Separation of subchloroplast membrane particles by counter-current distribution

Counter-current distribution in an aqueous Dextran-polyethylene glycol two-phase system has been used to fractionate membrane fragments obtained by press treatment of Class II chloroplasts. By the counter-current distribution technique membrane particles are separated according to their surface properties such as charge and hydrophobicity.The fractions obtained were analysed with respect to photochemical activities, chlorophyll and P-700 contents. The Photosystem II enrichment after counter-current distribution was better than that obtained by differential centrifugation of the disrupted chloroplasts. However, the best separation of Photosystem I and II enriched particles could be achieved if differential centrifugation was combined with the counter-current distribution technique.Each centrifugal fraction could be further separated into Photosystems I and II enriched fractions since the Photosystem II particles preferred the dextran-rich bottom phase while the Photosystem I particles preferred the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase. By this procedure it was possible, without the use of detergents, to obtain vesicles which were more enriched in Photosystem II as compared to intact grana stacks.The partition behaviour of undisrupted Class II chloroplasts and the Photosystem I centrifugal fraction was the same. This similarity indicates that the membrane which is exposed to the surrounding polymers by the Class II chloroplasts is the Photosystem I rich membrane of the stroma lamellae.     

Separation of subchloroplast membrane particles by counter-current distribution.

Counter-current distribution in an aqueous Dextran-polyethylene glycol two-phase system has been used to fractionate membrane fragments obtained by press treatment of Class II chloroplasts. By the counter-current distribution technique membrane particles are separated according to their surface properties such as charge and hydrophobicity. The fractions obtained were analysed with respect to photochemical activities, chlorophyll and P-700 contents. The Photosystem II enrichment after counter-current distribution was better than that obtained by differential centrifugation of the disrupted chloroplasts. However, the best separation of Photosystem I and II enriched particles could be achieved if differential centrifugation was combined with the counter-current distribution technique. Each centrifugal fraction could be further separated into Photosystems I and II enriched fractions since the Photosystem II particles preferred the dextran-rich bottom phase while the Photosystem I particles preferred the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase. By this procedure it was possible, without the use of detergents, to obtain vesicles which were more enriched in Photosystem II as compared to intact grana stacks. The partition behaviour of undisrupted Class II chloroplasts and the Photosystem I centrifugal fraction was the same. This similarity indicated that the membrane which is exposed to the surrounding polymers by the Class II chloroplasts is the Photosystem I rich membrane of the stroma lamellae.     

A single partitioning step in aqueous polymer two-phase systems reduces hypotonized rat erythrocyte heterogeneity

Rat carrier erythrocytes prepared by hypotonic dialysis (80 mOsm/kg) are a heterogeneous cell population that can be fractionated into two-well-defined cell subpopulations by a single partition step, in charge-sensitive dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous two-phase systems. One subpopulation (65% of total cells) has a decreased cell surface charge and is partitioned at the interface in a single step and then fractionated by counter-current distribution as a low-G subpopulation. The other subpopulation (35% of total cells) has charge surface properties more like those of the untreated control rat erythrocytes. These last cells are partitioned in the top phase in a single step and then fractionated by counter-current distribution as a high-G subpopulation. Partitioning is more effective in reducing cell heterogeneity in hypotonized rat erythrocyte populations than is density separation in Ficoll-paque which only separates a small less dense cell subpopulation (5% of total cells), with the most fragile cells, from a larger and more dense cell subpopulation (95% of total cells), with a mixture of fragile and normal cells. This simple cell separation procedure quickly reduces carrier erythrocyte heterogeneity in a single partitioning step so it can be used to prepare cells for in vivo studies.     

Fractionation of cellulase and beta-glucosidase in a Trichoderma reesei culture liquid by use of two-phase partitioning

An aqueous two-phase system based on the two polymers poly(ethylene glycol) and dextran has been used for the fractionation of cellulase enzymes present in culture liquid obtained by fermentation with Trichoderma reesei. The activities of beta-glucosidase and glucanases were separated to high degree by using the two-phase systems for a counter-current distribution process in nine transfer steps. While the glucanases had high affinity to the poly(ethylene glycol) rich top phase the beta-glucosidase was enriched in the dextran-containing bottom phase. Multiple counter-current distribution performed indicates the heterogeneity of beta-glucosidase activities assuming at least four isoenzyme forms. One step concentration of beta-glucosidase by using system with 46:1 phase volume ratio resulted in 16 times higher enzyme activity.     

Heterogeneity of smooth endoplasmic reticulum from rat liver studied by two-phase partitioning.

Smooth microsomal membranes, prepared from rat liver by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation, were subfractionated by counter-current distribution in an aqueous two-phase system consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) and Dextran T500. A comparison of the distribution curves of marker enzymes, together with theoretically calculated curves, indicated the presence of at least five membrane subfractions, differing in the ratios of the marker enzymes. Glucose-6-phosphatase and arylesterase distributed in one manner, and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and NADH-ferricyanide reductase in another. Evidence for further heterogeneities in the distribution of marker enzymes in smooth microsomes was obtained by analysing the membrane domain structure using a recently described method [Albertsson (1988) Q. Rev. Biophys. 21, 61-98]. Phenobarbital treatment did not influence the behaviour of the marker enzymes.     

Subcellular distribution of ATP-dependent calcium transport in rat duodenal epithelium

Subcellular fractionation studies were performed to delineate plasma membrane and intracellular membrane populations which might be involved in intracellular Ca2+-homeostasis of rat small intestinal epithelial cells. After a low-speed supernatant fraction had been suspended in 5% sorbitol and subjected to equilibrium centrifugation in a zonal rotor, the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum markers, galactosyltransferase and NADPH-cytochrome -c reductase, were concentrated in a density region designated Window II. The basal-lateral membrane marker (Na+-K+)-ATPase was concentrated in a higher-density region designated Window III. ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport was equally distributed between the two windows. Several membrane populations could be resolved from each window with good recovery of Ca2+-transport activity by a second density gradient centrifugation step. Second density gradient fractions were subjected to counter-current partitioning in an aqueous polymer two-phase system. Basal-lateral membranes, characterized by an 11-fold enrichment of (Na+-K+)-ATPase, contained ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport activity with Vmax = 3.7 nmol/mg per min and Km = 0.5 microM. A major Golgi-derived population exhibited Ca2+-transport activity with Vmax and Km values similar to those of the basal-lateral membranes. One membrane population, presumed to have been derived from the endoplasmic reticulum, contained Ca2+-transport activity with Vmax = 4 nmol/mg per min and Km = 0.5 microM. In addition to demonstrating that ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport activity has a complex distribution within enterocytes, this study raises the possibility that the basolateral plasma membranes might account for a relatively minor portion of the cell's Ca2+-pumping ability.     

Fractionation of rat liver plasma-membrane regions by two-phase partitioning.

Rat liver plasma membranes, enriched in blood-sinusoidal or bile-canalicular regions by differential and sucrose-gradient centrifugation, were further purified by partitioning in an aqueous polymer two-phase system. This method separates membranes according to differences in surface properties rather than size and density. A several-fold increase in the ratio of leucine aminopeptidase (a bile-canalicular marker) and 5'-nucleotidase to asialo-orosomucoid binding (a blood-sinusoidal marker) was obtained in one fraction, whereas another fraction gave a 2-3-fold increase in ratio of blood-sinusoidal to bile-canalicular markers. Furthermore, the markers for both regions of the plasma membrane, as well as markers for Golgi membranes and lysosomes, showed a heterogeneous behaviour on counter-current distribution.     

Distribution of ATPases in wheat root membranes separated by phase partition

The distribution of divalent cation stimulated ATPase activity in relation to the distribution of other enzyme activities was studied for membrane fractions from wheat roots ( Tritium aestivum L . cv. Svenno). A homogenate from dark grown plants was fractionated by differential centrifugation at 1000 g , 10,000 g , 30,000 g and 60,000 g (1, 10, 30 and 60 KP fractions), followed by partition in an aqueous polymer two-phase system, using polyethylene glycol 4000/dextran T500 concentrations of 5.7/5.7, 5.9/5.9, 6.1/6.1, 6.3/6.3 and 6.5/6.5% (w/w). The 30 KP fraction was also separated by counter-current distribution id a 6.3/6.3% two-phase system. Protein and activities of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺ stimulated ATPases. cytochrome oxidase, light induced absorbance change (LIAC) related to cyt b reductions, inosine diphosphatase and NADH dependent antimycin A insensitive cytochrome c reductase were measured.
The partition of ATPase activities stimulated by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺ was similar at all polymer concentrations tested, indicating: a low cation specificity of the dominating ATPases. The distribution of ATPases. agreed with different marker enzymes in different centrifuge fractions. Divalent cation stimulated ATPases were evidently related to several of the organelles. In the different fractions the distribution of ATPase activity should then follow that of the marker enzyme of the dominant organelle. From studies with different polymer concentrations the 6.3/6.3-system was selected for further separation of the membranes in the 30 KP fraction by counter-current distribution. By this method one fraction was obtained, which probably consisted of plasmalemma and was free from mitochondrial material. Indications for plasmalemma in this fraction were a) similar partition as protoplasts and b) high LIAC activity.     

The use of counter-current distribution to examine the effect of damaging agents on DNA

Mammalian DNA's were separated using a counter-current distribution system for demonstrating alteration in secondary structure after heat denaturation and drug treatment. By using this method a complete separation of native and denatured DNA was achieved. Although the separation of DNA depends on the temperature used for denaturation, the counter-current distribution pattern did not follow exactly the hyperchromic shift. The results suggest that counter-current distribution offers a complementary approach for the study of DNA secondary structure as this method reveals alterations occurring over a wider temperature range than the increase in ultraviolet absorption. The changes in distribution pattern demonstrate cross-linkage occurring with nitrogen mustard and single-strand breaks following methylene dimethanesulphonate (MDMS) treatment in vitro.     

Association of rabbit muscle glycolytic enzymes with filamentous actin. A counter-current distribution study at high ionic strength

The association between purified glycolytic enzymes and filamentous actin from rabbit muscle has been studied by counter-current distribution. The co-distribution of a glycolytic enzyme and filamentous actin leads to a significant change in the counter-current distribution profile of the enzyme whereas that of actin is unaffected. The changes in the distribution profiles clearly demonstrated that all glycolytic enzymes studied, though to different extents, bind to filamentous actin. The aqueous two-phase system used for the studies contained dextran, poly(ethyleneglycol) and 150 millimolal potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. Since the ionic strength of the two-phase system is determined mainly by the buffer, the glycolytic enzymes are evidently able to associate with filamentous actin, at least in the presence of neutral polymers, at ionic strengths comparable to or higher than those assumed to prevail in vivo.     

Management of sedimentation in centrifugal counter-current distribution of sperm cells in an aqueous 2-phase system.

It is generally assumed that centrifugal counter-current distribution (CCCD) in aqueous two-phase systems cannot be employed for analyzing or fractioning cell populations, due to large particles of sediment in the system caused by enhanced gravity. The present work was undertaken to find out whether addition of Percoll to a two-phase system would be a useful method to avoid this cell sedimentation. The results obtained show that bull spermatozoa partition as a unique peak in a CCCD using a Dextran T500-poly(ethylene glycol) 6000 system, and that sedimentation takes place significantly in the upper phase during the process. Addition of increasing concentrations of Percoll made this unique peak wider and two different populations of bull spermatozoa were finally obtained when Percoll concentration rose to 13.6%. This management of cell sedimentation in CCCD could be of great interest for analyzing cell heterogeneity, since the shortening of the time required for counter-current distribution should prevent the loss of cell viability during the separation process. Finally, the results obtained suggest that an increase of viscosity rather than of density is the phase feature which has greater influence on managing cell sedimentation in CCCD.     

Fractionation of proteins from human serum by counter-current distribution

Proteins of human serum have been fractionated by counter-current distribution using aqueous two-phase systems. These were composed of either polyethylene glycol and dextran or polyethylene glycol and the new water soluble starch polymer Aquaphase PPT. The distribution of serum proteins in the polyethylene glycol-Aquaphase PPT system resembles that in the polyethylene glycol-dextran system.The partition of a number of proteins could be changed by introducing polymer-bound reactive dyes into one of the phases. Due to affinity for the dyes several proteins were transferred into the phase containing the polymer-bound ligand leading to an improved separation of individual proteins.Furthermore, the effect of two different dyes, immobilised in the opposite phases, on counter-current distribution of serum proteins was demonstrated. The applicability of this method for fractionation of serum proteins is discussed.     

Continuous integrated antibody precipitation with two-stage tangential flow microfiltration enables constant mass flow

Continuous precipitation is a new unit operation for the continuous capture of antibodies. The capture step is based on continuous precipitation with PEG6000 and Zn⁺⁺ in a tubular reactor integrated with a two-stage continuous tangential flow filtration unit. The precipitate cannot be separated with centrifugation, because a highly compressed sediment results in poor resolubilization. We developed a new two-stage tangential flow microfiltration method, where part of the concentrated retentate of the first stage was directly fed to the second stage, together with the wash buffer. Thus, the precipitate was concentrated and washed in a continuous process. We obtained 97% antibody purity, a 95% process yield during continuous operation, and a fivefold reduction in pre-existing high-molecular-weight impurities. For other unit operations, surge tanks are often required, due to interruptions in the product mass flow out of the unit operation (e.g., the bind/elute mode in periodic counter-current chromatography). Our setup required no surge tanks; thus, it provided a truly continuous antibody capture operation with uninterrupted product mass flow. Continuous virus inactivation and other flow-through unit operations can be readily integrated downstream of the capture step to create truly continuous, integrated, downstream antibody processing without the need for hold tanks.     

Differences in the cellular location of substances endocytosed by rat liver as observed from the distribution patterns obtained after isopycnic centrifugation in a sucrose gradient

We have investigated the distribution of several substances endocytosed by rat-liver, after isopycnic centrifugation in a sucrose gradient of the MLP fractions (de Duve, Pressman, Gianetto, Wattiaux and Appelmans (1955) Biochem.J. 63, 604-617) isolated at increasing times after injection. It has been observed that there are changes in the distribution pattern with time depending on whether the substance is taken up by parenchymal or sinusoidal cells. The results suggest that centrifugation experiments can be informative with respect to the cellular location of a molecule endocytosed by the liver.     

Simplification of aggregate culture of human mesenchymal stem cells as a chondrogenic screening assay

Aggregate culture provides a three-dimensional (3-D) environment for differentiating or differentiated cells; it is particularly useful to study in vitro chondrogenesis and cartilage biology. We have recently ported this method from a conical tube-based format to a 96-well plate format for the study of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis. The microplate format has greatly reduced the workload and materials cost, while maintaining reproducible chondrogenic differentiation. A long-term goal is to fully automate aggregate culture--this requires critically identifying all the indispensable steps of the protocol. Robotic laboratory equipment for manipulating microplate assays are commercially available; however centrifugation steps are difficult to implement automatically. We, therefore, tested whether the centrifugation step can be eliminated, thus significantly streamlining the assay workflow. By comparing aggregates prepared from human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hMSCs) that were formed either through centrifugation or through free sedimentation, we found that both methods produce aggregates with similar formation kinetics, and that there was no perceptible difference in the timing of the appearance of markers of chondrogenesis. Thus, it appears safe to eliminate the centrifugation step from the aggregate culture protocol. This results in significant time and effort savings and paves the way for future full automation of the aggregate assay.     

TRICORE, a novel bead-based specimen concentration method for the culturing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Centrifugation is a necessary concentrating step for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a liquid culture. However, centrifugation is biologically hazardous and presents an obstacle in the development of an automated culture system. A bead-based bacterial concentration method, TRICORE, was recently developed by Genetein Co., Ltd. We compared the efficacy of TRICORE and conventional centrifugation for concentrating M. tuberculosis in clinical sputum specimens by using liquid and solid culture systems. Among 90 pretreated clinical sputum specimens, 51 (57.3%) and 55 (61.8%) M. tuberculosis isolates were recovered by the MGIT culture system by using the centrifugation and TRICORE methods, respectively (chi-square test, p=0.5413). The detection time for the centrifugation method was 359.3±117.0 h, while that for the bead-based concentration method was 377.6±162.3 h (p=0.5637). However, the number of colonies recovered on solid media were significantly higher with the TRICORE method (p=0.003). In particular, among the smear-negative specimens, culture positivity of the TRICORE method was 39.6%, while that of the centrifugation method was 15.1%. The TRICORE bead-based concentration method was considered equivalent to centrifugation and enabled efficient collection of paucibacillary specimens in solution. Thus, the new noncentrifugation concentration method could yield more positive culture results.     

Polysome disassembly in cell extracts of cricket male accessory gland during sucrose gradient centrifugation

The stability of polysomes in cell extracts of cricket (Acheta domesticus) male accessory gland has been examined by sedimentation through a variety of step and linear sucrose gradients. After prolonged centrifugation there is a considerable decline in polysome content with a concurrent increase in monosomes. The extent of the reduction is more severe in step gradients, although the polysomes that remain show a typical profile on linear gradients.Evidence is presented which indicates that the reduction in polysome content is not due to nuclease action. The presence of detergents can affect the extent of disassembly but is not the principal cause. Comparison of [³H]leucine pulse-labelled gluteraldehyde-fixed and unfixed polysomes subjected to extended centrifugation reveals a release of nascent label near the top of the gradients in unfixed preparations. At least part of this displaced material is present as peptidyl-tRNA, suggesting that forced dissociation of polysomes rather than premature termination of nascent chains occurs as a consequence of sedimentation pressures. Comparison of the distribution of polyadenylic acid (poly(A)) sequences in sucrose gradients following short- and long-term centrifugation shows a shift of poly(A) containing RNA out of the polysome and into the pre-monomer region. It is concluded that sucrose gradient sedimentation results in the disassembly of a portion of the polysome population in the tissue examined. The implications with regard to the study of nonpolysomal messenger ribonucleoprotein and monomeric ribosomes are discussed.     

Studies on ethylene binding by cell-free preparations from cotyledons of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: subcellular localization

Abstract. Studies on the subcellular location of ethylene binding activity from developing cotyledons of Phaseolus vulgaris L. are described. Binding activity has been shown to be predominantly membrane bound. When separated by rate-zonal centrifugation more than 70% of this activity was of low sedimentation rate. The slowly sedimenting band of activity was further fractionated into three bands by isopycnic density gradient centrifugation. The three bands occur at sucrose densities of 1.125 g cm⁻³, 1.155 g cm⁻³ and 1.175 g cm⁻³, corresponding to the distribution of putative marker enzymes for the cell endomembrane system and to protein body membranes. Further circumstantial evidence was obtained by electron microscopy and sucrose step gradient centrifugation.     

Characterization of Excision Repair in Neurospora crassa

The excision of pyrimidine dimers from the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Neurospora crassa was examined. Postirradiation incubation in the presence of several chemicals known to inhibit various repair systems indicated that caffeine reduced the rate of excision twofold, but did not inhibit excision completely as did proflavine and quinacrine. Examination of the time course of excision showed that repair occurs at a relatively rapid rate: approximately 60 dimers excised per min after 500 ergs/mm(2). Further evidence for rapid excision was obtained by sedimentation analysis of DNA; the maximal number of breaks introduced during repair was three, suggesting that breaks are repaired almost as fast as they are made and that only a few dimers are repaired at a time. Repair synthesis was measured by prelabeling the DNA with (15)N and D(2)O, and then subjecting the DNA to equilibrium density gradient centrifugation after postirradiation incubation with (32)P. Accumulation of single-strand breaks with increasing dose of ultraviolet radiation suggested that the limiting step was subsequent to the incision and excision steps of repair. Equilibrium CsCl centrifugation demonstrated that the limiting step in excision was repair synthesis.     

The evaluation of AKR leukemia virus purity: the requirement for both velocity and isopycnic centrifugation methods.

The purity of AKR murine leukemia virus obtained by isopycnic centrifugation was compared with the purity obtained by combining velocity sedimentation and isopycnic centrifugation methods. Evaluation of AKR and Rauscher viral purity by electron microscopy and by analysis of [³H]uridine-labeled viral RNA demonstrated that the velocity centrifugation step is essential for the removal of contaminants banding in the viral density region (1.19 – 1.15 g/ml). For studies requiring relatively pure oncornavirus preparations, a combination of both velocity sedimentation and isopycnic centrifugation steps are suggested. Viral recovery of about 50% was obtained by the method described.