High Molecular Weight Ligands Research Articles

Iron oxide-carbon nanocomposites modified by organic ligands: Novel pore structure design of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

• HML–iron oxide-carbon composite tailored with organic ligands successfully prepared. • Composite’s regulated pore structure depends on organic ligands’ molecular weight. • Composite shows facilitated Li + transport and reversible electrochemical kinetics. • The composite displays an excellent electrochemical performance. Iron oxide-carbon nanocomposites modified with organic ligands ( l -iron oxide-carbon) were prepared by a hydrothermal process and subsequent thermal treatments for application as lithium-ion battery anode materials. The use of polyacrylic acid as the organic ligand effectively inhibited the agglomeration and additional growth of iron oxide nanoparticles, helping to form the porous composite structure. The molecular weights of the as-employed polymeric organic ligands were further regulated (high-molecular-weight ligands (HMLs) and low-molecular-weight ligands (LMLs) were used) to control the pore structure of the composite. Interestingly, since the pore structure of the composite depended on the molecular weight (or radius of gyration) of the polymeric organic ligand, HML-based composites possessed a larger pore volume and larger pore size than those of the LML-based one. The as-formed HML-iron oxide-carbon composite contained homogeneously distributed iron oxide nanoparticles in the porous graphitic carbon matrix obtained by regulated thermal treatments involving carbonization and oxidation. In the comparative electrochemical (EC) test for the samples (HML-iron oxide-carbon and controls), HML-iron oxide-carbon exhibited superior performance (retained capacity: 835 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 1 A/g; rate capability: 628 mAh/g at 3 A/g) compared to that of the controls (LML-iron oxide-carbon, iron oxide-carbon, iron oxide, and porous carbon). HML-iron oxide-carbon also exhibited an increased capacity of 835 mAh/g at 1 A/g after prolonged cycling (after 100 cycles). This outstanding EC performance of HML-iron oxide-carbon can be attributed to its unique composite structure design obtained by the introduction of HMLs and consecutive thermal treatments.

Role of phytoplankton in aquatic mercury speciation and transformations

Environmental context Understanding mercury transformations in the aquatic environment is of utmost importance for the improvement of mercury biogeochemical modelling and sound environmental risk assessment. In such a context, we discuss critically the advancement in the knowledge on the role of the phytoplankton (algae and cyanobacteria) in mercury cycling and transformations in the aquatic environment. Important research advances revealed that different microalgal species and cyanobacteria contribute: to biotic reduction of inorganic mercury to elemental mercury; to demethylation of methylmercury and transformation of inorganic mercury into metacinnabar; and to production of different biomolecules which can contribute to abiotic mercury reduction. Abstract Phytoplankton may directly influence biogeochemical cycling and transformations of mercury (Hg) through biotic transformations of the accumulated metal via methylation/demethylation and reduction/oxidation, and indirectly, through the excretion of low and high molecular weight ligands, likely triggering or influencing different abiotic transformation pathways as well as the transformations carried out by bacteria. However, unlike the extensive work already done on the role of bacteria in Hg transformations, the current knowledge about the influence of phytoplankton (algae and cyanobacteria) on such processes is still limited. Critical evaluation of the existing advances in the research topic revealed that different microalgal species and cyanobacteria contribute to the biotic reduction of inorganic mercury (iHg or HgII) into elemental Hg (Hg0), monomethylmercury (MeHg) demethylation and transformation of iHg into metacinnabar. The low and high molecular weight biomolecules released by phytoplankton can complex Hg species and contribute to abiotic mercury reduction. Despite these advances, the underlying mechanisms and their importance in the aquatic environment are to be explored and detailed. The development of novel molecular, stable isotope-based and multi-omics approaches would provide further impetus for the understanding of the key interactions between Hg species and phytoplankton. Such understanding will be of utmost importance for the improvement of Hg biogeochemical modelling, mitigation strategies and rational environmental risk assessment in the changing aquatic environment.

Assessment of copper, iron, zinc and manganese status and speciation in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study

BackgroundThe objective of this pilot study was to assess iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) status (hair, serum, and urine) and speciation (serum) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. MethodsA pilot study involving a total of 27 subjects (13 PD patients, 14 controls) was performed. Serum, urine, and hair metal content was assessed using ICP-MS. Speciation analysis of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn was performed using a hybrid HPLC-ICP-MS system. ResultsGroup comparisons did not reveal any significant group difference in serum Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn total metal level between PD patients and controls. Speciation analysis revealed a significant decrease in Cu/ceruloplasmin copper in association with elevation of low-molecular weight species (amino acids)-bound copper. It is proposed that in PD, binding of Cu(II) ions to ceruloplasmin is reduced and free copper ions coordinate with low molecular weight ligands. The level of Mn-albumin complexes in PD patients was more than 4-fold higher as compared to the respective value in the control group. The observed difference may be considered as a marker of redistribution between high and low molecular weight ligands. ConclusionsMetal speciation is significantly affected in serum of PD-patients. These findings are indicative of the potential role of metal metabolism and PD pathogenesis, although the exact mechanisms of such associations require further detailed studies.

Green fluorescent protein fused to peptide agonists of two dissimilar G protein-coupled receptors: novel ligands of the bradykinin B2 (rhodopsin family) receptor and parathyroid hormone PTH1 (secretin family) receptor.

We hypothesized that peptide hormone sequences that stimulate and internalize G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) could be prolonged with a functional protein cargo. To verify this, we have selected two widely different pairs of peptide hormones and GPCRs that nevertheless share agonist-induced arrestin-mediated internalization. For the parathyroid hormone (PTH) PTH1 receptor (PTH1R) and the bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor (B2R), we have designed fusion proteins of the agonists PTH1-34 and maximakinin (MK, a BK homologue) with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), thus producing candidate high molecular weight ligands. According to docking models of each hormone to its receptor, EGFP was fused either at the N-terminus (MK) or C-terminus (PTH1-34) of the ligand; the last construction is also secretable due to inclusion of the preproinsulin signal peptide and has been produced as a conditioned medium. EGFP-MK has been produced as a lysate of transfected cells. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for GFP, average concentrations of 1.5 and 1670 nmol/L, respectively, of ligand were found in these preparations. The functional properties and potential of these analogs for imaging receptor-expressing cells were examined. Microscopic and cytofluorometric evidence of specific binding and internalization of both fusion proteins was obtained using recipient HEK 293a cells that expressed the cognate recombinant receptor. Endosomal colocalization studies were conducted (Rab5, Rab7, β-arrestin1). Evidence of agonist signaling was obtained (expression of c-Fos, cyclic AMP responsive element (CRE) reporter gene for PTH1-34-EGFP). The constructs PTH1-34-EGFP and EGFP-MK represent bona fide agonists that support the feasibility of transporting protein cargoes inside cells using GPCRs.

Oral zinc supplementation restore high molecular weight seminal zinc binding protein to normal value in Iraqi infertile men

BackgroundZinc in human seminal plasma is divided into three types of ligands which are high (HMW), intermediate (IMW), and low molecular weight ligands (LMW). The present study was aimed to study the effect of Zn supplementation on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of semen along with Zinc Binding Protein levels in the seminal plasma in asthenozoospermic patients.MethodsSemen samples were obtained from 37 fertile and 37 asthenozoospermic infertile men with matched age. The subfertile group was treated with zinc sulfate, every participant took two capsules per day for three months (each one 220mg). Semen samples were obtained (before and after zinc sulfate supplementation). After liquefaction seminal fluid at room temperature, routine semen analyses were performed. For determination of the amount of zinc binding proteins, the gel filtration of seminal plasma on Sephadex G-75 was performed. All the fractions were investigated for protein and for zinc concentration by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Evaluation of chromatograms was made directly from the zinc concentration in each fraction.ResultsA significant high molecular weight zinc binding ligands percentage (HMW-Zn %) was observed in seminal plasma of fertile males compared with subfertile males. However, seminal low molecular weight ligands (LMW-Zn) have opposite behavior. The mean value of semen volume, progressive sperm motility percentage and total normal sperm count were increased after zinc sulfate supplementation.ConclusionsZinc supplementation restores HMW-Zn% in seminal plasma of asthenozoospermic subjects to normal value. Zinc supplementation elevates LMW-Zn% in seminal plasma of asthenozoospermic subjects to more than normal value.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01612403

Fragment-based identification of multi-target ligands by self-organizing map alignment

In the recent years the prevalent paradigm in drug discovery of „one drug – one target – one disease“, following the assumption that highly selective ligands would avoid unwandted side effects caused by binding to seconday non-theratpeutic targets, got reconsidered. The results of post-genomic and network biology showed that proteins rarely act in isolated systems but rather as a part of a highly connected network [1]. It was further shown that the efficacy of several approved drugs is traced back to the fact that they act on multiple targets [2]. Therefore inhibiting a single target of such a network might not lead to the desired therapeutic effect. These findings lead to a shift towards polypharmacology [3] and the rational design of selective multi-target drugs, which have often improved efficacy [4]. But the design of multi target drugs is still a great challenge in regard of a sufficient activity on each target as well as an adequate pharmacokinetic profile [5]. Early design strategies tried to link the pharmacophors of known inhibitors, however these methods often lead to high molecular weight and low ligand efficiency. We present a new approach based on self-organizing maps [3,6] (SOM) for the identification of multi-target fragments. We describe a workflow that initially identifies multi-target relevant substructures with a combination of maximum common substructure search and the alignment of multiple SOMs. Furthermore, these substructures are trained together with a fragment library on additional SOMs to find new multi-target fragments, validated by saturation transfer difference (STD)-NMR and biochemical assay systems. We used our approach for the identification of new dual-acting inhibitors of 5Lipoxygenase (5-LO) and soluble Epoxide Hydrolase (sEH), both enzymes located in the arachidonic acid cascade and involved in inflammatory processes, pain and cadiovascular diseases.

Rational, computer-aided design of multi-target ligands

Over the past two decades the “one drug – one target – one disease” concept became the prevalent paradigm in drug discovery. The main idea of this approach is the identification of a single protein target whose inhibition leads to a successful treatment of the examined disease. The predominant assumption is that highly selective ligands would avoid unwanted side effects caused by binding to secondary non-therapeutic targets. In recent years the results of post-genomic and network biology showed that proteins rarely act in isolated systems but rather as a part of a highly connected network [1]. In addition this connectivity leads to more robust systems that cannot be interfered by the inhibition of a single target of that network and consequently might not lead to the desired therapeutic effect [2]. Furthermore studies prove that robust systems are rather affected by weak inhibitions of several parts than by a complete inhibition of a single selected element of that system [3]. Therefore there is an increasing interest in developing drugs that take effect on multiple targets simultaneously but is concurrently a great challenge for medicinal chemists. There has to be a sufficient activity on each target as well as an adequate pharmacokinetic profile [4]. Early design strategies tried to link the pharmacophors of known inhibitors, however these methods often lead to high molecular weight and low ligand efficacy. We present a new rational approach based on a retrosynthetic combinatorial analysis procedure [5] on approved ligands of multiple targets. These RECAP fragments are used to design a large combinatorial library containing molecules featuring chemical properties of each ligand class. The molecules are further validated by machine learning models, like random forests and self-organizing maps, regarding their activity on the targets of interest.

Organotins. formation, use, speciation, and toxicology.

The speciation of organotin(IV) cations in natural waters, in sewage or in biofluids is strongly influenced by the complex formation with the available metal-binding compounds, i.e., both high and low molecular weight ligands of biological and environmental interest. The primary intention of this chapter is to discuss the aquatic solution chemistry of organotin cations and their complexes formed with low and high molecular weight bioligands. Besides, some synthetic aspects, applications and sources of organotin pollution, their destinations in the environment, and toxicology will be also shortly discussed.

New synthesis of a high molecular weight ligand derived from dota; thermodynamic stability of the MRI contrast agent formed with gadolinium

The new total synthesis in four steps of the compound P1041 is reported. This compound is a high molecular mass ligand (MW 6.32 kDa) derived from dota in which the four substituents are hydroxylated and contain amidic groups. The attribution of the nine protonation constants of P1041 is based on the comparison with the behaviour of the precursor ligands dota and tced, a tetracarboxylated derivative of dota. From these results, the studies of the systems P1041/Na(+) and P1041/Gd(3+) lead to the determination of the stability constants corresponding to the three species Na(P1041)H(h) (h = 0, 2 or 4) and to the five complexes Gd(P1041)H(h) (h = 0, 2, 3, 4 or 5). The complexing ability of P1041 towards Gd(3+) is compared with those of dota and tced. At physiological pH = 7.4, the very stable species Gd(P1041)H(4) (-) (currently named P792 in the literature) of this rapid clearance blood pool agent is predominant.

Angle-scanning SPR imaging for detection of biomolecular interactions on microarrays

In this paper we describe the use of a commercial surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging instrument for monitoring the binding of biomolecules on user-defined regions of interest of a microarray. By monitoring the angle shift of the SPR-dip using a continuous angle-scanning mode instead of monitoring the change in reflectivity at a fixed angle, a linear relationship with respect to the mass density change on the surface will remain over a wide dynamic angle range of 8°. Peptides (2.4 kDa) and proteins (150 kDa) were both spotted on the same sensor chip to illustrate that both, low and high molecular weight ligands with initial large differences in off-set SPR angles, can be applied within the same experiment. By using a fluorescently labeled antibody, SPR results can be confirmed by means of fluorescence microscopy after completion of a SPR experiment. SPR imaging in angle-scanning operation provides sensitive, accurate, and label-free detection of analyte binding on microarrays containing different molecular weight ligands.

Tethering Functional Ligands onto Shell of Ultrasound Active Polymeric Microbubbles

Hollow (air-filled) microparticles, i.e., microbubbles, provide a promising novel vehicle for both local delivery of therapeutic agents and simultaneous diagnostic ultrasound echo investigations. In this paper, we describe the synthetic routes for decorating the polymeric shell of a poly(vinyl alcohol)-based microbubble with low and high molecular weight ligands with pharmacological relevance. Investigations on physical properties of microbubbles and surface chemical coupling with different cargo molecules such as L-cysteine, L-lysine, poly(L-lysine), chitosan, and beta-cyclodextrin were carried out by CD and NMR spectroscopies, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and microcalorimetry. The in vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the polymer microbubbles have been also determined toward different cell lines. The results are discussed in terms of the features shown by this device, i.e., injectability, long shelf life, ease of preparation, biocompatibility, loading and cargo capacities, and functional properties.

Graft polymerization of acrylic acid onto macroporous polyacrylamide gel (cryogel) initiated by potassium diperiodatocuprate

Potassium diperiodatocuprate-initiated graft polymerization was found to be an efficient and convenient method for grafting of acrylic acid (AAc) onto superporous polyacrylamide gels, so called cryogels (pAAm cryogels). It was possible to achieve grafting degrees as high as 70% with about 25% yield of grafted polymer with respect to the initial amount of monomer. The superporous structure of the cryogels promoted grafting by providing an ample surface of the gel for grafting, ensuring good mass transfer inside the gel sample and allowing to wash easily both homopolymer of AAc and insoluble by-products formed during the polymerization reaction. The grafted cryogels could be dried at 60 °C and re-swollen with retaining their properties. The adsorption of water vapours by dried pAAm cryogels was marginally dependent on the degree of grafting. The swelling of AAc-grafted pAAm cryogel increased pronouncedly with increasing pH. The adsorption of low-molecular weight ligand, Cu(II), by AAc-grafted pAAm cryogels increased linearly with the degree of grafting, while binding of high-molecular weight ligand, lysozyme, increased linearly till the degree of grafting of about 40% followed by a sharp, nearly three-fold increase in lysozyme binding when the degree of grafting increased from 60 to 70%. The results indicate that a ‘tentacle’-type binding of lysozyme to grafted polyAAc takes place after a certain degree of grafting has been reached.

Non-covalent binding of endogenous ligands to recombinant cellular retinol-binding proteins studied by mass spectrometric techniques.

Recent developments in mass spectrometry have demonstrated the capability of this technique to transfer non-covalent protein complexes, involving low and high molecular weight ligands, from a condensed state to the gas phase. In this work, electrospray mass spectrometry with a quadrupole analyzer (ES-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) were used to analyze the non-covalent association between recombinant rat cellular retinol-binding protein type-I (CRBP) with its specific ligand, all-trans retinol (vitamin A), and with fatty acids. Under denaturing conditions, MALDI-TOFMS and ES-MS techniques allowed determination of the molecular weight of apo-CRBP with good accuracy (<0.01%) and to identify a protein fraction ( approximately 20%) retaining the initial methionine. By adding saturating amounts of vitamin A, ES-MS studies on the protein in the holo-form under native conditions allowed detection of retinol bound within the cavity together with water molecules, as expected from its crystal structure. ES mass spectra of CRBP in the native state were also recorded under non-denaturing conditions, with the aim to study non-covalent interactions between CRBP and non-specific ligands such as fatty acids, bound to the protein as a result of expression in various strains of E. coli grown in different media. Since ES mass spectra do not elucidate which species interact with the protein, in order to investigate the ligands possibly retained in the active site of recombinant CRBP, liquid chromatography/ES-tandem mass spectrometry was used. In particular, this technique was applied to identify and quantify fatty acids bound to CRBP. Quantitative data indicated the presence of a few fatty acids at a total concentration lower than 2% of that of the protein. Similar findings were observed for the homolog rat cellular retinol-binding protein type-II, demonstrating the high degree of purity and homogeneity of apo-CRBP preparations derived from gene expression.

Localization of cortical granule lectin ligand in Xenopus laevis egg jelly.

The block to polyspermy in Xenopus laevis involves an interaction between a cortical granule lectin, released at fertilization, and a ligand located in the egg extracellular matrix. The egg extracellular matrix in X. laevis consists of a vitelline envelope and three distinct jelly layers, designated J1, J2 and J3. To localize cortical granule lectin ligand in the egg extracellular matrix, we used enzyme-linked lectin assays that showed that cortical granule lectin ligands were absent in J2, J3 and the vitelline envelope. Cortical granule lectin bound to a ligand(s) in J1 in a galactose-dependent fashion. In addition, we separated egg jelly macromolecules electrophoretically and, in conjunction with western blotting, have shown that J1 contains two major, high molecular weight ligands for cortical granule ligand. Finally, using confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that the ligand(s) for cortical granule lectin occupies a 20-30 μm thick band in a region of J1 just proximal to the vitelline envelope.

Monoclonal antibodies FK1 and WF6 define two neighboring ligand binding sites on Torpedo acetylcholine receptor alpha-polypeptide.

Previous studies have identified the sequence region flanking the invariant vicinal cysteinyl residues at positions 192 and 193 of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit as containing major elements of the binding site for acetylcholine and its agonists and antagonists, including antibody WF6 (Conti-Tronconi, B. M., Diethelm, B. M., Wu, X., Tang, F., Bertazzon, T., Schröder, B., Reinhardt-Maelicke, A., and Maelicke, A. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 2575-2584). Recently we have shown that the sequence region flanking lysine alpha 125 contains elements of the binding site for physostigmine and related ligands, including antibody FK1 (Schrattenholz, A., Godovac-Zimmerman, J., Schäfer, H.-J., Albuquerque, E. X., and Maelicke, A. (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 216, 671-677). Here we report the identification by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, employing fragments of the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit N-terminal region and a panel of synthetic peptides matching in sequence preselected portions of this subunit, of the sequence regions alpha 118-145 and alpha 181-216 as contributing to the FK1 epitope. Of the synthetic peptides employed, alpha 118-137 displayed the highest affinity of FK1 binding. Binding of FK1 and WF6 to single residue-substituted analogs of the sequence alpha 181-200 indicated that the two antibodies have different attachment point patterns within this sequence region. These results, and those of ligand competition studies, suggest that the binding sites for FK1 and physostigmine, and those of WF6 and acetylcholine, are within the same general region of the receptor's three-dimensional structure. The sites neighbor each other, with limited overlap in the case of occupation by high molecular weight ligands.

Ligands influence Zn transport into cultured endothelial cells.

Experimental results were obtained that demonstrate the importance of the relative concentrations of Zn ligands and their affinities for Zn to the rate of Zn transport across a biological membrane. The transport rate into cultured endothelial cells became saturated near a Zn concentration of 30 microM in the presence or absence of 14% serum. However, the maximum transport rate identified by the saturation plateau was nearly twice as fast from serum-free medium. The addition of histidine or picolinic acid to the medium with serum resulted in the coincidental shift of Zn from high molecular weight ligands to low molecular weight ligands and increased the overall transport rate. In serum-free medium, adding histidine or picolinic acid slowed the transport rate. This indicates that the rate of Zn transport is influenced by the ligand to which it is associated and that altering the relative proportions of specific ligands influences the Zn transport rate. The rate of Zn transport decreased in a stepwise fashion as the albumin to Zn ratio increased from 0 to 4:1, with further increases having little effect. This suggests that albumin has a special role as modulator of Zn transport into endothelial cells. These studies underscore the importance of controlling the relative concentrations of Zn and its ligands in Zn transport kinetic research and suggest that varying their concentrations in a physiological range may be a method of regulating the distribution of Zn into specific cells and tissues.

Permeable support type influences the transport of compounds across Caco-2 cells

The influence of aluminium oxide and nitrocellulose inserts on the uptake and transport of taurocholic acid in Caco-2 cells has been determined. Caco-2 cells grown on nitrocellulose inserts displayed a higher rate of taurocholic acid transport than those grown on aluminium oxide inserts; 59.3 ± 4.1 ng 4 h−1 insert−1 compared to 29.7 ± 4.1 ng 4 h−1 insert−1 at day 14. In addition, Caco-2 cells grown on aluminium oxide and nitrocellulose inserts were not comparable with respect to adsorption potential, cell morphology, cell numbers and transepithelial electrical resistance. The low adsorption potential of aluminium oxide inserts, particularly for high molecular weight or lipophilic ligands such as propranolol and testosterone, allowed basolateral uptake events to be studied with a precision not possible with nitrocellulose inserts. In addition, the translucent nature of aluminium oxide inserts offered significant advantages over the nitrocellulose insert in terms of visualising the cells by light microscopy. Caco-2 cells grown on either type of insert appear fully differentiated when observed by light and electron microscopy. Occasional dome-like structures were present when Caco-2 monolayers were grown on aluminium oxide but not nitrocellulose inserts. Cell numbers were significantly lower on aluminium oxide inserts than on nitrocellulose inserts. Moreover, Caco-2 cells grown on aluminium oxide inserts displayed a higher transepithelial electrical resistance than those grown on nitrocellulose inserts; 871 ± 149 compared to 513 ± 32 at day 14. The reasons for these differences and the respective merits of each type of insert are considered.

Sperm chromatin stability and zinc binding properties in semen from men in barren unions.

Sperm chromatin stability and zinc binding properties were studied in semen samples from 115 men living in barren unions. Of these men, 26% had a high proportion of swelling sperm, i.e. less than 80% sperm with stable chromatin after exposure to the detergent sodium dodecyl sulphate. From 2-67% of seminal zinc was bound to high molecular weight ligands of vesicular origin (HMW). This shows that, among infertile men, liquefied seminal plasma has huge variations in zinc chelating properties. The relationship between prostatic palpatory status, the proportion of abnormal sperm, the percentage zinc bound to HMW (HMW-Zn), the time between ejaculation and analysis and chromatin stability were studied. Samples with low chromatin stability were found more frequently in men with low HMW-Zn levels in semen. The proportion of stable sperm decreased in samples with prolonged exposure to seminal plasma. Neither the proportion of stable sperm heads nor the percentage zinc bound to HMW could be used to predict the future chances of the infertile men fathering children when studied 15-180 min after ejaculation. To differentiate between initial zinc-dependent stability and superstability developed in seminal plasma, other more sensitive methods must be developed.

Galactose-containing epitopes on the surface of IgG model immune complexes are accessible for specific binding with the high molecular weight ligand, ricinus agglutinin, in solution—light-scattering studies

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules contain covalently linked carbohydrate chains with galactose residues in their branched “antennae”. The ability of galactose-containing epitopes on the surface of IgG model immune complexes (IC) to interact with a high mol. wt ligand in solution has been elucidated. Different types of IgG model IC with pre-detennined molecular mass were mixed with Ricinus Agglutinin (RC1), which is known to bind specifically to galactose-containing oligosaccharides. The relative light-scattering increases (Δ I) in the reaction mixture were measured as a function of time. The galactose-associated epitopes of the IgG model IC were accessible for binding with RC1. The rate of the interaction between IgG model IC and RC1 was dependent on the molecular mass of the complexes; the larger the model IC molecular mass, the faster the rate of interaction. The binding of RC1 to IgG model IC was highly specific because it was completely abolished in the presence of lactose. The galactose-containing epitopes of monomeric IgG were also able to interact with RC1 but the kinetics of the interaction was much slower. We suggest than an increase in the density of the epitopes on the surface of the model IC, by close attachment of the IgG molecules, mainly determines the ability of galactose-containing epitopes to be recognized by RC1. The data presented support the importance of IgG glycans in recognition events of IgG by biologically active molecules.

Ejaculatory sequence in men with low sperm chromatin‐zinc

The composition of seminal plasma in the sperm-rich split ejaculate fraction was studied in a group of men with a low zinc content in their sperm chromatin, to evaluate the availability of zinc at ejaculation. Men with low-chromatin zinc had, in the sperm-rich split-ejaculate fraction, high amounts of seminal-vesicular fluid, a low zinc:fructose molar ratio, and a high percentage of zinc bound to high molecular weight ligands of seminal vesicular origin (HMW-Zn). This indicates premature admixture of vesicular fluid at ejaculation. It is suggested that the zinc:fructose molar ratio and HMW-Zn in the sperm-rich fractions could be used as a measure of the availability of zinc in seminal plasma.