Lakshman M R, Okoh C
Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, D.C 20037.
Methods Enzymol. 1993;214:74-86. doi: 10.1016/0076-6879(93)14055-n.
This chapter provides an updated report of carotenoprotein-related research. Very few carotenoproteins have been purified; however, their presence in aqueous extracts may be indicated by spectroscopic evidence. Carotenoproteins have been isolated, purified, and characterized from the ectoderm, exoskeleton, eggs, and ovaries of marine invertebrates, especially crustaceans. Water-soluble and detergent-soluble carotenoid-protein complexes have also been isolated from the cytoplasmic membrane of some cyanobacteria, Mangifera indica, and carrots. Recently, we have been able to partially purify a beta-carotene-protein complex from fresh livers of rats fed beta-carotene. Studies are currently in progress to purify and characterize the protein. This is the first successful isolation of a vertebrate carotenoprotein. The isolation of carotenoproteins is generally by standard techniques of protein chemistry. Purification, crystallization of the complex, and reconstitution of apoprotein and carotenoid components have been achieved for some crustacean carotenoproteins. The complex is very sensitive to bright light and to temperatures above that of refrigeration. However, it is best preserved in solutions of high ionic strength or as a precipitate in strong ammonium sulfate solutions.
本章提供了一份关于类胡萝卜素蛋白相关研究的最新报告。已纯化的类胡萝卜素蛋白极少；然而，水提取物中类胡萝卜素蛋白的存在可通过光谱证据表明。类胡萝卜素蛋白已从海洋无脊椎动物，特别是甲壳类动物的外胚层、外骨骼、卵和卵巢中分离、纯化并进行了表征。水溶性和洗涤剂可溶性类胡萝卜素 - 蛋白质复合物也已从一些蓝细菌、芒果和胡萝卜的细胞质膜中分离出来。最近，我们已经能够从喂食β-胡萝卜素的大鼠新鲜肝脏中部分纯化出一种β-胡萝卜素 - 蛋白质复合物。目前正在进行研究以纯化和表征该蛋白质。这是首次成功分离出脊椎动物类胡萝卜素蛋白。类胡萝卜素蛋白的分离通常采用蛋白质化学的标准技术。对于一些甲壳类动物类胡萝卜素蛋白，已经实现了复合物的纯化、结晶以及脱辅基蛋白和类胡萝卜素成分的重组。该复合物对强光和高于冷藏温度的环境非常敏感。然而，它最好保存在高离子强度的溶液中，或作为强硫酸铵溶液中的沉淀物保存。
