Detection and assessment of citrus tristeza virus antigens by computer-aided scanning densitometry

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) extracted from Etrog citron (C.medica L.) was immunoprecipitated. The immunoprecipitate was fractionated by SDS-PAGE and western blotted onto nitrocellulose. The CTV antigens were determined by immunoblot analysis using rabbit anti-CTV IgG, and the protein-band pattern exhibited on the nitrocellulose was assessed by soft-laser scanning densitometry. The densitometric tracing revealed the presence of bands that were not visible to the naked eye. Using the superimposition mode of the instrument, it was also revealed that the protein-band patterns of different CTV samples were not identical. Computer-aided soft-laser scanning densitometry proved to be a powerful approach in the detection and assessment of protein bands revealed on nitrocellulose immunoblots, which we were previously unable to do employing conventional methods.     

A procedure for analysis of densitometric spectra

Computer-aided quantitative analysis of densitometric spectra is presented. The densitometric spectra are decomposed into component bands using the Powell and Marquardt minimizers. Several different functions for the component bands are utilized. It is shown that the densitometric spectra can be decomposed into component bands with high accuracy only if the proper shapes of the bands are chosen. The method described was used for quantitative analysis of densitometric spectra of DNA cleaved by neocarzinostatin. The procedure is general and can be applied to analyses of autoradiographic films and to direct scans of electrophoretic gels. It is shown that densitometric spectra which show highly overlapped bands are well approximated by asymmetric Cauchy and Gauss functions. Well separated densitometric bands which have substantial asymmetry can be fitted to more sophisticated shapes formed by combinations of symmetric and asymmetric Cauchy and Gauss functions. High accuracy fitting to asymmetric densitometric curves may only be achieved using the cosine function introduced by Mignot and Rondot, J. Appl. Cryst. 1976, 9,460-465.     

Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of immunoglobulin patterns in monoclonal gammopathies.

Two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis was performed on 24 serum samples from patients diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathies. These samples had been shown to have a homogeneous immunoglobulin (M component) by zone electrophoresis and immunofixation. Using 2-D electrophoresis, the nature of this aberrant protein was further analyzed. It has been presumed that the sharp, dark stained band identified by immunofixation was the production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin. The increased resolution afforded by 2-D methodology reveals several different patterns. On 2-D electrophoresis, a monoclonal antibody has a unique pattern. It consists of 3 to 6 strong, restricted heavy chain bands and a single distorted light chain spot. The 3-6 bands are microheterogeneity of the isoelectric point, attributed to posttranslational glycosylation and/or amidation/deamidation. Analysis by 2-D electrophoresis indicated only 5 samples with a true monoclonal pattern. All but 2 of the samples clearly had aberrant immunoglobulin, but interpretation of the pattern would suggest the protein is other than a fully synthesized monoclonal antibody. The samples showed the following: a monoclonal heavy chain pattern with multiple distorted light chain spots, only an aberrant light chain area, only an aberrant heavy chain, and only a polyclonal increase. Several IgG gammopathies had, in addition, concentrations of gamma heavy chain at a reduced size (34 kDa).     

The application of schlieren optics for detection of protein bands and other phenomena in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

A modernized schlieren optics system was applied to follow protein bands visually during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This approach is suitable for quantitative measurement of electrophoresis as well as for detection of protein bands because of the absence of distortion of the electrophoretic pattern during the staining process. The optics are also suitable for the detection of various background phenomena which usually escape observation.     

微等电聚焦分离等位基因表达蛋白的研究

借助于显微操作方法,用等电聚焦和改进的超敏感染色技术对西葫芦单个花粉粒中的可溶性蛋白进行了电泳分析,获得了清晰的电泳图谱。在靠近酸性端有两条相距极近而且分布比较特殊的蛋白带,在第１种植株中,这两条带稍微靠近酸性端;在第２种植株中,它们稍微远离酸性端;在第３种植株中,它们相同于第１种和第２种,而且在两种之间的分布比例为１∶１。就这两条带的分布情况在判断植株的相对纯合性或杂合性方面的应用以及单花粉蛋白等电聚焦技术配合显微操作方法在群体遗传学和发育生物学研究方面的应用作了讨论。     

Fully reversible procedure for silver staining improves densitometry of complex mixtures of biopolymers resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Due to its high sensitivity, silver staining is a widely popular method for the revelation of biopolymers separated by both native and denaturing electrophoresis. A step-by-step method for the destaining and restaining of overdeveloped/overloaded silver-stained bands is described that is applicable to both proteins and nucleic acids. The procedure significantly improves densitometric analysis of gels that have been silver stained with either commercial kits or solutions made in-house. The method permits reproducible densitometry of silver-stained gels and allows quantification of both main and minor components in complex mixture of molecules resolved on the same gel slab. All steps may be interrupted and are readily reversible, allowing for facile densitometric analyses and photographic recording under optimized conditions. Furthermore, common artifacts such as differential staining of the two gel surfaces, localized uneven yellow-ochre background, and the presence of fold marks and fingerprints can be easily removed.     

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic studies on the self-association of crotamine: characterization and molecular dimension of n-mer species

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) at pH 4.4 was used to study the concentration dependence of absolute mobility of crotamine. Within amounts ranging from 5-65 micrograms the toxin appeared in at least three n-mer species which were characterized by their geometrical mean radius R and molecular weight Mr estimation. The R and Mr values of crotamine bands were obtained from equations described in the literature and by using standard polypeptides and proteins submitted to the same experimental conditions. When amounts of up to 20 micrograms were assayed by PAGE the bands had a monomer molecular weight value of 4650 and R was 1.08 nm. From 20-35 micrograms the toxin migrated as dimer (Mr 10,000) with an R value of 1.42 nm. However, amounts higher than 35 micrograms crotamine were mostly resolved in a "two-band" pattern with R and Mr values corresponding to higher associated species.     

Characterization of Associative Properties of Phycobiliprotein Preparations From Anacystis nidulans R2 By Direct Scanning Gel Chromatography

Abstract

The effects of salt concentration and pH on biliprotein self-association were examined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and direct scanning gel filtration. Fractions containing different relative concentrations of C-phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and linker proteins were prepared from Anacystis nidulans R₂. Four linker proteins and three pigmented protein bands were identified by gel electrophoresis. The migration rates of biliproteins were monitored in gel filtration columns using a direct scanning system. High salt concentrations and low pH enhanced the biliprotein migration rates, consistent with an increased self association under these conditions. The increased migration rates were greater in preparations containing larger amounts of linker peptides, indicating a role for these peptides in stabilizing the biliprotein aggregates. The profiles obtained from direct column scanning suggest that a rapid equilibrium exists between monomer and hexamer of C-phycocyanin in the absence of linker proteins.     

Electrophoresis and densitometry of serum and urine in the investigation and significance of monoclonal immunoglobulins

About 15% of monoclonal components or paraproteins are associated with malignancy when detected by simple electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes or agarose gel followed by protein staining. More sensitive methods for detecting monoclonal components result in a lower frequency of association with recognisable underlying disease. The sensitivity is dependent on the system used. Isoelectric focusing is 10 to 40 times more sensitive than simple electrophoresis at detecting monoclonal components. Electrophoretically separated bands may be quantitated densitometrically and at the present time this is the most satisfactory method for measuring monoclonal component concentration. Immunochemical methods for quantitating monoclonal components are limited by failure to react in a similar manner to polyclonal standards and giving problems of antigen excess resulting both in falsely elevated and low results. Electrophoretic methods must always be used in conjunction with these. The normal polyclonal ratio of immunoglobulin kappa:lambda light chain is disturbed by the presence of a monoclonal component. In 260 patients with myeloma we found that serum electrophoresis alone detected 90% while a disturbance in the kappa:lambda ratio detected 98%. However, 50% of monoclonal components less than 3 g/L were missed. Log kappa:lambda ratio correlates well with the densitometric scan of monoclonal components, both in vitro and in patients being monitored for treatment response in myeloma. This approach may complement or even replace densitometry for this purpose in the future.     

Characterisation of protease activity in extracellular products secreted by Giardia duodenalis trophozoites treated with propolis

Results from our laboratory revealed propolis activity on Giardia trophozoites proliferation. Since therapeutic agents can inhibit the activity of proteases related to relevant biologic and physiologic processes of parasites, this study was undertaken to characterise the proteolytic activity of excretory/secretory products (ESP) of trophozoites treated with propolis. ESP was obtained from culture supernatants of trophozoites exposed to 250 and 500 μg mL(-1) of propolis. ESP were tested in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the protein profiles and the protease activity was assayed in gelatin-containing gels. Synthetic inhibitors were used to characterise the protease classes. Treated and non-treated ESP showed a similar protein and hydrolysis pattern. A simple pattern of protein composed by five evident bands of approximately 167, 132, 79, 61 and 51 kDa was found, and the zymograms comprised hydrolysis zones distributed from >170 to 23 kDa. No inhibition was seen on protease activity of propolis-treated trophozoites, whose hydrolysis pattern was similar to control. One may conclude that both ESP degraded gelatin and the activity was predominantly due to cysteine proteases. Although propolis had no effect on the proteolytic activity, further studies could identify the active constituents responsible for propolis antigiardial activity and their mechanisms of action.     

Enhancement of the non-tryptophan fluorescence of human lens proteins after near-UV light exposure

Abstract. In this work, the non-tryptophan fluorescence (360 nm excited; 440 nm emitted) of human lens proteins was found to be intensified by exposing whole lens homogenates to near-UV light in the presence of tryptophan photoproducts. The induced fluorescence accumulates mainly in the soluble phase proteins, whereas in aging and brown cataractous lenses, the major fluorescence is found in the insoluble proteins. Using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with densitometric and fluorescence scanning techniques, the polypeptide chains of the three major protein fractions were analyzed for their specific non-tryptophan fluorescences. The same chains were found in all fractions. Two chains (11,000 and 45,000 daltons) were found to accumulate most of the induced fluorescence. These also contained the greatest intrinsic fluorescence initially. The data indicates that specific polypeptide chains in the lens proteins are most sensitive to modifications due to their exposure to near-UV light in the presence of tryptophan photoproducts.     

Detection of beta-glucanase activity on various beta-1,3 and beta-1,4-glucans after native and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

beta-Glucanases were detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native and denaturing conditions using various beta-1,3- and beta-1,4-glucans, including mixed glucans (laminarin, pachyman, carboxymethyl cellulose, lichenan and barley beta-glucan). After electrophoresis and incubation of gels, substrates incorporated into polyacrylamide gels were stained with specific fluorochromes, Sirofluor for beta-1,3 linkages and Calcofluor White M2R for beta-1,4 linkages. Under UV illumination, lysis zones appeared as dark bands against a fluorescent background. Enzymes of bacterial, fungal and plant sources could be revealed sequentially in gles containing mixed beta-(1,3)(1,4)-glucans by staining first with sirofluor followed by staining with Calcofluor White M2R. Active profiles were more diverse when substrates were stained with sirofluor. The use of purified sirofluor at pH 11.5 compared with Aniline Blue at pH 8.6 allowed better detection of beta-1,3-glucanase activities. In gels containing laminarin stained with sirofluor, bands exhibiting a more intense fluorescence than the background fluorescence were observed in addition to dark nonfluorescent bands. It is postulated that these two types of beta-1,3-glucanase activities differ by their enzymatic action (partial versus extensive hydrolysis). Analysis of fungal extracts using denaturing gels embedded with various beta-glucans displayed lysis bands migrating between 32 and 35 kDa.     

Towards a two-dimensional database of common human proteins.

A protein pattern of common human proteins was constructed by comparing the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) protein patterns from five cell lines of different germ layers. Total cell lysate and the isolated and purified nuclei of each cell line were separated by parallel electrophoresis runs in a multiple casting system of highest reproducibility. The computerized image analysis of the digitized 2-DE gels revealed a master protein pattern for each cell line. By comparison of all master protein patterns a 2-DE protein map of only common human proteins was constructed as a basis for a new 2-DE database. In a first step we have started characterizing a number of spots by microsequencing, amino acid composition analysis, and mass spectroscopy.     

TLC determination of mebendazol and pentoxifylline as residues on pharmaceutical equipment surfaces

This paper presents the applicability of thin-layer chromatographic methods with a subsequent densitometric or video densitometric quantitation for determination of residues in controlling pharmaceutical equipment cleanliness. Analytical methods were developed for monitoring residues of pentoxifylline at 10 mg/M2 and mebendazol at 1 mg/M2 on stainless steel surfaces. Simulated samples were prepared by addition of a calculated amount of pharmaceutical (as a solution) on a 35 x 35 cm stainless steel surface. After evaporation of solvent, the residues were wiped with wetted cotton. The cotton was extracted with dichloromethan-methanol (1 + 1). Filtered extract was concentrated by vacuum evaporation and an aliquot applied to the plate, where standards were also applied. In the narrow concentration range near the acceptable residue limits, linear calibration curve could be obtained for both substances. The mean recovery (n = 4) obtained by densitometric quantitation was 93.4% for pentoxifylline and 85.6% for mebendazol, with coefficients of variation of 3.5 and 8.3%, respectively. Results of video densitometric quantitation did not differ significantly. However, data acquisition and evaluation is faster compared with densitometry and allows better archiving possibilities as required by the regulatory authorities. Both quantitation modes can be applied to routine control of pharmaceutical equipment cleanliness.     

Comparative study of electrophoretic patterns of latex proteins from clones of Hevea brasiliensis

Latex serum proteins from Hevea brasiliensis were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteins from whole serum and fractions isolated by gel chromatography on Ultrogel AcA 44 were analyzed. No qualitative clonal differences were found in the protein patterns of whole latex or in the fractions but laser densitometry revealed reliable quantitative differences in protein composition. Reproducible mobilities and molecular weights of selected bands were obtained both within single gels as well as in different gels, analyzing several lots of latex received at various times from a Hevea experimental field station. The clones compared were IAN 710, GV 31, GV 42; the first one had the highest rubber yields.     

Variations in electrophoretic tear protein pattern due to contact lens wear

Electrophoresis of tear proteins was used to compare the patterns from tear proteins in contact lens wearers with non-contact lens wearers. Thirty-five non-contact lens wearers and 35 wearers volunteered to enter our study. Both groups aged 20-25 years with no history of eye diseases. Stimulated tear samples were collected using a capillary tube. Total tear protein was measured for each group individually using standard assay methods. The results showed slightly higher total tear protein in the group wearing contact lenses. Some new bands also appeared in the electrophoresis patterns of this group as compared to the control group.     

Degradation of individual intracellular proteins analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and computerized video densitometry

A technique is described for the analysis of degradation rates of individual intracellular proteins, based on pulse-chase-labeling of cells using radioactive amino acids [35S]methionine, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, fluorography and scanning of the fluorograms by a computerized video densitomter. As compared to scintillation counting of individual protein spots resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, this method allows a rapid and precise determination of the degradation rates of individual intracellular proteins. In the present study, degradation rates of individual intracellular proteins of normal human skin fibroblasts and skin fibroblasts from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were compared. Rates of degradation for proteins PIIa, PIIb and PIIc recently described as cell-type-specific proteins were significantly enhanced (p less than 0.01) in fibroblast cultures of Duchenne muscular dystrophy origin.     

Determination of rat plasma esterase-1 (ES-1) activity by scanning densitometry of gradient polyacrylamide gels with zymogram detection.

There is no specific assay for rat plasma esterase-1 (ES-1) activity. Plasma contains many esterases, while known substrates do not discriminate between esterases. With gel electrophoresis, plasma esterase isozymes can be separated. Thus, a method consisting of gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, visualization of the enzyme with a staining technique based on substrate conversion, and densitometric scanning of the stained gel has been developed for quantitative measurement of rat plasma ES-1 activity. ES-1 activities were expressed as total peak areas. Reproducibility of the method was found to be about 10% (expressed as apparent between-gel coefficient of variation). When the ES-1 zone areas was expressed relative to that of a plasma ES-1 standard, reproducibility was about 3%. The kinetics of catalysis of alpha-naphthyl acetate hydrolysis by ES-1 could be determined with the gel scanning assay; the Km was 0.76 mM. At the alpha-naphthyl acetate concentration of 2.69 mM, total peak areas of the ES-1 zone were linearly associated with the staining time (up to at least 40 min) and amount of plasma (up to 26.25 microL). The pH of the staining buffer influences the ES-1 zone area, the largest areas being obtained when the pH ranged between 7.0 and 7.8. With propionate as acyl moiety of the alpha-naphthyl ester substrate, ES-1 zone areas were higher than with either acetate, butyrate or hexanoate.     

Characterisation of the rubber elongation factor from ammoniated latex by electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Rubber elongation factor (REF) is considered as one of the major allergens present in latex. An extraction and purification protocol for preparation of REF standards has been modified. A protein fraction was extracted from ammoniated latex sap and purified by gel filtration chromatography. The purified and concentrated proteins were separated by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis into two major bands. These bands were further characterised by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight and nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. REF and a truncated form could be ascertained by the mass and fragmentation pattern of the tryptic peptides. In the faster migrating band an additional peptide could be identified. This peptide is also present in Hevb3 and a Mr 27000 latex allergen. Our findings indicate that conventional REF preparations as standards may contain additional allergenic proteins.