was supported by the size of LDC particles (about 25-75 nm) observed in electron microscopy.     

Apolipoprotein A-II content of human plasma high density lipoproteins measured by radioimmunoassay.

A double antibody radioimmunoassay for human ApoA-II is reported. ApoA-II isolated from human plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) by column chromatography migrated as a single band on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, had the appropriate amino acid composition, and provoked the production of monospecific antisera. (125)I-ApoA-II (iodinated by lactoperoxidase, purified by Sephadex G-75 chromatography) migrated with "cold" ApoA-II as a single band on disc gel electrophoresis in SDS. Its specific radioactivity was 5-12 mCi/ micro g. In assays, (0.05 M barbital buffer, 0.01% Triton X-100, pH 8.6) over 90% of (125)I-ApoA-II was bound by excess first antibody and over 95% was displaced by excess "cold" ApoA-II. Low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, ApoA-I, ApoC-II, and ApoC-III displaced no counts. Intraassay and interassay coefficients of variation for lipoprotein or plasma samples were 7 +/- 4 and 11 +/- 6%, respectively. As little as 1.0 ng of ApoA-II was detectable with a precision of 10%. ApoA-II made up 20-25% of the proteins of HDL (d 1.083-1.19), HDL(2) (d 1.083-1.124), and HDL(3) (d 1.124-1.19) on column chromatography. The ApoA-II contents of these HDL fractions were also 20-25% by radioimmunoassay. Similar results were obtained whether assays were carried out on intact or delipidated HDL samples. Thus, in contrast with ApoA-I (only 10% of which is detectable), all of the ApoA-II contents of intact HDL are detected with accuracy by this assay. Plasma levels of ApoA-II in young normolipemic subjects were approximately 40 mg/dl (n = 29). In these subjects, over 98% of ApoA-II was found in the d 1.063-1.21 density fractions.