Effect of Environmental Conditions on Radiation Target Size Analyses

• Published in: Analytical biochemistry Vol. 216; no. 2; pp. 451 - 455
• Main Authors: Kempner, E.S., Miller, J.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.02.1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase - blood; Acetylcholinesterase - radiation effects; Analytical biochemistry: general aspects, technics, instrumentation; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Proteins - radiation effects; Buffers; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry, Physical; Cysteamine - pharmacology; Enzyme Activation - radiation effects; Erythrocyte Membrane - enzymology; Erythrocyte Membrane - radiation effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase - blood; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase - radiation effects; Glutathione Transferase - blood; Glutathione Transferase - radiation effects; Humans; Molecular Weight; Particle Size; Proteins - chemistry; Proteins - radiation effects; Proteins; Molecular weight determination; Enzyme; Red blood cell; Irradiation; Environmental factor; Inactivation; Buffer solution; Low temperature
• ISSN: 0003-2697; 1096-0309
• DOI: 10.1006/abio.1994.1067

Target size determinations from radiation inactivation of proteins is dependent on the physical and chemical environment of the sample during radiation exposure. Effects of temperature and physical state have already been described. Buffers, the effects of protein concentration, and the addition of small molecules are examined for several enzymes. Phosphate buffer is found to have major effects on the rate of inactivation of certain, but not all, proteins. The amount of protein in irradiated samples is significant for all enzymes studied; the nature of the specific protein used is unimportant. Neither sucrose nor other glycitols could substitute for protein in target size determinations. Certain small molecules, especially cysteamine, were effective in sparing the need for high protein levels in radiation inactivation studies of four enzyme systems.