Validation of a sensitive direct assay for melatonin for investigation of circadian rhythms in different species

1985 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Webley ◽  
H. Mehl ◽  
K. P. Willey
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Rat Serum ◽  
Menstrual Cycles ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Direct Assay ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACT The role of melatonin in animals which do not show marked seasonal changes in reproduction is disputed, in part because of the wide variation in reported concentrations. One reason for this may be the difficulties associated with the measurement of low molar concentrations of melatonin and the presence of a wide variety of potentially cross-reacting substances. The availability of a high affinity antiserum has allowed an assay, with low cross-reactivity and good sensitivity, to be established for the direct measurement of melatonin in a wide range of biological fluids, in particular serum, plasma and follicular fluid from man and rat. The high affinity of the antiserum enabled a tritium label of high specific activity to be used, removing the problems associated with the iodination of a small molecular weight compound. Melatonin concentrations in the assay were evaluated by four different methods: UV absorbance, gas chromatography, comparison of the immunoreactive concentrations of the label with the expected concentration by dilution and by comparison with a previously established assay which uses the same antiserum. Melatonin was measured in serum from twelve healthy women over two 24-h periods; eight women with normal menstrual cycles and four taking the contraceptive pill. Concentrations were found to range from 19·8 to 215 pmol/l during the day in both groups. In women with normal menstrual cycles peak concentrations of 513·2 ± 54·1 (s.e.m.) pmol/l were recorded at 04.00 h, whereas higher concentrations were found in women taking the pill, reaching a peak of 849·12 ± 21·8 (s.e.m.) pmol/l at 04.00 h. Similar melatonin concentrations were measured in the two 24-h periods. In the adult male rat, serum melatonin concentrations varied from 92·66 ± 37·9 (s.e.m.) pmol/l at 12.00 h, rising to 526 ± 55·6 (s.e.m.) pmol/l at 04.00 h. This direct assay is more practical and robust than the assays currently available. The careful validation of assay characteristics allows its widespread use in both clinical studies and the investigation of the role of melatonin in different species. J. Endocr. (1985) 106, 387–394

Effects of Heparin Oligosaccharides with High Affinity for Antithrombin III in Experimental Venous Thrombosis

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (03) ◽  
pp. 244-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
D P Thomas ◽  
Rosemary E Merton ◽  
T W Barrowcliffe ◽  
L Thunberg ◽  
U Lindahl
Keyword(s):  
Antithrombin Iii ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Thrombin Time ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Very High

SummaryThe in vitro and in vivo characteristics of two oligosaccharide heparin fragments have been compared to those of unfractionated mucosal heparin. A decasaccharide fragment had essentially no activity by APTT or calcium thrombin time assays in vitro, but possessed very high specific activity by anti-Factor Xa assays. When injected into rabbits at doses of up to 80 ¼g/kg, this fragment was relatively ineffective in impairing stasis thrombosis despite producing high blood levels by anti-Xa assays. A 16-18 monosaccharide fragment had even higher specific activity (almost 2000 iu/mg) by chromogenic substrate anti-Xa assay, with minimal activity by APTT. When injected in vivo, this fragment gave low blood levels by APTT, very high anti-Xa levels, and was more effective in preventing thrombosis than the decasaccharide fragment. However, in comparison with unfractionated heparin, the 16-18 monosaccharide fragment was only partially effective in preventing thrombosis, despite producing much higher blood levels by anti-Xa assays.It is concluded that the high-affinity binding of a heparin fragment to antithrombin III does not by itself impair venous thrombogenesis, and that the anti-Factor Xa activity of heparin is only a partial expression of its therapeutic potential.

Development, optimization and validation of an absolute specific assay for active myeloperoxidase (MPO) and its application in a clinical context: role of MPO specific activity in coronary artery disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1749-1758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Trentini ◽  
Valentina Rosta ◽  
Savino Spadaro ◽  
Tiziana Bellini ◽  
Paola Rizzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Consensus Method ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Clinical Context ◽  
Artery Disease

AbstractBackgroundMyeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme with a recognized prognostic role in coronary artery disease (CAD), which is also emerging as a promising biomarker for cardiac risk stratification. However, the lack of a consensus method for its quantification has hindered its implementation in clinical practice. The aim of our work was to optimize an absolute sensitive assay for active MPO without external standards, to validate the method in the clinical context of CAD patients, and to estimate the enzyme specific activity.MethodsIn order to determine the MPO concentration using fluorescence readings, this ELISA assay exploits the activity of the enzyme recognized by specific antibodies. The assay was validated in a small cohort of patients that included: healthy subjects (n=60); patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n=25); patients with stable CAD (SCAD, n=25) and a concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Then, total MPO concentration and specific activity (activity/total MPO) were determined.ResultsThe assay showed an intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation of 5.8% and 10.4%, respectively, with a limit of detection (LoD) of 0.074 μU. Both AMI and SCAD patients had higher active and total MPO than controls (p<0.0001 and p<0.01, respectively). The specific activity of MPO was higher in SCAD patients compared to both controls and AMI (p<0.0001).ConclusionsThe study presents a robust and sensitive method for assaying MPO activity in biological fluids with low variability. Moreover, the determination of the specific activity could provide novel insight into the role of MPO in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

scholarly journals High specific activity tritium-labeled N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (INBMeO): A high-affinity 5-HT2A receptor-selective agonist radioligand

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 6116-6123 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Nichols ◽  
Stewart P. Frescas ◽  
Benjamin R. Chemel ◽  
Kenneth S. Rehder ◽  
Desong Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Selective Agonist

Measuring thyroxine and thyrotropin simultaneously in a dried blood sample on filter paper, to screen for neonatal hypothyroidism.

1980 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 750-753
Author(s):  
S Nagataki ◽  
K Ishibashi ◽  
R Ohsawa ◽  
S Suwa ◽  
N Tsukamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Filter Paper ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Recall Rate ◽  
Neonatal Hypothyroidism ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Highly Sensitive

Abstract We have developed a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay of thyroxine and thyrotropin for mass screening for neonatal hypothyroidism. This assay involves a single disc (3 mm diameter) of dried blood on filter paper. The minimum detectable concentrations are 15 pg/tube (10 microgram/L) for thyroxine and 15 nano-int. units/tube (10 milli-int. units/L) for thyrotropin; intra- and interassay CV’s are &lt; 15% in both assays. The high sensitivity of this method is due to use of labeled thyroxine with high specific activity (3 kCi/g) and of an anti-thyrotropin serum with high affinity (Keq = 7.8 × 10(11) L/mol). With this method, 11337 newborns were screened; a follow-up study revealed that only newborns with both high thyrotropin and low thyroxine concentrations had permanent hypothyroidism. We conclude that this method is sensitive, simple, and reliable and that the recall rate with this method is much lower than that of tests for measuring thyroxine or thyrotropin alone.

scholarly journals CO2 Hydrogenation over Nanoceria-Supported Transition Metal Catalysts: Role of Ceria Morphology (Nanorods versus Nanocubes) and Active Phase Nature (Co versus Cu)

Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michalis Konsolakis ◽  
Maria Lykaki ◽  
Sofia Stefa ◽  
Sόnia A. C. Carabineiro ◽  
Georgios Varvoutis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Co2 Hydrogenation ◽  
Transition Metal Catalysts ◽  
Co2 Conversion ◽  
Reverse Water Gas Shift ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Combined Impact

In this work we report on the combined impact of active phase nature (M: Co or Cu) and ceria nanoparticles support morphology (nanorods (NR) or nanocubes (NC)) on the physicochemical characteristics and CO2 hydrogenation performance of M/CeO2 composites at atmospheric pressure. It was found that CO2 conversion followed the order: Co/CeO2 > Cu/CeO2 > CeO2, independently of the support morphology. Co/CeO2 catalysts demonstrated the highest CO2 conversion (92% at 450 °C), accompanied by 93% CH4 selectivity. On the other hand, Cu/CeO2 samples were very selective for CO production, exhibiting 52% CO2 conversion and 95% CO selectivity at 380 °C. The results obtained in a wide range of H2:CO2 ratios (1–9) and temperatures (200–500 °C) are reaching in both cases the corresponding thermodynamic equilibrium conversions, revealing the superiority of Co- and Cu-based samples in methanation and reverse water-gas shift (rWGS) reactions, respectively. Moreover, samples supported on ceria nanocubes exhibited higher specific activity (µmol CO2·m−2·s−1) compared to samples of rod-like shape, disclosing the significant role of support morphology, besides that of metal nature (Co or Cu). Results are interpreted on the basis of different textural and redox properties of as-prepared samples in conjunction to the different impact of metal entity (Co or Cu) on CO2 hydrogenation process.

Role of vacuoles and vesicles in extracellular enzyme secretion from yeast

1973 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Holley ◽  
D. K. Kidby
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
Extracellular Enzyme ◽  
Invertase Activity ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Acid Protease ◽  
Intracellular Enzyme ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Equilibrium Centrifugation

Preliminary evidence has been obtained which suggests that the intracellular invertase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae may not be localized in the vacuole per se. Alkaline phosphatase, an intracellular enzyme, and acid protease, a typically lysosomal enzyme, both showed high specific activity in the vacuole fraction prepared by equilibrium centrifugation of lysed sphaeroplasts in Ficoll gradients. Invertase activity has been found to be associated with vacuoles only when glucose-repressed cells are derepressed. Cells derepressed for invertase biosynthesis contained a population of vesicles which were virtually absent from the repressed cells. Evidence is presented which strongly suggests that these vesicles rather than the vacuoles are the vehicle by which invertase is secreted from the cell.

Factor VIII:E113A Represents a High Specific Activity Factor VIII Arising from a Single Point Mutation within a Ca2+ Binding Site.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1725-1725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironao Wakabayashi ◽  
Philip J. Fay
Keyword(s):  
Factor Viii ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Saturation Mutagenesis ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Single Point Mutation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Activity Increase ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract We recently identified an acidic-rich segment in the A1 domain of factor VIII (residues 110-126) that functions in the coordination of Ca2+, an ion necessary for cofactor activity (Wakabayashi et al., J. Biol. Chem.279:12677–12684, 2004). Using Ala-scanning mutagenesis, it was determined that replacement of residue E113 with Ala yielded a factor VIII point mutant that possessed an ~2-fold increased affinity for Ca2+ as compared with wild type, suggesting that this residue did not directly contribute to Ca2+ coordination but rather modulated the affinity of the ion at this site. Furthermore, the E113A factor VIII possessed twice the specific activity of wild type as determined by a one-stage clotting assay. This increased activity was not likely a result of increased affinity for Ca2+, since assays were performed at saturating Ca2+ levels. Saturation mutagenesis at position 113 revealed that substitution at this position with relatively small, nonpolar residues were well-tolerated, whereas replacement with a number of polar or charged residues was detrimental to activity. Ala-substitution yielded the greatest activity increase of ~2-fold and this level was observed over a wide range of factor VIII concentrations. Time course experiments of factor VIII activation following reaction with thrombin revealed similar rates of activation and inactivation of E113A as observed for the wild type. Interestingly, results from factor Xa generation assays using purified reactants showed the mutant possessed <10% greater specific activity than wild type and yielded similar values for Km for substrate factor X, kcat for factor Xa generation and Kd for factor IXa. Thus the single amino acid substitution minimally altered cofactor structure or inter-molecular interactions relating to its participation in factor Xase. These results indicate that mutations within this Ca2+ coordination site may selectively enhance cofactor specific activity as measured in a plasma-based assay compared to activity determined in a purified system. The enhanced activity observed for E113A factor VIII may derive from a subtle alteration in conformation affecting a yet to be identified functional parameter.

scholarly journals The Role of the Insulin-Like Growth Factors and Their Binding Proteins in Glucose Homeostasis

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam J. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factors ◽  
Glucose Homeostasis ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Short Term ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Igfbp 3 ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factors

The insulin like growth factors (IGF-I and -II) are structurally and functionally related to insulin. While insulin is a key regulator of glucose homeostasis over the short term, emerging evidence suggests that the IGFs are involved in the longer term glucose homeostasis, possibly by modulating insulin sensitivity. Unlike insulin, the IGFs are present in most biological fluids as complexes with high affinity binding proteins, the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). The IGFBPs regulate the bioavailability of the IGFs. Of the six IGFBPs identified there is evidence from studies in transgenic mice that both IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 may have a role in glucose regulation.

Fragment D Immunoreacivity: The Influence of Iodination and Calcium Environment

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kudryk ◽  
M. Blombäck
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
Antigenic Determinants ◽  
Affinity Binding ◽  
Compact Structure ◽  
High Affinity Binding ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Chloramine T

Human fragment D (Fg-Ds) has heen iodinated using both the Chloramine-T and lactoperoildaae methods. The specific activity was similar regardless of the method used. However, binding to a specific antibody was different for each preparation. The antigen labeled by the Chloramine-T method bound to a maximum of 40% the other labeled product bound up to 85%. A correlation between the decree of immunoreactivity and avidity for a fihrinmcnomer conjugate vas found also. Fibrinmonomer bound about twice the ajnount of lactoperoxidase iodinated Fg-Da ae it did the Chloramine-T product. The use of these conjugates in the purification of immunoreactive Fg-Ds of high specific activity will be discussed. High affinity binding sites for calcium have recently been demonstrated in fibrinogen. Tha presence of bound calcium is also believed to protect Fg-Ds f m further digestion by plasmin. This is probably due to the formation of a more compact structure. However, conformational changes for calcium bound fibrinogen or Fg-Ds have not been observed. We tested the immunoreactivity of the lactoperoxidase iodinated Fg-Ds in presence and absence of calcium. Differences were found and this data suggests that soma modification of antigenic determinants takes place as a consequence of calcium in the environment.

Measurement of activin in biological fluids by radioimmunoassay, utilizing dissociating agents to remove the interference of follistatin

1996 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R McFarlane ◽  
Lynda M Foulds ◽  
Angelique Pisciotta ◽  
David M Robertson ◽  
David M de Kretser
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Sodium Deoxycholate ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Tween 20 ◽  
Rat Serum ◽  
Level 3

McFarlane JR, Foulds LM, Pisciotta A, Robertson DM, de Kretser DM. Measurement of activin in biological fluids by radioimmunoassay, utilizing dissociating agents to remove the interference of follistatin. Eur J Endocrinol 1996;134:481–9. ISSN 0804–4643 Activin, a dimer of the β-subunits of inhibin, is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily of growth factors and has a widespread range of actions in a variety of tissues. The investigation of the physiology of activin action has been facilitated in recent years by the availability of immunoassays in addition to bioassays. Follistatin has been shown to bind to activin with a high affinity and therefore interferes in both radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). In this study we examined the effect of various surfactants and 1.4-dioxane on the measurement of activin in the presence of follistatin by radioimmunoassay. The addition of a combination of sodium deoxycholate, Tween 20 and sodium dodecyl sulphate removed the interference of follistatin in the radioimmunoassay. The measured content of activin in male rat serum, human male serum, human female serum and bovine follicular fluid rose from 3.29 to 4.15, < 0.48 to 2.87, 2.42 to 4.17 and 30.9 to 85.6 ng/ml, respectively, when assayed in the presence of the dissociating reagents. It was unclear whether the altered potencies were due to a dissociation of the follistatin/activin complex rather than the exposure of the epitope on activin recognized by the antiserum. Serum concentrations of activin were lower than those found in testicular cytosols, and after castration no change in serum activin levels was observed, suggesting that the testis does not contribute significantly to circulating activin levels. The use of the dissociating reagents in the radioimmunoassay will enable studies to be carried out that more accurately measure the activin content of various biological fluids, and thus lead to a greater understanding of the physiology of this growth factor. James McFarlane, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Level 3, Block E, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

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