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Nonreducing Conditions (nonreducing + condition)
Selected AbstractsNative and subunit molecular mass and quarternary structure of the hemoglobin from the primitive branchiopod crustacean Triops cancriformisFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2006Morgane Rousselot Many branchiopod crustaceans are endowed with extracellular, high-molecular-weight hemoglobins whose exact structural characteristics have remained a matter of conjecture. By using a broad spectrum of techniques, we provide precise and coherent information on the hemoglobin of one of the phylogenetically ,oldest' extant branchiopods, the tadpole shrimp Triops cancriformis. The hemoglobin dissociated under reducing conditions into two subunits, designated TcHbA and TcHbB, with masses of 35 775 ± 4 and 36 055 ± 4 Da, respectively, determined by ESI-MS. Nonreducing conditions showed only two disulfide-bridged dimers, a homodimer of TcHbA, designated D1 (71 548 ± 5 Da), and the heterodimer D2 (71 828 ± 5 Da). Carbamidomethylation of free SH groups revealed the presence of three cysteines per subunit and indicated one intrasubunit and one intersubunit disulfide bridge. Ultracentrifugation and light-scattering experiments under nondenaturating conditions yielded mass estimates that suggested an uneven number of 17 subunits forming the native hemoglobin. This unrealistic number resulted from the presence of two size classes (16-mer and 18-mer), which were recognized by native PAGE and Ferguson plot analysis. ESI-MS revealed three hemoglobin isoforms with masses of 588.1 kDa, 662.0 kDa, and 665.0 kDa. The 16-mer and the smaller 18-mer species are supposed to be composed of TcHbA only, given the dominance of this subunit type in SDS/PAGE. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained specimens showed a population of compact molecules with geometrical extensions of 14, 16 and 9 nm. The proposed stoichiometric model of quarternary structure provides the missing link to achieve a mechanistic understanding of the structure,function relationships among the multimeric arthropodan hemoglobins. [source] Separation of proteins with a molecular mass difference of 2,kDa utilizing preparative double-inverted gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions: Application to the isolation of 24,kDa human growth hormoneELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 23 2005Juan J. Bustamante Abstract A method for separating proteins with a molecular mass difference of 2,kDa using SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions is presented. A sample mixture containing several human growth hormone (hGH) isoforms was initially separated on a weak anion-exchange column. Fractions rich in 24,kDa hGH as determined by analytical SDS-PAGE were pooled and further separated by cation-exchange chromatography. The fractions pooled from the cation-exchange chromatography contained two hGH isoforms with a 2,kDa molecular mass difference according to SDS-PAGE analysis, 22 and 24,kDa hGH. The 22 and 24,kDa hGH were separated using continuous-elution preparative double-inverted gradient PAGE (PDG-PAGE) under nonreducing conditions. The preparative electrophoresis gel was composed of three stacked tubular polyacrylamide matrices, a 4% stacking gel, a 13,18% linear gradient gel, and a 15,10% linear inverted gradient gel. Fractions containing purified 24,kDa hGH were pooled and Western blot analysis displayed immunoreactivity to antihGH antibodies. PDG-PAGE provides researchers with an electrophoretic technique to preparatively purify proteins under nonreducing conditions with molecular mass differences of 2,kDa. [source] Molecular cloning, characterization, expression pattern and cellular distribution of an ovarian lipophorin receptor in the cockroach, Leucophaea maderaeINSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009M. Tufail Abstract A cDNA that encodes a lipophorin receptor (LpR) with a predicted structure similar to that of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene superfamily was cloned from ovaries of the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae (Lem) and characterized. This is the first LpR sequenced from the order Dictyoptera. The cDNA has a length of 3362 bp coding for an 888-residue mature protein with a predicted molecular mass of ~99.14 kDa and a pI value of 4.68. The deduced amino acid sequence showed that the LemLpR harbours eight ligand-binding repeats (LBRs) at the N-terminus similar to the other insect LpRs, and thus resembles vertebrate VLDLRs. In addition to eight tandemly arranged LBRs, the five-domain receptor contains an O -linked sugar region and the classic LDLR internalization signal, FDNPVY. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of ~4.0 kb ovarian mRNA that was transcribed throughout oogenesis with its peak especially during late previtellogenic and vitellogenic periods (from days 3 to 11). LpR transcript(s) or homologues of LDLRs were also detected in the head, midgut, Malpighian tubules, muscles and in the fat body. RNA in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry localized the LpR mRNA and protein to germ line-derived cells, the oocytes, and revealed that LpR gene transcription and translation starts very early during oocyte differentiation in the germarium. LpR protein was evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm during previtellogenic periods of oogenesis. However, during vitellogenic stages, the receptor was accumulated mainly in the cortex of the oocyte. Immunoblot analysis probed an ovarian LpR protein of ~115 and 97 kDa under reducing and nonreducing conditions, respectively. The protein signal appeared on day 2, increased every day and was high during vitellogenic periods from day 4 to day 7. Southern blot analysis suggested the presence of a single copy of the LpR gene in the genome of Le. maderae. [source] Novel function of DUSP14/MKP6 (dual specific phosphatase 14) as a nonspecific regulatory molecule for delayed-type hypersensitivityBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Y. Nakano Summary Background, Nonspecific unresponsive states of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to unrelated antigens are induced in mice by a single administration of hapten. In these studies, we found a unique regulatory mechanism of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) mediated by nonspecific suppressor factor (NSF) induced by the intravenous injection of hapten-conjugated syngeneic spleen cells. NSF is a , 45-kDa protein released from the macrophage-like suppressor cells and binds selectively to dendritic cells (DCs). Moreover, NSF-treated DCs release a second , 20-kDa NSF (NSFint). Objectives, To try and identify NSF and characterize its function. Methods, The suppressor activity was evaluated by inhibition of the passive transfer of CHS by the effector cells sensitized with hapten and the antigen-presenting cell (APC) activity of hapten-primed draining lymph node cells (DLNCs) to induce CHS. NSF-containing supernatants obtained from the culture of spleen cells from mice that had been injected intravenously with oxazolone-conjugated syngeneic spleen cells 7 days before were prepared and purified with a Green A dye-affinity column, DEAE column and Sephacryl S-200 column. Then, samples of molecular mass of , 45 kDa were separated by native-PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-PAGE. After confirming the suppressor activity of proteins of , 45 kDa separated by native-PAGE, samples were separated by nonreducing SDS-PAGE, transferred onto polyvinylidene difluoride membranes and analysed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Results, Proteins of , 45 kDa eluted from a Sephacryl S-200 column and the slice of native-PAGE gel exhibited the strong suppressor activity. Analyses using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and MASCOT algorithm of the protein bands around 45 kDa separated by nonreducing SDS-PAGE identified NSF as a 22·5-kDa protein, dual specific phosphatase 14/MAP-kinase phophatase-6 (DUSP14/MKP6), which functions as a negative regulator of the MAP-kinase signalling. Western blot analyses revealed that recombinant DUSP14 (rDUSP14) exists as the mixture of 22·5-kDa monomer and 45-kDa dimer under nonreducing conditions, and monomers under reducing conditions. Treatment with rDUSP14 at 4 °C for 2 h suppressed the ability of effector cells to transfer CHS dose dependently and the APC function of DLNCs to induce CHS. Epicutaneous application of rDUSP14 immediately after challenge inhibited the subsequent CHS expression. rDUSP14 was bound specifically by major histocompatibility complex class II (Ia)-positive spleen cells (presumably DCs). The suppressor activity of NSF was neutralized by anti-DUSP14 monoclonal antibody. Expression of DUSP14 mRNA in the spleen was upregulated parallel to the unresponsive state induced by hapten-conjugated cells. NSF, NSFint and rDUSP14 exhibited the phosphatase activity towards p -nitrophenyl phosphate in vitro as alkaline phosphatase. Conclusions, These studies indicate for the first time that NSF is a dimer of DUSP14 secreted by macrophage-like suppressor cells by stimulation with hapten-conjugated cells and exerts a regulatory function on CHS through DCs as a secreted phosphatase. [source] |