Some observations on the choice of detergent for solubilization of the human erythrocyte membrane

Aspects of spermatogenesis and microscopic testicular morphology in Greater Rhea, Rhea americana (Linnaeus, 1758)

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to study the microscopic morphology of the testicular parenchyma of Rhea americana birds. Fifty-four 2.5±0.5 year-old male adults bred in captivity. were used. During commercial slaughter, samples of testis were collected in November/2005, December/2006 and May/2007, in order to compare possible differences. The samples underwent optical microscopy analysis and measurements of seminiferous tubule (ST) total diameters, lumen, epithelium thickness and the relative volume of parenchyma. The ST had circular form in transverse cross sections. November/2005 and December/2006 samples had many types of germinative cells and spermatozoa in lumen, but in May/2007 the samples of epithelium were poor regarding meiotic and mitotic pictures, and it was difficult to find any spermatozoon; in many tubules the lumen was inexistent or diminished. In December/2006 and May/2007 the averages were: tubule diameter 110.3 and 5.3mμ, lumen 52.4 and 4.5mμ, epithelium thickness 57.8 and 0.7mμ respectively. The volumetric proportions were: seminiferous epithelium 75.6 and 75.9, cysts in epithelium 2.1 and 1.0, ST 93.3 and 84.0, interstitium 6.2 and 15.6 respectively. The sperm reserves were: 19.7±2 and 0±0 x109 sperm cells in December 2006 and May 2007 respectively. Microscopic measures of seminiferous tubules, spermatic cells and diameter of the nuclei were presented. These data confirm reproductive seasonality, with breeding season in spring-summer with sperm production. A great variation n parenchyma, when compared breeding was noticeable.

Cryoprotection effectiveness of low concentrations of natural and lyophilized LDL (low density lipoproteins) on canine spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of low concentrations of natural and lyophilized low density lipoprotein (LDL) from hen's egg yolk for cryopreservation of canine semen. Different ammonium sulphate concentrations were tested to extract LDL from egg yolk. The yolk was centrifuged, and LDL was isolated using 10, 20, 40, 45, or 50% ammonium sulphate solution (ASS). The LDL-rich floating fraction was collected for chemical characterization. Dry matter content was lowest (P<0.05) in the LDL extracted with the 50% ASS. The purification of LDL increased in association with increasing ammonium sulphate concentrations. SDS-PAGE showed that the 50% ASS solution yielded a purer fraction of LDL from egg yolk. For semen cryopreservation, TRIS extender was used replacing 20% egg yolk (control) by natural or lyophilized LDL using 1, 2, and 3% (w/v). Semen was centrifuged (755Xg for 7 min), diluted with one of the extenders, packed into 0.5mL straws (100x106 sperm/mL), and placed in a programmable cryopreservation machine. Thawed semen (37°C/ 30s) was analyzed for sperm motility, morphology, and by the hypoosmotic and epifluorescence tests (CFDA/ PI). Natural LDL extracted with 50% ASS was as effective as whole egg yolk to preserve canine frozen sperm when using low concentrations. The lyophilized LDL, mainly in the two higher concentrations tested (2 and 3%), was unsuitable to maintain the effectiveness of the LDL cryoprotective effect on dog sperm.

Hofmeister series salts enhance purification of plasmid DNA by non-ionic detergents

Ion-exchange chromatography is the standard technique used for plasmid DNA purification, an essential molecular biology procedure. Non-ionic detergents (NIDs) have been used for plasmid DNA purification, but it is unclear whether Hofmeister series salts (HSS) change the solubility and phase separation properties of specific NIDs, enhancing plasmid DNA purification. After scaling-up NID-mediated plasmid DNA isolation, we established that NIDs in HSS solutions minimize plasmid DNA contamination with protein. In addition, large-scale NID/HSS solutions eliminated lipopolysaccharides (LPS) contamination of plasmid DNA more effectively than Qiagen ion-exchange columns. Large-scale NID isolation/NID purification generated increased yields of high-quality DNA compared to alkali isolation/column purification. This work characterizes how HSS enhance NID-mediated plasmid DNA purification, and demonstrates that NID phase transition is not necessary for LPS removal from plasmid DNA. Specific NIDs such as IGEPAL CA-520 can be utilized for rapid, inexpensive, and efficient laboratory-based large-scale plasmid DNA purification, outperforming Qiagen-based column procedures.

Isothermal single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and direct PCR from whole blood using a novel whole-blood lysis buffer

Cell lysis and subsequent release of genomic DNA is an ongoing dilemma for molecular biological techniques. In most cases, technologies such as PCR and other amplification techniques require DNA extraction and purification steps. The Smart Amplification Process Version 2 (SmartAmp2) is an isothermal and integrated amplification technology that eliminates the need for time-consuming sample preparation for the rapid detection of nucleic acids, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mutations, and other targets. In addition, DNA amplification directly from whole blood is beneficial and lessens the risk of cross-contamination. Traditional SmartAmp2 assays entail two steps and require an alkali pretreatment step at 98 degrees C prior to the 60 degrees C run. To make SmartAmp2 truly isothermal and to simplify DNA amplification, we hereby introduce the SmartAmp Isothermal Lysis Buffer (SIL-B), a newly developed chaotropic lysis buffer that enables the simultaneous recovery and denaturation of genomic material directly from whole blood at a uniform 60 degrees C. The improved method for isolating nucleic acids from whole blood is a critical milestone in making SmartAmp2 truly isothermal from start to finish at one temperature, increasing its potential to be routinely used in field point-of-care testing. Furthermore, pretreatment with SIL-B enables the PCR amplification of genomic material directly from whole blood.

Kinetic evidence for modulation by glycophorin A of a conformational equilibrium between two states of band 3 (SLC4A1) bound reversibly by the competitive inhibitor DIDS

Recent evidence has suggested that erythrocytes naturally deficient in glycophorin A (GPA) have a reduced V(max) for monovalent anion exchange. Unanswered is whether miss-folding of band 3 during biosynthesis, or the absence of GPA modulation of properly folded band 3 is responsible. Here, I determine the effect of selective depletion of GPA on the kinetics of reversible binding of the competitive transport inhibitor DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanato-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate) to properly folded band 3. Reversible binding of DIDS follows biphasic kinetics: a fast phase {DIDS+band 3<-->(DIDS-band 3), k(1), k(-1)} and a slower phase {(DIDS-band 3)<-->(DIDS-band 3), k(2), k(-2)}. Selective depletion of GPA was accomplished by pretreating membranes with Triton X-100, over a range where erythrocyte hemolysis is inhibited by the detergent (0% to 0.03%, v/v). Pretreatment with sublytic Triton X-100: (a) virtually completely depleted GPA, (b) did not deplete membrane-bound band 3, and (c) slowed the overall rate of reversible binding of DIDS to band 3. Data analysis and model simulation studies indicated that the decrease in the rate of binding of DIDS was due exclusively to a decrease in k(-2), with no change in the initial rate of binding. Thus, depletion of GPA does not alter the native conformation of band 3 at the DIDS binding site, but rather modulates a conformational equilibrium between two states of the binary complex formed by the competitive inhibitor DIDS, reversibly bound to properly folded band 3.

Exposure to octylphenol increases basal testosterone formation by cultured adult rat Leydig cells

4-Tert-octylphenol (OP) is a breakdown product of 4-tert-octylphenol ethoxylate, which is a surfactant additive widely used in the manufacture of a variety of detergents and plastic products. OP has been reported to exhibit weak estrogenic activity in many assay systems. The studies described herein examined an unusual effect of OP in increasing constitutive testosterone levels of cultured Leydig cells from young adult rats. The increase in testosterone was both dose and time sensitive, and this response was observed in medium lacking both calcium and magnesium and containing a membrane-permeable calcium chelator, suggesting that the increase in testosterone was not mediated by an increase in the permeability of extracellular calcium into cells or the redistribution/release of calcium from intracellular stores, respectively. Cellular cAMP levels also were unaffected by OP alone in cultured Leydig cells. Furthermore, initial exposure to 2000nM OP alone for 4h did not alter the subsequent conversion of endogenous cholesterol or exogenously added 22 (R)hydroxycholesterol to testosterone, suggesting that the increase in testosterone was not due to the enhanced availability of endogenous cholesterol or an increase in cholesterol side-chain cleavage activity, respectively. The increase in testosterone also was observed in the presence of the pure estrogen antagonist, ICI 182,780, or a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, suggesting that this effect of OP was not mediated through the estrogen receptor alpha or beta pathway or by inhibition of Leydig cell testosterone metabolism, respectively. In addition, exposure of cells to comparable concentrations of two different detergents, Triton X-100 or sodium cholate, did not increase testosterone levels, suggesting that this effect of OP was not due to its potential detergent qualities. Although these studies did not identify specific mechanism(s) that increase constitutive testosterone levels by OP, they identify specific pathways that appear not to be involved. The physiological relevance of this observation is not known; nevertheless, they illustrate potential diverse actions of OP in modulating the level of androgen secreted by Leydig cells, and they emphasize that some actions of OP do not appear to be mediated through the estrogen receptor alpha or beta pathway.

Retention of prominin in microvilli reveals distinct cholesterol-based lipid micro-domains in the apical plasma membrane

Membrane cholesterol-sphingolipid 'rafts', which are characterized by their insolubility in the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 in the cold, have been implicated in the sorting of certain membrane proteins, such as placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), to the apical plasma membrane domain of epithelial cells. Here we show that prominin, an apically sorted pentaspan membrane protein, becomes associated in the trans-Golgi network with a lipid raft that is soluble in Triton X-100 but insoluble in another non-ionic detergent, Lubrol WX. At the cell surface, prominin remains insoluble in Lubrol WX and is selectively associated with microvilli, being largely segregated from the membrane subdomains containing PLAP. Cholesterol depletion results in the loss of prominin's microvillus-specific localization but does not lead to its complete intermixing with PLAP. We propose the coexistence within a membrane domain, such as the apical plasma membrane, of different cholesterol-based lipid rafts, which underlie the generation and maintenance of membrane subdomains.

Use of a zwitterionic detergent for the restoration of the antibody binding capacity of immunoblotted Francisella tularensis lipopolysaccharide

A method for the partial restoration of the antibody binding capacity of Francisella tularensis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) following denaturation (dissociation) in boiling sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is described. The method relies on the presence of a zwitterionic detergent in the matrix of an SDS-polyacrylamide gel and in the transfer buffer during an immunoblot. F. tularensis LPS, which had lost its earlier capacity to bind to a particular monoclonal antibody in the normal blot procedure, did bind following the addition of the zwitterionic detergent to the polyacrylamide gel and transfer buffer. A number of detergents were tested but most success in restoring antibody binding was achieved with Zwittergent 3-08. This simple modification to the immunoblot procedure proved helpful in identifying a monoclonal antibody specific to hot phenol-extracted F. tularensis LPS.

Restoration of antibody binding to blotted meningococcal outer membrane proteins using various detergents

Restoration of IgG antibody binding to heat-denatured meningococcal outer membrane proteins has been studied on immunoblots with a series of 14 detergents. Nitrocellulose strips with the blotted proteins were incubated with the detergents and sera from human volunteers vaccinated with meningococcal membrane proteins. Zwitterionic and ionic detergents, containing substituted quarternary ammonium or amino groups with a minimum of 10 C atoms in the alkyl chain, restored the antigenicity of the serotype-specific class 2 porin protein. The concentrations of the Zwittergent detergents necessary for activation decreased with increasing alkyl chain length of the homologues. Only zwitterionic detergents renatured the class 1 protein. Both proteins were weakly antigenic in the presence of the nonionic detergents Triton X-100 and Tween 20. Meningococcal lipopolysaccharide restored antibody binding to the porin, but not to the class 1 protein. Similar concentrations of lipopolysaccharides from two other gram-negative bacteria had no effect.

Purification of membrane proteins in SDS and subsequent renaturation

A prerequisite for the purification of any protein to homogeneity is that the protein is not non-specifically associated with other proteins especially during the final stage(s) of the fractionation procedure. This requirement is not so often fulfilled when nonionic detergents (for instance Triton X-100) are used for solubilization of membrane proteins. The reason is that these detergents are not efficient enough to prevent the protein of interest from forming aggregates with other proteins upon contact with chromatographic or electrophoretic supporting media, which, due to their polymeric nature, have a tendency to induce aggregation of other polymers, for instance, hydrophobic proteins. The aggregation can be avoided if sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is employed as detergent. We therefore suggest that membrane proteins should be purified by conventional methods in the presence of SDS and that the purified proteins, which are in a denatured state, are allowed to renature. There is good change to renature internal membrane proteins since they should not be so susceptible to denaturation by detergents as are water-soluble proteins because the natural milieu of the former proteins is lipids which in fact are detergents. In this paper we present a renaturation method based on the removal of SDS by addition of a large excess of G 3707, a nonionic detergent. By this technique we have renatured a 5'-nucleotidase from Acholeplasma laidlawii and a neuraminidase from influenza virus. The enzyme activities were higher (up to 6-fold) after the removal of SDS than prior to the addition of SDS.

Quantification and gel electrophoretic analysis of proteins extracted from vascular endothelial cells

The inner walls of tubular organs and body cavities are lined with a sheet composed of cells which control the passage through the walls and thus are of considerable physiological and biochemical interest. They are difficult to prepare but their content can be extracted and analysed, using laminar extraction and sensitive bioluminescence methods. This has been shown for the endothelial cells which line the interior of blood vessels. Although it is dealing with small amounts of material, only a minor part of it is consumed in the analyses. The bioluminescence measurements can thus be combined with other analytical procedures such as protein assay and electrophoresis. The possibilities of extending the biochemical information is of interest in the efforts to clarify the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Laminar elution of protein from endothelial cells of the rat aorta was traced by the simultaneous efflux of adenine nucleotides. These were determined in a bioluminescence assay after conversion to ATP, while the fluorescamine reaction was used for the quantification of protein. The elution patterns obtained by these two methods showed an initial peak with a common maximum. The new possibilities of detecting relevant biochemical changes were evidenced by the finding of a marked protein loss in the fractions containing the outflux from the endothelial cells of diabetic rats. Electrophoresis of proteins eluted from endothelial cells resulted in separation into a large number of bands, but no differences were detected in the electropherograms at comparisons between normal and diabetic rats. It remains to be clarified, whether the protein depletion of the endothelial sheet is due to a concomitant loss of cells or to a cytoplasmatic loss without profound changes of the cytoplasmatic composition.

Theoretical and experimental study of high-performance electrophoretic mobilization of isoelectrically focused protein zones

In an earlier paper we showed that it is possible to mobilize a train of isoelectrically focused proteins and thus detect them on-tube or off-tube. The mobilization was performed in different ways, for instance electrophoretically by exchanging the anolyte for the catholyte or vice versa. In this paper we treat the electrophoretic mobilization theoretically, originating from the conditions of electroneutrality. The information thus gained was used to design anolytes and catholytes of appropriate compositions for mobilization of focused proteins. The usefulness of these electrode solutions is illustrated by focusing-mobilization experiments performed in free solution in a glass tube of length 110 mm. Since the inside diameter of the tube and its wall thickness were only 0.05 mm, the Joule heat was efficiently removed, which allowed the use of high field strengths (270 V/cm). The focusing time was therefore as short as 6 min. The time required for mobilization was about 15 min (360 V/cm). The mobilized protein zones were detected on-tube by absorbance measurements at 280 nm. The glass tube was treated with non-cross-linked polyacrylamide to eliminate electroendosmosis and adsorption of proteins onto the tube wall. The following conclusions drawn from the theoretical studies were experimentally verified: mobilization toward the anode (cathode) can be accomplished by selecting an anolyte (catholyte) containing a cation (anion) other than the proton (hydroxyl ion); the cation (anion) will then electrophoretically migrate into the separation tube and continuously increase (decrease) the pH from the anodic (cathodic) end of the tube. The pH of the electrode solution toward which the mobilization takes place is critical for off-tube, but not for on-tube detection. With the aid of the electroneutrality condition that applies in isoelectric focusing, one can easily explain the generation of the so-called plateau phenomenon.

Laminar elution of tubular organs for bioluminescence analysis of the interior cell layer

Cells lining the interior of tubular organs are of considerable interest from physiological and pathological aspects but are very difficult to prepare for biochemical analyses. The contents of such cells can be extracted by infusion of a suitable detergent serving as a membrane destroyer. The tiny ureter of the rat has been used as experimental model. Time governed elution with saponin, using a Hamilton programmable microlab for the infusion results in an effluent pattern which can be determined by sensitive bioluminescence assays. The time course of the outflux of nucleotides and enzymes showed two maxima in agreement with the presence of two epithelial layers in the ureter.

Studies of fish zona pellucida by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography on agarose columns and free zone electrophoresis

By either free zone electrophoresis or high-performance ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE agarose, zona pellucida from Baltic small herring (Clupea harengus L.) was separated into several fractions. These fractions had very similar protein compositions, since on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate they all gave the same pattern: chiefly one major and three minor bands corresponding to proteins with the following estimated molecular weights: 78 000, 96 000 (the major component), 115 000, and 125 000. It is likely that these proteins constitute the so-called supramolecular complexes of zona pellucida from Baltic small herring. Only one electrophoretic and one chromatographic fraction gave precipitin arcs on immunodiffusion with rabbit antiserum against zona pellucida from the fish Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson).

Use of a zwitterionic detergent for the restoration of the antibody-binding capacity of electroblotted meningococcal outer membrane proteins

A method is described for the partial restoration of the antibody-binding capacity of meningococcal class 2 outer membrane proteins (40-42 K molecular weight) following denaturation (dissociation) in boiling sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The method relies on the presence of 0.1-0.4% zwitterionic detergent in the electrode buffer during the electroblot transfer of proteins from SDS-polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose paper. Meningococcal class 2 proteins which had lost their earlier capacity to bind mouse monoclonal antibodies in the normal blot procedure after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, bound monoclonal antibodies following the addition of the zwitterionic detergent to the blot buffer. Human post-vaccination anti-class 2 protein antibodies reacted with serotype 2a class 2 protein in a similar manner. This simple modification to the electroblot procedure proved helpful in identifying mouse monoclonal antibodies and human antibodies specific for native meningococcal class 2 proteins.

Solubilization and immunoprecipitation of 125I-labelled antigens from Plasmodium knowlesi schizont-infected erythrocytes using non-ionic, anionic and zwitterionic detergents

Plasmodium knowlesi malaria-infected erythrocytes were radio-iodinated and several non-ionic, anionic and zwitterionic detergents were compared in their capacity to extract the labelled membrane proteins. The use of these detergents for antigen identification was tested by immunoprecipitation, after addition of Triton X-100 to some detergent extracts, using hyperimmune monkey antiserum and protein A-Sepharose. 125I-labelled antigens were specifically immunoprecipitated with all detergents tested, including the anionic detergents sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), deoxycholate and cholate; the zwitterions Zwittergent-312 and -314, CHAPS and Empigen BB, as well as several non-ionic detergents. The SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns of 125I-labelled antigens varied after extraction with different detergents, there being no consistent pattern for detergents of a particular class. A total of 14 125I-labelled antigens were identified, 11 of them using Triton X-100. Some minor 125I-labelled antigens identified with Triton X-100 were immunoprecipitated in greater amount after extraction in other detergents. Most importantly, two antigens Mr 200 000 and 180 000 were detected only after extraction with deoxycholate or SDS.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis: recovery of non-stained and stained proteins from gel slices

Following electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing in gels of polyacrylamide the protein band of interest is cut out and placed above a sucrose gradient column, containing carrier ampholytes (Pharmalyte). By electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing or displacement electrophoresis the proteins migrate out of the gel slice and into the isoelectric focusing column for concentration and further purification. From this column, the proteins can be withdrawn and their isoelectric points determined. Even after staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue at least some proteins can be recovered by this technique and used for further analyses, for instance amino acid determinations. The focusing in a pH gradient by carrier ampholytes can be replaced by an electrophoresis in a conductivity gradient column. However, in comparison with isoelectric focusing, this concentration technique has the drawback of not permitting further purification of the eluted protein.

An improved method for the isolation of the major protein of the gonococcal outer membrane in an antigenically reactive form

The major outer membrane protein (protein I) has been isolated from Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain P9 in an immunologically reactive form. Membranes were sequentially extracted with the detergents sodium cholate and Empigen BB. Protein I was enriched in the Empigen-soluble fraction and was separated from other proteins and lipopolysaccharide by gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The purified protein retained its antigenic activity with antiserum raised against the unfractionated outer membrane complex.

Solubility characteristics of Micrococcus lysodeikticus membrane components in detergents and chaotropic salts analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis

In order to evalute the effectiveness and selectivity of various reagents in the solubilization of bacterial membranes, membranes of Micrococcus lysodeikticus were treated with detergents and chaotropic agents. The composition of the extracts so obtained was analyzed by rocket and two-dimensional immunoelectrophoretic techniques. Recoveery of succinate-, malate-, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- (NADH) dehydrogenases, ATPase, succinylated lipomannan and cytochromes in the extracts was measured. Treatment with a variety of non-denaturing detergents produced extracts that were generally qualitatively uniform although quantitative differences were observed. The degree of extraction of various components was correlated with the hydrophile-lipophile balance. Several chaotropic agents were also evaluated as reagents for membrane solubilization. These agents were less effective in extraction of bulk protein, but produced extracts enriched in some membrane components.

Phospholipase A2 from sheep erythrocyte membranes. Ca2+ dependence and localization

The calcium dependence and the time course of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine degradation by sheep erythrocyte membrane suspensions in presence of Triton X-100 were investigated. One enzyme with phospholipase A2 specificity was found to be responsible for both phosphatidyl-ethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine degradation. The localization of this enzyme in the membrane of the sheep erythrocyte was investigated by proteolytic treatment of sealed erythrocyte ghosts from the outside and of ghosts which had both sides of the membrane exposed to chymotrypsin. The inability of sealed ghosts to take up chymotrypsin was followed by flux measurements of [14C]dextran carboxyl previously trapped in the ghosts. No efflux of the marker was found during the proteolytic treatment. By comparing the residual phospholipase activities in the membranes from both ghost preparations, we concluded that the phospholipase is oriented to the exterior of the sheep erythrocyte.

Aggregates of human erythrocyte membrane sialoglycoproteins in the presence of deoxycholate and dodecyl sulfate

Gel electrophoresis in the presence of deoxycholate of human erythrocyte membranes solubilized with deoxycholate resolves four glycoprotein zones. Electrophoresis in dodecyl sulfate in a second dimension reveals several components, three of which migrate in the region of PAS-2. One of the zones in deoxycholate gel electrophoresis contains component PAS-3, and this glycoprotein seems to exist as a monomer in deoxycholate, but aggregates partially upon addition of dodecyl sulfate. The major sialoglycoprotein migrates as a diffuse zone in dodecyl sulfate. The major sialoglycoprotein migrates as a diffuse zone in deoxycholate gel electrophoresis, indicating association and dissociation during the electrophoresis. The use of deoxycholate followed by dodecyl sulfate in two-dimentional electrophoresis gave high resolution of membrane proteins and can be used for detection of complexes in one of the detergents.