Isolation of Arcobacter butzleri from a drinking water reservoir in eastern Germany

Microaerophilic "campylobacter-like organisms" (CLO) were isolated from a drinking water reservoir in Germany during a period of some months. The strains were characterized by biotyping (API Campy), serotyping and SDS-Disc-gelelectrophoresis as Arcobacter butzleri. Now this facultative humanpathogen species was first described in Germany. With respect to the drinking water treatment, the hygienic importance of the findings is given.

Numerical quadruplet code of human cervical carcinoma tissue proteins

Proteins were extracted from cervical cancer tissue at 100,000 g supernatant. The four most abundant extracted tissue proteins form a "numerical quadruplet code", by which tissues can be distinguished from each other. Proteins that are specific for cervical cancer were a protein with a relative migration rate of 0.5, obtained by disc-electrophoresis, and a small protein, p 35, obtained by SDS-PAGE. This shows that, in a malignant process, the expression of a new protein may occur or, more probably, an already existing protein is better expressed.

Characterization of viable but nonculturable stage of C. coli, characterized with respect to electron microscopic findings, whole cell protein and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) patterns

Campylobacter coli CK 205, isolated from swine feces, was examined for changes in cell morphology, protein and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) patterns during starvation-survival experiments. Bottles filled with sterile filtered A. dest. were seeded with campylobacters and incubated at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Transition to the nonculturable stage occurred within 48 hours (37 degrees C) and 2 weeks (4 degrees C), respectively. In contrast to the culturability the electrophoretic studies showed no changes in whole cell protein or LOS patterns. The electron microscopic pictures revealed spiral and coccoid forms, partly with a slightly enlarged periplasmatic space or budding of the membrane. Totally intact non culturable spiral or coccoid forms might be regarded as dormancy forms that cannot be detected by conventional microbiological methods in water examination.

Studies on the host specificity of the medicinal blood leech Hirudo medicinalis L

For the identification of host species of blood-sucking parasites, the suitability of disc-electrophoresis of the stomach contents was tested. Mammalian blood in the stomach of the medicinal blood leech Hirudo medicinalis gave satisfactory results. In the case of mixed blood samples from H. medicinalis, the identification of the host according to the electrophoretic patterns of the stomach contents failed as compared with an immunological method such as the Ouchterlony test. Medicinal blood leeches (H. medicinalis) collected in Istria Croatia, or bought in a pharmacy contained blood from cattle, horses, or frogs in their stomachs. Specimens of H. medicinalis from Lake Neusiedl or from the Seewinkel Austria, had sucked blood from mallards or frogs. Blood of cattle, mallards, and frogs was found in the stomachs of H. medicinalis coming from the National Park Kiskunsag Hungary. For the first time, horses were established as hosts for free-living specimens of H. medicinalis. A comparison of the weights of H. medicinalis bought in a pharmacy revealed that specimens containing frog blood in their stomachs weighed significantly less than those containing horse blood. These results confirmed the reports from Ssynewa (1944) concerning the breeding experiments. Probably, there is a change in hosts from the frog to warm-blooded animals during the life cycle of H. medicinalis. There were also significant differences in the weights of leeches as revealed by a comparison of the population from the Neusiedlersee with the leeches bought in the pharmacy.

A novel galactosyl-binding lectin from the plasma of the blood clam, Anadara granosa (L) and a study of its combining site

The marine blood clam species Anadara granosa (L) belong to arcidae, a family with some extraordinary haematological features. The plasma of this species exhibited strong haemagglutinating activities, from which a galactosyl binding lectin, Anadarin P, was purified in a single step affinity chromatography using Sepharose 4B-asialofetuin as an affinity matrix. The purified lectin, eluted with lactose, was found to be homogeneous by alkaline polyacrylamide disc gels, gel-filtration and isoelectric focusing. Native M(r) of the lectin was 130,000 having a PI value of 6.82 and was composed of two subunits of M(r) 17,000 and M(r) 16,000 which were noncovalently bound. The lectin was remarkably thermostable; the agglutinating titre remained unchanged over a wide range of pH (from 5 to 10) but increased with neuraminidase treated rabbit erythrocytes. Anadarin P combining site has been proposed to be small pocket-like structure which recognised only C-3 and C-4 hydroxyl groups of D-galactose. Presence of bulky groups at C-2 and C-6 exert strong steric hindrance as L-arabinose, 2-deoxy-D-galactose and D-xylose are better inhibitors than D-galactose. The lectin fails to differentiate methyl substituted galactosides as both alpha- and beta- methyl galactosides are equally active; but in case of substituted phenyl glycosides, the lectin shows different affinity towards alpha and beta anomers. The avidity of the lectin to bind the aromatic aglycons of galactosides suggests the presence of a hydrophobic region in the combining site. Interactions with some disaccharides indicate the presence of an extended area near the monosaccharide binding site.

[The reactivity of the circulating neutrophils in human peripheral blood]

Using cytochemical, biochemical and disc-electrophoretic methods, the degree of extracellular secretion of peroxidase-containing neutrophil granules has been investigated as an index of their functional activity when in contact with antigens of extra- and intra-circulation. It was established that in in vitro contacts of neutrophils with alive and killed microbe culture St. aur., the quantity of the granules in the cells decreased as well as the enzyme activity in them. This is partially due to extracellular secretion of the granules content confirmed by the presence of peroxidase fractions in the solution. Similar results have been obtained for circulating neutrophils and serum of patients with acute pneumonia at the height of the disease. It is hold that antigen-induced extra- and intracellular neutrophil degranulation in the peripheral human blood reflects functional activity of the neutrophils.

[The composition and physicochemical properties of the blood lipoproteins in rats exposed to external gamma irradiation]

Content of lipids, character of chemiluminescence of blood plasma and certain classes of lipoproteins have been studied. Geometrical parameters, nature and quantity of charged groups of lipoprotein particles accessible for titration have been determined 1 and 30 days after a single external gamma irradiation of rats in a dose of 3 Gy. The used irradiation dose exerts an expressed hyperlipidemic effect retained for one month after irradiation. The disturbances in the spectrum of blood lipids and lipoproteins are of hyper-beta and hyper-prebeta lipoproteinemia character. Considerable disturbances of physicochemical properties of different classes of lipoproteins have been detected. They are exhibited in changes of the pattern of free-radical processes, state of the charge of surface ionogenic groups and geometrical parameters of lipoprotein particles. Changes registered by the methods of potentiometric titration and correlation spectroscopy are most expressed in lipoproteins of very low density and those of low density.

Purification and partial characterization of two extracellular keratinases of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis

Two extracellular keratinases of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were purified and partially characterized. The enzymes were isolated by the techniques of gel filtration chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). These keratinases (K I & K II) were purified approximately 33 and 29 fold, respectively. SDS-PAGE of the products of gel filtration chromatography (K I & II) produced only one band each, suggesting homogeneity. The optimum pH for both keratinases was 7.8, while the optimum temperatures were 40 degrees C (K I) and 35 degrees C (K II). Estimated molecular weights were 40-45 KDa and 24-29 KDa for K I & K II respectively. Both keratinases were inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride which suggests a serine residue at or near an active site.

Formation of intraprotamine disulfides in vitro

When mammalian protamine is dissolved in aqueous buffers at neutral or alkaline pH, both ends of the protein fold inward toward the center of the molecule and form disulfide crosslinks that stabilize several different structures. In the absence of reducing agents, these folded forms of protamine may be visualized and quantitated by gel electrophoresis. Using this technique, we have examined the formation of bull protamine disulfides in solution and describe a variety of factors that affect this process. At pH 8, disulfide-stabilized folded forms of protamine appear within minutes after solubilization of the fully reduced protein. Five different monomers are detected by electrophoresis. Each of these monomers is stabilized by at least one disulfide crosslink and migrates with a distinct mobility, ahead of the fully reduced and extended protein. Under certain conditions, dimers of these folded structures crosslinked by interprotamine disulfides are also formed. The appearance of these disulfide-crosslinked forms of protamine is effected by air oxidation, accelerated at alkaline pH, inhibited upon lowering the pH below pH 7 and eliminated by modifying the protein's cysteine residues. Similar intramolecular disulfides are also produced after the protamine molecule binds to DNA. These results suggest that only those cysteines located within the amino- and carboxyterminal ends of the protein appear to participate in forming intramolecular disulfides in vitro.

The development of corticosteroid binding globulin-like activity in fetal sheep blood

Parturition in sheep is initiated by the fetus and is preceded by a rise in fetal cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) late in gestation. In this study plasma cortisol and CBG concentrations were measured in fetal and maternal circulation from 40 days gestation to early post-partum. The fetal cortisol profile was shown to be triphasic in nature; being high in both the first and last trimester but low in the middle period of gestation. In the last trimester, total cortisol increased steadily, reaching it's highest level just prior to parturition (145 days gestation), before falling to maternal levels over the first 10 days post-partum. The changes seen in CBG concentrations throughout gestation and post-partum mirrored the triphasic nature seen in cortisol levels. CBG was significantly higher at 40, 56 and 140 days gestation than at mid-gestation (77 and 90 days). However, at 145 days gestation there was a significant fall in CBG levels. CBG levels were higher at 1 day post-partum when compared to 145 days gestation, the former rapidly falling to maternal levels over the subsequent 9 days. The maximum binding capacity at 40, 56, 70 and 90 days gestation exceeds the total serum cortisol concentration. However at 140 and 145 days gestation and 1 day post-partum the total serum cortisol exceeds the Bmax. The highest cortisol:Bmax ratio is seen at 145 days gestation due to the fall of CBG binding capacity at this time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The binding of SSB-proteins with DNA in chromatin of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells]

Using UV-induced cross-linking between proteins and DNA, the contacts between single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSB proteins) and chromatin DNA have been demonstrated. Ehrlich ascites tumour DNA was labeled in vivo by inoculation of tumour-bearing mice with 3H-thymidine. The cells were irradiated with the UV light dose of 3000 J/m2, destroyed in a Triton X-100-containing hypotonic medium, and separated by centrifugation into the extrachromatin fraction and chromatin. Chromatin DNA was digested with DNAase 1, and the chromatin proteins were extracted with 2 M NaCl-polyethyleneglycol. SSB proteins from the extrachromatin fraction and chromatin were purified. Only SSB proteins from UV-irradiated cell chromatin appeared to possess a high specific radioactivity which exceeded 7.5-fold that of non-irradiated cells. There were no differences between chromatin SSB proteins in control and irradiated cells as could be evidenced from SDS electrophoresis data. It is assumed that in irradiated cells SSB proteins of DNA-digested chromatin are covalently cross-linked with DNA fragments.

A tentacle gel simplifies the purification of ceruloplasmin

The mechanism of how chloroethylamine-treated agarose greatly simplifies the purification of ceruloplasmin (Cp) by preferentially binding this protein from blood plasma has been investigated. Chloroethylamine readily cyclizes to ethylenimine under alkaline conditions which then polymerizes to polyethylenimine (PEI). Ethylenimine and PEI were detected in the reaction mixture used to generate the resin. PEI polymers are grown from the matrix and form "tentacle" ligands, while PEI-silica and PEI-cellulose which are not tentacle gels did not bind Cp as readily. Spermine and spermidine, naturally occurring polyamine compounds, were attached to CNBr activated-agarose and showed weak affinity for Cp. [It should be noted that ethylenimine is a potential human carcinogen and presents an inhalation hazard.]

Rapid analysis of mitotic histone H1 phosphorylation by cationic disc electrophoresis at neutral pH in minigels

A new method is described for analysis of histone H1 and other basic proteins by cationic disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels at neutral pH. The multiphasic buffer (disc) system uses Na+ as leading ion, L-histidine as trailing ion, and Hepes as buffering counterion. These "Hepes/histidine gels" have three advantages over conventional acid-urea gels for studies of H1 phosphorylation and dephosphorylation: speed, convenience, and the need for only small amounts of cells or chromatin. Core histones and their acetylated forms can also be separated in gels containing 0.4% Triton X-100. The difference in electrophoretic mobility between mitotic (superphosphorylated) and interphase H1 from HeLa cells is approximately twice as great at neutral pH as at pH 4.5, making it possible to separate these two H1 forms rapidly and easily in Hepes/histidine "minigels" only 5-cm long. Total histones can be rapidly prepared by simply neutralizing 0.2 N HCl extracts, and the entire analysis, from harvesting cells to destaining gels, can be carried out in 1 day. The stacking effect of the disc system produces sharp bands and high resolution even with relatively dilute samples.

Isolation and characterization of the haemolymph lipoprotein of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskal

A yellow lipoprotein was isolated and purified from haemolymph of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskal, by precipitation at low ionic concentration and by gel filtration. Sephadex G-200 resolved haemolymph into five protein peaks. First peak was of lipoprotein with molecular weight of 501,000 +/- 7000 (n = 3) and on electrophoresis, it separated into three bands. Maximum lipids from lipoprotein could be extracted with chloroform: methanol solvent system and were 52% by weight.

The role of albumin in developing rodent dental enamel: a possible explanation for white spot hypoplasia

The uptake of serum albumin by maturation-stage rodent enamel and the resulting effects on the growth of enamel crystallites were investigated in vitro. Albumin uptake was demonstrated by means of gel electrophoresis and confirmed by Western blotting with use of monoclonal antibodies. Measurement of crystal size was carried out by direct TEM measurement of enamel crystallite outlines after incubations in metastable solutions of calcium phosphate. The ability of endogenous enamel enzymes to degrade albumin was investigated by substrate-specific zymography. The results showed that albumin could be taken up by maturation-stage enamel and produce inhibition of crystallite growth. There was no detectable proteolytic activity in the enamel against albumin substrate, which suggests that albumin entering enamel by extravasation in vivo may produce incomplete tissue maturation, resulting in a white, opaque appearance on eruption.

[Affinity chromatography of mouse and rat alpha-fetoproteins on immobilized diethylstilbestrol]

Alpha-fetoproteins (AFP) from amniotic fluid of mouse and rat demonstrate high affinity and specificity during their binding with immobilized diethylstilbestrol, which allows to isolate these two proteins by one step using the method of affinity chromatography on Sepharose with immobilized diethylstilbestrol. Meanwhile the yield of mouse AFP was 42%, and rat AFP--75%. The preliminary incubation of the amniotic fluid of rat and mouse with free estradiol results in abrupt fall of AFP outcome, which may testify to the binding of estradiol and diethylstilbestrol by the same receptor sites on AFP molecule.

Evaluation of total protein content in tears of dogs by polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis

Concentration of total proteins was measured and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis was performed on tear and plasma samples obtained from 26 healthy dogs, and the results were compared. Mean +/- SEM concentration of total proteins in tears was 0.63 +/- 0.04 g/dl, and significant effects of age or gender were not found. The protein composition of tears in dogs was complex, and bands from light and heavy chains of immunoglobulins were identified by electrophoresis.

Determination of ovine casein heterogeneity using gel electrophoresis and immunochemical techniques

Discontinuous PAGE at alkaline and acid pH, polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing, two dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblotting have been used to study the heterogeneity of sheep caseins. Three main phenotypes were selected either because of mobility at alkaline and acid pH of the individual alpha s components or because of their relative intensity. On electrophoresis at alkaline pH, one phenotype showed two distinct bands of lower electrophoretic mobility than beta 1- and beta 2-caseins. A detailed study of these components using immunospecific detection with beta-casein antiserum showed that these minor components of ovine casein may have a polypeptide chain similar to that of beta 1- and beta 2-caseins. Complete electrophoretic patterns of the casein components in some individual milks are also presented.

Sarcocystis muris (Apicomplexa): a thiol protease from the dense granules

Homogenates of Sarcocystis muris merozoites (cyst form) and the subcellular fraction of dense granules were assayed for protease activity with substrate-impregnated SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Four acidic and several basic proteases were detected in the merozoites. One of the basic proteases was further characterized as a thiol protease (EC 3.4.22). The activity of this protease was enriched in the dense granule fraction.

Purification and properties of steroid sulfatase from human placenta

Steroid sulfatase was purified approximately 170-fold from normal human placental microsomes and properties of the enzyme were investigated. The major steps in the purification procedure included solubilization with Triton X-100, column chromatofocusing, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography on phenylsepharose CL-4B. The purified sulfatase showed a molecular weight of 500-600 kDa on HPLC gel filtration, whereas the enzyme migrated as a molecular mass of 73 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isoelectric point of steroid sulfatase was estimated to be 6.7 by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel in the presence of 2% Triton X-100. The addition of phosphatidylcholine did not enhance the enzyme activity in the placental microsomes obtained from two patients with placental sulfatase deficiency (PSD) after solubilization and chromatofocusing. This result indicates that PSD is the result of a defect in the enzyme rather than a defect in the membrane-enzyme structure. Amino acid analysis revealed that the purified human placental sulfatase did not contain cysteine residue. The Km and Vmax values of the steroid sulfatase for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHA-S) were 7.8 microM and 0.56 nmol/min, while those for estrone sulfate (E1-S) were 50.6 microM and 0.33 nmol/min, respectively. The results of the kinetic study suggest the substrate specificity of the purified enzyme, but further studies should be done with different substrates and inhibitors.

Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa)-biotin conjugates for the titration of STa antisera by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The development of a new approach to the diagnosis of infectious diarrhoea, caused by Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), was preceded by a preliminary study. The purpose of the latter was to establish whether three preparations of ST produced by a human isolate of enterotoxigenic E. coli (STa), obtained at different steps of the purification procedure (involving Amberlite XAD2 resin chromatography (P3), a gel filtration chromatography on a Biogel P4 (P2) or a disc-gel electrophoresis (P1)), could be employed to titrate antisera to STa using an ST-biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The solid-phase STa was obtained by first coupling the toxin to biotinyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide and then binding this conjugate to avidin adsorbed to flat-bottomed polystyrene microtitre plates. Using these reagents, the assay conditions were examined. Checkerboard tests determined optimal biotin-P3, P2 or P1 toxin conjugate concentrations to be used as the immunosorbent for P3, P2 and P1 antiserum titration. The immunosorbent prepared with STa purified only on Amberlite XAD2 resin was unable to differentiate significantly between P3, P2 or P1 antisera. Immunosorbent prepared with P2 or P1 detected widely differing titres between the three antisera and gave more sensitive results. Only small but questionable differences were observed between P2 and P1 toxin preparations.

Purification and characterization of a new NAD(+)-dependent enzyme, L-tartrate decarboxylase, from Pseudomonas sp. group Ve-2

A new enzyme, L-tartrate decarboxylase, was found in cells of Pseudomonas sp. group Ve-2. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity and characterized. The enzyme requires K+, Mg2+, and NAD+ for L-tartrate decarboxylation. The dependence of the enzymatic decarboxylation on NAD+ suggests that the decarboxylation involves redox reactions of the substrate. The enzyme catalyzes NAD(+)-linked oxidative decarboxylation of D-malate as well. The enzyme is composed of four subunits with identical molecular weight (Mr 40,000). The apparent Michaelis constants for L-tartrate and NAD+ are 1.1 mM, respectively. The cofactor requirements and the physical properties of the enzyme were similar to those of L-tartrate dehydrogenase-D-malate dehydrogenase from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, and tartrate dehydrogenase from P. putida.

Purification of prokallikrein from bovine pancreas

A prokallikrein was isolated from bovine pancreas by a multi-step procedure involving gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction and anion-exchange chromatographies. The purification was initially monitored by measurement of the kinin-releasing activity of the activated zymogen. Later, when the pure prokallikrein had been isolated, a specific radioimmunoassay for the zymogen was set up and that was employed to provide estimates of 323-fold and 28% for the overall degree of purification and percentage recovery of prokallikrein. The relative molecular weight of prokallikrein was found to be 26,900 by SDS gel electrophoresis and its isoelectric point was established as pH 4.55.

[A simple method of purifying staphylococcal alpha-toxin and a study of its properties]

The simple method is proposed for isolation and purification of staphylococcal alpha-toxin that permits one to obtain the homogeneous toxic protein with high activity. The time necessary for maximal toxin production at cultivation has been defined. The thermostability and interferonogenic characteristics of the obtained alpha-toxin were studied.