Light-addressable potentiometric sensor for biochemical systems.

Numerous biochemical reactions can be measured potentiometrically through changes in pH, redox potential, or transmembrane potential. An alternating photocurrent through an electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor interface provides a highly sensitive means to measure such potential changes. A spatially selectable photoresponse permits the determination of a multiplicity of chemical events with a single semiconductor device.

The cytosensor microphysiometer: biological applications of silicon technology.

A silicon-based device, dubbed a microphysiometer, can be used to detect and monitor the response of cells to a variety of chemical substances, especially ligands for specific plasma membrane receptors. The microphysiometer measures the rate of proton excretion from 10(4) to 10(6) cells. This article gives an overview of experiments currently being carried out with this instrument with emphasis on receptors with seven transmembrane helices and tyrosine kinase receptors. As a scientific instrument, the microphysiometer can be thought of as serving two distinct functions. In terms of detecting specific molecules, selected biological cells in this instrument serve as detectors and amplifiers. The microphysiometer can also investigate cell function and biochemistry. A major application of this instrument may prove to be screening for new receptor ligands. In this respect, the microphysiometer appears to offer significant advantages over other techniques.

Detection of cell-affecting agents with a silicon biosensor.

Cellular metabolism is affected by many factors in a cell's environment. Given a sufficiently sensitive method for measuring cellular metabolic rates, it should be possible to detect a wide variety of chemical and physical stimuli. A biosensor has been constructed in which living cells are confined to a flow chamber in which a potentiometric sensor continually measures the rate of production of acidic metabolites. Exploratory studies demonstrate several applications of the device in basic science and technology.

Antibody-dependent phagocytosis of haptenated liposomes by human neutrophils is dependent on the physical state of the liposomal membrane.

In the present study we have examined the response of human neutrophils to specific antibody-dependent stimulation by spin-label haptenated fluid phase and solid phase liposomes. Both fluid and solid liposomal antigens are shown to stimulate the neutrophil respiratory burst to approximately equivalent degrees as assessed by measurement of oxygen consumption or oxidation of [1-14C]glucose to 14CO2. In contrast, release of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from the neutrophils is stimulated to a significantly greater degree by fluid-phase liposomes than by the equivalent solid-phase liposomes. This apparent discrepancy is shown to be due to an inability of the neutrophils to phagocytose fluid-phase liposomes under conditions in which solid-phase liposomes are readily phagocytosed. A fluorescence assay, which does not depend upon binding measurements, has been developed in order to quantitate liposomal phagocytosis.

Measurement of antibody-dependent binding, proteolysis, and turnover of C1s on liposomal antigens localizes the fluidity-dependent step in C1 activation.

The antibody-dependent binding and activation of the first component of human complement (C1) by liposomes containing nitroxide spin-label lipid haptens have been simultaneously measured. The liposomes were either fluid (dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine) or solid (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) at the temperature of the experiments (32 degrees C). In 10 minutes fluid liposomes activate 40% of the C1 whereas solid liposomes only activate 10% of the C1. The fraction of C1 bound at the end of the activation incubation is approx. 2% for fluid liposomes and approx. 4% for solid liposomes. This binding is consistent with the relative amounts of antibody which bind to these two types of liposomes. These results demonstrate turnover of C1 or C1r2s2 on the liposome surface. It is concluded that the differential activation of C1 is due to a difference in the rate of activation of C1 after it is bound to the liposome surface. Lower limits for the activation rate constant for C1 bound to fluid and solid liposomes are estimated to be 8 X 10(-2) s-1 and 1 X 10(-2) s-1, respectively.

Specificity of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase toward monoacylglycerols varying in the acyl composition.

We report here that both the hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase demonstrate specificity towards the acyl group present on monoacylglycerols. We found that unsaturated glycerides are more readily degraded than saturated glycerides. However, the basis for this specificity appears to be different for each enzyme. The activity of the hepatic lipase, but not the lipoprotein lipase, could be stimulated by Triton X-100 and phosphoglycerides. We interpret these results to show that while both the lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase are sensitive to the physical state of the substrate (as shown by fluorescence depolarization), the lipoprotein lipase also has a low affinity for monoacylglycerols that contain a saturated acyl group. In the course of this study we also obtained evidence that some type of phase separation occurs when mixtures of saturated and unsaturated monoacylglycerols are prepared.

Identification and quantitation of electron-transport components in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Using dithionite difference spectra we have detected cytochrome b in highly purified human neutrophils at a concentration of 0.08 nmol/mg protein. The presence of quinone was identified in lipid extracts at a concentration of approx. 0.06 nmol/mg protein. It was identified as ubiquinone-10 by mass spectrographic analysis. Simultaneous measurements of cytochrome oxidase indicated that these compounds could not be attributed to mitochondrial contamination. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that initiation of the respiratory burst in human neutrophils involves a multicomponent electron-transport system.

A fluorometric method for determining the degree of biotinylation of proteins.

A method to determine the number of biotin moieties attached to a protein has been developed based on quenching the natural fluorescence of avidin or streptavidin by biotin. The assay consists of titrating the number of biotin combining sites on streptavidin/avidin before and after adding the biotinylated protein. With this method only those biotin moieties capable of binding to streptavidin/avidin are detected. The assay is simple and sensitive, requiring only 1-10 micrograms of biotinylated protein per determination.

Biosensors based on the energy metabolism of living cells: the physical chemistry and cell biology of extracellular acidification.

The silicon microphysiometer is a biosensor-based instrument that detects changes in the physiological state of cultured living cells by monitoring the rate at which the cells excrete acidic products of metabolism. This paper discusses the chemical and biological factors that determine the performance and applications of such a system. Under typical culture conditions, extracellular acidification is dominated by the excretion of lactic and carbonic acids formed during the energy metabolism, using glucose and glutamine as carbon sources. The maintenance of transmembrane ionic gradients is an important use of energy, as is cell growth. The activation of cellular receptors usually causes transient or sustained increases in acidification rate. The energetic cost of generating second messengers is probably too small to account for either change, so events more distal to the receptor-activation process must be responsible. The opening of ion channels may cause the increases in some cases. In others, changes in intracellular pH and loose coupling between ATP hydrolysis and synthesis may be involved; models for these processes are presented.

Testing ocular irritancy in vitro with the silicon microphysiometer.

The silicon microphysiometer, an instrument based on the light-addressable potentiometric sensor, was evaluated as an in vitro alternative for assessing ocular irritancy potential. It indirectly and non-invasively measures cell metabolism by determining the rate of acid metabolite production from cells, in this case human epidermal keratinocytes, placed inside the microphysiometer chamber. The 17 materials used for the evaluation included bar soaps, a liquid hand soap, shampoos, dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents, a fabric softener and several single chemicals. All materials tested were in liquid form. The in vivo irritancy potential of the materials was obtained from historical data using the rabbit low-volume eye test. There was a positive correlation between the in vivo irritancy potential of the test materials and the concentration of test material that decreased the acidification rate of cells by 50% (MRD(50); r = 0.86, P < 0.0001). Preliminary studies suggest other endpoints obtainable from the system may also provide useful information for making ocular safety assessments. Because the method is non-invasive, it is possible to determine whether cells recover from a treatment with the test material. The metabolic rate of the cells also increases at sub-inhibitory concentrations of some of the test materials. Because of the good correlation between the in vivo and in vitro data, the ease with which test materials can be applied to the system, and the multiple endpoints available from the system, it holds great potential as a useful in vitro alternative for ocular safety testing.

Co-localization of superoxide generation and NADP formation in plasma membrane fractions from human neutrophils.

In order to resolve discrepancies in the literature concerning the subcellular localization of NADPH oxidase, we disrupted human neutrophils by nitrogen cavitation and fractionated the subcellular organelles on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient. The lightest fraction was 20- to 40-fold enriched for plasma membranes as determined by the marker enzymes alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase I as well as by the ratio of lipid phosphorus to protein. There was a significant decrease in the specific activities of the granule markers myeloperoxidase, lysozyme, and beta-glucuronidase. An intermediate fraction was enriched in membrane markers but not to the extent the lightest fraction was enriched. This fraction contained more granular contamination, as shown by the marker enzymes. In contrast, the densest bands of the gradient were enriched for granule markers with little contamination by plasma membrane. Superoxide generation and NADP formation were primarily associated with the two membrane-enriched fractions from polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate. The NADP formation associated with a dense granule fraction observed previously in our laboratory was probably due to a cyanide-stimulated oxidation of NADPH by myeloperoxidase.

Biosensors for directly measuring cell affecting agents.

Cellular perfusion chambers have been constructed from the Light Addressable Potentiometric Sensor (LAPS) previously described. The authors have used these chambers to measure the effects of a variety of agents on the metabolic rates of cells. The chambers are used in a stopped flow mode. When flow is on, samples may be introduced to the chamber. When flow is stopped, acidification of the very small volume of medium in the chamber is used to determined the metabolic rate of the cells. Using a variety of types of mammalian cells the authors have demonstrated the following. The triggering of cellular receptors can be determined in minutes. Metabolic inhibition of normal human cells by a test compound can be correlated with the compounds in vivo ocular irritancy. And the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents on tumor cells exhibiting multidrug resistance can be determined in a few hours.

Multiport flow-control system for lab-on-a-chip microfluidic devices.

A multiport system suitable for pressure control on a lab-on-a-chip microfluidic device is described. An algorithm and a strategy for calculating pressures were developed to control the flow from multiple reservoirs for the microfluidic devices. Dye mixing and enzyme assay titration experiments were performed using pressure-driven flow only. Results show a good linear response over two orders of dynamic range.

Dynamic nature of the quaternary structure of the vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein.

The envelope glycoprotein (G protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus probably exists in the viral envelope as a trimer of identical subunits. Depending on the conditions of solubilization, G protein may dissociate into monomers. G protein solubilized with the detergent octyl glucoside was shown to exist as oligomeric forms by sedimentation velocity analysis and chemical cross-linking. G protein was modified with either fluorescein isothiocyanate or rhodamine isothiocyanate. Resonance energy transfer between fluorescein and rhodamine labels was observed upon mixing the two labeled G proteins in octyl glucoside. This result provided further evidence that G protein in octyl glucoside is oligomeric and indicated that the subunits are capable of exchange to form mixed oligomers. Resonance energy transfer was independent of G protein concentration in the range examined (10-80 nM) and was not observed when labeled G proteins were mixed with fluorescein or rhodamine that was not conjugated to protein. Resonance energy transfer decreased upon incorporation of G protein into Triton X-100, consistent with sedimentation velocity data that G protein in Triton X-100 is primarily monomeric. Kinetic analysis showed that the subunit exchange reaction had a half-time of about 3 min at 27 degrees C that was independent of G protein concentration. These data indicate that the exchange occurs through dissociation of G protein trimers into monomers and dimers followed by reassociation into timers. Thus, in octyl glucoside, G protein must exist as an equilibrium between monomers and oligomers. This implies that monomers are capable of self-assembly into trimers.

Labeling of the cytoplasmic domain of the influenza virus hemagglutinin with fluorescein reveals sites of interaction with membrane lipid bilayers.

The hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein of influenza virus was labeled in its cytoplasmic domain with fluorescein. Reactive amino groups in the external domain were blocked by modification of the intact virus with the membrane-impermeable reagent isethionyl acetimidate. The HA was then solubilized with the detergent octyl glucoside, and the single lysine in the cytoplasmic domain was reacted with fluorescein isothiocyanate. This protocol resulted in the incorporation of 1.3 mol of fluorescein/mol of HA. Using a virus strain lacking lysine in the cytoplasmic domain of HA, it was determined that 0.47 mol of fluorescein/mol of HA was located at an additional site(s). The fluorescein groups at both sites exist in an environment of reduced polarity as shown by a shift in excitation and emission maxima and a shift in the pKa of the fluorescein groups. The fluorescence polarization and the pKa of the fluorescein groups were greater when the HA was incorporated into liposomes than when in detergent solution. These data indicate that the fluorescein groups interact directly with the lipid bilayer, probably in the phospholipid head-group region. The fluorescence properties of the labeled HA were not responsive to the gel to liquid-crystal phase transition in the lipid bilayer. These results indicate that the boundary between the cytoplasmic domain and the hydrophobic sequence that anchors the protein to the lipid bilayer is located in the head-group region of the bilayer.

Subunit interactions of vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein stabilized by binding to viral matrix protein.

The mechanism by which viral glycoproteins are incorporated into virus envelopes during budding from host membranes is a major question of virus assembly. Evidence is presented here that the envelope glycoprotein (G protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus binds to the viral matrix protein (M protein) in vitro with the specificity, reversibility, and affinity necessary to account for virus assembly in vivo. The assay for the interaction is based on the ability of M protein to stabilize the interaction of G protein subunits, which exist as trimers of identical subunits in the virus envelope. The interaction with M protein was shown by using G proteins labeled with fluorescent probes capable of detecting subunit dissociation and reassociation in vitro. The results show that the M protein isolated from virions either as purified soluble protein or as nucleocapsid-M protein complexes interacts with the G protein in vitro and that the reaction is reversible. The interaction between the G and M proteins was not serotype specific, but no interaction between the vesicular stomatitis virus M protein and the influenza virus hemagglutinin could be detected. These results support the conclusion that the interactions described here are the ones that govern assembly of G protein into virus envelopes in vivo.

Effect of chronic ethanol administration on energy metabolism and phospholipase A2 activity in rat liver.

1. For a period of 31 days male rats were given a liquid diet containing 36% of its energy as ethanol. Liver mitochondria from these animals demonstrated lowered respiratory control with succinate as substrate, a diminished energy-linked anilinonaphthalene-sulphonic acid fluorescence response, and lowered endogenous ATP concentrations. The phospholipid/protein ratio in mitochondria from these animals was unchanged; only minor alterations in the phospholipid fatty acid composition were observed. 2. In experiments where mitochondria were incubated at 18 degrees C in iso-osmotic sucrose (aging experiments), the above energy-linked properties were lost at an earlier time in organelles from ethanol-fed animals. Phospholipase A2 acitivty was depressed in mitochondria from control animals until respiratory control was lost and ATP was depleted. In contrast, no lag in the expression of phospholipase activity was observed in mitochondria from ethanol-fed rats. This loss of control of the phospholipase resulted in an earlier degradation of membrane phospholipids under the conditions of the aging experiments. 3. The ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) activities, measured in freshly prepared tightly coupled mitochondria and in organelles uncoupled with carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, were not significantly different in ethanol-fed and liquid-diet control animals. When the mitochondria were aged at 18 degrees C, the activity increased with time of incubation in organelles from both groups of animals. A lag was observed, however, as the ATPase activity increased in control preparations. This lag was not present as APTase activity increased in mitochondria from ethanol-fed animals. 4. The significantly lowered values observed for energy-linked functions with succinate as an energy source demonstrate that ethanol elicits an alteration in liver mitochondria that affects the site II-site III regions of the oxidative-phosphorylation system. The apparent lack of control of the phospholipase A2 and ATPase activities in mitochondria from ethanol-fed animals suggests that the membrane microenvironment of these enzymes has been altered such that they can exert their catabolic effects more readily under conditions of mild perturbation. The fatty acid analyses demonstrate that the observed alterations both in the energy-linked functions and in control of the phospholipase and ATPase are not mediated through changes in the acyl chain composition of bulk-phase phospholipids.

Specific antibody-dependent binding of complement component C1q to hapten-sensitized lipid vesicles.

The binding of a component of human complement (C1q) to membrane-bound specific anti-nitroxide antibodies was studied as a function of the physical properties (fluid vs. solid) of vesicle lipids. The antibodies were bound to spin-label lipid haptens in the vesicle membrane. The binding of C1q to the sensitized vesicles shows a maximum as a function of specific IgG concentration. The binding of antibodies and of C1q to the vesicle membrane does not depend strongly on the physical state of the membrane lipids. even at low hapten (0.05 mol%) concentrations. These results are of significance for the understanding of the previously reported effect of lipid physical states on complement depletion.

Visualization of specific antibody and C1q binding to hapten-sensitized lipid vesicles.

Specific IgG antibodies directed against the spin-label nitroxide group present as a lipid hapten in single-compartment lipid vesicles have been visualized by using freeze-etch electron microscopy. Individual "particles" with diameters of the order of 20 nm are identified as single IgG molecules bound to lipid hapten. No significant aggregation of these IgG molecules was observed over a period of 1 hr in a dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicle at 22 degrees. Binding of the human complement component C1q results in the formation of large (approximately 50-100 nm) asymmetric particles having a partially resolved substructure that may arise from individual IgG molecules bound to the membranes as well as to C1q. The binding of C1q appears to result in a clustering of membrane-bound IgG molecules. Samples containing a serum factor (perhaps anti-IgG antibodies) exhibit some IgG clustering distinct from that produced by Clq.