Rapid sulfopropyl-disk chromatographic purification of bovine and human thrombin

Thrombin, from either a crude commercial preparation (bovine) or a prothrombin activation mixture (human), was purified by sulfopropyl-disk chromatography to homogeneity in a rapid and convenient single-step procedure. The yield of both proteinases was greater than 85%. Purified bovine and human thrombin had sp act of 2500 and 3000 "NIH" units/mg, respectively. Human thrombin was more reactive than bovine thrombin with these active site-directed probes: phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg-chloromethylketone, and human heparin cofactor II. The sulfopropyl-disk chromatographic method is a useful and rapid technique to prepare milligram quantities of highly purified bovine and human thrombin.     

蚀斑减少中和试验检测抗天花免疫球蛋白效价

为了建立测定抗天花免疫球蛋白效价的检测方法,采用抗天花免疫球蛋白50%中和100PFU痘苗病毒的稀释度来确定其效价。通过与NIBSC提供的抗天花人免疫球蛋白标准品进行的对比试验,结果显示基本一致,证明该方法是可行的。     

Effect of clindamycin on stimulation of cell adhesion molecules by endotoxins and enterotoxin of Bacteroides fragilis strains]

The influence of clindamycin on expression of B. fragilis endotoxins (LPS) and enterotoxin stimulated cell adhesion molecules: ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin on HMEC-1 (human microvascular endothelial cell line) was tested. Lipopolysaccharides from four Bacteroides fragilis strains: one nonenterotoxigenic (NTBF) and three enterotoxigenic (ETBF) were extracted by hot phenol-water method and purified. B. fragilis enterotoxin was prepared according to the method described by van Tassel et al. (1992). All bacterial preparations were used for stimulation at concentration 10 micrograms/ml. Clindamycin was used in concentration of 2 micrograms/ml. The influence of antimicrobial agent on the endotoxins and enterotoxin stimulation and expression of adhesion molecules was tested by ELISA, using monoclonal mouse anti-human antibodies (Genzyme, USA). Peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulins (DAKO A/S Denmark) and OPD (Sigma USA) were used. The coloured reaction product was measured by reading the absorbance at 492 nm in SPECTRA II reader (SLT, Austria). It was observed that clindamycin influenced the expression of cell adhesion molecules on resting cell line. HMEC-1 cells stimulated with Bacteroides fragilis LPS preparations have suppressive effect on ICAM-1 expression. ICAM-1 expression was augmented when stimulated with Tox 1 and Tox 2 preparations. Clindamycin augmented the VCAM-1 expression in tests with all bacterial preparations. All used bacterial preparations of Bacteroides fragilis LPS and enterotoxin enhanced the expression of E-selectin with exception of LPS of NTBF strain.     

Toll-like receptors and their adapter molecules

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are among key receptors of the innate mammalian immune system. Receptors of this family are able to recognize specific highly conserved molecular regions (patterns) in pathogen structures, thus initiating reactions of both innate and acquired immune response finally resulting in the elimination of the pathogen. In this case every individual TLR type is able to bind a broad spectrum of molecules of microbial origin characterized by different chemical properties and structures. Recent data demonstrate the existence of a multistep mechanism of the TLR recognition of the pathogen in which, in addition to receptors proper, the involvement of different adapter molecules is necessary. However, functions of separate adapter molecules as well as the principles of formation of a multicomponent system of ligand-specific recognition are still not quite understandable. We describe all identified as well as possible (candidate) adapter TLR molecules by giving their brief characteristics, and we also propose generalized possible variants of the TLR ligand-specific recognition with involvement of adapter molecules.     

Measurement of the number of molecules of a single mRNA species in a complex mRNA preparation

The normalization of data obtained from hybridization experiments with DNA chips to determine mRNA expression and concentration (gene expression profiling) is an unsolved problem. Furthermore, slight changes in mRNA expression or small numbers of mRNA molecules which may be relevant to disease cannot be detected so far. We have designed a method to calculate the number of molecules of a single mRNA species in a complex mRNA preparation. The basic concept is the transformation of a quantitative problem into a qualitative problem. Individual molecules pertaining to the same molecular species (IMPSMS) are transformed to a mixture of new different molecular species (DMS) and amplified. We propose two implementations of the method. The first procedure is based on a method for cloning tagged nucleic acid molecules onto the surface of micro-beads. It should be possible to transform and determine up to 10(6) IMPSMS into new DMS. The second strategy uses multimeric linkers, a method frequently used in DNA computing to assemble random DNA. The second strategy should be easier to implement but is limited to a few hundred IMPSMS.     

Suicidal dephosphorylation of thiamine pyrophosphate coupled with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Earlier it was noted that purified pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) produced by "Sigma" usually contains almost saturating amounts of thiamine pyrophosphate (ThPP). In this communication we present the observation that the endogenous ThPP coupled to PDC is dephosphorylated while staying at -10 degrees C, because in the enzyme preparation thiamine monophosphate and un-phosphorylated thiamine appear (HPLC determination). Under the same conditions exogenous ThPP is not dephosphorylated despite contact with the PDC preparation. This may suggest that interactions of some active groups of the enzyme with molecules of endogenous ThPP leads to break-up of the phosphoesters bonds, and destruction of the coenzyme. Decrease of PDC activity during storage is not in proportion with the degree of ThPP dephosphorylation. However the observed instability of PDC activity may be a consequence of the spontaneous process of its coenzyme autodestruction.     

Preparation of allosteric ribonuclease.

A method for the preparation of allosteric ribonuclease from bovine pancreas is described. The effects of freeze-drying ribonuclease from acid and alkaline solutions on plots of velocity versus substrate concentration for the hydrolysis of 2':3'-cyclic CMP are examined. Comparison of these plots with the plots obtained with severeal commercial enzyme preparations indicates that the conformation of the enzyme is dependent on the method of preparation. Aging experiments demonstrate that further conformational changes occur at different rates, depending on the methods of storage. Results suggest that the allosteric behaviour of ribonuclease has not always been observed with commercial preparations, owing to variations in methods of preparation and storage of the enzyme.     

Determination of the concentration of antibody reactive centers using a standard antigen and erythrocytic antigen]

The concentration of the reactive centres of the antibodies in the preparation under study can be determined with the aid of an antibody erythrocytic diagnostic agent. A mathematical substantiation of the suggested method and definite examples of its use are presented. The sensitivity of the serological method of determination of the concentration of the reactive centres of the antibodies largely depended on the valency of the antibody erythrocytes and the heterogeneity of the antibodies. This method permits to determine the sum of the reactive antibody centres equivalent to the definite concentration of the molecules of the standard antigen whose valency remains unknown.     

Characteristics of the precipitation reaction at the stage of antigen-antibody complex aggregate formation studied by a spectroturbidimetric method]

The possibility of using the spectroturbidimetric method, one of the variants of the light scattering method, for the determination of the characteristics of the second phase of the antigen-antibody reaction was shown examplified by the interaction between rabbit antiserum and bovine serum albumin. The parameters of the aggregates formed in the process (their average size, their concentration by weight and number) were calculated for the whole period of the reaction and with its components taken in different proportions. The precipitation curve plotted by the above method correlated well with the result of an independent determination at an extinction coefficient of E278. A conclusion was drawn, based on special evaluation, that hydrophobic interactions have a predominant influence on the formation of antigen-antibody aggregates. A quantitative approach was proposed for studying the mechanism of the antigen-antibody aggregate formation and for the analytical determination of various classes of immunoglobulins.     

Method of determining proteolytic activity by using a conjugate of bovine serum albumin with peroxidase

The authors propose a method for determination of proteolytic activity, based on the hydrolysis of peroxidase-labeled molecules of bovine serum albumin immobilized on the surface of polystyrene microassay plates with the subsequent determination of peroxidase activity on the carrier or in the solution. The optimum conditions for the sorption of the labeled substrate have been established. The method permits the determination of bacillary alkaline protease at a concentration of 01. microgram/ml within 45 minutes. The determination of four proteases has demonstrated that this method shows good correlation with the routine one (r = 0.98), but is more sensitive and less time- and labor-consuming.     

Orientational, conformational stability and surface potential of immunoglobulins in monomolecular layers

Orientation, resistance to surface denaturation and surface potential of bovine and horse immunoglobulin G (IgG) and also of pig IgG-antibodies against DNP and DNS groups on the surface of NaCl solutions of various concentrations have been studied by monomolecular layer method. High conformational stability of IgG molecules of all the species was confirmed. At the surface of NaCl solutions with concentrations 0.15--0.5 M immunoglobulins of all species from monolayers consisting of practically non-unfolded molecules with such an orientation, that all the fragments of IgG molecule are located horizontally. Beyond the limits of this native structure stability zone the rate of surface denaturation is directly proportional to NaCl concentration in the solution. The values of surface potentials of all immunoglobulins under study are close to each other and change little with the surface denaturation.     

A new HPLC method for determination of main constituents of the streptothricin complex. Analysis of nourseothricin, grisin and kormogrisin]

A simple and reliable HPLC method for quantitative analysis of complex antibiotics consisting of a mixture of streptothricins F, E, D and C in a biological matrix was developed. The method is based on ion-pair separation of streptothricins on the reversed-phase C18 analytical column with UV detector (210 nm). Aqueous solution of acetonitrile containing trifluoroacetic acid and octane-1-sulfonic acid sodium salt was used as eluent. Retention times of streptothricins became longer as the molecular weight increased, i.e. the component F was eluted first, then followed components E, D and C. The total time of the analysis was ca. 22 min. Composition of the standard samples of nourseothricin and grisin, as well as the streptothricin content of the commercial grisin-based kormogrisin were determined. Components F and D were found to be dominant in the streptothricin complex comprising totally 70-90%, with streptothricin F prevailing in nourseothricin (56%) and streptothricin D being the major constituent in grisin (51%), while in the kormogrisin the concentrations of components D and F were approximately the same. The portion of E varied from 5 to 20% and the concentration of streptothricin C changed within the range of 3-11%. The peaks of the admixtures present in kormogrisin did not interfere with determination of the streptothricin components. It is suggested that the method described can be applied to determination of the streptothricins in biological objects without a complex preliminary sample preparation.     

Colorimetric determination of chloride in biological samples by using mercuric nitrate and diphenylcarbazone

A colorimetic method is outlined for the determination of the chloride ion in biological samples (blood serum, plasma, and urine). The present method is based on the quantitative reduction of free mercuric ions by chloride ions. Chloride ions form an indissociable complex with mercuric ions. The remaining free mercuric ions form a purple complex with diphenylcarbazone with an absorption maximum at 550 nm. The reduction of color intensity at 550 nm is directly proportional to chloride concentration in the sample. The linear concentration range in the final reaction mixture was 0–100 μM with a correlation coefficient of −0.9997. The coefficient of variation for the 50 μM chloride ion in the final reaction mixture was 0.9% (n=6). The analyzed value of chloride concentration in the human control serum Accutrol™ Normal (Sigma) was 101±4 mM (mean±SD, n=12). The certified value of chloride in Accutrol Normal by Sigma is 102 mM, with a mean in the range 91–113 mM. This method was applied to the measurement of urinary chloride excretion in experimental rats. During 16-h urine collection, no food was given and rats had free access to purified water. The urinary excretion rate of chloride was 23.6±9.3 μmol/h (mean±SD, n=8) and 126.2±28.0 μmol/h (n=8) for rats fed a normal diet (2.6 g NaCl/kg diet) and a high-salt diet (82.6 g NaCl/kg diet) for 70 d prior to urine collection, respectively. This method is appropriate for low concentrations of chloride in samples or when sample volume is limiting, as in many animal studies such as metabolic urine collection from rats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Area, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all agency services are available without discrimination. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of the products that may also be suitable.     

Quantitative characterization of binding of small molecules to extracellular matrix

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a major tissue component that, besides its cell support function, is implicated in cell-cell signaling, wound repair, cell adhesion, and other cell and tissue functions. For small molecules acting in tissues, including chemicals, signaling peptides, effectors, inhibitors, and other man-made and physiological compounds, non-specific binding to ECM is a critical phenomenon affecting their disposition. We describe here a method for a quantitative characterization of the ECM binding, using a solidified ECM layer incubated with medium containing studied small molecules. Working conditions of Matrigel, a commercial basement membrane preparation, were optimized in terms of the protein concentration, surface area, gel layer thickness, solidification time, and mixing speed. The release of proteins from the solidified layer into the buffer was monitored and taken into account. Two major proteins, laminin and collagen IV, dissolve at different rates. The Matrigel stability data, obtained under varying incubation conditions and gentle mixing, can also be useful in other ECM-related research. The experimental binding data, averaged over all binding sites, were analyzed assuming a fast linear binding. The binding constants were determined for 10 small organic molecules for both dissolved proteins and the solidified layer. The binding constants tend to increase with lipophilicity of the compounds, as characterized by the 1-octanol/water partition coefficients.     

Surface molecules and cell interactions

Many of the cell surface molecules of lymphocytes or their precursors are expressed in an unpredictable way on a limited set of other cell types. This often seems to involve expression on lymphoid and brain cells. The Thy-1 antigen is in this category, being a major glycoprotein of murine neuronal cells, fibroblasts and thymocytes. Structural studies show that this molecule is homologous with immunoglobulin domains which are the structural sub-units of all immunoglobulin polypeptides. Thy-1 is the size of one immunoglobulin domain and its sequence is most homologous with variable regions of immunoglobulins.It is suggested that Thy-1 is one of a set of surface molecules concerned with triggering interactions between cells and that this is the primitive function of the immunoglobulin domain. Cell interactions could be mediated by domain-like structures and receptors for them in a way which parallels the triggering of immunological effector reactions by the interaction of receptors with immunoglobulin constant regions. If this is so then the structure seen in the immunoglobulin domain would have evolved along with the evolution of cell organisation. The genes specifying the cell interaction molecules could then have provided the genetic material for the evolution of antibody and histocompatibility antigen at the time of vertebrate emergence.     

Isolation and characterization of sets of anti-l-fucose and anti-bovine serum albumin antibodies directed against a glycoconjugate ofl-fucose and bovine serum albumin

A set of anti-carbohydrate antibodies and a set of anti-protein antibodies were isolated from the serum of rabbits immunized with a glycoconjugate ofl-fucose and bovine serum albumin. The sets were separated by affinity chromatography by a two-column method on adsorbents withl-fucose or bovine serum albumin ligands. Isoelectrofocusing results showed that the anti-carbohydrate antibodies consisted of 11 molecular species and the anti-bovine serum albumin antibodies consisted of seven molecular species. The anti-carbohydrate antibodies are all of the IgG type while the anti-protein antibodies contain three types of globulin molecules, IgA, IgG, and IgM. The former antibodies should be useful as markers for unique glycoproteins of diseased cells and the latter antibodies may be useful for investigating the mechanism of simultaneous synthesis of three types of immunoglobulins.     

Dynamics of the interaction of polyreactive immunoglobulins with immobilized antigens]

The kinetic of polyreactive immunoglobulins (PRIG) and immobilized antigen interaction was examined at different temperatures. It was shown that this process can be described by the so-called "competitive" model, and the relatively simple method for the rate constant determination for this process was developed. According to the "competitive" model PRIG molecule could be either in "active" or in "inactive" state and dynamic equilibrium exist between "active" and "inactive" molecules which strongly depend on incubation temperature. Only "active" PRIG can interact with antigens, and this is the reason of strong temperature dependence of PRIG-antigen interaction. The data also show that the mechanism of PRIG-antigen interaction differ from that of antibody-antigen interaction.     

Preparation of hydrophobic cotton cloth

Summary Hydrophobic cotton cloths were prepared by heating cotton flannel in a mixture of alcohols or phenols, epichlorohydrin and 4 M NaOH. These cloths adsorbed as much bovine serum albumin as did a commercial preparation of phenyl agarose. -Galactosidase and -glucosidase adsorbed on the cloths were about 50% as active as free enzymes. Glucoamylase immobilized on naphthyl cloth in a packed bed column efficiently hydrolyzed soluble starch to glucose. These inexpensive media would be useful for commercial-scale hydrophobic chromatography and enzyme immobilization.     

The stimulatory effect of catalase on the formation in vitro of ethylene by an ethylene-forming enzyme purified from Penicillium digitatum

The dependence of the rate of formation of ethylene on the concentration of an ethylene-forming enzyme was determined with a purified preparation of the ethylene-forming enzyme from Penicillium digitatum IFO 9372. The relationship was n ot linear. When catalase and bovine serum albumin were added to the reaction mixture, the rate of formation of ethylene was directly proportional to the concentration of the enzyme. The non-linearity of the reaction, in the absence of these additives, is probably due to the hydroxyl radical ions (OH) produced by the Fenton reaction which occurs in the reaction mixture when ferrous ions and oxygen are present together under reducing conditions.     

A convenient microscale colorimetric method for terminal galactose on immunoglobulins.

A new approach for quantitative determination of terminal galactose (Gal) residues of immunoglobulins was developed by combining exoglycosidase digestion with the classical colorimetric estimation of reducing sugars. The ferricyanide colorimetric method was modified to increase the stability of the chromophore (Prussian blue) and adapted to determine the amount of terminal Gal residues present in immunoglobulins. The method involves the release of covalently bound Gal from immunoglobulins by Diplococcus pneumoniae beta-D-galactosidase (specific for beta(1,4) linked galactose), removal of the glycoprotein and enzyme from the reaction mixture by heat denaturation or ethanol precipitation, followed by colorimetric measurement of the released sugar using the ferricyanide assay. The ferricyanide method was modified to enhance the solubility and stability of the chromophore by increasing the concentration of aqueous sulfuric acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The linear range of the modified method was from approximately 11 to 111 microM Gal. Typical variation in assay results was on the order of 5%. Using the modified method, the terminal Gal content of a recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody (anti-CD20, rIgG) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was determined and evaluated for batch-to-batch consistency. The method was used to optimize pH, time, temperature, and enzyme concentration for beta-galactosidase digestion for maximal release of terminal Gal residues from rIgG.