Correlation between bilayer destabilization and activity enhancement by diacylglycerols in reconstituted Ca-ATPase vesicles

Using the reconstituted Ca-ATPase vesicles as a model system, we demonstrated that the presence of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol (diolein) in the membrane introduces a pronounced enhancement in the Ca-transport function of Ca-ATPase, while the 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol (dipalmitin) does not. We also found by both 31P NMR and freeze-fraction electron microscopy that diolein destabilized lipid bilayers to a greater extent than did dipalmitin. We conclude that the tendency of diacylglycerols to destabilize the phospholipid bilayer is related to their capacity to enhance the activity of the membrane calcium pump.     

Identity of a cytosolic neutral cholesterol esterase in rat liver with the bile salt stimulated cholesterol esterase in pancreas

A neutral cholesterol esterase has been purified to homogeneity from the cytosolic fraction of rat liver. The 105,000 x g supernatant fraction of rat liver was applied to a DEAE-cellulose column to isolate a partially purified fraction of hepatic cholesterol esterase. Immunoblot analysis of the partially purified liver fraction with the anti-porcine pancreatic cholesterol esterase IgG demonstrated a single band with a molecular weight of 67,000. The hepatic protein was then isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography technique using a column constructed with antibodies prepared against the pancreatic cholesterol esterase. Characterization of the hepatic cholesterol esterase revealed that the hepatic enzyme shared antigenic epitopes with the pancreatic cholesterol esterase and was similarly activated by addition of bile salt such as taurocholate. Moreover, amino-terminal sequencing analysis of the hepatic cholesterol esterase showed an identical sequence with the pancreatic enzyme. Taken together, these results showed that the cholesterol esterases in the liver and the pancreas are very similar and possibly identical proteins.     

固定化酶的微环境效应—载体离子基团性质的影响

作者合成了阴离子型和阳离子型葡聚糖,以此为载体,用CNBr活化其剩余羟基,固定化了葡萄糖淀粉酶和葡萄糖异构酶。就离子型载体对固定化酶的蛋白载量、最适pH和热稳定性等的影响做了考察。发现固定化酶的蛋白载量不仅与载体的电性质有关,也与酶分子自身的电性质有关。当载体电性质与酶蛋白电性质相反时,固定化酶的蛋白载量增加,热稳定性提高、载体电性质与酶蛋白电性质相同时,固定化酶的蛋白载量不变或下降,其热稳定性不变。作者还发现当离子型载体孔度和体系缓冲液浓度一定时,酶分子能否进入多孔性载体内部,对其最适pH是否变化影响极大。若酶分子仅被连接在载体的外表层,其最适pH不发生变化,反之亦然。作者还观察到当多糖类载体引入氨基或羧基后,大大增强了其抵抗微生物侵蚀的能力。     

Application of automated DNA sizing technology for genotyping microsatellite loci.

Highly polymorphic microsatellite loci offer great promise for gene mapping studies, but fulfillment of this potential will require substantial improvements in methods for accurate and efficient genotyping. Here, we report a genotyping method based on fluorescently labeled PCR primers and size characterization of PCR products using an automated DNA fragment analyzer. We capitalize on the availability of three distinct fluorescent dyes to label uniquely loci that overlap in size, and this innovation increases by threefold the number of loci that can be analyzed simultaneously. We label size standards with a fourth dye and combine these with the microsatellite PCR products in each gel lane. Computer programs provide very rapid and accurate sizing of microsatellite alleles and efficient data management. In addition, fluorescence signals are linear over a much greater range of intensity than conventional autoradiography. This facilitates multiplexing of loci (since signal intensities often vary greatly) and helps distinguish major peaks from artifacts, thereby improving genotyping accuracy.