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D L Marks

Publications and source records attributed to D L Marks.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Purification and characterization of UDP-glucose:ceramide glucosyltransferase from rat liver Golgi membranes.

We present a method for solubilizing and purifying UDP-Glc:ceramide glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.80; glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) from a rat liver and present data on its substrate specificity. A Golgi membrane fraction was isolated, washed with N-lauroylsarcosine, and subsequently treated with 3[3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate to solubilize the enzyme. GCS activity was monitored throughout purification using UDP-Glc and a fluorescent ceramide analog as substrates. Purification of GCS was achieved via a two-step dye-agarose chromatography procedure using UDP-Glc to elute the enzyme. This resulted in an enrichment > 10,000-fold relative to the starting homogenate. The enzyme was further characterized by sedimentation on a glycerol gradient, I labeling, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. which demonstrated that two polypeptides (60-70 kDa) corresponded closely with GCS activity. Purified GCS was found to require exogenous phospholipids for activity, and optimal results were obtained using dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine. Studies of the substrate specificity of the purified enzyme demonstrated that it was stereospecific and dependent on the nature and chain length of the N-acyl-spingosine or -sphinganine substrate. UDP-Glc was the preferred hexose donor, but TDP-glucose and CDP-glucose were also efficiently used. This study provides a basis for molecular characterization of this key enzyme in glycosphingolipid biosynthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Inhibition of steroid-induced galanin mRNA expression in GnRH neurons by specific NMDA-receptor blockade.

Galanin mRNA levels in GnRH neurons increase in association with a steroid-induced LH surge in female rats. Both the steroid-induced LH surge and the concomitant increase of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons are blocked by non-specific inhibition of central nervous system activity imposed by pentobarbital and specific central alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that galanin gene expression in GnRH neurons is induced whenever GnRH neurons become activated to generate an LH surge. If this were the case, then any neurotransmitter receptor blocking agent that inhibits the LH surge by central mechanisms would likewise block the associated increase in galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effects of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist on the steroid-induced LH surge and on levels of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons. Three groups of ovariectomized rats were used: Group 1 -treated with estradiol and progesterone (E/P) and sacrificed at the peak of the LH surge; Group 2-treated the same as Group 1 except that dizocilpine (MK801, an NMDA receptor antagonist) was used to block the LH surge; and Group 3-treated the same as Group 1 except they received vehicle instead of E/P. Double-and single-label in situ hybridization followed by computerized image analysis were used to measure levels of galanin mRNA and GnRH mRNA in GnRH neurons [as grains/cell (g/c)]. E/P treatment induced a 3-fold increase in LH levels and a 5-fold increase in the galanin mRNA signal content of GnRH neurons. Treatment with MK801 completely prevented the LH surge in all animals and also blocked the steroid-induced increase in galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons. As assessed by 2 independent GnRH single-labeled assays, neither GnRH message content nor the number of identifiable GnRH neurons differed among the experimental groups. We conclude that the increase in galanin mRNA levels in GnRH neurons is tightly coupled to the occurrence of a steroid-evoked LH surge, and we infer that induction of galanin gene expression in GnRH neurons is induced as a consequence of synaptic activation of GnRH neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Induction of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons by estradiol and its facilitation by progesterone.

On the day of proestrus in the rat, rising plasma levels of estradiol (E) act in concert with progesterone (P) to trigger a preovulatory release of gonadotropins. Cellular levels of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons are increased in association with the proestrous surge of gonadotropin secretion; however, the relative contribution made by E and P to the induction of galanin mRNA expression in GnRH neurons is unknown. We investigated the role of E and P in the induction of galanin gene expression in GnRH neurons by examining the effects of different combinations of E (estradiol benzoate; 50 micrograms and P (5 mg)) on the LH surge and the concomitant induction of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons. We sacrificed ovariectomized adult rats after 1 of 4 treatments: Group 1: vehicle control (n = 6); Group 2: P alone (n = 7) Group 3: E alone (n = 7); Group 4: combined E/P (n = 6); the animals were killed at 18.00 h at the time of the LH surge. The brains from these animals were processed by double-label in situ hybridization to allow measurement of galanin mRNA levels in GnRH neurons. GnRH neurons were identified with a digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probe for GnRH mRNA, and galanin mRNA was detected and measured simultaneously with an 35S-labeled cRNA probe coupled with computerized grain counting. Estimation of cellular levels of GnRH mRNA was accomplished with single-label in situ hybridization, an 35S-labeled GnRH cRNA probe and computerized grain counting. We observed a 3-fold induction of galanin mRNA in the GnRH neurons of animals treated with E alone compared with those treated with the vehicle alone (vehicle: 13 +/- 2 vs E: 42 +/- 4 grains/cell (g/c); P < 0.01); LH levels in the E-treated animals were elevated, albeit moderately, with respect to the vehicle controls. Compared with vehicle-treated animals, those treated with the combination of E and P showed a 5-fold induction of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons (68 +/- 9 g/c), which was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than that observed in the animals treated with E alone; in addition, the magnitude of the LH surge was much greater (P < 0.05) in the E/P-treated group compared with the E alone group. In contrast, compared to the vehicle controls, animals treated with P alone (15 +/- 2 g/c) showed no discernable effect on galanin mRNA levels; moreover, no LH surge occurred in the P alone group. Neither the number of identified GnRH cells nor their content of GnRH mRNA differed significantly among the experimental groups (GnRH mRNA signal: vehicle controls: 153 +/- 6 vs E: 159 +/- 6 vs E/P: 153 +/- vs P: 148 +/- 8 g/c). We conclude that while E is the primary ovarian signal inducing galanin mRNA expression in GnRH neurons and the LH surge itself, P plays a facilitatory role in both of these processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Isolation of the microtubule-vesicle motor kinesin from rat liver: selective inhibition by cholestatic bile acids.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vesicular transport is supported by microtubule-based, force-transducing adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases), such as kinesin, a ubiquitous motor enzyme that has been well studied in neuronal tissues. Although vesicular transport is important for hepatocellular secretory and clearance activities, the role of kinesin in liver function is poorly understood. Furthermore, the effects of bile acids on kinesin are unknown. METHODS: Kinesin was purified from rat liver cytosol by conventional chromatography and microtubule affinity binding and was characterized by immunoblotting with domain-specific kinesin antibodies and amino acid sequencing of tryptic fragments. Kinesin activity was measured with and without bile acids using an in vitro motility assay and ATPase assays. RESULTS: Immunoblot analysis and partial amino acid sequencing of purified kinesin showed that the sequence at the heavy chain of hepatic kinesin is nearly identical to that of brain kinesin. Purified kinesin transported microtubules in vitro with a velocity of approximately 0.5 microns/s; this activity was significantly inhibited by 0.5-1 mmol/L taurochenodeoxycholate but not by tauroursodeoxycholate. At a dose of 1 mmol/L, chenodeoxycholate conjugates, but not ursodeoxycholate or cholate conjugates, directly inhibited the ATPase activities of kinesin and another microtubule motor, cytoplasmic dynein. CONCLUSIONS: Cholestatic concentrations of chenodeoxycholate conjugates directly inhibit the activity of microtubule motors, suggesting a possible mechanism for impairment of vesicular transport in cholestasis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Quantitative importance of biliary excretion to the turnover of hepatic lysosomal enzymes.

The turnover rate of an individual protein is a function of the rates of synthesis and loss of that protein. For most intracellular proteins, loss occurs through digestion by lysosomal or cytosolic proteases. Although a significant proportion of hepatic lysosomal enzymes is released from the hepatocyte by excretion into bile, the contribution of biliary excretion to the turnover of hepatic lysosomal enzymes has never been measured. Thus, we used in vivo pulse-labeling to determine the half-lives of two hepatic hydrolases, beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) and beta-glucuronidase (beta-glu). Each enzyme was purified by immunoisolation from hepatic lysosomes that were isolated at various times after injection of rats with 3H-labeled leucine. The decay curves for the specific radioactivities of beta-gal and beta-glu were used to calculate the half-lives of the proteins, which were 3.8 and 5.1 days, respectively. To determine the percent of total hepatic contents of each enzyme that was lost per day by biliary excretion, we collected bile from bile fistula rats for 24 hours and then used radioimmunoassays to quantitate the amounts of beta-gal and beta-glu in bile and liver samples of the same rats. We found that approximately 4% of the total hepatic contents of both beta-gal and beta-glu was excreted into bile per day. Finally, we used these data to calculate that 31% and 41% of hepatic losses of beta-gal and beta-glu, respectively, were due to biliary excretion. These results suggest that extracellular release through biliary excretion is a major mechanism contributing to the turnover of lysosomal hydrolases.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Purification and partial characterization of a heat-resistant, cytosolic neuropeptidase from rat liver.

A cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)-degrading peptidase was purified from rat liver cytosol by heat precipitation of other proteins followed by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis, using a silicate binding assay to quantitate the degradation of radiolabeled CCK-8. The purified peptidase (M(r) approximately 60,000) had a pH optimum of 6.0; its activity was inhibited by EDTA and 1, 10-phenanthroline but not by phosphoramidon, calpain inhibitor I, bestatin or bacitracin. CCK-8 peptidase rapidly degraded radiolabeled Met-enkephalin as well as 125I-CCK-8, but not a series of other unrelated peptides. Unlabeled Leu-enkephalin, beta-casomorphin and neurotensin competitively inhibited the degradation of 125I-CCK-8, suggesting that these opioids are also substrates for the enzyme. These data suggest that this protein is a novel hepatic enzyme which may play a role in the degradation of neuropeptides.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Activation-dependent regulation of galanin gene expression in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the female rat.

In rats, galanin is colocalized in GnRH neurons, and galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons is increased coincidentally with the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. Whether the induction of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons at proestrus reflects the action of sex steroids is unknown. We tested this hypothesis by challenging ovariectomized rats (n = 7) with estrogen and progesterone (E/P) to induce a LH surge and measuring galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons to determine whether there was an associated induction of galanin message in these cells. We used single and double label in situ hybridization and image analysis to compare among groups the levels of both galanin mRNA and GnRH mRNA in GnRH neurons. We found that steroid-primed animals showed an approximately 400% induction of galanin mRNA signal in GnRH neurons over that in vehicle-treated animals. Second, we hypothesized that steroid-dependent events which induce the expression of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons depend on transsynaptic input to GnRH neurons. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effect of a pharmacological blockade of the steroid-induced activation of GnRH neurons on levels of galanin mRNA in these cells. We killed groups of ovariectomized adult female rats at the peak of a E/P-primed LH surge (n = 7) and after steroid priming followed by blockade of the LH surge with either the general anesthetic pentobarbital (n = 7) or the specific alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker phenoxybenzamine (n = 7). When we examined signal levels representing galanin mRNA content in GnRH neurons, we observed a 4-fold increase in signal for galanin mRNA in the GnRH neurons of steroid-primed (E/P surge) animals compared with that in oil-treated controls (P < 0.0004). This increase in galanin mRNA was prevented when the LH surge was blocked by treatment with either pentobarbital or phenoxybenzamine (P < 0.03 and P < 0.0001 vs. E/P surge controls, respectively). Cellular levels of GnRH mRNA were not different among control, E/P, and E/P plus pentobarbital groups (P > 0.2). These observations suggest that an increase in galanin mRNA levels in GnRH neurons is tightly coupled to the occurrence of a LH surge. By inference, induction of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons reflects their activation, possibly via afferent neurons that transduce the steroid signal to GnRH neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Induction of galanin gene expression in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons with puberty in the rat.

The onset of puberty reflects the developmental activation of GnRH neurons whose secretory activity awakens the reproductive axis; however, the cellular mechanisms involved in this activational process remain poorly understood. GnRH neurons coexpress the neuropeptide galanin, and we have previously shown that galanin's level of coexpression is linked to the activity state of GnRH neurons. We theorized that altered expression of galanin by GnRH neurons may be an important mechanism related to activation of GnRH neurons at puberty. We examined two hypotheses related to this idea. First, we tested the hypothesis that expression of galanin messenger RNA (mRNA) in GnRH neurons is induced across the transition from prepubertal to adult life in the rat. To accomplish this, we used double label in situ hybridization and image analysis to compare cellular levels of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons between groups of prepubertal and adult male and female rats. Levels of galanin mRNA within GnRH neurons increased significantly across puberty in both sexes. In females, galanin mRNA signal in GnRH neurons increased approximately 8-fold, whereas in males, cellular galanin mRNA signal levels increased about 2-fold. The number of identifiable GnRH neurons was not significantly different among the experimental groups. Next, we examined the hypothesis that pubertal induction of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons reflects the activational effects of gonadal hormones associated with the onset of puberty. To test this, we killed groups of prepubertal male and female rats together with adult male and female animals that had been either castrated or sham castrated at a prepubertal age. In animals that had been prepubertally castrated, no developmental increase in galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons was observed, whereas in sham-castrated animals, levels of galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons were again shown to be higher in adult compared to prepubertal animals of both sexes, as had been demonstrated in the first experiment. We conclude that galanin message expression in GnRH neurons is induced during the transition from the juvenile to the adult state through a gonad-dependent process. This developmental increase in galanin gene expression is one mechanism by which the capacity for the synthesis and secretion of galanin by GnRH neurons may be enhanced, which, in turn, could facilitate the functional activity of GnRH neurons and amplify their trophic effect on the pituitary.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Association of kinesin with the Golgi apparatus in rat hepatocytes.

The Golgi apparatus is a dynamic membranous structure, which has been observed to alter its location and morphology during the cell cycle and after microtubule disruption. These dynamics are believed to be supported by a close structural interaction of the Golgi with the microtubule cytoskeleton and associated motor enzymes. One microtubule-dependent motor enzyme, kinesin, has been implicated in Golgi movement and function although direct evidence supporting this interaction is lacking. In this study, we utilized two well-characterized kinesin antibodies in conjunction with subcellular fractionation techniques, immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy to conduct a detailed study on the association of kinesin with the Golgi and other membranous organelles in a polarized epithelial cell, the primary rat hepatocyte. We found that kinesin represents approximately 0.3% of total protein in rat liver homogenates, with approximately 30% membrane-associated and the remainder in the cytosol. Among membrane fractions, kinesin was concentrated markedly in Golgi-enriched fractions, which were prepared using two independent techniques. Kinesin was also abundant in fractions enriched in transcytotic carriers and secretory vesicles, with lower levels detected on fractions enriched in endosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes and mitochondria. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that kinesin is concentrated on Golgi-like structures in both primary cultured hepatocytes and rat hepatocyte-derived clone 9 cells. Double-label immunofluorescence demonstrated that kinesin staining colocalizes with the Golgi marker, alpha-mannosidase II, in both cell types. These results provide compelling evidence showing that kinesin is associated with the Golgi complex in cells and implicate this motor enzyme in Golgi structure, function and dynamics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Regulation of galanin gene expression in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons during the estrous cycle of the rat.

Galanin is colocalized with GnRH in neurons of the hypothalamus and basal forebrain of female rats, and this neuropeptide may play a role in the generation of the midcycle surge of gonadotropin secretion. We tested the hypothesis that galanin gene expression in GnRH cells increases during proestrus. To accomplish this, we killed groups of adult female rats at 1200 and 1800 h on the day of proestrus as well as at 1800 h on the day of estrus and used double labeling in situ hybridization and image analysis to estimate and compare the levels of galanin mRNA in cells coexpressing GnRH mRNA. GnRH mRNA was detected with an antisense cRNA probe labeled with the hapten digoxigenin, while the galanin cRNA probe was labeled with 35S and detected by autoradiography. There was no significant difference in the total number of GnRH cells identified in each animal in any of the different groups in any experiment. The relative number of silver grains over these cells, reflecting galanin mRNA content in GnRH neurons (identified by their purple color), was counted with a computerized image analysis system. In an initial experiment, we observed a 2-fold (P < 0.03) higher galanin mRNA signal level in the animals killed at 1800 h than in those killed at 1200 h on the day of proestrus. Animals killed at 1800 h on the day of estrus had galanin mRNA signal levels that were not statistically different from those in the proestrous 1800 h group, indicating that the increase in galanin mRNA at proestrus is maintained for at least 24 h. Galanin mRNA levels in GnRH neurons returned to basal levels equivalent to those in the proestrous 1200 h group by 1000 h on diestrous day 1. In conjunction with the studies of galanin gene expression in GnRH neurons, we compared the relative cellular contents of GnRH mRNA among the same groups. Here, we used single labeling isotopic in situ hybridization for GnRH mRNA and computerized image analysis to count the resulting silver grains. We could detect no difference in GnRH mRNA signal levels (proestrus, 1200 h vs. proestrus, 1800 h vs. estrus, 1800 h). In a final experiment, we investigated the possible role of estrogen in the induction of galanin mRNA expression at proestrus by comparing relative galanin mRNA contents in GnRH neurons among groups of ovariectomized, intact (diestrous day 1), and ovariectomized 17 beta-estradiol-replaced female rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and galanin gene expression in GnRH neurons during lactation in the rat.

Galanin is colocalized with GnRH, and its expression in these neurons is enhanced at proestrus, a time of activation of GnRH neurons. We tested the hypothesis that the expression of both the GnRH and galanin mRNAs in GnRH neurons decrease during lactation in the rat, a reproductive state characterized by reduced gonadotropin secretion. For double label in situ hybridization, GnRH mRNA was detected with an antisense cRNA probe labeled with the hapten digoxigenin, whereas galanin mRNA was detected with a cRNA probe labeled with 35S. The number of silver grains deposited over a digoxigenin-labeled cell body provided an index of galanin mRNA levels in GnRH cells. We observed a 60% reduction in signal (grains per cell) for galanin mRNA in GnRH neurons of lactating animals compared with those of diestrus animals (P < 0.004), with no difference in the number of GnRH neurons between groups. To compare cellular GnRH mRNA content between groups, we used single label in situ hybridization and image analysis. Signal levels (grains per cell) for GnRH mRNA were not different between diestrus and lactating animals in either an initial (diestrus, 121.4 +/- 5.9; lactation, 117.3 +/- 8.0; P > 0.7) or in a subsequent trial (diestrus, 184.0 +/- 10.4; lactation, 197.5 +/- 13.0; P > 0.7). To confirm and extend these findings, we used a RNAse protection assay to measure and compare the content of GnRH mRNA in hypothalamic fragments between diestrus and lactating animals. The concentration of GnRH mRNA (picograms of mRNA per 25 micrograms total RNA) was not different between the two groups (diestrus, 1.21 +/- 0.25; lactation, 1.25 +/- 0.13; P > 0.7). A determination of the total GnRH peptide content by RIA in a separate set of hypothalamic dissections revealed no difference between groups in the level of GnRH content (nanograms) per hypothalamus (diestrus, 6.0 +/- 0.6; lactation, 5.7 +/- 0.4; P > 0.4). We conclude that galanin mRNA expression in GnRH neurons of the rat is diminished during lactation, whereas GnRH expression continues unabated. This decrease in galanin gene expression associated with lactation may lead to decreased synthesis and secretion of galanin, which, in turn, could diminish the pulsatile secretion of GnRH or reduce its activity at the pituitary.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

An aluminum silicate binding assay for quantitation of degradation of cholecystokinin octapeptide and other short peptides.

Most available techniques for the quantitation of enzymatic degradation of peptide hormones are time-consuming and require expensive equipment and/or novel reagents. Our aim here was to develop a rapid and sensitive assay for the measurement of degradation of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) as well as other short, hydrophobic peptides. The proposed technique is based on our novel observation that intact CCK-8, but not its degradation product(s), binds to Lloyd reagent, a form of aluminum silicate. When radiolabeled CCK-8 was exposed to rat liver cytosol containing endogenous CCK-degrading activity, there was a time-dependent decrease in the binding of radiolabel to aluminum silicate [from 86 to 8% over 60 min at 37 degrees C]. The decrease in binding closely paralleled the extent of CCK-8 degradation over time as assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography and immunoprecipitation with specific polyclonal antibodies to CCK-8. While aluminum silicate did not efficiently bind to C-terminal and N-terminal CCK tetrapeptides, magnesium silicate bound to both tetrapeptides (> 82%), but not to their radiolabeled degradation products. Both aluminum and magnesium silicate also extensively bound (> 82%) to other peptide hormones including Met-enkephalin, somatostatin, and secretin, but did not bind their degradation products. These binding assays will be useful in studies of peptidases which degrade cholecystokinin or other small, hydrophobic peptides.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed1991

Hepatic processing of recombinant human renin: mechanisms of uptake and degradation.

Biologically active 125I-Bolton-Hunter-labeled recombinant human renin (BH-renin) was used to study hepatic processing of renin both in vivo in bile fistula rats and in vitro in isolated perfused rat livers. BH-renin was composed mainly (80%) of a form that bound to concanavalin A-agarose (CB-renin). Twenty minutes after femoral venous injection of CB-renin in vivo, 47% of injected radiolabel was present in liver. Hepatic uptake of CB-renin was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by mannosylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA) and mannan, but was unaffected by asialofetuin and mannose 6-phosphate. MBSA also significantly inhibited the plasma disappearance of endogenous renin in kidney-ligated rats. Cell separation techniques and light microscopic autoradiography showed that CB-renin was preferentially cleared by hepatic nonparenchymal cells via the mannose receptor, but was also cleared by hepatocytes via an unidentified mechanism. Tissue fractionation demonstrated that after injection of CB-renin, radiolabel was concentrated in lysosome-enriched liver fractions. In the liver, CB-renin was rapidly degraded to trichloroacetic acid-soluble fragments, which accumulated in urine and bile. Leupeptin, an inhibitor of lysosomal proteases, decreased degradation of CB-renin by 60%; vinblastine and colchicine, microtubule binding agents, each inhibited CB-renin degradation by 40%. Our results show that the liver plays a major role in the regulation of plasma renin levels via clearance by the mannose receptor on nonparenchymal cells and subsequent degradation in lysosomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Organization of hindbrain segments in the zebrafish embryo.

To learn how neural segments are structured in a simple vertebrate, we have characterized the embryonic zebrafish hindbrain with a library of monoclonal antibodies. Two regions repeat in an alternating pattern along a series of seven segments. One, the neuromere centers, contains the first basal plate neurons to develop and the first neuropil. The other region, surrounding the segment boundaries, contains the first neurons to develop in the alar plate. The projection patterns of these neurons differ: those in the segment centers have descending axons, while those in the border regions form ventral commissures. A row of glial fiber bundles forms a curtain-like structure between each center and border region. Specific features of the individual hindbrain segments in the series arise within this general framework. We suggest that a cryptic simplicity underlies the eventual complex structure that develops from this region of the CNS.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Measurement of total protein in plant samples in the presence of tannins.

A method for measuring total protein in situ in plant samples has been developed using the determination of amino acids released by acid hydrolysis of dried plant material. Standard proteins and plant samples were hydrolyzed with 3% sulfuric acid at 100 degrees C for 24 h and the amino acids released were measured with ninhydrin. Unhydrolyzed plant extracts were also analyzed for free amino acids with ninhydrin. Total amino acid equivalents (protein plus free amino acids) of a diverse set of plant samples was significantly correlated with total protein as estimated by elemental analysis (N X 6.25). The Lowry method as modified by precipitation of proteins with trichloroacetic acid was found to be unsatisfactory for dried plant samples due to the incomplete extractability of proteins. Although some alkaloids caused increased absorbance with ninhydrin, interference with quantification of protein is likely to be minimal. Tannins interfered with the Lowry and Bradford methods but not the ninhydrin method.

Alkaloids↗