Physical characteristics of hyaluronate binding to the surface of simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells

The binding of labeled hyaluronate to the surface of Simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 cells was studied as a function of 1) pH, 2) ionic strength, 3) temperature, and 4) molecular weight of the hyaluronate. Binding occurred over a wide range of pH values with optima at pH 7 and at less than pH 4. Binding at low pH was eliminated at high ionic strength whereas that at physiological pH was enhanced, with a maximum at 0.5 M NaCl. The enhancement of binding at pH 7 was reversible and independent of the particular salt used. Scatchard plot analysis showed that increasing the ionic strength resulted in both a decrease in the dissociation constant (Kd) and an increase in the amount bound at saturation (Bmax). Temperature also influenced the binding of hyaluronate to the cell surface. The amount bound at low temperatures (0 degrees C) was 3 to 5 times that bound at high temperatures (40 degrees C) with a sharp transition occurring at 18 degrees C, the temperature of phase transition of the plasma membrane. The temperature effect was primarily a change in the Bmax and was reversible. Finally the molecular weight of the ligand influenced the binding. High molecular weight preparations of hyaluronate had a higher binding affinity (lower Kd) and a lower Bmax than did smaller molecular weight preparations.     

Effect of metal ions on binding of bilirubin to erythrocyte membranes

Binding of bilirubin to different erythrocyte membranes, namely, human, buffalo, sheep and goat, pre-incubated with different concentrations of metal ions was studied. The results showed that among the different metal ions used, Ca2+ had the highest potential in increasing the amount of bound bilirubin followed by Sr2+ and Mg2+, whereas Ba2+ had the lowest potential. Treatment of these membranes with Ca2+ led to an increase in the amount of bound bilirubin in all membranes. However, human erythrocyte membranes pretreated with Ca2+, bound the highest amount of bilirubin compared to other erythrocyte membranes. Increase in bilirubin binding upon Ca2+-treatment can be ascribed to shielding effect, redistribution of phospholipids as well as increase in surface hydrophobicity induced by Ca2+.     

Interactions of small molecules with phospholipid bilayers. Binding to egg phosphatidylcholine of some organic anions (bromosulphophthalein, oestrone sulphate, haem and bilirubin) that bind to ligandin and aminoazo-dye-binding protein A.

1. To assess the possible involvement of ligandin and aminoazo-dye-binding protein A in intracellular transport it is necessary to know how their ligands, most of which are molecules with hydrophobic moieties, interact with cellular membranes. To obtain such information we examined the interactions of bromosulphophthalein, oestrone sulphate, haem and bilirubin with aqueous dispersions of egg phosphatidylcholine and egg phosphatidylchone/cholesterol (1:1, molar ratio) by equilibrium dialysis and spectrophotometry. 2. In all four cases, saturation effects were observed. Values of Vmax (v = mol of compound bound/mol of lipid phosphorus) at 25 degrees C were: for bromosulphophthalein, approximately 0.1; for oestrone sulphate, approximately 0.25; for haem, approximately 0.25 (all at pH 7.4); and for bilirubin 0.1--0.2 (at pH 8.2). 3. Limiting values of v/c (c = unbound concentration) as v leads to 0 at 25 degrees C and pH 7.4 are: for bromosulphophthalein, 6.25 x 10(4) litre-mol-1; for oestrone sulphate, 7.8 x 10(2) litre-mol-1; for haem, 4.5 x 10(5) litre-mol-1; and for bilirubin, approximately 1.2 x 10(4) litre-mol-1. For haem the result depends on the assumption that only the monomeric form binds to the lipid. 4. The binding of each compound was decreased by cholesterol; bromosulphophthalein and oestrone sulphate were affected more than haem and bilirubin. 5. Bromosulphophthalein at saturating concentration decreased the limiting values of v/c of the other three compounds by approximately one order of magnitude. 6. By assuming that the interactions with egg phosphatidylcholine resemble those with the phospholipid components of mammalian intracellular membranes the binding data for phosphyatidylcholine, together with data for binding to the intracellular proteins ligandin and aminoazo-dye-binding protein A, enable the subcellular distributions of the four compounds to be estimated. For the rat hepatocyte up to 92, 51, 98 and 47% of the total bromosulphophthalein, oestrone sulphate, haem and bilirubin respectively may be membrane-bound.     

Interaction of bilirubin with human erythrocyte membranes.

The kinetics of [3H]bilirubin binding to human erythrocyte ghost membranes was investigated. The binding occurred rapidly and was saturable with respect to [3H]bilirubin and membrane concentration. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) and maximum binding (Bmax.) for bilirubin of the membranes were 2.3 microM and 0.93 nmol/mg of protein respectively. Low-affinity binding, non-saturable at 400 microM, was observed. Thermal dependency of the saturable binding showed a U-shaped curve with the lowest value around 37 degrees C. Affinity labelling of the membrane proteins using [3H]bilirubin-Woodward's reagent K complex did not define individual proteins. The Kd (12 microM) and Bmax. (4.4 nmol/mg of protein) for bilirubin of the tryptic membranes increased 5.0 and 5.2 times the respective control values (2.4 microM and 0.85 nmol/mg of protein). Heat-treatment of the membranes for 3 min at 100 degrees C increased the saturable binding as much as by 222%. These results indicate that there exist saturable bilirubin-binding sites on the erythrocyte membranes and also suggest that they are not composed of proteins.     

Hepatic microsomal glucuronidation of bilirubin in unilamellar liposomal membranes. Implications for intracellular transport of lipophilic substrates

It has been assumed that following hepatic uptake, bilirubin is bound exclusively to cytosolic proteins prior to conjugation by microsomal UDP-glucuronyl-transferase. Since bilirubin partitions into lipid rather than the aqueous phase at neutral pH, we postulated that bilirubin reaches the sites of glucuronidation by rapid diffusion within membranes. To examine this hypothesis, [14C]bilirubin was incorporated into the membrane bilayer of small unilamellar liposomes of egg phosphatidylcholine. Radiochemical assay of this membrane-bound substrate in a physiologic concentration, using native rat liver microsomes, demonstrated immediate formation of bilirubin glucuronides at a more rapid initial velocity than for bilirubin bound to the high-affinity sites of purified cytosolic binding proteins, i.e. glutathione S-transferases (p less than 0.025) or native liver cytosol (p less than 0.05). Kinetic analysis suggested that the mechanisms of substrate transfer from liposomal membranes and from purified glutathione S-transferases to microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase were similar. The exchange of 3H- and 14C-labeled bilirubin substrate between binding proteins and liposomal membranes was then investigated using Sepharose 4B chromatography. As the concentration of bilirubin was increased relative to that of protein, net transfer of substrate from the protein to the membrane pool was observed. These findings indicate that bilirubin is efficiently transported by membrane-membrane transfer to hepatic microsomes, where it undergoes rapid conjugation. Bilirubin entering hepatocytes may partition between membrane and cytosolic protein pools, but as intracellular bilirubin concentration increases, the membrane pool is likely to provide a greater proportion of the substrate for glucuronidation.     

Binding of anandamide to bovine serum albumin

The endocannabinoid anandamide is of lipid nature and may thus bind to albumin in the vascular system, as do fatty acids. The knowledge of the free water-phase concentration of anandamide is essential for the investigations of its transfer from the binding protein to cellular membranes, because a water-phase shuttle of monomers mediates such transfers. We have used our method based upon the use of albumin-filled red cell ghosts as a dispersed biological "reference binder" to measure the water-phase concentrations of anandamide. These concentrations were measured in buffer (pH 7.3) in equilibrium with anandamide bound to BSA inside resealed human red cell membranes at low molar ratios below one. Data were obtained at 0 degrees C, 10 degrees C, 23 degrees C, and 37 degrees C. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) increases with temperature from 6.87 +/- 0.53 nM at 0 degrees C to 54.92 +/- 1.91 nM at 37 degrees C. Regression analyses of the data suggest that BSA has one high-affinity binding site for anandamide at all four temperatures. The free energy of anandamide binding (DeltaG0) is calculated to -43.05 kJ mol-1 with a large enthalpy (DeltaH0) contribution of -42.09 kJ mol-1. Anandamide has vasodilator activity, and the binding to albumin may mediate its transport in aqueous compartments.     

Characterization of the specific binding of rat apolipoprotein E-deficient HDL to rat hepatic plasma membranes

We have used a preparation of rat liver plasma membranes to study the binding of rat apolipoprotein E-deficient HDL to rat liver. The membranes were found to bind HDL by a saturable process that was competed for by excess unlabeled HDL. The binding was temperature-dependent and was 85% receptor-mediated when incubated at 4, 22 and 37 degrees C. The affinity of the binding site for the HDL was consistent at all temperatures, while the maximum binding capacity increased at higher temperatures. The specific binding of HDL to the membranes did not require calcium and was independent of the concentration of NaCl in the media. The effect of varying the pH of the media on HDL binding was small, being 30% higher at pH 6.5 than at pH 9.0. Both rat HDL and human HDL3 were found to compete for the binding of rat HDL to the membranes, whereas rat VLDL remnants and human LDL did not compete. At 4 degrees C, complexes of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV and the C apolipoproteins, but not apolipoprotein E, competed for HDL binding to the membranes. At 22 and 37 degrees C, all DMPC-apolipoprotein complexes competed to a similar extent, DMPC vesicles that contained no protein did not compete for the binding of HDL. These results suggest that the rat liver possesses a specific receptor for apolipoprotein E-deficient HDL that recognizes apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV and the C apolipoproteins as ligands.     

Thyroglobulin interactions with thyroid plasma membranes. The existence of specific receptors and their potential role.

Thyroglobulin binds to isolated thyroid plasma membrane preparations. Binding is pH- and temperature-dependent with 10-fold better binding at pH 5.0 and 37 degrees C than at 0 degrees C and pH 6.0 through pH 7.5. Binding is, however, maximal in 90 min at all pH values and temperatures examined. Although salts can inhibit or enhance thyroglobulin binding depending on the temperature or pH, conditions approaching those of the physiological state are not inhibitory; physiological conditions do inhibit thyrotropin binding to the same membrane preparations. 125I-Labeled thyroglobulin binding is poorly reversed by unlabeled thyroglobulin at all pH values and temperatures studied; excess unlabeled thyroglobulin can, however, readily prevent binding. At pH values greater than 6.0 and at 0 degrees C, the iodine content of thyroglobulin can affect binding, and the 27 S thyroid iodoprotein is relatively ineffective in preventing the binding of the 19 S species. At pH 5.0 and 37 degrees C, there is no difference in binding of highly and less iodinated thyroglobulin, and the 27 S thyroglobulin iodoprotein is effective in preventing 19 S thyroglobulin binding. The complex nature of these results is interpreted in the light of additional data which show (i) that the thyroid membrane recognizes asialothyroglobulin and (ii) that at pH 5.0 and 37 degrees C a membrane-associated neuraminidase is activated which removes sialic acid from thyroglobulin. Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase can substitute for the endogenous neuraminidase. The receptor on thyroid membranes for asialothyroglobulin is similar to the asialoglycoprotein receptor on liver membranes (Morell, A.G., Gregoriadis, G., Scheinberg, I.H., Hickman, J., and Ashwell, G. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 1461-1467) in that sialic acid on the receptor is critical for receptor expression. It is distinct from the liver asialoglycoprotein receptor in its binding specificity and in its sensitivity to different bacterial and mammalian neuraminidase preparations. Relationships between thyroglobulin and thyrotropin receptors on thyroid membranes are explored, and the functional role of the thyroglobulin receptor is discussed.     

Investigation of secondary and tertiary structural changes of cytochrome c in complexes with anionic lipids using amide hydrogen exchange measurements: an FTIR study.

The structure of cytochrome c bound to anionic lipid membranes composed of dimyristoyl, dipalmitoyl, or dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerols, or of bovine heart cardiolipin, has been investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Only small changes in secondary structure, as registered by the amide I band of cytochrome c, were observed upon binding at temperatures below that of denaturation of the protein, and these were not coupled to the thermotropic phase transitions of the lipid. The denaturation temperature of the protein decreased by approximately 25-30 degrees upon binding, in a progression which correlated with that of the lipid phase transition temperatures, being approximately 7 degrees lower for complexes with dioleoyl than with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylglycerol. Large changes in the amide proton exchange characteristics, as monitored by the spectral shifts in the amide I band of the protein in D2O, were observed on binding cytochrome c to the lipid membranes. For the slowly exchanging population, the amide deuteration rates of the free protein were nearly independent of temperature, whereas those of the bound protein increased by up to two orders of magnitude over the temperature range from 10 to 40 degrees C. In addition, the extent of exchange differed between the bound and unbound protein. A structural transition in the bound protein was detected as a discontinuous step in Arrhenius plots of the deuterium exchange rates which occurred at a temperature in the region of 22 to 29 degrees C, depending on the lipid, far below that of denaturation. The temperature of this transition was determined by the physical state of the lipid, being 7 degrees lower for the lipids in the fluid state than for those in the gel state, and, for complexes with dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, occurred at an intermediate temperature, being controlled by the lipid chain-melting transition at 27-28 degrees C. These results provide evidence for a coupling of the tertiary structure of the membrane-bound protein with the physical state of the membrane lipids.     

Differences in optimal pH and temperature for cell growth and antibody production between two Chinese hamster ovary clones derived from the same parental clone

To investigate clonal variations of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) clones in response to culture pH and temperature, serum-free suspension cultures of two antibody-producing CHO clones (clones A and B), which were isolated from the same parental clone by the limiting dilution method, were performed in a bioreactor at pH values in the range of 6.8-7.6, and two different temperatures, 33 degrees C and 37 degrees C. In regard to cell growth, clone A and clone B displayed similar responses to temperature, although their degree of response differed. In contrast, clones A and B displayed different responses to temperature in regard to antibody production. In the case of clone A, no significant increase in maximum antibody concentration was achieved by lowering the culture temperature. The maximum antibody concentration obtained at 33 degrees C (pH 7.4) and 37 degrees C (pH 7.0) were 82.0 +/- 2.6 and 73.2 +/- 4.1 microg/ml, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of clone B, an approximately 2.5-fold increase in maximum antibody concentration was achieved by lowering the culture temperature. The enhanced maximum antibody concentration of clone B at 33 degrees C (132.6 +/- 14.9 microg/ml at pH 7.2) was due to not only enhanced specific antibody productivity but also to prolonged culture longevity. At 33 degrees C, the culture longevity of clone A also improved, but not as much as that of clone B. Taken together, CHO clones derived from the same parental clone displayed quite different responses to culture temperature and pH with regards antibody production, suggesting that environmental parameters such as temperature and pH should be optimized for each CHO clone.     

Thermodynamic analysis of the binding of glutathione to glutathione S-transferase over a range of temperatures.

The binding properties of a glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) from Schistosoma japonicum to substrate glutathione (GSH) has been investigated by intrinsic fluorescence and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) at pH 6.5 over a temperature range of 15-30 degrees C. Calorimetric measurements in various buffer systems with different ionization heats suggest that protons are released during the binding of GSH at pH 6.5. We have also studied the effect of pH on the thermodynamics of GSH-GST interaction. The behaviour shown at different pHs indicates that at least three groups must participate in the exchange of protons. Fluorimetric and calorimetric measurements indicate that GSH binds to two sites in the dimer of 26-kDa glutathione S-transferase from Schistosoma japonicum (SjGST). On the other hand, noncooperativity for substrate binding to SjGST was detected over a temperature range of 15-30 degrees C. Among thermodynamic parameters, whereas DeltaG degrees remains practically invariant as a function of temperature, DeltaH and DeltaS degrees both decrease with an increase in temperature. While the binding is enthalpically favorable at all temperatures studied, at temperatures below 25 degrees C, DeltaG degrees is also favoured by entropic contributions. As the temperature increases, the entropic contributions progressively decrease, attaining a value of zero at 24.3 degrees C, and then becoming unfavorable. During this transition, the enthalpic contributions become progressively favorable, resulting in an enthalpy-entropy compensation. The temperature dependence of the enthalpy change yields the heat capacity change (DeltaCp degrees ) of -0.238 +/- 0.04 kcal per K per mol of GSH bound.     

The oxygen uptake of Sarotherodon niloticus L. and the oxygen binding properties of its blood and hemolysate (Pisces: Cichlidae)

The oxygen consumption of Sarotherodon niloticus L. was found to decline below a critical oxygen concentration of about 2 mg O2/l. An important influence of CO2 on the oxygen affinity of whole blood was observed at all temperatures between 20 and 35 degrees C for gas mixtures containing 5.6% CO2. Purified hemolysate showed extremely high oxygen affinities (p50 = 1.08 mmHg at pH 8.2 and 20 degrees C). Low cooperativity was observed at all temperatures from 20 to 35 degrees C, and pH values between 6.5 and 8.2. The Bohr effect proved to be important at pH values lower than pH 7.5 (phi = delta log P50/delta pH = -0.58 between pH 6.5 and 7.0 at 35 degrees C). The oxygen affinities show high thermal sensitivity without a marked pH influence (delta H value for overall oxygenation at pH was -71.7 kJ/mol). The obtained results are interpreted as adaptations to diurnal variations in ambient temperature and oxygen availability.     

Stopped-flow studies of spectral changes in bilirubin-human serum albumin following an alkaline pH jump and following binding of bilirubin

A stopped-flow technique was used to study the spectral changes occurring in bilirubin-albumin following a pH jump as well as following binding of bilirubin at 25 degrees C. The changes were studied in two wavelength ranges, 280-310 nm (tyrosine residues) and 400-510 nm (bound bilirubin). The changes were analyzed according to a scheme of consecutive unimolecular reactions. Spectral monitoring of a pH jump from 11.3 to 11.8 reveals that the bilirubin-albumin complex changes its structure in several steps. The UV absorption spectra show that 3.8 tyrosine residues ionize in the first step, 2.5 in the second, none in the third, and 0.8 in the fourth and following steps. The visible absorption spectrum of bound bilirubin changes in the second, third, and fourth steps. The bilirubin spectra of the different bilirubin-albumin complexes occurring in the transition show a common isosbestic point at 445 nm, indicating a change of the dihedral angle between the two bilirubin chromophores in a three-step reaction. It is suggested that 1 tyrosine residue is located close to the bilirubin site and is externalized in the second step. Bilirubin binding to albumin was monitored at two pH values, 11.3 and 11.8. At pH 11.3 the complex changes its structure in a three-step relaxation sequence. A change of the dihedral angle between the bilirubin chromophores can explain the spectral changes observed in the second and third relaxations. Protonation of 0.7 tyrosine residues occurs in the third relaxation, suggesting internalization of a tyrosine residue as a late consequence of bilirubin binding. At pH 11.8 a two-step relaxation sequence follows bilirubin binding. No tyrosine protonation occurs. Bilirubin is probably bound more superficially at pH 11.8 than at pH 11.3.     

The effect of pH, salt concentration and temperature on the survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes

Factorially designed experiments have been used to study the growth and survival of Listeria monocytogenes in different combinations of pH and salt concentrations at ambient and chill temperatures. Survival at low pH and high salt concentration was strongly temperature dependent. The minimum pH values that allowed survival after 4 weeks from an initial 10(4) cells were 4.66 at 30 degrees C, 4.36 at 10 degrees C and 4.19 at 5 degrees C. These limits were salt dependent, low (4-6%) salt concentrations improved and higher concentrations reduced survival at limiting pH values. The lowest pH that allowed a 100-fold increase in cell numbers within 60 d was 4.66 at 30 degrees C but this was increased to 4.83 at 10 degrees C. At 5 degrees C growth occurred at pH 7.0 but not at pH 5.13. Simple predictive models describing the effect of hydrogen-ion and salt concentration on the time for at least a 100-fold increase in numbers at 10 degrees C and 30 degrees C were constructed after analysis of the results for a least squares fit to a quadratic model. The interactions between salt and hydrogen-ion concentration on growth were found to be purely additive.     

Comparative studies on the major features of insulin receptors in mammalian and non-mammalian liver membranes

1. The camel has insulin receptors that by multiple function criteria are very similar to those of the other mammals (rabbit and rat) and non-mammals (chicken and pigeon), with sharp pH dependence to insulin binding at pH 7.2-7.6. 2. Equilibrium binding was faster at higher temperatures (24-37 degrees C) than at lower (4 degrees C). 3. Binding data yielded curvilinear Scatchard plots with half maximal displacement of 125I-insulin at 9 x 10(-9) M, 2.5 x 10(-9) M, 6.3 x 10(-10) M for camel, rabbit, pigeon and chicken respectively, suggesting differences in mammalian and non-mammalian liver membranes. 4. Autoradiogram patterns showed the presence of an identical subunit structure with Mr 74,000 for all membranes studied. Pigeon membrane showed a band with Mr 110,000, the absence of which in other membranes could be due to the degradation factor or the concentration of disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS).     

Effect of phospholipase C, trypsin and neuraminidase on binding of bilirubin to mammalian erythrocyte membranes.

Binding of bilirubin to erythrocyte membranes of human, buffalo, sheep and goat was studied after phospholipase C, trypsin and neuraminidase treatment. Phospholipase C and trypsin treatment of membranes greatly enhanced the bilirubin binding in all mammalian species, whereas, neuraminidase treatment resulted into a small increase in the membrane-bound bilirubin. Human erythrocyte membranes bound the highest amount of bilirubin, whereas buffalo, sheep and goat erythrocyte membranes showed different mode of bilirubin binding. The order of bilirubin binding to unmodified as well as neuraminidase-treated erythrocyte membranes was: human>sheep>buffalo>goat; the order was: human>buffalo>sheep>goat; in phospholipase C- and trypsin-treated erythrocyte membranes. These binding results indicate that membrane phospholipids are directly involved in the interaction of bilirubin with the membranes as the differences observed in the membrane-bound bilirubin among mammalian species were directly correlated with the sum of choline phospholipids, especially phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin content of the erythrocyte membranes. The negatively charged phosphate moiety of phospholipids of the membranes appears to inhibit a large amount of bilirubin binding to the membrane as its removal by phospholipase C greatly enhanced the binding. Furthermore, membrane proteins and carbohydrate also seem to play a significant regulatory function on the binding as their degradation and/or removal in the form of glycopeptides by trypsin expose a large number of bilirubin binding sites.     

Protein-cationic detergent interaction. Equilibrium dialysis study of the interaction of bovine serum albumin and other proteins with alkylpyridinium bromide.

The binding isotherms of native bovine serum albumin with cationic detergents, such as octyl, decyl, dodecyl and tetradecylpyridinium bromides were determined at pH 6.8 and 3.4 at 25 degrees C. The isotherms for dodecyl and tetradecylpyridinium bromides were also determined at 3 degrees C. The average number of detergent cations bound increased with increasing hydrocarbon chain length. At low detergent concentration the binding of all alkylpyridinium bromides was smaller at pH 3.4 than at pH 6.8. Dodecylpyridinium bromide was bound to native beta-lactoglobulin, aldolase, ovalbumin, haemoglobin, myoglobin, lysozyme, trypsin and ribonuclease at pH 6.8. No binding occurred to alpha-chymotrypsin and chymotrypsinogen. The free enthalpy change, --delta G degrees, calculated from intrinsic association constants K was determined.     

Glucagon binding by isolated chick hepatocytes

Studies have been made on the binding of 125I-glucagon by isolated chick hepatocytes. It was shown that pH and temperature dependence of the binding does not differ from that in rat hepatocytes. Optimum binding was observed at pH 7.6, the rate of binding being higher at 37 degrees C as compared to that at 20 degrees C, although the binding capacity increased with the decrease in the temperature. Unlabeled glucagon was able to compete with 125I-glucagon at the binding sites. Scatchard plot was found to be curvilinear revealing two classes of the binding sites with Kd values 10(-9) and 10(-7) M at temperatures 20 and 37 degrees C correspondingly. Earlier studies revealed in rats the binding sites of a sole class with Kd value 10(-9) M. Preincubation of cells with native glucagon results in changes of labeled glucagon binding, the effect being proportional to the concentration of native glucagon. Preincubation effect was observed at 37 degrees C, being absent at 20 degrees C; the effect was due to the decrease in the number of both high and low affinity binding sites. The presence of down-regulation of glucagon receptors in chick hepatocytes is suggested.     

Characterization of interaction between Tb3+ and porcine intestinal brush-border membranes

Effects of ionic strength and temperature on the interaction between Tb3+ and porcine intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles were studied. When Tb3+ was added to the vesicle suspension, Tb3+ fluorescence increased with increasing concentration of Tb3+, showing a saturation. The apparent dissociation constant of one of at least two components of this binding reaction was estimated to be about 12.5 microM at 25 degrees C, pH 7.4. But the affinity of Tb3+ for the membrane vesicles was variable with changes of ionic strength and temperature. The affinity was lowered by addition of KCl to medium and by increase of temperature above 30 degrees C. In addition, temperature-induced change in the affinity of Tb3+ for the membranes was reversible over a temperature range from 13 to 46 degrees C. Temperature-dependence profiles of the excimer formation efficiency of pyrene-labeled membranes and of the harmonic mean of the rotational relaxation times of pyrene molecules in the membranes revealed that the phase transition of the membrane lipids occurs at about 30 degrees C. Based on these results, characteristics of Tb3+ binding to the membranes are discussed in relation to the nature of lipid phase and surface charges of the membranes.     

Effect of the medium on functional and structural properties of serum albumins. IV. The state of human serum albumin in the pH range from 5 to 10

In order to investigate the effects of temperature and ionic strength on the N-B-transition and the alkaline denaturation of the human serum albumin, the pH-dependences of fluorescence position and relative yield of Trp-24 and of protein bound dye ANS were measured. The measurements were carried out at temperatures from 10 to 45 degrees C and ionic strengths (NaCl) from 0.001 to 0.2. The pH-induced structural transitions have different realization in environments of tryptophanyl and tightly bound ANS. The alkaline denaturation does not change the Trp-214 fluorescence. The N-B-transition gives rise to the slight polarity and/or mobility lowering in the Trp-214 environment (the shorter-wave-length spectral shift). Increase in the temperature and ionic strength induces the shift of the transition midpoint from ca. 8 to 8.7 and reduces the spectral shift amplitude. At low ionic strengths, the new structural transition in the Trp-214 environment is observed at pH change from 6.7 to 5.7. This transition is not observable using ANS fluorescence. The N-B-transition is accompanied by an enhancement and longer-wavelength shift of the ANS fluorescence spectra. The transition midpoint is independent of temperature, but is shifted to lower pH values at a decrease of ionic strength value. At ionic strengths less than or equal to 0.01 the shorter-wavelength spectral shift is seen at pH from 7.5 to 9, which seems to reflect the disulfide B-A-isomerisation. The alkaline denaturation gives rise to the sharp quenching of ANS fluorescence, probably due to the ANS binding site decomposition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)