Isolation and purification of biopolymers by affinity chromatography. VI. Preparation and properties of an affinity adsorbent with a polysaccharide spacer for the purification of proteolytic enzymes

A new affinity sorbent has been synthesized — soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI)-amylopectin-hydrazidosuccinyl-Sepharose — and its properties have been studied in comparison with those of an analogous adsorbent without the spacer STI-Sepharose. The STI-amylopectin-hydrazidosuccinyl-Sepharose adsorbent has been used for the purification of trypsin from porcine pancreas and of callicrein from human blood plasma.     

Coupling of effector molecules to solid supports

In view of the limited stability of the isourea bond, formed in ligand coupling to CNBractivated polysaccharides, an alternative to this current activation method has been developed. 2,4,6-Trifluoro-5-chloropyrimidine (FCP), known as a reactive group in reactive dyes, was used to activate Sepharose. Under appropriate conditions a thermally stable product with unimpaired beaded structure was obtained, which was reactive toward amines and mercaptans. Coupling with hexamethylenediamine, aniline, and ethanethiol, respectively, yielded an incorporation of 0.2-2.7, 0.9-1.7, and 1.1 mmol ligand/g dry agarose. The stability of immobilized ligands based on FCP-Sepharose between pH 4 and 8 was about 200 times higher as compared to products originating from CNBr-Sepharose; ligand leakage was only 0.5 x 10^p-3%/h. The possibility of obtaining a high degree of substitution is a further advantage of the FCP activation. In addition, the FCP-activated Sepharose can be stored in the wet state at 4°C without substantial decrease in coupling capacity. The FCP analogs 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro- and 2,4,5,6-tetrafluoropyrimidine, and other polymers (cellulose, Sephadex, aminomethylpolystyrene) appeared to be applicable also.     

Analysis of the reaction kinetics of single esterase sepharose beads by microfluorometry of the fluorogenic substrate turnover

Heterogeneous catalysis of esterase (E.C. 3.1.1.1) immobilized on CNBr-Sepharose 4B was analyzed by microfluorometry. The hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate was measured within single esterase-Sepharose beads during steady-state turnover. Fluorescence intensity profiles, total intensities, and reaction rates of single beads were measured by means of a microfluorometer. Their suitability for determining the kinetic constants of the system was evaluated by comparison with the theoretical values of the kinetic model. The computation was based on the kinetic equations describing the interaction of internal diffusion and enzymatic reaction with noncompetitive product inhibition within spherical particles. A method is described which can be used to derive the true K_m of the immobilized enzyme from a correlation of intensity- and turnover-dependent apparent K_m—s. Effectiveness factors and Damkohler numbers for individual esterase-Sepharose beads were determined from relative total fluorescence intensities and fluorescence intensity profiles, respectively.     

Preparation and properties of insoluble forms of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme and chicken egg white lysozyme

Bacteriophage T4 lysozyme and chicken egg white lysozyme were covalently bound to cyanogen bromide activated Sepharose and to glutaraldehyde activated polyacrylhydrazido-Sepharose. The latter method seemed less favorable for T4 lysozyme, since the poly-acrylhydrazido-agarose conjugate exhibited low activity compared to the agarose conjugate. Whole bacteria (M.luteus and chloroform-treatedE. coli B cells) and the soluble uncross-linked peptidoglycan polymer fromM. luteus were used as substrates. Both types of conjugates exhibited low specific activity (lytic activity) toward insoluble substrates (cells), but surprisingly high specific activity toward the soluble substrate (hydrolytic activity). Product analysis showed that the enzyme conjugates retained their specificity of action, i.e., the same products were formed, and their rates of production were the same as those observed with the soluble (native) enzyme. The cell wall disaccharide-tetrapeptide GlcNAc-MurNAc-L-ala-D-gIu-(A₂pm-D-Ala) (C₆) inhibits the hydrolytic activity of both the native and the agarose bound T4 lysozyme. Only a slightly increased thermal stability was observed upon immobilization of T4 lysozyme, whereas the stability of the enzyme during storage and handling was greatly improved. The pH optimum of the lytic activity of Sepharose-T4 lysozyme was shifted about 1 pH unit to the alkaline side, compared to that found for the soluble enzyme, whereas no pH shift was observed for the polyacrylhydrazido-Sepharose conjugate. The optimum of the hydrolytic activity of Sepharose-T4 lysozyme was shifted to the acidic side. The pH optima of the lytic activity of the various lysozymes toward the bacterial cells were all very similar (>7), and differed greatly from the pH optima (<6) observed for their hydrolytic activities toward the negatively charged soluble peptidoglycan polymer. It is proposed that the observed differences in pH optima primarily reflect the basically different properties measured, i.e., the β(1–4) cleaving activity (hydrolytic activity), and dissolution process of the damaged cells (lytic activity).     

Separation of aspartate aminotransferase from albumin on substituted agaroses

The affinity of aspartate aminotransferase to its inhibitors coupled to Sepharose 4 B was tested. The affinity was measured as retardation of the enzyme compared to “inert” bovine serum albumin. Carboxylic ligands of citrate and 2-oxoglutarate bound to aminoethyl-Sepharose were the best of those tested in separation of the proteins. Because the ligands were not essentially hydrophobic and because it was shown that ion-exchange is not significant in the elution conditions used, it was suggested that the separation is based on the recognition of substrate or effector by the enzyme.     

Facile formation of stimuli-responsive,fluorescent and magnetic nanoparticles based on cellulose stearoyl ester via nanoprecipitation

In comparison to stimuli-responsive, multi-functional nanoparticles (NPs) from synthetic polymers, such NPs based on sustainable, naturally occurring polysaccharides are still scarce. In the present study, stable stimuli-responsive, fluorescent and magnetic NPs were fabricated using cellulose stearoyl esters (CSEs) consisting of cellulose and stearoyl groups. The multifunctional NPs with the average diameters between 80 and 250 nm were obtained after facile nanoprecipitation using CSE solutions containing Fe₃O₄-NPs. Using the aqueous solution of fluorescent rhodamine B as precipitant, NPs with rhodamine B on NP surface were obtained. Rhodamine B could be released depending on the temperature. In comparison, stearoylaminoethyl rhodamine B can be encapsulated in CSE-NPs, which renders obtained NPs reversible fluorescence in response to UV illumination and heat treatment.     

Synthesis of the bifuncttonal dinucleotide AMP-ATP and its application in general ligand affinity chromatography

A new AMP derivative substituted with spacer arms both at position N⁶ and C8 of the adenine moiety was synthesized and immobilized to Sepharose. To the immobilized ligand was subsequently coupled C8-substituted ATP in a solid-phase synthesis fashion yielding the bifunctional general ligand AMP-ATP. This affinity material was used in the separation of two major groups of enzymes, dehydrogenases and kinases. It was found that on passage of crude homogenates obtained from mouse kidney through the affinity column, several dehydrogenases and kinases were bound, which could be eluted separately using pulses of NADH and ATP, respectively. In the fractions obtained on NADH elution, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and α-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase were found, whereas ATP eluted 3-phosphoglyceric acid kinase, pyruvate kinase, and aldolase.     

Properties of human parotid amylase immobilized by covalent binding to glass or sepharose or by reaction with immobilized antibody

Human parotid amylase was immobilized by covalent binding to CNBr-activated Sepharose, to Corning GAO-3940 silica glass biomaterial support by the diazonium reaction or reaction with glutaraldehyde, or as a result of the antigen-antibody reaction between rabbit antihuman parotid amylase IgG that was covalently bonded to GAO glass and soluble amylase. The amylase directly bonded to the supports showed constant activity at flow rates of 3-15 ml/min through a 1.76-cm³ (8-mm diameter) support bed, did not lose enzyme into a circulating starch solution, retained its activity in the presence of soluble antiamylase IgG, was optimally active at 35°-40°C, and lost activity at 40°-45°C. When the enzyme was bound by interaction with immobilized antibody, full activity was expressed, but some enzyme was solubilized by a circulating starch solution. Immobilization of either amylase or antiamylase IgG makes dissolution of the antigen-antibody bond difficult.     

Preparation of immobilized sepharose-micrococcal nuclease derivatives: activity and stability

Micrococcal nuclease has been covalently attached to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B by coupling through three different enzyme functions: (a) amino groups; (b) carboxyl groups; and (c) tyrosyl or histidyl residues. On the basis of coupling yield and catalytic efficiency, Sepharose-(NH₂) nuclease derivatives were chosen for further activity andstability studies. The activity of the insoluble enzyme has been evaluated with macromolecular (DNA) and small (synthetic nucleotide) substrates; with the latter the enzyme retains 70% of native enzyme activity. Good enhancement of enzyme stability in the 4–40°C range has been observed.     

Stability of immobilized frog epidermis tyrosinase

Purified frog epidermis tyrosinase was immobilized on the following supports: CNBr-Sepharose 4B, Enzacryl AA, Enzacryl AH, Enzacryl Polythiolactone, and Enzacryl Polyacetal. The enzyme was active on all supports except when Enzacryl Polyacetal was used. The stability increased on immobilization. Enzacryl AA was the best support assayed. The Enzacryl AA-enzyme complex was 30- to 40-fold more stable to inactivation reaction than soluble enzyme, and maintained its activity when stored and assayed repeatedly. The immobilized enzyme on the other supports was also more stable than the soluble form. The pH-activity profile, thermal stability, storage stability, and the effect of protein concentration on activity of the immobilized enzyme have been studied. The properties observed for the immobilized enzyme were different than those of the soluble enzyme. The main reason for this difference could be due to enzyme modification through tyrosine groups of the enzyme; to conformational changes produced in the union to the matrix; and to microenvironmental differences created by the matrix.     

Impact of PS/SiO2 morphologies on the SERS activity of PS/SiO2/Ag nanocomposite particles

To understand the relationship between the morphology of carboxyl-functionalized polystyrene/silica (PS/SiO₂) nanocomposite microspheres and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance of PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite particles, core-shell and raspberry-like PS/SiO₂ composite microspheres were used as templates to prepare PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite particles. The core-shell and raspberry-like structured PS/SiO₂ templates were prepared via in situ sol-gel reaction by hydrolysis tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in alkali solution. Silver nanoparticles (10–50 nm) were loaded on the PS/SiO₂ templates’ surface by chemical reduction. The morphology and structure of the PS/SiO₂/Ag particles were characterized by TEM, SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was selected as a model chemical to study the enhancement performance of substrate constructed by PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite. Results indicated that the PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite prepared based on the core-shell templates showed higher SERS activity. The beneficial effect was associated with a lower specific area of core-shell structure and the larger average diameter of nanosilvers than that of the raspberry-like templates.     

Heat of reaction and curing of epoxy resin

The heat of reaction and kinetics of curing of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) type of epoxy resin with catalytic amounts of ethylmethylimidazole (EMI) have been studied by differential power-compensated calorimetry as a part of the program for the study of process monitoring for composite materials. The results were compared with those from 1∶1 and 1∶2 molar mixtures of DGEBA and EMI. A method of determination of heat of reaction from dynamic thermoanalytical instruments was given according to basic thermodynamic principles. The complicated mechanism, possibly involving initial ionic formation, has also been observed in other measurements, such as by time-domain dielectric spectroscopy. The behavior of commercially available DGEBA resin versus purified monomeric DGEBA were compared. The melting point of purified monomeric DGEBA crystals is 41.4 °C with a heat of fusion of 81 J/g. The melt of DGEBA is difficult to crystallize upon cooling. The glass transition of purified DGEBA monomer occurs around ?22 °C with aΔC _p of 0.60 J/K/g.     

Structural and thermal properties of HDPE/n-AlN polymer nanocomposites

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) containing various volume fractions (0–20 vol%) of aluminum nitride nanoparticles (n-AlN) is prepared by melt mixing. Structural and morphological characterizations of the prepared composites are carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thermal stability and degradation kinetics of HDPE/AlN (nano) composites are investigated by Thermogravimetric analysis (TG). HR-TEM micrographs confirm fairly uniform dispersion of AlN nanoparticles, as well as the existence of long interconnected chain-like aggregates. AFM images also confirm homogeneous dispersion of n-AlN in the polymer matrix. Roughness analysis from the AFM data indicates the presence of substantial undulation from the mean surface level. Thermogravimetric data indicate small improvement in the thermal stability of the composites. Kinetic parameters, viz., the activation energy (E _a), frequency factor (A), and reaction order (n) are estimated using the isoconversional methods of Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), KAS, and Friedman. Activation energies (E _a) calculated by the above four models display nearly similar features and are enhanced by the presence of AlN nanoparticles. Kinetics of degradation of HDPE-AlN (nano) composites follows a first-order reaction.     

Purification and some properties of tryptophan-5-monooxygenase from rabbit hindbrain

An affinity chromatography procedure for the rapid purification of tryptophan-5-monooxygenase from rabbit hindbrains was developed using e-aminocaproyl-D-tryptophan methyl ester-Sepharose-4B gels. The precise requirements for the optimal biospecific interaction between the affinity ligand and the ligate (enzyme) was established from a study of the effects of the variation in the length of the "spacer’’ on the affinity properties of the gel. The enzyme preparation isolated by this procedure was found to be essentially homogeneous and was characterized by a molecular weight of 200,000 ±20,000. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme revealed it to be a dimer, the molecular weight of each subunit being approximately 90,000. The specific activity of the enzyme preparation is approxi-mately 7-10 times that of the crude homogenate, but a further fivefold enhancement in the specific activity could be obtained by limited proteolysis with trypsin. The extreme lability of the enzyme could be circumvented by its immobilization on activated Sepharose or by cross-linking with dimethyl suberimidate. The kinetic properties as well as the advantages of such stabilized enzyme preparations are presented.     

Thermal decomposition of polymethylmethacrylate synthesized with anionic catalysts

TG and DTA data are used to show that the thermal decomposition of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) synthesized with anionic catalysts depends on the nature of the catalyst. It is found that the thermal stability of PMMA obtained by using anionic amide catalysts is higher than that of radical PMMA and of PMMA obtained with other anionic catalysts, and depends on the temperature of polymerization and on the molecular weight of the polymer.     

SDS 800 — The new data system for quantitative depth profiling of inhomogeneous samples by SIMS

More than 13 years of SIMS application field experience of numerous users of the ATOMIKA Ionmicroprobes have been the basis for the new SIMS Data System SDS 800. The hardware and software concept of the SDS 800, therefore, pays special attention to the following requirements:

1. Convenient set-up, modification and re-use of the measuring parameter sets for easy, time-saving operation.
2. Individual parameter selection from the very broad range of SIMS measuring parameters for optimum SIMS data quality.
3. Multitasking operation for simultaneous handling of SIMS measurement, data processing, data output and of auxiliary techniques.
4. Simultaneous depth profile/ion image acquisition and processing to enhance data quality and to validate data interpretation.
5. User-friendly data processing and output.

     

Polyoxotungstate nanoclusters supported on silica as an efficient solid-phase microextraction fiber of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A highly porous silica-supported tungstophosphoric acid (PW) nanocluster was prepared for use in solid-phase microextraction (SPME) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PWs represent a class of discrete transition metal-oxide nanoclusters and their structures resemble discrete fragments of metal-oxide structures of definite size and shape. Transition metal-oxide nanoclusters display large structural diversity, and their monodisperse sizes can be tuned from several Ångstroms up to 10 nm. The highly porous silica-supported tungstophosphoric acid nanocluster material is found to be capable of efficiently extracting PAHs from aqueous sample solutions. The nanomaterial was immobilized on a stainless steel wire for fabrication of the SPME fiber. Following thermal desorption, the PAHs were quantified by GC-MS. Analytical merits include limits of detection that range from 0.02 to 0.1 pg mL^?1 and a dynamic range as wide as from 0.001 to 100 ng mL^?1. Under optimum conditions, the repeatability for one fiber (n?=?3), expressed as the relative standard deviation, is between 4.3 % and 8.6 %. The method is simple, rapid, and inexpensive. The thermal stability of the fiber and the high relative recovery make this method superior to conventional methods of extraction.

The highly porous silica-supported tungstophosphoric acid nanocluster material is found to be capable of efficiently extracting PAHs from aqueous sample solutions. The prepared nanomaterial was immobilized onto a stainless steel wire for fabrication of the SPME fiber. Following thermal desorption, the PAHs were quantified by GC-MS.     

On synthesis of Fe2SiO4/SiO2 and Fe2O3/SiO2 composites through sol–gel and solid-state reactions

Major processing factors in forming Fe₂SiO₄/SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ powders via sol–gel synthesis followed by solid-state reactions are investigated. The results clearly indicate that the chemical compositions of the precursors, the ratio of the precursors, the nature of the catalyst used, and the gas atmosphere during solid-state reactions can all affect the outcome of the reaction product(s). The formation of Fe₂SiO₄/SiO₂ is enhanced by using the precursor iron(III) acetylacetonate as the Fe source with the precursor ratio of iron(III) acetylacetonate to tetraethyl orthosilicate being 1:1 and the addition of formic acid. Otherwise, crystalline Fe and Fe₃C are formed in place of Fe₂SiO₄. By altering the gas atmosphere during solid-state reactions from argon to oxygen, the reaction products change from Fe₂SiO₄/SiO₂ to Fe₂O₃/SiO₂. All of the observed phenomena can be rationalized via the degree of mixing of the Fe–O and Si–O domains at the molecular level in the gel network during sol–gel reactions and the presence of a reducing or oxidizing atmosphere during the solid-state reaction.