Procion dyes as affinity ligands and reporter groups for dihydrofolate reductase from Walker 256 carcinoma

Procion dye - agarose matrices were investigated for isolation of dihydrofolate reductase (FAH2R) from Walker 256 carcinosarcoma. Cibacron blue F3GA, Procion blue MX4GD, Procion blue HERD, and Procion red H3BN covalently bound to agarose adsorbed greater than 85% of pure FAH2R from 100 mM imidazole buffer, pH 6.3, and this enzyme was specifically and quantitatively eluted with 1 mM folate. The capacity and selectivity of the dye-agarose matrices were greater at low dye incorporation. Difference spectroscopy of the FAH2R - Cibacron blue F3GA complex indicated that 2 mol of the dye were bound in hydrophobic environments with each mole of the enzyme. NADPH and folate (at twofold molar excess over enzyme) or 1 M KCl displaced only 1 mol of Cibacron blue F3GA. This dye interacted stoichiometrically in a specific manner with the active site of FAH2R probably spanning the folate and NADP binding sites. The second dye molecule appears to be bound in a nonspecific hydrophobic manner. Selected Procion dye - agarose matrices can be used for partial purification of FAH2R from tumor homogenate.