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Size Exclusion Chromatography (size + exclusion_chromatography)
Selected AbstractsHigh Recovery Refolding of rhG-CSF from Escherichia coli, Using Urea Gradient Size Exclusion ChromatographyBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2008Chaozhan Wang Protein folding liquid chromatography (PFLC) is a powerful tool for simultaneous refolding and purification of recombinant proteins in inclusion bodies. Urea gradient size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is a recently developed protein refolding method based on the SEC refolding principle. In the presented work, recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) expressed in Escheriachia coli ( E. coli) in the form of inclusion bodies was refolded with high yields by this method. Denatured/reduced rhG-CSF in 8.0 mol·L -1 urea was directly injected into a Superdex 75 column, and with the running of the linear urea concentration program, urea concentration in the mobile phase and around the denatured rhG-CSF molecules was decreased linearly, and the denatured rhG-CSF was gradually refolded into its native state. Aggregates were greatly suppressed and rhG-CSF was also partially purified during the refolding process. Effects of the length and the final urea concentration of the urea gradient on the refolding yield of rhG-CSF by using urea gradient SEC were investigated respectively. Compared with dilution refolding and normal SEC with a fixed urea concentration in the mobile phase, urea gradient SEC was more efficient for rhG-CSF refolding&‐;in terms of specific bioactivity and mass recovery, the denatured rhG-CSF could be refolded at a larger loading volume, and the aggregates could be suppressed more efficiently. When 500 ,L of solubilized and denatured rhG-CSF in 8.0 mol·L -1 urea solution with a total protein concentration of 2.3 mg·mL -1 was loaded onto the SEC column, rhG-CSF with a specific bioactivity of 1.0 × 108 IU·mg -1 was obtained, and the mass recovery was 46.1%. [source] Irregular dimerization of guanylate cyclase-activating protein 1 mutants causes loss of target activationFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 18 2004Ji-Young Hwang Guanylate cyclase-activating proteins (GCAPs) are neuronal calcium sensors that activate membrane bound guanylate cyclases (EC 4.6.1.2.) of vertebrate photoreceptor cells when cytoplasmic Ca2+ decreases during illumination. GCAPs contain four EF-hand Ca2+ -binding motifs, but the first EF-hand is nonfunctional. It was concluded that for GCAP-2, the loss of Ca2+ -binding ability of EF-hand 1 resulted in a region that is crucial for targeting guanylate cyclase [Ermilov, A.N., Olshevskaya, E.V. & Dizhoor, A.M. (2001) J. Biol. Chem.276, 48143,48148]. In this study we tested the consequences of mutations in EF-hand 1 of GCAP-1 with respect to Ca2+ binding, Ca2+ -induced conformational changes and target activation. When the nonfunctional first EF-hand in GCAP-1 is replaced by a functional EF-hand the chimeric mutant CaM,GCAP-1 bound four Ca2+ and showed similar Ca2+ -dependent changes in tryptophan fluorescence as the wild-type. CaM,GCAP-1 neither activated nor interacted with guanylate cyclase. Size exclusion chromatography revealed that the mutant tended to form inactive dimers instead of active monomers like the wild-type. Critical amino acids in EF-hand 1 of GCAP-1 are cysteine at position 29 and proline at position 30, as changing these to glycine was sufficient to cause loss of target activation without a loss of Ca2+ -induced conformational changes. The latter mutation also promoted dimerization of the protein. Our results show that EF-hand 1 in wild-type GCAP-1 is critical for providing the correct conformation for target activation. [source] Functional and structural properties and in vitro digestibility of acylated hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein isolatesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Shou-Wei Yin Summary The effects of succinylation and acetylation on some functional, structural properties and in vitro trypsin digestibility of hemp protein isolate (HPI) were investigated. The extent of acylation gradually increased from 0 to 60,70%, with the anhydride-to-protein ratio increasing from 0 to 1.0 g g,1. Size exclusion chromatography showed that succinylation led to formation of more soluble protein aggregate than acetylation, especially at anhydride levels higher than 0.1 g g,1. Succinylation led to gradual increase in protein solubility (PS) from 30 to 85,90%, while in the acetylation case, the PS was improved only at low anhydride levels, increasing from 30 to about 50% with anhydride-to-protein ratio increasing from 0 to 0.2 g g,1. At neutral pH, the emulsifying activity indexes (EAI) of HPI was 22.1 m2 g,1, and the EAI linearly and significantly increased with the extent of acylation. The EAIs of succinylated and acetylated HPI (1.0 g g,1) were 119.0 and 54.4 m2 g,1, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and intrinsic fluorescence spectrum analyses indicated gradual structural unfolding of proteins, or exposure of hydrophobic clusters to the solvent, especially at higher anhydride levels. Additionally, the in vitro trypsin digestibility was significantly improved by the succinylation. The results indicated that the chemical acylation treatment (especially succinylation) could be applied to modify some selected functional properties of hemp proteins, especially PS and emulsifying ability. [source] Structural determination of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) containing high degree of controlled long-chain branchingJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Susanta Mitra Abstract This work highlights an attempt to characterize the degree and nature of long-chain branching (LCB) in an unknown sample of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM). Two EPDM rubbers selected for this study were comparable in comonomer compositions but significantly different with respect to molar mass and the presence of LCB. Both rubbers contained 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) as diene. Solution cast films of pure EPDM samples were used for different characterization techniques. 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR were used for assessing the comonomer ratios and LCB. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) equipped with triple detector system was used to determine the molar mass (both absolute and relative) and polydispersity index (PDI). Presence of branching was also detected using sec-viscometry. Rheological analysis has also been used for characterizing LCB. Finally, on the basis of the experimental findings and the available theories, an attempt was made to identify the chemical nature and degree of LCB. This study reveals the possibility of detailed characterization of molecular architecture of EPDM containing LCB by comparing with an essentially linear EPDM in light of an existing theory. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Rationally designed mutations convert complexes of human recombinant T cell receptor ligands into monomers that retain biological activityJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Jianya Y Huan Abstract Single-chain human recombinant T cell receptor ligands derived from the peptide binding/TCR recognition domain of human HLA-DR2b (DRA*0101/DRB1*1501) produced in Escherichia coli with and without amino-terminal extensions containing antigenic peptides have been described previously. While molecules with the native sequence retained biological activity, they formed higher order aggregates in solution. In this study, we used site-directed mutagenesis to modify the ,-sheet platform of the DR2-derived RTLs, obtaining two variants that were monomeric in solution by replacing hydrophobic residues with polar (serine) or charged (aspartic acid) residues. Size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering demonstrated that the modified RTLs were monomeric in solution, and structural characterization using circular dichroism demonstrated the highly ordered secondary structure of the RTLs. Peptide binding to the ,empty' RTLs was quantified using biotinylated peptides, and functional studies showed that the modified RTLs containing covalently tethered peptides were able to inhibit antigen-specific T cell proliferation in vitro, as well as suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in vivo. These studies demonstrated that RTLs encoding the Ag-binding/TCR recognition domain of MHC class II molecules are innately very robust structures, capable of retaining potent biological activity separate from the Ig-fold domains of the progenitor class II structure, with prevention of aggregation accomplished by modification of an exposed surface that was buried in the progenitor structure. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Reaction of a peptide with polyvinylpyrrolidone in the solid stateJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2003Ajit Joseph M. D'Souza Abstract During stability studies at high temperature (70°C) and low relative humidity (,0%), the recovery of an asparagine containing hexapeptide (VYPNGA) and its known deamidation products from solid polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrices was incomplete. To determine the causes of this mass loss, formulations were prepared by lyophilizing solutions containing PVP, glycerol, and the Asn-hexapeptide in pH 7.5 phosphate buffer, followed by storage at 70°C and 0% relative humidity. Asn-hexapeptide loss was mono-exponential and reached a plateau at about 30% remaining. Total recovery of the peptide and its known deamidation products was ,30% of peptide load. Size exclusion chromatography with fluorescence detection indicated the formation of a PVP,peptide adduct that was stable in the presence of 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. Similar stability studies using N -acetyl phenylalanine, phenylalanine ethyl ester, and N -acetyl tyrosine ethyl ester demonstrated that the reaction involves the peptide N-terminus. The adduct was disrupted in the presence of carboxypeptidase-A, suggesting the formation of an amide bond between the peptide and PVP. 15N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using 15N-labeled valine as a model of the peptide N-terminus showed different populations of 15N, suggesting that noncovalent peptide,polymer interactions precede amide bond formation. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 92:585,593, 2003 [source] Synthesis and characterization of 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid dendrimers with different cores and terminal groupsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 7 2004Michael Malkoch Abstract Three sets of aliphatic polyester dendrimers based on 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid (bis-MPA) were synthesized. Two of the sets had benzylidene terminal groups and either a trimethylolpropane or triphenolic core moiety. The last set had acetonide terminal groups and a triphenolic core moiety. Benzylidene-[G#1]-anhydride and acetonide-[G#1]-anhydride were used as the reactive building blocks in the construction of all dendrimers. The large excess of building blocks used in the coupling reactions initially resulted in considerable material loss. This waste was eliminated through the development of a recycling method. 1H and 13C NMR and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis were used to verify the purity of all compounds. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used, as well as MALDI-TOF, for molecular weight determinations. The SEC measurements were conducted with a universal calibration method and an online right-angle laser light scattering detector. Measured dendrimer molecular weights were close to their theoretical molar masses. Observations were also made of the hydrodynamic radius and intrinsic viscosity for the different dendrimers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1758,1767, 2004 [source] Synthesis and characterization of block copolymers from 2-vinylnaphthalene by anionic polymerizationJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 24 2002Faquan Zeng Abstract The anionic polymerization of 2-vinylnaphthalene (2VN) has been studied in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ,78 °C and in toluene at 40 °C. 2VN polymerization in THF, toluene, or toluene/THF (99:1 v/v) initiated by sec -butyllithium (sBuLi) indicates living characteristics, affording polymers with predefined molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. Block copolymers of 2VN with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and tert -butyl acrylate (tBA) have been synthesized successfully by sequential monomer addition in THF at ,78 °C initiated by an adduct of sBuLi,LiCl. The crossover propagation from poly(2-vinylnaphthyllithium) (P2VN) macroanions to MMA and tBA appears to be living, the molecular weight and composition can be predicted, and the molecular weight distribution of the resulting block copolymer is narrow (weight-average molecular/number-average molecular weight < 1.3). Block copolymers with different chain lengths for the P2VN segment can easily be prepared by variations in the monomer ratios. The block copolymerization of 2VN with hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane also results in a block copolymer of P2VN and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) contaminated with a significant amount of homo-PDMS. Poly(2VN- b -nBA) (where nBA is n -butyl acrylate) has also been prepared by the transesterification reaction of the poly(2VN- b -tBA) block copolymer. Size exclusion chromatography, Fourier transform infrared, and 1H NMR measurements indicate that the resulting polymers have the required architecture. The corresponding amphiphilic block copolymer of poly(2VN- b -AA) (where AA is acrylic acid) has been synthesized by acidic hydrolysis of the ester group of tert -butyl from the poly(2VN- b -tBA) copolymer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4387,4397, 2002 [source] Calretinin and calbindin D28k have different domain organizationsPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003gorzata Palczewska Abstract The domain organization of calretinin (CR) was predicted to involve all six EF-hand motifs (labeled I to VI) condensed into a single domain, as characterized for calbindin D28k (Calb), the closest homolog of calretinin. Unperturbed 1H,15N HSQC NMR spectra of a 15N-labeled calretinin fragment (CR III,VI, residues 100,271) in the presence of the unlabeled complimentary fragment (CR I,II, residues 1,100) show that these fragments do not interact. Size exclusion chromatography and affinity chromatography data support this conclusion. The HSQC spectrum of 15N-labeled CR is similar to the overlaid spectra of individual 15N-labeled CR fragments (CR I,II and CR III,VI), also suggesting that these regions do not interact within intact CR. In contrast to these observations, but in accordance with the Calb studies, we observed interactions between other CR fragments: CR I (1,60) with CR II,VI (61,271), and CR I,III (1,142) with CR IV,VI (145,271). We conclude that CR is formed from at least two independent domains consisting of CR I,II and CR III,VI. The differences in domain organization of Calb and CR may explain the specific target interaction of Calb with caspase-3. Most importantly, the comparison of CR and Calb domain organizations questions the value of homologous modeling of EF-hand proteins, and perhaps of other protein families. [source] Investigation of proteins and peptides from yeastolate and subsequent impurity testing of drug productBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2009Lawrence W. Dick Jr. Abstract Hydrolysates play an important role in modern biological production. These mixtures are mostly undefined and contain a mixture of proteins, peptides, and amino acids along with other non,amino acid-based components. Recently, there has been an interest in defining and sequencing proteins and peptides in these hydrolysates to subsequently develop an assay to ensure removal during product purification. This work investigates an ultrafiltrate of yeastolate to determine whether any protein is present. Size exclusion chromatography indicated a possible high molecular weight component (>10 kDa). This suspected high molecular weight fraction was collected and investigated. It was determined that this fraction consists of nucleic acids; and no protein was detected using sensitive modern techniques including HPLC, mass spectrometry, and SDS-PAGE. Next, five unique, yeast-specific peptides were identified, sequenced, and confirmed. Finally, an impurity assay for any residual yeast specific peptides was developed and the analytical metrics were determined including accuracy, precision, linearity, range, and limits of detection and quantitation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] Similarity of permeabilities for Ficoll, pullulan, charge-modified albumin and native albumin across the rat peritoneal membraneACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009D. Asgeirsson Abstract Aim:, Compared to neutral globular proteins, neutral polysaccharides, such as dextran, pullulan and Ficoll, appear hyperpermeable across the glomerular filtration barrier. This has been attributed to an increased flexibility and/or asymmetry of polysaccharides. The present study investigates whether polysaccharides are hyperpermeable also across the continuous capillaries in the rat peritoneum. Methods:, In anaesthetized Wistar rats, FITC,Ficoll or FITC,pullulan together with 125I-human serum albumin (RISA) or neutralized 125I-bovine serum albumin (nBSA) were given intravenously, after which peritoneal dialysis (PD) using conventional PD fluid (Gambrosol 1.5%) was performed for 120 min. Concentrations of FITC-polysaccharides and radioactive albumin species in plasma and dialysis fluid were analysed with high-performance size exclusion chromatography and a gamma counter respectively. Transperitoneal clearance values were calculated for polysaccharides in the molecular radius range 36,150 Å, and for RISA and nBSA. Results:, Ficoll and pullulan showed more or less identical permeabilities, compared to RISA and nBSA, across the peritoneal membrane. Although RISA-clearance, 5.50 ± 0.28 (,L min,1; ±SEM), tended to be lower than the clearances of Ficoll36Å (6.55 ± 0.25), pullulan36Å (6.08 ± 0.22) and nBSA (6.56 ± 0.23), the difference was not statistically significant. This is in contrast to the hyperpermeability exhibited by polysaccharides across the glomerular filtration barrier and also contrasts with the charge selectivity of the latter. Conclusion:, The phenomenon of molecular flexibility is more important for a macromolecule's permeability through the glomerular filter than across the continuous peritoneal capillary endothelium. Furthermore, it seems that charge plays a subordinate role in the steady-state transport across the combined peritoneal capillary,interstitial barrier. [source] Trace metal distribution in soluble organic matter from municipal solid waste compost determined by size-exclusion chromatographyENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2002Arno Kaschl Abstract Municipal solid waste (MSW) composts carry high amounts of trace metals and organic complexing agents that may influence metal bioavailability and mobility after application to soils. In order to assess the degree of organic complexation of trace metals in the solution phase of MSW compost and the relevance of organic ligand type, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was applied to compost-extracted organic ligands. Adjustment of the elution conditions minimized the interaction with the gel matrix for compost humic substances and dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions. The SEC was then used to separate the aqueous compost extract into samples with distinct differences in chemical constituents. The highest quantities of Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Cd were found to coelute with the main peak of the SEC elution curve, which, as observed by Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, also had the highest density of carboxyl groups. The ratio of aromatic to aliphatic structures was higher for eluates with low retention times, and cations such as Al, Cr, and Fe were preferably associated with these larger organic molecules. All trace metals in the compost solution phase were bound mostly to DOM rather than forming inorganic complexes. [source] Micro-reactor for transesterification of plant seed oilsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Phattaraporn Kaewkool Abstract The fatty acid compositions of vegetable or other plant seed oils are generally determined by gas chromatography (GC). Methyl esters (the most volatile derivatives) are the preferred derivatives for GC analysis. Esters of higher alcohols are good for the separation of volatile and positional isomers. All the esters of the C1,C8 alcohols of vegetable oils were silmilarly prepared by passing the reaction mixture containing the desired alcohol, oil and tetrahydrofuran through the micro-reactor (a 3-mL dispossible syringe packed with 0.5,g of NaOH powder). The reaction products were acidified with acetic acid and the mixture was analyzed by high-performance size exclusion chromatography and GC. Transesterification was quantitative for primary alcohols, but an appreciable amount of free fatty acids was formed for secondary alcohols. Coriander seed oil was quantitatively esterified with 2-ethyl 1-hexanol with the micro-reactor in less than 1,min. Oleic and petroselinic acid 2-ethyl 1-hexyl esters are baseline separated on an Rtx-2330 capillary column (30,m×0.25,mm, 0.25,µm film thickness). [source] Complete high-density lipoproteins in nanoparticle coronaFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 12 2009Erik Hellstrand In a biological environment, nanoparticles immediately become covered by an evolving corona of biomolecules, which gives a biological identity to the nanoparticle and determines its biological impact and fate. Previous efforts at describing the corona have concerned only its protein content. Here, for the first time, we show, using size exclusion chromatography, NMR, and pull-down experiments, that copolymer nanoparticles bind cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids from human plasma, and that the binding reaches saturation. The lipid and protein binding patterns correspond closely with the composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). By using fractionated lipoproteins, we show that HDL binds to copolymer nanoparticles with much higher specificity than other lipoproteins, probably mediated by apolipoprotein A-I. Together with the previously identified protein binding patterns in the corona, our results imply that copolymer nanoparticles bind complete HDL complexes, and may be recognized by living systems as HDL complexes, opening up these transport pathways to nanoparticles. Apolipoproteins have been identified as binding to many other nanoparticles, suggesting that lipid and lipoprotein binding is a general feature of nanoparticles under physiological conditions. [source] Small heat shock protein Hsp27 prevents heat-induced aggregation of F-actin by forming soluble complexes with denatured actinFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 22 2007Anastasia V. Pivovarova Previously, we have shown that the small heat shock protein with apparent molecular mass 27 kDa (Hsp27) does not affect the thermal unfolding of F-actin, but effectively prevents aggregation of thermally denatured F-actin [Pivovarova AV, Mikhailova VV, Chernik IS, Chebotareva NA, Levitsky DI & Gusev NB (2005) Biochem Biophys Res Commun331, 1548,1553], and supposed that Hsp27 prevents heat-induced aggregation of F-actin by forming soluble complexes with denatured actin. In the present work, we applied dynamic light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography to examine the properties of complexes formed by denatured actin with a recombinant human Hsp27 mutant (Hsp27,3D) mimicking the naturally occurring phosphorylation of this protein at Ser15, Ser78, and Ser82. Our results show that formation of these complexes occurs upon heating and accompanies the F-actin thermal denaturation. All the methods show that the size of actin,Hsp27-3D complexes decreases with increasing Hsp27-3D concentration in the incubation mixture and that saturation occurs at approximately equimolar concentrations of Hsp27-3D and actin. Under these conditions, the complexes exhibit a hydrodynamic radius of ,,16 nm, a sedimentation coefficient of 17,20 S, and a molecular mass of about 2 MDa. It is supposed that Hsp27-3D binds to denatured actin monomers or short oligomers dissociated from actin filaments upon heating and protects them from aggregation by forming relatively small and highly soluble complexes. This mechanism might explain how small heat shock proteins prevent aggregation of denatured actin and by this means protect the cytoskeleton and the whole cell from damage caused by accumulation of large insoluble aggregates under heat shock conditions. [source] Docosahexaenoic acid stabilizes soluble amyloid-, protofibrils and sustains amyloid-,-induced neurotoxicity in vitroFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007Ann-Sofi Johansson Enrichment of diet and culture media with the polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid has been found to reduce the amyloid burden in mice and lower amyloid-, (A,) levels in both mice and cultured cells. However, the direct interaction of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid, with A,, and their effect on A, aggregation has not been explored in detail. Therefore, we have investigated the effect of docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid and the saturated fatty acid arachidic acid on monomer oligomerization into protofibrils and protofibril fibrillization into fibrils in vitro, using size exclusion chromatography. The polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid at micellar concentrations stabilized soluble A,42 wild-type protofibrils, thereby hindering their conversion to insoluble fibrils. As a consequence, docosahexaenoic acid sustained amyloid-,-induced toxicity in PC12 cells over time, whereas A, without docosahexaenoic acid stabilization resulted in reduced toxicity, as A, formed fibrils. Arachidic acid had no effect on A, aggregation, and neither of the fatty acids had any protofibril-stabilizing effect on A,42 harboring the Arctic mutation (A,E22G). Consequently, A,Arctic-induced toxicity could not be sustained using docosahexaenoic acid. These results provide new insights into the toxicity of different A, aggregates and how endogenous lipids can affect A, aggregation. [source] Structural and catalytic properties and homology modelling of the human nucleoside diphosphate kinase C, product of the DRnm23 geneFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 7 2001Muriel Erent The human DRnm23 gene was identified by differential screening of a cDNA library obtained from chronic myeloid leukaemia-blast crisis primary cells. The over-expression of this gene inhibits differentiation and induces the apoptosis of myeloid precursor cell lines. We overproduced in bacteria a truncated form of the encoded protein lacking the first 17 N-terminal amino acids. This truncated protein was called nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase C,. NDP kinase C, had similar kinetic properties to the major human NDP kinases A and B, but was significantly more stable to denaturation by urea and heat. Analysis of denaturation by urea, using size exclusion chromatography, indicated unfolding without the dissociation of subunits, whereas renaturation occurred via a folded monomer. The stability of the protein depended primarily on subunit interactions. Homology modelling of the structure of NDP kinase C,, based on the crystal structure of NDP kinase B, indicated that NDP kinase C, had several additional stabilizing interactions. The overall structure of the two enzymes appears to be identical because NDP kinase C, readily formed mixed hexamers with NDP kinase A. It is possible that mixed hexamers can be observed in vivo. [source] Bordetella pertussis fimbriae are effective carrier proteins in Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C conjugate vaccinesFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Karen M Reddin Abstract Serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccines generally use diphtheria or tetanus toxoids as the protein carriers. The use of alternative carrier proteins may allow multivalent conjugate vaccines to be formulated into a single injection and circumvent potential problems of immune suppression in primed individuals. Bordetella pertussis fimbriae were assessed as carrier proteins for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C polysaccharide. Fimbriae were conjugated to the polysaccharide using modifications of published methods and characterised by size exclusion chromatography; co-elution of protein and polysaccharide moieties confirmed conjugation. The conjugates elicited boostable IgG responses to fimbriae and serogroup C polysaccharide in mice, and IgG:IgM ratios indicated that the responses were thymus-dependent. High bactericidal antibody titres against a serogroup C strain of N. meningitidis were also observed. In a mouse infection model, the conjugate vaccine protected against lethal infection with N. meningitidis. Therefore, B. pertussis fimbriae are effective carrier proteins for meningococcal serogroup C polysaccharide and could produce a vaccine to protect against meningococcal disease and to augment protection against pertussis. [source] A heat-stable trypsin inhibitor in adzuki bean (Vigna angularis): effect of extraction media, purification and biochemical characteristicsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Sappasith Klomklao Summary Trypsin inhibitor from adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) seed was isolated and characterised. Extraction of seed with NaCl at the concentration of 0.15 m showed a higher recovery of trypsin inhibitor than other solvents tested (P < 0.05). Optimal extraction time for the recovery trypsin inhibitor from adzuki bean seed was 30 min (P < 0.05). Purification of inhibitor was achieved by heat-treatment at 90 °C for 10 min, followed by ammonium sulphate precipitation with 30,65% saturation and size exclusion chromatography on Sephacryl S-200, presenting a yield and purification of 53.9% and 10.91-fold, respectively. The apparent molecular weight of trypsin inhibitor was estimated to be 14 kDa based on SDS-PAGE and inhibitor activity of zones separated by electrophoresis. The purified inhibitor was stable over a broad pH range and retained high inhibitory activity toward trypsin after incubation at 90 °C for 60 min. NaCl, at 0,3% concentration, did not affect the inhibitory activity of purified trypsin inhibitor, however, the activity was lost when sample was treated with ,-mercaptoethanol prior to electrophoresis. [source] Poly(trimethylene carbonate) from Biometals-Based Initiators/Catalysts: Highly Efficient Immortal Ring-Opening Polymerization ProcessesADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 9 2009Marion Helou Abstract The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) was evaluated in bulk at 60,110,°C using various catalyst systems based on bio-friendly metals, including the metal bis(trimethylsilylamides) Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2, Ca[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2, Y[N(SiMe3)2]3, (BDI)Fe[N(SiMe3)2] [BDI=CH(CMeNC6H3 -2,6- i- Pr2)2], Fe[N(SiMe3)2]2, Fe[N(SiMe3)2]3, Zn[N(SiMe3)2]2, (BDI)Zn[N(SiMe3)2] and ZnEt2, associated with an alcohol such as isopropyl or benzyl alcohol. The actual metal alkoxide initiating species has been formed in situ prior to the addition of TMC. Introduction of the alcohol component in excess leads to the "immortal" ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of TMC. According to such an "immortal" ROP process of TMC, whichever the metal species, as many as 200 polycarbonate chains could be successfully grown from a unique metal center in a well controlled ROP process. The best performances were obtained using the discrete (BDI)Zn[N(SiMe3)2] precursor. Under optimized conditions, as many as 50,000 equivalents of TMC could be fully converted from as little as 20,ppm of this metallic precursor, allowing the preparation of a polytrimethylene carbonate (PTMC) with a molar mass as high as 185,200,g,mol,1 with a relatively narrow molar mass distribution (Mw/Mn=1.68). A double monomer feed experiment carried out with the (BDI)Zn[N(SiMe3)2]/BnOH initiating system proved the "living" character of the polymerization. Characterization of the PTMCs by NMR and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) showed well-defined ,-hydroxy-,-alkoxycarbonate telechelic polymers, highlighting the controlled character of this "living and immortal" ROP process. Using the (BDI)Zn[N(SiMe3)2] precursor, varying the alcohol (ROH) to 2-butanol, 3-buten-2-ol or 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl alcohol, revealed the versatility of this approach, allowing the preparation of accordingly end-functionalized HO-PTMC-OR polymers. The very low initial loading of metal catalyst considerably limits the potential toxicity and thus allows such polycarbonates to be used in the biomedical field. [source] Effect of screw element type in degradation of polypropylene upon multiple extrusionsADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Sebastião V. Canevarolo Abstract The screw profile of a twin-screw extruder can be designed to contain kneading and conveying elements inducing different levels of degradation in the polymer melt. In this work, the level of degradation in polypropylene has been measured after multiple extrusions,for various screw profiles,using size exclusion chromatography and IR spectroscopy. The average molecular weight and the polydispersity have been reduced and the carbonyl and unsaturation indexes increase as the number of extrusions and the aggressivity of the screw profile increase. The kneading element with 90° caused the greater level of degradation. On the other hand, the addition of left-hand conveying elements reduces the level of degradation because of the extra volume of molten polymer held in the screw, reducing the viability of oxygen inside the barrel. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 21: 243,249, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.10028 [source] Isolation and characterization of a protease from Pseudomonas fluorescens RO98JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000R. Koka Pseudomonas fluorescens RO98, a raw milk isolate, was inoculated into McKellar's minimal salts medium and incubated at 25 °C for 48 h to allow production of protease. A zinc-metalloacid protease was purified from the cell-free concentrate by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified protease was active between 15 and 55 °C, and pH 4·5 and 9·0, and was stable to pasteurization. The enzyme had pH and temperature optima for activity of 5·0 and 35 °C, respectively. It was heat stable with a D55 of 41 min and a D62·5 of 18 h. Molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 52 kDa by SDS PAGE and size exclusion chromatography. Values for kM of 144·28, 18·73, 110·20 and 35·23 µmol were obtained for whole, ,-, ,- and ,-casein, with a Vmax of 8·26, 0·09, 0·42 and 0·70 µmol mg,1 min,1, respectively. The enzyme hydrolysed ,-casein preferentially when incubated with artificial casein micelles. [source] Synthesis, characterization, and kinetic of thermal degradation of oligo-2-[(4-bromophenylimino)methyl]phenol and oligomer-metal complexesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2009smet Kaya Abstract Oligo-2-[(4-bromophenylimino)methyl]phenol (OBPIMP) was synthesized from the oxidative polycondensation reaction of 2-[(4-bromophenylimino)methyl]phenol (BPIMP) with air and NaOCl oxidants in an aqueous alkaline medium between 50 and 90°C. The yield of OBPIMP was found to be 67 and 88% for air and NaOCl oxidants, respectively. Their structures were confirmed by elemental and spectral such as IR, ultraviolet,visible spectrophotometer (UV,vis), 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR analyses. The characterization was made by TG-DTA, size exclusion chromatography, and solubility tests. The resulting complexes were characterized by electronic and IR spectral measurements, elemental analysis, AAS, and thermal studies. According to TG analyses, the weight losses of OBPIMP, and oligomer-metal complexes with Co+2, Ni+2, and Cu+2 ions were found to be 93.04%, 59.80%, 74.23%, and 59.30%, respectively, at 1000°C. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these compounds investigated by Coats-Redfern, MacCallum-Tanner, and van Krevelen methods. The values of the apparent activation energies of thermal decomposition (Ea), the reaction order (n), preexponential factor (A), the entropy change (,S*), enthalpy change (,H*), and free energy change (,G*) obtained by earlier-mentioned methods were all good in agreement with each other. It was found that the thermal stabilities of the complexes follow the order Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Comparative study of the hydrolytic degradation of glycolide/L -lactide/,-caprolactone terpolymers initiated by zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate or stannous octoateJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008Janusz Kasperczyk Abstract A series of copolymers have been synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of glycolide, L -lactide, and ,-caprolactone with zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate [Zr(Acac)4] or stannous octoate [Sn(Oct)2] as the catalyst. The resulting terpolymers have been characterized by analytical techniques such as proton nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. Data have confirmed that Sn(Oct)2 leads to less transesterification of polymer chains than Zr(Acac)4 under similar conditions. The various copolymers have been compression-molded and allowed to degrade in a pH 7.4 phosphate buffer at 37°C. The results show that the degradation rate depends not only on the copolymer composition but also on the chain microstructure, the Sn(Oct)2 -initiated copolymers degrading less rapidly than Zr(Acac)4 -initiated ones with more random chain structures. The caproyl component appears the most resistant to degradation as its content increases in almost all cases. Moreover, caproyl units exhibit a protecting effect on neighboring lactyl or glycolyl units. The glycolyl content exhibits different features: it decreases because of faster degradation of glycolyl units, which are more hydrophilic than caproyl and lactyl ones, remains stable in the case of abundant CGC sequences, which are very resistant to degradation, or even increases because of the formation of polyglycolide crystallites. Terpolymers can crystallize during degradation if the block length of one of the components is sufficiently long, even though they are amorphous initially. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] THE DEGRADATION OF CHlTOSAN WITH THE AID OF LIPASE FROM RHIZOPUS JAPONICUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SOLUBLE CHlTOSANJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2001SEUNG S. SHIN ABSTRACT Lipase from Rhizopus japonicus degraded chitosan resulting in soluble chitosan hydrolysates with molecular weight of about 30,50 kDa as shown by size exclusion chromatography. Optimal temperature for the hydrolysis of chitosan was 40C. The chitosan degradation products were fractionated stepwise according to their molecular weights by ultrafiltration with the filtration range of over 0.1 ,m, 0. l ,m to 30 kDa, 30 kDa to 10 kDa, 10 to 3 kDa, and 3 to 0.2 kDa. These fractions exhibited molecular weights of 50, 41, 41, 35, and 30 kDa, respectively. The molecular weights did not coincide with the pore size of filter membranes. Chitosan hydrolysate exhibited almost the same structural composition in IR spectra as chitosan flakes, except the peak of 1550 nm,1 that appeared to be the COO residue shifted from sodium acetate buffer to amine residue of chitosan. All fractions showed high solubility at neutral pH. The chitosan hydrolysates exhibiting molecular weights between 30 and 41 kDa were considered to be most suitable as a food additive or functional agent as demonstrated by sensory evaluation. [source] Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): a Novel Source of L-asparaginaseJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Vishal P. Oza Abstract Different parts of plant species belonging to Solanaceae and Fabaceae families were screened for L-asparaginase enzyme (E.C.3.5.1.1.). Among 34 plant species screened for L-asparaginase enzyme, Withania somnifera L. was identified as a potential source of the enzyme on the basis of high specific activity of the enzyme. The enzyme was purified and characterized from W. somnifera, a popular medicinal plant in South East Asia and Southern Europe. Purification was carried out by a combination of protein precipitation with ammonium sulfate as well as Sephadex-gel filtration. The purified enzyme is a homodimer, with a molecular mass of 72 ± 0.5 kDa as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresisand size exclusion chromatography. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 8.5 and an optimum temperature of 37 °C. The Km value for the enzyme is 6.1 × 10,2 mmol/L. This is the first report for L-asparaginase from W. somnifera, a traditionally used Indian medicinal plant. [source] Potential inaccurate quantitation and sizing of protein aggregates by size exclusion chromatography: Essential need to use orthogonal methods to assure the quality of therapeutic protein productsJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2010John F. Carpenter First page of article [source] Equilibrium studies of protein aggregates and homogeneous nucleation in protein formulationJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 2 2010Sylvia Kiese Abstract Shaking or heat stress may induce protein aggregates. Aggregation behavior of an IgG1 stressed by shaking or heat following static storage at 5 and 25°C was investigated to determine whether protein aggregates exist in equilibrium. Aggregates were detected using different analytical methods including visual inspection, turbidity, light obscuration, size exclusion chromatography, and dynamic light scattering. Significant differences were evident between shaken and heated samples upon storage. Visible and subvisible particles (insoluble aggregates), turbidity and z -average diameter decreased whilst soluble aggregate content increased in shaken samples over time. Insoluble aggregates were considered to be reversible and dissociate into soluble aggregates and both aggregate types existed in equilibrium. Heat-induced aggregates had a denatured protein structure and upon static storage, no significant change in insoluble aggregates content was shown, whilst changes in soluble aggregates content occurred. This suggested that heat-induced insoluble aggregates were irreversible and not in equilibrium with soluble aggregates. Additionally, the aggregation behavior of unstressed IgG1 after spiking with heavily aggregated material (shaken or heat stressed) was studied. The aggregation behavior was not significantly altered, independent of the spiking concentration over time. Thus, neither mechanically stressed native nor temperature-induced denatured aggregates were involved in nucleating or propagating aggregation. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99:632,644, 2010 [source] Investigation of freezing- and thawing-induced biological, chemical, and physical changes to enoxaparin solutionJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2009Rahul P. Patel Abstract This study investigated the effect of freezing and thawing on the biological, physical, and chemical properties of enoxaparin solution. Solutions were frozen and thawed under different conditions, in the presence or absence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD), and the antifactor Xa (AFXa) activity was determined. Enoxaparin solution lost more than 60% of its AFXa activity when thawed rapidly after freezing at ,196°C. The loss of AFXa activity was less with higher freezing temperatures and increased with the number of freeze/thaw cycles, but was independent of the duration of freezing. Slow freezing to ,196°C with rapid thawing, or rapid freezing with slow thawing, resulted in negligible loss of AFXa activity. The loss of AFXa activity did not involve the loss of N -sulfate groups, the breakdown of glycosidic bonds or the glassy state transition. Controlling the freezing or thawing conditions, dilution with water or addition of a small percentage of DMSO ameliorated the loss of enoxaparin AFXa activity. The loss in AFXa activity was found by size exclusion chromatography to be primarily due to aggregation and was reversed by sonication in the presence of DMSO. These results may provide insight into solutions for the long-term storage of concentrated or diluted enoxaparin. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:1118,1128, 2009 [source] Multivariate calibration of covalent aggregate fraction to the raman spectrum of regular human insulinJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 9 2008Connie M. Gryniewicz Abstract Insulin aggregates were prepared by exposing samples of formulated regular human insulin to agitation at 60°C. Aliquots were drawn from the samples periodically over a time range spanning 192 h, and their aggregate compositions were determined with size exclusion chromatography. The complete data set was composed of 39 separate aliquots. The Raman spectra of three separate 10 µL volumes from each aliquot were measured using the drop-coat deposition Raman (DCDR) method. The spectra were calibrated to aggregate composition by partial least squares regression (PLS), resulting in linear calibration (R2,=,0.997) with a root mean squared error of calibration (RMSEC) of 1.3% and a root mean squared error of cross validation (RMSECV) of 5.1% in aggregate composition. Though the time required for aggregates to form under stressed conditions showed substantial sample-to-sample variation, the correlation between aggregate composition and Raman spectrum was remarkably consistent, indicating that Raman spectroscopy may be a viable screening method for aggregation of protein drugs. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:3727,3734, 2008 [source] | ||||||||||||||||