Studies of the subunit structure of choleragen

Eur J Biochem. 1975 Sep 1;57(1):309-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1975.tb02302.x.

Abstract

The two choleragen protein constituents were isolated and characterized. Protein I has a molecular weight of approximately 54000. It consists of subunits of approximate molecular weight 10000. Protein II with molecular weight of approximately 32000 is cleaved by 2-mercaptoethanol into two fragments, protein II1 (N-terminal Asx, Mr = 25000) and protein II2 (N-terminal Ser, Mr = 7000). Proteins II1 and II2 could be recombined by oxidation to yield protein II. Upon treatment of choleragem with 2-mercaptoethanol protein II1 precipitates quantitatively. The remaining protein consisting of proteins I and II2, was quantitatively precipitated by ganglioside GGtet1. Of the separated choleragen subunit proteins, only protein I and not protein II complexed specifically with ganglioside GGtet1. The isolated proteins I and II were considerably less toxic in the skin test but almost full toxicity was recovered after mixing the two proteins I and II. Antisera against protein I and protein II revealed no immuno-cross reactivity between the two proteins. Both antisera inhibited the biological effects of choleragen in the skin and ileal loop tests. A molecular model for the constitution of choleragen is proposed.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Bacterial Proteins / analysis*
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Immunodiffusion
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Mercaptoethanol
  • Molecular Weight
  • Toxins, Biological / analysis*
  • Vibrio cholerae / analysis*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Toxins, Biological
  • Mercaptoethanol