Immobilon Membranes Research Articles

Isolation of a Receptor for Acidic and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor from Embryonic Chick

A receptor for acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF, respectively) was isolated from 7-day embryonic chick. Chromatography of solubilized membrane proteins on wheat germ agglutininagarose and aFGF-Sepharose yielded three major polypeptides migrating at 150, 70, and 45 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These polypeptides were eluted from aFGF-Sepharose with either 1.0 M NaCl or 100 micrograms/ml heparin, but were not retained on underivatized Sepharose. Cross-linking of 125I-aFGF or 125I-bFGF to either crude membrane preparations or to purified fractions yielded a 165-kDa complex, suggesting the existence of a 150-kDa FGF receptor after subtraction of approximately 15 kDa for 125I-FGF. Addition of excess aFGF or bFGF competed for binding of either 125I-aFGF or 125I-bFGF to FGF receptor preparations. Purified FGF receptor fractions were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to Immobilon membranes, and incubated with 125I-aFGF or 125I-bFGF in order to identify FGF-binding polypeptides. Bound 125I-aFGF and 125I-bFGF were displaced by aFGF and bFGF, but not epidermal growth factor, consistent with the identification of the 150-kDa polypeptide as a receptor for acidic and basic FGF. Treatment of purified FGF receptor fractions with N-glycanase demonstrated that the 150-kDa polypeptide contained approximately 10 kDa of N-linked oligosaccharide. The apparent molecular mass of the 150-kDa polypeptide was unaffected by treatment with heparitinase, indicating that the 150-kDa polypeptide is not a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Together, these data suggest that the 150-kDa polypeptide is a FGF receptor that may mediate the biological activities of aFGF and bFGF.

Spectrin Tunis (Spαl/78), an Elliptocytogenic Variant, Is Due to the CGG → TGG Codon Change (Arg -→ Trp) at Position 35 of the αl Domain

Spectrin Tunis (Sp alpha I/78) is an alpha l domain variant that causes asymptomatic elliptocytosis in the heterozygote state. It is manifested by a reduction of spectrin dimer self-association and by the development of a major 78-Kd fragment at the expense of the alpha l 80-Kd fragment upon spectrin-limited digestion. Amino acid sequence analysis, following peptide transfer onto Immobilon membranes, showed that the 78-Kd fragment results from a sensitized cleavage after lysyl residue 10. Using a 13.5-kb genomic alpha-spectrin probe and the Xbal, Pvull, and Mspl polymorphic sites detected with this probe, we concluded that spectrin Tunis is associated with the + - + haplotype (in the above order). Twenty mer oligonucleotides, complementary to genomic segments from introns 2 and 3, respectively, were synthesized. We then performed DNA amplification and sequencing. In the two investigated carriers of spectrin Tunis, we found the C----T base substitution of the codon corresponding to position 35 of the alpha l domain (CGG----TGG; Arg----Trp). The mutation lies in the last part of an alpha helix that extends from residues 9 to 44 of partial repeat alpha 1' and is comparable with helix 3 of full repeats 1 to 5. The modified proteolytic site, located 25 amino acid residues upstream, occurs at the beginning of the helix.

Spectrin Tunis (Sp alpha I/78), an elliptocytogenic variant, is due to the CGG----TGG codon change (Arg----Trp) at position 35 of the alpha I domain

Spectrin Tunis (Sp alpha I/78) is an alpha l domain variant that causes asymptomatic elliptocytosis in the heterozygote state. It is manifested by a reduction of spectrin dimer self-association and by the development of a major 78-Kd fragment at the expense of the alpha l 80- Kd fragment upon spectrin-limited digestion. Amino acid sequence analysis, following peptide transfer onto Immobilon membranes, showed that the 78-Kd fragment results from a sensitized cleavage after lysyl residue 10. Using a 13.5-kb genomic alpha-spectrin probe and the Xbal, Pvull, and Mspl polymorphic sites detected with this probe, we concluded that spectrin Tunis is associated with the + - + haplotype (in the above order). Twenty mer oligonucleotides, complementary to genomic segments from introns 2 and 3, respectively, were synthesized. We then performed DNA amplification and sequencing. In the two investigated carriers of spectrin Tunis, we found the C----T base substitution of the codon corresponding to position 35 of the alpha l domain (CGG----TGG; Arg----Trp). The mutation lies in the last part of an alpha helix that extends from residues 9 to 44 of partial repeat alpha 1′ and is comparable with helix 3 of full repeats 1 to 5. The modified proteolytic site, located 25 amino acid residues upstream, occurs at the beginning of the helix.

‘In situ’ Edman degradation of protein(s) blotted to immobilon membranes suitable for unblocking reversible chemical modification and elimination of coomassie blue in sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Conditions for unblocking reversible chemical modifications such as maleylation or citraconylation 'in situ' at the N-terminus of proteins after transfer of proteins to immobilon membranes from SDS-PAGE are described. Demaleylation or decitraconylation occurred at 55 degrees C in 70% formic acid (pH 1.50) during 60 min. During the unblocking reaction, Coomassie blue dye was completely removed, resulting in superior high performance liquid chromatographic separation of phenylthiohydantoin-amino acid (PTH-AA) after Edman degradation (automatic gas phase sequencer). The protein fixed on the matrix after demaleylation and removal of Coomassie blue was not degraded. The possible cleavage at the aspartyl-prolyl peptide bonds was considered, but no side reaction was observed. Furthermore, the incubation time in 70% formic acid at 55 degrees C could be reduced to 10 min in the absence of maleylation of the starting material, and this was suitable for the removal of Coomassie blue and the quantification of phenylthiolhydantoin-amino acids (PTH-AAs) by HPLC. The yield from the starting protein through SDS-PAGE, blotting, and Edman degradation to quantitative analysis of PTH-aminoacid(s) by HPLC was established.

Sequential sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reversed-phase chromatography of unfolded proteins

Sequential sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography on a fluorocarbon packing (poly F column, DuPont) provide fully denatured but highly purified protein, which is free of low-molecular-weight substances and directly amenable to structural analysis. Conditions for the preparative elution of four test proteins (bovine serum albumin, carbonic anhydrase, myoglobin, cytochrome c) blotted to Immobilon membranes have been optimized. Phenol saturated with 50 m m Tris-HCl (pH 8.25) and containing 2% SDS and 1% 2-mercaptoethanol is able to elute proteins that have been blotted to Immobilon membranes, stained with Coomassie R-250, and stored as dry sheets, largely irrespective of their molecular mass. Polypeptides that are not degraded by exposure to low pH can also be efficiently extracted directly from stained gels with 70% formic acid. If further separation of polypeptides is not needed, a simple run of a protein sample dissolved in 1–2% SDS on the poly F column will efficiently remove low-molecular-weight substances, including SDS.

Blotting of proteins onto immobilon membranes : In situ characterization and comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography

The electrophoretic transfer from polyacrylamide gels to Immobilon [poly(vinylidene difluoride)] membranes of various proteins differing in molecular masses from 14 000 to 200 000 was performed, using both a semi-dry blotting apparatus and a standard blotting chamber. The blotted proteins were analyzed and sequenced with and without staining, and the initial yields of the degradation were examined. Furthermore, protein purification by blotting after one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was compared with conventional HPLC methods. Optimum blotting conditions for in situ enzymatic or chemical cleavages of the proteins on the blots are described, and for the in situ hydrolysis followed by amino acid analysis and cysteine determination.

Measurement of hormone secretion from individual cells by cell blot assay

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the measurement of hormone secretion from individual cells by cell blot assay. In the cell blot assay, cells are incubated on, and bound to, a transfer membrane. Hormone released from the cells is captured on the membrane. The membrane is then processed according to Western blot methodology. This includes incubation in primary antiserum, secondary antiserum to which an enzyme is conjugated, and enzyme substrate. The released hormone product surrounding the hormone-secreting cells (e.g., prolactin and growth hormone) becomes visible as a zone of secretion immediately encompassing the cell. This secretion zone is then analyzed and quantified. Heterogeneity of hormone release per cell becomes apparent. One of the limitations of the cell blot assay is the inability to visualize the nonsecreting cells on the immobilon membrane. Advantages of the cell blot assay include its simplicity and rapidity, use of dilute preparations of antisera, objectivity in measurement of hormone secretion, and capability of quantification of hormone release from single cells.

Preparative elution of proteins blotted to Immobilon membranes

Conditions for the preparative elution of proteins from Immobilon membranes after transfer of proteins to this matrix from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels have been established. Proteins were completely eluted from the membran at room temperature by short incubation in 50 m m Tris-HCl, pH 9.0, containing 2% SDS and 1% Triton X-100. Good protein recoveries were also obtained in the same buffer containing 1% Triton X-100 only. The efficiency of elution was practically independent of the molecular weight of proteins, the method allowed for the precise excision of protein bands, and the proteins eluted from the matrix were not degraded. In some cases it was possible to recover enzymatic activity of the eluted proteins.

Protein antigen purification by preparative protein blotting

AbstractRecent reports have described procedures for recovering proteins from nitrocellulose membrane blots, either by dissolution of the membrane with acetone or dimethyl‐sulfoxide (DMSO) or by specific desorption of the immobilized proteins with acetonitrile or pyridine. In the current review, various procedures have been evaluated for the recovery of protein antigens from blots on nitrocellulose, Zeta Probe nylon, Immobilon, or glass fiber membranes. The results of this survey indicate that elution with appropriate concentrations of acetonitrile affects equally efficient desorption of proteins bound to nitrocellulose, Zeta Probe, or Immobilon membranes, while formic acid was effective in eluting proteins from glass fiber or Zeta Probe membranes. Although nitrocellulose blots could be dissolved in acetone or DMSO for antigen production, other membrane matrices were resistant to dissolution by organic solvents, except for Immobilon in DMSO. The use of volatile solvents permits the reconstitution of the isolated lyophilized protein into the buffer of choice with retained protein structure or biological activities (e. g. antigenicity). Nitrocellulose appeared to be most versatile for preparative protein blotting because it displays a protein binding capacity equivalent to other membranes, effectively retains a variety of large and small molecular weight proteins, and is compatible with reversible protein staining by Ponceau S.