bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The primary elastase inhibitor (elastasin) and trypsin inhibitor (contrapsin) in the goat are serpins related to human α1-anti-chymotrypsin
Authors: Potempa J , Enghild J J , Travis J
Published: August 2015

Two primary serine proteinase inhibitors in goat plasma have been isolated and characterized. The N-terminal sequence analysis of the purified proteins revealed that they are closely related to each other and are highly homologous to human alpha 1-anti-chymotrypsin rather than alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. However, despite structural similarities the inhibitory specificity of the goat inhibitors differed from each other and from that of anti-chymotrypsin. In contrast with human anti-chymotrypsin, one of the goat inhibitors was shown to be a strong and specific inhibitor of trypsin (k(ass.) = 1.9 x 10(6) M-1.s-1), whereas the other was an efficient inhibitor of neutrophil elastase (k(ass.) = 1.5 x 10(6) M-1.S-1). Differences in the inhibitory specificity of each protein could readily be attributed to the amino acid sequence within the reactive site region. The trypsin inhibitor with an assumed arginine residue at the P1 position of the reactive-site peptide bond is referred to as ‘contrapsin’, and indicates that the occurrence of contrapsins is not restricted to rodents. In contrast, the inhibitory specificity, resistance to oxidative and proteolytic inactivation and the presence of a P1 leucine residue in the elastase inhibitor is unique among inhibitory serpins that have been characterized to date. Because this serpin is apparently the major elastase inhibitor in goat plasma, it is likely to be involved in the control of goat neutrophil elastase. Therefore, we suggest the name ‘elastasin’, and extend it to any other anti-chymotrypsin related serpins possessing neutrophil-elastase- inhibitory activity.
Radiation-inactivation analysis of the Na+/bile acid co-transport system from rabbit ileum
Authors: Kramer W , Girbig F , Gutjahr U , Kowalewski S
Published: August 2015

The functional-unit molecular size of the Na+/bile acid cotransport system and the apparent target size of the bile-acid-binding proteins in brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbit ileum were determined by radiation inactivation with high-energy electrons. The size of the functional transporting unit for Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake was determined to 451 +/- 35 kDa, whereas an apparent molecular mass of 434 +/- 39 kDa was measured for the Na(+)-dependent D-glucose transport system. Proteins of 93 kDa and 14 kDa were identified as putative protein components of the ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter in the rabbit ileum, whereas a protein of 87 kDa may be involved in passive intestinal bile acid uptake. Photoaffinity labelling with 3- and 7-azi-derivatives of taurocholate revealed a target size of 229 +/- 10 kDa for the 93 kDa protein, and 132 +/- 23 kDa for the 14 kDa protein. These findings indicate that the ileal Na+/bile acid co-transport system is in its functional state a protein complex composed of several subunits. The functional molecular sizes for Na(+)-dependent transport activity and the bile-acid-binding proteins suggest that the Na+/bile acid co-transporter from rabbit ileum is a homotetramer (AB)4 composed of four AB subunits, where A represents the integral 93 kDa and B the peripheral 14 kDa brush-border membrane protein.
m-Acetylanilido-GTP, a novel photoaffinity label for GTP-binding proteins: synthesis and application
Authors: Zor T , Halifa I , Kleinhaus S , Chorev M , Selinger Z
Published: August 2015

A novel photoaffinity label, m-acetylanilido-GTP (m-AcAGTP), was synthesized and used to identify GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins). This GTP analogue is easily prepared and can be used for photoaffinity labelling of G-proteins without chromatographic purification. In the presence of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline, it activates turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase. This activation persists even when the beta-adrenergic receptor is subsequently blocked by antagonist, indicating that the GTP analogue is resistant to hydrolysis. The apparent Ka for activation of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase by m-AcAGTP was found to be 0.21 microM, a value similar to that for guanosine 5′-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate. m-AcAGTP also effectively inhibited the light-dependent GTPase of Musca fly eye membranes. Photoaffinity labelling of fly eye membranes with [alpha-32P]m-AcAGTP, followed by immunoprecipitation of G-protein Gq, identified a labelled protein band with the mobility of a 41.5 kDa protein on SDS/PAGE. Labelling of this protein was enhanced 9-fold in blue over red illuminated membranes, containing metarhodopsin and rhodopsin respectively. Labelling of alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins was also demonstrated in turkey erythrocyte membranes. The ease of preparation of m-AcAGTP and the chemical properties of the photoreactive acetophenone make this affinity label an important new tool in studies of cellular phenomena mediated by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins.
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein induces the expression of P-selectin (GMP140/PADGEM/CD62) on human endothelial cells
Authors: Gebuhrer V , Murphy J F , Bordet J C , Reck M P , McGregor J L
Published: August 2015

It is now well established that monocytes adhere to endothelial cells activated by oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL). However, the adhesive receptors on endothelial cells involved in binding monocytes, following an insult by oxidized LDL, remains to be elucidated. In this study we have looked at the effect of native or oxidized LDL on the expression of P-selectin. Native LDL (N-LDL) was oxidized by incubation with either endothelial cells (EC-LDL) or copper (Cu-LDL), or in culture medium as a control (C-LDL). Expression of P-selectin was assayed with an anti-P-selectin (CD62) monoclonal antibody (LYP20). Results show that EC-LDL and Cu-LDL, but not N-LDL or C-LDL, induce the expression of P-selectin by human umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Induction of P-selectin by low concentrations (20 micrograms/ml) of LDL is directly related to the state of oxidation of the LDL particles. In addition, high concentrations (100 micrograms/ml) of N-LDL also activate HUVECs by inducing P-selectin expression. This expression was sustained for a period of over 1 h on LDL-activated endothelial cells, in contrast with thrombin- or histamine-activated endothelial cells, whose P-selectin levels fall within 15-20 min after induction. E-selectin, in contrast with P-selectin, could not be induced by endothelial cells treated with low or high concentrations of oxidized LDL. Results in this study show that P-selectin expressed by oxidized-LDL-treated endothelial cells are involved in mediating the adhesion of a monocytic cell line (U937) or monocytes in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells. An anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody (LYP20) inhibited the binding of U937 cells and monocytes. These results strongly suggest that P-selectin is involved in the early stages of atherogenesis.
Allosteric modulation of oxygen binding to the three human embryonic haemoglobins
Authors: Hofmann O , Mould R , Brittain T
Published: August 2015

Plasmid based yeast expression systems have been developed for the high-level expression of the three human embryonic haemoglobins Gower I (zeta 2 epsilon 2), Gower II (alpha 2 epsilon 2) and Portland (zeta 2 gamma 2). Physiochemical characterization of the three product haemoglobins show them to be in the ‘native’ state. Oxygen-binding studies show that, under what are usually considered physiological conditions, each of the embryonic haemoglobins shows a high oxygen affinity, coupled to a high degree of co-operativity. Allosteric modulation of the oxygen-binding properties of the three haemoglobins in response to organic phosphates and protons has been investigated. The various responses exhibited by the three haemoglobins are rationalized in terms of their amino acid sequences.
Purification and characterization of the imidazoleglycerol-phosphate dehydratase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from recombinant Escherichia coli
Authors: Hawkes T R , Thomas P G , Edwards L S , Rayner S J , Wilkinson K W , Rice D W
Published: August 2015

The HIS3+ gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant imidazoleglycerol-phosphate dehydratase (IGPD) purified to homogeneity. Laser-desorption and electrospray m.s. indicated a molecular ion within 2 units of that expected (23833.3) on the basis of the protein sequence, with about half of the polypeptide lacking the N-terminal formylmethionine residue. IGPD initially purified as an apoprotein was catalytically inactive and mainly a trimer of M(r) 70,000. Addition of Mn2+ (but not Mg2+) caused this to assemble to an active (40 units/mg) enzyme (Mn-IGPD) comprising of 24 subunits (M(r) 573,000) and containing 1.35 +/- 0.1 Mn atoms/polypeptide subunit. An enzyme with an identical activity and metal content was also obtained when the fermenter growth medium of recombinant Escherichia coli was supplemented with MnCl2, and IGPD was purified through as Mn-IGPD rather than as the apoenzyme and assembled in vitro. Inhibition by EDTA indicated that the intrinsic Mn2+ was essential for activity. The retention of activity over time after dilution to very low concentrations of enzyme (< 20 nM) indicated that the metal remained in tight association with the protein. A novel continuous assay method was developed to facilitate the kinetic characterization of Mn-IGPD. At pH 7.0, the Km for IGP was 0.10 +/- 0.02 mM and the Ki value for inhibition by 1,2,4-triazole, 0.12 +/- 0.02 mM. In contrast with other reports, thiols had no influence on catalytic activity. The activity of Mn-IGPD varied with enzyme concentration in such a way as to suggest that it dissociates to a less active form at very low concentrations. Significant inhibition by the product, imidazole acetol phosphate, was inferred from the shape of the progress curve. Titration with, the potent competitive inhibitor, 2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl phosphonate indicated that Mn-IGPD contained 0.9 +/- 0.1 catalytic sites/protomer. The activity nearly doubled in the presence of high concentrations of Mn2+; the apparent Ks for stimulation was 20 microM. The basis of this effect was obscure, since there was no corresponding increase in the titre of active sites. Neither was there a discernable shift in the values of Km or Ki (above), although exogenous Mn2+ did reduce the optimum pH for kcat, from 7.2 to 6.8. On the basis of a single site/subunit, the maximum rate of catalytic turnover at 30 degrees C was 32 s-1.
Tissue- and cell-specific expression of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase isoenzymes
Authors: Vanweyenberg V , Communi D , D'Santos C S , Erneux C
Published: August 2015

The phosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (InsP3) to Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 (InsP4) is catalysed by InsP3 3-kinase. Molecular-biological data have shown the presence of two human isoenzymes of InsP3 3-kinase, namely InsP3 3-kinases A and B. We have isolated from a rat thymus cDNA library a 2235 bp cDNA (clone B15) encoding rat InsP3 3-kinase B. Northern-blot analysis of mRNA isolated from rat tissues (thymus, testis, brain, spleen, liver, kidney, heart, lung and intestine) revealed that a rat InsP3 3-kinase B probe hybridized to a 6 kb mRNA in lung, thymus, testis, brain and heart. In contrast, Northern-blot analysis of the same tissues probed under stringent conditions with a rat InsP3 3-kinase A probe hybridized to a 2 kb mRNA only in brain and a 1.8-2.0 kb mRNA species in testis. Northern-blot analysis of three human cell lines (HL-60, SH-SY5Y and HTB-138) probed with a human InsP3 3-kinase B probe showed the presence of a 6 kb mRNA in all cell lines, except in the human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y), where two mRNA species of 5.7 and 6 kb were detected. Using the same blot, no hybridization signal could be seen with a human InsP3 3-kinase A probe. Altogether, our data are consistent with the notion that the two InsP3 3-kinase isoenzymes, A and B, are specifically expressed in different tissues and cells.
Differential regulation of glutathione peroxidase by selenomethionine and hyperoxia in endothelial cells
Authors: Jornot L , Junod A F
Published: August 2015

We have studied the effect of selenomethionine (SeMet) and hyperoxia on the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GP) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Incubation of HUVEC with 1 x 10(-6) M SeMet for 24 h and 48 h caused a 65% and 86% increase in GP activity respectively. The same treatment did not result in significant changes in GP gene transcription and mRNA levels. Pactamycin, a specific inhibitor of the initiation step of translation, prevented the rise in GP activity induced by SeMet and caused an increase in GP mRNA in both cells grown in normal and SeMet-supplemented medium. Interestingly, SeMet supplementation stimulated the recruitment of GP mRNA from an untranslatable pool on to polyribosomes, so that the concentration of GP mRNA in polyribosomal translatable pools was 50% higher in cells grown in SeMet-supplemented medium than in cells grown in normal medium. On the other hand, cells exposed to 95% O2 for 3 days in normal medium showed a 60%, 394% and 81% increase in GP gene transcription rate, mRNA levels and activity respectively. Hyperoxia also stabilized GP mRNA. Hyperoxic cells grown in SeMet-supplemented medium did not show any change in GP gene transcription and mRNA levels, but expressed an 81% and 100% increase in GP activity and amount of GP mRNA associated with polyribosomes respectively, when compared with hyperoxic cells maintained in normal medium. Thus, GP appeared to be regulated post-transcriptionally, most probably co-translationally, in response to selenium availability, and transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally in response to oxygen.
Expression of recombinant human phenylalanine hydroxylase as fusion protein in Escherichia coli circumvents proteolytic degradation by host cell proteases. Isolation and characterization of the wild-type enzyme
Authors: Martinez A , Knappskog P M , Olafsdottir S , Døskeland A P , Eiken H G , Svebak R M , Bozzini M , Apold J , Flatmark T
Published: August 2015

Recombinant human phenylalanine hydroxylase (hPAH) was produced in high yields in Escherichia coli using the pET and pMAL expression vectors. In the pMAL system, hPAH was fused through the target sequences of the restriction protease factor Xa (IEGR) or enterokinase (D4K) to the C-terminal end of the highly expressed E. coli maltose-binding protein (MBP). The recombinant hPAH, recovered in soluble forms, revealed a high specific activity even in crude extracts and was detected as a homogeneous band by Western-blot analysis using affinity-purified polyclonal rabbit anti-(rat PAH) antibodies. The enzyme expressed in the pET system was subject to limited proteolysis by host cell proteases and was difficult to purify with a satisfactory yield. By contrast, when expressed as a fusion protein in the pMAL system, hPAH was resistant to cleavage by host cell proteases and was conveniently purified by affinity chromatography on an amylose resin. Catalytically active tetramer-dimer (in equilibrium) forms of the fusion protein were separated from inactive, aggregated forms by size-exclusion h.p.l.c. After cleavage by restriction protease, factor Xa or enterokinase, hPAH was separated from uncleaved fusion protein, MBP and restriction proteases by hydroxylapatite or ion-exchange (DEAE) chromatography. The yield of highly purified hPAH was approx. 10 mg/l of culture. The specific activity of the isolated recombinant enzyme was high (i.e. 1440 nmol of tyrosine.min-1.mg-1 with tetrahydrobiopterin as the cofactor) and its catalytic and physicochemical properties are essentially the same as those reported for the enzyme isolated from human liver. The recombinant enzyme, both as a fusion protein and as purified full-length hPAH, was phosphorylated in vitro by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The phosphorylated from of hPAH electrophoretically displayed an apparently higher molecular mass (approximately 51 kDa) than the non-phosphorylated (approximately 50 kDa) form.
Physicochemical characterization of the cytoplasmic domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor and evidence for conformational changes associated with its activation by ammonium sulphate
Authors: Gregoriou M , Jones P F , Timms J F , Yang J J , Radford S E , Rees A R
Published: August 2015

The physiochemical properties of the purified cytoplasmic domain of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, its self-phosphorylation and peptide phosphorylation activities, and its activation by ammonium sulphate have been studied. Highly efficient purification procedures for the isolation of the recombinant cytoplasmic domain (Met644-Ala1186) of the EGF receptor, expressed in the baculovirus/insect cell system, are described. Physicochemical characterization of the protein included investigation of its isoelectric and hydrodynamic properties, stability, oligomeric status, and secondary structure using far-u.v. circular dichroism. The recombinant protein was not recognized by anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, unless first self-phosphorylated in vitro. Tryptic phosphopeptide maps of self-phosphorylated recombinant cytoplasmic domain and the EGF-stimulated A431-membrane receptor were very similar, suggesting that the recombinant had similar self-phosphorylation capacity and specificity. The preparations were characterized by high specific activity towards peptide tyrosine phosphorylation. Although the cytoplasmic domain was isolated as a homogeneously monomeric protein, storage at 4 degrees C led to slow, spontaneous aggregation with reduction in specific activity. Both high activity and monomeric state were maintained by storage below 0 degree C. The dependence of the initial rate of self-phosphorylation on protein concentration was consistent with cross-phosphorylation but not with the known oligomerization-induced activation of holoreceptor. The peptide phosphorylation activity was stimulated by Mn2+, Mg2+ and (NH4)2SO4 at high concentrations. The substrate specificity of (NH4)2SO4 activation was studied using synthetic peptides. Self-phosphorylation was inhibited by (NH4)2SO4 in the range 0-0.25 M but activated at 1.0-1.5 M, possibly as a result of ionic and hydrophobic protein interactions respectively. Phosphopeptide maps of cytoplasmic domain phosphorylated in the presence of high (NH4)2SO4 showed that the protein was more extensively phosphorylated than in the absence of salt, or than the native receptor. Far-u.v. circular-dichroism spectra of the cytoplasmic domain changed dramatically at 1 M (NH4)2SO4, raising the possibility that (NH4)2SO4 activates the kinase catalytic domain by inducing conformational changes.
The proximal pathway of metabolism of the chlorinated signal molecule differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium
Authors: Morandini P , Offer J , Traynor D , Nayler O , Neuhaus D , Taylor G W , Kay R R
Published: August 2015

Stalk cell differentiation during development of the slime mould Dictyostelium is induced by a chlorinated alkyl phenone called differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1). Inactivation of DIF-1 is likely to be a key element in the DIF-1 signalling system, and we have shown previously that this is accomplished by a dedicated metabolic pathway involving up to 12 unidentified metabolites. We report here the structure of the first four metabolites produced from DIF-1, as deduced by m.s., n.m.r. and chemical synthesis. The structures of these compounds show that the first step in metabolism is a dechlorination of the phenolic ring, producing DIF metabolite 1 (DM1). DM1 is identical with the previously known minor DIF activity, DIF-3. DIF-3 is then metabolized by three successive oxidations of its aliphatic side chain: a hydroxylation at omega-2 to produce DM2, oxidation of the hydroxy group to a ketone group to produce DM3 and a further hydroxylation at omega-1 to produce DM4, a hydroxyketone of DIF-3. We have investigated the enzymology of DIF-1 metabolism. It is already known that the first step, to produce DIF-3, is catalysed by a novel dechlorinase. The enzyme activity responsible for the first side-chain oxidation (DIF-3 hydroxylase) was detected by incubating [3H]DIF-3 with cell-free extracts and resolving the reaction products by t.l.c. DIF-3 hydroxylase has many of the properties of a cytochrome P-450. It is membrane-bound and uses NADPH as co-substrate. It is also inhibited by CO, the classic cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, and by several other cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, as well as by diphenyliodonium chloride, an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 reductase. DIF-3 hydroxylase is highly specific for DIF-3: other closely related compounds do not compete for the activity at 100-fold molar excess, with the exception of the DIF-3 analogue lacking the chlorine atom. The Km for DIF-3 of 47 nM is consistent with this enzyme being responsible for DIF-3 metabolism in vivo. The two further oxidations necessary to produce DM4 are also performed in vitro by similar enzyme activities. One of the inhibitors of DIF-3 hydroxylase, ancymidol (IC50 67 nM) is likely to be particularly suitable for probing the function of DIF metabolism during development.
Glucan receptor and zymosan-induced lysosomal enzyme secretion in macrophages
Authors: Tapper H , Sundler R
Published: August 2015

A receptor for beta-glucan was in the present study shown to mediate binding of zymosan particles to resident mouse peritoneal macrophages. Lysosomal enzyme secretion in response to zymosan was maximal at a low particle/cell ratio, continuous for at least 3 h after particle/cell contact and inhibitable by soluble glucan. Latex particles of various size caused no selective secretory response, but at high particle/cell ratios were toxic. By use of a fluorescent ligand, the macrophage beta-glucan receptor was shown to be trypsin-sensitive, Ca2+/Mg(2+)-independent, recirculating and also present in an intracellular mobilizable pool. Binding of ligand to the beta-glucan receptor and inhibition of the lysosomal secretory response to zymosan were both more efficient with glucans of larger size, indicating that clustering of glucan receptors at the cell surface occurs. Such clustering could stabilize ligand binding by multiple interactions and possibly trigger intracellular signaling events on binding of zymosan particles.
Mutations within a highly conserved sequence present in the X region of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-δ1
Authors: Ellis M V , Sally U , Katan M
Published: August 2015

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes have considerable structural similarity within limited regions (X and Y) implicated in catalysis. The role of residues contained within a highly conserved sequence present in the X region was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis of PLC-delta 1 isoenzyme. Seven residues (Ser-308, Ser-309, Ser-310, His-311, Thr-313, Tyr-314, and Gln-319) were individually replaced by alanine or glutamine (His-311). Replacement of two residues, His-311 and Tyr-314, resulted in a dramatic reduction of enzyme activity. The kcat of hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate by H311A and Y314A mutants was reduced 1000- and 10-fold respectively, with little effect on Km. Further analysis of H311A and Y314A mutants, using limited proteolysis and circular dichroism, had shown that no major structural alterations had occurred. Since site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated the importance of histidine residues, their role in enzyme function was also analysed by chemical modification with diethyl pyrocarbonate. This modification of histidine residues resulted in the reduction of enzyme activity and also indicated that more than one residue could be important.
Expression of wild-type and mutated rabbit osteopontin in Escherichia coli, and their effects on adhesion and migration of P388D1 cells
Authors: Nasu K , Ishida T , Setoguchi M , Higuchi Y , Akizuki S , Yamamoto S
Published: August 2015

Recombinant wild-type rabbit osteopontin (rOP) and the protein with an aspartate-to-glutamate transposition induced by a point mutation in the rabbit OP cDNA within the Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) sequence were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. P388D1 cells bound rOP in a saturable manner. rOP induced adhesion and haptotaxis of P388D1 cells, whereas mutated rabbit OP (rOPmut) did not. Anti-rOP IgG F(ab′)2 and synthetic GRGDS peptide inhibited rOP-mediated adhesion and haptotaxis of P388D1 cells. Fibronectin (FN)-mediated adhesion of P388D1 cells was markedly inhibited in the presence of fluid-phase rOP. Adhesion of P388D1 cells to rOP was significantly inhibited by anti-[alpha-subunits of VLA4 (alpha 4) and VLA5 (alpha 5)] monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), but not by anti-[alpha-subunit of vitronectin (VN) receptor (alpha V) or Mac-1 (alpha M)] mAb. Adhesion of P388D1 cells to FN and VN was significantly inhibited by anti-alpha V mAb but not anti-alpha 4, -alpha 5 or -alpha M mAb. Haptotaxis of P388D1 cells to rOP was significantly inhibited by anti-alpha V mAb, but not by anti-alpha 4, -alpha 5 and alpha M mAbs, whereas that to FN showed no inhibition with all three mAbs. Haptotaxis of P388D1 cells to VN was significantly inhibited by anti-alpha 5 and -alpha V mAbs but not by anti-alpha 4 and -alpha M mAbs. Similar features of inhibition of adhesion and haptotaxis of P388D1 cells to human OP were observed by mAbs. rOP had no chemotactic effect on P388D1 cells. Significant polymorphonuclear leucocyte migration was observed 3-12 h after intradermal injection of rOP into rabbits.
Expression and characterization of maize ZBP14, a member of a new family of zinc-binding proteins
Authors: Robinson K , Jones D , Howell S , Soneji Y , Martin S , Aitken A
Published: August 2015

A maize gene (Mz2-12), with a deduced amino acid sequence similar to that of a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor from bovine brain, has been expressed in Escherichia coli and the protein (ZBP14) purified to homogeneity. The bovine protein was originally identified by Walsh's group and named PKC inhibitor-1 (PKCI-1). The recombinant maize protein (ZBP14) shares characteristics of bovine PKCI-1: it has similar secondary structure, is dimeric, and has a similar affinity for zinc. However, the maize ZBP14 had very little activity as an inhibitor of mammalian brain PKC, thus precluding zinc sequestration as the mechanism of inhibition. The biological role for the maize protein in plant kinase regulation is therefore unclear. In the presence of both maize ZBP14 and 14-3-3 protein (which inhibits PKC in the absence of diacylglycerol), the effects on PKC appeared to be synergistic.
Rabbit α-1-antiproteinase E: a novel recombinant serpin which does not inhibit proteinases
Authors: Saito A , Sinohara H
Published: August 2015

A cDNA coding for the E isoform of alpha-1-antiproteinase (also called alpha-1-antitrypsin or alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor) was isolated by oligonucleotide hybridization following immunochemical screening of the rabbit liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of the E isoform showed 96.4% identity in 413 residues of the F and S-1 isoforms of rabbit alpha-1-antiproteinase. The N-terminal half of the amino acid residues of the three isoforms was almost identical, but the putative reactive-site loop structure (P8-P′8) was significantly different in the various forms, the P1 site of the E form being glutamic acid. Interaction of the recombinant E form with the various proteinases was investigated by SDS/PAGE, followed by immunoblot analysis. The recombinant protein and trypsin formed a 62 kDa equimolar complex, which gradually became graded to the 37 kDa fragment through several intermediates. The E form also formed a complex of a similar size with elastase and became degraded to the 31 kDa fragment. Several proteinases which cleaved the E form without forming a detectable complex on SDS/PAGE are chymotrypsin, protease V8, pancreas kallikrein, thermolysin, papain and ficin. Other proteinases, with a stringent substrate specificity, such as thrombin, factor Xa, plasmin, plasma kallikrein and cathepsin G, did not attack the E form. Unlike the F and S-1 forms of rabbit plasma alpha-1-antiproteinase, the recombinant E form did not inhibit the amidolytic and proteolytic activities of trypsin. Neither elastase nor protease V8 was inhibited by the E form. Thus the change in the amino acid residues in the reactive-site loop, probably in the P1 site, is responsible for the loss of inhibitory activity of rabbit alpha-1-antiproteinase E. The novel character of the E form could provide a new insight into the interaction of serpin and proteinases.
Mammalian antioxidant protein complements alkylhydroperoxide reductase (ahpC) mutation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Tsuji K , Copeland N G , Jenkins N A , Obinata M
Published: August 2015

The MER5 [now called the Aop1 (antioxidant protein 1) gene] was cloned as a transiently expressed gene of murine erythroleukaemia (MEL) cell differentiation and its antisense expression inhibited differentiation of MEL cells. We found that the Aop1 gene shows significant nucleotide sequence similarity to the gene coding for the C22 subunit of Salmonella typhimurium alkylhydroperoxide reductase, which is also found in other bacteria, suggesting it functions as an antioxidant protein. Expression of the Aop1 gene product in E. coli deficient in the C22-subunit gene rescued resistance of the bacteria to alkylhydroperoxide. The human and mouse Aop1 genes are highly conserved, and they mapped to the regions syntenic between mouse and human chromosomes. Sequence comparisons with recently cloned mammalian Aop1 homologues suggest that these genes consist of a family that is responsible for regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation and antioxidant functions.
Glycosphingolipid composition of rat placenta: changes associated with stage of pregnancy
Authors: Itonori S , Shirai T , Kiso Y , Ohashi Y , Shiota K , Ogawa T
Published: August 2015

The composition of glycolipids and their changes in the placenta were investigated in the normal pregnant rat. Total lipid fractions extracted from the placenta between days 12 and 20 of pregnancy (day 0 = oestrus) were subjected to glycolipid analysis using DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, silica-gel HPLC, silica-gel TLC, TLC/immunostaining, matrix-assisted secondary-ion mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode and 1H NMR. Glycolipids identified in the rat placenta were: gangliosides GM3 (NeuAcLacCer and NeuGcLacCer) and GD3 (NeuAcNeuAcLacCer, NeuAcNeuGcLacCer and NeuGcNeuAcLacCer), and neutral glycolipids ceramide monosaccharide (CMH) (GlcCer), ceramide disaccharide (CDH) (LacCer), ceramide trisaccharide (CTH) (Gb3Cer) and ceramide tetrasaccharide (CQH) (Gb4Cer). The content of neutral glycolipids was higher than that of gangliosides throughout pregnancy. Of the neutral glycolipids, CMH and CTH predominated and the level of CDH was low at mid-pregnancy. During late pregnancy, CMH and CTH decreased and CDH increased markedly. CQH remained at a low level throughout pregnancy. Of the gangliosides, GM3 was predominant on days 12-16 and then decreased, whereas GD3, which was low on day 12, increased slightly on day 16 and maintained the same level thereafter. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that these changes in the expression of major gangliosides from GM3 to GD3 occurred in labyrinthine trophoblasts. Thus expression of these glycolipids appears to change markedly during pregnancy.
Two site-directed mutations abrogate enzyme activity but have different effects on the conformation and cellular content of the N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulphatase protein
Authors: Brooks D A , Robertson D A , Bindloss C , Litjens T , Anson D S , Peters C , Morris C P , Hopwood J J
Published: August 2015

The sulphatase family of enzymes have regions of sequence similarity, but relatively little is known about either the structure-function relationships of sulphatases, or the role of highly conserved amino acids. The sequence of amino acids CTPSR at position 91-95 of 4-sulphatase has been shown to be highly conserved in all of the sequenced sulphatase enzymes. The cysteine at amino acid 91 of 4-sulphatase was selected for mutation analysis due to its potential role in either the active site, substrate-binding site or part of a key structural domain of 4-sulphatase and due to the absence of naturally occurring mutations in this residue in mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) patients. Two mutations, C91S and C91T, altering amino acid 91 of 4-sulphatase were generated and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Biochemical analysis of protein from a C91S cell line demonstrated no detectable 4-sulphatase enzyme activity but a relatively normal level of 4-sulphatase polypeptide (180% of the wild-type control protein level). Epitope detection, using a panel of ten monoclonal antibodies, demonstrated that the C91S polypeptide had a similar immunoreactivity to wild-type 4-sulphatase, suggesting that the C91S substitution does not induce a major structural change in the protein. Reduced catalytic activity associated with normal levels of 4-sulphatase protein have not been observed in any of the MPS VI patients tested and all show evidence of structural modification of 4-sulphatase protein with the same panel of antibodies [Brooks, McCourt, Gibson, Ashton, Shutter and Hopwood (1991) Am. J. Hum. Genet. 48, 710-719]. The loss of enzyme activity without a detectable protein conformation change suggests that Cys-91 may be a critical residue in the catalytic process. In contrast, analysis of protein from a C91T cell line revealed low levels of catalytically inactive 4-sulphatase polypeptide (0.37% of the wild-type control protein level) which had missing or masked epitopes, suggesting an altered protein structure or conformation. Subcellular fractionation studies of the C91T cell line demonstrated a high proportion of 4-sulphatase polypeptide content in organelles characteristic of microsomes. The aberrant intracellular localization and the reduced cellular content of 4-sulphatase polypeptide was consistent with the observed structural modification leading to retention and degradation of the protein within an early vacuolar compartment.
Isolation and characterization of the chicken trypsinogen gene family
Authors: Wang K , Gan L , Lee I , Hood L
Published: August 2015

Based on genomic Southern hybridizations and cDNA sequence analyses, the chicken trypsinogen gene family can be divided into two multi-member subfamilies, a six-member trypsinogen I subfamily which encodes the cationic trypsin isoenzymes and a three-member trypsinogen II subfamily which encodes the anionic trypsin isoenzymes. The chicken cDNA and genomic clones containing these two subfamilies were isolated and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. The results indicated that the chicken trypsinogen genes encoded a signal peptide of 15 to 16 amino acid residues, an activation peptide of 9 to 10 residues and a trypsin of 223 amino acid residues. The chicken trypsinogens contain all the common catalytic and structural features for trypsins, including the catalytic triad His, Asp and Ser and the six disulphide bonds. The trypsinogen I and II subfamilies share approximately 70% sequence identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level. The sequence comparison among chicken trypsinogen subfamily members and trypsin sequences from other species suggested that the chicken trypsinogen genes may have evolved in coincidental or concerted fashion.
Molecular cloning, purification and in situ localization of human colon kallikrein
Authors: Chen L M , Richards G P , Chao L , Chao J
Published: August 2015

We have cloned and characterized a full-length cDNA encoding tissue kallikrein from a human colon carcinoma cell line (T84). The nucleic acid sequence of the colon kallikrein cDNA is identical to that of renal/pancreatic or tissue kallikrein cDNA. Reverse-transcription PCR followed by Southern-blot analysis using specific oligonucleotide probes showed expression of tissue kallikrein in human colon, pancreas and kidney. Tissue kallikrein mRNA was localized in glandular epithelial cells (goblet cells) in colon by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Human colon kallikrein was purified to apparent homogeneity by DEAE-Sepharose Cl-6B, aprotinin-affinity, and HQ/M perfusion chromatography. The purified colon kallikrein migrated as a broad, 40-45 kDa band in SDS/PAGE and was recognized by antibodies to human tissue kallikrein. The linear displacement curves for the colon kallikrein in an RIA were parallel with the human tissue kallikrein standard curve, indicating their immunological identity. The N-terminal sequence of the purified colon kallikrein matches completely with that of purified urinary or tissue kallikrein. These results indicate that human colon kallikrein is transcribed from the tissue kallikrein gene.
Long-range conformational effects of proteolytic removal of the last three residues of actin
Authors: Strzelecka-Gołaszewska H , Mossakowska M , Woźniak A , Moraczewska J , Nakayama H
Published: August 2015

Truncated derivatives of actin devoid of either the last two (actin-2C) or three residues (actin-3C) were used to study the role of the C-terminal segment in the polymerization of actin. The monomer critical concentration and polymerization rate increased in the order: intact actin < actin-2C < actin-3C. Conversely, the rate of hydrolysis of actin-bound ATP during spontaneous polymerization of Mg-actin decreased in the same order, so that, for actin-3C, the ATP hydrolysis significantly lagged behind the polymer growth. Probing the conformation of the nucleotide site in the monomer form by measuring the rates of the bound nucleotide exchange revealed a similar change upon removal of either the two or three residues from the C-terminus. The C-terminal truncation also resulted in a slight decrease in the rate of subtilisin cleavage of monomeric actin within the DNAse-I binding loop, whereas in F-actin subunits the susceptibility of this and of another site within this loop, specifically cleaved by a proteinase from Escherichia coli A2 strain, gradually increased upon sequential removal of the two and of the third residue from the C-terminus. From these and other observations made in this work it has been concluded that perturbation of the C-terminal structure in monomeric actin is transmitted to the cleft, where nucleotide and bivalent cation are bound, and to the DNAse-I binding loop on the top of subdomain 2. Further changes at these sites, observed on the polymer level, seem to result from elimination of the intersubunit contact between the C-terminal residues and the DNAse-I binding loop. It is suggested that formation of this contact plays an essential role in regulating the hydrolysis of actin-bound ATP associated with the polymerization process.
The stimulus-sensitive H2O2-generating system present in human fat-cell plasma membranes is multireceptor-linked and under antagonistic control by hormones and cytokines
Authors: Krieger-Brauer H I , Kather H
Published: August 2015

Previous work demonstrated that human fat-cells possess a plasma-membrane-bound H2O2-generating system that is activated by insulin. Here we show that this system is under antagonistic control by various hormones and cytokines that typically act through several distinct receptor families. Similarly to insulin, oxytocin and tumour necrosis factor alpha acted as stimulators of NADPH-dependent H2O2 generation, whereas isoprenaline, a beta-adrenergic agonist, had inhibitory effects. Surprisingly, the acidic and basic isoforms of fibroblast growth factor as well as homodimeric platelet-derived growth factor AA and BB had antagonistic stimulatory and inhibitory effects on NADPH-dependent H2O2 generation. The agents tested acted at discrete ligand-specific receptors and their mechanisms of action were membrane-delimited and occurred in the absence of ATP. These findings implied that established pathways of signal transduction, including receptor kinases or second-messenger-dependent protein kinases A and C, were not involved and placed the stimulus-sensitive H2O2-generating system in a position comparable with adenylate cyclase. It was concluded that the stimulus-sensitive H2O2-generating system of human fat-cells meets all criteria of a universal signal-transducing system for hormones and cytokines that may link ligand binding to cell-surface receptors to changes in the intracellular redox equilibrium.
Expression of haemopexin receptors by cultured human cytotrophoblast
Authors: van Dijk H P , Kroos M J , Starreveld J S , van Eijk H G , Tang S P , Song D X , Muller-Eberhard U
Published: August 2015

The expression of cell-surface haemopexin (Hx) receptors on human cytotrophoblasts was assessed by using four different Hx species purified from plasma: human Hx isolated by wheatgerm-affinity chromatography, human Hx isolated by haem-agarose-affinity chromatography and rabbit and rat Hx, also isolated by haem-agarose-affinity chromatography. About 3500-7000 high-affinity (Kd 0.34-0.85 nM) receptors per cell were measured by Scatchard-type analysis at 4 degrees C using human (species obtained by both methods) or rabbit 125I-labelled haem-Hx. Measured simultaneously, transferrin receptor number and affinity were 40,000/cell and 0.83 nM respectively. In contrast with transferrin receptors, the number of Hx receptors did not increase during 24 h in cytotrophoblast culture. Rat Hx showed no specific binding to human Hx receptors in cytotrophoblast cultures.
Thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+-ATPases account for Ca2+ uptake to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive and caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ stores in adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Poulsen J C J , Caspersen C , Mathiasen D , East J M , Tunwell R E A , Lai F A , Maeda N , Mikoshiba K , Treiman M
Published: August 2015

In chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla, heterogeneity of Ca2+ stores has been suggested with respect to the mechanisms of Ca2+ uptake and release. We have examined Ca(2+)-ATPases responsible for loading of Ca2+ stores in these cells for their sensitivity to thapsigargin, a highly selective inhibitor of the SERCA [sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase] family of intracellular Ca2+ pumps. Using immunostaining, we studied the distribution of Ca(2+)-ATPases, and of receptors for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and ryanodine, in the density-gradient fractions of microsomes from bovine adrenal medulla. In parallel, we examined distribution profiles of ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in the same fractions, along with subcellular markers for plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Two Ca(2+)-ATPase-like proteins (116 and 100 kDa) were detected, consistent with the presence of SERCA 2b and SERCA 3 isoenzymes of Ca2+ pumps. The distribution of these putative Ca(2+)-ATPase iso-enzymes paralleled that of InsP3 and ryanodine receptors. This distribution of ER Ca(2+)-ATPases, as determined immunologically, was consistent with that of thapsigargin-sensitive, but not of thapsigargin-insensitive, ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake. In contrast, the distribution profile of the thapsigargin-insensitive Ca2+ uptake was strongly correlated to that of plasma membranes, and co-distributed with plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase detected immunologically. In isolated, permeabilized chromaffin cells, InsP3 and caffeine induced Ca2+ release following an ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation to the stores. This accumulation was abolished by thapsigargin. Together, these data strongly indicate that the thapsigargin-sensitive, presumably SERCA-type Ca(2+)-ATPases account for Ca2+ uptake to InsP3-sensitive, as well as to caffeine-sensitive, Ca2+ stores in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.
Localization of the N-terminal and C-terminal ends of triadin with respect to the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane of rabbit skeletal muscle
Authors: Marty I , Robert M , Ronjat M , Bally I , Arlaud G , Villaz M
Published: August 2015

Antibodies were raised against synthetic peptides corresponding to the N-terminal (residues 2-17) and C-terminal (residues 691-706) ends of rabbit skeletal muscle triadin, a 95 kDa protein located in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane at the triad junction. The specificity of the antibodies generated was tested by ELISA and Western blot analysis. These tests demonstrated the ability of the antibodies to react specifically with the proteins. The anti-N-terminus antibodies bound to sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, indicating that the N-terminal end of the membrane-embedded triadin is exposed on the cytoplasmic side of the vesicles. In contrast, the anti-C-terminus antibodies were able to react with sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles only after permeabilization of the vesicles with a detergent, indicating that the C-terminal end is exposed on the luminal side of the vesicles. These immunological data were complemented by proteolysis experiments using carboxypeptidases and endoproteinase Arg C. A mixture of carboxypeptidases A, B and Y was used to induce degradation of the C-terminal end of triadin in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. This degradation, and a concomitant loss of reactivity of the anti-C-terminus antibodies in Western blots, was observed only when the vesicles were permeabilized, providing further evidence for the luminal localization of the C-terminal end of triadin. Treatment of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with endoproteinase Arg C resulted in the removal of the N-terminal end of triadin, probably due to cleavage after Arg-34. This is a further indication of the cytoplasmic localization of the N-terminal end of triadin (and of its first 34 amino acids). When the proteolysis with endoproteinase Arg C was carried out with permeabilized vesicles, the cleavage occurred after Arg-141 or Arg-157, indicating that at least one of these residues is luminal.
A pepstatin-insensitive aspartic proteinase from a thermophilic Bacillus sp
Authors: Toogood H S , Prescott M , Daniel R M
Published: August 2015

Bacillus sp. strain Wp22.A1 produced a cell-associated aspartic proteinase which was purified to homogeneity using phenyl-Sepharose (hydrophobic and affinity chromatography) and Mono Q. The proteinase has a molecular mass of 45 kDa by SDS/PAGE and a pI of 3.8. It is insensitive to pepstatin, but is sensitive to the other aspartic proteinase-specific inhibitors diazoacetyl-DL-norleucine methyl ester (DAN) and 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane. Inactivation by DAN was only partial, suggesting that it had non-specifically modified an aspartate residue at a site other than the active site. The enzyme was not inhibited by any of the serine or cysteine proteinase inhibitors tested. Maximum proteolytic activity was observed at pH 3.5. The proteinase had a higher activity with haemoglobin, but was more specific (Vmax./Km) for cytochrome c. Substrate inhibition was observed with both these substrates. The cleavage of oxidized insulin B chain tended to occur at sites where the P1 amino acid was bulky and non-polar, and the P1′ amino acid was bulky and polar, such as its primary cleavage site of Val2-Asn3. The proteinase was stable in the pH range 2.5-5.5. Thermostability was increased in the presence of Ca2+, although to a lesser extent at higher temperatures. The thermostabilities at 60, 70, 80 and 90 degrees C were 45 h, 102, 21 and 3 min respectively in the presence of Ca2+.