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The use of metallochromic Ca indicators in skeletal muscle.

Absorbance signals recorded with metallochromic indicators in skeletal muscle fibers show rapid time courses that probably closely track the fast kinetic process of Ca++ release and retrapping by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. However, the formation of more than one complex in cuvette calibrations, both for Arsenazo III (ArIII) and Antipyrylazo III (ApIII), suggest that care needs to be taken in the deconvolution of in vivo absorbance signals. Since the kinetic rate constants have not yet been obtained for these probes, attempts to deconvolute absorbance signals should be considered approximate. The evidence suggesting that more than one complex is formed during a skeletal muscle transient with ArIII is more compelling than for the case of ApIII. The differences between the ArIII and ApIII signals may not be readily explained assuming 1:1 dye:Ca complexation and kinetic differences between the probes. Competition for Ca++ with cell Ca buffers and/or multiple complex formation by at least one of these probes needs to be invoked. Based on a simple model to simulate the behavior of the Ca signals in muscle, it may be suggested that an ApIII-like probe would more closely track pCa changes in the fiber than would an ArIII-like probe, which would show more interference with intracellular buffers; an even higher affinity probe would tend to sense the total release of Ca by the SR.

Animals↗

Quantitative analysis reveals asynchronous and more than DSB-associated histone H2AX phosphorylation after exposure to ionizing radiation.

Rapid phosphorylation of histone H2AX after exposure of cells to ionizing radiation occurs at DSB sites and extends to a region including as much as 30 Mbp of chromatin to form visible microscopic structures called gamma-H2AX foci. Although the kinetics of total cellular histone H2AX phosphorylation after irradiation has been characterized, we still know little about the phosphorylation kinetics of individual gamma-H2AX foci. In addition, there are hundreds of smaller gamma-H2AX foci that are not associated with DNA double-strand breaks. We refer to these sites as DSB-unrelated gamma-H2AX foci. By using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, deconvolution and three-dimensional image analysis, we established an objective method to quantitatively analyze each gamma-H2AX focus as well as to discriminate DSB-related gamma-H2AX foci from DSB-unrelated gamma-H2AX foci. Using this method, we found that histone H2AX phosphorylation at different DSB sites was asynchronous after exposure to ionizing radiation. This may reflect the heterogeneous characteristic of free DNA ends that are generated under these conditions. In addition, we found that increased histone H2AX phosphorylation also occurred outside of DSB sites after exposure to ionizing radiation. The function of this DSB-unassociated phosphorylation is not known.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Cachexia in rheumatoid arthritis is not explained by decreased growth hormone secretion.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lose body cell mass (BCM) by unknown mechanisms. Since the loss of BCM in normal aging individuals parallels the characteristic age-related decline in growth hormone (GH) secretion, this study was carried out to determine whether further decreased GH secretion plays a role in the pathogenesis of this loss of BCM in RA patients, termed "rheumatoid cachexia." METHODS: GH secretory kinetics were determined by deconvolution analysis in 16 patients with RA and 17 healthy controls matched for age (mean +/- SD 45.4 +/- 13.2 years and 47.1 +/- 14.6 years, respectively), sex, race, and body mass index. Blood samples were obtained every 20 minutes for 24 hours. Body composition was ascertained using total-body potassium (TBK) as a measure of BCM and dual x-ray absorptiometry to determine fat mass. RESULTS: BCM was reduced in patients with RA compared with healthy controls (mean +/- SD gm TBK 79.5 +/- 9.5 versus 94.9 +/- 11.9; P < 0.0005), but there was no difference in fat mass. GH kinetic parameters in patients with RA did not differ from those in controls. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that GH kinetics are unaltered in RA patients compared with healthy subjects; thus, GH deficiency does not account for rheumatoid cachexia.

Adult↗

The effects of spermine and spermidine on the structure of photosystem II proteins in relation to inhibition of electron transport.

Polyamines (PAs) are ubiquitous in cells of higher plants and play an important role in many biological functions. Because PAs affect photosynthetic oxygen evolution, this study is designed to investigate the interaction of spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) cations with proteins of photosystem II (PSII) using PSII-enriched submembranes fraction with polyamine concentrations of 0.01-10 mM. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy with its self-deconvolution and second derivative resolution enhancement as well as curve-fitting procedures was applied, in order to determine the cation binding mode, the protein conformational changes and the structural properties of cation-protein complexes. It is shown that at low polyamine concentration, cation-protein interaction (H-bonding) is through the polypeptide C=O groups with no major perturbation of the protein secondary structure. As cation concentration increases, the polyamine complexation causes significant alterations of the protein secondary structure with a decrease of the alpha-helical domains from 47% (uncomplexed PSII) up to 37% (cation complexes) and an increase in the beta-sheet structure from 18% (uncomplexed PSII) up to 29% (cation complexes). Correlations between the effects of polyamines on protein secondary structure and on the rate of oxygen evolution in PSII are also established.

Cations↗

Insulin secretion after short- and long-term low-grade free fatty acid infusion in men with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

We studied the effect of a low-grade short- and long-term 20% Intralipid infusion (0.4 mL(-1) x kg(-1) x h(-1)) on insulin secretion and insulin action in 15 elderly obese men; 7 glucose intolerant first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients (impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] relatives) and 8 healthy controls of similar age and body mass index (BMI). Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and a graded glucose infusion (dose-response test [DORE]) were performed to determine first phase insulin response and to explore the dose response relationship between glucose concentration and insulin secretion rates (ISR). ISR were calculated by deconvolution of plasma C-peptide concentrations. Insulin action was determined by performing a 120-minute hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. All tests were performed 3 times, preceded by 0, 2, or 24 hours Intralipid infusion. Disposition indices (DI) were calculated for the IVGTT. Insulin action was reduced 25% after 2 and 24 hours Intralipid infusion in both groups. In IGT relatives, the beta-cell responsiveness to glucose (measured during DORE) decreased after 2 and 24 hours Intralipid infusion (P=.02), whereas first phase insulin response (measured during IVGTT) decreased after 24 hours Intralipid infusion. Insulin secretion measured during DORE and IVGTT was not affected by Intralipid infusion in controls. DI decreased after 2 and 24 hours Intralipid infusion in the total study population. In conclusion, insulin resistance induced by low-grade short- and long-term Intralipid infusion is not balanced by an adequate compensatory increase in insulin secretion in IGT relatives or in matched controls. IGT relatives appear to be more sensitive to the deleterious effects of low-grade fat infusion on insulin secretion than normal glucose tolerant control subjects.

Blood Glucose↗

Secondary structure of the mammalian 70-kilodalton heat shock cognate protein analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy and secondary structure prediction.

Heat shock proteins are rapidly synthesized when cells are exposed to stressful agents that cause protein damage. The 70-kDa heat shock induced proteins and their closely related constitutively expressed cognate proteins bind to unfolded and aberrant polypeptides and to hydrophilic peptides. The structural features of the 70-kDa heat shock proteins that confer the ability to associate with diverse polypeptides are unknown. In this study, we have used circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and secondary structure prediction to analyze the secondary structure of the mammalian 70-kDa heat shock cognate protein (hsc 70). The far-ultraviolet CD spectrum of hsc 70 indicates a large fraction of alpha-helix in the protein and resembles the spectra one obtains from proteins of the alpha/beta structural class. Analysis of the CD spectra with deconvolution methods yielded estimates of secondary structure content. The results indicate about 40% alpha-helix and 20% aperiodic structure within hsc 70 and between 16-41% beta-sheet and 21-0% beta-turn. The Garnier-Osguthorpe-Robson method of secondary structure prediction was applied to the rat hsc 70 amino acid sequence. The predicted estimates of alpha-helix and aperiodic structure closely matched the values derived from the CD analysis, whereas the predicted estimates of beta-sheet and beta-turn were midway between the CD-derived values. Present evidence suggests that the polypeptide ligand binding domain of the 70-kDa heat shock protein resides within the C-terminal 160 amino acids [Milarski, K. L., & Morimoto, R. I. (1989) J. Cell Biol. 109, 1947-1962].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Secondary structure of P-glycoprotein investigated by circular dichroism and amino acid sequence analysis.

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a plasma membrane protein known as an ATP-dependent drug-efflux pump that confers multidrug resistance to tumor cells. Structural analysis of Pgp was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) for the first time and in combination with amino acid sequence analysis. CD of highly purified Pgp from human, rat and murine Pgp-overexpressing drug resistant cells revealed slight variations in the spectral shape when recorded in the presence of dodecyl maltoside (DM). These species-dependent variations in CD shapes resulted from the interaction of the oligosaccharidic part with the protein core since they were abolished either in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or after deglycosylation, the latter not altering the Pgp ATP-dependent drug transport activity. Whatever the level of Pgp glycosylation and the detergent used (SDS or DM), the content in secondary structure deduced from deconvolution of CD spectra is almost the same for the three sources of Pgp and estimated to 43% alpha-helix, 16% beta-sheet, 15% beta-turn and 26% of other structures. These data, which constitute the first report of Pgp structure analysis by circular dichroism, are consistent with the 48% alpha-helix and 16% beta-sheets global contents predicted by using recently reported efficient secondary structure prediction methods. This consistency reinforces the reliability of the probable nature and localization of predicted Pgp secondary structure elements. This provides a good framework for precise 3D structure modeling of Pgp by homology with proteins of known 3D structure, as it is illustrated here for the A motifs of the ATP-binding domains of Pgp.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

One week's treatment with the long-acting glucagon-like peptide 1 derivative liraglutide (NN2211) markedly improves 24-h glycemia and alpha- and beta-cell function and reduces endogenous glucose release in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is potentially a very attractive agent for treating type 2 diabetes. We explored the effect of short-term (1 week) treatment with a GLP-1 derivative, liraglutide (NN2211), on 24-h dynamics in glycemia and circulating free fatty acids, islet cell hormone profiles, and gastric emptying during meals using acetaminophen. Furthermore, fasting endogenous glucose release and gluconeogenesis (3-(3)H-glucose infusion and (2)H(2)O ingestion, respectively) were determined, and aspects of pancreatic islet cell function were elucidated on the subsequent day using homeostasis model assessment and first- and second-phase insulin response during a hyperglycemic clamp (plasma glucose approximately 16 mmol/l), and, finally, on top of hyperglycemia, an arginine stimulation test was performed. For accomplishing this, 13 patients with type 2 diabetes were examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Liraglutide (6 micro g/kg) was administered subcutaneously once daily. Liraglutide significantly reduced the 24-h area under the curve for glucose (P = 0.01) and glucagon (P = 0.04), whereas the area under the curve for circulating free fatty acids was unaltered. Twenty-four-hour insulin secretion rates as assessed by deconvolution of serum C-peptide concentrations were unchanged, indicating a relative increase. Gastric emptying was not influenced at the dose of liraglutide used. Fasting endogenous glucose release was decreased (P = 0.04) as a result of a reduced glycogenolysis (P = 0.01), whereas gluconeogenesis was unaltered. First-phase insulin response and the insulin response to an arginine stimulation test with the presence of hyperglycemia were markedly increased (P < 0.001), whereas the proinsulin/insulin ratio fell (P = 0.001). The disposition index (peak insulin concentration after intravenous bolus of glucose multiplied by insulin sensitivity as assessed by homeostasis model assessment) almost doubled during liraglutide treatment (P < 0.01). Both during hyperglycemia per se and after arginine exposure, the glucagon responses were reduced during liraglutide administration (P < 0.01 and P = 0.01). Thus, 1 week's treatment with a single daily dose of the GLP-1 derivative liraglutide, operating through several different mechanisms including an ameliorated pancreatic islet cell function in individuals with type 2 diabetes, improves glycemic control throughout 24 h of daily living, i.e., prandial and nocturnal periods. This study further emphasizes GLP-1 and its derivatives as a promising novel concept for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Circadian Rhythm↗

Interstitial Zn atoms do the trick in thermoelectric zinc antimonide, Zn4Sb3: a combined maximum entropy method X-ray electron density and ab initio electronic structure study.

The experimental electron density of the high-performance thermoelectric material Zn4Sb3 has been determined by maximum entropy (MEM) analysis of short-wavelength synchrotron powder diffraction data. These data are found to be more accurate than conventional single-crystal data due to the reduction of common systematic errors, such as absorption, extinction and anomalous scattering. Analysis of the MEM electron density directly reveals interstitial Zn atoms and a partially occupied main Zn site. Two types of Sb atoms are observed: a free spherical ion (Sb3-) and Sb2(4-) dimers. Analysis of the MEM electron density also reveals possible Sb disorder along the c axis. The disorder, defects and vacancies are all features that contribute to the drastic reduction of the thermal conductivity of the material. Topological analysis of the thermally smeared MEM density has been carried out. Starting with the X-ray structure ab initio computational methods have been used to deconvolute structural information from the space-time data averaging inherent to the XRD experiment. The analysis reveals how interstitial Zn atoms and vacancies affect the electronic structure and transport properties of beta-Zn4Sb3. The structure consists of an ideal A12Sb10 framework in which point defects are distributed. We propose that the material is a 0.184:0.420:0.396 mixture of A12Sb10, A11BCSb10 and A10BCDSb10 cells, in which A, B, C and D are the four Zn sites in the X-ray structure. Given the similar density of states (DOS) of the A12Sb10, A11BCSb10 and A10BCDSb10 cells, one may electronically model the defective stoichiometry of the real system either by n-doping the 12-Zn atom cell or by p-doping the two 13-Zn atom cells. This leads to similar calculated Seebeck coefficients for the A12Sb10, A11BCSb10 and A10BCDSb10 cells (115.0, 123.0 and 110.3 microV K(-1) at T=670 K). The model system is therefore a p-doped semiconductor as found experimentally. The effect is dramatic if these cells are doped differently with respect to the experimental electron count. Thus, 0.33 extra electrons supplied to either kind of cell would increase the Seebeck coefficient to about 260 microV K(-1). Additional electrons would also lower sigma, so the resulting effect on the thermoelectric figure of merit of Zn4Sb3 challenges further experimental work.

Journal Article↗

DNA double-strand breaks in mammalian cells exposed to gamma-rays and very heavy ions. Fragment-size distributions determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

The spatial distribution of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) was assessed after treatment of mammalian cells (V79) with densely ionizing radiation. Cells were exposed to beams of heavy charged particles (calcium ions: 6.9 MeV/u, 2.1.10(3) keV/microm; uranium ions: 9.0 MeV/u, 1.4.10(4) keV/microm) at the linear accelerator UNILAC of GSI, Darmstadt. DNA was isolated in agarose plugs and subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis under conditions that separated DNA fragments of size 50 kbp to 5 Mbp. The measured fragment distributions were compared to those obtained after gamma-irradiation and were analyzed by means of a convolution and a deconvolution technique. In contrast to the finding for gamma-radiation, the distributions produced by heavy ions do not correspond to the random breakage model. Their marked overdispersion and the observed excess of short fragments reflect spatial clustering of DSB that extends over large regions of the DNA, up to several mega base pairs (Mbp). At fluences of 0.75 and 1.5/microm2, calcium ions produce nearly the same shape of fragment spectrum, merely with a difference in the amount of DNA entering the gel; this suggests that the DNA is fragmented by individual calcium ions. At a fluence of 0.8/microm2 uranium ions produce a profile that is shifted to smaller fragment sizes in comparison to the profile obtained at a fluence of 0.4/microm2; this suggests cumulative action of two separate ions in the formation of fragments. These observations are not consistent with the expectation that the uranium ions, with their much larger LET, should be more likely to produce single particle action than the calcium ions. However, a consideration of the greater lateral extension of the tracks of the faster uranium ions explains the observed differences; it suggests that the DNA is closely coiled so that even DNA locations several Mbp apart are usually not separated by less than 0. 1 or 0.2 microm.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic LEK1 is a regulator of microtubule function through its interaction with the LIS1 pathway.

LIS1 and nuclear distribution gene E (NudE) are partner proteins in a conserved pathway regulating the function of dynein and microtubules. Here, we present data that cytoplasmic LEK1 (cytLEK1), a large protein containing a spectrin repeat and multiple leucine zippers, is a component of this pathway through its direct interaction with NudE, as determined by a yeast two-hybrid screen. We identified the binding domains in each molecule, and coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization studies confirmed the specificity of the interaction between cytLEK1 and NudE. Confocal deconvolution analysis revealed that cytLEK1 exhibits colocalization with endogenous NudE and with the known NudE binding partners, LIS1 and dynein. By localizing the NudE-binding domain of cytLEK1 to a small domain within the molecule, we were able to disrupt cytLEK1 function by using a dominant negative approach in addition to LEK1 knockdown and, thus, examine the role of the cytLEK1-NudE interaction in cells. Consistent with a defect in the LIS1 pathway, disruption of cytLEK1 function resulted in alteration of microtubule organization and cellular shape. The microtubule network of cells became tightly focused around the nucleus and resulted in a rounded cell shape. Additionally, cells exhibited a severe inability to repolymerize their microtubule networks after nocodazole challenge. Taken together, our studies revealed that cytLEK1 is essential for cellular functions regulated by the LIS1 pathway.

Animals↗

Quantitative tissue blood flow evaluation of pancreatic tumor: comparison between xenon CT technique and perfusion CT technique based on deconvolution analysis.

PURPOSE: There has been one report that tissue blood flow (TBF) quantification with xenon CT was effective in predicting the therapeutic response to an anticancer drug in pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the TBF of pancreatic tumors calculated with xenon CT and those with perfusion CT, in order to evaluate whether perfusion CT could replace xenon CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with pathologically proved pancreatic tumors who underwent both xenon CT and perfusion CT were included. RESULTS: Quantitative TBF of pancreatic tumors measured by perfusion CT ranged from 22.1 to 196.2 ml/min/100 g (mean+/-SD, 52.6+/-54.8 ml/min/100 g). In contrast, those obtained by xenon CT ranged from 10.3 to 173.6 ml/min/100 g (mean+/-SD, 47.4+/-49.4 ml/min/100 g). There was a good linear correlation between xenon CT and perfusion CT (y=0.8537x+2.48, R2=0.895: p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The TBF of pancreatic tumors measured by xenon CT and perfusion CT techniques showed a close linear correlation. We can expect that perfusion CT based on the deconvolution algorithm may replace xenon CT to predict the effect of pancreatic tumor treatment with anticancer drugs.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Three-dimensional imaging and image analysis of hippocampal neurons: confocal and digitally enhanced wide field microscopy.

The microscopy of biological specimens has traditionally been a two-dimensional imaging method for analyzing what are in reality three-dimensional (3-D) objects. This has been a major limitation of the application of one of science's most widely used tools. Nowhere has this limitation been more acute than in neurobiology, which is dominated by the necessity of understanding both large- and small-scale 3-D anatomy. Fortunately, recent advances in optical instrumentation and computational methods have provided the means for retrieving the third dimension, making full 3-D microscopic imaging possible. Optical designs have concentrated on the confocal imaging mode while computational methods have made 3-D imaging possible with wide field microscopes using deconvolution methods. This work presents a brief review of these methods, especially as applied to neurobiology, and data using both approaches. Specimens several hundred micrometers thick can be sampled allowing essentially intact neurons to be imaged. These neurons or selected components can be contrasted with either fluorescent, absorption, or reflection stains. Image analysis in 3-D is as important as visualization in 3-D. Automated methods of cell counting and analysis by nuclear detection as well as tracing of individual neurons are presented.

Animals↗

Biophysics of T5, IRA phages, Escherichia coli outer membrane protein FhuA and T5-FhuA interaction.

In spite of the similarities in a structural organization of T5 and IRA phages their thermal and hydrodynamical peculiarities are completely different. One of the significant differences is observed in temperature value at which thermally induced DNA ejection starts. If in the case of physiological conditions this difference equals to 30 degrees capital ES, Cyrillic, then it decreases as ionic strength of the solvent decreases. Also, from our experimental results follows that in the opening of phage tail channel for T5 phage (at pH7) significant role-play electrostatic forces. In spite of that both of these phages grow on the same Escherichia coli strain, we have shown that these phages need different receptors to penetrate into the bacterial cell precisely FhuA serves as receptor only for T5 phage. The higher FhuA concentration in T5 phage suspension is, the more intensive DNA ejection in environment is. The minimal FhuA/T5 ratio, which is 300/1, correspondingly, necessary for effective DNA ejection from the phage head was experimentally determined. For the first time the ejection of T5 phage DNA induced by FhuA was observed in an incessant regime. The deconvolution of calorimetric curve of FhuA's denaturation has been shown that in a chosen condition there are four thermodynamically independent domains in the structure of FhuA.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Early changes in liver perfusion caused by occult metastases in rats: detection with quantitative CT.

PURPOSE: To determine whether computed tomography (CT) can depict liver hemodynamic changes caused by occult hepatic micrometastases in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver micrometastases (mean diameter, 500 micrometer +/- 300) were produced in seven BD IX rats by injecting 10(7) DHDK12 PROb colorectal carcinoma cells into the spleen. Macrometastases (mean diameter, 7 mm +/- 3) were produced in four other rats. Five normal rats were studied as controls. CT images were obtained every 300 msec for 30 seconds during the injection of 1 mL per kilogram of body weight of contrast medium. The time-attenuation curves of the aorta, portal vein, and liver were used to calculate liver perfusion with a deconvolution model designed for the dual blood supply. RESULTS: Micrometastases in an apparently normal liver caused a 34% decrease in portal blood flow and a 25% increase in the mean transit time for the blood to pass through the liver. These findings suggest increased resistance in the sinusoidal capillaries. Similar but greater changes were found in the macrometastases. CONCLUSION: Occult liver micrometastases in rats generate changes in liver perfusion that can be detected with CT.

Animals↗

[FTIR study on the normal and tumor gastrointestinal tissues].

Series of cancer tissues and corresponding normal tissues of gastrointestinal tract (stomach, colon, esophagus) were studied by FTIR technique and the results showed the analogy of the spectra for the cancer tissues, while the spectra of normal tissues can be classified into three kinds. The secondary structures of protein were obtained by using deconvolution and curve-fitting techniques with Amide I bands and the results showed that the contents of alpha -helix and beta-sheet are different between the normal and cancer tissues.

Connective Tissue↗

Rapid identification of phosphopeptide ligands for SH2 domains. Screening of peptide libraries by fluorescence-activated bead sorting.

A method for the identification of high-affinity ligands to SH2 domains by fluorescence-activated bead sorting (FABS) was established. Recombinant SH2 domains, expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins, were incubated with a phosphotyrosine (Y*)-containing peptide library. 6.4 x 10(5) individual peptides of nine amino acids in length (EPX6Y*X19X7X19X7X6) were each displayed on beads. Phosphopeptide interaction of a given SH2 domain was monitored by binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibodies directed against GST. High-fluorescence beads were isolated by flow cytometric sorting. Subsequent pool sequencing of the selected beads revealed a distinct pattern of phosphotyrosine-containing motifs for each individual SH2 domain: the SH2 domain of the adapter protein Grb2 predominantly selected beads with the sequence Y*ENDP, whereas the C-terminal SH2 domain of the tyrosine kinase Syk selected Y*EELD, each motif representing the most frequently found residues C-terminal to the phosphotyrosine. For deconvolution studies, soluble phosphopeptides comprising variations of the Grb2 motifs were resynthesized and analyzed by surface plasmon resonance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evidence that the two free sulfhydryl groups of plasma fibronectin are in different local environments. Saturation-recovery electron spin resonance study.

Human plasma fibronectin is a dimer consisting of two subunits; each contains two cryptic thiol groups that were selectively labeled with an 15N,2H-maleimide spin label. Previous studies using conventional X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) methods showed that the spectrum of the labeled protein displays a single strongly immobilized component with an effective rotational correlation time of approximately 17 ns, suggesting that the physical environments of the two labeled sites per chain are indistinguishable. Here we have used saturation-recovery ESR to measure directly electron spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of the labeled protein in solution at 27 degrees C. Interestingly, the time evolution of the signal was found to be biphasic, which was deconvoluted into two T1 values of 1.37 and 4.53 microseconds. Thus, the two spin-labeled sulfhydryl sites of plasma fibronectin (Fn), being similar in rates of rotational diffusion, differ by a factor of 3.2 in T1. Parallel experiments using various fibronectin fragments showed that the 1.37-microseconds component is associated with the label attached onto the thiol located in between the DNA-binding and the cell-binding domains, and the 4.53-microseconds component is associated with the label attached onto the thiol located within the carboxyl-terminal fibrin-binding domain. The data suggest that the saturation-recovery ESR is a useful method for differentiating multiple spin-labeled sites on macromolecules in which the labels undergo similar rates of rotational motion.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗