Separation of human Glu-plasminogen, Lys-plasminogen and plasmin by high-performance affinity chromatography on Asahipak GS gel coupled with p-aminobenzamidine

Human Glu-plasminogen, Lys-plasminogen and plasmin were effectively separated by high-performance affinity chromatography. The affinity adsorbent was prepared by using a micro-particulate polyvinyl alcohol gel (Asahipak GS-gel) as the supporting material and p-aminobenzamidine as the specific ligand. All of the active enzyme and proenzymes were adsorbed. Glu-plasminogen was eluted by changing the pH of the eluent and Lys-plasminogen by using an eluent containing 6-amino-hexanoic acid. This affinity adsorbent recognized the difference between these proenzyme species. For the elution of plasmin, addition of urea was necessary. Plasmin may have been adsorbed through a two-site interaction with the adsorbent. All proteins were eluted as sharp peaks and the time required for one cycle was about 1 h. Fluorimetric detection of eluted protein and on-line assay of enzyme activity using a fluorigenic substrate made it possible to analyse microgram amounts of proteins specifically.     

In Vitro Study of the Fibrinolytic Activity via Single Chain Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator and Molecular Docking of FGFC1

Fungi fibrinolytic compound 1 (FGFC1) is a rare marine-derived compound that can enhance fibrinolysis both in vitro and in vivo. The fibrinolytic activity characterization of FGFC1 mediated by plasminogen (Glu-/Lys-) and a single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (pro-uPA) was further evaluated. The binding sites and mode of binding between FGFC1 and plasminogen were investigated by means of a combination of in vitro experiments and molecular docking. A 2.2-fold enhancement of fibrinolytic activity was achieved at 0.096 mM FGFC1, whereas the inhibition of fibrinolytic activity occurred when the FGFC1 concentration was above 0.24 mM. The inhibition of fibrinolytic activity of FGFC1 by 6-aminohexanoic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) together with the docking results revealed that the lysine-binding sites (LBSs) play a crucial role in the process of FGFC1 binding to plasminogen. The action mechanism of FGFC1 binding to plasminogen was inferred, and FGFC1 was able to induce plasminogen to exhibit an open conformation by binding through the LBSs. The molecular docking results showed that docking of ligands (EACA, FGFC1) with receptors (KR1–KR5) mainly occurred through hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. In addition, the binding affinity values of EACA to KR1–KR5 were −5.2, −4.3, −3.7, −4.5, and −4.3 kcal/moL, respectively, and those of FGFC1 to KR1–KR5 were −7.4, −9.0, −6.3, −8.3, and −6.7 kcal/moL, respectively. The findings demonstrate that both EACA and FGFC1 bound to KR1–KR5 with moderately high affinity. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the clinical pharmacology of FGFC1 and establish a foundation for practical applications of FGFC1.     

Development of a fibrinolytic surface: specific and non-specific binding of plasminogen

Plasminogen is the primary zymogen in the fibrinolytic pathway, and its primary function involves degradation of fibrin. Biomaterials often show adsorption of fibrinogen and subsequent formation of fibrin. Plasminogen's function in vivo could be adapted to facilitate its activation and fibrinolytic function on a biomaterial surface. In order to elucidate plasminogen function adsorbed to a model fibrinolytic surface ligands known to affect plasminogen properties in solution were attached to model silica surfaces to study the effects of immobilized ligands as fibrinolytic activators. Model silica surfaces were synthesized which contained covalently attached lysine moieties (surface I), sulfonate moieties (surface II) or a combination of both (surface III). Lysine moieties on these model surfaces interact specifically with multiple lysine-binding sites of plasminogen and induce a number of changes in conformation and function. Sulfonate moieties interact non-specifically with accessible lysine and arginine residues of plasminogen and also affect the function of plasminogen. Inherent physico-chemical properties monitored following plasminogen adsorption were activation to plasmin, enzymatic activity, fluorescent intensity, and fluorescent polarization, monitored by total internal reflection fluorescence, each of which are affected by plasminogen conformation.

Correlations were as follows: increased fluorescent intensity and decreased fluorescent polarization were indicative of plasminogen conformational changes and are correlated to increased enzymatic activity of plasmin. Surfaces I and III showed a 20% increase in fluorescent intensity, and a 25% and 8% decrease in fluorescent polarization, respectively, in comparison to surface II. The specific activity for surfaces I and III was increased 11.3 and 1.8 fold above that found for surface II. Plasminogen incubated with sulfonate groups in solution resulted in no increase in fluorescent intensity and a slight decrease in fluorescent polarization as compared with plasminogen alone and reduced specific activity of plasmin in the presence of sulfonate as compared with plasmin alone. Lysine or ε-aminocaproic acid (ACA) incubated with plasmin in solution showed a 30% and 10% increase in fluorescent intensity, a 24% and 5% decrease in fluorescent intensity, and maximum specific activity increased 3.6 and 2.5 fold, respectively, over plasminogen alone.

Interactions of plasminogen with ligands for its lysine-binding sites produced dramatic effects both in solution and adsorbed to model fibrinolytic surfaces. The characterization of these interactions along with known fibrin interactions will allow selection of appropriate surface modifications to enhance the fibrinolysis of thrombus formed at a biomaterial interface. These modifications may lead to a native-like surface structure to protein and cellular components of blood and create a more biocompatible surface.     

A comparison of bovine serum albumins, modified with a variety of carboxyl group agents, as stimulators of tissue-type plasminogen activator-catalyzed activation of plasminogen

Bovine serum albumins (BSA), modified with a variety of carboxyl group agents, stimulated the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA)-catalyzed activation of human plasminogen. Modification with taurine (tau) and putrescine (put) provided the best stimulants. The tauBSA and putBSA were effective at a concentration of 5 micrograms/ml and enhanced the Lys-plasminogen activation by two-chain t-PA in a dose-dependent manner to a maximum of 44- to 46-fold at 200 micrograms/ml. The Km values for the activation of Glu-plasminogen by t-PA in the presence of tauBSA and putBSA (100 micrograms/ml) were 1.7 and 1.8 microM, while the kcat values were 0.059 and 0.062 s-1, respectively. T-PA was bound to both tauBSA and putBSA, which were immobilized on agarose beads, with KD values of 163 and 138 nM, respectively. The two modified BSAs were good substrates for plasmin and were hydrolyzed by the enzyme to small peptides. All of these modified BSA-related actions were inhibited by lysine analogs (e.g. tranexamic acid) which were adjusted to the concentrations required for the inhibition of the plasminogen (Kringle 1 domain) binding to fibrin. On the other hand, acetylation or succinylation of the amino groups of BSA was not effective, while alkylation of the thiol groups of this protein resulted in a moderate stimulation of the plasmin generation. The present results show that t-PA and plasminogen form complexes with certain charge-modified BSAs via their lysine-binding sites. The different stimulation potency of modified BSAs may provide a model for in vivo counterparts of fibrin.     

Characterization of p-aminobenzamidine-based sorbent and its use for high-performance affinity chromatography of trypsin-like proteases

An affinity sorbent, hydrophilic polymer-based carrier of different pore size (Toyopearl) with immobilized p-aminobenzamidine (ABA), has been prepared. Its basic properties and some applications for protein purification were studied. ABA, which is a synthetic inhibitor for trypsin-like proteases, was covalently immobilized to Toyopearl by reductive amination. The ligand density and binding capacity for porcine trypsin varied depending on the pore size of Toyopearl. The maximum binding capacity of the immobilized p-aminobenzamidine Toyopearl (ABA-Toyopearl) for trypsin was more than 40 mg/ml gel. ABA-Toyopearl thus obtained was very stable below pH 8 and was successfully used for high-performance affinity chromatography of trypsin-like proteases such as trypsin, thrombin, tissue-type plasminogen activator or urokinase in a single step at 25 degrees C.     

Affinity cryogel monoliths for screening for optimal separation conditions and chromatographic separation of cells

Suitable conditions for separating cells using a chromatographic procedure were evaluated in parallel chromatography on minicolumns. A 96-hole minicolumn plate filled with cryogel monoliths (18.8 mm x 7.1 mm ?) with immobilized concanavalin A was used. Chromatographic columns (113 mm x 7.1 mm ?) were used for chromatographic resolution of a mixture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli cells. Separation of a cell mixture containing equal amounts of cells of both types performed in a column format under the determined optimal conditions, resulted in a quantitative capture of applied S. cerevisiae cells, while E. coli passed through the column. Bound S. cerevisiae cells were released by flow-induced detachment and by compression of the adsorbent in the presence of 0.3 M methyl alpha-D-manno-pyranoside. The flowthrough and the eluted fractions were analyzed by plate counting and by registering metabolic activity of S. cerevisiae cells in the eluted fractions after capturing on ConA-cryogel monoliths in a 96-minicolumn plate format. The flowthrough fraction contained E. coli cells with nearly 100% purity, whereas the fraction eluted by compression of the adsorbent contained viable S. cerevisiae cells with 95% purity. Thus, an efficient chromatographic separation of cells was achieved using affinity cryogel column.     

Evaluation and applications of a new dye affinity adsorbent

The basic properties of a new dye affinity adsorbent Toyopearl AF-Blue HC-650M and its applications to the purification of proteins were studied. The binding capacity for human serum albumin (HSA) was greater than 18 mg per ml gel. The dye leakage from Toyopearl AF-Blue HC-650M in 0.5 M NaOH and 0.5 M HCI was less compared with an agarose adsorbent. Caustic stability study also demonstrated this material withstood exposure to 0.1 M NaOH for 1 month with no significant loss of binding capacity for HSA. We purified human albumin from human serum and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from rabbit muscle extract in a single step. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that human albumin and LDH were highly purified.     

In vitro comparison of complementary interactions between synthetic linear/branched oligo/poly-L-lysines and tissue plasminogen activator by means of high-performance monolithic-disk affinity chromatography

The recently discovered serine protease called tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) enables efficient dissolution of blood clots. t-PA works by converting plasminogen into its active form, plasmin, dissolving the major component of blood clots, fibrin. The activation of plasminogen by t-PA is enhanced by the presence of fibrin, and this is probably due to the fact that both plasminogen and t-PA possess high affinity binding sites for fibrin. Besides fibrin, fibrin monomers and some fibrin(ogen) degradation products, certain synthetic polymers (for instance, poly-L-lysines) can provide the same stimulation of plasminogen activation. The recently developed high-performance monolithic-disk chromatography, HPMDC, could become the most convenient way to study biological pairs of interest. The inherent speed of HPMDC isolation facilitates the recovery of a biologically active product, since the exposure to putative denaturing influences, such as solvents or temperature, is reduced. The better mass transfer mechanism (convection rather than diffusion) allows to consider only the biospecific reaction as time limiting. The step-by-step modeling of hypothetical affinity pairs between t-PA and different types of oligo/polymer forms of linear and branched lysine derivatives obtained both by initiated polycondensation and solid-phase peptide synthesis using HPMDC seemed to be possible and a quite useful tool. The results of quantitative evaluation of such affinity interactions were compared with those established for natural affinity counterparts to t-PA (monoclonal antibodies, plasminogen, fibrinogen). The role of steric structure of lysine ligands was observed and analyzed. The results allowing to make the practical choice of affinity systems will be used for development of fast and efficient analytical and preparative methods for the downstream processes of recombinant production of this valuable enzyme.     

Fibrinolysis and thrombosis of fibrinogen-modified gold nanoparticles for detection of fibrinolytic-related proteins

Fibrinolysis (plasmin-mediated cleavage of fibrin structures) is a process in which fibrin clots can be removed from blood vessels, allowing the return of normal vascular function. Although several methods have been developed to measure plasmin activity and plasminogen (the plasmin precursor) concentrations, they are only moderately sensitive and quantitative and require large amounts of reagents, limiting their applicability. We developed two simple, label-free homogeneous assays using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for detection of fibrinolysis-related proteins and their activator (urokinase that converts plasminogen to plasmin) and inhibitor (α₂-plasmin inhibitor that inhibits plasmin and plasminogen bound to fibrin). We used a fibrinolysis-based sensor, based on plasmin-mediated cleavage of fibrinogen-modified Au NPs (Fib-Au NPs) leading to aggregation of Au NPs, to determine plasmin activity in a biological medium mimic solution. A combination of thrombin (Thr) and Fib-Au NPs allowed us to analyze plasmin activity and plasminogen concentrations in serum through Thr-induced agglutination of Fib-Au NPs. The limit of detection (LOD; S/N = 3) of this sensor for plasmin in serum was 0.4 nM (ca. 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ unit mL⁻¹). These label-free assays offer several advantages over conventional assays, including allowing rapid and simple readings with the naked eye or measurement by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy.     

直接竞争酶联免疫吸附分析法测定氰戊菊酯

采用活性酯法,将氰戊菊酯半抗原N-[2-(4-氯苯基)-3-甲基丁酰基]-4-氨基丁酸与载体蛋白共价偶联合成突出氰戊菊酯分子结构特征的人工抗原和包被原.以人工抗原免疫新西兰白兔制备抗血清,采用(NH4)2SO4分步盐析和DEAE纤维素柱层析法从抗血清中分离纯化对氰戊菊酯具特异性亲和力的抗体,采用活性酯法,以辣根过氧化物酶标记半抗原N-[2-(4-氯苯基)-3-甲基丁酰基]-6-氨基己酸.采用固定抗体、氰戊菊酯和酶标半抗原直接竞争结合固相抗体的模式, 建立对氰戊菊酯具高特异性的酶联免疫吸附分析方法.在优化条件下, 测定氰戊菊酯标样检测的线性浓度范围为0.001～10.0 mg/L; 检出限0.001 mg/L; 相对标准偏差(RSD, n=5)为9.19%.小白菜中分别添加0.10和5.0 mg/kg氰戊菊酯,直接竞争酶联免疫吸附分析法(ELISA)测定,重复6次,回收率分别为83.8%～109%和93.6%～110%; RSD分别为11.7%和7.25%.对实际样品的有效检出限为0.007 mg/L.其它常用拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂(氯氰菊酯、溴氰菊脂、功夫菊酯、醚菊酯、联苯菊酯)不干扰氰戊菊酯的测定.     

A novel partitioning process for treatment of high level liquid waste using macroporous silica-based adsorbents

To separate the long-life and significant fission product elements from high level liquid waste (HLLW), a novel partitioning process for the treatment of HLLW has been studied experimentally based on column separation technique using macroporous silica-based adsorbents. This process consists of (1) Cs and Rb are removed by the first separation column packed with (calix[4] + dodecanol)/SiO₂–P adsorbent; (2) Sr and Ba are eluted out by the second separation column packed with (DtBuCH18C6 + dodecanol)/SiO₂–P adsorbent; (3) Pd is partitioned by the third separation column packed with MOTDGA–TOA/SiO₂–P adsorbent; (4) Ru, Rh and Mo can be separated by the fourth separation column packed with TODGA/SiO₂–P adsorbent; (5) Am is separated from RE by the fifth column is packed with isobutyl-BTP/SiO₂–P adsorbent. The experimental results indicated that this partitioning process is essentially feasible.     

Application of Mixed-Mode Oasis MCX Adsorbent for Chromatographic Separation of Selenomethionine from Antarctic Krill After Enzymatic Digestion

The present communication describes the novel application of mixed-mode adsorbents for bifunctional chromatography. Oasis MCX mixed-mode adsorbent (Waters GmbH, Eschborn, Germany) shows a high binding capacity for Se-Met. The adsorbed selenoamino acid is easily eluted by pH change and addition of organic solvent. Determined adsorption isotherm parameters are suitable for its analytical and preparative chromatographic isolation. A chromatographic column packed with the Oasis MCX adsorbent, designed for a single use solid phase extraction, was successfully applied for bifunctional chromatographic separation of Se-Met from hydrolysed Antarctic krill samples with 85 ± 5% recovery. The MCX-packed column was used for more than 60 runs without any change in its performance.     

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.     

Empirical development of a binary adsorption isotherm based on the single-component isotherms in the framework of a two-site model

The adsorption behavior of mixtures of the enantiomers of 2,2,2-(trifluoro)-1-(9-anthryl)-ethanol (TFAE) on a quinidine carbamate bonded stationary phase was studied as an example of competitive binary adsorption on a Pirkle-type chiral adsorbent. A model of the adsorption isotherms is proposed and discussed. Binary adsorption isotherms derived by combination of the single-component isotherms of the two enantiomers in the framework of the classical bi-Langmuir model allow the correct prediction of the retention times of the elution bands of the components of binary mixtures but fail properly to predict the separation of the two enantiomers. Use of a quadratic model was needed to improve the agreement between calculated and experimental chromatograms of binary mixtures. The existence of a third type of adsorption sites besides the high-energy enantioselective and the low-energy nonselective sites was assumed. These sites have a low interaction energy, exhibit some affinity toward (S)-TFAE, but none toward (R)-TFAE.     

Enhanced binding capacity of boronate affinity adsorbent via surface modification of silica by combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and chain-end functionalization for high-efficiency enrichment of cis-diol molecules

Boronate affinity materials have been widely used for specific separation and preconcentration of cis-diol molecules, but most do not have sufficient capacity due to limited binding sites on the material surface. In this work, we prepared a phenylboronic acid-functionalized adsorbent with a high binding capacity via the combination of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and chain-end functionalization. With this method, the terminal chlorides of the polymer chains were used fully, and the proposed adsorbent contains dense boronic acid polymers chain with boronic acid on the chain end. Consequently, the proposed adsorbent possesses excellent selectivity and a high binding capacity of 513.6 μmol g⁻¹ for catechol and 736.8 μmol g⁻¹ for fructose, which are much higher than those of other reported adsorbents. The dispersed solid-phase extraction (dSPE) based on the prepared adsorbent was used for extraction of three cis-diol drugs (i.e., epinephrine, isoprenaline and caffeic acid isopropyl ester) from plasma; the eluates were analyzed by HPLC-UV. The reduced amount of adsorbent (i.e., 2.0 mg) could still eliminate interferences efficiently and yielded a recovery range of 85.6–101.1% with relative standard deviations ranging from 2.5 to 9.7% (n = 5). The results indicated that the proposed strategy could serve as a promising alternative to increase the density of surface functional groups on the adsorbent; thus, the prepared adsorbent has the potential to effectively enrich cis-diol substances in real samples.     

Fractionation of apple procyanidins by size-exclusion chromatography.

Oligomeric constituents of apple procyanidins were fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography using a TSKgel Toyopearl HW-40F column. The best separation was obtained using a mobile phase of acetone-8 M urea (6:4; adjusted to pH 2) at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. In this chromatographic system, the use of 8 M urea in the mobile phase resulted in a molecular sieve effect without any surface affinity interaction between the gel beads and the procyanidin molecules. Each fraction obtained was examined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The order of elution of the procyanidins from the column was coincident with their degree of polymerization.     

<Superscript>1</Superscript>H high-resolution magic-angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR analysis of ligand density on resins using a resin internal standard

We recently attempted to generate an affinity chromatography adsorbent to purify cytochrome P450 4A1 by coupling 11-(1-imidazolyl)-3,6,9-trioxaundecanoic acid to Toyopearl AF-Amino 650 M resin. Variations in ligand density for several resin batches were quantified by high-resolution magic-angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy using a novel resin internal standard. The uniquely designed ImQ internal resin standard yields its signature resonance in a transparent region of the analyte spectrum making suppression of the polymer background unnecessary. This method enabled us to target a reasonable ligand density for enzyme purification and provides an advantageous alternative to quantitation against soluble standards or protonated solvent.     

Calcium-modulated conformational affinity chromatography. Application to the purification of calmodulin and S100 proteins.

The purification of proteins by affinity chromatography is based on their highly specific interaction with an immobilized ligand followed by elution under conditions where their affinity towards the ligand is markedly reduced. Thus, a high-degree purification by a single chromatographic step is achieved. However, when several proteins in the crude mixture share affinity to a common immobilized ligand, they may not be resolved by affinity chromatography and subsequent "real" chromatographic purification steps may be required. It is shown that by using properly selected gradient elution conditions, the affinities of the various proteins towards the immobilized ligand may be gradually modulated and their separation may be achieved. This is exemplified by the isolation and separation of a group of Ca(2+)-activated proteins, Calmodulin, S100a and S100b, from bovine brain extract, using a melittin-Eupergit C affinity column which is developed with Ca(2+)-chelator gradients. As expected, separation of the three proteins into individual peaks, eluted in order of increasing affinity to the matrix, was obtained. Sigmoid selectivity curves calculated from the elution volumes under different elution conditions for each of the proteins were obtained, illustrating the chromatographic behaviour of the gradient affinity separation system.     

纳米TiO2对Ag(I)配合物的吸附

利用纳米TiO2的表面吸附活性, 以[S2O3]2-为络合剂, 应用火焰原子吸收光谱检测方法, 高效吸附分离了水中痕量Ag(Ⅰ). 系统研究了纳米TiO2的晶体结构、溶液的pH值、吸附时间、Ag(Ⅰ)的起始浓度及常见共存离子对吸附率的影响, 确定了最佳吸附条件. FTIR光谱分析结果表明, Ag(Ⅰ)配合物以物理作用吸附在纳米TiO2颗粒表面. 纳米TiO2对Ag(Ⅰ)的吸附等温线为S型, 表现出多分子层吸附特征. 硝酸和硫脲混合溶液可将吸附在TiO2纳米颗粒表面的Ag(Ⅰ)全部洗脱.     

New Thiophilic Adsorbent for the Purification of Insulin and Immunoglobulins G

We have synthesized new supports for the purification of insulin and IgG by affinity chromatography. These supports combine the advantages of biospecific ligands with the excellent separation properties of thiophilic sorbents. The existence of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid in insulin receptor and in the antigenic determinant of IgG suggests that such an acid may develop specific interactions usable in affinity chromatography. Therefore, N-acetylneuraminic acid was used as an active ligand in comparison with the β-mercaptoethanol. The performances of these supports were tested under static and dynamic (LC) conditions. The support functionalized by sialic acid appears significantly more selective than the support grafted by β-mercaptoethanol; and its purification yield is better. This new support showed similar adsorption characteristics with thiophilic adsorbent. These affinity supports allowed a one-step separation of the insulin and IgG subclasses from a pancreatic extract and mouse ascitic fluids, respectively, by LC.