Biosep-SEC-S high-performance size-exclusion chromatographic columns for proteins and peptides

Poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-grafted polyacrylamide: a self-coating copolymer for sieving separation of native proteins by CE

The potential of a series of newly synthesized poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) grafted polyacrylamide (PAM) copolymers (P(AM-PDMA)) as a replaceable separation medium for protein analysis was studied. A comparative study with and without copolymers was performed; the separation efficiency, analysis reproducibility and protein recovery proved that the P(AM-PDMA) copolymers were efficient in suppressing the adsorption of basic proteins onto the silica capillary wall. Furthermore, the size-dependent retardation of native proteins in a representative P(AM-PDMA) copolymer was demonstrated by Ferguson analysis. The results showed that the P(AM-PDMA) copolymers combine the good coating property of PDMA and the sieving property of PAM and could be applied as a sieving matrix for the analysis of native proteins.

Chromatographic media for bioseparation

Bioseparation processes are dominated by chromatographic steps. Even primary recovery is sometimes accomplished by chromatographic separation, using a fluidized bed instead of a fixed bed. In this review, the action principles, features of chromatography media regarding physical and chemical properties will be described. An attempt will be made to establish categories of different media. Characteristics for bioseparation are the large pores and particle sizes. To achieve sufficient capacity for ultralarge molecules, such as plasmids or nanoparticles, such as viruses monoliths are the media of choice. In these media, the mass transport is accomplished by convection, and thus, the low diffusivity can be overcome. Common to all modern chromatography media is the fast operation. There are examples where a residence time of less then 3 min, is sufficient to reach the full potential of the adsorbent.

Control of the human cell cycle by a bacterial protein, gapstatin

The oral gram-negative bacterium Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a major pathogen in human periodontal disease. Saline extraction releases a range of surface-associated components from this bacterium, including one which exhibits potent anti-proliferative activity as assessed by its capacity to inhibit DNA synthesis by human and other mammalian cells. Cultures incubated with this bacterial fraction for a prolonged period comprise a high proportion of cells containing a 4n level of DNA. Studies using hydroxyurea-synchronized cultures showed that cells treated with the surface-associated fraction were arrested in the G2 phase of the cell cycle and did not enter mitosis. This G2/M blockade was observed only when the bacterial fraction was added to the cells during early S phase. Our data also suggest that the active bacterial component binds to surface receptors expressed by the human cells and may act by a novel mechanism which involves down-regulation of cyclin B1 expression. The anti-proliferative activity of the bacterial fraction, purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, HPLC anion exchange and gel filtration, has been shown to be an 8 kDa protein, which we have called gapstatin. Purified gapstatin was shown to be responsible for the the inhibitory effects of the surface-associated fraction on mammalian cells.