Preparation of tritiated tunicamycin

Journal Article · Sat Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Anal. Biochem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(86)90330-1· OSTI ID:6704793

Hunnicutt, R E; Keenan, R W

A relatively simple and inexpensive procedure was devised for the radiolabeling of the glycoprotein biosynthesis inhibitor, tunicamycin. The procedure is based on hydrogen exchange in alkaline solutions of tritiated water. It was noted that the antibiotic was much more alkali labile than model compounds such as uridine. The alkali stability of the inhibitor was studied to determine conditions for optimum labeling and yield. The effects of alkaline incubation on the inhibitory properties of the antibiotic were also investigated and it was found that the breakdown products are not effective inhibitors of the reaction that transfers N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate to dolichyl phosphate. The isolated radioactive tunicamycin homologs, however, retained all their inhibitory action. Incubation of tunicamycin in the presence of deuterated water and mass spectral analysis showed that under the conditions used for the tritiation of tunicamycin the major product exchanged six hydrogen atoms. The position of the tritium atoms in labeled tunicamycin was not determined. The radioactive label in these compounds was shown to be stable under physiological conditions and should be useful for investigations involving the action of these antibiotics.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
• OSTI ID: 6704793
• Journal Information: Anal. Biochem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Biochem.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN ANBCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400702 -- Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry-- Properties of Radioactive Materials
550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CHEMISTRY
DRUGS
ENZYMES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LABELLING
PHOSPHORUS-GROUP TRANSFERASES
PHOSPHOTRANSFERASES
RADIOCHEMISTRY
STABILITY
SYNTHESIS
TRANSFERASES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS