The human interferon-gamma receptor. Purification, characterization, and preparation of antibodies

The receptor for human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was purified from foreskin fibroblasts. Triton X-100 extracts obtained from either intact cells or membrane preparations were passed through an immobilized interferon-gamma column. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of eluted fractions revealed a major band of Mr = 95,000 and minor bands of Mr = 80,000 and 60,000. Further purification was obtained by steric exclusion and by lectin chromatography. The purified receptor retained the ability to bind 125I-IFN-gamma with a Kd of 2.2 X 10(-10) M, a value close to that obtained with intact fibroblasts (5 X 10(-10) M). A complex of Mr = 105,000-125,000 was visualized by immunoprecipitation of 125I-IFN-gamma cross-linked to the purified receptor followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. A similar complex was obtained when 125I-IFN-gamma was cross-linked to intact cells. Immunization of mice with the excised SDS-PAGE band of Mr = 95,000 elicited antibodies that blocked the antiviral activity of IFN-gamma and immunoprecipitated the cross-linked complex of 125I-IFN-gamma and its receptor.     

Chromatographic and electrophoretic resolution of proteins and protein complexes from the larval midgut microvilli of Manduca sexta

The microvillar proteome of Manduca sexta larval midguts was analyzed by subjecting brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) to two different two-dimensional approaches: (i) Anion exchange chromatography followed by SDS-PAGE and (ii) Blue Native-PAGE followed by SDS-PAGE. The first technique was superior to conventional 2-D gel electrophoresis in resolving the most abundant proteins associated with the midgut microvilli. Twenty of them were successfully identified as digestive enzymes, binding targets of the insecticidal Cry1A toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and signal transduction proteins. A homolog of the chlorophyllide A binding protein from the silkworm and several aminopeptidases N represent the most abundant proteins associated with the BBMV. The second technique revealed protein oligomeric complexes associated with midgut microvilli in vivo. Two such complexes contained subunits of the vacuolar ATP synthase complex, and one was an oligomer of the chlorophyllide A binding protein. An additional complex consisted of homo- or hetero-tetramers of three different aminopeptidases N (APNs). As APNs are well-known binding partners of Cry1A toxins, their quaternary structure has implications for Bt toxin mode of action. Both techniques provide a useful complement to conventional 2-D gel electrophoresis in analyzing the complex proteome of the microvillar membrane fraction.     

Structural studies of retroviruses: characterization of oligomeric complexes of murine and feline leukemia virus envelope and core components formed upon cross-linking.

To examine the protein proximity and subunit organization of type C retroviruses, preparations of AKR murine leukemia virus were treated with bifunctional cross-linking reagents and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The cross-linked components obtained were characterized by immunoprecipitation with monospecific antisera against purified viral proteins, followed by SDS-PAGE analysis both before and after cleavage of the cross-links. With these procedures, complexes of both viral envelope and core components were identified. The major envelope subunit obtained was a large (apparent molecular weight of 450,000 to 500,000), glycosylated complex, composed of four to six gp70-p15(E) subunits. This complex was detected over a 100-fold range of cross-linker concentration and thus seems to represent a particularly stable viral substructure. The cross-linked complexes of the core proteins consisted of oligomers of p30 dimers, suggesting that the p30 dimer is a basic structural unit of the viral core. When virion preparations, which had previously been disrupted with the nonionic detergent Nonidet P-40, were cross-linked, the envelope complex was still observed, indicating that this structure is stable in the presence of Nonidet P-40. A similar envelope structure was observed for feline leukemia virus, suggesting that such a complex may be a conserved feature of oncornavirus structure.     

Localization and immunological characterization of the cellulolytic enzyme system in Clostridium thermocellum

Abstract The cellulolytic enzyme complex from Clostridium thermocellum JW 20 was purified from the cellulose to which the enzyme was bound during growth. After centrifugation and gel filtration the enzyme complex was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Three subunits with apparent molecular weights of 195 000 Da, 97 000 Da and 72 000 Da were purified by preparative SDS-PAGE and electroelution. Polyclonal antibodies directed against these three subunits were raised in rabbits. The specificity of the antisera was tested with immunochemical methods. Cross reactions with other subunits of the cellulase complex were observed. Immunoelectron microscopy of protein-A gold labeled, resin embedded cells indicated that the three types of subunits were located in the outer region of the cytoplasm and on structures at the outside of the cell wall.     

Stoichiometry and inter-subunit interaction of the wedge initiation complex, gp10-gp11, of bacteriophage T4

Association of gp10 and gp11 (gp=gene product) is the first step in the assembly pathway of the wedge part of the baseplate of bacteriophage T4. The gp10-gp11 complex constitutes the six tail pins at the corners of the baseplate hexagon on the distal side. The stoichiometry of the subunits, gp10 and gp11, of this complex was determined in combination with sedimentation equilibrium, Edman degradation of the complex and sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). From the results of Edman degradation and SDS-PAGE, the molar ratio of gp10 and gp11 was approximately 1. On the other hand, the molecular weight of the purified gp10-gp11 complex was determined by sedimentation equilibrium to be 284000+/-7000, which is in good agreement with the expected value of 269840 if the stoichiometry is 3:3. Furthermore, comparison of the results in the presence and in the absence of reducing reagent, 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), in SDS-PAGE revealed that two molecules of gp10 in the complex formed a disulfide bond, while the third gp10 molecule does not participate in the disulfide bond formation.     

Determination of the molecular weight of DNA-binding proteins using UV-crosslinking and SDS-PAGE

We describe the use of UV-crosslinking in combination with SDS-PAGE to determine the approximate molecular weight of DNA-binding proteins. A 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (5-BrdU)-substituted, radioactively labeled double-stranded oligonucleotide representing the protein binding site is incubated with a crude nuclear extract containing the protein of interest. Following irradiation with a UV light source, the DNA/protein complex is subjected to SDS-PAGE and its molecular weight determined by comparison with appropriate protein standards.     

Effect of gastrointestinal proteases on purified human intrinsic factor-vitamin B12 (IF-B12) complex

Intrinsic factor (IF) from human gastric juice was purified and complexed with vitamin B12 (IF-B12 complex) on Sepharose-vitamin B12 affinity matrix. By labeling studies, using [(57)Co] vitamin B12 and (125)I, the specific B12 binding activity of IF was found to be 23 microg B12/mg protein, and the molecular size by gel filtration 60 kDa. Proteolysis of the IF-B12 complex by sequential treatment with pepsin, trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase A, followed by chromatography of proteolysed complex and IF-B12 showed higher mobility of proteolysed fraction. Gel filtration, however, showed same molecular size for both proteolysed and the IF-B12 complex. On SDS-PAGE, purified IF-B12 appeared as a single band of 60 kDa. The proteolysed complex had higher mobility on SDS-PAGE and did not bind to zirconium phosphate gel. Immunodiffusion with rabbit antisera had positive reaction with IF-B12, but there was no reaction with the proteolysed sample.     

优雅蝈螽雄性附腺结构与分泌蛋白特性

通过组织切片和SDS-PAGE方法,研究优雅蝈螽Gampsocleis gratiosa Brunner von Wattenwyl雄性附腺的结构及分泌蛋白的特性。结果表明,优雅蝈螽雄性附腺由3类腺管组成:乳白长腺管、透明腺管和乳白短腺管,腺管的管壁组织结构相似,从内到外依次为单层上皮细胞、基膜、肌肉层,不同腺管管腔分泌物H-E染色后呈现不同颜色。SDS-PAGE分析各种腺管的分泌蛋白具有特异性。     

Identification and characterization of apolipoprotein(AII-E2-AII) complex in human plasma lipoprotein.

A new apolipoprotein complex designated as the apo(AII-E2-AII) complex was identified in the lipoprotein fractions of human plasma with apoE phenotypes containing apoE2 (E4/E2, E3/E2, and E2/E2). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by an immunoblotting assay using anti-apoE or anti-apoAII antibodies, established that the apo(AII-E2-AII) complex, with a molecular weight of 58,000, was identical to the complex consisting of apoE and apoAII, and that it also dissociated following reduction with beta-mercaptoethanol. This new complex was also demonstrated to be distinct from the apo(E-AII) complex and apoE monomer by isoelectric focusing, in the samples that were not treated with beta-mercaptoethanol. In apoE phenotype E3/E2, the apo(AII-E2-AII) complex was primarily included in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL, 1.063 < d < 1.21 g/ml) fraction, but was also observed in a small quantity in the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL, d < 1.006 g/ml) fraction. For further characterization, the apo(AII-E2-AII) complex was isolated by preparative SDS-PAGE, and no contamination of apo(E-AII) complex and apoE monomer was detected by immunoblotting assay using an anti-apoE antibody. It was confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system that a molecular ratio between apoAII monomer and apoE in the isolated apo(AII-E2-AII) complex was approx. 2, when the apo(E-AII) complex was used as a standard with the ratio of 1:1. It indicates that the apo(AII-E2-AII) complex is formed from two molecules of apoAII monomer and one molecule of apoE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular association of lectin and beta-glucosidase in corn coleoptile

Corn coleoptile lectin is present with beta-glucosidase (EC. 3.2.1.2.1) in a single tightly bound molecular association complex (88.7 kDa). SDS-PAGE of the molecular complex dissociates into two main components. Of these, at a concentration of 75%, the corn coleoptile beta-glucosidase (60 kDa) is identified by enzymatic activity, with two 16-amino acid tryptic peptides displaying close homology with the primary structure of the enzyme. In separate experiments, we isolated homogenous monomeric enzyme of corn coleoptile. This allowed us to conclude that lectin properties like erythrocyte agglutination, found in the (88.7 kDa) molecular complex, is not due to the beta-glucosidase bound in it. Another protein (30 kDa) dissociated from the same SDS-PAGE gels rendered several tryptic peptides, including a 20-amino acid sequence V(L)GP(Q)W(A)GGSGGSPVDITAEPQR closely homologous to the putative beta-glucosidase aggregating factor (BGAF) precursor described recently. Tryptic peptide SAFTE(A)WN(V)ELK(V) was also present in the BGAF precursor. KFHEQR peptide was not present in BGAF precursor or any other protein sequence examined. Tryptic peptide TYGPFGA showed good homology with the BGAF precursor protein, FEGLYLFHTPLGSGAN peptide displayed identity with the BGAF precursor sequence. Thus, the 30 kDa protein does not appear to be identical to BGAF, but is rather a similar molecule which could be endowed with the lectin properties of the 88.7 kDa molecular complex.     

The Isolation of Bacterial Polysaccharides with Anti-inflammatory Activity

It was found in the previous paper that wheat gluten polypeptides gave higher molecular weights in SDS-PAGE than in sedimentation equilibrium. To clear the cause of the abnormality of gluten polypeptides in SDS-PAGE, behaviors of the SDS complex of gliadin IV were investigated in comparison with those of the standard proteins. The amount of bound SDS for reduced and alkylated gliadin IV was not different from the value obtained with usual proteins. In accordance with the results of Reynolds et al., the plot of log [η] against log M gave a slope of 1.1, supporting a rodlike structure of the complex. The intrinsic viscosity of the SDS complex of gliadin IV gave a higher value of 0.28 dl/g in comparison with the corresponding value of 0.15 dl/g for the standard proteins. The sedimentation constant was lower in gliadin IV (1.61 S) than in the standard (1.77 S). These facts indicate that the gliadin IV complex has a higher frictional coefficient for its molecular weight of protein, suggesting a more elongated structure than usual. The helix content of the complex of gliadin IV was extremely low (12%). It was suggested that the high proline content of gliadin gives an elongated structure to the SDS complex and this structure causes a low electrophoretic migration mobility and overestimation of molecular weight in SDS-PAGE.     

Enzymatic N-glycan analysis of 31 kDa molecule in plerocercoid of Spirometra mansoni (sparganum) and its antigenicity after chemical oxidation

A highly specific antigenic protein of 31 kDa from plerocercoid of Spirometra mansoni (sparganum) was obtained by gelatin affinity and Mono Q anion-exchange column chromatography. The purified 31 kDa protein was subjected to N-glycan enzymatic digestion for structural analysis. The relative electrophoretic mobility was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, before and after digestion. On SDS-PAGE after enzymatic digestion, the 31 kDa protein showed a molecular shift of approximately 2 kDa, which indicated the possession of complex N-linked oligosaccharides (N-glycosidase F sensitive) but not of high-mannose oligosaccharides (endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, non-sensitive). Chemically periodated 31 kDa protein showed statistically non-significant changes with human sparganosis sera by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Therefore, the dominant epitopes of the 31 kDa molecule in human sparganosis were found to be mainly polypeptide, while N-glycans of the antigenic molecule in sparganum was minimal in anti-carbohydrate antibody production.     

Two-dimensional isoelectric focussing/sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic mapping and some molecular characteristics of the proteins of the adult guinea-pig small intestinal microvillus membrane

The adult guinea-pig small intestinal microvillus membrane was purified approximately 25-fold by both cation-precipitation and differential centrifugation methods. Comparison by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed no substantial differences in polypeptide composition between the two preparations. One-dimensional SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional isoelectric focussing (IEF)/SDS-PAGE, together with Coomassie-blue, silver and lectin-staining, showed three major high molecular weight polypeptides, Mr 108 000, 116 000 and 127 000, as well as a 47 kDa protein (actin), as major constituents of the membrane. The proteins of Mr 108 000 and 116 000 were strongly concanavalin A reactive. A detailed two-dimensional IEF/SDS-PAGE map of the membrane was constructed. Sodium carbonate treatment showed the two concanavalin A-reactive glycoproteins, Mr 108 000 and 116 000, comprising the sucrase-isomaltase complex, to be loosely-associated 'extrinsic' microvillus membrane proteins. Two proteins, Mr 127 000 and 135 000, were tightly-associated 'intrinsic' microvillus proteins. Despite regional differences in specific activity of some small intestinal microvillar enzymes, most noticeably enterokinase (EC 3.4.21.9) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.x), no substantial regional differences were seen in microvillus membrane polypeptide composition. In contrast, a substantial increase in the major high molecular weight proteins of Mr 108 000 and 116 000 accompanied a 10-fold rise in sucrase-isomaltase activity, and loss of a major protein of Mr 131 000 accompanied the complete loss of lactase activity from the membrane during postnatal development.     

Probable interaction between S100A7 and E-FABP in the cytosol of human keratinocytes from psoriatic scales

The overexpression of E-FABP and S100A7 in lesional psoriatic skin suggests a possible link with this hyperproliferative skin disease. In order to investigate a role for the proteins in this disease, the purifications for both proteins were re-analyzed. Moreover, a specific antiserum directed against purified human S100A7 was generated. By SDS-PAGE immunoblotting we show that E-FABP and S100A7 are expressed in cultured human differentiating keratinocytes and confirm their overexpression in psoriatic scales. Gel filtration and non-denaturing PAGE revealed that S100A7 co-purified with E-FABP, indicating an association between the two proteins. Ion-exchange chromatography resulted in the dissociation of the complex. Finally, immunoprecipitations using antiserum against E-FABP revealed that S100A7 co-immunoprecipitated with E-FABP from protein extracts of psoriatic scales. These data indicate that E-FABP and S100A7 might form a complex in the cytosol of human keratinocytes.     

A complex containing both trypsin inhibitor and dehydroascorbate reductase activities isolated from mitochondria of etiolated mung bean (Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek) cv. Tainan no. 5) seedlings

A complex containing trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity was extracted with 0.1 M TRIS buffer (pH 7.9) from trypsin-treated mitochondria of etiolated mung bean seedlings, and further purified with a Superdex 200 FPLC column. This partially purified complex with an M(r) about 820 kDa exhibited additional dehydroascorbate (DHA) reductase activity with specific activities of 0.21, 1.53 and 1.54 mumol ascorbate formed min-1 mg-1 protein at pH 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0, respectively, when glutathione was added. Much lower DHA reductase activity (0.013 and 0.026 mumol ascorbate formed min-1 mg-1 protein at pH 6.5 and 7.0, respectively) was found when glutathione was omitted. The isolated complex gave positive results when it was tested by TI activity staining after SDS-PAGE, and could be recognized by a polyclonal antibody which was raised against 38 kDa sweet potato Kunitz-type TI, one of the root storage proteins of sweet potato. The possible physiological functions of this complex with both TI and DHA reductase activities were discussed.     

Characterization of a Highly Purified, Fully Active, Crystallizable RC–LH1–PufX Core Complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Photosynthetic complexes in bacteria absorb light and undergo photochemistry with high quantum efficiency. We describe the isolation of a highly purified, active, reaction center-light-harvesting 1–PufX complex (RC–LH1–PufX core complex) from a strain of the photosynthetic bacterium, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, which lacks the light-harvesting 2 (LH2) and contains a 6 histidine tag on the H subunit of the RC. The complex was solubilized with diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC), and purified by Ni-affinity, size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography in dodecyl maltoside. SDS-PAGE analysis shows the complex to be highly purified. The quantum efficiency was determined by measuring the charge separation (DQ_A → D⁺Q_A^-) in the RC as a function of light intensity. The RC–LH1–PufX complex had a quantum efficiency of 0.95 ± 0.05, indicating full activity. The stoichiometry of LH1 subunits per RC was determined by two independent methods: (i) solvent extraction and absorbance spectroscopy of bacteriochlorophyll, and (ii) density scanning of the SDS-PAGE bands. The average stoichiometry from the two measurements was 13.3 ± 0.9 LH1/RC. The presence of PufX was observed in SDS-PAGE gels at a stoichiometry of 1.1 ± 0.1/RC. Crystals of the core complex have been obtained which diffract X-rays to 12 Å. A preliminary analysis of the space group and unit cell analysis indicated a P1 space group with unit cell dimensions of a = 76.3 Å, b = 137.2 Å, c = 137.5 Å; α = 60.0°, β = 89.95°, γ =90.02°.     

Characterization of endothelin receptors ETA and ETB expressed in COS cells.

The cloned cDNA genes for endothelin receptors ETA and ETB were expressed in COS cells, and the binding characteristics of the two receptors with three isopeptide ligands (ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3) were examined in detail. The results indicated that the stability of receptor-ET-1 complexes formed with ETA and ETB were significantly different from each other, while their affinities to ET-1 were similar. The preformed ETA-ET-1 complex readily dissociated upon SDS-PAGE, as did many of the other receptors so far studied, while the ETB-ET-1 complex survived SDS-PAGE when it was run at low temperature (approximately 4 degrees C). Clear differences in stability were also shown in comparative studies of acid treatment of the two types of complexes. Only the ETB-ET-1 complex was resistant to acid treatment (0.2 M acetic acid, 0.5 M NaCl), and its 50 kDa monomeric receptor-ligand complex remained intact. The ETB-ET-1 complex (50 kDa) formed at 4 degrees C on the surface of COS cells, however, was susceptible to limited proteolysis at 37 degrees C that reduced the molecular size of the complex to a distinct 35 kDa. No such size reduction was observed with the preformed ETA-ET-1 complex. The overall structure of two endothelin receptors, as deduced from the sequence of cloned cDNAs, is similar in many respects. However, the present findings demonstrate distinct differences in the biochemical nature of the two receptors, which suggest their distinct biological functions.     

Identification and Analysis of Multi-Protein Complexes in Placenta

Placental malfunction induces pregnancy disorders which contribute to life-threatening complications for both the mother and the fetus. Identification and characterization of placental multi-protein complexes is an important step to integratedly understand the protein-protein interaction networks in placenta which determine placental function. In this study, blue native/sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN/SDS-PAGE) and Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to screen the multi-protein complexes in placenta. 733 unique proteins and 34 known and novel heterooligomeric multi-protein complexes including mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, integrin complexes, proteasome complexes, histone complex, and heat shock protein complexes were identified. A novel protein complex, which involves clathrin and small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel protein 2, was identified and validated by antibody based gel shift assay, co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining. These results suggest that BN/SDS-PAGE, when integrated with LC-MS/MS, is a very powerful and versatile tool for the investigation of placental protein complexes. This work paves the way for deeper functional characterization of the placental protein complexes associated with pregnancy disorders.     

Characterization of a protein kinase-substrate complex precipitable with Ca2+ from the cytosol fraction of AH-66 hepatoma cells

A protein kinase-substrate complex was precipitated by adding Ca2+ to the cytosol fraction of AH-66 ascites hepatoma cells. The amount of the precipitated complex was increased with increasing concentrations of Ca2+ and reached a plateau at about 5 mM Ca2+. In the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, extensive uptake of radioactive phosphate into this complex occurred. The phosphorylation reaction was little affected by addition of cyclic nucleotides, Ca2+-phospholipid, Ca2+-calmodulin. When the complex after phosphorylation was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, a protein with molecular weight of 33,000 was most heavily phosphorylated. These phenomena were also observed for mouse myeloid leukemia cells (M1 cells). By contrast, the addition of Ca2+ to the cytosol fractions of regenerating rat liver, normal rat liver or brain caused little precipitation of the complex.     

Stoichiometry of the interaction of human plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor with subtilisin BPN'

Interaction of human plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI) with subtilisin BPN' was assessed by spectrophotometric determination of the inhibitory capacity and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). During the course of incubation of the enzyme and the inhibitor (E : I = 1 : 7.5) at pH 8.0 about 17% of the enzyme activity which had been inhibited initially was regenerated, indicating a temporary type of inhibition. The results of the titration experiments indicate that 9.8 mol of the inhibitor is required to inhibit 1 mol of the enzyme completely. However, patterns of 5% disc SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions revealed only an equimolar complex (Mr80K) of alpha 1PI with the enzyme and no other higher Mr component than the native inhibitor (Mr 56K). On the other hand, complete dissociation of the complex occurred under reducing conditions, producing an enzymatically modified inhibitor. When 5 21% gradient slab SDS-PAGE was employed, no complex formation was observed under either reducing or non-reducing conditions. With the gradient gel system, dissociation of the equimolar complex produced different forms of the inhibitor, that is, regeneration of an intact alpha 1PI under non-reducing conditions and an enzymatically modified form under reducing conditions. All these results indicate that the complex formed between subtilisin BPN' and human alpha 1PI is not so stable as that of the inhibitor with bovine chymotrypsin and that no covalent bond may be involved in the complex formation. The results also indicate that human alpha 1PI is not an effective inhibitor of subtilisin BPN' and behaves like a substrate for the enzyme.