muramidase and cobaltous-chloride

Photocleavage of chicken hen egg lysozyme by three Co(III)ammine complexes, hexamminecobalt(III) chloride ([Co(NH3)6]+3), pentamminechloro cobalt(III)chloride ([Co(NH3)5Cl]+2), and tetramminecarbonato cobalt(III) nitrate ([Co(NH3)4CO3]+), is reported here. Photocleavage resulted in two fragments of molecular masses of approximately 10.5 kDa and approximately 3.5 kDa which add-up to that of the parent molar mass. Detailed studies on the influence of irradiation time, excitation wavelength, the type of ligand coordinated to Co(III), concentration of the metal complex, the addition of competing metal ions, and quenchers on the protein photocleavage are reported. The Co(III) complexes also photocleaved apotransferrin, bovine serum albumin, and yeast enolase. Near-equimolar concentrations of Ni(II), Co(II) or Gd(III) inhibited the photocleavage, and therefore, binding of Co(III) metal complexes to Ni(II)/Co(II)/Gd(III) binding sites on lysozyme is necessary for the observed photocleavage. Since these ions are known to bind to Asp52 on lysozyme, we suspect that the above Co(III) complexes bind at this site, and initiate the protein cleavage. The Co(III) complexes have appropriate photochemical reactivities to cleave the peptide backbone, and they may be useful in the design of novel photochemical approaches to cleave the protein backbone.

Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Chickens; Cobalt; Eggs; Kinetics; Models, Molecular; Muramidase; Photochemistry; Protein Conformation

Groups of rabbits were exposed to chlorides of nickel, cadmium, copper, and cobalt at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 mg/m3 (as metal) for 4-6 weeks (5 days/week, 6 hr/day). Activity of lysozyme (muramidase) in lavage fluid, in alveolar macrophages, and in culture medium from macrophages incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 and 20 hr was estimated using the lyso-plate technique, agar plates with heat-killed Micrococcus lysodeikticus. In the nickel-exposed rabbits lysozyme activity in the mucous membrane from the left main bronchus was also estimated. Following nickel exposure the lysozyme level was significantly decreased in lavage fluid, macrophages, and in culture medium from incubated macrophages but remained unchanged in the mucous membrane. After exposure to cadmium, copper, and cobalt, lysozyme levels increased or were unchanged.

Topics: Animals; Cadmium; Cadmium Chloride; Cobalt; Copper; Lung; Macrophages; Male; Mucous Membrane; Muramidase; Nickel; Rabbits