Purification of group C streptococcal extracellular antigens detected with naturally occurring human antibodies: isolation of streptokinase and two previously undescribed antigens. 1976

D Kiefer, and S P Halbert

Twelve antigens were detected in crude group C streptococcal extracellular concentrates, using naturally occurring antibodies in normal human gamma globulin. These group C streptococcal antigens all appeared to be present in crude group A streptococcal extracellular concentrates, although the latter contained additional antigens reactive with the human antibodies. Systematic purification procedures were established for the isolation of the group C streptococcal antigens by a sequence of salting out, hydroxylapatite chromatography, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, and isoelectric focusing. With such procedures, three of the group C streptococcal antigens were isolated in a relatively pure state. One of the purified antigens was identified as streptokinase on the basis of its fibrinolytic potency, its reaction of identity with two purified streptokinase fractions obtained from other sources, and its high titer in immunodiffusion assays. The most highly purified streptokinase fractions, derived from the 0.1 M sodium phosphate hydroxylapatite eluate, revealed a plasmin-inhibiting effect at high concentrations of streptokinase. This was not seen in the purified streptokinase of equivalent functional and immunological purity that was derived from the 0.2 M sodium phosphate hydroxylapatite peak. Two other streptococcal antigens were also isolated to a high degree during the course of the above study. These were designated antigens X and Y and were found to be unrelated immunologically to each other or to streptokinase. Their isoelectric points were 6.7 and 8.8, respectively, and both were present in group A streptococcal concentrates. Esterase activity was found to be widely distributed in almost all of the fractions obtained in the various purification steps, indicating a high degree of heterogeneity of the streptococcal enzyme. Histochemical staining techniques applied to the immune precipitates formed with human antibodies indicated that none of the antigens detected in crude group C and group A streptococcal concentrates possessed catalase, glucuronidase, glucosaminidase, acid or alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, leucineaminopeptidase, or chymotrypsin enzymatic activities.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007122 Immunoelectrophoresis A technique that combines protein electrophoresis and double immunodiffusion. In this procedure proteins are first separated by gel electrophoresis (usually agarose), then made visible by immunodiffusion of specific antibodies. A distinct elliptical precipitin arc results for each protein detectable by the antisera.
D002850 Chromatography, Gel Chromatography on non-ionic gels without regard to the mechanism of solute discrimination. Chromatography, Exclusion,Chromatography, Gel Permeation,Chromatography, Molecular Sieve,Gel Filtration,Gel Filtration Chromatography,Chromatography, Size Exclusion,Exclusion Chromatography,Gel Chromatography,Gel Permeation Chromatography,Molecular Sieve Chromatography,Chromatography, Gel Filtration,Exclusion Chromatography, Size,Filtration Chromatography, Gel,Filtration, Gel,Sieve Chromatography, Molecular,Size Exclusion Chromatography
D005341 Fibrinolysin A product of the lysis of plasminogen (profibrinolysin) by PLASMINOGEN activators. It is composed of two polypeptide chains, light (B) and heavy (A), with a molecular weight of 75,000. It is the major proteolytic enzyme involved in blood clot retraction or the lysis of fibrin and quickly inactivated by antiplasmins. Plasmin,Fibrogammin,Glu-Plasmin,Protease F,Thrombolysin,Glu Plasmin
D005779 Immunodiffusion Technique involving the diffusion of antigen or antibody through a semisolid medium, usually agar or agarose gel, with the result being a precipitin reaction. Gel Diffusion Tests,Diffusion Test, Gel,Diffusion Tests, Gel,Gel Diffusion Test,Immunodiffusions,Test, Gel Diffusion,Tests, Gel Diffusion
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006882 Hydroxyapatites A group of compounds with the general formula M10(PO4)6(OH)2, where M is barium, strontium, or calcium. The compounds are the principal mineral in phosphorite deposits, biological tissue, human bones, and teeth. They are also used as an anticaking agent and polymer catalysts. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Hydroxyapatite Derivatives,Derivatives, Hydroxyapatite
D000937 Antigen-Antibody Reactions The processes triggered by interactions of ANTIBODIES with their ANTIGENS. Antigen Antibody Reactions,Antigen-Antibody Reaction,Reaction, Antigen-Antibody,Reactions, Antigen-Antibody
D000942 Antigens, Bacterial Substances elaborated by bacteria that have antigenic activity. Bacterial Antigen,Bacterial Antigens,Antigen, Bacterial
D013291 Streptococcus A genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria whose organisms occur in pairs or chains. No endospores are produced. Many species exist as commensals or parasites on man or animals with some being highly pathogenic. A few species are saprophytes and occur in the natural environment.
D013300 Streptokinase Streptococcal fibrinolysin . An enzyme produced by hemolytic streptococci. It hydrolyzes amide linkages and serves as an activator of plasminogen. It is used in thrombolytic therapy and is used also in mixtures with streptodornase (STREPTODORNASE AND STREPTOKINASE). EC 3.4.-. Avelizin,Awelysin,Celiase,Distreptase,Kabikinase,Kabivitrum,Streptase,Streptodecase

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