Specific Binding Constants Research Articles

Quantitative characterization of human oncogene promoter G-quadruplex DNA-ligand interactions using a combination of mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis.

Human c-KIT oncogene is known to regulate cell growth and proliferation, and thus, acts as a probable target in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors (GIST). To identify small molecule ligands which can specifically bind with the G-quadruplex (G4) in the c-KIT promoter region as potential antitumor agents, we propose the combination of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), capillary electrophoresis frontal analysis (CE-FA), and Taylor dispersion analysis (TDA) to accurately investigate the G4/ligands binding properties. First, ESI-MS was used for initial screening of natural products (NPs). CE-FA was then used to calculate specific binding constants and the stoichiometry of the native state binding pair in solution. Next, TDA, a micro-capillary flow technique was used to examine the effect of the ligand binding on the diffusivity and particle size of the c-KIT G4. Two of the screened NPs, scopolamine butylbromide (L1) and isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside (L3), were found to specifically bind to the c-KIT G4 with binding constants of around 104 M-1 and 1:1 stoichiometry in a free solution. TDA data showed that ligand binding (both L1 and L3) induced the c-KIT strands to fold into a tightly structured G4 with a decreased hydrodynamic radius. These ligands have the potential to be drug candidates for the regulation of c-KIT gene transcription by stabilizing the G4 structure. This methodology not only increased the speed of analysis but also improved its accuracy and specificity compared with the conventional binding approaches.

Characterization of interaction between Bcl-2 oncogene promoter I-Motif DNA and flavonoids using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and pressure-assisted capillary electrophoresis frontal analysis

B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) is an antiapoptotic protein which is believed to be a triggering factor in developing human tumors. The Bcl-2 C-rich promoter element has been shown to form the i-motif (IM) via cytosine−cytosine (C–C+) base pair building blocks, which can be targeted through the binding of ligands associated with Bcl-2 expression modulation. In this work, we monitored IM development and thermodynamic stability within the Bcl-2 promoter via circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results demonstrated that at an acidic pH, as well as in a crowded molecular environment, the Bcl-2 promoter element predominantly exists in a stable intramolecular IM folded state. We further explored the potential of targeting of the Bcl-2 IM to increase chemotherapeutic efficacy. We first used a rapid ESI-MS screening assay to identify possible ligands, finding that three natural flavonoids (P1, P5 and P6) exhibited a clear affinity for IM binding at 1:1 stoichiometry. Relative to P6, P1 and P5 were expected to form the more stable complexes with the Bcl-2 IM in gas phase according to MS/MS data. We further used ESI-MS and pressure-assisted capillary electrophoresis frontal analysis (PACE-FA) to assess the binding constants for these flavonoids in gas and liquid phases, respectively, with the latter considering both specific and non-specific binding. We found P5 and P6 to specifically bind the Bcl-2 IM with binding constants of ~104 M−1. P1 binding was confirmed to be due to both specific and nonspecific interactions, and the specific binding constant (8.67 × 103 M−1) was found much less significant than the binding constant in gas phase. Taken all these observations into consideration, the specific binding of selected flavonoids to the Bcl-2 IM may prove to be a potential ligand for modulating Bcl-2 gene expression.

A photoresponsive molecularly imprinted polymer with rapid visible-light-induced photoswitching for 4-ethylphenol in red wine

The trans to cis isomerization of the azobenzene chromophore in most azobenzene-based photoresponsive molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is initiated by UV irradiation. This limits the application of these materials in cases where UV light toxicity is an issue, such as in biological systems, food monitoring, and drug delivery. Herein we report a tetra-ortho-methyl substituted azobenzene, (4-[(4-methacryloyloxy)-2,6-dimethyl phenylazo]-3,5-dimethyl benzenesulfonic acid (MADPADSA). The photoswitching of MADPADSA could be induced by visible-light irradiation (550 nm for trans to cis and 475 nm for cis to trans) in 4-hydroxyethylpiperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer-ethanol (4:1, v/v) at pH 7.0, however, the photoisomerization was slow. With the use of MADPADSA as a functional monomer, NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ as a substrate, 4-ethylphenol (4-EP) as a template, a novel photoresponsive surface molecularly imprinted polymer NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@MIP was obtained. The NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@MIP displayed rapid visible-light-induced photoswitching. The NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ substrate could efficiently increase the trans to cis isomerization rate of the photoresponsive MIP on its surface, which was faster than that of the corresponding azobenzene monomer MADPADSA. Possible reasons for this effect were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@MIP displayed good specificity toward 4-EP with a specific binding constant (Kd) of 3.67 × 10−6 mol L−1 and an apparent maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of 10.73 μmol g−1, respectively. NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@MIP was applied to determine the concentration of 4-EP in red wine with good efficiency and a limit of detection lower than the value that could cause an unpleasant off-flavor.

A photoresponsive surface molecularly imprinted polymer shell for determination of trace griseofulvin in milk

A new photoresponsive surface molecularly imprinted polymer shell (PMIPS) was developed for determination of trace griseofulvin from milk. The PMIPS was prepared by surface imprinting technique using poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) (PS-co-PMMA) microspheres as the sacrificial substrate, griseofulvin as the template, a photoresponsive azobenzene derivative 4-((4-(methacryloyloxy)phenyl)diazenyl)-3,5-dimethyl benzenesulfonic acid as the functional monomer, and triethanolamine trimethacrylate as the cross-linker. The PMIPS was obtained after the removal of the sacrificial PS-co-PMMA core from the surface imprinted core-shell microspheres, PS-co-PMAA@PMIP. Compared with PS-co-PMAA@PMIP, PMIPS displayed better properties such as higher surface area and pore volume, rapid photo-isomerization rate, and higher adsorption capacities, specific binding constant and binding density. The PMIPS could efficiently detect griseofulvin in complex samples such as milk.

Specific Binding Constant and Stoichiometry Determination in Free Solution by Mass Spectrometry and Capillary Electrophoresis Frontal Analysis.

A free solution method was developed for evaluating the specific binding affinity and stoichiometry of small molecules with oligo DNA subsequent to cation-induced G-quadruplex formation. A nonlinear curve fitting equation capable of extracting specific binding constants in the presence of nonspecific binding without the need for reference compounds was proposed and tested. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was first used to rapidly screen the small molecule candidates; then, the stoichiometry and affinity constants of the native state binding pair in solution were obtained with capillary electrophoresis frontal analysis (CE-FA). The B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) oncogene is directly responsible for the expression of Bcl-2 protein, which plays a significant role in cell apoptosis. The binding of a G-quadruplex formed in the promoter region of the Bcl-2 oncogene with a small molecule could stabilize the quadruplex structure and potentially regulate the transcription of Bcl-2. Four natural product drug candidates were tested for their ability to bind the Bcl-2 promoter G-quadruplex. Using this reference-free method based on CE-FA data, jatrorrhizine and palmatine were found to bind specifically to the Bcl-2 promoter G-quadruplex with stoichiometries of 4:1 and 3:1, respectively.

Information extraction from native mass spectra

Native MS spectra of large protein assemblies are typically characterized by low signal‐to‐noise ratios and broad peak shapes. Accurate peak detection is challenging due to additional issues such as high degrees of peak overlap and highly interleaved charge envelopes. A comprehensive algorithm has been developed to address peak identification, overlapping deconvolution, and charge state assignment in native mass spectra. Our open source software provides a novel and practical tool for those problems and is capable of extracting signals of large protein assemblies from heterogeneous, complex, and noisy native mass spectra.Nonspecifical binding of ligands to large protein complexes is commonly observed in native MS spectra. Here we also present a deconvolution model to discriminate specific bindings of a ligand to a multi‐protein complex target from the nonspecific interactions. Using the deconvolution algorithms with two level modeling steps, specific binding constant(s) can be effectively separated from the nonspecific ones. The nonspecific binding can be modeled by a simple power inverse function. An additional advantage of the method is that the target concentration can be more accurately obtained.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (1S10OD016229, 8P41GM103481, GM49985, GM36659, AI‐21144, NS059690, GM109896, AG021601, AG002132, and AG010770).

Optical Imaging of Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition Factor (MET) for Enhanced Detection and Characterization of Primary and Metastatic Hepatic Tumors.

Purpose: To assess optical imaging of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition factor (MET) for delineation and characterization of intrahepatic models of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), and thereby demonstrate its potential use in precision oncology.Materials and Methods: MET expression in human CRC and HCC was assessed in tissue microarrays. We used GE-137, a modified cyanine 5-tagged peptide for MET targeting. HepG2 and Huh-7 (HCC) and HT-29 (CRC) cells with MET overexpression, and LNCaP cells (negative control) with minimal MET expression were incubated with the probe. Correlation between the relative fluorescence signal intensity and cellular MET expression level was assessed. Flow cytometry was used to assess probe specific binding and dissociation constant (Kd). Orthotopic xenograft models of human HCC and metastatic CRC were generated in nu/nu mice by subcapsular implantation of cells. Epifluorescence imaging was performed to capture the changes in deferential probe accumulation at different time points after injection. Target-to-liver background ratio (TBR) was calculated and the probe biodistribution within different organs was assessed. Histopathologic analysis of extracted xenografts was performed to correlate the tumors MET expression with probe uptake by cancer cells.Results: Approximately 91.5% of HCC and 81% of CRC microarray cores showed MET expression. HCC and CRC cells incubated with the probe showed substantial fluorescence compared to control LNCaP, with strong correlation between fluorescence signal and MET expression (R2 = 0.99, p < 0.001). Probe binding affinity to MET (Kd) was measured to be 2.9 ± 0.36 nM. Epifluorescence imaging showed intense uptake in subcapsular tumors with peak TBR of 5.46 ± 0.46 in Huh-7, 3.55 ± 0.38 in HepG2, and 15.93 ± 0.61 in HT-29 orthotopic xenografts at 4 hours post-injection (mean ± standard deviation). We demonstrated that in vivo probe uptake in xenografts is specific and can be blocked when co-injected with unlabeled peptide; for instance the epifluorescence TBR is reduced from 13.5 ± 1.2 to 1.7 ± 0.3 (p < 0.05) in HT-29 and from 5.3 ± 0.8 to 1.4 ± 0.2 (p < 0.05) in Huh-7 xenografts after co-injection with unlabeled peptides. Biodistribution studies showed predominantly renal clearance of the probe.Conclusion: Optical imaging of MET resulted in high TBR in animal models of primary and metastatic hepatic tumors suggesting its utility for procedural guidance.

A Rapid and Quantitative Fluorimetric Method for Protein-Targeting Small Molecule Drug Screening.

We demonstrate a new drug screening method for determining the binding affinity of small drug molecules to a target protein by forming fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) within the drug-loaded protein, based on the differential fluorescence signal emitted by the Au NCs. Albumin proteins such as human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) are selected as the model proteins. Four small molecular drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, warfarin, phenytoin, and sulfanilamide) of different binding affinities to the albumin proteins are tested. It was found that the formation rate of fluorescent Au NCs inside the drug loaded albumin protein under denaturing conditions (i.e., 60 °C or in the presence of urea) is slower than that formed in the pristine protein (without drugs). Moreover, the fluorescent intensity of the as-formed NCs is found to be inversely correlated to the binding affinities of these drugs to the albumin proteins. Particularly, the higher the drug-protein binding affinity, the slower the rate of Au NCs formation, and thus a lower fluorescence intensity of the resultant Au NCs is observed. The fluorescence intensity of the resultant Au NCs therefore provides a simple measure of the relative binding strength of different drugs tested. This method is also extendable to measure the specific drug-protein binding constant (KD) by simply varying the drug content preloaded in the protein at a fixed protein concentration. The measured results match well with the values obtained using other prestige but more complicated methods.

Presynaptic Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies are associated with abnormal neuronal aggregation of α-synuclein. However, the mechanisms of aggregation and their relationship to disease are poorly understood. We developed an in vivo multiphoton imaging paradigm to study α-synuclein aggregation in mouse cortex with subcellular resolution. We used a green fluorescent protein-tagged human α-synuclein mouse line that has moderate overexpression levels mimicking human disease. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of labeled protein demonstrated that somatic α-synuclein existed primarily in an unbound, soluble pool. In contrast, α-synuclein in presynaptic terminals was in at least three different pools: (1) as unbound, soluble protein; (2) bound to presynaptic vesicles; and (3) as microaggregates. Serial imaging of microaggregates over 1 week demonstrated a heterogeneous population with differing α-synuclein exchange rates. The microaggregate species were resistant to proteinase K, phosphorylated at serine-129, oxidized, and associated with a decrease in the presynaptic vesicle protein synapsin and glutamate immunogold labeling. Multiphoton FRAP provided the specific binding constants for α-synuclein's binding to synaptic vesicles and its effective diffusion coefficient in the soma and axon, setting the stage for future studies targeting synuclein modifications and their effects. Our in vivo results suggest that, under moderate overexpression conditions, α-synuclein aggregates are selectively found in presynaptic terminals.

Nonspecific Hybridization Scaling of Microarray Expression Estimates: A Physicochemical Approach for Chip-to-Chip Normalization

The problem of inferring accurate quantitative estimates of transcript abundances from gene expression microarray data is addressed. Particular attention is paid to correcting chip-to-chip variations arising mainly as a result of unwanted nonspecific background hybridization to give transcript abundances measured in a common scale. This study verifies and generalizes a model of the mutual dependence between nonspecific background hybridization and the sensitivity of the specific signal using an approach based on the physical chemistry of surface hybridization. We have analyzed GeneChip oligonucleotide microarray data taken from a set of five benchmark experiments including dilution, Latin Square, and "Golden spike" designs. Our analysis concentrates on the important effect of changes in the unwanted nonspecific background inherent in the technology due to changes in total RNA target concentration and/or composition. We find that incremental changes in nonspecific background entail opposite sign incremental changes in the effective specific binding constant. This effect, which we refer to as the "up-down" effect, results from the subtle interplay of competing interactions between the probes and specific and nonspecific targets at the chip surface and in bulk solution. We propose special rules for proper normalization of expression values considering the specifics of the up-down effect. Particularly for normalization one has to level the expression values of invariant expressed probes. Existing heuristic normalization techniques which do not exclude absent probes, level intensities instead of expression values, and/or use low variance criteria for identifying invariant sets of probes lead to biased results. Strengths and pitfalls of selected normalization methods are discussed. We also find that the extent of the up-down effect is modified if RNA targets are replaced by DNA targets, in that microarray sensitivity and specificity are improved via a decrease in nonspecific background, which effectively amplifies specific binding. The results emphasize the importance of physicochemical approaches for improving heuristic normalization algorithms to proceed toward quantitative microarray data analysis.

Tudy on sex steroid-binding proteins (with emphasize on 17 -estradiol) in plasma of female and juvenile kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum)

A sex steroid-binding protein (SBP) that binds to 17 b-estradiol with high affinity and moderate capacity was identified in the plasma of female and juvenile of kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) sampled during the early stage of gonadal maturation in October and prior to spawning in March. Mean maximum specific binding (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of the fish were as follows: In early stage of gonadal development (October), Bmax= 5800±970 fmol E2/m gprotein, Kd 4.1±0.6nM, and prior to spawning (March) Bmax= 4000±895 fmol E2/mgprotein, Kd 2.9±0.3nM. In juvenile sampled in October Bmax= 1600±130 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd 2.1±0.2n M and in March samples Bmax= 3500±780 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd 2.2±0.2nM. Plasma estradiol binding characteristics of the adult samples in October and March differed from the juvenile samples in having both Bmax and Kd significantly higher than juveniles. Plasma SBP levels displayed a moderate correlation with GSI (r2= 0.52) and CF (r2= 0.51) and a weak correlation with HSI (r2 = 0.28). Affinity was moderately correlated with CF (r2 = 0.68) and HIS (r2 = 0.50). A strong correlation was obtained between Bmax and Kd, high Bmax values coincided with high Kd values and vice versa.

Dynamics of Muscle Glycogenolysis Modeled with pH Time Course Computation and pH-Dependent Reaction Equilibria and Enzyme Kinetics

Cellular metabolites are moieties defined by their specific binding constants to H +, Mg 2+, and K + or anions without ligands. As a consequence, every biochemical reaction in the cytoplasm has an associated proton stoichiometry that is generally noninteger- and pH-dependent. Therefore, with metabolic flux, pH is altered in a medium with finite buffer capacity. Apparent equilibrium constants and maximum enzyme velocities, which are functions of pH, are also altered. We augmented an earlier mathematical model of skeletal muscle glycogenolysis with pH-dependent enzyme kinetics and reaction equilibria to compute the time course of pH changes. Analysis shows that kinetics and final equilibrium states of the closed system are highly constrained by the pH-dependent parameters. This kinetic model of glycogenolysis, coupled to creatine kinase and adenylate kinase, simulated published experiments made with a cell-free enzyme mixture to reconstitute the network and to synthesize PCr and lactate in vitro. Using the enzyme kinetic and thermodynamic data in the literature, the simulations required minimal adjustments of parameters to describe the data. These results show that incorporation of appropriate physical chemistry of the reactions with accurate kinetic modeling gives a reasonable simulation of experimental data and is necessary for a physically correct representation of the metabolic network. The approach is general for modeling metabolic networks beyond the specific pathway and conditions presented here.

Species specific binding constants of atropine to muscarinic receptors

Species specific binding constants of atropine to muscarinic receptors

A Comparative Study of Fe(II) and Fe(III) Interactions with DNA Duplex: Major and Minor Grooves Bindings

The involvement of the Fe cations in autoxidation in cells and tissues is well documented. DNA is a major target in such reaction, and can chelate Fe cation in many ways. The present study was designed to examine the interaction of calf-thymus DNA with Fe(II) and Fe(III), in aqueous solution at pH 6.5 with cation/DNA (P) (P = phosphate) molar ratios (r) of 1:160 to 1:2. Capillary electrophoresis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopic methods were used to determine the cation binding site, the binding constant, helix stability and DNA conformation in Fe-DNA complexes. Structural analysis showed that at low cation concentration (r = 1/80 and 1/40), Fe(II) binds DNA through guanine N-7 and the backbone PO(2) group with specific binding constants of K(G) = 5.40 x 10(4) M(1) and K(P) = 2.40 x 10(4) M(1). At higher cation content, Fe(II) bindings to adenine N-7 and thymine O-2 are included. The Fe(III) cation shows stronger interaction with DNA bases and the backbone phosphate group. At low cation concentration (r = 1:80), Fe(III) binds mainly to the backbone phosphate group, while at higher metal ion content, cation binding to both guanine N-7 atom and the backbone phosphate group is prevailing with specific binding constants of K(G) = 1.36 x 10(5) M(-1) and K(P) = 5.50 x 10(4) M(-1). At r = 1:10, Fe(II) binding causes a minor helix destabilization, whereas Fe(III) induces DNA condensation. No major DNA conformational changes occurred upon iron complexation and DNA remains in the B-family structure.

Macroscopic-scale surface properties of streptavidin and their influence on aspecific interactions between streptavidin and dissolved biopolymers

To avoid aspecific attractions between carrier surfaces for either ligand or receptor molecules in, e.g., immunoassays, or kinetic rate constant measurements, it has long been established that a background consisting of an aspecific, very hydrophilic carrier surface is generally quite effective. However, it is not often realized that one achieves such a non-reactive background, even with electrostatically neutral materials, at the price of creating a strong (polar) hydrophilic repulsion between dissolved biopolymer (e.g., protein) molecules and the non-adsorbing carrier surface. To investigate the quantitative effects of this type of repulsion in systems involving streptavidin, the surface properties of a streptavidin-coated glass plate were determined by contact angle measurements, from which the aspecific, macroscopic-scale free energies of repulsion between a streptavidin-coated surface and dissolved proteins such as immunoglobulin-G (IgG), and human serum albumin (HSA), could be derived. Streptavidin, even at neutral pH (at which it has virtually no electric surface charge as determined by electrophoresis) is very hydrophilic and strongly repels both IgG and HSA molecules. At neutral pH, molecules such as IgG and HSA, in aqueous solution, cannot approach a streptavidin layer more closely than to approximately 3.0 nm, which suffices to prevent IgG or HSA from any aspecific adherence to the streptavidin layer (as determined by extended DLVO analysis). This aspecific repulsion however also has the (usually unsuspected) effect of causing a decreased specific attachment between ligand and receptor molecules. In addition, it decreases the measured kinetic on-rate constants, often by about two decimal orders of magnitude. However, once the surface-thermodynamic properties of all the aspecific (macroscopic-scale) and specific (microscopic-scale) entities, as well as the specific equilibrium binding constant are known, the real kinetic on-rate constant between just the ligand and the receptor determinants can be determined, yielding the value it would have if the measurement of that constant were unhindered by the repulsive interactions exerted by the background of hydrophilic carrier molecules.

A rhodium(III) complex for high-affinity DNA base-pair mismatch recognition.

A rhodium(III) complex, rac-[Rh(bpy)(2)phzi](3+) (bpy, 2,2'-bipyridine; phzi, benzo[a]phenazine-5,6-quinone diimine) has been designed as a sterically demanding intercalator targeted to destabilized mismatched sites in double-helical DNA. The complex is readily synthesized by condensation of the phenazine quinone with the corresponding diammine complex. Upon photoactivation, the complex promotes direct strand scission at single-base mismatch sites within the DNA duplex. As with the parent mismatch-specific reagent, [Rh(bpy)(2)(chrysi)](3+) [chrysene-5,6-quinone diimine (chrysi)], mismatch selectivity depends on the helix destabilization associated with mispairing. Unlike the parent chrysi complex, the phzi analogue binds and cleaves with high affinity and efficiency. The specific binding constants for CA, CC, and CT mismatches within a 31-mer oligonucleotide duplex are 0.3, 1, and 6 x 10(7) M(-1), respectively; site-specific photocleavage is evident at nanomolar concentrations. Moreover, the specificity, defined as the ratio in binding affinities for mispaired vs. well paired sites, is maintained. The increase in affinity is attributed to greater stability in the mismatched site associated with stacking by the heterocyclic aromatic ligand. The high-affinity complex is also applied in the differential cleavage of DNA obtained from cell lines deficient in mismatch repair vs. those proficient in mismatch repair. Agreement is found between photocleavage by the mismatch-specific probes and deficiency in mismatch repair. This mismatch-specific targeting, therefore, offers a potential strategy for new chemotherapeutic design.

Lateral mobility and specific binding to GABA(A) receptors on hippocampal neurons monitored by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

The binding behavior of a fluorescently labeled muscimol derivative to the GABA(A) receptor was analyzed at rat hippocampal neurons by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. After muscimol had been labeled with the fluorophore Alexa Fluor 532, specific binding constants for binding of the dye-labeled ligand (Mu-Alexa) to the GABA(A) receptor were determined. We found a high specific binding affinity of Mu-Alexa with a K(D) value of 3.4 +/- 0.5 nM and a rate constant of ligand-receptor dissociation (k(diss)) of (5.37 +/- 0.95) x 10(-2) s(-1). A rate constant of ligand-receptor association (k(ass)) of (1.57 +/- 0.28) x 10(7) L mol(-1) s(-1) was calculated. The following diffusion coefficients were observed: D(free) = 233 +/- 20 microm(2)/s (n = 66) for free diffusing Mu-Alexa, D(bound1) = 2.8 +/- 0.9 microm(2)/s (n = 64) for the lateral mobility, and D(bound2) = 0.14 +/- 0.05 microm(2)/s (n = 56) for the hindered mobility of the GABA(A) receptor-ligand complex in the cell membrane. Saturation of Mu-Alexa binding was observed at a concentration of 50 nM. A maximum number of binding sites [B(max) = 18.4 +/- -0.4 nM (n = 5)] was found. Similar K(i) values of 4.5 +/- 1.0 nM for nonlabeled muscimol and 8.8 +/- 1.8 nM for Mu-Alexa were found by RRAs using [(3)H]muscimol as a radioligand. A concentration-dependent increase in the level of specific Mu-Alexa binding was demonstrated by the positive cooperative activity of co-incubated midazolam, which was selectively found in GABA(A) receptor-ligand complexes with hindered mobility.

Propyl gallate is a superoxide dismutase mimic and protects cultured lens epithelial cells from H 2O 2 insult

n-Propyl gallate ( nPG) is a food preservative that is generally regarded as safe by the US FDA. It suppresses oxidation in biological systems. The mechanism by which nPG acts in biological systems is uncertain. We investigated whether nPG protected cultured lens epithelial cells from H 2O 2-induced damage. Cells were treated with H 2O 2 or with nPG and then H 2O 2. H 2O 2 inhibited growth, caused membrane blebbing, decreased lactate production, increased the level of GSSG, decreased the levels of GSH, ATP and NAD +, and G3PDH activity, stimulated the hexose monophosphate shunt and induced single-strand breaks in DNA. nPG prevented the H 2O 2-induced growth inhibition, membrane blebbing, drop in NAD + and single-strand breaks in DNA. The mechanism by which nPG acts at the chemical level was investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), direct spectrophotometric kinetic measurements, and cyclic voltammetry. When nPG at low concentrations (nM to μM) was mixed with a large excess of O 2 − , the superoxide signal was destroyed as indicated by UV visible spectroscopy and EPR. Kinetic analysis indicated that nPG dismutated O 2 − in repetitive additions of superoxide with little loss of activity. The rate constant for the overall reaction of nPG with O 2 − was ca. 10 6 M −1 s −1. nPG had a very low specific binding constant for Fe 2+ as determined by cyclic voltammetry. The evidence indicates that nPG dismutates the superoxide ion in a catalytic manner.

Layer-by-layer assembly of multilayer films composed of avidin and biotin-labeled antibody for immunosensing

Protein multilayers composed of avidin and biotin-labeled antibody (bio-Ab) were prepared on gold surface by layer-by-layer assembly technology using the high specific binding constant ( K a: ≈10 15 M −1) between avidin and biotin. The assembly process of the multilayer films was monitored by using real-time BIA technique based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The multilayer films were also characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and reflection absorption Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicate that the growth of the multilayer is uniform. From response of SPR for each layer, the stoichiometry S for the interaction between avidin and bio-Ab is calculated to be 0.37 in the multilayer whereas 0.82 in the first layer. The protein mass concentration for each layer was also obtained. The schematic figure for the multilayer assembly was proposed according to the layer mass concentration and S value. The utility of the mutilayer films for immunosensing has been investigated via their subsequent interaction with hIgG. The binding ability of the multilayer increased for one to three layers of antibody, and then reach saturation after the fourth layer. These layer-by-layer constructed antibody multilayers enhance the binding ability than covalently immobilized monolayer antibody. This technology can be also used for construction of other thin films for immunosensing and biosensor.

Partial Characterization of a Sex Steroid-Binding Protein in Plasma from Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.)

A sex steroid-binding protein (SBP) that binds 17β-estradiol with high affinity and moderate capacity was identified in the plasma from Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) sampled during the early stage of gonadal maturation in June and prior to spawning in October. Maximum specific binding (Bmax) and equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of males (Bmax = 2122 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd = 1.9 nM), females (Bmax = 4115 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd = 3.0 nM), and juveniles (Bmax = 4355 fmol E2/mg protein, Kd = 1.8 nM) resembled binding characteristics of SBP from related species. The early-maturing females displayed both Bmax and Kd values significantly higher than those of males (June samples). No significant differences in binding characteristics between fully matured males or females and immature juveniles were observed in the October samples. Interestingly, despite large individual variations there was a strong correlation between SBP levels and affinity. The association rate for 17β-estradiol was rapid (t1/2 ≈ 1–2 min) compared with the dissociation rate (t1/2 ≈ 3 h). Several native hormones (estrogens, androgens, and progesterone) were able to compete with tritiated 17β-estradiol for the binding site. Gel filtration chromatography demonstrated a peak of estradiol binding at approximately 60 kDa, when eluted on a Sephadex S-200 HR column.