bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of glycyl-l-phenylalanine 2-naphthylamide, a lysosome-disrupting cathepsin C substrate, to distinguish between lysosomes and prelysosomal endocytic vacuoles
Authors: Berg T O , Strømhaug P E , Løvdal T , Seglen P O , Berg T
Published: August 2015

Lysosome-disrupting enzyme substrates have been used to distinguish between lysosomal and prelysosomal compartments along the endocytic pathway in isolated rat hepatocytes. The cells were incubated for various periods of time with 125I-labelled tyramine cellobiose (125I-TC) covalently coupled to asialoorosomucoid (AOM) (125I-TC-AOM); this molecule is internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis and degraded in lysosomes, where the degradation products (acid-soluble, radio-labelled short peptides) accumulate, Glycyl-L-phenylalanine 2-naphthylamide (GPN) and methionine O-methyl ester (MOM), which are hydrolysed by lysosomal cathepsin C and a lysosomal esterase respectively, both diffused into hepatocytic lysosomes after electrodisruption of the cells. Intralysosomal accumulation of the hydrolysis products (amino acids) of these substrates caused osmotic lysis of more than 90% of the lysosomes, as measured by the release of acid-soluble radioactivity derived from 125I-TC-AOM degradation. The acid-soluble radioactivity coincided in sucrose-density gradients with a major peak of the lysosomal marker enzyme acid phosphatase at 1.18 g/ml; in addition a minor, presumably endosomal, acid phosphatase peak was observed around 1.14 g/ml. The major peak of acid phosphatase was almost completely released by GPN (and by MOM), while the minor peak seemed unaffected by GPN. Acid-insoluble radioactivity, presumably in endosomes, banded (after 1 h of 125I-TC-AOM uptake) as a major peak at 1.14 and a minor peak at 1.18 g/ml in sucrose gradients, and was not significantly released by GPN. GPN thus appears to be an excellent tool by which to distinguish between endosomes and lysosomes. MOM, on the other hand, released some radioactivity and acid phosphatase from endosomes as well as from lysosomes.
Absence of rapid desensitization of the mouse gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor
Authors: Davidson J S , Wakefield I K , Millar R P
Published: August 2015

Desensitization of gonadotropin release by the pituitary gland in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists has clinical applications in the treatment of gonadal-hormone-dependent disorders. We therefore investigated possible desensitization of inositol phosphate (IP) responses of GNRH receptors. No short-term homologous desensitization of the IP response to GnRH was observed in either alpha T3 gonadotrope cells line or GH3 cells transfected with GnRH receptor cDNA. The absence of homologous desensitization is unusual among G-protein-coupled receptors, and may be due to the absence of a C-terminal cytoplasmic tail, a unique feature of the GnRH receptor. Several potential protein kinase C phosphorylation sites which might mediate heterologous desensitization are present on the GnRH receptor. In both alpha T3 cells and GnRH-receptor-transfected Cos-1 cells, activation of protein kinase C by pretreatment with phorbol ester caused a 35-53% decrease in the IP response to GnRH. However, phorbol ester also inhibited guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-stimulated IP production in permeabilized Cos-1 cells, suggesting that this inhibition is mediated at a post-receptor site.
Calcium-induced translocation of annexins to subcellular organelles of human neutrophils
Authors: Sjölin C , Stendahl O , Dahlgren C
Published: August 2015

The annexins are Ca(2+)-regulated, phospholipid-binding proteins which have been suggested to take part in cellular events such as exocytosis. The subcellular localization of annexins in human neutrophils was determined using monoclonal antibodies against annexins I, II, IV and VI and a polyclonal peptide antiserum against an annexin consensus sequence. Several annexins were translocated to the light membrane fraction enriched in plasma membranes and secretory vesicles. Annexins were associated also with the azurophil and specific granules. Whereas annexins I, IV and VI and one unidentified 35 kDa protein translocated to each of the isolated organelles, annexin II, a 66 kDa annexin IV-like protein, and a 38 kDa annexin I-like protein exhibited organelle-related differences in their association with membranes. The 38 kDa annexin associated only with specific granules and the secretory vesicles/plasma membrane but not with azurophil granules. Annexin II and the 66 kDa annexin IV-like protein associated with each of the neutrophil organelles, but the binding to specific granules and secretory vesicles/plasma membrane showed a Ca(2+)-dependency different from that of azurophil granules. This observation suggests that these proteins may contribute to the secretory process in neutrophils.
Binding of lipoprotein lipase to α2-macroglobulin
Authors: Vilella E , Bengtsson-Olivecrona G , Stigbrand T , Jensen P E
Published: August 2015

The interaction between bovine lipoprotein lipase (bLPL) and human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) was studied by use of non-denaturing PAGE and gel-permeation, Zn(2+)-Sepharose and heparin-Sepharose chromatography. It was demonstrated that bLPL in vitro binds non-covalently to native alpha 2M, but not to the receptor-recognized form produced by treatment of alpha 2M with chymotrypsin or methylamine. A small amount of bLPL was bound covalently to alpha 2M by disulphide interchange, when incubated together with chymotrypsin or methylamine. Whereas alpha 2M in complex with bLPL still bound to Zn(2+)-Sepharose, bLPL lost the ability to bind to heparin-Sepharose. Preincubation of bLPL with heparin prevented complex-formation with alpha 2M, suggesting that alpha 2M interacts with the heparin-binding domain of bLPL. Experiments in which 125I-bLPL was incubated with human plasma at 20 degrees C demonstrated an 11-17% binding of the labelled lipase to alpha 2M, indicating that this interaction may be of physiological significance.
Cold exposure induces different uncoupling-protein thermogenin masking/unmasking processes in brown adipose tissue depending on mitochondrial subtypes
Authors: Moreno M , Puigserver P , Llull J , Gianotti M , Lanni A , Goglia F , Palou A
Published: August 2015

The effect of cold exposure on thermogenic parameters such as mitochondrial protein content, GDP-binding and uncoupling protein (UCP) levels in different mitochondrial fractions from rat brown adipose tissue has been investigated. Rats were exposed from 12 h to 5 days at 4 degrees C, and three mitochondrial fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation: the M1 fraction (1000 g), the M3 fraction (3000 g) and the M15 fraction (15,000 g). Cytochrome c oxidase activity as an index of mitochondrial mass showed an increase during cold exposure. During the first 24 h of cold exposure UCP was incorporated specifically into the M3 and M15 mitochondrial fractions, and thereafter UCP appeared in the heaviest M1 fraction. However, specific GDP binding was increased during the first 24 h in the same way in all subpopulations, and this increase continued up to 72 h of cold exposure. Results suggest that different molecular events are involved during acute and chronic adaptation to cold: during the first 24 h of cold acclimatization, thermogenic activity is increased by an unmasking process of the UCP binding sites in the M1 mitochondrial fraction as UCP levels were constant and GDP binding increased, but in the M3 and M15 fraction the increase in thermogenic activity was completely due to an increase in GDP binding induced by a specific incorporation of UCP targeted to these mitochondria. Thus thermogenic parameters change in a different way in the brown-fat mitochondrial subpopulations during cold acclimatization.
Contribution of a buried aspartate residue towards the catalytic efficiency and structural stability of Bacillus stearothermophilus lactate dehydrogenase
Authors: Nobbs T J , Cortés A , Gelpi J L , Holbrook J J , Atkinson T , Scawen M D , Nicholls D J
Published: August 2015

The X-ray structure of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) shows the side-chain carboxylate group of Asp-143 to be buried in the hydrophobic interior of the enzyme, where it makes hydrogen-bonding interactions with both the side-chain hydroxyl group of Ser-273 and the main-chain amide group of His-195. This is an unusual environment for a carboxylate side-chain as hydrogen bonding normally occurs with water molecules at the surface of the protein. A charged hydrogen-bonding interaction in the interior of a protein would be expected to be much stronger than a similar interaction on the solvent-exposed exterior. In this respect the side-chain carboxylate group of Asp-143 appears to be important for maintaining tertiary structure by providing a common linkage point between three discontinuous elements of the secondary structure, alpha 1F, beta K and the beta-turn joining beta G and beta H. The contribution of the Asp-143 side-chain to the structure and function of Bacillus stearothermophilus LDH was assessed by creating a mutant enzyme containing Asn-143. The decreased thermal stability of both unactivated and fructose-1,6-diphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2)-activated forms of the mutant enzyme support a structural role for Asp-143. Furthermore, the difference in stability of the wild-type and mutant enzymes in guanidinium chloride suggested that the carboxylate group of Asp-143 contributes at least 22 kJ/mol to the conformational stability of the wild-type enzyme. However, there was no alteration in the amount of accessible tryptophan fluorescence in the mutant enzyme, indicating that the mutation caused a structural weakness rather than a gross conformational change. Comparison of the wild-type and mutant enzyme steady-state parameters for various 2-keto acid substrates showed the mutation to have a general effect on catalysis, with an average difference in binding energy of 11 kJ/mol for the transition-state complexes. The different effects of pH and Fru-1,6-P2 on the wild-type and mutant enzymes also confirmed a perturbation of the catalytic centre in the mutant enzyme. As the side-chain of Asp-143 is not sufficiently close to the active site to be directly involved in catalysis or substrate binding it is proposed that the effects on catalysis shown by the mutant enzyme are induced either by a structural change or by charge imbalance at the active site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Analysis of the co-localization of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) and the trans Golgi network marker TGN38 within 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Martin S , Reaves B , Banting G , Gould G W
Published: August 2015

The exposure of isolated adipocytes to insulin results in an approximately 20-fold increase in the rate of glucose transport into the cell. This increase is mediated by the movement of a pool of intracellular vesicles containing the so-called insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) to the cell surface. In the resting state, most of the GLUT4 molecules are sequestered inside the adipocyte in an as yet unidentified intracellular compartment. TGN38 is an integral membrane protein which has been shown to be predominantly localized to the trans Golgi network [Luzio, Brake, Banting, Howell, Braghetta and Stanley (1990) Biochem. J. 270, 97-102]. Here we investigate whether GLUT4 and TGN38 are co-localized in the murine 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line. Immuno-adsorption of intracellular vesicles containing GLUT4 with an anti-peptide antibody specific for this isoform did not deplete the low-density microsomal fraction of TGN38 in these cells; moreover, no TGN38 was detected in the GLUT4-containing vesicles by immunoblotting with a TGN38-specific antiserum. Immuno-adsorption of TGN38-containing vesicles and subsequent analysis of the proteins in these vesicles revealed that a detectable amount of GLUT4 (5-10%) did co-localise with TGN38. The amount of GLUT4 in the TGN38-containing vesicles did not change in response to insulin. Immunofluorescence analysis of TGN38 and GLUT4 in these cells revealed markedly different staining patterns. Reversal of insulin-stimulated glucose transport and subsequent analysis of the TGN38-containing vesicles demonstrated that during the re-cycling of GLUT4 to the intracellular storage site there was no increase in the amount of GLUT4 co-localized with TGN38. Taken together, these results suggest that the trans Golgi network is not the major site of the intracellular GLUT4 pool within 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
The size of the intracellular β 1-integrin precursor pool regulates maturation of β 1-integrin subunit and associated α-subunits
Authors: Koivisto L , Heino J , Häkkinen L , Larjava H
Published: August 2015

A large pool of precursor beta 1-integrin subunits is frequently found intracellularly. During malignant transformation this pool often disappears. Concomitantly, integrin-mediated cell-adhesion functions are disturbed, even though no change in the number of beta 1-integrin receptors on the cell surface can be observed. Here, we have studied the role of an intracellular pre-beta 1-integrin pool by transfecting human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells with plasmid construction producing an antisense RNA for the beta 1-integrin subunit. Stable cell clones expressing beta 1-integrin antisense RNA were shown to have a reduced intracellular pool of pre-beta 1-integrin subunits. In the antisense-transfected cells, the synthesis of the beta 1-integrin chain was reduced by 65% compared with non-transfected or vector-transfected MG-63 cells. The decreased synthesis of the beta 1-integrin chain was associated with accelerated maturation of the beta 1-integrin chain (half-maturation time about 5 h in antisense-transfected cells compared with about 10.5 h in control cells), whereas maturation of the alpha-integrin chain slowed down. The amount of beta 1-integrins on the cell surface, however, remained unaltered. Cell clones with the largest decrease in the relative amount of the pre-beta 1-integrin subunit also showed altered integrin function. They were found to synthesize fibronectin, but were unable to assemble it into a fibronectin matrix on the cell surface. Thus we conclude that the repression of biosynthesis of the beta 1-integrin chain leads to alterations in receptor maturation and may be connected with altered receptor function.
Brefeldin A inhibits transport of the glycophorin-binding protein from Plasmodium falciparum into the host erythrocyte
Authors: Benting J , Mattei D , Lingelbach K
Published: August 2015

Plasmodium falciparum, a protozoan parasite of the human erythrocyte, causes the most severe form of malaria. During its intraerythrocytic development, the parasite synthesizes proteins which are exported into the host cell. The compartments involved in the secretory pathway of P. falciparum are still poorly characterized. A Golgi apparatus has not been identified, owing to the lack of specific protein markers and Golgi-specific post-translational modifications in the parasite. The fungal metabolite brefeldin A (BFA) is known to inhibit protein secretion in higher eukaryotes by disrupting the integrity of the Golgi apparatus. We have used the parasite-encoded glycophorin-binding protein (GBP), a soluble protein found in the host cell cytoplasm, as a marker to investigate the effects of BFA on protein secretion in the intracellular parasite. In the presence of BFA, GBP was not transported into the erythrocyte, but remained inside the parasite cell. The effect caused by BFA was reversible, and the protein could be chased into the host cell cytoplasm within 30 min. Transport of GBP from the BFA-sensitive site into the host cell did not require protein synthesis. Similar observations were made when infected erythrocytes were incubated at 15 degrees C. Incubation at 20 degrees C resulted in a reduction rather than a complete block of protein export. The relevance of our findings to the identification of compartments involved in protein secretion from the parasite cell is discussed.
Aberrant 3H labelling of ATP during in vivo labelling of Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells with [2-3H]inositol is significant in the study of isomers of InsP3 and InsP4
Authors: Christensen S , Harbak H , Simonsen L O
Published: August 2015

Neutralized perchloric acid extracts of intra-abdominally proliferating Ehrlich mouse ascites-tumour cells harvested after 24 h exposure to [2-3H]inositol were analysed by Mono Q HR5/5 anion-exchange h.p.l.c. using an ammonium formate/phosphoric acid gradient or by ambient-pressure small-column anion-exchange chromatography (Bio-Rad AG 1-X8, 200-400 mesh). The results showed that cellular ATP contained aberrant 3H label in excess of 3H in the isomers of InsP3 and InsP4. The putative ATP 3H radioactivity showed: (i) h.p.l.c. run time as the material causing the largest A254 peak traced, (ii) precise spiking with ATP and [14C]ATP and (iii) specific absorption to charcoal. Moreover, enzymic conversion of ATP into ADP changed putative ATP 3H into putative ADP 3H. In addition, aberrant 3H labelling of cellular ADP and GTP was detected, although at a lower level.
Interleukin-6, but not tumour necrosis factor-α, increases lipogenesis in rat hepatocyte primary cultures
Authors: Brass E P , Vetter W H
Published: August 2015

The Kupffer-cell products interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been shown to stimulate hepatic lipogenesis in vivo. Studies were performed to define the direct effects of these cytokines on lipogenesis in primary-culture rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were cultured in the presence of IL-6 or TNF-alpha for periods of 24-72 h. IL-6 increased hepatocyte protein content per microgram of DNA. IL-6 also caused a dose- and time-dependent induction of hepatocyte capacity for incorporation of [2-14C]pyruvate into fatty acids (56% increase by 12.5 ng/ml IL-6 after 72 h of cytokine exposure). This increase in cellular lipogenic capacity was confirmed by using 3H2O incorporation into fatty acids as tracer. TNF-alpha did not increase hepatocyte lipogenesis. In contrast with studies in vivo, neither IL-6 nor TNF-alpha had any acute (2 h of exposure) effects on rates of lipogenesis. Both IL-6 and TNF-alpha are known to increase macrophage prostaglandin synthesis acutely. The prostaglandin E agonist misoprostol free acid (0.1 microM) acutely increased hepatocyte lipogenic rates by 14%. Thus, IL-6 can directly induce hepatocyte lipogenic capacity, and E-series prostaglandins can antagonize the acute inhibition of lipogenesis by glucagon. The observations provide further evidence for the role of Kupffer-cell products in the regulation of hepatocyte metabolism.
Sequence analysis of a mammalian phospholipid-binding protein from testis and epididymis and its distribution between spermatozoa and extracellular secretions
Authors: Perry A C F , Hall L , Bell A E , Jones R
Published: August 2015

The cellular origin of a soluble phospholipid-binding protein (PBP) in rat testicular and epididymal secretions has been investigated genetically and immunologically. PBP is ubiquitous in tissue cytosols but is not present in blood serum, lymph or milk. The relatively large amounts present in cauda epididymal plasma (CEP) and rete testis fluid suggested therefore that it may be secreted specifically by these tissues. However, when PBP cDNAs from testis and epididymis were cloned and sequenced, they did not contain a signal peptide and only one size of transcript was obtained on Northern blots of RNAs from liver, brain, placenta, testis and epididymis. Moreover, PBP could not be detected in sperm-free CEP from castrated, androgen-stimulated animals or in medium from Sertoli cell cultures. Spermatozoa, on the other hand, contained significant amounts of PBP that could be solubilized by washing cells in dissociating reagents or high-salt solutions. These results indicate that, contrary to previous interpretations, PBP is not secreted by classical pathways in either the testis or epididymis but that its presence in CEP and rete testis fluid is attributable largely to release from spermatozoa. Thus, spermatozoa have a significant influence on the composition of CEP as well as on the secretory and absorptive activity of the epididymal epithelium. A possible role for PBP in membrane biogenesis and maintenance of antigen segregation in spermatozoa is discussed.
The GLUT3 glucose transporter is the predominant isoform in primary cultured neurons: assessment by biosynthetic and photoaffinity labelling
Authors: Maher F , Simpson I A
Published: August 2015

Cerebellar granule neurons in primary culture express increasing levels of two glucose transporter isoforms, GLUT1 and GLUT3, as they differentiate in vitro. We have determined the relative abundance of GLUT1 and GLUT3 in these neurons by three different labelling methods. (1) Photoaffinity cell surface labelling of neurons with an impermeant bis-mannose photolabel revealed 6-10-fold more GLUT3 than GLUT1 and dissociation constants (Kd) for the photolabel of 55-68 microM (GLUT3) and 146-169 microM (GLUT1). Binding to both transporters was inhibited by cytochalasin B. (2) Photoaffinity labelling of neuronal membranes with a permeant forskolin derivative showed 5.5-8-fold more GLUT3 than GLUT1, whereas in rat brain membranes containing both neuronal and glial membranes, GLUT3 and GLUT1 were detected in similar proportions. (3) Biosynthetic labelling of neurons with [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine showed GLUT3 to be 6-10-fold more abundant than GLUT1. Thus GLUT3 is quantitatively the predominant glucose-transport isoform in cultured cerebellar granule neurons.
Catalytic mechanism of active-site serine β-lactamases: role of the conserved hydroxy group of the Lys-Thr(Ser)-Gly triad
Authors: Dubus A , Wilkin J M , Raquet X , Normark S , Frère J M
Published: August 2015

The role of the conserved hydroxy group of the Lys-Thr(Ser)-Gly [KT(S)G] triad has been studied for a class A and a class C beta-lactamase by site-directed mutagenesis. Surprisingly, the disappearance of this functional group had little impact on the penicillinase activity of both enzymes. The cephalosporinase activity was much more affected for the class A S235A (Ser235-->Ala) and the class C T316V (Thr315-->Val) mutants, but the class C T316A mutant was less impaired. Studies were extended to beta-lactams, where the carboxy group on C-3 of penicillins or C-4 of cephalosporins had been modified. The effects of the mutations were the same on these compounds as on the unmodified regular penicillins and cephalosporins. The results are compared with those obtained with a similar mutant (T299V) of the Streptomyces R61 DD-peptidase. With this enzyme the mutation also affected the interactions with penicillins and severely decreased the peptidase activity. The strict conservation of the hydroxy group on the second residue of the KT(S)G triad is thus much more easy to understand for the DD-peptidase and the penicillin-binding proteins than for beta-lactamases, especially those of class C.
Activation of multiple pH-regulatory pathways in granulocytes by a phosphotyrosine phosphatase antagonist
Authors: Bianchini L , Nanda A , Wasan S , Grinstein S
Published: August 2015

Activated phagocytes undergo a massive burst of metabolic acid generation, yet must be able to maintain their cytosolic pH (pHi) within physiological limits. Peroxides of vanadate (V(4+)-OOH), potent inhibitors of phosphotyrosine phosphatases, have recently been shown to produce activation of the respiratory burst in HL60 granulocytes. We therefore investigated the effects of V(4+)-OOH on pHi homoeostasis in HL60 granulocytes, using a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye. V(4+)-OOH stimulation induced a biphasic pH change: a transient cytosolic acidification followed by a significant alkalinization. The initial acidification was prevented by inhibition of the NADPH oxidase and was absent in undifferentiated cells lacking oxidase activity. Analysis of the alkalinization phase demonstrated the involvement of the Na+/H+ antiporter, and also provided evidence for activation of two alternative H(+)-extrusion pathways: a bafilomycin-sensitive component, likely reflecting vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase activity, and a Zn(2+)-sensitive H(+)-conductive pathway. Our results indicate that V(4+)-OOH stimulation not only activated the NADPH oxidase but concomitantly stimulated H(+)-extrusion pathways, enabling the cells to compensate for the massive production of intracellular H+ associated with the respiratory burst.
Identification of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractants (CINC), rat GRO/CINC-2α and CINC-2 β, produced by granulation tissue in culture: purification, complete amino acid sequences and characterization
Authors: Nakagawa H , Komorita N , Shibata F , Ikesue A , Konishi K , Fujioka M , Kato H
Published: August 2015

Four basic neutrophil chemotactic factors (chemokines) have been purified from conditioned medium of granulation tissue obtained from carrageenin-induced inflammation in the rat. On the basis of their N-terminal amino acid sequences, one of the chemokines was identical with rat GRO/cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) which we reported previously, and another was identical with rat macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). Two other chemokines were novel chemoattractants related to MIP-2. The novel chemokines are referred to as rat GRO/CINC-2 alpha and CINC-2 beta, and consequently CINC and rat MIP-2 are renamed rat GRO/CINC-1 and CINC-3 respectively. The complete amino acid sequences of purified CINC-2 alpha and CINC-3 were determined by analysis of the fragments isolated from proteinase V8-treated CINCs. The cDNA for CINC-2 beta was cloned by reverse transcription/PCR amplification using specific primers starting with total RNA extracted from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat macrophages. A comparison of the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified CINC-2 beta revealed that mature CINC-2 beta is a 68-residue chemoattractant produced by cleavage of a 32-residue signal peptide. The difference in amino acid sequences between CINC-2 alpha and CINC-2 beta consisted of only three C-terminal residues. Rat GRO/CINC-2 alpha is a major chemokine, and the four purified chemokines have similar chemotactic activity, suggesting that they contribute to neutrophil infiltration into inflammatory sites in rats.
Alternate-strand DNA triple-helix formation using short acridine-linked oligonucleotides
Authors: Washbrook E , Fox K R
Published: August 2015

We have used DNAse I footprinting to examine the formation of intermolecular DNA triple helices at sequences containing adjacent blocks of purines and pyrimidines. The target sites G6T6.A6C6 and T6G6.C6A6 were cloned into longer DNA fragments and used as substrates for DNAse I footprinting, which examined the binding of the acridine (Acr)-linked oligonucleotides Acr-T5G5 and Acr-G5T5 respectively. These third strands were designed to incorporate both G.GC triplets, with antiparallel Gn strands held together by reverse Hoogsteen base pairs, and T.AT triplets, with the two T-containing strands arranged antiparallel to each other. We find that Acr-T5G5 binds to the target sequence G6T6.-A6C6, in the presence of magnesium at pH 7.0, generating clear DNAse I footprints. In this structure the central guanine is not recognized by the third strand and is accessible to modification by dimethyl sulphate. Under these conditions no footprint was observed with Acr-G5T5 and T6G6.C6A6, though this triplex was evident in the presence of manganese chloride. Manganese also facilitated the binding of Acr-T5G5 to a second site in the fragment containing the sequence T6G6.C6A6. This represents interaction with the sequence G4ATCT6, located at the boundary between the synthetic insert and the remainder of the fragment, and suggests that this bivalent metal ion may stabilize triplexes that contain one or two mismatches. Manganese did not affect the interaction of either oligonucleotide with G6T6.A6C6.
Two calcium-binding sites mediate the interconversion of liver inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors between three conformational states
Authors: Marshall I C , Taylor C W
Published: August 2015

Cytosolic Ca2+ biphasically regulates Ins(1,4,5)P3-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization in liver [Marshall and Taylor (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 13214-13220]. We have investigated the mechanisms underlying this biphasic control of Ca2+ mobilization in permeabilized hepatocytes by comparing the effects of Sr2+, Ba2+ and Ca2+ on the liver Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor. Both Ca2+ and Sr2+ increased the binding of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 to liver membranes by converting receptors from a low-affinity (KD approximately 35 nM) to a high-affinity (KD approximately 5 nM) state. Ba2+ (< or = 20 microM) did not affect [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding. At concentrations similar to those that caused an enhancement of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding, Sr2+ (EC50 = 570 nM) and Ca2+ (EC50 = 200 nM) increased the sensitivity of the intracellular Ca2+ stores to Ins(1,4,5)P3. Further modest elevations in [Ca2+] (EC50 = 1.5 microM) inhibited Ins(1,4,5)P3-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization, whereas Sr2+ caused inhibition only when its concentration was very substantially increased (EC50 approximately 900 microM). Sr2+ is therefore only 3-fold less potent than Ca2+ in causing sensitization of Ins(1,4,5)P3-stimulated Ca2+ release, but 600-fold less potent in causing inhibition. Ba2+ neither sensitized ([Ba2+] < or = 20 microM) nor inhibited ([Ba2+] < or = 1 mM) Ins(1,4,5)P3-stimulated Ca2+ release, and did not inhibit either the sensitization of Ca2+ release evoked by Sr2+ or the inhibition of Ca2+ release evoked by Ca2+. Our results suggest that two distinct Ca(2+)-binding sites, which differ in their selectivities for bivalent cations, mediate the interconversion of Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors between at least three different conformational states. These two Ca(2+)-binding sites, which may reside either on the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor itself or on distinct regulatory proteins, can be distinguished by their different selectivities for bivalent cations.
Alteration of intracellular Ca2+ transients in COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA encoding skeletal-muscle ryanodine receptor carrying a mutation associated with malignant hyperthermia
Authors: Treves S , Larini F , Menegazzi P , Steinberg T H , Koval M , Vilsen B , Andersen J P , Zorzato F
Published: August 2015

Malignant hyperthermia (MH), an inherited neuromuscular disease triggered by halogenated inhalational anaesthetics and skeletal-muscle relaxants, appears to be due to an alteration of intracellular Ca2+ homoeostasis. MH occurs in 1 out of 20,000 anaesthetized adults and is characterized by hypermetabolism, skeletal-muscle rigidity and elevation in body temperature, which is frequently fatal [MacLennan and Phillips (1992) Science 256, 789-794]. The defect responsible for the disease may lie within the mechanism controlling the release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum via the ryanodine-receptor (RYR) Ca2+ channel; in fact a point mutation in the RYR has been associated with MH in some human families, as well as in the MH-susceptible pig. To date, however, no direct evidence has been obtained demonstrating that the point mutation is both necessary and sufficient to cause functional alterations in RYR-mediated Ca2+ release. In the present report we show that the presence of the Arg-to-Cys point mutation in the recombinant RYR expressed in COS-7 transfected cells causes abnormal cytosolic Ca2+ transients in response to 4-chloro-m-cresol, an agent capable of eliciting in vitro contracture of MH-susceptible muscles.
Isolation and characterization of fibronectin-α1-microglobulin complex in rat plasma
Authors: Falkenberg C , Enghild J J , Thøgersen I B , Salvesen G , Akerström B
Published: August 2015

Molecules containing the 28 kDa immunoregulatory protein alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m), also known as protein HC, were isolated from rat plasma or serum by immunoaffinity chromatography. Three molecular species were distinguished on the basis of nondenaturing PAGE. Two of these have been described previously: uncomplexed alpha 1-m, and the complex of alpha 1-m with alpha 1-inhibitor-3. The third species was analysed by denaturing PAGE, immunoblotting, proteinase digestion and N-terminal-sequence analyses, and shown to consist of a complex between alpha 1-m and fibronectin. This complex, with a mass of about 560 kDa, was resistant to dissociation in the presence of denaturants, but not in the presence of reducing agents in combination with denaturants, and we conclude that the two components are linked by disulphide bonds. About 60% of the total detectable plasma alpha 1-m exists as high-molecular-mass complexes distributed approximately evenly between fibronectin and alpha 1-inhibitor-3. Immunochemical analyses were used to determine the proportion of the total plasma pools of fibronectin and alpha 1-inhibitor-3 that circulate in complex with alpha 1-m. About 3-7% of the total plasma fibronectin from three different rat strains contained alpha 1-m, whereas 0.3-0.8% of the total plasma alpha 1-inhibitor-3 contained alpha 1-m. Complexes were found at similar levels in plasma and serum, indicating that coagulation is not responsible for complex formation. Moreover, immunochemical analyses of human plasma revealed small amounts of alpha 1-m in complex with fibronectin and alpha 2-macroglobulin (an alpha 1-inhibitor-3 homologue). The existence of a complex between alpha 1-m and fibronectin in rats and humans suggests a mechanism for the incorporation of the immunoregulatory molecule alpha 1-m into the extracellular matrix.
Effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factors on protein and energy metabolism in tumour-bearing rats
Authors: Tomas F M , Chandler C S , Coyle P , Bourgeois C S , Burgoyne J L , Rofe A M
Published: August 2015

The effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), and a more potent variant LR3-IGF-I, which binds poorly to IGF-binding proteins, were investigated in rats bearing a mammary adenocarcinoma. The effect of insulin, either alone or in combination with LR3-IGF-I, was also investigated. Peptides were infused via osmotic minipumps for 6-7 days after tumour size reached 5% of body weight. Infusion of IGFs alone at either 200 or 500 microgram/day significantly decreased food intakes as well as circulating levels of insulin and glucose, and consequently failed to promote muscle protein accretion in the host. Tumour growth was increased by the IGFs, especially by LR3-IGF-I, even though these peptides did not promote growth of the adenocarcinoma in cell culture. Infusion of LR3-IGF-I, and to a lesser extent IGF-I, led to decreased rates of muscle protein synthesis and increased muscle protein breakdown, but each of these measures was closely related to the final tumour burden (r2 = 0.454 and 0.810 respectively; P < 0.01) and possibly resulted from a decrease in substrate supply to the host tissues. Insulin infusion (100 micrograms/day) increased food consumption by more than 50% and significantly decreased tumour growth. Insulin and LR3-IGF-I had a synergistic effect on host weight, which increased by 19.1 +/- 1.9, -1.1 +/- 4.7 and 37.9 +/- 1.5 g for insulin, LR3-IGF-I and combined treatments respectively. Carcass protein was increased by more than 10% with insulin treatment, due to increased rates of synthesis and decreased rates of muscle protein breakdown, but LR3-IGF-I had no positive effect on carcass protein accretion, either alone or in combination with insulin. Similarly, the amount of carcass fat was increased almost 2-fold by insulin treatment, whereas it was decreased by 30% by LR3-IGF-I. These changes may have arisen either from direct hormone effects on metabolism or from the indirect effects of food intake, or both. Our results suggest that IGF administration may exacerbate an insulin insufficiency associated with the tumour-bearing state and further decrease metabolic substrate supply to the host. This can be overcome by co-infusion of insulin.
Properties of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase in rat adipose tissue
Authors: Jamdar S C , Cao W F
Published: August 2015

Previously we have identified the presence of two different phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PPH) activities in rat adipose tissue, based on Mg(2+)-dependency. In the present investigation, we have further characterized these isoenzymes, using both aqueous dispersed and membrane-bound phosphatidate as substrates and differentiated these activities on the basis of both Mg(2+)-dependency and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitivity. These two distinguishing criteria gave identical estimates of PPH activities present in the different subcellular fractions. The microsomal and cytosol fractions contained mainly the Mg(2+)-dependent (NEM-sensitive) form, which was inhibited by various thiol reagents, was inactivated by heating at 55 degrees C for 20 min, and was decreased significantly within 2 h after intraperitoneal administration of cystamine (200 mg/kg). Such treatments had no effects on the Mg(2+)-independent (NEM-insensitive) form of PPH, which was mainly located in the plasma membranes, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. Addition of Lipid A and guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate to the assay mixture had no effect on the PPH activities. The Mg(2+)-independent PPH form, which was thermostable in the intact subcellular fractions, became thermolabile when these fractions were disrupted in the presence of Triton X-100. The present studies demonstrate that: (1) the thermostability is not a satisfactory index to differentiate these isoenzymes; (2) the thiol/disulphide exchange may be involved in the regulation of Mg(2+)-dependent PPH activity; and (3) the PPH isoenzymes do not seem to be under G-protein control in adipose tissue, as reported previously in the mesangial cell line.
Interactions of plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase with reaction intermediate analogues: correlation of the slow, competitive, inhibition kinetics of enzyme activity and herbicidal effects
Authors: Dumas R , Cornillon-Bertrand C , Guigue-Talet P , Genix P , Douce R , Job D
Published: August 2015

N-Hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA) is known to inhibit extremely tightly (Ki of 22 pM) the bacterial acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86) [Aulabaugh and Schloss (1990) Biochemistry 29, 2824-2830], the second enzyme of the branched-chain-amino-acid-biosynthetic pathway. Yet, although the same pathway exists in plant cells, this compound presents only very poor herbicidal action. Towards the goal of gaining a better understanding of this behaviour, we have studied the mechanism of interaction of this compound with a highly purified acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase of plant origin, i.e. the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chloroplast enzyme. IpOHA behaved as a nearly irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme. Encounter complex formation was very slow (association rate constant 1.9 x 10(3) M-1.s-1) and involved a single bimolecular step. Since inhibition was competitive with respect to acetohydroxy acid substrates, the time needed to achieve substantial (90%) inhibition in vitro of enzyme activity in the simultaneous presence of substrates and inhibitors was extremely long (for example of the order of hours at 1 microM IpOHA and 100 microM acetohydroxy acid substrates). Thus, under in vivo conditions, binding of the inhibitor may be so slow that it may delay considerably the time required for inhibition of the target enzyme. Simialr kinetic behaviour was observed with another reaction intermediate analogue described by Schulz, Spönemann, Köcher and Wengenmayer [(1988) FEBS Lett. 238, 375-378], 2-dimethyl-phosphinoyl-2-hydroxyacetic acid (Hoe 704), which displays a higher herbicide activity than IpOHA. The herbicidal potency of these two compounds appeared to be correlated with their rates of association with the plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase, since the bimolecular rate constant for Hoe 704 (2.2 x 10(4) M-1.s-1) was higher than that for IpOHA.
Epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies to the paired helical filaments of Alzheimer's disease: identification of phosphorylation sites in tau protein
Authors: Goedert M , Jakes R , Crowther R A , Cohen P , Vanmechelen E , Vandermeeren M , Cras P
Published: August 2015

Tau is a neuronal phosphoprotein the expression of which is developmentally regulated. A single tau isoform is expressed in fetal human brain but six isoforms are expressed in adult human brain, with the fetal isoform corresponding to the shortest adult isoform. Phosphorylation is also developmentally regulated, as fetal tau is phosphorylated at more sites than adult tau. In Alzheimer's disease, the six adult tau isoforms become hyperphosphorylated and form the paired helical filament (PHF), the major fibrous component of the neurofibrillary lesions. One way to identify phosphorylated sites in tau is to use antibodies that recognize phosphorylated residues within a specific amino acid sequence. We here characterize the two novel phosphorylation-dependent anti-tau antibodies AT270 and AT180 and identify their epitopes as containing phosphorylated Thr-181 and Thr-231 respectively. With these antibodies we show that these two threonine residues are partially phosphorylated in fetal and adult tau and almost fully phosphorylated in PHF tau. This result contrasts with previous studies of Ser-202 and Ser-396 which are partially phosphorylated in fetal tau, unphosphorylated in adult tau but almost fully phosphorylated in PHF tau.
On the interactions of Ca2+ and cyclosporin A with a mitochondrial inner membrane pore: a study using cobaltammine complex inhibitors of the Ca2+ uniporter
Authors: Crompton M , Andreeva L
Published: August 2015

The mitochondrial inner membrane contains a Ca(2+)-activated pore of possible relevance to the pathogenesis of ischaemia/reperfusion injury which is inhibited by the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CSA). The present study employs a number of novel cobaltammine complex inhibitors of the Ca2+ uniporter (mediating Ca2+ uptake) to examine whether intramitochondrial Ca2+ influences the capacity of CSA to block the pore. Using dissipation of the inner membrane potential as a means of monitoring the state of the pore, it is shown that CSA blockade is facilitated as Ca2+ uptake is restricted. Ca2+ also depresses and reverses the binding of [3H]CSA to mitochondria, but Ca2+ is ineffective when its uptake is prevented. It is concluded that a high intramitochondrial Ca2+ concentration antagonizes pore inhibition by CSA. The significance of this is discussed.
Purification and characterization of the human epidermal fatty acid-binding protein: localization during epidermal cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Siegenthaler G , Hotz R , Chatellard-Gruaz D , Didierjean L , Hellman U , Saurat J H
Published: August 2015

Epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP) was isolated from human skin and purified to homogeneity. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 15 kDa and the pI of non-denaturing protein was 5.6. Scatchard-plot analysis revealed one class of binding site for oleic acid with a Kd of 0.46 microM. Structure-binding relation experiments revealed a high affinity of E-FABP for stearic acid which decreased on reduction of the number of carbon atoms or introduction of double bonds into the fatty acid chain. Squalene, cholesterol and retinoic acid isomers showed no affinity, suggesting that E-FABP displays high specificity for fatty acids. E-FABP is a scarce cytosolic protein (0.065% of total protein). Only trace amounts could be detected in normal human skin but up to 42.5 +/- 3.4 pmol/mg of protein was found in a non-malignant defect of keratinocyte differentiation (psoriatic lesions). E-FABP levels were low in cultured human keratinocytes grown under proliferation-stimulating conditions but increased about 2-fold on induction of differentiation by Ca2+. Immunohistochemical localization showed cytosolic staining in differentiated cells of normal and psoriatic skin, suggesting a link between E-FABP and keratinocyte differentiation. The presence of E-FABP in tissues other than skin (heart, intestine and adipose tissue) excludes its specific role in fatty acid metabolism in epithelial cells or its involvement in skin lipid-barrier function.
Interaction between glutathione and Cu(II) in the vicinity of nucleic acids
Authors: Prütz W A
Published: August 2015

GSH interacts with Cu(II) in the vicinity of DNA (pH approximately 7) to form the DNA-Cu(I) complex, which can be quantified by characteristic absorption changes [e.g. delta epsilon 295 = 4516 cm-1.M-1 Cu(I)]. Under initial conditions of Cu(II)/GSH >> 1 and DNA(base)/Cu(II) >> 5, the stoichiometry is 1 DNA-Cu(I) per SH group (also for other thiols). Stopped-flow kinetics show that the complex is formed with half-lives of 1-30 s, depending on the environment, but independent of O2. DNA-Cu(I) generation is much slower, less efficient, and O2-dependent at Cu(II)/GSH < 1, or when GSH interacts with Cu(II) before the addition of DNA. Interaction of GSH with Cu(II) in the presence of DNA [at Cu(II)/GSH > 1] leads to DNA-associated transients, probably DNA-GS(-)-Cu(I); DNA-Cu(I) formation under these conditions is proposed to occur by ligand exchange: DNA-GS(-)-Cu(I)+Cu(II)<-->DNA-Cu(I)+GS(-)-Cu(II). There is no evidence for generation of free thiyl radicals (GS.) on reaction of Cu(II) with GSH. Formation of DNA-Cu(I) is, in our opinion, a primary step involved in DNA-strand cleavage by GSH in the presence of Cu(II) [Reed and Douglas (1991) Biochem. J. 275, 601-608]. In this context the question of the pro-oxidative and/or antioxidative activity of GSH, when combined with copper, is discussed. GSH also generates Cu(I) complexes with other nucleic acids. An updated order of affinities of various nucleic acids for Cu(I) is presented. Cu(I) exhibits a high preference for alternating dG-dC sequences and might even be a Z-DNA inducer. The poly(C)-Cu(I) complex seems to form a base-paired structure at pH approximately 7, as demonstrated by intercalation of ethidium bromide.
Molecular cloning of a novel N-terminal variant of annexin II from rat basophilic leukaemia cells
Authors: Upton A L , Moss S E
Published: August 2015

Rat annexin II cDNA clones were isolated from a rat basophilic leukaemia cell plasmid library by cross-species hybridization with a mouse probe, and fully sequenced using the dideoxy-chain-termination method. Alignment of the derived amino-acid sequence with those of other mammalian annexin II species revealed a high level of conservation, characteristic of the annexin family of proteins. One of the cDNAs isolated contained an additional six nucleotides close to the N-terminus, lying in-frame and at a point corresponding to an intron/exon boundary in the human annexin II gene. As the two rat cDNAs were identical apart from the six nucleotide insert, it is likely that these represent alternatively spliced transcripts of a single gene, rather than the products of two separate genes. The six nucleotides encode serine-glutamine and therefore introduce an additional potential phosphorylation site into a region already containing one tyrosine and two serine phosphorylation sites. The discovery of this novel annexin II variant may have important implications both for p11 binding and for regulation of annexin II function by phosphorylation.