Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:38
Enabling Real-Time Compensation in Fast Photochemical Oxidations of Proteins for the Determination of Protein Topography Changes
Published on: September 1, 2020
STUDIES ON PHOTO-OXIDATION OF ANTIGEN AND ANTIBODIES
1Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Physico-Chemical Institute, University of Upsala, Sweden.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Photo-oxidation damages egg albumin and antisera, destroying antigenic function and antibody potency. This process alters protein structure and leads to denaturation, impacting immune responses and protein interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Proteins possess antigenic properties crucial for immune recognition.
- Photo-oxidation is a process that can alter protein structure and function.
- Understanding how photo-oxidation affects antigenicity is vital for biological and medical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of progressive photo-oxidation on the antigenic function of egg albumin.
- To assess the effect of photo-oxidation on the potency of antisera and specific antibody fractions.
- To elucidate the chemical and physical changes in proteins induced by photo-oxidation.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative precipitin studies were used to measure antigenic function and antibody potency.
- Chemical analyses were performed to track changes in amino acid composition (tryptophane, histidine, tyrosine, cystine) and sulfhydryl groups.
- Electrophoresis was employed to study alterations in protein patterns.
- Aggregation formation was observed to indicate denaturation.
- Studies with hematoporphyrin and eosin investigated protein-dye interactions.
Main Results:
- Progressive photo-oxidation destroyed the antigenic function of egg albumin and reduced the potency of antisera.
- Specific antibody fractions (globulin gamma, Felton solution) showed similar sensitivity to photo-oxidation.
- Chemical studies revealed destruction of tryptophane and histidine, while tyrosine remained intact; cystine showed reversible oxidation.
- Sulfhydryl groups were lost in photo-oxidized proteins with weakened antigenicity.
- Electrophoresis showed marked alterations in protein patterns, and aggregate formation indicated denaturation.
- Hematoporphyrin and eosin binding to proteins increased with progressive photo-oxidation.
Conclusions:
- Photo-oxidation progressively destroys the antigenic properties of proteins like egg albumin.
- The process leads to denaturation and significant alterations in protein structure, affecting antibody function.
- Chemical modifications, particularly the loss of tryptophane and histidine, correlate with the loss of antigenicity.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Immunofluorescence Microscopy
A fluorescence microscope uses fluorescent chromophores called fluorochromes, which can absorb energy from a light source and then emit this energy as visible light. Fluorochromes include naturally fluorescent substances (such as chlorophylls) and fluorescent stains that are added to the specimen to create contrast. Dyes such as Texas red and FITC are examples of fluorochromes. Other examples include the nucleic acid dyes 4’,6’-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and acridine orange.
The...
The...
01:20Radical Autoxidation
The oxidation of an organic compound in the presence of air or oxygen is called autoxidation. For example, cumene reacts with oxygen to form hydroperoxide. Autoxidation involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. Many organic compounds are susceptible to autoxidation—especially ethers in the presence of oxygen, which form hydroperoxides. Even though this reaction is slow, old ether bottles contain small amounts of peroxide, which leads to laboratory explosions during ether...
01:20Immunogold Electron Microscopy
Immunoelectron microscopy utilizes immunogold labeling of endogenous proteins with specific antibodies to detect and localize these proteins in cells and tissues. The procedure provides insights into the distribution and quantification of protein under different stimulation conditions offering clues about their functions. Conjugating highly electron-dense gold particles with primary or secondary antibodies allow antigen detection on and within cells, with high resolution and specificity.
01:22Immunocytochemistry and Immunohistochemistry
Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are techniques that use antibodies to check for specific proteins or antigens in a sample. The technique was first published by Albert Coons in 1941 to detect the presence of pneumococcal antigen in tissue sections from mice infected with Pneumococcus. Immunocytochemistry helps localization of proteins or antigens in individual cells like blood cells, stem cells, etc., while immunohistochemistry does the same for tissue samples.
These...
These...