bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Movement of biotin across the rat intestinal basolateral membrane. Studies with membrane vesicles
Authors: Said H M
Published: August 2015

The characteristics of the transport process of the water-soluble vitamin biotin across the basolateral membrane (BLM) of rat intestine, i.e. the exit of biotin from rat enterocyte, were examined using established BLM vesicles (BLMV) techniques. Results of osmolarity and temperature studies have indicated that the majority of biotin taken up by these vesicles is the result of transport of the vitamin into the intravesicular spaces, with little membrane binding. Transport of biotin in these vesicles was found to be: (1) higher in BLMV of the jejunum than those isolated simultaneously from the ileum, (2) Na(+)-independent in nature, (3) saturable as a function of concentration, with an apparent Km of 3.51 microM and a Vmax. of 16.49 pmol/10 s per mg of protein, (4) inhibited by high concentrations of unlabelled biotin and its related compounds, but not by the unrelated taurocholate, (5) sensitive to the anion transport inhibitors 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (SITS), and (6) not affected by imposing a positive or a negative intravesicular space with the use of a valinomycin-induced K+ diffusion potential. Based on these findings, it is concluded that biotin transport across the rat intestinal BLM is mediated via a specialized carrier system which is Na(+)-independent, transports the vitamin by a process which is sensitive to the effects of anion transport inhibitors, and is electroneutral in nature.
Substitution of cysteine for glycine-α1-691 in the proα1(I) chain of type I procollagen in a proband with lethal osteogenesis imperfecta destabilizes the triple helix at a site C-terminal to the substitution
Authors: Steinmann B , Westerhausen A , Constantinou C D , Superti-Furga A , Prockop D J
Published: August 2015

Skin fibroblasts from a proband with lethal osteogenesis imperfecta synthesized a type I procollagen containing a cysteine residue in the alpha 1(I) helical domain. Assay of thermal stability of the triple helix by proteinase digestion demonstrated a decreased temperature for thermal unfolding of the protein. Of special importance was the observation that assays of thermal stability by proteinase digestion revealed two bands present in a 2:1 ratio of about 140 and 70 kDa; the 140 kDa band was reducible to a 70 kDa band. Further analysis of the fragments demonstrated that the cysteine mutation produced a local unfolding of the triple helix around residue 700 and apparently exposed the arginine residue at position 704 in both the alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) chains. Analysis of cDNAs and genomic DNAs demonstrated a single-base mutation that changed the GGT codon for glycine-691 of the alpha 1(I) chain to a TGT codon for cysteine. The mutation was not found in DNA from either of the proband's parents. Since the proteinase assay of helical stability generated a fragment of 700 residues that retained disulphide-bonded cysteine residues at alpha 1-691, the results provide one of the first indications that glycine substitutions in type I procollagen can alter the conformation of the triple helix at a site that is C-terminal to the site of the substitution.
Characterization of hybrid proteins consisting of the catalytic domains of Clostridium and Ruminococcus endoglucanases, fused to Pseudomonas non-catalytic cellulose-binding domains
Authors: Poole D M , Durrant A J , Hazlewood G P , Gilbert H J
Published: August 2015

The N-terminal 160 or 267 residues of xylanase A from Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa, containing a non-catalytic cellulose-binding domain (CBD), were fused to the N-terminus of the catalytic domain of endoglucanase E (EGE') from Clostridium thermocellum. A further hybrid enzyme was constructed consisting of the 347 N-terminal residues of xylanase C (XYLC) from P. fluorescens subsp. cellulosa, which also constitutes a CBD, fused to the N-terminus of endoglucanase A (EGA) from Ruminococcus albus. The three hybrid enzymes bound to insoluble cellulose, and could be eluted such that cellulose-binding capacity and catalytic activity were retained. The catalytic properties of the fusion enzymes were similar to EGE' and EGA respectively. Residues 37-347 and 34-347 of XYLC were fused to the C-terminus of EGE' and the 10 amino acids encoded by the multiple cloning sequence of pMTL22p respectively. The two hybrid proteins did not bind cellulose, although residues 39-139 of XYLC were shown previously to constitute a functional CBD. The putative role of the P. fluorescens subsp. cellulosa CBD in cellulase action is discussed.
Primary structure and origin of schistosomin, an anti-gonadotropic neuropeptide of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Hordijk P L , Schallig H D F H , Ebberink R H M , de Jong-Brink M , Joosse J
Published: August 2015

In the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis infected with the schistosome parasite Trichobilharzia ocellata, a peptide called schistosomin is released from the central nervous system, which counteracts the bioactivity of a number of gonadotropic hormones. This leads to inhibition of the reproductive activities of the infected snail. In order to determine the structure of schistosomin, the neuropeptide was purified from the central nervous system using gel-permeation chromatography and reverse-phase h.p.l.c. The complete primary structure of the peptide was determined by N-terminal sequencing and peptide mapping. Schistosomin is a single-chain molecule of 79 amino acids with a molecular mass of 8738 Da. The peptide contains eight cysteine residues which may give rise to four intramolecular disulphide bridges that fold the peptide into a stable globular structure. A database search did not reveal any known peptides that show significant sequence similarity to schistosomin. By means of immunocytochemistry, the peptide was shown to be localized in the growth-controlling neurosecretory light green cells, which are located in the cerebral ganglia of the central nervous system of Lymnaea. In addition to schistosomin, these neurons are known to produce various insulin-related peptides.
Preparation and characterization of basolateral plasma-membrane vesicles from sheep parotid glands. Mechanisms of phosphate and d-glucose transport
Authors: Vayro S , Kemp R , Beechey R B , Shirazi-Beechey S
Published: August 2015

A procedure is described for the preparation of basolateral membrane vesicles from the acinar cells of the sheep parotid gland. The ouabain-sensitive K(+)-activated phosphatase activity was enriched 30-fold over the tissue homogenate; 45% of this activity was recovered in the final membrane fraction. The presence of membranes from other organelles was negligible. Evidence is presented for the location of Na(+)-dependent symporters for phosphate and D-glucose on the basolateral membrane.
A polyclonal antibody preparation with Michaelian catalytic properties
Authors: Gallacher G , Jackson C S , Searcey M , Badman G T , Goel R , Topham C M , Mellor G W , Brocklehurst K
Published: August 2015

1. 4-Nitrophenyl 4′-(3-aza-2-oxoheptyl)phenyl carbonate (I), an amide conjugate (XI) involving the carboxy group of 4-nitrophenyl 4′-carboxymethylphenyl phosphate and an amino group of keyhole-limpet haemocyanin, and a fluorescein derivative (XVII) were synthesized. 2. The conjugate (XI) was used as an immunogen with which to raise polyclonal antibodies in multigeneration cross-bred sheep; the fluorescent derivative (XVII) was used for the initial assessment of the antisera via binding assays monitored by fluorescence polarization; the carbonate ester (I) was used as a chromogenic substrate for the investigation of catalytic activity. 3. The IgG from the antiserum of sheep no. 270 was isolated by Na2SO4 precipitation and chromatography on Protein G-Sepharose. 4. This preparation of IgG catalysed the hydrolysis of the carbonate ester (I); the catalysis at pH 8.0 and 25 degrees C obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with at least 25 turnovers, Km = 3.34 microM, and lower limits for kcat. of 0.029 s-1 and for kcat./Km of 8.77 x 10(3) M-1.S-1, on the unlikely assumption that the concentration of catalytic antibody is provided by twice the total IgG concentration (two sites per molecule); probable estimates of the fraction of the total IgG that is anti-haptenic IgG and of the fraction of this that is catalytically active suggest that the values of kcat./Km are actually very much larger than these lower limits. 5. The failure of the antibody preparation to catalyse the hydrolysis of the isomeric 2-nitrophenyl carbonate (II), which differs from compound (I) only in the position of the nitro substituent in the leaving group, compels the view that catalytic activity is due to antibody rather than contaminant enzyme; this conclusion is supported by (a) the failure of the following to discriminate effectively between the isomeric substrates (I) and (II): pig liver carboxylesterase, rabbit liver carboxylesterase (collectively EC 3.1.1.1), whole serum from a non-immunized sheep and whole serum from a sheep immunized with a derivative of 3-O-methylnoradrenaline and (b) the lack of catalytic activity in IgG preparations from sheep immunized with sulphoxide or sulphone analogues of immunogen (XI). 6. The various parameters used for the comparison of the kinetic characteristics of hydrolytic catalytic antibodies are discussed. 7. The characteristics of hydrolysis of compound (I) catalysed by the present polyclonal antibody preparation are shown to be substantially better in most respects than those of analogous reactions of two other carbonate esters catalysed by monoclonal antibodies.
Regulation of glucokinase and GLUT-2 glucose-transporter gene expression in pancreatic B-cells
Authors: Tiedge M , Lenzen S
Published: August 2015

Glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2) is the signal-recognition enzyme in pancreatic B-cells for initiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion. We show here that both the glucokinase and glucose-transporter GLUT-2 genes are regulated physiologically. Fasting decreased B-cell glucokinase and glucose-transporter GLUT-2 mRNA in pancreatic B-cells as well as in liver, whereas refeeding induced expression of both genes. In pancreatic B-cells a approximately 4.4 kb glucokinase-related mRNA was detectable, in addition to the 2.8 kb form. This approximately 4.4 kb glucokinase transcript was drastically decreased during refeeding. The 2.8 kb mRNA, which is typical for pancreatic B-cells, was accompanied after refeeding by a 2.4 kb mRNA species typical for liver glucokinase. Starvation primarily decreased the 2.8 kb pancreatic B-cell glucokinase mRNA species. The concordant regulation of both genes may represent the basis for the physiological regulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion at a transcriptional level.
Functional interrelationship between calponin and caldesmon
Authors: Makuch R , Birukov K , Shirinsky V , Dabrowska R
Published: August 2015

Calponin and caldesmon, constituents of smooth-muscle thin filaments, are considered to be potential modulators of smooth-muscle contraction. Both of them interact with actin and inhibit ATPase activity of smooth- and skeletal-muscle actomyosin. Here we show that calponin and caldesmon could bind simultaneously to F-actin when used in subsaturating amounts, whereas each one used in excess caused displacement of the other from the complex with F-actin. Calponin was more effective than caldesmon in this competition: when F-actin was saturated with calponin the binding of caldesmon was eliminated almost completely, whereas even at high molar excess of caldesmon one-third of calponin (relative to the saturation level) always remained bound to actin. The inhibitory effects of low concentrations of calponin and caldesmon on skeletal-muscle actomyosin ATPase were additive, whereas the maximum inhibition of the ATPase attained at high concentration of each of them was practically unaffected by the other one. These data suggest that calponin and caldesmon cannot operate on the same thin filaments. CA(2+)-calmodulin competed with actin for calponin binding, and at high molar excess dissociated the calponin-actin complex and reversed the calponin-induced inhibition of actomyosin ATPase activity.
Hydrolysis of transforming growth factor-α by cell-surface peptidases in vitro
Authors: Choudry Y , Kenny A J
Published: August 2015

Human transforming growth factor-alpha (h-TGF alpha), a 50-amino acid residue peptide, was incubated with some purified cell-surface peptidases and with renal microvillar membranes prepared from pig and rat. Hydrolysis was monitored by h.p.l.c. and activity by a biological assay. Prolonged incubation with relatively large amounts of endopeptidase-24.11, aminopeptidase N and peptidyl dipeptidase A (angiotensin-converting enzyme) caused no observable hydrolysis and no detectable loss of biological activity. Incubation with pig renal microvilli also failed to degrade the peptide. In contrast, rat renal microvilli readily degraded h-TGF alpha, as did endopeptidase-2, which is located in rat renal and intestinal brush borders, but is absent from pig kidneys. This enzyme degraded about 30 nmol of h-TGF alpha/h per mg of protein. The physiological significance of these results is discussed.
Preferential release of catecholamine from permeabilized PC12 cells by α- and β-type protein kinase C subspecies
Authors: Ben-Shlomo H , Sigmund O , Stabel S , Reiss N , Naor Z
Published: August 2015

Protein kinase C (PKC) is now recognized as comprising two groups of closely related subspecies. The PKC gamma enzyme is apparently present only in central nervous tissues, and hence was expected to participate in neurotransmitter release. We have utilized a ‘depletion-insertion’ method to identify the PKCs participating in the exocytotic response. PC12 cells were ‘down-regulated’ by prior treatment (24 h) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 1 microM), which nearly abolished endogenous PKC activity. Down-regulated PC12 cells were loaded with [3H]dopamine, permeabilized with digitonin, and recombinant or purified PKCs were inserted and activated with a low dose of PMA (20 nM). Among group A PKCs, PKC alpha was the most effective activator of [3H]dopamine release (215%), followed by beta II (185%) and beta I (150%). PKC gamma had no consistent effect on neurotransmitter release. PC12 cells express PKC alpha and PKC beta, but not PKC gamma, as revealed by Northern-blot analysis. We therefore postulate that PKC alpha and PKC beta participate in neurotransmitter release, whereas PKC gamma might be involved in other neuronal functions.
Induction of acyl-CoA oxidase and cytochrome P450IVA1 RNA in rat primary hepatocyte culture by peroxisome proliferators
Authors: Bell D R , Elcombe C R
Published: August 2015

We have characterized the induction of acyl-CoA oxidase and cytochrome P450IVA1 RNAs in a primary hepatocyte culture system in vitro, using a sensitive and specific RNAse protection assay. Hepatocytes were cultured with a maximal inducing dose of the peroxisome proliferator clofibric acid (1 mM), or vehicle control, for 4 days, and the level of RNAs compared with the level in rats which had been treated with corn oil or clofibric acid (300 mg/kg) for 4 days. The level of acyl-CoA oxidase and P450IVA1 RNAs in 4-day-old control hepatocytes was less than 2% of that in control liver. However, the level of these RNAs in RNA from treated hepatocytes was 61% of that in liver RNA from treated rats. Hepatocytes were treated with the potent peroxisome proliferator methylclofenapate (100 microM), and the induction of RNAs determined at various times after exposure. P450IVA1 RNA was significantly induced 1 h after dosing, rising to 34-fold above control after 8 h, whereas acyl-CoA oxidase RNA was not significantly induced until 4 h, increasing to 5.2-fold above control after 8 h. A similar time course of induction was seen after treatment of hepatocytes with 100 microM-nafenopin, 100 microM-methylclofenapate, 1 mM-clofibric acid or 1 mM-mono(ethylhexyl) phthalate, suggesting that the differential time course of induction of P450IVA1 and acyl-CoA oxidase RNAs is not related to the esterification, structure or potency of the peroxisome proliferator, but is intrinsic to the process of peroxisome proliferation. Hepatocytes were treated with methylclofenapate in the presence and absence of cycloheximide. P450IVA1 RNA was significantly induced by methylclofenapate in the presence of cycloheximide, rising to 17-fold above control after 8 h. However, no induction of acyl-CoA oxidase RNA was detected in the presence of cycloheximide. Therefore we characterize the induction of acyl-CoA oxidase and P450IVA1 RNAs in primary hepatocyte culture in vitro as a faithful model of the induction response in rat liver, and suggest that induction of P450IVA1 RNA is a primary event in the process of peroxisome proliferation.
pH-dependency of basic ligand binding to α1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid)
Authors: Urien S , Brée F , Testa B , Tillement J P
Published: August 2015

The binding interactions of a series of basic ligands with alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) were examined as a function of pH. The binding to AAG increased with increasing pH, and the binding data were satisfactorily fitted to a model that incorporates the effect of pH and discriminates the association constants of neutral (non-protonated) and protonated forms of ligands. It was shown that ligands in the neutral form have a markedly higher affinity for AAG than the protonated forms, resulting in a concomitant decrease in the pKa of bound ligands. The u.v.-visible difference spectra generated upon binding of a representative ligand to AAG also showed that there was a contribution to the binding arising from the deprotonation of the ligand. It is suggested that all tested ligands bind similarly to AAG and that hydrophobic interactions dominate high-affinity binding to AAG.
Inhibition of subunit dissociation and release of the stimulatory G-protein, Gs, by βγ-subunits and somatostatin in S49 lymphoma cell membranes
Authors: Ransnäs L A , Leiber D , Insel P A
Published: August 2015

We examined the interaction between the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, Gs, and the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, Gi, in cell membranes of S49 lymphoma cells. In these cells, beta-adrenergic receptors stimulate the activity of adenylate cyclase via Gs, whereas inhibition via somatostatin receptors is transduced by an inhibitory G-protein, Gi. Using an antibody that selectively recognizes alpha s, the monomeric, but not the heterotrimeric, alpha-subunit of Gs, we quantified the extent of dissociation of Gs in a competitive e.l.i.s.a. Incubation of S49-cell plasma membranes with 0.1 microM-isoprenaline, 100 microM free Mg2+ and 100 microM-GTP produced substantial subunit dissociation of Gs, which was reversible by addition of purified beta gamma-subunit dimer or somatostatin. Somatostatin produced an immediate (without a lag) time- and concentration-dependent decrease in the concentration of dissociated Gs (kinhib. for somatostatin = 51 +/- 12 nM) and in the activity of adenylate cyclase (kinhib. = 121 +/- 20 nM). By contrast, after addition of a 10-fold molar excess of beta gamma-dimer relative to alpha s, there was a 2-3 min lag, after which the beta gamma-dimer re-associated Gs. Isoprenaline-induced dissociation of Gs was accompanied by a release of alpha s from the incubated membranes to a post-100,000 g supernatant, and somatostatin could reverse this release. Immunoblot analysis with both a C-terminal anti-peptide antibody and an antibody directed against a sequence near the N-terminal also showed release of alpha s by the beta-agonist and reversal by somatostatin. Membrane release of Gs by isoprenaline that could be blocked by somatostatin was also confirmed in reconstitution studies of supernatant fraction into cyc- S49-cell membranes. We conclude that in native cell membranes somatostatin-induced activation of Gi dissociates Gi and interferes with the Gs activation cycle by providing beta gamma-dimer, which acts to prevent or reverse formation of monomeric alpha s. Because alpha s can be released from the cell membrane, regulation of the local concentration of GTP-liganded dissociated alpha s is likely to be an important factor in modulating the activity of adenylate cyclase.
Ricinoleic acid biosynthesis and triacylglycerol assembly in microsomal preparations from developing castor-bean (Ricinus communis) endosperm
Authors: Bafor M , Smith M A , Jonsson L , Stobart K , Stymne S
Published: August 2015

Microsomal membrane preparations from the developing endosperm of castor bean (Ricinus communis) catalysed the transfer of oleate from [14C]oleoyl-CoA to phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho). In the presence of NADH, radioactive ricinoleate (12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoate) was synthesized from [14C]oleate, and this was largely recovered in PtdCho and as free fatty acid. The addition of unlabelled ricinoleoyl-CoA to these incubation mixtures did not increase the low [14C]ricinoleate concentration found in the acyl-CoA fraction nor decrease the [14C]ricinoleate concentration in PtdCho and free fatty acid, and thus no evidence was obtained for a hydroxylation with oleoyl-CoA as a substrate. The addition of NADH, necessary for the formation of ricinoleate, caused a decrease of the total radioactivity in PtdCho with a corresponding increase in the amount of label in free ricinoleic acid. This increase was due to the action of a phospholipase A, which released ricinoleic acid but not oleic acid from PtdCho. Such a phospholipase activity, attacking ricinoleoyl-PtdCho but not oleoyl-PtdCho, was also demonstrated in microsomal preparations from developing cotyledons of safflower and oil-seed rape. An analysis of the acyl groups at different positions in microsomal PtdCho of castor bean showed that ricinoleate was almost entirely associated with position sn-2. Likewise the [14C]ricinoleate in [14C]PtdCho formed after incubations with microsomal preparations with NADH and [14C]oleoyl-CoA resided in position sn-2 with none in position sn-1. In contrast, the [14C]linoleate formed by desaturation of [14C]oleoyl-PtdCho was present at both positions. In the presence of ATP, CoA and Mg2+, the ricinoleate acid released from PtdCho was activated to ricinoleoyl-CoA. The ricinoleoyl-CoA was an efficient acyl donor in the acylation of glycerol 3-phosphate (Gro3P) to yield phosphatidic acid and triacylglycerols. In microsomal preparations incubated with an equimolar mixture of [14C]oleoyl-CoA and [14C]ricinoleoyl-CoA in the presence of Gro3P, only a minor amount of [14C]ricinoleate entered PtdCho, and this was believed to be via the exchange of phosphocholine groups between a diacylglycerol pool and the PtdCho. On the basis of our results, a scheme of ricinoleate formation and its incorporation into triacylglycerols in castor-bean endosperm is proposed.
Aluminium transport in blood serum. Binding of aluminium by human transferrin in the presence of human albumin and citrate
Authors: Fatemi S J , Kadir F H A , Moore G R
Published: August 2015

The binding of Al3+ by human serum transferrin has been investigated by u.v.-visible difference spectroscopy. In the presence of 25 mM-HCO3- at pH 7.4, the apparent association constants were found to be 1.69 x 10(12) M-1 and 5.36 x 10(11) M-1. These association constants are pH-dependent, reducing with both increasing and decreasing pH. The apparent pKa values were found to be 6.7 and 8.2. Competitive assays of binding of Al3+ to transferrin in the presence of citrate and human serum albumin at molar ratios corresponding to those found in normal plasma showed that a considerable amount of Al3+ was not bound to transferrin. Taking a concentration of 5 microM as a typical value observed for the plasma of patients on haemodialysis [Harris & Sheldon (1990) Inorg. Chem. 29, 119-124] the competitive binding assay indicate that approximately 60% of it is bound to transferrin, approximately 34% to albumin and the remainder to citrate. These results therefore suggest that, although transferrin at pH 7.4 is the major Al(3+)-binding component of plasma, an appreciable amount of Al3+ present in patients on haemodialysis may be bound to albumin.
Identification of functional cis-acting elements within the rat liver S14 promoter
Authors: MacDougald O A , Jump D B
Published: August 2015

The structure of DNAase I hypersensitive site 1 (Hss-1), located adjacent to the 5′ end of the rat liver S14 gene, is regulated by tissue-specific factors, and its formation correlates with the transcriptional activation of the S14 gene. We propose that tissue-specific trans-acting factors interacting with key cis-linked elements within this site function in the initiation of S14 gene transcription. To examine this hypothesis we used DNAase I footprint, gel shift and in vitro transcriptional analyses to identify cis-linked elements that function in the control of S14 gene transcription. Binding of rat liver nuclear proteins to the S14 promoter (from -8 to -464 bp) produced four DNAase I footprints (designated A-D). Gel shift studies showed that DNA-protein binding was tissue- and sequence-specific, differentially heat-sensitive, and abolished by proteinase K. The function of the four cis-acting elements was assessed by using an in vitro transcription initiation assay in which the S14 promoter was fused to a reporter gene (G-free cassette). Deletion studies showed that nuclear factors binding to regions A (-48 to -63 bp), B (-88 to -113 bp) and D (-286 to -310 bp) enhanced the rate of initiation of transcription, while proteins binding to region C (-227 to -244 bp) suppressed the rate of initiation of transcription. Based on oligonucleotide competition studies, we suggest that hepatic NF-1 (or a related protein) binding to the A region enhances the rate of initiation of S14 gene transcription. Since trans-acting factors interacting with regions B and D are found in liver but not in spleen or kidney, we suggest that the proteins interacting with these regions may be involved in the tissue-specific augmentation of S14 gene transcription.
Mitogenic action of lysophosphatidic acid and phosphatidic acid on fibroblasts. Dependence on acyl-chain length and inhibition by suramin
Authors: van Corven E J , van Rijswijk A , Jalink K , van der Bend R L , van Blitterswijk W J , Moolenaar W H
Published: August 2015

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a naturally occurring phospholipid with growth-factor-like activities [van Corven, Groenink, Jalink, Eichholtz & Moolenaar (1989) Cell 45, 45-54]. We have examined various structural analogues of LPA for their ability to stimulate DNA synthesis in quiescent fibroblasts. When the acyl-chain length is varied, the rank order of mitogenic potency is: 1-oleoyl LPA congruent to 1-palmitoyl LPA greater than 1-myristoyl LPA greater than 1-lauroyl LPA greater than 1-decanoyl LPA; the last compound shows almost no activity over the concentration range tested (1-100 microM). An ether-linked LPA (1-O-hexadecylglycerol 3-phosphate) has much decreased mitogenic activity as compared with the ester-linked analogue at concentrations less than 25 microM, and becomes cytotoxic at higher concentrations. Hexadecylphosphate, which lacks a glycerol backbone, has negligible activity. On a molar basis, diacyl phosphatidic acid (PA) is about equally potent as the corresponding LPA analogue, showing similar acyl-chain-length dependence; the data argue against the possibility that the mitogenic action of PA is due to contaminating traces of LPA. Although the short-chain analogues of LPA and PA fail to antagonize the action of long-chain (L)PAs, the polyanionic drug suramin inhibits LPA- and PA-induced, DNA synthesis in a reversible and dose-dependent manner, at concentrations [IC50 (concn. giving 50% inhibition) approximately 70 microM] that do not affect epidermal-growth-factor-induced DNA synthesis. Suramin appears to act in the early G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, blocking immediate responses to LPA such as phosphoinositide hydrolysis. We conclude that both LPA and PA can function as growth-promoting phospholipids, with the fatty acid chain length being a major determinant of mitogenic potency.
Stimulation of the dithiol-dependent reductases in the vitamin K cycle by the thioredoxin system. Strong synergistic effects with protein disulphide-isomerase
Authors: Soute B A M , Groenen-van Dooren M M C L , Holmgren A , Lundström J , Vermeer C
Published: August 2015

It has been shown previously that the thioredoxin system (thioredoxin + thioredoxin reductase + NADPH) may replace dithiothreitol (DTT) as a cofactor for vitamin KO and K reductase in salt-washed detergent-solubilized bovine liver microsomes. Here we demonstrate that the system can be improved further by adding protein disulphide-isomerase (PDI) to the components mentioned above. Moreover, NADPH may be replaced by reduced RNAase as a hydrogen donor. In our in vitro system the various protein cofactors were required at concentrations 2-5 orders of magnitude lower than that of DDT, whereas the maximal reaction rate was about 3-fold higher. PDI stimulated the thioredoxin-driven reaction about 10-fold, with an apparent Km value of 8 microM. These data suggest that in the vitro system the formation of disulphide bonds is somehow linked to the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of glutamate residues. In vivo, both disulphide formation and vitamin K-dependent carboxylation are post-translational modifications taking place at the luminal side of the endoplasmic reticulum of mammalian secretory cells. The possibility that the reactions are also coupled in vivo is discussed.
Mechanistic studies on tyrosinase-catalysed oxidative decarboxylation of 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid
Authors: Sugumaran M , Dali H , Semensi V
Published: August 2015

Mushroom tyrosinase, which is known to convert a variety of o-diphenols into o-benzoquinones, has been shown to catalyse an unusual oxidative decarboxylation of 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid to 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde [Sugumaran (1986) Biochemistry 25, 4489-4492]. The mechanism of this reaction was re-investigated. Although visible-region spectral studies of the reaction mixture containing 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid and tyrosinase failed to generate the spectrum of a quinone product during the steady state of the reaction, both trapping experiments and non-steady-state kinetic experiments provided evidence for the transient formation of unstable 3,4-mandeloquinone in the reaction mixture. The visible-region spectrum of mandeloquinone resembled related quinones and exhibited an absorbance maximum at 394 nm. Since attempts to trap the second intermediate, namely alpha,2-dihydroxy-p-quinone methide, were in vain, mechanistic studies were undertaken to provide evidence for its participation. The decarboxylative quinone methide formation from 3,4-mandeloquinone dictates the retention of a proton on the alpha-carbon atom. Hence, if we replace this proton with deuterium, the resultant 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde should retain the deuterium present in the original substrate. To test this hypothesis, we chemoenzymically synthesized alpha-deuterated 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid and examined its enzymic oxidation. Our studies reveal that the resultant 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde retained nearly 90% of the deuterium, strongly indicating the transient formation of quinone methide. On the basis of these findings it is concluded that the enzymic oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid generates the conventional quinone product, which, owing to its unstability, is rapidly decarboxylated to generate transient alpha,2-dihydroxy-p-quinone methide. The coupled dienone-phenol re-arrangement and keto-enol tautomerism of this quinone methide produce the observed 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde.
Relative expression of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in human liver and association with the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics
Authors: Forrester L M , Henderson C J , Glancey M J , Back D J , Park B K , Ball S E , Kitteringham N R , McLaren A W , Miles J S , Skett P , Wolf C R
Published: August 2015

Cytochrome P450s play a central role in the metabolism and disposition of an extremely wide range of drugs and chemical carcinogens. Individual differences in the expression of these enzymes may be an important determinant in susceptibility to adverse drug reactions, chemical toxins and mutagens. In this paper, we have measured the relative levels of expression of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes from eight gene families or subfamilies in a panel of twelve human liver samples in order to determine the individuality in their expression and whether any forms are co-regulated. Isoenzymes were identified in most cases on Western blots based on the mobility of authentic recombinant human cytochrome P450 standards. The levels of the following P450 proteins correlated with each other: CYP2A6, CYP2B6 and a protein from the CYP2C gene subfamily, CYP2E1 and a member of the CYP2A gene subfamily, CYP2C8, CYP3A3/A4 and total cytochrome P450 content. Also, the levels of two proteins in the CYP4A gene subfamily were highly correlated. These correlations are consistent with the relative regulation of members of these gene families in rats or mice. In addition, the level of expression of specific isoenzymes has also been compared with the rate of metabolism of a panel of drugs, carcinogens and model P450 substrates. These latter studies demonstrate and confirm that the correlations obtained in this manner represent a powerful approach towards the assignment of the metabolism of substrates by specific human P450 isoenzymes.
Effect of interferon-γ on complement gene expression in different cell types
Authors: Lappin D F , Guc D , Hill A , McShane T , Whaley K
Published: August 2015

We have studied the expression of the complement components C2, C3, factor B, C1 inhibitor (C1-inh), C4-binding protein (C4-bp) and factor H in human peripheral blood monocytes, skin fibroblasts, umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the human hepatoma cell line G2 (Hep G2) in the absence and the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). E.l.i.s.a. performed on culture fluids, run-on transcription assays, Northern blot and double-dilution dot-blot techniques confirmed that monocytes expressed all six components, whereas fibroblasts, HUVEC and HepG2 each expressed five of the six components. Fibroblasts and HUVEC did not synthesize C4-bp, and Hep G2 did not produce factor H. In addition to these differences, the synthesis rates of C3, C1-inh and factor H were not the same in all cell types. However, the synthesis rates of C2 and factor B were similar in all four cell types. The half-lives of the mRNAs were shorter in monocytes than in other cell types. Monocyte factor H mRNA had a half-life of 12 min in monocytes, compared with over 3 h in fibroblasts and HUVEC. The instability of factor H mRNA in monocytes may contribute to their low factor H secretion rate. IFN-gamma produced dose-dependent stimulation of C2, factor B, C1-inh, C4-bp and factor H synthesis by all cell types expressing these proteins, but decreased C3 synthesis in all four cell types. Cell-specific differences in the response to IFN-gamma were observed. The increased rates of transcription of the C1-inh and factor H genes in HUVEC were greater than in other cell types, while the increased rate of transcription of the C2, factor B and C1-inh genes in Hep G2 cells was less than in other cell types. IFN-gamma did not affect the stability of C3, factor H or C4 bp mRNAs, but increased the stability of factor B and C1-inh mRNAs and decreased the stability of C2 mRNA. Although these changes occurred in all four cell types studied, the half-life of C1-inh mRNA in monocytes was increased almost 4-fold, whereas the increases in the other cell types were less than 30%. These data show that the constitutive synthesis rates of complement components may vary in the different cell types. They also show that the degree of change in synthesis rates in response to IFN-gamma in each of the cell types often varies due to differences in transcriptional response, sometimes in association with changes in mRNA stability.
Induction of glutathione S-transferase P-form in primary cultured rat liver parenchymal cells by co-planar polychlorinated biphenyl congeners
Authors: Aoki Y , Satoh K , Sato K , Suzuki K T
Published: August 2015

Alterations in protein synthesis in primary cultured rat liver parenchymal cells were examined after their exposure to the potent carcinogens, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. Co-planar PCB congeners (3,4,5,3′,4′-PCB and 3,4,5,3′,4′,5′-PCB) (10 nM) induced a protein, the Mr of which was 25,000 (25 k protein) under denaturing conditions. However, non-co-planar PCB congeners and several xenobiotics, which induce microsomal proteins, did not induce the 25 k protein. By using immunoblotting, the 25 k protein was identified as glutathione S-transferase P-form (GST-P, 7-7, EC 2.5.1.18).
Purification of an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-binding calreticulin-containing intracellular compartment of HL-60 cells
Authors: Van Delden C , Favre C , Spät A , Cerny E , Krause K H , Lew D P
Published: August 2015

To investigate the identity of Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores in myeloid cells, we have developed a method that yields subcellular fractions highly enriched in Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding. HL-60 cells were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation, and subcellular fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation, followed by Percoll- and sucrose-density-gradient separations. A subcellular fraction enriched 26-fold in Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding sites was obtained. This fraction showed no enrichment in plasma-membrane markers and only a comparatively moderate enrichment (7-fold) in endoplasmic-reticulum markers. The ratio between specific enrichment of Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding and endoplasmic-reticulum markers in the different fractions varied over 50-fold, from less than 0.1 to greater than 5. The purified Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding fraction was enriched to a similar extent (27-fold) in the putative intravesicular Ca(2+)-storage protein calreticulin. Our results favour the concept of a distinct Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding, calreticulin-containing compartment (i.e. the calciosome) in HL-60 cells.
Purification of a new galactanase from Penicillium oxalicum catalysing the hydrolysis of β-(1→5)-galactofuran linkages
Authors: Reyes F , Alfonso C , Martinez M J , Prieto A , Santamaria F , Leal J A
Published: August 2015

An endo beta-(1→5)-galactofuranase from Penicillium oxalicum has been purified 91-fold. The enzyme is a basic glycoprotein with a pI 7.9 and 20% (w/w) carbohydrate content, galactose being the principal sugar. The apparent Mr of the enzyme estimated by denaturing gel electrophoresis was 77,000. The optimum pH was 5.0, and the enzyme was stable over the pH range 4.0-7.5. This enzyme hydrolyses specifically (1→5)-linked beta-D-galactofuranose residues in homo- and heterogalactans, but did not hydrolyse o-nitrophenyl galactose and beta-(1→5)-galactofuranbiose. Km and Vmax. values were 1.2 mg.ml-1 and 0.55 mumol.h-1 respectively when Eupenicillium crustaceum beta-(1→5)-galactofuran was used as substrate. The enzyme showed high affinity for different separation gels and proteins. The enzyme specificity and its mode of action showed that it could be an useful tool for analysing the fine structure of polysaccharides.
Protein synthesis in the newt regenerating limb. Comparative two-dimensional PAGE, computer analysis and protein sequencing
Authors: Tsonis P A , Mescher A L , Del Rio-Tsonis K
Published: August 2015

Protein synthesis has been studied by two-dimensional PAGE during the early limb regeneration in the adult newt. Quantitative and statistical analyses have provided unique information on overall patterns of protein synthesis as well as on specific protein synthesis during formation of the blastema. Furthermore, from the patterns in the two-dimensional gels and their quantification, a particular protein has been selected and sequenced. Partial sequencing revealed sequence similarities to Xenopus type I keratin B2. Expression of this keratin is 10-fold greater in the blastema than in the intact limb. The implications of keratin expression by the blastema cells are discussed.
Articular-cartilage matrix γ-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein. Characterization and immunolocalization
Authors: Loeser R , Carlson C S , Tulli H , Jerome W G , Miller L , Wallin R
Published: August 2015

Matrix gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)-containing protein (MGP) was found to be present in articular cartilage by Western-blot analysis of guanidinium chloride extracts of human and bovine cartilage and was further localized by immunohistochemical studies on human and monkey specimens. In newborn articular cartilage MGP was present diffusely throughout the matrix, whereas in growth-plate cartilage it was seen mainly in late hypertrophic and calcifying-zone chondrocytes. In adult articular cartilage MGP was present primarily in chondrocytes and the pericellular matrix. Immunoelectron microscopy studies revealed an association between MGP and vesicular structures with an appearance consistent with matrix vesicles. MGP may be an important regulator of cartilage calcification because of its localization in cartilage and the known affinity of Gla-containing proteins for Ca2+ and hydroxyapatite.
Use of annexin-V to demonstrate the role of phosphatidylserine exposure in the maintenance of haemostatic balance by endothelial cells
Authors: Ravanat C , Archipoff G , Beretz A , Freund G , Cazenave J P , Freyssinet J M
Published: August 2015

Annexin-V (PAP-I, lipocortin-V) acts as a potent anticoagulant in vitro by binding to negatively charged phospholipids with higher affinity than vitamin K-dependent proteins, with a Kd in the 10(-10) M range. The purpose of the present study was to use annexin-V as a probe to assess the catalytic potential of phospholipids in pro- and anti-coagulant reactions in purified systems and at the surface of endothelial cells in culture after stimulation. Procoagulant tissue factor and anticoagulant thrombomodulin activities were compared by using specific two-stage amidolytic assays performed with purified proteins. Procoagulant activity was estimated by the generation of Factor Xa by the Factor VII(a)-tissue factor complex. Anticoagulant activity was estimated by the generation of activated protein C by either the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex or Factor Xa. Annexin-V induced a decrease of 70% of thrombomodulin activity when thrombomodulin (5.4-214 nM) was reconstituted into phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine (1:1, mol/mol) vesicles at 37.5 or 75 microM-phospholipid concentration, the apparent Ki being 0.5 microM at 75 microM-lipid. The saturating concentration of annexin-V was dependent on phospholipid concentration, but was independent of the phospholipid/thrombomodulin ratio. By contrast, when thrombomodulin was not reconstituted in vesicles, annexin-V had no effect. At 2 microM, annexin-V totally inhibited the generation of activated protein C by Factor Xa in the presence of 75 microM-lipid, the saturating inhibitory concentration being dependent on phospholipid concentration. At 0.1 microM, annexin-V totally inhibited tissue-factor activity present in crude brain thromboplastin. In the absence of stimulation, human endothelial cells in culture expressed significant thrombomodulin activity and no detectable tissue-factor activity. Basal thrombomodulin activity was only slightly inhibited (less than 15%) by 0.5 microM-annexin-V. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induced the expression of tissue-factor activity and decreased thrombomodulin activity at the endothelial-cell surface. Annexin-V, at a concentration of 16 microM, caused an 80% decrease of tissue-factor activity induced by PMA at 10 ng/ml, whereas it inhibited thrombomodulin activity by only 15% on the same stimulated cells. Our results confirm that annexin-V inhibits, in vitro, procoagulant tissue-factor activity and anticoagulant activities (activation of protein C by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex and by Factor Xa), through phospholipid-dependent mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Inhibition of human platelet adenylate cyclase by collagen fibres. Effect of collagen is additive with that of adrenaline, but interactive with that of thrombin
Authors: Farndale R W , Winkler A B , Martin B R , Barnes M J
Published: August 2015

Collagen fibres in suspension have been shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase in human platelet preparations. Direct inhibition by collagen fibres was observed when intact platelets were used, although secondary events such as ADP secretion or prostanoid formation were important contributors to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase after treatment of platelets with collagen. The nature of the direct inhibition caused by collagen has been investigated in platelet membrane preparations, with the following results. (1) Collagen fibres inhibit platelet membrane adenylate cyclase in a dose-dependent manner. (2) Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by thrombin, adrenaline or collagen fibres could be abolished in the presence of guanosine 5′-[beta-thio]diphosphate; half-maximal inhibition was obtained at about 100 microM for the inhibitory action of thrombin, and at about 500 microM for that of either adrenaline or collagen. (3) The action of each ligand was blocked to a similar extent by pertussis-toxin treatment of the platelet membranes. Taken together, these results indicate that the action of collagen, like that of thrombin and adrenaline, is G-protein-dependent. (4) inhibition of adenylate cyclase by collagen fibres was additive with that caused by adrenaline, but co-operative with that caused by thrombin, suggesting that inhibitory pathways exists for collagen and adrenaline which are distinct from, but interactive with, that for thrombin. (5) Modification of the collagen fibres by pepsin treatment attenuated the effects of collagen, whereas heat-denaturation of the collagen fibres completely abolished their effects. These data suggest that the effects of collagen are specific, and depend on the detailed structure of the collagen fibres.
Investigation of guanine-nucleotide-binding protein involvement and regulation of cyclic AMP metabolism in interleukin 1 signal transduction
Authors: Ray K , Thompson N , Kennard N , Rollins P , Grenfell S , Witham S , Smithers N , Solari R
Published: August 2015

The involvement of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) and regulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in interleukin 1 (IL1) signal transduction has been investigated in EL4 and 7OZ/3 cells expressing Type 1 and Type 2 IL1 receptors respectively. Results show that in both cell types IL1 alone failed to induce changes in cellular cAMP levels, and in membrane preparations the cytokine had no significant effect on adenylate cyclase activity. In contrast, forskolin stimulated cAMP levels in cells and membranes. IL1 did not significantly alter GTPase activity or rate of guanosine 5′-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate binding measured in membrane preparations from the EL4 and 7OZ/3 cells. In EL4-cell membrane preparations the kinetics of 125I-IL1 binding were altered in the presence of guanosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate, resulting in the formation of a higher-affinity state for IL1 binding. Adenosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate at the same concentration was without effect. These results suggest that IL1 receptor function may be regulated by guanine nucleotides; however, the mechanism appears to differ from that exhibited by conventional G-protein-linked receptors. The lack of significant effects of IL1 on cAMP metabolism in these cells suggests that alternative pathways must exist to mediate the intracellular responses to stimulation via both types of the IL1 receptor.