DEAE-Sephadex Column Research Articles

Purification of cyclic β-1,2-glucan synthetase from Agrobacterium radiobacter

A cyclic β-1,2-glucan synthetase was solubilized by sonicating 100,000 × g pellets of the crude extract of Agrobacterium radiobacter IFO 12665 A1–5 in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The enzyme was separated by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography into adsorbed and nonadsorbed fractions (cyclic β-1,2-glucan synthetases I and II, respectively). Both enzymes were further purified by Toyo-pearl HW55 gel filtration and high performance liquid chromatography on Shodex WS-803. Neither enzyme could penetrate into 4% polyacrylamide gel in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The specific activity of synthetase I was 9.5 × 10 −4 units/mg and it was purified 26-fold from the crude extract with a yield of 1.9%. Synthetase I was optimal at 33°C and pH 8–9 for the enzyme reaction. The activity was almost stable up to 40°C for 30 min, and mostly inactivated at 50°C for 30 min. The enzyme activity was stimulated about three times with the addition of 10–20 mM FeCl 3. The enzyme produced the same cyclic β-1,2-glucan with a polymerization degree of 17–24 from UDP-glucose that the cell produced. The specific activity of synthetase II was 23.6 × 10 −4 units/mg and it was purified 60-fold from the crude extract with a yield of 2.3%.

Improved separation of lysoglycolipids from solvolysates by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

This paper describes the preparation of lysoglycosphingolipids by improved separation procedures. After desalting from the hydrazinolysate or alkaline hydrolysate of neutral glycolipids and sulphatide, the lipid mixtures were fractionated on a second reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography column to yield lysogalactosylceramide, lysolactosylceramide, lysoglobotriaosylceramide and lysoglobotetraosylceramide with a recovery rate of 50–68%. Lysosulphatide was separated from the desalted hydrazinolysate by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography with a recovery rate of 75%. The purified lysoglycolipids were characterized by proton NMR spectrometry.

PURIFICATION AND SOME PROPERTIES OF LINAMARASE FROM CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta) CORTEX

The enzyme linamarase (E. C. 3.2.1.21) has been purified from cassava cortex (Manihot caculenta) by techniques involving acetone precipitation, ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Two peaks of linamarase activity (A & B) were eluted by linear gradient on DEAE-Sephadex column. Both forms of the enzyme were found to catalyze similar reactions, however, at different rates. Double reciprocal plots from initial velocity data gave Km of 1.47 mM & 1.44 mM for linamarase A & B, respectively, with linamarin as substrate. The Km values with the artificial substrate para-nitrophenyl glucoside (PNP-G) were 0.48 mM, Both enzyme forms exhibited maximal activity at pH 6.0 and 30°C. Arrhenius plots gave activation energy (Ea) as 49 KJ/mole (11.72 Kcal mole−1) and 36.5 KJ/mole (8.72 Kcal mole−1) for linamarase A & B, respectively. Analysis of cyanide levels in cassava and its products with the crude enzyme showed the leaves to contain high levels of the toxic factor.

Immunocheraical investigation of allergens from Rhizopus nigricans

The allergenic proteins of mould, Rhizopus nigricans extract (RNE) were identified and characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), thin-layer isoelectrofocusing (TLIEF) and RAST inhibition. CIE revealed that the extract contained at least 31 distinct antigens. On TLIEF the extract resolved into 22 bands in pI 3.5-6.8. Two important allergens, Rhiz IIIb and VIb were purified by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex column and gel filtration. Twenty and 12 micrograms of Rhiz IIIb and Rhiz VIb were sufficient to give 50% RAST inhibition as against 43 micrograms of crude RNE. Rhiz IIIb and Rhiz VIb were found to be glycoproteins with molecular weights of 12,400 daltons and 14,200 daltons, respectively. Rhiz IIIb was found to be homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and TLIEF with a pI of 4.8, while Rhiz VIb gave a single band on PAGE and resolved into two Coomassie blue stained bands with pI 3.6 and 3.8. It was possible to separate the components of RNE on fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) using an anion exchanger Mono Q column. The identification and characterization of the antigenic and allergenic proteins in the extract will be useful in standardization of RNE and in preparation of an in-house reference standard.

Sugar constituents of fucose-containing polysaccharides from various Japanese brown algae

Sugar constituents of the fucose-containing polysaccharides (FCPs) from 21 species of brown algae were analyzed. FCPs were extracted with hot water (100 °C, 4 h), separated by precipitation with 20% (v:v) ethanol in the presence of 0.05 M MgCl2 to remove contaminating soluble alginate, and purified by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. The samples were hydrolyzed with HCI, and neutral sugar and uronic acid were separated by anion exchange chromatography. Their amounts were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The neutral sugars in the FCPs from Ishige okamurae, Laminaria ochotensis, Myelophycus simplex, Padina arborescens and Sargassum thunbergii all contained arabinose, fucose, galactose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose residues. The FCPs from Ishige okamurae, Padina arborescens, Sargassum hemiphyllum, S. patents and S. sagamianum contained the four uronic acids, galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, guluronic acid and mannuronic acid.

Hyaluronic Acid-Like Substance from Mouse Ovaries with Angiogenic Activity

Glycosaminoglycans prepared from extracts of non-luteal mouse ovaries (JCL-ICR strain) were assayed for neovascularization by implanting Elvax films, impregnated with test samples, on the lateral wall of the sheath of m. rectus abdominis in adult mice of the same strain. Neovascularization occurred in a dose-dependent manner. When purified by chromatography on Dowex 1-x2 and DEAE Sephadex columns, fractions eluted with 0.5 M NaCl showed strong neovascularizing activity. On further purification by high performance liquid chromatography using TSK gel DEAE 2 SW column, the fraction with a retention time nearly coincident with that of hyaluronic acid possessed high neovascularizing activity. The activity of this fraction was markedly reduced when treated with streptococcal hyaluronidase. The present results suggest that glycosaminoglycans, especially a hyaluronic acid-like substance, are involved in ovarian neovascularization.

Solid-phase double-antibody radio-immunoassay for atrial natriuretic factor

A solid-phase radio-immunoassay for the determination of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in human plasma is described. Iodination of alpha hANF was carried out with the iodogen method. Purification of radio-iodinated alpha hANF was performed by chromatography on disposable columns of DEAE-Sephadex A-25. Studies of immunoreactivity and the elution pattern on HPLC showed perfect stability of the labelled compounds. The tracer was usable for 28 weeks after preparation, and the batch-to-batch variation in the quality of the tracer was satisfactory. Immunoreactive ANF was extracted from human plasma with Sep-Pak C18 cartridges. Recovery of alpha hANF added to whole blood was 85 +/- 12% (mean +/- SD, n = 12). The sensitivity of the radio-immunoassay was 1.6 pg/tube, equivalent to 1 pg/ml plasma when assaying the extract from 4 ml plasma. Mean plasma ANF values in normal subjects in the supine position was 23 +/- 12 pg/ml (mean +/- SD, n = 21).

Mono-Sulfated Globotetraosylceramide from Human Kidney1

A novel sulfated glycosphingolipid that belongs to "globo-series" was isolated from human kidney. This lipid was purified from a pooled kidney preparation by chloroform-methanol extraction, mild alkaline treatment, DEAE-Sephadex and silicic acid column chromatographies, and preparative TLC. The structure and the properties were studied by IR spectroscopy, proton NMR spectroscopy, negative secondary ion-mass spectrometry, solvolysis, periodate oxidation, compositional and methylation analyses, monoclonal antibodies, and a sulfatide-binding protein. From the results of the above analyses, the structure of this glycolipid was proposed to be HSO3-3GalNAc beta 1-3Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1ceramide. This sulfated lipid reacted with a monoclonal anti-SSEA-3 (stage-specific embryonic antigen-3) (MC-631) (Kannagi, R., Cochran, N.A., Ishigami, F., Hakomori, S., Andrews, P.W., Knowles, B.B., & Solter, D. (1983) EMBO J. 2, 2355-2361), whose epitope is R-3GalNAc beta 1-3Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta 1-R', on TLC and solid-phase radioimmunoassay. This lipid also bound to the 125I-labeled sulfatide-binding protein, thrombospondin. The yield of this sulfated glycolipid was 34 pmol/g of tissue, which was about 0.028, 0.16, and 18 mol% of galactosyl- and lactosylceramide sulfates, and globopentosylceramide sulfate (Nagai, K.-i., Roberts, D.D., Toida, T., Matsumoto, H., Kushi, Y., Handa, S., & Ishizuka, I. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, in press), respectively, in human kidney.

An assay method for ganglioside synthase using anion-exchange chromatography

A rapid procedure which is based on combined ion-exchange chromatography and solubility was established for determination of the activity of ganglioside synthases and cerebroside sulfotransferase. The procedure consists of selective elution of radiolabeled reaction products (acidic glycolipids) freed from labeled precursors and breakdown products on a DEAE-Sephadex column and of direct radioassay of the products in the eluate. Monosialogangliosides were eluted from the column with 40 m m ammonium acetate (AcONH 4) in methanol, cerebroside sulfate with 90 m m AcONH 4 in methanol, and disialogangliosides with 40 m m AcONH 4 in isopropanol/ n-hexane/water (55/20/19, v/v/v). The established procedure is simple, reproducible, and economical. Using rat Golgi membrane as enzyme source the recovery rate of the products was over 95%.

Acute toxicity and urinary excretion of diphenyldiselenide

The acute toxicity of diphenyldiselenide (DPDS) in the male Swiss mouse was found to be enhanced by pretreatment with phenobarbital of SKF-525A. DPDS decreased hepatic glutathione content by 50% at 1 h after administration. Following administration of 14C-DPDS, labelled metabolites were found in urine but not in bile or feces. Analysis of the urinary metabolites of 14C-DPDS showed that selenium-containing metabolites elute from a DEAE-Sephadex column in two fractions: the first has not been chemically characterized, while the second peak contained the glucuronide conjugates of C 6H 4(OH)SeH and C 6H 5SeH. Virtually all of the administered selenium is excreted within 5 days, while only about 36% of the 14C is exercted in the same time period. This discrepancy indicates metabolic scission of the carbon selenium bond.

Different polymorphic variants of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in Italy.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is common in Italy and recent biochemical and kinetic studies have demonstrated the presence of polymorphic variants associated with severe or mild enzyme deficiency. We performed a biochemical characterization of G6PD in a large number of Italian G6PD deficient men in an attempt to identify the most reliable biochemical indices for discriminating polymorphic G6PD variants and to define their distribution throughout the country. Three polymorphic G6PD variants, respectively named Mediterranean, Cagliari and Sassari, were identified. The elution profile on DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography, substrate analogue utilization and the Michaelis constant for G6P were the most significant parameters to discriminate polymorphic variants among the variants with activity levels lower than 0.8 IU/g Hb. The distribution of the polymorphic variants, in relation to the origin of the subjects studied, differs throughout the country.

Synthesis of pyrene derivatives of cerebroside sulfate and their use for determining arylsulfatase A activity

Two fluorescent derivatives of cerebroside sulfate (‘sulfatide’) have been synthesized and used as substrates for determining arylsulfatase A activity. These were 12-(1-pyrene)dodecanoyl cerebroside sulfate (P12-sulfatide) and 12(1-pyrenesulfonylamido)dodecanoyl cerebroside sulfate (PSA12-sulfatide). When incubated at pH 5.0 in the presence of 5 mM MnCl 2 and 5.5 mM of taurodeoxycholate, either substrate was hydrolyzed by arylsulfatase A of human leukocytes. The rate of hydrolysis was proportional to the incubation time and concentration of enzyme; Michaelis-Menten type kinetics were observed with increasing concentrations of substrate. For determining the rate of hydrolysis, each of the two products (i.e., P12- and PSA12-cerebrosides) were separated from the bulk of respective unreacted sulfatide on small columns of DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and their fluorescence intensities read at 343–378 and 350–380 nm for the excitation and emission wavelengths for P12- and PSA12-cerebrosides, respectively. When extracts of skin fibroblasts derived from normal individuals and patients with Maroteaux-Lamy (lacking arylsulfatase B) or metachromatic leukodystrophy (lacking arylsulfatase A) were used as source of enzyme, P12-sulfatide was hydrolyzed by the former two but not by the latter cell extract. Several derivatives of cerebroside sulfate were also synthesized and found to inhibit the hydrolysis of pyrenesulfatide by leukocyte arylsulfatase A. The results demonstrate that these two pyrene containing sulfatides can be effectively used as specific substrates for the determination of arylsulfatase A activity in extract of cells and most probably also of tissues.

High Resolution Proton NMR Studies of Gangliosides: Structure of two types of GD3 lactones and their reactivity with monoclonal antibody R24

Ganglioside GD3 was converted at room temperature to two stable lactones, denoted as GD3 lactones I and II. The reaction sequence was presumed to be GD3----GD3 lactone I----GD3 lactone II based on the time course of their production. Lactone I behaved as a monosialoganglioside and lactone II as a neutral species. The two lactones were isolated by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. The positions of the inner ester linkages were investigated by two-dimensional J-correlated proton NMR spectroscopy. An ester linkage was most likely formed between the carboxyl group of the external sialic acid residue and C9-OH of the internal sialic acid residue in lactone I. In addition to this ester linkage, a second ester linkage between the carboxyl group of the internal sialic acid and C2-OH of the galactose residue was likely formed in lactone II. The structural changes induced by lactonization were further examined by their reactivity with the monoclonal antibody R24 (Puckel, C. S., Lloyd, K. O., Travassos, L. R., Dippold, W. G., Oettgen, H. F., and Old, L. J. (1982) J. Exp. Med. 155, 1133-1147), which reacted with GD3. R24 was found to bind weakly to GD3 lactone I, but not to GD3 lactone II. The results suggest that the monoclonal antibody requires both sialic acid residues for high affinity binding, and the complete lactonization results in a loss of negative charges and/or a change in the overall conformation of the oligosaccharide moiety which may account for the loss of binding.

Population and biochemical genetics of the human mitochondrial malic enzyme.

The phenotypic variation of the mitochondrial malic enzyme (MEM) was examined in 121 brains and 46 heart tissue samples from the population of north-east England. There was no difference in gene frequency distribution between sexes and the two tissues. However, a significant variation has been observed in males compared with a Scottish study. The three common phenotypes of brain were partially purified on a DEAE Sephadex column. The kinetics, heat stability and dicumarol inhibition studies show no biochemical advantage for any of the phenotypes in human brain. The extensive polymorphism of MEM suggests a possible, yet unknown, selective factor for the spread of this polymorphism. With the existing evidence of regional and racial differences, the role of random genetic drift cannot be ruled out.

Monoclonal Antibodies Directed to the Calcium-Free Conformation of Human Protein S

Four mouse hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies specific for human protein S (PS) have been generated. The antibodies, all of the IgG1 subclass, were designated S2, S3, S8, and S10. In a fluid phase radioimmunoassay, the binding of monoclonal antibodies to PS was about 30% greater in the presence of EDTA and totally inhibited in presence of Ca2+. Using the same technique, we performed displacement curves of 125I-labeled PS by purified PS, thrombin-cleaved PS, normal plasma, plasma from a patient on warfarin therapy, and plasma from a patient with no free PS and only PS bound to C4b-binding protein. The slopes of the curves show that the monoclonal antibodies reacted equally with all the tested forms of PS indicating that the antigenic site(s) to which the monoclonal antibodies are directed are present and exposed in free and bound PS, in thrombin-cleaved PS, and in the coumarin form of the protein. Each EDTA-dependent antibody, immobilized on Sepharose 4B-CNBr was used to purify PS from the barium citrate-absorbed, ammonium sulphate-soluble fraction of plasma. The fraction eluted from the immunoabsorbent with a buffer containing 4 mmol/l CaCl2 and analysed by SDS-PAGE, contained two bands, one migrating with conventionally purified PS and the other with purified C4b-binding protein. Homogeneous PS was obtained by chromatography of the barium citrate adsorbate on a DEAE-Sephadex column. The protein peak containing the bulk of PS was subsequently applied to the immunoadsorbent and eluted with 4 mmol/l CaCl2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Separation and properties of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from human seminal plasma

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from human seminal plasma has been separated by the cellulose acetate electrophoresis into two components, isoenzyme I and II. The two isoenzymes are readily separated on a DEAE-Sephadex column. Isoenzyme I which has adsorbed to the column, is eluted at 0.1 M NaCl, whereas isoenzyme II has passed through the column. The following enzyme properties have been obtained: 1) Both isoenzymes show the same Km values (0.27 X 10(-3) M) towards sodio-m-cresol-sufonphtaleinyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide . 2) Both isoenzymes show the same pH optima of 5.4. 3) Optimal temperature for isoenzyme I is 50 degrees C, while that for isoenzyme II is 65 degrees C. Isoenzyme II is heat stable, while isoenzyme I is easily denatured by heat. These characteristics of isoenzyme I and II coincide with previous reports of NAG A and B from the spleen and the kidney, respectively. The activity ratio of isoenzyme I and II has been studied for the reproductive tissues. The % ratio of isoenzyme I and II in the epididymal head is 62 and 38, that in the epididymal tail is 42 and 58, and 38:62 in the seminal vesicle, 35:65 in the prostatic gland and 27:73 in the seminal plasma.

Intravenous human rabies immunoglobulin for post-exposure prophylaxis: serum rabies neutralizing antibody concentrations and side-effects

The beneficial effect of passive immunization for post-exposure rabies prophylaxis is associated with the appearance of serum neutralizing antibody (SNA) earlier than occurs with vaccine alone. We compared the SNA response and the side-effects in 30 previously unimmunized healthy volunteers given a commercially available human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) intramuscularly (i.m.) or an experimental HRIG prepared by DEAE Sephadex column chromatography, intravenously (i.v.) with or without human diploid-cell culture rabies vaccine (HDCS). The subjects were divided into five equal groups: HDCS alone, HDCS + i.m. HRIG 20 IU/kg (currently recommended) i.v. HRIG alone 15 IU/kg, HDCS + i.v. HRIG 15 IU/kg or HDCS + HRIG 5 IU/kg i.v. plus 10 IU/kg i.m. to simulate local bite wound infiltration. HDCS, 1·0 ml, was injected subcutaneously (s.c.) on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28. Only local discomfort at injection sites was observed without differences between groups. SNA was demonstrated in all HRIG recipients at day 1, but the concentrations were higher in those receiving it intravenously. No difference in the SNA response to vaccine was observed between the i.v. and i.m. HRIG groups given the same vaccine lot. It would appear that i.v. HRIG 15 IU/kg can be substituted for i.m. HRIG 20 IU/kg for post-exposure prophylaxis. Since the current regimen is almost 100% protective, there is noway of proving that i.v. HRIG 15 IU/kg is more efficacious. The immediate SNA level and economy are the chief advantages of i.v. HRIG 15 IU/kg.

Purification and kinetics of mouse liver fructose 6-phosphate, 2-kinase.

The mouse liver fructose 6-phosphate, 2-kinase was purified by ultracentrifugation, polyethylene glycol precipitation, and subsequently by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, Blue-Sepharose and phasphocellulose columns. Gel filtration and SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis showed that the enzyme has a molecular weight of 110,000 with two identical subunits. Mg2+ is essential for its activity. The activation of the enzyme by Mg2+ showed a positive cooperativity. The substrate saturation curve for fructose 6-phosphate was sigmoidal and for ATP was hyperbolic. The Km's for ATP increased with decrease in concentrations of fructose 6-phosphate indicating that the sequence for the substrates binding was in an ordered mechanism with respect to fructose 6-phosphate prior to ATP. An ionizable residue at the active site with pKa 9.5 was essential for the ATP binding and the pKa shifted to 9.8 after the binding of ATP.

Transcription of a U6 small nuclear RNA gene in vitro. Transcription of a mouse U6 small nuclear RNA gene in vitro by RNA polymerase III is dependent on transcription factor(s) different from transcription factors IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC.

U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), an essential component of the eukaryotic spliceosomes, is unique in that it is synthesized by RNA polymerase III, while all other U-snRNAs are synthesized by RNA polymerase II. U6 genes are notable for functional upstream regulatory elements which resemble RNA polymerase II regulatory sequence motifs. In this study, the optimal conditions for transcription of the U6 snRNA gene in vitro were found to be similar to conditions optimal for transcription of 5S RNA genes. To purify the trans-acting factors necessary for the transcription of the U6 RNA gene, HeLa cell extracts were fractionated on a DEAE-Sephadex column, and three fractions, designated DE-50, DE-175, and DE-500, were obtained by stepwise elution with 50, 175, and 500 mM ammonium sulfate, respectively. DE-175 fraction transcribed tRNA and 5S RNA genes but not a mouse U6 RNA gene. Complementation of the DE-175 fraction with the DE-50 fraction resulted in the transcription of the U6 RNA gene. Experiments in which the transcription factor (TFIIIA) was selectively inactivated indicated that TFIIIA is not required for the transcription of the U6 RNA gene. These results show that the U6 snRNA gene, although transcribed by RNA polymerase III, differs from tRNA and 5S RNA genes in that factors other than TFIIIA, -IIIB, and -IIIC are required for U6 gene transcription in vitro.

Purification of nucleotide-linked peptide

Affinity labeling of nucleotide-binding enzymes/proteins with 32P-labeled nucleotides is a powerful technique to identify nucleotide-binding proteins as well as to radiolabel the specific binding site. We have used this approach for labeling a nucleotide-binding domain in DNA polymerase and have isolated peptides bearing the linked nucleotides. The method used for separating tryptic peptides on hydrophobic matrices with an acetonitrile gradient in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as eluent results in loss of radioactivity, presumably through dissociation of the cross-linked nucleotide. This can be averted by the use of a non-acidic medium in the peptide purification protocol. We have devised a relatively simple procedure to concentrate the nucleotide-linked peptides by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A25. Most neutral and basic peptides as well as free nucleotides are removed by eluting the DEAE-Sephadex column with 0.2 M ammonium bicarbonate. The nucleotide-linked peptide is then eluted with 0.6 M ammonium bicarbonate. Radioactivity in the collected fractions is conveniently determined by scintillation counting. Labeled peptide in the 0.6 M ammonium bicarbonate eluate can be purified on a C 4 reversed-phase column with an acetonitrile gradient in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). By this procedure, 32P-labeled nucleotide linked with protein/peptide can be quantitatively purified with minimum loss.