bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning, post-translational modifications, heterologous expression and ligand-binding of boar salivary lipocalin
Authors: LOEBEL Dietrich , SCALONI Andrea , PAOLINI Sara , FINI Carlo , FERRARA Lino , BREER Heinz , PELOSI Paolo
Published: August 2015

Boar submaxillary glands produce the sex-specific salivary lipocalin (SAL), which binds steroidal sex pheromones as endogenous ligands. The cDNA encoding SAL was cloned and sequenced. From a single individual, two protein isoforms, differing in three amino acid residues, were purified and structurally characterized by a combined Edman degradation/MS approach. These experiments ascertained that the mature polypeptide is composed of 168 amino acid residues, that one of the three putative glycosylation sites is post-translationally modified and the structure of the bound glycosidic moieties. Two of the cysteine residues are paired together in a disulphide bridge, whereas the remaining two occur as free thiols. SAL bears sequence similarity to other lipocalins; on this basis, a three-dimensional model of the protein has been built. A SAL isoform was expressed in Escherichiacoli in good yields. Protein chemistry and CD experiments verified that the recombinant product shows the same redox state at the cysteine residues and that the same conformation is observed as in the natural protein, thus suggesting similar folding. Binding experiments on natural and recombinant SAL were performed with the fluorescent probe 1-aminoanthracene, which was efficiently displaced by the steroidal sex pheromone, as well as by several odorants.
Characterization of a cDNA encoding RP43, a CUB-domain-containing protein from the tube of Riftia pachyptila (Vestimentifera), and distribution of its transcript
Authors: CHAMOY Luc , NICOLAÏ Maryse , QUENNEDEY Brigitte , GAILL Françoise , DELACHAMBRE Jean
Published: August 2015

A major 43kDa protein from the protective tube of Riftiapachyptila (Vestimentifera), named RP43, was partly microsequenced after isolation by SDS/PAGE from the protein fraction of tubes collected around the hydrothermal vents at the East Pacific Rise. On the basis of the partial peptide sequences obtained, experiments using reverse-transcriptase-mediated PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends led to the complete cDNA sequence. Analysis of deduced amino acid sequence of RP43 showed the presence of CUB domains (100–110-residue-spanning domains first reported in the complement subcomponents C1r/C1s, epidermal-growth-factor-related sea urchin protein and bone morphogenetic protein 1) that seem to be involved in protein–protein and glycosaminoglycan–protein interactions. This peculiarity strongly suggests that RP43 might have a crucial role in tightening the different elements of the worm tube. However, the absence of chitin-binding motifs inclines us to favour a role in protein–protein interactions during assembly of the tube components. The RP43 mRNA was found to be present in specific epidermal cells from the worm body wall but never in the chitin-synthesizing gland cells. This unexpected result clearly indicates that the major tube protein is synthesized in specialized areas of the outer epithelium and that at least two different tissues are involved in the synthesis of the exoskeleton.
Purification of Golgi casein kinase from bovine milk
Authors: DUNCAN Jennifer S. , WILKINSON Mark C. , BURGOYNE Robert D.
Published: August 2015

Caseins and many other secretory proteins are phosphorylated during their transport through the secretory pathway by a protein kinase present within Golgi compartments. Molecular analysis of the Golgi casein kinase (GCK) has not been possible since it has not been purified to homogeneity or been cloned. Previous attempts have been made to purify GCK activity from mammary gland Golgi fractions, but these have not resulted in extensive purification of the enzyme. In the present study, we have demonstrated that substantial amounts of GCK activity, assayed using a specific peptide substrate, can be detected as a soluble form in bovine milk, and we have used milk as a source for purification. A purification protocol was established that allowed > 80000-fold purification to a specific activity of GCK (approx. 700nmoles/min per mg of protein) far higher than previously achieved. These findings cast doubts on previous claims for purification of GCK activity. In addition, ion-exchange chromotography resolved two closely eluting peaks of activity, suggesting the existence of two related, but distinct, GCK activities.
Kinetic and stereochemical studies on novel inactivators of C-terminal amidation
Authors: FENG Jun , SHI Jing , SIRIMANNE Sarath R. , MOUNIER-LEE Corinne E. , MAY Sheldon W.
Published: August 2015

C-terminal amidation, a required post-translational modification for the bioactivation of many neuropeptides, entails sequential enzymic action by peptidylglycine α-mono-oxygenase (PAM, EC 1.14.17.3) and peptidylamidoglycolate lyase (PGL, EC 4.3.2.5). Here we introduce novel compounds in which an olefinic functionality is incorporated into peptide analogues as the most potent turnover-dependent inactivators of PAM. Kinetic parameters for PAM inactivation by 4-oxo-5-acetamido-6-phenyl-hex-2-enoic acid and 4-oxo-5-acetamido-6-(2-thienyl)-hex-2-enoic acid were obtained by using both the conventional dilution assay method and the more complex progress curve method. The results obtained from the progress curve method establish that these compounds exhibit the kinetic characteristics of pure competitive inactivators (i.e. no ESI complex forms during inactivation). On the basis of kinact/Ki values, 4-oxo-5-acetamido-6-(2-thienyl)-hex-2-enoic acid is almost two orders of magnitude more potent than benzoylacrylate, a chemically analogous olefinic inactivator that lacks the peptide moiety. Stereochemical studies established that PAM inactivation by 4-oxo-5-acetamido-6-(2-thienyl)-hex-2-enoic acid is stereospecific with respect to the moiety at the P2 position, which is consistent with previous results with substrates and reversible inhibitors. In contrast, 2,4-dioxo-5-acetamido-6-phenylhexanoic acid, which is a competitive inhibitor with respect to ascorbate, exhibits a low degree of stereospecificity in binding to the ascorbate sites of both PAM and dopamine-β-hydroxylase.
Differential effects of endurance training and creatine depletion on regional mitochondrial adaptations in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: ROUSSEL Damien , LHENRY Florence , ECOCHARD Laurent , SEMPORE Brigitte , ROUANET Jean-Louis , FAVIER Roland
Published: August 2015

To examine the combined effects of 2-week endurance training and 3-week feeding with β-guanidinopropionic acid (GPA) on regional adaptability of skeletal muscle mitochondria, intermyofibrillar mitochondria (IFM) and subsarcolemmal mitochondria (SSM) were isolated from quadriceps muscles of sedentary control, trained control, sedentary GPA-fed and trained GPA-fed rats. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was assessed polarographically by using pyruvate plus malate, succinate (plus rotenone), and ascorbate plus N,N,N´,N´-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) (plus antimycin) as respiratory substrates. Assays of cytochrome c oxidase and F1-ATPase activities were also performed. In sedentary control rats, IFM exhibited a higher oxidative capacity than SSM, whereas F1-ATPase activities were similar. Training increased the oxidative phosphorylation capacity of mitochondria with both pyruvate plus malate and ascorbate plus TMPD as substrates, with no differences between IFM and SSM. In contrast, the GPA diet mainly improved the overall SSM oxidative phosphorylation capacity, irrespective of the substrate used. Finally, the superimposition of training to feeding with GPA strongly increased both oxidase and enzymic activities in SSM, whereas no cumulative effects were found in IFM mitochondria. It therefore seems that endurance training and feeding with GPA, which are both known to alter the energetic status of the muscle cell, might mediate distinct biochemical adaptations in regional skeletal muscle mitochondria.
Multidrug resistance protein MRP1 protects against the toxicity of the major lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal
Authors: RENES Johan , DE VRIES Elisabeth E. G. , HOOIVELD Guido J. E. J. , KRIKKEN Inge , JANSEN Peter L. M. , MÜLLER Michael
Published: August 2015

4-Hydroxynonenal (4HNE) is the most prevalent toxic lipid peroxidation product formed during oxidative stress. It exerts its cytotoxicity mainly by the modification of intracellular proteins. The detection of 4HNE-modified proteins in several degenerative disorders suggests a role for 4HNE in the onset of these diseases. Efficient protection mechanisms are required to prevent the intracellular accumulation of 4HNE. The toxicity of 4HNE was tested with the small cell lung cancer cell lines GLC4 and the multidrug-resistance-protein (MRP1)-overexpressing counterpart GLC4/Adr. In the presence of the MRP1 inhibitor MK571 or the GSH-depleting agent buthionine sulphoximine, both cell lines became more sensitive and showed decreased survival. Transport experiments were performed with the 3H-labelled glutathione S-conjugate of 4HNE ([3H]GS-4HNE) with membrane vesicles from GLC4-derived cell lines with different expression levels of MRP1. [3H]GS-4HNE was taken up in an ATP-dependent manner and the transport rate was dependent on the amount of MRP1. The MRP1 inhibitor MK571 decreased [3H]GS-4HNE uptake. MRP1-specific [3H]GS-4HNE transport was demonstrated with membrane vesicles from High Five insect cells overexpressing recombinant MRP1. Kinetic experiments showed an apparent Km of 1.6±0.21µM (mean±S.D.) for MRP1-mediated [3H]GS-4HNE transport. In conclusion, MRP1 has a role in the protection against 4HNE toxicity and GS-4HNE is a novel MRP1 substrate. MRP1, together with GSH, is hypothesized to have a role in the defence against oxidative stress.
Fetuin-B, a second member of the fetuin family in mammals
Authors: OLIVIER Emmanuel , SOURY Emmanuelle , RUMINY Philippe , HUSSON Annie , PARMENTIER Françoise , DAVEAU Maryvonne , SALIER Jean-Philippe
Published: August 2015

A set of orthologous plasma proteins found in human, sheep, pig, cow and rodents, now collectively designated fetuin-A, constitutes the fetuin family. Fetuin-A has been identified as a major protein during fetal life and is also involved in important functions such as inhibition of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, protease inhibitory activities and development-associated regulation of calcium metabolism and osteogenesis. Furthermore, fetuin-A is a key partner in the recovery phase of an acute inflammatory response. We now describe a second protein of the fetuin family, called fetuin-B, which is found at least in human and rodents. On grounds of domain homology, overall conservation of cysteine residues and chromosomal assignments of the corresponding genes in these species, fetuin-B is unambiguously a paralogue of fetuin-A. Yet, fetuin-A and fetuin-B exhibit significant differences at the amino acid sequence level, notably including variations with respect to the archetypal fetuin-specific signature. Differences and similarities in terms of gene regulation were also observed. Indeed, studies performed during development in rat and mouse showed for the first time high expression of a member of the fetuin family in adulthood, as shown with the fetuin-B mRNA in rat. However, like its fetuin-A counterpart, the fetuin-B mRNA level is down-regulated during the acute phase of experimentally induced inflammation in rat.
Coupling between inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and human transient receptor potential channel 1 when intracellular Ca2+ stores are depleted
Authors: ROSADO Juan A. , SAGE Stewart O.
Published: August 2015

In the present study we have investigated the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), functional IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) and the human homologue of the Drosophila transient receptor potential (Trp) channel, human Trp1 (hTrp1), in store-mediated Ca2+ entry (SMCE) in human platelets. Inhibition of IP3 recycling using Li+, or the inhibition of IP3Rs using xestospongin C, both resulted in the inhibition of SMCE activation following Ca2+ store depletion using thapsigargin. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that endogenously expressed hTrp1 couples with IP3R type II, but not types I or III, in platelets with depleted intracellular Ca2+ stores, but not in control, undepleted cells. These results provide strong evidence for the activation of SMCE by conformational coupling involving de novo association between IP3Rs and a plasma membrane channel in normal human cells.
Targeting of the zymogen-granule protein syncollin in AR42J and AtT-20 cells
Authors: HODEL Alois , EDWARDSON J. Michael
Published: August 2015

Syncollin is a 13-kDa protein associated with the membranes of pancreatic zymogen granules. Here we determine the in situ localization of syncollin in pancreatic acinar cells from adult and neonatal rats, and study the targeting of green fluorescent protein-(GFP-) and His6-tagged syncollin chimaeras in model exocrine and endocrine secretory cells. Immunocytochemical analysis of the distribution of syncollin in fully differentiated and neonatal acinar cells revealed a granular pattern that corresponded with that of the zymogen-granule markers synaptobrevin 2 and amylase. In fully differentiated acinar cells syncollin-positive vesicles were detected in the apical region of the cells, whereas in neonatal acinar cells they were found clustered near the cell nucleus. Both GFP- and His6-tagged syncollin entered the secretory pathway when transiently expressed in AR42J or AtT-20 cells. Syncollin-GFP was found predominantly in amylase-positive granules in AR42J cells and in adrenocorticotrophic hormone- (ACTH-) positive granules in AtT-20 cells. Syncollin-GFP was also present in the Golgi complex in AR42J cells. Syncollin-His6 became localized in ACTH-containing granules in the neuritic processes of AtT-20 cells. In AR42J cells syncollin-His6 did not co-localize with amylase, but was detected in acidic vesicles. These results show that the exocrine protein syncollin contains intrinsic cell-type-independent targeting information that is retained in both exocrine and endocrine cells after fusion to the GFP tag. In contrast, His6-tagged syncollin is efficiently targeted to secretory granules only in AtT-20 cells and not in AR42J cells.
Function of the N-terminal propeptide of an aminopeptidase from Vibrio proteolyticus
Authors: ZHANG Zhen-Zhong , NIRASAWA Satoru , NAKAJIMA Yoshiaki , YOSHIDA Michiteru , HAYASHI Kiyoshi
Published: August 2015

An aminopeptidase from Vibrio proteolyticus was translated as a preproprotein consisting of four domains: a signal peptide, an N-terminal propeptide, a mature region and a C-terminal propeptide. Protein expression and analysis of the activity results demonstrated that the N-terminal propeptide was essential to the formation of the active enzyme in Escherichia coli. Urea dissolution of inclusion bodies and dialysis indicated that the N-terminal propeptide could facilitate the correct folding of the enzyme in vitro. Using l-Leu-p-nitroanilide as the substrate, the kinetic parameters (kcat and Km) of the pro-aminopeptidase and processed aminopeptidases were analysed. The results suggested that the N-terminal propeptide inhibited enzyme activity of the mature region. In contrast, the C-terminal propeptide did not show evidence of forming an active enzyme, of correctly folding in vitro or of inhibiting the active region.
A simple method for measuring the relative force exerted by myosin on actin filaments in the in vitro motility assay: evidence that tropomyosin and troponin increase force in single thin filaments
Authors: BING Wu , KNOTT Adam , MARSTON Steven B.
Published: August 2015

We have studied the effect of an internal load on the movement of actin filaments over a bed of heavy meromyosin (HMM) in the invitro motility assay. Immobilized α-actinin can bind to actin filaments reversibly and ultimately stop the filaments from moving. Above a critical concentration of α-actinin, thin filament velocity rapidly diminished to zero. The fraction of thin motile filaments decreased linearly to zero with increasing α-actinin concentration. The concentration of α-actinin needed to stop all filaments from moving (0.8µg/ml with actin) was very consistent both within and between experiments. In the present study we have defined the ‘index of retardation’ as the concentration of α-actinin needed to stop all filament movement, and we propose that this index is a measure of the isometric force exerted by HMM on actin filaments. When we measured the effect of immobilized α-actinin on motility in the presence of 10mM Pi we found that the index of retardation was 0.62±0.07 (n = 3) times that in the absence of Pi. This observation is in agreement with the reduction of isometric tension in chemically-skinned muscle due to Pi. In a series of comparative experiments we observed that tropomyosin and troponin increase the index of retardation and that the degree of increase depends upon the tropomyosin isoform studied. The index of retardation of actin is increased 1.8-fold by skeletal-muscle tropomyosin, and 3-fold by both cardiac-muscle and smooth-muscle tropomyosin. In the presence of troponin the index of retardation is 2.9–3.4-fold greater than that of actin with all tropomyosin isoforms.
Surface-loop residue Lys316 in blood coagulation Factor IX is a major determinant for Factor X but not antithrombin recognition
Authors: KOLKMAN Joost A. , MERTENS Koen
Published: August 2015

The active site of activated Factor IX (FIXa) and related blood-coagulation enzymes is surrounded by a number of highly variable surface loops, which contribute to the characteristic substrate specificity of each individual enzyme. FIX residue Lys316 is located in one of these loops and mutation of this residue to Glu is associated with haemophilia B. In the present study we investigated the functional role of Lys316 in human FIXa by analysing the purified and activated FIX mutants FIXa-K316E and FIXa-K316A. FIXa-K316E was indistinguishable from normal FIXa in binding the competitive active-site inhibitor p-aminobenzamidine. In addition, substitution of Glu for Lys316 had no significant effect on the reactivity towards various synthetic tripeptide substrates. Inhibition by the macromolecular inhibitor antithrombin was only slightly reduced for both FIXa mutants (less than 2-fold). In contrast, proteolytic activity of FIXa-K316E towards the natural substrate Factor X (FX) was virtually lacking, while the Lys316 to Ala mutation resulted in a more than 10-fold reduction in FX activation. Thus residue Lys316 plays a key role in FIXa activity towards FX. The requirement for Lys at position 316 for FX activation was also evident in the presence of the cofactor activated Factor VIII, although to a lesser extent than in its absence. These data demonstrate that Lys316 specifically determines the reactivity of FIXa towards its natural substrate FX, but not to synthetic peptide substrates or antithrombin.
Tumour-necrosis-factor-receptor-associated factor 6, NF-κB-inducing kinase and IκB kinases mediate IgE isotype switching in response to CD40
Authors: BRADY Kevin , FITZGERALD Stephen , MOYNAGH Paul N.
Published: August 2015

The process of IgE switching requires the prior transcription of the unrearranged Cε gene, which leads to its recombination with the VDJ region. The activation of NF-κB by CD40 is a key process in facilitating this transcription by promoting the activation of the Cε promoter. The present study explores the uncharacterized signalling pathways employed by CD40 in activating NF-κB by the overexpression of genes encoding wild-type and dominant-negative forms of the signalling components tumour-necrosis-factor-receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF-6), NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), IκB kinase (IKK)-1 and IKK-2 in the BJAB B-cell line. The overexpression of TRAF-6 or NIK was sufficient to activate NF-κB and the Cε promoter, whereas their dominant-negative counterparts decreased the ability of CD40 to activate NF-κB and the Cε promoter. The overexpression of wild-type IKK-1 or IKK-2 seemed to cause toxic effects on the cells, whereas the dominant-negative forms were selective in their blockade of NF-κB and the Cε promoter. These results suggest that CD40 employs TRAF-6, which presumably recruits NIK, which in turn employs IKK-1/IKK-2 to activate NF-κB and the Cε promoter, the prologue to IgE switching. Thus the findings define a crucially important pathway in the generation of allergic states.
In vitro glycoxidation alters the interactions between collagens and human polymorphonuclear leucocytes
Authors: MONBOISSE Jean-Claude , RITTIE Laure , LAMFARRAJ Hasnae , GARNOTEL Roselyne , GILLERY Philippe
Published: August 2015

Glycation and glycoxidation processes, which are increased in diabetes mellitus, are generally considered causative mechanisms of long-term complications. With reference to our previous studies, type-I and -IV collagens could induce differentially the adhesion and stimulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). As PMNs play a role in sustained diabetic oxidative stress, the present study was designed to determine whether in vitro glycoxidation of these macromolecules could alter PMN adhesion, activation and migration. The adhesion of PMNs to in vitro-glycoxidized collagens was significantly increased when compared with control collagens: +37% (P < 0.05) and +99% (P < 0.01) for collagens I and IV, respectively. Glycoxidized type-I collagen increased the chemotactic properties of PMNs without significant stimulatory effect on respiratory burst, whereas pre-incubation of PMNs with glycoxidized type-I collagen induced a priming on subsequent stimulation by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Glycoxidation of type-IV collagen suppressed its inhibitory effect on further PMN stimulation or migration. Collectively, these results indicate that glycoxidation of two major extracellular-matrix collagens considerably alters their ability to modulate PMN migration and production of reactive oxygen species. This imbalance in PMN metabolism may be a major event in the increased oxidative status that characterizes diabetes mellitus.
Identification of transient glycosylation alterations of sialylated mucin oligosaccharides during infection by the rat intestinal parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis
Authors: KARLSSON Niclas G. , OLSON Fredrik J. , JOVALL Per-Åke , ANDERSCH Ylva , ENERBÄCK Lennart , HANSSON Gunnar C.
Published: August 2015

The sialylation of the oligosaccharides from small-intestinal mucins during a 13-day infectious cycle was studied in Sprague–Dawley rats with the parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Sialic acid analysis and release, permethylation and analysis by GC-MS of the sialylated oligosaccharides isolated from the ‘insoluble’ mucin complex revealed a relative decrease (4–7-fold) of N-glycolylneuraminic acid compared with N-acetylneuraminic acid just before parasite expulsion. Northern blots showed that this effect was due to the decreased expression of a hydroxylase converting CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid into CMP-N-glycolylneuraminic acid. Analysis of other rat strains showed that this parasite infection also caused the same effect in these animals. Detailed analysis of infected Sprague–Dawley rats revealed four sialylated oligosaccharides not found in the uninfected animals. These new oligosaccharides were characterized in detail and all shown to contain the trisaccharide epitope NeuAc/NeuGcα2-3(GalNAcβ1-4)Galβ1 (where NeuGc is N-glycolyl neuraminic acid). This epitope is similar to the Sda- and Cad-type blood-group antigens and suggests that the infection causes the induction of a GalNAcβ1-4 glycosyltransferase. This model for an intestinal infection suggests that the glycosylation of intestinal mucins is a dynamic process being modulated by the expression of specific enzymes during an infection process.
Cloning, characterization and tissue distribution of the rat ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABC2/ABCA2
Authors: ZHAO Li-Xia , ZHOU Cheng-Ji , TANAKA Arowu , NAKATA Masanori , HIRABAYASHI Takahiro , AMACHI Teruo , SHIODA Seiji , UEDA Kazumitsu , INAGAKI Nobuya
Published: August 2015

The ABC1 (ABCA) subfamily of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily has a structural feature that distinguishes it from other ABC transporters. Here we report the cloning, molecular characterization and tissue distribution of ABC2/ABCA2, which belongs to the ABC1 subfamily. Rat ABC2 is a protein of 2434 amino acids that has 44.5%, 40.0% and 40.8% identity with mouse ABC1/ABCA1, human ABC3/ABCA3 and human ABCR/ABCA4 respectively. Immunoblot analysis showed that proteins of 260 and 250kDa were detected in COS-1 cells transfected with ABC2 having a haemagglutinin tag, while no band was detected in mock-transfected cells. After incubation with N-glycosidase F, the mobilities of the two proteins increased and a single band was detected, suggesting that ABC2 is a glycoprotein. Photoaffinity labelling with 8-azido-[α-32P]ATP confirmed that ATP binds to the ABC2 protein in the presence of Mg2+. RNA blot analysis showed that ABC2 mRNA is most abundant in rat brain. Examination of brain by in situ hybridization determined that ABC2 is expressed at high levels in the white matter, indicating that it is expressed in the oligodendrocytes. ABC2, therefore, is a glycosylated ABC transporter protein, and may play an especially important role in the brain. In addition, the N-terminal 60-amino-acid sequence of the human ABC1, which was missing from previous reports, has been determined.
Cytosine methylation of an Sp1 site contributes to organ-specific and cell-specific regulation of expression of the lung epithelial gene T1α
Authors: CAO Yu-Xia , JEAN Jyh-Chang , WILLIAMS Mary C.
Published: August 2015

Several recent observations have suggested that cytosine methylation has a role in the in vivo transcriptional regulation of cell-specific genes in normal cells. We hypothesized that methylation regulates T1α, a gene expressed primarily in lung in adult rodents. In fetuses T1α is expressed in several organs, including the entire nervous system, but during development its expression is progressively restricted to lung alveolar type I epithelial cells, some osteoblasts and choroid plexus. Here we report that T1α is methylated at a key Sp1 site in the proximal promoter in cells and organs, including brain, where no gene expression is detectable. Conversely, in T1α-expressing cells, these sites are not methylated. In embryonic brain T1α is unmethylated and expressed; in adult brain the gene is methylated and not expressed. In lung epithelial cell lines, methylation of the T1α promoter in vitro decreases expression by approx. 50% (the maximum suppression being 100%). Analysis of mutated promoter constructs indicates that a single Sp1 site in the proximal promoter provides all or most of the methylation-sensitive gene silencing. We conclude that, in addition to regulation by transcription factors, cytosine methylation has a role in the complex expression patterns of this gene in intact animals and primary cells.
Diffusion control of protein phosphorylation in signal transduction pathways
Authors: KHOLODENKO Boris N. , BROWN Guy C. , HOEK Jan B.
Published: August 2015

Multiple signalling proteins are phosphorylated and dephosphorylated at separate cellular locations, which potentially causes spatial gradients of phospho-proteins within the cell. We have derived relationships that enable us to estimate the extent to which a protein kinase, a phosphatase and the diffusion of signalling proteins control the protein phosphorylation flux and the phospho-protein gradient. Two different cellular geometries were analysed: (1) the kinase is located on one planar membrane and the phosphatase on a second parallel planar membrane, and (2) the kinase is located on the plasma membrane of a spherical cell and the phosphatase is distributed homogeneously in the cytoplasm. We demonstrate that the control contribution of protein diffusion is potentially significant, given the measured rates for protein kinases, phosphatases and diffusion. If the distance between the membranes is 1µm or greater, the control by diffusion can reach 33% or more, with the rest of the control (67%) shared by the kinase and the phosphatase. At distances of less than 0.1µm, diffusion does not limit protein phosphorylation. For a spherical cell of radius 10µm, a protein diffusion coefficient of 10-8cm2·s-1 and rate constants for the kinase and the phosphatase of approx. 1s-1, control over the phosphorylation flux resides mainly with the phosphatase and protein diffusion, with approximately equal contributions of each of these. The ratio of phospho-protein concentrations at the cell membrane and the cell centre (the dynamic compartmentation of the phospho-protein) is shown to be controlled by the rates of the protein phosphatase and of diffusion. The kinase can contribute significantly to the control of the absolute value of the phospho-protein gradient.
A novel mechanism of xylan binding by a lectin-like module from Streptomyces lividans xylanase 10A
Authors: BORASTON Alisdair B. , TOMME Peter , AMANDORON Emily A. , KILBURN Douglas G.
Published: August 2015

The C-terminal module of xylanase 10A from Streptomyces lividans is a family 13 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM13). CBM13 binds mono- and oligo-saccharides with association constants of ≈ 1×102 M-1−1×103 M-1. It appears to be specific only for pyranose sugars. CBM13 binds insoluble and soluble xylan, holocellulose, pachyman, lichenan, arabinogalactan and laminarin. The association constant for binding to soluble xylan is (6.2±0.6)×103/mol of xylan polymer. Site-directed mutation indicates the involvement of three functional sites on CBM13 in binding to soluble xylan. The sites are similar in sequence, and are predicted to have similar structures, to the α, β and γ sites of ricin toxin B-chain, which is also in family 13. The affinity of a single binding site on CBM13 for soluble xylan is only ≈ (0.5±0.1)×103/mol of xylan. The binding of CBM13 to soluble xylan involves additive and co-operative interactions between the three binding sites. This mechanism of binding has not previously been reported for CBMs binding polysaccharides. CBM13 is the first bacterial module from family 13 to be described in detail.
The second domain of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) maintains the structural integrity of the leucocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) ligand-binding site in the first domain
Authors: STANLEY Paula , MCDOWALL Alison , BATES Paul A. , BRASHAW Joanna , HOGG Nancy
Published: August 2015

The first domain of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) binds to the leucocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) I domain, which contains the principal ligand-binding site of this leucocyte integrin. Whether the function of the second domain is also to directly bind LFA-1 has been unclear. Our data show that mutation in the hydrophilic EF loop of ICAM-1 domain 2 resulted in impaired binding of the isolated I domain when compared with wild-type ICAM-1. LFA-1 on T-cells also binds with reduced affinity to this ICAM-1 mutant. A hybrid construct containing the first domain of vascular cell-adhesion molecule-1 joined to domains 2–5 of ICAM-1 was unable to bind to the I domain, showing that there is no direct interaction between the second domain of ICAM-1 and the I domain. This construct was also not bound by LFA-1 expressed in T-cells. Function-blocking monoclonal antibodies that map to domain 2 of ICAM-1, implicating this domain in ligand binding, were found to act indirectly. In summary our data suggest that the second domain of ICAM-1 has a role in maintaining the structure of the LFA-1 ligand-binding site in the first domain of ICAM-1 but does not appear to have a direct role in ligand binding.
Apoptotic signalling cascade in photosensitized human epidermal carcinoma A431 cells: involvement of singlet oxygen, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, caspase-3 and p21-activated kinase 2
Authors: CHAN Wen-Hsiung , YU Jau-Song , YANG Shiaw-Der
Published: August 2015

Photodynamic treatment (PDT) elicits diverse cellular responses and can also cause apoptosis. In the present study the cascade of signalling events involved in PDT-induced apoptosis was investigated using Rose Bengal (RB) as the photosensitizer, and human epidermal carcinoma A431 cells as the cell model. We show that a 36-kDa kinase detected by an in-gel kinase assay is markedly activated during PDT-triggered apoptosis. Immunoblot analysis revealed that this 36-kDa kinase represents the C-terminal catalytic fragment of p21-activated kinase (PAK)2. Generation of this active fragment of PAK2 is mediated by the caspase family of proteases, which are activated by PDT. The specific caspase inhibitors (acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde and acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethylketone) block the PDT-induced caspase-3 activation and subsequent PAK2 cleavage/activation, indicating a major role for the caspase family proteases in PDT-induced apoptosis. Both PDT-induced caspase-3 activation and PAK2 cleavage/activation can be inhibited by the singlet oxygen scavengers, L-histidine and α-tocopherol, but not the hydroxyl radical scavenger, mannitol, demonstrating that singlet oxygen is an immediate early-apoptotic signal generated by PDT. In addition, PDT can induce a two-stage activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) in A431 cells; the early-stage JNK activation is singlet oxygen-dependent, whereas the late-stage JNK activation is mediated by the singlet oxygen-triggered caspase activation. Experiments using anti-sense oligonucleotides against JNK1 and PAK2 further show that during PDT-induced apoptosis the early-stage JNK activation is required for caspase activation, and that the late-stage JNK activation is regulated by the caspase-mediated cleavage/activation of PAK2. Collectively, a model for the PDT-triggered apoptotic signalling cascade with RB is proposed, which involves singlet oxygen, JNK, caspase-3 and PAK2, sequentially.
Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae NHX1 genes encode amiloride sensitive electroneutral Na+/H+ exchangers
Authors: DARLEY Catherine P. , VAN WUYTSWINKEL Olivier C. M. , VAN DER WOUDE Karel , MAGER Willem H. , DE BOER Albertus H.
Published: August 2015

Sodium at high millimolar levels in the cytoplasm is toxic to plant and yeast cells. Sequestration of Na+ ions into the vacuole is one mechanism to confer Na+-tolerance on these organisms. In the present study we provide direct evidence that the ArabidopsisthalianaAt-NHX1 gene and the yeast NHX1 gene encode low-affinity electroneutral Na+/H+ exchangers. We took advantage of the ability of heterologously expressed At-NHX1 to functionally complement the yeast nhx1-null mutant. Experiments on vacuolar vesicles isolated from yeast expressing At-NHX1 or NHX1 provided direct evidence for pH-gradient-energized Na+ accumulation into the vacuole. A major difference between NHX1 and At-NHX1 is the presence of a cleavable N-terminal signal peptide (SP) in the former gene. Fusion of the SP to At-NHX1 resulted in an increase in the magnitude of Na+/H+ exchange, indicating a role for the SP in protein targeting or regulation. Another distinguishing feature between the plant and yeast antiporters is their sensitivity to the diuretic compound amiloride. Whereas At-NHX1 was completely inhibited by amiloride, NHX1 activity was reduced by only 20–40%. These results show that yeast as a heterologous expression system provides a convenient model to analyse structural and regulatory features of plant Na+/H+ antiporters.
Activity of the human cytochrome c1 promoter is modulated by E2F
Authors: LUCIAKOVA Katarina , BARATH Peter , LI Ronggui , ZAID Ahmed , NELSON B. Dean
Published: August 2015

The human cytochrome c1 promoter is strongly activated in transfected Drosophila SL2 cells expressing exogenous human E2F1. Transfection-deletion experiments, DNase I protection by E2F1 and gel mobility-shift experiments locate E2F1 activation sites to two regions on either side of the transcription start site. Deletion of either region prevents E2F1 activation in transfected SL2 cells, suggesting a co-operative interaction between them. E2F6, a member of the E2F family that lacks transactivation domains but contains specific suppressor domains, inhibits cytochrome c1 promoter activity when co-transfected into HeLa cells, indicating that the E2F proteins modulate the cytochrome c1 promoter in mammalian cells. However, E2F is not a general regulator of oxidative phosphorylation genes since three additional nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes were unaffected by E2F1 or E2F6.
Multiple isoforms of the ryanodine receptor are expressed in rat pancreatic acinar cells
Authors: FITZSIMMONS Timothy J. , GUKOVSKY Ilya , McROBERTS James A. , RODRIGUEZ Edward , LAI F. Anthony , PANDOL Stephen J.
Published: August 2015

Regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ is important for a variety of cell functions. The ryanodine receptor (RyR) is a Ca2+ channel that conducts Ca2+ from internal pools to the cytoplasm. To demonstrate the presence of the RyR in the pancreatic acinar cell, we performed reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, Western blot, immunocytochemistry and microscopic Ca2+-release measurements on these cells. RT-PCR showed the presence of mRNA for RyR isoforms 1, 2 and 3 in both rat pancreas and dispersed pancreatic acini. Furthermore, mRNA expression for RyR isoforms 1 and 2 was demonstrated by RT-PCR in individual pancreatic acinar cells selected under the microscope. Western-blot analysis of acinar cell immunoprecipitates, using antibodies against RyR1 and RyR2, showed a high-molecular-mass (> 250kDa) protein band that was much less intense when immunoprecipitated in the presence of RyR peptide. Functionally, permeablized acinar cells stimulated with the RyR activator, palmitoyl-CoA, released Ca2+ from both basolateral and apical regions. These data show that pancreatic acinar cells express multiple isoforms of the RyR and that there are functional receptors throughout the cell.
Cloning and functional expression of a gene encoding a vacuolar-type proton-translocating pyrophosphatase from Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: HILL Janet E. , SCOTT David A. , LUO Shuhong , DOCAMPO Roberto
Published: August 2015

Acidocalcisomes are acidic Ca2+-storage organelles found in trypanosomatids that are similar to organelles known historically as volutin granules. Acidification of these organelles is driven in part by a vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase (V-H+-PPase), an enzyme that is also present in plant vacuoles and in some bacteria. Here, we report the cloning and sequencing of a gene encoding the acidocalcisomal V-H+-PPase of Trypanosoma cruzi. The protein (T. cruzi pyrophosphatase, TcPPase) predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the gene has 816 amino acids and a molecular mass of 85kDa. Several sequence motifs found in plant V-H+-PPases were present in TcPPase, explaining its sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide and N,N´-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide. Heterologous expression of the cDNA encoding TcPPase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced a functional enzyme. Phylogenetic analysis of the available V-H+-PPase sequences indicates that TcPPase is nearer to the vascular plant cluster and the branch containing Chara, a precursor to land plants, than to any of the other pyrophosphatase sequences included in the analysis. The apparent lack of such a V-H+-PPase in mammalian cells may provide a target for the development of new drugs.
Meaningful relationships: the regulation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway by protein interactions
Authors: KOLCH Walter
Published: August 2015

The Ras/Raf/MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase)/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) pathway is at the heart of signalling networks that govern proliferation, differentiation and cell survival. Although the basic regulatory steps have been elucidated, many features of this pathway are only beginning to emerge. This review focuses on the role of protein–protein interactions in the regulation of this pathway, and how they contribute to co-ordinate activation steps, subcellular redistribution, substrate phosphorylation and cross-talk with other signalling pathways.
AMP decreases the efficiency of skeletal-muscle mitochondria
Authors: CADENAS Susana , BUCKINGHAM Julie A. , ST-PIERRE Julie , DICKINSON Keith , JONES Robert B. , BRAND Martin D.
Published: August 2015

Mitochondrial proton leak in rat muscle is responsible for approx. 15% of the standard metabolic rate, so its modulation could be important in regulating metabolic efficiency. We report in the present paper that physiological concentrations of AMP (K0.5 = 80µM) increase the resting respiration rate and double the proton conductance of rat skeletal-muscle mitochondria. This effect is specific for AMP. AMP also doubles proton conductance in skeletal-muscle mitochondria from an ectotherm (the frog Rana temporaria), suggesting that AMP activation is not primarily for thermogenesis. AMP activation in rat muscle mitochondria is unchanged when uncoupling protein-3 is doubled by starvation, indicating that this protein is not involved in the AMP effect. AMP activation is, however, abolished by inhibitors and substrates of the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), suggesting that this carrier (possibly the ANT1 isoform) mediates AMP activation. AMP activation of ANT could be important for physiological regulation of metabolic rate.
Evaluation of the role of two conserved active-site residues in Beta class glutathione S-transferases
Authors: ALLOCATI Nerino , CASALONE Enrico , MASULLI Michele , POLEKHINA Galina , ROSSJOHN Jamie , PARKER Michael W. , DI ILIO Carmine
Published: August 2015

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) normally use hydroxy-group-containing residues in the N-terminal domain of the enzyme for stabilizing the activated form of the co-substrate, glutathione. However, previous mutagenesis studies have shown that this is not true for Beta class GSTs and thus the origin of the stabilization remains a mystery. The recently determined crystal structure of Proteus mirabilis GST B1-1 (PmGST B1-1) suggested that the stabilizing role might be fulfilled in Beta class GSTs by one or more residues in the C-terminal domain of the enzyme. To test this hypothesis we mutated His106 and Lys107 of PmGST B1-1 to investigate their possible role in the enzyme's catalytic activity. His106 was mutated to Ala, Asn and Phe, and Lys107 to Ala and Arg. The effects of the replacement on the activity, thermal stability and antibiotic-binding capacity of the enzyme were examined. The results are consistent with the involvement of His106 and Lys107 in interacting with glutathione at the active site but these residues do not contribute significantly to catalysis, folding or antibiotic binding.
Macromolecular organization of saliva: identification of ‘insoluble’ MUC5B assemblies and non-mucin proteins in the gel phase
Authors: WICKSTRÖM Claes , CHRISTERSSON Cecilia , DAVIES Julia R. , CARLSTEDT Ingemar
Published: August 2015

Stimulated human submandibular/sublingual (HSMSL) and whole saliva were separated into sol and gel phases and mucins were isolated by density-gradient centrifugation in CsCl/4M guanidinium chloride. MUC5B and MUC7 were identified using anti-peptide antisera raised against sequences within the MUC5B and MUC7 apoproteins respectively. MUC7 was found mainly in the sol phase of both HSMSL and whole saliva, but some MUC7 was consistently present in the gel phase, suggesting that this mucin may interact with the salivary gel matrix. In HSMSL saliva, MUC5B was found in the gel phase; however, most of the material was ‘insoluble’in guanidinium chloride and was only brought into solution by reduction. In whole saliva, the MUC5B mucin was present both in the sol and gel phases although some material was again ‘insoluble’. Rate-zonal centrifugation of whole saliva showed that MUC5B mucins in the sol phase were smaller than those in the gel phase, suggesting differences in oligomerization and/or degradation. Antibodies against IgA, secretory component, lysozyme and lactoferrin were used to study the distribution of non-gel-forming proteins in the different phases of saliva. The majority of these proteins was found in the sol phase of both HSMSL and whole saliva. However, a significant fraction was present in the gel phase of whole saliva, suggesting a post-secretory interaction with the salivary gel matrix. A monoclonal antibody against a parotid salivary agglutinin was used to show that this protein is present mainly in the gel phase of both whole saliva and parotid secretion.
Effect of spermine synthase deficiency on polyamine biosynthesis and content in mice and embryonic fibroblasts, and the sensitivity of fibroblasts to 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea
Authors: MACKINTOSH Caroline A. , PEGG Anthony E.
Published: August 2015

Mutant Gy male mice, which have previously been described as having disruption of the phosphate-regulating Phex gene and a spermine synthase gene [Meyer, Henley, Meyer, Morgan, McDonald, Mills and Price (1998) Genomics, 48, 289–295; Lorenz, Francis, Gempel, Böddrich, Josten, Schmahl and Schmidt (1998) Hum. Mol. Genet. 7, 541–547], as well as mutant Hyp male mice, which have disruption of the Phex gene only, were examined along with their respective normal male littermates. Biochemical analyses of extracts of brains, hearts and livers of 5-week-old mice showed that Gy males lacked any significant spermine synthase activity as well as spermine content. Organs of Gy males had a higher spermidine content. This was caused not only by the lack of conversion of spermidine into spermine, but also because of compensatory increases in the activities of other polyamine biosynthetic enzymes. Gy males were half the body weight of their normal male littermates at weaning age. Hyp males, however, were no different in size when compared with their controls. High mortality of Gy males occurs by weaning age and this mortality was shown to be largely post-natal. Embryonic fibroblasts were isolated from Gy males and their normal male littermates and were similarly shown to lack any significant spermine synthase activity as well as spermine content. The lack of spermine, however, had no significant effect on the growth of immortalized fibroblasts or of primary fibroblast cultures. Similarly, there was no difference in the time of senescence of primary fibroblast cultures from Gy males compared with cultures derived from normal male littermates. However, the lack of spermine did increase the sensitivity of immortalized fibroblasts to killing by the chloroethylating agent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea. Therefore both the Gy male mice and derived embryonic fibroblasts provide valuable models to study the importance of spermine and spermine synthase, without the use of inhibitors which may have additional side effects.
Mechanism of binding of surfactant protein D to influenza A viruses: importance of binding to haemagglutinin to antiviral activity
Authors: HARTSHORN Kevan L. , WHITE Mitchell R. , VOELKER Dennis R. , COBURN John , ZANER Ken , CROUCH Erika C.
Published: August 2015

Collectins are important in the initial containment of a variety of pathogens, including influenza A virus (IAV). We provide the first systematic evaluation of the oligosaccharide-binding sites for pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) on specific IAV coat glycoproteins and define the relationship between this binding and antiviral activity. With the use of several techniques, SP-D was found to bind via its carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) to mannosylated, N-linked carbohydrates on the HA1 domain of the haemagglutinin (HA) and on the neuraminidase of IAV. Using a set of IAV strains that differed in the level and site of glycosylation, and a panel of recombinant collectins, we found that binding of SP-D to the globular domain of the HA was critical in mediating the inhibition of viral haemagglutination activity and infectivity. We also demonstrated that the pattern of binding of a collectin to IAV glycoproteins can be modified by altering the monosaccharide-binding affinity of its CRD or by linking the CRD to a different N-terminal/collagen domain. These studies clarify the mechanisms of viral neutralization by collectins and might be useful in engineering collectins for enhanced antiviral activity.