Genetically engineered peptide fusions for improved protein partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems. Effect of fusion localization on endoglucanase I of Trichoderma reesei

Genetic engineering has been used for fusion of the peptide tag, Trp-Pro-Trp-Pro, on a protein to study the effect on partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems. As target protein for the fusions the cellulase, endoglucanase I (endo-1,4-beta-Dglucan-4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4, EGI, Cel7B) of Trichoderma reesei was used. For the first time a glycosylated two-domain enzyme has been utilized for addition of peptide tags to change partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems. The aim was to find an optimal fusion localization for EGI. The peptide was (1) attached to the C-terminus end of the cellulose binding domain (CBD), (2) inserted in the glycosylated linker region, (3) added after a truncated form of EGI lacking the CBD and a small part of the linker. The different constructs were expressed in the filamentous fungus T. reesei under the gpdA promoter from Aspergillus nidulans. The expression levels were between 60 and 100 mg/l. The partitioning behavior of the fusion proteins was studied in an aqueous two-phase model system composed of the thermoseparating ethylene oxide (EO)-propylene oxide (PO) random copolymer EO-PO (50:50) (EO50PO50) and dextran. The Trp-Pro-Trp-Pro tag was found to direct the fusion protein to the top EO50PO50 phase. The partition coefficient of a fusion protein can be predicted with an empirical correlation based on independent contributions from partitioning of unmodified protein and peptide tag in this model system. The fusion position at the end of the CBD, with the spacer Pro-Gly, was shown to be optimal with respect to partitioning and tag efficiency factor (TEF) was 0.87, where a fully exposed tag would have a TEF of 1.0. Hence, this position can further be utilized for fusion with longer tags. For the other constructs the TEF was only 0.43 and 0.10, for the tag fused to the truncated EGI and in the linker region of the full length EGI, respectively.     

Protein partitioning in poly(ethylene glycol)/sodium polyacrylate aqueous two-phase systems

The partition of hemoglobin, lysozyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) in a novel inexpensive aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composed by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and sodium polyacrylate (NaPA) has been studied. The effect of NaCl and Na(2)SO(4), pH and PEG molecular size on the partitioning has been studied. At high pH (above 9), hemoglobin partitions strongly to the PEG-phase. Although some precipitation of hemoglobin occurs, high recovery values are obtained particularly for lysozyme and G6PDH. The partitioning forces are dominated by the hydrophobic and electrochemical (salt) effects, since the positively charged lysozyme and negatively charged G6PDH partitions to the non-charged PEG and the strongly negatively charged polyacrylate enriched phase, respectively.     

Phase separation in aqueous two-phase systems containing poly(ethylene glycol) and magnesium sulphate at different temperatures

New experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data have been determined for aqueous systems containing poly(ethylene glycol) of nominal molar mass 10,000 and magnesium sulphate at T = (295.15, 301.15, 305.15, and 311.15) K. The effect of temperature on the liquid compositions of coexisting phases is discussed. The experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data of the systems were correlated by non-random two-liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient model. The interaction parameters of the NRTL activity coefficient model are obtained and reported. The calculated root mean square deviations (RMSD) showed that NRTL activity coefficient model can be used satisfactorily to correlate the (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data in aqueous solution of the {poly(ethylene glycol) + magnesium sulphate} system.     

Extraction of humic acids and their fractions in poly(ethylene glycol)-based aqueous biphasic systems

The possibility of extraction and fractionation of humic acid (HA) in the aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) was shown for the first time. The 10% PEG-10% (NH₄)₂SO₄-H₂O and 5% PEG-7.5% dextran (or dextran sulphate, sodium salt)-H₂O systems were used. HA originated from peat, soddy-podzolic soil and chernozem were studied. The distribution coefficients were measured for HA of different origin, size of the molecules, molecular weights (MW) of the polymers and pH of the system. The PEG-(NH₄)₂SO₄-H₂O system was found to be better for preconcentration and isolation of HA, whereas the PEG-dextran-H₂O system is preferable for HA fractionation. The extractability of HA in ABS increases with increasing the MW of HA molecules. Peat HA are extracted in ABS with higher distribution coefficients compared with chernozem and soddy-podzolic soil HA. It is consistent with higher hydrophobicity of peat HA revealed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. ABS are promising for HA separation into fractions that differ in their hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties as well as for comparing HA of different origin by their relative hydrophobicity.     

Solubility of amino acids in aqueous poly (ethylene glycol) solutions

The solubilities of amino acids have been measured in water and aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solutions as a function of temperature and PEG concentration. The free energies of transfer from water to aqueous PEG solutions forl-alanine,l-valine,l-isoleucine andl-leucine were positive, while those forl-phenylalanine andl-tryptophan were negative. The corresponding enthalpies of transfer were almost zero for all amino acids. The equilibrium constants of the binding of amino acids to PEG chain were estimated from the solubility data. Amino acids with larger hydrophobicity are bound more strongly to the PEG chain due to the hydrophobic interaction between the methylene groups of PEG and the side chain of amino acid. The equilibrium constants showed a correlation with the dynamic hydration number (n _DHN) which expresses the hydration properties of amino acids in aqueous solution.     

聚乙二醇双水相萃取光度法测定镍

用水溶性高聚物、表面活性剂及有机物与无机盐形成的双水相体系萃取分离色素、蛋白质及测定金属离子已有报道[1-5].     

Isotherms of poly(ethylene glycol) adsorption from aqueous solutions by carbon adsorbents

Isotherms of adsorption of poly(ethylene glycols) PEG300, PEG6000, and PEG15 000 from aqueous solutions on graphitized carbon black and active carbon were measured at 25°C. Isotherms of excess adsorption of PEG6000 and PEG15 000 from aqueous solutions on both adsorbents were characterized by a distinct maximum. Comparison of adsorption isotherms for PEG6000 and PEG15 000 on a mesoporous AU-87 carbon testified to the existence of a sieve effect upon the adsorption of large PEG15 000 macromolecules in the accessible pores of this adsorbent. The analysis of the dependence of maximal adsorption values on the PEG molecular mass indicated a possible unfolding of macromolecular coils in the field of adsorption forces. As a result, all oxygen and carbon atoms of PEG macromolecules in a monolayer tend to approach active sites on the surface of a carbon adsorbent. The calculated values of thickness of dense adsorption monolayers of PEG300, PEG6000, and PEG15 000 lie within 0.36–0.63 nm for both adsorbents. PEG300 adsorption monolayers also contain, in addition to macromolecules, molecules of a solvent (water).Translated from Kolloidnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 66, No. 6, 2004, pp. 856–859.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Eltekov, Eltekova, Roldughin.     

Extraction and determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris using aqueous two-phase system of poly(ethylene glycol)-(NH4)2SO4 coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography

Based on aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)–(NH₄)₂SO₄, a simple pretreatment approach was developed for the extraction and determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris. The influence factors on phase behavior of the ATPS and partition behavior of papaverin was investigated, and partition mechanism based on the hydrophobic interaction between PEG and analyte molecules was proposed. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction efficiencies for papaverin were 93–96%, and the recoveries of the added standard were 97–106% with relative standard deviations of 1.8–2.5%. Combined with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, this extraction technique has been successfully applied to the determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris with the detection limit of 2 ng mL⁻¹ and the linear range of 0.10–10 μg mL⁻¹. Compared with the conventional liquid–liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction, this method was more environmentally benign, more cost effective and much simpler due to the direct injection of the upper phase into HPLC system.     

Extraction mechanism of sulfamethoxazole in water samples using aqueous two-phase systems of poly(propylene glycol) and salt

Based on the poly(propylene glycol)₄₀₀ (PPG₄₀₀)–salt aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), a green, economical and effective sample pretreatment technique coupled with high performance liquid chromatography was proposed for the separation and determination of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The extraction yield of SMX in PPG₄₀₀–salt ATPS is influenced by various factors, including the salt species, the amount of salt, pH, and the temperature. Under the optimum conditions, most of SMX was partitioning into the polymer-rich phase with the average extraction efficiency of 99.2%, which may be attributed to the hydrophobic interaction and salting-out effect. This extraction technique has been successfully applied to the analysis of SMX in real water samples with the recoveries of 96.0–100.6%, the detection limits of 0.1 μg L⁻¹, and the linear ranges of 2.5–250.0 μg L⁻¹.     

Partition of macromolecules and cell particles in aqueous two-phase systems based on hydroxypropyl starch and poly(ethylene glycol)

The partition behavior of proteins, nucleic acids, cell membranes, cell organelles and whole cells has been studied in liquid-liquid two-phase systems composed of water, poly-(ethylene glycol), and an hydroxypropyl starch. The properties of the systems are in many respects comparable with the traditional poly(ethylene glycol)-dextran systems, but the cost is reduced to around one-fifth.     

A model explaining declining rate in hydrolysis of lignocellulose substrates with cellobiohydrolase I (cel7A) and endoglucanase I (cel7B) of Trichoderma reesei

It is commonly observed that the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of solid cellulose substrates declines markedly with time. In this work the mechanism behind the rate reduction was investigated using two dominant cellulases of Trichoderma reesei: exoglucanase Cel7A (formerly known as CBHI) and endoglucanase Cel7B (formerly EGI). Hydrolysis of steam-pretreated spruce (SPS) was performed with Cel7A and Cel7B alone, and in reconstituted mixtures. Throughout the 48-h hydrolysis, soluble products, hydrolysis rates, and enzyme adsorption to the substrate were measured. The hydrolysis rate for both enzymes decreases rapidly with hydrolysis time. Both enzymes adsorbed rapidly to the substrate during hydrolysis. Cel7A and Cel7B cooperate synergistically, and synergism was approximately constant during the SPS hydrolysis. Thermal instability of the enzymes and product inhibition was not the main cause of reduced hydrolysis rates. Adding fresh substrate to substrate previously hydrolyzed for 24 h with Cel7A slightly increased the hydrolysis of SPS; however, the rate increased even more by adding fresh Cel7A. This suggests that enzymes become inactivated while adsorbed to the substrate and that unproductive binding is the main cause of hydrolysis rate reduction. The strongest increase in hydrolysis rate was achieved by adding Cel7B. An improved model is proposed that extends the standard endo-exo synergy model and explains the rapid decrease in hydrolysis rate. It appears that the processive action of Cel7A becomes hindered by obstacles in the lignocellulose substrate. Obstacles created by disordered cellulose chains can be removed by the endo activity of Cel7B, which explains some of the observed synergism between Cel7A and Cel7B. The improved model is supported by adsorption studies during hydrolysis.     

pH-induced micelle formation of poly(histidine-co-phenylalanine)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) in aqueous media

Poly[(L-histidine)-co-(L-phenylalanine)]-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (HF-b-PEG) diblock copolymers were synthesized to be used for preparation of pH-sensitive polymeric micelles. First, HF block was synthesized by ring opening copolymerization of L-histidine and L-phenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride, and then the resulting copolymer was coupled with PEG. The pKa value of diblock copolymer can be controlled by adjusting the histidine/phenylalanine ratio in HF block. It is observed that the block copolymers form micelles in aqueous media and that the micelles are spherical in shape with a unimodal distribution. The micelle is formed at pH higher than pKa of block copolymer while it is not formed at lower pH. This is because the protonation of histidine residue in the HF block converts the hydrophobic core into hydrophilic one at lower pH. Acid-Base titration profile of HF41(5600)-b-PEG, HF56(5500)-b-PEG, H(5100)-b-PEG and 0.1 N NaCl.     

Use of poly(ethylene glycol) to control cell aggregation and fusion

Although poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been widely used as an agent to induce cell aggregation and fusion, the physicochemical principles of its function are only becoming understood recently. PEG has an extremely high affinity for water. The PEG commonly used for these applications is in the molecular weight range of 8000 to 10 000. At low concentrations (0–15 wt.%), PEG in this molecular weight range tends to deplete from cell or lipid surfaces, creating an osmotic gradient which brings cells or lipid vesicles together. The depletion force is measured using a surface force apparatus. The corresponding reduction of surface viscosity is verified by shear viscosity measurements and by vesicle tumbling experiments. At higher concentrations (15–45 wt.%), the extremely high osmotic pressure generated by PEG compresses apposing surfaces of aggregated cells or vesicles to within limits where the membrane is no longer stable, and fusion occurs at point defects. A fusion lumen is formed with the help of cell swelling. If PEG is adsorbed or covalently link to the cell or vesicle surface, the surface force profile becomes entirely repulsive, and aggregation and fusion is inhibited. The repulsion is accountable by steric and electrostatic forces. Therefore, the fusogenic function of PEG can be explained quantitatively by colloidal stability theories.     

Bacterial polyesters grafted with poly(ethylene glycol): Behaviour in aqueous media

An easy method for grafting of poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxyundecenoate) (PHOU) was developed. Oxidation of the pendant double bonds of PHOU into carboxyl groups to yield poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxy-9-carboxydecanoate) (PHOD) and the esterification of the carboxyl side groups with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were carried out in a single reaction solution. The grafting yield is dependent on the molar mass of the PEG graft. The maximum carboxyl group conversion (52%) was obtained with PEG M_n = 350 and decreased with increasing molar mass of PEG (19% for PEG M_n = 2000). Yields were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Short PEG grafts lowered the glass transition temperature (PHOD-g-PEG 350 −57 °C) compared to PHOD (−19 °C) and PHOU (−39 °C). This effect depends on the COOH conversion and PEG chain length. Grafting enhanced the hydrophilic character of the modified polymers making them soluble in polar solvents, such as alcohols and water/acetone mixtures. PHOD-g-PEG films were more stable towards hydrolytic degradation as PHOD films. No obvious modification of films was observed after more than 200 days at pH 7.2 and 37 °C. The molar mass of the grafted polymers decreased only slightly during this period, while PHOD films were hydrolyzed into soluble fragments.     

Drying dissipative structures of aqueous solution of poly (ethylene glycol) on a cover glass

Macroscopic and microscopic dissipative structural patterns formed in the course of drying a series of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) having molecular weights ranging from 1,000 to 2×10⁶ in aqueous solution have been studied on a cover glass. The broad ring patterns of the hill accumulated with the polymers are formed irrespective of the molecular weights of PEG molecules. The single round hills are formed also in the center in the macroscopic scale, when the molecular weight is large. The characteristic convection flow of the polymers and the interactions among the polymers and substrate are important for the macroscopic pattern formation. Cross-like fractal patterns are observed, especially for the diluted solutions in the microscopic scale. These patterns are determined mainly by the electrostatic and polar interactions between the polymers and/or between the polymer and the substrate in the course of solidification. Interestingly, these microscopic patterns are reflected based on the shape and size of the PEG polymers.     

Dynamic viscosity versus probe-reported microviscosity of aqueous mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol)

Correlation between the dynamic viscosity (η) and the microviscosity of a hybrid green medium constituted of water and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of average molar mass (200, 400, and 600) g · mol^?1, respectively, is explored over the temperatures range (10 to 90) °C across the complete composition regime. The microviscosity is obtained using a fluorescence probe 1,3-bis-(1-pyrenyl)propane (BPP), which is manifested through the ratio of the monomer-to-intramolecular excimer intensities (I_M/I_E). Aqueous PEG mixtures are observed to behave similar to Newtonian fluids as the temperature dependence of dynamic viscosity follows Arrhenius-type behavior. Surprisingly, a simple and convenient linear dependence of ln η with wt% PEG of the mixture is established. The BPP I_M/I_E is observed, in general, to increase with the bulk dynamic viscosity of the mixture having >10 wt% PEG suggesting a good correlation between the bulk dynamic viscosity and BPP-reported microviscosity when the viscosity of the aqueous PEG mixture is relatively high.     

Viscosity of aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol)s at 298.15 K

The viscosities of aqueous solutions of some poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG) with nominal molecular weights ranging from 300 to 35 000 g mol⁻¹ were determined up to a concentration of 0.3 g cm⁻³ at 298.15 K. From these data the intrinsic viscosity and the viscosity average molecular weight of the solute were calculated. The viscosity coefficients B were evaluated and hence the partial molar Gibbs free energy of activation of viscous flow of solute at infinite dilution was calculated and interpreted in terms of the relative effects of solute on the ground and transition state solvent. The hydration numbers were determined and compared with available values in the literature.     

Formation of poly(ethylene glycol) inclusion complexes in aqueous solutions of mixed cyclodextrins

Even though the addition of modified cyclodextrins (modified CDs) accelerates the precipitation in aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) the final amount of formed solid complex remains unchanged, with no significant presence of modified CDs detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Thus unsuitability of kinetic turbidity measurements for determination of binding parameters was confirmed. On the other hand, theoretical calculations based on a model of a chain of freely accessible binding sites demonstrated that the results do not necessarily contradict the finding that individual modified CD molecules can thread onto PEG chains with the efficiency comparable to that of natural (unmodified) α-CD.     

硫酸铯/聚乙二醇双水相体系在298.15K的相平衡

水溶性高聚物的双水相体系可用于纯化一些无机盐,获得高纯晶体。由于高聚物的存在会减小盐在溶液中的溶解度,从而可能析出晶体。本文采用自制的相平衡装置,测定了硫酸铯／聚乙二醇(PEG1000,4000,10000)双水相体系在298．15K时的等温平衡溶解度。     

Thermogelling hydrogels of poly(ε-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ε-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) and poly(ε-caprolactone-co-L-lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ε-caprolactone-co-L-lactide) aqueous solutions

Thermogelling poly(ε-caprolactone-co-D,L -lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ε-caprolactone-co-D,L -lactide) and poly(ε-caprolactone-co-L -lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ε-caprolactone-co-L -lactide) triblock copolymers were synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and D,L -lactide or L -lactide in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol). The polymerization reaction was carried out in 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene with Sn(Oct)₂ as the catalyst at various temperatures, and the yields were about 96%. The molecular weights and polydispersities (M_w/M_n) by gel permeation chromatography were in the ranges of 5140–6750 and 1.35–1.45, respectively. The differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the melting temperatures of the poly(ε-caprolactone) components were between 30 and 40 °C. By the subtle tuning of the chemical compositions and microstructures of these triblock copolymers, the aqueous solutions underwent sol–gel transitions as the temperature increased, with the suitable lower critical solution temperature in the range of 17–28 °C at different concentrations. Transesterification in the polymerization process generated the redistribution of sequences, which remarkably affected the sol–gel transition temperature. The amphiphilic copolymers formed micelles in aqueous solutions with a diameter of 62 nm and a critical micelle concentration of about 0.032 wt % at 20 °C. Micelles aggregated as the temperature increased, leading to gel formation. The sol–gel transition was studied, with a focus on the structure–property relationship. It is expected to have potential applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4091–4099, 2007