A Folate Binding Protein in Ascitic Fluid, Serum and Ovarian Tissue of Patients with Ovarian Adenocarcinoma Immunoreacts with Antibodies Against Human Milk Folate Binding Protein

The presence of a folate binding protein which immunoreacts with antibodies against human milk folate binding protein was demonstrated in ascitic fluids from seven patients with ovarian adenocarcinoma. Ascitic fluids collected from two patients with other malignancies contained non-immunoreactive FBP. Tumor tissue specimens from five patients with ovarian carcinoma contained immunoreactive FBP. By contrast to normal ovaries ovarian carcinoma tissue showed positive immunostaining on immunohistochemistry. Ascitic fluids from two patients with ovarian carcinoma exhibited single distinct bands on SDS-PAGE immunoblotting. The gel filtration profile of ovarian carcinoma tissue homogenate from two patients contained 25 and 100 kDa peaks of radioligand-bound and immunoreactive folate binding protein, while ascitic fluid from one of the patients exhibited a large 100 kDa immunoreactive peak with no radioligand binding activity. The immunoreactive non-functional 100 kDa FBP could represent unprocessed precursor FBP. Future studies are necessary to evaluate whether determination of immunoreactive FBP in ovarian adenocarcinomatosis is of any diagnostic value.     

Ligand Binding and Polymerization Characteristics of Human Milk Folate Binding Protein Depend on Concentration of Purified Protein and Presence of Amphiphatic Substances

Two folate binding proteins are present in human milk; one of 27 kDa is a cleavage product of the other one (100 kDa) which possesses a hydrophobic membrane anchor. A drastic change of radioligand binding characteristics and appearance of aggregated weak-radioligand affinity forms on gel filtration occurred at low concentrations of both proteins in the absence of Triton X-100 or other amphiphatic substances, e.g. cetyltrimethylammonium and phospholipids. These findings are consistent with a model predicting association between unliganded and liganded monomers resulting in weak-ligand affinity dimers. Amphiphatic substances form micelles and lipid bilayers which could separate hydrophobic unliganded monomers from hydrophilic liganded monomers (monomers become hydrophilic in the liganded state) thereby preventing association between these monomeric forms prevailing at low concentrations of the protein. Bio-Gel P-300 chromatography of the 27 kDa protein revealed a pronounced polymerization tendency, which diminished with decreasing protein concentrations, however, not in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium. The data could have some bearings on observations indicating that naturally occurring amphiphatic substances, cholesterol and phospholipids, are necessary for the important clustering of membrane folate receptors.     

Ligand Binding Characteristics of a Glycosylphosphatidyl Inositol Membrane-Anchored HeLa Cell Folate Receptor Epitope-Related to Human Milk Folate Binding Protein

The folate receptor (FR) in HeLa cells was characterized as to ligandbinding mechanism, antigenic properties and membrane anchor in order toobtain information to be used for the design of biological agentstargeting FR in malignant tumors. The receptor displayed the followingbinding characteristics in equilibrium dialysis experiments(37°C, pH 7.4) with [³H] folate: a high-affinity type of bindingthat exhibited positive cooperativity with a Hill coefficient >1.0and an upward convex Scatchard plot, a slow radioligand dissociation atpH 7.4 becoming rapid at pH 3.5 and inhibition in the presence of otherfolates. The molecular size of the receptor was 100 kDa on gel filtrationwith Triton X-100, or similar to that of high molecular weight human milkfolate binding protein (FBP). The latter protein represents a 25 kDamolecule which equipped with a hydrophobic glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane anchor susceptible to cleavage byphosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) formsmicelles of 100 kDa size with Triton X-100. The HeLa cell FRimmunoreacted with antibodies against purified human milk FBP inELISA, and in a fluorescence activated cell sorting system, whereHeLa cells exposed to increasing concentrations of antibody showed adose-dependent response. Exposure to PI-PLC decreased the fraction ofimmunolabeled cells indicating a linkage of FR to cell membranes by aGPI anchor. HeLa cells incubated with radiofolate showed a continuousuptake with time, however, with a complete suppression of uptake in thepresence of an excess of cold folate. Prewash of cells at acidic pH toremove endogenous folate increased the uptake. Binding and uptake of [³H]folate was increased in cells grown in a folate-deprived medium. The HeLaFR seems to be epitope related to human milk FBP.     

Folate intake and bowel cancer risk

Folate is a B vitamin required for one-carbon transfer reactions including methylation of cell macromolecules including DNA and synthesis of the purines adenosine and guanosine and the pyrimidine thymidine. Epidemiological evidence suggests that diets providing higher amounts of folates lower the risk of colo-rectal cancer (CRC) and these observations are supported by plausible biological mechanisms. Inadequate folate supply results in DNA damage through (a) the incorporation of uracil (in place of thymidine) into DNA and subsequent unsuccessful attempts at DNA repair and (b) aberrant patterns of DNA methylation. However, human intervention studies using relatively large doses (500–5,000 μg/day) of folic acid (a synthetic form of folate) have provided no evidence of benefit in terms of adenoma recurrence. Indeed, there is some evidence of potential harm in increased risk of prostate cancer. Possible reasons for the apparent divergence in findings from the observational and intervention studies include the use of (unphysiologically) large doses of folic acid in the intervention studies whereas smaller intakes of food folates appeared to offer “protection” against CRC in case–control and prospective cohort studies. With intakes of folic acid greater than 400 μg/day, unmetabolised folic acid appears in peripheral blood and there are suggestions that this folic acid may have adverse effects e.g. reduced cytotoxicity of Natural Killer cells. Until the benefit-risk relationship associated with mandatory fortification with folic acid has been clarified (and, in particular, the possible risk of inducing extra cases of bowel or other cancer), it would seem wise to delay further mandatory folic acid fortification.     

Ionic Charge, Hydrophobicity and Tryptophan Fluorescence of the Folate Binding Protein Isolated from Cow's Milk

A high-affinity folate binding protein was isolated and purified from cow's milk by a combination of cation exchange chromatography and methotrexate affinity chromatography. Chromatofocusing studies revealed that the protein possessed isoelectric points in the pH-interval 8–7. Polymers of the protein prevailing at pH values close to the isoelectric points seemed to be more hydrophobic than monomers present at pH 5.0 as evidenced by hydrophobic interaction chromatography and turbidity (absorbance at 340 nm) in aqueous buffer solutions (pH 5–8). Ligand binding seemed to induce a conformation change that decreased the hydrophobicity of the protein. In addition, Ligand binding quenched the tryptophan fluorescence of folate binding protein suggesting that tryptophan is present at the binding site and/or ligand binding induces a conformation change that affects tryptophan environment in the protein. There was a noticeable discordance between the ability of individual folate analogues to compete with folate for binding and the quenching effect.     

Insights into Coupled Folding and Binding Mechanisms from Kinetic Studies

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are characterized by a lack of persistent structure. Since their identification more than a decade ago, many questions regarding their functional relevance and interaction mechanisms remain unanswered. Although most experiments have taken equilibrium and structural perspectives, fewer studies have investigated the kinetics of their interactions. Here we review and highlight the type of information that can be gained from kinetic studies. In particular, we show how kinetic studies of coupled folding and binding reactions, an important class of signaling event, are needed to determine mechanisms.     

BSA载体蛋白抗体的去除

为了去除抗血清中BSA载体蛋白产生的抗体,一根对BSA载体蛋白抗体高度特异性的亲和柱被构建。结果表明：所构建的亲和柱对BSA载体蛋白抗体具高度特异性和亲和力,能有效地去除BSA载体蛋白产生的抗体。     

苜蓿盲蝽气味分子结合蛋白AlinOBP2结合特性初步分析

昆虫具有灵敏的嗅觉系统,能够特异性地识别性信息素和寄主挥发物来进行寻找配偶、定位寄主植物和产卵位点.气味分子结合蛋白在昆虫嗅觉识别过程中发挥关键作用.本研究表达和纯化了一个新的苜蓿盲蝽气味分子结合蛋白AlinOBP2,采用qRT-PCR方法解析了AlinOBP2基因的表达谱,结果表明AlinOBP2绝大部分在触角中表达,且在雌雄触角中的表达量相当,在头部也有少量的表达.以N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine（1-NPN）为荧光探针,采用荧光竞争结合实验研究了5种性信息素类似物和13种棉花挥发物与AlinOBP2蛋白的结合能力.结果显示,5种性信息素类似物均不能和AlinOBP2有效结合,暗示AlinOBP2在苜蓿盲蝽寻找配偶过程中不发挥作用.在13种棉花挥发物中,庚酸乙酯和AlinOBP2的结合能力最强,结合常数为9.22μmol/L.二甲基萘、3-己酮、乙酸叶醇酯、乙酸壬酯、香芹醇5种化合物和AlinOBP2结合能力一般,结合常数分别为15.49,17.31,21.53,18.86和13.47μmol/L.据此推测,AlinOBP2可能为普通气味结合蛋白,能够选择性地结合某些棉花挥发物并参与苜蓿盲蝽识别普通气味过程.     

Kinetic Studies of Formaldehyde Binding in Tissue

Specimens of rabbit liver were fixed for various periods up to 6 days in buffered ¹⁴C-formaldehyde. Binding of the isotope reached a plateau after fixation for approximately 24 hr; the half-maximal binding level was reached after approximately 100 min. Formaldehyde binding at 37 C was faster than at 25 C, and faster at pH 7.0 than at pH 4.0. During rinsing of the fixed tissue in water for up to 26 days there was a progressive decrease in isotope content to 10-20% of the pre-rinse level, indicating that formaldehyde fixation is a reversible process.     

人心型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)的原核表达、纯化和冻干品的制备

目的：获得重组人心型脂肪酸结合蛋白,分析其活性及制备冻干品。方法：从GenBank中检索人源H-FABP CDs 序列,合成基因后构建原核表达载体pET-28a（+）-H-FABP。将表达载体转入E.coli BL21（DE3）,摸索pET-28a（+）-H-FABP最佳诱导条件,表达并纯化重组蛋白。使用检测试剂检测纯化后的重组H-FABP活性,研究最佳冻干方案并考察冻干品的稳定性。结果：经过优化诱导条件,重组H-FABP在BL21（DE3）中以可溶性蛋白形式表达。诱导条件为OD₆₀₀≈0.6,IPTG终浓度0.4mmol/L,30℃诱导4h。通过Ni²⁺亲和层析纯化可得到纯度大于95%的重组H-FABP蛋白。重组H-FABP冻干品可以在37℃稳定保存12d,25℃、4℃稳定保存至少4个月。结论：本项研究中的重组H-FABP表达体系成熟、蛋白活性高,冻干品稳定性好,为后续研究提供了稳定高效的生物原材料。     

In Vitro Studies of 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase: Inhibition by Folate Derivatives, Folate Antagonists, and Monoamine Derivatives

Abstract: Folate monoglutamates and folate antagonists have an inhibitory action on the activity of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in rat brain. The type of inhibition was studied for dihydrofolic acid using the Lineweaver–Burk transformation. Some of the monoamine alkaloids, the in vitro products of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, have either a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity.     

Ligand Binding Mechanics of Maltose Binding Protein

In the past decade, single-molecule force spectroscopy has provided new insights into the key interactions stabilizing folded proteins. A few recent studies probing the effects of ligand binding on mechanical protein stability have come to quite different conclusions. While some proteins seem to be stabilized considerably by a bound ligand, others appear to be unaffected. Since force acts as a vector in space, it is conceivable that mechanical stabilization by ligand binding is dependent on the direction of force application. In this study, we vary the direction of the force to investigate the effect of ligand binding on the stability of maltose binding protein (MBP). MBP consists of two lobes connected by a hinge region that move from an open to a closed conformation when the ligand maltose binds. Previous mechanical experiments, where load was applied to the N and C termini, have demonstrated that MBP is built up of four building blocks (unfoldons) that sequentially detach from the folded structure. In this study, we design the pulling direction so that force application moves the two MBP lobes apart along the hinge axis. Mechanical unfolding in this geometry proceeds via an intermediate state whose boundaries coincide with previously reported MBP unfoldons. We find that in contrast to N-C-terminal pulling experiments, the mechanical stability of MBP is increased by ligand binding when load is applied to the two lobes and force breaks the protein-ligand interactions directly. Contour length measurements indicate that MBP is forced into an open conformation before unfolding even if ligand is bound. Using mutagenesis experiments, we demonstrate that the mechanical stabilization effect is due to only a few key interactions of the protein with its ligand. This work illustrates how varying the direction of the applied force allows revealing important details about the ligand binding mechanics of a large protein.     

Cloning and Characterization of Rat Cellular Nucleic Acid Binding Protein (CNBP) cDNA

We cloned and sequenced the cDNAs which code for rat cellularnucleic acid binding protein (CNBP). In-frame insertion/deletiondifferences were found among the clones at two sites in theopen reading frame, suggesting alternative splicing of the messageor the presence of multiple genes which code for this protein.The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that one rat CNBP sequencewas completely identical to its human counterpart. This strikingconservation, together with the fact that homologous genes havebeen found in various organisms including Schizosaccharomycespombe, suggests that CNBP plays a basic biological role in eukaryoticcells. The recombinant GST-CNBP fusion protein produced in Escherichiacoli bound to a G-rich single-stranded RNA and DNA in a sequence-specificmanner.     

蛋白质相互作用研究的新技术与新方法

目前,蛋白质相互作用已成为蛋白质组学研究的热点. 新方法的建立及对已有技术的改进标志着蛋白质相互作用研究的不断发展和完善．在技术改进方面,本文介绍了弥补酵母双杂交的蛋白定位受限等缺陷的细菌双杂交系统;根据目标蛋白特性设计和修饰TAP标签来满足复合体研究要求的串联亲和纯化技术,以及在双分子荧光互补基础上发展的动态检测多个蛋白质间瞬时、弱相互作用的多分子荧光互补技术．还综述了近两年建立的新方法：与免疫共沉淀相比,寡沉淀技术直接研究具有活性的蛋白质复合体;减量式定量免疫沉淀方法排除了蛋白质复合体中非特异性相互作用的干扰;原位操作的多表位－配基绘图法避免了样品间差异的影响,以及利用多点吸附和交联加固研究弱蛋白质相互作用的固相蛋白质组学方法.     

Antibodies Against the Bovine Brain Glutamate Binding Protein

Abstract: Antibodies against the purified bovine brain glutamate binding protein (GBP) were raised in rabbits. Both nonderivatized and dinitrobenzene-derivatized GBP produced strong immunological responses in rabbits. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we have quantified the antibody production and determined the specificity of the antibodies. Bovine brain GBP and the analogous protein from rat brain interacted most strongly with the antibodies. A bacterial glutamate-aspartate binding protein, as well as the enzymes glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.3), glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (EC 2.3.2.2), showed little or no cross-reactivity with the anti-GBP antibodies. A crude bacterial glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) preparation gave a small to moderate cross-reaction with the anti-GBP antibodies. The sensitivity of the ELISA assay and the specificity of the antibodies were such that GBP levels as low as 3–10 ng could be detected.     

Interaction Between L-Aspartic Acid and L-Asparaginase from Escherichia Coli: Binding and Inhibition Studies

Abstract

Experiments using equilibrium dialysis and fluorescence quenching provided direct evidence that approximately four moles of L-aspartic acid were bound per mole of tetrameric L-asparaginase from Escherichia coli, with a dissociation constant on the order of 60-160 μM. In addition, a set of weaker binding sites with a dissociation constant in the millimolar range were detected. Kinetic studies also revealed that L-aspartic acid inhibited L-asparaginase competitively, with an inhibition constant of 80 μM at micromolar concentrations of L-asparagine; at millimolar concentrations of the amide, an increase in maximal velocity but a decrease in affinity for L-asparagine were observed. L-Aspartic acid at millimolar levels again displayed competitive inhibition. These and other observations suggest that L-aspartic acid binds not only to the active site but also a second site with lower intrinsic affinity for it. The observed “substrate activation” is most likely attributable to the binding of a second molecule of L-asparagine rather than negative cooperativity among the tight sites of the subunits of this tetrameric enzyme. Further support for L-aspartic acid binding to the active site comes from experiments in which the enzyme, when exposed to various group-specific reagents suffered parallel loss of catalytic activity and in its ability to bind L-aspartic acid. Different commercial preparations of Escherichia coli L-asparaginase were found to contain ～ 2-4 moles of L-aspartic acid; these were incompletely removed by dialysis, but could be removed by transamination or decarboxylation. Efficiency of dialysis increased with increasing pH. Taken together, this set of results is consistent with the existence of a covalent β-aspartyl enzyme intermediate.     

Population Studies of Intact Vitamin D Binding Protein by Affinity Capture ESI-TOF-MS

Blood plasma proteins with molecular weights greater than approximately 30 kDa are refractory to comprehensive, high-throughput qualitative characterization of microheterogeneity across human populations. Analytical techniques for obtaining high mass resolution for targeted, intact protein characterization and, separately, high sample throughput exist, but efficient means of coupling these assay characteristics remain rather limited. This article discusses the impetus for analyzing intact proteins in a targeted manner across populations and describes the methodology required to couple mass spectrometric immunoassay with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the purpose of qualitatively characterizing a prototypical large plasma protein, vitamin D binding protein, across populations.     

人脂多糖结合蛋白基因的克隆及序列测定

采用PCR技术,从人肝cDNA文库中扩增获得了1.5 kb的脂多糖结合蛋白（LBP）的全长基因.序列分析表明,克隆的LBP基因编码的氨基酸序列与文献报道相同.     

烟草薄层培养生长素结合蛋白ABP1的定位和ABP1在细胞分化中的变化

以烟草（Nicotiana tabacum L.)盛花期花梗薄层为材料,研究营养芽分化的不同时期生长素结合蛋白（ABP1)在组织与细胞中的分布变化,免疫荧光标记结果表明,烟草花梗中ABP1主要分布于表皮及亚表皮1－2层细胞内。不同分化期ABP1在烟草花梗薄层原生质体中的表达不同,细胞分化旺盛期ABP1的表达最强,分化后期ABP1的表达有所减弱;Western blotting结果表明,ABP1多克隆抗血清与烟草花梗薄层细胞及分化过程中26kD蛋白有免疫交叉反应。     

Dietary Folate and Biogenic Amines in the CNS

Abnormal biogenic amine biosynthesis has been observed in humans and animals with endogenous and exogenous disturbances in folate metabolism. In an attempt to study this interaction biochemically, rats were depleted or repleted with folate for 10 weeks. Folate levels in depleted animals in serum and CSF correlated with stores in liver and brain, respectively. In depleted or repleted animals, there was no significant effect on biogenic amine metabolism in the CNS, as determined by quantitation of biogenic amines in brain and their respective metabolites in brain and CSF. These results are contrary to studies by other investigators. We suspect, however, that specific genetic defects in folate metabolism do result in impaired biogenic amine metabolism and probably at the level of disturbed biopterin cofactor functions.