Isolation of lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin B and β-lactoglobulin A from bovine rennet whey using ion exchange chromatography

A mild and rapid method is described for isolating various milk proteins from bovine rennet whey. β-Lactoglobulin from bovine rennet whey was easily adsorbed on and desorbed from a weak anion exchanger, diethylaminoethyl-Toyopearl. However, α-lactalbumin could not be adsorbed onto the resin. α-Lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin from rennet whey could also be adsorbed and separated using a strong anion exchanger, quaternary aminoethyl-Toyopearl. The rennet whey was passed through a strong cation exchanger, sulphopropyl-Toyopearl, to separate lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin. α-Lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin were adsorbed onto quaternary aminoethyl-Toyopearl. α-Lactalbumin was eluted using a linear (0–0.15 M) concentration gradient of NaCl in 0.05 M Tris–HCl buffer (pH 8.5). Subsequently, β-lactoglobulin B and β-lactoglobulin A were eluted from the column with 0.05 M Tris–HCl (pH 6.8), using a linear (0.1–0.25 M) concentration gradient of NaCl. The yields were 1260 mg α-lactalbumin, 1290 mg β-lactoglobulin B and 2280 mg β-lactoglobulin A from 1 l rennet whey.     

Translational diffusion coefficient of α-chymotrypsinogen A by laser-light-scattering spectroscopy

The translational diffusion coefficient of a pure sample of α-chymotrypsinogen A is measured by laser light scattering to give a value of D_20,w⁰ = (8.40 ± 0.15) × 10^?7 cm²/sec.     

Acridine orange–poly (α-L-glutamic acid) complexes. I. Stoichiometry and stacking coefficients

By means of fluorescence, absorption, and acid-base titrations, it has been shows that there is a one-to-one correspondence between free carboxylates and bound acridine orange in the dye-polyacid complex. Contrary to expections, stacking coefficients for the dye were found to be virtually the same on binding to the helical or coiled polyacid, indicating a strong similarity in the binding sites for both forms of the polyelectrolyte.     

Thioflavin T fluorescence assay for β-lactoglobulin fibrils hindered by DAPH

The molecule 4,5-dianilinophthalimide was recently found to be an efficient compound in disaggregating amyloid fibrils involved in the Alzheimer’s disease. In this study we have investigated whether the compound 4,5-dianilinophthalimide was able to disaggregate fibrils derived from β-lactoglobulin. In addition to a Thioflavin T fluorescence assay, flow-induced birefringence was used as an independent technique to measure the total length concentration of the fibrils. An additional advantage of the latter technique is that not only the total length concentration, but also the length distribution of the fibrils can be measured. The results from flow-induced birefringence showed that the total amount of fibrils and also the length distribution of the fibrils was not influenced by the addition of 4,5-dianilinophthalimide, even though this was suggested by the results of the Thioflavin T assay. The results of flow-induced birefringence were confirmed by rheological measurements and transmission electron microscopy. Our findings show that the use of a Thioflavin T assay in order to probe the possible disaggregating effect of certain compounds can give misleading results.     

Hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin by thermolysin and pepsin under high hydrostatic pressure

Hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin with thermolysin and pepsin at pressures ranging between 0.1 and 350 MPa showed a significant increase of cleavage rates. Pressure-induced changes of susceptibility to hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin proteolytic sites were also observed. The pressure, raised to 200 MPa, accelerates the hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin by thermolysin and changes obtained peptide profiles. Initially, higher pressure makes the N-terminal, and to a smaller extent, C-terminal peptide fragments of β-lactoglobulin molecule, more susceptible to removal by thermolysin. This indicates combined influence of pressure-induced thermolysin activation and partial unfolding of β-lactoglobulin by compression at neutral pHs. The rates of hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin by pepsin (negligible at 0.1 MPa) are increased considerably with pressure up to 300 MPa. The Susceptibility of β-lactoglobulin proteolytic sites to peptic cleavage remains constant over all the studied pressure range. The lack of significant qualitative changes in the peptic peptide profiles produced at different pressures and at clearly pressure-dependent rates points to negative reaction volume changes as the major factor in peptic hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin under high pressure. Thus the β-lactoglobulin molecule resists pressure-induced unfolding in acid pHs and yields to it in neutral pHs. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A rapid microbore HPLC method for determination of primary structure of β-lactoglobulin genetic variants

A rapid method for determination of the primary structures for β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) genetic variants is described. This included rapid microbore HPLC, amino acid analyses, and wherever necessary, direct peptide sequencing. Two novel variants of β-LG have been identified, bovine β-LG W and ovine β-LG C. The proteins were oxidized, digested with trypsin and separated using RP-HPLC. All peptides were recovered in a single run. Peptides with amino acid exchanges were identified by retention time and subjected to amino acid and sequence analyses. Ovine β-LG C differs from the ovine β-LG A variant by a single amino acid exchange at position 148 where Arg is replaced by Gln. Bovine β-LG W differs from bovine β-LG B by having Leu at position 56 instead of Ile. The method described here is reliable and can be used for mapping of 20–1000 pmol of material.     

Secondary structure changes and peptic hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin induced by diols

The addition of ethylene glycol, and 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol, decreases the bulk dielectric constant of the medium, and according to CD measurements, increases significantly the proportion of helical structure in β-lactoglobulin. The medium-induced folding changes followed by limited peptic hydrolysis show that the cleavage of β-lactoglobulin by pepsin is triggered by structural transformations induced by ethylene glycol only and not by 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol. Density measurements, at constant chemical potential and constant molality, demonstrate that all diols are present in the immediate domain of the protein. They are engaged in hydrophobic interactions with the amino acids of β-lactoglobulin core inducing the formation of additional α-helices. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Selective inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 by 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid but not 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid

Elevated cortisol concentrations have been associated with metabolic diseases such as diabetes type 2 and obesity. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) type 1, catalyzing the conversion of inactive 11-ketoglucocorticoids into their active 11β-hydroxy forms, plays an important role in the regulation of cortisol levels within specific tissues. The selective inhibition of 11β-HSD1 is currently considered as promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of metabolic diseases. In recent years, natural compound-derived drug design has gained considerable interest. 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a metabolite of the natural product glycyrrhizin, is not selective and inhibits both 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2. Here, we compare the biological activity of 18β-GA and its diastereomer 18α-GA against the two enzymes in lysates of transfected HEK-293 cells and show that 18α-GA selectively inhibits 11β-HSD1 but not 11β-HSD2. This is in contrast to 18β-GA, which preferentially inhibits 11β-HSD2. Using a pharmacophore model based on the crystal structure of the GA-derivative carbenoxolone in complex with human 11β-HSD1, we provide an explanation for the differences in the activities of 18α-GA and 18β-GA. This model will be used to design novel selective derivatives of GA.     

Enzymatic resolutions of α- and β-hydroxypropionic acid esters

The synthesis of some acyloxy-methoxy-cinnamic acid derivatives, azidohydroxy butanoates, and azidohydroxy butanedioates in enantiomerically pure form is presented. Racemic diastereomerically pure educts were prepared in few steps. These racemates are resolved with lipases from Candida cylindracea (CC) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (P).     

Studies on the 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol-6α-hydroxylase and on the 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol-7α-hydroxylase in anterior hypophysis of male rats.

In anterior pituitaries from male rats, it appeared that 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol was quickly metabolized into 5α-androstane-3β,6α-17β-triol and 5α-androstane-3β,7α, 17β-triol by action of 6α- and 7α-hydroxylases. Hydroxysteroid hydroxylases were located in endoplasmic reticulum and were dependent on NADPH⁺. Their optimum pH was 8.0, optima temperature, 37°C, and their apparent Km was 2.7 μM. Hydroxylative reactions were not reversible and not modified by gonadectomy. Hydroxylation seemed an efficient control of the pituitary level of 5α-andros-tane-3β, 17β-diol.     

Unexpected dimerization of a tripeptide comprising a β,γ‐diamino acid

We have previously reported the synthesis of enantiopure β,γ‐diamino acids and relevant short α/γ‐peptide containing such building blocks. Complete nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies, together with molecular modeling, highlighted the ability of a β,γ‐diamino acid to induce various intramolecular turns. In this paper, we describe for the first time the formation of a dimeric structure constituted by α/γ/α‐tripeptide and stabilized by intermolecular interactions. A structural model is proposed based on extensive NMR measurements.     

Self-association of N-protected α-amino acids. Optically active and racemic N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-alanine

The ir absorption and x-ray diffraction analysis of N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-DL -alanine (t-Boc-DL -Ala-OH) in the solid state has revealed a new mode of self-association for a N-urethanyl-α-amino acid, i.e., ribbons of hydrogen-bonded cyclic dimers formed through the —COOH groups. In contrast to the recemate, a water molecule, incorporated into the crystal of the chiral t-Boc-D -Ala-OH, alters in part that hydrogen-bonding scheme. In the two independent molecules of the unit cell of the optically active alanine derivative, as in that of the racemic derivative: (i) the conformation of the —CONH group is trans, also a new observation for a N-urethanyl-α-amino acid, and (ii) the overall conformation is quasi-extended. These findings exclude the occurrence of an oxy-C₇ peptide conformation. In solvents of high polarity, strongly solvated species predominate, as shown by ir absorption spectroscopy. In deuterochloroform nonassociated and associated species occur simultaneously. No differences were observed between the optically active and racemic derivatives. The type of self-association near saturation seems to differ, at least in part, from that found in the anhydrous racemic compound in the crystal state.     

Relationships between conformation of β-lactoglobulin in solution and gel states as revealed by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) has been used to compare the structure of β-lactoglobulin, the major component of whey proteins, in solution and in its functional gel state. To induce variation in the conformation of β-lactoglobulin under a set of gelling conditions, the effect of heating temperature, pH, and high pressure homogenization on the conformation sensitive amide I band in the infrared spectra of both solutions and gels has been investigated. The results showed that gelification process has a pronounced effect upon β-lactoglobulin secondary structure, leading to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding β-sheet structure as evidenced by the appearance of a strong band at 1614 cm⁻¹ at the expense of other regular structures. These results confirm that this structure may be essential for the formation of a gel network as it was previously shown for other globular proteins. However, this study reveals, for the first time, that there is a close relationship between conformation of β-lactoglobulin in solution and its capacity to form a gel. Indeed, it is shown that conditions which promote predominance of intermolecular β-sheet in solution such as pH 4, prevent the formation of gel in conditions used by increasing thermal stability of β-lactoglobulin. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that by controlling the extent of intermolecular β-structure of the protein in solution, it is possible to modify the ability of protein to form a gel and as a consequence to control the properties of gels.     

A search for the ideal type I β-turn

In 1968 C. Venkatachalam (Biopolymers, Vol. 6, pp. 1425–1436) predicted the ideal forms of β-turns (type I, type II, etc.) based entirely on theoretical calculations. Subsequently, over a thousand x-ray structures of different globular proteins have been analyzed, with results suggesting that the most important form among the hairpin conformers is the type I β-turn. For the latter type of hairpin conformation, the original computations had predicted ϕ_i+1 = −60°, ψ_i+1 = −30°, ϕ_i+2 = −90°, and ψ_i+2 = 0° as backbone torsion angle values, and these have been used from that time as reference values for the identification of the type I β-turn. However, it has never been clarified whether these “ideal” backbone torsion angle values exist in real structures, or whether these torsion angles are only “theoretical values.” Using the most recent release of the Protein Data Bank (1994), a survey has been made to assign amino acid pairs that approach the ideal form of the type I β-turn. The analysis resulted in four sequences where the deviation from ideal values for any main-chain torsion angles was less than 2°. In order to determine whether such a backbone fold is possible only in proteins owing to fortuitous cooperation of different folding effects, or whether it occurs even in short peptides, various attempts have been made to design the optimal amino acid sequence. Such a peptide model compound adopting precisely the predicted torsion angle values [ϕ_i+1 = −60°, ψ_i+1 = −30°, ϕ_i+2 = −90°, and ψ_i+2 = 0°] could provide valuable information. The solid state conformation of cyclo[(δ) Ava-Gly-Pro-Thr (O¹Bu)-Gly] reported herein, incorporating the -Pro-Thr- subunit, yields values suggesting that the “ideal” type I β-turn is even possible for a peptide where there are no major environmental effects present. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Properties of auricularia auricula-judae β-D-glucan in dilute solution

A Water-soluble glucan A was isolated from the fruit body of Auricularia auricula-judae. It is composed of a backbone chain of β-(1 → 3)-linked D -glucose residues, two out of three glucose residues being substituted at C-6 positions with a single glucose unit. The weight average molecular weight Mw, number average molecular weight Mn, and intrinsic viscosity [η] of the fractionated samples were studied at 25°C in water and in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The Mark-Houwink equation was established as [η] = 6. 10 × 10^?4 Mw^1.14 for the glucan A having Mw ranging from 9 × 10⁵ to 1.6 × 10⁶ in water. The values of [η] in water are far higher than those in DMSO, but the values of Mn measured in water are the same as those in DMSO. Analysis of Mw and [η] in terms of the known theories for rods and wormlike chains yielded 1030 ± 100 nm^?1, 90 ± 20 nm, 1.3 ± 0.3 nm, and 0.26 ± 0.03 nm for molar mass per unit contour length M_L, persistence length q, diameter d, and contour length h per main-chain glucose residue, respectively. The present data suggest that glucan A dissolves in water as single-stranded helical chains and in DMSO as semiflexible chains. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.