Pregnancy suppression by active immunization against gestation-specific riboflavin carrier protein

A riboflavin carrier protein isolated from chickens cross-reacts with a gestation-specific rodent carrier for riboflavin. Active immunization of female rats of proved fertility with the purified chicken carrier protein completely yet reversibly suppressed early pregnancy without impairing implantation per se. Concurrently there were no discernible adverse effects on maternal health in terms of weight gain, vitamin status, and fertility.

Protein A: nature's universal anti-antibody

Staphylococcal protein A specifically interacts with immunogobulins. This fact is being used in various disciplines of biology and some of the unique properties of protein A and their applications are summarized in this review.

Nature of the thiamin-binding protein from chicken egg yolk

A simple, rapid and efficient procedure for the purification of thiamin-binding protein from chicken egg yolk was developed. The method involved removal, by exclusion, of lipoproteins from DEAE-cellulose and subsequent elution of water-soluble proteins held on the ion-exchanger with 1 M-NaCl, followed by treatment of the eluted protein fraction with an aqueous suspension of dextran/charcoal to generate apoprotein from the holoprotein. The resultant protein fraction was subjected to bioaffinity chromatography on thiamin pyrophosphate--AE (aminoethyl)-Sepharose. The protein eluted specifically with 10 microM-thiamin at pH 7.0, was homogeneous by the criteria of polyacrylamide-gel disc electrophoresis, had a mol.wt. of 38 000 +/- 2000 and was not a glycoprotein. The purified thiamin-binding protein specifically interacted with riboflavin-binding protein with no detectable deleterious affect on its (14C)thiamin-binding capacity. The protein bound [14C]thiamin with a molar ratio of 1.0, with dissociation constant (Kd) 0.41 microM. This protein-ligand interaction was inhibited by thiamin analogues and antagonists. The absorption spectrum of the protein in the presence of thiamin exhibited significant hypochromism at the 278 nm band, indicating the involvement of aromatic amino acid residues of the protein, during its binding to the ligand. The protein cross-reacted with the monospecific antiserum to egg-white thiamin-binding protein, showing thereby that thiamin-binding proteins present in chicken egg yolk and white are the products of the same structural gene.

A fast method of comparing protein structures

Comparative studies on protein structures form an integral part of protein crystallography. Here, a fast method of comparing protein structures is presented. Protein structures are represented as a set of secondary structural elements. The method also provides information regarding preferred packing arrangements and evolutionary dynamics of secondary structural elements. This information is not easily obtained from previous methods. In contrast to those methods, the present one can be used only for proteins with some secondary structure. The method is illustrated with globin folds, cytochromes and dehydrogenases as examples.

Estrogen-induced synthesis of riboflavin-binding protein in immature chicks kinetics and hormonal specificity

The kinetics of estrogen-induced elevation in the plasma concentration of riboflavin-binding protein, a minor yolk constituent, was investigated in immature male chicks, using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay proceudre. Following a single injection of the hormone, the plasma riboflavin-binding protein content was enhanced several-fold at 6 h. reaching peak levels around 48 h and declining thereafter. A two-fold amplication of the response was evident on secondary stimulation with the hormone. A 4-h lag phase prior to onset of induction was noticed during both primary and secondary stimulat ions with the steroid hormone. The magnitude of the response was dependent on the hormonal dose whereas the initial lag phase and the time of peak riboflavin-binding protein accumulation were unaltered within the range of hormonal doses tested. The half-life of riboflavin-binding protein in the circulation was 10 h, as calculated from measurement of the rate of disappearance of exogenously administered 125I-labelled protein. Simultaneous administration of progestrone did bot affect the kinetics of riboflavin-binding protein production. On the other hand, the antiestrogens, cis- and trans-clomiphene citrates, given 30 min prior to estrogen and cycloheximide, effectively countered the hormone-induced riboflavin-binding protein elaboration. Both progesterone and the anti-esterogens per se were completely ineffective in substituting for estrogen in the inductive ptrocess.

Photocytotoxic 3d-Metal Scorpionates with a 1,8-Naphthalimide Chromophore Showing Photoinduced DNA and Protein Cleavage Activity

Ternary 3d-metal complexes of formulation [M(Tp(Ph))(py-nap)](ClO4)(1-3), where M is Co(II) (1), Cu(II) (2), and Zn(II) (3); Tp(Ph) is anionic tris (3-phenylpyrazolyl)borate; and py-nap is a pyridyl ligand with a conjugated 1,8-naphthalimide moiety, have been prepared from the reaction of metal perchlorate with KTp(Ph) and py-nap in CH2Cl2. The complexes have been characterized from analytical and physicochemical data. The complexes are stable in solution as evidenced from the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry data. The complexes show good binding propensity with calf thymus (CT) DNA, giving binding constant (K-b) values of similar to 10(5) M-1 and a molecular ``light-switch'' effect that results in an enhancement of the emission intensity of the naphthalimide chromophore on binding to CT DNA. The complexes do not show any hydrolytic cleavage of DNA. They show poor chemical nuclease activity in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes exhibit oxidative pUC19 DNA cleavage activity in UV-A light of 365 rim. The Zn(II) complex shows moderate DNA photocleavage activity at 365 nm. The Cu(II)complex 2 displays photoinduced DNA cleavage activity in red light of 647.1 nm and 676 rim and near-IR light of >750 rim. A mechanistic studyin UV-A and visible light suggests the involvement of the hydroxyl radical as the reactive species in the DNA photocleavage reactions. The complexes also show good bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein binding propensity, giving K-BSA values of similar to 10(5) M-1. Complexes 1 and 2 display significant photoinduced BSA cleavage activity in UV-A light. The Co(II) complex 1 shows a significant photocytotoxic effect in HeLa cervical cancer cells on exposure to UV-A light of 365 nm, giving an IC50 value of 32 mu M. The IC50 value for the py-nap ligand alone is 41.42 mu m in UV-A light. The IC50 value is >200 mu M in the dark, indicating poor dark toxicity of 1. The Cu(II) complex 2 exhibits moderate photocytotoxicity and significant dark toxicity, giving IC50 values of 18.6 mu m and 29.7 mu m in UV-A light and in the dark, respectively.

Oestrogen induction of riboflavin-binding protein in immature chicks. Nature of the secretory protein.

The riboflavin-binding protein isolated from sera of oestrogen-treated male chicks as well as that synthesized and secreted in vitro by the chicken liver have the same molecular size as that of the egg-yolk protein. Functionally the serum and yolk proteins are similar. This is in contrast with the hormone-induced synthesis, secretion and deposition of phosvitin and lipovitellin in the ovary.

Mode of Action of a Purified Antitumor Protein from the Proteinaceous Crystal of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis on Yoshida Ascites Sarcoma Cells

A purified antitumor protein from the proteinaceous crystal of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis inhibits the growth of Yoshida ascites sarcoma both in vivo and in vitro. Exogenous respiration of the tumor cells was unaffected by the protein at a concentration as high as 500 µg/ml. The antitumor protein inhibits the uptake and incorporation of labeled precursors into macromolecules. However, the ratio of incorporation over uptake is not affected by the protein. Further, the protein brings about the leakage of 260-nm-absorbing material, proteins, and 32P-labeled cellular constituents from the Yoshida ascites sarcoma cells. The results show that the action of the antitumor protein appears to alter the cellular permeability of the tumor cells.

Classification of Nonenzymatic Homologues of Protein Kinases

Protein Kinase-Like Non-kinases (PKLNKs), which are closely related to protein kinases, lack the crucial catalytic aspartate in the catalytic loop, and hence cannot function as protein kinase, have been analysed. Using various sensitive sequence analysis methods, we have recognized 82 PKLNKs from four higher eukaryotic organisms, namely, Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, and Drosophila melanogaster. On the basis of their domain combination and function, PKLNKs have been classified mainly into four categories: (1) Ligand binding PKLNKs, (2) PKLNKs with extracellular protein-protein interaction domain, (3) PKLNKs involved in dimerization, and (4) PKLNKs with cytoplasmic protein-protein interaction module. While members of the first two classes of PKLNKs have transmembrane domain tethered to the PKLNK domain, members of the other two classes of PKLNKs are cytoplasmic in nature. The current classification scheme hopes to provide a convenient framework to classify the PKLNKs from other eukaryotes which would be helpful in deciphering their roles in cellular processes.

Understanding Protein Structure from a Percolation Perspective

Underlying the unique structures and diverse functions of proteins area vast range of amino-acid sequences and a highly limited number of folds taken up by the polypeptide backbone. By investigating the role of noncovalent connections at the backbone level and at the detailed side-chain level, we show that these unique structures emerge from interplay between random and selected features. Primarily, the protein structure network formed by these connections shows simple (bond) and higher order (clique) percolation behavior distinctly reminiscent of random network models. However, the clique percolation specific to the side-chain interaction network bears signatures unique to proteins characterized by a larger degree of connectivity than in random networks. These studies reflect some salient features of the manner in which amino acid sequences select the unique structure of proteins from the pool of a limited number of available folds.

Thermodynamic characterization of the reversible, two-state unfolding of maltose binding protein, a large two-domain protein

The folding and stability of maltose binding protein (MBP) have been investigated as a function of pH and temperature by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, far- and near-UV circular dichroism, and high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetric measurements. MBP is a monomeric, two-domain protein containing 370 amino acids. The protein is stable in the pH range of 4-10.5 at 25 degrees C. The protein exhibits reversible, two-state, thermal and guanidine hydrochloride-mediated denaturation at neutral pH. The thermostability of MBP is maximal at pH 6, with a Tm of 64.9 degrees C and a deltaHm of 259.7 kcal mol(-1). The linear dependence of deltaHm on Tm was used to estimate a value of deltaCp of 7.9 kcal mol(-1) K(-1) or 21.3 cal (mol of residue)(-1) K(-1). These values are higher than the corresponding deltaCp's for most globular proteins studied to date. However, the extrapolated values of deltaH and deltaS (per mole of residue) at 110 degrees C are similar to those of other globular proteins. These data have been used to show that the temperature at which a protein undergoes cold denaturation depends primarily on the deltaCp (per mol of residue) and that this temperature increases with an increase in deltaCp. The predicted decrease in stability of MBP at low temperatures was experimentally confirmed by carrying out denaturant-mediated unfolding studies at neutral pH at 2 and 28 degrees C.

Thermodynamics of metal ion binding and denaturation of a calcium binding protein from Entamoeba histolytica

The thermodynamics of tie binding of calcium and magnesium ions to a calcium binding protein from Entamoeba histolytica was investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in 20 mM MOPS buffer (pH 7.0) at 20 degrees C. Enthalpy titration curves of calcium show the presence of four Ca2+ binding sites, There exist two low-affinity sites for Ca2+, both of which are exothermic in nature and with positive cooperative interaction between them. Two other high affinity sites for Ca2+ exist of which one is endothermic and the other exothermic, again with positive cooperative interaction. The binding constants for Ca2+ at the four sites have been verified by a competitive binding assay, where CaBP competes with a chromophoric chelator 5, 5'-Br-2 BAPTA to bind Ca2+ and a Ca2+ titration employing intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence of the protein, The enthalpy of titration of magnesium in the absence of calcium is single site and endothermic in nature. In the case of the titrations performed using protein presaturated with magnesium, the amount of heat produced is altered. Further, the interaction between the high-affinity sites changes to negative cooperativity. No exchange of heat was observed throughout the addition of magnesium in the presence of 1 mM calcium, Titrations performed on a cleaved peptide comprising the N-terminus and the central linker show the existence of two Ca2+ specific sites, These results indicate that this CaBP has one high-affinity Ca-Mg site, one high-affinity Ca-specific site, and two low-affinity Ca-specific sites. The thermodynamic parameters of the binding of these metal ions were used to elucidate the energetics at the individual site(s) and the interactions involved therein at various concentrations of the denaturant, guanidine hydrochloride, ranging from 0.05 to 6.5 M. Unfolding of the protein was also monitored by titration calorimetry as a function of the concentration of the denaturant. These data show that at a GdnHCl concentration of 0.25 M the binding affinity for the Mg2+ ion is lost and there are only two sites which can bind to Ca2+, with substantial loss cooperativity. At concentrations beyond 2.5 M GdnHCl, at which the unfolding of the tertiary structure of this protein is observed by near UV CD spectroscopy, the binding of Ca2+ ions is lost. We thus show that the domain containing the two low-affinity sites is the first to unfold in the presence of GdnHCl. Control experiments with change in ionic strength by addition of KCI in the range 0.25-1 M show the existence of four sites with altered ion binding parameters.

Assembly of physalis mottle virus capsid protein in Escherichia coli and the role of amino and carboxy termini in the formation of the icosahedral particles

The coat protein gene of physalis mottle tymovirus (PhMV) was over expressed in Escherichia coli using pET-3d vector. The recombinant protein was found to self assemble into capsids in vivo. The purified recombinant capsids had an apparent s value of 56.5 S and a diameter of 29(±2) nm. In order to establish the role of amino and carboxy-terminal regions in capsid assembly, two amino-terminal deletions clones lacking the first 11 and 26 amino acid residues and two carboxy-terminal deletions lacking the last five and ten amino acid residues were constructed and overexpressed. The proteins lacking N-terminal 11 (PhCPN1) and 26 (PhCPN2) amino acid residues self assembled into T = 3 capsids in vivo, as evident from electron microscopy, ultracentrifugation and agarose gel electrophoresis. The recombinant, PhCPN1 and PhCPN2 capsids were as stable as the empty capsids formed in vivo and encapsidated a small amount of mRNA. The monoclonal antibody PA3B2, which recognizes the epitope within region 22 to 36, failed to react with PhCPN2 capsids while it recognized the recombinant and PhCPN1 capsids. Disassembly of the capsids upon treatment with urea showed that PhCPN2 capsids were most stable. These results demonstrate that the N-terminal 26 amino acid residues are not essential for T = 3 capsid assembly in PhMV. In contrast, both the proteins lacking the C-terminal five and ten amino acid residues were present only in the insoluble fraction and could not assemble into capsids, suggesting that these residues are crucial for folding and assembly of the particles.

Studies on the variants of the protein toxins ricin and abrin

his study elucidates some structural and biological features of galactose-binding variants of the cytotoxic proteins ricin and abrin. An isolation procedure is reported for ricin variants from Ricinus communis seeds by using lactamyl-Sepharose affinity matrix, similar to that reported previously for variants of abrin from Abrus precatorius seeds [Hegde, R., Maiti, T. K. & Podder, S. K. (1991) Anal. Biochem. 194, 101–109]. Ricin variants, subfractionated on carboxymethyl-Sepharose CL-6B ion-exchange chromatography, were characterized further by SDS/PAGE, IEF and a binding assay. Based on the immunological cross-reactivity of antibody raised against a single variant of each of ricin and abrin, it was established that all the variants of the corresponding type are immunologically indistinguishable. Analysis of protein titration curves on an immobilized pH gradient indicated that variants of abrin I differ from other abrin variants, mainly in their acidic groups and that variance in ricin is a cause of charge substitution. Detection of subunit variants of proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that there are twice as many subunit variants as there are variants of holoproteins, suggesting that each variant has a set of subunit variants, which, although homologous, are not identical to the subunits of any other variant with respect to pI. Seeds obtained from polymorphic species of R. communis showed no difference in the profile of toxin variants, as analyzed by isoelectric focussing. Toxin variants obtained from red and white varieties of A. precatorius, however, showed some difference in the number of variants as well as in their relative intensities. Furthermore, variants analyzed from several single seeds of A. precatorius red type revealed a controlled distribution of lectin variants in three specific groups, indicating an involvement of at least three genes in the production of Abrus lectins. The complete absence or presence of variants in each group suggested a post-translational differential proteolytic processing, a secondary event in the production of abrin variants.