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The use of aqueous two-phase systems to concentrate and purify bovine leukemia virus outer envelope protein gp51.

Enzootic bovine leucosis is a chronic lymphoproliferative disease of cattle. The causative agent, bovine leukemia virus (BLV), is related to the human retroviruses HTLV-I and -II. The external env-protein of BLV, a glycoprotein of 51 kDa, carries neutralizing epitopes and should be an essential component in a vaccine against the virus. Problems have been encountered with the concentration and purification of intact virions of BLV and other retroviruses. During centrifugation procedures the external env-proteins are to a great extent detached and consequently poorly recovered with the virion particles. Therefore, other methods are sought to obtain a high yield of the external glycoproteins. The use of two-phase systems based on water soluble polymers is described for the extraction of BLV-gp51 from culture medium. Several polymer systems were tested and the results showed that some were attractive for large scale application. The classical combination dextran-polyethylene glycol gave promising results; a partition coefficient of about 0.02 was obtained for the distribution of the gp51 between the top and combined inter- and bottom phases. In a single extraction step it was possible to obtain 45% of the glycoprotein in a small volume bottom phase and at the same time about 15-fold purified. That should be compared with a recovery of less than 20% with the conventional centrifugation procedures. It is concluded that extraction in phase systems based on water soluble polymers is a methodology well suited for the concentration and purification of BLV-gp51.

Animals

Effect of dextran- and poly(ethylene glycol)-bound procion yellow HE-3G on the partition of membranes from calf brain synaptosomes within an aqueous two-phase system.

Membranes obtained by lysis and Yeda-press treatment of synaptosomes (nerve endings) from calf brain cortex have been partitioned within the aqueous phases (and the interface between them) of a Ficoll-dextran-poly(ethylene glycol)-water two-phase system. By introducing the dye Procion yellow HE-3G in the upper phase, bound to poly(ethylene glycol), or in the lower phase, bound to dextran, the partition of the membranes could be strongly affected. The influence on the partition was more pronounced when the dye was bound to dextran. By using a number of two-phase systems in a counter-current distribution process, it was shown that the membrane preparation was inhomogeneous and that the fractions obtained differed in their contents of acetylcholinesterase, succinate dehydrogenase and ATPase. The affinity partitioning effect depended strongly on the concentration of polymer-bound dye. An optimum dye concentration was found when Procion yellow HE-3G was bound to poly(ethylene glycol). When the same dye was bound to dextran, the number of dye molecules per dextran molecule influenced the effectiveness of the extraction.

Acetylcholinesterase

Binding of human carbonic anhydrase to human hemoglobin.

The ability of human carbonic anhydrases to interact with human CO-hemoglobin have been studied with the counter-current distribution technique in aqueous/aqueous biphasic systems. The experimental results show that human carbonic anhydrase II interacts with human CO-hemoglobin whereas human carbonic anhydrase I does not. THe interaction between CO-hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase II was quantified using the theoretical model developed previously for one-to-one interacting systems. [Backman, L. and Shanbhag, V.P. (1979) J. Chromatogr. 171, 1-13]. The apparent association constant was estimated to be 4.1 x 10(5) l mol-1 at pH 8.0 and 21 degrees C for the association of carbonic anhydrase II and CO-hemoglobin.

Carbonic Anhydrases

Isolation and chemical characterization of antitumor agents from plants.

This paper reviews methods which have evolved at the Research Triangle Institute during the last 15 years for the isolation and characterization of antitumor agents from plants. The isolation procedures stress mild, nonchemical methods. Solvent partition and the Craig Counter Current Distribution are used during the early stages of fractionation. Subsequent purification involves many types of chromatography: adsorption, partition, thin-layer, preparative thin layer, gel-exclusion, and medium- and high-pressure liquid chromatography. The pure compound is crystallized from a suitable solvent. The fractionation is monitored with in vitro and in vivo bioassays. Physical methods used for structure determination are: ultraviolet, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography.

Alkaloids

A single partitioning step in aqueous polymer two-phase systems reduces hypotonized rat erythrocyte heterogeneity.

Rat carrier erythrocytes prepared by hypotonic dialysis (80 mOsm/kg) are a heterogeneous cell population that can be fractionated into two well-defined cell subpopulations by a single partition step, in charge-sensitive dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous two-phase systems. One subpopulation (65% of total cells) has a decreased cell surface charge and is partitioned at the interface in a single step and then fractionated by counter-current distribution as a low-G subpopulation. The other subpopulation (35% of total cells) has charge surface properties more like those of the untreated control rat erythrocytes. These last cells are partitioned in the top phase in a single step and then fractionated by counter-current distribution as a high-G subpopulation. Partitioning is more effective in reducing cell heterogeneity in hypotonized rat erythrocyte populations than is density separation in Ficoll-paque which only separates a small less dense cell subpopulation (5% of total cells), with the most fragile cells, from a larger and more dense cell subpopulation (95% of total cells), with a mixture of fragile and normal cells. This simple cell separation procedure quickly reduces carrier erythrocyte heterogeneity in a single partitioning step so it can be used to prepare cells for in vivo studies.

Animals

Changes in glycolytic enzyme activities in aging erythrocytes fractionated by counter-current distribution in aqueous polymer two-phase systems.

Human and rat erythrocytes were fractionated by counter-current distribution in charge-sensitive dextran/poly(ethylene glycol) two-phase systems. The specific activities of the key glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase) declined along the distribution profiles, although the relative positions of the activity profiles were reversed in the two species. These enzymes maintained their normal response to specific regulatory effectors in all cell fractions. No variations were observed for phosphoglycerate kinase and bisphosphoglycerate mutase activities. Some correlations between enzyme activities (pyruvate kinase/hexokinase, pyruvate kinase/phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase/pyruvate kinase plus phosphoglycerate kinase, pyruvate kinase/bisphosphoglycerate mutase and phosphoglycerate kinase/bisphosphoglycerate mutase ratios) were studied in whole erythrocyte populations as well as in cell fractions. These results strongly support the fractionation of human erythrocytes according to cell age, as occurs with rat erythrocytes.

Animals

Performance of a Graesser contactor in the continuous extraction of whey proteins: mixing, mass transfer and efficiency.

The performance of a Graesser Raining Bucket Contactor in an extraction using aqueous two-phase systems was characterized by axial mixing coefficients and counter current mass transfer for whey protein purification. The influence of rotor speed, phase ratio and phase velocity on the salt phase axial mixing coefficients was determined applying a dispersion model to the residence time distribution experiments. When dissolving whey powder in the salt-rich phase of the system, alpha-lactalbumin was extracted to the polyethylene-glycol-rich phase, whereas beta-lactoglobulin predominantly remained in the bottom phase, making the process suitable for removal of the major allergen beta-lactoglobulin. The mass transfer in the phase system was determined from the steady state data of alpha-lactalbumin extraction. On the basis of a diffusion model, the efficiency of the counter current extraction under different process conditions was calculated from results of the mass transfer experiments.

Cheese

Fingerprint analyses of plant and animal tissues with respect to the occurrence of foreign compounds.

Glass capillary chromatography can be used for the characterization of complex mixtures of plant and animal samples after clean-up by counter-current distribution. For good reproducibility of fingerprint patterns a special splitless injection system is used. This method prevents any loss at injection. In order to determine organochlorine substances also in trace amounts (a few pg) an electroncapture detector (ECD) was used. Each step in the analysis procedure was checked with the aid of radioactively labelled substances, e.g. the polar compound pentachlorophenol and the non-polar compound hexachlorobenzene. With the aid of capillary chromatography-mass spectrometry substances in complex mixtures in a concentration of 10 to 100 ng/microliters can be characterized. Suitable glass capillaries for these investigation were prepared in this laboratory. The results indicate that a standardization of the procedure is practicable.

Animals

[Characteristics of the distribution in a 2-phase polymer system of L cells at different stages of culture growth].

By the method of counter-current distribution in two-phase polymer system Dextran-500/poly (ethylene)glycol-6000, surface properties of monolayer and suspension sublines of L cells were investigated in relation to the stage of culture growth. The cultivation conditions of both the cell types were identical. It has been shown that with the growth of cell population, the number of cells with lower partition coefficient increases in both the sublines, mostly in cells of monolayer subline. These data suggest more essential changes of surface properties of cells growing in monolayer. It is supposed that this can be associated with the inability of suspension cells to form adhesion contacts.

Animals

Dermostatin A and B: chromatography, structural and configurational studies using HPLC, CCD, 13C (125 MHz) and 1H (500 MHz) NMR spectroscopy.

HPLC of crude Dermostatin indicated presence of three pairs of components. Hence, attempts were made to purify Dermostatin. Purification of crude Dermostatin has been carried out using column chromatography and counter current distribution methods. Each of these fractions were tested for activity. The major fraction which showed greater activity was taken for the preparation of Dermostatin nona-acetate. Structural characterisation of Dermostatin nona-acetate has been carried out using UV-visible spectroscopy in different solvents to obtain the characteristic spectrum of a carbonyl conjugated hexaene at room temperature. Structural and configurational studies of Dermostatin nona-acetate using 500 MHz 1H NMR and 125 MHz 13C NMR has been used in the assignment of various functional groups in Dermostatin A and B as well as to provide corroboration to the earlier structural elucidation.

Antifungal Agents

Characterization of mutants of Salmonella typhimurium by counter-current distribution in an aqueous two-polymer phase system.

An aqueous, two-polymer phase system was employed in an attempt to separate and characterize a series of R mutants, derived from Salmonella typhimurium 395 MS, with differing lengths of lipopolysaccharide chains on their surfaces. R mutants with varying degrees of virulence and phagocytic resistance were unresolved in this system. However, the smooth MS bacteria were clearly separated from the rough cells and showed a high affinity for the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase. A uridine 5'-diphosphate-gal-4-epimeraseless mutant, phenotypically in R or S form depending on the growth medium, partitioned as the R mutants and S bacteria, respectively. These results demonstrate the great influence of long polysaccharide chains on the physicochemical properties of the cell surface.

Bacteriological Techniques

Highly purified mitochondria from rat brain prepared by phase partition.

Mitochondria and synaptosomes from adult rat forebrain can easily be separated by counter-current distribution in an aqueous two phase system composed of Dextran T500 and poly(ethylene glycol) 4000. Both particles may also be separated by a batch procedure in which the same phase system is used. Electron micrographs and enzymatic activities show a high purity of the mitochondria obtained from the dextran-rich lower phase. Electron micrographs and enzymatic activities also show that intact synaptosomes can be obtained from the poly(ethylene glycol)-rich upper phase. The mitochondria purified by this method show good ADP/O ratios, respiratory control ratios, and state 3 rates. Synaptosomes showed a state 2-state 3 transition with no recuperation to state 4.

Acetylcholinesterase

Surface changes associated with ram sperm cryopreservation revealed by counter-current distribution in an aqueous two-phase system. Effect of different cryoprotectants.

Ram sperm was frozen in the presence of the most commonly used cryoprotectants. After thawing, the overall cell surface changes provoked by freezing were assessed by centrifugal counter-current distribution (CCCD). In addition, cell membrane integrity (viability) of all the treated sperm was estimated by fluorescent staining. Fresh and refrigerated sperm were used as controls. Our results show no improvement of the cooling-induced cell surface damage by freezing in the presence of bovine seminal plasma, proline, glycine-betaine and phosphatidylcholine. Better results were obtained with vitamin E and cholesterol. However, the best protective effects were found by employing seroalbumin and lactalbumin. Furthermore, freezing in the presence of bovine lactalbumin resulted in a good maintenance of the cellular viability and of the CCCD heterogeneity in respect to fresh cells.

Amino Acids

Separation of subchloroplast membrane particles by counter-current distribution.

Counter-current distribution in an aqueous Dextran-polyethylene glycol two-phase system has been used to fractionate membrane fragments obtained by press treatment of Class II chloroplasts. By the counter-current distribution technique membrane particles are separated according to their surface properties such as charge and hydrophobicity. The fractions obtained were analysed with respect to photochemical activities, chlorophyll and P-700 contents. The Photosystem II enrichment after counter-current distribution was better than that obtained by differential centrifugation of the disrupted chloroplasts. However, the best separation of Photosystem I and II enriched particles could be achieved if differential centrifugation was combined with the counter-current distribution technique. Each centrifugal fraction could be further separated into Photosystems I and II enriched fractions since the Photosystem II particles preferred the dextran-rich bottom phase while the Photosystem I particles preferred the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase. By this procedure it was possible, without the use of detergents, to obtain vesicles which were more enriched in Photosystem II as compared to intact grana stacks. The partition behaviour of undisrupted Class II chloroplasts and the Photosystem I centrifugal fraction was the same. This similarity indicated that the membrane which is exposed to the surrounding polymers by the Class II chloroplasts is the Photosystem I rich membrane of the stroma lamellae.

2,6-Dichloroindophenol

Trichotoxin A40. Purification by counter-current distribution and sequencing of isolated fragments.

The isolation of the membrane-modifying polypeptide antibiotics from the mycelium of Trichoderma viride 5242 was optimized via extraction with dichloromethane and chromatography on Sephadex LH-20. The components trichotoxin A40 and A50 were separated from each other and purified by multiplicative counter-current distribution. The sequence of proteinase-resistant trichotoxin A40 was determined by combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of three isolated N-acetylated dodecapeptides and two N-prolylhexapeptides obtained after selective trifluoroacetolysis. Including amino acid exchanges due to natural microheterogeneity, the sequence is Ac-Aib-Gly(LAla)-Aib-LLeu-Aib-LGln-Aib-Aib-Aib(LAla )-LAla-Aib-Aib-LPro-LLeu -Aib-DIva(Aib)-LGlu-LValol. In contrast to the eicosapeptide alamethicin, trichotoxin A40 contains only 18 residues, with a higher proportion of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), C-terminal L-valinol (Vol), one D-isovaline (Iva) and no proline at the N-terminal part.

Amino Acid Sequence

Hydrophobic affinity partition of spinach chloroplasts in aqueous two-phase systems.

The surface properties of spinach chloroplasts, both of intact chloroplasts with surrounding envelope and broken chloroplasts consisting of the inner lamellar system, have been studied by partitioning them between two aqueous phases, especially using counter-current distribution technique. The two-phase system consists of poly(ethyleneglycol), dextran and water. The two polymers are enriched in opposite phases and by binding deoxycholate or palmitate to one of the polymers the affinity of chloroplasts for the corresponding phase is strongly enhanced. The partition of the two classes of chloroplasts, however, is not affected to the same degree and the affinity of the chloroplast envelope for deoxycholate and palmitate is stronger than that of the lamellar system. This has been correlated to the chemical composition of the two types of membranes. By studying the effect of salts on the partition it has been found that the lamellar system bears a larger number of negative charges as compared to the envelope of the intact chloroplast.

Binding Sites

Revealing surface changes associated with maturation of ram spermatozoa by centrifugal counter-current distribution in an aqueous two-phase system.

Centrifugal counter-current distribution (CCCD) in an aqueous two-phase system was used to detect changes associated with maturation of ejaculated ram spermatozoa. Spermatozoa obtained from three successive ejaculates of rams maintained in abstinence for one, two and three days were fractionated by CCCD. The results show that these ejaculates are relatively enriched in a cell population which presents a very high enhanced affinity to the lower dextran-rich phase. This cell population is not associated with loss of acrosomal integrity. In addition, it tends to disappear with longer abstinence periods, or after successive ejaculations at the same abstinence period, strongly suggesting that it is composed of immature cells. Therefore, phase partitioning can detect surface changes accompanying sperm maturation and offers a new possibility for sperm quality analysis.

Animals

Separation of bovine X and Y sperm based on surface differences.

Aqueous two-phase partition involving thin-layer counter current distribution (TLCCD) has been used to assess surface heterogeneity of ejaculated bovine sperm. When partitioned in charge-insensitive aqueous two-phase systems, which detect non-charge associated surface properties, the sperm fractionates into two distinct populations. Using a Y-chromosome-specific DNA marker, it has been shown that one of these populations is enriched in Y chromosome bearing sperm. However, this population is not pure--it consists of 80% Y sperm, with the other 20% being X sperm. All the sperm in the original population that had begun to undergo the acrosome reaction were separated into this same peak; the sex chromosome composition of these sperm is unknown. Since the aqueous partition of sperm is based on surface properties these results suggest that two populations of Y sperm exist that have different surface characteristics.

Animals