Component proteins in crude extract of adult Paragonimus westermani purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies.

The nature of 2 component proteins in crude saline extract of adult Paragonimus westermani was investigated. By immunoaffinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) as ligands, the proteins were purified from the crude extract. Band 1 protein in disc-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was purified by PFCK-136 MAb. The protein, known to have molecular mass of 440 kDa, was composed of 23, 46 and 92 kDa subunits when observed by reducing SDS-PAGE and SDS-PAGE/immunoblot. This protein was originated from eggs of the worm as revealed by immunohistochemical staining with PFCK-136 Mab. Another affinity purified protein utilizing PFCK-44 MAb was the band 4 protein of 17 kDa in disc-PAGE. This was a monomer protein in reducing SDS-PAGE and SDS-PAGE/immunoblot. The protein was produced at intestinal epithelium of the worm.     

Characterization of partially purified 8 kDa antigenic protein of Clonorchis sinensis

The 8 kDa antigenic protein of Clonorchis sinensis was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and subsequently by a column chromatographic steps. The purified protein was separated into 7 and 8 kDa protein bands through SDS-tricine gel electrophoresis, while the protein was found to migrate to a 8 kDa band in 7.5-15% SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of the antigen was estimated to be 110 kDa by Superose 6 HR 10/30 gel filtration. The purified antigen strongly reacted with the human sera of clonorchiasis. The hyperimmune sera of BALB/c mice immunized against the 8 kDa protein were reacted with both the crude extract and the excretory-secretory product of adult worms, but not with the metacercarial extract. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the protein was distributed to the tegument and subtegumental cells and also to the seminal receptacle. The present findings suggest that the 8 kDa protein is a partition of the multicomplex protein originating from various organs of adult C. sinensis, and that it is composed of several 7 and 8 kDa proteins.     

Purification and characterization of acidic form of glutathione S-transferase in human fetal livers: high similarity to placental form.

An acidic form of glutathione S-transferase (GST) was purified from human fetal livers by means of affinity chromatography and chromatofocusing. The major peak of the acidic form of GST was focused between pH 4.8 and 4.9. Judging by SDS-PAGE, the purified acidic GST was apparently homogeneous; the subunit molecular weight was estimated to be 23,000. The acidic GST catalyzed the conjugations of glutathione (GSH) with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (EA). The immunochemical properties of the purified acidic GST were indistinguishable from those of human placental GST-pi. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the acidic GST was identical with that of GST-pi from human placenta. The level of expression of the acidic form of GST was clearly different between human adult and fetal livers as examined on the levels of mRNA and protein.     

Human phosphoserine 31 corticotropin1-39. Isolation and characterization

Two distinct forms of corticotropin1-39 (ACTH) were isolated and purified from an extract of three adult human pituitaries by reversed-phase chromatographic techniques. Structural studies indicated that the more polar form of ACTH was phosphorylated at serine residue 31. Approximately 30% of the ACTH was found in the phosphorylated form. A similar proportion of phosphorylated ACTH was observed in extracts of three pituitaries from human fetuses of 15, 17, and 20 weeks gestation. Phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated human ACTH1-39 were found to be steroidogenically equipotent using both an isolated rat adrenal cell bioassay and a cultured human fetal adrenal cell bioassay.     

Partial purification of the maturation-promoting factor MPF from unfertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis

A 200-fold purification of the maturation-promoting factor or MPF from unfertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis is reported for the first time. Purification was achieved by three successive column chromatographies on hydroxyapatite, trisacryl blue and L-arginine-agarose. The presence of MPF was assessed by the usual maturation criteria after injections of test material into immature stage VI unstimulated X. laevis oocytes: the precocious appearance of the maturation spot (within 45-120 min), the germinal vesicle breakdown, the presence of the first polar body and the second metaphase spindle. Purification was monitored by the decrease of the minimal amount of protein injected in a constant volume (50 nl) required to induce 50% frequency of germinal vesicle breakdown. This amount decreased from 500 ng in the crude extract to 2.5 ng in the 200-fold purified material. Analysis by SDS-PAGE of the crude extract showed about 40 Coomassie-blue-stained polypeptides with molecular masses ranging from 300 kDa to 20 kDa, whereas in the 200-fold purified MPF only 5 stained polypeptides were revealed, with molecular masses of 62, 53, 49, 39 and 37 kDa. In vitro phosphorylations for the detection of kinase activities for endogenous and exogenous substrates were monitored by analysis of autoradiograms of SDS-PAGE, after treatment of fractions with [gamma-32P]ATP. Only inactive fractions eluted from columns ahead of MPF, and fractions containing MPF activity were tested. Phosphorylation of numerous stained polypeptides was demonstrated in the crude MPF extract and exogenous substrates such as phosvitin, casein and histone type II-AS were also strongly phosphorylated. In the MPF fraction, purified on hydroxyapatite, a polypeptide of 53 kDa was more highly and specifically phosphorylated and the presence of kinase activities was observed for the above three exogenous substrates. In the 100-fold and 200-fold purified MPF, phosphorylation of endogenous substrates could not be shown and kinase activities for the above three substrates were drastically decreased as compared with the crude and purified MPF obtained after hydroxyapatite column chromatography. However, neither endogenous phosphorylations nor kinase activities with the above exogenous substrates could be shown in inactive fractions eluted ahead of MPF at the different purification steps. Some characteristics of the purified material are also described in this paper.     

人胃腺苷脱氨酶的分离纯化及性质研究

用硫酸铵分级沉淀、ＤＥＡＥ－纤维素离子交换层析、免疫亲和层析、ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ１００凝胶柱层析从人胃组织中提取出腺苷脱氨酶,酶纯化１９３２４倍,比活力为５７９７Ｕ／ｍｇ蛋白．提取酶液经ＰＡＧＥ、ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和等电聚焦只呈现一条区带。测得该酶的分子量为４１．２ｋＤ,等电点为ｐＨ４．８．氨基酸组成分析表明该酶由３８８个氨基酸残基组成,Ｎ端氨基酸为精氨酸。酶的最适ｐＨ为６．５,ｐＨ小于５．０或大于９．０时不稳定;最适温度为３７℃,对热不太稳定,以腺苷及２－脱氧腺苷作为底物,其Ｋｍ分别为８７μｍｏｌ／Ｌ和４１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ。     

Mineralized Tissue in Aging1

Mineralized tissues undergo continuous remodeling through an appropriate balance in activity of osteoblasts, which regulate bone formation, and osteoclasts, which regulate bone resorption. Identification of the factors which control the osteogenic process has not yet been accomplished. Such identification is vital however, if we are to understand any aberrations in remodeling, that may occur with disease and/or aging. It is known that aging is accompanied by a decrease in absolute bone volume, which may be attributed to alterations in bone specific factors that regulate osteoblast and osteoclast function. In order to better understand age associated bone changes, the author and colleagues have compared extracts of human fetal bone with adult bone using a chemotactic assay, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and molecular sieve chromatography. The results show that the extract of adult bone, when compared with fetal bone, had a relative increase in organic components of lower molecular weight. Second, that chemoattractant activity was present in the extract of fetal bone, but not of adult bone. These differences may in part be related to the clinical condition of increased fracture rate and decreased fracture healing and bone remodeling in older individuals when compared with younger populations.     

人胎肝超氧化物歧化酶的研究

采用离子交换和凝胶过滤层析法,从正常人胎肝提取、纯化铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(Cu.Zn-SOD),并对其性质作了研究,结果测得人胎肝组织Cu·Zn-SOD平均含量为6.44unit/g湿重,并发现随着胎龄的增加人胎肝Cu.Zn-SOD含量上升;纯化后的Cu·Zn-SOD在聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳图谱上呈现单一区带;其活性受氰化钾抑制;以原子吸收光谱测得其铜、锌含量分别为0.39％和0.1％,采用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测得其亚基分子量为16kD;氨基酸自动分析仪测得其亚基的氨基酸残基数为151.5;在紫外吸收光谱上于265nm和258nm处分别出现两个吸收高峰。本研究结果表明,人胎肝Cu.Zn-SOD与成人肝及其他组织的Cu.Zn-SOD理化性质上基本一致。     

Purification of elastase-like chymotrypsin from cardamom shoot and Capsule borer [corrected

An elastase-like chymotrypsin was purified by aprotinin-agarose affinity chromatography from the midgut extract of cardamom shoot and capsule borer, Conogethes punctiferalis. The purified enzyme had a Vmax of 687.6 +/- 22.1 nmole pNA released/min/mg protein, Km of 0.168 +/- 0.012 mM with SAAPLpNA as substrate and gave a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 72.1 kDa. Casein zymogram revealed one clear zone of proteolytic activity, which corresponded to the band obtained with SDS-PAGE indicating that this could be a single-polypeptide enzyme.     

Phosphorylation of the chicken progesterone receptor

We have examined the phosphorylation of the chicken progesterone receptor in tissue slices and in vitro. The receptor is phosphorylated in tissue slices and this phosphorylation is stimulated by progesterone. As others have reported, partially purified receptor preparations contain a kinase activity which phosphorylates histones and receptor. We have shown that this activity can be separated from the receptor. The receptor is a substrate for several kinases, including the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and PPdPK, a polypeptide-dependent protein kinase. Phosphorylation by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase results in an apparent increase in the molecular weight of the receptor when the receptor is analyzed by SDS-PAGE. These results are consistent with apparent changes in molecular weight observed for rabbit and human progesterone receptor upon treatment of tissue or cells with hormone.     

Phosphorylation of 6-phosphofructokinase in rat lung

1. 6-Phosphofructokinase of both fetal and adult rat lung consists of L, M and C subunits in a ratio of 65:25:10. 2. 6-Phosphofructokinase was purified to homogeneity from adult rat lung and subjected to phosphorylation in vitro by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. 3. This resulted in phosphorylation of the L and M subunit of 6-phosphofructokinase. 4. The C subunit was not phosphorylated. 5. However, if the phosphorylation of 6-phosphofructokinase was studied in the cytosol fraction of either fetal or adult lung using endogenous protein kinase(s), only the L subunit was phosphorylated. 6. This phosphorylation was dependent on cyclic AMP. 7. No influence of calcium, calmodulin or phosphatidylserine/diolein on the phosphorylation was observed. 8. It is concluded that although both L and M subunits of rat lung 6-phosphofructokinase are potential substrates for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, their phosphorylation in situ is differentially regulated.     

Mitogenic properties of a new endothelial cell growth factor related to pleiotrophin.

A growth factor was isolated from a neutral pH extract of adult bovine brain. Purification of this polypeptide was achieved by a three step procedure including cationic exchange, heparin-Sepharose affinity and Mono S chromatography. This heparin binding protein had a molecular weight of 18,000 as assessed by silver-stained SDS-PAGE and was not immunologically and structurally related to acidic or basic FGF. Freshly purified protein had a maximal mitogenic effect on bovine brain capillary cells at a concentration of 100 pM. Microsequencing revealed an unique amino-terminal sequence homologous to heparin-binding growth-associated molecule (HB-GAM), a neuronal maturation protein, to pleiotrophin (PTN), a fibroblast cell growth factor and to one form of the putative protein product of the MK gene, a retinoic acid induced-gene.     

Identification, immunoaffinity purification and partial characterization of a human decidua-associated protein

A crude extract of pooled early-pregnancy decidual tissue was enriched for soluble decidual proteins by exhaustive affinity absorption with antibodies to human serum proteins immobilized on Eupergit C. The partly purified extract was used to prepare monoclonal antibodies. A monoclonal antibody was obtained recognizing an antigen present in extract of decidual tissue and not in extract of proliferative endometrium. The monoclonal antibody was used for immunoaffinity purification of the decidua-associated protein. By SDS-PAGE analysis, under reducing conditions it yielded 2 bands at apparent molecular weights of 55,000 and 25,000. Under non-reducing conditions a single protein band at apparent molecular weight of 200,000 was observed. The Mr 200,000 protein was named hDP200 and the Mr 55,000 protein was named hDP55. It is suggested that hDP55 is a subunit of the hDP200. The hDP200 did not react with polyclonal antibodies specific for PP12 and PP14. PP14 has been shown to be immunologically indistinguishable from PEP and alpha 2-PEG. Our data therefore suggest that hDP200 is a novel human decidua-associated protein.     

Platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa are substrates of purified pp60c-src protein tyrosine kinase.

Human platelet glycoproteins IIb and IIIa form the receptor for fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor and fibronectin. Isolated human glycoproteins IIb-IIIa are phosphorylated by purified pp60c-src protein tyrosine kinase. Analysis of the phosphorylated proteins on SDS-PAGE showed that under reducing conditions both phosphoproteins change their relative molecular masses from 135 to 120 kDa and from 97 to 105 kDa, which are characteristic properties of glycoproteins IIb-IIIa. Phosphorylated proteins could be immunoprecipitated with an antiserum against glycoproteins IIb-IIIa but not by control serum. Some kinetic properties of the glycoprotein phosphorylations are also investigated. How the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex acquires its receptor activity in stimulated platelets is unknown; however, phosphorylation could be an important mechanism.     

Purification and characterization of a neutrophil chemotactic factor from Dirofilaria immitis

A neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF-Di) was purified from a crude extract of Dirofilaria immitis adult worm by a combination of anion-exchange chromatography on DE52 and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. NCF-Di showed a single protein band by both polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) PAGE. The molecular weight of NCF-Di was estimated to be 17,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150, and 14,000 by SDS-PAGE. NCF-Di was an acidic protein with isoelectric point of 4.5. NCF-Di was absorbed neither to lentil lectin-Sepharose nor to concanavalin A-Sepharose. The chemotactic activity of NCF-Di was heat labile (56 C, 1 hr), but was resistant to periodate oxidation. These results suggest that NCF-Di is a simple peptide which has few or no sugar chains. These physicochemical properties of NCF-Di were compared to previously reported parasite-derived chemoattractants or purified allergen of D. immitis.     

Identification of a specific protein factor defective in group A xeroderma pigmentosum cells.

A protein factor which corrects the defect in xeroderma pigmentosum cells belonging to complementation group A (XP-A cells) was detected in a cell extract prepared from calf thymus. The activity of this factor was measured as the amount of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) reappearing in UV-irradiated XP-A cells after microinjection of the extract. The native molecular mass of this factor was estimated to be 80 kDa by gel-filtration and 25 kDa by glycerol gradient centrifugation. The activity was, however, recovered at a position corresponding to 43 kDa after renaturation on an SDS-PAGE gel. The isoelectric point was determined to be approximately 7.5 by measuring the activity after renaturation on an IEF gel. These values were obtained with a partially purified sample. A spot corresponding to these values was detected on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with a highly purified sample recovered from an SDS-PAGE gel. The purified protein stimulated UDS specifically in the XP-A cells and endowed the cells with a normal level of UV-resistance. The XP-A cells injected with the factor also showed a normal level of UDS after treatment with either 4HAQO or psoralen plus UV-A. This factor (XP-A complementing factor; XP-ACF) may be involved in the repair of DNA damage induced by various agents.     

Purification of diacylglycerol kinase from Microsporum gypseum and its phosphorylation by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A

Diacylglycerol (DG) kinase (EC 2.7.1.107) was purified to homogeneity from the soluble extract of Microsporum gypseum, a dermatophyte. Purified enzyme showed a final specific activity of 2172 pmol/min/mg protein and its apparent molecular weight on SDS-PAGE was found to be 93 kDa. The activity of purified enzyme was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of DG-kinase inhibitor (D5919, Sigma). DG-kinase activity was found to be stimulated in the presence of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cardiolipin while the activity was alleviated in the presence of phosphatidic acid and arachidonic acid. Kinase activity was partially inhibited when assayed after prior treatment with alkaline phosphatase. Treatment of DG-kinase with the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA)-stimulated DG-kinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Incubation of DG-kinase with the catalytic subunit of PKA led to the phosphorylation of DG-kinase as revealed by autoradiography. The phosphorylated band disappeared completely in the presence of specific PKA inhibitor. Increased activity of DG-kinase on incubation with the catalytic subunit of PKA was possibly due to the phosphorylation of the former by the latter. Whether this in vitro phosphorylation and activation of DG-kinase occurs under physiological conditions remains to be elucidated.     

A study on renin binding protein (RnBP) in the human kidney

We purified, from human kidney, a protein that reacts with rabbit anti-porcine kidney renin binding protein (RnBP) antiserum by trapping with porcine kidney renin. The purified preparation showed a single protein peak on gel filtration by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and two protein bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The latter two kinds of protein were identified as the porcine renin and human kidney protein from their electrophoretic mobilities and reactivity toward rabbit anti-porcine kidney renin and RnBP antisera. The molecular weights of the purified preparation and the human kidney protein were estimated to be 56,000 by HPLC and 43,000 by SDS-PAGE, respectively. The specific activity of porcine renin in the purified preparation was 8.6 mg angiotensin I per mg of protein per h at 37 degrees C and pH 6.5. This specific activity was about one-fifth that of free porcine renin. Therefore, it is suggested from the reactivity toward the anti-porcine RnBP antiserum and inhibitory action toward porcine renin that the human kidney protein is RnBP and that the human RnBP is purified as a complex with porcine renin.     

Purification and characterization of a phosvitin kinase from the thyroid gland

1. Two cyclic AMP independent protein kinases phosphorylating preferentially acidic substrates have been identified in soluble extract from human, rat and pig thyroid glands. Both enzymes were retained on DEAE-cellulose. The first enzyme activity eluted between 60 and 100 mM phosphate (depending on the species), phosphorylated both casein and phosvitin and was retained on phosphocellulose; this enzyme likely corresponds to a casein kinase already described in many tissues. The second enzyme activity eluted from DEAE-cellulose at phosphate concentrations higher than 300 mM, phosphorylated only phosvitin and was not retained on phosphocellulose. These enzymes were neither stimulated by cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP and calcium, nor inhibited by the inhibitor of the cyclic AMP dependent protein kinases. 2. The second enzyme activity was purified from pig thyroid gland by the association of affinity chromatography on insolubilized phosvitin and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Its specific activity was increased by 8400. 3. The purified enzyme (phosvitin kinase) was analyzed for biochemical and enzymatic properties. Phosvitin kinase phosphorylated phosvitin with an apparent Km of 100 micrograms/ml; casein, histone, protamine and bovine serum albumin were not phosphorylated. The enzyme utilized ATP as well as GTP as phosphate donor with an apparent Km of 25 and 28 microM, respectively. It had an absolute requirement for Mg2+ with a maximal activity at 4 mM and exhibited an optimal activity at pH 7.0. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was 110 000 as determined by Sephacryl S300 gel filtration. The analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a major band with a molecular weight of 35000 suggesting a polymeric structure of the enzyme.