scholarly journals Viroids as Companions of a Professional Career

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Núria Duran-Vila
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Structure ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Biological Assays ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Staining Methods ◽  
Relationship Of

Since the early 1970s when “virus-like” agents were considered as the cause of two diseases (potato spindle tuber and citrus exocortis), their study and further characterization have been linked to the development and use of molecular biology tools. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) played a critical role in the pioneering studies of PSTVd and citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd). This was later modified by using other PAGEs (sequential PAGE, return PAGE, two-dimensional PAGE), and/or different staining methods (ethidium bromide, silver nitrate, etc.). Since then, disease-causing agents suspected to be viroids were usually subjected to a number of tests to define their: (i) Molecular nature (RNA or DNA; single stranded or double stranded; circular or linear RNA); (ii) molecular weight; (iii) secondary and tertiary structure. Further biological assays are also essential to establish the relationship of a viroid with plant disease and to fulfill Koch’s postulates.

scholarly journals Molecular heterogeneity of mouse duodenal alkaline phosphatase. Association of lipids and peptides

1974 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. V. Nayudu ◽  
Fraser B. Hercus
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Buoyant Density ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Molecular Forms ◽  
Partial Specific Volume ◽  
Molecular Heterogeneity ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation

Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and Bio-Gel P-300 molecular-sieve chromatography of mouse duodenal alkaline phosphatase demonstrates its molecular heterogeneity, which, in a kinetic sense, is manifest also in the differential relative velocities of the heterogeneous forms of the enzyme with two substrates, phenylphosphate and β-glycerophosphate. Different treatments that eliminate most of the electrophoretic and chromatographic variability of the enzyme also decrease the velocities with both substrates so that the molar ratio of hydrolysis of one substrate relative to the other is also altered to a low but stable value. Concomitant with these changes, lipids and peptides are dissociated from the enzyme. The lipids are tentatively identified as a sterol and phospholipids. The peptides have an average composition of four to six amino acids and appear to be strongly electropositive. The conditions of dissociation suggest that their binding to the enzyme is non-covalent and predominantly based on hydrophobic and ionic bonding. The concept of lipid and peptide association would suggest prima facie differential molecular weights as a factor in the observed electrophoretic and chromatographic heterogeneity. However, the molecular forms of the enzyme with differences in elution volume equivalent to more than one-half the void volume of the Bio-Gel P-300 column, or even enzyme fractions dissociated from the lipids and peptides compared with undissociated portions, do not show any differences in sedimentation on sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. This may be because the alterations in molecular weight owing to binding of small molecules are too small to be detected by this method. Alternatively, since lipids are involved, the binding may alter the partial specific volume in such a way that the buoyant density is not significantly altered.

scholarly journals Thermolability of 28S ribosomal ribonucleic acid from the liver of Crotalus durissus terrificus (Ophidia, Reptilia)

1973 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Giorgini ◽  
F. L. De Lucca
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Dimethyl Sulphoxide ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Crotalus Durissus Terrificus ◽  
Crotalus Durissus

Instability of 28S rRNA of Crotalus durissus terrificus liver was observed during hotphenol extraction: purified 28S rRNA is converted into an 18S RNA component by heat treatment. It was also found that ‘6S’ and ‘8S’ low-molecular-weight RNA species were released during the thermal conversion. This conversion and the release of the low-molecular-weight species were also induced by 8m-urea and 80% (v/v) dimethyl sulphoxide at 0°C. Evidence is presented that this phenomenon is an irreversible process and results from the rupture of hydrogen bonds. The 18S RNA product was shown to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. The base composition of the 18S RNA products obtained by heat, urea or dimethyl sulphoxide treatments was similar. The C+G content of the 18S RNA product was different from that of the native 18S rRNA, but similar to that of 28S rRNA.

scholarly journals Isolation of 10-nm filaments from astrocytes in the mouse optic nerve.

1981 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Tsukita ◽  
H Ishikawa ◽  
M Kurokawa
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Peptide Mapping ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Optic Nerves ◽  
10 Nm Filaments

Astroglial filaments approximately 10 nm in diameter were isolated from degenerated mouse optic nerves by Triton X-100 and DNase I treatments followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. 2-4 wk after bilateral enucleation, optic nerves contained virtually a single population of 10-nm filaments (astroglial filaments), free from neurofilaments. In negative-staining and thin-section electron microscopy, the isolated filaments were seen as nonbranching linear structures with smooth contour, and were morphologically identical to those in situ. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the isolated filaments to be composed of two major polypeptides with molecular weights of 45,000 and 55,000, present in an approximate molar ratio of 1:1. These findings, together with the results of one-dimensional peptide mapping and solubility study, indicate that the astroglial filaments in the mouse optic nerve are primarily composed of these two polypeptides.

scholarly journals Assembly of immunoglobulin M. Blocked thiol groups of intracellular 7S subunits

1971 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte A. Askonas ◽  
R. M. E. Parkhouse
Keyword(s):  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Reducing Agent ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Cysteine Residues ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Spontaneous Polymerization ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Mouse Myeloma

We have shown previously that immunoglobulin M (IgM) is present within IgM-forming cells mainly in its 7S subunit form (IgMs), whereas only fully assembled IgM pentamers are secreted. There is no spontaneous polymerization of intracellular IgMs in cell lysates, suggesting that the 7S subunits had blocked cysteine residues. This suggestion was explored and confirmed in the present paper. Radioactive IgM (secreted) and IgMs (intracellular) were prepared by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation after incubation of cells of the IgM-producing mouse myeloma MOPC 104E with [3H]leucine. We investigated the susceptibility to reduction of fully assembled mouse IgM and its reconstitution from subunits by analysis by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under dissociating conditions. With increasing concentrations of dithioerythritol, interchain disulphide bonds were cleaved in the following order: inter-IgMs subunit, intra-IgMs subunit H-H, intra-IgMs subunit H-L. Removal of the reducing agent from IgM-reduction mixtures by filtration through Sephadex G-25 caused partial reconstitution of IgM at low protein concentrations (5–100μg/ml) and total reconstitution at higher protein concentrations (300μg/ml or more). Isolated radioactive intracellular IgMs showed no tendency to polymerize unless first treated with a reducing agent; under optimum conditions removal of the reducing agent caused 70% of the subunits to be assembled into IgM. Similar assembly occurred when IgMs was isolated from cells that had been lysed in the presence of an irreversible alkylating reagent (iodoacetamide). The intracellular IgMs cysteine residues responsible for inter-IgMs linkage therefore appear to be reversibly blocked within the cells. Assembly into IgM is thus controlled by removal of this block during secretion.

scholarly journals Purification of the enzyme NADPH: protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase

1981 ◽  
Vol 195 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
N S Beer ◽  
W T Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Triton X ◽  
Etioplast Membranes

A procedure for the purification of the enzyme NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase is described. This involves fractionation of sonicated oat etioplast membranes by discontinuous-sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation, which gives membranes in which the enzyme is present at a high specific activity. The enzyme is solubilized from the membranes with Triton X-100, followed by gel filtration of the extract; enzyme activity is eluted in fractions corresponding to a mol.wt of approx. 35000. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the enzyme-containing fractions from gel filtration shows two peptides, of mol.wts. approx. 35000 and 37000.

scholarly journals Protein and glycoprotein electrophoretic patterns of enriched fractions of primary and secondary granules from guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

1975 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Noseworthy ◽  
G H Smith ◽  
S R Himmelhoch ◽  
W H Evans
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Species Difference ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Supernatant Fraction ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Electrophoretic Patterns

The postnuclear supernatant fraction of sucrose homogenates of guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was subjected to differential centrifugation to obtain a total particulate fraction, a particle-free supernatant fraction, highly enriched fractions of primary and secondary granules, and a membrane-rich fraction. The various fractions were solubilized in buffer containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and analyzed for protein and glycoproteincomponents by SDS -polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The major glycoprotein components of the postnuclear supernatant fraction were found mainly associated with the enriched fraction of secondary granules and, to a lesser extent, with the membrane-rich fraction. No major glycoprotein components were visible in the polypeptide electrophoretic patterns of the primary granule fraction or of the particle-free supernate. Attempts at separation of guinea pig granules by zonal sucrose density gradient centrifugation were only partially successful. Data supporting a species difference in this regard between rabbit and guinea pig PMNL granules are presented.

scholarly journals Purification, characterization and identification of rat liver histidine-pyruvate aminotransferase isoenzymes

1976 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Noguchi ◽  
E Okuno ◽  
Y Minatogawa ◽  
R Kido
Keyword(s):  
Density Gradient ◽  
Rat Liver ◽  
Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Aminotransferase Activity ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Ph Optimum

1. Histidine-pyruvate aminotransferase (isoenzyme 1) was purified to homogeneity from the mitochondrial and supernatant fractions of rat liver, as judged by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and isolectric focusing. Both enzyme preparations were remarkably similar in physical and enzymic properties. Isoenzyme 1 had pI8.0 and a pH optimum of 9.0. The enzyme was active with pyruvate as amino acceptor but not with 2-oxoglutarate, and utilized various aromatic amino acids as amino donors in the following order of activity: phenylalanine greater than tyrosine greater than histidine. Very little activity was found with tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan. The apparent Km values were about 2.6mM for histidine and 2.7 mM for phenylalanine. Km values for pyruvate were about 5.2mM with phenylalanine as amino donor and 1.1mM with histidine. The aminotransferase activity of the enzyme towards phenylalanine was inhibited by the addition of histidine. The mol.wt. determined by gel filtration and sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation was approx. 70000. The mitochondrial and supernatant isoenzyme 1 activities increased approximately 25-fold and 3.2-fold respectively in rats repeatedly injected with glucagon for 2 days. 2. An additional histidine-pyruvate aminotransferase (isoenzyme 2) was partially purified from both the mitochondrial and supernatant fractions of rat liver. Nearly identical properties were observed with both preparations. Isoenzyme 2 had pI5.2 and a pH optimum of 9.3. The enzyme was specific for pyruvate and did not function with 2-oxoglutarate. The order of effectiveness of amino donors was tyrosine = phenylalanine greater than histidine greater than tryptophan greater than 5-hydroxytryptophan. The apparent Km values for histidine and phenylalanine were about 0.51 and 1.8 mM respectively. Km values for pyruvate were about 3.5mM with phenylalanine and 4.7mM with histidine as amino donors. Histidine inhibited phenylalanine aminotransferase activity of the enzyme. Gel filtration and sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation yielded a mol.wt. of approx. 90000. Neither the mitochondrial nor the supernatant isoenzyme 2 activity was elevated by glucagon injection.

scholarly journals Purification of the constituent enzyme fractions of mycobacillin synthetase

1986 ◽  
Vol 235 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Ghosh ◽  
N K Mukhopadhyay ◽  
S Majumder ◽  
S K Bose
Keyword(s):  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel ◽  
Subunit Structure ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Final Purification

The final purification of the three-fraction enzyme complex mycobacillin synthetase was done by hydroxyapatite column chromatography and sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation; each of the fractions obtained migrates as a single component in SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and gel electrofocusing. The Mr of the enzyme fractions A, B and C by gel filtration is 260 000, 190 000 and 105 000, and that by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis is 252 000, 198 000 and 108 000 respectively. None of the enzyme fractions appears to possess subunit structure.

scholarly journals Evidence of low molecular weight RNAs involved in permanent character changes in amoebae

1980 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 329-340
Author(s):  
S.E. Hawkins
Keyword(s):  
Microsomal Fraction ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Active Material ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Lowered Sensitivity

Previous studies have established that ‘informational molecules’ present in cytoplasmic fractions of A. discoides may be transferred by microinjection into A. proteus. Clones derived from injected cells showed various changers, including lowered sensitivity to growth in streptomycin and neomycin, in which respects they resembled A. discoides. These changes in response to antibiotics were transferred independently and were permanent, the information being replicated over many generations. The most ‘active’ material in terms of the number of clones showing character changes was found following injection of 16S ribonucleoprotein obtained after sucrose density gradient centrifugation of the mcirosomal fraction. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the 16S material showed 3 small peaks of RNA. In order to obtain adequate amounts of material, these peaks of RNA were identified in electrophoresis profiles of RNA extracted from the whole microsomal fraction, and RNA eluted from these latter gels was injected into A. proteus. Although the number of surviving clones was low, all were examined for their response to growth in either streptomycin, neomycin, erythromycin or chloroquine. After injection of RNA eluted from the 3 small peaks of RNA (slices 26–33), 8 out of 10 and 9 out of 10 clones showed lowered sensitivity to growth in streptomycin and neomycin respectively, and resembled the donor A. discoides. No changes in responses to antibiotics were obtained from clones derived from cells injected with RNA eluted from another region of the gel, or after ribonuclease treatment of the RNA from slices 26–33. The relative molecular weights of these ‘informational’ RNA molecules were found to be between 9 and 13 X 10(4) Daltons.

Molecular characteristics of cytostatic factors in amphibian egg cytosols

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 799-808
Author(s):  
E.K. Shibuya ◽  
Y. Masui
Keyword(s):  
Density Gradient ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Sedimentation Coefficient ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Small Peptides ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Cytostatic Factor

In amphibians, zygotes microinjected with cytosol of unactivated eggs are arrested at metaphase of mitosis. The factor responsible for this effect has been designated ‘cytostatic factor, (CSF)’. CSF is inactivated by Ca2+ addition to cytosols. During storage of the Ca(2+)-containing cytosols, a stable CSF activity develops. Therefore, the first Ca(2+)-sensitive CSF and the second Ca(2+)-insensitive CSF have been referred to as primary CSF (CSF-1) and secondary CSF (CSF-2), respectively. We have partially purified CSF-1, which had been stabilized with NaF and ATP, and CSF-2 from cytosols of Rana pipiens eggs by ammonium sulphate (AmS) precipitation and sucrose density gradient centrifugation or gel filtration, and investigated their molecular characteristics. CSF-1 was sensitive to protease, but resistant to RNAse, and inactivated within 2 h at 25 degrees C. CSF-1 could be sedimented in a sucrose density gradient from a fresh cytosol or its crude fraction precipitated at 20–30% saturation of AmS, showing the sedimentation coefficient 3S. When analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), all the proteins in partially purified CSF-1 samples entered the gel and were separated into numerous peptide bands. In contrast, CSF-2 was an extremely large molecule, being eluted from Sepharose columns as molecules larger than 2 × 10(6), and failed to enter the gel when analyzed by SDS-PAGE. It could be purified 40 times from cytosols. CSF-2 was a highly stable molecule, being neither inactivated nor dissociated at pH 11.5 or by 4M-NaCl and LiCl and 8 M-urea. It was also resistant to RNAse treatment. However, CSF-2 could be broken down into small peptides of variable sizes by trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, and papain, but not by S. aureus V8 protease, although it was less sensitive to proteases than CSF-1. The dose-dependency test showed that the activity of CSF-2 is independent of its concentration and that an amount of CSF-2 could cause cleavage arrest earlier when injected into a blastomere in a larger volume.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document