Preparative isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients. II. A case report

The preparative aspects of isoelectric focusing (IEF) in immobilized pH gradients (IPG) have been investigated as a function of the following parameters: environmental ionic strength (I), gel geometry and shape of pH gradient. As model proteins, hemoglobin (Hb) A and a minor, glycosylated component (HbA1c), with a delta pI = 0.04 pH units, have been selected. The load capacity increases almost linearly, as a function of progressively higher I values, from 0.5 X up to 2 X molarity of buffering Immobiline (pK 7.0) to abruptly reach a plateau at 3 X concentration of buffering ion. The load capacity also increases almost linearly as a function of gel thickness from 1 to 5 mm, without apparently levelling off. When decreasing the pH interval from 1 pH unit (pH 6.8-7.8) to 1/2 pH unit (pH 7.05-7.55) the amount of protein loaded in the HbA zone could be increased by 40%. In 5 mm thick gels, at 2 X pK 7.0 Immobiline concentration, over a 1/2 pH unit span, up to 350 mg HbA (in a 12.5 X 11 cm gel) could be loaded in a single zone, the load limit of the system being around 45 mg protein/ml gel volume.     

Isoelectric focusing with reduced cathodic drift and migration into the anode chamber

An apparatus has been developed to reduce cathodic drift and migration into the anode chamber in vertical gel rod isoelectric focusing (IEF). In contrast to commercially available apparatuses, this apparatus can easily handle many more gels at one time, and the length, diameter and shape of its gel can be arbitrarily changed. In addition, high concentrations of detergent can be used to dissolve the protein samples, and removal of the gel cylinders from the glass tubes is easy.     

Isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients: generation and optimization of wide pH intervals with two-chamber mixers

A new technique for generating extended pH gradients (5 pH units) in Immobiline gels is reported. The previously described (J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods 7, 1983, 123-142) five-chamber gradient mixer has been replaced by a two-vessel device. A single mixture of the available Immobilines (pK 3.6, 4.6, 6.2, 7.0, 8.5 and 9.3) is made, with relative concentrations adjusted so as to produce the most uniform buffering power throughout the desired pH interval. This mixture is then divided into two portions, which are titrated to the extremes of the required pH span with an acidic titrant (Immobiline pK approximately 1) and a basic species (Immobiline pK 9.95). Highly reproducible pH gradients (pH 4-9) are thus generated, which appear extremely useful for the first dimensioned of 2-dimensional techniques. Our previously reported computer program has been implemented with an optimization algorithm which, given any cocktail of Immobilines, automatically adjusts the relative initial concentrations until the smoothest possible beta power is found. For the first time it is possible to perform IEF under controlled physico-chemical parameters: pH span and linearity, beta power, ionic strength and molarity of the buffering species.     

The action of lipase on chloroplast membranes: II. Polypeptide patterns of bean galactolipase- and phospholipase A2-treated thylakoid membranes

Thylakoid membranes obtained from bean chloroplasts treated with bean galactolipase or phospholipase A₂ (from Crotalus terr. terr.) showed marked changes in their polypeptide patterns when separated on SDS-PAGE. The obtained results have been discussed with regard to the relationship between chloroplast lipids and polypeptides originating from chlorophyll-protein complexes of bean thylakoids. A coexistence between galactolipids and the peripheral antennae in PS I complex and LHCP³ as well as a conspicuous role of phospholipids in PSI and PSII centre chlorophyll-protein complexes has to be underlined.Abbreviations CP1 chlorophyll a-protein complex of PSI - CPa chlorophyll a-protein complex of PSII - D₁₀ digitonin subchloroplast particles enriched in PSII - D₁₄₄ digitonin subchloroplast particles enriched in PSI - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - LHCP^1–3 light harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complexes - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - PSI photosystem I - PSII photosystem II - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate - TCA trichloroacetic acid - Tricine N-Tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methylglycine - Tris Tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethan     

Mechanism of depsipeptide formation catalyzed by enniatin synthetase

Covalently bound intermediates of enniatin B synthesis could be isolated from enniatin synthetase by treatment with performic acid. By comparison with products of mild alkaline cleavage of authentic enniatin B they could be identified as the dipeptide D-2-hydroxyisovaleryl-N-methylvaline and the corresponding tetrapeptide. Synthesis of enniatins apparently proceeds via condensation of dipeptides. This was confirmed by the use of the substrate analogue isovaleric acid, which has shown to be a strong inhibitor for enniatin synthesis by formation of N-isovaleryl-N-methyl valine.     

Application of sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis of hemolysate to the biochemical systematics of the rockfish Sebastes

Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis of rockfish hemolysate was carried out to investigate problems in the systematics of the genus Sebastes. Results generally revealed species-specific electropherograms that were generally intra-specifically invariant. Experimental findings supported the distinction of S. chrysomelas and S. carnatus as valid species which hitherto had not been accomplished on a morphometric or meristic basis. Moreover, common protein subunits occurred within all specimens studied, and additional interspecific differences suggested several biochemical subgroupings (caurinus, nebulosus; paucispinis, goodei; carnatus, chrysomelas, atrovirens, melanops, mystinus and serranoides). These proposed subgroupings generally differed from previous classifications based on morphometric and meristic data. Some of these differences may ultimately be attributed to pressure adaptive differences in the hemoglobin molecule.     

Radioactive labeling of proteins in cultured postimplantation mouse embryos II. Dose and time dependency

Summary The conditions for optimum incorporation of radioactive amino acids into proteins of cultured postimplantation mouse embryos were investigated under the aspect of using these proteins for two-dimensional electrophoretic separations and fluorography. The aim was to obtain highly radioactively labeled proteins under conditions as physiological as possible. Mouse embryos of Days 8, 10, and 11 of gestation were cultured in Tyrode’s solution. Incubation time and concentration of [³H (or¹⁴C)]amino acids in the culture medium were varied over a broad range. Embryos were prepared with placenta and yolk sac or without any embryonic envelopes. After culturing, the physiologic-morphologic state of the embryos was registered on the basis of several criteria. The radioactivity taken up by the total protein of each embryo was determined and calculated in disintegrations per minute per milligram protein per embryo. To approach our aim, embryos of different developmental stages had to be cultured under different conditions. A good compromise for Day-8, Day-10, and Day-11 embryos was: embryos prepared with yolk sac (opened) and placenta, 150 μCi radioactive amino acids added per milliliter medium, incubation for 4 to 5 h. For maximum labeling of proteins it is advisable to culture Day-10 embryos without embryonic envelopes under particular conditions. This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft awarded to the project K1 237/3-2 (Systematic analysis of cell proteins).     

GENETIC RELATEDNESS OF TWO POPULATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL, MIROUNGA LEONINA

Blood samples from southern elephant seals ( Mirounga leonina ) from Heard and Macquarie Islands were surveyed electrophoretically for protein variation. Thirty proteins encoded by a minimum of 35 loci were screened, four of which were found to be polymorphic. Statistically significant differences in allele frequencies were found between the two populations at three loci. Heterozygosity estimates for the Heard and Macquarie island populations were 0.034 ± 0.020 (mean ± standard error) and O.029 ± 0.017 respectively, with a Nei distance of 0.007. The findings suggest that the two populations may have diverged genetically and very limited gene flow exists between the islands, a finding consistent with limited information from mark-recapture studies.     

Differential Expression of mRNA and Protein Encoding Retinal and Pineal S-Antigen During the Light/Dark Cycle

S-Antigen is a soluble cell protein unique to the retina and pineal gland. In the former, it is a well-characterized molecule that participates in light-induced signal transduction in photoreceptor cells. In the latter, the functional role is presently not known. The expression of S-antigen and its mRNA was examined in the rat retina and pineal gland throughout the diurnal cycle and with light interruption of the dark cycle. A cDNA for rat S-antigen was isolated from a pineal gland library to examine the mRNAs. A 1.7-kb mRNA for S-antigen was observed in both the pineal gland and the retina. Retinal S-antigen mRNA was expressed throughout the diurnal cycle and increased with light interruption of the dark cycle. In contrast, pineal gland S-antigen mRNA levels were detectable only during the dark and were absent preceding and during light. The phenotypic expression of immunoreactive S-antigen, identified with two S-antigen monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), MAb A9C6 and MAb C10C10, was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel (PAGE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF) electrophoresis. Immunoblot analysis of gels after SDS-PAGE revealed a single 46-kDa protein in retina. In contrast, two bands of approximately 43 and 46 kDa were identified in the pineal gland. Immunoblots of the retinal extracts separated by IEF electrophoresis revealed five S-antigen isomers, which vary quantitatively throughout the diurnal cycle and when light interrupted the dark cycle. Immunoblots of the pineal gland samples separated by IEF electrophoresis indicated that the pineal gland possesses four pineal gland-specific forms of S-antigen in addition to the five forms present in the retina. The differences observed in the mRNA and protein analyses suggest tissue-specific structural components for S-antigen in the retina and pineal gland that are not regulated in the same manner.