bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Xylanase B and an arabinofuranosidase from Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa contain identical cellulose-binding domains and are encoded by adjacent genes
Authors: Kellett L E , Poole D M , Ferreira L M , Durrant A J , Hazlewood G P , Gilbert H J
Published: August 2015

The complete nucleotide sequence of the Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa xynB gene, encoding an endo-beta-1,4-xylanase (xylanase B; XYLB) has been determined. The structural gene consists of an open reading frame (ORF) of 1775 bp coding for a protein of Mr 61,000. A second ORF (xynC) of 1712 bp, which starts 148 bp downstream of xynB, encodes a protein, designated xylanase C (XYLC), of Mr 59,000. XYLB hydrolyses oat spelt xylan to xylobiose and xylose, whereas XYLC releases only arabinose from the same substrate. Thus XYLB is a typical xylanase and XYLC is an arabinofuranosidase. Both enzymes bind to crystalline cellulose (Avicel), but not to xylan. The nucleotide sequences between residues 114 and 931 of xynB and xynC were identical, as were amino acid residues 39-311 of XYLB and XYLC. This conserved sequence is reiterated elsewhere in the P. fluorescens subsp. cellulosa genome. Truncated derivatives of XYLB and XYLC, in which the conserved sequence had been deleted, retained catalytic activity, but did not exhibit cellulose binding. A hybrid gene in which the 5′ end of xynC, encoding residues 1-110 of XYLC, was fused to the Escherichia coli pho A' gene (encodes mature alkaline phosphatase) directed the synthesis of a fusion protein which exhibited alkaline phosphatase activity and bound to cellulose.
Ligand specificities of recombinant retinoic acid receptors RAR α and RAR β
Authors: Crettaz M , Baron A , Siegenthaler G , Hunziker W
Published: August 2015

Binding of retinoic acid (RA) to specific RA receptors alpha and beta (RAR alpha and RAR beta) was studied. Receptors were obtained in two ways: (1) full-length receptors were produced by transient expression of the respective human cDNAs in COS 1 cells; and (2) the ligand-binding domains of RAR alpha and RAR beta were produced in Escherichia coli. RA binding to the wild-type and truncated forms of the receptor was identical for both RAR alpha and RAR beta, indicating that the ligand-binding domains have retained the binding characteristics of the intact receptors. Furthermore, RA bound with the same affinity to both RAR alpha and RAR beta. Only retinoid analogues with an acidic end-group were able to actively bind to both receptors. On measuring the binding of various retinoids, we have found that the properties of the ligand-binding sites of RAR alpha and RAR beta were rather similar. Two retinoid analogues were capable of binding preferentially to either RAR alpha or RAR beta, suggesting that it may be possible to synthesize specific ligands for RAR alpha and RAR beta.
A novel 100 kDa protein, localized to receptor-enriched endosomes, is immunologically related to the signal-transducing guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins Gt and Gi
Authors: Traub L M , Evans W H , Sagi-Eisenberg R
Published: August 2015

Antisera raised against the C-terminus decapeptide of the alpha-subunit of the retinal guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) transducing (Gt) cross-reacted with the alpha-subunit of the inhibitory G-protein Gi. The same antisera also reacted with a 100 kDa protein (p100) found in rat liver homogenates. The immunoreactivity of both Gt and p100 was specifically inhibited by the immunizing peptide with similar dose-dependencies [concn. causing 50% inhibition (IC50) = 300 ng/ml]. This similarity in inhibition profiles implies that p100 contains within its structure the C-terminal sequence shared by both alpha t and alpha i. Tissue distribution studies demonstrated that p100 was particularly enriched in the liver and kidney, but was also present in other rat tissues, as well as in a number of cell lines tested. In the liver, p100 was found in both the soluble and membrane fractions. The membrane-associated form of p100 was specifically localized to an endosomal fraction (termed D-R), previously shown to be a ligand-free but receptor-enriched subfraction of liver endosomal vesicles. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that both the cytosolic and membrane-bound forms of p100 occurred as a series of 100 kDa polypeptides with considerable charge heterogeneity (pI 6-7). Because the C-terminus domains of both alpha t and alpha i facilitate their association with their respective receptors, this region has been functionally assigned as the receptor binding site. Therefore the presence of an immunologically similar region within p100, together with its localization to the receptor-rich endocytic vesicles, suggests that p100 may be a receptor binding protein involved in receptor trafficking.
Site-directed mutagenesis of β-lactamase I. Single and double mutants of Glu-166 and Lys-73
Authors: Gibson R M , Christensen H , Waley S G
Published: August 2015

Two single mutants and the corresponding double mutant of beta-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus 569/H were constructed and their kinetics investigated. The mutants have Lys-73 replaced by arginine (K73R), or Glu-166 replaced by aspartic acid (E166D), or both (K73R + E166D). All four rate constants in the acyl-enzyme mechanism were determined for the E166D mutant by the methods described by Christensen, Martin & Waley [(1990) Biochem. J. 266, 853-861]. Both the rate constants for acylation and deacylation for the hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin were decreased about 2000-fold in this mutant. In the K73R mutant, and in the double mutant, the rate constants for acylation were decreased about 100-fold and 10,000-fold respectively. All three mutants also had lowered values for the rate constants for the formation and dissociation of the non-covalent enzyme-substrate complex. The specificities of the mutants did not differ greatly from those of wild-type beta-lactamase, but the hydrolysis of cephalosporin C by the K73R mutant gave ‘burst’ kinetics.
Production of recombinant sarcotoxin IA in Bombyx mori cells
Authors: Yamada K , Nakajima Y , Natori S
Published: August 2015

A cDNA for sarcotoxin IA, an antibacterial protein of Sarcophaga peregrina (fleshfly), was inserted into a silkworm baculovirus vector and expressed in Bm-N cells, a line of Bombyx mori cells. When a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonic acid, was present in the culture medium, a significant amount of recombinant sarcotoxin IA accumulated, but without this reagent the product seemed to be degraded in this system. The C-terminus of the recombinant sarcotoxin IA seemed to be glycine, not amidated arginine as found in authentic sarcotoxin IA. Probably, Bm-N cells lack the C-terminal alpha-amidation enzyme.
Isolation and properties of a metalloproteinase from buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) seeds
Authors: Belozersky M A , Dunaevsky Y E , Voskoboynikova N E
Published: August 2015

A homogeneous preparation of metalloproteinase, purified 1000-fold, was obtained from buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) seeds. The Mr of the enzyme, determined by SDS/PAGE, was 34,000 (it was 39,000 by gel chromatography). Its pH optimum was 8.0-8.2 with 13 S globulin, from buckwheat seeds, as substrate. Atomic-absorption spectroscopy revealed the presence of one Zn2+ ion per enzyme molecule. The enzyme was completely inhibited by EDTA (1 mM), zincone (1 mM) and 1, 10-phenanthroline (1 mM). The metalloproteinase performed limited proteolysis of the following seed storage proteins: 13 S globulin from buckwheat seeds and 11 S globulin from soybean (Glycine max) seeds. It hydrolysed three peptide bonds formed by the amino groups of Leu15, Tyr16 and Phe25 in the oxidized B-chain of insulin. In its main properties the enzyme is similar to metalloproteinases of animal and bacterial origin.
Isolation and characterization of BanLec-I, a mannoside-binding lectin from Musa paradisiac (banana)
Authors: Koshte V L , van Dijk W , van der Stelt M E , Aalberse R C
Published: August 2015

A lectin (BanLec-I) from banana (Musa paradisiac) with a binding specificity for oligomannosidic glycans of size classes higher than (Man)6GlcNAc was isolated and purified by affinity chromatography on a Sephadex G-75 column. It did not agglutinate untreated human or sheep erythrocytes, but it did agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes. BanLec-I stimulated T-cell proliferation. On size-exclusion chromatography, BanLec-I has a molecular mass of approx. 27 kDa, and on SDS/PAGE the molecular mass is approx. 13 kDa. The isoelectric point is 7.2-7.5. BanLec-I was found to be very effective as a probe in detecting glycoproteins, e.g. on nitrocellulose blots.
Chronic control of the β- and α2-adrenergic systems of sheep adipose tissue by growth hormone and insulin
Authors: Watt P W , Finley E , Cork S , Clegg R A , Vernon R G
Published: August 2015

1. Sheep adipose tissue retained responsiveness to catecholamines when maintained in tissue culture for 48 h; both the rate of basal lipolysis and sensitivity to β-agonists were increased after tissue culture. 2. Tissue culture in the presence of growth hormone resulted in an increased maximum response and sensitivity to the β-agonist isoprenaline, but had no effect on basal lipolysis. 3. Tissue culture in the presence of insulin increased the basal rate of lipolysis and increased the ratio of the rate of noradrenaline-stimulated/isoprenaline-stimulated lipolysis, indicating a decrease in the 2-adrenergic effect of noradrenaline. 4. Tissue culture in the presence of growth hormone increased ligand binding to β-adrenergic receptors. 5. Tissue culture in the absence of exogenous hormones increased ligand binding to alpha 2-adrenergic receptors; this was prevented by actinomycin D and partly prevented by insulin. 6. These studies show that both growth hormone and insulin chronically modulate the adrenergic system of sheep adipose tissue; the effects of growth hormone are primarily on the β-adrenergic system, whereas insulin modulates the alpha 2-adrenergic system.
Post-translational alterations in newly synthesized cartilage proteoglycans induced by the glutamine analogue 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine. Time course of inhibition and recovery
Authors: Clark C C , Richards C F , Iozzo R V
Published: August 2015

Incorporation of [35S]sulphate by cultures of matrix-free cells from chick embryo sterna in the presence of the glutamine analogue 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (0.58 mM) was inhibited in a time-dependent manner to less than 15% of that in control cultures after 2 h. Characterization of the major cartilage proteoglycan synthesized under these conditions showed that it contained few, if any, normal-sized chondroitin sulphate chains and only about half of the normal complement of substituted serine residues. Subsequent addition of D-glucosamine hydrochloride (final concn. 2 mM) resulted in a time-dependent recovery of [35S]sulphate incorporation to 90% of control cultures after 2 h, but restored the chondroitin sulphate chains to normal size within 15 min. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that a 2 h preincubation is necessary to deplete the chondrocytes of the endogenous supply of UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine required for optimal glycoconjugate synthesis, and that this situation results in the synthesis of a chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan with significantly altered properties, owing to the paucity of glycosaminoglycan chains; however, this condition is completely reversible if the D-glucosamine pool is repleted.
Properties of human testis-specific lactate dehydrogenase expressed from Escherichia coli
Authors: LeVan K M , Goldberg E
Published: August 2015

The cDNA encoding the C4 isoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-C4) was engineered for expression in Escherichia coli. The Ldh-c open reading frame was constructed as a cassette for production of the native protein. The modified Ldh-c cDNA was subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pKK223-3. Transformed E. coli cells were grown to mid-exponential phase, and induced with isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside for positive regulation of the tac promoter. Induced cells expressed the 35 kDa subunit, which spontaneously formed the enzymically active 140 kDa tetramer. Human LDH-C4 was purified over 200-fold from litre cultures of cells by AMP and oxamate affinity chromatography to a specific activity of 106 units/mg. The enzyme was inhibited by pyruvate concentrations above 0.3 mM, had a Km for pyruvate of 0.03 mM, a turnover number (nmol of NADH oxidized/mol of LDH-C4 per min at 25 degrees C) of 14,000 and was heat-stable.
Human cystatin C. role of the N-terminal segment in the inhibition of human cysteine proteinases and in its inactivation by leucocyte elastase
Authors: Abrahamson M , Mason R W , Hansson H , Buttle D J , Grubb A , Ohlsson K
Published: August 2015

Leucocyte elastase in catalytic amounts was observed to rapidly cleave the Val-10-Gly-11 bond of the human cysteine-proteinase inhibitor cystatin C at neutral pH. The resulting modified inhibitor had size and amino acid composition consistent with a cystatin C molecule devoid of the N-terminal Ser-1-Val-10 decapeptide. Leucocyte-elastase-modified cystatin C had more than 240-fold lower affinity than native cystatin C for papain. Removal of the N-terminal decapeptide of human cystatin C also decreased inhibition of human cathepsins B and L by three orders of magnitude, but decreased inhibition of cathepsin H by only 5-fold. A tripeptidyldiazomethane analogue of of the N-terminal portion of cystatin C was a good inhibitor of cathepsins B and L but a poor inhibitor of cathepsin H. It therefore appears that amino acid side chains of the N-terminal segment of cystatin C bind in the substrate-binding pockets of cathepsins B and L but not in those of cathepsin H. It is argued that the N-terminal cystatin C interaction with cathepsin B is physiologically important and hence that leucocyte elastase could have a function as a regulator of extracellular cysteine-proteinase inhibitory activity at sites of inflammation.
Early steps of isoprenoid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhou D , White R H
Published: August 2015

The incorporation of 2H- and 13C-labelled precursors into ubiquinone-8 (Uq-8) by strains of Escherichia coli was measured in order to define the pathway for the early steps in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids in these eubacteria. Cells grown with DL-[methyl-2H6]valine were found to label both the alpha-oxoisovaleric (‘alpha-ketoisovaleric’) acid alpha-oxoisohexanoic (‘alpha-ketoisocaproic’) acid, but not the Uq-8. Since these acids are required for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids by the acetolactate pathway, the operation of this pathway in the biosynthesis of Uq-8 is excluded. Cells grown with [1,2-13C2]acetate and non-labelled glucose readily incorporated 13C2 units into fatty acids, but failed to incorporate any label into the Uq-8. Cells grown with [U-13C6]glucose and non-labelled acetate, however, were found to label both the fatty acids and the Uq-8. Oxidative cleavage with periodate/permanganate of the Uq-8 isolated from cells grown with U-13C6-labelled glucose produced laevulinic acid, which was shown to be derived from two C2 units and one C1 unit of the labelled glucose by mass-spectral analysis of the 4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-2-phenylpyridazin-3(2H)-one derivative. The results of this work indicate that the C-2 and C-3 carbon unit of pyruvate, not acetyl-CoA, is the precursor to isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) in these cells; however, the labelling pattern observed is consistent with the established acetoacetate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. These data, coupled with the observed lack of inhibition of the growth of E. coli by mevinolin, a specific inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA, can be best rationalized by the biosynthesis of IPP occurring in E. coli through a series of bound intermediates.
Multiple sodium-dependent nucleoside transport systems in bovine renal brush-border membrane vesicles
Authors: Williams T C , Jarvis S M
Published: August 2015

Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transport was examined in bovine renal brush-border membrane vesicles. Two separate Na+/nucleoside cotransporters were shown to be present: (1) a system specific for purine nucleosides and uridine, designated as the N1 carrier, and (2) an Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transporter that accepts pyrimidine nucleosides, adenosine and analogues of adenosine, designated as the N2 system. Both systems exhibit a high affinity for nucleosides (apparent Km values approximately 10 microM), are insensitive to inhibition by facilitated-diffusion nucleoside transport inhibitors, are rheogenic and exhibit a high specificity for Na+. Na+ increases the affinity of the influx of guanosine and thymidine, nucleosides that serve as model permeants for the N1 and N2 nucleoside transporters respectively. The Na+/nucleoside coupling stoichiometry is consistent with 1:1 for both carriers.
Possible secondary structure in plant and yeast β-glucanase
Authors: MacGregor E A , Ballance G M
Published: August 2015

Circular-dichroism spectra of a barley 1,3-beta-glucanase were analysed by two methods. The combined results predict 36-40% helix and 15-18% beta-structure in the protein. Prediction of secondary-structural features on the basis of amino acid sequence information yielded overall helix and beta-structure contents of 37% and 19% respectively. Comparison of the predicted structural elements along the barley 1,3-beta-glucanase with those of three related plant glucanases and a yeast glucanase suggest a close similarity in secondary structure among the five proteins. Consideration is given to the potential importance of certain amino acids which are conserved in these five glucanases.
A quenched fluorescent substrate for thimet peptidase containing a new fluorescent amino acid, DL-2-amino-3-(7-methoxy-4-coumaryl)propionic acid
Authors: Knight C G
Published: August 2015

DL-2-Amino-3-(7-methoxy-4-coumaryl)propionic acid, a new fluorescent amino acid (abbreviated to Amp), has been synthesized to provide an alternative to tryptophan in quenched fluorescent peptide substrates for peptidases. The model compound Ac-DL-Amp-NH2 was intensely fluorescent with an excitation maximum at 328 nm and an emission maximum at 392 nm. Fmoc (fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl)-DL-Amp was made to allow the solid-phase synthesis of Amp-containing peptides by the Fmoc-polyamide method. The peptide derivative Dnp (2,4-dinitrophenyl)-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-DL-Amp-D-Lys was cleaved by thimet peptidase at the Leu-Gly bond, with a 20-fold enhancement of fluorescence. The value of kcat./Km for thimet peptidase was 6.7 x 10(5) M-1.s-1, compared with the value of 2.4 x 10(5) M-1.s-1 for the tryptophan-containing analogue, Dnp-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-Trp-D-Lys.
Assignment of disulphide bonds in human platelet GPIIIa. A disulphide pattern for the β-subunits of the integrin family
Authors: Calvete J J , Henschen A , González-Rodríguez J
Published: August 2015

Integrins are cell-surface heterodimers formed by the association of one alpha- and one beta-subunit. Glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa or beta 3 subunit) is the common beta-subunit of the beta 3 subfamily of integrins, which, when associated with glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb), constitutes the receptor for fibrinogen and other adhesive proteins at the platelet surface (the GPIIb-IIIa complex) and, when associated with the alpha v-subunit, constitutes the vitronectin receptor present in several cell types. Protein chemical analysis of GPIIIa allows us to define the following structural domains: the cysteine-rich and proteinase-resistant N-terminal domain (GPIIIa 1-62); the adhesive-protein-binding domain (GPIIIa 101-422); the cysteine-rich and proteinase-resistant core (GPIIIa 423-622); and the C-terminal domain comprising an extracellular subdomain (GPIIIa 623-692), a transmembrane subdomain (GPIIIa 693-721), and a cytoplasmic subdomain (GPIIIa 722-762). We also assign unambiguously the disulphide bonds within the N-terminal, the fibrinogen-binding and the C-terminal domains, and the two long-range disulphide bonds which join the N-terminus to the proteinase-resistant core (Cys5-Cys435) and the fibrinogen-binding domain to the extracellular side of the C-terminal domain (Cys406-Cys655). In addition, we propose three alternative models for the arrangement of the disulphide bonds within the core and of the disulphide bonds joining the core to the extracellular side of the C-terminal domain, consistent with our experimental findings, favouring temporarily that which imposes less steric hindrance for the formation of these disulphide bonds. On the basis of this information and on the highly conserved overall structure observed in the beta-subunits of the integrin family known so far, except in beta 4, we propose to extend the cysteine-pairing pattern and the structural domains outlined here for GPIIIa to all the beta-subunits of the integrin family.
The effects of systematic errors on the analysis of irreversible enzyme inhibition progress curves
Authors: Gray P
Published: August 2015

The effects of errors in Km and Vmax. on the determination of the kinetic constants for the irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase were determined. The results show that small errors in the values of Km and Vmax. give rise to large errors in the fitted parameters k2 and Kd. The problem may be minimized for multiple progress curves by selecting an appropriate number and distribution of inhibitor concentrations.
Purification and characterization of thaumatopain, a cysteine protease from the arils of the plant Thaumatococcus daniellii
Authors: Cusack M , Stephen A G , Powls R , Beynon R J
Published: August 2015

Aqueous extracts of the aril of the seed of Thaumatococcus daniellii contain, in addition to the intensely sweet protein thaumatin, a cysteine protease that we have termed thaumatopain. Thaumatopain has been purified by ion-exchange chromatography from arils, and is a monomeric protein of Mr 30,000. The protease strongly resembles papain in proteolytic activity, pH optima, susceptibility to inhibitors of cysteine proteases and in N-terminal sequence. The protease has also been identified in crude aril extracts by affinity labelling with iodo[14C]acetate. Thaumatopain is responsible for the cysteine protease activity previously attributed to thaumatin. Thaumatin is digested by thaumatopain at neutral to alkaline pH values.
Purification of a serine-proteinase inhibitor from human articular cartilage. Identity with the acid-stable proteinase inhibitor of mucous secretions
Authors: Böhm B , Deutzmann R , Burkhardt H
Published: August 2015

An inhibitor of the serine proteinases human leucocyte elastase (EC 3.4.21.37), of cathepsin G (EC 3.4.21.20) and of trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) has been purified from human articular cartilage. The apparent Mr of the cationic (pI greater than 10) protein was determined to 15,000 by SDS/PAGE. It was shown to cross-react in Western blot with a specific antibody to a recombinant-derived serine-proteinase inhibitor of human mucous secretions. Identity of both inhibitors is indicated by the determination of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the cartilage-derived serine-proteinase inhibitor. In all 24 residues the cartilage inhibitor was shown to be identical with the human secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor (‘SLPI’). The inhibitor molecule may play a crucial role in the protection of cartilage matrix proteins against proteolytic attack.
Prostaglandins E2 and F2α increase fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in isolated hepatocytes
Authors: Gómez-Foix A M , Rodríguez-Gil J E , Guinovart J J , Bosch F
Published: August 2015

In hepatocytes isolated from fed rats, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) increased, in a time- and dose-dependent manner, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate [Fru(2,6)P2] levels and stimulated the glycolytic flux. The rise in Fru(2,6)P2 was related to an increase in glucose 6-phosphate levels which resulted from the stimulation of glycogenolysis. In cells obtained from 24 h-starved rats, no effects of either PGE2 or PGF2 alpha could be observed. In addition, when the stimulation of glycogenolysis was abolished by incubation of fed-rat hepatocytes in a Ca2(+)-depleted medium, Fru(2,6)P2 levels did not increase. Furthermore, no effects of PGs on 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase activity could be observed. These results indicate that PGE2 and PGF2 alpha show similar actions to Ca2(+)-dependent hormones on hepatic glucose metabolism.
Metabolic consequences of methylenecyclopropylglycine poisoning in rats
Authors: Melde K , Jackson S , Bartlett K , Sherratt H S A , Ghisla S
Published: August 2015

We describe the effects of methylenecyclopropylglycine in fasted rats. A 75% decrease in the blood glucose concentration and an increase of lactate and pyruvate were observed 6 h after administration of 100 mg of this amino acid/kg. By contrast with the effects reported for hypoglycin [Williamson & Wilson (1965) Biochem. J. 94, 19c-21c], the plasma concentrations of ketone bodies decreased after administration of methylenecyclopropylglycine and the concentrations of branched-chain amino acids in the plasma were increased 6-fold. The oxidation of decanoylcarnitine or of palmitate was nearly completely inhibited in rat liver mitochondria from methylenecyclopropylglycine-poisoned rats. The activities of acetoacetyl-CoA and of 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase were decreased to 25% and less than 10% of the controls. There was a pronounced aciduria, due to the excretion of dicarboxylic acids and of oxidation products of branched-chain amino acids. The accumulation of the toxic metabolite methylenecyclopropylformyl-CoA in the mitochondrial matrix was detected after administration of methylenecyclopropylglycine. Similarly we confirmed experimentally that methylenecyclopropylacetyl-CoA accumulates in mitochondria incubated with methylenecyclopropylpyruvate.
Purification and N-terminal amino acid sequence of a chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate proteoglycan isolated from intima/media preparations of human aorta
Authors: Stöcker G , Meyer H E , Wagener C , Greiling H
Published: August 2015

A proteoglycan (PG) was purified to homogeneity from intima/media preparations of human aorta specimens by the following chromatographic steps: Sepharose Q anion exchange, Sepharose CL-4B size exclusion, hydroxyapatite, MonoQ anion exchange and TSK G 4000 SW size exclusion. The purity of the preparation was established by SDS/PAGE using direct staining by silver or Dimethylmethylene Blue, as well as by Western blots of biotin-labelled samples. The electrophoretic mobility of the native PG was less than that of a 200,000-Mr standard protein. After treatment with chondroitin sulphate lyase ABC, a core protein of Mr 15,000 was revealed. The Mr of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) peptides was less than 24,000, by comparison with a keratan sulphate peptide. The composition of the GAG chains was determined by differential digestion of the PG by chondroitin sulphate lyases AC/ABC or chondroitin sulphate lyase AC alone followed by anion-exchange chromatography of the resulting disaccharides. The GAG chains are composed of approximately one-third of dermatan sulphate and two-thirds chondroitin sulphate disaccharide units. The sequence of the 20 N-terminal amino acids is identical with the sequence previously reported for PG I isolated from human developing bone [Fisher, Termine & Young (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 4571-4576]. The assignment of glycosylation sites to the serine residues in positions 5 and 10 was confirmed. The findings indicate that the chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate PG is a major PG in intima/media preparations of human aorta and represents a biglycan-type PG.
The interaction of troponin C with phosphofructokinase. Comparison with calmodulin
Authors: Lan J , Steiner R F
Published: August 2015

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is a calmodulin (CaM)-binding protein [Mayr & Heilmeyer (1983) FEBS Lett. 195, 51-57]. We found that troponin C (TnC), which is homologous to CaM, also binds PFK and affects PFK's catalytic activity, aggregation states and conformational changes as CaM does in most cases. PFK titration of N-acetylaminoethyl-5-naphthylamido-1-sulphonate (‘AEDANS’)-TnC showed that its apparent dissociation constant is comparable with that of PFK-CaM. Fluorescent labels were also used to probe contact regions on TnC and CaM. It is likely that the C-terminal end of the connecting strand of the TnC molecule is close to PFK in the binary complex. Hydrophobic regions of TnC and CaM also possibly play roles in the binding and polymerization of PFK. TnC and CaM deactivate PFK through accelerating PFK conformational change as well as through accelerating PFK tetramer dissociation, as implied in the results of activity, light-scattering, fluorescence and c.d. experiments. The intact molecule of CaM appears to be required to deactivate PFK, because neither half of the CaM molecule has an effect on PFK activity.
Further studies on the topography of the N-terminal region of human platelet glycoprotein IIIa. Localization of monoclonal antibody epitopes and the putative fibrinogen-binding sites
Authors: Calvete J J , Arias J , Alvarez M V , Lopez M M , Henschen A , González-Rodríguez J
Published: August 2015

The precise localization of the epitopes for six monoclonal antibodies specific for the N-terminal region of human platelet glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) was determined. The epitope for P37, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits platelet aggregation, was found at GPIIIa 101-109, flanked by the epitopes for P23-3 (GPIIIa 16-28), P23-4 (GPIIIa 83-91), P23-5 (GPIIIa 67-73), P23-7 (GPIIIa 114-122) and P40 (GPIIIa 262-302), and very close to the early chymotryptic cleavage site of GPIIIa in whole platelets (Phe-100). When the amino acid sequence of GPIIIa was searched for peptide sequences hydropathically complementary to the fibrinogen gamma-chain C-terminal (gamma 400-411) and A alpha-chain RGD-containing peptides, none was found for the gamma 400-411, two (GPIIIa 128-132 and 380-384) were found complementary to fibrinogen A alpha 571-575 and two (GPIIIa 109-113 and 129-133) were found for A alpha 94-99. Two of these putative fibrinogen-binding sites overlap with each other, and a third one overlaps with the epitope for P37. These findings reinforce the earlier suggestion that the N-terminal region of GPIIIa is involved in fibrinogen binding, and suggest the existence in GPIIIa of either multiple or alternative RGD-binding sites or one RGD-binding domain with several moieties. Finally, early chymotryptic cleavage of GPIIIa in whole platelets liberates to the soluble fraction the peptide stretch Ser-101-Tyr-348, which carries the epitope for P37 and the putative binding sites for fibrinogen. The rest of the molecule, together with the GPIIb-resistant moiety, remains membrane-bound. This leads us to propose that the fibrinogen-binding domain of GPIIIa is not involved in the binding to GPIIb to form the Ca2(+)-dependent GPIIb-GPIIIa complex.
Glucose metabolic pathways in the anaerobic rumen fungus Neocallimastix frontalis EB188
Authors: O'Fallon J V , Wright R W , Calza R E
Published: August 2015

Primary pathways for glucose metabolism were established in the anaerobic rumen fungus Neocallimastix frontalis EB188. This highly capable cellulolytic organism demonstrated a strict anaerobic integration of metabolic pathways. Glycolysis in N. frontalis EB188 was coupled to malate dehydrogenase, ‘malic’ enzyme and specified hydrogenosome reactions. Pyruvate, as in most life forms, was a pivotal compound. The major fermentation products of N. frontalis EB188 were acetate, ethanol and lactate, with the concomitant generation of H2. On the basis of its unique characteristics and streamlined fermentation pathways, it was concluded that N. frontalis EB188 should be an important contributor to programs generating energy and selected chemicals from currently intractable biomass.
Further evidence that cyclosporin A protects mitochondria from calcium overload by inhibiting a matrix peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase. Implications for the immunosuppressive and toxic effects of cyclosporin
Authors: Griffiths E J , Halestrap A P
Published: August 2015

The Ki values of cyclosporins A, G and H for the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) of liver and heart mitochondria are about 2, 20 and 500 nM respectively. This parallels their profile as inhibitors of non-specific pore opening of mitochondria induced by supraphysiological Ca2+ concentrations. The novel immunosuppressant FK-506 gave little inhibition of either process at 5 microM. These data support our previous hypothesis [Halestrap & Davidson (1990) Biochem. J. 268, 153-160] that pore opening involves an interaction between matrix PPIase and the adenine nucleotide translocase. It is suggested that this model may help to clarify the mechanism of action of cyclosporin as an immunosuppressant and its toxic effects on the liver and kidney following prolonged therapy.
Bradykinin recognizes different molecular forms of the B2 kinin receptor in the presence and absence of guanine nucleotides
Authors: Mathis S A , Leeb-Lundberg L M F
Published: August 2015

We have previously reported that [3H]bradykinin [(3H]BK) identifies high- and low-affinity B2 kinin receptor sites in bovine myometrial membranes which are sensitive and insensitive respectively to guanine nucleotides. Here we show that these receptor-binding sites are solubilized by the detergent CHAPS. Equilibrium binding in soluble preparations revealed that [3H]BK identified a maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) of 1119 +/- 160 fmol/mg of protein, with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 314 +/- 70 pM and with a typical B2 kinin receptor specificity. Dissociation of equilibrium binding was biphasic. In the presence of the GTP analogue guanosine 5′[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p, [3H]BK bound to the soluble receptors with a KD of 929 +/- 129 pM and a Bmax. of 706 +/- 38 fmol/mg of protein. The Gpp(NH)p-promoted decrease in the apparent affinity and Bmax., which was half-maximal at 0.5 microM, was due at least in part to an increase in the dissociation rate of the slowly dissociating component of the equilibrium binding. Recoveries of guanine-nucleotide-sensitivity and of rapidly and slowly dissociating binding components were essentially identical, whether or not the receptor had been occupied by an agonist before solubilization. Sucrose-density-gradient sedimentation profiles revealed that [3H]BK recognized two different molecular forms of the receptor in the absence or presence of guanine nucleotides. These results provide for the first time direct evidence that guanine nucleotides promote a change in the structure of the B2 kinin-receptor complex. We propose that this structural change is due to dissociation of a guanine-nucleotide-regulatory (G-)protein.
Evidence that responses of articular chondrocytes to interleukin-1 and basic fibroblast growth factor are not mediated by protein kinase C
Authors: Hulkower K I , Georgescu H I , Evans C H
Published: August 2015

After exposure to human recombinant interleukin-1 (hrIL-1), chondrocytes increase their synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and neutral metalloproteinases (NMPs). This response, known as chondrocyte activation, is also elicited by partially purified preparations of rabbit synovial IL-1, known as ‘chondrocyte activating factors’ (CAF). CAF activates chondrocytes more strongly than does hrIL-1, probably because it contains additional growth factors. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is one such factor, although CAF also contains others which modulate the activation of chondrocytes. Chondrocyte activation by hrIL-1 is strongly potentiated by bFGF and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). A series of experiments was conducted to examine the possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating these effects. Inhibitors of PKC partially blocked the induction of NMPs by CAF and completely suppressed the potentiating effect of PMA. However, induction by 10 units of hrIL-1/ml and potentiation by bFGF were not affected by these inhibitors. Furthermore, cells whose PKC had been down-regulated by prolonged exposure to PMA remained responsive to IL-1. Surprisingly, inhibitors of PKC greatly increased the amounts of NMPs produced in response to a low dose (1 unit/ml) of hrIL-1. These inhibitors also enhanced the synthesis of PGE2 by cells responding to 1 and 10 units of hrIL-1/ml. Phosphorylation of the 80 kDa substrate for PKC was augmented by PMA and CAF, but not by hrIL-1 or bFGF. Moreover, Western-blotting techniques, which confirmed translocation of PKC in response to PMA and CAF, did not detect translocation in cells treated with hrIL-1 or bFGF. Western blotting also demonstrated the presence of PKC isoenzyme type III (alpha), but not types I (gamma) or II (beta). These data argue that PKC does not mediate the effects of hrIL-1 or bFGF in chondrocytes. However, CAF contains additional substances which activate this enzyme and whose effects may in part be mediated by PKC.
Calcium-dependent biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor by submandibular gland cells
Authors: Dohi T , Morita K , Kitayama S , Tsujimoto A
Published: August 2015

Isolated dog submandibular gland cells synthesize platelet-activating factor (PAF) when stimulated with acetylcholine (ACh). This production of PAF was concentration- and time-dependent, and was inhibited by pretreatment with anticholinergic agents. PAF that had accumulated in cells through prior stimulation with ACh vanished rapidly on addition of atropine. Phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride produced an accumulation of PAF in non-stimulated cells and greatly potentiated further ACh-induced accumulation. PAF production and [14C] arachidonic acid (AA) liberation induced by ACh were increased by higher concentrations of extracellular Ca2+, and ACh failed to stimulate PAF formation in the absence of Ca2+, although ACh still stimulated the liberation of [14C]AA without Ca2+. Both the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin in intact cells and Ca2+ (at concentrations greater than or equal to 300 nM) in digitonin-permeabilized cells facilitated PAF formation. 1-O-Alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lyso-PAF):acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase activity rapidly increased in cells incubated with ACh or ionomycin. These results suggest, at least, that the stimulation of a remodelling pathway is involved in the increased PAF synthesis induced by ACh. Dithiothreitol-insensitive cholinephosphotransferase activity was also activated by ACh. However, the activation of both enzymes by ACh was transient, in spite of the fact that ACh-stimulated PAF formation was continuous. This may suggest that additional mechanism(s) other than the activation of these enzymes play an important role in controlling PAF synthesis. The present study provides further evidence that the exocrine submandibular gland cells of dogs have the capacity to increase PAF turnover upon stimulation in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner and retain PAF within the cells partly associated with the membrane and partly released into the cytosol.
Expression of type X collagen is transiently stimulated in redifferentiating chondrocytes pretreated with retinoic acid
Authors: Sanchez M , Gionti E , Pontarelli G , Arcella A , De Lorenzo F
Published: August 2015

Growth of quail chondrocytes in the presence of retinoic acid (RA) results in the suppression of the differentiated phenotype. RA-treated chondrocytes recover their differentiated phenotype if they are cultured for an additional 15 days in the absence of RA. A few days after removal from RA, treated chondrocytes acquire the polygonal morphology characteristic of chondrocytes growing as attached cells; they also gradually resume collagen II expression and synthesize cultures. The levels of collagen X mRNA decrease during the second week of culture in the absence of RA. Finally, at the end of 15 days, the absolute levels of collagen II and collagen X mRNAs are very similar in control and recovering chondrocytes.
Structural properties of long- and short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases. Contribution of NAD+ to stability
Authors: Ribas De Pouplana L , Atrian S , Gonzàlex-Duarte R , Fothergill-Gilmore L A , Kelly S M , Price N C
Published: August 2015

Structural studies were undertaken on long-chain and short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases (from horse liver and Drosophila respectively). Far-u.v. c.d. measurements were used to estimate the secondary structure contents of the enzymes. For the horse liver enzyme, the results agree well with the X-ray data; for the Drosophila enzyme (for which a crystal structure is not yet available), the results are in good agreement with those obtained by applying a range of structure-prediction procedures to the amino acid sequence of this enzyme. The conformational stabilities of the two enzymes were investigated by studying the unfolding brought about by guanidinium chloride (GdnHCl) by using activity and c.d. measurements. The unfolding of the Drosophila enzyme was analysed in terms of a two-state model; the presence of the substrate NAD+ leads to considerable protection against unfolding. By contrast, the unfolding of the horse liver enzyme shows a plateau effect at intermediate concentrations of GdnHCl, indicating that a two-state model is not appropriate in this case. NAD+ affords little, if any, protection against unfolding for the horse liver enzyme.
Effects of changes in cell volume on the rates of glutamine and alanine release from rat skeletal muscle in vitro
Authors: Parry-Billings M , Bevan S J , Opara E , Newsholme E A
Published: August 2015

The effect of changes in cell volume on the rates of release of glutamine and alanine from muscle and on the concentrations of these amino acids in muscle were investigated by using an isolated preparation of rat skeletal muscle incubated in the presence of hypo- and hyper-osmotic media. Changes in cell volume were associated with changes in the rates of release of glutamine and alanine from muscle: incubation in hypo-osmotic medium decreased the rates of release of glutamine and alanine, and incubation in hyperosmotic medium increased these rates. These changes were rapidly reversed by a change in osmoticity of the medium. Despite marked changes in cell volume, the concentrations of these amino acids in muscle were maintained. It is suggested that cell volume may play a role in the regulation of amino acid metabolism in skeletal muscle.
Domain structure and sequence distribution in dentin phosphophoryn
Authors: Sabsay B , Stetler-Stevenson W G , Lechner J H , Veis A
Published: August 2015

Phosphophoryn (PP) is a protein unique to the mineralized matrix of dentin. It also has a unique composition, with aspartic acid and phosphoserine comprising greater than 85% of all amino acid residues. Because of this unique composition and high content of phosphoserine, it has been difficult to apply direct peptide sequencing procedures effectively. However, to understand its function, and to prepare suitable probes for screening cDNA libraries, some sequence distribution information is required. To this end, using bovine (b) and rat incisor (ri) PPs, partial mild acid hydrolysis has been used to cleave at the aspartic acid residues and generate free amino acids and small peptides. The nature of the released amino acids and peptides has been determined. Peptides have also been generated by limited digestion with trypsin. Some of the peptides have been purified by h.p.l.c. techniques and sequenced. About 90% of the bPP and riPP were resistant to trypsin, and the large resistant fragment was sharply depleted of the non-aspartic acid and non-phosphoserine [(P)Ser] residues. All peptides isolated were acidic, but the remaining residues (other than aspartic acid and serine) appeared to be collected in regions flanking the trypsin-resistant core. These data show directly the presence of regions [Asp]n, [(P)Ser]m and [Asp-(P)Ser-Asp]k as prominent sequence features. A domain structure model is proposed.
Direct assay for O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase and comparison of detection methods for the methylated enzyme in polyacrylamide gels and electroblots
Authors: Major G N , Gardner E J , Lawley P D
Published: August 2015

We describe in detail a direct assay for the substrate-inactivated DNA-repair enzyme, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (O6-MT), which measures the transfer of radiolabelled methyl groups from a prepared O6-methylguanine-DNA substrate to the protein fraction of an enzyme-containing cell/tissue extract. This assay, a modification of a previously suggested method for monitoring O6-ethylguanine-DNA repair [Renard, Verly, Mehta & Ludlum (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 136, 461-467], is sensitive, highly reproducible, accurate and is, as described here and relative to previously published methods, well suited for use with a large number of test samples. We identified two problems with the O6-[Me-3H]methylguanine-DNA substrate used in the present work and in other reported assay: firstly, that of progressively higher assay backgrounds with increasing age of substrate, which was nullified by once-only purification of the double-stranded substrate by hydroxyapatite chromatography; secondly, a substrate of high specific radioactivity (30 Ci/mmol), made with freshly prepared tritiated methylnitrosourea, behaved as a substrate of 5 Ci/mmol when referenced against radiolabelled O6-methylguanine-DNA made with either [3H]- or [14C]-methylnitrosourea at the lower specific radioactivities of 1 Ci/mmol and 61 mCi/mmol respectively. This apparently stemmed from the known instability of high-specific-radioactivity [3H]methylnitrosourea and indicated that an expected increase in sensitivity of the assay does not necessarily result from increasing the specific radioactivity of substrates above approx. 1 Ci/mmol. Although O6-MT was stable to preincubation at 25 degrees C, marked losses of activity were observed at 37 degrees C, and more so at 45 degrees C. Enzyme lability at the higher temperatures was not, however, seen during preincubation in the presence of its substrate. O6-[Me-3H]methylguanine-DNA, which apparently protected O6-MT against thermal inactivation. As previously seen with other human cells and tissues, extracts of human spleen in the present study showed wide interindividual differences in O6-MT specific activity (18-fold), which spanned the range 50-900 fmol/mg of protein. Cultured human lymphoblastoid Jurkat cells contained approx. 57,000 enzyme molecules/cell. Substrate-inactivated [Me-3H]methylated O6-MT was analysed by SDS/PAGE and electroblotting. The different but similarly sized forms of this enzyme that we previously detected in human spleen [Major, Gardner, Carne & Lawley (1990) Nucleic Acids Res. 18, 1351-1359] were clearly resolved by fluorography of electroblots, but only at considerable expense of time. As expected, scintillation counting of the protein extracted from gel slices and linear-wire scanning of enzyme-associated radioactivity on electroblots were quicker methods for detecting the [Me-3H]methylated inactivated O6-MT.
The oligomeric structure of rat and human gastric mucins
Authors: Dekker J , Aelmans P H , Strous G J
Published: August 2015

Intact oligomeric gastric mucins were isolated from the fundic part of rat and human stomach. Physicochemical properties of the oligomeric mucins from both species, such as buoyant density, molecular mass, proteinase-resistance, amino acid composition and monosaccharide composition were similar. Biochemical analysis showed that the oligomeric mucins from both species consist of disulphide-linked mucin monomers exclusively: no other covalently attached proteins were detected in purified monomeric mucin. Four major differences were found between the monomeric mucins of these species: (1) the human monomer is larger, (2) the proteolytic-digest peptides derived from proteinase-sensitive portions of the polypeptide backbone displayed no sequence similarity, (3) the human mucin was less sulphated compared with rat mucin, and (4) the proteinase-sensitive part of the human mucin was relatively larger. However, analyses of [3H]galactose-labelled mucin from both species on gel filtration revealed that both gastric mucins were exclusively synthesized as oligomers. The results indicate that the oligomeric structures of human and rat gastric mucin are similar and their biosyntheses are not affected by the differences in the subunits.