Purification and characterization of angiotensin-binding protein from porcine liver cytosolic fraction

A protein that binds angiotensins with high affinity was found in porcine liver cytosol, purified to apparent homogeneity and characterized. The protein was named soluble angiotensin-binding protein (sABP) to distinguish it from angiotensin II receptors present on plasma membranes. Purification of the protein was achieved by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, hydrophobic chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, hydroxylapatite column chromatography and Mono Q ion-exchange chromatography. Specific angiotensin-binding activity, as measured using 125I-angiotensin II, was enriched more than 3400-fold. SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified sABP yielded a single 75-kDa protein band, in good agreement with the molecular mass estimated by affinity labeling. sABP was very similar to the angiotensin II receptor in its sensitivity to reducing agents and in its affinities for angiotensin analogues ([Sar1, Ala8]angiotensin II greater than angiotensin III greater than angiotensin II greater than angiotensin I), suggesting a possible similarity between the ligand-binding sites of sABP and the angiotensin II receptor. To obtain a clue to its physiological role(s), we examined the tissue distribution of sABP and found that this protein is widely distributed not only in the peripheral organs but also in the brain.     

Second-step transfer of bacteriophage T5 DNA: purification and characterization of the T5 gene A2 protein.

Second-step transfer of bacteriophage T5 DNA requires the function of the T5 pre-early proteins A1 and A2. We have isolated and characterized the gene A2 protein as part of an effort to determine the mechanism of second-step transfer. The A2 protein was purified by DNA-cellulose column chromatography followed by gel filtration and ion-exchange column chromatography. The A2 protein's identity was confirmed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and thin-layer gel filtration in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride demonstrated a molecular weight of 15,000 for the A2 polypeptide. Migration of the A2 protein through gel filtration columns under nondenaturing conditions, in combination with sedimentation behavior, indicated dimerization of the A2 polypeptide. The existence of the A2 dimer was confirmed by protein cross-linking with dimethyl suberimidate and analysis of the cross-linked proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid composition, degree of polymerization, DNA-binding ability, and physical characteristics of the T5 gene A2 protein are consistent with a function of the A2 protein in DNA transfer.     

Purification, properties, and evidence for two subtypes of human placenta hexokinase type I

In human placenta 85% of total hexokinase activity (EC 2.7.1.1) was found in a soluble form. Of this, 70% is hexokinase type I while the remaining 30% is hexokinase type II. All the bound hexokinase is type I. Soluble hexokinase I was purified 11,000-fold by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and dye-ligand chromatography. The specific activity was 190 units/mg protein with a 75% yield. The enzyme shows only one band in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that stains for protein and enzymatic activity; however, two components (with Mr 112,000 and 103,000) were constantly seen in sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Many attempts were made to separate these two proteins under native conditions; however, only one peak of activity was obtained when the enzyme was submitted to gel filtration (Mr 118,000), preparative isoelectric focusing (pI 5.9), anion-exchange chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, and affinity chromatography on immobilized dyes and immobilized glucosamine. The high and low molecular weight hexokinases show the same isoelectric point under denaturing conditions as determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Each hexokinase subtype was obtained by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis followed by electroelution. Monospecific antibodies raised in rabbits against electroeluted high and low molecular weight hexokinases were not able to recognize the native enzymes but each of them detected both hexokinases on immunoblots. Amino acid compositions and peptide mapping by limited proteolysis of the high and low molecular weight hexokinases were also performed and suggested a strong homology between these two subtypes of human hexokinase I.     

Recognition of a 56 kDa protein in partially purified rat hepatic nuclear thyroid hormone receptor by anti-human c-erb A beta antibody.

Human beta thyroid hormone receptor (c-erb A beta protein) produced by an Escherichia coli expression system was purified by sequential column chromatography followed by electroelution from an electrophoresis gel and an antibody was prepared. The antibody recognized a 56 kDa protein band in a partially purified rat hepatic nuclear thyroid hormone receptor fraction on Western blotting. Although multiple bands appeared on Western blotting of crude rat hepatic receptor preparations, a 56 kDa band was the most prominent and preadsorption of the antibody by purified c-erb A protein resulted in almost complete disappearance of the 56 kDa band, indicating that the 56 kDa band was formed by a specific antigen-antibody interaction. Furthermore, the 56 kDa protein appeared to co-elute with 3, 5, 3'-triiodo-L-thyronine binding activity in hydroxylapatite, Sephacryl S-200, and DNA-cellulose column chromatography of rat hepatic nuclear receptor, and sequential column purification resulted in selective enrichment of the 56 kDa band. These results suggest that the 56 kDa protein may be the major component of the rat hepatic thyroid hormone receptor.     

Differences between newly formed and recycled free small ribosome subunits in liver cytoplasm.

1. Ferritin has been isolated from the serum of four patients with iron overload by using two methods. 2. In method A, the serum was adjusted to pH 4.8 and heated to 70 degrees C. After removal of denatured protein, ferritin was concentrated and further purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. In most cases, only a partial purification was achieved. 3. In method B, ferritin was extracted from the serum with a column of immuno-adsorbent [anti-(human ferritin)] and released from the column with 3M-KSCN. Further purification was achieved by anion-exchange chromatography followed by the removal of remaining contaminating serum proteins by means of a second immunoadsorbent. Purifications of up to 31 000-fold were achieved, and the homogeneity of the final preparations was demonstrated by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. 4. Serum ferritin purified by either method has the same elution volume as human spleen ferritin on gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Serum ferritin has a relatively low iron content and iron/protein ratios of 0.023 and 0.067 (mug of Fe/mug of protein) were found in two pure preparations. On anion-exchange chromatography serum ferritin has a low affinity for the column when compared with various tissue ferritins. Isoelectric focusing has demonstrated the presence of a high proportion of isoferritins of relatively high pI. 5. Possible mechanisms for the release of ferritin into the circulation are briefly discussed.     

Ornithine decarboxylase from calf liver. Purification and properties

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) was purified 25000-fold from calf liver to apparent homogeneity by methods developed to circumvent the lability of the enzyme. Appropriate ratios of sample protein applied to column size and/or gradient size were derived for each purification procedure (ion-exchange, gel filtration ahd hydroxylapatite chromatography, electrophoresis, and thiol affinity chromatography) to maintain enzymatic activity. The enzyme was labile to dilution at all steps of the purification; the inclusion of poly(ethylene glycol) or additional protein decreased but did not eliminate the activity loss. The purified enzyme had a Stokes radius of 3.14 and a molecular weight of 54000. The Km for ornithine was 0.12 mM, and pyridoxal phosphate was 2.0 microM; the pH optimum for the decarboxylation reaction was 7.0. Analysis by sievorptive ion-exchange chromatography indicated the presence of three ionic forms. In the presence of Tris-barbital buffer containing thioglycolic acid, the ODC preparation assumed an apparent molecular weight of 100000 and a Stokes radius of 4.5 and retained full catalytic activity.     

A virus-inactivating protein isolated from the digestive juice of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

A protein that can precipitate nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) in vitro was isolated from the digestive juice of silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) by the procedures of gel filtration and ion-exchange and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic and the ultracentrifugal analyses showed that the purified substance was a homogenous simple protein. The molecular weight of the purified protein was 27,000–28,000 and the sedimentation coefficient was 2.61 S. This protein had an additional activity to inactivate NPV of B. mori in vitro, somewhat analogous to serological neutralization by serum proteins. Electron microscope observations showed that amorphous materials could be found on the surface of envelopes and that the nucleocapsids disappeared.     

Purification and characterization of human plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase.

A highly purified (approximately 12 000-fold) homogeneous preparation of human plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) with 16% yield was obtained by a combination of density ultracentrifugation, high density lipoprotein affinity column chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, and finally chromatography on anti-apolipoprotein D immunoglobulin-Sepharose columns to remove apolipoprotein D. This enzyme preparation was homogeneous by the following criteria: a single band by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 8 M urea; a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis with an apparent molecular weight of 68 000 +/- 1600; a single protein peak with a molecular weight of 70 000 on a calibrated Sephadex G-100 column. Its amino acid composition was different from human serum albumin and all other apoproteins isolated from lipoprotein fractions.     

Restoration of malonyl-CoA sensitivity of soluble rat liver mitochondria carnitine palmitoyltransferase by reconstitution with a partially purified malonyl-CoA binding protein.

Solubilization of rat liver mitochondria in 5% Triton X-100 followed by chromatography on a hydroxylapatite column resulted in the identification of malonyl-CoA binding protein(s) distinct from a major carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity peak. Further purification of the malonyl-CoA binding protein(s) on an acyl-CoA affinity column followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis indicated proteins with Mr mass of 90 and 45-33 kDa. A purified liver malonyl-CoA binding fraction, which was devoid of carnitine palmitoyltransferase, and a soluble malonyl-CoA-insensitive carnitine palmitoyltransferase were reconstituted by dialysis in a liposome system. The enzyme activity in the reconstituted system was decreased by 50% in the presence of 100 microM malonyl-CoA. Rat liver mitochondria carnitine palmitoyltransferase may be composed of an easily dissociable catalytic unit and a malonyl-CoA sensitivity conferring regulatory component.     

一种具有抑制糜蛋白酶活性的血清DNA结合蛋白质的纯化和理化特性

 本文采用离子交换层析,DNA亲和层析和硫酸铵盐析三步从人血清中分离纯化了一种肿瘤相关DNA结合蛋白质(64DP)。本方法较简便,产率提高。经SDS聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和免疫电泳鉴定纯度符合要求。SDS聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测定分子量为64,000。等电聚焦电泳测得等电点在4.2左右。醋酸纤维膜电泳和转移电泳表明其为一种α_1球蛋白。过碘酸西夫氏糖蛋白染色呈阳性反应。氨基酸分析和酶抑制试验证实64DP与α_1抗縻蛋白酶很相似。     

Method for large-scale isolation and purification of R-phycoerythrin from red alga Polysiphonia urceolata Grev

R-phycoerythrin was isolated and purified from a red alga, Polysiphonia urceolata Grev, using Streamline column combined with ion-exchange chromatography or hydroxyapatite chromatography. The purity of R-phycoerythrin isolated by Streamline column was up to 1.66 and the yield of R-phycoerythrin could be as high as 0.68 mg/g frozen P. urceolata. All the eluates from Streamline column were divided into two equivalent parts, respectively. One part was pumped into the ion-exchange column loaded with Q-Sepharose and the other was applied to the adsorption column loaded with hydroxyapatite. The purities of R-phycoerythrin purified using these two methods were both up to 3.26, more than 3.2 the commonly accepted criterion. The yield of purified R-phycoerythrin from the ion-exchange chromatography was 0.40 mg/g frozen P. urceolata and that from the hydroxyapatite chromatography could reach 0.34 mg/g frozen P. urceolata. The purified protein had three absorption peaks at 498, 535, and 565 nm and displayed a fluorescence maximum at 580 nm, which was consistent with the typical spectrum of R-phycoerythrin. The purified R-PE was also identified with electrophoresis. Only one single protein band appeared on native-PAGE with silver staining. SDS-PAGE demonstrated the presence of one 20 kDa major subunit, and one low intensity band corresponding to 33 kDa subunit. The results indicate that using the expanded bed adsorption combined with ion-exchange chromatography or hydroxyapatite chromatography, R-phycoerythrin can be purified from frozen P. urceolata on large scale.     

Purification of guinea pig liver transglutaminase using a phenylalanine-sepharose 4B affinity column

Guinea pig liver transglutaminase has been purified utilizing an improved protocol. The new steps include QAE-Sephadex ion-exchange, hydroxylapatite adsorption, and affinity chromatography using a phenylalanine-Sepharose column. The overall yield for the enzyme was 31%. This new scheme should enable more laboratories to take advantage of the protein crosslinking and labeling properties of transglutaminase.     

Purification and characterization of 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one 12 alpha-monooxygenase

7 alpha-Hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one 12 alpha-monooxygenase was purified from liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rabbits. The purification was carried out by solubilization of microsomes by cholate, fractionation with polyethylene glycol, affinity chromatography on cholate-Sepharose 4B column, hydroxylapatite column chromatography, chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column, and a second hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The purified preparation gave a single major band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and contained 9.0 nmol of cytochrome P-450/mg of protein, which corresponded to 5.3-fold purification from microsomes on the basis of specific heme content. The specific activity of the enzyme expressed as enzyme activity per mg of enzyme protein was increased 315-fold from microsomes. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 56,000 from calibrated polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme-pH curve gave a peak at pH 7.0. The Michaelis constant for 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one was 27 microM. Absorption spectra of the oxidized form of the enzyme showed a Soret band at 418 nm. 7 alpha-Hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one 12 alpha-monooxygenase activity was reconstituted from the purified cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, dilauroylglyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine, and NADPH. The purified enzyme was free from steroid 25-hydroxylase activity and that of 26- or 27-hydroxylase but revealed some activity for benzphetamine N-demethylation. The enzyme activity was not inhibited by metapyrone, aminoglutethimide, and KCN, but was seriously inhibited by nonionic detergents such as Emulgen 913. The enzyme was labile under low buffer concentrations but was stabilized at least for 4 weeks under higher buffer concentration such as 300 mM phosphate buffer.     

Overproduction and purification of McrC protein from Escherichia coli K-12.

The McrC protein, encoded by one of the two genes involved in the McrB restriction system, was produced in Escherichia coli cells by using a T7 expression system. Following sequential DEAE-Sepharose and hydroxylapatite column chromatography, the protein was purified to apparent homogeneity as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified McrC protein agreed exactly with the one deduced from the DNA sequence by Ross et al. (J. Bacteriol. 171:1974-1981, 1989).     

Purification of a syngeneic cross-reactive autotumorolytic factor

An autotumorolytic fraction (ATF) derived from sera of mice bearing spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma has been purified by sequential chromatography on Sephacryl 200 SF, DEAE Sephacel, hydroxylapatite, and Sephacryl 200 SF. At each stage of the purification, tumorolytic activity was assessed by the ability of the active material to induce lysis of a 2-week-old mammary tumor, and verified by histopathological analysis. Active fractions obtained during the stages of purification were capable of inducing lysis of tumors in both the original donor mice and the syngeneic tumor-bearing mice. Lytic activity was specific only for tumor tissue. This syngeneic crossreactivity of partially purified materials permitted pooling of serum samples for purification purposes. The resultant final preparation of ATF is an homogenous protein fraction, as verified by gradient SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and high-performance liquid chromatography. The molecular weight of active ATF is approximately 50,000 Da, as determined by gradient SDS-PAGE.     

Purification and characterization of two-subunit cytochrome aa3 from Bacillus cereus

Cytochrome c-oxidase type aa3 (EC 1.9.3.1) was purified to homogeneity from vegetative Bacillus cereus by ion-exchange and hydroxylapatite chromatography in the presence of Triton X-100. Gel filtration analysis suggested a dimeric structure apparently 172 kDa in size; however, only a monomer of 81 kDa was detected when analysed by non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. Denaturing gel electrophoresis analysis of the protein showed the presence of two subunits (51 and 30 kDa). Atomic absorption and visible spectroscopy showed typical aa3 redox centres with haem a iron and copper in a ratio of 22 nmol and 35 ng-atom per mg protein, respectively. No haem c was found associated with the purified enzyme in the conditions reported here. Oxidase activity was fully reconstituted by phospholipids in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine or reduced yeast cytochrome c (but not horse cytochrome c) as electron donors. This activity was abolished by cyanide and carbon monoxide.     

Purification and characterization of a protein tyrosine kinase from bovine spleen

Protein tyrosine kinase was purified extensively from a 30,000 X g particulate fraction of bovine spleen by a procedure involving four column chromatographies: DEAE-Sepharose, polyamino acids affinity, hydroxylapatite, and Sephacryl S-200 molecular sieving. The purification resulted in more than 3,000-fold enrichment in [Val5]angiotensin II phosphorylation activity (specific activity 202 nmol/min/mg). All column chromatography profiles showed single protein tyrosine kinase activity peaks with the exception of that of affinity chromatography, where about 50% of the enzyme activity appeared with the breakthrough fraction; only the bound enzyme was further purified. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography of a purified sample phosphorylated in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP revealed the presence of a single phosphorylated polypeptide of molecular weight 50,000 which represents about 40% of total protein. Analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions showed that protein tyrosine kinase activity co-migrated with the phosphoprotein. Stoichiometry of the phosphorylation of the 50-kDa polypeptide was found to be 1.0 mol/mol. The purified sample did not appear to contain phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase activity. Both casein and histone could be phosphorylated by the purified sample, and the phosphorylation occurred only at tyrosine residue, suggesting that there was no protein serine and threonine kinase contamination.     

Rat alpha 1-microglobulin. Purification from urine and synthesis by hepatocyte monolayers

Rat alpha 1-microglobulin was isolated from the urine of rats treated with sodium chromate, and was purified by the use of gel chromatography, affinity chromatography on concanavalin-A-Sepharose and ion-exchange chromatography. The protein was heterogeneous in charge, had a tendency to form dimers, and was associated with a brown-coloured chromophore. The size of the protein (25 kDa) was similar to guinea pig alpha 1-microglobulin but smaller than the human protein, when measured with sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunological cross-reaction with human and guinea pig alpha 1-microglobulin was demonstrated. The concentration of alpha 1-microglobulin in rat serum was 16.4 mg/l (SD = 8.5 mg/l, n = 13) and rat serum alpha 1-microglobulin was eluted from a gel chromatography column at two different positions corresponding to monomeric alpha 1-microglobulin and IgA. The latter alpha 1-microglobulin activity could be absorbed by anti-IgA serum. Rat alpha 1-microglobulin and albumin were continuously released into the medium of rat hepatocyte monolayers, and alpha 1-microglobulin was isolated from the medium by the use of immunoprecipitation with anti-(alpha 1-microglobulin). Tritiated leucine, added to the medium, was incorporated into the protein, suggesting a de novo synthesis of alpha 1-microglobulin by the hepatocytes. The size of hepatic alpha 1-microglobulin was similar to that of purified urinary rat alpha 1-microglobulin, when determined with sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Purification and reconstitution of the high affinity choline transporter

The high-affinity choline transporter has been solubilized from synaptosomal membranes by various detergents. The solubilized carrier protein has been incorporated into liposomes after removal of the detergent by dialysis. Using the reconstitution of choline transport activity as an assay, the components catalyzing choline translocation were purified from the detergent extract by ion-exchange chromatography on a Mono-Q column followed by immunoaffinity chromatography. Monitoring the active fractions by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectrofocussing gave one major protein with an apparent molecular weight of about 90,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 4.7. The isolated protein appeared to be heavily glycosylated as shown by lectin binding; upon treatment with endoglycosidase F the polypeptide was degraded to an apparent molecular weight of about 65,000. Accumulation of choline into liposomes reconstituted with the purified protein was driven by artificially imposed sodium gradients and inhibited by hemicholinium-3.     

Expression and purification of human calbindin D28k

Calbindin D28k is a protein abundant in the mammalian central nervous system and in epithelial tissue involved in Ca2+ transport. Human calbindin D28k was cloned into a Pet3a vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The protein was purified in three steps: (i) heat precipitation of bacterial proteins, (ii) ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose column in the presence of calcium, and (iii) ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE-Sephacel column in the presence of EDTA. The protein was then supplemented with calcium and dialyzed against neutral water. The final yield was 20-50 mg of pure, homogeneous calcium-loaded calbindin D28k per liter of bacterial culture. The identity and purity of the protein were confirmed by immunoblotting, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and agarose gel electrophoresis in the absence and presence of calcium and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The entire expression and purification protocol takes only 3 days and is easy to scale up and down. It was designed to minimize degradation and deamidation.