A binding shift assay for the zinc-bound and zinc-free HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein by capillary electrophoresis.

Affinity capillary electrophoresis was used to detect a shift in mobility when a zinc ion binds to the highly basic nucleocapsid protein (NCp7) of HIV-1. NCp7 contains two Cys-X2- Cys-X4-His-X4-Cys zinc fingers. With constant concentrations of NCp7 as a receptor and various concentrations of zinc as a ligand in the sample buffer and the electrophoresis buffer, we observed changes in electrophoretic mobilities of NCp7 protein when complexes were formed with zinc. Scatchard analysis of the mobility indicates the presence of at least two types of binding sites for zinc. At pH 6.0, one site is shown to bind zinc strongly with a binding constant Kb = 3.25 x 10(5) M-1 and the second site has a Kb = 1.8 x 10(5) M-1. The binding of zinc to the first zinc finger decreased the affinity of zinc for the second zinc finger approximately twofold. The Hill coefficient for this negative cooperativity is 0.9. A series of NCp7 mutants were also examined in the assay to determine their ability to bind zinc. This assay affords a quick method to observe a zinc ion binding to NCp7 and to calculate binding constants.

Capillary zone electrophoresis of large DNA.

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) of DNA 23.1 to 48.5 kb in length in polyacrylamide solutions of several concentrations provides evidence for polymer concentration and DNA length-dependent stretching and orientation of these species and suggests an effective separation at a polymer concentration of about 0.6%. Applying a 0.1% polyacrylamide concentration to the lambda-phage DNA ladder, at least 5 components are separated; separation improves with lowering of the field strength to 2 V/cm and, correspondingly, extended duration of CZE. Saccharomyces pombe chromosomal DNA separates into 3 major components on CZE at high field strength (270 V/cm) in 0.9% polyacrylamide solution, confirming a previous finding made on electrophoresis in a 1.1 mm ID tube at low field strength. However, the finding is limited to one source of the DNA plug, and the chromosomal identity of the components remains unknown. Methodological problems in the CZE of large DNA relate to the need for extended duration of pressure injection if absorbance detection is applied, the need to define the starting zone after extended pressure injection, the need to melt and digest agarose plugs prior to loading, and related needs for thermostating of the sample chamber and for software compatible with low voltage operation.

Quantitation of human haptoglobin by ELISA system based on streptococcal haptoglobin receptors.

Streptococcus pyogenes cells with binding properties for human haptoglobin were used for quantitative determination of the acute phase protein, haptoglobin in various biological fluids. The S. pyogenes cells with protein surface antigen T4 served as solid phase in a microtitre ELISA system. After binding to the bacteria the amount of haptoglobin could be quantified by polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies. The constructed ELISA proved to be sensitive and correlated well with a conventional peroxidase method and with an immunoassay based on hemoglobin binding to haptoglobin.

Advances in DNA electrophoresis in polymer solutions.

DNA electrophoresis in gels and solutions of agarose and polyacrylamide was objectively evaluated with regard to separation efficiency at optimal polymer concentrations. In application to DNA fragments, polyacrylamide gels were superior for separating fragments of less than 7800 bp, and agarose gels are the best choice for larger fragments. Agarose solutions are nearly as good as polyacrylamide gels for small DNA (< 300 bp). Agarose solutions have a higher efficiency than polyacrylamide solutions for DNA of less than 1200 bp. Separation efficiency sharply decreases with increasing length of DNA. Retardation in polyacrylamide solutions was found to depend on polymer length in a biphasic fashion. The choice of resolving polymer concentrations depends on the progressive stretching of DNA in proportion to polymer concentration. The rate of that stretching appears higher in polyacrylmide solution than in gels or in liquid or gelled agarose. Application of polymer solutions to capillary electrophoresis raises further problems concerning agarose plugs, DNA interactions with the polymers, operation at low field strength and long durations as well as detection sensitivity.

[Activity of alanine aminopeptidase, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase in urine of children with nephrotic syndrome]. / Aktywnosc alanyloaminopeptydazy, beta-glukuronidazy i N-acetylo-beta-D-glukozaminidazy w moczu dzieci z zespolem nerczycowym.

Activity of alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), beta-glucuronidase, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in daily urine has been determined in 27 children with nephrotic syndrome, 14 children in remission, and 11 healthy children. It was found, that these enzymes activity is significantly increased in sick children in comparison with healthy ones. Similarly, the activity of AAP and NAG in daily urine is statistically significantly higher in children with remission, than that in healthy children. An assay of these enzymes in the urine may be used in the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome and in the evaluation of its course.

Electrophoretic separation of S. pombe chromosomes in polyacrylamide solutions using a constant field.

Previous electrophoretic separations of megabase (Mb) sized DNA have been achieved in pulsed electric fields, using agarose gel as a matrix. The present study demonstrates separations of Mb sized DNA due to a retardation of migration in proportion to the concentration of uncrosslinked polyacrylamide of 5 x 10(6) molecular weight, using a constant electric field. Potentially, the method should be applicable to large DNA in general, greatly reducing the instrumental complexity of such separations and rendering them compatible with capillary electrophoresis apparatus.

Electrophoretic size separation of particles with diameters in the micron range, using polymer solutions.

Polystyrene-sulfate particles ranging in size from 536 to 2,170 nm diameter were subjected to electrophoresis (10 V cm-1, 25 degrees C) in K-MES, 0.03 M ionic strength, pH 6.12, 50 mM CHAPS in liquid polymer media contained in horizontal glass tubes of 1 mm ID. The polymer media were linear polyacrylamide [0.3 to 0.9% Mr = 5 x 10(5) and 5 x 10(6), as well as a commercial solution of the latter in 4 M urea, 7.5% Na2SO4 designated as Gelamide-250] or polyvinylalcohol (0.25 to 2.5%, Mr = 6.5 x 10(5), designated PVA). In these polymer solutions, the polystyrene sulfate particles exhibit linear Ferguson plots [log(mobility) vs polymer concentration]. Their slope, KR, is directly related to the diameter of the particle when electrophoresis is conducted in Gelamide-250 or slowly 25 degrees C solubilized PVA solutions, indicating a molecular sieving mechanism. By contrast, KR is inversely related to the particle diameter when electrophoresis is conducted in linear polyacrylamide of 5 x 10(6) molecular weight or in PVA rapidly solubilized by autoclaving (121 degrees C, 1.2 kg cm-2 pressure), suggesting a particle exclusion (gel permeation) mechanism of size separation. Electrophoresis in solutions of polyacrylamide of 5 x 10(5) molecular weight exhibits the same degree of retardation for the entire size range of polystyrene particles used, i.e. a viscosity effect only and no size separation. Retardation of electrophoretic migration by either a sieving or a permeation mechanism is highly reproducible in polyacrylamide solutions, but not in PVA solutions (whether solubilization conditions favoring an apparent permeation mechanism or a sieving mechanism are applied).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of haptoglobin-binding properties of streptococci of serological group G.

Two group G streptococcal cultures (G 10187, G 11122) with surface antigen T4 possess surface receptors for human haptoglobin (Hp). G 10187 additionally interacted with immunoglobulin G and albumin, G 11122 with fibrinogen and fibronectin. Binding of 125I-Hp 2-1 was time-dependent, saturable, reversible in the presence of unlabelled Hp and could be inhibited by unlabelled human-Hp 2-1, -Hp 2-2, -Hp 1-1, Hp-hemoglobin complexes and by Hp preparations from pigs, horses and rabbits. The Hp binding sites could be destroyed by heat treatment (95 degrees C) and by proteolytic treatment of the bacteria. Hp binding sites were solubilized from group G streptococcal surface by heat treatment of the bacteria at acid pH and subsequently isolated by affinity chromatography on Hp 2-1 sepharose. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting of the Hp binding proteins revealed numerous protein bands with 125I-Hp 2-1 binding activity. Specific antibodies against G streptococcal binding proteins prepared in chickens inhibited binding of 125I-Hp to group G and group A streptococci, but not to Actinomyces pyogenes.

Further characterization of haptoglobin binding to streptococci of serological group A.

Certain group A streptococci with surface antigen T 4 possess surface receptors for human haptoglobin (Hp). Binding of 125I Hp 2-1 to two representative group A streptococcal cultures could be inhibited by unlabelled Hp 2-1, Hp 2-2 and Hp 1-1 but not by the alpha 1, alpha 2 or beta chains of Hp. Hp complexes formed with equine hemoglobin and asialo-Hp also reduced 125I-Hp 2-1 binding to group A streptococci. Hp binding proteins could be solubilized from streptococcal surface by hot acid treatment of the bacteria and purified by subsequent affinity chromatography on human Hp 2-1 sepharose. The isolated Hp binding proteins specifically inhibited 125I-Hp 2-1 binding to group A streptococci and retained their 125I-Hp 2-1 binding activity in a dot binding assay on nitrocellulose membranes. SDS-PAGE and protein blots of Hp binding proteins developed with 125I-labeled Hp 2-1 revealed numerous high molecular weight proteins with 125I-Hp 2-1 binding activity.

Properties of sulfanilazo-haptoglobin.

1. Tyrosine and two structural isomers of histidine residues in human haptoglobin were modified with diazotized sulfanilic acid. Sulfanilazo-derivatives of haptoglobin obtained by increasing the reagent/protein molar ration showed gradual decrease of peroxidase activity when complexed with hemoglobin. 2. Formation of haptoglobin derivatives with ten mono(sulfanilazo)-tyrosines and two mono (sulfanilazo)histidines resulted in the blockage of one out of six antigenic determinants, whereas immunoreactivity of the derivative with fourteen azotyrosines, one C-4, and two C-2 azohistidines was decreased by half. 3. Removal of sialic acid from oligosaccharide chains of haptoglobin made the molecule more accessible to diazotized sulfanilic acid. 4. Sulfanilazo-modification of tyrosine and histidine residues was practically of no effect in the reaction of haptoglobin with plant lectin, concanavalin A.

Clearance of certain modified haptoglobins from the rabbit circulation.

1. Human haptoglobin (Hp) type 2-1 was subjected to the sulfanilazo-modification of tyrosine and histidine residues, the removal of sialic acid, and the reduction of disulfide bonds (isolation of alpha 2, alpha 1, beta subunits), respectively. Radioactively labeled preparations were administered intravenously to rabbits. 2. Human Hp and isolated beta (heavy) chain disappeared from the circulation somewhat faster (half-lives = 72 and 67 h, respectively), than homologous rabbit Hp (half-life = 96 h). Hp light chains (alpha 2, alpha 1), devoid of oligosaccharide showed shorter half-lives of 27-19 h. 3. Treatment of Hp with diazotized sulfanilic acid resulted in an appreciable reduction of half-life to 21-11 h, as dependent on the number of modified residues. 4. Asialo-Hp, asialo-beta chain, and asialo-sulfanilazo-Hp were cleared rapidly from the circulation with half-lives of 5.5, 5.0, and 4.2 h, respectively. 5. These results suggest that in different pathways of Hp catabolism in vivo, polypeptide recognition markers in addition to carbohydrate ones, are involved.

Products of trypsin digestion of haptoglobin beta (heavy) chain.

Trypsin digestion of haptoglobin beta (heavy) chain resulted in five glycopeptides. The glycopeptides were characterized by carbohydrate and sulphydryl groups content; their molecular mass was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence or absence of 2-mercaptoethanol. None glycopeptide possessed hemoglobin-binding capacity. glycopeptide I did not form any precipitate with antihaptoglobin serum but was shown to inhibit strongly the reaction of haptoglobin or beta chain with the antiserum. Glycopeptide II showed dominant antigenic determinants in relation to native haptoglobin and to beta chain. Reaction of this glycopeptide with concanavalin A was almost twice higher than the corresponding reaction of haptoglobin. Glycopeptides IV and V were inactive in the reaction with the lectin. Glycopeptide III exhibited relatively the strongest cross-reactivity with the specific antihaptoglobin serum while its inhibitory activity in the immunoreaction was the lowest.

Reduction of disulphide bonds in human haptoglobin 2-1.

Gradual reduction of disulphide bonds in human haptoglobin, type 2-1, was carried out either by the use of sodium borohydride or 2-mercaptoethanol, newly exposed sulphydryl groups as determined by the Ellman's reagent and by the incorporation of [(14) C] acetamide, respectively. Cleavage of disulphide bonds resulted in the formation of a number of intermediates, separated in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with sulphydryl groups blocked by the radioactive label. On the basis of molecular mass determinations, subunit composition of intermediates, was postulated. The ability of haptoglobin to form an active peroxidase-like complex with hemoglobin depended to a considerable extent on the presence of intact disulphide bonds. On the contrary,throughout the course of reduction of inter- and intrachain disulphides, antigenic reactivity was found to remain unchanged.

Immunological comparison of glycopeptides obtained from haptoglobin types 1-1, 2-1 and 2-2.

Immunochemical properties of glycopeptides III and IV obtained from haptoglobin (Hp) types 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2, by trypsin digestion were studied by double immunodiffusion test, quantitative precipitation and crossed immunoelectrophoresis with antisera directed against Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1, and Hp 2-2, respectively. Trypsin digestion resulted in an exposition in the glycopeptide IV 1-1 of the antigenic determinant characteristic of Hp 1-1, which had been hidden inside the molecule of the native Hp 1-1. On the contrary, it was not possible to find an antigenic determinant characteristic of the product of alpha 2 gene.

Di-, tri-, and tetrapeptide sequences in haptoglobin. Contribution to understanding of haptoglobin structure.

Amino acid sequences of haptoglobin and 11 proteins related and unrelated to haptoglobin were resolved into overlapping di-, tri-, and tetrapeptides. Comparison of the obtained peptides confirmed the existence of homology between haptoglobin and the family of serine proteases. The homology with light chain of immunoglobulins was relatively weak. A surprising similarity with concanavalin A was found. Tetrapeptide beta-turns (chain reversals), characterized by Chou & Fasman (1977, J. Mol. Biol., 115, 135-175) were compared with similar structures in light (alpha) and heavy (beta) subunits of haptoglobin.