Purification and partial sequence of the Mr 10,000 phosphoprotein from spinach thylakoids

The Mr 10,000 phosphoprotein was purified from photosystem II particles by solubilization of the particles in 5% (w/v) dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, centrifugation in 10% (w/v) sucrose, and three chromatography steps. The purified phosphoprotein showed a unique NH2 terminus indicating a highly purified polypeptide. The amino acid sequence for the first nine residues is NH2-Ala-Thr-Gln-Thr-Val-Glu-Ser-Ser-Ser . . . COOH. The amino acid composition was determined and could also be used to help distinguish the polypeptide from other known thylakoid proteins. The sequence and composition data indicated that the Mr 10,000 phosphoprotein is neither the hydrophobic 8-kDa subunit of the energy coupling complex nor cytochrome b-559, but rather a unique, as yet unidentified, polypeptide associated with photosystem II.     

Purification and properties of a phosphorylase (phosphoprotein) phosphatase associated with an alkaline phosphatase of Mr 35000 from bovine adrenal cortex.

A metal-ion-independent, nonspecific phosphoprotein phosphatase (Mr = 35000) which represents the major phosphorylase phosphatase activity in bovine adrenal cortex has been purified to apparent homogeneity. An alkaline phosphatase activity (p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate) of the same molecular weight, which requires both a metal ion (Mg2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Co2+) and a sulfhydryl compound for activity, has been found to co-purify with the phosphoprotein phosphatase throughout the purification procedures. Characterization of the phosphoprotein and the alkaline phosphatase activities with respect to their catalytic properties, substrate and metal ion specificities, relationship with large molecular forms of the enzymes and responses to various effectors has been carried out. The results indicate that the phosphoprotein phosphatase can be converted by pyrophosphoryl compounds (e.g. PPi and ATP) to a metal-ion-dependent form which, subsequently, can be reactivated by Co2+ greater than Mn2+ but not by Mg2+ or Zn2+. The results also indicate that, although the phosphoprotein and the alkaline phosphatase activities are closely associated, they exhibit distinct physical and catalytic properties. Discussions concerning whether these two activities represent two different forms of the same protein or two different yet very similar polypeptide chains have been presented.     

Human N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulphate sulphatase. Purification, monoclonal antibody production and native and subunit Mr values.

Initial purification of N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulphate sulphatase from human liver homogenates containing approx. 1 mg of enzyme in 26 g of soluble proteins was achieved by a six-column chromatography procedure and yielded approx. 40 micrograms of a single major protein species. Enzyme thus prepared was used to produce N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulphate sulphatase-specific monoclonal antibodies. The use of a monoclonal antibody linked to a solid support facilitated the purification of approx. 0.5 mg of N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulphate sulphatase from a similar liver homogenate. Moreover the enzyme isolated contained a single protein species, shown by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis to have an Mr of 57,000, which dissociated into subunits of Mr 43,000 and 13,000 in the presence of reducing agents. Essentially identical enzyme preparations were isolated from homogenates of human kidney and lung and from concentrated human urine. The native protein Mr of enzyme from human liver and kidney was assessed by gel-permeation chromatography to be 43,000 on Ultrogel AcA and Bio-Gel P-150. The liver N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulphate sulphatase was shown to have pH optima of approx. 4 and 5.5 with the oligosaccharide substrate (GalNAc4S-GlcA-GalitolNAc4S) and fluorogenic substrate (methylumbelliferyl sulphate) respectively. Km values of 60 microM and 4 mM and Vmax. values of 2 and 20 mumol/min per mg were determined with the oligosaccharide and fluorogenic substrates respectively.     

Purification and properties of an acid phosphoprotein phosphatase from Tetrahymena pyriformis

A cytosolic acid phosphoprotein phosphatase was purified by ion exchange (DEAE-Biogel A, DE-52) and hydrophobic (Phenyl-Sepharose) chromatography. The purified phosphoprotein phosphatase was homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native or denature conditions. The enzyme has a Mr of 90.000. The Km value and the optimum pH determined with p-nitrophenyl phosphate was 0.3 mM and 4.0, respectively. The enzyme is inhibited by NaF, ATP, 5'-pyridoxal phosphate and slightly activated by divalent cations.     

Purification of a vasodilator-regulated phosphoprotein from human platelets

Cyclic-nucleotide-elevating vasodilators such as prostaglandin E1, prostacyclin, sodium nitroprusside and endothelium-derived relaxing factor inhibit both contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells and the aggregation of platelets at an early step of the activation cascade. Previous studies from this laboratory [Waldmann, R., Nieberding, M. and Walter, U. (1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 167, 441-448) established that in human platelets cyclic-nucleotide-elevating vasodilators stimulated a pattern of protein phosphorylation which was mediated by both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases. Of particular interest was a membrane-bound 50-kDa protein whose phosphorylation was increased both by cAMP- and cGMP-elevating vasodilators in intact platelets and by endogenous cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase in platelet membranes. Since the molecular mechanism of action of cyclic-nucleotide-elevating vasodilators is unknown, this 50-kDa phosphoprotein from human platelets was purified to apparent homogeneity by salt extraction, anion, cation and dye-ligand chromatography. The purified protein migrated as a 46-kDa protein in SDS/PAGE, was an excellent substrate for both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases and migrated in SDS/PAGE as a 50-kDa protein after phosphorylation by these protein kinases. Analysis by limited proteolysis, tryptic fingerprinting and of phosphoamino acids established that the purified protein is identical with the 50-kDa protein phosphorylated by both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases in platelet membranes and in response to cAMP- and cGMP-elevating vasodilators with intact platelets. Evidence is presented that the purified protein contains at least two phosphorylation sites, each of which is preferentially phosphorylated by either cAMP- or cGMP-dependent protein kinase. The availability of this vasodilator-regulated phosphoprotein as a purified protein should now allow new approaches for investigating the function of this protein and its possible role in the mechanism of action of cyclic-nucleotide-elevating vasodilators.     

Immunolocalization of the exocytosis-sensitive phosphoprotein, PP63/parafusin, in Paramecium cells using antibodies against recombinant protein

 We have localized a structure-bound fraction of the exocytosis-sensitive phosphoprotein, PP63/parafusin (PP63/pf), in Paramecium cells by widely different methods. We combined cell fractionation, western blots, as well as light and electron microscopy (pre- and postembedding immunolabeling), applying antibodies against the recombinant protein. PP63/pf is considerably enriched in certain cortical structures, notably the outlines of regular surface fields (kinetids), docking sites of secretory organelles (trichocysts) and the membranes of subplasmalemmal Ca²⁺-stores (alveolar sacs). From our localization studies we tentatively derive several potential functions for PP63/pf, including cell surface structuring, assembly of exocytosis sites, and/or Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Accepted: 4 December 1997     

Purification and characterization of a calcium-dependent ATPase from Paramecium tetraurelia

We report the purification of a CaATPase of high specific activity from Paramecium tetraurelia. The enzyme is preferentially released into solution upon deciliation of cells by a Ca2+ shock procedure. Purification by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography yields major peptides of 68 and 53 kDa and a minor peptide of 58 kDa, as determined by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. These three peptides yield similar proteolytic peptide maps. Rabbit antisera to the purified enzyme inhibit enzyme activity and specifically label 68- and 53-kDa bands on nitrocellulose blots of the deciliation supernatant from which the enzyme is isolated. Concanavalin A-Sepharose precipitates about 60% of ATPase activity; only the 53-kDa band binds concanavalin A on nitrocellulose blots. The purified enzyme has a specific activity of 620 +/- 70 mumol/min/mg with ATP as substrate in the presence of Ca2+, which is required for enzyme activity. As substrates, ATP and GTP are strongly preferred to UTP and CTP. The Km for ATP in the presence of 3 mM Ca2+ is approximately 20 microM. Enzyme activity is strongly inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine, fluphenazine, W7, and calmidazolium. However, calmodulin is not associated with the purified enzyme, based on the enzyme's inability to bind anti-calmodulin antibodies or to stimulate brain phosphodiesterase. The intracellular origin of this ATPase, its possible function, and its relationship to several other ATPases of Paramecium are discussed.     

Purification and characterization of protein IIIb, a mammalian brain phosphoprotein

The phosphorylation of a 55,000-dalton protein (Protein IIIb) present in mammalian brain was previously shown to be increased by depolarizing agents in the presence of calcium, by cyclic nucleotides, and by appropriate neurotransmitters. We now report that Protein IIIb has been purified 660-fold to near homogeneity and partially characterized. The hydrodynamic properties of the purified protein indicate that it exists as an elongated monomer. cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalyzes the incorporation of 0.82 mol of phosphate into serine/mol of protein. The protein is heterogeneous in isoelectric focusing, exhibiting multiple forms with isoelectric points ranging in pH from 6.6 to 7.3.     

Purification and properties of a phosphoprotein phosphatase from rat liver.

A phosphoprotein phosphatase (phosphoprotein phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.16) has been partially purified from rat liver homogenates by (NH4)2SO4 and ethanol precipitations followed by DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose 6B chromatography. The phosphoprotein phosphatase is capable of cleaving [32P]phosphate from radiolabelled phosphopyruvate kinase (type L) (EC 2.7.1.40), phosphohistones, and phosphoprotamine. However, it did not detectably dephosphorylate ATP, ADP, DL-phosphorylserine or beta-glycerophosphate. Dephosphorylation of [32P]phosphopyruvate kinase was stimulated by divalent cations and inhibited by ATP, ADP, Fru-1,6-P2, and orthophosphate. Divalene cations could reverse inhibition induced by ADP or ATP. At least one function of the phosphoprotein phosphatase may be to remove phosphate groups from the phosphorylated form of pyruvate kinase in the liver.     

Purification of a phosphoprotein from chromatin of rat liver.

A simple and effective method to purify a phosphoprotein (B2) (Mr 68,000, pI 6.2-8) from phenol-soluble non-histone chromatin proteins of rat liver is described. The purification involved only two steps, CM-cellulose chromatography and preparative SDS/polyacrylamide (10%)-gel electrophoresis. The purified phosphoprotein B2 was shown to be homogeneous by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The yield was 2% of total non-histone chromatin proteins. The acidic to basic amino acid ratio of phosphoprotein B2 was less than 1, with high contents of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, lysine, glycine and alanine. The phosphate content of this protein is 0.3%.     

Involvement of a 65 kDa phosphoprotein in the regulation of membrane fusion during exocytosis in Paramecium cells

Antisera were raised against a phosphoprotein of 65 kDa (PP65) from Paramecium cells (shown before to be selectively dephosphorylated during synchronous exocytosis) and specified by immunoblotting. By immunofluorescence PP65 has been localized within the cortex, beneath the cell membrane. This corresponds to data obtained by cell fractionation, applying SDS-PAGE autoradiography to cortices prepared from 32P-prelabeled cells. Antisera against PP65 inhibit exocytosis in vivo (microinjection). Applying anti-PP65 antisera in vitro to cortices we could demonstrate inhibition not only of exocytosis, but also of PP65 dephosphorylation. We conclude that PP65 is involved in the regulation of membrane fusion during exocytosis.     

Parafusin, an exocytic-sensitive phosphoprotein, is the primary acceptor for the glucosylphosphotransferase in Paramecium tetraurelia and rat liver

Parafusin, the major protein in Paramecium tetraurelia to undergo dephosphorylation in response to secretory stimuli, appears to be the primary acceptor for the glucosylphosphotransferase in this species based on five independent criteria: identical molecular size of 63 kD; identical isoelectric points in the phosphorylated state of pH 5.8 and 6.2; identical behavior in reverse-phase chromatography; immunological cross-reactivity with an affinity-purified anti-parafusin antibody; the presence of a phosphorylated sugar after acid hydrolysis. It appears likely that the dephosphorylation observed with secretion reflects the removal of alpha Glc-1-P from parafusin's oligosaccharides and is consistent, therefore, with a regulatory role for this cytoplasmic glycosylation event. The glucosylphosphotransferase acceptor in rat liver is also immunoprecipitated by the anti-parafusin antibody and is very similar in physical characteristics to the paramecium protein. This conservation suggests a role for parafusin in mammalian exocytosis as well, at a step common to both the regulated and constitutive secretory pathways.     

Purification and properties of swine kidney phosphoprotein phosphatase

Summary Pig intestinal brush borders (BB) were radiolabeled by iodination using the lactoperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide procedure. The BB were then detergent solubilized, centrifuged to remove particulate material, and chromatographed on Sepharose CL-4B. The fractions were incubated with K88+ E. coli using an in vitro binding assay. Binding of the iodinated membranes to K88+ E. coli occurred throughout a wide range of molecular weight components, in excess of 690K daltons to near 25K daltons. The system utilizing intact K88+ E. coli and solubilized BB was shown to be saturable. Prior contact of K88+ E. coli with nonradiolabeled membranes or specific antibodies to K88+ pili inhibited binding of the radiolabeled BB. Simple sugars were tested for their ability to block binding of the labeled BB; partial inhibition occurred with galactose (17.9%), galactosamine (32%), glucose (10.6%), and N-acetylglucosamine (32%). Calcium enhanced binding with as little as 10 M. A 10 × increase in binding occurred with 500 M calcium. Affinity chromatography using K88+ pili coupled on agarose beads avidly bound the labeled BB. The receptor membranes were eluted with high molar concentrations of salt, however considerable degradation occurred. Despite low yields from the affinity system, receptor membranes with higher binding activities were recovered. Protein: glycoprotein ratios were 1:4. Elution with SDS and electrophoresis on 12.5% polyacrylamide gels in the presence of a reducing agent produced two major subunits 35–32K and 23K daltons. These components were recovered from the gels and retained their binding activity. This information suggests that the intestinal receptor responsible for binding of K88+ E. coli is a glycoprotein, that in the native state exists in multimeric forms.     

Generation of a monoclonal antibody against Mycoplasma spp. following accidental contamination during production of a monoclonal antibody against Lawsonia intracellularis

This report describes Mycoplasma contamination of Lawsonia intracellularis cultures that led to the unintended acquisition of a monoclonal antibody against Mycoplasma spp. during the attempted generation of a monoclonal antibody against L. intracellularis.     

Purification and properties of dyneins from Paramecium cilia

Dynein ATPases were purified from Paramecium cilia by salt extraction followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and anion exchange chromatography. The two major dyneins sedimented in sucrose gradients as species of 22 S and 12 S. After purification by anion exchange chromatography, their specific activities were about 0.4 and 0.5 mumol/min per mg, respectively. The dyneins could be distinguished by subunit composition and immunological crossreactivity. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed additional ATPase activity in the region between the 22 S and 12 S dyneins, including a 19 S activity. Mg2+-ATPase activities of the dyneins and the 19 S activity were inhibited by vanadate and Zn2+, and were activated by Triton X-100. Antibodies against the 22 S dynein from Paramecium reacted on immunoblots with most of the polypeptides of 22 S dynein, and showed that the heavy chains of 22 S dynein are not identical to those that sediment at 19 S and 12 S. Several minor ATPase activities were revealed by anion exchange chromatography of fractions from the 22 S, 19 S and 12 S regions of sucrose gradients. These minor activities were stimulated by Mg2+, inhibited by vanadate, and could be distinguished from each other by their elution positions and polypeptide compositions.     

Purification of antibody against Ara h 2 by a homemade immunoaffinity chromatography column

Antibodies are used extensively in numerous applications both in vivo and in vitro. To purify anti-Ara h 2 polyclonal antibody, a homemade immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) column method was established. The properties of homemade column were compared with those of the mAb affinity protein G (MPG) agarose high flow, a commercially available column successfully used in capturing polyclonal antibodies. During antibody purification from rabbits’ antiserum against Ara h 2, the column capacity, recovery, and purification factor were characterized for IAC and MPG. The homemade IAC could separate the corresponding antibody with higher specificity and lower cost but with lower recovery and column capacity than those of MPG. Thus, the homemade IAC is a specific, inexpensive, and suitable method that can be used for various laboratory purifications.     

Purification and characterization of a phosphoprotein phosphatase from bovine adrenal cortex.

A phosphoprotein phosphatase which is active against chemically phosphorylated protamine has been purified about 500-fold from bovine adrenal cortex. The enzyme has a pH optimum between 7.5 and 8.0, and has an apparent Km for phosphoprotamine of about 50 muM. The hydrolysis of phosphoprotamine is stimulated by salt, and by Mn2+. Hydrolysis of phosphoprotamine is inhibited by ATP, ADP, AMP, and Pi, but is not affected by AMP or cyclic GMP. The purified phosphoprotein phosphatase preparation also dephosphorylates p-nitrophenyl phosphate and phosphohistone, and catalyzes the inactivation of liver phosphorylase, the inactivation of muscle phosphorylase a (and its conversion to phosphorylase b), and the inactivation of muscle phosphorylase b kinase. Phosphatase activities against phosphoprotamine and muscle phosphorylase a copurify over the last three stages of purification. Phosphoprotamine inhibits phosphorylase phosphatase activity, and muscle phosphorylase a inhibits the dephosphorylation of phosphoprotamine. These results suggest that one enzyme possesses both phosphoprotamine phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase activities. The stimulation of phosphorylase phosphatase activity, but not of phosphoprotamine phosphatase activity, by caffeine and by glucose, suggests that the different activities of this phosphoprotein phosphatase may be regulated separately.