Prolonged retention of high specific activity by 125I-labeled angiotensin II — a consequence of ‘decay catastrophe’

Angiotensin II labeled with a single atom of ¹²⁵I per moleculed had been shown to retain 80% of the original specific activity of the radioiodinated peptide during storage for up to 5 months. This phenomenon is attributable to destruction of the angiotensin II molecule during the radioactive decay process, so that the immunoreactive peptide effectively desappears at the same rate as the incorporated ¹²⁵I atom. For this reason, monoiodinated angiotensin II can be employed for prolonged periods in radioimmunoassay and binding studies, with retention of high specific activity in the absence of formation of free iodide or interfering peptide fragments.     

A direct radioiodination technique for the radioimmunoassay of 17α-ethynyl, 17β-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one

A new technique is described for the direct labelling of norethisterone with¹²⁵I for use in radioimmunoassay. This method allows the preparation of tracers possessing both high specific activity and unaltered immunological properties. The steroid is radioiodinated in the presence of H₂O₂ using acetic acid as the solvent, in a sealed vial heated at 100°C. The reaction mixture is then chromatographed on bidimensional t.l.c. and six major radioactive spots are separated; only one of these fractions possess immunoreactivity. When submitted to repeated t.l.c. it behaves as a single compound, possibly a monoiodinated derivative, substituted in Ring A.The new tracer was compared in RIA with both the tyrosine-iodinated and the tritiated tracers. The standard inhibition curve obtained with the new labelled ligand had the same slope as that obtained using the tritiated one; on the other hand the slope of the curve obtained with the tyrosine iodinated derivative was slightly higher than that of the directly iodinated one.The results obtained indicate that the possibility exists of radioiodinating steroids without losing their immunoreactivity.     

Iodination of staphylococcal enterotoxin B by use of chloramine-T.

This report describes the conditions that are necessary for iodination of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) by use of chloramine-T. Makor Chemical Co. SEB and the two major SEB components, which were prepared by isoelectric focusing of partially purified SEB, were used in these studies. The antigenic activity of the SEB preparations was monitored by radioimmunoassay as the oxidation/reduction (O/R) potential was increased by addition of chloramine-T. The SEB preparations lost antigenic activity rapidly at pH 7.5 and room temperature when sufficient chloramine-T was added to raise the O/R potential above 250 mV. Iodinated SEB with satisfactory immunoreactivity was prepared by omitting carrier iodide from the iodination reaction mixture and by using at least 1 mg of SEB/ml, steps which made the O/R potential more stable, and by stopping the reaction before the O/R potential exceeded 250 mV. Comparison of the chloramine-T method with a lactoperoxidase/H2O2 method of iodinating SEB showed the latter to cause a greater loss of immunoreactivity.     

Iodination of staphylococcal enterotoxin B by use of chloramine-T.

This report describes the conditions that are necessary for iodination of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) by use of chloramine-T. Makor Chemical Co. SEB and the two major SEB components, which were prepared by isoelectric focusing of partially purified SEB, were used in these studies. The antigenic activity of the SEB preparations was monitored by radioimmunoassay as the oxidation/reduction (O/R) potential was increased by addition of chloramine-T. The SEB preparations lost antigenic activity rapidly at pH 7.5 and room temperature when sufficient chloramine-T was added to raise the O/R potential above 250 mV. Iodinated SEB with satisfactory immunoreactivity was prepared by omitting carrier iodide from the iodination reaction mixture and by using at least 1 mg of SEB/ml, steps which made the O/R potential more stable, and by stopping the reaction before the O/R potential exceeded 250 mV. Comparison of the chloramine-T method with a lactoperoxidase/H2O2 method of iodinating SEB showed the latter to cause a greater loss of immunoreactivity.     

Angiotensin II binding to mammalian brain membranes.

High affinity binding sites for angiotensin II in bovine and rat brain membranes have been identified and characterized using monoiodinated Ile5-angiotensin II of high specific radioactivity. Degradation of labeled and unlabeled peptide by washed brain particulate fractions was prevented by adding glucagon to the final incubation medium and including a proteolytic enzyme inhibitor (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) in preincubation and incubation procedures. 125I-Angiotensin II binding can be studied using either centrifugation or filtration techniques to separate tissue-bound radioactivity. 125I-Angiotensin II binding to calf brain membranes is saturable and reversible, with a dissociation binding constant of 0.2 nM at 37 degrees. A similar binding constant is found in rat brain membranes. Analogues and fragments of angiotensin II compete for these brain binding sites with potencies which correlate with both their in vivo potencies and their binding inhibition protencies at adrenal cortex angiotensin II receptors. Angiotensin I is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude weaker than angiotensin II; the 3-8 hexapeptide and 4-8 pentapeptide are much weaker still. (desAsp1) angiotensin II (angiotensin III) is slightly more potent than angiotensin II, as are several antagonists of angiotensin II with aliphatic amino acids substituted at position 8. In calf brain 125I-angiotensin II binding is restricted almost exclusively to the cerebellum (cortex and deep nuclei). In rat brain, angiotensin II binding is highest in the thalamus-hypothalamus, midbrain, and brainstem, areas which are believed to be involved in mediating angiotensin II-induced central effects. These findings illustrate the presence of high affinity specific binding sites for angiotensin II in rat and bovine brain and suggest a physiological role for angiotensin peptides in the central nervous system.     

An improved method for measuring angiotensin I converting enzyme activity using a highly sensitive angiotensin II radioimmunoassay

A highly sensitive assay for angiotensin I converting enzyme has been developed by using angiotensin I as a substrate. Angiotensin II generated in the reaction mixture was measured by a newly developed specific radioimmunoassay. To protect against angiotensin II destruction, bestatin, an inhibitor of renin, was also used to inhibit plasma renin activity. The reaction was stopped by adding EDTA and MK-521, inhibitors of angiotensin I converting enzyme. The specificity of the antiserum used for the angiotensin II radioimmunoassay was very high. The cross reactivity with angiotensin I was less than 0.5% and none of the proteolytic enzyme inhibitors crossreacted in the assay. The inhibitory effect of pepstatin on plasma renin activity was very high (more than 80%) under the standard assay conditions employed. Serum angiotensinase activity was completely inhibited by the addition of bestatin. An excellent correlation was obtained between this new method and the spectrophotometric method using a synthetic substrate, Hip-His-Leu. The generation of as little as 12 pM of Angiotensin II can be detected. Such low concentration have not been measurable with the usual spectrophotometric method. This new method will facilitate clinical and experimental studies on this unique enzyme, since very low levels of activity can be determined by this highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for angiotensin II.     

Chemical characterization of angiotensin I in porcine follicular fluid

In the search for novel neuropeptides in porcine follicular fluid (pff) using smooth muscle contractile activity as a response parameter, a substance with a marked activity was isolated in a pure form. By amino acid analysis and sequential study, this substance has been chemically revealed to be angiotensin I. A much smaller amount of additional activity was isolated and found to be angiotensin II, as determined by radioimmunoassay. Radioimmunoassays for angiotensin I and II confirmed that the amount of angiotensin I determined was much greater than that of angiotensin II. A comparative study of the extractions, however, indicated a large amount of angiotensin I had been generated from angiotensinogen by endogenous renin in the follicular fluid which could be activated during extraction and ultrafiltration at a low pH. These findings are consistent with the previous reports that described a high concentration of prorenin in the follicular fluid, acid activation of prorenin to renin and the subsequent generation of angiotensin I from endogenous angiotensinogen.     

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography purification method of lodinated polypeptide hormones

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography procedure is presented for the separation of a variety of monoiodinated peptides from the corresponding unlabeled and diiodinated hormones. In the case of peptides lacking Met residues, susceptible to oxidation by the chloramine-T-labeling method, chloramine T treatment alone had no effect on elution position of unlabeled hormone. For those hormones containing Met, however, more than 90% of the peptide was transformed into the earlier-eluting oxidized form after 20 to 40 s of chloramine-T treatment. Upon iodination, monoiodinated derivatives were well separated from the corresponding chloramine-T-treated standards, the extent of separation being decreased with increased molecular weight. Application of this technique to the purification of monoiodinated ¹²⁵I-γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone permitted a threefold increase in titer and sensitivity of a γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone radioimmunoassay system.     

mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10,MetO17]-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Preparation, characterization, and use for radioimmunoassay and receptor binding

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was labeled with sodium [125I]iodide using the chloramine-T method and subsequently purified by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography.Three main 125I-labeled peaks designated A, B, and C resulted from the radioiodination and purification procedures. They were characterized by electrophoresis of tryptic fragments; Edman degradation (for Peaks A and C); enzymatic digestion to amino acids by leucine aminopeptidase, carboxypeptidase Y and Pronase; and treatment with cyanogen bromide. Peak A corresponds to VIP monoiodinated on Tyr10 and with the Met17 residue oxidized to methionine sulfoxide. This [mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10,MetO17]VIP displays the following characteristics. 1) It constitutes quantitatively the major product of the iodination procedure (62.5%); 2) it is well resolved from other labeled and unlabeled products; 3) it is stable (2 months at -20 degrees C); 4) it possesses a high specific activity (2050 Ci/mmol); 5) it maintains the biological activity of native VIP; and 6) it binds to antibody and membrane recognition sites in a specific, saturable, and reversible manner. Reduction of [mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10, Met-O17]VIP to [mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10]VIP does not improve the performance of the tracer in a radioimmunoassay. The method described in this article is simple and rapid and yields a molecular form of 125I-labeled VIP that has been fully characterized and is suitable for use in biological studies.     

Comparative reactivities of 125I-secretin and 125I-minus6-tyrosyl secretin with guinea pig and rabbit anti-secretin sera.

Since secretin contains only an N-terminal histidyl and no tyrosyl residue, a synthetic secretin has been commercially prepared containing tyrosine in place of phenylalanine to facilitate the preparation of a radioiodine labeled tracer. We have found that although the rate of iodination of 6-Tyr-secretin is more rapid than that of secretin, the efficiency of iodination is not greatly increased and the shelf-life of the labeled product is not prolonged. The striking disadvantage of the use of ¹²⁵I-6-Tyr-secretin as a tracer in radioimmunoassay is its diminished immunoreactivity with several guinea pig and rabbit antisera compared to ¹²⁵I-secretin.     

Development of a radioimmunoassay for prostaglandin D2 using an antiserum against 11-methoxime prostaglandin D2

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for prostaglandin D2 has been developed using its stabilized 11-methoxime derivative, which was obtained after treatment of prostaglandin D2 with methoxamine-HCl. The antiserum was obtained after injection of prostaglandin D2-methoxamine coupled to bovine serum albumin. A (125I)-Histamide prostaglandin D2-methoxamine tracer was prepared by iodination of the corresponding histamide, followed by thin layer chromatography purification. The sensitivity of the assay was 280 femtomoles per ml at 50% displacement. The cross reactivities were 15% with prostaglandin D1-methoxamine and less than 0.20% with other prostaglandins. Determination of the half-life of prostaglandin D2 in a solution containing albumin was also carried out, since it has been shown to catalyze prostaglandin D2 destruction. The unstability of this prostaglandin is due to the presence of a beta-hydroxy ketone group, and all prostaglandins possessing this labile moiety could be stabilized by such a derivatization before developing a radioimmunoassay.     

125I-DPDYN, monoiodo[D-Pro10]dynorphin(1-11): a highly radioactive and selective probe for the study of kappa opioid receptors

The mono- and diiodinated derivatives of the kappa-selective ligand [D-Pro10]dynorphin(1-11), DPDYN, were prepared. Their binding properties at the three opioid receptor types (mu, delta and kappa) were examined and compared to those of the parent peptide. The monoiodo derivative shows a general although moderate decrease in affinity and retains high kappa selectivity (KI mu/KI kappa = 48 and KI delta/KI kappa = 140). The binding properties of the diiodo derivative are found to be dramatically decreased. Radioiodination of DPDYN leads to the monoiodinated peptide with high specific activity (700-800 Ci/mmol). In guinea-pig cerebellum membranes, a kappa-specific tissue, [125I]-labelled monoiodo[D-Pro10]dynorphin(1-11), 125I-DPDYN, interacts specifically and reversibly with a single class of binding sites (Bmax = 118 fmol/mg protein) with a high affinity (KD = 0.12 nM from equilibrium experiments, 0.18 nM from kinetics studies). Therefore, because of its high specific radioactivity, high affinity and reasonably good selectivity, 125I-DPDYN designates itself as the probe of the k-opioid receptor type.     

Preparation of cyclic nucleotide antisera with thyroglobulin-cyclic nucleotide conjugates

Antisera to cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were obtained by immunizing rabbits with antigens prepared by conjugating the 2'0-succinyl derivative of the cyclic nucleotides to thyroglobulin. The cyclic nucleotide-thyroglobulin conjugates were injected intradermally into multiple sites on the backs of the animals. This immunization procedure resulted in the production of antiserum in four of five animals capable of binding at a final serum dilution of greater than 1:10,000, 20% of the corresponding iodinated cyclic nucleotide derivative added. The antisera were also highly specific. The antiserum for cyclic AMP had a 2500-fold or greater relative affinity for cyclic AMP than other nucleotides or nucleosides, while that for cyclic GMP had a 5000-fold or greater affinity for 2'0 acetylated nucleotides or nucleosides except for acetylated cyclic IMP. The obstacles to measuring cyclic nucleotides, particularly cyclic GMP, in tissues were also overcome by refining and simplifying the methods for iodination, purification and assay. Furthermore, a "disequilibrium" incubation was developed as an alternative to the acetylation method to increase the sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay. Thus, the levels of both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP can be determined rapidly and easily in the same tissue sample.     

Effect on immunoreactivity of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in the GnRH-BSA conjugates of variable stoichiometry.

In order to render hypothalamic 'self' decapeptide GnRH immunogenic, the GnRH and its azotized derivative were covalently coupled to the carrier protein, BSA. The azotization at histidine and or tyrosine of GnRH was carried out and characterized extensively. Three different molar ratios of GnRH/azo-GnRH with BSA were prepared and characterized by physico-chemical techniques. The conjugates purified by gel-filtration chromatography on G-100 and on gel permeation column using HPLC were subjected to molar ratio determination by amino acid analysis. The immunoreactivity of GnRH/azo-GnRH towards monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies was drastically hampered after conjugation. It is therefore suggested that in the GnRH-carrier conjugate, GnRH concentration should be determined carefully by using specific radioimmunoassay.     

Pulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme. Interspecies homology and inhibition by heterologous antibody in vivo.

Goat antibody against pure rabbit pulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme was used to probe homology of converting enzymes from other species. Immunologically cross-reactive material was found in detergent-solubilized extracts of lung particles from rat, guinea pig, and dog by double immunodiffusion, radioimmunoassay, and inhibition of enzyme activity. No homology was demonstrable with bovine, frog, or chicken lung extracts. Antibodies from different individual goats yielded comparable estimates of homology by immunodiffusion and radioimmunoassay. In contrast, they varied greatly in extent and specificity of their inhibitory action on heterologous enzyme activity. The vasopressor effect of angiotensin I and the vasodepressor effect of bradykinin were diminished and potentiated, respectively, in rats treated with anti-rabbit enzyme antibody. A smaller but significant immune-dependent inhibition of the vasopressor response to angiotensin II was also observed.     

Measurement of immunoreactive angiotensin peptides in rat tissues: some pitfalls in angiotensin II analysis

Angiotensin II, the major effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system, is an endocrine and paracrine regulator of tissue function. To determine its physiological role, it is important to quantify angiotensin II and related fragment peptides in tissues and plasma as a first step toward understanding angiotensin II metabolism within tissues. A fully characterized, sensitive, and reproducible immunochemical assay has been developed for quantitating angiotensin II immunoreactivity in tissues and plasma. We identified two methodological events of critical importance, incompletely addressed in previously reported studies. First, the nonspecific interference resulting from Sep-Pak processing was found to be due to hydrophobic impurities in the octade-casilane absorbent which were eliminated by washing the Sep-Pak with tetrahydrofuran and hexane before use. Second, a significant discrepancy was observed in the recoveries of angiotensin II and 125I-angiotensin II added to tissue extracts following high-pressure liquid chromatography. Angiotensin II immunoreactivity extracted from decapitated rat adrenal gland, brain, and kidney (target organs for angiotensin II), ovary and uterus (potential target organs for angiotensin II), and plasma has been characterized. The predominant component of the angiotensin II immunoreactivity was the biologically active octapeptide angiotensin II. However, in the brain, the ratio of angiotensin II to C-terminal angiotensin II immunoreactive fragments was lower than observed in other tissues studied. Other angiotensin II C-terminal immunoreactive peptide fragments-the biologically active heptapeptide and the biologically inactive angiotensin(3-8) and angiotensin(4-8)--were also detected in variable quantities in the various tissues.     

Radioiodination of Enterotoxin from Clostridium perfringens Type A using Chloramine T

Procedures were examined for labelling enterotoxin isolated from Clostridium perfringens type A. with ¹²⁵I using chloramine T as the oxidizing agent. The iodination method was evaluated critically to establish the optimal conditions for the preparation of iodinated enterotoxin with a high specific radioactivity and without impairing the immunospecificity and biological activity. The use of 250 μg/ml of chloramine T in the reaction mixture. 500–1000 μCi of Na¹²⁵I/10 μg of enterotoxin and a reaction time of 40 s at pH 7–0 produced ¹²⁵I-enterotoxin of both high specific radioactivity and immunospecificity which retained its biological activity. No damage or aggregate formation due to the iodination process was observed. Enterotoxin labelled with high specific activity (135 μCi μg) showed extensive dissociation of ¹²⁵I when stored at 4°C and—20°C. In contrast, toxin labelled with low specific activity (7 μgCi/μg) was stable for as long as two months. The immunoreactivity of all labelled preparations was essentially unchanged after storage for one month.     

A radioimmunoassay for human insulin receptor correlation between insulin binding and receptor mass.

We have developed a radioimmunoassay for human insulin receptor. Serum from a patient with Type B severe insulin resistance was used as anti-insulin receptor antiserum. Pure human placental insulin receptor was used as reference preparation and 125I labeled pure insulin receptor as trace. The radioimmunoassay was sensitive (limit of detection less than 17 fmol), reproducible (inter and intra-assay coefficients of variation 12.5% and 1.6% respectively) and specific (no crossreactivity with pure placental IGF-1 receptor, insulin and glucagon). The anti-insulin receptor antibody was, however, able to differentiate between insulin receptor from human placenta and from rat liver. To determine the number of insulin binding sites per receptor, we measured insulin binding (by insulin binding assay) and insulin receptor mass (by radioimmunoassay) in solubilized aliquots from 5 human placentas. The molar ratio of insulin binding to receptor mass was 0.86 +/- 0.12 when binding was determined with monoiodinated 125I-Tyr A 14-insulin. It was 1.94 +/- 0.27 when randomly iodinated 125I-insulin was used. In conclusion, using a sensitive, reproducible and specific radioimmunoassay, we have measured insulin receptor mass independent of insulin binding. Our data are most compatible with binding of one insulin molecule per human placental insulin receptor.     

Preparation of the N-(4'-hydroxy-[3'-125I]iodophenethyl)-6-(4-O-diethylstilbestryl)hexanam ide for diethylstilbestrol radioimmunoassays.

The synthesis of a radioiodinated diethylstilbestrol (DES) derivative is described. This derivative was prepared by coupling the previously synthesized active ester of 6-(4-O-diethylstilbestryl)hexanoic acid with mono-[125I]iodotyramine in dry tetrahydrofuran (20 to 22 C, 16 hours). The mono-[125I]iodotyramine was prepared using a chloramine-T method and purified by paper electrophoresis. The final product, N-(4'-hydroxy-[3'-125I]iodophenethyl)-6-(4-O- diethylstilbestryl)hexanamide, was separated by thin-layer chromatography (cyclohexane/ethanol/NH4OH 2.5 N/acetone; 40:50:5:20, v/v/v/v); it was stable for 2 months in ethanol at 4 C and had a specific activity higher than 540 Ci/mmol. The [125I]DES amide synthesized was found to retain the immunoreactivity of DES, since it competed with [3H]DES or DES in an in vitro radioimmunoassay system for the binding sites of a rabbit anti-DES antibody; thus, it seems to be capable of replacing the tritiated tracer used so far in DES radioimmunoassays.     

Effects of thiolation on the immunoreactivity of the ribosome-inactivating protein gelonin.

Gelonin purified from the seeds of Gelonium multiflorum using cation-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography was characterized for its purity, homogeneity and Mr by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. and SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis analysis and judged to be 98% pure. As the cross-linking agent N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) has been used for linking gelonin via its epsilon-NH2 group to its carrier antibodies or hormones for immunotoxin or hormonotoxin respectively, an attempt was made to study the effect of this modification of gelonin on its immunoreactivity. A radioimmunoassay was developed for this purpose. By sequential modification, four categories of amino group modifications on immunoreactivity were observed. Even one or two modifications, representing one-twentieth to one-tenth of available epsilon-NH2 groups in the protein caused about 75% loss in immunoreactivity, with additional reactions contributing to further deteriorations. By using a gelonin radioimmunoassay, the immunoreactivity of gelonin in three hormonotoxins was determined with gelonin and modified gelonin as standards. The gelonin equivalent in our hormonotoxins was in agreement with the values determined by spectrophotometric and gel-electrophoresis methods. As the immunoreactivity of gelonin-SPDP was not further altered after conjugation to its carrier protein ovine lutropin, a specific radioimmunoassay of gelonin could be used to evaluate the molar ratio of the conjugates prepared by using SPDP as cross-linker and gelonin-SPDP as a standard.