Effects of carrier ampholyte contamination on the biological and biochemical properties of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type C

Ionic binding properties of carrier ampholytes

Radioactive ampholytes were synthesized with specific activity of 638 microCi/g. These were used in studies of ampholyte binding to target proteins under non-ionic conditions. These radioactive ampholytes bound to target proteins but were dissociable in sodium chloride solutions with dissociation occurring in a concentration dependent way. The ampholytes could be dissociated from target molecules using excess unlabelled ampholytes synthesized in the laboratory as well as commercial ampholytes. Radioactive ampholytes were bound to target proteins with different isoelectric points and the bound ampholytes were eluted and analyzed by recycling isoelectric focusing. The results showed that acidic proteins bound basic ampholytes and basic proteins bound acidic ampholytes. Acidic radioactive ampholytes were selectively bound by Sephacryl S-200 and ampholyte exchange from protein to Sephacryl S-200 was shown.

Purification and partial biochemical characterization of normal human interleukin 1

A protocol for the rapid, efficient purification of the major charged species of human interleukin 1 (IL-1) has been developed using high performance anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The isolated material is pure as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and analytical isoelectric focusing (IEF). The molecular weight of the purified material is 15,000 and the isoelectric point (pI) is 6.8, values that are in good agreement with those previously reported for human IL-1. 10(-10) M concentrations of the purified material give half-maximal stimulation in the thymocyte proliferation assay. Amounts of IL-1 sufficient for receptor studies and detailed biochemical analysis can now be produced on a regular basis.