PMID: 2484938Jan 1, 1989Paper

Role of sialic acid in selective silver staining of red cell glycophorins

Applied and Theoretical Electrophoresis : the Official Journal of the International Electrophoresis Society
J K Dzandu

Abstract

A causal relationship between the presence of sialic acid and erythrocyte sialoglycoprotein-specific silver staining (Dzandu et al. 1984) has been examined. Quantitative chemical hydrolysis of sialic acid resulted in total loss of sialoglycoprotein-specific staining suggesting a causal role for sialic acid. It is speculated that under acidic conditions, the highly nucleophilic carboxylates of sialic acid (pKa = 2.6), may determine staining specificity by functioning as primary silver-reactive centers. Because selective staining was abrogated on gel treatment with aldehydes, alkali, thiol reagents or by temperature elevation, it is inferred that the above physico-chemical variables nullified selective staining by creating additional silver nucleation sites which culminate in non-specific staining. Acid treatment of ghosts at 80 degrees C, a standard method for sialic acid hydrolysis caused very specific polypeptide scissions, presumably at aspartyl-proline bonds. Because of the high reproducibility of the membrane protein fragmentation patterns, this method should be ideal for rapid peptide mapping of complex protein mixtures without recourse to isolating and purifying the individual polypeptides.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.