Increased sensitivity in peroxidase immunocytochemistry. A comparative study of a number of peroxidase visualization methods employing a model system

A number of methods for demonstration of peroxidase activity have been tested on immunocytochemical nitrocellulose models. By applying a well-characterized primary antibody and Sternberger's peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique, the sensitivity of various protocols has been evaluated. Best results were obtained with diaminobenzidine as chromogen, especially in conjunction with heavy metal salts, either added directly to the medium or used as "toners" of the end-product. Use of silver intensification of the diaminobenzidine/metal end-product increased sensitivity further.     

A new method for preparation of an antiserum to penicillin and its application for novel enzyme immunoassay of penicillin.

A new method for the preparation of ampicillin-BSA conjugate by a three step procedure was developed. The first step is the introduction of a maleimide residue to ampicillin by a cross-linking reagent, MBS. The second step is reductive cleavage of disulfide bonds in BSA. The third step is thioether formation between the introduced maleimide residues and the reduced thiol groups. The obtained ampicillin-BSA conjugated raised an anti-ampicillin serum in rabbits. A new reagent, MPGS, was used for enzyme labelling of ampicillin to avoid immunological cross reaction. Using the enzyme labelled ampicillin and anti-ampicillin serum, enzyme immunoassay of ampicillin was successful in detecting 4 ng to 1 mug. Cross reactivities of anti-ampicillin to ampicillin analogs were studied by the enzyme immunoassay to find that the antiserum is specific to penicillin especially to ampicillin but hardly reacts with cephalosporins or the penicilloic acid derivative of ampicillin.     

A new method for measuring binding of labeled ligands to membrane receptors.

Two different automated procedures for protein microdetermination by the Lowry method have been devised to analyze samples with high and low concentrations of nonionic detergents. Autoanalytical monitoring of the protein concentration of column effluents has been achieved by substituting 50 mm Tricine for 50 mm Tris in an eluting buffer containing 0.05% Poly-Tergent.     

Autoradiographic detection of [125I]-secondary antiserum: a sensitive light and electron microscopic labeling method compatible with peroxidase immunocytochemistry for dual localization of neuronal antigens

We examined whether autoradiographic localization of [125I]-antirabbit immunoglobulin (IgG) was suitable for light and electron microscopic detection of a rabbit antiserum to the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and whether autoradiographic and peroxidase labeling could be combined for simultaneous immunocytochemical identification of TH and neuropeptides in brain. Adult rat brains were fixed by aortic arch perfusion with acrolein and paraformaldehyde. Vibratome sections of the fixed tissues were incubated with various dilutions of TH antiserum followed by [125I]-secondary IgG. These sections were then directly processed for autoradiography or were incubated with rabbit antiserum to substance P (SP) or methionine [Met5]-enkephalin (ME). These latter sections were then processed by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) or conjugated peroxidase methods followed by autoradiography. Exposure periods of 12-20 days for light microscopy or 90 days for electron microscopy yielded substantial accumulations of silver grains even at the highest (1:30,000) dilution of TH antiserum. At this dilution, immunoreactivity for TH was virtually nondetectable by PAP and conjugated peroxidase methods. The differential sensitivities of the autoradiographic versus peroxidase methods provided a means for separable identification of rabbit antiserum to TH and to SP or ME. Ultrastructural analysis of the catecholaminergic neurons in the medial nuclei of the solitary tract (NTS) showed selective cytoplasmic localization of silver grains for [125I]-labeling of TH in perikarya, dendrites, and terminals. Within single thin sections prepared for dual labeling, the peroxidase marker for SP and for ME was differentially localized with respect to autoradiographic labeling of TH.     

A new method for transfer of polyethylene glycol-embedded tissue sections to silanated slides for immunocytochemistry

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is an excellent embedding medium for immunohistochemical studies. It provides structural preservation superior to frozen sections and increased sensitivity of antigen detection compared with paraffin sections. One limitation of PEG embedment is that PEG sections are difficult to handle and adhere poorly to glass slides. Here we present a simple and effective method for embedding tissues in PEG and transferring the resultant sections onto silanated glass slides. In addition, a method for silver enhanced colloidal gold immunostaining was combined with common dye staining to demonstrate the excellent structure preservation and sensitive antigen detection. Bovine chorionic membrane was fixed with Bouin's fixative, embedded in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1500, cut into 5-microns sections, flattened over agarose blocks (10 x 10 x 2 mm3), and blotted onto Digene silanated slides. Slides were then washed in PBS, which removed the PEG and agarose blocks. Tissue sections were immunocytochemically stained with dilute antiserum raised in a rabbit against purified bovine placental retinol binding protein (bpRBP). Sections were washed and incubated with 1-nm colloidal gold-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG. The immunogold particles were enhanced by silver staining (IGSS). Specimens were observed and photographed with an Olympus epipolarization microscope. The new method offered excellent morphological preservation of cell structure and the epipolarization microscopy provided high sensitivity for detection of specific immunogold-silver particles.     

Dual method for the determination of peroxidase activity and total peroxides-iodide leads to a significant increase of peroxidase activity in human sera

Peroxidases are very important enzymes, e.g., as preventive antioxidants by removing noxious peroxides from the blood. For this reason we evaluated a colorimetric method which detects the activity of endogenous peroxidases by their reaction with hydrogen peroxide, using tetramethylbenzidine as the chromogenic substrate. This assay design can be easily reversed by change of the variable compound to measure also total peroxides in plasma or serum. An increased total antioxidant status was reported previously by the addition of iodide to human serum. In this study iodide activated the endogenous peroxidases significantly in comparison to control sera and isomolar NaCl as well as horseradish peroxidase. Corresponding to the increased peroxidase activity a concomitant decrease of total peroxides occurred in the same samples. This exchangeable assay design is a beneficial opportunity to screen total peroxide levels as well as peroxidase activity in human sera without time-consuming preparations. The method proved to be simple and is favorable due to its specificity, reproducibility, and low costs. Moreover, we were able to find an explanation for the increased total antioxidant status in the presence of iodide, which is presumably an indirect protective effect via an enhanced activity of enzymatic antioxidants, thereby reducing endogenous peroxides.     

A rapid method for measuring guanylate cyclase activity in mammary tissue.

A simple and rapid method for measuring guanylate cyclase activity in broken cell preparations of biological tissues is described. This method employs the rate of conversion of [32P]GTP to [32P]cyclic-GMP. The product of this reaction is isolated by ion-exchange chromatography and by a ZnSO4-Ba(OH)2 precipitation at pH 5.7. Using this method, about 30-50 samples can be assayed for guanylate cyclase activity during a 5-6 hr period. The characteristics of this enzyme in the mammary gland were found to be similar to those described for other tissues using different methods for measuring guanylate cyclase activity.     

A separation of staphylococci and micrococci based on serological reactivity with antiserum specific for polyglycerophosphate.

A serological reaction with the antiserum against heterophile polyglycerophosphate (PGP) was evaluated for genus level differentiation among strains of Staphylococcus and Micrococcus-Sarcina spp.. Hot saline extracts from whole cells of Staphylococcus spp. strongly reacted with the PGP antiserum, whereas those of Micrococcus-Sarcina spp. did not. Likewise, phenol-water extracts from whole cells of Micrococcus-Sarcina spp. were not reactive with the PGP antiserum, although the extracts of staphylococcal cells again gave a strong reaction with the antiserum. This study indicates that extracts from Micrococcus-Sarcina spp. have no antigen reactive with the PGP antiserum and can thus be differentiated from extracts of Staphylococcus spp. which react strongly with the PGP antiserum.     

Lignin peroxidase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Evidence for an acidic ionization controlling activity

The active site amino acid residues of lignin peroxidase are homologous to those of other peroxidases; however, in contrast to other peroxidases, no pH dependence is observed for the reaction of ferric lignin peroxidase with H2O2 to form compound I (Andrawis, A., Johnson, K.A., and Tien, M. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 1195-1198). Chloride binding is used in the present study to investigate this reaction further. Chloride binds to lignin peroxidase at the same site as cyanide and hydrogen peroxide. This is indicated by the following. 1) Chloride competes with cyanide in binding to lignin peroxidase. 2) Chloride is a competitive inhibitor of lignin peroxidase with respect to H2O2. The inhibition constant (Ki) is equal to the dissociation constant (Kd) of chloride at all pH values studied. Chloride binding is pH dependent: chloride binds only to the protonated form of lignin peroxidase. Transient-state kinetic studies demonstrate that chloride inhibits lignin peroxidase compound I formation in a pH-dependent manner with maximum inhibition at low pH. An apparent pKa was calculated at each chloride concentration; the pKa increased as the chloride concentration increased. Extrapolation to zero chloride concentration allowed us to estimate the intrinsic pKa for the ionization in the lignin peroxidase active site. The results reported here provide evidence that an acidic ionizable group (pKa approximately 1) at the active site controls both lignin peroxidase compound I formation and chloride binding. We propose that the mechanism for lignin peroxidase compound I formation is similar to that of other peroxidases in that it requires the deprotonated form of an ionizable group near the active site.     

Sensitivity of various visualization methods for peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activity in immunoenzyme histochemistry

Summary Various chromogen protocols for visualizing peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activity in immunoenzyme histochemistry were compared with respect to their sensitivity. They were tested on tissue sections of human skeletal muscle and in an antigen spot test using antibodies against slow skeletal muscle myosin. The chromogens included 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC), 3, 3-diaminobenzidine (DAB),p-phenylenediamine-pyrocatechol (PPD-PC) and 4-chloro-1-naphthol (CN) in peroxidase histochemistry, and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate-nitro blue tetrazolium salt (BCIP-NBT), BCIP-tetra nitro blue tetrazolium salt (TNBT) and various combinations of substituted naphthol phosphate-diazonium salt in alkaline phosphatase histochemistry. DAB, CN, and PPD-PC were also employed with imidazole and DAB in addition to Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. The results indicate that DAB-imidazole and DAB-Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions are the most sensitive chromogen protocols for visualizing peroxidase activity. Although no large differences were found between the various chromogen protocols for visualizing alkaline phosphatase activity, the protocol BCIP-TNBT is especially recommended. Furthermore, the various chromogen protocols were evaluated as to stability of chromogen solutions and final precipitates, background staining, localization properties, and enhancement of enzyme activity.     

A new method for measuring the yield stress in thin layers of sedimenting blood.

A new method is presented to describe the low shear rate behavior of blood. We observed the response of a thin layer of sedimenting blood to a graded shear stress in a wedge-shaped chamber. The method allows quantitation of the degree of phase separation between red cells and plasma, and extracts the yield stress of the cell phase as a function of hematocrit. Our studies showed that the behavior of normal human blood underwent a transition from a solid-like gel to a Casson fluid. This transition began at the Casson predicted yield stress. The viscoelastic properties of blood were examined at shear stresses below the yield stress. The measured Young's elastic moduli were in good agreement with published data. The yield stress of blood showed a linear dependence on hematocrit up to 60%, and increased more rapidly at higher hematocrit.     

Two staining methods for selectively detecting isomaltase and maltase activity in electrophoresis gels.

Two methods for specifically detecting maltase, alpha-glucosidase, or isomaltase activity in electrophoresis gels are described. Both systems couple the formation of glucose by enzyme action on maltose or isomaltose to the generation of a colored product. System A uses an agarose overlay which contains substrate, glucose oxidase, peroxidase, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 4-L-amino-phenazone. A purple color is produced at the site of enzyme activity. No hazardous chemicals are used at any stage. The stain is simple, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive and does not interfere with subsequent protein staining. However, the stain is not permanent. System B was developed to give a permanent stain. The gel is overlaid with agarose containing substrate, glucose oxidase, phenazine methosulfate, and nitroblue tetrazolium. Glucose production results in the nitroblue tetrazolium being oxidized to an insoluble formazan with a dark blue color. This stain is also sensitive, rapid, and inexpensive but does use hazardous chemicals and if overstaining occurs this can interfere with subsequent protein staining. Neither system inactivates the localized enzymes which can be recovered from the gel if desired.     

A new method for continuous recording of motor activity in horses.

1. The use of an electronic recorder for the horse motor activity was described. 2. Examples of different types of motor activities are given in Figs 1-8. 3. The ultradian pattern of activity in all records was stressed. 4. The possibility of receiving of more physiological informations by this type of apparatus is discussed.     

Applicability of radiotracer methods of measuring14CO2 assimilation for determining microbial activity in soil including a newin situ method

The applicability of two methods (pyrolysis gas chromatography and acidification-wet oxidation) for determining¹⁴CO₂ incorporation into soil microorganisms was investigated. Both methods were able to distinguish biologically incorporated¹⁴C from abiotically adsorbed¹⁴C, but to varying degrees, there being a larger carryover of abiotic¹⁴C into the organic fraction and a higher percentage of assimilated¹⁴C in the organic fraction with the wet oxidation method. Using¹⁴C assimilation as a measure, it was possible to determine microbial activities in soils of diverse properties under a variety of conditions, including polar soils under harsh environmental conditions. Both light and dark¹⁴CO₂ fixation was measurable.¹⁴CO₂ assimilation was not always proportional to the enumerable microorganisms. A new design for measurement of microbial activityin situ enabled measurement of total C influx (primary productivity) into soils with minimal perturbation to the natural soil ecosystem.     

A new method for measurement of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity.

The extreme sensitivity of chicken muscle fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase to inhibition by 5'-AMP has been utilized to develop a new method for the assay of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. In this method, the substrate (cAMP) is first incubated with phosphodiesterase and the amount of 5'-AMP formed is then determined by measuring the degree of inhibition of fructose 1'6-bisphosphatase activity. The present method conveniently employs the spectrophotometric technique and is sensitive enough to detect the conversion of 50 pmol of cAMP to 5'-AMP in 1 ml of reaction mixture. This method is considered particularly valuable for those laboratories that are not equipped with facilities for measuring radioactivity.