Aptamer BC 007 - A broad spectrum neutralizer of pathogenic autoantibodies against G-protein-coupled receptors.

The effect of autoantibodies on G-protein coupled receptors in the pathogenesis of diseases, especially of the heart and vascular system, is an increasingly accepted fact today. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most intensively investigated pathological situation of these. With DCM, autoantibodies against the β1-adrenoceptor and the muscarinic M2-receptor have been found in high percentage of investigated patients.

Influence of glycosylation inhibitors on dihydropyridine binding to cardiac cells.

In primary cultures of neonatal rat heart cells we found a linear correlation between the number of L-type calcium channel-specific dihydropyridine (DHP) binding sites and spontaneous beating frequency (v). Formation of glycoproteins in tissue culture was suppressed by different inhibitors of N-glycosylation. This inhibition alters to a different extent the binding of the DHP ligand (+)-[methyl-3H]PN 200-110 and v.

Primary cultures of cardiac muscle cells as models for investigation of protein glycosylation.

Primary cardiac cell cultures of newborn rats containing approximately 50% (by cell number) spontaneously contracting cardiomyocytes were used to study the role of protein N-glycosylation for the binding of dihydropyridine (DHP) to the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel. This binding is not influenced by the accompanying non-muscle cells. Exposure of the cells up to 6 micrograms/ml of the N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin for a 44 h period resulted in a decrease of the specific DHP binding sites (Bmax) to 46.

Bead cellulose derivatives as supports for immobilization and chromatographic purification of proteins.

Characteristic data are presented for Divicell, a macroporous bead cellulose with excellent flow parameters. The preparation of Divicell derivatives and their properties are described with respect to their application as chromatographic supports. The ion exchangers Divicell DEAE and Divicell CM were manufactured in two types with different exclusion limits and an available capacity for proteins of up to 100 mg/ml gel.

A rapid procedure for the purification of cardiac 1,4-dihydropyridine receptors from porcine heart.

Highly purified porcine cardiac sarcolemma was used as a source for purification of mammalian cardiac 1,4-dihydropyridine receptors associated with the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. The cardiac digitonin-solubilized receptor prelabeled with (+)-[3H]PN 200-110 was enriched at least 236-fold using an improved, rapid three-step purification protocol which could be completed within 12 h. The purity of the preparation was at least 22%, the yield of the receptors 24%.