Purification,immunological characterization and cDNA cloning of a 47 kDa glycoprotein secreted by carrot suspension cells

A 47 kDa glycoprotein, termed EP4, was purified from carrot cell suspension culture medium. An antiserum raised against EP4 also recognized a protein of 45 kDa that was ionically bound to the cell wall. EP4 was detected in culture media from both embryogenic and non-embryogenic cell lines and was found to be secreted by a specific subset of non-embryogenic cells. Secretion of the 47 kDa glycoprotein by embryogenic cells was not evident. The 45 kDa cell wall-bound EP4 protein was specific for non-embryogenic cells and was shown by immunolocalization to occur in the walls of clustered cells, with the highest levels in the walls separating adjacent cells. In seedlings, EP4 proteins were mainly found in roots. EP4 cDNA was cloned by screening a cDNA library with an oligonucleotide derived from an EP4 peptide sequence. The EP4 cDNA sequence was found to be 55% homologous to ENOD8, an early nodulin gene from alfalfa.DLO Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research (CPRO-DLO)     

Formation of embryogenic cell clumps from carrot epidermal cells is suppressed by 5-azacytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor

Using a direct somatic embryogenesis system in carrot, we examined the role of DNA methylation in the change of cellular differentiation state, from somatic to embryogenic. 5-Azacytidine (aza-C), an inhibitor of DNA methylation suppressed the formation of embryogenic cell clumps from epidermal carrot cells. Aza-C also downregulated the expression of DcLEC1c, a LEC1-like embryonic gene in carrot, during morphogenesis of embryos. A carrot DNA methyltransferase gene, Met1-5 was expressed transiently after the induction of somatic embryogenesis by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), before the formation of embryogenic cell clumps. These findings suggested the significance of DNA methylation in acquiring the embryogenic competence in somatic cells in carrot.     

Purification and immunohistochemical detection of an embryogenic cell protein in carrot

An embryogenic cell protein from carrot (Daucus carota L.), designated ECP31 for embryogenic cell protein and with a relative mass of 31,000, was purified by sequential column chromatographies. Its apparent relative mass was estimated to be 120,000 by gel filtration. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical studies showed that ECP31 was preferentially localized in the peripheral cells of clusters of embryogenic cells in the presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and disappeared during the course of somatic embryogenesis in the absence of 2,4-D. ECP31 began to accumulate on the 33rd day after initiation of cultures of hypocotyl segments on Murashige-Skoog medium with 2,4-D, when callus began to appear on the segments. In dry seeds, lower amounts of ECP31 were located throughout the entire zygotic embryos but not in endosperm. ECP31 was also detected in provascular tissue of malformed somatic embryos.     

Purification of soybean trypsin inhibitor by an immunosorption method

A technique for isolation of the trypsin inhibitor from soya beans (Kunitz inhibitor) was developed with affinity chromatography as a main step, the immobilized antibodies of the inhibitor being used as a sorbent. The inhibitor obtained was homogeneous according to the data of electrophoresis in PAAG and had the specific activity equal to that of an inhibitor preparation obtained by affinity chromatography on trypsin-sepharose.     

Properties of a trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor secreted by larval Taenia pisiformis

Living metacestodes of Taenia pisiformis maintained in vitro discharge into the surrounding medium a protease inhibitor, which has been purified from the medium by affinity chromatography on bovine α-chymotrypsin immobilized to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. The purified inhibitor was shown to inactivate the hydrolysis of $\text{N-α-}\text{benzoyl}\text{-}\text{L}\text{-}\text{arginine}$ ethyl ester and $\text{N-}\text{benzoyl}\text{-}\text{L}\text{-}\text{tyrosine}$ ethyl ester, respectively, by trypsin and chymotrypsin of bovine, rabbit and dog origin, and also the hydrolysis of casein by both bovine trypsin and bovine α and β chymotrypsins, but it did not affect the enzymic activity of subtilisin, elastase, collagenase, pepsin, rennin and papain. The inhibitor withstood heating at 100°C for up to 30 min, was stable in the pH range of 1.5–8.0, was unaffected by 8 M-urea or 0.2 M-2-mercaptoethanol, and had a molecular weight of about 7000 as calculated from its gel chromatographic behaviour. The inhibitor specifically inhibits either trypsin or chymotrypsin with the formation of stable enzyme inhibitor complexes that are not dissociated by 4 M-KCl. Inhibition of trypsin and chymotrypsin is non-competitive and is linear with inhibitor concentration up to 70–80% inhibition. Inhibitory activities toward both enzymes are functions of the same binding site of the inhibitor molecule. Complex formation between the inhibitor and the enzymes is timedependent; it requires 3–4 min for completion.     

Purification and cDNA cloning of a novel protease inhibitor secreted into culture supernatant by MDCK cells.

The infectivity of influenza viruses to host cells depends on the activation of the viral glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) by proteases. Starting from the observation that influenza virus replication in MDCK (Madin Darby canine kidney) cells was impaired by inactivation of trypsin in the culture fluids, we demonstrated that the inhibitory activity was resolved into two Trypsin-inactivating factors (TF), TF A (15 kDa) and TF B (11 kDa). N-terminal protein sequences of the factors revealed that TF A was a known Submandibular Protease Inhibitor (SPI) secreted in dog saliva, while TF B was a novel protein (renamed CKPI; canine kidney protease inhibitor). Following peptide mapping and protein sequencing of CKPI we obtained a 390 bp cDNA encoding a 130-amino-acid protein from MDCK cell total RNA. Protein sequence comparison showed a 63.8% identity with human secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), the molecule containing two conserved whey acidic protein (WAP) motifs, and we suggest that CKPI is thought to be the canine analogue of human SLPI. These results suggest that the inhibitory factors are secreted from MDCK cells, which are involved in prevention of virus replication, and applicable to the protection of host cells from virus infection.     

Auxin-controlled glycoprotein release into the medium of embryogenic carrot cells

Glycoproteins released from carrot cells into culture media were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by staining with Coomassie brilliant blue or with the periodic-acid Schiff procedure. The appearance or disappearance of two glycoproteins of M_r 65,000 (GP65) and M_r 57,000 (GP57) was closely related to the formation of somatic embroys. GP65 was released specifically from embryogenic cells cultured in a medium without 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, in which they can form somatic embryos. GP57 was released from the same embryogenic cells, if they were cultured in a medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, in which they cannot form somatic embryos. Nonembryogenic cells which cannot form somatic embryos, released only GP57.     

Purification and characterization of a sulfated glycoprotein secreted by Sertoli cells

Sulfated glycoprotein 2 (SGP-2), the major secretion product of Sertoli cells, was purified from cell culture medium by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The native protein consists of disulfide-linked monomers of 41,000 and 29,000 daltons which have a strong tendency to associate into multimers. The purified SGP-2 was subjected to amino acid analysis and contained high levels of Asx (11.1%), Glx (15.1%), and leucine (11.5%). The oligosaccharides on the purified SGP-2 were analyzed to determine the monosaccharide compositions and the molecular weights of the intact carbohydrate moieties. SGP-2 was shown to be 23.7% carbohydrate and consisted of 1% fucose, 3.5% mannose, 4.1% galactose, 7.1% N-acetylglucosamine, and 8.0% N-acetylneuraminic acid. No N-acetylgalactosamine was detected. When the SGP-2 was digested with proteases, the intact oligosaccharides were chromatographed over a Bio-Gel P-6 column and found to elute in a single symmetrical peak of approximately 3,300 g/mol. On the basis of these results, the oligosaccharides on SGP-2 were proposed to consist of triantennary chains similar to those found on fetuin. When the 35SO4(2-)-labeled SGP-2 was digested with Pronase, the free amino acids could be separated by chromatography from the oligosaccharide. The 35SO4(2-) was shown to be associated with the oligosaccharide portion of SGP-2.     

Purification and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from Solanum tuberosum.

A trypsin inhibitor isolated from a potato acetone powder has been purified by affinity chromatography. This protein inhibits trypsin mole per mole. To a lesser extent it combines also with chymotrypsin and elastase. For trypsin, K1 = 8 X 10(-7) M. The inhibitor has a single polypeptide chain of 207 amino acid residues. It contains no sugar or free sulfhydryl groups. Its extinction coefficient E2801% = 10.3 and its isoelectric point is 6.9. Its molecular weight is of the order of 21 000-22000, as determined by sedimentation equilbrium, by inhibition experiment or from its amino acid composition. These same techniques, taken together with the single band observed at different pH on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicate that the protein purified is monodisperse. However, the finding of two N-terminal amino acid residues, leucine and aspartic acid, and the different stoichometry observed during the interaction of the inhibitor, either with trypsin or with chymotrypsin and elastase, raises the possibility that our preparation is contaminated by a polyvalent inhibitor not detectable by physiochemical methods.     

Purification and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from Putranjiva roxburghii seeds

A highly stable and potent trypsin inhibitor was purified to homogeneity from the seeds of Putranjiva roxburghii belonging to Euphorbiaceae family by acid precipitation, cation-exchange and anion-exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis, under reducing condition, showed that protein consists of a single polypeptide chain with molecular mass of approximately 34 kDa. The purified inhibitor inhibited bovine trypsin in 1:1 molar ratio. Kinetic studies showed that the protein is a competitive inhibitor with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.4x10(-11) M. The inhibitor retained the inhibitory activity over a broad range of pH (pH 2-12), temperature (20-80 degrees C) and in DTT (up to100 mM). The complete loss of inhibitory activity was observed above 90 degrees C. CD studies, at increasing temperatures, demonstrated the structural stability of inhibitor at high temperatures. The polypeptide backbone folding was retained up to 80 degrees C. The CD spectra of inhibitor at room temperature exhibited an alpha, beta pattern. N-terminal amino acid sequence of 10 residues did not show any similarities to known serine proteinase inhibitors, however, two peptides obtained by internal partial sequencing showed significant resemblance to Kunitz-type inhibitors.     

Purification and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from seeds of Murraya koenigii

A protein with trypsin inhibitory activity was purified to homogeneity from the seeds of Murraya koenigii (curry leaf tree) by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography on HPLC. The molecular mass of the protein was determined to be 27 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis under reducing conditions. The solubility studies at different pH conditions showed that it is completely soluble at and above pH 7.5 and slowly precipitates below this pH at a protein concentration of 1 mg/ml. The purified protein inhibited bovine pancreatic trypsin completely in a molar ratio of 1:1.1. Maximum inhibition was observed at pH 8.0. Kinetic studies showed that Murraya koenigii trypsin inhibitor is a competitive inhibitor with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 7 x 10(-9) M. The N-terminal sequence of the first 15 amino acids showed no similarity with any of the known trypsin inhibitors, however, a short sequence search showed significant homology to a Kunitz-type chymotrypsin inhibitor from Erythrina variegata.     

Purification and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from seeds of Murraya koenigii

A protein with trypsin inhibitory activity was purified to homogeneity from the seeds of Murraya koenigii (curry leaf tree) by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography on HPLC. The molecular mass of the protein was determined to be 27 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis under reducing conditions. The solubility studies at different pH conditions showed that it is completely soluble at and above pH 7.5 and slowly precipitates below this pH at a protein concentration of 1 mg/ml. The purified protein inhibited bovine pancreatic trypsin completely in a molar ratio of 1:1.1. Maximum inhibition was observed at pH 8.0. Kinetic studies showed that Murraya koenigii trypsin inhibitor is a competitive inhibitor with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 7 × 10^{? 9} M. The N-terminal sequence of the first 15 amino acids showed no similarity with any of the known trypsin inhibitors, however, a short sequence search showed significant homology to a Kunitz-type chymotrypsin inhibitor from Erythrina variegata.     

Purification and properties of a subtilisin inhibitor and an associated trypsin inhibitor from Dolichos biflorus

A subtilisin inhibitor and an associated trypsin inhibitor from Dolichos biflorus were purified to homogeneity by conventional methods such as chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, gel filtration on Sephadex G-75, PAGE and affinity chromatography. The final preparations were homogeneous on PAGE. Their pI were 7.66 and 7.70, respectively. The dissociation constant of the complex of the inhibitor with subtilisin was 2.69.10(-10) M. Both the inhibitors were stable to heat, TCA and ethanol. The molecular weights of the subtilisin inhibitor and the associated trypsin inhibitor by gel filtration were 7500 and 8200, respectively.     

Purification and characterization of a new trypsin inhibitor from Dimorphandra mollis seeds

A second trypsin inhibitor (DMTI-II) was purified from the seed of Dimorphandra mollis (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) by ammonium sulfate precipitation (30–60%), gel filtration, and ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. A molecular weight of 23 kDa was estimated by gel filtration on a Superdex 75 column SDS-PAGE under reduced conditions showed that DMTI-II consisted of a single polypeptide chain, although isoelectric focusing revealed the presence of three isoforms. The dissociation constant of 1.7 × 10^–9 M with bovine trypsin indicated a high affinity between the inhibitor and this enzyme. The inhibitory activity was stable over a wide pH range and in the presence of DTT. The N-terminal sequence of DMTI-II showed a high degree of homology with other Kunitz-type inhibitors.     

Purification and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from mouse seminal vesicle secretion

A Kazal-type trypsin inhibitor in mouse seminal vesicle secretion was purified to homogeneity via a series of purification steps including ammonium sulfate fractionation, affinity chromatography on a trypsin Affi-Gel 10 column, and HPLC on a reverse phase C4 column. It was shown to be a weak basic protein with an isoelectric point of 8.7 and to contain no carbohydrate. The protein had a specific activity of 184 U/mg protein in the inhibitory effect on the trypsin digestion of N-benzoyl-Pro-Phe-Arg-p-nitroanilide. Analysis of the kinetic data for the trypsin digestion of N-benzoyl-Phe-Val-Arg 7-amido-4-methylcoumarin revealed that the protein was a competitive inhibitor with an inhibitory constant (Ki) of 0.15 nM. The molecular mass of the protein was determined to be 7 kDa by both gel chromatography and electrophoresis. Results of direct amino acid determinations indicated that this protein corresponded to the reading frame of MP12 cDNA identified from mouse prostate. We found that cleavage only at the reactive site of this protein (Arg19-Ile20) resulted in its denaturation.     

Low external pH prevents cell elongation but not multiplication of embryogenic carrot cells

Embryogenic cultures of cultivated carrot ( Daucus crota cv. Scarlet Nantes) were initiated from seedling hypocotyls on hormone-containing nutrient medium and from wounded zygotic embryos on hormone-free medium. Both of these cultures were maintained with continuous multiplication as unorganized, embryogenic cell masses on hormone-free medium at pH 4.0, containing NH⁺₄ as the sole nitrogen source. When grown on hormone-free medium at pH 4.0, neither culture contained any elongated cells. Virtually all cells were densely cytoplasmic and nearly spherical. Some cells were enlarged, not densely cytoplasmic, but always spherical. When either culture was transferred to an auxin-containing medium at pH 5.8, numerous elongated cells were produced. Elongated cells were observed when either naphthaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was used, and whether the nitrogen source was NH⁺₄ alone or a combination of NH⁺₄ and NO⁻₃. Elongated cells were more abundant when a combined nitrogen source was used. When cultures containing elongated cells were transferred to and multiplied on hormone-free or hormone-containing medium buffered at pH 4.0, all elongated cells disappeared after 2 weeks. No elongated cells were observed in any of the lines tested at pH 4.0. These results clearly show that it was the pH of the culture medium and not the presence or absence of an auxin or the nitrogen source(s) that permitted or prevented cell elongation in the embryogenic cultures tested.     

Identification of a novel human granzyme B inhibitor secreted by cultured sertoli cells

Sertoli cells have long since been recognized for their ability to suppress the immune system and protect themselves as well as other cell types from harmful immune reaction. However, the exact mechanism or product produced by Sertoli cells that affords this immunoprotection has never been fully elucidated. We examined the effect of mouse Sertoli cell-conditioned medium on human granzyme B-mediated killing and found that there was an inhibitory effect. We subsequently found that a factor secreted by Sertoli cells inhibited killing through the inhibition of granzyme B enzymatic activity. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that this factor formed an SDS-insoluble complex with granzyme B. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectroscopic analysis of the complex identified a proteinase inhibitor, serpina3n, as a novel inhibitor of human granzyme B. We cloned serpina3n cDNA, expressed it in Jurkat cells, and confirmed its inhibitory action on granzyme B activity. Our studies have led to the discovery of a new inhibitor of granzyme B and have uncovered a new mechanism used by Sertoli cells for immunoprotection.     

Purification of human tissue plasminogen activator with Erythrina trypsin inhibitor

Seeds of the legume Erythrina latissima contain a 20,000-dalton, single-chain protein that has been shown to inhibit the amidolytic activity of trypsin and tissue plasminogen activator. It had no comparable effect on urokinase. IC50 values of 1.1 X 10(-7) M for tissue plasminogen activator and 6.9 X 10(-10) M for trypsin were determined by titration. When coupled to agarose, the Erythrina inhibitor provided an effective reagent for affinity purification of tissue plasminogen activator from melanoma cell-conditioned tissue culture medium. Using this as a single-step procedure, 270-fold purified enzyme was reproducibly obtained with yields of 90% or greater. Both one- and two-chain forms of tissue plasminogen activator were purified. The enzyme migrated, in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, as a predominant 72,000-dalton doublet with lesser amounts of immunochemically similar, 115,000- and 68,000-dalton components.     

Purification and characterization of a Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor from Leaf-nosed viper venom.

A Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor was purified from Leaf-nosed viper venom and the primary structure determined by peptide analysis. In relation to other trypsin inhibitors, the protein has an extended C-terminal segment and a distinct pattern of residue alterations at the functionally important contact sites with proteases.