Analysis of the binding of deoxyribonuclease I to G-actin by capillary electrophoresis

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) is an actin monomer-sequestering actin binding protein (ABP) that inhibits the rate and extent of actin polymerisation in vitro by forming a high affinity, stoichiometric 1:1 complex. Using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), we have studied the interaction between G-actin and DNase I to evaluate the capability of CZE to determine the dissociation constant (K(d) value) for this interaction. We used (i) an uncoated fused-silica capillary and ultraviolet (UV) detection at 214 nm; (ii) a hydrophilic-coated capillary with UV detection at 214 nm; and (iii) a hydrophilic-coated capillary with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. Using procedure (ii), a K(d) value of approximately 0.03 microM was obtained by simulation of binding data. We conclude that CZE combined with a LIF detector has the capacity to extend the determination of K(d) values from the micromolar range to the nanomolar range. Subsequent determination of K(d) values for other actin-binding proteins should provide information on interactions between the binding sites on actin for these proteins and their spatial relationship.

Different electrophoretic techniques produce conflicting data in the analysis of myocardial samples from dilated cardiomyopathy patients: protein levels do not necessarily reflect mRNA levels

A variety of electrophoretic techniques were used to search for potential causes of human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Northern blots were used to quantify alpha-cardiac and alpha-skeletal muscle actins, and beta-myosin heavy chain mRNAs which are the predominant expressed isoform species. We found a wide range of mRNA levels expressed in both DCM and nondiseased (ND) samples of left ventricles. However, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels of the same heart samples revealed a stable and constant ratio of actin and myosin. Dystrophin deficiency might account for the DCM symptoms and so dystrophin levels of DCM and ND samples were evaluated using Western blots probed with monoclonal antibodies for the N-, C- and mid-rod portions of this protein. We found that dystrophin levels were constant in all 29 DCM and 5 ND samples suggesting that dystrophin deficiency is probably not a contributing cause. We explored the possibility that terminal failure may be due to an apoptotic-like event in the cardiomyocytes. Zymograms of DCM and ND samples revealed a significant increase in DNase I activity in the DCM group compared to the ND samples. These data raise the possibility that end-stage failure may be associated with apoptosis.