bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glucose transport and GLUT4 protein distribution in skeletal muscle of GLUT4 transgenic mice
Authors: BROZINICK Joseph T. , YASPELKIS Benedict B. , WILSON Cindy M. , GRANT Kristen E. , GIBBS E. Michael , CUSHMAN Samuel W. , IVY John L.
Published: August 2015

The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether the subcellular distribution and insulin-stimulated translocation of the GLUT4 isoform of the glucose transporter are affected when GLUT4 is overexpressed in mouse skeletal muscle, and if the overexpression of GLUT4 alters maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport and metabolism. Rates of glucose transport and metabolism were assessed by hind-limb perfusion in GLUT4 transgenic (TG) mice and non-transgenic (NTG) controls. Glucose-transport activity was determined under basal (no insulin), submaximal (0.2 m-unit/ml) and maximal (10 m-units/ ml) insulin conditions using a perfusate containing 8 mM 3-O-methyl-D-glucose. Glucose metabolism was quantified by perfusing the hind limbs for 25 min with a perfusate containing 8 mM glucose and 10 m-units/ml insulin. Under basal conditions, there was no difference in muscle glucose transport between TG (1.10±0.10 μmol/h per g; mean±S.E.M.) and NTG (0.93±0.16 μmol/h per g) mice. However, TG mice displayed significantly greater glucose-transport activity during submaximal (4.42±0.49 compared with 2.69±0.33 μmol/h per g) and maximal (11.68±1.13 compared with 7.53±0.80 μmol/h per g) insulin stimulation. Nevertheless, overexpression of the GLUT4 protein did not alter maximal rates of glucose metabolism. Membrane purification revealed that, under basal conditions, plasma-membrane (~ 12-fold) and intracellular-membrane (~ 4-fold) GLUT4 protein concentrations were greater in TG than NTG mice. Submaximal insulin stimulation did not increase plasma-membrane GLUT4 protein concentration whereas maximal insulin stimulation increased this protein in both NTG (4.1-fold) and TG (2.6-fold) mice. These results suggest that the increase in insulin-stimulated glucose transport following overexpression of the GLUT4 protein is limited by factors other than the plasma-membrane GLUT4 protein concentration. Furthermore, GLUT4 overexpression is not coupled to glucose-metabolic capacity.
Rapid identification of compounds with enhanced antimicrobial activity by using conformationally defined combinatorial libraries
Authors: BLONDELLE Sylvie E. , TAKAHASHI Ema , HOUGHTEN Richard A. , PÉREZ-PAYÁ Enrique
Published: August 2015

We have combined the strength of our synthetic combinatorial library approach for the rapid identification of highly active compounds with prior knowledge of the relationship between the antimicrobial activities of individual peptides with specific induced conformations in order to identify new peptides with enhanced activity relative to a starting known antimicrobial sequence. In the current study, conformationally defined combinatorial libraries were generated based on an 18-mer antimicrobial peptide known to be induced into an α-helical conformation in a lipidic environment. Not only were novel sequences readily identified with 10-fold increases in activity, but detailed information about the structure-activity relationships of the peptides studied was also obtained during the deconvolution process. By using circular dichroism spectroscopy it was found that the individual 18-mer peptides could be induced into α-helical conformations on interaction with the cell lipid layer and/or sialic acids, which could result in bacterial cell lysis due to perturbation of the lipid packing of the cell wall.
Recognition of lactoferrin and aminopeptidase M-modified lactoferrin by the liver: involvement of proteoglycans and the remnant receptor
Authors: ZIERE Gijsbertus J. , KRUIJT J. Kar , BIJSTERBOSCH Martin K. , van BERKEL Theo J. C.
Published: August 2015

1. Lactoferrin and aminopeptidase M-modified lactoferrin (APM-lactoferrin; which lacks its 14 N-terminal amino acids) inhibit the liver uptake of lipoprotein remnants. In the present study, the role of proteoglycans in the initial interaction of β-migrating very-low-density lipoprotein (β-VLDL), native and APM-lactoferrin with isolated rat parenchymal liver cells was investigated. Treatment of the cells with chondroitinase lowered the Kd of lactoferrin binding (from 10 to 2.4 μM), and the number of sites/cell (from 20×106 to 7×106), while heparinase treatment did not affect the binding. The binding characteristics of APM-lactoferrin and β-VLDL were not altered by treatment of the cells with chondroitinase or heparinase. It is concluded that proteoglycans are not involved in the initial binding of APM-lactoferrin and β-VLDL to parenchymal cells, while chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans are mainly responsible for the massive, low-affinity binding of native lactoferrin. 2. The binding of lactoferrin, APM-lactoferrin and β-VLDL to parenchymal liver cells was not influenced by the glutathione S-transferase-receptor-associated protein (GST-RAP) (97.2±4.0%, 95.5±3.7% and 98.5% of the control binding), while the binding of α2-macroglobulin was fully blocked at 10 μg/ml GST-RAP (1.8±0.5% of the control binding). Since GST-RAP blocks the binding of all the known ligands to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor-related protein (LRP), it is concluded that LRP is not the initial primary recognition site for lactoferrin, APM-lactoferrin and β-VLDL on parenchymal liver cells. 3. We showed earlier that APM-lactoferrin, as compared with lactoferrin, is a more effective inhibitor of the liver uptake of lipoprotein remnants (49.4±4.0% versus 80.8±4.8% of the control at 500 μg/ml respectively). We found in the present study that β-VLDL is able to inhibit the binding of APM-lactoferrin to parenchymal liver cells significantly (74.9±3.3% of the control; P < 0.002), while the lactoferrin binding was unaffected. It is concluded that a still unidentified specific recognition site (the putative remnant receptor) is responsible for the initial binding of remnants to parenchymal cells and it is suggested that the partial cross-competition between APM-lactoferrin and β-VLDL may be of further help in the elucidation of the molecular nature of this recognition site.
Evidence for a covalent intermediate in the S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent transmethylation reaction catalysed by sirohaem synthase
Authors: WOODCOCK Sarah C. , WARREN Martin J.
Published: August 2015

CysG, also known as uroporphyrinogen III methylase and sirohaem synthase (CysG; EC 2.1.1.107), is a multifunctional enzyme that is able to transform uroporphyrinogen III into sirohaem via two S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet)-dependent transmethylations, an NAD+-dependent dehydrogenation and a ferrochelation. The apparent tight binding of AdoMet to this multifunctional enzyme is investigated. The use of a rapid AdoMet binding assay demonstrates that CysG becomes labelled with both [methyl-3H]AdoMet and [carboxyl-14C]AdoMet. Further experiments show that the CysG-AdoMet complex is subsequently able to methylate uroporphyrinogen III. CysG remains associated with the labelled constituents of the AdoMet even after denaturation with urea and SDS/PAGE, suggesting that the AdoMet has become covalently linked to the protein. A rapid examination of some of the other transmethylases involved in corrin biosynthesis reveals that they bind the AdoMet in a similar fashion. A multistep transmethylation mechanism is proposed to explain the observed results.
Asymmetric signal transduction in polarized ileal Na+-absorbing cells: carbachol activates brush-border but not basolateral-membrane PIP2-PLC and translocates PLC-γ1 only to the brush border
Authors: KHURANA Seema , KREYDIYYEH Sawsan , ARONZON Anna , HOOGERWERF W. Alexandra , RHEE Sue Goo , DONOWITZ Mark , COHEN Michael E.
Published: August 2015

In ileal Na+ absorptive cells, carbachol inhibits NaCl absorption and its component brush-border Na+/H+ exchanger, acting via basolateral membrane (BLM) receptors. This carbachol effect involves brush-border but not BLM protein kinase C. In the present work we describe another asymmetric aspect of signal transduction in these epithelial cells, this time involving phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-specific phospholipase C (PLC). Thirty seconds and 1 min after carbachol treatment, brush-border PIP2-specific PLC activity increased, returning to control levels by 2.5 min. Involvement of brush-border tyrosine kinase(s) in this effect was suggested by inhibition of the carbachol effect on NaCl absorption by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, added to the mucosal but not the serosal surface. Luminal genistein pretreatment also prevented the carbachol-induced increase in brush-border PLC activity. In contrast, carbachol exposure did not change the BLM PIP2-specific PLC activity. Western analysis and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that PLC-γ1 is present in the brush border and that carbachol increases the PLC-γ1 amount in the brush border. Both the brush border and BLM contain PLC-β3 and a small amount of PLC-∆1 but no PLC-β1, whereas BLM lacks detectable PLC-γ1. No change in PLC-β3 or PLC-∆1 amount in the brush border occurred with carbachol exposure. No change in tyrosine phosphorylation of brush-border PLC-γ1 occurred with carbachol treatment. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 did not alter PIP2-specific PLC activity in either the brush border or the BLM. These studies demonstrate that carbachol but not Ca2+ ionophore effects on brush-border NaCl absorption are associated with increases in brush-border but not BLM PIP2-specific PLC activity and in the amount of brush-border PLC-γ1, and involve tyrosine phosphorylation. This asymmetric aspect of epithelial signal transduction, together with the previous demonstration of localization of high-sensitivity IP3 stores to the apical membrane area in intestinal epithelial cells, shows that different aspects of signal transduction occur at the apical and basolateral membranes in epithelia and requires studies in both domains to define mechanisms of intracellular signalling.
Hepoxilin A3-specific binding in human neutrophils
Authors: REYNAUD Denis , DEMIN Peter , PACE-ASCIAK Cecil R.
Published: August 2015

Hepoxilins have been shown to release calcium from intracellular stores in human neutrophils [Dho, Grinstein, Corey, Su and Pace-Asciak (1990) Biochem. J. 266, 63-68; Laneuville, Reynaud, Grinstein, Nigam and Pace-Asciak (1993) Biochem. J. 295, 393-397]. In this paper we report that tritium-labelled hepoxilin A3 (8S) binds to broken neutrophil membranes in a time-, substrate- and temperature-dependent fashion. Specific binding was displaced with unlabelled hepoxilin A3. Specific binding was greatest at 37 °C. Competitive binding was best observed with unlabelled hepoxilin A3 (8S); the glutathione conjugate, HxA3-C (8S or 8R), or 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid was less active. Similarly inactive in displacing the bound radiolabelled hepoxilin A3 was leukotriene B4 as well as a variety of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2. Formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine was similarly inactive in competing for the hepoxilin binding sites. Specific binding was inhibited by pretreatment of the broken membranes during 30 min at 37 °C with proteinase K, while specific binding of the intact cells was unaffected. Scatchard analysis of binding data revealed a single population of binding sites with apparent KD and Bmax. of 79.3±9.1 nM and 8.86±1.4 pmol/ml per 2×106 cells (±S.E.M.) respectively reflecting approx. 2.67×106 sites/cell. These results demonstrate for the first time that neutrophils contain specific binding sites to hepoxilin A3.
Analysis of amplicons containing the esterase genes responsible for insecticide resistance in the peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer)
Authors: FIELD Linda M. , DEVONSHIRE Alan L. , TYLER-SMITH Chris
Published: August 2015

The amplification of genes encoding an insecticide-detoxifying esterase (E4) in the peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae is one of the few examples where this genetic phenomenon has been shown to be involved in the response of an intact higher organism to artificial selection. Here we report quantitative and qualitative studies of the repeat units (amplicons) containing the E4 genes in a highly resistant aphid clone. Initial studies to quantify esterase sequences showed a 5-11-fold increase in resistant aphids compared with susceptible aphids, suggesting the presence of 10-22 gene copies per diploid genome. A more incisive analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of about 12 copies of the E4 gene and showed them to be on about 24 kb amplicons, arranged as a tandem array of direct repeats. This, together with previous results from crossing experiments and with recent in situ hybridization studies, confirms that the E4 gene amplification in this aphid clone is heterozygous at a single locus. However, these data show that the gene amplification alone cannot account for the approx. 60 times higher levels of E4 protein and its mRNA present in this aphid clone, and therefore resistance must involve changes in both esterase gene copy number and gene expression.
Insulin-mediated inhibition of apolipoprotein B secretion requires an intracellular trafficking event and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation: studies with brefeldin A and wortmannin in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes
Authors: SPARKS Janet D. , PHUNG Thuy L. , BOLOGNINO Mary , SPARKS Charles E.
Published: August 2015

Insulin inhibition of the secretion of apolipoprotein B (apo B) was studied in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes by using brefeldin A (BFA), an inhibitor of protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus, and by using the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) inhibitor wortmannin. Incubation of hepatocytes with BFA (10 μg/ml) for 1 h inhibited the subsequent secretion of apo B, albumin and transferrin for up to 3 h. BFA treatment resulted in the time-dependent accumulation in cells of [14C]leucine-labelled proteins and apo B. Under conditions where insulin decreased total apo B (cell plus secreted), BFA blocked the insulin-dependent effect. These results suggest that export of apo B from the ER is a prerequisite for the observed insulin effect. Treatment of hepatocytes with wortmannin for 20 min abolished insulin inhibition of apo B secretion, suggesting that the insulin effect on the apo B pathway involves activation of PI 3-K. Enzyme inhibitor studies indicate that chymostatin and (+)-(2S,3S)-3-[(S)-methyl-1-(3-m e t h y l b u t y l c a r b a m o y l) - b u t y l c a r b a m o y l] - 2-oxiranecarboxylate (E-64-c) partially block insulin effects on apo B compared with leupeptin, which had no discernible effect. The cell-permeable derivative of E-64-c, EST, and N-Ac-Leu-Leu-norleucinal (ALLN) were most effective in blocking insulin effects on apo B. These results suggest that insulin action on apo B in primary rat hepatocytes involves (1) vesicular movement of apo B from the ER; (2) activation of PI 3-K and (3) a cellular protease that is either a cysteine- or calcium-activated neutral protease.
Ca2+ entry modulates oscillation frequency by triggering Ca2+ release
Authors: SHUTTLEWORTH Trevor J. , THOMPSON Jill L.
Published: August 2015

As in many cells, the frequency of agonist-induced cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) oscillations in exocrine avian nasal gland cells is dependent on the rate of Ca2+ entry. Experiments reveal that the initiation of each oscillatory spike is independent of the relative fullness of the stores and, furthermore, the oscillating pool is normally fully refilled by the end of each [Ca2+]i spike. Therefore, contrary to current models, the interspike interval (which essentially sets the frequency) does not reflect the time taken to recharge the oscillating stores. Instead, the data show that it is the previously demonstrated role that Ca2+ entry plays in triggering the repetitive release of Ca2+ from the oscillating stores, rather than the recharging of those stores, that provides the basis for the observed effects of Ca2+ entry rate on oscillation frequency.
Altered methional homoeostasis is associated with decreased apoptosis in BAF3 bcl2 murine lymphoid cells
Authors: ROCH Anne-Marie , QUASH Gerard , MICHAL Yvonne , CHANTEPIE Jacqueline , CHANTEGREL Bernard , DESHAYES Christian , DOUTHEAU Alain , MARVEL Jacqueline
Published: August 2015

Methional is a potent inducer of apoptosis in an interleukin 3-dependent murine lymphoid cell line BAF3 b0 when it is added to the culture medium. In these cells transfected with the bcl2 gene, BAF3 bcl2, the apoptotic-inducing activity of methional is dramatically reduced. The addition of disulfiram (an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase) in order to reduce methional oxidation brought about an increase in apoptosis in BAF3 b0 but not in BAF3 bcl2 cells. In contrast, the addition of quercetin (an inhibitor of aldehyde reductase) in an attempt to diminish methional reduction increased apoptosis in both BAF3 b0 and BAF3 bcl2 cells. The extent of DNA fragmentation in BAF3 bcl2 cells approached that in BAF3 b0 cells in the presence of quercetin and exogenous methional, suggesting a defect in methional biosynthesis in BAF3 bcl2 cells. Direct evidence for this was obtained by measuring labelled methional in cells incubated with the sodium salt of [U-14C]4-methylthio-2-oxobutanoic acid (MTOB), the precursor of methional. The 80% decrease in labelled methional in BAF3 bcl2 compared with BAF3 b0 cells was accompanied by a concomitant rise in the transamination of [14C]MTOB to [14C]methionine in BAF3 bcl2 cells. Inhibition of the transaminase, however, by a synthetic transition-state-type compound, pyridoxal-L-methionine ethyl ester, induced apoptosis in BAF3 b0 but not in BAF3 bcl2 cells, confirming that the defect in BAF3 bcl2 cells was not in the transaminase itself but rather in the oxidative decarboxylation step MTOB →methional. In addition, no evidence was obtained for the synthesis of [14C]malondialdehyde from [14C]methional in BAF3 bcl2 cells. As these cells show no deficiency in their content of reactive oxygen species compared with that of BAF3 b0 cells, they may possess some other defect in the β-hydroxylase enzyme system itself.
Enzymic sulphation of dopa and tyrosine isomers by HepG2 human hepatoma cells: stereoselectivity and stimulation by Mn2+
Authors: SUIKO Masahito , SAKAKIBARA Yoichi , NAKAJIMA Hiroshi , SAKAIDA Hiroshi , LIU Ming-Cheh
Published: August 2015

HepG2 human hepatoma cells, labelled with [35S]sulphate in media containing L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa), (D-dopa), DL-m-tyrosine or D-p-tyrosine, were found to produce the [35S]sulphated forms of these compounds. Addition to the labelling media of m-hydroxybenzylhydrazine, an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, greatly enhanced the production of L-dopa O-[35S]sulphate and Dl-m-tyrosine O-[35S]sulphate, with a concomitant decrease in the formation of dopamine O-[35S]sulphate and m-tyramine O-[35S]sulphate. With 3´-phosphoadenosine 5´-phospho[35S]sulphate as the sulphate donor, HepG2-cell cytosol was shown to contain enzymic activity catalysing the sulphation of L-dopa, D-dopa, L-m-tyrosine, D-m-tyrosine, L-p-tyrosine and D-p-tyrosine. The pH optimum of the enzyme, designated dopa/tyrosine sulphotransferase, was determined to be 8.75 with D-m-tyrosine as the substrate. The enzyme exhibited stereoselectivity for the D-form of dopa or tyrosine isomers. Addition of 10 mM MnCl2 to the reaction mixture resulted in a remarkable stimulation of dopa/tyrosine sulphotransferase activity, being as high as 267.8 times with D-p-tyrosine as the substrate. Quantitative assays revealed L-dopa, D-dopa and D-m-tyrosine to be better substrates than L-p-tyrosine. When the HepG2-cell cytosol was subjected to DEAE Bio-Gel and hydroxyapatite column chromatography, dopa/tyrosine sulphotransferase was co-eluted with the thermolabile ‘M-form’ phenol sulphotransferase. Furthermore dopa/tyrosine sulphotransferase displayed properties similar to that of the M-form phenol sulphotransferase with respect to thermostability and sensitivity to 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol. Whether the M-form phenol sulphotransferase is truly (solely) responsible for the dopa/tyrosine sulphotransferase activity present in HepG2 cells remains to be clarified.
Modulation of collagen gel contraction by decorin
Authors: BITTNER Katharina , LISZIO Claudia , BLUMBERG Petra , SCHÖNHERR Elke , KRESSE Hans
Published: August 2015

The small dermatan sulphate protein decorin interacts via its core protein with fibrillar collagens, and its glycosaminoglycan chains were proposed to be capable of self-association. It was therefore of interest to study the role of decorin in the contraction of cell-populated collagen lattices. Stable transfection of dihydrofolate reductase-deficient CHO cells with decorin cDNA resulted in impaired collagen lattice contraction. Using normal human skin fibroblasts in serum-free cultures, inclusion of 0.3 μM decorin in the culture medium also led to a delayed collagen gel contraction. Protein-free dermatan sulphate and the dermatan sulphate-degrading enzyme chondroitin ABC lyase were ineffective. Potential interactions between dermatan sulphate chains were studied by gel filtration. A shift in the elution position of [35S]sulphate-labelled decorin-derived glycosaminoglycans by unlabelled decorin could be observed only when the chains were prepared by trypsin. Chains liberated by β-elimination or by cathepsin C were eluted at identical positions in the presence or absence of decorin. It is therefore unlikely, that the effect of decorin on collagen-gel retraction is brought about solely by glycosaminoglycan–glycosaminoglycan interactions.
The 90 kDa heat-shock protein (hsp90) modulates the binding of the oestrogen receptor to its cognate DNA
Authors: SABBAH Michèle , RADANYI Christine , REDEUILH Gérard , BAULIEU Etienne-Emile
Published: August 2015

The role of heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90) in the regulation of the oestrogen receptor (ER) function is less well understood than for other steroid-hormone receptors because hsp90 is not involved in the stabilization or induction of a high-affinity ligand-binding state of ER nor in the inhibition of receptor dimerization. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays, using purified ER and hsp90, were employed to investigate directly the effect of hsp90 on the ability of ER to bind to the oestrogen-response element (ERE) from the vitellogenin A2 gene. Contrary to models in which hsp90 binds to and passively inactivates steroid-hormone receptors, our studies show that the binding of ER to ERE is inversely dependent on the relative concentration of hsp90. Exposure of purified ER–hsp90 complexes to ERE led to the dissociation of hsp90 and concomitant specific binding of ER to ERE. We demonstrate that the amount of ER–ERE complex decreased with increasing concentrations of hsp90. Furthermore hsp90 dissociated preformed high-affinity ER–ERE complexes. Kinetic dissociation experiments indicate that hsp90 acts in a dynamic and specific process rather than by simple trapping of ER owing to its inherent off-rate. The receptor released from the ERE-bound state by hsp90 was recovered associated with hsp90 and was able to rebind to ERE. These results indicate that hsp90 does not suppress ER function merely by steric hindrance. On the basis of these results and others, we propose that, in vivo, hsp90 may play a dual role in ER function: (i) at a physiological temperature, hsp90 stabilizes an active form of the receptor in accordance with its general molecular chaperone role; (ii) at elevated temperatures or under other environmental stress, the increased cellular concentration of hsp90 negatively interferes with ER-dependent transcription, in accordance with the inhibition of gene transcription attributed to hsp90 after heat shock.
Postnatal selective suppression of lipoprotein lipase gene expression in brown adipose tissue (relative to the expression of the gene for the uncoupling protein) is not due to adrenergic insensitivity: a possible specific inhibitory effect of colostrum
Authors: OBREGÓN María-Jesus , CANNON Barbara , NEDERGAARD Jan
Published: August 2015

The levels of mRNA coding for the uncoupling protein (UCP) and for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were monitored in the brown adipose tissue of newborn rat pups. At 5 h after birth, the mRNA levels of UCP and LPL were high in pups exposed singly to 28 °C and low in pups kept singly at thermoneutrality (36 °C); in pups staying with the dam, the UCP mRNA levels were intermediate. However, the LPL mRNA levels were lower in pups staying with the dam than in pups at 36 °C, implying that factors additional to environmental temperature influenced LPL gene expression. Injection of noradrenaline into pups at thermoneutrality (36 °C) led to increases in UCP and LPL gene expression, but noradrenaline injections had no further effect in cold-exposed pups. The adrenergic effects were mediated via β-adrenergic receptors. The cold-induced increases in both UCP and LPL gene expression were abolished by the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Thus differences in adrenergic responsiveness could not explain the differential expression of the UCP and LPL genes observed in pups staying with the dam. The presence of a physiological suppressor was examined by feeding single pups at 28 °C with different foods: nothing, water, Intralipid, cow's milk, rat milk and rat colostrum. None of these agents led to suppression of UCP gene expression, but colostrum led to a selective suppression of LPL gene expression. It was concluded that the genes for UCP and LPL were responsive to adrenergic stimuli immediately after birth, and it is suggested that a component of rat colostrum can selectively suppress LPL gene expression.
Single-strand-DNA-binding factors specifically recognize the pyrimidine element in the chick α2(I) collagen gene promoter
Authors: BAYARSAIHAN Dashzeveg , LUKENS Lewis N.
Published: August 2015

A pyrimidine element with mirror repeats centred at position -192 bp of the chick α2(I) collagen promoter interacts with sequence-specific DNA-binding factors. These factors bind to only the pyrimidine strand of this region and have no affinity for the complementary purine strand. Binding activity is also seen with the double-stranded form of this element, but with less affinity than to the single-stranded pyrimidine species. Southwestern blot analyses have shown that proteins of 80 and 134 kDa in chick embryo fibroblast nuclear extracts bind to the pyrimidine strand, whereas only a 134 kDa DNA-binding protein was found in chondrocyte nuclear extracts. The binding mechanism of these nuclear proteins with single-stranded DNA might be based on a non-B-DNA conformation of the pyrimidine element. The position of this binding site in the promoter region, its potential for adopting an unusual secondary structure and the presence of the 80 kDa binding factor in chick embryo fibroblasts, but not in chondrocytes, suggest a possible role for this factor in the expression of the α2(I) collagen gene.
Dictyostelium discoideum contains three inositol monophosphatase activities with different substrate specificities and sensitivities to lithium
Authors: VAN DIJKEN Peter , BERGSMA Jan C. T. , HIEMSTRA Hoebert S. , DE VRIES Berber , VAN DER KAAY Jeroen , van HAASTERT Peter J. M.
Published: August 2015

The small ion lithium, a very effective agent in the treatment of manic depressive patients, inhibits the mammalian enzyme inositol monophosphatase, which is proposed as the biological target for the effects of lithium. In this study we investigated Dictyostelium discoideum inositol monophosphatase activity. Partial purification of the proteins in the soluble cell fraction using anion-exchange chromatography revealed the presence of at least three enzyme activities capable of degrading inositol monophosphate isomers. The first activity was similar to the monophosphatase found in mammalian cells, as it degraded Ins(4)P, Ins(1)P and to a lesser extent Ins(3)P, was dependent on MgCl2 and inhibited by LiCl in a non-competitive manner. The second enzyme activity was specific for Ins(4)P; the enzyme activity was not dependent on MgCl2 and not inhibited by LiCl. The third monophosphatase activity degraded especially Ins(3)P, but also Ins(4)P and Ins(1)P; increasing concentrations of MgCl2 inhibited this enzyme activity, whereas LiCl had no effect. In vivo, LiCl induces a reduction of inositol levels by about 20%. In [3H]inositol-labelled cells LiCl causes a 6-fold increase in the radioactivity of [3H]Ins(1)P, a doubling of [3H]Ins(4)P and a slight decrease in the radioactivity in [3H]Ins(3)P. These data indicate that the biological effects of lithium in Dictyostelium are not due to depletion of the inositol pool by inhibition of inositol monophosphatase activity.
Identification and characterization of two distinct calmodulin-binding sites in the Trpl ion-channel protein of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: WARR Coral G. , KELLY Leonard E.
Published: August 2015

Two putative light-sensitive ion channels have been isolated from Drosophila, encoded by the transient-receptor-potential (trp) and transient-receptor-potential-like (trpl) genes. The cDNA encoding the Trpl protein was initially isolated on the basis that the expressed protein binds calmodulin. Using both fusion proteins and a synthetic peptide, we now show that two calmodulin-binding sites are present in the C-terminal domain of the Trpl protein, CBS-1 and CBS-2. CBS-1 binds calmodulin in a Ca2+-dependent fashion, requiring Ca2+ concentrations above 0.3–0.5 μM for calmodulin binding. In contrast, CBS-2 binds the Ca2+-free form of calmodulin, with dissociation occurring at Ca2+ concentrations between 5 and 25 μM. Phosphorylation of a serine residue within a peptide encompassing CBS-1 by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) abolishes calmodulin binding, and phosphorylation of the adjacent serine by protein kinase C appears to modulate this phosphorylation by PKA. Interpretation of these findings provides a novel model for ion-channel gating and modulation in response to changing levels of intracellular Ca2+.
Comparative cellular processing of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp160 by the mammalian subtilisin/kexin-like convertases
Authors: VOLLENWEIDER Florence , BENJANNET Suzanne , DECROLY Etienne , SAVARIA Diane , LAZURE Claude , THOMAS Gary , CHRÉTIEN Michel , SEIDAH Nabil G.
Published: August 2015

We present here the pulse and pulse–chase analysis of the biosynthesis of the envelope glycoprotein gp160 and its intracellular processing by the subtilisin/kexin-like convertases furin, PACE4, PC1, PC2, PC5 and its isoform PC5/6-B. We demonstrate that furin and to a much lesser extent PACE4, PC5/6-B and PC1 are candidate enzymes capable of processing gp160 intracellularly. Furthermore we show that furin can also process gp160/gp120 into gp77/gp53 products by cleavage at the sequence RIQR↓GPGR just preceding the conserved GPGR structure found at the tip of the hypervariable V3 loop. The results show that processing into gp120 could occur at or before the trans-Golgi network (TGN) where sulphation of the oligosaccharide moieties of gp160 was detected. In contrast, the formation of gp77/gp53 by furin is a late event occurring after exit from the TGN. Our data also revealed that the α-glucosidase I inhibitor N-butyldeoxynojirimycin, although affecting the oligosaccharide composition of gp160, does not impair the processing of either gp160 or gp120 by either furin or PACE4. Finally, the co-expression of the [Arg355, Arg358]-α-1-antitrypsin Portland variant was shown to potently inhibit the processing of both gp160 and gp120 by these convertases.
Induction of the mammalian stress response gene GADD153 by oxidative stress: role of AP-1 element
Authors: GUYTON Kathryn Z. , XU Qingbo , HOLBROOK Nikki J.
Published: August 2015

GADD153 is a CCAAT/enhancer-binding-protein-related gene that may function to control cellular growth in response to stress signals. In this study, a variety of oxidant treatments were shown to stimulate endogenous GADD153 mRNA expression and to transcriptionally activate a GADD153 promoter–reporter gene construct in transfected HeLa cells. Both commonalities and distinctions in the induction of GADD153 by H2O2 and the thiol-reactive compound arsenite were demonstrated. GADD153 mRNA induction by both H2O2 and arsenite was potentiated by GSH depletion, and completely inhibited by N-acetyl-cysteine. o-Phenanthroline and mannitol blocked GADD153 induction by H2O2, indicating that iron-generated hydroxyl radical mediates this induction. Concordantly, GSH peroxidase overexpression in WI38 cells attenuated GADD153 mRNA induction by H2O2. However, GADD153 induction by arsenite was only modestly reduced in the same cells, suggesting a lesser contribution of peroxides to gene activation by arsenite. We also demonstrated that oxidative stress participates in the induction of GADD153 by UVC (254 nm) irradiation. Finally, both promoter-deletion analysis and point mutation of the AP-1 site in an otherwise intact promoter support a significant role for AP-1 in transcriptional activation of GADD153 by UVC or oxidant treatment. Indeed, exposure of cells to oxidants or UVC stimulated binding of Fos and Jun to the GADD153 AP-1 element. Together, these results demonstrate that both free-radical generation and thiol modification can transcriptionally activate GADD153, and that AP-1 is critical to oxidative regulation of this gene. This study further supports a role for the GADD153 gene product in the cellular response to oxidant injury.
Characterization of the binding of diadenosine 5′,5‴-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) to rat liver cell membranes
Authors: EDGECOMBE Mandy , McLENNAN Alexander G. , FISHER Michael J.
Published: August 2015

Diadenosine polyphosphates present in the extracellular environment can, through interaction with appropriate purinoceptors, influence a range of cellular activities. Here we have investigated the nature of the ligand:receptor interactions involved in diadenosine 5′,5″-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A)-mediated stimulation of glycogen breakdown in isolated rat liver cells. [2-3H]Ap4A showed specific binding to both intact isolated liver cells and plasma membrane fractions prepared from isolated liver cells. HPLC analysis confirmed that binding was mediated by intact Ap4A and not by potential breakdown products (e.g. ATP, adenosine etc). Binding of [2-3H]Ap4A, to isolated liver cell plasma membrane preparations, was successfully displaced by a range of both naturally occurring and synthetic diadenosine polyphosphates with the rank order potency Ap4A ⩾Ap5A > Ap6A > Ap3A > Ap2A. [2-3H]Ap4A binding was not displaced by P1 effectors but was successfully displaced by a range of P2 effectors with the rank order potency 2-methylthio-ATP > ATP > ADP ⩾adenosine 5′-[αβ-methylene]triphosphate > adenosine 5′-[βγ-methylene]triphosphate. These findings are consistent with the interaction of Ap4A with a P2y-like subclass of purinoceptor and are discussed in relation to (1) the known purinoceptor populations in liver cell plasma membranes and (2) observations concerning the binding of diadenosine polyphosphates to purinoceptors in other tissues.
Peroxynitrite-mediated formation of free radicals in human plasma: EPR detection of ascorbyl, albumin-thiyl and uric acid-derived free radicals
Authors: VÁSQUEZ-VIVAR Jeannette , SANTOS Alexandre M. , JUNQUEIRA Virginia B. C. , AUGUSTO Ohara
Published: August 2015

Formation of peroxynitrite by the fast reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide anion may represent a critical control point in cells producing both species, leading to either down-regulation of the physiological effects of superoxide anion and nitric oxide by forming an inert product, nitrate, or to potentiation of their toxic effects by oxidation of nearby molecules by peroxynitrite. (The term peroxynitrite is used to refer to the sum of all possible forms of peroxynitrite anion and peroxynitrous acid unless otherwise specified.) In this report we demonstrate that, in spite of all the antioxidant defences present in human plasma, its interaction with peroxynitrite leads to generation of free radical intermediates such as (i) the ascorbyl radical, detected by direct EPR, (ii) the albumin-thiyl radical, detected by spin-trapping experiments with both N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), and (iii) a uric acid-derived free radical, detected as the DMPO radical adduct in plasma whose thiol groups were previously blocked with 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). The identity of the latter adduct was confirmed by parallel experiments demonstrating that it is not detectable in plasma pretreated with uricase, whereas it is formed in incubations of peroxynitrite with uric acid. Peroxynitrite-mediated oxidations were also followed by oxygen consumption and ascorbate and plasma-thiol depletion. Our results support the view that peroxynitrite-mediated one-electron oxidation of biomolecules may be an important event in its cytotoxic mechanism. In addition, the data have methodological implications by providing support for the use of EPR methodologies for monitoring both free radical reactions and ascorbate concentrations in biological fluids.
Possible involvement of a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway in the regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism by vanadate in normal mouse islets
Authors: JONAS Jean-Christophe , HENQUIN Jean-Claude
Published: August 2015

The potential roles of protein tyrosine kinases (TKs) and of phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in pancreatic islet function are not known. In this study, we investigated whether vanadate, a potent PTP inhibitor, affects phosphoinositide (PI) metabolism by a TK-dependent pathway in isolated mouse islets. To avoid the confounding effects of changes in Ca2+ influx, all experiments were performed in the absence of Ca2+. In the presence of 15 mM glucose, vanadate, acetylcholine (ACh) or [Arg]vasopressin (AVP) strongly stimulated InsP production. Vanadate also increased PtdInsP levels in membranes. The TK inhibitor genistein (not its inactive analogues genistin and daidzein) significantly reduced vanadate effects, but was without effect in the absence of stimulation or in the presence of ACh or AVP. Islet proteins resolved by SDS/PAGE were analysed by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Under control conditions, several phosphotyrosyl-proteins (PYPs) were present. Vanadate increased phosphotyrosine residues on several PYPs, notably two proteins of 145 and 85 kDa. This effect was prevented by genistein. p145 and p85 could correspond to phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ) and the regulatory subunit of PtdIns-3-kinase (PtdIns-3K) respectively. Both proteins are expressed in islets, as revealed by immunoblots with specific antibodies. Tungstate, another PTP inhibitor, reproduced vanadate effects, but inhibition of PtdIns-3K by wortmannin failed to affect vanadate-increased PtdInsP levels. Incubation of the islets in the presence of 10% (v/v) fetal calf serum instead of BSA increased InsP production and this effect was prevented by genistein. These results suggest that inhibition of PTP increases InsP production in mouse islets by a TK-dependent pathway. They also provide evidence for a potential role of TK and PTP in pancreatic B-cell function.
Na+/Pi co-transport alters rapidly cytoskeletal protein polymerization dynamics in opossum kidney cells
Authors: PAPAKONSTANTI Evangelia A. , EMMANOUEL Dimitrios S. , GRAVANIS Achille , STOURNARAS Christos
Published: August 2015

We studied with biochemical and immunofluorescent techniques the interactions between the actin microfilament and tubulin microtubule cytoskeleton and Na+/Pi co-transport in opossum kidney cells, a line with proximal tubular characteristics. On brief (5 min) incubation of the cells with a low (0.1 mM) concentration of Pi, a rapid F-actin depolymerization takes place, which fails to occur in cells incubated under similar conditions with 1 mM Pi. The disassembly of actin microfilaments could be quantitatively expressed as a 33% increase in the ratio of monomeric G-actin to polymerized F-actin (G/F-actin ratio from 0.80±0.03 to 1.06±0.06, n = 28, P < 0.01), owing to a significant decrease in the latter. Under these conditions microfilaments were also markedly destabilized, as shown by their diminished resistance to graded cytochalasin B concentrations. In addition, incubation of opossum kidney cells with low Pi concentrations (0.1 mM) resulted within 5 min in a substantial depolymerization of microtubules, shown by immunofluorescence microscopy and measured as a 70.9±6.9% (n = 11, P < 0.01) decrement by immunoblot analysis. These changes, which occur only when extracellular Pi concentrations are kept low, seem to be related to a significant increase within 5 min in the rate of cellular Pi uptake by 25.5% under these conditions. The shifts in the dynamic equilibria between monomeric and polymerized actin and tubulin in response to cellular Pi uptake were transient, being fully reversible within 30 min. Moreover, the effect of Pi seemed to be specific because inhibition of its uptake by phosphonoformic acid blunted microtubular disassembly markedly. In contrast, measurement of Pi uptake in the presence of agents known to stabilize cytoskeletal structures showed a substantial decrease with phallacidin, which stabilizes microfilaments, whereas the microtubule stabilizer taxol had no apparent effect. These results indicate that acute alterations in the polymerization dynamics and stability of both microfilaments and microtubules are involved in the modulation of Na+/Pi co-transport and suggest important cytoskeletal participation in proximal tubular transport functions.
Epidermal growth factor administration decreases liver glycogen and causes mild hyperglycaemia in mice
Authors: GRAU Montserrat , TEBAR Francesc , RAMÍREZ Ignasi , SOLEY Maria
Published: August 2015

Several laboratories report different effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on glycogen metabolism in hepatocytes. The discrepancies may be attributed to differences in the experimental conditions. It is therefore important to establish the actual effect of EGF in vivo. Because large physiological variations of EGF concentration in plasma occur in mice, we used this species to address this question. In freshly isolated mouse hepatocytes, EGF increased glycogen degradation in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal effect (36% increase over basal glycogenolysis) was smaller than maximal effects of classical glycogenolytic hormones like adrenaline or glucagon (more than 150% increase over basal). This is in keeping with the smaller effect of EGF on phosphorylase a activity. In contrast with these hormones, EGF did not inhibit glycolysis. Thus these effects of EGF in mouse hepatocytes are similar to those recently described by us in rat hepatocytes [Quintana, Grau, Moreno, Soler, Ramírez and Soley (1995) Biochem. J. 308, 889–894]. When administered to whole animals, EGF increased phosphorylase a activity, decreased the glycogen content in the liver and caused mild hyperglycaemia. Taking together the results obtained for isolated cells and for whole animals, we suggest that the glucosyl residues released from glycogen are used mostly by the liver rather than released to the circulation. This would be different from the action of the classical glycogenolytic hormones, adrenaline and glucagon.
The cDNA for the ubiquitin-52-amino-acid fusion protein from rat encodes a previously unidentified 60 S ribosomal subunit protein
Authors: REDMAN Kent L. , BURRIS Glenn W.
Published: August 2015

Rat cDNAs for a 52-amino-acid ribosomal protein (CEP52) that is typically formed as a ubiquitin fusion protein, were cloned following reverse transcription and PCR amplification. CEP52 sequence conservation is demonstrated by the similarity of the human and rat cDNA sequences and the identity of the predicted proteins. Amplification of rat cDNA with a primer specific for the 3´ non-coding region of the CEP52 gene, in combination with a consensus primer for the 5´ end of the ubiquitin coding sequence, provided evidence that the rat CEP52 gene is fused to a ubiquitin reading frame. Direct sequence analysis of this PCR product confirmed the in-frame fusion of a ubiquitin coding sequence to the rat CEP52 gene. Antibodies against a synthetic CEP52 peptide were used to show that expressed CEP52 is associated with the 60 S ribosomal subunit, and that it is not linked to ubiquitin. The quantity of CEP52 found in different tissues is quite variable, but appears to correspond to the amount of ribosomes present. Although the human, Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum CEP52 genes contain introns within the CEP52 coding region, the rat CEP52 coding sequence appears to lack insertions.
Regulation of vesicular pH in liver macrophages and parenchymal cells by ammonia and anisotonicity as assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran fluorescence
Authors: SCHREIBER Rainer , ZHANG Fan , HÄUSSINGER Dieter
Published: August 2015

Short-term-cultivated rat hepatocytes and Kupffer cells were allowed to endocytose fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-coupled dextran, in order to study the effects of aniso-osmotic exposure and NH4Cl on apparent vesicular pH (pHves) by single-cell fluorescence. Following a 2 h loading period with FITC–dextran in normo-osmotic (305 mosmol/l) medium, the apparent pHves was 6.01±0.05 (n = 39) in parenchymal cells and 4.94±0.04 (n = 76) in Kupffer cells. Under these conditions pHves in parenchymal cells, but not in Kupffer cells, was sensitive to changes in ambient osmolarity. Inhibition of vacuolar H+-ATPase by concanamycin A did not affect the osmosensitivity of pHves in parenchymal cells. However, the effects of anisotonicity on pHves were largely abolished in the presence of 4,4´-di-isothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2´-disulphonic acid (DIDS) or when extracellular chloride was substituted for gluconate. In neither Kupffer cells, nor liver parenchymal cells did hypo-osmotic cell swelling cause an increase in intracellular Ca2+. With regard to vesicular acidification, the following differences were noted between parenchymal and Kupffer cells. (1) In Kupffer cells endocytosed FITC–dextran reached a strongly acidic compartment with a pH value of approx. 5 within 5 min, whereas it took 4–5 h in parenchymal cells. Modification of pHves by hypo-osmolarity in Kupffer cells was only observed in a short-lived ‘early’ compartment with a pH value of approx. 6. (2) In contrast to pHves in parenchymal cells, pHves in Kupffer cells was very sensitive towards alkalinization by NH4Cl: addition of NH4Cl at 1 or 10 mM increased apparent pHves by 0.80 or 1.46 in Kupffer cells, but only by 0.18 or 0.56 in parenchymal cells. The low ammonia sensitivity of pHves in parenchymal cells was observed not only in the less acidic (pH approx. 6) endocytotic compartment which is reached by FITC–dextran within 2 h, but also in the stronger acidic compartment (pH approx. 5) which is reached after 4–5 h. (3) NH4Cl had no effect on the osmosensitivity of pHves in parenchymal cells, whereas in Kupffer cells pHves became sensitive to anisotonicity when NH4Cl was present. Osmosensitivity of pHves in Kupffer cells under these conditions, however, was not affected by genistein, DIDS or colchicine, whereas these compounds abolished the osmosensitivity of pHves in parenchymal cells. It is suggested that regulation of pHves by cell volume in liver parenchymal cells involves changes of vesicular chloride conductance. In addition, there are marked differences between Kupffer and parenchymal cells with respect to vesicular ammonia permeability and the kinetics of endocytotic membrane flow and acidification.