title: Detection of 10 variants of biliverdin reductase in rat liver by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
abstract: We have identified and characterized multiple forms of biliverdin reductase (BVR) in control rat liver cytosol. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of the purified BVR resolved a minimum of 10 discrete protein zones. All 10 proteins were BVR as judged by immunological cross-reactivity toward rabbit anti-rat BVR. Based on the isoelectric focusing pattern of separation, the BVR variants could be organized into five net-charge groups designated as BVR-IEF1 to BVR-IEF5 and three molecular mass groups designated as BVR-MW1-BVR-MW3, respectively. The pI values of the net-charge groups were: BVR-IEF1, 6.23; IEF2, 5.91; IEF3, 5.76; IEF4, 5.61; IEF5, 5.48. The Mr values of the molecular mass groups were: BVR-MW1, 30,400; MW2, 30,700; MW3, 31,400. Single dimension slab gel isoelectric focusing offered greater resolution of the net charge variants, and BVR-IEF3 was further resolved into two variants, IEF3a and IEF3b, with pIs of 5.77 and 5.75, respectively. The six net-charge variants also resolved on a preparative chromatofocusing column and were designated as BVR-CF1-BVR-CF6. The pH values of the peak fractions were: BVR-CF1, 6.91; CF2, 6.33; CF3, 6.03; CF4, 5.82; CF5, 5.45; CF6, 5.27. Correspondence between the isoelectric focusing net-charge variants and the chromatofocusing net-charge variants was established. The Mr and net-charge variants did not represent partially degraded forms of biliverdin reductase produced during purification since the pattern of resolution of variants on slab gel isoelectric focusing or two-dimensional electrophoresis did not change by purifying the proteins in the presence of protease inhibitors and 5 mM EDTA. BVR-CF2 and BVR-CF4 were purified and examined for pH-dependent cofactor requirements for activity. Both net-charge variants and two pH optima that were cofactor-dependent; maximum activity with NADPH, however, was at pH 8.5 and with NADH at pH 6.7. With both variants, however, a higher catalytic rate was observed with NADH than with NADPH at their respective pH optima. Furthermore, BVR-CF2 exhibited a higher catalytic rate than did BVR-CF4 with either cofactor throughout the pH range of 5-9.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester School of Medicine, Department of Biophysics, New York 14642.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Trakshel
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Maines
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009243:NAD / Q000494:pharmacology; D009249:NADP / Q000494:pharmacology; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009243:NAD; D009249:NADP; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; C019789:biliverdin reductase