scholarly journals Molecular Distinction of Circulating Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A in Myocardial Infarction and Pregnancy

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiu-Ping Qin ◽  
Saara Kokkala ◽  
Juha Lund ◽  
Natalia Tamm ◽  
Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Plasma Protein ◽  
Specific Antibody ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Single Peak ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
A Subunit

Abstract Background: In the blood of pregnant women, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is present as a covalent complex with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP). Recently, increased serum concentrations of PAPP-A have been found in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the circulating PAPP-A in ACS is the same as that in pregnancy. Methods: We developed two time-resolved immunofluorometric assays based on a relative epitope map constructed by the use of 17 monoclonal antibodies. One assay, which measured total PAPP-A, used two PAPP-A subunit-specific antibodies. The other assay, which measured PAPP-A/proMBP complex, used one proMBP subunit-specific antibody and one PAPP-A subunit-specific antibody. Serum samples from four patients with myocardial infarction (MI), three pregnant women in their first trimester, and one in her third trimester were fractionated by gel filtration on a Superose™ 6 precision column. The two assays were used to analyze fractions obtained by gel filtration as well as serum samples serially collected from four other MI patients. Results: Pregnancy-related PAPP-A was eluted as a single peak with a molecular mass of ∼700 kDa, whereas ACS-related PAPP-A was also eluted as a single peak but with a molecular mass of ∼530 kDa. Pregnancy-related PAPP-A was detected equally by the two assays, whereas increased ACS-related PAPP-A was detected only by the assay for total PAPP-A. Conclusions: Our results provide the first evidence that circulating ACS-related PAPP-A is different from circulating pregnancy-related PAPP-A in that it is not complexed with proMBP. These findings provide a solid foundation for the design of immunoassays to accurately measure atherosclerosis-associated plasma protein A in the circulation.

scholarly journals Immunofluorometric Point-of-Care Assays for the Detection of Acute Coronary Syndrome-Related Noncomplexed Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A

2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 1794-1801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saara Wittfooth ◽  
Qiu-Ping Qin ◽  
Juha Lund ◽  
Ilkka Tierala ◽  
Kari Pulkki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detection Limit ◽  
Plasma Protein ◽  
Specific Antibody ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Eosinophil Major Basic Protein

Abstract Background: We recently reported that the pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) form specifically related to acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is not complexed with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP). The aim of this study was to develop rapid point-of-care immunoassays for the measurement of the noncomplexed PAPP-A. Methods: We developed immunofluorometric noncompetitive dry-reagent assays for total PAPP-A with 2 PAPP-A subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies and for PAPP-A/proMBP complex with 1 PAPP-A subunit-specific antibody and 1 proMBP subunit-specific antibody. The concentration of noncomplexed PAPP-A was determined as the difference of the results obtained with the 2 assays. Results: The assays were linear from 0.5 to 300 mIU/L. The analytical detection limit and functional detection limit (CV <20%) were 0.18 mIU/L and 0.27 mIU/L for total PAPP-A assay and 0.23 mIU/L and 0.70 mIU/L for PAPP-A/proMBP assay, respectively. The total assay imprecisions were <10%, and recoveries were 88%–107% for both assays. The mean difference (95% limits of agreement) between the new total PAPP-A assay and a previously reported total PAPP-A assay was −3.2% (−45.7% to 39.3%; n = 546; P = 0.0019). In serum samples from 159 non-ACS individuals, median concentrations (interquartile range) were 2.42 (1.14) mIU/L for total PAPP-A, 2.20 (1.18) mIU/L for PAPP-A/proMBP, and 0.18 (0.63) mIU/L for noncomplexed PAPP-A. Total PAPP-A and PAPP-A/proMBP, but not noncomplexed PAPP-A, correlated with age (r = 0.290, P = 0.0002; r = 0.230, P = 0.0035; r = 0.075, P = 0.3483, respectively). Conclusions: The new assays described revealed that noncomplexed PAPP-A is found only in negligible amounts in non-ACS samples.

scholarly journals Quantification of Proteolytically Active Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A with an Assay Based on Quenched Fluorescence

2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 947-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Gyrup ◽  
Michael Christiansen ◽  
Claus Oxvig
Keyword(s):  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Plasma Protein ◽  
Basic Protein ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Eosinophil Major Basic Protein

Abstract Background: Maternal serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A, pappalysin-1, EC 3.4.24.79) are used to predict the occurrence of Down syndrome. In pregnancy, PAPP-A primarily circulates as a covalent 2:2 complex with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP), which inhibits the proteolytic activity of PAPP-A. At term, however, ∼1% of PAPP-A exists as an active, uncomplexed dimer with proteolytic activity directed specifically toward insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-4 and IGFBP-5. No assays have been developed that allow quantification of PAPP-A proteolytic activity. Methods: We developed a sensitive and specific immunocapture assay for PAPP-A activity based on intramolecular quenched fluorescence. We used a 26-residue synthetic peptide derived from IGFBP-4 in which specific positions on each side of the PAPP-A cleavage site were substituted with 3-nitrotyrosine and o-aminobenzoic acid. Results: The assay detected the activity of recombinant PAPP-A as well as PAPP-A in serum samples from pregnant women. The limit of detection (mean signal of blank plus 3 SD) of the active PAPP-A subunit was 13 pmol/L, and the intra- and interassay CVs were <10% and <15%, respectively. Interestingly, the fraction of active PAPP-A decreased gradually from week 7 to week 19 of pregnancy. Conclusions: This method allows the measurement of PAPP-A enzymatic activity and because of its specificity it is relevant to the study of the biological function of PAPP-A. The method may also be useful in the diagnosis of pregnancy disorders.

scholarly journals Frequency of Macroprolactinemia Due to Autoantibodies against Prolactin in Pregnant Women

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 924-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalila Pascoe-Lira ◽  
Genoveva Duran-Reyes ◽  
Iris Contreras-Hernández ◽  
Leticia Manuel-Apolinar ◽  
Francisco Blanco-Favela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Chromatographic Separation ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
The Other ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Before And After

The frequency of macroprolactinemia related to the presence of anti-PRL autoantibodies in the serum of 209 healthy women at different stages of pregnancy was studied. Measurements were taken of serum PRL concentrations before and after chromatographic separation (gel filtration and affinity with proteins A and G) and extraction of free PRL with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Sera from 8 of the 209 women (3.8%) were found to have a significantly high proportion of precipitated PRL by PEG (macroprolactinemia); in these patients, gel filtration showed that a substantial amount of big big PRL (molecular mass >100 kDa) was present (19.0–78.2% vs. 3.8–4.9%, P = 0.009 in normal pregnant women with a normal proportion of precipitated PRL by PEG). The presence of macroprolactinemia was attributable to anti-PRL autoantibodies in 5 of the 8 women. Comparison of serum levels of direct and free PRL between women with macroprolactinemia related to anti-PRL autoantibodies and women without macroprolactinemia showed significant differences (direct PRL: 270.2 ± 86.9 vs. 203.4 ± 69.0 μg/L, P = 0.04; and free PRL: 107.0 ± 75.9 vs. 173.3 ± 67.6 μg/L, P = 0.002). On the other hand, there was no difference between women with macroprolactinemia not related to anti-PRL autoantibodies and women with macroprolactinemia caused by anti-PRL autoantibodies, nor was there a difference between women with macroprolactinemia not related to anti-PRL autoantibodies and women without macroprolactinemia. There was a positive correlation between titers of the anti-PRL autoantibody and serum PRL levels (r = 0.82, P = 0.09). The presence of the anti-PRL autoantibody had no relation to the patient’s age, stage of gestation, or number of previous pregnancies. We concluded that the frequency of macroprolactinemia was 3.8% among healthy, pregnant women, which was caused by a anti-PRL autoantibodies in 62.5% of the cases. The autoantibodies were found in the bloodstream, forming a PRL-IgG complex, in accordance with the following observations: 1) immunoreactive PRL on gel filtration was eluted in the fractions corresponding to the molecular mass of IgG (150 kDa); 2) a significantly high proportion of immunoreactive PRL was retained on an affinity gel for IgG (proteins A and G); and 3) a significantly high proportion of serum PRL bound to IgG was precipitated by protein A. There was a positive correlation between titers of anti-PRL autoantibodies and serum PRL levels. Serum levels of total PRL were higher, and serum levels of free PRL were lower, in pregnant women with anti-PRL autoantibodies than in pregnant women without macroprolactinemia.

Properties of High-Molecular-Mass Placental Alkaline Phosphatases in Normal Pregnancy Sera

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto Matsushita ◽  
Tsutomu Irino ◽  
Masakazu Minowa ◽  
Tsugikazu Komoda ◽  
Torgny Stigbrand
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
High Molecular Mass ◽  
Placental Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatases ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Triton X

We examined the appearance of high-molecular-mass placental alkaline phosphatases (HPLAPs) in the serum of normal pregnant women by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in the presence of Triton X-100. The HPLAPs were undetectable or only slightly detectable by PAGE in the absence of Triton X-100. The HPLAPs were detected in all sera sampled during the last trimester of pregnancy. The catalytic activities of total placental alkaline phosphatase (TPLAP) and HPLAPs were correlated (r = 0.96) and the ratio of HPLAPs/TPLAP catalytic activity was 0.20 (0.06) (mean and SD) in 40 serum samples from pregnant women. The HPLAPs appear to be formed from a common dimeric placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) (common-PLAP), as judged by the fact that they were formed again after removal of HPLAPs from serum by gel filtration. The formation of HPLAPs was more prominently observed with the faster fractions of gel filtration. The apparent molecular mass of the HPLAPs in pregnancy serum was 720 K Da by gel filtration. HPLAPs were not converted to common-PLAP by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase (PIPL) C and PIPL-D treatments. The HPLAPs were selectively incorporated into liposomes consisting of phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol, and most of the PIPL-D-treated PLAP could form HPLAPs, while a small amount of PLAP could not form HPLAPs. On the other hand, HPLAPs in pregnant women's sera and HPLAPs prepared from partially purified PLAP in vitro could be converted to common-PLAP by brief treatment with subtilisin. However, the highly purified PLAP could not form HPLAPs in the presence of Triton X-100. These results suggest that PIPL-D-resistant and PLAP-associated serum protein may regulate the conversion of PLAP to HPLAP in the presence of Triton X-100.

Binding of Al by protein in plasma of patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

1985 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1314-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Cochran ◽  
D Patterson ◽  
S Neoh ◽  
B Stevens ◽  
R Mazzachi
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Equilibrium Dialysis ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Human Albumin ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Single Peak ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Maintenance Hemodialysis ◽  
Mass Fractions

Abstract Gel filtration of plasma from hemodialysis patients, with use of reagents and apparatus with carefully minimized background Al concentrations, reproducibly showed a single peak for Al, corresponding exactly to the elution position of transferrin. The Al/transferrin molar ratio in adjacent fractions was constant (mean 0.126, SE 0.006) in replicate experiments. In contrast, the association of Al with albumin varied. Using both equilibrium dialysis and gel-filtration techniques, in the presence and absence of calcium or phosphate, we could demonstrate no significant binding of Al by human albumin at Al concentrations of 1 to 12 mumol/L. We saw no Al peak in pooled, concentrated, low-molecular-mass fractions of plasma gel-filtered on Sephadex G-50. Evidently, transferrin is the sole Al-binding protein in plasma of hemodialysis patients.

scholarly journals Glutathione S-transferases from the white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium

1997 ◽  
Vol 324 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitriona A. DOWD ◽  
Catherine M. BUCKLEY ◽  
David SHEEHAN
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Phanerochaete Chrysosporium ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
White Rot ◽  
White Rot Fungus ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Glutathione S Transferases ◽  
A Subunit

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) was purified to homogeneity from the white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, by affinity chromatography on glutathione–agarose followed by Mono-Q ion-exchange FPLC. This protein immunoblotted with antisera to rat Theta class GST 5-5 and also showed N-terminal sequence similarity to the Theta class, including the presence of a conserved serine residue that has been specifically implicated in catalysis in this class [Wilce, Board, Feil and Parker (1995) EMBO J. 14, 2133–2143] and other residues conserved in plant sequences. Catalytic activity was found to be highly labile in the purified protein, although preliminary evidence for activity (approx. 120 m-units/mg) with 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane was obtained in some preparations. The enzyme seems to be a dimer with a subunit molecular mass of 25 kDa by SDS/PAGE. The native molecular masses estimated by non-denaturing electrophoresis and by Superose-12 gel filtration were 58 and 45 kDa respectively. A second protein purified in this study also gave low level of activity with 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane and had a subunit molecular mass of 28 kDa (native size 62–63 kDa), but did not immunoblot with any GST class and seemed to be N-terminally blocked.

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