Chromatographic studies of human lung elastin digestion products obtained by leucocyte elastase: comparison between newborn and adult soluble fragments

Human insoluble elastin was prepared from newborn lungs and digested by leucocyte elastase. The soluble fragments were compared to those obtained from adult lung elastin in a previous work (Smyrlaki et al., 1986). Gel filtration on a Bio-Gel P-100 column of newborn elastin allowed the separation of fraction F1N (Mr's 30,000-10,000) which was eluted later than the excluded fraction F1A (Mr's 80,000-30,000) previously isolated from adult elastin. The difference in the sizes of the large peptide fragments originating from both elastins was also shown on SDS-PAGE. Reversed phase HPLC was performed on a C18 column using a multi-step gradient elution procedure. Different patterns were observed for the high (F1N) and the low (F2N) molecular size fragments of newborn elastin. The same peak distribution was obtained with adult elastin. Comparison of the amino acid compositions of the most retained peaks (3, 4 and 5), derived from fractions F1N and F1A, showed analogies for the contents of the major nonpolar amino acids and crosslinks. Thus, this procedure allowed the separation of typical fragments of elastin which might be released in vivo by leucocyte elastase during pulmonary diseases.     

Amino acids and peptides. XXVIII. Synthesis of peptide fragments related to eglin c and studies on the relationship between their structure and effects on human leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin

Various peptide fragments related to eglin c, which consists of 70 amino acid residues, were synthesized by a conventional solution method and their inhibitory effects on leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin were examined. Among them, H-Arg-Glu-Tyr-Phe-OMe (eglin c 22-25) and H-Ser-Pro-Val-Thr-Leu-Asp-Leu-Arg-Tyr-OMe (eglin c 41-49) inhibited cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin but not leukocyte elastase, while H-Thr-Asn-Val-Val-OMe (eglin c 60-63) inhibited leukocyte elastase but not cathepsin G or alpha-chymotrypsin, although eglin c potently inhibited leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin. These results indicated that the interaction sites of eglin c with leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin might be different.     

Application of poly-L-lysine to purification of leukocyte cathepsin G by affinity chromatography.

Poly-L-lysine with molecular masses of 3.3-290 kDa increased the amidolytic activities of leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G at low concentration, but had little effect on the activities of pancreatic elastase, alpha-chymotrypsin, plasmin and thrombin. Highly purified cathepsin G was obtained from column of EAH Sepharose 4B or Suc-L-Tyr-D-Leu-D-Val-pNA-Sepharose (affinity chromatography) by elution with poly-L-lysine solution (0.4 mg/ml, molecular weight (MW.) 290000 or 2.2 mg/ml, MW. 3300). Leukocyte elastase, adsorbed to Suc-L-Tyr-D-Leu-D-Val-pNA-Sepharose, was not eluted with poly-L-lysine solution. The amino acid composition of purified cathepsin G has been determined.     

Tensammetry with accumulation on the hanging mercury drop electrode: Part 2. The behaviour of mixtures of Poly(ethylene glycols) as an Example of Surfactant Mixtures

Model investigations with two-, three- and four-component mixtures of poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) having different molecular weights (1500–20 000) are described. Three different types of mixture can be distinguished. The first group comprises mixtures of components which have very similar properties and behave additively; such mixtures give only one peak, the height of wich depends linearly on the total concentration of PEG. Examples are mixtures of PEG 9000 with PEG 20 000, and PEG 6000 with PEG 9000 or PEG 20 000. The second group consits of mixtures of components with rather different properties; in such cases, a suitable choice of preconcentration potential enables one component to be determined with adequate precision, even in the presence a 100-fold amount of another component. Examples are mixtures of PEG 4000, PEG 9000 or PEG 20 000 with a 100-fold amount of PEG 1500, and multicomponent mixtures consisting of PEGs 6000, 9000 and 20 000 with PEG 1500 in excess; in the latter case, the three PEGs of higher-molecular-weight behave as a single component. The third group comprises mixtures of components which have similar properties, but which behave nonadditively; their properties are too similar for any component to be eliminated by choosing a suitable preconcentration potential, and two very close peaks of dubious usefulness are obtained. Mixtures of PEG 4000, 6000, 9000 and 20 000, or of PEG 4000, 9000 and 20 000 behave in this way.     

Comparison of Different Assay Methods for Determination of Elastase Activity

Abstract

Four different methods of pancreatic elastase (E. C. 3.4.21.11) assay have been compared: one use N-succinyl-(Ala)₃-paranitroanilide as a substrate; the three others use elastin, modified or not.

The former has been monitored either with a spectrophotometric or a conductimetric device.

All methods give a linear relationship with amounts of pancreatic elastase in the range 0–5 μg.

The conductimetric method is the only one using unmodified elastin which measures elastolysis in initial rate conditions, avoiding artificial amplification of hydrolysis if other proteases are present.     

Amino acids and peptides. XXX. Synthesis of eglin c (41-49) and eglin c (60-63) and examination of their inhibitory activity towards human leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G, porcine pancreatic elastase and alpha-chymotrypsin

H-Ser-Pro-Val-Thr-Leu-Asp-Leu-Arg-Tyr-OH and H-Thr-Asn-Val-Val-OH, which correspond to the sequences 41-49 and 60-63 of eglin c, respectively, were synthesized by a conventional solution approach using the newly developed 6-chloro-2-pyridyl ester method. The inhibitory activities of the above two peptides against human leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G, porcine pancreatic elastase and alpha-chymotrypsin were examined in comparison with those of the corresponding methyl esters.     

Synthesis of a heptacontapeptide corresponding to the entire amino acid sequence of eglin C

A heptacontapeptide corresponding to the entire amino acid sequence of eglin c was synthesized by the conventional solution method using a minimal protecting method. The synthetic eglin c exhibited a symmetrical single peak on HPLC at the same retention time as an authentic eglin c, and had the same inhibitory activity against human leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin (Ki = 6.0 x 10(-9) M, 5.5 x 10(-9) M and 2.5 x 10(-9) M, respectively) as N alpha-acetyl-eglin c synthesized genetically (Ki = 5.1 x 10(-9) M, 1.5 x 10(-8) M and 2.2 x 10(-9) M, respectively).     

Simultaneous determination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase, human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G activities by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) is a new method for analysing proteolytic activities simultaneously present in incubation mixtures. Here we demonstrate that MEKC differentiates between the enzymatic activities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase (PsE) and human leukocyte elastase (HLE) or cathepsin G (Cat G) in assays using the chromogenic peptide substrates Suc-Ala-Ala-Ala-NA or Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-NA, respectively (where Suc = succinyl and NA = 4-nitroaniline/u-nitroanilide). When PsE and Cat G were incubated at equimolar ratio with Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-NA, the PsE-specific cleavage products PheNA and Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro were detected whereas inhibition of the metalloproteinase PsE with EDTA resulted in detection of NA and Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe only. Similarly, when PsE and HLE were incubated at equimolar ratio with Suc-Ala-Ala-Ala-NA, the PsE-specific cleavage products Suc-Ala and Ala-Ala-NA were detected whereas at an PsE-HLE ratio 1:50, both the PsE-specific and the HLE-specific cleavage products NA and Suc-Ala-Ala-Ala were separated. MEKC also allowed determination of the kinetic constants for the interactions of PsE, Cat G and HLE with the substrates considered.     

Characterization of the protein profile of donkey's milk whey fraction

Characterization of the protein profile of the whey fraction from a milk sample taken from an individual donkey belonging to the 'Ragusana' species of the East of Sicily is reported. Direct RP-HPLC/electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS analysis of the whey fraction allowed the detection of some unknown components, together with the identification of already known whey proteins. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-TOF/MS and RP-HPLC/ESI-MS/MS analysis of the enzymatic digests of the unknown components resulted the identification and characterization of (1) two beta-casein fragments; (2) the sequence of donkey's serum albumin; and (3) the oxidized methionine forms of lysozyme B and alpha-lactoalbumin. One of the two beta-casein fragments corresponds to the sequence Val(176)-Arg(189) of the horse's beta-casein. The second one corresponds the C-terminal sequence Tyr(199)-Val(226) of the horse's beta-casein, with four amino acid substitutions (Q --> R(203), L/I --> P(206), F --> L(210) and P --> A(219)). Both fragments, reasonably arising by endogenous proteases cleavage of the donkey's beta-casein, could be potential biologically active peptides. Direct mass spectrometric sequence characterization of the detected donkey's serum albumin reveals the presence of the amino acid substitution Val --> Ile at position 497 with respect to the cDNA deduced sequence. The oxidized forms of lysozyme B and alpha-lactoalbumin are selectively oxidized at methionine 79 and methionine 90, respectively.     

Amino acids and peptides. XXIX. Synthesis of peptide fragments related to active center of eglin c and studies on the relationship between their structure and their inhibitory activity against cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin

H-Ser-Pro-Val-Thr-Leu-Asp-Leu-Arg-Tyr-OMe, corresponding to the sequence 41-49 of eglin c, inhibited human leukocyte cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin. In order to gain further insight into the relationship between the structure and the inhibitory activity against cathepsin G and alpha-chymotrypsin, peptide fragments related to the above nonapeptide were synthesized by a conventional solution method and their inhibitory activities were examined. The smallest peptide which exhibited inhibitory effects on the above enzymes was H-Pro-Val-Thr-Leu-OMe, corresponding to the sequence 42-45 of eglin c.     

Experimental and computational studies of the structure and vibrational spectra of aminomethyl-dimethyl-phosphine oxide and its 15N labeled isomer

Infrared (4000-100 cm(-1)) spectra of aminomethyl-dimethyl-phosphine oxide and 15N-aminomethyl-dimethyl-phosphine oxide have been measured. Geometric parameters (bond distances and angles), net electronic charges and vibrational spectroscopic data of both compounds calculated at various levels of theory (B3LYP/6-31G* and Moeller-Plesset perturbational theory (MP2)/6-31G*) are reported. The theoretical spectral results are discussed mainly in terms of comparison with infrared (4000-100 cm(-1)) spectral data. Better coincidence was achieved with the frequencies calculated at the MP2/6-31G* level: the standard deviation is 16 cm(-1). The calculated isotopic frequency shifts, induced by the 15N labeling, are in good accordance with the measured ones. Complete vibrational assignment is made with the help of MP2 force field calculations. Data obtained here are used to reassign some of the vibrational frequencies.     

Application of solid‐phase extraction for the concentration of chromophores,fluorophores, and photosensitizers from lens protein digests

Solid‐phase extraction was applied for the separation of protein digests obtained from aged human lenses, cataractous human lenses, calf lens proteins in vitro glycated with dehydroascorbic acid and native calf lens proteins. Four fractions were collected after stepwise elution with different solvents. The first fraction contained about 80% of the digested material possessing free amino groups. At the same time, the third and the fourth fractions were enriched in chromophores, fluorophores, and photosensitizing structures that originate mainly from advanced protein glycation. The comparison between the total digest and the fourth fraction based on their UV absorption at 330 nm, intensity of fluorescence (excitation/emission 350/450 nm), and production of singlet oxygen upon UVA irradiation argues that the solid‐phase extraction was capable of concentrating the advanced glycation end‐products about a hundredfold. Thus, this technique is a useful step for separation and concentration of fluorophores, chromophores, and photosensitizers from aged and glycated lens protein digests.     

Proteolytic Preparation of a Heme Binding Fragment from Sperm Whale Myoglobin: Micro-Myoglobin

Summary.  Clostripain digestion of sperm whale apomyoglobin does not yield a heme binding fragment, contrary to horse heart apomyoglobin, from which mini-myoglobin has been obtained by this approach. However, in pepsin digests of sperm whale apomyoglobin we identified two fragments closely corresponding to the polypeptide encoded by the central exon of the myoglobin gene. One of these fragments consisting of 77 amino acid residues was purified. Spectroscopic data indicate that it has heme binding properties. Received October 28, 1999. Accepted November 23, 1999     

Substitution effects on the triplet-triplet absorption spectrum of naphthalene

The polarization of the triplet-triplet (T-T) absorption spectrum of α-, β-hydroxynaphathalene and 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene from 4000 to 6000 Å was measured. The obtained data were compared with theoretical calculations on T-T absorption spectra and polarization data on the lowest-energy singlet-singlet absorption bands of these compounds.     

The high-mass component (>m/z 10 000) of coal tar pitch by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry and size-exclusion chromatography

The size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) of acetone-soluble, pyridine-soluble and pyridine-insoluble fractions of a coal tar pitch indicates a bimodal distribution in each fraction. The proportion of high-mass material excluded from the SEC column porosity increases with solvent polarity. The polymer calibration of SEC shows the mass range of the small molecules to be from approximately 100 u to approximately 6000 u, with the mass range of the large excluded molecules above 200 000 u and up to several million u. In contrast, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) shows a similar low-mass range of ion abundances (< m/z 6000), but with a smaller range of high-mass ion abundances, from approximately m/z 10 000 to 100 000. The large molecules may have three-dimensional structures to allow molecules of relatively low mass to behave as if they are of large size in SEC. Laser desorption mass spectrometry of the acetone- and pyridine-soluble fractions produced molecular ions of polycyclic aromatics that can be related to the known compositions from gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry. The experimental conditions used to generate the bimodal distribution by MALDI-MS involve reducing the ion signal intensities to avoid overload of the detector and enable detection of the high-mass ions, by reducing the high-mass detector voltage (i.e. sensitivity) and increasing the laser power.     

Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry of peptides from enzymatic protein hydrolysis: simulation and optimization

Two important limitations still exist for the characterization of protein digests by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS): (i) the buffer choice (i.e., the buffer must provide an adequate CE separation without ruining the MS signal), and (ii) the frequent generation of "unexpected" peptidic fragments during the enzymatic protein hydrolysis. In this work, a new approach is used to solve these difficulties, namely a theoretical model that relates the electrophoretic behavior of peptides to their sequence. The effectiveness of this procedure is demonstrated by the fast attainment of good CE-MS conditions for analyzing the peptides obtained from an enzymatic protein hydrolysate in a single run. This strategy can provide useful information for helping to characterize "unexpected" fragments from protein digests.     

Ab initio, density functional theory and structural studies of 4-amino-2-methylquinoline

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and FT-Raman spectra of 4-amino-2-methylquinoline (AMQ) have been recorded in the range 4000–400 and 4000–100 cm⁻¹, respectively. The experimental vibrational frequency was compared with the wavenumbers obtained theoretically by ab initio HF and DFT–B3LYP gradient calculations employing the standard 6-31G** and high level 6-311++G** basis sets for optimised geometry of the compound. The complete vibrational assignment and analysis of the fundamental modes of the compounds were carried out using the experimental FTIR and FT-Raman data, and quantum mechanical studies. The geometry and normal modes of vibration obtained from the HF and DFT methods are in good agreement with the experimental data. The potential energy distribution of the fundamental modes was calculated with ab initio force fields utilising Wilson's FG matrix method. The NH-π interactions and the influence of amino and methyl groups on the skeletal modes are investigated.     

Separation of closely related peptide substrates of human proteinases by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with anionic and nonionic surfactants

In order to use micellar electrokinetic chromatography to determine the proteolytic activity of different proteinases simultaneously present in physiological fluids, the technique must be able to separate mixtures of substrates with closely related structures. In an attempt to determine the best electrophoretic conditions for resolving six p-nitroanilide peptides used as synthetic substrates of the elastolytic enzymes (human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase) most commonly involved in pulmonary diseases, we investigated the efficiency of ionic and nonionic surfactants in achieving the separation of this complex mixture. The results presented here show that, of all the electrophoretic systems tested, 30 mM sodium tetraborate, pH 9.3, containing 25 mM Brij 35 as micellar agent offered the best performance; the separation efficiency of peptides is greater than that obtained with other reagents and all peaks are baseline resolved and unambiguously identifiable. Analysis of the micelle-solute interaction with the surfactants investigated allowed better definition of the mechanism involved in the distribution of these peptides to the micelles and identification of some structural features that determined the magnitude of the micelle peptide complex formation.     

Retention behavior of humic substances in reversed phase HPLC

Recovery as well as appearance and abundance (in percent) of different fractions of humic substances are found to depend on injected sample amounts in reversed phase HPLC. Sample amounts have been varied both by varying sample concentration and sample volume. In case of lowest amounts injected only two fractions were obtained for a commercial humic acid sodium salt, i.e. one for excluded molecules and one for hydrophobic components. The abundance of excluded molecules decreases upon increasing amounts injected. Another three fractions are obtained upon increasing amount injected: a hydrophilic fraction and two hydrophobic ones. This behavior is explained by auxiliary equilibria between excluded components and humic molecules previously adsorbed on the stationary phase.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-octane over a vanadium–magnesium oxide catalyst: Influence of the gas hourly space velocity

Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of n-octane was carried out over a vanadium–magnesium oxide catalyst in a continuous flow fixed bed reactor. The catalyst was characterized by ICP–OES, powder XRD and SEM. The catalytic tests were carried out at different gas hourly space velocities (GHSVs), viz. 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 h^?1. The best selectivity for octenes was obtained at the GHSV of 8000 h^?1, while that for C8 aromatics was attained at the GHSV of 6000 h^?1 at high temperatures (500 and 550 °C). The catalytic testing at the GHSV of 10,000 h^?1 showed the lowest activity, while that at the GHSV of 4000 h^?1 consistently showed the lowest ODH selectivity. Generally, the best ODH performance was obtained by the catalytic testing at the GHSVs of 6000 and 8000 h^?1. No phasic changes were observed after the catalytic testing.