bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the rat salivary-gland B1-immunoreactive proteins
Authors: MIRELS Lily , MIRANDA J. Abigail , BALL D. William
Published: August 2015

The B1-immunoreactive proteins (B1-IPs) are major secretory products of rat submandibular gland acinar-cell progenitors, and are also produced by neonatal and adult rat sublingual and parotid glands. In order to characterize the B1-IPs, we have previously isolated cDNA clones encoding rat parotid secretory protein (PSP; the predominant parotid B1-IP) and the related clone ZZ3, which is developmentally regulated in the neonatal submandibular gland. The remainder of the B1-IPs were uncharacterized. This report demonstrates that all of the B1-IPs are derived from the PSP and ZZ3 transcripts. Molecular cloning and Western-blot analyses using PSP- and ZZ3-specific antisera show that, of the B1-IPs, only PSP and neonatal submandibular gland protein A (SMGA) are products of the Psp gene. This finding corrects our previous assertion that SMGA is derived from ZZ3. Neonatal submandibular gland proteins B1 and B2, as well as apparent Mr 26000-28000 and Mr 18000-20000 forms in submandibular, sublingual and parotid glands, are derived from the gene encoding ZZ3 by differential N-glycosylation and by proteolytic cleavage. The apparent Mr 18000-20000 proteolytic products are significant in secretion product collected in vitro, but rare in gland homogenate and submandibular/sublingual saliva. The gene encoding ZZ3 has been named Smgb. Psp and Smgb are regulated similarly in the developing submandibular gland, but differently in the sublingual and parotid glands. The expression pattern of Psp is conserved between rat and mouse. However, no evidence for proteins derived from an Smgb-like gene was observed in neonatal mouse submandibular or sublingual glands.
Fe65L2: a new member of the Fe65 protein family interacting with the intracellular domain of the Alzheimer's β-amyloid precursor protein
Authors: DUILIO Angela , FARAONIO Raffaella , MINOPOLI Giuseppina , ZAMBRANO Nicola , RUSSO Tommaso
Published: August 2015

We previously demonstrated that Fe65 protein is one of the ligands of the cytoplasmic domain of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Another ligand of this molecule was recently identified; it is similar to Fe65, so it was named Fe65-like (Fe65L1). Herein we describe the cloning of another Fe65-like cDNA (Fe65L2), similar to Fe65 and to Fe65L1, which encodes a protein of approx. 50 kDa. Its cognate mRNA is expressed in various rat tissues, particularly in brain and testis. The three members of the Fe65 protein family share several structural and functional characteristics. The primary structures of the three proteins can be aligned in three regions corresponding to the protein-protein interaction domains of Fe65 [the protein-protein interaction domain containing two conserved tryptophan residues and the two phosphotyrosine interaction domain/phosphotyrosine binding (PID/PTB) domains], whereas the remaining sequences are poorly related. Like Fe65, Fe65L1 and Fe65L2 genes encode two different protein isoforms, derived from the alternative splicing of a very small exon of only six nucleotides, which results, within the N-terminal PID/PTB domain, in the presence or absence of two acidic/basic amino acids. Fe65L2 is able to interact, both in vitro and in vivo, with the intracellular domain of APP. Also, in the case of APP, another two closely related proteins exist, named β-amyloid precursor-like protein (APLP)1 and APLP2: by using the interaction trap procedure we observed that both Fe65 and Fe65L2 interact with APP, APLP1 or APLP2, although with different efficiencies.
Catalytic properties of class A β-lactamases: efficiency and diversity
Authors: MATAGNE André , LAMOTTE-BRASSEUR Josette , FRÈRE Jean-Marie
Published: August 2015

β-Lactamases are the main cause of bacterial resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins and related β-lactam compounds. These enzymes inactivate the antibiotics by hydrolysing the amide bond of the β-lactam ring. Class A β-lactamases are the most widespread enzymes and are responsible for numerous failures in the treatment of infectious diseases. The introduction of new β-lactam compounds, which are meant to be ‘β-lactamase-stable’ or β-lactamase inhibitors, is thus continuously challenged either by point mutations in the ubiquitous TEM and SHV plasmid-borne β-lactamase genes or by the acquisition of new genes coding for β-lactamases with different catalytic properties. On the basis of the X-ray crystallography structures of several class A β-lactamases, including that of the clinically relevant TEM-1 enzyme, it has become possible to analyse how particular structural changes in the enzyme structures might modify their catalytic properties. However, despite the many available kinetic, structural and mutagenesis data, the factors explaining the diversity of the specificity profiles of class A β-lactamases and their amazing catalytic efficiency have not been thoroughly elucidated. The detailed understanding of these phenomena constitutes the cornerstone for the design of future generations of antibiotics.
Activated protein kinase C α associates with annexin VI from skeletal muscle
Authors: SCHMITZ-PEIFFER Carsten , BROWNE L. Carol , WALKER H. John , BIDEN J. Trevor
Published: August 2015

We have previously detected a number of protein kinase C (PKC) α-binding proteins in skeletal muscle cytosol by blot overlay assay, and now identify the major, 69 kDa binding protein as annexin VI by immunoblotting and overlay assay of hydroxyapatite chromatography fractions. Annexin VI was also detected in immunoprecipitates of PKC α. Annexin VI and PKC α are both calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins, and detection of the interaction was dependent on the presence of calcium and phosphatidylserine (PS). The association probably involves specific protein-protein interactions rather than mere bridging by lipid molecules: firstly, detection of PKC α-annexin VI complexes by overlay assay was not diminished when PS concentrations were increased over a 10-fold range, while that of other PKC α-binding protein complexes was reduced or abolished; secondly, the presence in the overlay assay of a PKC pseudosubstrate peptide, analogous to a PKC sequence previously found to be involved in PKC binding activity, reduced complex formation; thirdly, we were also able to detect annexin VI interaction with PKC β by overlay of skeletal muscle cytosol, but not with PKC ϴ, the major novel PKC in this tissue, suggesting sequences specific to calcium-dependent PKC isoenzymes are involved. While other annexin isoforms may be PKC substrates or inhibitors, annexin VI phosphorylation by PKC α could not be detected after co-purification, while phosphorylation of subsequently-added histone IIIS was readily observed. Annexin VI is a major skeletal muscle protein and our data are consistent with a role for this isoform in the control of calcium-dependent PKC.
Maturation and secretion of rat hepatic lipase is inhibited by α1B-adrenergic stimulation through changes in Ca2+ homoeostasis: thapsigargin and EGTA both mimic the effect of adrenaline
Authors: NEVE P. Bernadette , VERHOEVEN J. M. Adrie , KALKMAN Ina , JANSEN Hans
Published: August 2015

In rats, the daily changes in hepatic lipase (HL) activity in the liver follow the diurnal rhythm of the catecholamines. To study the underlying mechanism, the effect of adrenaline on maturation and secretion of HL was determined in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Adrenaline (10 μM) acutely inhibited the secretion of HL. This effect was abolished by 0.1 μM prazosin, but not by 1 μM propranolol, indicating the involvement of the α1-adrenergic pathway. Prazosin was at least 1000-fold more potent than WB4101, a selective α1A-antagonist. Adrenaline had no effect on HL secretion in hepatocytes pretreated with chloroethylclonidine, an irreversible α1B-selective antagonist. Inhibition of HL was not induced by 10 μM methoxamine, a α1A-selective agonist. Thus, adrenaline inhibited HL secretion through activation of the α1-adrenoceptors subtype B, which have been shown to signal through Ca2+ as well as cAMP. A similar reduction in HL secretion was induced by the Ca2+-mobilizing hormones angiotensin II (100 nM) and vasopressin (12 nM), the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (2 μM), and by thapsigargin (1 μM), which inhibits the ER Ca2+-ATPase pump. HL secretion was unaffected by elevating cAMP with 10 μM forskolin or 1 μM 8-Br-cAMP. These results suggest that the α1B-adrenergic effects on HL expression are mainly mediated through elevation of intracellular Ca2+. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ and subsequent lowering of intracellular Ca2+ with EGTA also inhibited HL secretion. In pulse-chase experiments, adrenaline was shown to inhibit the maturation of HL from the 53 kDa, Endo H-sensitive precursor to the Endo H-resistant, catalytically active protein of 58 kDa. In addition, adrenaline induced intracellular degradation of newly synthesized HL. Similar post-translational effects, both qualitatively and quantitatively, were observed with A23187, thapsigargin and EGTA. We conclude that the inhibition of HL maturation and increase in intracellular degradation induced by catecholamines, A23187, thapsigargin and EGTA is evoked by changes in Ca2+ homoeostasis, possibly through lowering ER Ca2+.
Cloning and functional expression of a cDNA from rat jejunal epithelium encoding a protein (4F2hc) with system y+L amino acid transport activity
Authors: YAO Y. M. Sylvia , MUZYKA R. William , ELLIOTT F. John , CHEESEMAN I. Christopher , YOUNG D. James
Published: August 2015

Two different protein families, designated CAT (cationic amino acid transporter) and BAT (broad-specificity amino acid transporter) mediate the plasma membrane transport of cationic amino acids in animal cells. CAT transporters have 12-14 transmembrane domains and are selective for cationic amino acids. BAT proteins, in contrast, have one to four transmembrane domains and induce the transport of both cationic and zwitterionic amino acids when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Mutations in the human BAT gene cause type I cystinuria, a disease affecting the ability of intestinal and renal brush border membranes to transport cationic amino acids and cystine. We have used functional expression cloning in oocytes to isolate a BAT-related cDNA from rat jejunal epithelium. The cDNA encodes the rat 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc) cell-surface antigen, a 527-residue (60 kDa) protein that is 26% identical in amino acid sequence with rat renal BAT (also known as NBAT/D2). Expression of rat jejunal 4F2hc in oocytes induced the lysine-inhibitable Na+-dependent influx of leucine and the leucine-inhibitable Na+-independent influx of lysine. Lysine efflux was stimulated by extracellular (Na+ plus leucine). These characteristics identify the expressed amino acid transport activity as system y+L, a transporter that has been implicated in basal membrane transport of cationic amino acids in intestine, kidney and placenta.
Age-related changes in the structure of the keratan sulphate chains attached to fibromodulin isolated from articular cartilage
Authors: LAUDER M. Robert , HUCKERBY N. Thomas , NIEDUSZYNSKI A. Ian , PLAAS H. K. Anna
Published: August 2015

Bovine articular cartilage fibromodulin has been isolated from animals aged 3 months to 8 years, and the attached keratan sulphate (KS) chains digested with keratanase II. The oligosaccharides generated have been reduced, examined by high-pH anion-exchange chromatography and their structures identified by comparison with standards. It has been shown that in fibromodulin from young articular cartilage, the KS chains do not possess either non-reducing terminal (α2-6)-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid or fucose (α1-3)-linked to sulphated N-acetylglucosamine residues. However, an age-related increase has been observed in the abundance of both (α2-6)-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid and (α1-3)-linked fucose, neither of which is found in KS isolated from non-articular cartilage, irrespective of the age of the source. Interestingly, the KS chain length remains constant as a function of age, which possibly relates to a role in collagen fibril assembly. In addition, no significant age-related changes were identified in levels of galactose sulphation.
Importance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the adaptive response to hydrogen peroxide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: IZAWA Shingo , MAEDA Keiko , MIKI Takeo , MANO Junichi , INOUE Yoshiharu , KIMURA Akira
Published: August 2015

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH)-deficient cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed increased susceptibility and were unable to induce adaptation to oxidative stress. Historically, mainly in human erythrocytes, it has been suggested and accepted that decreased cellular GSH, due to loss of the NADPH-dependent activity of glutathione reductase (GR), is responsible for the increased sensitivity to oxidative stress in G6PDH-deficient cells. In the present study we investigated whether the increased susceptibility and the inability to induce adaptation to H2O2 stress of G6PDH-deficient yeast is caused by incompleteness of glutathione recycling. We constructed G6PDH- and GR-deficient mutants and analysed their adaptive response to H2O2 stress. Although G6PDH-deficient cells contained comparable amounts of GSH and GR activity to wild-type cells, GSSG was not reduced efficiently, and intracellular GSSG levels and the ratio of GSSG to total glutathione (GSSG/tGSH) were higher in G6PDH-deficient cells than in wild-type. On the other hand, GR-deficient cells showed a susceptibility identical with that of wild-type cells and induced adaptation to H2O2 stress, even though the GSSG/tGSH ratio in GR-deficient cells was higher than in G6PDH-deficient cells. These results indicate that incompleteness of glutathione recycling alone is not sufficient to account for the increased sensitivity and inability to induce adaptation to H2O2 stress of G6PDH-deficient yeast cells. In S. cerevisiae, G6PDH appears to play other important roles in the adaptive response to H2O2 stress besides supplying NADPH to the GR reaction.
Inactivation of the polyketide synthase, 6-methylsalicylic acid synthase, by the specific modification of Cys-204 of the β-ketoacyl synthase by the fungal mycotoxin cerulenin
Authors: CHILD J. Christopher , SHOOLINGIN-JORDAN Peter M.
Published: August 2015

Cerulenin, [(2S,3R)-2,3-epoxy-4-oxo-7,10-dodecadienoylamide], a mycotoxin produced by Cephalosporium caerulens, irreversibly inactivated 6-methylsalicylic acid synthase from Penicillium patulum. A combination of radiolabelling studies with [3H]cerulenin, proteolytic and chemical digestion and N-terminal sequencing of labelled peptides indicated that the site of cerulenin modification is the highly reactive substrate-binding Cys-204 of the β-ketoacyl synthase enzyme component. The thiol-specific inhibitor, iodoacetamide, was also shown to alkylate this residue. These findings are analogous with those observed for the reaction of cerulenin and iodoacetamide with type-I fatty acid synthases, demonstrating the close similarity between 6-methylsalicylic acid synthase and type-I fatty acid synthases.
Conversion of taurine into N-chlorotaurine (taurine chloramine) and sulphoacetaldehyde in response to oxidative stress
Authors: CUNNINGHAM Colm , TIPTON F. Keith , DIXON B. F. Henry
Published: August 2015

N-Chlorotaurine (taurine chloramine), formed by treating taurine with hypochlorous acid, was shown to decompose to sulphoacetaldehyde with a first-order rate constant of 9.9±0.5×10-4·h-1 at 37 °C in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Rat liver homogenates accelerated this decay in a process that was proportional to tissue-protein concentration and saturable, with maximum velocity (Vmax) and Km values of 0.28±0.01 nmol/min per mg of protein and 37±9 μM respectively. This activity was found to be lost on heat denaturation, but retained after dialysis. There was no detectable formation of sulphoacetaldehyde when taurine itself was incubated with the tissue homogenates under the same conditions. Activation of human neutrophils (1.67×106 cells/ml) with latex beads resulted in a respiratory burst of oxygen-radical production, the products of which were partially sequestered by 12.5 mM taurine. Under these conditions sulphoacetaldehyde was generated at a constant rate of 637±18 pmol/h per ml for over 7 h. A non-activated neutrophil suspension contained constant levels of 1.42±0.02 nmol/ml sulphoacetaldehyde, as did activated cells incubated in the absence of taurine, a basal level which may indicate a steady turnover of taurine in these cells. Such formation of chlorotaurine and its decay to the aldehyde may be the first steps in the metabolism of taurine to isethionate (2-hydroxyethanesulphonate) that has been demonstrated by various authors to occur in vivo.
Regulation of interleukin 1 signalling through integrin binding and actin reorganization: disparate effects on NF-κB and stress kinase pathways
Authors: ZHU Ping , XIONG Weisheng , RODGERS Gary , QWARNSTROM E. Eva
Published: August 2015

Interleukin 1 (IL-1)-mediated gene regulation is dependent on cell-matrix interactions. Both IL-1-activated pathways, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), can be regulated by cell adhesion and changes in the cytoskeleton, suggesting that cell-matrix effects on IL-1 responses are initiated in part though effects on signal transduction. Here we show that IL-1-induced transient alterations in cell shape and in the cytoskeleton in fibronectin attached cells are correlated with effects on peak activity of NF-κB and SAPK. Cells on fibronectin showed a 1.5-2-fold enhancement in IL-1-induced NF-κB activity compared with levels in cells on poly(L-lysine) or bare tissue culture plates. The effect was increased with increasing concentrations of fibronectin and was most prominent at lower concentrations of IL-1. In contrast, fibronectin attachment caused an approx. 50% decrease in the IL-1 activation of SAPK, eliminating the peak activity after 15 min of stimulation with IL-1. IL-1-induced NF-κB activity showed a successive, substratum-independent increase during 4 h of attachment and spreading, whereas the inhibitory effect of fibronectin on the SAPK pathway was induced at the initial stages of attachment. Further, the addition of a peptide containing the motif RGD resulted in a 40% decrease in NF-κB activity in cells on fibronectin, largely accounted for by an effect on the p50/p65 heterodimer. Similarly, blocking of integrin aggregation by RGD-containing peptide resulted in a total abrogation of the fibronectin effect on IL-1-induced SAPK activity. The results demonstrate disparate effects of cell adhesion on the activation by IL-1 of the NF-κB and SAPK pathways. Thus fibronectin attachment causes an up-regulation of NF-κB activity in the presence of IL-1, whereas in contrast it results in a pronounced decrease in IL-1-induced SAPK activity.
Potentiation of receptor-mediated cAMP production: role in the cross-talk between vasopressin V1a and V2 receptor transduction pathways
Authors: KLINGLER Cécile , ANCELLIN Nicolas , BARRAULT Marie-Bénédicte , MOREL Alain , CORMAN Bruno
Published: August 2015

Cross-talk between the phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase signalling pathways was investigated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the V1a and V2 vasopressin receptors. Cell lines expressing V1a, V2, or both V1a and V2 receptors, were established and characterized. Stimulation of V2 receptors by vasopressin induced a dose-dependent increase in cAMP accumulation, whereas stimulation of V1a receptor resulted in an increase in intracellular calcium without any change in basal cAMP. The simultaneous stimulation of V2 and V1a receptors by vasopressin elicited an intracellular cAMP accumulation which was twice that induced by stimulation of V2 receptor alone with deamino-[D-Arg8]vasopressin. This potentiation between V1a and V2 receptors was mimicked by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with PMA, and was suppressed when PKC activity was inhibited by bisindolylmaleimide. The potentiation was observed in the presence or absence of 1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, implying that an alteration in cAMP hydrolysis was not involved. Vasopressin, as well as PMA, had no effect on the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation, suggesting that PKC did not directly stimulate the cyclase activity. On the other hand, vasopressin, like PMA, potentiated the cAMP accumulation induced by cholera toxin, an activator of Gαs protein. These results suggest that, in CHO cells, vasopressin V1a receptor potentiates the cAMP accumulation induced by the V2 receptor through a PKC-dependent increase in the coupling between Gs protein and adenylyl cyclase.
Large-scale production and purification of the human green cone pigment: characterization of late photo-intermediates
Authors: VISSERS Peter M. A. M. , BOVEE-GEURTS Petra H. M. , PORTIER M. Daniël , KLAASSEN Corné H. W. , DEGRIP Willem J.
Published: August 2015

We present the first characterization of the late photo-intermediates (Meta I, Meta II and Meta III) of a vertebrate cone pigment in a lipid environment. Marked differences from the same pathway in the rod pigment were observed. The histidine-tagged human green cone pigment was functionally expressed in large-scale suspension cultures in Sf9 insect cells using recombinant baculovirus. The recombinant pigment was extensively purified in a single step by immobilized metal affinity chromatography and displays the expected spectral characteristics. The purified pigment was able to activate the rod G-protein transducin at about half the rate of the rod pigment. Following reconstitution into bovine retina lipid proteoliposomes, identification and analysis of the photo-intermediates Meta I, Meta II and Meta III was accomplished. Similar to the rod pigment, our results indicate the existence of a Meta I-Meta II equilibrium, but we find no evidence for pH dependence. Replacement of native Cl- by NO3- in the anion-binding site of the cone pigment affected the spectral position of the pigment itself and of the Meta I intermediate, but not that of Meta II and Meta III. The decay rate of the ‘active’ intermediate Meta II did not differ for the Cl- and NO3- state. However, in qualitative agreement with results reported before for chicken cone pigments, the rate of Meta II decay was significantly higher in the human cone pigment than in the rod pigment.
Identification of β1C-2, a novel variant of the integrin β1 subunit generated by utilization of an alternative splice acceptor site in exon C
Authors: SVINENG Gunbj⊘rg , FÄSSLER Reinhard , JOHANSSON Staffan
Published: August 2015

A new splice variant of the human integrin subunit β1 has been identified and designated β1C-2. It differs from the previously reported β1C (in this report designated β1C-1) by 18 nucleotides, and is generated by splicing from exon 6 to an alternative splice acceptor site within exon C, causing an in-frame deletion of six amino acids of the cytoplasmic region of β1C-1. The β1C-2 mRNA is present in several human cell lines and tissues at low levels, similarly to β1C-1. In peripheral T-lymphocytes, β1C-2 is the selectively expressed isoform. Neither β1C-1 nor β1C-2 mRNA could be detected in mouse tissues, and Southern hybridization of a mouse genomic β1 clone with a human exon-C-specific probe failed to identify a corresponding mouse exon. The antisense orientation of exon C is highly homologous to an Alu element. Since Alu elements are restricted to primates, the β1C-1 and β1C-2 variants of the integrin subunit β1 are specific for these species. The protein coded for by the β1C-2 cDNA can be expressed and localized to the surface of β1 deficient mouse cells. However, while stable transformed clones expressing high levels of the β1A were commonly found, the β1C-1 and β1C-2 expressing clones expressed barely detectable amounts of the β1 protein. Hence, high levels of β1C-2 may be incompatible with cell proliferation, as previously suggested for β1C-1.
Annexin V inhibits protein kinase C activity via a mechanism of phospholipid sequestration
Authors: DUBOIS Thierry , MIRA Jean-Paul , FELIERS Denis , SOLITO Egle , RUSSO-MARIE Françoise , OUDINET Jean-Paul
Published: August 2015

In this study, we assessed the role of annexin V, a Ca2+-dependent phospholipid-binding protein, as a regulator of protein kinase C (PKC) and characterized its mechanism of inhibition. Several mutants obtained by oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis were tested in vitro on PKC activity in cytosolic fractions from Jurkat cells and on purified PKCα. Annexin V inhibited phosphorylation of annexin II by endogenous PKC and phosphorylation of myelin basic protein by PKCα. In both systems, the use of single Ca2+-binding-site mutants of annexin V led to a partial reversal of inhibition, and the Ca2+-binding site located in the first domain of annexin V was found to have the most important role. An increase in the number of mutated Ca2+-binding sites led to a greater loss of inhibition. These results corroborated those showing the progressive loss of binding of these mutants to phospholipid liposomes. In conclusion, we show that PKC inhibition by annexin V is the consequence of a mechanism involving phospholipid sequestration by annexin V, and that the Ca2+-binding site located in domain 1 of annexin V plays a predominant role in this process. In addition, we show that the R122AIK site, which may act analogously to a PKC-inhibitory pseudosubstrate site, is not involved in PKC inhibition, and that a peptide corresponding to the C-terminal tail of annexin V inhibits PKC activity but to a lesser extent than annexin V itself.
Xyloglucan endotransglycosylase: evidence for the existence of a relatively stable glycosyl–enzyme intermediate
Authors: SULOVÁ Zdena , TAKÁČOVÁ Miriam , STEELE M. Nancy , FRY C. Stephen , FARKAŠ Vladimír
Published: August 2015

Xyloglucan endotransglycosylases (XETs) catalyse the breakdown of xyloglucan molecules predominantly by transglycosylation. In this process, fragments of cleaved polysaccharide are preferentially transferred to other xyloglucan molecules or their oligosaccharide subunits, with overall retention of the anomeric configuration of the glycosidic bond. In accordance with the theory, we propose that the cleavage and re-formation of the glycosidic bond in xyloglucan involves the formation of a glycosyl-enzyme intermediate which decomposes by transfer of the glycosyl moiety to a suitable carbohydrate acceptor. XETs from nasturtium seed cotyledons, mung bean hypocotyls and cauliflower florets interacted with xyloglucan to form complexes of high Mr as judged by gel-permeation chromatography. The nasturtium enzyme also showed evidence of XET-xyloglucan complex-formation according to anion-exchange chromatography and adsorption of the complex to filter paper on the basis of affinity of its xyloglucan moiety for cellulose. The XET-xyloglucan complex was stable in water, 6 M urea and acidic and alkaline buffers (pH 2.5-9.5), but readily decomposed by transferring its glycosyl moiety to xyloglucan-derived oligosaccharides or by incubation with the strong nucleophile imidazole at pH 3.8-9.6. These results strongly support the assumption that XET forms a relatively stable covalently linked glycosyl-enzyme intermediate.
Determination of functional domains in polypyrimidine-tract-binding protein
Authors: OH Young L. , HAHM Bumsuk , KIM Yoon K. , LEE Hae K. , LEE Joo W. , SONG Ok.-K. , TSUKIYAMA-KOHARA Kyoko , KOHARA Michinori , NOMOTO Akio , JANG Sung K.
Published: August 2015

Polypyrimidine-tract-binding protein (PTB) is involved in pre-mRNA splicing and internal-ribosomal-entry-site-dependent translation. The biochemical properties of various segments of PTB were analysed in order to understand the molecular basis of the PTB functions. The protein exists in oligomeric as well as monomeric form. The central part of PTB (amino acids 169–293) plays a major role in the oligomerization. PTB contains several RNA-binding motifs. Among them, the C-terminal part of PTB (amino acids 329–530) exhibited the strongest RNA-binding activity. The N-terminal part of PTB is responsible for the enhancement of RNA binding by HeLa cell cytoplasmic factor(s).
Purification and characterization of high- and low-molecular-mass isoforms of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: RIVOAL Jean , PLAXTON William C. , TURPIN David H.
Published: August 2015

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is a key enzyme in the supply of carbon skeletons for the assimilation of nitrogen by green algae. Two PEPC isoforms with respective native molecular masses of 400 (PEPC1) and 650 (PEPC2) kDa have been purified from Chlamydomonas reinhardtiiCW-15 cc1883 (Chlorophyceae). SDS/PAGE, immunoblot and CNBr peptide-mapping analyses indicate the presence of the same 100 kDa PEPC catalytic subunit in both isoforms. PEPC1 is a homotetramer, whereas PEPC2 seems to be a complex between the PEPC catalytic subunit and other immunologically unrelated polypeptides of 50–70 kDa. Kinetic analyses indicate that these PEPC isoforms are (1) differentially regulated by pH, (2) activated by glutamine and dihydroxyacetone phosphate and (3) inhibited by glutamate, aspartate, 2-oxoglutarate and malate. These results are consistent with the current model for the regulation of anaplerotic carbon fixation in green algae, and demonstrate that green algal PEPCs are uniquely regulated by glutamine. Several techniques were used to assess the structural relationships between C. reinhardtiiPEPC and the higher plant or prokaryotic enzyme. Immunoblot studies using anti-(green algal or higher plant PEPC) IgGs suggested that green algal (C. reinhardtii, Selenastrum minutum), higher plant (maize, banana fruit, tobacco) and prokaryotic (Synechococcus leopoliensis, Escherichia coli)PEPCs have little or no immunological relatedness. Moreover, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the C. reinhardtiiPEPC subunit did not have significant similarity to the highly conserved corresponding region in enzymes from higher plants, and CNBr cleavage patterns of green algal PEPCs were distinct from those of higher plant and cyanobacterial PEPCs. These results point to significant evolutionary divergence between green algal, higher plant and prokaryotic PEPCs.
Bacterial expression and characterization of human secretory class V phospholipase A2
Authors: HAN Sang-Kyou , YOON Edward T. , CHO Wonhwa
Published: August 2015

Mammalian secretory class V phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a newly discovered PLA2 that is implicated in eicosanoid formation in inflammatory cells. As a first step towards understanding the structure, function and regulation of this PLA2, we constructed a bacterial expression vector for human secretory class V PLA2 (hV-PLA2), over-expressed and purified the protein, and determined its physical and kinetic properties. When compared with human class IIa enzyme (hIIa-PLA2), hV-PLA2 has several distinct properties. First, hV-PLA2 can catalyse the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine more effectively than hIIa-PLA2 by two orders of magnitude. Secondly, hV-PLA2 has much higher binding affinity and activity for compactly packed phosphatidylcholine bilayers than hIIa-PLA2. Finally, hV-PLA2 has much reduced thermal stability compared with hIIa-PLA2. These data suggest that hV-PLA2 is better suited than hIIa-PLA2 for acting on the outer cellular membrane and liberating arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids. Also, the unusually low thermal stability of hV-PLA2 might contribute to tighter regulation of its activities in extracellular media.
Functional implications of ribosomal protein L2 in protein biosynthesis as shown by in vivo replacement studies
Authors: ÜHLEIN Monika , WEGLÖHNER Wolfgang , URLAUB Henning , WITTMANN-LIEBOLD Brigitte
Published: August 2015

The translational apparatus is a highly complex structure containing three to four RNA molecules and more than 50 different proteins. In recent years considerable evidence has accumulated to indicate that the RNA participates intensively in the catalysis of peptide-bond formation, whereas a direct involvement of the ribosomal proteins has yet to be demonstrated. Here we report the functional and structural conservation of a peptidyltransferase centre protein in all three phylogenetic domains. In vivo replacement studies show that the Escherichia coli L2 protein can be replaced by its homologous proteins from human and archaebacterial ribosomes. These hybrid ribosomes are active in protein biosynthesis, as proven by polysome analysis and poly(U)-dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a specific, highly conserved, histidine residue in the C-terminal region of L2 is essential for the function of the translational apparatus. Replacement of this histidine residue in the human and archaebacterial proteins by glycine, arginine or alanine had no effect on ribosome assembly, but strongly reduced the translational activity of ribosomes containing these mutants.
Fixed-point methods for computing the equilibrium composition of complex biochemical mixtures
Authors: KUZMIČ Petr
Published: August 2015

The fixed-point algebraic method [Storer and Cornish-Bowden (1976) Biochem. J. 159, 1–5] for computing the concentrations at equilibrium of complex biochemical mixtures fails for many binding stoichiometries, especially those that include molecular self-association. A typical example is the monomer–dimer–tetramer equilibrium. This paper reports two main results. First, the above algorithm is analysed theoretically to predict for which binding stoichiometries it succeeds and for which it will fail. Secondly, an alternative algorithm is described for self-associating biochemical systems. Illustrative examples are based on the dimeric proteinase from HIV.
Two types of H+-ATPase are involved in the acidification of internal compartments in Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: SCOTT David A. , DOCAMPO Roberto
Published: August 2015

ATP-driven acidification of internal compartments of Trypanosoma cruziepimastigotes was assayed spectrophotometrically with Acridine Orange and cells permeabilized with filipin. H+-ATPase activity was not inhibited fully by either 500 nM concanamycin A or 500 µM orthovanadate, but a combination of 5 nM concanamycin A and 25 µM vanadate completely inhibited activity, suggesting the operation of separate V-type (concanamycin-sensitive) and P-type (vanadate-sensitive) H+-ATPase activities in the permeabilized cells. This was supported by different kinetics of Acridine Orange uptake seen in the presence of the different inhibitors, and by different optimal protein (cell) concentrations for the two apparent activities. The use of different buffers further distinguished the ATPases. The V-H+-ATPase activity was stimulated by K+ and inhibited by a lack of anions or the replacement of Cl- with gluconate. The P-type H+-ATPase activity was not affected by a lack of Cl- or K+ but was substantially inhibited in a largely anion-free buffer. This inhibition could be annulled by the addition of the K+ ionophore valinomycin, which probably acted via the establishment of a countercurrent efflux of K+ from the compartment containing the P-type H+-ATPase and the relief of the potential difference generated by the electrogenic proton pump. Valinomycin showed some stimulation of P-type activity in all buffers tested, but its effects on V-H+-ATPase activity were at best transient except in a K+-free buffer, which suggested that the V-H+-ATPase was located in an organelle with relatively low [K+] that was different from that which accommodated the P-type activity. On the basis of acidity and K+ content, these organelles might correspond, in part at least, to the acidocalcisomes (V-H+-ATPase activity) and the reservosomes (P-type activity) previously identified in these cells. Both activities could also be found in the human-infective forms of the parasite, amastigotes and trypomastigotes, but the P-type activity was relatively weak in these cells types, which is correlated with a lack of reservosomes in these forms.
Structure of the human hexokinase type I gene and nucleotide sequence of the 5′ flanking region
Authors: RUZZO Annamaria , ANDREONI Francesca , MAGNANI Mauro
Published: August 2015

This study reports the precise intron/exon boundaries and intron/exon composition of the human hexokinase type I gene. A yeast artificial chromosome containing the hexokinase type I gene was isolated from the yeast artificial chromosome library of the Centre d'Étude du Polymorphisme Humaine. A cosmid sublibrary was created and direct sequencing of the individual cosmids was used to provide the exon/intron organization. The human hexokinase type I gene was found to be composed of 18 exons ranging in size from 63 to 305 bp. Intron 1 is at least 15 kb in length, whereas intron 2 spans at least 10 kb. Overall, the length of the 17 introns ranges from 104 to greater than 15 kb. The entire coding region is contained in at least 75 kb of the gene. The structure of the gene reveals a remarkable conservation of the size of the exons compared with glucokinase and hexokinase type II. Isolation of the 5´ flanking region of the gene revealed a 75–90% identity with the rat sequence. Direct evidence of an alternative red-blood-cell-specific exon 1 located upstream of the 5´ flanking region of the gene is also provided.
The periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis binds iron protoporphyrin IX in the μ-oxo dimeric form: an oxidative buffer and possible pathogenic mechanism
Authors: SMALLEY John W. , SILVER Jack , MARSH Paul J. , BIRSS Andrew J.
Published: August 2015

Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to re-evaluate iron protoporphyrin IX, FePPIX, binding and the chemical nature of the black iron porphyrin pigment of Porphyromonas gingivalis. We demonstrate that FePPIX is bound to the cell in the µ-oxo dimeric form, [Fe(III)PPIX]2O, and that the iron porphyrin pigment is also composed of this material. P. gingivalis also assimilated monomeric Fe(II)- and Fe(III)PPIX into µ-oxo dimers in vitro. Scatchard analysis revealed a greater binding maximum of cells for µ-oxo dimers than for monomeric Fe(III)-or Fe(II)PPIX, although the relative affinity constant for the dimers was lower. Formation of [Fe(III)PPIX]2O via reactions of Fe(II)PPIX with oxygen, and its toxic derivatives, would serve as an oxidative buffer and permit P. gingivalis and other black-pigmenting anaerobes to engender and maintain a local anaerobic environment. Tying up of free oxygen species with iron protoporphyrin IX would also reduce and limit Fe(II)PPIX-mediated oxygen-radical cell damage. More importantly, formation of a cell-surface µ-oxo dimer layer may function as a protective barrier against assault by reactive oxidants generated by neutrophils. Selective interference with these mechanisms would offer the possibility of attenuating the pathogenicity of P. gingivalis and other iron protoporphyrin IX-binding pathogens whose virulence is regulated by this reactive molecule.
The mechanism of catalysis and the inhibition of the Bacillus cereus zinc-dependent β-lactamase
Authors: BOUNAGA Sakina , LAWS Andrew P. , GALLENI Moreno , PAGE Michael I.
Published: August 2015

The plot of kcat/Km against pH for the Bacillus cereus569/H β-lactamase class B catalysed hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin and cephalosporin indicates that there are three catalytically important groups, two of pKa 5.6±0.2 and one of pKa 9.5±0.2. Below pH 5 there is an inverse second-order dependence of reactivity upon hydrogen ion concentration, indicative of the requirement of two basic residues for catalysis. These are assigned to zinc(II)-bound water and Asp-90, both with a pKa of 5.6±0.2. A thiol, N-(2´-mercaptoethyl)-2-phenylacetamide, is an inhibitor of the class B enzyme with a Ki of 70 µM. The pH-dependence of Ki shows similar pH inflections to those observed in the catalysed hydrolysis of substrates. The pH-independence of Ki between pH 6 and 9 indicates that the pKa of zinc(II)-bound water must be 5.6 and not the higher pKa of 9.5. The kinetic solvent isotope effect on kcat/Km is 1.3±0.5 and that on kcat is 1.5. There is no effect on reactivity by either added zinc(II) or methanol. The possible mechanisms of action for the class B β-lactamase are discussed, and it is concluded that zinc(II) acts as a Lewis acid to stabilize the dianionic form of the tetrahedral intermediate and to provide a hydroxide-ion bound nucleophile, whereas the carboxylate anion of Asp-90 acts as a general base to form the dianion and also, presumably, as a general acid catalyst facilitating C–N bond fission.
Bisecting GlcNAc structure is implicated in suppression of stroma-dependent haemopoiesis in transgenic mice expressing N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III
Authors: YOSHIMURA Masafumi , IHARA Yoshito , NISHIURA Tetsuo , OKAJIMA Yu , OGAWA Megumu , YOSHIDA Hitoshi , SUZUKI Misao , YAMAMURA Ken-ichi , KANAKURA Yuzuru , MATSUZAWA Yuji , TANIGUCHI Naoyuki
Published: August 2015

Several sugar structures have been reported to be necessary for haemopoiesis. We analysed the haematological phenotypes of transgenic mice expressing β-1,4 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), which forms bisecting N-acetylglucosamine on asparagine-linked oligosaccharides. In the transgenic mice, the GnT-III activity was elevated in bone marrow, spleen and peripheral blood and in isolated mononuclear cells from these tissues, whereas no activity was found in these tissues of wild-type mice. Stromal cells after long-term cultures of transgenic-derived bone marrow and spleen cells also showed elevated GnT-III activity, compared with an undetectable activity in wild-type stromal cells. As judged by HPLC analysis, lectin blotting and lectin cytotoxicity assay, bisecting GlcNAc residues were increased on both blood cells and stromal cells from bone marrow and spleen in transgenic mice. The transgenic mice displayed spleen atrophy, hypocellular bone marrow and pancytopenia. Bone marrow cells and spleen cells from transgenic mice produced fewer haemopoietic colonies. After lethal irradiation followed by bone marrow transplantation, transgenic recipient mice showed pancytopenia compared with wild-type recipient mice. Bone marrow cells from transgenic donors gave haematological reconstitution at the same level as wild-type donor cells. In addition, non-adherent cell production was decreased in long-term bone marrow cell cultures of transgenic mice. Collectively these results indicate that the stroma-supported haemopoiesis is compromised in transgenic mice expressing GnT-III, providing the first demonstration that the N-glycans have some significant roles in stroma-dependent haemopoiesis.
Organization and alternative splicing of the murine phospholipase D2 gene
Authors: REDINA Olga E. , FROHMAN Michael A.
Published: August 2015

Phospholipase D (PLD) catalyses the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine, generating phosphatidic acid and choline. Mammalian PLD activity derives from a family of membrane-associated enzymes that are activated by a wide variety of signal transduction events. cDNA species encoding human, mouse and rat PLD1 and PLD2 have recently been reported. In this study we undertook to determine the organization of the mouse PLD2 gene. We report that the gene spans 17.1 kb and contains 25 exons. Mouse PLD2 is notable for a relatively GC-rich and large 5´ untranslated region. Proximal promoter sequences upstream of the first exon contain several consensus SP1 sequences (GGGCGG) but lack TATA and CAAT boxes. Finally, alternatively spliced cDNA species identified for PLD1 and PLD2 are discussed in the context of the PLD2 genomic organization.
Molecular analysis of H2O2-induced senescent-like growth arrest in normal human fibroblasts: p53 and Rb control G1 arrest but not cell replication
Authors: CHEN Qin M. , BARTHOLOMEW James C. , CAMPISI Judith , ACOSTA Meileen , REAGAN Joshua D. , AMES Bruce N.
Published: August 2015

Human diploid fibroblasts lose the capacity to proliferate and enter a state termed replicative senescence after a finite number of cell divisions in culture.When treated with sub-lethal concentrations of H2O2, pre-senescent human fibroblasts enter long-term growth arrest resembling replicative senescence. To understand the molecular basis for the H2O2-induced growth arrest, we determined the cell cycle distribution, levels of p53 tumour suppressor and p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor proteins, and the status of Rb phosphorylation in H2O2-treated cells. A 2-h pulse of H2O2 arrested the growth of IMR-90 fetal lung fibroblasts for at least 15 days. The arrested cells showed a G1 DNA content. The level of p53 protein increased 2- to 3-fold within 1.5 h after H2O2 exposure but returned to the control level by 48 h. The induction of p53 protein was dose dependent, beginning at 50–75 µM and reaching a maximum at 100–250 µM. The induction of p53 did not appear to correlate with the level of DNA damage as measured by the formation of 8-oxo-2´-deoxyguanosine in DNA. The level of p21 protein increased about 18 h after H2O2 exposure and remained elevated for at least 21 days. During this period, Rb remained underphosphorylated. The induction of p53 by H2O2 was abolished by the iron chelator deferoxamine and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. The human papillomavirus protein E6, when introduced into the cells, abolished the induction of p53, reduced the induction of p21 to a minimal level and allowed Rb phosphorylation and entry of the cells into S-phase. The human papillomavirus protein E7 reduced the overall level of Rb and also abolished H2O2-induced G1 arrest. Inactivating G1 arrest by E6, E7 or both did not restore the replicative ability of H2O2-treated cells. Thus H2O2-treated cells show a transient elevation of p53, high level of p21, lack of Rb phosphorylation, G1 arrest and inability to replicate when G1 arrest is inactivated.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL3)-associated α-tocopherol is taken up by HepG2 cells via the selective uptake pathway and resecreted with endogenously synthesized apo-lipoprotein B-rich lipoprotein particles
Authors: GOTI Daniel , REICHER Helga , MALLE Ernst , KOSTNER Gerhard M. , PANZENBOECK Ute , SATTLER Wolfgang
Published: August 2015

α-Tocopherol (αTocH) is transported in association with lipoproteins in the aqueous milieu of the plasma. Although up to 50% of circulating αTocH is transported by high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), little is known about the mechanisms of uptake of HDL-associated αTocH. During the current study, human apolipoprotein (apo)E-free HDL subclass 3 (HDL3) labelled with [14C]αTocH was used to investigate uptake mechanisms of HDL3-associated αTocH by a permanent hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2). HDL3-associated αTocH was taken up independently of HDL3 holoparticles in excess of apoA-I comparable with the non-endocytotic delivery of cholesteryl esters to cells termed the ‘selective ’ cholesteryl ester uptake pathway. Experiments with unlabelled HDL3 demonstrated net mass transfer of αTocH to HepG2 cells. Time-dependent studies with [14C]αTocH-labelled HDL3 revealed tracer uptake in 80-fold excess of apoA-I and in 4-fold excess of cholesteryl linoleate. In addition to HLDs, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-associated αTocH was also taken up in excess of holoparticles, although to a lesser extent. These findings were confirmed with unlabelled lipoprotein preparations, in which HDL3 displayed a 2- to 3-fold higher αTocH donor efficiency than LDLs (lipoproteins adjusted for equal amounts of αTocH). An important factor affecting particle-independent uptake of αTocH was the cellular cholesterol content (a 2-fold increase in cellular cholesterol levels resulted in a 2.3-fold decrease in uptake). Pulse–chase studies demonstrated that some of the HDL3-associated αTocH taken up independently of holoparticle uptake was resecreted along with a newly synthesized apoB-containing lipoprotein fraction.