Biochemical Demonstrations The General rules of Biochemical Demonstration Course The practical course occupies three hours’ laboratory work each week and forms an essential part of the first-year Biochemistry courses. The module examination will include questions on the practical work. In addition students are required to have satisfactorily completed their practical course in Biochemistry in order to pass the course examination. Marks out of 10 will be awarded for each of the assessed reports, except the LDH practical, which is marked out of 20. These will be averaged for the whole module and this average mark will constitute 10% of the final examination marks for the course. Experiments missed due to absence because of sickness or other good cause will be omitted when calculating the average but must be supported by a sick note handed in to the Biochemistry Office. Attendance at and completion of non-assessed practicals is also compulsory and contributes a further 5% to the overall course mark. Pro formas are usually completed on the day of the practical. Where a written report is required, this must be handed in during the following week’s practical. After this, 5% will be deducted for each working day that the work is handed in late. Late work should be handed in to the teaching class technicians who will date stamp it. After a peace of work is two weeks late, a zero mark will be recorded. Again, work handed in late because of sickness will be excused providing a sick note is handed in to Biochemistry Office. The School guidelines are: 1. Biochemistry is an experimental science and it is essential that all students acquire appropriate experimental skill. Attendance at prcaticals is compulsory. Where written reports are required, that is in the majority of cases, you must hand these in to the Demonstrator by the due date. Penalties will be made in the event of a late hand-in. Failure to hand in the report will result in the mark subsequently gained in the module examination being withheld until this is received. 2. Failure to attend a practical will be condoned if this is supported by a certificated medical note or other acceptable reason (‘good cause’). In the absence of such a notified to repeat it (them) at a later date. This may well result in having to attend such a practical(s) during the next academic year, but note that any timetabling problems which you may face as a result are entirely your responsibility to resolve. In any event, the mark for the module examination will be withheld until the practical record is complete. 3. For each absence from a prescribed teaching session, a School self-certification form must be completed as soon as you return to your studies. Any absence due to 1 ill-health for a period of longer than seven consecutive days must be supported by a note from Student Health or your medical practitioner. Students who are ill or absent from exams must in all cases obtain a note from Student Health or a medical practitioner . 4. The above regulations apply also to other assessed course work. Attendance at the appropriate teaching session is compulsory and write-ups or reports must be submitted by the prescribed time. The practical course will increase your knowledge of Biochemistry and introduce you to useful practical techniques and scientific methods. Because many of the experiments require special apparatus, That is, everyone will do the same experiments during the course, but in different sequences. The timetable sets out this scheme, and you should be sure to find out which experiment you will be doing, and read it up before coming to the class. Then you will be able to plan your work efficiently, to fit into the time available. It is also very important to understand the experiment at the time you are doing it, and not merely afterwards then writing up. Also take care to read the Safety Motes for your experiment beforehand. These are located at the end of each experiment in this book. General rules for laboratory safety and good practice are set out in this manual. Your Demonstrator is there to help you to gain maximum benefit from the practical course and to discuss any questions that you may have about Biochemistry in general. Consult your Demonstrator whenever you are in doubt what to do, or do not fully understand the experiment. Your Demonstrator will also mark and discuss with you your written account of each experiment. Notes and advice on writing up appear in many of the experimental sections of this book. It is not necessary to describe experimental methods as these are covered in the book. A brief introduction, results and Results are all that is required. Record all observations directly as they are made, and explain all calculations fully. Whenever possible, present the observations and the results of calculations in tables. Graphs will often be essential and should be hand drawn, not computer generated. Experiments should be written up on an experiment record book. An example of a good practical write-up is available in the lab and your Demonstrator will go through it with you. The success of a large practical class largely depends on a good collaborative attitude by the students. In the interests of your fellow students (both in your class and in other classes that use the same laboratories ), please co-operate with the academic and technical staff in keeping the laboratories tidy and clean and in maintaining pieces of communal 2 equipment ( such as spectrophotometers ) in good working order. If you have doubts about the use of any apparatus, please ask a Demonstrator. Brief notes on the use of several items of equipment are presented in the following pages. Please ensure that all mobile phone are switched off during practical sessions. GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE AND SAFETY RULES 1. Always wear a laboratory coat, properly fastened. You will not be permitted to participate in practicals without one 2. Do not smoke, eat , chew, drink or apply cosmetics in the laboratory. 3. Be conscious of hazards. Read the safety notes for each experiment. Wear gloves and safety glasses when using hazardous materials. Report any accident however slight to your Demonstrator. 4. Dispose of all broken glass, Pasteur pipettes, chromatography spotting capillaries etc., into the specially strong “sharps” containers provided. NEVER put them into the soft paper waste bins built in under the benches. 5. Most solutions can be safely disposed of down the sinks. Run plenty of water down after them. But some waste solvents must NOT be put into the sinks: pour these into the special waste containers provided. 6. keep your area of bench tidy and organized. Mop up spills at once, first consulting a demonstrator if any hazard in involved. Replace stoppers in bottles: the switching of stoppers can cross-contaminate solutions. Never put a pipette contaminated with one solution into another: cross contamination can ruin an experiment for whole group of students. 7. Label your experimental tubes. Never rely on keeping them in a particular order, or on remembering which is which. Labelling is the only way to prevent error. PIPETTING 1. No pipetting by mouth. Learn to use the various types of pipette filler available in the laboratory. 2. Whichever filler is used, the principles of accurate pipetting are the same. (a) Choose a suitable size of pipette. If a graduated pipette is used, its total capacity should not be much greater than the volume to be pipetted. (b) Examine the graduations carefully. Some pipettes are calibrated to the tip. (These should be allowed to drain, not blown out ). But most graduated pipettes 3 must only be run down to the bottom mark, as the volume below this mark is unknown. (c) Fill the pipette above the top mark. Wipe the outside with absorbent paper tissue. Run down exactly to the mark. Touch the pipette tip against the side of the vessel, to avoid a hanging drop. Deliver the liquid, running down to the required mark. Touch down again to remove any hanging drop. (d) Always hold the pipette vertically and observe the graduations at eye level. (e) After finishing with a pipette, rinse it out to avoid solid matter forming in the tip and blocking it. This is particularly important with protein solutions. AUTOMATIC PIPETTES For some experiments you will be provided with Gilson automatic pipettes. These come in three sizes: P20 for samples up to 20 μl (yellow or natural-coloured tips ) P200 for samples up to 0.2 ml ( yellow tips ) P1000 for samples from 0.2 ml to 1.0 ml ( blue tips ) P5000 for samples from 1.0 ml to 5.0 ml (natural-coloured tips ) Always choose a pipette of the appropriate size and not one that is unnecessarily large. For example, for dispensing 0.1 ml samples, use the P200 and not the P1000. Volume adjustment is made by turning the knurled ring at the top of the pipette. Care must be taken with the setting, as the numbers on the scale are sometimes turned out of sight, especially with the P5000. A chart of volume settings will be provided to help you. When increasing the setting it is advisable to turn slightly above the desired setting and then turn back. You will be given more information and a chance to practice setting the pipettes at the Introductory Practical session. Method of use 1. Place a disposable tip of the correct colour on the shaft of the pipette. Press on firmly with a slight twisting motion to ensure a secure seal. 2. Depress the push-button to the first stop. 3. Holding the pipette vertically, immerse the tip a few mm into the sample liquid. 4. Released the push-button SLOWLY to draw up the sample. 5. Wait 1 or 2 seconds and the withdraw the tip from the sample. Wipe any liquid from the outside of the tip, but take care not to touch the orifice of the tip. 6. To expel the liquid, place the tip end against the inside wall of the receiving vessel and depress the push-button SLOWLY to the first stop. Wait a couple of seconds and 4 then depress the push-button completely to expel any residual liquid. 7. With the push-button still fully depressed, carefully withdraw the pipette, touching the tip against the wall of the vessel as you do so. 8. Release the push-button. 9. Remove the used tip by depressing the tip ejector button (on P200 and P1000 only ) Precautions The Gilson pipette gives accurate and reproducible results if used carefully. It is not accurate if used in slap-sash manner. In particular, make sure that you: 1. Do not operate a Gilson pipette until its use has been shown to you by a Demonstrator. 2. Only use the pipette after attachment of a disposable plastic tip. 3. Depress and release the push-button slowly. 4. Hold the pipette vertically. 5. Do not immerse the tip too far into the solution to be dispensed ( but be careful to immerse it sufficiently far to avoid sucking air into the tip ). 6. Should any liquid accidentally enter the body of the pipette return it immediately to your Demonstrator to clean. This will prevent corrosion of the pipette. NOTES ON SPECTROPHOTOMETRY Many coloured solutions absorb light in proportion to the amount of coloured material present. The concentration of a coloured substance can therefore be determined by measuring the amount of light a solution absorbs. As many substances of interest in Biochemistry are coloured ( or more precisely, absorb light, even though it may be in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum when they do not appear to have a colour ) this provides a very important method of biochemical analysis. In principle, one could make up s set of standard solutions of known concentration and compare them visually against a white background with the unknown. It is more precise, however, to use an instrument, a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer, in which a photoelectric cell measures the amount of light passing through the solution. In a colorimeter, light from tungsten filament lamp passes through a suitable filter which transmits light of fairly wide band of wavelengths. In a spectrophotometer, a monochromator replaces the filter and produces light of a very narrow band of wavelengths, a few nm at most (1 nm (nanometer) = 10-9m = 10 Å ). A prism or a 5 diffraction grating gives a spectrum, form which a slit selects the chosen wavelength. This has three main advantages: 1. A spectrophotometer can be used to measure an absorption spectrum. This is a plot of absorption against wavelength. 2. The simple theory of light absorption applies only to monochromatic light. Therefore the use of a broad band of wavelengths often involves mere laborious standardization procedures. 3. Where absorption peaks are sharp, a spectrophotometer can give much greater sensitivity than a colorimeter, as well as increased selectivity between different absorbing substances. Spectrophotometers are widely used, in biochemical research and clinical practice, for determination of the concentrations of substances in solution. Often a few micrograms of material can be estimated conveniently and rapidly. With the simpler instruments only visible light can be used; therefore test compounds must be coloured. More elaborate spectrophotometers operate also in the ultraviolet and infra red regions. The UV is particularly useful for the study of proteins and nucleotides. In all work with colorimeters and spectrophotometer, the relationship between absorbance and concentration must be carefully studied, using standard solutions of the substance to be estimated. It is often necessary to measure the absorbance of “blank” solutions containing all the components except the substance in question, because these other components may contribute to the measured absorbance. Theory The absorbance of the solution (sometimes called optical density or extinction ) is measured by the spectrophotometer. It is equal to log10 I0/I, where I0is the intensity of the incident light, and I is the intensity of the light transmitted through the solution. ( Note: Absorbance is a ratio and has no units ). Lambert’s Law states that for a given solution the absorbance is proportional to the path length (I ) of the light through the cell. Beer’s Law states that the absorbance is proportional to the concentration ( c ) of the solution. 6 The Beer-Lambert Law combines the two and states that: Absorbance = εc l Where c is the concentration, l is the path length and εis a constant. If c is the molar concentration and I is in cm., then εis called the molar absorption coefficient ( also called the molar extinction coefficient ). This is the absorbance of a molar solution of the compound, in a 1 cm cell, at the specified wavelength. Its units are molar-1cm-1since absorbance has no dimensions. The scales of colorimeters and spectrophotometers are often calibrated both in absorbance units ( = optical density = extinction ) and in percentage transmission. The absorbance scale is used when measuring the concentration of solutions. The Beer-Lambert Law is normally obeyed, provided the light is monochromatic. Departures usually indicate a change in molecular constitution with changing concentration. 7 NOTES ON pH, ACIDS & BASES pH: The acidity of a solution is defined by the concentration of [H+] ions it possesses. Since this concentration is very small, for convenience we use the pH scale, where: pH = -log10 [H+] = log10 1 [H+] e.g. In pure water at 25℃, [H+] = 10-7M, pH = -log1010-7 = 7, where [ ] is concentration in moles l-1 pH Scale NEUTRAL [H+] 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4 10-5 10-6 10-7 pH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 INCREASING ALKALINITY 10-8 10-9 10-10 10-11 10-12 10-13 8 9 10 11 12 13 INCREASING ACIDITY EMAMPLE 0.1 M HCl or GASTRIC LEMON JUICE VINEGAR ACID SOIL LYSOSOMES CYTOPLASM ( MUSCLE CELL ) PURE WATER AT 25℃ FLUID SEA WATER ALKALINE SOIL ALKALINE LAKES HOUSEHOLD AMMONIA LIME ( SATURATED ) 0.1 M NAOH The pH Meter The pH meter measures the potential difference (p.d.) set up between two electrodes dipping into the solution whose pH is to be determined. One is a reference electrode ( usually a calomel electrode ) and the other, which responds to the pH of the solution, is usually a glass electrode. The calomel (reference ) electrode makes electrical contact with the solution by means of saturated potassium chloride solution contained in a glass sleeve or sintered glass plug. The glass electrode consists of a thin glass membrane in the form of a bulb. The p.d. across such a membrane is found to chance linearly with the difference in pH between its 8 inner and outer surfaces. It behaves exactly as though the membrane were permeable only to hydrogen ions. Inside the glass bulb is 0.1 M HCl and a silver-silver chloride electrode, which is reversible to chloride ions. The electron motive force EMF of the cell ( i.e. between the silver and the mercury electrodes ) is the sum of a number of potential differences, only one of which depends on the pH of the solution. The pH meter must therefore be standardized before use, with the electrodes dipping into a buffer solution of accurately known pH. For detailed operating instructions, see the card placed near the pH meter GRAPH DRAWING AND PRESENTATION OF RESULTS The most difficult, time-consuming and expensive part of practical biochemistry is nearly always the experimental part, i.e. obtaining the results. Nevertheless an equally vital task is in deciding what inferences may be made and what Resultss drawn from a particular set of experimental results. In many experiments, the results are presented graphically and the following notes refer to aspects which often present problems to first year students. Continuous functions In nearly all situations met with in biochemistry, and certainly all those you will meet in this course, graphs represent continuous functions of a variable. This means that the quantity you are plotting as ordinate varies in a smooth and continuous way with the quantity you are plotting as abscissa, i.e there are no sharp points or discontinuities. You must always plot a set of experimental results either as a smooth curve or as a straight line. If a smooth curve (or straight line ) cannot be drawn through each of a set of points, this is due to experimental error which causes “ scatter” of the points. You should then draw that you regard as the best smooth curve or straight line taking each point into account. The examples on the next page may help in understanding this. Note that the best straight line or smooth curve may not actually pass through any of the experimental points. Deciding on how to draw the best straight line or smooth curve through s set of points is a matter of practice and experience, but as a rough rule, the line or curve should be drawn so that there are approximately equal numbers of points on each side of it. 9 Always consider whether or not the origin of the graph should be taken as a point on the line. Example 1 – a straight line ×× × ×× × ×× × ×× × ×× × ×× × × × ×× × ×× × ×× × × × × Experimental points Incorrectly drawn × Correctly drawn Example 2 – a smooth curve ×× × × × × ×× × ×× × Experimental points × × × × × ×× ×× × Incorrectly drawn × × × × ×× × × Correctly drawn Graphs should always have titles, and have both axes labeled. Where there is more than one experimental line on a graph, these should be labeled too. For this module, graphs should always be hand drawn on graph paper, not by computer. Your Demonstrator will have an example of what you should be aiming for when writing your practical report and will go through it with you. Use the following page to summarize the important features to be included in an experimental write-up. 10 YOUR NOTES ON THE EXAMPLE PRACTICAL WRITE-UP TITLE Introduction Method Results Discussion 11 INTRODUCTORY SESSION PART ONE: BIOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS All sciences at University level are numerical subjects, and simple numerical skills are essential if you are to be able to design and carry out experiments and interpret results. Although there are specialized areas of biological science where advanced mathematical skills are required most of you will only need to use skills with which you should already be familiar from GCSE, and A level chemistry. However, as many people may be rusty on these and others may lack confidence, the worksheets in Part 1 of this session are intended as a refresher. It also highlights some of the conventions and units used in Biochemistry. In Part 2 you will also have the opportunity to use some basic lab equipment and check the accuracy of your pipetting. Please work through this sheet at your own pace, asking for help from your demonstrator or another student if you need it BUT MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO ARRIVE AT THE CORECT ANSWER. The aim is to get the answers 100% correct and at the end of the exercise to be confident in your ability to tackle similar problems at a later stage. When you have finished ask your Demonstrator to check over the worksheet and give you a sheet of answers. PUT YOUR WORK SHEET AND THE ANSWER SHEET IN YOUR MODULE MANUAL SO THAT YOU CAN REFER BACK TO IT IN THE FUTURE. If you need further practice, more questions (an answers ) are available in the 103 Building in which is the office of the staffers of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department. 12 SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION In Biochemistry, units of volume are based on the litre (symbol l, not to be confused with the number 1). This is the same quantity as a dm3 with which some of you may be more familiar. Since we are often dealing with very small quantities, volumes can also be given as Milliliter (ml ) = 10-3 l Microliter (μl) = 10-6 l Similarly, weights are given as gram (g) milligram (mg ) = 10-3g microgram (μg) = 10-6g CONCENTRATIONS, MOLES AND MOLARITY 1 mole (mol ) of a substance is the relative molecular mass ( Mr ) in grammes e.g. NaOH Na = 23, O = 16, H = 1, therefore Mr = 40. Therefore 1 mole of NaOH = 40. A solution of 1 mole of a substance dissolved in a total volume of 1 litre is a 1 molar (1M) solution. Don’t confuse mol and M. The first is an amount, the second is a concentration. Concentrations may also be given as mass/volume, e.g. g/l, μg/ml Handy hint: 1g/l is the same concentration as 1 mg/ml, is the same as 1μg/μl ( convince yourself by doing the calculation!) To interconvert between volumes, molarities and moles, remember that the molarity (M) of a solution is the number of moles per liter, i.e. mol M= Vol(in L ) 13 Examples of calculations: 1. What is the molar concentration of a ribose solution where 15 g of ribose are dissolved in 100 ml of water? The molecular weight ( Mr ) of ribose is 150. First, calculate the amount in moles of the ribose dissolved in the solution by dividing the mass i.e. 15 g by the Mr: 15 ÷ 150 = 0.1 mols. Next, determine the volume of the solution in liters: 100ml = 0.1 liters Finally, divide the number of moles by the total volume of the solution to obtain the concentration in moles per liter: 0.1 mol ÷ 0.1 l = 1 Molar ( or M ) 2. How many moles of ribose are there in 200 ml of a 0.5 M solution? First calculate how many moles are in 1 liter of a 0.5 M solution: 0.5 moles Next, determine the volume in liters: 200 ml = 0.2 liters Finally, multiply the number of moles there are in one liter by the volume in liters: 0.5 moles/l × 0.2 l = 0.1 mol i.e. 100 millimol. (mmol) 3. How many g ribose would you need to make 100 ml of 0.25 M solution? Calculate how many grams you would need to make 1 l 0f 0.25 M ribose by multiplying the Mr by the required molarity, ie 150 × 0.25 = 37.5 g in 1 l You require 100 ml, therefore multiply the grams by the volume in liters, i.e. by 0.1, therefore you need 3.75 g ribose. Some basic calculations on moles and molarities Q1. The Mr of NaCl is 58.44 (a) 1 M NaCl ( Show any working out ) = g/l (b) 0.5 M NaCl (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) = g/l = mg/ml = μg/μl 2.5 mM NaCl = mg/l = g/l = μg/ml 5.844 mg/l NaCl = M = mM 1 g NaCl in 100ml = mM 1μl of a 20 mg/ml solution contains μg How many g NaCl in 50 ml of a 2.5 M solution? 14 Dilutions In a biochemistry lab, many frequently used solutions like buffers and reagents are made up and stored as concentrated stock solutions, and diluted appropriately before use. In order to carry out any dilution, the dilution factor must be found, ie the factor by which the original concentration is bigger than the final concentration. It is calculated by dividing the concentration of stock solution by the concentration of the required solution. This number is therefore the volume (mls ) into which 1ml of the stock solution must be diluted in order to obtain the required concentration. For example A 4% solution w/v (i.e. 4 g in 100 ml ) copper sulphate solution is required when making up the reagents for one of the common protein assays. The stock solution may be stored as a 24% solution. Using this stock, how would you make up 12 ml at 4% ? First find the dilution factor: Divide the stock concentration by the required concentration: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 This tells you that you need to take one part of stock and dilute it to a total of 6 parts i.e. 1 ml stock plus 5 ml water, giving 6.0 ml total. Since we require 12 ml total, we will need 12 ÷ 6 × 1.0 ml in a total volume of 12 ml, i.e. 2.0 ml copper sulphate plus 10 ml water, giving 12.0 ml total. Q2. (a) Given a 0.75 M solution of NaCl, how would you make 100 ml of 0.15 M NaCl? ( This is ‘normal saline’, approximately the concentration of sodium ions in the blood and is often used in cell culture techniques and in the hospital ‘saline drip’). What is the dilution factor? How many mls 0.75 M saline are required ? How many mls H2O are required? 15 (b) Given a 1.0 M solution of NaCl, how would you make 500 ml of 10 mM NaCl ? What is the dilution factor? How many mls NaCl are required ? How many mls H2O are required ? (c) What would the molarity of a solution be if you used 4.0 ml × 2.4 M stock solution, plus 12.0 ml H2O ? The previous examples have been worked out using the ‘reasoning ‘ method, a sensible way to tackle calculations. Some students are attracted to the ‘ formula’ method. This appears to require less brain power but consequently has greater potential for error. Used carefully, it should give the same answer! Try the following calculations using this method: Q3. ( a ) If the volume (in liters ) of a solution multiplied by its molarity gives the number of moles of substance in that solution, rearrange the equation v M = mol to solve for (i) v v= (ii) M M= ( b ) How many moles of NaCl would there be in 375 ml of a 0.5 M solution ? ( be careful of your units ) ( c ) How many moles in 100 μl of a 0.5 M solution ? (d ) If I have 0.5 moles of NaCl in a 200 ml of solution, what is the molarity ? 16 ( e ) I wish to make up 2.5 liters of normal saline (0.15 M ). How many moles of NaCl will I need ? ( f ) How many ml H2O would need to be added to 5.84 g NaCl to make a 0.25 M solution ? ( g ) Can you work out why the concentration of water is approximately 55 M ? ( The density of water is 1 kg / l ). FURTHER QUESTIONS – You may do these at home, but you must bring them to show your demonstrator next week A CALCULATION FROM THE HOSPITAL LAB: Q4. A hospital laboratory technician wants to make some agar plates to test the sensitivity of bacteria isolated from a patient’s blood sample to some common antibiotics in order to test which antibiotic to give the patient. Two common antibiotics and their Mr are: Ampicillin 349.4 Tetracycline 480.9 The technician wants to make three 1 liter batches of agar containing 3 mM, 0.3 mM and 0.03 mM ampicillin. How many milligrammes of ampicilliln needs to be added to each batch ? In order to make plates which will set and be reasonably robust the agar concentration needs to be 2%. How much agar is needed? Tetracycling is usually used at a working concentration of 25 to 50 μg / ml. What is the molarity of a 50μg / ml tetracycline solution ? 17 PART 2 Introductory Practical Work – A short exercise in pipetting and performing dilutions This exercise is designed to introduce you to using the pipettes and putting into practice some of the methods of calculating dilutions. Working INDIVIDUALLY, see how accurately you are able to use the pipettes. Refer to the instructions on pages 19 and 20. Your Demonstrator will show you how to use the spectrophotometer. 1. You are provided with a 0.5 M solution of a compound that absorbs at 510 nm. You must dilute this stock solution appropriately to obtain 5 ml of three solutions, with concentrations of 0.05 M, 0.01 M and 0.005 M respectively. Fill in the table below, showing the volumes of water and the 0.5 M solution required to produce each of the solutions. Also record the absorbance reading you obtain. 2. In addition, dilute your 0.05 M solution by a factor of 10 and record the absorbance in the table. Compare its absorbance with that of the 0.005 M solution. Do the absorbance values seem reasonable? 3. Now mix 175 μl of the stock solution with 2.825 ml of water. Record your absorbance. Match your accuracy with the correct value, shown on the board ! Required Concentration Volume of stock solution (μl ) Volume of water 175μl 2.825 ml Absorbance value 0.05 M 0.01 M 0.005 M 0.005 M (diluted from 0.05 M) ? SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF CYTOCHROME C Aim: 18 To determine the concentration of a coloured compound in a solution by comparison of its light absorption with the light absorption of a standard solution of known concentration. See theory of light absorption – pages 19-20. Objectives of this experiment: 1. To learn how to use a simple spectrophotometer to determine the degree of light absorption by a coloured compound. 2. To plot a SPECRUM of light absorption against wavelength and to decide which wavelength it is best to use for absorption measurements. 3. To make up a set of standard solutions of known concentration and to use them to plot a graph of light absorbance against concentration ( calibration graph ). 4. To measure the concentration of an unknown using this curve. 5. To consider what degree of precision can be expected from this method of determination of concentration. Biochemists often need to determine the concentration of a compound in solution. If the compound absorbs light at a given wavelength, this can be measured in a spectrophotometer and the concentration calculated ( see Notes on Spectrophotometry, page 19 ). Cytochrome c is a small protein which has attached to it an organic molecule, haem. Cytochromes are found in nearly all cells and the one you are using comes from the mitochondria of animal cells. Cytochromes are important because the iron atom in the haem group can be oxidized or reduced and the protein operates as an electron carrier in metabolism. Many other haem-protein complexes are found in living organisms (e.g. haemoglobin, myoglobin, catalase, cytochrome a ), and all are red-coloured and absorb light in the region 400~450 nm ( “ Soret band” ) A stock solution of cytochrome c in water, containing 0.1 mg per ml solution, is provided. Use it to determine the concentration of cytochrome c ( abbreviation: cyt c ) in the unknown solution ‘X’. Plot the results of the experiments given below on graph paper and show them to your demonstrator before you leave. If you need help with the calculations, ask your Demonstrator during the practical sessions. METHOD 19 1. Determination of peak wavelength It is first necessary to find the exact wavelength of maximum absorbance, because the peak in the absorption spectrum is extremely sharp, and a small change in the wavelength used will therefore cause a large change in measured absorbance. You should have two spectrophotometer tubes, suitable for the instrument you will be using on your bench. Half fill a spectrophotometer tube with water to act as reference and half fill another tube with the stock solution of cyt c. Instructions for use of the spectrophotometer will be found near the instrument. Be sure to keep both the tubes clean on the outside, and to hold them only near the top, away from the region through which the light beam passes. Remember to align the mark on the tube with that on the instrument. Set the spectrophotometer to 380 nm, zero it with the reference (water) tube, and then measure the absorbance of the cyt c solution. Now change the wavelength to 385 nm, zero again with the reference tube, and measure the absorbance of the cyt c solution. In this way, measure the absorbance at 5 nm intervals, from about 380 nm to 420 nm. It is imperative that you zero the instrument with the water reference at each wavelength. This is because the light source in the spectrophotometer emits different amounts of light at different wavelengths. Plot the absorption spectrum that you have measured and hence find the wavelength of maximum absorbance. It is important to use the same instrument for the rest of the experiment, as wavelength settings may vary slightly from instrument to instrument. 2. Calibration graph Using a P5000 Gilson pipette with great care ( e.g. wiping the outside with tissue before delivering the solution, bolding vertically ) make accurate dilutions of the stock cyt c solution in four clean dry boiling tubes as follows and then mix well. Tube Stock cyt c soln ( ml ) Deionised water ( ml ) Final concentration of cyt c ( mg / ml ) 1 2 8 2 4 6 3 6 4 4 8 2 Set the spectrophotometer to the wavelength of maximum absorbance as already determined. Zero the instrument using water, then using the same tube, measure the absorbance of each solution of cytochrome c and of the undiluted stock. There is no need to wash the tube between samples, simply drain well and rinse with a little of the new solution. Tabulate the results. 20 3. Determination of unknown cyt c concentration Wash the spec tube well and recheck the instrument zero using water. Drain the tube and fill it with the cyt. C soln X. Measure its absorbance at the same wavelength. RESULTS 1. The concentration of the stock cyt c solution is 0.10 mg / ml. Calculate the concentration of each of your dilutions and plot a graph of absorbance against concentration, including the point for undiluted stock solution and the point at zero concentration. Note that concentration, which is the independent variable, should be on the abscissa ( x-axis ) and absorbance, which changes as a result of the chance in concentration, should be on the ordinate (y-axis ). The graph should be a straight line. 2. Using the graph, find the concentration of the solution X. DISCUSSION 1. If the spectrophotometer reading is accurate to about ± 0.02 absorbance units, calculate the approximate % error of the determination of the concentration of X. ( Pipetting and other errors should be much smaller, and therefore negligible. ) 2. Take the relative molecular mass of cytochrome c as 13,300 and, assuming that the cytochrome c is pure, calculate the molarity of the stock solution. The molar absorption coefficient ( see page 20 ) for cytochrome c is 125,000 at the peak wavelength and the light path in the spectrophotometer tube is 1 cm. Hence, calculate the expected absorbance of the stock solution. Compare this with your observed value. What does this result tell you about the purity of the sample of cytochrome c used ? SAFETY NOTES FOR EXPERIMENT 1 No hazardous procedures or chemicals are used in this experiment. Read the noted on Good Laboratory Practice and on Pipetting ( pages 4-5). 21 Protein separation methods Aim To illustrate the principles of protein separation: (i) on the basis of size difference; (ii) using difference in net charge. Objectives of this experiment 1. To understand the practical and theoretical basis of molecular exclusion chromatography. 2. To understand the practical and theoretical basis of ion exchange chromatography. 3. To gain experience in operation columns and collecting fractions of eluate. 4. To understand the terms ‘ bed volume’ and ‘void volume’ and how they are measured. 5. To be able to apply simple tests to identify the elute proteins. 6. To appreciate some applications of the techniques. Proteins may be separated on the basis of a number of properties, such as size, charge of affinity for other molecules. Some methods allow the proteins to be recovered and used after separation----preparative methods----whilst others give good separation of very small quantifies for identification purposes----analytical methods. This practical will demonstrate two preparative methods which rely on different properties to effect the separation. 1. GEL FILTRATION ( MOLECULAR EXCLUSION ) CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH SEPHADEX: Separation by size How gel filtration works Gel filtration is a method of separation substances according to their molecular sizes. A column is filled with very small beads of an insoluble but highly hydrated carbohydrate polymer, suspended in buffer. Each bead consists of a network of cross-linked fibres resembling a microscopic ball of gauze. By altering the degree of cross-linking, beads can be produced with different sized pores. Within each grade of beads, the pore size is not 22 uniform but covers a specific range. When a mixture of molecules of various sizes in applied to the top of the column, followed by buffer solution, the molecules move downwards at different rates, depending on their sizes, and can be collected as they emerge ( are eluted ) from the bottom of the column. Small molecules are able to enter the beads of gel, passing freely between the fibres, but molecules which are larger than the largest pores in the beads cannot enter the fibre network and are said to be excluded. They remain in the liquid outside the beads. The total bed volume (Vt) of a gel filtration column consists of the volume of the hydrated beads ( Vi) and the volume of the liquid between the beads, which is known as V0, the void volume Vt = V i + V0 The buffer solution passes down the column through the spaces between the stationary beads. Large molecules that are excluded from the gel travel with the moving liquid in the void volume. They are eluted when the void volume has just been replaced by new liquid run in from the top, i.e. when the volume of eluate collected up to this time is V0. In contrast, small molecules which can penetrate all the pores of the gel beads distribute themselves between the liquid inside and outside the beads. Molecular diffusion carries them rapidly to and fro, so that their concentrations in the water inside and outside the beads remain equal. While they are outside they move downwards with the flow of liquid, but while inside the stationary beads they are temporarily retarded. Their net rate of movement down the column therefore depends on the proportion of time spent inside and outside the gel beads, which in turn is determined only by the relative volumes of water inside and outside. Small molecules have a larger volume of liquid available to them and therefore take longer to pass down the column. They are eluted when a volume of liquid equal to the whole bed volume ( Vt ) has passed through the column. If molecules of intermediate size are present, they will be able to pass through only the larger of the pores of the gel but not the smaller. ( The size of the pores in the gel beads in not uniform but covers a considerable range, being the result of random chemical cross-liking of the fibres ). Intermediate sized molecules will be able to enter only part of the gel volume and will therefore spend an intermediate proportion of their time within the stationary beads. They will be eluted after the large molecules that are completely excluded from the gel and before the small molecules that penetrate the whole gel. Each size of molecules effectively occupies a particular volume of liquid ( ranging from 23 V0 to Vt ) and reaches the bottom of the column when this volume of eluate has ren through. Thus substances emerge in order of decreasing molecular size. In this experiment the gel is Sephadex, a cross-linked polysaccharide. It is available in many different network sized, depending on the degree of cross-linkage. The size must be chosen according to the molecular weights of the substances to be separated. Using Sephadex to remove small molecules from a protein solution Gel filtration is a frequently used technique in the biochemistry lab. Here is an example: Often during the preparation or study of a purified protein it is necessary to remove a salt from a protein solution. For example, during the purification of an enzyme, a 50% saturation with ammonium sulphate may have been used to precipitate unwanted protein. In order to assay the enzyme, now in the supernatant liquid, it is necessary to remove the ammonium sulphate. One way in which this could be done easily and quickly is by means to a Sephadex column on which the large molecules ( enzyme ) are separated from the small molecules ( ammonium sulphate ). This is known as desalting. In the above example, both the enzyme and the ammonium sulphate may be colourless. We will be doing an experiment with coloured compounds so that you can see what happens on the Sephadex column. We will separate haemoglobin (large molecule, reddish brown ) from a dye, methylene blue (small molecule, blue ). The mixture is labeled Hb / dye Experimental method Packing the column 1. Tighten the screw clip a the bottom of the glass column provided and fill the column with water to ensure that the clip is capable of stopping the solvent flow. Empty out the water. 2. Wearing gloves, roll a piece of wet glass wool between finger and thumb to produce a small ball just sufficient to block the outlet of the column. Drop it into the bottom of the column and pack it down with a glass rod to make a flat surface. Now set up the column in a burette stand, making sure that the column is vertical and that the screw clip is shut. You are provided with a slurry of dextran gel ( Sephadex 50, medium ) 24 3. Invert the bottle of Sephaex several times so that the beads are thoroughly suspended in the buffer ( 0.05 M phosphate, pH 6.5 ), and two-thirds fill a 50 ml beaker with the slurry, Swirl the contents of the beaker and carefully pour the slurry into the column until it is full. Please pour any unused slurry back into the bottle ( Sephadex is very expensive ). 4. In a few minutes, the gel ‘bed’ in the column will have started to settle, leaving 1 to 2 cm of clear solution above it. Open the screw clip slightly and allow the buffer to drip slowly from the column into a waste beaker. 5. The level of the Sephadex gel will fall until the bed is fully packed and the volume of the clear solution above the bed will start to decrease. When approximately 2 cm of the clear solution remains above the top of the Sephadex bed, tighten the screw clip again. On no account allow the top of the gel to run dry. 6. If the Sephadex bed fills less than half the column, you should pour in more slurry and allow it to pack as before. Aim at a packed bed filling about tow-thirds of the tube. The column must now be equilibrated with buffer. Washing the column 1. Using a Pasteur pipette, very slowly pipette 2 ml of phosphate buffer down the walls of the column on to the Sephadex, ensuring the top of the bed remains even. Continue until the column is full. ( If the Sephadex surface is uneven, it may be improved by stirring up the top 2 cm of the gel with a fine glass rod and allowing it to settle again. ) 2. Open the clip and allow the buffer meniscus to sink just to the top of the bed. Tighten the clip immediately. Loading the column 1. Place a clean 10 ml cylinder under the outlet tube. Using a 1 ml graduated pipette, run 0.3 ml of the haemoglobin / dye sample very slowly on to the top of the column, taking not less than 30 seconds. 2. Open the clip slightly until all the sample has just entered the gel, then tighten the screw immediately. 3. Slowly wash down the walls of the column with 0.3 ml buffer. Allow this to run in until the meniscus just sinks into the gel bed. Tighten the screw clip again. Eluting the column 1. Fill up the column with buffer, adding it very slowly, especially at first, and being extremely careful not to disturb the bed surface. 2. Now adjust the screw clip so that the buffer drips form the column at a rate of one 25 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. drop every 3-4 seconds. ( If the flow rate is faster than this, equilibration between the liquid in the gel particles and the interstitial liquid will not occur and the bands will spread out ). As the buffer flows through the column, two band should become visible and move down the column. Do not, at any time, allow the column to run dry. Always keep it topped up with buffer. ( There is less disturbance of the bed surface if more buffer is added before the level has sunk too low ). Do the two bands look alike? Collect all the eluate in the 10 ml cylinder until the first (lower ) coloured hand is about to emerge. Quickly remove the cylinder and replace it with a second, clean 10 ml cylinder. Collect the first coloured band in the second 10 ml cylinder and then change to a third 10 ml cylinder. Collect the eluate in this 10 ml cylinder until the second band is about to emerge. Finally, collect the second coloured band in a clean 25 ml cylinder. Note the volume collected in all four cylinders. Measure the height of the packed Sephadex. IMPORTANT: The Sephadex used in these experiments is recycled. When you have finished, please empty your column into the beakers provided. Use a little buffer to wash out the Sephadex if necessary ( no glass wool ! ). The lab staff will wash it well for reuse. Identification of the protein in the eluted fractions The color of the two bands should tell you which contains the protein and which the smaller dye molecules. Test this identification by means of a precipitation experiment. Precipitation with tricholoracetic acid Strong acids which yield large multivalent anions ( such as trichloroacetic acid ) denature and precipitate proteins. Because the solution is acid, proteins are positively charged and will be bound together in a precipitate by the large multivalent negative ions. N.B. Wearing gloves and safety glasses, to a sampled of each eluted fraction add an equal volume of 10 % ( 0.6 M ) trichloroacetic acid. A precipitate or cloudiness ( within 5 minutes indicates the presence of protein. ) Results Record the volumes collected in the cylinders, the height of the gel and the results of the precipitation tests o the proforma. Complete the calculations and answer the follow-up questions. Check with your Demonstrator of you have any queries about this section then move on to the second separation method. 26 SAFETY NOTES FOR GEL FILTRATION CHROMATOGRAPHY Sephadex gel Phosphate buffer Haemoglobin with methylene blue All contain 0.02 % sodium azide as a preservative. This is toxic by ingestion. 10 % trichloroacetic acid solution Causes burns to eyes and skin and is toxic by ingestion and by skin contact. Glass wool Irritation to eyes and skin by contact. 2. SEPARATION CHROMATOGRAPHY: Separation by charge OF PROTEINS USING ION-EXCHANGE How ion exchange chromatography works Proteins can be separated on the basis of their net charge by ion-exchange chromatography. A protein with a net positive charge (a cationic protein ) will normally bind to a solid phase containing negatively charged carboxylate groups ( a cation exchanger ). Alternatively, if the solid phase contains positively charged tertiary amino groups ( an anion exchanger ), negatively charged ( anionic ) proteins will bind but cationic proteins will not. Chemically codified celluloses are often used as solid phases for protein separations. Cellulose Or Agarose Cellulose Or Agarose O CARBOXY-METHYL (CM ) GROUP (CATION EXCHANGER ) -CH2-C O C2H5 -CH2-CH2-N H C2H5 + diethyl amino-ethyl ( DEAE ) (ANION EXCHANGER ) The ion exchange celluloses are most effectively used by packing them into glass or plastic columns. Protein mixtures are adjusted to a chosen pH then applied to the top of the packed column. Once bound, they may be eluted by one of two methods. 27 (a) changing the pH of the buffer to reverse the net charge on the bound proteins. At higher pH, proteins become negatively charged, whilst at lower pH they become positively charged, Each protein has a characteristic isoionic pH (the pI ) at which it has a zero net charge, this depending on the number of basic and acidic side groups present in the protein. If the pI values of two proteins differ appreciably, a buffer of a particular pH can be chosen for elution, such that one protein is negatively charged and the other positively charged. Separation by ion exchange then becomes possible. (b) An alternative method is to use a buffer containing a high concentration of a neutral salt, such as NaCl. The high concentration of cations ( Na+) will compete with cationic proteins for the negatively charged binding sites on the cation exchange column; this will cause the cationic proteins to be eluted, although they remain positively charged. Similarly, high concentrations of anions ( Cl-) will compete with anionic proteins and cause their elution from an anion exchange column. By increasing the concentration of salt in the buffers (producing a salt gradient ) it is possible to elute weakly bound proteins first ( wit a low density of net charge ) followed by strongly bound proteins ( with a high density of net charge ), thus achieving separation. In this experiment we will be separating two proteins from a mixture using a cation exchange column. You will also have to suggest and explain a protocol for separating these proteins on an anion exchange column. A practical example of the use of ion exchange chromatography in medical diagnosis and monitoring is also given on the proforma and you are asked to choose and explain a suitable system for effecting the required separation. Experimental method You are provided with the following materials: 1. Suspension of carboxyethyl cellulose CM23 in 0.01 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0. 2. Protein mixture containing 10 mg /ml cytochrome c and 30 mg /ml haemoglobin, in 0.01 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0 3. Buffer: 0.01 M acetate, pH 5.0 0.01 M Tris, pH 8.0 0.1 M Tris, pH 8.0, containing 1.5 M NaCl. Data Cytochrome c pI = 10.7 Haemoglobin pI = 6.9 28 Packing the column 1. Insert a glass fibre disc into the barrel of a 5 ml syringe ( we are using a syringe as the column ). Using a glass rod gently push the disc down the barrel until it is lying flat on the base. 2. Mount the syringe on the clamp stand. Make sure the clip on the syringe outlet is closed. 3. Invert the suspension of CM-cellulose gently several times, to resuspend, and quickly pour some into the syringe barrel, filling it the top. 4. Place a beaker under the column, open the clip, and allow the buffer to flow through as fast as possible. With this type of column, you don’t have to worry about the column running “dry” 5. Allow the buffer to drain through until none remains above the surface of the packed cellulose. The packed column volume should be about 4-5 ml. If it is much less then top up with additional CM-cellulose. 6. Close the clip and insert a second glass fibre disc into the syringe, pushing it down gently to rest on the top of the packed cellulose. This will help prevent the surface being disturbed. Washing the column 1. Using a Pasteur pipette, gently fill up the syringe barrel with 0.01 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0. 2. Open the clip and allow this buffer to flow through until none remains above the surface. Loading the column 1. Very slowly apply 0.3 ml of the protein mixture to the top of the glass fibre disc. 2. Open the clip and allow the protein mixture to drain into the column. 3. Close the clip, slowly add 0.5 ml 0.01 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0, then open the clip and allow this buffer to drain through, The glass fibre disc should now appear white. Having loaded the protein mixture onto the column, you are now ready to effect separation. Decide which buffer you are going to use; if you are at all unsure, check with your Demonstrator. Eluting the column 1. Gently fill up the barrel with your chosen buffer. 2. Open the clip slightly and adjust the elution rate to about 1 drop every 4 or 5 seconds. Collect the colourless eluate in a waste beaker; this can be discarded. Add more of 29 the same buffer as necessary to keep the column running. 3. When a coloured band is about to elute from the column, collect it in one or more tubes. Try to collect about 1 ml from the center of the band, ie a concentrated sample of the protein. 4. When you have collected a concentrated sample, switch back to the waste beaker and allow all the buffer to drain into the column. Close the clip. 5. Now you need to decide which buffer you will use to elute the remaining coloured protein band from the column. Repeat steps 1-4 with your chosen buffer. Identifying the eluted proteins A simple colour test ( Based on differences in structure ) will help confirm the identity of the two proteins fractions. On treatment with solid sodium dithionite ( a reducing agent ), cytochrome c will be reduced to the Fe2+ form, which is bright pink, whilst haemoglobin will become deoxygenated and hence a dull purple colour. Wearing gloves and safety glasses, take your concentrated protein sample and add a small quantity of sodium dithionite using a microspatula. Cover the tube with Parafilm, and invert gently until the solid dithionite has dissolved ( do not shake or all the dithionite may become inactivated by reacting with molecular oxygen ). Results Use the proforma to record your methods and results and answer the follow-up questions. The completed proforma ( Sephadex plus Ion Exchage ) must be handed in at the next session. Safety notes for ion exchange chromatography Haemoglobin solution ( 30 mg /ml ) Tris buffer, 0.1 M, pH 8.0 Sodium dithionite Irritating to eyes and skin May be irritating to eyes and skin Harmful by ingestion or of inhaled as dust. Irritating to eyes and skin 30 Protein Separation Methods Student Name………………… Demonstrator…………………………….. 1. Gel filtration ( Molecular exclusion ) chromatography with sephadex Eluate Vol Colour Reaction with TCA 1 2 3 4 Height of Sephadex gel: From the data obtained above: (i) What is the evidence for separation of the haem protein and free dye? (ii) Which eluate contained the free dye and which one the protein? (iii) In your own words and referring to the theory behind this separation method, explain why the two substances came through in this order. (iv) From the height of the sephadex gel and its diameter ( 1.2 cm ), calculate the volume of the sephadex bed (Vt) (v) When gel exclusion chromatography is used to separate unspecified mixtures of proteins, it is often necessary to know the void volume of the 31 column ( i.e. the volume of liquid between the beads, see Introduction section ). This can be calculated from the data you have. While moving down a column, all bands will spread by diffusion. This is likely to occur equally upwards and downwards, giving a symmetrical peak of concentration. The center of the band represents the ‘true’ position where all molecules would be found if diffusion had not occurred, and hence half the volume of this coloured band is really a part of the void volume. Assuming that the protein is totally excluded from the gel, and taking diffusion into account, find V0, the void volume of the column. (vi) What % of the bed volume ( Vt) is the void volume? (vii) The pore size of the Sephadex used in this experiment totally excludes all haem protein molecules, but Sephadex can be used to separate a number of proteins in a mixture, using a single column. To do this, a different grade of Sephadex ( with a different range of pore sizes ) would have to be used. Would the pores have to be larger or smaller than in the class gel? Explain your reasoning and indicate the size order in which the proteins will elute. (viii) Use this information to explain the following se=aration profile obtained for human serum. The void volume of the gel filtration column = 7.0 ml. 32 Protein concentration E D C A 5 B 10 15 20 25 Elution volume (ml) 2. In which peaks would you expect to find: Protein Mr g/l serum Albumin Immunoglobulin M (Ig M ) Ig A Ig G 44.0 0.9 2.1 12.0 68,000 900,000 160,000 150,000 Peak Explain your reasoning SEPARATIONOF PROTEINS USING ION-EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY On loading the protein mixture onto the column, in pH 5.0 acetate buffer: (i) Was there any evidence for separation of the two proteins? 33 (ii) What is the state of the two proteins ( bound or free ). Give your reasoning. FIRST ELUTION (iii) BUFFER = Explain your rationale for your choice of first buffer. Did it achieve a separation? SECOND ELUTION BUFFER = (iv) Explain your rationale for the choice of the second eluting buffer. Did it elute the remaining protein? (v) Now summarize your results in the table below: Nature and pH of buffer Charge on eluted protein Result of dithionite test; colour of protein solution Identity of protein. Cyt c or Hb ? 1st eluting buffer 2nd eluting buffer (vi ) Instead of using a CM 23 cation exchange column, now devise a protocol for 34 the separation of haemoglobin and cytochrome c using a DEAE anion exchange column. List the stages, state your reasoning behind your choice of buffer and give your expected observations. Stage Reasoning Expected observation 35 3. APPLICATION OF ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF DIABETES Haemoglobin of normal adult consists of about 90% of one major species, haemoglobin A (Hb A ), composed of two pairs of different polypeptides (a tetramer of 2α plus 2β globin chains ), each with a bound haem group. Among a number of quantitatively less important haemoglobins, which are also found in blood, are the glycosylated forms of HbA, the most common ( HbA1c ) having a glucose moiety covalently attached to the amino group of te N-terminal valine residue of eachβ-globin chain. Glycosylation of HbA to HbA1c takes place during the lifespan of the erythrocyte, in a non-enzymic reaction with blood glucose. Normal subjects have about 5-7% of their hemoglobin in the form of HbA1c ; however, in diabetics, this may be increased 2 to 3-fold. Although the exact clinical significance of glycosylated haemoglobins remains unclear, the level of HbA1c is not particularly affected by dietary changes, exercise or recently administered anti-biabetic drugs. (i) At physiological pH, what would be the charge on the N-terminal valine residue? (ii) What difference will the covalent bonding of glucose to the N-terminal valine residue make to the overall charge density on the haemoglobin molecule? (iii) Will the pI of HbA1c be greater or less than HbA? 36 Choose one type of ion exchange resin and state how you could separate HbA from HbA1c. You do not need to give precise pH or [ionic], but discuss it in relation to pI, density of charge and binding to the resin. (iv) Type of resin (v) At what pH (approximately ) would you load the sample ? Explain why. (vi) What buffer(s) would you use to elute the proteins? (vii) In which order would they elute? (viii) Explain the theoretical basis for your choice of buffer (s) and the order of elution. 37 EXPERIMENT 1 ASSAY OF PROTEIN CONCENTRATION ------COOMASSIE BRILLIANT BLUE G-250 Aims To learn how to assay protein concentration with Coomassie Brilliant blue G-250 dyeing method Principle In acid environment, Coomassie Brilliant G-250 can combine protein, then its colour can change from yellow to blue. The extent of the blue colour is proportional to the protein concentration. Protocol 1. Make a standard curve (mL) reagent 1 2 3 4 5 6 Protein standard solution (0.1mg/ml) NaCl2(9g/L) Protein reaction solution corresponding protein concentration (mg/ml) A595 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 0 0.9 5.0 0.01 0.7 5.0 0.03 0.5 5.0 0.05 0.3 5.0 0.07 0.1 5.0 0.09 1.0 5.0 0 Draw the standard curve by using corresponding protein concentration as x-coordinate and A595 as y-coordinate. 2. Assay of the blood serum specimen (1) Dilute 200 times for the serum (2) According to method of making standard curve to manipulate . (3) Read the protein concentration from the standard curve according to A595. Calculation Blood serum protein concentration(g/l)= data located from the standard curve×200/0.1 200-----dilution times 0.1------ dosage of dilution serum specimen 38 Reagents 1. Protein standard solution ( 0.1mg/ml ) 2. Protein reaction solution (Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250, 0.1g/L) 3. 9g/L NaCl ( Sodium chloride solution, 9g/L) Results Discussion 39 EXPERIMENT 2 ELECTROPHORESIS OF SERUM PROTEIN (CAME) Aims 1. To understand and master the principle of CAME ( Cellulose Acetate Membrane Electrophoresis ). 2. To learn how to analyze relative concentration of various protein in serum Principle When placed in an electric field, molecules with a net charge such as proteins, will move towards one electrode or the other, a phenomenon know as electrophoresis.If a protein has much net charge it will run faster ,otherwise it will run slower. According to this phenomenon, the proteins in serum can be separated into 5 compositions, which are albumin (A)、α1 、α2 、β、and γ-globulin. Protocol 1. Preparation before Electrophoresis (1) Dip the piece of CAM in the buffer(PH=8.6) for ten minutes (2) Put some serum (2~3) on the CAM piece by pipette. (3) Take the piece of CAM on the Electrophoresis instrument (caution: the side with serum must be put on (-)electrode. 2. Electrophoresis voltage: about 100~120v time: 40~60min 3. Dyeing and rinsing ( washing ) When Electrophoresis finish, take out the piece and put it into the protein dyeing for 10~15min then rinsing with the washing solution 1 till its background is cleaned. 4. Determination of the amount of proteins To cut each protein strip and blank strip, put them into 5ml the washing solution 2 respectively, shake up several times, read A500 after half an hour. T=A+α1+α2+β+ γ A%=A/T*100 α1%=α1/T*100 α2%=α2/T*100 β%=β/T*100 γ%=γ/T*100 40 Reagents 1. Barbital buffer (pH8.6) 2. Protein dyeing solution 3. Washing solution1 (C2H5OH 45ml + CH3COOH 5ml + H2O 50ml) 4. Washing solution 2 (0.4mol/L NaOH) Caution 1. The end of piece of CAM with serum should be put on the negative polar on the electric field. 2. Take care about the voltage, don’t leave it too high which will damage the electric field because of overheating. Results Discussion 41 EXPERIMENT 3 ASSAY OF PROTEIN PI ( ISOELECTRIC POINT —— PRECIPITATION METHOD Aims 1. To strengthen the comprehension of the protein ionization and pI 2. To learn how to assay protein pI Principle When a protein is at its pI, its net charge is zero and hence its solubility become minimum. According to this, we can place casein in a series of solutions whose pH are different. By observation of the extent of the precipitation, the protein pI will be obtained. Protocol (The unit: ml) Tube 1 H2O 1.00M HAc 0.10M HAc 0.01M HAc casein Final pH Precipitation 2.4 1.6 2 4 3.0 4.0 1.0 3.5 3 1.0 4.1 5 3.5 1.0 1.0 4.7 2.5 1.0 5.3 0.5 1.0 5.9 Observation precipitation, Using “+”、 “++” “+++” “++++” to show the extent of the Precipitation Results Judge the protein pI according to the amount of precipitation (“+”most), Reagents 1. 1mol/L CH3COOH ( Acetic acid solution ) 2. 0.1 mol/L CH3COOH ( Acetic acid solution ) 3.0.01 mol/L CH3COOH ( Acetic acid solution ) 4. Casein- CH3COONa solution ( Casein-Sodium acetate ) 42 EXPERIMENT 4 ASSAY OF ACTIVITY OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATE Aims 1. To master the basic method of the assay of the AKP (Alkaline phosphatase ). To strengthen the comprehension of enzyme activity and its inhibition. 2. To be familiar in the meaning of the activity unit, total activity , ratio activity and how to do the calculation of AKP activity. Principle Alkaline phosphatase (AKP ) can catalyze p-nitrophenol phosphate decomposition in basic conditions and produce p-nitrophenol whose clour is yellow .This yellow production has the most absorbance atλ405. According to this we can calculate AKP enzyme unit. An enzyme unit is that amount of enzyme which will catalyze the transformation of 1μ mol of substrate per minute at 25oC under optimal conditions for that enzyme. Total activity refers to the total unit of enzyme units of enzyme in the sample, whereas the specific activity is the number of enzyme units per milligram of protein(unit/mg). Mg2+ Na2PO4 EDTA + +H2O OH - AKP + Na2HPO4 OH K3Fe(CN)6 4-aminoantipyrene + Red compound This red compound has the most absorbance atλ510nm. According to this we can calculate AKP enzyme unit. An enzyme unit is that amount of enzyme which will catalyze the transformation of 1μ mol of substrate per minute at 37oC under optimal conditions for that enzyme. Total activity refers to the total unit of enzyme units of enzyme in the sample, whereas the specific activity is the number of enzyme units per milligram of protein(unit/mg). Protocol 43 1. Make the standard curve ( Unit: ml ) Reagents blank 1 2 3 4 5 6 H2CO3-NaHCO3 buffer (pH10) Phenol standard solution H2O 1.0 0 1.0 1.0 0.05 0.95 1.0 0.1 0.9 1.0 0.2 0.8 1.0 0.3 0.7 1.0 0.4 0.6 1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 37oC, 25min NaOH 4-aminoantipyrene K3Fe(CN)6 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 Mixing, ten minutes wait,read A510 A510 Phenol (μmol) 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Correspond enzyme unit 0 2 4 8 12 16 20 Draw the standard curve by using A510 as y-coordinate and correspond enzyme unit as x-coordinate 2. Assay of AKP activity Reagent Blank Assay1 Assay2 (with Mg2+) Assay3 (with EDTA) Substrate (0.02mol/L) (no Mg2+ and EDTA) Mg2+(0.012mol/L) EDTA(0.012mol/L) H2O Enzyme (0.5mg/ml) H2CO3 buffer (pH10) 0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0 0 1 0.1 0.9 0 0.1 0 0 0 0.1 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.9 0.9 37oC, 25min NaOH 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 4-aminoantipyrene 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 K3Fe(CN)6 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Mixing, let the test tubes stand on the table for ten minutes,then measure A510 each tube A510 Total activity(mU/tube) 0 mU/ml 0 mU/mg 0 44 Reagents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 0.1mol/L pH10 H2CO3-Na2CO3 buffer ( Carbonate buffer ) 0.02mol/L C6H5Na2PO4 ( Disodium phenyl phosphate ) 1μmol/ml C6H5OH ( Phenol standard solution ) 0.012mol/L MgCl2 ( Magnesium chloride ) 0.012mol/L EDTA ( Disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate ) 0.2mol/L NaOH (Sodium hydroxide ) 0.5mg/ml snake venom 8. 0.3% 4-aminoantipyrene 9. 0.5% K3Fe(CN)6 ( Potassium ferricyanide ) Caution Results Discussion 45 EXPERIMENT 5 COMPETITIVE INHIBITION OF ENZYME Aims To strengthen the comprehension of competitive inhibition of enzyme. Principle CH2COOH CH2COOH FAD Methylene white SDH HOOC-CH HC-COOH (-) FAD·2H Methylene blue malonate A competitive inhibitor has close structural similarities to the normal substrate for the enzyme. Thus it competes with substrate molecules to bind to the active site, so enzyme activity is inhibited. A good example of competitive inhibition is provided by succinate dehydrogenase. This enzyme uses succinate as its substrate and is competitively inhibited by .but at high substrate concentrations , the action of a competitive inhibitor is overcome because a sufficiently high substrate concentration will successfully compete out the inhibitor molecule in binding to the active site. Protocol 1. Prepare for the homogenate of rabbit’s heart cells by homogenization. 2. Manipulate according to the following table . (Unit: drops) Tube Homogenate Succinate (15g/L) Malonate (10g/L) H2O Methylene blue 1 2 3 4 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 20 0 10 10 10 20 10 20 5 5 5 5 Result 3. Shake up and add 10 drops of mineral oil ( paraffin oil ) to the tubes. 46 4. Observe the results and analyze. Reagents 1. Succinate (15g/L) 2. Malonate (10g/L) 3. Methylene (0.2g/L) 4. PBS (pH7.4, 0.1mol/L) 5. Homogenate of rabbit’s cardiac muscle. Caution 1. Don’t shake up the tubes again after the addition of paraffin oil. Why? Thinking about this please. 2. The homogenization should be enough. Results Discussion 47 EXPERIMENT 6 PREPARATION OF TOTAL RNA FROM CULTURE CELLS Aims 1. To learn how to extract total RNA from culture cells. 2. To have an appreciation of the keys of the process for high-quality RNA isolation. Principle The extraction of high-quality RNA for Northern blot and enzymatic reactions is an important prerequisite for studies of gene expression processes in organisms. Ribonuclease present in the environment and within your sample can rapidly degrade RNA resulting in low yield and poor quality. To avoid RNA degradation, the activity of ribonuclese should be strictly controlled during the process of RNA isolation. The structure of cells are disrupted quickly by using high concentration of isothiocyanocarbamidine resulting in the release of RNA from cells. Meantime, isothiocyanocarbamidine and β-mercaptoethanol can denature the activities of various ribonucleases and protect RNA from degradation. N-lauryl sarcosine, carbamidine hydrogen chloride can make ribosome proteins separation from RNA. There are RNA, DNA, proteins and cell debris in the lysis buffer and RNA can be separated from other cell ingredients through the handling, centrifugation, isopropyl alcohol precipitation resulting in pure total RNA. DEPC ( diethyl pyrocarbonate ) is a kind of strong inhibitor but not completely, which can react with the imidazole cycle in the active group of histidine of ribonuclease and inhibit the activities of ribonuclease. Protocol 1. Collect the cells 1×107 ~ 1×107, centrifugate for 5 minutes at 1 500 r/min. 2. Add 2 ml of lysis buffer and gently shake up, making the cells disrupted completely. 3. Add 0.2 ml of 2 mol/L sodium acetic acid (pH 4.0 ), then transfer the solution into a 5 ml centrifuge tube. 4. Add 2.2 ml of phenol: chloroform: isopentyl alcohol =25: 24:1, shaking up strongly for 10 seconds, then put it into ice bath for 10 minutes. 5. Centrifugate at 4℃for 20 minutes at 12 000 r/min 6. Transfer carefully the supernatants from step 5 to a new 5 ml centrifugate tube. 7. Add the same volume of isopropoyl alcohol as the solution from step 5 8. Centrifugate at 4℃ for 15 minutes at 12 000 r/min 9. Discard the supernatant, resuspend the RNA pellet in 2 ml of cell lysis buffer and make the pellet completely dissolved. 48 10. Add the same volume of isopropoyl alcohol as step 9 and set for 30 mins at -20℃ 11. Centrifugate at 4℃for 15 min at 12 000 r/min 12. Discard the supernatant, add 4 ml of 70% ethanol alcohol to wash the RNA pellet. If the pellet become resuspend, centrifugate at 4℃ for 10 min at 10 000 r/min. 13. Discard the supernatant, drying the RNA pellet at vacuum for 10 ~ 20 min. Note: not dry to more, otherwise the RNA is difficult 14. Add 100 μl of ddistilled water without ribonuclease to resuspend the RNA pellet, storage at miner 70℃. Reagents 1. Cell lysis buffer 2. CSB buffer 3. 2 mol/L Sodium acetic acid ( pH 4.0 ) 4. isopropyl alcohol 5. Rnase-free water 6. Ethanol alcohol 7. 70% ethanol alcohol 8. phenol: chloroform: isopentyl = 25: 24 :1 9. 0.1 % DEPC (0.1% diethyl pyrocarbonate ) Results Discussion 49 EXPERIMENT 7 ASSAY OF Km VALUE OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE Aims 1. To understand the effect of the changes of substrate concentrations on the velocity of enzyme-catalyzed reaction. 2. To learn the principle and methods of determining Km value and its role at enzyme kinetics. Principle An initial reaction velocity (V0) of enzyme-catalyzed reaction at low substrate concentrations is directly proportional to [S] under the constants of temperature, pH and enzyme concentrations, while at high substrate concentrations the velocity t Michaelis ends towards a maximum value (Vmax), which is independent of [S]. The relationship between substrate concentration [S] and initial reaction velocity (V0) is described by Michaelis-Menten equation. V0 = Vmax·[S] Km+[S] In this equation, Km is Michaelis constant, Vmax is maximum reaction velocity, [S] is substrate concentration. When V= Vmax/2, Km=[S]. So, the units of Km are the same as substrate concentration’s. Km is character constant of enzyme. The Km values of most enzymes are between 0.01~100mmol/L. Km can be calculated by Lineweaver-Burk double-reciprocal plot in which 1/V0 against 1/[S] is made, and then a straight line is gave with the intercept on the X-axis equal to –1/km. So, Km can be calculated. 1 = V0 Vmax 1 Km 1 + Vmax · [S] In this experiment the Km of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) was determined by Lineweaver-Burk double-reciprocal plot. Disodium phenyl-phosphate as a substrate was catalyzed to produce phenol and Disodium hydrogen phosphate , phenol reacted with 4aminoantipyrene in alkaline solution to form a red derivative of quinone with the oxidation of potassium ferricyanide, and then activity of AKP was assayed according to the absorption of the color at 510nm. 50 AKP, OH phenol Disodium phenyl-phosphate +H2O Phenol + 4-aminoantipyrene K3Fe (CN)6·OH- derivative of quinone(red) Protocol 1. Add reagents in each of 8 tubes according to the following table. (Unit: ml) No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0.02mol/L substrate 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.0 pH10 carbonate 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 8 0.00 0.90 buffer H2O 0.95 0.90 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 1.00 Mixing , incubate in 37℃ water bath for 5 mins. 0.1 Enzyme solution 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 (0.5mg/L) Mixing immediately, incubate in 37℃ water bath for 15mins exactly. Alkaline 1.0 solution 4-aminoantipyrene 1.0 K3Fe(CN)6 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 Mixing, place at room temperature for 10 mins, and record A510 with No 8 tube as blank A510 No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8.0 12.5 10 10 0 0 Calculation of data [S]mmol/L 1/[S]×10-2 0.5 200 1.0 100 2.0 50 4.0 25 6.0 16.7 1/A510 Note: making plot with 1/[S] as abscissa, 1/A510 as ordinate Calculation According –1/Km, calculate the value of Km. 51 Reagents 1. The enzyme solution: alkaline phosphatase (AKP) 5mg in 100ml buffer (or GuangXi cobra venom 0.5mg/ml). 2. 0.1mol/L pH10 H2CO3-Na2CO3 buffer ( Carbonate buffer ) 3. 0.02mol/L C6H5Na2PO4 ( Disodium phenyl phosphate ) 4. 1μmol/ml C6H5OH ( Phenol standard solution ) 5. 0.2mol/L NaOH (Sodium hydroxide ) 6. 0.5mg/ml snake venom 7. 0.3% 4-aminoantipyrene 8. 0.5% K3Fe(CN)6 ( Potassium ferricyanide ) Caution Results Discussion 52 EXPERIMENT 8 ASSAY OF GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION IN SERUM (THE METHOD OF GLUCOSE OXIDASE-PEROXIDASE) Aims 1. To grasp the principle and methods related to the assay of glucose concentration in serum with glucose oxidase-peroxidase. 2. To learn about normal value of glucose concentration in serum and its clinical significances. Principle Glucose is oxidized by glucose oxidase to form gluconic acid and peroxide of hydrogen (H2O2), and then H2O2 react with phenol and 4-aminoantipyene to form a red complex. The glucose concentration can be calculated by measuring absorbance of complex at 505nm. The whole reactions are showed following: Glucose+O2+H2O H2O2 + phenol + 4-aminoantipyrine Glucose Oxidase Gluconic acid + H2O2 peroxidase Red complex + H2O Protocol Take out 3 tubes, label and add reagents as following table: (Unit: ml) Reagent Serum Standard of glucose (5.55mmol/L) Mixture of enzyme and phenol Sample Standard 0.02 __ 3.0 __ 0.02 3.0 Blank __ __ 3.0 A505 Mixing, place at 37℃ water bath for 20 min, take the tubes out, cool down to room temperature, and measure A505. Calculation A505 of sample Glucose concentration (mmol/L)= A505 of standard ×5.55 53 Normal reference value 3.89~6.11mmol/L Reagents 1. The commodity kit contains following reagent: (1) Enzyme reagent, having some suitable stable reagent. (2)1% phenol solution. 2. Glucose standard solution (5.55mmol/L). 3. Mixing of enzyme and phenol (1) 1% phenol solution will be diluted to 0.1% with distilled water. (2) 0.1% phenol solution is mixed with enzyme reagent at same volume that is called mixing of enzyme and phenol. Caution Results Discussion 54 EXPERIMENT 9 DETERMINATION OF GLUCOSE IN URINE (THE METHOD OF COPPER ION REDUCTION) Aims 1. To understand the clinic significance of the assay about glucose in urine. 2. To have an appreciation of the principle of the reaction related to the experiment. Principle Glucose has a characteristics of reduction, it reduces Cu2+ to Cu2O and produces brick red precipitation. Protocol 1. Add glycosuria reagent 1ml into tube, heat to boil, not precipitation would be seen. 2. Add clear urine 3~4 drops, heat to boil, observe the result after nature cooling. 3. Judge guideline of result (-) No color change (No glucose in urine or infinitesimal). (Tittle) The color is green but no precipitation. (The content of glucose is about 1g/L). (+) Have a little green precipitation. (The content of glucose is about 1~5g/L). (++) Appear a little green-yellow precipitation within boiling 1 minute. (The content of glucose is about 5~14g/L). (+++) Appear a mud yellow precipitation after boiling 10~15 seconds. (The content of glucose is about 15~20g/L). (++++) Immediately appear yellow and change into brick red gradually after boiling. (The content of glucose is more than 20g/L). Normal reference value The glucose in urine for health people is very tittle (0.1~0.3g every day), result is (-). Clinic significance Abnormal glucosuria can be seen in the patients with diabetes, and furthermore, the patients with hyperparathyroidism, some nephropathy, pressure of skull increasing, cerebral concussion et al also can be seen. Caution 1. A error positive would be seen if the patients took a lot of reductive medicines such as 55 streptomycin, vitamin C. The patients would be stopped taking these medicines several days before examined. 2. If there were proteins in urine the reaction would be interfered with. The urine would be examined again after adding acid into urine and boiling and filtering it. 3. Lots of uric acid sodium also interferes with reaction (uric acid has a weak reduction.). Placed urine at icebox till uric acid sodium separated out, and then took supernate to examine again. Reagents 1. Glycosuria reagent A solution: citrate 173g, anhydrous sodium carbonate 100g, distill water 700ml, mixed in a large beaker, heated to speed dissolution. If the solution is turbid or precipitating the liquor will not be used. B solution: bluestone (CuSO4·5H2O) 17.3g, distill water 100ml, heated to speed dissolution. If the solution is turbid or precipitating the liquor will not be used. When A and B solution are cooling down, put B solution into A solution slowly, mix at the same time, add water to 1000ml.If the liquor is not clear, filter and use filterable liquor. Caution Results Discussion 56 Influence of adrenalin and insulin on Glucose concentration in serum Principle Hormone can regulate blood sugar,such as insulin for decreasing blood sugar levels,epinephrine(adrenalin) for increasing blood sugar levels.In this experiment,we observe the change level of blood sugar after insulin or adrenalin was injected to the rabbit,So as to know the effect of hormone on blood sugar levels. Protocol 1.Blood sample preparation Rabbit 1 Rabbit 2 weight weight Taking about 2 ml blood from vein Taking about 2 ml blood from vein Injecting insulin(1.3U/kg)(40U/ml) injecting adrenalin (0.2mg/kg) Taking 2 ml blood again after 35 min Taking 2 ml blood again after 30 min 2. Serum sample preparation Centrifuging the four blood samples and get the Serum samples 3. Determination of blood sugar concentration in serum 4. Calculation: Change rate of blood sugar concentration(%) = BS BS(before injection) 57 EXPERIMENT 10 ASSAY OF TOTAL CHOLESTEROL CONCENTRATION IN SERUM (THE METHOD OF CHOLESTEROL OXIDASE- PEROXIDASE) Aims 1. To grasp the principle and methods of Assay of cholesterol concentration in serum using cholesterol oxidase-peroxidase. 2. To learn about normal value of cholesterol concentration in serum and its clinical significance. Principle 58 Cholesterol ester in serum is hydrolyzed to form cholesterol by Cholesterol esterase, and cholesterol oxidase catalyze cholesterol to produce H2O2, and then H2O2 react with hydroxybenzene and 4-aminoantipyene in the action of peroxidase to form a red complex, quinonimine. The cholesterol concentration can be calculated by measuring absorbence of complex at 500nm wavelength. Cholesterol Cholesterol oxidase H2O2 H2O2+hydroxybenzene peroxidase +4-aminoantipyene Red complex + H2O Protocol Take out 3 tubes, label and do as follow table: (Unit: ml) Reagent standard sample blank 0.02 0 0 1.5 0 1.5 Serum 0 Standard Solution of Cholesterol (5.18mmol/L) 0.02 Work Solution of Enzyme 1.5 A500 Mix, place at 37℃ water bath for 15 min, read absorbence of each tube at 500nm wavelength with regulating absorbance of blank as zero. Calculation A500of sample Total cholesterol concentration (mmol/L)= A500of standard ×5.18 Caution 1. It is right to phlebotomize with empty stomach in the morning and does not allow high fat diet before night. Separating serum should avoid hemolysis. It is not affected with a little Hemolysis. 2. The enzyme reagent is stored at dark 2℃~8℃ that can be used for half a year. 3. The work solution of enzyme can be used for 7 days if only it is stored at 2℃~8℃. Reagents 59 1.The components of commodity reagent box: enzyme reagent 20 ml, dilute reagent 80 ml, standard solution of cholesterol 5.18 mmol/L (2.0g/L). 2. The work solution of enzyme: enzyme reagent: dilute reagent = 1:4, dilute enzyme reagent before use. Clinic significance 1.There are two cholesterol forms in the blood, one is free another is ester form. The young people’s total cholesterol in our country is seldom over 5 mmol/L, but after middle age, total cholesterol in a few people is up to 6.25 mmol/L. 2. Hypercholesterinemia: often be seen in the patients with atherosclerosis, family hypercholesterinemia, diabetes nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism, obstructive jaundice and obesity. 3. Hypocholesterinemia: often be seen in the patients with severe anaemia, hyperthyroidism and malnutrition. Results Discussion EXPERIMENT 11 DETERMINATION OF KETONE BODIES IN URINE (THE METHOD OF THE SODIUM NITROFERRICYANIDE) Aims 1. To grasp the method of the determination of ketone bodies in urine. 2. To understand the clinic significances related to the assay. Principle The acetoacetate and acetone in ketone bodies can react with sodium nitroferricyanide to produce aubergine substance on alkaline condition. Acetoacetate is more sensitive for this 60 reaction about 15 to 20 times. Protocol Take the powder reagent of acetone bodies a little (about mung bean size) to place on 2cm ×2cm filter paper and smear it as a rotundity with 0.5cm. of its diameter. 1. Add sample of urine a drop on the powder reagent. 2. Wait 1~2 minute, and observe the result. 3. Judge guideline of result ① No aubergine appearing: (Negative) the acetone bodies of urine is less than 100mg/L. ② Aubergine appearing: (Positive) the acetone bodies of urine is more than 100mg/L. ③ According to the shade color of aubergine, use (+), (++), (+++), (++++) to represent the content of acetone bodies of urine respectively. Normal reference value The acetone bodies excreted by health people every day are less than 100mg/L, mainly is acetone. So, the reaction is negative. Clinic significance The positive reaction of acetone bodies in the urine often be seen in the patients with diabetes acetoacidosis, acute rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, acute gastroenteritis with severe dehydrate, after anaesthesia and toxic shock. Reagents The powder reagent for the determination of ketone bodies: sodium nitroferricyanide 1g, dry ammonium sulphate 20g and anhydrous sodium carbonate 20g, were baked at 110℃ for 1 hour respectively, and then would be ground respectively, mixed together. Stored it at dry place. It should be used up in two months. If the reagent was wet or yellow that should be prepared again. Caution Results 61 Discussion EXPERIMENT 12 ASSAY OF ALANINE TRANSAMINASE (ALT) ACTIVITY IN SERUM Aims 1. To know about the method of the assay of alanine transaminase activity in serum. 2. To grasp the clinic significances of the assay of alanine transaminase activity in serum. Principle 62 Alanine and -ketoglutarate as substrate are catalyzed and converted into pyruvate and glutamate by alanine transaminase. Pyruvate may combine with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine to produce pyruvate- dinitrophenylhydrazone in which pyruvatedinitrophenylhydrazone appear brown in alkali solution. So, that color can be used for colorimetry. CH3 CHNH2 COOH + GPT CH3 C=N—NH— OH— —NO2 H2N-N— COOH (CH2)2 CHNH2 COOH + pyruvate NO2 + CH3 C=O COOH -ketoglutarate Alanine CH3 C=O COOH COOH (CH2)2 C=O COOH glutamate NO2 —NO2 + H2O COOH Pyruvate 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine pyruvate-dinitrophenylhydrazone -ketoglutarate may also combine with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to produce -ketoglutarate - dinitrophenylhydrazone and interfere with the colorimetric result, but the absorbance of latter in the alkali solution is differ from pyruvatedinitrophenylhydrazone, and is lower than pyruvate- dinitrophenylhydrazone at 520nm wavelength. After reaction, -ketoglutarate will be reduced and pyruvate will be increased in which the interference will be weak. So, the enhancing degree of absorbance at 520nm is directly proportional to content of pyruvate in the reaction system. Protocol 1. Draw a standard curve: take out 6 tubes, label and do as following table. (Unit: ml) Reagent Pyruvate Standard Solution (2mmol/L) Substrate Solution 0.1mol/L PBS(pH7.4) control 1 2 3 4 5 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.50 0.1 0.45 0.1 0.40 0.1 0.35 0.1 0.30 0.1 0.25 0.1 Mix, place in water bath at 37℃ for 5 min, take out and add below reagent 63 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Mix, place in water bath at 37℃ for 20min again, take out and add below reagent 5.0 Corresponding to ALT Unit 0 0.4mol/L NaOH 5.0 28 5.0 57 5.0 97 5.0 150 5.0 200 A520 Mix, let stand for 10 minute at room temperature, read the absorbance of each tube at 520nm wavelength with regulating absorbance of control tube as zero, and then, draw a standard curve using absorbance as Y-axis, ALT unit of each tube as X-axis. 2. Assay of ALT activity: Take out 2 tubes, label and do as following table. (Unit: ml) Reagent Serum 0.1mol/L PBS (pH7.4) Substrate Solution blank sample 0 0.1 0.5 0.1 0 0.5 Mix, put in water bath at 37℃ for 30 min, take out and add reagent below 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine 0.5 0.5 Mix, place at 37℃ water bath for 20min again, take out and add below reagent 0.4mol/L NaOH 5.0 5.0 Read the absorbance of sample tube at 520nm wavelength with regulating absorbance of blank tube as zero. Check up the unit of ALT activity from standard curve. Normal reference value Below 40u (<40u/L) Reagents 1. 0.1mol/L phosphate buffer (PBS), pH7.4 2. Substrate Solution: Weigh out DL-alanine 1.79g and -ketoglutarate 29.2g exactly, dissolve them in about 50ml 0.1mol/L PBS, and then adjust pH to 7.4 using 0.1mol/L NaOH, add 0.1mol/L PBS to 100ml. Mix the liquor fully and divide it into small bottles and store at refrigeratory. 3. Store solution of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine: Weigh out 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine 396mg exactly and dissolve it in 10mol/L sulphuric acid (H2SO4) 100ml, and then store it in brown bottle can be preserved for a long time. 64 4. Work solution of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine: Take out store solution of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine 10ml and dilute it to 200ml using distill water. 4. 0.4mol/L NaOH. Clinic significances 1. ALT in serum is high remarkably in the patients with acute hepatitis and hepatotoxicity necrosis. 2. ALT in serum is middle high in the patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cancer, hepatocirrhosis and myocardial infarction. 3. ALT in serum is middle high in the patients with obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. Note Establishing of ALT activity unit in standard curve: Karman used NADH to make pyruvate reduce to lactate, at the same time, NADH dehydrogenates and oxidized to form NAD+. Because NADH has a absorbance at 340nm wavelength but NAD+ has not a absorbance at this wavelength, so the absorbance at 340nm wavelength decreases. The decrease degree of A340 is inverse proportional to content of pyruvate in the reaction of transamination and is not affected by -ketoglutarate. Under the condition of D=1, 25℃, substrate and NADH were sufficient, total reaction volume was 3 ml, 1 ml serum would make A340 decrease 0.001 in 1minute which enzyme activity was known as a Karman unit. Karman unit could reflect ALT actual activity objectively but it needed expensive apparatus and reagent (NADH) as well as the experiment was complex. So it is difficult for the clinical examination, only used for revising the value of pyruvate in colorimetric reaction and worked out “pyruvate relatively coefficient”, and then use this coefficient to make sure ALT activity unit with correspond to the concentration of pyruvate in standard curve. According to above, in standard curve, the concentration of pyruvate was regular change but corresponding ALT activity was not regular change. -ketoglutarate alanine NADH + H+ ALT glutamate pyruvate NAD+ A340 lactate Results 65 Discussion EXPERIMENT 13 ASSAY OF UREA CONCENTRATION IN SERUM (Diacetyl monohydroxime Method) Aims 1. To have an appreciate understand of the assay method of urea in serum and its clinic significances. 2. To review the mechanism of the producing of urea in liver and its significances. Principle 66 By the catalytic of Fe2+ in acid environment, the urea can react with diacetyl NOH monohydroxime ( CH3—C—CO—CH3 ) to produce a kind of carmine compound when amino thiocarbamide exists in the solution. Then to measure the absorbance of the carmine compound at 520 nm and to calculate and determine the concentration of urea in serum or in plasma. It is unnecessary to get rid of proteins in plasma before the measurement. NOH H3C C C H3C NH2 C O O Diacetyl monohydroxime NH3 H3C Fe3+ 2H2O C C H3C Urea N N H3C C NH C O C H3C N N N C OH carmine compound Protocol 1. Use three middle test tubes, and mark on the tubes, respectively. 2. Add the reagents into each tube according to the following table: (volume unit:ml) Reagents blank standard unknown Serum to be measured 0 0 0.1 standard urea application solution 0 0.1 0 6.1 6.0 6.0 Urea color reaction reagent A520 0 3. Mix the solution in each tube gently, and then put the tubes into boiling water bath for 10 minutes. 4. Cool down the temperature of the tubes in flowing water to room temperature. 5. Zero the spectrophotometer 721 with the blank tube and measure the absorbance of other tubes at 520 nm. Record the results in the blanks of the table. Caution The measurement should be finished in half of hour otherwise the absorbance would decrease if the assay were done in two hours later, which the veracity of the result would be affected. Calculation Au As 67 Urea in serum(mmol/L)= ×5.0 Reference normal value of urea in serum 3.2mmol/L~7.0mmol/L(19mg%~42mg%) Clinic significances Increase: Kidney function failure; Acute upalimentary tract bleeding; Standing hyperpyrexia etc. Decrease: Liver functions have been severely damaged. Why? Review the mechanism of producing of urea in liver You should answer the questions after the experiment in your report. Write down the answer on your lab book and hand it to your demonstrator. Reagents 1. Urea color reagent (i) Solution 1: Gently and slowly pour 50 ml of H2SO4 (AR ) and 50 ml of H3PO4 into 800 ml of water, and add 0.05 ml of FeCl3·6H2O (100g/L) and mix it. Then transfer the solution into a vessel of 1000ml and add water exactly to the scale. (ii) Solution 2: 0.4g of amino thiocarbamide + 2.0g of diacetyl monohydroxime, dilute to100 ml with water. Make the equal volume of solution 1 and solution 2 to be mixture well, store the mixture of solution 1 and solution 2 into refrigeratory. 2. Urea standard stock solution Weigh up 3.0 g of the dry urea, and dissolve it into water, then add water to exactly the scale of 1000 ml. 3. Urea standard application solution 10 ml of standard urea stock solution + water to 100 ml. The concentration of urea in the standard application solution should be 5.0 mmol/L. Evaluation on the method 1. Although there are several assay methods about BUN ( Blood Urea Nitrogen ), the method in this experiment and Urease method are often used. The latter is more specific and precise, but it is more laborious and taking time as well as hard to be prevalent. The former is simpler and more exact. 68 2. The significances of the assay of BUN is nearly as same as NPN, but much simpler. So, the assay of NPN has been replaced progressively by the assay of BUN in clinic. 3. The urea concentration in serum can be transformed to BUN according to the following equation: BUN (mmol/L ) = urea conc.(mmol/L) × 28 60 Results Discussion EXPERIMENT 14 DETERMINATION OF PROTEINS IN URINE Aims 1. To get more sight into the physicochemical properties of proteins. 2. To practice the assay of protein in urine. Principle It can make the proteins denaturation and to be clot by heating. In acidic solution, the pH is more close to the pI of proteins in urine, and the precipitation of proteins will be more completely. Meanwhile, in acidic solution, it can be avoided the effect of the precipitation of basic salts which can bring about the solution turbid, and it’s useful to observe the 69 result of the reaction. Protocol 1. Take a big test tube, add 5 ml of clear urine ( to occupy half of the test tube volume ) 2. Clamp the up part of the test tube with a test tube clamp, heating the urine to boiling with an alcohol burner. 3. Drop a few of drops of 5% acetic acid to the surface layer of the urine, gently mix the top of the urine, continue to heating to boiling. 4. Observe the reaction and record the results ( Take the bottom of the test tube without heating as control part ) 5. The outcome will be estimated according to the following guidelines: (-) negative: the urine appearance is still clear and transparent; (with a little of protein ): turbid a little; (+): visibly turbid, but there are no granules; (++):visibly turbid and granules appearing, but no floccule; (+++): turbid more visibly and there are much floccule and some of them precipitated. (++++): turbid severely and a lot of floccule precipitation Reference normal value The reaction of normal people urine should be negative because there are no protein or only a little in the normal urine. Caution 1. To be careful with the alcohol burner. 2. The urine to be assayed should be clear, sometimes it can be centrifuged first and to take the top layer solution out carefully. 3. Sometimes there are false negative or positive grade decreased results because of dietetic with sub-salt chronically. Add 1-2 drops of saturated NaOH solution to the urine and mix it before the assay. Clinic significances Pathological albuminuria have been seen in nephritis, nephrosis, pyelitis, the whole body illnesses ( including hyperpyrexia, sapremia etc. ) Reagents 5% acetic acid solution: 5 ml of iced acetic acid + water to be 100 ml, mix it. 70 Results Discussion EXPERIMENT 15 LDH AND ITS COENZYME Aims 1. To understand the actions of lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ) and its coenzyme. 2. To have an appreciation of the extract method about the raw lactate dehydrogenase apoenzyme and its coenzyme. Principle Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme which is present in many different kinds of living cells. In mammals it is particularly active in liver and muscle. It is a kind of conjugated protein with NAD+ as its coenzyme. It catalyses the following reversible reaction: 71 CH3CH(OH)COO- + NAD+ Lactate CH3COCOO- + NADH + H+ pyruvate NAD+ represents nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, the coenzyme for the reaction. This coenzyme acts as the hydrogen acceptor, being reduced to NADH when lactate is oxidized to pyruvate. In organisms, the hydrogen atoms carried by NADH will be delivered through the oxidative respiration chains to oxygen to produce water and energy. In vitro, the artificial oxidation system can be used in which methylene blue replaced the site of CoQ in respiration chain, the hydrogen atoms are delivered to methylene blue from flavoprotein. After accepting hydrogen, methylene blue is reduced to methylene white. Add paraffin oil into test tubes to isolate the solution from air to avoid oxidation of methylene white again. The reactions are following: 1. In organism: lactate 2H NAD+ 2H 2CytFe2+ CoQ FMNH2 LDH pyruvate (Fe-S) NADH 2H + H+ (Fe-S) 2e 1/2O2 + bc1caa3 CoQH2 FMN 2e 2CytFe3+ O2- + 2H + H2O 2. In vitro: Sodium 2H latctate (Fe-S) NAD+ FMNH2 2H Methylene blue LDH Sodium pyruvate NADH+H+ Fe-S 2H FMN Methylene white The degree of depigmentation of methylene blue is the indicator of redox reaction process. The sodium pyruvate produced by dehydrogenase of sodium lactate should be fixed by potassium cyanide otherwise the reaction can only reach balance, not to complete. 72 LDH CH3CHOHCOONa + NAD+ CH3COCOONa + NADH + H+ OK CH3COCOONa + KCN C CH3 COONa CN (sodium pyruvate potassium cyanhydrin) There are enough flavoproteins which could react with methylene blue in the extraction of apoenzyme from lactate dehydrogenase. Protocol 1. The preparation of muscle homogenate: Peel the muscle off from the rear legs of 6 rats, and put the muscle fragments into a big beaker, then the muscle fragments are homogenized for 3 minutes with 100 ml of 0.1 mol/L PBS (pH 7.4 ). After that, make up the slurry to 200 ml with 0.1 mol/L PBS for the use of whole lab. 2. The raw extract of NAD+: Pour 100 ml of slurry of rat muscle into a big beaker, boiling the slurry for 5 minutes. Then the slurry is separated to 4 batches holding in the centrifugal tubes and to centrifuge for 10 minutes at 2 500 runs/min. Take the supernatant out carefully and remain it to be used. 3. The preparing of apoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase: Centrifuge 100 ml of another batch of slurry of rat muscle in big plastic centrifugal tubes at 2 500 runs/min for 10 minutes, transfer the supernatant into another beaker carefully and add 1.0 g of activated carbon following mixing gently. After staying up 30 minutes, filtrate the solution and remain the filtrate for further experiment 4. Observe the actions of apoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase and its coenzyme: (i) Mark 4 small test tubes and add the reagents according to the following table: (The unit: drop) Tube No. Extract of LDH apoenzyme Extract + of NAD 5.0g/L KCN 50g/L sodium lactate H 2O 0.2g/L outcome methylene blue 1 10 0 5 5 10 5 73 2 10 10 5 5 0 5 3 10 10 5 0 5 5 4 0 10 5 5 10 5 (ii) After mixing each tube, add 10 drops of paraffin oil along the wall of tubes to isolate the solution in tubes from air. Never shake the tubes again. (iii) Pay attention to the phenomena of the reaction in each tube, record the time, order and degree of depigmentation of each tube . (iv) Explain the results with your knowledge about the bio-oxidation and lactate dehydrogenase. Caution 1. Because KCN ( potassium cyanide ) is virulent, you must wash your hands after using the reagent. 2. The waste solution must be poured into an appointed vessel specially after the experiment finish to avoid the KCN flow into the drainer. 3. If the speed of depigmentation is too slow, the test tubes can be incubated into 40℃ bath to accelerate the reactions until the colour of solution fades. Reagents 1. 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffer solution ( PBS, pH 7.4, see appendix 1 ). 2. Activated carbon 3. 5.0 g/L KCN ( Virulent. Ask your demonstrator if the solution has to be used. Hand in KCN solution to your demonstrator when you finish the pipetting. ) 4. 50 g/L sodium lactate ( or 50 g/L lithium lactate ) 5. 0.2 g/L methylene blue 6. Liquid paraffin oil Results Discussion 1. Which tube should depigment first and which one should be last? Can you list the 74 order of depigmentation? Explain the phenomena of the experiment. 2. What’s the actions of KCN in the experiment? EXPERIMENT 16 FUNCTION AND INHIBITION OF CYTOCHROME Aims To understand the actions of cytochrome system and the inhibition of cyanide on cytochrome oxidase. Principle Cytochrome system includes several kinds of cytochrome and cytochrome oxidase, a class of apoprotein which contain ferrum in their chemical structures. Iron porphyrins are the prosthetic of cytochromes in which the iron can go through reversible redox reactions. Cytochromes belong to the important electron transfer system in cells and bridge between 75 flavoprotein and oxygen which distribute universally in organism. It contains abundant cytochromes and cytochrome oxidase in cardiac muscle which cytochrome oxidase can make cytochrome oxidized and cyanide can combine an empty site of iron atom in the prosthetic and result in the inhibition of electron transfer chain which is the mechanism of cyanide poisoning. In vitro and under aerobic conditions, p-diamino benzene can be oxidized to be brown p-diimino benzene by cytochrome and cytochrome oxidase. Therefore the color exchange of solution can be used to observe the actions of cytochrome and cytochrome oxidase. The reaction is following: 2H+ NH2 2e H2N 2Cyt-Fe3+ 2Cytaa3Fe2+ 2Cyt-Fe2+ 2e 2Cytaa3Fe3+ 2e ½ O2 p-diamino benzene HN NH p-diimino benzene O2- H2O (-) CNProtocol 1. Use a fresh heart of rat, cut the heart and rinse blood off with physiological saline. 2. Cut the heart to be small fragments and put the heart fragments into a mortar. Then add 0.1 mol/L PBS (pH 7.4 ) 9 ml, pestle the fragments adequately to be slurry ( about 10% slurry ) 3. Mark 4 small test tubes and add the reagents according to the following table: ( The unit: drop ) Test tube No. Heart muscle slurry 1 10 2 50g/L KCN H2O 10g/L p-diamino benzene 0 10 10 10 0 20 0 3 10 10 0 10 4 0 0 20 10 Phenomena 4. Mix the solution in each tube, staying up 10 minutes at room temperature. Observe the phenomena and record the outcome into the above table. ( With incubating the test tubes into a 37℃ bath, it could accelerate the reactions. ) Caution 76 1. KCN is virulent, so it must pay more attention to the application of the reagent (see the front reaction ). 2. When pestling the heart muscle with a little of fine sand, it is necessary to add the PBS solution several times, 2-3 ml once respectively. Reagents 1. 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.4 ). 2. 5.0 g/L KCN ( Potassium cyanide ). 3. 10 g/L p-diamino benzene ( It should be prepared freshly ) Results Discussion 1. What’s the KCN action in the experiment? Is it the same as in the front experiment? 2. Why does the heart muscle slurry be used into the experiment? EXPERIMENT 17 DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT ABOUT THE BEST CONDITIONS FOR AMYLASE ACTIVITY Aims 1. You should get the thread how to design a project about experiment research by the design of experiment and should be able to put it in practice. 2. You would get deeper insight into some methods of enzyme kinetic research, for example, how does the change of pH affect the reactions catalyzed by enzyme Procedure ( in your free time before the experiment ) 77 1. Review the contents about the main factors influencing the reactions catalyzed by enzyme. 2. Consult the research state related to amylase at present, including the functions, secretion, activity determination of amylase and its relationship with some clinic illnesses. You can use the library or/and internet. 3. Two students as a group, to discuss the project of experiment design about amylase. You have to decide the concentration of the enzyme or substrate as well as reaction time about the experiment. You should find the best pH buffer for the activity of saliva amylase by putting your experiment project in practice. 4. Prepare for some experiment conditions, such as reagents, instruments, spectrophotometer 721. Write down the steps how to get the saliva amylase, which diluted multiple of saliva amylase should be used. 5. Hand in your project to your demonstrator before the experiment. Get some advise about the procedures from your demonstrator. Protocol ( two students as a group ) 1. Read your project carefully again in order to understand clearly the significance and the aims of the experiment design. 2. Get saliva amylase by yourself and carefully considered dilute it. 3. Make up the diverse pH for the experiment. 4. Measure the activity of saliva amylase in different pH solution. Draw the graph according to the experiment data in order to find the best pH for the saliva amylase. 5. Amend the experiment conditions such as amylase concentration, substrate concentration and their amount in the reaction until getting appropriate data to determine the best pH of amylase. Caution 1. You have to get some useful information related to amylase before the experiment design. 2. You have to prepare for some reagents, especially diverse pH buffer solutions before manipulating the normal experiment. Reagents ( supplied by the lab ) 1. 2. 3. 4. 2.5 g/L starch ( stock solution ) Iodine application solution Acetic acid, sodium acetic acid, glycine, phosphate, sodium hydroxide Distilled water, mineral water 5. spectrophotometer 721, test tubes, test tube rack, small beakers, pipettes, label paper, water bath etc. 78 Results Record the data you get from the experiment into the following table which only used as a reference. ( You can change the contents in the table ) pH 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6.0 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.8 pH buffer 0.8ml 0.8ml 0.8ml 0.8ml 0.8ml 0.8ml 0.8ml 0.8ml 0.8ml Substrate (starch) 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 1:5 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml 0.2ml Enzyme Put the test tubes into water bath at 37℃ for 7.5 minutes, then add the reagents as following Iodine application solution 1.0ml 1.0ml 1.0ml 1.0ml 1.0ml 1.0ml 1.0ml 1.0ml 1.0ml Distilled water 6.0ml 6.0ml 6.0ml 6.0ml 6.0ml 6.0ml 6.0ml 6.0ml 6.0ml Mix and then measure the absorbance at 660 nm with 721 meter A660 Table filled by yourself pH pH buffer Substrate (starch) Enzyme Put the test tubes into water bath at 37℃ for 7.5 minutes, then add the reagents as following Iodine application solution Distilled water Mix and then measure the absorbance at 660 nm with 721 meter 79 A660 Discussion 1. Which pH buffer is the best for the activity of saliva amylase? Why? 2. Discuss the outcome of the experiment each other, write down a short summary about the experiment design. EXPERIMENT 18 PREPARATION OF DNA FROM BLOOD WHITE CELLS Aims To Learn the technique about DNA extract from white blood cell (WBC). Principle First, the WBC is separated with gelatin from whole blood. Second, the WBC is disrupted by SDS, then the DNA in the WBC can be released into the TES. The third, DNA can be separated from other ingredients by phenol, chloroform and ethanol (alcohol). Protocol 80 1. Isolation of WBC (1) Mix with 2 ml blood and 2 ml 3% gelatin in a glass tube with a dropper, setting the mixed solution at 37℃ for 5 to 10 minutes. (2) Put the upper aqueous phase (containing WBC) to another tube and centrifugate at 3 000 rpm for 5 minutes. (3) The pellets can be used after upper aqueous phase be discarded . 2. Breaking of WBC Dissolve the pellets in 2 ml TES. Put in 10 drops 10% SDS to the tube and mix the solution with the dropper until the WBC broken. 3. Separation of DNA (1) Put in 2 ml saturated phenol (pH7.8) to the tube contained WBC dissolved solution and completely mixing with dropper, centrifuged the mixing solution at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes. (2) Remove the upper aqueous phase to another tube, Add the equal volume solution of chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (24:1, v/v) into the aqueous phase solution tube. Mix the solution completely with the dropper and centrifuge at 3 000 rpm for 5 minutes (3) Remove the upper aqueous phase to another tube. Add 2.5-fold volume of ethanol into the tube containing water solution. It should be careful to mix the water solution with the ethanol. It must draw the upper ethanol to rinse the lower water solution, then the DNA can be precipitated and isolated. (4) Remove the DNA pellets to another tube with dropper and wash 2 times with 70% ethanol. Let stand the DNA pellets at 4℃ for a period of time so that the remained ethanol can be volatilized. 4. DNA storage Above DNA pellets can dissolved in 200 μ l TE (or distilled water) for next experiment or can be set at 4℃ for storage. Reagents 1. 30g/L gelatin: 3g gelatin and 0.5g EDTA-Na2 are compounded with NS solution to whole volume 100ml. 2. TES: 0.5mol/L EDTA 15ml + 1mol/L Tris-HCl 7.5ml + 3mol/L NaCl 2.5ml add H2O to 500ml. 3. 100g/L SDS: 10g SDS are dissolved in distilled water to 100ml. 4. TAE buffer(50 × TAE): Tris 12.1g + ice-acetic acid 2.9ml + 0.5ml/L EDTA(pH8.0)5.0ml are added distilled water to 50ml. When the buffer is need to use, 10ml buffer is compounded with distilled water to 500ml. 5. Loading buffer: 0.2% bromophenol blue and 50% sucrose or glycerol. 81 Equipment centrifuge; water bath Results Discussion EXPERIMENT 19 ELECTROPHORESIS OF DNA ON AGAROSE GEL Aims To learn the base principle and the experiment method of DNA Electrophoresis. Principle In the solution with pH higher than 8.0, DNA molecules become electricly negative charge. So DNA molecules would move to the positive polar in an electric field when DNA molecules are putted into agarose gel. On the other hand, the smaller the size of DNA, the faster the DNA would migrate on the agarose gel. That means the speed of the 82 migration of DNA mainly dependents on the size and the amount of electric charges with DNA molecules in the electric field. Therefore, if there are different molecular weight and shape, DNA molecules can be separated from each other by electrophoresis on agarose gel. The density of agarose gel can affect the speed of migration of DNA in electric field too so that different density of agarose gel should be used for the different size and shape of DNA. It is showed in the following table: Conc. of Agarose Gel (%) The ranges of DNA molecular (kb) 0.7 1.0 1.5 2.0 0.8~10 0.4~6 0.2~4 0.1~3 Protocol 1. Select a proper electrophoretic set and place it on the level. Check up the electrical source and the circuitry. 2. Select a proper comb and put it vertically on the negative polar end of electrophoretic set, making the space between the bottom side of the comb and the electrophoretic set on the level is about 1.0mm. 3. Prepare for the agarose gel. For a 100 ml of 0.8 % gel melt 0.8g of agarose in about 90 ml 1×TBE. Put in microwave oven or hot water bath until agarose melting. Add 1 ×TBE to be 100 ml. Seal the four sides of the electrophoretic set with sticky tape and pour gently the gel after ethidium bromide has been added ( the final conc. of EB is 0.5 μg/ ml ) and mixed when the temperature drop to about 60℃. Leave the gel to set for 30 minutes. 4. Add 1×TBE to the electrophoretic tank after the gel set, then take out the comb gently and keep the wells well. 5. Mix the DNA sample with 1/5 volume of loading buffer ( 0.2 % bromophenol blue and 50 % sucrose or glycerol ) and load samples into the wells on the gel. Record the order and the amount of samples. 6. Run the gel in 1×TBE for 1~2 hour ( the time dependent on the concentration, quality, size of DNA sample ) at 5 voltage / cm. 83 7. Stop the electrophoresis and take out the electrophoretic set. Put it on ultraviolet light facility to record the phenomena or take pictures. Reagents 1. 0.8%Agarose gel: prepared with electrophoresis buffer 1×TBE. 2. electrophoresis buffer 10×TBE ( 0.89mol/L Tris, 0.89mol/L Boric acid, 0.02 mmol/L EDTA.Na2 pH 8.0 ), and dilute to 1×TBE before using. 3. Ethidium bromide ( EB ) 10 mg/ml, the final concentration should be 0.5μg/ ml when it is used in a gel. 4. Loading buffer: 0.2% Bromophenol blue, 50% sucrose or glycerol. Results Discussion A PPENDIX APPENDIX 1 THE PREPARATION OF BUFFER The concentration of the hydrogen ion of the solution which consist of certain materials 84 nearly keep unchanged or only change a little when certain acid or basic solution have been added. This kind of solution is termed buffer solution, which the action is called buffer action, and the materials in the solution is called buffer. (i)Standard buffer solution 1.Preparation of standard buffer solution (1)pH4.01 standard buffer solution: Weigh up 10.21 g of potassium hydrogen phthalic acid (GR ) ( after baked at 115±5℃ for 2-3 hours, cooling in a drier for 45 minutes ),and dissolve in 1000 ml di-distilled water( The resistance of dd-water is larger than 1mΩ) (2)pH6.86 standard buffer solution: Weigh up 3.39 g of high grade potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 3.53 g of high grade disodium hydrogen phosphate ( The two reagents must be baked at 115℃ for 2-3 hours, cooling for 45 minutes. It should be hurry when you weigh up the latter ). Dissolve them into 1000 ml of dd-water and mix it. (3)pH9.18 standard buffer solution: Weigh up 3.80 g of high grade pure borax ( Borax couldn’t be baked, so it should be hurry when weighing up borax ), dissolve the borax into 1000 ml of dd-water without carbon dioxide. 2.Comparison of the relationship between pH and temperature Temperatur pH e(℃) phthalic acid standard solution Phosphate standard Borax standard solution solution 0 4.01 6.98 9.46 85 5 4.01 6.95 9.39 10 4.00 6.92 9.33 15 4.00 6.90 9.27 20 4.01 6.88 9.22 25 4.01 6.86 9.18 30 4.01 6.85 9.14 35 4.02 6.84 9.10 40 4.03 6.84 9.07 45 4.04 6.83 9.04 50 4.06 6.83 9.01 55 4.07 6.84 8.99 60 4.09 6.84 8.96 (ii)The buffers in common use 1.Potassium chloride- hydrochloric acid buffer(pH 1.0~2.2) 0.2mol/L potassium chloride Xml+0.2mol/L HCl Yml,add distilled water to 100 ml. 86 pH(25℃) X Y 1.0 25.0 67.0 1.1 25.0 58.8 1.2 25.0 42.5 1.3 25.0 33.6 1.4 25.0 26.6 1.5 25.0 20.7 1.6 25.0 16.2 1.7 25.0 13.0 1.8 25.0 10.2 1.9 25.0 8.1 2.0 25.0 6.5 2.1 25.0 5.1 2.2 25.0 3.9 Potassium chloride(KCl),MR=74.55;0.2mol/L solution ≌ 14.91g/L 2.Glycine-hydrochloric acid buffer(pH2.2~3.6) 0.2mol/L glycine Xml+0.2mol/L HCl Yml,add distilled water to 100 ml. pH(25℃) X Y 2.2 25.0 22.0 2.4 25.0 16.2 2.6 25.0 12.1 2.8 25.0 8.4 3.0 25.0 5.7 3.2 25.0 4.1 3.4 25.0 3.2 3.6 25.0 2.5 glycine(C2H5NO2),Mr=75.07;0.2mol/L solution ≌ 15.01g/L. 3.Citric acid 一 disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer (pH2.6~7.6) pH 0.1mol/L(citric acid) 0.2mol/L Na2HPO4 2.6 89.10 10.90 2.8 84.15 15.85 3.0 79.45 20.55 87 3.2 75.30 24.70 3.4 71.50 28.50 3.6 67.80 32.20 3.8 64.50 35.50 4.0 61.45 38.55 4.2 58.60 41.40 4.4 55.90 44.10 4.6 53.25 46.75 4.8 50.70 49.30 5.0 48.50 51.50 5.2 46.40 53.60 5.4 44.25 55.75 5.6 42.00 58.00 5.8 39.55 60.45 6.0 36.85 63.15 6.2 33.90 66.10 6.4 30.75 69.25 6.6 27.25 72.75 6.8 22.75 77.25 7.0 17.65 82.35 7.2 13.05 86.95 7.4 9.15 90.85 7.6 6.35 93.65 Citric acid(C6H8O7.H2O),Mr=210.04;0.1mol/L solution ≌ 21.01g/L. NaHPO4, Mr=141.98;0.2mol/L solution ≌ 28.40g/L. NaHPO4.2H2O,Mr=178.05;0.2mol/L solution ≌ 35.61g/L. 4.Citric acid--sodium citrate buffer(pH3.0~6.2) pH 0.1mol/L citric acid (ml) 0.1mol/L sodium citrate(ml) 3.0 82.0 18.0 3.2 77.5 22.5 88 3.4 73.0 27.0 3.6 68.5 31.5 3.8 63.5 36.5 4.0 59.0 41.0 4.2 54.0 46.0 4.4 49.5 50.5 4.6 44.5 55.5 4.8 40.0 60.0 5.0 35.0 65.0 5.2 30.5 69.5 5.4 25.5 74.5 5.6 21.0 79.0 5.8 16.0 84.0 6.0 11.5 88.5 6.2 8.0 92.0 Citric acid(C6H8O7.H2O), Mr=210.14;0.1mol/L solution ≌ 21.01g/L. Sodium citrate(Na3C6H5O7 .2H2O), Mr=294.12; 0.1mol/L solution ≌ 29.41g/L. 5.Acetic acid----sodium acetate buffer (pH3.7~5.8) pH 0.2mol/L NaAc 0.2mol/L HAc 3.7 10.0 90.0 3.8 12.0 88.0 89 4.0 18.0 82.0 4.2 26.5 73.5 4.4 37.0 63.0 4.6 49.0 51.0 4.8 59.0 41.0 5.0 70.0 30.0 5.2 79.0 21.0 5.4 86.0 14.0 5.6 91.0 9.0 5.8 94.0 6.0 Sodium acetate(CH3COONa.3H2O),Mr=136.09;0.2mol/L solution ≌ 27.22g/L. 6.Disodium hydrogen phosphate----sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH5.8-8.0) 0.2mol/L Na2HPO4Xml + 0.2mol/L NaH2PO4Yml,add distilled water to 100 ml. 90 pH 0.2mol/L Na2HPO4 0.2mol/L NaH2PO4 5.8 4.00 46.00 6.0 6.15 43.85 6.2 9.25 40.75 6.4 13.25 36.75 6.6 18.75 31.25 6.8 24.50 25.50 7.0 30.50 19.50 7.2 36.00 14.00 7.4 40.50 9.50 7.6 43.50 6.50 7.8 45.75 4.25 8.0 47.35 2.65 Na2HPO4 . 2H2O,Mr=178.05;0.2mol/L ≌ 35.61g/L Na2HPO4 . 12H2O,Mr=385.22;0.2mol/L ≌ 71.64g/L NaH2PO4 . H2O,Mr=138.01;0.2mol/L ≌ 27.6g/L NaH2PO4 . 2H2O,Mr=156.03;0.2mol/L ≌ 31.21g/L 7 . Disodium hydrogen phosphate----potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH5.8~8.2) pH 1/15mol/L Na2HPO4 (ml) 1/15mol/L KH2PO4 (ml) 91 5.8 8.0 92.0 6.0 12.2 87.8 6.2 18.6 81.4 6.4 26.7 73.3 6.6 37.5 62.5 6.8 49.6 50.4 7.0 61.1 38.9 7.2 72.0 28.0 7.4 80.8 19.2 7.6 87.0 13.0 7.8 91.5 8.5 8.0 94.7 5.3 8.2 97.0 3.0 Disodium hydrogen phosphate(Na2HPO4 . 2H2O),Mr=178.05;1/15mol/L ≌ 11.876g/L. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate(KH2PO4 ),Mr=136.09;1/15mol/L ≌ 9.078g/L. 8.Sodium barbital----hydrochloric acid buffer(pH6.8-9.6) pH(18℃) 0.1mol/L sodium barbital(ml) 0.2mol/L HCl (ml) 6.8 52.2 47.8 92 7.0 53.6 46.4 7.2 55.4 44.6 7.4 58.1 41.9 7.6 61.5 38.5 7.8 66.2 33.8 8.0 71.6 28.4 8.2 76.9 23.1 8.4 82.3 17.7 8.6 87.1 12.9 8.8 90.8 9.2 9.0 93.6 6.4 9.2 95.2 4.8 9.4 97.4 2.6 9.6 98.5 1.5 Sodium barbital (C8H11N2NaO3),Mr=206.18;0.1mol/L ≌ 20.618g/L。 9.Boracic acid ----borax buffer(pH7.4-9.0) pH 0.05mol/L borax(ml) 0.1mol/L boracic acid (ml) 7.4 1.0 9.0 7.6 1.5 8.5 7.8 2.0 8.0 8.0 3.0 7.0 8.2 3.5 6.5 8.4 4.5 5.5 8.7 6.0 4.0 9.0 8.0 2.0 Borax(Na2B4O7 .10H2O),Mr=381.43;0.05mol/L ≌ 19.07g/L. Boracic acid(H3BO3) ,Mr=61.84 ;0.2mol/L ≌ 12.37g/L. Borax is ease to lose crystal water, so it must be kept into a special bottle with a tight stopper. 10.Borax----hydrochloric acid buffer(pH8.1~9.0) 0.025mol/L borax Xml+0.1 mol/L HCl Yml,add distilled water to 100ml. pH (25℃) Borax X(ml) HCl Y(ml) 93 8.1 50.0 19.7 8.2 50.0 18.8 8.3 50.0 17.7 8.4 50.0 16.6 8.5 50.0 15.2 8.6 50.0 13.5 8.7 50.0 11.6 8.8 50.0 9.4 8.9 50.0 7.1 9.0 50.0 4.6 Borax(Na2B4O7 .10H2O), Mr=381.43;0.025mol/L ≌ 9.536g/L。 11.Barbital----sodium barbital buffer(pH8.6) pH Ion intensity(I) Barbital (g) Sodium barbital Add distilled (g) water to (ml) 8.6 0.1 3.68 20.60 1000 8.6 0.075 2.76 15.45 1000 8.6 0.06 2.21 12.36 1000 8.6 0.05 1.84 10.30 1000 12.Glycine-Sodium hydroxide buffer(pH8.6~10.6) 0.2mol/L glycine Xml+0.2mol/L sodium hydroxide Yml,add distilled water 94 to 100ml. pH(25℃) Glycine X(ml) Sodium hydroxide Y(ml) 8.6 25.0 2.0 8.8 25.0 3.0 9.0 25.0 4.4 9.2 25.0 6.0 9.4 25.0 8.4 9.6 25.0 11.2 9.8 25.0 13.6 10.0 25.0 16.0 10.4 25.0 19.3 10.6 25.0 22.8 Glycine(C2H5NO2),Mr=75.07,0.2mol/L ≌ 15.01g/L。 13.Sodium carbonate-sodium bicarbonate buffer(pH9.2-10.8) (It couldn’t be used when there are Ca2+ or Mg2+ in solution.) pH 0.1mol/L Na2CO3 0.1mol/L Na2HCO2 8.8 10 90 9.4 9.1 20 80 9.5 9.4 30 70 9.8 9.5 40 60 9.9 9.7 50 50 10.1 9.9 60 40 10.3 10.1 70 30 10.5 10.3 80 20 10.8 10.6 90 10 20℃ 37℃ 9.2 Na2CO3·10H2O,Mr=286.2;0.1mol/L ≌ 28.62g/L; Na2CO3,Mr=105.99; 0.1mol/L ≌ 10.6g/L; NaHCO3,Mr=84;0.1mol/L ≌ 8.40g/L. 14 . Tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane----hydrochloric acid buffer (pH7.2-8.8) 95 0.1mol/L Tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane Xml + 0.1mol/L HCl Yml,add distilled water to 100ml. pH(25℃) 0.1 mol/L TrisX(ml) 0.1 mol/L HCl Y(ml) 7.2 50.0 44.7 7.4 50.0 42.0 7.6 50.0 38.5 7.8 50.0 34.5 8.0 50.0 29.2 8.2 50.0 22.9 8.4 50.0 17.2 8.6 50.0 12.7 8.8 50.0 8.5 Tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane,(abbreviated as Tris ,C4H11NO3) Mr = 121.14 ; 0.1mol/L ≌ 12.114g/L. Tris solution can absorb carbon dioxide from air, so the bottle should be stoppered HOCH2 C HOCH2 tightly when it is nonuse. CH2OH H2 NH2 APPENDIX 2 Molecular weight ( Mr ) and isoelectric point (pI ) of some proteins in 96 common use Proteins Mr pI 胰岛素 (Insulin)(cattle) 5,733 5.35 细胞色素 C (CytochromeC)(cattle heart) 13,000 10.6 糜蛋白酶 (Chymotrypsin) 13,000 8.1 溶菌酶 (Lysozyme) 13,900 11.2 核糖核酸酶 (Ribonuclease)(cattle pancreas) 14,000 7.8 血红蛋白 (Hemoglobin) 15,500 7.07 肌红蛋白 (Myoglobin) 17,000 7.0 β-乳球蛋白 (β-Lactoglobulin) 18,400 5.2 生长激素 (Somatotropin)(人) 21,500 6.9 胰蛋白酶 (Trypsin) 23,3000 糜蛋白酶原 (Chymotrypsinogen) 25,000 碳酸酐酶 (Carbonic anhydrase) 30,000 羧基肽酶 (Carboxypeptidase) 134,000 6.0 胃蛋白酶 (Pepsin) 35,500 1.0 左右 乳酸脱氢酶 (Lactic dehydrogenase) 36,000 卵白蛋白 (Ovaldumin) 40,000 4.6 血清白蛋白 (Serum allumin) 68,000 4.9 醇脱氢酶 (Alcohol dehydrogenase) 80,000 烯醇酶 (Enolae) 90,000 已糖激酶 (Hexokinase) 96,000 组氨酸脱羧酶 (Histidine decarboxylase) 109,000 3-磷酸甘油醛脱 Glylceraldehyde 3-phos- 145,000 氢酶 phate dehydrogenase 血浆铜兰蛋白 (Ceruloplasmin) 151,000 Y-球蛋白 (r-globulin) 156,000 延胡索酸酶 (Fumarase) 194,000 Proteins Mr 6-磷酸葡萄糖脱 (Glucose-6-phosphate 氢酶 Dehydrogenase) 9.5 6.6 pI 240,000 97 过氧化氢酶 (Catalase) 250,000 纤维蛋白原 (Fibrinogen) 330,000 脲 (Urease) 480,000 谷氨酰胺合成酶 (Glutamine synthetase) 592,000 甲状腺球蛋白 (Thyrogobulin) 660,000 谷氨酸脱氢酶 (Glutamate dehydrogenase) 1,000,000 β-脂蛋白 (β1-Lipoprotein) 1,300,000 乙酰 CoA 羧化酶 (AcetylCoA carbxylase) 2,000,000 血蓝蛋白 (Hemocyanin octopus) 2,800,000 a1-粘蛋白 (α-Mucoprotein) 1.8~2.7 胎球蛋白 (Fetuin) 3.4~3.5 胶原蛋白 (Collagen) 6.6~6.8 鲑精蛋白 (Salmine) 12.1 酶 5.6 5.1 5.4 2002/8/28 Wu Yaosheng, Zhou Sufang, Lai Xiangjin, Ling Ming Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology School of Pre Clinic Science Guangxi Medical University 98