A simple turbidimetric method for the determination of microgram quantities of Trition X-100

A simple and sensitive procedure for the quantitative estimation of Triton X-100 is described. The method is based on the formation of turbidity from Triton X-100 with phenol. The turbidity is proportional to Triton X-100 in a range of 20–80 μg/ml. Protein, mucopolysaccharide, and nucleic acid do not interfere in this turbidity formation. The method is especially useful for detection of the residue after the removal of Triton X-100 from solubilized samples.     

A simple and rapid procedure for removal of triton X-100 from protein solution

A simple and rapid procedure for removal of Triton X-100 from protein solutions is described. The procedure is based on the extraction of Triton X-100 with chloroform from the protein solution. By the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate before the extraction, the procedure was improved effectively and the sample thus prepared was used directly in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This method can be used for the removal of other nonionic detergents and for samples of larger size.     

A rapid colorimetric assay for the estimation of microgram quantities of DNA

The thiobarbituric acid assay, routinely employed for the quantification of sialic acids, has been modified for the estimation of DNA in the range 0.5–500 μg. Neither RNA nor protein interfere in this procedure. The assay, as described, is more sensitive and less time consuming than the diphenylamine reaction.     

Nitroxide spin labeled analogs of the non-ionic detergent triton X-100

Two nitroxide spin labeled analogs of the non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100, have been synthesized. Electron spin resonance spectra of these compounds in solution, in egg lecithin multilayers, and in aqueous dispersion of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles are described.     

Turbidimetric method for quantitative determination of triton X-100 with silicotungstic acid

The Formation of Triton X-100-silicotungstic acid complex was studied. Quantitative turbidimetric determination of the detergent based on this process was suggested. This method allows to determining the complex formation at any wavelength in the range from 350 (epsilon 350 = 15,600 cm-1 M-1) to 600 nm (epsilon 600 = = 9090 cm-1 M-1). The calibration curve for Triton X-100 recorded at 350 nm is linear in the concentration range of 0 to 30 micrograms/ml. A sigmoid calibration curve was observed at longer wavelengths. A linear fragment of the calibration curve recorded at 600 nm was found at a concentration of Triton X-100 of about 5 micrograms/ml. The complex nature of calibration curves can be explained by heterogeneity of the complex dispersion.     

A fluorescamine assay for submicrogram quantities of protein in the presence of Triton X-100

The sensitivity of the fluorescamine assay is increased by hydrolysis of the protein sample in 2 n NaOH. The assay is linear from 0.125 to 10 μg of protein and can measure concentrations as low as 0.5 μg/ml. The presence of several detergents including Triton X-100 in both the protein sample (up to 10%) and in the fluorescamine assay itself (up to 0.33%) does not interfere.     

Lipid exchange between mixed micelles of phospholipid and triton X-100

If phospholipase catalyzed hydrolysis of phospholipid dissolved in a detergent mixed micelle is limited to the phospholipid carried by a single micelle, then hydrolysis ceases upon exhaustion of that pool. However, if the rate of phospholipid exchange between micelles exceeds the catalytic rate then all of the phospholipid is available for hydrolysis. To determine phospholipid availability we studied the exchange of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine between mixed micelles of phospholipid and non-ionic Triton detergents by both stopped-flow fluorescence-recovery and nuclear magnetic resonance-relaxation techniques. Stopped-flow analysis was performed by combining mixed micelles of Triton and phospholipid with mixed micelles that contained the fluorescent phospholipid 1-palmitoyl-2-(12-[{7-nitro-2-1, 3-benzoxadiazo-4-yl}amino]dodecanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (P-2-NBD-PC). The concentration dependence of fluorescence recovery suggested a second-order exchange mechanism that was saturable. The true second-order rate constant depends on the specific mechanism for exchange, which was not determined in this study, but the rate constant will be on the order of 106 to 107 M-1s-1. Incorporation of 1-palmitoyl-2-(16-doxylstearoyl)phosphatidylcholine into micelles increased the rate of proton relaxation and gave a limiting relaxation time of 1.3 ms. The results demonstrate that phospholipid exchange was rapid and that the phospholipid content of a single micelle did not limit the rate of phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipases.     

Solubilization of human erythrocyte membrane glycoproteins by triton X-100.

1. The enzymic removal of sialic acid residues from the glycoproteins of the human erythrocyte decreases the solubilization of membrane glycoprotein by Triton X-100. 2. The solubilization of asialoglycoprotein by Triton X-100 may be restored by the addition of borate. 3. Use of this non-ionic detergent in the presence of borate, as a general procedure for the mild solubilization of membrane glycoproteins deficient in sialic acid residues, is discussed.     

The effect of triton X-100 on bovine brain synaptic membranes

Bovine brain synaptic membranes which were frozen and then extensively washed showed low affinity [³H]muscimol binding. These membranes contained GABA and calmodulin, apparently tightly bound within the membrane fraction. Membranes which were additionally treated with the detergent Triton X-100 showed high affinity [³H]muscimol binding. These membranes did not appear to contain GABA or calmodulin. Transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrated that the washed membrane fraction contained many synaptosomal and vesicular structures. Triton treatment led to the extensive rupture of these structures. These studies explain the well-reported findings of tightly bound GABA and calmodulin in brain membrane fractions, as being due to the entrapment of these compounds inside sealed membrane-bound structures which are still present after a freezethaw and extensive wash treatment, their complete removal requiring Triton-treatment to rupture the vesicles.     

Measurement of microgram quantities of protein by a generally applicable turbidimetric procedure

A modified turbidimetric method for protein determination which involves the use of trichloroacetic acid as the precipitating agent is described. Maximal turbidity develops in less than 30 min and is stable for at least 120 min. A linear relationship between turbidity at 340 nm and protein concentration is observed between 2 and 40 micrograms protein. Sodium dodecyl sulfate is added to avoid the interference by nonionic and cationic detergents and lipids and to decrease the protein-to-protein variation. The use of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide provides a two-step procedure to correct for the contribution of contaminating nucleic acid. Many compounds which interfere with other protein quantitation methods have no effect on this system. The interference of commonly used reagents as sucrose and urea can be easily corrected. This procedure compared favorably with the most widely used protein quantitation methods in simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity.     

Cellular lysis of Streptococcus faecalis induced with triton X-100.

Lysis of exponential-phase cultures of Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 9790 was induced by exposure to both anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and nonionic (Triton X-100) surfactants. Lysis in response to sodium dodecyl sulfate was effective only over a limited range of concentrations, whereas Triton X-100-induced lysis occurred over a broad range of surfactant concentrations. The data presented indicate that the bacteriolytic response of growing cells to Triton X-100: (i) was related to the ratio of surfactant to cells and not the surfactant concentration per se; (ii) required the expression of the cellular autolytic enzyme system; and (iii) was most likely due to an effect of the surfactant on components of the autolytic system that are associated with the cytoplasmic membrane. The possibility that Triton X-100 may induce cellular lysis by releasing a lipid inhibitor of the cellular autolytic enzyme is discussed.     

Electrophoresis and electrofocusing of rhodopsin solubilized by triton X-100]

Detergent-rhodopsin micells (component I) were separated from other fast and slow migrating protein components under electrophoresis of triton X-100 solubilized bovine rod outer segments (ROS). Treatment of ROS by alum caused a complete disappearance of non-rhodopsin proteins and the appearance of slow migrating band (component II). Preliminary bleaching of dark extracts did not affect the migration rate of the component I. The addition of urea to solubilizing mixture caused the increase of component I content and the diffusity components I and II bands. The rate of electrophoretic migration and the content of components I and II sharply decreased together with the appearance of fast migrating pink-brown band after the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol. The extracts from alum-treated ROS were separated into 15-20 protein bands under acrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. Such protein heterogeneity probably depended on the ability of triton X-100 to form micells with different isoelectric points during the interaction with ampholines in the electric field. These micells, having different isoelectric points, are shown to contain one and the same protein--opsin.     

Ammonium molybdate-stannous chloride determination of orthophosphate in the presence of triton X-100

A colorimetric method for the determination of orthophosphate in the presence of Triton X-100 and the extent of their mutual interference is presented. Effects of albumin and trichloroacetic acid on the reaction are also examined. The method is based on the very sensitive reaction developed for determination of orthophosphate by complex formation with ammonium molybdate followed by reduction with stannous chloride. The method allows determination of 0.005 μmol of orthophosphate in the presence of up to 0.5% Triton X-100 and as little as 0.3% ($\text{v}\text{v}$) Triton X-100 in the absence of phosphate.     

Membrane-surfactant interactions The effect of triton X-100 on sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles

The effect of Triton X-100 on purified sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles has been studied by means of chemical, ultrastructural and enzymic techniques. At low detergent/membrane ratios (about 1 Triton X-100 per 60 phospholipid molecules) the only effect observed is an increase in vesicle permeability. Higher surfactant concentrations, up to a 1:1 detergent/phospholipid ratio, produce a large enhancement of ATPase activity. Membrane solubilization occurs as a critical phenomenon when the surfactant/phospholipid molar ratio reaches a value around 1.5:1, corresponding to 2 μmol Triton X-100/mg protein. At this point, the suspension turbidity drops, virtually all the protein and phospholipid is solubilized and every organized structure disappears. Simultaneously, a dramatic increase in the specific activity of the solubilized ATPase is observed. The sudden solubilization of almost all the bilayer components at a given detergent concentration is attributed to the relative simplicity of this membrane system. Solubilization takes place at the same surfactant/membrane ratio, at least between 0.5 and 4 mg membrane protein/ml. The non-solubilized residue seems to consist mainly of delipidized aggregated forms of ATPase.     

Reactivation of progessive motility in hamster sperm modified by triton X-100

Epididymal hamster sperm, denuded of their plasma membrane with Triton X-100 and washed free of cytosol, were found to become progressively motile in defined media containing ATP¹ and salts. The chemical requirements for motility were investigated and several experimental observations were made that were relevant to the mechanism and control of sperm motility.