Identification of cysteine 530 as the covalent attachment site of an affinity-labeling estrogen (ketononestrol aziridine) and antiestrogen (tamoxifen aziridine) in the human estrogen receptor

Radiosequence analysis of peptide fragments of the estrogen receptor (ER) from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells has been used to identify cysteine 530 as the site of covalent attachment of an estrogenic affinity label, ketononestrol aziridine (KNA), and an antiestrogenic affinity label, tamoxifen aziridine (TAZ). ER from MCF-7 cells was covalently labeled with [3H]TAZ or [3H]KNA and purified to greater than 95% homogeneity by immunoadsorbent chromatography. Limit digest peptide fragments, generated by prolonged exposure of the labeled receptor to trypsin, cyanogen bromide, or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, were purified to homogeneity by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the position of the labeled residue was determined by sequential Edman degradation. With both aziridines, the labeled residue was at position 1 in the tryptic peptide, position 2 in the cyanogen bromide peptide, and position 7 in the V8 protease peptide. This localizes the site of labeling to a single cysteine at position 530 in the receptor sequence. The identity of cysteine as the site of labeling was confirmed by HPLC comparison of the TAZ-labeled amino acid (as the phenylthiohydantoin and phenylthiocarbamyl derivatives) and the KNA-labeled amino acid (as the phenylthiocarbamyl derivative) with authentic standards prepared by total synthesis. Cysteine 530 is located in the hormone binding domain of the receptor, near its carboxyl terminus. This location is consistent with earlier studies using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to analyze the size of the proteolytic fragments containing the covalent labeling sites for TAZ and KNA and the antigen recognition sites for monoclonal antibodies. The fact that both the estrogenic and antiestrogenic affinity labeling agents react covalently with the same cysteine indicates that differences in receptor-agonist and receptor-antagonist complexes do not result in differential covalent labeling of amino acid residues in the hormone binding domain.     

Localized conformational interrogation of antibody and antibody-drug conjugates by site-specific carboxyl group footprinting

Establishing and maintaining conformational integrity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) during development and manufacturing is critical for ensuring their clinical efficacy. As presented here, we applied site-specific carboxyl group footprinting (CGF) for localized conformational interrogation of mAbs. The approach relies on covalent labeling that introduces glycine ethyl ester tags onto solvent-accessible side chains of protein carboxylates. Peptide mapping is used to monitor the labeling kinetics of carboxyl residues and the labeling kinetics reflects the conformation or solvent-accessibility of side chains. Our results for two case studies are shown here. The first study was aimed at defining the conformational changes of mAbs induced by deglycosylation. We found that two residues in C_H2 domain (D268 and E297) show significantly enhanced side chain accessibility upon deglycosylation. This site-specific result highlighted the advantage of monitoring the labeling kinetics at the amino acid level as opposed to the peptide level, which would result in averaging out of highly localized conformational differences. The second study was designed to assess conformational effects brought on by conjugation of mAbs with drug-linkers. All 59 monitored carboxyl residues displayed similar solvent-accessibility between the ADC and mAb under native conditions, which suggests the ADC and mAb share similar side chain conformation. The findings are well correlated and complementary with results from other assays. This work illustrated that site-specific CGF is capable of pinpointing local conformational changes in mAbs or ADCs that might arise during development and manufacturing. The methodology can be readily implemented within the industry to provide comprehensive conformational assessment of these molecules.     

The integrity of the cysteine 186-cysteine 209 bond of the second disulfide loop of tissue factor is required for binding of factor VII

The structural basis of function of tissue factor (TF), the cell surface receptor and cofactor for the serine protease factor VIIa, cannot be inferred from the primary sequence. The functional significance of the two disulfide bonded loops in the surface domain of TF has been analyzed using site-directed mutagenesis to selectively preclude covalent stabilization of these loops by pairwise substitution of serine residues for cysteines. Mutant TF lacking either the amino (TFS49S57) or carboxyl (TFS186S209) disulfide bond were expressed on the surface of cells consistent with proper processing. Each reacted with a panel of monoclonal antibodies further suggesting proper global folding of the mutant proteins. TFS186S209 exhibited a selective decrease in reactivity with an antibody directed against one epitope locus in the carboxyl aspect of the surface domain of TF. Whereas TFS49S57 was functionally comparable to the wild type protein, TFS186S209 was functionally 30-40-fold less effective, and the affinity of factor VIIa binding to this mutant was indirectly estimated to be diminished 20-fold. These data suggest that the Cys186-Cys209 disulfide bond is required to maintain conformation and implicate the disulfide loop or adjacent structures in the carboxyl half of the surface domain of TF in receptor function.     

Amino acid sequence of human protein Z, a vitamin K-dependent plasma glycoprotein

Protein Z is a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein isolated and characterized from human and bovine plasma. A cDNA coding for human protein Z has been obtained by the isolation of phage clones from a liver cDNA library and in vitro amplification of two other liver libraries. Protein Z is synthesized with a prepro-leader sequence of 40 amino acids. The mature protein is composed of 360 residues including a Gla domain of 13 carboxyglutamic acid residues, two epidermal growth factor domains, and a carboxyl terminal region which is highly homologous to the catalytic domain of serine proteases. Human protein Z, however, contains an Asp instead of Ser and a Lys instead of His in the catalytic triad of the active site.     

Microwave‐assisted 18O labeling of Fmoc‐protected amino acids

Recently, there has been an increased interest in isotopical labeling of peptides. Although there are several techniques allowing for a complete labeling of all carboxyl groups in peptides, regioselective labeling would be beneficial in many situations. Such labeling requires the use of ¹⁸O‐labeled Fmoc amino acids. We have designed a method for such labeling that is an improvement on a technique proposed earlier. The new procedure is suitable for microscale synthesis and could be used in peptide and proteomics laboratories. Although for the majority of tested amino acids our method gives good labeling efficiency, it is time consuming. Therefore, we have decided to use microwave‐assisted procedure. This approach resulted in reduction of reaction time to 15 min and increased reaction efficiency. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neurofilament Monoclonal Antibodies RT97 and 8D8 Recognize Different Modified Epitopes in Paired Helical Filament-τ in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract: Neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease have been previously found to be labeled by some neurofilament antibodies that also recognize τ proteins. We have studied the reactivity of two such monoclonal antibodies, RT97 and 8D8, and of an anti-ubiquitin serum with the abnormal paired helical filaments (PHF)-τ (A68) polypeptides known to be the main component of the PHFs constituting the neurofibrillary tangles. 8D8 recognized the three major PHF-τ polypeptides, but RT97 reacted only with the two larger PHF-τ species. PHF-τ polypeptides were labeled by 8D8 and RT97 much more strongly than normal human τ and this labeling was decreased after alkaline phosphatase treatment. Anti-ubiquitin and anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies did not label PHF-τ polypeptides. The immunoreactivity of proteolytic fragments of PHF-τ polypeptides was studied with RT97, 8D8, and a panel of τ antibodies. The epitope for 8D8 on PHF-τ was localized between amino acids 222 and 427 in the carboxyl half of τ. The RT97 epitope on PHF-τ was localized in the amino domain of τ, probably in the 29-amino-acid insertion (insert 1) found towards the amino terminus of some τ isoforms. These results show that the basis for the labeling of neurofibrillary tangles by antibodies 8D8 and RT97 to neurofilament is their ability to react with PHF-τ polypeptides by recognizing sites specifically modified on PHF-τ, including a site specific to some τ isoforms.     

Analysis of the assembly of laminin and the laminin-entactin complex with laminin chain specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies

Antibodies specific for the A, B1, and B2 chains of laminin have been obtained and characterized. Lam V, a rat X mouse monoclonal antibody, was obtained by immunizing Lewis rats with the extracellular matrix derived from the mouse endodermal line M1536-B3. The antibody was shown to recognize a conformation-sensitive epitope present on the A chain of laminin. The antibody exhibited high avidity for native laminin and uncomplexed newly synthesized laminin A chains. cDNA clones in the vector lambda-gt11 containing sequences for the B1 and B2 chains of laminin were shown to synthesize beta-galactosidase fusion proteins in the host cells induced with IPTG. The fusion protein F3 contained amino acid residues 822-1765 of the B1 chain of mouse laminin, and the fusion protein E4 contained 219 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of the B2 chain of rat laminin. These two fusion proteins were used to obtain rabbit polyclonal antibodies which were characterized for their specificity and ability to immunoprecipitate laminin and the B chains of laminin. The chain-specific antibodies were used to analyze the assembly and processing of laminin in the mouse endodermal cell line M1536-B3. The results indicated that the covalent assembly of the A and B chains of laminin was initiated as early as 3 min after labeling cells. At this time point uncomplexed A chain of laminin could be observed even though there was an excess of B1 and B2 chains. As early as 4 min after labeling monomeric, dimeric, and oligomeric forms of the B chains of laminin were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transient translocation of the cytoplasmic (endo) domain of a type I membrane glycoprotein into cellular membranes

The E2 glycoprotein of the alphavirus Sindbis is a typical type I membrane protein with a single membrane spanning domain and a cytoplasmic tail (endo domain) containing 33 amino acids. The carboxyl terminal domain of the tail has been implicated as (a) attachment site for nucleocapsid protein, and (b) signal sequence for integration of the other alpha-virus membrane proteins 6K and E1. These two functions require that the carboxyl terminus be exposed in the cell cytoplasm (a) and exposed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (b). We have investigated the orientation of this glycoprotein domain with respect to cell membranes by substituting a tyrosine for the normally occurring serine, four amino acids upstream of the carboxyl terminus. Using radioiodination of this tyrosine as an indication of the exposure of the glycoprotein tail, we have provided evidence that this domain is initially translocated into a membrane and is returned to the cytoplasm after export from the ER. This is the first demonstration of such a transient translocation of a single domain of an integral membrane protein and this rearrangement explains some important aspects of alphavirus assembly.     

Attachment of protein affinity-labeling reagents of variable length and amino acid specificity to E. coli tRNAfMet.

Transamination with bifunctional amines in the presence of bisulfite has been used to attach side chains of variable length to the N4-position of single stranded cytidine residues in E. coli tRNAfMet. Such side chains, terminating in reactive primary amino groups, have been coupled to a variety of N-hydroxysuccinimide esters. The resulting modified tRNAs carry protein affinity labeling groups capable of covalent reaction with a variety of amino acids.     

An isotope coding strategy for proteomics involving both amine and carboxyl group labeling

This paper describes a heavy isotope coding strategy for the analysis of all types of tryptic peptides, including those that are N-terminally blocked and from the C-terminus of proteins. The method exploits differential derivatization of amine and carboxyl groups generated during proteolysis as a means of coding. Carboxyl groups produced during proteolysis incorporate 18O from H218O. Peptides from the C-terminus of proteins were not labeled with 18O unless they contained a basic C-terminal amino acid. Primary amines from control and experimental samples were differentially acylated after proteolysis with either 1H3- or 2H3-N-acetoxysuccinamide. When these two types of labeling were combined, unique coding patterns were achieved for peptides arising from the C-termini and blocked N-termini of proteins. This method was used to (1) distinguish C-terminal peptides in model proteins, (2) recognize N-terminal peptides from proteins in which the amino terminus is acylated, and (3) identify primary structure variations between proteins from different sources.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance characterization of tyrosine radical, M+, in site-directed mutants of photosystem II(t).

Photosystem II contains two well-characterized tyrosine radicals, D(.) and Z(.). Z is an electron carrier between the primary chlorophyll donor and the manganese catalytic site and is essential for enzymatic function. On the other hand, D forms a stable radical with no known role in oxygen evolution. D(.) and Z(.) give rise to similar, but not identical, room temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals, which can be distinguished by their decay kinetics. A third room temperature EPR signal has also been observed in site-directed mutants in which a nonredox active amino acid is substituted at the D or Z site. This four-line EPR signal has been shown to have a tyrosine origin by isotopic labeling (Boerner and Barry, 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269:134-137), but such an EPR signal has never before been observed from a tyrosyl radical. The radical giving rise to this third unique signal has been named M+. Here we provide kinetic evidence that this signal arises from a third redox active tyrosine, distinct from tyrosine D and Z, in the photosystem II reaction center. Isotopic labeling and EPR spectroscopy provide evidence that M is a covalently modified tyrosine.     

Fluorescent labeling of nisin Z and assessment of anti-listerial action

Biomolecule labeling by fluorescent markers has emerged as an innovative methodology for bio-analytical purposes in food microbiology, medicine and pharmaceutics due to the great advantages of this method such as precision, wide detection limits, and in vivo recognition. Fluorescent nisin Z was synthesized by linking the carboxyl group and amino group of nisin Z and 5-aminoacetamido fluorescein (AAA-flu). This new structure was fully characterized by mass spectrometry with a molecular weight of 3717.3 Da. Intracellular K⁺ leakage and transmembrane electrical potential (Δψ) were used to evaluate the antibacterial action of the labeled molecule against three listerial strains and demonstrated that nisin Z endured the labeling process without any activity loss. In vivo activity of labeled nisin was observed by confocal laser microscope which revealed its localization at the septum of listerial cell division site where the membrane-bound cell wall precursor lipid II is maximal. Fluorescent nisin Z showed its great potential as a tool to study antibacterial mechanism of action of nisin in biological systems.     

Immunological approaches to the transmembrane topology and conformational changes of the carboxyl-terminal regulatory domain of yeast plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase.

Molecular genetic experiments have suggested that the carboxyl terminus of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase is an inhibitory domain involved in the "in vivo" regulation of the enzyme by glucose metabolism. An antibody prepared against a fusion protein including the last 59 amino acids of the ATPase sequence has been affinity purified to yield a preparation which requires the 18 carboxyl-terminal amino acids for recognition. Antibody binding experiments show that the carboxyl-terminal domain of the ATPase can be selectively exposed by concentrations of the detergent Tween-20 which do not break down the permeability barrier of the plasma membrane to the antibody. Both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence analysis demonstrate that the accessibility of the carboxyl-terminal domain in isolated plasma membranes depends on the physiological state of the cell being increased by glucose metabolism. Immunofluorescence analysis of isolated plasma membrane vesicles, using a dual labeling protocol with concanavalin A and antibody to reveal the orientation of individual vesicles, and colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy of ultrathin cryosections of whole yeast cells separately demonstrate that the ATPase carboxyl terminus is located in the cytoplasmic compartment. The application of a mutant deleted of the epitope(s) recognized by the affinity purified carboxyl-terminal antibody eliminates the possibility of artifacts arising from nonspecific antibody binding. The accessibility properties and cytoplasmic location of the carboxyl-terminal domain appear to be consistent with its role as a negative regulator of the ATPase.     

Cytochrome b561 is fatty acylated and oriented in the chromaffin granule membrane with its carboxyl terminus cytoplasmically exposed

Two polyclonal antibodies were raised to synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acids Ser21-Tyr35 and Lys247-Phe261 of cytochrome b561. These antibodies were used to test the native orientation of the amino and carboxyl termini of this transmembrane electron transport protein. Carboxyl-terminal epitopes were lost when intact chromaffin granules were treated with Pronase. This result indicates that the carboxyl terminus is cytoplasmically exposed and confirms a theoretical prediction obtained from hydropathy plots. Epitopes that were recognized by an amino-terminal antipeptide antibody were not removed under the same conditions. This finding implied that the amino terminus was not proteolytically accessible on the exterior of the granule. The abundance of threonine and serine residues in the amino-terminal region suggested that the amino terminus could be held in the membrane by covalent fatty acylation. Treatment of purified delipidated cytochrome b561 with hydroxylamine resulted in the release of a fatty acid hydroxamate. Sulfhydryl analysis of purified cytochrome b561 showed that all 3 cysteine residues were in the free sulfhydryl form. These observations indicate that cytochrome b561 is covalently fatty acylated and that the lipid is bound through ester linkages of serine or threonine residues.     

Chemically modified nylons as supports for enzyme immobilization. Polyisonitrile-nylon

Four-component condensations between amine, carboxyl, isocyanide and aldehyde lead to the formation of N-substituted amides (Ugi, 1962). The present paper describes the use of such condensations for the introduction of chemically reactive groups on to the polyamide backbone of nylon. Polyisonitrile-nylon was synthesized by partial hydrolysis of nylon-6 powder, followed by resealing of the newly formed -CO(2)... NH(2) (-) pairs via a four-component condensation, by using acetaldehyde and 1,6-di-isocyanohexane. Polyisonitrile-nylon could also be converted into a diazotizable arylamino derivative, polyaminoaryl-nylon, by a four-component condensation by using a bifunctional amine, pp'-diaminodiphenylmethane, in the presence of an aldehyde and a carboxylate compound. The versatility of four-component condensations involving the isocyanide functional group of polyisonitrile-nylon allowed coupling of proteins, in an aqueous medium at neutral pH, through either their amino or carboxyl groups. Trypsin and papain were bound to polyisonitrile-nylon through their amino groups by a four-component condensation by using acetaldehyde and acetate; conversely, succinyl-(3-carboxypropionyl-)trypsin, pepsin and papain were coupled through their carboxyl groups in the presence of acetaldehyde and an amine (Tris). Diazotized polyaminoaryl-nylon could be utilized for the immobilization of papain, via the tyrosine residues of the enzyme.     

Glu-537, not Glu-461, is the nucleophile in the active site of (lac Z) beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli.

The covalent intermediate formed during catalysis by the lac Z beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli can be trapped by reaction of the enzyme with 2',4'-dinitrophenyl 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-galactopyranoside, thereby inactivating the enzyme. Kinetic parameters for this inactivation process with the holo- and apo-enzymes have been determined. The intermediate so formed turns over only very slowly (t1/2 = 11.5 h) resulting in reactivation of the enzyme. The nucleophilic amino acid involved has been identified as Glu-537 by using a tritium-labeled inactivator to label the enzyme, then cleaving the labeled protein into peptides and purifying and sequencing the labeled peptide. This residue is conserved in five homologous beta-galactosidases and is different from that (Glu-461) proposed to be the nucleophile (Herrchen, M., and Legler, G. (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 138, 527-531) on the basis of affinity labeling studies with conduritol C cis-epoxide. A role for glutamic acid residue 461 as the acid/base catalyst is proposed and justified.     

Intrinsic photoaffinity labeling probes for cholecystokinin (CCK)-gastrin family receptors. D-Tyr-Gly-[Nle28,31,pNO2-Phe33)CCK-26-33)

Attempts to biochemically characterize the pancreatic cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor by affinity labeling have utilized either 125I-Bolton-Hunter-CCK-33 ("long" probes) or decapeptide analogues of the carboxyl terminus of CCK ("short" probes), and covalent attachment via the amino-terminal regions of these probes. The long probe has identified a protein of Mr = 80,000 while "shorter" probes, which have their site of cross-linking closer to the receptor binding region of the probes, have labeled a distinct protein of Mr = 85,000-95,000. To extend and complement these observations, we have designed and synthesized a new probe for the CCK receptor which incorporates a photolabile p-nitrophenylalanine moiety within the theoretical receptor-binding region of the hormone, as its carboxyl-terminal residue. This "intrinsic" photoaffinity labeling probe has been shown to possess full biological activity, with potency and efficacy in stimulating amylase secretion by dispersed rat pancreatic acini similar to that of CCK-8 (CCK-26-33). When iodinated oxidatively, this probe binds rapidly, in a temperature-dependent, reversible, saturable, specific, high affinity manner to enriched pancreatic plasma membranes. In this work, we have used this probe to specifically label the CCK binding site on rat pancreatic plasma membranes. The Mr = 85,000-95,000 protein previously identified with amino-terminal cross-linking of short probes appears to be the protein labeled with this reagent as well. This provides strong evidence that this pancreatic plasma membrane protein contains the CCK-binding domain of the CCK receptor. This intrinsic photoaffinity labeling probe should be quite useful for the characterization of the active site of this receptor and for other CCK and gastrin receptors in many species.     

The interaction of methanol dehydrogenase and its electron acceptor, cytochrome cL in methylotrophic bacteria.

The interactions of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH, EC1.1.99.8) with its specific electron acceptor cytochrome cL has been investigated in Methylobacterium extorquens and Methylophilus methylotrophus. The MDHs of these two very different methylotrophs have the same alpha 2 beta 2 structure; the interaction of these MDHs with their specific electron acceptor, cytochrome cL, has been studied using a novel assay system. Electrostatic reactions are involved in 'docking' of the two proteins. EDTA inhibits the reaction by a process involving neither metal chelation nor the 'docking' process. Chemical modification studies showed that the two proteins interact by a 'docking' process involving interactions of lysyl residues on MDH and carboxyl residues on cytochrome cL. When 'zero length', two stage cross-linking was done (with proteins from both bacteria), the alpha-subunits of MDH cross-linked with cytochrome cL by way of lysyl groups on MDH and carboxyl groups on the cytochrome. Tuna mitochondrial cytochrome c provided a model for cytochrome cH which is the electron acceptor for cytochrome cL in the 'methanol oxidase' electron transport chain. Tuna cytochrome c was shown to form crosslinked products with carboxyl-modified cytochrome cL. MDH and tuna cytochrome c competed for the same domain on cytochrome cL. It was concluded that MDH reacts with cytochrome cL by an electrostatic reaction which involves carboxyl groups on cytochrome cL and amino groups on the alpha-subunit of MDH. The same domain on cytochrome cL is involved in subsequent 'docking' with its electron acceptor.     

Chain assembly intermediate in the biosynthesis of type III procollagen in chick embryo blood vessels

A general mechanism for the assembly of procollagens is proposed from a biosynthetic study of procollagen III. This was shown to proceed by a stepwise process punctuated by disulfide bond formation and an assembly intermediate was recovered. The biosynthesis of type III procollagen in excised chick embryo blood vessels was studied by radioactive labeling for 30 min. Velocity sedimentation under denaturing conditions and purified antibodies specific against bovine amino propeptide III were used to identify and characterize monomeric pro alpha 1 III chains and a type III procollagen intermediate which is interchain disulfide-linked only at the carboxyl end but not at the amino end. The monomeric chains presumably have intrachain disulfide bonds within the propeptides. The monomeric pro alpha 1 III chains were also found when alpha, alpha'-dipyridyl was present during incubation. Pulse-chase experiments show that the monomeric chains and the intermediate are biosynthetic precursors of type III procollagen. Furthermore, it is shown that monomeric pro alpha 1 chains are not triple helical when extracted under nondenaturing conditions. The results indicate that the assembly of pro alpha 1 III chains into type III procollagen starts with the association of the folded carboxyl propeptides and is followed by formation of disulfide bonds between carboxyl propeptides, folding of the triple helix, and formation of disulfide bonds between amino propeptides. All procollagens may follow a similar assembly sequence.     

Chemical stabilization of glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger against thermal inactivation

The applicability of crosslinking an enzyme to an oxidized polysaccharide by reductive alkylation to enhance thermostability has been investigated for glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger. Direct covalent coupling of the enzyme to periodate-oxidized dextran in the presence of NaBH(3)CN results in a conjugate which has thermal properties similar to those of the native enzyme. Our working hypothesis postulates that enhancement of thermostability will result from rigidification of the protein's conformation subsequent to the formation of multiple covalent bonds between the protein and the support. On the basis of the known characteristics of glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger, it would seem necessary to introduce additional amino groups in the polypeptide chain of the protein. The incorporation of new amino groups was performed in two phases. First, the glycosidic part of glucoamylase was oxidized by periodate and the resulting aldehyde groups were reductively aminated by a diaminoalkane and NaBH(3)CIM. Secondly, additional amino groups were introduced on carboxyl functions into the previously aminated glucoamylase by a diaminoalkane and a water-soluble carbodiimide in the presence of maltose to protect the active site. The final derivative was then coupled to periodate-oxidized dextran T-70 in the presence of NaBH(3)CN. Starting with native glucoamylase, three successive operations give rise to a conjugate which retained 27% of the initial activity when measured with soluble starch and 39% when measured with maltopentaose. Using substrates of various sizes, it was observed that steric hindrance at the active site may result from covalent coupling to dextran T-70. It was demonstrated in heat inactivation experiments that the thermostability of the conjugate was in all cases superior to that of the native enzymes. Finally, it was observed that the operational stability of the conjugate was at least twice that of native glucoamylase at 70 degrees C on 18% maltodextrin. Additional experiments rule out the possibility that thermosta-bilization of the complex is due to other reasons than the increase in the amino content of the protein prior to crosslinking. Neither chemical modification, reticulation nor change in the net charge of the protein resulted in a derivative of glucoamylase which presented enhanced thermostability after conjugation. We conclude that for enzymes which have a low content of available amino groups, the thermostabilization method proposed previously by the present authors may still be applicable if additional amino groups are introduced into the protein prior to its crosslinking to an oxidized polysaccharide. This new example reinforces the generality of this method of stabilization.