bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Binding of the merlin-I product of the neurofibromatosis type 2 tumour suppressor gene to a novel site in β-fodrin is regulated by association between merlin domains
Authors: NEILL Graham W. , CROMPTON Mark R.
Published: August 2015

The mechanism underlying the tumour-suppressor activity of the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) gene product, merlin, is largely undefined but there is evidence that the biological function of the protein might be mediated partly through interactions with the cytoskeleton. Merlin is expressed predominantly as two isoforms that differ at their C-termini owing to alternative splicing of exon 16. By expressing merlin isoform I as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen, we isolated a clone encoding a region of the cytoskeletal protein β-fodrin. Confirmation of the merlin–fodrin interaction was provided by using the mammalian two-hybrid system and binding assays in vitro. In addition, these assays and co-immunoprecipitation from mammalian cells revealed that the binding site for fodrin is located in the C-terminal half of merlin at a site that is masked in the native protein. Co-expression of the N-terminus of merlin decreased the interaction of its C-terminus with fodrin, implicating homophilic interactions of merlin isoform I in masking the fodrin-binding site. The effect of three disease-associated mutations on the merlin–fodrin interaction and merlin dimerization was also investigated. The mutation L535P, but not L360P or K413E, significantly decreased the merlin–fodrin interaction but not dimerization, indicating that the tumour suppressor ability of merlin might reside partly in its ability to interact with the cytoskeleton via fodrin.
Multimerization of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 is not required for glycosaminoglycan-dependent transendothelial chemotaxis
Authors: ALI Simi , PALMER Adrian C. V. , FRITCHLEY Sarah J. , MALEY Yvonne , KIRBY John A.
Published: August 2015

Chemokines interact with specific G-protein-coupled cell-surface receptors and with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as heparan sulphate. Although chemokines often form multimers in solution, this process may be enhanced following interaction with GAGs on the cell surface, or within the extracellular matrix. However, the significance of multimerization for chemokine function remains controversial. In the present study, a fusion protein was prepared between the prototypical human CC chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; also known as CCL-2) and a large secreted placental alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) moiety. This fusion protein (MCP-1–SEAP) remained monomeric under conditions that promote oligomerization of the native chemokine. Radioligand binding showed that both native MCP-1 and MCP-1–SEAP competed for the same site on the surface of HEK-293 cells expressing the CCR2b chemokine receptor. The interaction between either chemokine species and endothelial cell surface GAGs was antagonized by the addition of the heparan sulphate-like molecule, heparin. Both MCP-1 and MCP-1–SEAP induced a Ca2+-flux in the THP-1 monocytic cell line, and were equally effective at promoting transendothelial chemotaxis of mononuclear immune cells, with maximal migration being produced by treatment with 12nM of either species. In each case this chemotactic response was almost completely antagonized by the addition of heparin. The importance of interaction between either native MCP-1 or MCP-1–SEAP and cell-surface GAGs for transcellular migration was demonstrated by the almost complete absence of leucocyte chemotaxis across monolayers of GAG-deficient mutant cells. In summary, this study shows that multimerization is neither necessary for, nor potentiates, the biological activity of MCP-1. However, the results do clearly demonstrate the importance of the interaction between MCP-1 and cell-surface heparan sulphate for transmonolayer leucocyte chemotaxis.
Isolation, characterization and gene sequence analysis of a membrane-associated 89 kDa Fe(III) reducing cytochrome c from Geobacter sulfurreducens
Authors: MAGNUSON Timothy S. , ISOYAMA Naohito , HODGES-MYERSON Allison L. , DAVIDSON Gerard , MARONEY Michael J. , GEESEY Gill G. , LOVLEY Derek R.
Published: August 2015

Geobacter sulfurreducens is capable of anaerobic respiration with Fe(III) as a terminal electron acceptor via a membrane-bound Fe(III) reductase activity associated with a large molecular mass cytochrome c. This cytochrome was purified by detergent extraction of the membrane fraction, Q-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography, preparative electrophoresis, and MonoQ ion-exchange chromatography. Spectrophotometric analysis of the purified cytochrome reveals a c-type haem, with no evidence of haem a, haem b or sirohaem. The cytochrome has an Mr of 89000 as determined by denaturing PAGE, and has an isoelectric point of 5.2 as determined by analytical isoelectric focusing. Dithionite-reduced cytochrome can donate electrons to Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetic acid and synthetic ferrihydrite, thus demonstrating that the cytochrome has redox and thermodynamic properties required for reduction of Fe(III). Analysis using cyclic voltammetry confirmed that the reduced cytochrome can catalytically transfer electrons to ferrihydrite, further demonstrating its ability to be an electron transport mediator in anaerobic Fe(III) respiration. Sequence analysis of a cloned chromosomal DNA fragment revealed a 2307bp open reading frame (ferA) encoding a 768 amino acid protein corresponding to the 89kDa cytochrome. The deduced amino acid sequence (FerA) translated from the open reading frame contained 12 putative haem-binding motifs, as well as a hydrophobic N-terminal membrane anchor sequence, a lipid-attachment site and an ATP/GTP-binding site. FerA displayed 20% or less identity with amino acid sequences of other known cytochromes, although it does share some features with characterized polyhaem cytochromes c.
FYVE zinc-finger proteins in the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana: identification of PtdIns3P-binding residues by comparison of classic and variant FYVE domains
Authors: JENSEN Rikke B. , LACOUR Tanja , ALBRETHSEN Jakob , NIELSEN Michael , SKRIVER Karen
Published: August 2015

Classic FYVE zinc-finger domains recognize the phosphoinositide signal PtdIns3P and share the basic (R/K)1(R/K)HHCR6 (single-letter amino acid codes) consensus sequence. This domain is present in predicted PtdIns3P 5-kinases and lipases from Arabidopsis thaliana. Other Arabidopsis proteins, named PRAF, consist of a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a regulator of chromosome condensation (RCC1) guanine nucleotide exchange factor repeat domain, and a variant FYVE domain containing an Asn residue and a Tyr residue at positions corresponding to the PtdIns3P-interacting His4 and Arg6 of the basic motif. Dot-blot and liposome-binding assays were used in vitro to examine the phospholipid-binding ability of isolated PRAF domains. Whereas the PH domain preferentially bound PtdIns(4,5)P2, the variant FYVE domain showed a weaker charge-dependent binding of phosphoinositides. In contrast, specificity for PtdIns3P was obtained by mutagenic conversion of the variant into a classic FYVE domain (Asn4,Tyr6 → His4,Arg6). Separate substitutions of the variant residues were not sufficient to impose preferential binding of PtdIns3P, suggesting a co-operative effect of these residues in binding. A biochemical function for PRAF was indicated by its ability to catalyse guanine nucleotide exchange on some of the small GTPases of the Rab family, permitting a discussion of the biological roles of plant FYVE proteins and their regulation by phosphoinositides.
Congenital disorders of glycosylation type I leads to altered processing of N-linked glycans, as well as underglycosylation
Authors: MILLS Philippa , MILLS Kevin , CLAYTON Peter , JOHNSON Andrew , WHITEHOUSE David , WINCHESTER Bryan
Published: August 2015

The N-linked glycans on transferrin and α1-antitrypsin from patients with congenital disorders of glycosylation type I have increased fucosylation and branching relative to normal controls. The elevated levels of monofucosylated biantennary glycans are probably due to increased α-(1 → 6) fucosylation. The presence of bi- and trifucosylated triantennary and tetra-antennary glycans indicated that peripheral α-(1 → 3), as well as core α-(1 → 6), fucosylation is increased. Altered processing was observed on both the fully and underglycosylated glycoforms.
Promoter I of the ovine acetyl-CoA carboxylase-α gene: an E-box motif at −114 in the proximal promoter binds upstream stimulatory factor (USF)-1 and USF-2 and acts as an insulin-response sequence in differentiating adipocytes
Authors: TRAVERS Maureen T. , VALLANCE Amanda J. , GOURLAY Helen T. , GILL Clare A. , KLEIN Izabella , BOTTEMA Cynthia B. K. , BARBER Michael C.
Published: August 2015

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase-α (ACC-α) plays a central role in co-ordinating de novo fatty acid synthesis in animal tissues. We have characterized the regulatory region of the ovine ACC-α gene. Three promoters, PI, PII and PIII, are dispersed throughout 50kb of genomic DNA. Expression from PI is limited to adipose tissue and liver. Sequence comparison of the proximal promoters of ovine and mouse PIs demonstrates high nucleotide identity and that they are characterized by a TATA box at −29, C/EBP (CCAAT enhancer-binding protein)-binding motifs and multiple E-box motifs. A 4.3kb ovine PI-luciferase reporter construct is insulin-responsive when transfected into differentiated ovine adipocytes, whereas when this construct is transfected into ovine preadipocytes and HepG2 cells the construct is inactive and is not inducible by insulin. By contrast, transfection of a construct corresponding to 132bp of the proximal promoter linked to a luciferase reporter is active and inducible by insulin in all three cell systems. Insulin signalling to the −132bp construct in differentiated ovine adipocytes involves, in part, an E-box motif at −114. Upstream stimulatory factor (USF)-1 and USF-2, but not sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), are major components of protein complexes that bind this E-box motif. Activation of the 4.3kb PI construct in differentiated ovine adipocytes is associated with endogenous expression of PI transcripts throughout differentiation; PI transcripts are not detectable by RNase-protection assay in ovine preadipocytes, HepG2 cells or 3T3-F442A adipocytes. These data indicate the presence of repressor motifs in PI that are required to be de-repressed during adipocyte differentiation to allow induction of the promoter by insulin.
Identification of a novel class of insect glutathione S-transferases involved in resistance to DDT in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae
Authors: RANSON Hilary , ROSSITER Louise , ORTELLI Federica , JENSEN Betty , WANG Xuelan , ROTH Charles W. , COLLINS Frank H. , HEMINGWAY Janet
Published: August 2015

The sequence and cytological location of five Anopheles gambiae glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes are described. Three of these genes, aggst1-8, aggst1-9 and aggst1-10, belong to the insect class I family and are located on chromosome 2R, in close proximity to previously described members of this gene family. The remaining two genes, aggst3-1 and aggst3-2, have a low sequence similarity to either of the two previously recognized classes of insect GSTs and this prompted a re-evaluation of the classification of insect GST enzymes. We provide evidence for seven possible classes of insect protein with GST-like subunits. Four of these contain sequences with significant similarities to mammalian GSTs. The largest novel insect GST class, class III, contains functional GST enzymes including two of the A. gambiae GSTs described in this report and GSTs from Drosophila melanogaster, Musca domestica, Manduca sexta and Plutella xylostella. The genes encoding the class III GST of A. gambiae map to a region of the genome on chromosome 3R that contains a major DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] resistance gene, suggesting that this gene family is involved in GST-based resistance in this important malaria vector. In further support of their role in resistance, we show that the mRNA levels of aggst3-2 are approx. 5-fold higher in a DDT resistant strain than in the susceptible strain and demonstrate that recombinant AgGST3-2 has very high DDT dehydrochlorinase activity.
Sphingosine-induced apoptosis is dependent on lysosomal proteases
Authors: KÅGEDAL Katarina , ZHAO Ming , SVENSSON Iréne , BRUNK Ulf T.
Published: August 2015

We propose a new mechanism for sphingosine-induced apoptosis, involving relocation of lysosomal hydrolases to the cytosol. Owing to its lysosomotropic properties, sphingosine, which is also a detergent, especially when protonated, accumulates by proton trapping within the acidic vacuolar apparatus, where most of its action as a detergent would be exerted. When sphingosine was added in low-to-moderate concentrations to Jurkat and J774 cells, partial lysosomal rupture occurred dose-dependently, starting within a few minutes. This phenomenon preceded caspase activation, as well as changes of mitochondrial membrane potential. High sphingosine doses rapidly caused extensive lysosomal rupture and ensuing necrosis, without antecedent apoptosis or caspase activation. The sphingosine effect was prevented by pre-treatment with another, non-toxic, lysosomotropic base, ammonium chloride, at 10mM. The lysosomal protease inhibitors, pepstatin A and epoxysuccinyl-l-leucylamido-3-methyl-butane ethyl ester (‘E-64d’), inhibited markedly sphingosine-induced caspase activity to almost the same degree as the general caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-dl-Asp-fluoromethylketone (‘Z-VAD-FMK’), although they did not by themselves inhibit caspases. We conclude that cathepsin D and one or more cysteine proteases, such as cathepsins B or L, are important mediators of sphingosine-induced apoptosis, working upstream of the caspase cascade and mitochondrial membrane-potential changes.
Critical roles for the serine 20, but not the serine 15, phosphorylation site and for the polyproline domain in regulating p53 turnover
Authors: DUMAZ Nicolas , MILNE Diane M. , JARDINE Lesley J. , MEEK David W.
Published: August 2015

The p53 tumour suppressor protein is a short-lived transcription factor that becomes stabilized in response to a wide range of cellular stresses. Ubiquitination and the targeting of p53 for degradation by the proteasome are mediated by Mdm2 (mouse double minute clone 2), a negative regulatory partner of p53. Previous studies have suggested that DNA-damage-induced phosphorylation of p53 at key N-terminal sites has a pivotal role in regulating the interaction with Mdm2 but the precise role of phosphorylation of serines 15 and 20 is still unclear. Here we show that replacement of serine 15 and a range of other key N-terminal phosphorylation sites with alanine, which cannot be phosphorylated, has little effect on the ubiquitination and degradation of full-length human p53. In contrast, replacement of serine 20 makes p53 highly sensitive to Mdm2-mediated turnover. These results define distinct roles for serines 15 and 20, two sites previously demonstrated to be dependent on phosphorylation through mechanisms mediated by DNA damage and ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated). We also show that the polyproline region of p53, a domain that has a key role in p53-induced apoptosis, exerts a critical influence over the Mdm2-mediated turnover of p53.
Structural, signalling and regulatory properties of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors: prototypic family C G-protein-coupled receptors
Authors: HERMANS Emmanuel , CHALLISS R. A. John
Published: August 2015

In 1991 a new type of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) was cloned, the type 1a metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor, which, despite possessing the defining seven-transmembrane topology of the GPCR superfamily, bore little resemblance to the growing number of other cloned GPCRs. Subsequent studies have shown that there are eight mammalian mGlu receptors that, together with the calcium-sensing receptor, the GABAB receptor (where GABA is γ-aminobutyric acid) and a subset of pheromone, olfactory and taste receptors, make up GPCR family C. Currently available data suggest that family C GPCRs share a number of structural, biochemical and regulatory characteristics, which differ markedly from those of the other GPCR families, most notably the rhodopsin/family A GPCRs that have been most widely studied to date. This review will focus on the group I mGlu receptors (mGlu1 and mGlu5). This subgroup of receptors is widely and differentially expressed in neuronal and glial cells within the brain, and receptor activation has been implicated in the control of an array of key signalling events, including roles in the adaptative changes needed for long-term depression or potentiation of neuronal synaptic connectivity. In addition to playing critical physiological roles within the brain, the mGlu receptors are also currently the focus of considerable attention because of their potential as drug targets for the treatment of a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Antagonistic effects of phorbol esters on insulin regulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) but not glucose-6-phosphatase gene expression
Authors: PATEL Satish , LOCHHEAD Pamela A. , RENA Graham , SUTHERLAND Calum
Published: August 2015

Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) genes contain a homologous promoter sequence that is required for gene repression by insulin. Interestingly, this element interacts with members of the forkhead family of transcription factors [e.g. HNF3 (hepatic nuclear factor 3), FKHR (forkhead in rhabdomyosarcoma)] in vitro, while insulin promotes the phosphorylation and inactivation of FKHR in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- and protein kinase B (PKB)-dependent manner. This mechanism has been proposed to underlie insulin action on G6Pase and IGFBP-1 gene transcription. However, we find that treatment of cells with phorbol esters mimics the effect of insulin on G6Pase, but not IGFBP-1, gene expression. Indeed, phorbol ester treatment actually blocks the ability of insulin to repress IGFBP-1 gene expression. In addition, the action of phorbol esters is significantly reduced by inhibition of the p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. However insulin-induced phosphorylation of PKB or FKHR is not affected by the presence of phorbol esters. Therefore we suggest that activation of p42/p44 MAP kinases will reduce the sensitivity of the IGFBP-1 gene promoter, but not the G6Pase gene promoter, to insulin. Importantly, the activation of PKB and phosphorylation of FKHR is not, in itself, sufficient to reduce IGFBP-1 gene expression in the presence of phorbol esters.
Interleukin-10 up-regulates tumour-necrosis-factor-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) gene expression in mammary epithelial cells at the involution stage
Authors: SOHN B. Hwa , MOON Hyung-Bae , KIM Tae-Yoon , KANG Han-Sung , BAE Yoon Soo , LEE Kyung-Kwang , KIM Sun Jung
Published: August 2015

Although interleukin-10 (IL-10) is known to contribute to inflammation and pathogenesis in mammalian organs, little is known about its precise role in the mammary gland. We found that IL-10 levels fluctuated during the mouse mammary cycle, showing little expression at the lactation stage and the highest expression at the involution stage. To reveal the effects of IL-10 on involution, expression profiles of apoptosis-related genes were examined in mice transgenic for IL-10 as well as in IL-10−/− mice. Mild inflammatory lesions by lymphocytes were observed in the mammary glands from four of seven transgenic lines at the lactation stage. It was striking that the expression of tumour-necrosis-factor-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) among the apoptosis-related genes was elevated approx. 7-fold in the transgenic mice, whereas others were almost unchanged. Furthermore, TRAIL was down-regulated 4-fold in the IL-10−/− mice at the involution stage. Elevated expression of TRAIL and of death receptor 4 (DR4) protein was identified at the involution stage of normal mammary glands as well as at the lactation stage of the IL-10 transgenic mice. These results indicate that the elevated expression of IL-10 at the involution stage recruits lymphocytes and induces the expression of TRAIL and DR4. These phenomena might partly contribute to apoptosis in the mammary epithelial cells for entering involution.
Mutations to Gly2370, Gly2373 or Gly2375 in malignant hyperthermia domain 2 decrease caffeine and cresol sensitivity of the rabbit skeletal-muscle Ca2+-release channel (ryanodine receptor isoform 1)
Authors: DU Guo Guang , OYAMADA Hideto , KHANNA Vijay K. , MacLENNAN David H.
Published: August 2015

Mutations G2370A, G2372A, G2373A, G2375A, Y3937A, S3938A, G3939A and K3940A were made in two potential ATP-binding motifs (amino acids 2370–2375 and 3937–3940) in the Ca2+-release channel of skeletal-muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (ryanodine receptor or RyR1). Activation of [3H]ryanodine binding by Ca2+, caffeine and ATP (adenosine 5′-[β,γ-methylene]triphosphate, AMP-PCP) was used as an assay for channel opening, since ryanodine binds only to open channels. Caffeine-sensitivity of channel opening was also assayed by caffeine-induced Ca2+ release in HEK-293 cells expressing wild-type and mutant channels. Equilibrium [3H]ryanodine-binding properties and EC50 values for Ca2+ activation of high-affinity [3H]ryanodine binding were similar between wild-type RyR1 and mutants. In the presence of 1mM AMP-PCP, Ca2+-activation curves were shifted to higher affinity and maximal binding was increased to a similar extent for wild-type RyR1 and mutants. ATP sensitivity of channel opening was also similar for wild-type and mutants. These observations apparently rule out sequences 2370–2375 and 3937–3940 as ATP-binding motifs. Caffeine or 4-chloro-m-cresol sensitivity, however, was decreased in mutants G2370A, G2373A and G2375A, whereas the other mutants retained normal sensitivity. Amino acids 2370–2375 lie within a sequence (amino acids 2163–2458) in which some eight RyR1 mutations have been associated with malignant hyperthermia and shown to be hypersensitive to caffeine and 4-chloro-m-cresol activation. By contrast, mutants G2370A, G2373A and G2375A are hyposensitive to caffeine and 4-chloro-m-cresol. Thus amino acids 2163–2458 form a regulatory domain (malignant hyperthermia regulatory domain 2) that regulates caffeine and 4-chloro-m-cresol sensitivity of RyR1.
Selectivity of protein oxidative damage during aging in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: DAS Nilanjana , LEVINE Rodney L. , ORR William C. , SOHAL Rajindar S.
Published: August 2015

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether oxidation of various proteins during the aging process occurs selectively or randomly, and whether the same proteins are damaged in different species. Protein oxidative damage to the proteins, present in the matrix of mitochondria in the flight muscles of Drosophila melanogaster and manifested as carbonyl modifications, was detected immunochemically with anti-dinitrophenyl-group antibodies. Aconitase was found to be the only protein in the mitochondrial matrix that exhibited an age-associated increase in carbonylation. The accrual of oxidative damage was accompanied by an approx. 50% loss in aconitase activity. An increase in ambient temperature, which elevates the rate of metabolism and shortens the life span of flies, caused an elevation in the amount of aconitase carbonylation and an accelerated loss in its activity. Exposure to 100% ambient oxygen showed that aconitase was highly susceptible to undergo oxidative damage and loss of activity under oxidative stress. Administration of fluoroacetate, a competitive inhibitor of aconitase activity, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the life span of the flies. Results of the present study demonstrate that protein oxidative damage during aging is a selective phenomenon, and might constitute a mechanism by which oxidative stress causes age-associated losses in specific biochemical functions.
Degradation of GM1 and GM2 by mammalian sialidases
Authors: LI Su-Chen , LI Yu-Teh , MORIYA Setsuko , MIYAGI Taeko
Published: August 2015

In mammalian tissues, the pathway known for the catabolism ofGM1[Galβ3GalNAcβ4(Neu5Acα3)Galβ4GlcCer;where Cer is ceramide] is the conversion of this ganglioside into GM2 [GalNAcβ4(Neu5Acα3)Galβ4GlcβCer] by β-galactosidase followed by the conversion of GM2 into GM3 (Neu5Acα3Galβ4GlcβCer) by β-N-acetylhexosaminidase A (Hex A). However, the question of whether or not GM1 and GM2 can also be respectively converted into asialo-GM1 (Galβ3GalNAcβ4Galβ4GlcCer; GA1) and asialo-GM2 (GalNAcβ4Galβ4GlcβCer, GA2) by mammalian sialidases has not been resolved. This is due to the fact that sialidases purified from mammalian tissues always contained detergents that interfered with the in vitro hydrolysis of GM1 and GM2 in the presence of an activator protein. The mouse model of human type B Tay–Sachs disease created by the disruption of the Hexa gene showed no neurological abnormalities, with milder clinical symptoms than the human counterpart, and the accumulation of GM2 in the brains of affected mice was only limited to certain regions [Sango, Yamanaka, Hoffmann, Okuda, Grinberg, Westphal, McDonald, Crawley, Sandhoff, Suzuki and Proia (1995) Nat. Genet. 11, 170–176]. These results suggest the possible presence of an alternative catabolic pathway (the GA2 pathway) in mouse to convert GM2 into GA2 by sialidase. To show the existence of this pathway, we have used recombinant mammalian cytosolic sialidase and membrane-associated sialidase to study the desialylation of GM1 and GM2. We found that the mouse membrane-bound sialidase was able to convert GM1 and GM2 into their respective asialo-derivatives in the presence of human or mouse GM2 activator protein. The cytosolic sialidase did not exhibit this activity. Our results suggest that, in vivo, the stable NeuAc of GM1 and GM2 may be removed by the mammalian membrane-associated sialidase in the presence of GM2 activator protein. They also support the presence of the GA2 pathway for the catabolism of GM2 in mouse.
Effect of mutation of a calmodulin binding site on Ca2+ regulation of inositol trisphosphate receptors
Authors: ZHANG Xianchao , JOSEPH Suresh K.
Published: August 2015

Several studies have shown that calmodulin (CaM) modulates d-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R) channel activity and ligand binding to IP3Rs. It has been proposed that CaM may act as the Ca2+ sensor for mediating Ca2+ inhibition of IP3R channel activity. However, the functional role of CaM binding sites and the mechanism by which CaM regulates IP3R activities remains unclear. Tryptophan at position 1577 of type I IP3R has been shown to be part of a motif that is responsible for CaM binding to IP3Rs and we have mutated this residue to alanine in the long (neuronal) and short (peripheral) SII splice variants of the type I IP3R. CaM–Sepharose binding assays using COS-7 cell lysates confirmed that the W1577A mutant in both splice variants completely eliminated CaM binding. Functional measurements of IP3-mediated 45Ca2+ fluxes indicated that there was no change in the IP3 sensitivity of the channel induced by the W1577A mutation. Such measurements also indicated that the W1577A mutants of both splice variants have a dependence on external [Ca2+] that was indistinguishable from the corresponding wild-types. Although subtle differences in the Ca2+ and CaM sensitivity of [3H]IP3 binding were noted between wild-type and mutant receptors, our data suggest that the CaM binding motif involving the W1577A locus does not play a role in Ca2+ regulation of IP3R channel activity.
Regulation of type-II collagen gene expression during human chondrocyte de-differentiation and recovery of chondrocyte-specific phenotype in culture involves Sry-type high-mobility-group box (SOX) transcription factors
Authors: STOKES David G. , LIU Gang , DHARMAVARAM Rita , HAWKINS David , PIERA-VELAZQUEZ Sonsoles , JIMENEZ Sergio A.
Published: August 2015

During ex vivo growth as monolayer cultures, chondrocytes proliferate and undergo a process of de-differentiation. This process involves a change in morphology and a change from expression of chondrocyte-specific genes to that of genes that are normally expressed in fibroblasts. Transfer of the monolayer chondrocyte culture to three-dimensional culture systems induces the cells to re-acquire a chondrocyte-specific phenotype and produce a cartilaginous-like tissue in vitro. We investigated mechanisms involved in the control of the de-differentiation and re-differentiation process in vitro. De-differentiated chondrocytes re-acquired their chondrocyte-specific phenotype when cultured on poly-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (polyHEMA) as assayed by morphology, reverse transcriptase PCR of chondrocyte-specific mRNA, Western-blot analysis and chondrocyte-specific promoter activity. Essentially, full recovery of the chondrocyte-specific phenotype was observed when cells that had been cultured for 4 weeks on plastic were transferred to culture on polyHEMA. However, after subsequent passages on plastic, the phenotype recovery was incomplete or did not occur. The activity of a gene reporter construct containing the promoter and enhancer from the human type-II collagen gene (COL2A1) was modulated by the culture conditions, so that its transcriptional activity was repressed in monolayer cultures and rescued to some extent when the cells were switched to polyHEMA cultures. The binding of Sry-type high-mobility-group box (SOX) transcription factors to the enhancer region was modulated by the culture conditions, as were the mRNA levels for SOX9. A transfected human type-II collagen reporter construct was activated in de-differentiated cells by ectopic expression of SOX transcription factors. These results underscore the overt change in phenotype that occurs when chondrocytes are cultured as monolayers on tissue-culture plastic substrata.
Transforming growth factor-β1 stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell l-proline transport by inducing system A amino acid transporter 2 (SAT2) gene expression
Authors: ENSENAT Diana , HASSAN Saamir , REYNA Sylvia V. , SCHAFER Andrew I. , DURANTE William
Published: August 2015

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine that contributes to arterial remodelling by stimulating vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth and collagen synthesis at sites of vascular injury. Since l-proline is essential for the synthesis of collagen, we examined whether TGF-β1 regulates the transcellular transport of l-proline by vascular SMCs. l-Proline uptake by vascular SMCs was primarily sodium-dependent, pH-sensitive, blocked by neutral amino acids and α-(methylamino)isobutyric acid, and exhibited trans-inhibition. Treatment of SMCs with TGF-β1 stimulated l-proline transport in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The TGF-β1-mediated l-proline uptake was inhibited by cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Kinetic studies indicated that TGF-β1-induced l-proline transport was mediated by an increase in transport capacity independent of any changes in the affinity for l-proline. TGF-β1 stimulated the expression of system A amino acid transporter 2 (SAT2) mRNA in a time-dependent fashion that paralleled the increase in l-proline transport. Reverse transcriptase PCR failed to detect the presence of SAT1 or amino acid transporter 3 (ATA3) in either untreated or TGF-β1-treated SMCs. These results demonstrate that l-proline transport by vascular SMCs is mediated predominantly by the SAT and that TGF-β1 stimulates SMC l-proline uptake by inducing the expression of the SAT2 gene. The ability of TGF-β1 to induce SAT2 expression may function to provide SMCs with the necessary levels of l-proline required for collagen synthesis and cell growth.
Human kinesin superfamily member 4 is dominantly localized in the nuclear matrix and is associated with chromosomes during mitosis
Authors: LEE Young M. , LEE Seungoh , LEE Eunyoung , SHIN Hyunjin , HAHN Hwasun , CHOI Wonja , KIM Wankee
Published: August 2015

In a previous study, we identified the human counterpart of murine kinesin superfamily member 4 (KIF4), a microtubule-based motor protein [Oh, Hahn, Torrey, Shin, Choi, Lee, Morse and Kim (2000) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1493, 219–224]. As an initial step to understand the function(s) of human KIF4, its subcellular localization in HeLa cells was examined by using immunocytochemical and subcellular fractionation methods, and it was found that most KIF4 is localized in the nucleus. Since murine KIF4 is known to transport cytoplasmic vesicles, dominant nuclear localization of the human counterpart was somewhat surprising. Subsequent subnuclear fractionation revealed predominant association of KIF4 with the nuclear matrix. These results clearly indicate that human KIF4 is, at least, a nuclear protein. In further confirmation of this conclusion, the hexapeptide PKLRRR (amino acids 773–778) in the molecule was found to function as a nuclear localization signal. During the mitotic phase of the cell cycle, human KIF4 was associated with the chromosomes, suggesting that human KIF4 might be a microtubule-based mitotic motor, with DNA as its cargo.
Processing of proSAAS in neuroendocrine cell lines
Authors: MZHAVIA Nino , QIAN Yimei , FENG Yun , CHE Fa-Yun , DEVI Lakshmi A. , FRICKER Lloyd D.
Published: August 2015

ProSAAS, a recently discovered granin-like protein, potently inhibits prohormone convertase (PC)1, and might also perform additional functions. In the present study, the processing of proSAAS was compared in two neuroendocrine cell lines overexpressing this protein: the AtT-20 mouse pituitary corticotrophic line and the PC12 rat adrenal phaeochromocytoma line. The processing of proSAAS was examined by pulse–chase analysis using [3H]leucine, by MS, and by chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Various smaller forms of proSAAS were detected, including peptides designated as little SAAS, PEN and big LEN. Because the PC-12 cells used in the present study do not express either PC1 or PC2, the finding that these cells efficiently cleave proSAAS indicates that these cleavages do not require either enzyme. Two of the peptides identified in AtT-20 media represent novel C-terminally truncated forms of PEN. In both cell lines, the secretion of the small proSAAS-derived peptides is stimulated by secretagogues. However, long-term treatment of wild-type AtT-20 cells with two different secretagogues (8-bromo-cAMP and a phorbol ester) does not affect levels of proSAAS mRNA; this treatment significantly increases PC1 mRNA by approx. 60–80%. The lack of co-regulation of proSAAS and PC1 mRNA implies that enzyme activity can be induced without an accompanying increase in the inhibitor. In addition, the finding that the peptides are secreted via the regulated pathway is consistent with the proposal that they may function as neuropeptides.
Characterization of human cathepsin L promoter and identification of binding sites for NF-Y, Sp1 and Sp3 that are essential for its activity
Authors: JEAN Didier , GUILLAUME Nathalie , FRADE Raymond
Published: August 2015

Cathepsin L is a cysteine protease whose overexpression in human melanoma cells increases their tumorigenicity and switches their phenotype from non-metastatic to highly metastatic. Regulation of the transcription of the gene encoding human cathepsin L has not been yet studied and only preliminary data exist on the promoter regulation of the gene encoding rodent cathepsin L. In the present study we identified molecular elements involved in the transcriptional regulation of human cathepsin L in melanoma cells. The sequence of the 5′-flanking region of the gene encoding human cathepsin L was determined up to 3263bp upstream of the translation start site. The major transcription intiation site was located. Three mRNA splice variants, differing in their 5′ untranslated ends, were identified. Regulatory regions crucial for cathepsin L promoter activity were characterized between −1489 and −1646bp. In this region, two GC boxes (−1590/−1595 and −1545/−1550) and a CCAAT motif (−1571/−1575) were involved in specific DNA–protein interactions. An electrophoretic mobility-shift assay demonstrated that Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors bound to these GC boxes, and only the transcription factor nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) bound to the CCAAT motif. Mutagenesis studies demonstrated that these binding sites contributed at least 85% of cathepsin L promoter activity. Thus structural and functional analysis demonstrated that binding sites for NF-Y, Sp1 and Sp3 are essential for transcription of the gene encoding human cathepsin L in melanoma cells.
The fibroblast growth factor receptor, FGFR3, forms gradients of intact and degraded protein across the growth plate of developing bovine ribs
Authors: PANDIT Sujata G. , GOVINDRAJ Prasanthi , SASSE Joachim , NEAME Peter J. , HASSELL John R.
Published: August 2015

Point mutations in the human fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 3 gene (Fgfr3) produce a constitutively active receptor, which disrupts chondrocyte differentiation in the growth plate and results in skeletal dysplasias with severe shortening of the limbs. Alternative splicing of the Fgfr3 transcript gives rise to two isoforms, IIIc and IIIb, which vary in their specificity for FGF ligands. We examined the expression of these FGFR3 isoforms in the bovine fetal rib growth plate to determine whether levels of FGFR3 expression are zone-related. Transcripts for both Fgfr3 isoforms are expressed in rib growth plate, with maximum expression in the hypertrophic region and the least expression in the reserve zone. Fgfr3 IIIc is the predominant isoform in the growth plate. Western-blot analysis revealed the presence of full-length FGFR3 (135kDa) for both isoforms in the reserve zone, a major 98kDa fragment in all zones and smaller fragments primarily in the hypertrophic zone. Immunostaining localized FGFR3 to the pericellular region of reserve chondrocytes and to the extracellular matrix in the hypertrophic zone. These results suggest that the transmembrane form of FGFR3 increasingly undergoes proteolytic cleavage towards the hypertrophic zone to produce an extracellular-domain fragment of FGFR3, which is present in large amounts in the matrix of hypertrophic cells. These findings suggest a proteolytic regulatory mechanism for FGFR3, whereby Fgfr3 fragments could control availability of FGF for the intact receptor, and by which proteolysis could inactivate the receptor.
Expression of 5-lipoxygenase in pulmonary artery endothelial cells
Authors: ZHANG Ying-Yi , WALKER Jennifer L. , HUANG Annong , KEANEY John F. , CLISH Clary B. , SERHAN Charles N. , LOSCALZO Joseph
Published: August 2015

Increased expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) has been observed in disease states such as pulmonary hypertension and allergen challenge. To understand the function of endothelial 5LO, we examined the expression of this enzyme in normally cultured human PAECs and its characteristics when overexpressed. A small amount of 5LO message and protein was detected by reverse-transcriptase-mediated PCR (RT—PCR) and Western blotting in PAECs. Sequencing of the RT—PCR products that overlapped the entire coding region of 5LO mRNA indicated that the sequence of PAEC 5LO was identical with that of leucocyte 5LO. Incubation of the PAECs with A23187 and arachidonic acid led to a small production of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) (46–98pmol/4×106 cells) but no leukotrienes. Overexpression of 5LO in PAECs by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer revealed that the enzyme was localized in the nucleus. Incubation of the transduced cells with A23187 (5μM) caused the production of both 5LO products and downstream leukotrienes. The proportions of the produced leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolates (sum of 6-trans-LTB4 and 12-epi-6-trans-LTB4), LTB4 and cysteinyl leukotriene were approx. 17:14:10. cGMP production in the 5LO-transduced PAECs was decreased by 33±14% on stimulation with A23187. These results show that cultured PAECs express a minimal amount of 5LO, which can generate some 5-HETE, but not leukotrienes. However, increased expression of 5LO in PAECs can lead to the production of all downstream leukotrienes, which could potentially cause endothelial dysfunction in the pulmonary vasculature.
Differential induction of mafF, mafG and mafK expression by electrophile-response-element activators
Authors: MORAN Julie A. , DAHL Erica L. , MULCAHY R. Timothy
Published: August 2015

The three small Maf proteins, MafF, MafG and MafK, have been implicated in a number of physiological processes, including development, differentiation, haematopoiesis and stress response. Here we report the constitutive expression of mafF, mafG and mafK in six human cell lines derived from various tissues (HepG2, IMR-32, K-562, HEK-293, RD and A549). The expression patterns of mafF, mafG and mafK varied widely among cell lines. Because small Maf proteins have been implicated in electrophile response element (EpRE)-mediated stress response, the ability of three EpRE activators [pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC), phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and t-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ)] to induce small Maf expression was examined in detail in HepG2 cells. Both PDTC and PEITC induced mafF, mafG and mafK expression, whereas tBHQ failed to markedly induce any of the three small Mafs. Where a response was observed, mafF was induced to the greatest extent compared with mafG and mafK, and this response was transcriptionally mediated. PDTC also induced small Maf expression in the other cell lines examined, with patterns of induction varying among cell lines. The differences in expression among the cell lines examined, coupled with the induction patterns observed, indicate that the three small maf genes are stress-responsive, but may be regulated via differing mechanisms. Furthermore, the fact that tBHQ, PDTC and PEITC induce EpRE activity, but that tBHQ fails to markedly induce any of the small Mafs, suggests that up-regulation of small Mafs is not an absolute requirement for EpRE-mediated gene expression.
A novel immunoglobulin superfamily receptor (19A) related to CD2 is expressed on activated lymphocytes and promotes homotypic B-cell adhesion
Authors: MURPHY John J. , HOBBY Paul , VILARINO-VARELA Juan , BISHOP Benjamin , IORDANIDOU Panagiota , SUTTON Brian J. , NORTON John D.
Published: August 2015

A novel lymphocyte-specific immunoglobulin superfamily protein (19A) has been cloned. The predicted 335-amino-acid sequence of 19A represents a Type 1 membrane protein with homology with the CD2 family of receptors. A molecular model of the two predicted extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains of 19A has been generated using the crystal structure of CD2 as a template. In isolated lymphocytes, expression of 19A is induced by various activation stimuli, and enforced expression of the 19A gene promotes homotypic cell adhesion in a B-cell-line model. Collectively these data imply that the 19A protein plays a role in regulation of lymphocyte adhesion.
Crystal structure of human carbonic anhydrase II complexed with ananti-convulsant sugar sulphamate
Authors: RECACHA Rosario , COSTANZO Michael J. , MARYANOFF Bruce E. , CHATTOPADHYAY Debasish
Published: August 2015

The fructose-based sugar sulphamate RWJ-37497, a potent analogue of the widely used anti-epileptic drug topiramate, possesses anti-convulsant and carbonic anhydrase-inhibitory activities. We have studied the binding interactions of RWJ-37497 in the active site of human carbonic anhydrase II by X-ray crystallography. The atomic positions of the enzyme inhibitor complex were refined at a resolution of 2.1 Å (1 Å = 0.1 nm) to the final crystallographic R and Rfree values of 0.18 and 0.23, respectively. The inhibitor co-ordinates to the active-site zinc ion through its oxygen atom and the ionized nitrogen atom of the sulphamate group by replacing the metal-bound water molecules, although the sulphamoyl oxygen atom provides a rather lengthyco-ordination. The 4,5-cyclic sulphate group is positioned in a hydrophobic pocket of the active site, making contacts with the residues Phe-131, Leu-198, Pro-201 and Pro-202. Since the ligand was found to be intact, concerns about RWJ-37947 irreversibly alkylating the enzyme through its 4,5-cyclic sulphate group were dispelled.
A distinct bipartite motif is required for the localization of inhibitory κB-like (IκBL) protein to nuclear speckles
Authors: SEMPLE Jennifer I. , BROWN Stephanie E. , SANDERSON Christopher M. , CAMPBELL R. Duncan
Published: August 2015

The inhibitory κB (IκB)-like (IκBL) gene is located within the Class III region of the MHC on human chromosome 6. Previous analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of the human IκBL protein revealed three putative functional domains; 2–3 ankyrin repeat sequences, which are similar to the second and third ankyrin repeats of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) protein; three PEST sequence motifs (a sequence that is rich in proline, serine, aspartic acid and threonine residues), which are also found in other IκB family members; and a C-terminal leucine zipper-like motif. In the present study we have identified a novel bipartite motif, which is required for nuclear localization of the IκBL protein. Analyses of IκBL-specific transcripts revealed the existence of a widely expressed spliced variant form of IκBL (IκBLsv1), which lacks the amino acid sequence GELEDEWQEVMGRFE (where single-letter amino-acid notation has been used). Interestingly, translation of IκBL mRNA in vivo was found to initiate predominantly from the second available methionine, thereby resulting in the disruption of the predicted N-terminal PEST sequence. Also, transient expression of T7 epitope-tagged IκBL and IκBLsv1 proteins in mammalian cells showed that both proteins were targeted to the nucleus, where they accumulate in nuclear speckles. To define the protein domains required for nuclear import and subnuclear localization, a complementary set of deletion mutants and enhanced green fluorescent protein—IκBL domain fusions were expressed in mammalian cells. Data from these experiments show that a combination of the ankyrin-repeat region and an adjacent arginine-rich sequence are necessary and sufficient for both nuclear import and speckle localization.
Nuclear-localization-signal-dependent and nuclear-export-signal-dependent mechanisms determine the localization of 5-lipoxygenase
Authors: HANAKA Hiromi , SHIMIZU Takao , IZUMI Takashi
Published: August 2015

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) metabolizes arachidonic acid to leukotriene A4, a key intermediate in leukotriene biosynthesis. To explore the molecular mechanisms of its cell-specific localization, a fusion protein between green fluorescent protein (GFP) and human 5-LO (GFP—5LO) was expressed in various cells. GFP—5LO was localized in the cytosol in HL-60 cells and in both the nucleus and the cytosol in RBL (rat basophilic leukaemia) cells, similarly to the native enzyme in these cells. The localization of GFP fusion proteins for mutant 5-LOs in a putative bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS), amino acids 638–655, in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 and Swiss3T3 cells revealed that this motif is important for the nuclear localization of 5-LO. A GFP fusion protein of this short peptide localized consistently in the nucleus. Leptomycin B, a specific inhibitor of nuclear export signal (NES)-dependent transport, diminished the cytosolic localization of 5-LO in HL-60 cells and that of GFP—5LO in CHO-K1 cells, suggesting that an NES-system might also function in determining 5-LO localization. Analysis of the localization of 5-LO during the cell cycle points to a controlled movement of this enzyme. Thus we conclude that a balance of NLS- and NES-dependent mechanisms determines the cell-type-specific localization of 5-LO, suggesting a nuclear function for this enzyme.