Characterization of the molecular form of cardiac phospholamban

The native form of phospholamban is not known and it is presently under debate whether this protein exists as a monomer or an oligomer in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. The currently accepted model for phospholamban is pentameric, based primarily on its behavior in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In this study, sucrose density gradient centrifugation and gel filtration chromatography were used to determine the form of phospholamban under nondenaturing conditions. Purified phospholamban or phospholamban present in solubilized cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum was centrifuged through 5–20% sucrose density gradients in the absence or presence ofn-octylgucoside. The sucrose density gradient fractions were assayed for acid precipitable³²P-incorporation in the presence of [-³²P]ATP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit.³²P-containing peak fractions were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis, using a phospholamban-polyclonal antibody, to confirm the presence of phospholamban. Purified phosphoblamban migrated with an apparent molecular weight of 25,000 daltons in the sucrose gradients in either the absence or presence of detergent. Phospholamban present in solubilized cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum migrated with a similar apparent molecular weight when detergent was included in the sucrose gradients. In addition, solubilized cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum was subjected to gel filtration chromatography in the presence of deoxycholate. Under these conditions phospholamban migrated with an apparent molecular weight of 24,500 daltons. These data suggest that phospholamban prefers an oligomeric assembly and this may be the form present in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes.     

A novel glycoprotein that binds to hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid binding protein (HBP) has been purified to homogeneity from normal rat brain by using Hyaluronate-Sepharose affinity chromatography. It appears as a single band in non-dissociating gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of native protein, as determined by gel filtration is found to be 68,000 daltons, and has a single subunit of molecular weight approximately 13,500 as determined under denaturing conditions in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that this protein is apparently composed of five identical subunits. Amino acid analysis shows the purified HBP to be rich in glycine and glutamic acid content, and is distinct from fibronectin, link proteins, and gelatin binding proteins which are known to bind to hyaluronic acid. This protein is further characterised as sialic acid containing glycoprotein.     

A cofactor protein required for actin activation of myosin Mg2+ATPase activity in leukemic myeloblasts

The Mg2+ATPase activity of the myosin of a myeloid leukemia cell line (Ml) was not activated by purified Ml actin or by muscle actin alone. Activation required the presence of a cellular fraction as a cofactor in addition to the actin, when Mg2+ATPase was stimulated as much as 20-fold. The cofactor was partially purified and characterized. 1) Its molecular weight was estimated as 45,000 to 55,000 daltons by gel filtration and as 45,000 daltons by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2) The cofactor was a light chain kinase that phosphorylated both the L1 and L2 light chains of the Ml cell myosin, but not the L3 or heavy chain.     

Hemocyanin of Octopus vulgaris. The molecular weight of the minimal functional subunit in 3 M urea.

In the presence of 3 M urea Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca) hemocyanin dissociates completely, giving a single functional component which reassociates in the original aggregate after removal of urea. The molecular weight of this subunit has been determined by gel filtration, by viscosity measurements, and by ultracentrifugation. The values obtrained with the different methods range from 247,000 to 262,000. Electron microscopy shows that the reassociation of the functional subunit after removal of urea is complete and gives the typical cylindrical structure of the native protein. This component is the minimal functional subunit which can be obtained from Octopus hemocyanin without splitting covalent bonds. It is suggested that this component is made by five protomers (50,000 daltons) containing one oxygen binding site each bound covalently through, perhaps, the carbohydrate moieties of the protein.     

Gramicidin S-synthetase. Electrophoretic characterization of the multienzyme.

1. A method characterizing the fully active gramicidin S-synthetase (EC. 6.3.2.-) multienzyme in protein mixtures by a combination of sedimentation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic mobility data has been described. 2. The molecular weight of 280000 has been reevaluated by gradient centrifugation, gel filtration, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The size of the multienzyme is not changed by sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment. 3. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis dimerisation occurs in Tris, while two bands, which may represent monomer and dimer, are observed in phosphate. 4. Reliability of molecular weight determinations of sodium dodecyl sulfate-protein complexes of sizes up to 300000 daltons has been determined, correlating either mobilities or retardation coefficients.     

Evidence for naturally occurring hyaluronic acid binding protein in rat liver

Hyaluronic acid binding protein (HBP) was purified homogeneously from normal adult rat liver by hyaluronate-sepharose affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of this protein as determined by gel filtration was found to be 64,000 daltons. This protein HBP appeared as a single band in non-dissociating gel electrophoresis and has a subunit of molecular weight approximately 12,000 as determined by SDS-gel electrophoresis.     

Purification and characterization of L-DOPA decarboxylase from human kidney

L-DOPA decarboxylase has been purified to homogeneity from post mortem removed human kidneys. Homogeneity was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis both in the presence and absence of SDS. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 100,000 daltons estimated by gel filtration and 50,000 daltons determined after SDS-PAGE. Human L-DOPA decarboxylase therefore is a dimer. Polyclonal antibodies produced against human L-DOPA decarboxylase react with the 50,000 daltons enzyme subunit after immuno-blotting and also precipitates enzyme activity. Activity against L-DOPA is partially inhibited by 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). The effect of various cations on L-DOPA decarboxylase activity has also been tested.     

限制性核酸内切酶Bsp 63Ⅰ的纯化及性质研究

用Ｂａｃｉｌｌｕｓｓｐｈａｅｒｉｃｕｓ６３菌为材料,经ＤＮＡ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ和ＣｉｂａｃｒｏｎＢｌｕｅＦ３ＧＡ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ两步亲和层析,将Ｂｓｐ６３Ⅰ纯化到均一程度。酶比活力达６１４００Ｕ／ｍｇ蛋白。用凝胶过滤法测得该酶分子量为１１３８００。该酶样品在ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ中呈现为一条蛋白带,并测得其亚基分子量为５６８００。用ＤＮＳ－Ｃｌ法测得该酶Ｎ－末端氨基酸为丙氨酸。上述结果表明该酶分子是由两个相同亚基组成。     

Studies on the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. XVI. Purification and general properties of 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase from Candida lipolytica

2,4-Dienoyl-CoA reductase has been purified to homogeneity from Candida lipolytica cultivated in the presence of linoleic acid. The native enzyme had a molecular weight close to 360,000 as estimated by gel filtration on Sepharose CL-4B, whereas the subunit molecular weight estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 33,000. The purified 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase from C. lipolytica gave a single precipitin line with antibodies raised against the purified enzyme from C. lipolytica. The general properties of the 2,4-dienyl-CoA reductase from C. lipolytica were examined. The enzyme had optimal pH at 6.5 and was inactivated by heat treatment at 50 degrees C for 10 min. trans-2,trans-4-Octadienoyl-CoA was the most active substrate of the dienoyl-CoA esters examined.     

Nonspecific acid phosphatase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Purification and physical chemical properties.

Repressible nonspecific acid phosphatase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe was purified to apparent homogeneity, as ascertained from ultracentrifugal, electrophoretic, and chromatographic data. The native protein has a molecular weight of 383,000 as determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and 381,000 as determined by gel filtration. The native protein can be dissociated in the presence of 8 M urea-1% sodium dodecyl sulfate into sub-units possessing an approximate molecular weight of 104,000. Neutral sugars account for about 66% of the total molecular weight and contribute to the high solubility and some of the other physical properties of this enzyme. Purified enzyme preparations have a Km for 4-nitrophenyl phosphate of 0.17 mM and a broad substrate specificity, but do not show diesterase activity. Phosphate and sulfate are competitive inhibitors. The enzyme is inactivated at neutral and alkaline pH and at relatively low temperatures. Mannose and galactose was found as the main components of the carbohydrate moiety; glucosamine was present in lower amounts. The amino acid analysis revealed a high content of aspartate, threonine, and serine; no sulfhydryl group could be detected. Pi is released in stoichiometric amount (1 mol per enzyme monomer) on protein digestion.     

Human adenine phosphoribosyltransferase. Affinity purification, subunit structure, amino acid composition, and peptide mapping.

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.7) has been purified 55,000-fold from normal human erythrocytes. The native molecular weight of the enzyme is 38,200 as determined by sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation. The subunit molecular weight is 18,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and 17,000 as determined by gel filtration in guanidine hydrochloride, suggesting that the enzyme is a dimer in its native state. Cross-linking the enzyme with dimethylsuberimidate confirms the dimeric structure and peptide mapping data suggested that the subunits are quite similar if not identical. The amino acid composition reveals that 33% of the residues are hydrophobic.     

Subunits of cytochrome a-type terminal oxidases derived from Thiobacillus novellus and Nitrobacter agilis.

Cytochrome a-type terminal oxidases derived from Thiobacillus novellus and Nitrobacter agilis have been purified to a homogeneous state as judged from their electrophoretic behavior and their subunit structures studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The T. novellus enzyme is composed of two kinds of subunits of 32,000 and 23,000 daltons and its minimum molecular weight is 55,000 on the basis of heme content and amino acid composition. The N. agilis enzyme also has two kinds of subunits of 40,000 and 27,000 daltons and its minimum molecular weight is 66,000 on the basis of heme content and amino acid composition. Therefore, the molecule of each enzyme is composed of two kinds of subunits which resemble the subunits of the eukaryotic cytochrome oxidase biosynthesized in the mitochondrion at least with respect to molecular weight.     

Precursor of mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase isozyme exists as a dimer

Mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase is synthesized in the cytoplasm as a larger precursor and then imported into mitochondria in association with its processing to mature form. The precursor corresponded to about 0.05-0.1% of the total proteins synthesized on membrane-free polysomes. Gel permeation chromatography showed that the molecular weight of the precursor was about 100,000 daltons, which was slightly larger than that of mature enzyme (homodimer: 45,000 x 2). On the other hand, sodium dodecylsulfate treated precursor had the molecular size (about 50,000 daltons) slightly larger than that of the subunit of mature one by the gel permeation chromatography. These results suggest that the precursor of mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase exists as a dimer.     

Structural Proteins of Simian Virus 40

Sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the solubilized proteins from purified simian virus 40 (SV40) virions revealed two major and two minor structural polypeptide components. The major components which comprise over 75% of the total virion were shown to be the capsid proteins by immunological and isoelectric focusing fractionation analysis. These two polypeptides have estimated molecular weights of 45,000 daltons as determined by gel electrophoresis. One of the two minor components was identified as the nucleocapsid protein and has an approximate molecular weight of 16,000. The other unidentified minor component has an average molecular weight of 29,000.     

Purification and properties of NAD+-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from spinach leaves.

An NAD+-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate:NAD+ oxidoreductase (phosphorylating), EC. 1.2.1.12) has been purified from spinach leaves as a homogeneous protein of 150,000 daltons. Kinetic constants of 2.5 . 10(-4) M and 4 . 10(-4) M have been calculated for NAD+ and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, respectively. The amino acid composition is characterized by a cysteine content higher than that found in analogous enzymes. On sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis, the native enzyme dissociates into two subunits of 37,000 and 14,000 daltons. The two subunits have been isolated in equimolar amounts by gel filtration; end-group analysis shows that alanine is the N-terminal residue of the large subunit, while serine is found at the N-terminus of the small subunit. Comparison of amino acid analysies and peptide maps shows that the two subunits have a different amino acid sequence. These results indicate that the NAD+-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, dehydrogenase, isolated from spinach leaves has an atypical oligomeric structure, the protomer being formed by two different subunits.     

Pseudocatalase from Lactobacillus plantarum: evidence for a homopentameric structure containing two atoms of manganese per subunit

An improved procedure for the isolation of the pseudocatalase of Lactobacillus plantarum has been devised, and the quaternary structure and manganese content of this enzyme have been reexamined. Sedimentation equilibrium of the native enzyme at several salt concentrations gave a molecular weight of 172 000. The subunit weight, obtained by sedimentation equilibrium in 6.4 M guanidinium chloride, with or without prior reduction and carboxymethylation, was 34 kilodaltons. The amino acid composition indicated 150 Arg + Lys, and after exhaustive tryptic digestion, 32 peptides were resolved. These data suggest that the pseudocatalase is a homopentamer. Cross-linking with dimethyl suberimidate, followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, yielded five major bands, another indication of pentameric structure. The manganese content was found to be 1.8-2.4 per subunit. S20,W was found to be 9.6 S and f/f0 = 1.2, suggesting a globular structure of Stokes radius 44 A.     

Characteristics of human milk glutathione peroxidase

Human milk glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was purified 4500-fold using acetone precipitation and purification by repetitive ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography with an overall yield of 34%. Homogeneity was established by gel electrophoresis. Using gel filtration, the molecular weight (mol wt) of the enzyme was estimated to be 92 kdalton (kD). The monomeric molecular weight was estimated to b 23 kD from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that the native enzyme consists of four identical subunits. The molecular weight of each subunit was supported by amino acid analysis. Selenium (Se) content of the purified enzyme was 0.31%, in a stoichiometry of 3.7 g-atoms/mol. Data from these studies reveal that GPx provided approximately 22% of total milk Se, but only 0.025% of the total protein.     

Rat kidney L-alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase: isolation of enzyme with one flavine coenzyme per two subunits.

L-alpha-Hydroxy acid oxidase (listed as EC 1.4.3.2, L-amino acid: O2 oxidoreductase) has been purified 100-fold from rat kidney to apparent homogeneity by gel electrophoresis. A subunit molecular weight of 47,500 was found by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, but in contrast to previous reports, the enzyme has been found to have a molecular weight of ca. 200,000 by Sephadex gel filtration and by dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the enzyme cross-linked with dimethyl suberimidate. A somewhat higher value was found by sedimentation equilibrium, but a tetrameric structure for the active enzyme is definitely established. The enzyme was found to contain the FMN coenzyme at a concentration of one FMN/102,000 daltons or one flavine/two subunits, a highly unusual finding. This ratio was determined from spectroscopic analysis of the FMN in lyophilized samples of the enzyme and by titration of the coenzyme with the flavine specific enzyme inactivator 2-hydroxy-3-butynoate. The enzyme has the same specific activity as a crystalline sample of the enzyme reported to have twice as much flavine/milligram.     

Electrophoresis of glutamic acid decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) from mouse brain in sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gels

Electrophoretically and ultracentrifugally homogeneous glutamic acid decarboxylase purified from mouse brain showed multiple protein bands after electrophoresis in SDS polyacrylamide gel. The positions and intensities of the multiple bands were constant despite different treatments of the enzyme with various concentrations of SDS, β-mercaptoethanol, and urea at different temperatures. The major band had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 60,000 daltons and there were three minor bands of molecular weights, about 120,000, 90,000, and 75,000 daltons, respectively. The molecular weights of almost all bands were approximately integral multiples of 15,000. The possible subunit structure of this enzyme has been discussed in the light of the latter data and data previously reported from ultracentrifugation and gel filtration studies. We suggest that this enzyme may be a hexamer consisting of 15,000-dalton sub-units and that dissociation of these sub-units in SDS is accompanied by reassociation into a variety of aggregates, the probability of whose formation is determined by structural features that are more important than the differences encountered under the environmental conditions employed in these studies.