The Presence of Zinc-Binding Proteins in Brain

Abstract: Zinc is one of the most abundant divalent metal ions in the brain, its concentration being greater than those of copper and manganese. Since free zinc ion is a potent inhibitor of sulfhydryl enzymes, we postulated that zinc in the brain most probably exists bound to macromolecules. As zinc-binding proteins in brain have not been characterized, we attempted to discover the occurrence and properties of these proteins. By using Sephadex G-75 column chromatography calibrated with proteins of known molecular weights, and by other techniques, we detected separate zinc-binding proteins, with apparent estimated molecular weights ranging from 15,000 to 210,000. Unlike the hepatic or renal zinc thioneins, the zinc-binding proteins in brain are not inducible following administration of zinc. Our interpretation of the results is that the major portion of the existing zinc in the brain is bound, and does not exist in free form.     

Isolation of Three Crystalline Proteins from Beef Liver After Partial Purification by Acetone Fractionation

The isolation of three proteins in crystalline form from ground beef liver is described. These proteins are FTBL protein (Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 188, 251–265 (1978), crotonase, and catalase. Crotonase is isolated by crystallization from a 32 acetone extract of the ground liver. FTBL protein and catalase can subsequently be isolated from the same extract. For optimal yield and ease of isolation, FTBL protein is isolated from a 46.5% acetone extract from which catalase can subsequently be crystallized by dialysis.

The isolation of FTBL protein as well as the isolation of catalase involves a preliminary fractional precipitation and solution before crystallization can be achieved. Isopropanol can be substituted for acetone in the isolation of the above three proteins and in the case of catalase, results in an exceptionally high yield.

Methods for the recrystallization of the proteins are presented and the role of organic solvents in recrystallization is discussed.     

The Concentrations of Copper,Zinc and Molyrdenum in Swine Liver and the Relationship to the Distrirution of Solurle Copper- and Zinc-Rinding Proteins

The concentrations of copper, zinc and molybdenum were measured in liver samples from 21 normal slaughter pigs (average age about 6 months) and in 36 sows (average age about 2 years). The following mean values were found: Slaughter pigs: 15 ± 8 µg Cu/g, 45 ± 7 μg Zm/g and 1.0 ± 0.2 μg Mo/g wet weight; sows: 46 ± 70 μg Cu/g, 70 ± 26 μg Zn/g and 1.3 ± 0.3 μg Mo/g wet weight. The concentrations of all 3 elements were significantly higher in the sows than in the young pigs. There was no correlation between the concentrations of copper, zinc or molybdenum. The recorded copper levels in the slaughter pigs were in accordance with the levels of non-supplemented pigs given in the literature. The soluble hepatic copper- and zinc-binding proteins were separated into 3 different fractions by gel filtration. With increasing copper and zinc levels in the liver, a higher relative amount of these elements were found in the low molecular weight fraction.     

Agarose Gel Electrophoretic Fractionation of Serum Proteins in Adult Cattle. II. A Study Of Cows with Different Diseases

In 283 dairy cows suffering from internal disorders the serum proteins were studied by agarose gel electrophoresis supplemented by total protein and albumin determinations. The clinical diagnoses could be grouped according to protein pattern. Group 1 (abomasal displacement and traumatic muscle injury) did not appreciably affect the serum protein concentrations and represented primarily non-inflammatory diseases or diseases of non-infectious origin. Group 2 (leukosis) occupied an exceptional position, with heavy lowering of albumin unaccompanied by a corresponding rise of total globulin. The γ-globulin concentration was significantly lowered. Group 3 (acute traumatic peritonitis) represented an acute inflammatory process with increase chiefly of the α-globulins, while the γ-globulin concentration was normal. Group 4 (chronic traumatic peritonitis, summer mastitis, chronic subclinical mastitis, chronic laminitis and polyarthritis, urinary tract infection, abscess, and sub-acute-chronic pneumonia) comprised diseases chiefly of chronic inflammatory character and with infectious origin. Especially characteristic was the heavy rise of globulins in general and of γ-globulin in particular. In most cases there was a large increase also of the α- and p-globulin fractions.     

Fractionation of Main Components and Their Subunits of Soybean Proteins

The water-extracted proteins, C and D fractions prepared from defatted soybean meals were fractionated by a method of gel filtration with Sephadex G–200, resulting in higher purification of the C and D components. The dissociated subunits of the C and D components were seen as bands B and B′ on the starch-gel electrophoretical pattern of system without urea. By the starch-gel electrophoresis in system with urea, the subunits of C component were mainly corresponding to the bands 7, 8 and 9, and those of the D component mainly to the band 10. Those subunits were fractionated by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose contained urea.     

Ultrasonography and Determination of Proteins and Enzymes in Blood for the Diagnosis of Liver Abscesses in Intensively Fed Beef Cattle

The concentrations of plasma proteins and the activities of liver enzymes were measured every 2 weeks from weaning to slaughter in 21 beef cattle, and their livers were examined ultrasonographically every 4 weeks. Eight of the 9 cases of single or multiple liver abscesses were detected by ultrasonography but some individual abscesses, particularly those in the left side of the liver, remained undetected. The time at which the abscesses were first detected ranged from 4 to 20 (mean 12.5) weeks. There were only slight variations in the blood constituents and they were of no significant value in the diagnosis of the liver abscesses.     

Comparative Activities of Cattle and Swine Platelet Microbicidal Proteins

The bactericidal activities of cattle and swine platelet microbicidal proteins (PMPs) with their comparison with human PMP were studied. Activities of PMP were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Escherichia coli. B. subtilis and B. cereus were high susceptible to PMP at very low concentrations. Of the gram-positive cocci studied, M. lysodeikticus and S. aureus were the most, and S. epidermidis the least, susceptible. E. coli was found to be relatively resistant to the lethal action of all PMP. The findings of this study confirm that the existence of antimicrobial peptides is conserved among mammalian platelets.     

人血浆蛋白连续沉淀分离技术试验

目的:考察人血浆蛋白连续流沉淀分离装置的分离性能。方法:将传统的人血浆蛋白低温乙醇批处理法改进为连续沉淀分离法,并设计了一套连续沉淀分离装置。采用人血浆低温乙醇分离的组分FⅠ Ⅱ Ⅲ沉淀为试验物料,将蛋白液与试剂(乙醇和缓冲液)在特制的混合器内与循环母液迅速混合,形成连续沉淀分离过程。结果:实现了人血浆蛋白的连续沉淀分离,所得蛋白组分FⅡ中的IgG含量为5.0～8.4g/L,纯度达94%～97.4%。结论:该装置能够实现人血浆蛋白的连续分离,须进一步的试验和工艺优化。     

矮牵牛(Petunia hybrida)开花过程中的可溶性蛋白质分析

在进行矮牵牛(Petunia hybrida)光周期诱导开花的过程中,对叶子中的可溶性蛋白质进行了分析,其中有4条与开花有关的特异蛋白,分子量分别为49.45 kD(a)、35.45 kD(b)、17.98 kD(c)和11.74 kD(d).在不开放的花苞中不含有蛋白质a和d,只有这4种蛋白质全出现时,才能形成花苞并且开放.花开了以后,蛋白质c和d就消失.即使在开花的植株中,各组织中的蛋白质也是不同的.茎中完全不含有蛋白质c和d,叶子和花中的蛋白质组成也是不同的.     

Enhancing Production and Cytotoxic Activity of Polymeric Soluble FasL-Based Chimeric Proteins by Concomitant Expression of Soluble FasL

Membrane FasL is the natural trigger of Fas-mediated apoptosis. A soluble homotrimeric counterpart (sFasL) also exists which is very weakly active, and needs oligomerization beyond its trimeric state to induce apoptosis. We recently generated a soluble FasL chimera by fusing the immunoglobulin-like domain of the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gp190 to the extracellular region of human FasL, which enabled spontaneous dodecameric homotypic polymerization of FasL. This polymeric soluble human FasL (pFasL) displayed anti-tumoral activity in vitro and in vivo without systemic cytotoxicity in mouse. In the present work, we focused on the improvement of pFasL, with two complementary objectives. First, we developed more complex pFasL-based chimeras that contained a cell-targeting module. Secondly, we attempted to improve the production and/or the specific activity of pFasL and of the cell-targeting chimeras. We designed two chimeras by fusing to pFasL the extracellular portions of the HLA-A2 molecule or of a human gamma-delta TCR, and analyzed the consequences of co-expressing these molecules or pFasL together with sFasL on their heterotopic cell production. This strategy significantly enhanced the production of pFasL and of the two chimeras, as well as the cytotoxic activity of the two chimeras but not of pFasL. These results provide the proof of concept for an optimization of FasL-based chimeric proteins for a therapeutic use.     

Tonoplast and Soluble Vacuolar Proteins Are Targeted by Different Mechanisms

The delivery of proteins to the vacuole and its limiting membrane (the tonoplast) by the secretory system is thought to be a dissociative process in which vesicles bud from one compartment and fuse with another. We studied the transport kinetics of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) in mesophyll protoplasts obtained from transgenic tobacco plants transformed with genes encoding these two proteins. In pulse-chase experiments, arrival of PHA in the vacuole was found to be slower (completed 24 hr after synthesis) than the arrival of TIP in the tonoplast (completed 6 hr after synthesis). Brefeldin A and monensin block protein transport by interfering in specific vesicle transport steps. Brefeldin A prevents anterograde vesicle transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi, whereas monensin inhibits correct sorting in the trans-Golgi network by disrupting the proton gradient across the membrane. Both inhibitors blocked the transport of PHA to the vacuole and altered the rate at which its complex glycan is processed by Golgi enzymes. Neither drug stopped the arrival of TIP in the tonoplast, suggesting that the flow of vesicles continues in the presence of these inhibitors. We suggest that soluble proteins like PHA and membrane proteins like TIP reach their vacuolar destinations by different paths.     

牛肝干细胞的分离培养与鉴定

该实验旨在分离牛肝干细胞,培养观察其生长特性,为比较医学研究及开发牛肝脏体外研究工具提供实验基础。实验采用改良的离体两步胶原酶灌流法,结合密度梯度离心分离牛肝干细胞,观察细胞形态及生长特性,并利用免疫荧光染色和PCR对牛肝干细胞相关标志物进行鉴定。实验分离的细胞接种48 h开始贴壁分裂,随后呈集落样生长,表现出干细胞的特性,低密度下培养504 h后细胞呈肝细胞样分化。正常接种密度的细胞可传至P3代,HE染色可见细胞均为单核,核浆比大,呈幼稚低分化状态;免疫荧光染色和PCR结果均显示,该细胞表达甲胎蛋白AFP、上皮细胞黏附蛋白(EpCAM)、造血干/祖细胞表面标志CD34、干细胞因子受体蛋白(c-kit)、细胞角蛋白CK18、CK19。结果表明,该研究分离了一种具有明显干细胞特征,并表达成熟肝细胞和胆管上皮细胞表面标志物的牛肝干细胞。     

Copper- and Arene-Catalyzed Cleavage of DNA

DNA was found to be cleaved by arenes and copper(II) salts in neutral solutions. The efficiency of this reaction is comparable with the DNA cleavage by such systems as Cu(II)–phenanthroline and Cu(II)–ascorbic acid in efficiency, but, unlike them, it does not require the presence of an exogenous reducing agent or hydrogen peroxide. The Cu²⁺–arene system does not cleave DNA under anaerobic conditions. Catalase, sodium azide as well as bathocuproine, a specific chelator of Cu(I), completely inhibit the reaction. Our results suggest that Cu(I) ions, superoxide radical and singlet oxygen participate in this reaction. It was shown by EPR and spin traps that the reaction proceeds with the formation of alkoxyl radicals capable of inducing breaks in DNA molecules. An efficient cleavage of DNA in the Cu(II)–o-bromobenzoic acid system requires the generation of radicals under the conditions of formation of a specific copper–DNA–o-bromobenzoic acid complex, in which copper ions are likely to be coordinated with oxygen atoms of the DNA phosphate groups.