Isolation and partial characterisation of human riboflavin carrier protein and the estimation of its levels during human pregnancy.
Human cord serum contains protein(s) capable of binding to [14C]-riboflavin. Riboflavin-bound protein cross-reacts with anti-serum to chicken riboflavin carrier protein (cRCP). The carrier protein was isolated using affinity chromatography on a riboflavin AH Sepharose column. Bulk isolation and purification was also attempted by a combination of ion exchange, gel filtration and gel permeation chromatography on HPLC. The protein so isolated had a molecular weight of 36,000 +/- 2,000 daltons with an isoelectric point of 4.1. The levels of RCP in maternal serum during pregnancy were monitored using a sensitive heterologous radioimmunoassay system, using cRCP as standard and anti serum to cRCP. The levels of the protein increased after 4 months and remained significantly elevated up to 8 months. Although the level of the protein in the maternal serum remained low until 4 months, its level in amniotic fluid was elevated 2-3-fold as compared to that in serum.
Institute for Research in Reproduction (ICMR), Parel, Bombay, India.
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U
Natraj
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S
George
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Kadam
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000097:blood*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; C019079:riboflavin-binding protein; D012256:Riboflavin