Department of Biochemistry

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https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/214

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Browsing Department of Biochemistry by browse.metadata.advisor "Bredenkamp, M. W."

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    Bioaffinity separation using ligand-modified pluronic and synthetic membranes
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011-10) Govender, Selvakumaran; Swart, P.; Jacobs, E. P.; Bredenkamp, M. W.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Biochemistry.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A new membrane based affinity separation system that is bio-specific, biocompatible, well characterised and capable of being regenerated or re-used is described. The amphiphilic non-ionic surfactant Pluronic® F108, was covalently derivatised to form two novel bioligands (Pluronic-Biotin and Pluronic-DMDDO) for the bio-specific immobilisation of avidin conjugated proteins and histidine tagged proteins respectively. Pluronic was also used to non-covalently functionalise nonporous membranes for ligand attachment and to simultaneously shield the surfaces from non-specific protein adsorption. Each component of this bioaffinity system (from the membrane matrix to the elution/desorption of the ligate/ligand system) was studied with the aim of producing a well characterised system and key quantitative data for the development of a robust, reliable, re-usable and scalable technology. Specifically, this study describes: 1. The fabrication and partial characterisation of nonporous planar and capillary membranes as model affinity matrices. 2. The development and evaluation of a robust protocol for solvent desorption and accurate colorimetric quantification of Pluronic® F108 and its derivatives. 3. Interfacial analysis of Pluronic adsorption onto nonporous affinity membranes, including the direct solid-state analysis of model, halogenated Pluronic derivatives using nuclear microprobe analysis. 4. Development of a surfactant based protocol for affinity membrane regeneration and re-use. 5. Specific bioaffinity immobilisation of avidin conjugated peroxidase onto biotinylated membranes in the presence of model protein foulants. 6. Cloning and expression of C-terminal hex-histidine tagged human cytochrome b5 into the bacterial expression system E. coli BL-21 DE3. 7. Development and characterisation of an immobilised metal affinity membrane system for metal chelation (Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) using a new chelator Pluronic- N,N-dicarboxymethyl-3,6-diazaoctanedioate and the bio-specific immobilisation of N-terminal hex-histidine tagged pantothenate kinase.
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    Non-covalent immobilisation of a ligand system : a new approach to affinity separation
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-03) Liebenberg, Liesl Eileen; Swart, P.; Jacobs, E. P.; Bredenkamp, M. W.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Biochemistry.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Advances in pharmacology, biochemistry and biotechnology are increasingly dependant upon affinity chromatography as a preferred separation technique for the purification and characterisation of specific biomolecules. In the past few years avidin-biotin technology has been widely and successfully used in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, biology and biochemistry. The avidin-biotin complex (ABC) has been used as a mediator for affinity chromatography, affinity cytochemistry, immunoassay, histopathology, bioaffinity sensors, erosslinking and immobilisation studies. The main reason for the popularity of the ABC and its growing usefulness in biotechnology is the exceptionally high affinity (1015 M-l) and stability of the noncovalent interaction between avidin and biotin. The use of the ABC is broadening as different biotin derivatives and avidin-containing conjugates are becoming commercially available. The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of a plutonic" FI 08 and the ABC conjugate to effect affinity separation. Towards this aim, the adsorption of plutonic" F108 onto hydrophobic polysulphone membrane surfaces was studied. This information was used to determine the theoretical maximum amount of pluronic" FI08 that will adsorb onto a unit surface area of the membrane. It is known that the polypropylene oxide (PPO) centre block ofthe pluronic" F I08 surfactant molecule governs the concentration of pluronic" F I 08 molecules that will adsorb onto a given hydrophobic surface. If the maximum coating concentration of plutonic" FI08 is known, one can assume that the maximum coating concentration of any pluronic derivative, with the same PPO centre block size, will be the same. Adsorption studies were carried out, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm was determined, and subsequently the fractional coating was calculated. The end-groups of plutonic" FI08 were modified as follows and the substituted pluronic was adsorbed onto a membrane that was to act as the solid support matrix in the development of an affinity system: Amino pluronic was synthesised by first tosylating pluronic" FI08, followed by azidation with NaN3 then reduction with LiAI~. The synthesised amino pluronic was then biotinylated using N-hydroxysuccinimide biotin ester. The suitability of this synthetic route was first assessed on a model compound, 2-methoxyethylamine, and validated by NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy. The synthetic protocol was then used to derivatise the larger pluronic molecule. The affinity system was tested on two different hydrophobic surfaces: polystyrene and polysulphone membranes (PSMs). Avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was obtained and used to interact with the immobilised biotin. The enzymatic reaction of the coupled peroxidase converted the substrate, 2, 2'-azino-di-(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) to a coloured product. The colour developed is proportional to the amount of biotin that was immobilised on the hydrophobic surfaces studied. Non-covalent immobilisation of the synthesised biotin-pluronic molecule was successfully obtained onto the hydrophobic polystyrene as well as the polysulphone membrane surfaces.