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T N Krogh

Publications and source records attributed to T N Krogh.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Identification of precursor forms of free prostate-specific antigen in serum of prostate cancer patients by immunosorption and mass spectrometry.

The structural features of the free prostate-specific antigen (F-PSA) present in human blood have not been clarified up to now, and it is, therefore, not known why F-PSA is not complexed by the protease inhibitors that are present in human blood in large amounts. This lack of information is mainly attributable to the low amount of F-PSA in serum, which makes the isolation and structural characterization very difficult, especially when only limited amounts of individual sera are available. It has now been demonstrated that F-PSA occurs as a mixture of different pro-PSA forms (zymogen forms) in the sera of prostate cancer patients, and that, in some of these sera, a form with the regular NH2 terminus of PSA is present as well. Among the five serum samples investigated, all contained the (-7), (-5), and (-4) pro-PSA forms, whereas the (-1) and (-2) forms were only present in three of them. These three samples also contained the form with the regular NH2 terminus. The (-3) and (-6) pro-PSA forms have not been detected thus far. The F-PSA has been isolated by immunosorption from the individual sera using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. The pro-PSA forms were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry after producing peptides by endoproteinase from Lysobacter enzymogenes digestion of the SDS-PAGE-separated F-PSA band. The structural identity of the (-7)pro-PSA form was further proven by sequencing of that particular peptide using electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

RNA fragmentation studied in a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation tandem quadrupole/orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

We have studied the fragmentation behaviour of short, singly protonated oligoribonucleotides on a MALDI Qq-TOF instrument with the aim of using this instrumental set-up to characterise modifications of RNA molecules. Individual ion species from enzymatically generated mixtures were isolated in one quadrupole and subjected to collision-induced dissociation in a second quadrupole followed by separation of the resulting product ions in an orthogonal time-of-flight mass analyser. Complex spectra were generally observed with nearly all types of cleavages along the phosphodiester backbone and of the N-glycosidic bonds (and combinations of these) occurring, albeit at different relative intensities. The most labile part of the backbone was found to be the 5'-P-O bond, resulting in c- and y-ions. Loss of neutral cytosine and guanine occurred equally often, whereas neutral loss of adenosine was less prevalent. Loss of uracil, either neutral or charged species, was not observed. Because the fragmentation pattern observed here is significantly different from what has been reported for singly protonated oligodeoxyribonucleotides, we suggest that the 2'-substituent in the sugar plays a central role in the fragmentation mechanisms of nucleic acids. Finally, we used the acquired knowledge about oligoribonucleotide fragmentation to characterise an in vivo methylated oligoribonucleotide by tandem mass spectrometry.

Base Sequence↗

Glycosylation analysis of gel-separated proteins.

Beyond the identification of proteins involved in a particular physiological situation, many aspects of proteomics require more detailed characterization of the proteins involved. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are a common means to target proteins, regulate their activities and to mediate communication between proteins and cells. Owing to the much higher analytical complexity of glycan analysis compared to e.g. protein identification, PTM analysis in general and glycosylation analysis in particular is largely neglected in proteomics. In this review, the current technological status of global and site-specific glycosylation analysis of gel-separated proteins is described and the way in which the available technology can be employed in proteomics is critically discussed.

Animals↗

Protein analysis using enzymes immobilized to paramagnetic beads.

A new method combining protein chemistry with enzymes immobilized to paramagnetic beads is presented. The immobilized enzymes can substitute for regular enzymes in a number of protein chemistry protocols, resulting in faster reaction times, less sample contamination, and improved interfacing to modern procedures, like mass spectrometry. Trypsin was used as a model enzyme to test the amount of protein coupled to glass beads and the degree of autodigestion when analyzed by MALDI-MS and HPLC. Immobilization of trypsin resulted in digestions comparable with standard solution digestions using fetuin as a model substrate. Furthermore, fetuin was used to test the stability of the enzyme-coated beads. No apparent loss of enzyme activity was observed after 10 times reuse of trypsin-coated beads. Immobilization of exo- and endoglycosidases to paramagnetic beads resulted in high sensitivity, faster sequential glycosidase digestion of glycopeptides, and reduced sample contamination. All digestions could be performed in less than 24 h, when a tryptic glycopeptide from human lung proteinosis surfactant protein A was used as model compound.

Animals↗

Thermal instability of the trimeric structure of the N-terminal propeptide of human procollagen type I in relation to assay technology.

The N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PINP) appeared in two peaks after size chromatography. The high-molecular weight form was transformed to the low-molecular weight form during incubation at 37 degreesC, whereas the low-molecular weight form remained unchanged. The PINP concentrations in amniotic fluid and sera remained unchanged during 37 degreesC incubation when measured using an ELISA; however, concentrations decreased by 89-93% when measured using an RIA. The ELISA:RIA ratio varied from 1.1 to 2.9 in these fluids because of different size distributions and the inability of the RIA to measure the low-molecular weight form. Thermal transition of the high-molecular weight form caused a change in its elution volume but did not change its migration in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Mass spectrometry revealed identical results for both forms. We reached the following conclusions: (a) the trimeric structure of PINP is unstable at 37 degreesC; (b) the two molecular forms represent intact alpha1 chains in trimeric and monomeric forms; (c) thermal transition is an ongoing in vivo process; and (d) this is important in the choice of assay technology.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Characterization of intramolecular disulfide bonds and secondary modifications of the glycoprotein from viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, a fish rhabdovirus.

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) infections cause high losses in cultured rainbow trout in Europe. Attempts to produce a recombinant vaccine based on the transmembrane glycoprotein (G protein) have indicated that proper folding is important for the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the protein. The present study was initiated to identify the disulfide bonds and other structural aspects relevant to vaccine design. The N-terminal amino acid residue was identified as being a pyroglutamic acid, corresponding to Gln21 of the primary transcript. Peptides from endoproteinase-degraded G protein were analyzed by mass spectrometry before and after chemical reduction, and six disulfide bonds were identified: Cys29-Cys339, Cys44-Cys295, Cys90-Cys132, Cys172-Cys177, Cys195-Cys265, and Cys231-Cys236. Mass spectrometric analysis in combination with glycosidases allowed characterization of the glycan structure of the G protein. Three of four predicted N-linked oligosaccharides were found to be predominantly biantennary complex-type structures. Furthermore, an O-linked glycan near the N terminus was identified. Alignment of the VHSV G protein with five other rhabdovirus G proteins indicates that eight cysteine residues are situated at conserved positions. This finding suggests that there might be some common disulfide bonding pattern among the six rhabdoviruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fetal antigen 1 (FA1), a circulating member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) superfamily: ELISA development, physiology and metabolism in relation to renal function.

We describe an ELISA technique for quantification of fetal antigen 1 (FA1), a glycoprotein belonging to the EGF-superfamily. The ELISA is based on immunospecifically purified polyclonal antibodies and has a dynamic range of 0.7-5.3 ng/ml, intra- and inter-assay C.V.s of less than 3.2% and an average recovery of 105% in serum and 98% in urine. Comparison of FA1 in amniotic fluid, serum and urine revealed parallel titration curves, identical elution volumes following size chromatography, immunological identity and similar profiles when analysed by MALDI-MS. The reference interval for serum FA1 was 12.3-46.6 ng/ml and the levels were 10 times higher in patients with renal failure. FA1 showed no diurnal variation, no variation during the menstrual cycle and was not influenced by the acute phase reaction. In humans (n = 10) the renal clearance of FA1 was 11 ml/min and an identical high renal clearance was found in rats when expressed per 100 g body weight. In rats the initial increase in serum FA1 was 10 ng/ml/h following bilateral nephrectomy, explaining the increased serum concentrations of FA1 observed in patients with renal failure.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Glycosylation analysis and protein structure determination of murine fetal antigen 1 (mFA1)--the circulating gene product of the delta-like protein (dlk), preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) and stromal-cell-derived protein 1 (SCP-1) cDNAs.

By means of sequence analysis, murine fetal antigen 1 (mFA1) isolated from Mus musculus amniotic fluid was shown to be the circulating protein of the delta-like protein, stromal-cell-derived protein 1 (SCP-1) and preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) gene products. The protein contains 36 cysteine residues arranged in six epidermal-growth-factor-like domains. The purification of several C-terminal peptides of varying lengths showed mFA1 to be C-terminal heterogeneous. O-linked glycosylations of the NeuNAc alpha2-3Gal beta1-3(NeuNAc alpha2-6)GalNAc type were present on all C-terminal peptides at residues Thr235, Thr244 and Thr248, although glycosylation on Thr244 was only partial. Three N-linked glycosylations were localized in mFA1 (Asn77, Asn142 and Asn151), two of which (Asn142 and Asn151) were in the unusual Asn-Xaa-Cys motif. Fucosylated biantennary complex-type and small amounts (less than 5%) of triantennary complex-type structures were identified on the glycosylated asparagine residues using sequential exoglycosidase and endoglycosidase digestions combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The presence of O-linked monosaccharides (glucose attached to Ser71, Ser193 and fucose at Thr201) was tentatively ascertained by combining Edman degradation and MALDI-MS. The results presented shows mFA1 to be the circulating heterogeneous cleavage products of the membrane-bound protein encoded by the murine cDNAs dlk, pref-1 and SCP-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mouse fetal antigen 1 (mFA1), the circulating gene product of mdlk, pref-1 and SCP-1: isolation, characterization and biology.

The mouse homologue to human fetal antigen 1 (hFA1) was purified from mouse amniotic fluid by cation exchange chromatography and immunospecific affinity chromatography. Mouse FA1 (mFA1) is a single chain glycoprotein with an M(r) of 42-50 kDa (SDS-PAGE). The N-terminal amino acid sequence (39 residues) revealed 74% identity to hFA1 and 100% identity to the translated cDNAs referred to as mouse dlk, pref-1 and SCP-1. mFA1 is the secreted processed molecule encoded by the mRNA defined by these identical mouse cDNAs. Monospecific rabbit anti-mFA1 antibodies, purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and immunospecific affinity chromatography, were used for immunohistochemical and quantitative ELISA techniques. The indirect immunoperoxidase technique demonstrated mFA1 within the endocrine structures of adult mouse pancreas, whereas the exocrine tissue remained unstained. FA1-positive staining was also seen in the pituitary gland and the mouse adrenal gland. The concentration of mFA1 in a pool of amniotic fluid was assessed at 25 micrograms ml-1 and the serum concentration in normal nonpregnant adult mice (n = 28) was 11.3 +/- 5.0 ng ml-1 (2 SD). During pregnancy the concentration of mFA1 in maternal serum increased above the nonpregnant reference value at midpregnancy, reaching a maximum concentration (> 0.35 microgram ml-1) 2 days prepartum. The maternal serum concentration was positively correlated with the number of fetuses. After delivery the rate of disappearance of mFA1 in maternal serum was very fast with a t1/2 < 1 h. The concentration of mFA1 in newborn mice was about 15 micrograms ml-1 and did not reach normal adult values until the age of > 50 days.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Comparison of larval and pupal cuticular proteins in Tenebrio molitor.

Protein extracts from pupal and larval pharate cuticle from the meal worm, Tenebrio molitor, gave nearly identical patterns by two-dimensional electrophoresis and by ion-exchange chromatography. The main components in the cuticular extracts from the two metamorphic stages were also identical with respect to molecular mass according to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The complete amino acid sequence for one of the pupal cuticular proteins was determined; according to partial amino acid sequences and the mass spectrometric peptide map for the corresponding larval cuticular protein, it was concluded that the larval protein has the same amino acid sequence as the pupal protein. The sequence is characterized by a high content of alanine, proline, valine, and tyrosine and the complete absence of acidic amino acid residues, the sulphur containing amino acids and tryptophan. The sequence is further characterized by a high frequency of repeated sequence motifs, among which the Ala-Ala-Pro-Ala motif is the most abundant, but also longer sequence motifs are repeated. The sequence shows striking resemblance to sequences of proteins isolated from pharate locust cuticle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Primary structure of proteins from the wing cuticle of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria.

Wing cuticle from pharate adult locusts, Locusta migratoria, contains several prominent proteins which occur as minor components or are completely absent in other cuticular regions. Six of the wing-specific proteins have been purified and their amino acid sequences determined by combined use of mass spectrometry and automated Edman degradation. During the sequence determination very long sequence runs (90-121 residues) were necessary in order to establish the primary structure. All the wing-specific cuticular proteins from locusts contain the repeated short sequence motif -Ala-Ala-Pro-Ala/Val-, which is common for all hitherto sequenced cuticular proteins from pharate locusts. Several of the wing-specific proteins also possess an N-terminal region rich in glycine, tyrosine and leucine, characteristic for many locust cuticular proteins. Two of the analysed proteins have a conserved 61-residue sequence in common with a previously sequenced protein from locust wing cuticle and with two proteins from the pharate cuticle of adult Tenebrio molitor. Possible roles for the various sequence motifs are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein structure of fetal antigen 1 (FA1). A novel circulating human epidermal-growth-factor-like protein expressed in neuroendocrine tumors and its relation to the gene products of dlk and pG2.

The present paper describes the primary structure, glycosylation and tissue localization of fetal antigen 1 (FA1) isolated from second-trimester human amniotic fluid. FA1 is a single-chained, heterogeneous glycoprotein of 225-262 amino acid residues. FA1 has six well conserved epidermal-growth-factor motifs and contains up to ten O-glycosylation and N-glycosylation sites, six of which are differentially glycosylated. Alignment to the translated sequences of Mus. musculus dlk and human dlk revealed 86% and 99% identity, respectively, to a 259-amino-acid residue overlap, and this high similarity extends with minor corrections to the human adrenal-specific mRNA, pG2 as well. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of FA1 in 10 out of 14 lung tumors containing neuroendocrine elements, and in the placental villi where FA1 was exclusively seen in stromal cells in close contact to the vascular structure. In the pancreas, FA1 co-localized with insulin in the insulin secretory granules of the beta cells within the islets of Langerhans. Our findings suggest that FA1 is synthesized as a membrane anchored protein and released into the circulation after enzymic cleavage, and that circulating FA1 represents the post-translationally modified gene product of human dlk which, in turn, is identical to human adrenal-specific mRNA pG2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗