NaCl Eluate Research Articles

A Putative Serine Protease from Larval Midgut of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Partial Purification and Biochemical Characterization

A putative serine protease was isolated and partially purified from larval midgut of red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) using anion exchange chromatography, DE-52. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of this protease showed that the major band has a molecular weight of approximately 24 kDa corresponding to the same molecular weight of mammalian trypsin. In addition, zymography analysis of the protease showed a single band corresponding to the same molecular weight has been measured by SDS-PAGE. Highest specific activity measured by radial diffusion of the enzyme into a casein-containing gel was achieved in 0.5 M NaCl eluate. The enzyme was characterized at different pH, substrate concentrations and various time intervals. The optimum conditions for proteolytic activity were achieved at pH 9.5 and 0.1 mg casein as substrate per mL. Furthermore, the highest activity was revealed after 28 hrs at room temperature. Moreover, soybean trypsin inhibitor dramatically inhibits the caseinolytic activity by 70 and 100 % at 10 and 25 25 µg respectively.

Identification and isolation from breast milk of ceruloplasmin-lactoferrin complex

The presence of a complex of the copper-containing protein ceruloplasmin (Cp) with lactoferrin (Lf) in breast milk (BM) is shown for the first time. In SDS-free polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), electrophoretic mobility of Cp in BM is lower than that of plasma Cp, coinciding with the mobility of the complex obtained upon mixing purified Cp and Lf. Affinity chromatography of delipidated BM on Cp-Sepharose resulted in retention of Lf. SDS-PAGE of the 0.3 M NaCl eluate revealed a single band with Mr approximately 78,000 that has the N-terminal amino acid sequence of Lf and reacts with antibodies to that protein. Synthetic peptides R-R-R-R (the N-terminal amino acid stretch 2-5 in Lf) and K-R-Y-K-Q-R-V-K-N-K (the C-terminal stretch 29-38 in PACAP 38) caused efficient elution of Lf from Cp-Sepharose. Cp-Lf complex from delipidated BM is not retained on the resins used for isolation of Cp (AE-agarose) and of Lf (CM-Sephadex). Anionic peptides from Cp--(586-597), (721-734), and (905-914)--provide an efficient elution of Cp from AE-agarose, but do not cause dissociation of Cp-Lf complex. When anti-Lf is added to BM flowed through CM-Sephadex, Cp co-precipitates with Lf. Cp-Lf complex can be isolated from BM by chromatography on CM-Sephadex, ethanol precipitation, and affinity chromatography on AE-agarose, yielding 98% pure complex. The resulting complex Cp-Lf (1 : 1) was separated into components by chromatography on heparin-Sepharose. Limited tryptic hydrolysis of Cp obtained from BM and from blood plasma revealed identical proteolytic fragments.

A Primer-dependent Polymerase Function of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATP-dependent DNA Ligase (LigD)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes two putative DNA ligases: a classical NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase (LigA) plus an ATP-dependent DNA ligase (LigD). LigD exemplifies a family of bacterial proteins that consist of a ligase domain fused to flanking domains that resemble nucleases and/or polymerases. Here we purify LigD and show that it possesses an intrinsic polymerase function resident within an autonomous C-terminal polymerase domain, LigD-(533-840), that flanks an autonomous DNA ligase domain, LigD-(188-527). Native LigD and the polymerase domain are both monomeric proteins. The polymerase activity is manifest in three ways: (i) non-templated nucleotide addition to a blunt-ended duplex DNA primer; (ii) non-templated addition to a single-stranded DNA primer; and (iii) templated extension of a 5'-tailed duplex DNA primer-template. The divalent cation cofactor requirement for non-templated and templated polymerase activity is satisfied by manganese or cobalt. rNTPs are preferred over dNTPs as substrates for non-templated blunt-end addition, which typically entails the incorporation of only 1 or 2 nucleotides at the primer terminus. Templated dNMP addition to a 5'-tailed substrate is efficient with respect to dNTP utilization; the primer is elongated to the end of the template strand and is then further extended with a non-templated nucleotide. The polymerase activity is abolished by alanine substitution for two aspartates (Asp-669 and Asp-671) within the putative metal-binding site. We speculate that polymerase activity is relevant to LigD function in nonhomologous end-joining.

Isolation of MMP-2 from MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex: characterization of the complex and the free enzyme in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle plasma membrane.

We have previously indicated that bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle plasma membrane possesses a complex of 72-kDa gelatinase and TIMP-2 (MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex) [Mol. Cell. Biochem. 258 (2004) 73]. In this paper, we described isolation of MMP-2 from the MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex, characterizations of the isolated MMP-2 and also the complex. MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex was purified from bovine pulmonary vascular smooth muscle plasma membrane using a combination of purification steps. Heparin-sepharose (100 mM NaCl eluate)-purified preparation contained the MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex. The MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex, which was electrophoresed under reducing condition on the SDS-PAGE and immunobloted with a mixture of polyclonal MMP-2 and TIMP-2 antibodies, revealed two separate immunoreactive bands at their respective electrophoretic migration. Continuous elution electrophoresis of the complex resulted to MMP-2 free of any detectable TIMP-2. The homogeneity of the isolated MMP-2 and the complex was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE under nonreducing condition and also by nondenaturing native-PAGE. The purified TIMP-2 free enzyme electrophoresed as a single band of 72-kDa, which could be activated rapidly and fully by aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) with the formation of 62-kDa and 45-kDa active species like native MMP-2 purified from the same source (bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle). Identical treatment of the MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex with APMA resulted to significantly slower and partial conversion of the active species. Addition of pure TIMP-2 to the TIMP-2 free MMP-2 formed a complex with the progelatinase and prevented the rapid autolytic conversion induced by APMA. Immunoblot study with polyclonal MMP-2 antibody suggested that the isolated 72-kDa gelatinase is the MMP-2. We have also presented additional data indicating that the isolated preparation of 72-kDa gelatinase exhibited properties that are identical with MMP-2 obtained from different sources.

Detection and partial characterization of a UV-damaged-DNA binding activity highly expressed in zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos

The expression of distorted DNA-binding factors was studied in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) using UV-damaged DNA as the binding target. A strong and high-shifting binding activity was detected in the extracts of zebrafish early embryos (12 h after fertilization), and the expression of this activity dramatically decreased in 60 to 84-h-old zebrafish. The embryonic extracts produced a similar pattern of high-shifting complexes after incubating with a CPD-specific or a 6-4PP-specific probe, while different types of low-shifting complexes were generated by the extracts of 84-h-old larvae. The formation of high-shifting complexes was suppressed in the presence of NaCl at 0.25 M or higher concentrations, yet the production of low-shifting complexes was stimulated by increasing salt concentration. The binding activity expressed in zebrafish embryos was apparently unrelated to NER-associated damage-recognition protein XPA, since two polypeptides recognized by an anti-human XPA antibody were detected only in 84-h-old zebrafish extracts. A competitive binding assay indicated that both CPDs and 6-4PPs were recognized by the same binding activity expressed in 12-h-old zebrafish, and this activity contained at least two protein fractions that were eluted from a DEAE-cellulose column by NaCl at 0.1 M and 0.2 M. UV crosslinking of the two NaCl eluates to a 6-4PP probe produced covalent complexes with the same electrophoretic mobility except one 34-kDa complex generated by the 0.1 M NaCl eluate, suggesting the existence of two multisubunit damage-recognition protein complexes in zebrafish embryos. UV-binding factors found in 12-h-old zebrafish embryos may be involved in processing developmental stage-specific DNA structures similar to UV-damaged DNA.

Purification of a UV-damaged-DNA binding activity from cell-free extracts of unicellular alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Several binding activities recognizing ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA damage were detected in cell-free extracts of the unicellular alga, Chlorella pyrenoidosa by gel shift assay. A UV-damaged-DNA binding activity was isolated from algal extracts by a series of chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose (DEAE-cellulose) and heparin-sepharose columns. The binding activity was detected in the flowthrough (FT) of heparin affinity chromatography. Quantitative analysis of the shifted bands after gel shift assay indicated that the ratio of UV-specific (18 kJ m −2) to non-specific binding increased about 15-fold from the first DEAE fractionation to heparin affinity chromatography. When the heparin-FT was fractionated again on a DEAE-cellulose column, UV-dependent binding was detected only in the fraction eluted by NaCl between 0.20 and 0.21 M. Three polypeptides in this NaCl eluate, estimated to be 72, 80 and 90 kDa in molecular mass by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), were shown to bind directly to UV-damaged DNA. This binding activity, however, showed only 25% of the binding affinity provided by the heparin-FT, implying that some modulating factors for UV-dependent binding might exist in the heparin-FT. Thus, the three polypeptides may represent a core UV-damaged-DNA binding activity in algal extracts. This core binding activity also recognized DNA lesions induced by DNA alkylating agent cisplatin, and the binding to cisplatin-damaged DNA could be competed by UV-irradiated DNA. Our data suggest that this binding activity may be involved in the damage-recognition step of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in C. pyrenoidosa.

Identification of a heparin-releasable hepatic lipase binding protein from rat liver.

Hepatic lipase (HL) plays a key role in the metabolism of several lipoproteins. Metabolically active HL is bound in liver parenchymal cells to specific binding sites. We studied the nature of the HL binding in rat liver. Rat livers were perfused with heparin, which lead to a loss of 80% of the HL binding capacity of the liver. The heparin-containing perfusates possessed HL binding capacity, determined by slot-blot assay. The perfusates were loaded on to a heparin-Sepharose column and eluted with a linear salt gradient (0.2-1 M). HL binding activity, assessed by a slot-blot binding assay, eluted both at 0.3 M and at 0.8 M NaCl. A 0.5 M NaCl eluate was used to further characterize the HL binding activity. In this fraction the major protein had a molecular mass of 70 kDa. The fraction showed saturable HL binding in a solid-phase binding assay. Cross-linking of the 0.5 M NaCl fraction to 125I-labelled HL yielded a complex of 130 kDa, suggesting the cross-linking of the 57 kDa 125I-labelled HL to a protein of about 73 kDa. We concluded that heparin releases a protein of about 73 kDa from rat liver, which associates with HL. This protein may represent the HL binding site in liver.

Growth and differentiation of periodontal ligament-derived cells in serum-free defined culture.

We have developed a serum-free medium for the growth and differentiation of periodontal ligament-derived cells (PLC). In addition, the expression of both fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and FGF receptor (FGFR) in the PLC was investigated by immunohistochemical examination, heparin affinity chromatography (HAC), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Optimal growth of the cells was achieved in Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, 2-mercaptoethanol, 2-ethanolamine, sodium selenite, and oleic acid in type-I collagen-coated dishes. Both FGF-1 and FGF-2 stimulated cell growth and inhibited differentiation as measured by inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells. An immunohistochemical analysis of FGF-1 and FGF-2 revealed that immunoreactive FGF-1 and FGF-2 were detected predominantly in the cytoplasm of growing cells. In addition, perinuclear FGF-1 staining and nuclear FGF-2 staining were observed in the same growing cells. In contrast, a faint diffuse staining of FGF-1 and FGF-2 was detected in cytoplasm of the confluent differentiated cells. The 2.15 M NaCl eluate from HAC of the cell extracts exhibited growth-promoting activities for the PLC, and it also stimulated the growth of human umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells and inhibited binding of [125I]-FGF to its receptors, indicating the cells produced FGFs or FGF-like growth factors. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the cells expressed FGFR-1 mRNA but not mRNAs for FGFR-2, FGFR-3 and FGFR-4 mRNA. These results suggest that the FGF-FGFR-1 system plays an important role in the growth and differentiation of periodontal ligament-derived cells.

Isolation and characterization of GBP28, a novel gelatin-binding protein purified from human plasma.

By use of its affinity to gelatin-Cellulofine, a novel protein, GBP28 (gelatin-binding protein of 28 kDa), was obtained from human plasma. GBP28 bound to gelatin-Cellulofine could be eluted with 1 M NaCl. By analysis of its amino-terminal amino acid sequences and the peptides obtained by protease digestion, GBP28 was identified as a novel protein. After repeated gel chromatography of the 1 M NaCl eluate from gelatin-Cellulofine, about 50 micrograms of GBP28 was purified from 500 ml of human plasma. On gel chromatography, the protein migrated as a molecule of about 420 kDa. On SDS-PAGE, its molecular mass was 28 kDa under reducing conditions and 68 kDa under nonreducing conditions. Recently, human mRNA specific to adipose tissue, cDNA clone apM1, has been registered [Maeda, K., Okubo, K., Shimomura, I., Funahashi, T., Matsuzawa, Y., and Matsubara, K. (1996) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 221, 286-289]. The assumed amino acid sequence of cDNA clone apM1 contained all the sequences of GBP28 and its peptides. Therefore, it is evident that the cDNA clone apM1 encodes GBP28 and the protein is specific to adipose tissue. The clone encodes a polypeptide of 244 amino acids with a secretory signal sequence at the amino terminus, a small non-helical region, a stretch of 22 collagen repeats and a globular domain. Thus, GBP28 appears to belong to a family of proteins possessing a collagen-like domain through which they form homo-trimers, which further combine to make oligomeric complexes. Although its biological function is presently unclear, its adipocyte-specific expression suggests that GBP28 may function as an endogenous factor involved in lipid catabolism and storage or whole body metabolism.

Identification and characterization of an estrogen-responsive element binding protein repressed by estradiol.

Cytosolic proteins from uteri of 19-day-old rats were analyzed by an electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) using a 31 base pair DNA probe containing an estrogen-responsive element (ERE) from the vitellogenin A2 gene. EMSA identified three distinct cytosolic protein-DNA complexes that are separable by Q-Sepharose anion exchange chromatography into an estrogen receptor (ER)-containing fraction (150 mM NaCl eluate) and a non-ER-containing fraction (250 mM NaCl eluate). We thus refer to the non-ER fraction as the ERE binding protein (ERE-BP). The ERE-BP-containing fraction was repressed to 40-50% of its normal levels following a single injection of estradiol. In addition, ERE-BP levels were repressed to the same extent (greater than 50%) by day 20 of the rat's gestational period. Examination of the expression pattern of ERE-BP shows that this activity is differentially expressed in both estrogen-responsive and nonresponsive tissues, with the highest levels of expression occurring in the pituitary. We next examined the specificity of ERE-BP binding by competition analysis using DNA sequences corresponding to binding sites of several known transcription factors. ERE-BP was found to be specific for both the ER binding site (ERE) and TATA binding protein binding sites. Furthermore, saturation analysis demonstrated that ERE-BP binds to the ERE and TATA binding protein sequences with an apparent Kd of 1.2 and 0.12 nM, respectively. Partial purification of ERE-BP using three chromatography steps (Q-Sepharose, hydroxyapatite, and Sephacryl S300) followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate analysis indicated the presence of three major protein bands (p102, p81, and p48) as judged by Coomassie staining. UV cross-linking of the ERE-BP/DNA complex followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate analysis-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicates that the 48 kDa band seen in the final, partially purified fraction correlates with the ERE-BP activity. Thus, this study has identified a unique uterine cytosolic protein that binds to the ER binding site and may influence ER binding.

Studies on an insulin-stimulated insulin receptor serine kinase activity: separation of the kinase activity from the insulin receptor and its reconstitution back to the insulin receptor.

In cells insulin stimulates autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor on tyrosine and its phosphorylation on serine and threonine by poorly characterized kinases. Recently we have achieved co-purification of the insulin receptor with insulin-stimulated insulin receptor serine kinase activity. We now show that the co-purified serine kinase activity can be removed by NaCl washing and reconstituted by adding back the NaCl eluate. Reconstitution enabled higher serine phosphorylation than achieved with the co-purified preparation. Myelin basic protein was discovered to be a potent substrate for insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylation by the co-purified preparation, with the activity responsible having similar properties to the serine kinase activity towards the receptor. Myelin basic protein was also phosphorylated on serine by the NaCl eluate. Myelin basic protein phosphorylated by the co-purified preparation or the NaCl eluate gave the same set of phosphoserine peptides. The major myelin basic protein serine kinase activity in the NaCl eluate co-purified exactly on Mono Q with the activity that restored insulin-stimulated insulin receptor serine phosphorylation. These results provide strong evidence for the true separation of the serine kinase from the insulin receptor and the distinctiveness of the serine kinase activity from the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases. The procedures developed for the isolation of the serine kinase and the establishment of an effective in vitro substrate should allow purification of the kinase. The protocols also provide flexible systems for identifying the functions of the insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylations and the respective kinase(s).

Sulfation of Guinea pig megakaryocyte and platelet proteins

This study has explored the sulfation of proteins by guinea pig megakaryocytes and platelets and by human platelets. Guinea pig megakaryocytes were incubated in vitro with [35S]sulfate, and the sulfated proteins were separated from proteoglycans by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The megakaryocytes esterified sulfate to a number of proteins, with the most extensive label migrating at M(r) 42,000, and a second heavily labeled band at M(r) 103,000 in the 0.1 M NaCl DEAE eluate, and 50 and 180 kDa in the 0.23 M NaCl eluate. [35S]-Labeled GPlb alpha was immunoprecipitated from megakaryocyte Triton X-100 extracts. Guinea pig platelet proteins were labeled in vivo by injection of the animals with a single dose of H2(35)SO4. The platelets were activated with thrombin, and cytoskeletal proteins were isolated after treatment of the activated platelets with Triton X-100. About 20% of the platelet macromolecule-associated [35S]sulfate was incorporated into sulfated proteins, which were recovered primarily in the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton-associated sulfate radiolabel migrated on SDS-PAGE primarily with actin and additionally with several higher molecular weight proteins. A M(r) 42,000 [35S]-labeled protein was immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal anti-actin antibody, along with molecules of M(r) 160,000 and 180,000 and some higher M(r) material, from the megakaryocytes labeled in vitro with [35S]sulfate. Actin was labeled on 2D isoelectric focusing/SDS-PAGE gels. In addition, there was a very acidic series of heavily [35S]-labeled 42 kDa proteins with about eight components of different isoelectric points with a pattern identical to the M(r) 40,000 cytoskeletal-associated glycoprotein Pltpg40 isolated by Hildreth et al. (1991, Blood 77:121). We hypothesize that sulfation of the cytoskeletal proteins might be involved in cytoskeletal protein interactions and function.

Calyculin A and okadaic acid inhibit human platelet aggregation by blocking protein phosphatases types 1 and 2A

Two potent inhibitors of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) and type 2A (PP2A), calyculin A (CAL-A) and okadaic acid (OKA), inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, collagen and 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A 2 (STA 2). IC 50 values of CAL-A and OKA for STA 2-induced aggregation were 53 nM and 3.5 μM, respectively. These drugs also inhibited thrombin-induced [ 14C]serotonin secretion of platelets. CAL-A and OKA elicited phosphorylation of certain proteins with an apparent M r (× 10 −3) of 200, 60, 50 and 20 light chain of myosin (MLC). Agonist-induced 47,000 M r protein phosphorylation was strongly inhibited by these compounds, whereas phosphorylation of 20,000 M r MLC was enhanced. The increase in 50,000 M r protein phosphorylation by CAL-A and OKA was observed in the presence of agonists, and the 50,000 M r phosphorylation may be involved in the inhibition of platelet activation by these compoundes. Subcellular analysis of the phosphatase activity in human platelets showed that MLC phosphatase activity was present mainly (approx. 78%) in the cytosolic fraction. Chromatography of human platelet extract on heparin-Sepharose resolved two peaks of MLC phosphatase activity: PP2A in 0.1 M NaCl eluate and PP1 in 0.5 M NaCl eluate. PP2A and PP1 isozymes (PP1α PP1α and PP1δ) have also been identified in human platelets, by cross-reactivity with polyclonal antibodies against (PP2A and PP1 isozymes, respectively. These results suggest that PP1 and/or PP2A may play an important role in the process of platelet activation by regulating levels of phosphorylation of certain proteins.

Multiple forms of maturation-promoting factor in unfertilized Xenopus eggs.

Maturation-promoting factor (MPF), which is functionally defined by its ability to induce frog oocyte maturation independent of protein synthesis, is hypothesized to be the mitotic inducer in eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that the cdc2 protein kinase complex (p34cdc2-cyclin) meets the criteria for MPF. In the present study, we show that MPF activity in extracts of unfertilized Xenopus eggs can be resolved into three fractions by Q-Sepharose chromatography. Of the total MPF activity recovered, approximately 20% was in the flow-through fraction that was accounted for by the cdc2 kinase complex, approximately 40% was in the 0.2 M NaCl eluate, and the remaining approximately 40% was in the 0.5 M NaCl eluate. Neither eluate contained cdc2 kinase, but each could activate cdc2 kinase upon microinjection into Xenopus oocytes. The MPF activity in the two eluates, but not in the flow-through fraction, could be depleted by the mitosis-specific monoclonal antibody MPM-2. This antibody has been shown to inhibit Xenopus oocyte maturation and deplete MPF activity from mature oocyte extract but does not recognize the cdc2 kinase complex. The three MPFs differed in apparent molecular size, H1 kinase activity, and stability at 4 degrees C. We propose that MPF activity in unfertilized Xenopus eggs resides in at least three different molecular species, the combined activities of which may be required for autoamplification of MPF.

Chromatographic separation of four Ser/Thr—protein phosphatases from solubilized ciliary membranes of Paramecium tetraurelia by heparin—Sepharose

Chromatography of deoxycholate-solubilized proteins from Paramecium ciliary membranes on heparin—Sepharose resolved three peaks of protein phosphatase activities: one type 2A-like and a type 2C phosphatase in the flow-through fractions, another type 2A-like enzyme in the 0.1 M NaCl eluate and type 1 protein phosphatase in the 0.5 M NaCl eluate. The differential sensitivity of the two type 2A-like phosphatases to heparin and protamine further substantiated the existence of distinct isozymes. Once solubilized, none of these ciliary phosphatases required detergent to remain soluble. The molecular mass as determined by chromatography on Superose 6 was in the range 30 000–45 000 dalton for all four protein phosphatases.

Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor-Like Substance in Familial Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1*

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen found in a variety of normal and tumor tissues. Basic FGF lacks a classical signal sequence, and it is not clear how it is released from cells. bFGF or bFGF-like activity has not been previously demonstrated in plasma. In an earlier study we showed increased mitogenic activity for parathyroid-derived epithelial and mesenchymal cells in plasma of subjects with familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (FMEN1). In the present study we examined the growth-promoting activity of normal and FMEN1 plasmas [applied to heparin-Sepharose (HS) columns] in parathyroid-derived cloned endothelial cells. FMEN1 plasma HS-adsorbed activity exceeded normal plasma HS-adsorbed activity in 6 of 8 FMEN1 plasma samples. Peak (FMEN1 plasma) HS-adsorbed activity eluted with 0.1-0.3 M NaCl, was completely neutralized by specific antibodies against bFGF, and had an apparent mol wt of 110 kD. Active fractions from FMEN1 plasma prepared by gel filtration in 7 M urea displayed apparent mol wt of about 14-16 kD and showed increased apparent affinity for HS; recovered activity appeared principally in the 3.0-M NaCl eluate. Using a sensitive two-site immunoradiometric assay for bFGF we found 0.4 ng/mL bFGF-like immunoreactivity in the highly purified 3.0-M NaCl eluate from a HS column to which the active components from gel filtration of FMEN1 plasma in 7 M urea were applied. These results imply that bFGF or closely related factors circulate in FMEN1.

Purification of the Neurotensin Receptor from Mouse Brain by Affinity Chromatography

The neurotensin receptor was purified from newborn mouse brain by affinity chromatography. Active neurotensin binding sites were solubilized from brain homogenates using the nondenaturing detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid (CHAPS) in the presence of cholesteryl hemisuccinate. Chromatography of the soluble extract on SP-Sephadex C-25 and hydroxylapatite eliminated 50% of proteins without loss of neurotensin binding activity. This prepurified material was loaded into an affinity column prepared by coupling neurotensin (2-13) to glutaraldehyde-activated Ultrogel AcA22. Nonspecifically adsorbed proteins were eliminated by extensive washing, and the receptor was eluted with a buffer containing 1 M NaCl, 0.1% CHAPS, and 0.02% cholesteryl hemisuccinate. After desalting, the purified receptor bound 125I-labeled neurotensin with a dissociation constant of 0.26 nM and retained its specificity towards a series of neurotensin analogues. The desalted NaCl eluate appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a major band of molecular weight 100,000 which was identified as the receptor by affinity labeling with 125I-labeled neurotensin in the presence of disuccinimidyl suberate. The purity of the mouse brain receptor eluted from the affinity column was estimated to be 78%. Electroelution of the 100-kDa protein band gave an homogenous preparation of receptor. Very similar results were obtained with CHAPS-solubilized neurotensin receptors from rat and rabbit brain.

Lipoprotein lipase-like activity in the liver of mice with Sarcoma 180.

The triglyceride lipase (TGL) activity of liver homogenates of mice with Sarcoma 180 was measured. The liver homogenate of normal or tumor-bearing mice was treated with 0.25% Triton X-100 and centrifuged at 100,000 g for 60 min, and the supernatant was applied to a heparin-Sepharose column. In normal mice, most of the TGL activities in the supernatant was eluted with 0.75 M NaCl from the column. In mice with Sarcoma 180, the TGL gave two peaks on heparin-Sepharose column chromatography, which were eluted with 0.75 M and 1.5 M NaCl, respectively. The activity in the first peak (0.75 M NaCl eluate) decreased; that in the second peak (1.5 M NaCl eluate) increased, and the ratio of the second peak to the first peak increased during tumor development. The livers of normal mice and mice on day 10 after tumor inoculation were perfused with heparin. The highest rate of the TGL release occurred within 1 min of heparin perfusion, and the bulk of heparin-releasable activity appeared within 2 min of perfusion in both normal and tumor-bearing mice. The TGL activity in liver perfusate of tumor-bearing mice, as well as that of liver homogenate, was resolved on a heparin-Sepharose column into two peaks, which were eluted with 0.75 M and 1.5 M NaCl, and most of the activity was eluted with 1.5 M NaCl. The nature of the TGL activity eluted from a heparin-Sepharose column was investigated. In both liver homogenates and liver perfusates, the first peak did not require serum for maximal activity and was relatively resistant to a high concentration of NaCl or protamine sulfate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Isolation and characterization of DNA-binding proteins of Yoshida ascites tumour cells

DNA-binding proteins from the cytosol and nuclei of Yoshida ascites sarcoma cells were isolated by affinity chromatography on native and denatured DNA-cellulose columns. The proteins that were retained in the columns were eluted by increasing concentrations of NaCl and analysed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Two proteins with approximate molecular weights (MW) of 38000 (38K) and 34000 (34K) D showed high affinity for denatured DNA and eluted in large quantities from denatured DNA-cellulose columns. In contrast, only small amounts of 38000 and 34000 D proteins were found to be associated with native DNA and the native DNA-associated 38K and 34K proteins showed higher rate of phosphorylation than the corresponding denatured DNA-binding proteins. The 38000 and 34000 D DNA-binding proteins were present both in nuclei and cytoplasm. These two proteins together comprised over 70% of the total DNA-binding proteins present in the 0.4 M NaCl eluate of the cytoplasmic extracts. DNA-binding proteins of MW 38000 and 34000 D were also present in a methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma, although in smaller amounts.

Reconstitution of a deoxyribonuclease I-sensitive structure on active genes.

Chicken erythrocyte nuclei have been labeled in the active regions of the chromosome by using the nick translation reaction. In this procedure, accessible areas of the genome are preferentially nicked by the action of pancreatic DNase I and subsequently labeled by using DNA polymerase I from Escherichia coli. These nuclei were employed as a substrate for studying the factors responsible for maintaining the special chromatin conformation of the overall population of active genes. Treatment of nuclei with 0.35 M NaCl resulted in the loss of DNase I sensitivity in the active genes, but this sensitivity could be restored when nuclei were reconstituted with the NaCl eluate. Further purification of the released factors revealed that the HMG (high-mobility group) proteins HMG-14 and HMG-17 are involved in maintaining the conformation of the active regions. These factors are not tissue specific and seem to be involved in the chromosomal structure of most of the active genes.