Chinook salmon NADP(+)-dependent cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase: electrophoretic and genetic dissection of a complex isozyme system and geographic patterns of variation.

Species in the genus Oncorhynchus express complicated isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDHP) isozyme patterns in many tissues. Subcellular localization experiments show that the electrophoretically distinct isozymes of low anodal mobility expressed predominantly in skeletal and heart muscle are mitochondrial forms (mIDHP), while the more anodal, complex isolocus isozyme system predominant in liver and eye is cytosolic (sIDHP). The two loci encoding sIDHP isozymes are considered isoloci because the most common allele at one of these loci cannot be separated electrophoretically from the most common allele of the other. Over 12 electrophoretically detectable alleles are segregating at the two sIDHP* loci in chinook salmon. Careful electrophoretic comparisons of the sIDHP isozyme patterns of muscle, eye, and liver extracts of heterozygotes reveal marked differences between the tissues with regard to both relative isozyme staining and the expression of several common alleles. Presumed single-dose heterozygotes at the sIDHP isolocus isozyme system exhibit approximate 9:6:1 ratios of staining intensity in liver and eye, while they exhibit approximate 1:2:1 ratios in skeletal muscle. The former proportions are consistent with the equal expression of two loci (isolocus expression), while the latter are consistent with the expression of a single locus. Screening of over 10,000 fish from spawning populations and mixed-stock fishery samples revealed that certain variant alleles (*127, *50) are detectable only in liver and eye, while other alleles (*129, *94, and *74) are strongly expressed in muscle, eye, and liver. The simplest explanation for these observations is that the "isolocus" sIDHP system of chinook salmon (and that of steelhead and rainbow trout) results from the expression of two distinct loci (sIDHP-1* and sIDHP-2*) that have the same common allele (as defined by electrophoretic mobility). IDHP expression in skeletal muscle is due to the nearly exclusive expression of the sIDHP-1* locus, while IDHP expression in eye and liver tissues is due to high levels of expression of both sIDHP-1* and sIDHP-2*--giving rise to the isolocus situation in these latter tissues. Direct inheritance studies confirm this model of two genetically independent (disomic) loci encoding sIDHP in chinook salmon. Extensive geographic surveys of chinook salmon populations from California to British Columbia reveal marked differences in allele frequencies at both sIDHP-1* and sIDHP-2* and considerably more interpopulation differentiation than was recognized previously when sIDHP was treated as an isolocus system with only five recognized alleles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Inheritance of malate dehydrogenase nulls in soybean.

Three chlorophyll-deficient mutants (CD-1, CD-2, and CD-3), derived from the progeny of independent germinal revertants from the w4-mutable soybean line [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], were characterized genetically. Electrophoretic analyses indicated that these lines lacked two of three mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase isozymes (MDH-). The absence of two MDH bands was conditioned by a recessive allele at a locus designated Mdh1. All three CDs were allelic to each other and to T253, a Harosoy isoline y20-k2 MDH- from the Genetic Type Collection. The MDH- phenotype and the yellow-green plant phenotype were each inherited as single recessive alleles. No recombination between the two traits was found in nine F2 populations from crosses of the CDs by wild-type soybean lines. Complete linkage of the Mdh1 and y20 loci suggested that the mutations in the chlorophyll-deficient lines were deletions. Phenotypic differences among the CDs suggested that the deletions may have different endpoints. The chromosomal aberrations were not large enough to affect transmission of y20 and Mdh1 mutant alleles through the pollen or ovule. CD-1, CD-2, and CD-3 were added to the Soybean Genetic Type Collection as T323, T324, and T325, respectively.


Assignment of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase to chromosome 3 of Anopheles stephensi.

Genetics and linkage analysis of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) have been investigated in Anopheles stephensi. Both these markers were found to be autosomal and linked and have been assigned to linkage group III. Two mutant markers, Black larva (Bl) and golden-yellow larva (gy), were used to establish the map distances, and the current sequence of loci on chromosome 3 is as follows: Bl (3.75)-gy (14.53)-Mdh-2 (49.83)-6-pgd.


Isolation of a Drosophila gene encoding glutathione S-transferase.

We have isolated a Drosophila gene, DmGST-2, that encodes glutathione S-transferase, a homo- or heterodimeric enzyme thought to be involved in detoxification of xenobiotics, including known carcinogens. The encoded protein has a primary sequence that is more similar to mammalian placental and nematode GSTs than that of a previously described Drosophila GST gene, herein referred to as DmGST-1. We provide a physical map of the gene and show that it specifies at least two mRNAs, measuring 1.9 and 1.6 kb, which differ only in the lengths of their 3' untranslated regions. Both of the mRNAs are present during all developmental stages. In situ hybridization of the DmGST-2 gene to larval polytene chromosomes places it within the 53F subdivision of chromosome 2, and Southern blotting to chromosomal DNA indicates that the gene has no close relatives within the Drosophila genome. Our results make possible molecular genetic approaches for further elaborating the function of glutathione S-transferases in insect development and physiology, in the metabolism of plant toxins, and in conferring insecticide resistance.


A positive regulator of the ribosomal protein gene, beta factor, belongs to the ETS oncoprotein family.

The beta factor, which interacts with the rpL32 promoter, binds to the sequence 5'-GAGCCGGAAGTG and trans-activates this gene. Comparison of the DNA sequences bound by the beta factor with those bound by other known DNA-binding proteins revealed that the ETS proteins interact with similar DNA sequences. Consequently we have examined the relationship of the beta factor to the several ETS proteins so far reported. Antibody and oligonucleotide competition experiments, performed by using electrophoretic shift analysis, revealed that the beta factor contains ETS epitopes and that it is immunologically related to both of the GA-binding proteins (GABPs), implying that the beta factor may consist of two separate protein subunits.


Purification and characterization of a carboxylesterase involved in insecticide resistance from the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus.

A carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1) involved in organophosphate insecticide resistance has been purified and characterized from the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The monomeric enzyme has M(r) of 67,000 and a pI of 5.2. It hydrolysed medium-chain-length mono- and di-acylglycerols in addition to xenobiotic esters. Kinetic constants determined for four insecticides, temephos, chlorpyrifos, fenitrothion and propoxur indicate the rates of acylation and the affinities of binding of the insecticides to this carboxylesterase are important. This supports the major role of the A2 carboxylesterase is the sequestration of the insecticide with a minor role in the slow turnover of the insecticide.


Importance of the structural zinc atom for the stability of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.

Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase is a tetrameric enzyme containing zinc. Initially we confirmed the presence of two zinc atoms per subunit. Incubation of the enzyme with increasing concentrations of dithiothreitol, a method for partial chelation, allowed first the reduction of four disulphide bridges per enzyme, but eventually was sufficient to chelate the structural zinc atom without having any effect on the zinc located in the active site. The enzyme activity was not affected but the enzyme became very sensitive to heat denaturation. Chelation by EDTA was also performed. Given its location at an external position in the globular protein, protected in each subunit by one disulphide bridge, the results establish that the second zinc atom present on each enzymic subunit plays a prominent conformational role, probably by stabilizing the tertiary structure of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. Recovery experiments were performed by incubation of the native enzyme, or the dithiothreitol-treated enzyme, with a small amount of Zn2+. A stabilization effect was found when the structural zinc was re-incorporated after its removal by dithiothreitol. In all cases a large increase in activity was also observed, which was much greater than that expected based on the amount of re-incorporated zinc atom, suggesting the re-activation of some inactive commercial enzyme which had lost some of its original catalytic zinc atoms.


The effect of metal ions on the activity and thermostability of the extracellular proteinase from a thermophilic Bacillus, strain EA.1.

The proteinase from the extremely thermophilic Bacillus strain EA.1 exhibits maximum stability at a pH of approx. 6.5. In the presence of calcium ions the half-life at 95 degrees C of the enzyme at this pH was 17 min, and loss of activity followed first-order decay kinetics. The role of metal ions in the activity and stability of the enzyme was studied using the holoenzyme, the metal-depleted apoenzyme, and a zinc-enriched apoenzyme preparation. Zinc and calcium ions were the preferred bivalent cations for the active site and stabilization site(s) respectively. Stabilization by metal ions was not in itself a highly stringent process, but ions other than calcium which stabilized the enzyme generally had a concomitant inhibitory effect on activity. Inhibition and stabilization of the enzyme by cations were concentration-dependent effects and certain ions activated the apoenzyme but not the holoenzyme. Manganese(II) ions conferred some stability and also activated the enzyme, but in the latter case were not as effective as zinc ions. The results are discussed with reference to the ionic radii, co-ordination number and preferred ligand donors of the ions. Mercury(II) ions severely compromised enzyme activity and stability, and the effects of thiol-reactive agents suggest that thiol groups also have a role in enzyme integrity.


Primary structure of beta s-crystallin from human lens.

The complete primary structure of beta s-crystallin from human lens is reported. The sequence was elucidated by automatic Edman degradation of tryptic and CNBr peptides. The blocked N-terminal dipeptide was identified by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectroscopy. The sequence comparison with other members of crystallin family reveals a closer relationship to human gamma-crystallin (53% identity) than with beta A3/A1 crystallin (37% identity). The structure, evolutionary characteristics and role of beta s-crystallin in lens are discussed.


Graphic analysis of relaxation times of enzyme-catalysed reactions. An extension of the graphic method of King and Altman.

An extension of the graphic method of King & Altman (1956) (J. Phys. Chem. 60, 1375-1378) is applied to the analysis of relaxation times of enzyme-catalysed reactions and a simple graphic method is presented. Clear-cut graphs, simple drawing, easy operation (without the need to perform the usual complex mathematical operations), and reliable results are the main characteristics of this kind of graphic method. A system of enzyme-catalysed reactions (E <--> ES <--> EP) is used as the actual example for illustrating the graphic method.


Developmental regulation and neuronal expression of the mRNA of rat n-chimaerin, a p21rac GAP:cDNA sequence.

Human n-chimaerin is a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for p21rac and a phorbol ester receptor. We have isolated rat n-chimaerin cDNA and investigated the cellular and developmental pattern of mRNA expression in the brain. There is extensive sequence conservation with human n-chimaerin in the coding region and the first 400 nucleotides of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) (90% and 83% identity respectively). The rat cDNA encodes an additional 35 N-terminal amino acids compared with the reported human cDNA, which has a 5'-UTR sequence inversion and a 41-nucleotide deletion including the putative initiator methionine. The rat cDNA encodes a 334-amino acid protein (38200 M(r), pI 8.04) with 97% amino acid sequence identity with the human protein, after correction of the human 5'-DNA sequence. n-Chimaerin mRNA was detectable in embryonic rat brain at day 15 and increased in amount postnatally from birth to 20 days, coincident with cellular differentiation and synaptogenesis. n-Chimaerin mRNA is restricted to neurons, with highest concentrations in hippocampal pyramidal cells, granule cells of the dentate gyrus and cortical neurons. In the cerebellum the mRNA was detected only in Purkinje neurons. The pattern and specificity of mRNA expression suggests an important role for n-chimaerin in neuronal signal-transduction mechanisms.


Characterization of an ATP-driven H+ pump in human placental brush-border membrane vesicles.

The presence of an ATP-driven H+ pump as measured by H+ uptake upon addition of ATP was not demonstrable in human placental brush-border membrane vesicles when used in their native form, owing to their right-side-out orientation. However, the presence of the H+ pump in these membranes became evident when the membrane vesicles were transiently exposed to 1% cholate, with subsequent removal of the detergent to re-form the vesicles. Apparently, cholate pretreatment reoriented the H+ pump from an inward-facing configuration to outward-facing. Consequently, H+ uptake in response to externally added ATP was easily demonstrable in these cholate-pretreated vesicles by using the delta pH indicator Acridine Orange. In addition, bafilomycin A1-sensitive ATPase activity was measurable in cholate-pretreated vesicles, but not in native intact vesicles, indicating reorientation of the H+ pump. The reoriented H+ pump was electrogenic because H+ uptake was stimulated by an inside-negative anion-diffusion potential or when the vesicles were voltage-clamped. ATP supported H+ uptake with an apparent Km of 260 microM. ITP and GTP supported the pump activity partially, whereas CTP and UTP did not. Mg2+ and Mn2+ were the most preferred bivalent cations. Co2+ and Zn2+ showed partial activity, whereas Ca2+ and Ba2+ showed little or no activity. The pump was inhibited by nanomolar concentrations of bafilomycin A1 and micromolar concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonate, NN-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide and 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole, but was relatively insensitive to oligomycin, vanadate and NaN3. The inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide was protectable by ATP. It is concluded that human placental brush-border membranes possess an ATP-driven H+ pump and that, on the basis of its characteristics, it belongs to the class of vacuolar (V-type) H+ pumps.


Differential uptake of [3H]guanosine by nucleoside transporter subtypes in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells.

Intracellular metabolism of [3H]guanosine was minimal (< 15%) during the first 22 s of incubation, and hence reasonable estimates of initial-rate influx kinetics could be derived by using metabolically active cells. Na(+)-dependent concentrative [3H]guanosine uptake was not observed. Data suggest that [3H]guanosine was accumulated primarily via the nitrobenzylthioguanosine (NBTGR)-sensitive subtype of facilitated nucleoside transporter. Incubation of cells with 100 nM-NBTGR significantly decreased the potency of guanosine as an inhibitor of [3H]uridine influx. The Vmax. for [3H]guanosine influx (9.2 pmol/s per microliters) was significantly lower than that for [3H]uridine influx (16 pmol/s per microliters). The Km for transporter-mediated [3H]guanosine influx determined in the presence of 100 nM-NBTGR was 16-fold higher (1780 microM) than that determined in its absence, whereas the Km for [3H]uridine influx was shifted by only 2-fold. In other respects, the cellular accumulations of [3H]guanosine and [3H]uridine were similar; both had Km values of approx. 140 microM for total mediated influx, and both were inhibited similarly by other nucleosides and transport inhibitors. These characteristics, and the fact that guanosine is an endogenous nucleoside, suggest that [3H]guanosine may prove useful as a poorly metabolized, relatively selective, substrate for study of the NBTGR-sensitive nucleoside transport systems of mammalian cells.


Evidence for lithium-sensitive inositol 4,5-bisphosphate accumulation in muscarinic cholinoceptor-stimulated cerebral-cortex slices.

Stimulation of [3H]inositol-prelabelled rat cerebral-cortex slices with carbachol results in the accumulation of four [3H]inositol bisphosphate isomeric species, Ins(1,3)P2, Ins(1,4)P2, Ins(3,4)P2 and Ins(4,5)P2. Although the last isomer ran as a minor peak on h.p.l.c., its accumulation was dramatically enhanced in the presence of Li+ (1 mM), such that at 30 min it represented almost 35% of the total bisphosphate fraction. The accumulation of Ins(4,5)P2 appeared to be very sensitive to Li+ (EC50 = 94 +/- 3 microM), strongly implicating a Li(+)-sensitive metabolism. Evidence for this is provided from the rapid but Li(+)-sensitive decay of Ins(4,5)P2 when muscarinic-receptor stimulation is antagonized by atropine at a time when accumulations have reached a new steady state. Manipulation of phospholipase D by activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C did not suggest a role for phospholipase D hydrolysis of PtdInsP2 in the formation of Ins(4,5)P2. Attempts to reveal Ins(4,5)P2 metabolism, or indeed its synthesis from Ins(1,4,5)P3, were not successful with broken cell preparations and strongly suggest discrete compartmentation of inositol phosphate metabolism in the intact cell.


Characterization of a Gi-protein from Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote membranes.

A guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate-binding activity was detergent-extracted from Trypanosoma cruzi membranes. This binding activity was co-eluted from gel-filtration columns with a factor which, in a heterologous reconstitution system, blocks glucagon stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in liver membranes. ADP-ribosylation of these membranes by pertussis toxin eliminated this blocking capacity. Incubation of T. cruzi membranes with activated pertussis toxin and [adenylate-32P]NAD+ led to the incorporation of radioactivity into a labelled product with an apparent M(r) of approx. 43,000. Crude membranes were electrophoresed on SDS/polyacrylamide gels and analysed, by Western blotting, with GA/1 anti-alpha common, AS/7 anti-alpha t, anti-alpha i1 and anti-alpha i2 polyclonal antibodies. These procedures led to the identification of a specific polypeptide band of about 43 kDa. Another polypeptide reacting with the SW/1 anti-beta antibody, of about 30 kDa, was also detected in the membrane fraction.


A model for adenosine transport and metabolism.

1. A model is presented for adenosine transport and metabolism in different steady states. The model considers steady-state equations for metabolic enzymes based on information from the literature on their kinetic behaviour. 2. Assuming that extracellular adenosine and inosine are translocated by three transporters, we have devised rate equations for these nucleoside transporters which are valid when both nucleosides are present. Since the Na(+)-independent transporter can either incorporate nucleosides into the cell or release them, various conditions have been simulated in which inosine was either incorporated or released. 3. Control analyses are reported which show that the fluxes towards intracellular adenine nucleosides are controlled by ecto-5'-nucleotidase in some circumstances and by the nucleoside transporters in others. The nucleoside transporter is responsible for five fluxes (two Na+ dependent adenosine transport mechanisms, a Na(+)-dependent inosine transport, a Na(+)-independent adenosine transport and a Na(+)-independent inosine influx or efflux) but the control is not always positive for all these fluxes. The control patterns of these five fluxes indicate that, in the presence of extracellular adenosine and inosine, the intracellular metabolism of adenine derivatives would be highly dependent on the extracellular and intracellular concentrations of both nucleosides, on the ectoenzymes (5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase) and on the transporter. 4. Predictions of the model were examined. The results indicate that a change in one independent variable (extracellular AMP concentration) makes the system evolve towards a new steady state which is far from the initial one and has a different control pattern. In contrast, simulation of inhibition of the carriers produces only slight modification of the fluxes since the concentrations of the metabolites change to counteract the effect. Thus, for instance, a 50% inhibition of the three carriers does not affect the flux towards intracellular adenine nucleotides. Finally, our model has confirmed that the evolution of the concentration of extracellular adenosine, when an increase in extracellular AMP is produced, agrees with the behaviour expected for a neurohormone.


A strategy for increasing an in vivo flux by genetic manipulations. The tryptophan system of yeast.

Decreases in enzyme activity often have little effect on the flux carried by the pathway. Similarly, up-modulation of single genes, and hence of the dependent enzyme concentrations, is frequently found to be ineffective in increasing the flux in the pathway in which the enzyme occurs. This insensitivity to enzyme variation is demonstrated experimentally for five separate enzymes in the tryptophan synthesis system of yeast, first by down-modulation of the gene dose and secondly by increasing the dose using multi-copy vectors. Such a lack of response is discussed in terms of the concepts of metabolic control analysis. When these five enzymes, however, were simultaneously increased by a multi-copy vector carrying all five genes, a substantial elevation of the flux to tryptophan was observed. These findings revealed a new phenomenon, namely the more than additive effects on the flux of simultaneous elevations of several enzyme activities.


Determining stability of proteins from guanidinium chloride transition curves.

The guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) denaturation of RNAase A, lysozyme and metmyoglobin was investigated at several pH values by using absorbance measurements at 287, 300 and 409 nm respectively. From these measurements the free-energy change on denaturation, delta Gapp., was calculated, assuming a two-state mechanism, and values of delta Gapp. at zero concentration of the denaturant were measured. For each protein all delta Gapp. values were adjusted to pH 7.00 by using the appropriate relationship between delta Gapp. and pH. Dependence of the adjusted delta Gapp. value on GdmCl concentration increases for metmyoglobin and decreases for the other two proteins as the denaturant concentration decreases. It has been shown that these are expected results if the presence of the acid-denatured state during the GdmCl denaturation of proteins is considered.


Overexpression, purification and characterization of the Escherichia coli MelR transcription activator protein.

The gene encoding Escherichia coli MelR protein has been cloned in the expression vector pJLA502. MelR has been overexpressed, substantially purified and shown to bind to DNA fragments carrying the melAB promoter. A truncated version of the melR gene, encoding the C-terminal half of MelR, was also cloned into pJLA502; the protein product of this truncated gene binds to the melAB promoter but was not overproduced. A number of amino acid substitutions were made in the recognition helices of two putative helix-turn-helix motifs in the C-terminal part of MelR, and the effects of these mutations on MelR-dependent transcription initiation at the melAB promoter have been measured.


Studies on the binding of the Escherichia coli MelR transcription activator protein to operator sequences at the MelAB promoter.

Escherichia coli MelR protein binds to two sites located upstream of the melAB transcription start site. Although both sites are required for optimal melibiose-dependent expression from the melAB promoter, some MelR-dependent expression is found if the upstream site is deleted or if the spacing between the two sites is altered. Gel retardation assays have been exploited to study MelR binding to a DNA fragment carrying just the upstream site. Methylation interference analysis was used to identify one guanine (at -104) which is important for MelR binding. Mutational analysis confirmed the importance of this base and revealed a second position (at -110) where mutations interfere with melAB promoter activity. Experiments using potassium permanganate as a probe suggested that the DNA sequence around -110 adopts a distorted conformation. We propose that the mutation at -104 alters MelR binding by interfering with a direct contact, whereas the mutation at -110 primarily affects DNA conformation. The binding of purified MelR protein to a melAB promoter fragment carrying both binding sites has also been studied: binding results in four retarded bands in gel assays. Methylation interference experiments have been exploited to identify the binding sites occupied in each complex. Although both binding sites share a common 18 bp sequence, MelR binding to the more upstream site is stronger. We could find no evidence for co-operative interactions between MelR and RNA polymerase and no major effects of melibiose. Some evidence for melibiose-dependent distortion in complexes between MelR and the melAB promoter is discussed.


Iron and aluminium in relation to brain ferritin in normal individuals and Alzheimer's-disease and chronic renal-dialysis patients.

Ferritin has been isolated and its subunit composition, iron and aluminium content determined in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of normal individuals and in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's-disease and renal-dialysis patients. An e.l.i.s.a. for ferritin has been developed and the ferritin, non-haem iron and aluminium content of the parietal cortex were determined in normal individuals and Alzheimer's-disease patients. It was found that ferritin from the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of normal individuals had a high H-subunit content, similar to that of heart ferritin. The subunit composition of ferritin isolated from the cerebral cortex was not significantly altered in Alzheimer's-disease or renal-dialysis patients. Ferritin from the cerebral cortex of normal individuals had only approx. 1500 atoms of iron per molecule and the iron content of ferritin was not significantly changed in Alzheimer's-disease or renal-dialysis patients. Ferritin isolated from the cerebral cortex of normal, Alzheimer's-disease and renal-dialysis patients had less than 9 atoms of aluminium per molecule. The failure to find increased concentrations of aluminium associated with ferritin in dialysis patients, who had markedly increased concentrations of aluminium in the cerebral cortex, shows that aluminium does not accumulate in ferritin in vivo. This has important implications for the toxicity of aluminium, since it implies that cells are unable to detoxify aluminium by the same mechanism as that available for iron. Comparison of the concentrations of ferritin, aluminium and iron in the parietal cortex from normal and Alzheimer's-disease patients showed that, whereas the concentration of aluminium was not increased, both ferritin and iron were significantly increased in Alzheimer's disease.


Interaction of aluminium citrate with horse spleen ferritin.

Horse spleen ferritin was found to bind aluminium poorly after equilibrium dialysis with buffered aluminium citrate solutions. Not more than 10 aluminium atoms/ferritin molecule were bound from a 25 microM-aluminium solution, pH 7.4, and the degree of binding was dependent on the method used to prepare the aluminium citrate solution. Up to 120 aluminium atoms/molecule were bound when ferritin iron cores were reconstituted by the addition of 3000 Fe atoms to apoferritin in the presence of aluminium citrate. Comparison of previously published binding constants of ferritin and citrate for aluminium suggests that, in the cell, the prevalence of small ligands effectively prevents the association of large amounts of aluminium with ferritin.


Bivalent-metal binding to CheY protein. Effect on protein conformation.

CheY is a 14 kDa cytoplasmic protein that is activated by the transfer of a phosphoryl moiety to Asp-57 from phosphoCheA during signal transduction in bacterial chemotaxis. It has been established that metal ions are necessary for the autophosphorylation of CheA, the transfer of phosphate from phosphoCheA to CheY and the autodephosphorylation of phosphoCheY. In this work, paramagnetic relaxation enhancement has been used in conjunction with one- and two-dimensional n.m.r. to study the interaction of CheY with bivalent metal ions. These studies have led to the discovery of two conformations of the protein in water, corresponding to the metal-free and the metal-bound states. Binding of bivalent cations like Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ results in a conformational change from the metal-free to the metal-bound state. Preliminary assignments of the aromatic proton resonances are reported. Comparison of phase-sensitive double-quantum-filtered COSY, homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn coherence transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectra from the metal-bound and metal-free protein indicates that Trp-58, Thr-87 and Tyr-106 are particularly affected by the conformational change involved, and that this change is limited to a small number of residues. In addition, homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn coherence transfer experiments with paramagnetic Mn2+ show significant suppression of cross-peaks associated with Trp-58 and several neighbouring residues. Comparison of the distances estimated using n.m.r. with the CheY crystal structure indicates that the n.m.r. results are consistent with bivalent metal binding at the cluster of aspartic acid residues that includes Asp-13 and Asp-57. These studies also demonstrate the utility of paramagnetic metal-induced relaxation in conjunction with two-dimensional n.m.r. measurements for exploring ligand-binding sites.


Activation of the GTP-binding protein Gq by rhodopsin in squid photoreceptors.

Photoaffinity labelling by a GTP analogue has been used to identify a 42 kDa band as the major G alpha subunit in squid photoreceptor membranes, recently identified by partial sequence analysis to be a member of the Gq sub-group of GTP-binding proteins [Pottinger, Ryba, Keen & Findlay (1991) Biochem. J. 279, 323-326]. Guanine-nucleotide-binding displacement analysis gave a stoichiometry of 1 G-protein per 12.5 rhodopsin molecules, the same as in vertebrate rod photoreceptors. Binding was not detected above background in the dark, but was rapidly activated by light. Unlike vertebrate transducin, this G-protein is very temperature-sensitive. GTP binding is maximal at temperatures less than 10 degrees C and is much decreased after several minutes above 18 degrees C. The light-stimulated GTPase rate is maximal around 10 degrees C, above which the loss of binding sites counteracts the increase in hydrolytic rate per site. Earlier studies described light-sensitive G alpha components of 40 and 45 kDa, by ADP-ribosylation in the presence of cholera and pertussis toxins. These are now shown to be very minor components, as the prolonged treatment at elevated temperature required for ADP-ribosylation is sufficient to inactivate the major G alpha totally. Unlike the minor G alpha components, the 42 kDa G alpha is not inhibited by Ca2+.


Expression of transfected stathmin cDNA reveals novel phosphorylated forms associated with developmental and functional cell regulation.

Stathmin is a ubiquitous, highly conserved phosphoprotein, which most likely acts as an intracellular relay integrating various transduction pathways triggered by extracellular signals. Two post-translational isoforms (alpha and beta) have been previously identified whose increasingly phosphorylated forms migrate as a set of isoelectric variant spots (molecular mass 19 kDa; pI 6.2-5.6) on two-dimensional electrophoretic gels. In parallel with the phosphorylation of these forms of stathmin, two sets of three proteins migrating with slightly higher apparent molecular masses (21 and 23 kDa respectively) also incorporated radioactive phosphate in response to cell regulation through various transduction pathways. These phosphoproteins, previously referred to as proteins '16' and '17', share several biochemical properties with stathmin and are recognized by antibodies directed to stathmin or to stathmin peptides. Furthermore, when rat stathmin cDNA was transfected into mouse myogenic C2 cells, it directed the expression of protein sets 16 and 17 together with the 19 kDa forms of stathmin, as detected with a species-specific anti-stathmin antiserum. Proteins 16 and 17 are thus novel phosphorylated derivatives of stathmin, encoded by the same cDNA as its previously identified 19 kDa forms. These results increase the known complexity and diversity of stathmin patterns, which may yield the molecular support for its proposed role as a relay integrating various signals which regulate the proliferation, differentiation and functions of cells during development and adult life.


Interaction of GTPase-activating protein with p21ras, measured using a continuous assay for inorganic phosphate release.

The mechanism of GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activation of p21ras GTP hydrolysis has been investigated by measuring the kinetics of release of Pi during the hydrolysis. The measurement uses a continuous spectroscopic assay for Pi, based on a guanosine analogue, 2-amino-6-mercapto-7-methylpurine ribonucleoside, as substrate for purine nucleoside phosphorylase [Webb, M.R. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 4884-4887]. This phosphorolysis gives an absorbance increase at 360 nm, so that when the reaction is coupled to GTP hydrolysis, the change in absorbance gives the total amount of Pi released from the p21ras. The rate of the absorbance increase gives the GTPase activity. This provides a non-radioactive method of determining p21ras concentration and GAP activity. It was used to determine the interaction of GAP with wild-type p21ras and two mutants (Leu-61/Ser-186 and Asp-12), all in the GTP (or guanosine 5'-[ beta gamma-imido]triphosphate) form. The Leu-61/Ser-186 mutant binds 10-fold tighter than does the wild-type protein. The Asp-12 mutant binds to GAP with the same affinity as the wild-type protein. A novel GTPase activity was characterized whereby the EDTA-induced nucleotide release and GAP-activated cleavage of bound GTP leads to steady-state turnover of GTP hydrolysis. An assay for GAP is described based on this activity.


A Raman study of the binding of Fe(III) to ATP and AMP.

ATP-Fe and AMP-Fe complexes in water (H2O and 2H2O) at pH 7.5 were studied using Raman spectroscopy. Parallel and perpendicular polarization spectra were recorded in the spectral range 200-1650 cm-1, and the depolarization ratios for most of the bands were calculated. The changes in the frequencies, intensities and depolarization ratios of the ATP and AMP bands after the addition of FeCl3 showed that the adenine moiety, in addition to the phosphate(s), was involved in the binding of Fe to both ATP and AMP. Direct interactions of Fe(III) with the phosphate chain and the N-7 nitrogen and indirect interaction (via water molecules) with the amide group were proposed for the ATP-Fe complex. In contrast, direct interaction with the phosphate group and indirect interaction with the amide group were observed for the AMP-Fe complex. The different interactions of the two complexes suggest an 'anti' conformation for the ATP-Fe complex and a 'syn' conformation for the AMP-Fe complex. The strong binding of Fe to ATP compared with AMP and the difference in the conformation of the ATP-Fe and the AMP-Fe complexes may be significant in the pathway of Fe release in mitochondria.


Kinetics of the monomer-dimer reaction of yeast hexokinase PI.

Kinetic studies of the glucose-dependent monomer-dimer reaction of yeast hexokinase PI at pH 8.0 in the presence of 0.1 M-KCl have been carried out using the fluorescence temperature-jump technique. A slow-relaxation effect was observed which was attributed from its dependence on enzyme concentration to the monomer-dimer reaction; the reciprocal relaxation times tau-1 varied from 3 s-1 at low concentrations of glucose to 42 s-1 at saturating concentrations. Rate constants for association (kass.) and dissociation (kdiss.) were determined as a function of glucose concentration using values of the equilibrium association constant of the monomer-dimer reaction derived from sedimentation ultracentrifugation studies under similar conditions, and also from the dependence of tau-2 on enzyme concentration. kass. was almost independent of glucose concentration and its value (2 x 10(5) M-1.s-1) was close to that expected for a diffusion-controlled process. The influence of glucose on the monomer-dimer reaction is entirely due to effects on kdiss., which increases from 0.21 s-1 in the absence of glucose to 25 s-1 at saturating concentrations. The monomer and dimer forms of hexokinase have different affinities and Km values for glucose, and the results reported here imply that there may be a significant lag in the response of the monomer-dimer reaction to changes in glucose concentrations in vivo with consequent hysteretic effects on the hexokinase activity.


Purification and characterization of a diptericin homologue from Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly).

A protein with a molecular mass of 8 kDa was found to be synthesized specifically when the fat-body from injured Sarcophaga peregrina larvae was cultured in vitro. This protein was purified from the haemolymph of the injured larvae to near-homogeneity. Partial amino acid sequencing revealed that this protein is a diptericin homologue. It showed bactericidal activity on growing, but not resting Escherichia coli cells. E. coli cells become elongated on treatment with this protein.


Identification of calreticulin isoforms in the central nervous system.

In the present paper we report the cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding two calreticulin isoforms from Xenopus laevis central nervous system. The two isoforms display 93% identity at the amino acid level. The predicted amino acid sequences of the amphibian calreticulins are very similar (76%) to those of mammalian liver and skeletal muscle. Xenopus laevis calreticulins are characterized by a very acidic c-terminal domain endowed with the endoplasmic-reticulum retention signal KDEL. The cDNAs of both clones encode an N-glycosylation consensus sequence. A third clone of calreticulin was also identified. The restriction map of this clone was clearly distinct from that of the two sequenced clones. These results indicate the existence of multiple calreticulin isoforms in the central nervous system and open questions about their functional role in different cells and/or subcellular compartments.


Mechanisms of thermoinactivation of endoglucanase I from Trichoderma reesei QM 9414.

The mechanism of irreversible thermoinactivation of endoglucanase I from Trichoderma reesei has been determined at 70 degrees C at the pH of maximum enzyme activity. The time-course of thermoinactivation did not follow first-order kinetics and kinetic constants of the process were dependent on enzyme concentration, suggesting that aggregation was the main process leading to irreversible inactivation. The enzyme was extremely resistant to urea, which in fact seemed to stabilize it against temperature. Disulphide exchange, deamidation and hydrolysis of peptide bonds were also responsible for the loss of enzyme activity at 70 degrees C.


Production and interferon-gamma-mediated regulation of complement component C2 and factors B and D by the astroglioma cell line U105-MG.

In this paper, we demonstrate the synthesis of the complement component C2 and factors B and D by the human astroglioma cell line U105-MG. All three components were structurally and antigenically similar to their serum counterparts, as determined by biosynthetic labelling studies or Western blot analysis. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the mRNAs of all three components had the same apparent sizes as the equivalent mRNAs from hepatocyte and monocyte cell lines. Interestingly, U105-MG cells produce two C2 transcripts with sizes of approximately 2.8 and 2.3 kb. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) enhanced the expression of C2 and factor B mRNA and protein in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, while factor D expression was refractory to IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma appeared to predominantly enhance the expression of the large (2.8 kb) C2 transcript. Kinetic studies demonstrated peak C2 and factor B expression in 48 h in response to IFN-gamma, similar to the acute-phase response of factor B in serum. These data are the first to demonstrate the synthesis of C2 and factor D by astroglioma cells. Combined with previous reports documenting the synthesis of C3 by astrocytes, our data suggest that endogenous synthesis of complement proteins, and particularly of alternative pathway activation components (C3, factors B and D), may play an important role in host defence in the central nervous system.


Overproduction of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli and site-directed substitutions in the E1p and E2p subunits.

The aceEF-lpd operon of Escherichia coli encodes the pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1p), dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (E2p) and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) subunits of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex (PDH complex). An isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible expression system was developed for amplifying fully lipoylated wild-type and mutant PDH complexes to over 30% of soluble protein. The extent of lipoylation was related to the degree of aeration during amplification. The specific activities of the isolated PDH complexes and the E1p component were 50-75% of the values normally observed for the unamplified complex. This could be due to altered stoichiometries of the overproduced complexes (higher E3 and lower E1p contents) or inactivation of E1p. The chaperonin, GroEL, was identified as a contaminant which copurifies with the complex. Site-directed substitutions of an invariant glycine residue (G231A, G231S and G231M) in the putative thiamine pyrophosphate-binding fold of the E1p component had no effect on the production of high-molecular-mass PDH complexes but their E1p and PDH complex activities were very low or undetectable, indicating that G231 is essential for the structural or catalytic integrity of E1p. A minor correction to the nucleotide sequence, which leads to the insertion of an isoleucine residue immediately after residue 273, was made. Substitution of the conserved histidine and arginine residues (H602 and R603) in the putative active-site motif of the E2p subunit confirmed that H602 of the E. coli E2p is essential, whereas R603 could be replaced without inactivating E2p. Deletions affecting putative secondary structural elements at the boundary of the E2p catalytic domain inhibited catalytic activity without affecting the assembly of the E2p core or its ability to bind E1p, indicating that the latter functions are determined elsewhere in the domain. The results further consolidate the view that chloramphenicol acetyltransferase serves as a useful structural and functional model for the catalytic domain of the lipoate acyltransferases.


Involvement of caldesmon at the actin-myosin interface.

Addition of myosin subfragment 1 (S-1) to the actin-caldesmon binary complex, which forms bundles of actin filaments resulted in the formation of actin/caldesmon-decorated filaments [Harricane, Bonet-Kerrache, Cavadore & Mornet (1991) Eur. J. Biochem. 196, 219-224]. The present data provide further evidence that caldesmon and S-1 compete for a common actin-binding region and demonstrate that a change occurs in the actin-myosin interface induced by caldesmon. S-1 digested by trypsin, which has an actin affinity 100-fold weaker than that of native S-1, was efficiently removed from actin by caldesmon, but not completely dissociated. This particular ternary complex was stabilized by chemical cross-linking with carbodi-imide, which does not have any spacer arm, and revealed contact interfaces between the different protein components. Cross-linking experiments showed that the presence of caldesmon had no effect on stabilization of actin-(20 kDa domain), whereas the actin-(50 kDa domain) covalent association was significantly decreased, to the point of being virtually abolished.


Structural features of the low-molecular-mass human salivary mucin.

The low-molecular-mass human salivary mucin has at least two isoforms, MG2a and MG2b, that differ primarily in their sialic acid and fucose content. In this study, we characterize further these isoforms, particularly their peptide moieties. Trypsin digests of MG2a and MG2b yielded high- and low-molecular-mass glycopeptides following gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. The larger glycopeptides from MG2a and MG2b had similar amino acid compositions and identical N-terminal sequences, suggesting common structural features between their peptides. An oligonucleotide probe generated from the amino acid sequence of the smaller glycopeptide from MG2a was employed in Northern-blot analysis. This probe specifically hybridized to two mRNA species from human submandibular and sublingual glands. A cDNA clone selected from a human submandibular gland cDNA expression library with antibody generated against deglycosylated MG2a also hybridized to these two mRNA species. In both cases, the larger mRNA was polydisperse, and the hybridization signal was more intense in the sublingual gland. In addition, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the larger glycopeptide was found to be part of one of the selected MG2 cDNA clones.


Cellular distribution of nuclear factor kappa B binding activity in rat liver.

The cellular localization of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) binding activity in rat liver has been investigated using electrophoretic mobility shift assay on extracts of highly purified hepatocytes and Kupffer cells obtained from liver perfused in vivo with collagenase. Constitutive NF-kappa B binding activity was demonstrated in nuclear extracts of control Kupffer cells, and this was not apparently influenced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into rats 24 h before perfusion. In contrast, little nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity was present in hepatocytes from control animals, although there was detectable inactive, inhibitor-bound, NF-kappa B in the cytoplasm. However, nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity was increased in hepatocytes from LPS-treated animals and after in vitro culture of control rat hepatocytes. Thus NF-kappa B binding activity has been demonstrated in highly purified hepatocytes and appears to be inducible both in vivo and in vitro. These findings support a role for NF-kappa B in hepatocyte gene regulation which may be important in the modulation of the hepatic acute phase response.


Characteristics of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated dentine phosphoprotein.

Heterogeneity among the odontoblast-specific, highly phosphorylated acidic protein dentine phosphoprotein (DPP) obtained from different species has been reported by several investigators. In the present study, the apparent molecular-mass variations in rabbit and mouse DPP were investigated. Extracellular matrix (ECM) DPPs were isolated and characterized. Primary gene products, before post-translational phosphorylation, were analysed based upon translation products produced in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate cell-free system using a polyclonal mouse anti-DPP antibody. Nascent non-phosphorylated DPPs were also identified from intracellular protein extracts. Mouse and rabbit ECM phosphoproteins exhibited a 10 kDa difference in size. However, nascent intracellular or translation products from both species showed the same lower molecular mass (approx. 45 kDa). Furthermore, Northern-blot analysis showed a single mRNA of the same size in both species (approx. 1.6 kb) which contains information for a protein no larger than 50 kDa. Our results indicate that the difference in molecular mass (or electrophoretic behaviour) among DPPs from different species is due to post-translational modifications, in this case phosphorylation.


Lysosomal cysteine endopeptidases mediate interleukin 1-stimulated cartilage proteoglycan degradation.

The peptidyl diazomethane inactivator of cysteine endopeptidases, benzyloxycarbonyl-Tyr-Ala-CHN2, was tested as an inhibitor of interleukin 1 alpha-stimulated release of proteoglycan from bovine nasal septum cartilage explants. Like the previously tested epoxidyl peptide proinhibitor trans-epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido-(3-methyl)butane ethyl ester, it proved to be an effective inhibitor of proteoglycan release from cartilage, with significant inhibition at a concentration of 1 microM. The inhibition did not seem to be due to a general toxic effect. The rates of inactivation of the bovine cysteine endopeptidases by the peptidyl diazomethane, the epoxidyl peptide proinhibitor and its active form were determined. Benzyloxycarbonyl-Tyr-Ala-CHN2 proved to be a rapid inactivator of cathepsins L, S and B, but reacted much more slowly with cathepsin H and calpain. Thus it would appear that the latter two enzymes are not implicated in proteoglycan release in our test system. The peptidyl diazomethane and epoxidyl peptide proinhibitor (above) were also tested for their effects on three other interleukin 1-mediated cellular events, namely epidermal growth factor receptor transmodulation, and interleukin 6 and prostaglandin E2 production. In all cases the inactivators did not interfere with the response to interleukin 1 in human gingival fibroblasts. We conclude that one or more of the lysosomal cysteine endopeptidases cathepsins B, L and S mediate interleukin 1-stimulated cartilage proteoglycan degradation without affecting signal transduction.


Fluorescence of peptide N-terminal 2-oxoacyl and quinoxaline derivatives.

A peptide reacts with glyoxalic acid resulting in transamination of the N-terminal residue to form a 2-oxoacyl group. This further reacts with o-phenylenediamine, leading to a quinoxaline derivative of the original N-terminal amino acid, which is cleavable in mild acid [Dixon & Fields (1972) Methods Enzymol. 25, 409-419]. The 2-oxoacyl peptides are weakly fluorescent with emission maxima around 410 nm and excitation maxima at about 320 nm, depending on the nature and length of the peptide. Formation of the quinoxaline derivative results in a marked increase of fluorescence, with emission maximum of 363 nm when excited at 303 nm. The fluorescence properties of these derivatives change with the nature and length of the peptides and are affected by the presence of organic solvents, NaCl and denaturants. It is suggested that such fluorescent derivatives could be used as probes for the study of the conformation of the N-terminal region of peptides and proteins.


Bicarbonate-dependent ATP cleavage catalysed by pyruvate carboxylase in the absence of pyruvate.

Preparations of pyruvate carboxylase catalyse the cleavage of MgATP in the absence of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. The rate of this cleavage is higher in the presence of HCO3- than in its absence. Incubation of the enzyme preparations with an excess of the pyruvate carboxylase inhibitor, avidin, completely abolishes the pyruvate carboxylating activity of the enzyme preparations but only abolishes the HCO3(-)-dependent MgATP cleaving activity, with no effect on the HCO3(-)-independent ATPase activity. The HCO3(-)-dependent MgATP cleavage is also sensitive to inhibition by a pyruvate carboxylase inhibitor, oxamate, and the dependence of the reaction on the free Mg2+ concentration is similar to that of the pyruvate-carboxylation reaction, whereas the HCO3(-)-independent MgATP cleavage is not dependent on the concentration of free Mg2+ in the range tested. This indicates that MgATP cleavage by pyruvate carboxylase is entirely dependent on the presence of HCO3- and that there may be a low level of ATPase contamination in the enzyme preparations. In addition, inhibition of the HCO3(-)-dependent MgATP cleavage by both avidin and oxamate indicate that although biotin does not directly participate in the reaction, its presence is required in that part of the active site of the enzyme. The rate of HCO3(-)-dependent MgATP cleavage is about 0.07% of that of the full pyruvate carboxylation reaction under similar conditions with saturating substrates. The reaction mechanism is sequential with respect to MgATP and HCO3- addition and Mg2+ adds at equilibrium before MgATP. Acetyl-CoA stimulates the HCO3(-)-dependent MgATP cleavage at low MgATP concentrations, with the stimulation being greater at low Mg2+ concentrations. At high levels of MgATP in the presence of acetyl-CoA, substrate inhibition is evident and is more pronounced at increasing concentrations of Mg2+. This inhibition appears to be, at least in part, caused by inhibition of decarboxylation of the enzyme-carboxybiotin complex by the binding to this complex of Mg2+ and MgATP, which probably act to reduce the rate of movement of carboxybiotin from the site of the MgATP cleavage reaction to that of the pyruvate carboxylation reaction where it is unstable and decarboxylates.


Tissue distribution of mRNA for heparin-binding epidermal growth factor.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) is a recently identified member of the EGF family. Mature HB-EGF is processed from a larger transmembrane precursor which can itself act as a cell-surface receptor for the internalization of diphtheria toxin into eukaryotic cells. However, to date there is no information available on the distribution of HB-EGF in mammalian tissues. We have therefore used reverse-transcription PCR to analyse the expression of HB-EGF mRNA in a wide range of tissues. HB-EGF transcripts were detected in RNA isolated from 15 of the 22 tissues obtained from adult pigs, which is consistent with the ability of diphtheria toxin to affect many body tissues.


Investigation of the first step of biotin biosynthesis in Bacillus sphaericus. Purification and characterization of the pimeloyl-CoA synthase, and uptake of pimelate.

The pimeloyl-CoA synthase from Bacillus sphaericus has been purified to homogeneity from an overproducing strain of Escherichia coli. The purification yielded milligram quantities of the synthase with a specific activity of 1 unit/mg of protein. Analysis of the products showed that this enzyme catalysed the transformation of pimelate into pimeloyl-CoA with concomitant hydrolysis of ATP to AMP. Using a continuous spectrophotometric assay, we have examined the catalytic properties of the pure enzyme. The pH profile under Vmax. conditions showed a maximum around 8.5. Apparent Km values for pimelate, CoASH, ATP.Mg2- and Mg2+ were respectively 145 microM, 33 microM, 170 microM and 2.3 mM. The enzyme was inhibited by Mg2+ above 10 mM. This acid-CoA ligase exhibited a very sharp substrate specificity, e.g. neither GTP nor pimelate analogues (di- or mono-carboxylic acids) were processed. The bivalent metal ion requirement was also investigated: Mn2+ (73%) and Co2+ (32%) but not Ca2+ could replace Mg2+. The enzyme was inhibited by metal chelators such as 1,10-phenanthroline and EDTA. The synthase was a homodimer with a 28,000-M(r) subunit. N-Terminal sequencing definitely proved that this enzyme was encoded by the bioW gene. A careful study of pimelate uptake by B. sphaericus, E. coli and Pseudomonas dentrificans showed that this metabolite crossed the membrane of these microorganisms by passive diffusion, ruling out the involvement of the bioX gene product as pimelate carrier.


Exocytosis in electropermeabilized neutrophils. Responsiveness to calcium and guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate.

Electropermeabilized neutrophils were used to study the exocytotic response in rabbit neutrophils. Enzyme release from electropermeabilized neutrophils could be induced by elevating the Ca2+ concentration. Ca(2+)-induced secretion was significantly enhanced by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of GTP[S] could be blocked by guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP[S]) and was not affected by pertussis toxin. GTP[S] did not induce enzyme release in the absence of Ca2+. Induction of an exocytotic response did not require addition of ATP. However, neutrophils permeabilized in the absence of ATP became refractory to stimulation due to a reduction in their affinity for Ca2+. Responsiveness to the effectors Ca2+ or Ca2+ + GTP[S] could be prolonged or restored by ATP. ATP was not the only agent that prolonged responsiveness; other nucleotides and inorganic phosphates were also effective. The protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporine and 1-O-hexadecyl-2-methyl-sn-glycerol did not inhibit exocytosis and had only a small effect on the prolongation and restoration of responsiveness by ATP. A hypothesis is presented suggesting that the loss of responsiveness is caused by dephosphorylation and that the restoration or prolongation of responsiveness is not mediated by protein kinase C. It is possible that an as yet unidentified Ca(2+)-binding protein is dephosphorylated, resulting in a decrease in Ca2+ affinity.


Secretion of 72 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase by cultured human lipocytes. Analysis of gene expression, protein synthesis and proteinase activity.

The matrix metalloproteinases play an important role in matrix degradation, but there is limited information about this family of enzymes in either normal or diseased human liver. In this study, we have examined the synthesis of a 72 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase by human hepatic lipocytes in primary culture. Hepatic lipocytes were isolated from wedges of normal human donor liver by Pronase/collagenase perfusion, purified by density-gradient centrifugation, and established in primary culture on uncoated plastic. By Northern-blot analysis, the total RNA extracted from cultured human lipocytes was found to contain 3.4 kb mRNA for the 72 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase. Low levels of expression of this mRNA were observed in freshly isolated lipocytes but expression increased with the duration of lipocyte culture. Using anti-human 72 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase IgG, synthesized enzyme was immunolocalized to monensin-treated human lipocyte cultures. De novo synthesis and secretion of 72 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase were confirmed by immunoprecipitation of radiolabelled enzyme from medium obtained from [35S]methionine-treated cells. Activity of the secreted enzyme was demonstrated by gelatin-zymography and by degradation of soluble, radiolabelled [14C]gelatin. The enzyme was released both in active and latent pro-enzyme forms and its inhibition profile was that of a metalloproteinase. These studies indicate that cultured human hepatic lipocytes express the gene for the 72 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase, and secrete this enzyme, particularly in prolonged primary culture. As this enzyme exhibits degradative activity against basement membrane collagen, its release by activated hepatic lipocytes in the space of Disse could lead to disruption of the normal subendothelial liver matrix. It is suggested that this enzyme may have an important role in human liver injury and fibrosis.


Cytostasis induced in L1210 murine leukaemia cells by the S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase inhibitor 5'-([(Z)-4-amino-2-butenyl]methylamino)-5'-deoxyadenosine may be due to hypusine depletion.

The effects of inhibition of the capacity to form spermidine and spermine on cell growth were investigated using murine leukaemia L1210 cells and 5'-([(Z)-4-amino-2-butenyl]methylamino)-5'-deoxyadenosine (MDL 73811, AbeAdo), an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase. Putrescine levels were increased 80-fold, and spermidine and spermine levels were greatly reduced after a 3-day exposure to a maximally inhibitory dose of 10 microM-AbeAdo. Addition of AbeAdo to the culture medium inhibited the growth of L1210 cells measured 3 days later in a dose-dependent manner, but, even at a dose of 10 microM, which was maximally effective, exposure to AbeAdo was not immediately cytostatic. However, the growth rate of L1210 cells chronically exposed to 10 microM-AbeAdo declined steadily until day 12, when the cells stopped growing. L1210 cells exposed to AbeAdo for 12 days could not be rescued from cytostasis by removal of the drug from the culture, but could be rescued by exposure to exogenous spermidine or spermine, indicating that the growth-inhibitory effects of AbeAdo were a result of spermidine and/or spermine depletion. It is suggested that elevated intracellular putrescine in AbeAdo-treated cells sustained limited growth in the absence of physiological levels of spermidine and spermine until certain critical and specific physiological role(s) fulfilled by spermidine (and/or spermine) became deficient resulting in cytostasis. N-(3-Aminopropyl)-1,4-diamino-cis-but-2-ene, a spermidine analogue that is a substrate for deoxyhypusine synthase, was able to mimic the effects of spermidine in reversing AbeAdo-induced cytostasis. Spermidine analogues such as 5,5-dimethylspermidine, which are not substrates for deoxyhypusine synthase, were not active in this way. These results provide evidence that the formation of hypusine in the protein-synthesis initiation factor eIF-5A may be a critical role of spermidine essential for cell growth.


Purification and characterization of a vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase from pig liver microsomes.

A cytochrome P-450 which catalyses 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3 has been purified to apparent homogeneity from pig liver microsomes. The specific content of cytochrome P-450 was 12 nmol.mg of protein-1, and the preparation showed a single band with an apparent M(r) of 50,500 upon SDS/PAGE. A monoclonal antibody raised against the vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase reacted strongly with the purified 25-hydroxylating cytochrome P-450 from pig kidney microsomes [Bergman & Postlind (1990) Biochem. J. 270, 345-350]. The liver enzyme showed structural and functional properties very similar to those of the kidney enzyme. The two enzymes differed with respect to only one of the first 16 N-terminal amino acids. The vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase in pig liver microsomes exhibited a turnover and an apparent Km for 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3 which were of the same order of magnitude as those of a well-characterized male-specific 25-hydroxylating cytochrome P-450 in rat liver microsomes. The two enzymes differed structurally. The pig liver enzyme was, in contrast to the rat liver enzyme, not sex-specific, and did not catalyse 16 alpha-hydroxylation of testosterone. These properties of the 25-hydroxylase in rat liver microsomes have led to questions on the role of microsomal 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3. It is concluded that studies on microsomal 25-hydroxylation with the rat may be misleading. The results of the present study show that the pig appears to be a representative species for evaluation of vitamin D3 hydroxylases in other mammals, including man.


Disruption of prosomes by some bivalent metal ions results in the loss of their multicatalytic proteinase activity and cancels the nuclease resistance of prosomal RNA.

Prosomes are ribonucleoprotein particles constituted by a variable set of about 20 proteins found associated with untranslated mRNA. In addition, they contain a small RNA, the presence of which has been an issue of controversy for a long time. The intact particles have a multicatalytic proteinase (MCP) activity and are very stable; we have never observed autodigestion of the particle by its intrinsic proteinase activity. Surprisingly it was found that Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions at concentrations of 0.1-1 mM disrupt the prosome particles isolated from HeLa cells and duck erythroblasts and abolish instantaneously its MCP activity, without altering the two-dimensional electrophoretic pattern of the constituent proteins. Fe2+, however, seems to induce autodegradation rather than dissociation of the prosome constituents. Most interestingly, protein or oligopeptide substrates protect the particle and its proteinase activity from disruption by Zn2+ or Cu2+. Nuclease-digestion assays reveal that the prosomal RNA, which is largely resistant in the intact particle, becomes digestible after dissociation of prosomes by Zn2+. These data give, for the first time, unambiguous proof of the presence of an RNA in the particle. Furthermore, they demonstrate a structure-function relationship between the complex and its enzyme activity, which seems to be based on the particle as an entity and not on the single constituent proteins.


Characterization of a calsequestrin-like protein from sea-urchin eggs.

Following our studies on the identification of a calsequestrin-like protein (CSLP) from sea-urchin eggs [Oberdorf, Lebeche, Head & Kaminer (1988) J. Biol Chem. 263, 6806-6809], we have characterized its Ca(2+)-binding properties and identified it as a glycoprotein. The molecule binds 23 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein, as determined by equilibrium dialysis. This is in the range reported for cardiac calsequestrin but is about half the binding capacity of striated muscle calsequestrin. The affinities of the CSLP for Ca2+ are decreased by increasing KCl concentrations (20-250 mM) and the presence of Mg2+ (3 mM) in the medium: the half-maximal binding values varied from 1.62 to 5.77 mM. Hill coefficients indicated mild co-operativity in the Ca2+ binding. Ca2+ (1-8 mM)-induced u.v. difference spectra and intrinsic fluorescence changes suggest a net exposure of aromatic residues to an aqueous environment. C.d. measurements showed minor Ca(2+)-induced changes in alpha-helical and beta-sheet content of less than 10%. These spectral changes are distinctly different from those found in muscle calsequestrin. Immunoblotting studies showed that the CSLP is distinct from calreticulin, a low-affinity Ca(2+)-binding protein.


Extracellular fatty acids are not utilized directly for the synthesis of very-low-density lipoprotein in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

In hepatocytes cultured in the presence of oleate (initial concn. 0.75 mM), the secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triacylglycerol and, to a lesser extent, apoprotein B (apoB) increased with time, whereas there was a large decline in the extracellular concentration of fatty acid. There was thus no synchronous relationship between the extracellular fatty acid concentration and the secretion of VLDL. Rather, the appearance of VLDL in the medium was dependent on the intracellular triacylglycerol concentration. At a given concentration of extracellular fatty acid, cells depleted of triacylglycerol secreted less VLDL triacylglycerol and apoB than did control cells. A similar pattern was observed for triacylglycerol newly synthesized from extracellular [3H]oleate. By contrast, the synthesis and output of ketone bodies were directly dependent on the fatty acid concentration of the medium. These results suggest that, at least for oleic acid, extracellular fatty acids are not utilized directly for VLDL assembly, but first enter a temporary intracellular storage pool of triacylglycerol, which is the immediate precursor of secreted triacylglycerol. The size of this pool then determines the rate of secretion of VLDL triacylglycerol apoB. Ketogenesis, on the other hand, relies mainly on the direct utilization of extracellular fatty acids.


Sequence of a novel cytochrome CYP2B cDNA coding for a protein which is expressed in a sebaceous gland, but not in the liver.

The major phenobarbital-inducible rat hepatic cytochromes P-450, CYP2B1 and CYP2B2, are the paradigmatic members of a cytochrome P-450 gene subfamily that contains at least seven additional members. Specific oligonucleotide probes for these genomic members of the CYP2B subfamily were used to assess their tissue-specific expression. In Northern-blot analysis a probe specific to gene 4 (which is designated now as CYP2B12) hybridized to a single mRNA present in the preputial gland, an organ which is used as a model for sebaceous glands, but did not hybridize to mRNA isolated from the liver or from five other tissues of untreated or Aroclor 1254-treated rats. The cDNA sequence for the CYP2B12 RNA was determined from overlapping cDNA clones and contained a long open reading frame of 1476 bp. The nucleotide sequence of the CYP2B12 cDNA was 85% similar to the sequence of the CYP2B1 cDNA in its coding region and was different from any CYP2B cDNA characterized until now. The cDNA-derived primary structure of the CYP2B12 protein contains a signal sequence for its insertion into the endoplasmic reticulum and the putative haem-binding site characteristic of cytochromes P-450. A part of the potential haem pocket of CYP2B12 was identical with a similar structure in a bacterial protocatechuate dioxygenase. In immunoblot analysis of preputial-gland microsomes, antibodies against CYP2B1 recognized a single abundant protein with a lower apparent molecular mass than that of CYP2B1. Our results demonstrate that the CYP2B12 protein has the potential to be enzymically active and are the first demonstration that a member of the CYP2B subfamily is expressed exclusively and at high levels in an extrahepatic organ.


Crystal structure of papain-E64-c complex. Binding diversity of E64-c to papain S2 and S3 subsites.

In order to investigate the binding mode of E64-c (a synthetic cysteine proteinase inhibitor) to papain at the atomic level, the crystal structure of the complex was analysed by X-ray diffraction at 1.9 A (1 A is expressed in SI units as 0.1 nm) resolution. The crystal has a space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 43.37, b = 102.34 and c = 49.95 A. A total of 21,135 observed reflections were collected from the same crystal, and 14811 unique reflections of up to 1.9 A resolution [Fo > 3 sigma(Fo)] were used for the structure solution and refinement. The papain structure was determined by means of the molecular replacement method, and then the inhibitor was observed on a (2 magnitude of Fo-magnitude of Fc) difference Fourier map. The complex structure was finally refined to R = 19.4% including 207 solvent molecules. Although this complex crystal (Form II) was polymorphous as compared with the previously analysed one (Form I), the binding modes of leucine and isoamylamide moieties of E64-c were significantly different from each other. By the calculation of accessible surface area for each complex atom, these two different binding modes were both shown to be tight enough to prevent the access of solvent molecules to the papain active site. With respect to the E64-c-papain binding mode, molecular-dynamics simulations proposed two kinds of stationary states which were derived from the crystal structures of Forms I and II. One of these, which corresponds to the binding mode simulated from Form I, was essentially the same as that observed in the crystal structure, and the other was somewhat different from the crystal structure of Form II, especially with respect to the binding of the isoamylamide moiety with the papain S subsites. The substrate specificity for the papain active site is discussed on the basis of the present results.


The stereochemical course of sulphuryl transfer catalysed by arylsulphatase II from Aspergillus oryzae.

Phenyl [(R)-16O,17O,18O]sulphate was synthesized and used to study the stereochemical course of sulphuryl transfer to p-cresol catalysed by arylsulphatase II from Aspergillus oryzae. The reaction was shown to proceed with retention of configuration at the sulphur atom, providing evidence for the involvement of a sulpho-enzyme intermediate on the reaction pathway.


Real-time study of the urea cycle using 15N n.m.r. in the isolated perfused rat liver.

1. Isolated rat liver was perfused with 10 mM-15NH4Cl, 5 mM-lactate and 1 mM-ornithine, or with 3 mM-[15N]alanine and 1 mM-ornithine, in haemoglobin-free medium. The liver was physiologically stable for over 3 h and synthesized urea at the rate of 1.15 mumol.min-1.g of liver-1 (15NH4(+)-perfused) or 0.41 mumol.min-1.g-1 ([15N]alanine-perfused). 2. The perfused liver was continuously monitored by 15N n.m.r. spectroscopy at 20.27 MHz for 15N. Well-resolved 15N resonances of precursors and intermediates of the urea cycle, present at tissue concentrations of 0.2-3.0 mumol/g, were observed from the intact liver in 5-40 min of acquisition. Key metabolites in liver extract and the final perfusion medium were analysed by n.m.r. and by biochemical assays to determine fractional 15N enrichment and the total 15N recovery. 3. In 15NH4(+)-perfused liver (n = 6), 15N incorporation into glutamate and alanine (1.0-1.3 mumol/g), as well as progressive formation of [15N2]urea, was observed during the first 2 h of perfusion. In the second and third hour, hepatic concentrations of [omega-15N]citrulline and [omega,omega'-15N]argininosuccinate increased to n.m.r.-detectable levels (0.3-0.9 mumol/g). The [15N]aspartate pool was large in the absence of added ornithine, but on its addition was rapidly incorporated into argininosuccinate (n = 3). 4. In [15N]alanine-perfused liver, major metabolites were [15N]glutamate, [gamma-15N]glutamine and [15N]urea. Urea-cycle intermediates were undetectable. 5. The results suggest that, in intact liver provided with excess ammonia, low concentrations of cytosolic argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase limited the rate of metabolite flux in the urea cycle. By contrast, in alanine-perfused liver at a physiological rate of urea synthesis, mitochondrial carbamoylphosphate synthetase was rate-limiting. 6. The potential utility of 15N n.m.r. for study of metabolite channelling through urea-cycle enzymes in intact liver is discussed.


Zn(2+)-heparin interaction studied by potentiometric titration.

Measurement of the decrease in pH that accompanies the addition of Zn2+ to heparin in solution provided an indirect method of examining cation-polyanion interaction. Construction of plots analogous to isothermal saturation binding plots revealed the existence, for defined conditions of interaction, of a [heparin]-independent direct proportionality between the fraction of the maximal pH change occurring and the [Zn2+]/[heparin disaccharide] ratio. This accords with results from polarimetric examination of Ca(2+)- and Cu(2+)-heparin interactions. It suggests that, under the conditions used, cation-heparin interaction may result in the formation of a complex that exists in a colloid-like phase, between which and the aqueous phase, exchange of cations does not follow simple solution-phase reversible equilibrium thermodynamic behaviour. The results suggest that the putative Zn(2+)-containing complex is less stable in the presence of NaCl than is the corresponding Ca(2+)-containing complex. Addition of Zn2+ to low concentrations of heparins is accompanied by the usual decrease in pH, followed by a removal of H+ from solution as the [Zn2+]/[heparin disaccharide] ratio increases, suggesting dissolution of the putative complex. This reversal of the initial pH change was not seen for most other cation-heparin interactions under the conditions studied.


Purification and characterization of an acetone-inducible cytochrome P-450 from hamster liver microsomes.

A form of cytochrome P-450 has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the hepatic microsomes of Syrian golden hamsters treated with acetone. This P-450 form, designated ha P-450j, had an M(r) of approximately 55,000, bound dimethyl sulphoxide and exhibited a CO-reduced absorbance maximum at 451 nm. The absolute spectra of its oxidized form indicated that ha P-450j was predominantly in the low-spin state. In a reconstituted system, ha P-450j showed relatively low catalytic activities towards 7-ethoxycoumarin, 7-ethoxyresorufin, aminopyrine, ethylmorphine and benzphetamine, whereas it catalysed the oxidation of aniline, acetone and thiobenzamide with a high catalytic-centre activity. In addition, ha P-450j catalysed at a high rate the high-affinity component of dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase; in contrast, only the low-affinity component of diethylnitrosamine N-de-ethylase was efficiently catalysed. The addition of cytochrome b5 to the reconstitution system decreased the Km value for dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase by a factor of 5 and increased the Vmax. value, and slightly enhanced the other activities. Thiobenzamide and diethyldithiocarbamate were found to be the most effective inhibitors of the ha-P-450j-dependent aniline hydroxylation. Polyclonal antibodies against rat P-450j recognized ha P-450j in immunoblots of control and treated hamster liver microsomes. Treatment of hamsters with acetone increased the apparent abundance of ha P-450j in microsomes, whereas phenobarbital and beta-naphthoflavone did not induce it. Analysis of N-terminal amino acid sequences demonstrated that ha P-450j has a high degree of sequence identity with rat P-450j. All the evidence presented in this study indicates that ha P-450j could represent the hamster orthologue of the previously described CYP2E1(s) of other species.


Characterization and purification of a novel dATP-binding protein in eukaryotes.

We characterized and purified an acidic dATP-binding protein, which, in its active form, resides in the nuclear fraction of a range of cells from mammals (including pig liver) and baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This protein exhibits a high degree of specificity for the deoxy form of the naturally occurring nucleoside triphosphates and shows a marked preference for the purine deoxynucleoside triphosphates dATP and dGTP. The protein cleaves the terminal phosphate of dATP and appears to retain the dADP moiety of the nucleotide in a reaction that is resistant to both SDS and 8 M-urea. Fractionation of the nuclear preparation followed by non-denaturing PAGE and SDS/PAGE electrophoresis was sufficient to produce pure protein. The occurrence of this activity in all nuclei tested suggests that it plays an important role in nuclear metabolism. The specificity of the enzyme for deoxynucleoside triphosphates further suggests a role for this enzyme in DNA replication or repair, but the acidity of the protein argues against a direct interaction with DNA, and, indeed, the catalytic activity is not modulated by the inclusion of DNA in a variety of physical forms.


Evaluation of hydrogen-bonding and enantiomeric P2-S2 hydrophobic contacts in dynamic aspects of molecular recognition by papain.

1. 2-(N'-Acetyl-D-phenylalanyl)hydroxyethyl 2'-pyridyl disulphide (compound IV) (m.p. 59 degrees C; [alpha]D20 -6.6 degrees (c 1.2 in methanol)) was synthesized. 2. The results of a study of the pH-dependence of the second-order rate constant (k) for its reaction with the catalytic-site thiol group (Cys-25) of papain (EC 3.4.22.2) together with analogous kinetic data for the reactions of related time-dependent inhibitors, notably the L-enantiomer of compound (IV) (compound III) and the L- and D-enantiomers of 2-(N'-acetylphenylalanylamino)ethyl 2'-pyridyl disulphide (compounds I and II respectively), were used to assess the contributions of the (P1)-NH ... O = C < (Asp-158) and (P2) > C = O ... H-N-(Gly-66) hydrogen bonds and enantiomeric P2-S2 hydrophobic contacts in two manifestations of dynamic molecular recognition in papain-ligand association: (a) signalling to the catalytic-site region to provide for a (His-159)-IM(+)-H-assisted transition state and (b) the dependence of P2-S2 stereoselectivity on hydrogen-bonding interactions outside the S2 subsite. The analysis involved determination of the reactivities of individual ionization states of the reactions (pH-independent rate constants, k) and associated macroscopic pKa values and difference kinetic specificity energies (delta delta GKS = -RT1n(k1/k2), where k1 is the pH-independent second-order rate constant for reaction with one inhibitor and k2 is the analogous rate constant in the same ionization state for reaction with another inhibitor so that, when the structural change provides that k2 > k1, delta delta GKS is positive. 3. The kinetic data further illuminate the nature of the interdependence of binding interactions in papain first noted by Kowlessur, Topham, Thomas, O'Driscoll, Templeton & Brocklehurst [(1989) Biochem. J. 258, 755-764] in the S2 subsite, S1-S2 intersubsite and catalytic-site regions. Of particular note is the apparent dependence of the binding of the N-Ac-D-Phe moiety on the binding of the leaving group to (His-159)-Im+H and the fact that the resulting rate enhancement is more effective when (P1)-N-H is absent than when it is present. This result revealed by kinetic analysis goes beyond the conclusion suggested by model building that it is possible to make all of the binding contacts in complexes involving the D-enantiomers [(II) and (IV)] as in those involving the L-enantiomers [(I) and (III)].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Taurolithocholate-induced Ca2+ release is inhibited by phorbol esters in isolated hepatocytes.

The monohydroxy bile acid taurolithocholate (TLC) causes a rapid and transient increase in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in suspensions of rat hepatocytes similar to that elicited by the InsP3-dependent hormone vasopressin. The effect of the bile acid is due to a mobilization of Ca2+, independent of InsP3, from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Short-term preincubation of cells with the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA), which activates protein kinase C (PKC), blocked the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by TLC, but did not alter that mediated by vasopressin. We obtained the following results, indicating that the effect of PMA is mediated by the activation of PKC. (1) Phorbol esters were effective over a concentration range where they activate PKC (IC50 = 0.5 nM); (2) phorbol esters that do not activate PKC did not inhibit the effects of TLC; (3) the permeant analogue oleoylacetylglycerol mimicked the inhibitory effect of PMA; (4) lastly, the inhibition of the TLC-induced Ca2+ mobilization by phorbol esters was partially prevented by preincubating the cells with the PKC inhibitors H7 and AMG-C16. Preincubating hepatocytes with PMA had no effect on the cell uptake of labelled TLC, indicating that the phorbol ester does not interfere with the transport system responsible for the accumulation of bile acids. In saponin-treated liver cells, PMA added before or after permeabilization failed to abolish TLC-induced Ca2+ release from the ER. The possibility is discussed that PMA, via PKC activation, may alter the intracellular binding or the transfer of bile acids in the liver.


Characterization of the binding of plasminogen activators to plasma membranes from human liver.

The binding of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) to membranes prepared from human liver was investigated, and a specific, saturable, high-affinity binding site (Kd = 3.4 nM) was identified. The binding of t-PA to liver membranes was not affected by an excess of D-mannose or D-galactose, or by active urokinase (u-PA), whereas binding of t-PA to membranes prepared from human HepG2 hepatoma cells was inhibited by u-PA. HepG2-membrane-bound t-PA was fully complexed to PA inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), whereas liver-membrane-bound t-PA was not complexed. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S300 of membrane proteins solubilized in deoxycholate revealed that high-affinity t-PA binding activity elutes at an apparent molecular mass of 40 kDa. Monoclonal antibodies specific for the growth factor and the kringle 2 domains inhibited the binding of t-PA to liver membranes and the catabolism of t-PA by rat hepatoma cells. Human liver membranes also bound u-PA; binding was inhibited by pro-u-PA, the N-terminal fragment of u-PA, but not by the 33 kDa form of u-PA or by t-PA. Our results show that human liver membranes contain a specific 40 kDa binding protein for t-PA that is different from the PAI-1-dependent receptor described on HepG2 cells and the mannose receptor isolated from human liver.


Mitogen-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of 41 kDa and 43 kDa proteins. Potential role in integrating multiple mitogenic signalling pathways.

We have examined the possible involvement of pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive GTP-binding protein and protein kinase C (PKC) in mitogen-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the 41 kDa and 43 kDa cytosol proteins using PT-pretreated (inactivation of PT-sensitive GTP-binding protein) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-pretreated (depletion of PKC) mouse fibroblasts. The effects of the inactivation of PT-sensitive GTP-binding protein and the depletion of PKC on mitogen-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the proteins were similar and varied significantly and systematically in response to growth factors. The important finding was that such inhibitory effects of PT-sensitive GTP-binding protein inactivation and PKC depletion on protein tyrosine phosphorylation induced by each mitogen always correlated well with their inhibitory effects on each mitogen-stimulated DNA synthesis. Although the extent of platelet-derived-growth-factor-induced phosphorylation of the proteins was decreased to approx. 50% in PT- and PMA-pretreated cells compared with native cells, protein phosphorylation itself was not affected and occurred at identical sites on each protein in native, PT- and PMA-pretreated cells. These results suggest that: (1) 41 kDa and 43 kDa proteins are located downstream of PT-sensitive GTP-binding protein and PKC in the mitogenic signalling pathways of growth factors, (2) protein phosphorylation occurs via a cascade of events which includes the activation of the receptor tyrosine kinases, PKC and other unidentified kinase(s) which directly participate(s) in the phosphorylation of the 41 kDa and 43 kDa proteins, and (3) their phosphorylation may play an important role in integrating multiple mitogenic signalling pathways.


Kinetics of activation of the P4 promoter of pBR322 by the Escherichia coli cyclic AMP receptor protein.

The activation of transcription initiation from the P4 promoter of pBR322 by the Escherichia coli cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) has been investigated using a fluorescence abortive initiation assay. The effect of the cyclic-AMP/CRP complex on the linear P4 promoter was to increase the initial binding (KB) of RNA polymerase to the promoter by about a factor of 10, but the rate of isomerization of closed to open complex (kf) was unaffected. One molecule of CRP per promoter was required for activation, and the concentration of cyclic AMP producing half-maximal stimulation was about 7-8 microM. Supercoiling caused a 2-3-fold increase in the rate of isomerization of the CRP-activated promoter, but weakened the initial binding of polymerase by about one order of magnitude. The unactivated supercoiled promoter was too weak to allow reliable assessment of kinetic parameters against the high background rate originating from the rest of the plasmid.


Site-directed mutagenesis of the leech-derived factor Xa inhibitor antistasin. Probing of the reactive site.

Antistasin (ATS) is a leech-derived 119-amino-acid protein which exhibits potent and highly selective inhibition of coagulation Factor Xa. It inhibits Factor Xa according to a common mechanism of serine-proteinase inhibitors in which a conformationally rigid substrate-like reactive site is presented to the enzyme. In this study a recombinant version of ATS was expressed and purified utilizing a yeast expression system in order to probe the reactive site P1 (Arg-34) and P1' (Val-35) residues by site-directed mutagenesis. The results demonstrate the requirement for a positively charged residue in the P1 position of ATS, with an arginine residue preferred over a lysine, yielding K1 values of 61 pM and 1.28 nM respectively. Mutation of the P1 arginine residue to the non-polar amino acid leucine abolished its inhibitory potency toward Factor Xa. The role of the C-terminal domain of ATS, which shares significant amino acid sequence identity with the N-terminal domain, was investigated by creating a second reactive site in the corresponding position of the C-terminal domain. The inhibitory activity of this mutant demonstrated that the C-terminal domain of ATS is not folded into the proper conformation necessary to create a functional inhibitory domain.


An evolutionary perspective on glutathione transferases inferred from class-theta glutathione transferase cDNA sequences.

We report the cDNA sequence for rat glutathione transferase (GST) subunit 5, which is one of at least three class Theta subunits in this species. This sequence, when compared with that of subunit 12 recently published by Ogura, Nishiyama, Okada, Kajita, Narihata, Watabe, Hiratsuka & Watabe [(1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 181, 1294-1300] proves that Theta is a separate multigene class of GST with little amino acid sequence identity with Mu-, Alpha- or Pi-class enzymes. The amino acid sequence identity of class-Theta subunits is highly conserved in rat, the fruitfly Drosophila, maize (Zea mays) and Methylobacterium, which suggests that this family is representative of the ancient progenitor GST gene and originates from the endosymbioses of a purple bacterium leading to the mitochondrion. The high conservation of class Theta brings into prominence that Alpha-, Mu- and Pi-class enzymes, which are not present in plants, derive from a Theta-class gene duplication before the divergence of fungi and animals and, given the binding properties of the Alpha-, Mu- and Pi-classes, suggests a role for these in the evolution of fungi and animals.


Purification and properties of DNA polymerase from Bacillus caldotenax.

A thermostable DNA polymerase was prepared from Bacillus caldotenax by using a four-step chromatography procedure. The protein exists as a monomer of M(r) 94,000, has a pI of 4.9 and has no associated 3'-5' or 5'-3'-exonuclease activities or endonuclease activity. The temperature optimum of the enzyme was about 70 degrees C and the pH for maximum activity was about 7.5. The enzyme has an absolute requirement for a bivalent cation, and maximum activity was obtained at the unusually high concentration of 70 mM-MgCl2. Mg2+ could be replaced by MnCl2 or CoCl2, with decreased activity, at the lower optimal concentrations of 1 mM and 2.5 mM respectively. Enzyme activity was inhibited in the presence of 2',3'-dideoxy-TTP, arabinosyl-CTP and aphidicolin. Enzyme activity was stimulated with KCl concentrations of about 100 mM, and concentrations of univalent salts above about 150 mM inhibited activity. The enzyme could use activated calf thymus DNA, poly(dA).p(dT)10 or primed single-stranded phage M13 DNA as a template and maximum activity was obtained with poly(dA).p(dT)10. The enzyme was inactive on unprimed single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA and polyribonucleotide template/primer. The apparent Km values for individual dNTPs, determined with the other dNTPs at saturating concentrations, were 5.7 microM (dCTP), 6.3 microM (dATP, dGTP) and 6.4 microM (dTTP). The Km value for the overall incorporation of each dNTP from an equimolar mixture of all four dNTPs was 24.7 microM. The kcat. value was about 1.05 s-1. The kcat./Km value was 0.16-0.18 M-1.s-1 for individual dNTPs and 0.04 for the incorporation of an equimolar mixture of all four dNTPs. Some of the properties of the enzyme show it may be classified as an alpha-Type DNA polymerase.


The Caenorhabditis elegans unc-13 gene product is a phospholipid-dependent high-affinity phorbol ester receptor.

The Caenorhabditis elegans unc-13 mutant is a member of a class of mutants that have un-coordinated movement. Mutations of the unc-13 gene cause diverse defects in C. elegans, including abnormal neuronal connections and modified synaptic transmission in the nervous system. unc-13 cDNA encodes a protein (UNC-13) of 1734 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 198 kDa and sequence identity to the C1/C2 regions but not to the catalytic domain of the ubiquitously expressed protein kinase C family [Maruyama & Brenner (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 5729-5733]. To characterize the phorbol ester binding site of the UNC-13 protein, cDNA encoding the C1/C2-like regions (amino acid residues 546-940) was expressed in Escherichia coli and the 43 kDa recombinant protein was purified. Phorbol ester binding to the 43 kDa protein was zinc- and phospholipid-dependent, stereospecific and of high affinity (Kd 67 nM). UNC-13 specific antisera detected a protein of approx. 190 kDa in wild-type (N2) but not in mutant (e1019) C. elegans cell extracts. We conclude that UNC-13 represents a novel class of phorbol ester receptor.


Molecular-dynamics investigation of molecular flexibility in ligand binding.

The molecular flexibility of an inhibitor in ligand-binding process has been investigated by the mass-weighted molecular-dynamics simulation, a computational method adopted from the standard molecular-dynamics simulation and one by which the conformational space of a biomolecular system over potential energy barriers can be sampled effectively. The bimolecular complex of the aspartyl proteinase from Rhizopus chinensis, rhizopuspepsin, and an octapeptide inhibitor was previously studied in a mass-weighted molecular-dynamics simulation; the study has been extended for investigating the molecular flexibility in ligand binding. A series of mass-weighted molecular-dynamics simulations was carried out in which libration of the inhibitor dihedral angles was parametrically controlled, and threshold values of dihedral angle libration amplitudes were observed from monitoring the sampling of the enzyme binding pocket by the inhibitor in the simulations. The computational results are consistent with the general notion of molecular-flexibility requirement for ligand binding; the freedom of dihedral rotations of side-chain groups was found to be particularly important for ligand binding. Thus the critical degree of molecular flexibility which would contribute to effective enzyme inhibition can be obtained precisely from the modified molecular-dynamics simulations; the procedure described herein represents a first step toward providing quantitative measures of such a molecular-flexibility index for inhibitor molecules that have been otherwise targeted for optimal protein-ligand interactions.


Protein kinase C phosphorylation of cardiac troponin T decreases Ca(2+)-dependent actomyosin MgATPase activity and troponin T binding to tropomyosin-F-actin complex.

Effects of phosphorylation of bovine cardiac troponin T (TnT) by protein kinase C on the Ca(2+)-stimulated MgATPase activity of reconstituted actomyosin complex and the binding of TnT to tropomyosin(Tm)-F-actin were investigated. The Ca(2+)-stimulated MgATPase of actomyosin containing phosphorylated TnT (1.8 mol of P/mol), compared with that containing unphosphorylated TnT, was decreased by up to 48%. Phosphorylation of TnT also decreased (up to 48%) its maximum binding to Tm-F-actin, which was accompanied by a decrease (up to 3.5-fold) in its apparent binding affinity. The findings indicate that the effects of phosphorylated TnT in decreasing actomyosin MgATPase might be secondary to its decreased interactions with the other components of the thin filament, representing a new mechanism underlying the negative inotropic responses of various cardiac preparations to protein kinase C-activating phorbol esters.


Characterization of three osteogenesis imperfecta collagen alpha 1(I) glycine to serine mutations demonstrating a position-dependent gradient of phenotypic severity.

Type I collagen alpha 1(I) glycine to serine substitutions, resulting from G-to-A mutations, were defined in three cases of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). The Gly substitutions displayed a gradient of phenotypic severity according to the location of the mutation in the collagen triple helix. The most C-terminal of these, Gly565 to Ser, led to the lethal perinatal (type II) form of OI, whereas the more N-terminal mutations, Gly415 and Gly352 to Ser, led to severe OI (type III/IV) and moderate OI (type IVB) respectively. These data support the notion that glycine substitutions towards the C-terminus of the alpha 1(I) or alpha 2(I) chains will be more clinically severe than those towards the N-terminus. This results from the more disruptive effect of the mutations at the C-terminus on helix initiation and C- and N-terminal helix directional propagation. This generalization must be modified by considering the nature of the glycine substitution and the surrounding amino acid sequence, since the helix is composed of subdomains of differing stability which will affect the ability of helix re-nucleation and propagation.


Evidence for dissociation of gluconeogenesis stimulated by non-esterified fatty acids and changes in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in cultured rat hepatocytes.

In order to examine the role of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2) in non-esterified-fatty-acid-stimulated gluconeogenesis, Fru-2,6-P2 levels were measured in cultured rat hepatocytes under conditions mimicking the fasted state. After addition of either 1.5 mM-palmitate or 10 nM-glucagon, [U-14C]lactate incorporation into glucose increased 2-fold, but only glucagon suppressed Fru-2,6-P2. Prevention of palmitate oxidation with a carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I inhibitor (2-bromopalmitate) diminished glucose production and Fru-2,6-P2 levels. Addition of exogenous glucose to the media increased Fru-2,6-P2 in a dose-related manner, which was further augmented by addition of palmitate. When Fru-2,6-P2 levels were examined in cells cultured under conditions mimicking the fed state (significantly higher basal Fru-2,6-P2 levels and lower glucose production), palmitate oxidation was associated with a significant fall in Fru-2,6-P2. In conclusion, the present studies have demonstrated a dissociation between fatty-acid-stimulated gluconeogenesis and changes in Fru-2,6-P2 in cultured rat hepatocytes. Further experiments suggest that the accumulation of intracellular hexose 6-phosphate as a result of fatty-acid-stimulated gluconeogenesis masks a putative inhibitory effect of fatty acids on Fru-2,6-P2 concentrations.