Characterization of an S-type lectin purified from porcine heart

We have purified a carbohydrate-binding protein from porcine heart by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-Sepharose and have characterized this protein with respect to its size, amino acid composition, partial amino acid sequence, and carbohydrate-binding specificity. Porcine heart lectin (PHL) has a subunit molecular mass of 14,700 and is immunologically cross-reactive with a polyclonal antibody raised against a lectin isolated from calf heart. The amino acid composition of PHL is similar to that of lectins that have been isolated from calf heart, bovine brain, and rat lung. Moreover, the primary sequences of four tryptic fragments (52 amino acids total) derived from PHL are closely related to sequences previously determined for 10 other vertebrate-derived lectins. The ability of PHL to agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes was inhibited only by oligosaccharides containing terminal beta-galactosyl residues. These data indicate that PHL is a vertebrate "S-type" lectin and provide further evidence that the structures and carbohydrate-binding specificities of these lectins are highly conserved across diverse vertebrate genera.     

Mannose-specific lectin isolation from Canavalia ensiformis seeds by PHEMA-based cryogel

Mannose-specific lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) was purified from Canavalia ensiformis seeds. For this purpose, mannose attached poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogel was prepared by cryopolymerization. Mannose was used as the affinity ligand and was covalently attached onto the PHEMA cryogel via carbodiimide activation. The PHEMA cryogel containing 23.3 mmol mannose/g polymer were used in the binding studies. Con A binding with the mannose attached PHEMA cryogel from Con A aqueous solution was 5.2 mg/g at pH 7. Maximum binding capacity for Con A from C. ensiformis seed extract was 39 mg/g. Con A was eluted with 0.3 M galactose, and the purity of Con A was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was observed that the mannose attached PHEMA cryogel can be used without significant decrease in Con A binding capacity after six binding-elution cycles.     

Characterization of the galactose-specific binding activity of a purified soluble Entamoeba histolytica adherence lectin.

We studied galactose (Gal)-specific binding of the soluble purified 260-kDa Entamoeba histolytica adherence protein to glycosylation deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants. Our goal was to further define the lectin's functional activity and carbohydrate receptor specificity. The adherence protein was purified by acid elution from an immunoaffinity column; however, exposure of the surface membrane lectin on viable trophozoites to identical acid pH conditions had no effect on carbohydrate binding activity. Saturable Gal-specific binding of soluble lectin to parental CHO cells was demonstrated at 4 degrees C by radioimmunoassay; the dissociation coefficient (Kd) was 2.39 x 10(-8) M-1 with 5.97 x 10(4) lectin receptors present per CHO cell. Gal-specific binding of lectin to Lec2 CHO cell mutants, which have increased N- and O-linked terminal Gal residues on cell surface carbohydrates, was increased due to an enhanced number of receptors (2.41 x 10(5)/cell) rather than a significantly reduced dissociation constant (4.93 x 10(-8) M-1). At 4 degrees C, there was no measurable Gal-specific binding of the adherence protein to the Lec1 and 1dlD.Lec1 CHO mutants, which contain surface carbohydrates deficient in terminal Gal residues. Binding of lectin (20 micrograms/ml) to CHO cells was equivalent at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C and unaltered by adding the microfilament inhibitor, Cytochalasin D (10 micrograms/ml). Gal-specific binding of the lectin at 4 degrees C was calcium independent and reduced by 81% following adsorption of only 0.2% of the lectin to CHO cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Purification of a lectin from Canavalia ensiformis using PEG-citrate aqueous two-phase system

A PEG/citrate aqueous two-phase system was tested in the partition of commercial Concanavalin A (Con A) and subsequently applied to the extraction and purification of Con A from the crude extract of Canavalia ensiformis seeds. Con A was successfully extracted to the bottom phase of a system composed of 22% (w/w) PEG8000 and 12% (w/w) citrate at pH 6.0. The obtained purification factor was 11.5 without any loss in the hemagglutinating activity. The purity of extracted lectin was confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis.     

N-Acetyl-d-glucosamine-specific lectin purified from Vibrio cholerae 01

An N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-specific cell associated hemagglutinin (HA) was isolated and purified from a strain of Vibrio cholerae 01 by chitin affinity chromatography followed by separation on Bio Gel P-150. A single stained protein band of 47 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was observed with the purified HA. HA-antisera produced a single precipitin band against the purified HA in an immunodiffusion test without exhibiting any reactivity towards purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Purified HA, used as solid-phase antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reacted strongly with HA-antisera but cross-reacted negligibly with antisera raised against purified LPS. Hemagglutinating activity of the purified HA was highly sensitive to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The immunogold-labelling method using HA-antisera confirmed the location of the HA on the surface of the bacterial cells. The HA-antisera reacted with a protein component of the homologous outer membrane preparation. A significant inhibition was observed in the adhesive capability of the V. cholerae 01 strain to isolated rabbit intestinal epithelial cells (RIEC) in vitro when the later were pre-treated with the purified HA.     

Interaction of the alpha-mannosidase from Canavalia ensiformis with the lectin from the same plant, concanavalin A

The specific interaction between the lectin concanavalin A and the alpha-mannosidase from the Leguminosa Canavalia ensiformis was studied by means of laser nephelometry and affinity chromatography. Both proteins react optimally within a certain stoichiometrical range. Interaction is restricted to a narrow pH interval (around pH 5) and to low ionic strengths (less than 10mM NaCl). Neither the sugar-binding site of the lectin nor the catalytic and the hydrophobic sites of the enzyme participate in the interaction. The conformation of the enzyme at pH 5 which favours the interaction can be arrested by immobilization. After this, the enzyme is able to bind the lectin even at pH 8 where no interaction takes place between the dissolved proteins.     

Characterization of two multispecific aspartate aminotransferase isozymes purified from bushbean shoots capable of transaminating aromatic amino acids and severalDL-chloro-phenylalanines

Two electrophoretically distinct isozymes ofL-phenylalanine aminotransferase (Enz I, Enz II) purified from a total soluble shoot extract of bushbean have been characterized. The M_rs of Enz I and Enz II were 100 000 and 110 000, respectively. Both isozymes showed pH optima of 8.5. Enz I was able to use either 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) or oxaloacetate (OAA) equally as a keto acid substrate whenL-phenylalanine was the amino donor, while Enz II preferred 2-OG. Neither isozyme was able to use glyoxylate or pyruvate in the presence ofL-phenylalanine. When tested with a range of protein amino acids, both Enz I and Enz II showed the highest rate of transamination withL-aspartate, indicating that both isozymes wereL-aspartate aminotransferases capable of also showingL-aromatic aminotransferase activity.L-Phenylalanine aminotransferase activity relative toL-aspartate aminotransferase activity was found to be 0.6 % for Enz I and 3.3% for Enz II. Lineweaver-Burk plots of kinetic data gave apparent K_m values (mM) for Enz I of 2.3 (L-Asp), 55.0 (L-Phe) and 9.0 (2-OG) and for Enz II, 2.8 (L-Asp), 320.0 (L-Phe) and 8.2 (2-OG). The values were confirmed by treatment of the data by Hill plots. When tested with a series of 12 ring-substitutedDL-chlorophenylalanines, Enz I was active only with the 3-chloro- and 4-chloro-compounds, while Enz II was active with all three monochloro-compounds as well as with the 2,4-, 2,6- and 3,4-dichlorophenylalanines. The activity of Enz II with 4-chlorophenylalanine was very high, 222 % higher than that observed withDL-phenylalanine. Enz I was completely inhibited by 1.0 mM Ca²⁺ while Enz II was unaffected by this cation, which suggested different subcellular locations for each isozyme. Cell fractionation studies indicated, however, that both Enz I and Enz II were cytoplasmic. Different isozymes of this multispecific aspartate—aromatic aminotransferase were found in the chloroplasts and mitochondria of bushbean shoots.     

Properties of a lectin purified from the seeds of Cicer arietinum

A lectin was isolated from seed extracts of Cicer arietinum by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and subsequent ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Affinity chromatography on desialylated human IgM coupled to AH-Sepharose was also performed, but the amount bound was very low. The lectin has a molecular mass of about 44000 Da, as determined by ultracentrifugation and gel filtration. Dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed one band corresponding to a molecular mass of 26000 Da. N-Terminal amino acid sequence analyses indicate only one type of chain, suggesting that the lectin is probably dimeric. The amino acid composition is given. Papainized human erythrocytes of the different ABO groups were agglutinated equally well by the Cicer lectin, whereas untreated cells reacted weakly and only in the presence of bovine serum albumin. Simple sugars did not inhibit the agglutination, but some glycoproteins did inhibit. The lectin is probably nonmitogenic against human lymphocytes. Antigenic analyses in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed only a weak cross-reaction between Cicer and the lectins in the Vicieae tribe. Thus, our physicochemical and antigenic studies of the Cicer lectin support the botanical reasons recently given for removing the genus Cicer from the Vicieae tribe.     

Chicken tissue binding sites for a purified chicken lectin

A lactose-binding lectin previously purified from embryonic chicken muscle and adult chicken liver, and here referred to as chicken-lactose-lectin-I (CLL-I), was added to sections of various adult chicken tissues to detect available binding sites. Both the sites of binding of added CLL-I as well as the tissue distribution of endogenous CLL-I were determined by indirect immunofluorescence using a rabbit antibody to CLL-I followed by fluorescent goat anti-rabbit IgG. Some tissues such as intestine and kidney showed abundant extracellular binding sites for the lectin, primarily between cells, in basement membrane, and in material on the luminal surface. In contrast, adult heart showed no significant binding sites for CLL-I. Adult pancreas showed considerable endogenous CLL-I in an extracellular site surrounding exocrine lobules, but added CLL-I did not bind substantially. The distribution of CLL-I binding sites in intestine were mimicked by those of purpurin, another lactose-binding lectin. CLL-I binding sites were also detected on the surface of cultured chick embryo skin fibroblasts. The factors controlling the specific distribution of occupied and unoccupied CLL-I binding sites are not known.     

Characterization of the purified Chlamydomonas minus agglutinin

Chlamydomonas flagellar sexual agglutinins are responsible for the adhesion of opposite mating-type (plus and minus) gametes during the first stages of mating. Purification and partial characterization of the plus agglutinin was previously reported (Adair, W. S., C. J. Hwang, and U. W. Goodenough, 1983, Cell, 33:183-193). Here we characterize the purified minus molecule. We show it to be a high molecular weight, hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein that migrates in the 3% stacking region of an SDS-polyacrylamide gel and is absent from two nonagglutinating minus mutants. Plus and minus agglutinins are remarkably similar, although nonidentical, in amino acid composition, molecular morphology, and reactivity in vivo and in vitro with monoclonal antibodies raised against the plus agglutinin. Moreover, the adhesiveness of both plus and minus agglutinins, when coupled to agarose beads, is abolished by thermolysin, trypsin, periodate, alkaline borohydride, reducing agents, or heat, but unaffected by exo- or endoglycosidases. The minus agglutinin, however, migrates just ahead of the plus molecule on SDS PAGE, is excluded from an anion-exchange (Mono Q) column, elutes earlier during hydrophobic interaction (Bio-gel TSK Phenyl 5PW) chromatography, and is sensitive to chymotrypsin digestion (unlike the plus agglutinin); therefore, it differs from the plus agglutinin in apparent molecular weight, net charge, relative hydrophobicity and proteolytic susceptibility. Nevertheless, our results generally demonstrate a high degree of homology between these complementary cell-cell recognition/adhesion molecules, which suggests that they are specified by genes that have a common evolutionary origin.     

Characterization of JBURE-IIb isoform of Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC urease

Ureases, nickel-dependent enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and bicarbonate, are widespread in plants, bacteria, and fungi. Previously, we cloned a cDNA encoding a Canavalia ensiformis urease isoform named JBURE-II, corresponding to a putative smaller urease protein (78kDa) when compared to other plant ureases. Aiming to produce the recombinant protein, we obtained jbure-IIb, with different 3' and 5' ends, encoding a 90kDa urease. Three peptides unique to the JBURE-II/-IIb protein were detected by mass spectrometry in seed extracts, indicating that jbure-II/-IIb is a functional gene. Comparative modeling indicates that JBURE-IIb urease has an overall shape almost identical to C. ensiformis major urease JBURE-I with all residues critical for urease activity. The cDNA was cloned into the pET101 vector and the recombinant protein was produced in Escherichia coli. The JBURE-IIb protein, although enzymatically inactive presumably due to the absence of Ni atoms in its active site, impaired the growth of a phytopathogenic fungus and showed entomotoxic properties, inhibiting diuresis of Rhodnius prolixus isolated Malpighian tubules, in concentrations similar to those reported for JBURE-I and canatoxin. The antifungal and entomotoxic properties of the recombinant JBURE-IIb apourease are consistent with a protective role of ureases in plants.     

A lectin method for investigating the glycosylation of nanogram amounts of purified glycoprotein

To unravel the complexities of the glycosylation of a protein is a substantial task, which requires considerable effort and resources. However, in many situations this is unnecessary, because only a limited amount of information is required. A new lectin-binding assay is described which is rapid, cheap and versatile. A purified glycoprotein is absorbed on to the plastic surface of a microtitre plate. After removing unbound protein by washing, uncoated sites on the plate are blocked and digoxigenin or biotin-labelled lectin is added. The degree of lectin binding is measured using either an anti-DIG antibody or streptavidin conjugated enzyme, which is subsequently used to develop a colour reaction. Using this method it is possible to screen multiple specimens with high sensitivity and excellent precision. In addition, very small amounts of lectin are used, background absorbances are low, and the procedure does not require a high degree of technical skill. Because very small amounts of glycoprotein are needed, a glycoprotein can often be rapidly purified by batch affinity chromatography. The method has been successfully applied to several purified proteins using the lectins, Con A, LCA, LTA, MAA, and SNA, and the information obtained agrees with that produced by more sophisticated approaches, eg Dionex Carbohydrate Analyser. Using a panel of lectins, a carbohydrate structural profile is quickly built-up, and subtle differences in glycosylation identified. This method should be particularly useful for screening glycosylation in multiple clinical specimens; in specimens where very small amounts of material are available, such as membrane molecules; and in the screening of recombinant proteins produced commercially. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of purified guanine aminohydrolase.

Guanine aminohydrolase (GAH) (E.C. 3.5.4.3) was purified by affinity chromatography on 9-(p-β-aminoethoxyphenyl)guanine-Sepharose to a specific activity of 35.5 units/mg. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 110,000 by gel filtration. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) showed that the enzyme was composed of subunits with molecular weights of approximately 52,000. Data from SDS-gel electrophoresis in a discontinuous buffer system and from isoelectric focusing in the presence of 8-m urea indicated that more than one type of subunit were present. This was consistent with multiple forms of the native enzyme seen by electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels. The isoelectric points for the different forms of GAH were in the range of 4.65–4.85. Amino acid analyses showed cysteine to be the minimum amino acid and gave a calculated molecular weight for GAH of 53,016 when the assumption that there were four cysteines per subunit was made. Guanine, 8-azaguanine, and 6-thioguanine served as substrates for the enzyme but 3-deazaguanine, a potent competitive inhibitor of GAH, did not. Fluoride ion inhibited the enzyme in a noncompetitive manner, and this inhibition decreased as pH increased. Variation of the kinetic parameters with pH suggested that hydroxide ion might be the second substrate and that a functional group on the enzyme with a pK_a near 5.6 was involved in the reaction. The enzyme was inactivated by treatment with p-hydroxymercurobenzoate and by photooxidation in the presence of rose bengal. Two plausible mechanisms are proposed for the reaction catalyzed by GAH.     

Characterization of highly purified dopamine beta-hydroxylase

A modified purification procedure has been developed for dopamine beta-hydroxylase isolated from bovine adrenal medulla. Catalase is included in the homogenization step starting with a suspension of either chromaffin granules or adrenal medulla tissue. With this precaution, the enzyme remains stable in the supernatant solution in preparation for the subsequent purification step involving concanavalin A-Sepharose chromatography. The homogeneous enzyme has a specific activity in the range of 60-70 mumol O2 consumed/min/mg. Using radiolabeled metal ion chelators, it was determined that several of the chelators remained tightly bound to the enzyme after removal of the copper leading to difficulties in establishing stoichiometry of enzyme-bound metal ions.     

Characterization of a purified co-transporting protein

1. A protein of mol weight 280,000 D was isolated and purified by means of a furosemide affinity gel. 2. Binding of 3H-bumetanide suggests that the protein is identical to the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter. 3. If the protein was reconstituted into a planer lipid bilayer, a Cl- -channel of 12 pS and a K+-channel of about 130 pS was observed. 4. Whether these channel activities represent a co-purification of channel proteins or whether the channel activity originates from the purified and reconstituted co-transporting protein itself was discussed.     

Characterization of an Agrobacterium tumefaciens lectin.

An Agrobacterium tumefaciens suspension induces a strong agglutination of aldehyde-fixed pig erythrocytes at pH 5.0. The agglutination is inhibited by some polysaccharides, such as fucoidin, and also when the pH is raised to 7.0. Lectins (sugar-binding proteins) associated with the bacterial cell wall of A. tumefaciens strain 84.5 were directly evidenced by spectrofluorimetry using fluoresceinylated neoglycoproteins. The specific binding of the fluorescein-labelled neoglycoprotein bearing alpha-L-fucoside residues was also optimal at pH 5.0. A lectin was purified by affinity chromatography on agarose substituted with alpha-L-fucopyranoside. Furthermore, the haemagglutination activity of this lectin was inhibited by polysaccharides isolated from poplar leaves.     

Metabolism of d,l-chloro-phenylalanines by phenylalanine aminotransferase isozymes purified from bushbean shoots

A series of mono-, di- and trichloro-d,l-phenylalanines was tested as substrates for both phenylalanine aminotransferase and phenylalanine decarboxylase partially purified from bushbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedling extracts by ammonium sulphate fractionation and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. While most of the d,l-chlorophenylalanines were transaminated at rates of 35-100% of that observed with d,l-phenylalanine, no chlorophenylalanine decarboxylase activity was observed. A transamination reaction is therefore likely to be the initial step in the conversion of chloro-phenylalanines to their corresponding chloro-phenylacetic acids via a reaction pathway similar to the known route for the metabolism of l-phenylalanine to phenylacetic acid. The highest specific activity of phenylalanine aminotransferase was found in both root and shoot tissues of bushbean at the 10-day stage of seedling growth. Partially purified extracts of these tissues were able to transaminate most of the mono- and dichlorophenylalanines at ca 20-40% of the rate observed with d,l-phenylalanine, while the trichloro-phenylalanines (assayed at lower concentrations due to solubility) were transaminated at rates equal to those observed with d,l-phenylalanine. The 4-chloro derivative was the best substrate tested showing rates of transamination that were 25 % higher than those observed with d,l-phenylalanine. Further purification of shoot fractions by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography resolved the phenylalanine aminotransferase activity into two peaks (enzymes I and II) which on further purification, were found to behave differently during hydrophobic chromatography and PAGE. These results indicated the presence of two isozymic forms of phenylalanine aminotransferase in bushbean shoots and both were found to catalyse transamination of the monochloro-phenylalanines examined in this study.     

Characterization of an endogenous quail intestinal lectin

Soluble extracts of quail intestine scrapings contain a lectin activity specific for chicken and rabbit trypsinized, glutaraldehyde-fixed erythrocytes. The lectin displayed a specificity for the simple sugar haptens lactose and galactose and for mucin. Quail lectin was purified by affinity chromatography on either asialofetuin- or mucin-Sepharose, followed by DEAE-Sepharose chromatography, and demonstrated an apparent molecular weight of 14,500 on sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a pI of 6.2 upon isoelectric focusing. Immunohistochemical localization of this lectin in the intestine was carried out using polyclonal antibody raised in rabbits and tested for specificity in Western blots. Immunoperoxidase staining for quail lectin showed the lectin to be prominent in secretions at the mucosal surface and in goblet cells.     

Characterization of the oligomer structure of recombinant human mannan-binding lectin

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) belongs to a family of proteins called the collectins, which show large differences in their ultrastructures. These differences are believed to be determined by different N-terminal disulfide-bonding patterns. So far only the bonding pattern of two of the simple forms (recombinant rat MBL-C and bovine CL-43) have been determined. Recombinant MBL expressed in human cells was purified, and the structure of the N-terminal region was determined. Preliminary results on human plasma-derived MBL revealed high similarity to the recombinant protein. Here we report the structure of the N-terminal part of recombinant human MBL and present a model to explain the oligomerization pattern. Using a strategy of consecutive enzymatic digestions and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry, we succeeded in identifying a number of disulfide-linked peptides from the N-terminal cysteine-rich region. Based on these building blocks, we propose a model that can explain the various oligomeric forms found in purified MBL preparations. Furthermore, the model was challenged by the production of cysteine to serine mutants of the three N-terminally situated cysteines. The oligomerization patterns of these mutants support the proposed model. The model indicates that the polypeptide dimer is the basic unit in the oligomerization.