bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Purification and partial characterization of glutamate synthase from Rhodospirillum rubrum grown under nitrogen-fixing conditions
Authors: Carlberg I , Nordlund S
Published: August 2015

Glutamate synthase, a key enzyme in ammonia assimilation, has been purified from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. The purification procedure involves ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography and gel filtration. The recovery in the procedure is high (62%) and the specific activity is 21 mumol of NADPH oxidized/min per mg. The enzyme is specific for its substrates, and no activity was demonstrated with NADH or NH4+ ions substituting for NADPH and glutamine respectively. The enzyme is composed of two dissimilar subunits with molecular masses of 53 and 152 kDa, and it is shown that Cl- ions have an effect on the aggregation of the enzyme. Km values for the substrates are: NADPH, 16 microM; 2-oxoglutarate, 10 microM; and glutamine, 65 microM. The enzyme is inhibited by amidotransferase inhibitors at micromolar concentrations. The role of the enzyme in the metabolic regulation of nitrogenase is discussed.
Regulation of amylase and chymotrypsinogen expression by dexamethasone and caerulein in serum-free-cultured pancreatic acinar AR4-2J cells. Influence of glucose
Authors: Estival A , Pradel P , Wicker-Planquart C , Vaysse N , Puigserver A , Clemente F
Published: August 2015

The direct effects of dexamethasone and caerulein on two pancreatic enzymes, amylase and chymotrypsin, were determined in AR4-2J cells cultured under serum-free conditions at two glucose concentrations (1.0 and 4.5 g/l). In the absence of any hormone, the higher glucose concentration resulted in a 1.6-1.8-fold increase in the basal levels of amylase and chymotrypsinogen. Dexamethasone (50 nM) increased the biosynthesis and mRNA levels of both enzymes at both glucose concentrations. However, dexamethasone had a more pronounced effect on amylase biosynthesis (5-fold induction) than on chymotrypsinogen biosynthesis (1.8-fold induction). The parallel increases in mRNA and protein indicated the existence of pre-translational regulation. This is in contrast with what was observed in serum-containing media, where a translational regulation of amylase biosynthesis took place, probably under the control of both glucose and some serum factors. By contrast, caerulein (10 nM) exerted a more specific action on chymotrypsinogen. The increases in chymotrypsinogen mRNA were 2.2- and 2.1-fold, and increases in chymotrypsin activity were 1.6- and 2.9-fold at 1.0 and 4.5 g of glucose/litre respectively. Thus the regulation by caerulein occurred mainly through the enhancement of chymotrypsinogen transcription and/or mRNA stabilization.
Spectroscopic and binding studies on the stereoselective interaction of tyrosine with horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase
Authors: Casella L , Gullotti M , Poli S , Bonfà M , Ferrari R P , Marchesini A
Published: August 2015

The interaction of a series of derivatives of tyrosine with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) was studied by using optical difference spectroscopy, c.d. and proton n.m.r. spectroscopy in order to reveal differences in the mode of binding of L-tyrosine and D-tyrosine, which are substrates of but react at different rates with the two peroxidases, to HRP and LPO. All the donor molecules form 1:1 complexes with HRP and LPO, but they display a range of affinities for the enzymes. Whereas D-tyrosine binds to HRP more strongly than does L-tyrosine, the opposite holds for the binding to LPO. The distances of the protons of bound tyrosine molecules from the haem iron atoms of HRP and LPO indicate that the site of binding of these substrates is the same as that of simple phenols. This involves the interaction of the phenol nucleus with a protein tyrosine residue [Sakurada, Takahashi & Hosoya (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 9657-9662; Modi, Behere & Mitra (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 996, 214-225]. However, for the present substrates the additional interaction of the carboxylate group with a protein residue (probably an arginine residue) provides further stabilization for the adducts HRP-D-tyrosine and LPO-L-tyrosine with respect to the corresponding complexes with the opposite enantiomers. The differences in the mode of binding of L-tyrosine and D-tyrosine to HRP and LPO is thus determined by the fact that the spatial arrangement of the interacting protein residues can recognize the chirality of the C(alpha)-CO2- and C(beta)-C6H4OH attachment bonds of the substrates.
Pentraxin binding to isolated rat liver nuclei
Authors: Shephard E G , Smith P J , Coetzee S , Strachan A F , de Beer F C
Published: August 2015

The interaction of human C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid P-component (SAP) with isolated rat liver nuclei was studied to identify nuclear ligands for each pentraxin using the iodinatable heterobifunctional thiol-cleavable cross-linking reagent sulphosuccinimidyl-2-(p-azidosalicylamido)-1,3′-dithiopropio nate (SASD). Nuclei (100 micrograms of DNA) bound 21 pmol of 125I-labelled CRP Ca(2+)-dependently at saturation with half-saturation occurring at 200 pmol of 125I-CRP. By contrast, only 2.7 pmol of 125I-labelled SAP was bound at saturation, with half-saturation at 50 pmol. The binding of pentraxins to nuclei is, in addition to putative chromatin binding, due to nuclear-envelope binding, where 3.2 pmol 125I-labelled CRP binds Ca2+ dependently to nuclear envelopes (25 micrograms) at saturation, but only 0.62 pmol SAP is required to saturate. Specific photocross-linking of 125I-2-(p-azidosalicylamido)-1,3′-dithiopropionate (125I-ASD)-CRP and 125I-ASD-SAP to nuclei revealed transfer of 125I-photoreactive azides to nuclear-envelope proteins of 43, 46, 52 and 70 kDa. In addition, SAP binding to histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 was detected, whereas CRP bound only to H4. Neither pentraxin cross-linked to histone H1.
N.m.r. determination of the solution conformation and dynamics of the A.G mismatch in the d(CGCAAATTGGCG)2 dodecamer
Authors: Lane A N , Jenkins T C , Brown D J , Brown T
Published: August 2015

A.G base-paired mismatches that occur during replication are among the most difficult to detect by repair enzymes. Such purine.purine mispairs can exist in two conformations, one of which is stabilized by protons [Gao & Patel (1988) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110, 5178-5182]. We have undertaken a 1H-n.m.r. and 31P-n.m.r. study of the mismatched dodecamer d(CGCAAATTGGCG)2 as a function of both temperature and pH to determine the conformational features of the A.G mismatch. At pH greater than 7 the mispaired bases are each in the anti conformation and are stacked in the B-like helix. As the pH is decreased, a second conformation becomes populated (apparent pKa approx. 5.9) with concomitant changes in the chemical shifts of protons of the mispaired bases and their nearest neighbours. Data from two-dimensional nuclear-Overhauser-enhancement spectroscopy show unequivocally that, at low pH, the dominant conformation is one in which the mismatched G residues are in the syn conformation and are hydrogen-bonded to the A residues that remain in the anti conformation. Residues not adjacent to the A.G sites are almost unaffected by the transition or the mispairing, suggesting considerable local flexibility of the unconstrained duplexes. Despite the bulging of the mispaired bases, the conformation of the A(anti).G(anti) duplex is very similar to the native dodecamer, whereas the AH+(anti).G(syn) duplex shows a greater variation in the backbone conformation at the mismatched site. According to the chemical shifts, the duplex retains twofold symmetry in solution. The equilibrium between the syn and anti conformations of G9/G21 is strongly dependent on pH, but only weakly dependent on temperature (delta H approx. 16 kJ.mol-1). The first-order rate constant for the transition is approx. 9 s-1 at 283 K and approx. 60 s-1 at 298 K, with an activation enthalpy of approx. 100 kJ.mol-1. The stabilization of the A(anti).G(syn) conformation by protons is consistent with models invoking N1 protonation of adenine. Using the derived glycosidic torsion angles we have used restrained molecular dynamics to build models of the neutral and protonated d(CGCAAATTGGCG)2 oligomers. The results confirm that the A(anti).G(anti) and AH+(anti).G(syn) conformations are favoured at high pH and low pH respectively, in accord with n.m.r. and single-crystal X-ray data.
Expression of epidermal growth factor and its mRNA in pig kidney, pancreas and other tissues
Authors: Vaughan T J , Pascall J C , James P S , Brown K D
Published: August 2015

The levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) mRNA in a wide range of pig tissues were measured by a RNAase-protection assay. The highest levels were found in kidney and pancreas, with lower levels in submaxillary gland, prostate gland and seminal vesicles. Immunocytochemical staining using an antiserum raised against recombinant pig EGF localized expression of the factor to the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney and to the epithelial cells lining the pancreatic and salivary ducts. The observed expression of EGF mRNA and EGF in pig tissues is consistent with a possible role for EGF in the maintenance and repair of the epithelial lining of various ductal systems.
Rapid decrease in the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase protein owing to inhibition of its rate of synthesis after Ca2+ mobilization in rat hepatocytes. Inability of taurolithocholate to mimic the effect
Authors: Zammit V A , Caldwell A M , Kolodziej M P
Published: August 2015

The mechanisms through which Ca2+ mobilization in rat hepatocytes results in the loss of total activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase [Zammit & Caldwell (1990) Biochem. J. 269, 373-379] were investigated. The loss of total activity was shown to be paralleled by an equal loss of immunoreactive HMG-CoA reductase protein after exposure of hepatocytes to optimal concentrations of vasopressin plus glucagon for 40 min. This loss of enzyme protein was due to an inhibition of enzyme synthesis; the rate of degradation was unaffected. Other Ca(2+)-mobilizing conditions (phenylephrine, glucagon, vasopressin added singly and A23187) also resulted in graded inhibition of synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase. These effects were accentuated by omission of Ca2+ from the cell incubation medium, suggesting that it is the depletion of an intracellular InsP3-sensitive pool of Ca2+ to which synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase is sensitive. In agreement with this we found that t-butylhydroxybenzoquinone, which inhibits the activity of the Ca(2+)-ATPase of the endoplasmic-reticular membrane, mimicked the action of Ca(2+)-mobilizing hormones. However, taurolithocholate, which transiently mobilizes Ca2+ from the same pool, was ineffective. All these effects on HMG-CoA reductase were accompanied by parallel inhibition of 35S incorporation from [35S]methionine into total protein, suggesting that inhibition of reductase synthesis formed part of a generalized response of the hepatocyte to Ca2+ mobilization. Inhibition of the rate of synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase was, however, more responsive to Ca2+ mobilization in the absence of added Ca2+ from the extracellular medium. The concentrations of vasopressin required to elicit the inhibition of synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase were of the same order as those that elicited activation of glycogen phosphorylase in hepatocytes.
Certain changes in ornithine decarboxylase gene methylation accompany gene amplification
Authors: Wahlfors J
Published: August 2015

The ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC 4.1.1.17) gene in parental, dexamethasone-resistant and 2-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)-resistant human IgG-myeloma-cell lines was studied with the aid of methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases and probes recognizing different parts of the gene. In all cell lines the promoter region of the ODC gene appeared to be heavily methylated, whereas the first long intron was unmethylated. Methylation analyses of several clones from the parental cell line revealed that these cells are heterogeneous with respect to the methylation status of the ODC gene, whereas all clones from DFMO-resistant cell lines displayed the same methylation pattern. Two of the parental clones represented a hypomethylated type very close to that exclusively found among the DFMO-resistant clones with ODC gene amplification. This typical methylation pattern was due to decreased methylation of a few CCGG sequences in the 3′-flanking region of the gene. It is possible that this kind of hypomethylation favours the initiation of the gene-amplification process in certain individual cells. This hypothesis was supported by the finding that no hypomethylation was present in the ODC gene of another human myeloma cell line that had acquired resistance to DFMO without gene amplification. In a dexamethasone-resistant cell line that overproduced ODC mRNA at normal gene dosage there were some minor differences between the methylation pattern of the ODC gene of different clones, but no such hypomethylation could be found in clones from the parental cell line. In dexamethasone-resistant cells the ODC gene was hypomethylated around the two HpaII sites and three CfoI sites in the coding region and also, as well as in cells with amplified ODC sequences, in the 3′-flanking region of the gene. Some hypomethylation in the distant 5′-flanking region was also observed.
Partial purification and characterization of the lck protein-tyrosine kinase from bovine thymus
Authors: Wang Q , Srinivas P R , Harrison M L , Geahlen R L
Published: August 2015

Soluble extracts prepared from bovine thymus contain an angiotensin-I-phosphorylating activity that is activated several-fold by high concentrations of NaCl. Fractionation of this protein-tyrosine kinase activity by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose yields a major diffuse peak of activity. The enzymes responsible for this activity are found at much higher levels in extracts from bovine thymus than from bovine spleen. The peak of activity from the DEAE-cellulose column can be further separated into two major peaks by chromatography on heparin-agarose. The second peak to elute from the heparin-agarose column was previously purified through several chromatographic steps to yield a 40 kDa protein-tyrosine kinase (p40). We have now partially purified the early-eluting peak of kinase activity by chromatography on columns of butyl-agarose, protamine-agarose and Sephacryl S200. The enzyme was identified following covalent modification with 5′-fluorosulphonylbenzoyladenosine (FSBA) by reactivity with anti-FSBA antibodies. This procedure labelled a series of 52-56 kDa proteins. These proteins were also recognized by polyclonal anti-peptide antibodies raised against the C-terminal 33 amino acids of p56lck, a major T lymphocyte protein-tyrosine kinase. Peptide maps of the partially purified enzyme were identical to maps generated from p56lck obtained from LSTRA cells. These data suggest that bovine thymus p56lck is responsible for the activity found in the early-eluting peak from heparin-agarose. Antibodies raised against a peptide corresponding to amino acids 39-64 of p56lck, a sequence found near the N-terminus, recognized the slower-migrating, but not the faster-migrating, form of the enzyme, indicating that a fraction of the protein had been proteolysed near the N-terminus during purification. The partially purified bovine enzyme exhibited a restricted substrate specificity in vitro and did not readily phosphorylate human erythrocyte band 3, casein or histone, but was able to phosphorylate acid-treated enolase. The dilute enzyme present in fractions eluting from chromatography columns was unable to catalyse an autophosphorylation reaction. Autophosphorylation could be detected in more concentrated enzyme samples and was readily observed in immune-complex assays. The phosphorylation of angiotensin I by bovine thymus p56lck was weakly activated by polyionic compounds such as heparin and polylysine, and was strongly activated by high concentrations of NaCl.
Thrombin inhibits the pertussis-toxin-dependent ADP-ribosylation of a novel soluble Gi-protein in human platelets
Authors: Gennity J M , Siess W
Published: August 2015

A new G-protein was detected in human platelets which was ADP-ribosylated in a pertussis-toxin-dependent manner, was located in the supernatant of saponized platelets and was of a slightly lower molecular mass (40 kDa) than platelet membrane Gi alpha. This soluble ADP-ribosylated protein was immunoprecipitated by an antiserum to Gi alpha, but not by one to Go alpha. Prior thrombin stimulation of platelets led to an inhibition of the ADP-ribosylation of this protein. This inhibition was evident even under conditions which abolished the thrombin-stimulated inhibition of membrane Gi alpha ADP-ribosylation. These results indicate that the platelet thrombin receptor is coupled to two structurally and functionally distinct Gi alpha proteins: a major Gi alpha protein present in platelet membranes, and a minor Gi alpha protein detectable in the platelet soluble fraction.
Dual effects of guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate on secretion by electroporated human neutrophils
Authors: Smolen J E , Stoehr S J , Kuczynski B , Koh E K , Omann G M
Published: August 2015

It is generally believed that G-proteins play stimulatory roles on cell activation. In contrast, we found that guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) was a potent inhibitor of Ca(2+)-induced secretion from specific granules (as monitored by vitamin B-12-binding protein). GTP[S] inhibition of specific-granule release occurred in the presence or absence of adenine nucleotides, required Mg2+ (1-3 mM), and was half-maximal at 30 microM-GTP[S]. The dual stimulatory and inhibitory effects of GTP[S] could be readily observed and differentiated when degranulation was monitored over a range of Ca2+ concentrations. Inhibition of specific-granule release by GTP[S] was observed at low Ca2+ concentrations and resulted from shifting the Ca2+ dose-response curves to the right. In contrast, GTP[S] promoted azurophil-granule secretion at relatively high concentrations of Ca2+ and appeared to be due to a general enhancement at all Ca2+ concentrations. A series of hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable nucleotides did not mimic GTP[S] or block its action. Inhibition by GTP[S] occurred in cells which were sensitized with a protein kinase C agonist, suggesting that inhibition of secretion took place distal to this enzyme. However, the inhibitory effects of GTP[S] on specific-granule secretion were reversed by cytochalasin D, which prevents new microfilament formation; this compound also enhanced the stimulation of azurophil-granule release by GTP[S]. We also found that GTP[S] greatly increased the F-actin content of permeabilized neutrophils, whereas Ca2+ (to a lesser extent) decreased F-actin. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that at least two G-proteins are involved in regulating secretion: one which has been previously described as stimulating Ca(2+)-induced secretion (particularly from azurophil granules) and a second, possibly involved in promoting microfilament assembly, which inhibits the discharge of specific granules.
Role of polyamines in the transport in vitro of the precursor of ornithine transcarbamylase
Authors: González-Bosch C , Marcote M J , Hernández-Yago J
Published: August 2015

Polyamines induce the transport in vitro of the rat liver precursor of ornithine transcarbamylase (pOTC) into isolated rat liver mitochondria. The accumulation of this precursor at the level of binding to the mitochondrial surface has allowed us to establish that polyamines are involved in the interaction of the precursor with the mitochondrial surface. Transport of a chimeric protein having the signal sequence of pOTC fused to a fragment of the cytosolic protein human arginosuccinate lyase was also induced by polyamines. The sensitivity of the pOTC synthesized in vitro and of the chimeric protein to proteinases decreases in the presence of polyamines. This result suggests that polyamines may play a role in modulating the folding of precursors to favour their binding to mitochondria.
A68 proteins in Alzheimer's disease are composed of several tau isoforms in a phosphorylated state which affects their electrophoretic mobilities
Authors: Brion J P , Hanger D P , Couck A M , Anderton B H
Published: August 2015

The tau-immunoreactive A68 polypeptides found in brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease have been studied by Western blotting using (1) antibodies to synthetic peptides corresponding to sequences that span the complete human tau molecule, and (2) antibodies specific for inserts 1 and 2 found towards the N-terminus of some tau isoforms. The three major A68 polypeptides were labelled by all of the antibodies to sequences common to all tau isoforms, but the faster-migrating A68 polypeptides was not labelled by either of the two antibodies specific for inserts 1 and 2. Treatment with alkaline phosphatase of non-solubilized A68 did not change its electrophoretic mobility on SDS/PAGE under the conditions described here. However, A68 that was solubilized before treating it with alkaline phosphatase was found to move faster on SDS/PAGE than untreated A68, to a position similar to that of normal tau. We also confirmed that A68 preparations contain numerous paired helical filaments (PHF). These PHF were labelled by all anti-tau antibodies, including insert-specific antibodies. Our results further support the notion that PHF contain abnormally phosphorylated tau in an aggregated state, and indicate that these abnormally phosphorylated tau forms are composed of several tau isoforms and that the full length of the tau molecule is present in these polypeptides.
Bombesin, neuromedin B and neuromedin C interact with a common rat pancreatic phosphoinositide-coupled receptor, but are differentially regulated by guanine nucleotides
Authors: Sekar M C , Uemura N , Coy D H , Hirschowitz B I , Dickinson K E J
Published: August 2015

Bombesin (BB), neuromedin C (NMC) and neuromedin B (NMB) stimulated amylase secretion to similar maximum levels, with EC50 values (concentrations causing 50% of maximum effect) of 0.2, 0.3 and 2 nM respectively. Treatment of pancreatic acini with BB or NMB (10 nM) for 30 min resulted in cross-desensitization of secretory responses to subsequent BB and NMB, but not to acetylcholine, which suggests that NMB and BB activate the same receptor. BB, NMC and NMB stimulated production of similar maximum amounts of inositol mono-, bis- and tris-phosphates, with EC50 values of 3, 5 and 141 nM respectively. The bombesin receptor antagonist [Leu13-psi(CH2NH)Leu14]BB inhibited stimulation of amylase secretion and inositol phosphate formation by BB, NMC and NMB. Binding of 125I-labelled gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP; 200 pM) to rat pancreatic membranes at 22 degrees C was inhibited with relative potencies and IC50 (concn. causing 50% of maximal inhibition; nM) as follows: NMC (0.4) = BB (0.5) greater than NMB (1.8 = GRP (2.6). IC50 values for BB, NMC and NMB inhibition of 125I-GRP binding to intact acini were 5-, 19- and 68-fold higher than their respective values in membranes. The guanine nucleotide analogue guanosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) produced rightward shifts of NMC and NMB competition curves by 3.5- and 16-fold respectively, but had little effect on the BB and GRP curves. Elevation of the temperature to 37 degrees C or inclusion of NaCl (40 mM) produced quantitatively similar effects to those of Gpp[NH]p. In the presence of both NaCl and Gpp[NH]p the affinities of peptides for membrane receptors were similar to those for intact cells. Modulation of NMB competition curves by Gpp[NH]p was not attenuated by prior treatment of acini with activated pertussis toxin. These results suggest that BB, NMB and NMC stimulate pancreatic secretion by interaction with a common phosphoinositide-linked receptor. Differences in guanine nucleotide regulation suggest that secretagogue-induced receptor-protein interactions may not be identical for NMB and BB.
Studies on the activation of human neutrophil 5-lipoxygenase induced by natural agonists and Ca2+ ionophore A23187
Authors: McDonald P P , McColl S R , Naccache P H , Borgeat P
Published: August 2015

By using exogenous substrates, activation of human neutrophil 5-lipoxygenase can be investigated independently of the release of endogenous arachidonic acid. We have developed a sensitive assay to measure 5-LO activation which takes advantage of the 5-LO-mediated conversion of 15S-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13(Z,Z,Z,E)-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HpETE) into 5S,15S-dihydroxy-6,8,11,13(E,Z,Z,E)-eicosatetraenoic acid (5,15-DiHETE). When resting neutrophils were incubated with low micromolar concentrations of 15-HpETE, a minor dose- and time-dependent formation of 5,15-DiHETE was observed. In contrast, co-addition of 15-HpETE with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or with the neutrophil agonists platelet-activating factor (PAF), fMetLeuPhe or complement component C5a resulted in a sizeable concentration-dependent synthesis of 5,15-DiHETE, while lyso-PAF and phorbol myristate acetate were without effect on 5,15-DiHETE formation from 15-HpETE. This stimulation of 5,15-DiHETE synthesis by A23187 or by natural agonists was effectively inhibited by MK-886, a compound that has recently been reported to inhibit the A23187-induced translocation of 5-LO to membrane structures. Furthermore, natural-agonist-induced activation of the 5-LO-mediated transformation of 15-HpETE was inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating the involvement of a GTP-binding protein in the 5-LO activation process.
Identification of a novel transcription unit in the human insulin-like growth factor-II gene
Authors: Ikejiri K , Wasada T , Haruki K , Hizuka N , Hirata Y , Yamamoto M
Published: August 2015

The human insulin-like growth factor-II (hIGF-II) gene has until now been thought to be composed of eight exons, including three independent leader exons. In the present study two additional exons, one leader exon and one alternatively used ordinate exon, have been newly identified. They were abundantly expressed in human histiocytoma tissue, generating mRNA species of about 5.0 kb in length. The new leader exon shows significant sequence similarity with the rE1 exon, previously reported to be transcribed only in the rat, and is mapped at nearly the same genomic location as in the rat. On the other hand, sequence similarity with another exon in the corresponding region of the rat genome was also found. It was, however, obvious that the rat sequence would not work as an active exon, since both splice acceptor and donor sites were deviated considerably from the consensus sequences. It has thus become apparent that the complex transcription unit of a single-copy hIGF-II gene comprises at least 10 exons, including four leader exons, one alternative exon and three common protein-coding exons.
Ursodeoxycholic acid increases low-density lipoprotein binding, uptake and degradation in isolated hamster hepatocytes
Authors: Bouscarel B , Fromm H , Ceryak S , Cassidy M M
Published: August 2015

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), in contrast to both chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), its 7 alpha-epimer, and lithocholic acid, enhanced receptor-dependent low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake and degradation in isolated hamster hepatocytes. The increase in cell-associated LDL was time- and concentration-dependent, with a maximum effect observed at approx. 60 min with 1 mM-UDCA. This increase was not associated with a detergent effect of UDCA, as no significant modifications were observed either in the cellular release of lactate dehydrogenase or in Trypan Blue exclusion. The effect of UDCA was not due to a modification of the LDL particle, but rather was receptor-related. UDCA (1 mM) maximally increased the number of 125I-LDL-binding sites (Bmax.) by 35%, from 176 to 240 ng/mg of protein, without a significant modification of the binding affinity. Furthermore, following proteolytic degradation of the LDL receptor with Pronase, specific LDL binding decreased to the level of non-specific binding, and the effect of UDCA was abolished. Conversely, the trihydroxy 7 beta-hydroxy bile acid ursocholic acid and its 7 alpha-epimer, cholic acid, induced a significant decrease in LDL binding by approx. 15%. The C23 analogue of UDCA (nor-UDCA) and CDCA did not affect LDL binding. On the other hand, UDCA conjugated with either glycine (GUDCA) or taurine (TUDCA), increased LDL binding to the same extent as did the free bile acid. The half maximum time (t1/2) to reach the full effect was 1-2 min for UDCA and TUDCA, while GUDCA had a much slower t1/2 of 8.3 min. Ketoconazole (50 microM), an antifungal agent, increased LDL binding, but this effect was not additive when tested in the presence of 0.7 mM-UDCA. The results of the studies indicate that, in isolated hamster hepatocytes, the UDCA-induced increase in receptor-dependent LDL binding and uptake represents a direct effect of this bile acid. The action of the bile acid is closely related to its specific structural conformation, since UDCA and its conjugates are the only bile acids shown to express this ability thus far. However, certain agents other than bile acids, such as ketoconazole, have a similar effect. Finally, the studies suggest that the recruitment of LDL receptors from a latent pool in the hepatocellular membrane may be the mechanism by which UDCA exerts its direct effect.
A study of the relaxation parameters of a 13C-enriched methylene carbon and a 13C-enriched perdeuteromethylene carbon attached to chymotrypsin
Authors: Malthouse J P G , Finucane M D
Published: August 2015

L-1-Chloro-4-phenyl-3-tosylamido[1-13C]butan-2-one (Tos-[1-13C]Phe-CH2Cl) and Tos-[1-13C,2H2]Phe-CH2Cl were prepared and used to alkylate delta-chymotrypsin. The relaxation parameters of the 13C-n.m.r. signal resulting from the alkylation of histidine-57 in both enzyme-inhibitor complexes were determined at 1.88 T and 6.34 T as well as the spin-lattice relaxation times of the backbone alpha-carbon atoms of the unenriched Tos-Phe-CH2-delta-chymotrypsin complex. It is concluded that the species examined do not have significant internal librational motions and that the rotational correlation time of the monomeric enzyme-inhibitor complex is 16.0 +/- 3.2 ns. The signal from the 13C-enriched atom of Tos-[1-13C,2H2]Phe-CH2Cl is split into a quintet (JCD = 23 Hz) whereas in the Tos-[1-13C,2H2]Phe-CH2-delta-chymotrypsin complex the signal from the 13C-enriched inhibitor carbon atom is decoupled. This decoupled signal had linewidths of 16 +/- 3 Hz and 52 +/- 2 Hz at 1.88 T and 6.34 T respectively, whereas linewidths at 40 +/- 2 Hz and 53 +/- 4 Hz were obtained for the same signal in the Tos-[1-13C]Phe-CH2-delta-chymotrypsin complex at 1.88 T and 6.34 T respectively. Therefore whereas deuteration produces a 2.5-fold reduction in linewidth at 1.88 T there is no significant decrease in the linewidth at 6.34 T. This result is explained by using the rigid rotor model, which predicts that the quadrupolar spin-lattice relaxation rate will be faster at low field strengths, resulting in more efficient deuterium decoupling by scalar relaxation of the second kind at lower field strengths. It is also predicted that deuterium decoupling by scalar relaxation will become less efficient as rotational correlation times increase. The consequences of these predictions for the detection of 13C-enriched atomic probes of proteins are discussed. It is also shown that a spin-echo pulse sequence can be used to remove signals due to protonated carbon atoms without attenuating the signal due to deuterated carbon atoms.
Information from e.p.r. spectroscopy on the iron-sulphur centres of the iron-molybdenum protein (aldehyde oxidoreductase) of Desulfovibrio gigas
Authors: Bray R C , Turner N A , Le Gall J , Barata B A S , Moura J J G
Published: August 2015

E.p.r. spectra of reduced iron-sulphur centres of the aldehyde oxidoreductase (iron-molybdenum protein) of Desulfovibrio gigas were recorded at X-band and Q-band frequencies and simulated. Results are consistent with the view that only two types of [2Fe-2S] clusters are present, as in eukaryotic molybdenum-containing hydroxylases. The data indicate the Fe/SI centre to be very similar, and the Fe/SII centre somewhat similar, to these centres in the eukaryotic enzymes.
Reconstitution and identification of the major Na+-dependent neutral amino acid-transport protein from bovine renal brush-border membrane vesicles
Authors: Doyle F A , McGivan J D
Published: August 2015

Amino acid transport activity from bovine renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) was reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine/5% stearylamine. Reconstitutable transport activity was enhanced in protein fractions binding to various lectins. When solubilized BBMV were fractionated on peanut lectin, a single protein band of average molecular mass 132 kDa was obtained. When this protein fraction was reconstituted into phospholipid membrane vesicles, amino acid transport activity was obtained with properties similar to those in native BBMV with regard to amino acid specificity, although the cation specificity was different. A monoclonal antibody which reacted with the same protein removed reconstitutable amino acid transport activity from solubilized BBMV. These findings may provide the first identification of a renal amino acid-transporting protein, although confirmation of this identification by other approaches will be required.
Monoclonal antibodies possibly recognize conformational changes in the human erythrocyte glucose transporter
Authors: Nishimura H , Kuzuya H , Kosaki A , Okamoto M , Okamoto M , Kono S , Inoue G , Maeda I , Imura H
Published: August 2015

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAG17 and MAG20) were raised against the human erythrocyte glucose transporter, which was purified on an immunoaffinity column using a polyclonal antibody to the C-terminal peptide (residues 477-492) of the glucose transporter of HepG2 cells. To obtain antibodies which recognize the native glucose transporter integrated in the membrane, hybridomas were screened both by e.l.i.s.a. with purified glucose transporter and by dot-blotting with erythrocyte membranes. The antibodies immunoprecipitated D-glucose-inhibitable [3H]cytochalasin B-photoaffinity-labelled glucose transporters, but did not recognize the transporter on Western blotting. The presence of the C-terminal peptide did not inhibit the binding of these antibodies to the glucose transporter, suggesting that the antibodies recognized sites different from the transporter C-terminus. D-Glucose (0.1-100 microM) inhibited the binding of MAG17 and MAG20 to the transporter by 50%, indicating that the conformation of the epitopes was altered allosterically by D-glucose. Cytochalasin B inhibited the binding of MAG17 to the transporter, but enhanced the binding of MAG20 at low concentrations (less than 0.02 microM). These data suggest that the glucose transporter has high- and low-affinity binding sites for D-glucose and cytochalasin B, and that binding of D-glucose and cytochalasin B induces conformational changes in the transporter. Monoclonal antibodies which recognize the tertiary structure of the glucose transporter can be used for investigating its function and structure when integrated in the membrane.
Structure and expression of the rat epididymal secretory protein I gene. An androgen-regulated member of the lipocalin superfamily with a rare splice donor site
Authors: Girotti M , Jones R , Emery D C , Chia W , Hall L
Published: August 2015

The complete rat epididymal secretory protein I (ESP I) gene was isolated from a genomic library constructed in bacteriophage lambda Charon 4A. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene and its immediate 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences were determined. Interesting features include the presence of a rare, but functional, splice donor site (…GC) and the presence of a putative androgen-receptor-binding element. A detailed analysis of ESP I regulation was carried out after castration and subsequent testosterone treatment, demonstrating the requirement for androgens. Efferent-duct ligation and cryptorchism, on the other hand, had no effect on the steady-state concentrations of ESP I transcripts. Comparison of the exon/intron organization of the ESP I gene with those of members of the lipocalin superfamily provides strong support for a common ancestral origin.
Chain-length dependency of interactions of medium-chain fatty acids with glucose metabolism in acini isolated from lactating rat mammary glands. A putative feed-back to control milk lipid synthesis from glucose
Authors: Heesom K J , Souza P F A , Ilic V , Williamson D H
Published: August 2015

The effects of a series of medium-chain fatty acids (C6-C12) on glucose metabolism in isolated acini from lactating rat mammary glands have been studied. Hexanoate (C6) octanoate (C8) and decanoate (C10), but not laurate (C12), decreased [1-14C]glucose conversion into [14C]lipid and the production of 14CO2 (an index of the pentose phosphate pathway). With hexanoate and octanoate, glucose utilization was decreased, whereas decanoate had a slight stimulatory effect on glucose utilization, but there was a large accumulation of lactate. Addition of dichloroacetate (an inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase) decreased this accumulation of lactate and stimulated the conversion of [1-14C]glucose into [14C]lipid and 14CO2. Insulin had no effect on the rate of glucose utilization in the presence of hexanoate. It stimulated the rate in the presence of octanoate and laurate and increased the conversion of [1-14C]glucose into [14C]lipid in the presence of octanoate, decanoate or laurate. The major fate of 1-14C-labelled medium-chain fatty acids (C6, C8 and C12) was conversion into [14C]lipid. The proportion converted into 14CO2 decreased with increasing chain length, whereas the rate of [14C]lipid formation increased. It is concluded that the interactions between medium-chain fatty acids and glucose metabolism represent a feed-back mechanism to control milk lipid synthesis, and this may be important when milk accumulates in the gland.
Kinetics of the course of inactivation of aminoacylase by 1,10-phenanthroline
Authors: Wang Z X , Wu H B , Wang X C , Zhou H M , Tsou C L
Published: August 2015

The kinetic theory of the substrate reaction during modification of enzyme activity previously described [Tsou (1988) Adv. Enzymol. Relat. Areas Mol. Biol. 61, 381-436] has been applied to a study on the kinetics of the course of inactivation of aminoacylase by 1,10-phenanthroline. Upon dilution of the enzyme that had been incubated with 1,10-phenanthroline into the reaction mixture, the activity of the inhibited enzyme gradually increased, indicating dissociation of a reversible enzyme–1,10-phenanthroline complex. The kinetics of the substrate reaction with different concentrations of the substrate chloroacetyl-L-alanine and the inactivator suggest a complexing mechanism for inactivation by, and substrate competition with, 1,10-phenanthroline at the active site. The inactivation kinetics are single phasic, showing that the initial formation of an enzyme-Zn(2+)-1,10-phenanthroline complex is a relatively rapid reaction, followed by a slow inactivation step that probably involves a conformational change of the enzyme. The presence of Zn2+ apparently stabilizes an active-site conformation required for enzyme activity.
Sensitivity of monomeric and dimeric forms of bovine seminal ribonuclease to human placental ribonuclease inhibitor
Authors: Murthy B S , Sirdeshmukh R
Published: August 2015

We have studied the inhibition of bovine pancreatic RNAase (RNAase A) and bovine seminal RNAase in its native dimeric form (RNAase BS-1) and in monomeric carboxymethylated form (MCM RNAase BS-1) by human placental RNAase inhibitor (RNAase inhibitor) in order to understand the effect of enzyme structure on its response to the inhibitor. Study of the inhibition as a function of inhibitor concentration revealed that RNAase A and MCM RNAase BS-1 were inhibited fully and the inhibitor-sensitivities of the two were comparable. But under identical inhibitor concentrations RNAase BS-1 was found to be virtually insensitive to the inhibitor; at higher (3-10-fold) inhibitor concentrations marginal inhibition of the native enzyme could be observed. When RNAase BS-1 was pretreated with 5 mM-dithiothreitol (DTT) and assayed, it exhibited greater inhibitor-sensitivity, presumably as a result of its partial monomerization on exposure to DTT. This DTT-mediated change in the response of RNAase BS-1 to the inhibitor did not, however, seem to occur either in the assay conditions (which included DTT) or even when the enzyme was pretreated with DTT in the presence of the substrate, suggesting an effect of the substrate on the enzyme behaviour towards the inhibitor. Independently, gel-filtration runs revealed that, although DTT treatment caused monomerization of RNase BS-1, this change did not take place when DTT treatment was carried out in the presence of the substrate. From our observations, we infer that differential inhibitor-sensitivity of the dimeric and monomeric forms of RNAase BS-1, the relative contents of the two forms and the influence of the substrate on them may be important determinants of the net enzyme activity in the presence of the inhibitor.
Importance of thiol groups in ligand binding to D2 dopamine receptors from brain and anterior pituitary gland
Authors: Chazot P L , Strange P G
Published: August 2015

The effects of the thiol group reagent 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) on D2 dopamine receptors have been examined in three brain regions (caudate nucleus, putamen and olfactory tubercle), and in the anterior and neurointermediate lobes of the pituitary gland. Whereas the receptors in brain were insensitive to DTNB, a dose-dependent inhibition of [3H]spiperone binding to D2 receptors in both lobes of the pituitary gland was observed. The effects in the pituitary could be reversed by subsequent treatment with dithiothreitol and could be prevented by prior occupancy of the receptor binding site with a ligand. The effect of DTNB was to decrease the number of ligand-binding sites without altering the affinity of those remaining. The results show that modification of a thiol group of the D2 dopamine receptor in the two lobes of the pituitary gland tested here significantly affects ligand binding. There is therefore a difference between the D2 dopamine receptor populations in brain and pituitary in their sensitivity to modification by DTNB, and this may imply the existence of different receptor isoforms in the two issues.
Production of hydroxyl radicals from the simultaneous generation of superoxide and nitric oxide
Authors: Hogg N , Darley-Usmar V M , Wilson M T , Moncada S
Published: August 2015

Both nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide are generated by macrophages, neutrophils and endothelial cells. It has been postulated that the generation of these two radicals under physiological conditions can lead to the formation of peroxynitrite and (as a result of the homolytic lysis of this molecule) the production of hydroxyl radicals. We have used 3-morpholinosydnonimine N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1), a sydnonimine capable of generating both NO and superoxide simultaneously, to test this hypothesis. SIN-1 (1 mM) generated superoxide and NO at rates of 7.02 microM/min and 3.68 microM/min respectively in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.2, at 37 degrees C. Incubation of SIN-1 with both deoxyribose and sodium benzoate resulted in the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, the incubation of SIN-1 with sodium benzoate resulted in the production of compounds with fluorescence emission spectra characteristic of hydroxylated products. Both the production of MDA and the generation of fluorescent compounds were inhibited by the hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol. In all the above respects, SIN-1 mimicked the production of hydroxyl radicals from the ascorbate-driven Fenton reaction. Catalase had no effect on the SIN-1-dependent generation of MDA, and superoxide dismutase was partially inhibitory. SIN-1 produces an oxidant with the properties of the hydroxyl radical by a mechanism clearly different to that of the Fenton reaction. We conclude that the simultaneous production of NO and superoxide from SIN-1 results in the formation of hydroxyl radicals.
A comparative study of endothelin- and platelet-activating-factor-mediated signal transduction and prostaglandin synthesis in rat Kupffer cells
Authors: Gandhi C R , Stephenson K , Olson M S
Published: August 2015

Endothelin-3 (ET-3) stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism and synthesis of prostaglandins in cultured rat Kupffer cells. ET-3-induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides was characterized by the production of various inositol phosphates and of glycerophosphoinositol. The mechanism of ET-3-stimulated metabolism of phosphoinositides and synthesis of prostaglandins appeared to be distinct from the effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on these processes described previously [Gandhi, Hanahan & Olson (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18234-18241]. On a molar basis ET-3 was significantly more potent than PAF in stimulating phosphoinositide metabolism, e.g. ET-3-induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides occurred at 1 pM, whereas PAF was ineffective at concentrations less than 1 nM. Upon challenging Kupffer cells with both ET-3 and PAF, an additive stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism was observed, suggesting that the actions of these factors may be exerted on separate phosphoinositide pools. Treatment of Kupffer cells with pertussis toxin resulted in an inhibition of ET-3-induced phospholipase C activation; in contrast, cholera toxin treatment caused potentiation of ET-3-stimulated phospholipase C activity. Both toxins, however, inhibited PAF-stimulated phospholipase C activity. The present results suggest that the stimulatory effects of ET-3 and PAF on the phosphodiesteric metabolism of phosphoinositides in Kupffer cells require different guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins. Furthermore, the effects of bacterial toxins on ET-3- and PAF-induced phosphoinositide metabolism were not mediated by cyclic AMP. ET-3-induced metabolism of phosphoinositides was inhibited completely in Kupffer cells pretreated with ET-3, suggesting homologous ligand-induced desensitization of the ET-3 receptors. In contrast, similar experiments using PAF showed only a partial desensitization of subsequent PAF-induced phosphoinositide metabolism. In contrast to the increased production of prostaglandins E2 and D2 observed upon stimulation of Kupffer cells with PAF, ET-3 stimulated the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 only. Consistent with their additive effects on phosphoinositide metabolism, PAF and ET-3 exhibited an additive stimulation of the synthesis of prostaglandin E2.