bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre- and post-natal growth and protein turnover in the lung of the rat
Authors: Goldspink D F
Published: August 2015

The growth of the rat lung was studied at six ages, from 18 days of fetal life to old age (i.e. 105 weeks). Most of the increase in lung size appeared to involve cellular hyperplasia rather than hypertrophy, the DNA content of the lung increasing 96-fold from one extreme of life to the other. Pulmonary rates of protein turnover were high and were, age for age, consistently greater than the rates in the whole body. The age-related decline in the rate of lung growth corresponded to a marked decrease in the fractional rate of protein synthesis, i.e. from 93 to 33% per day during fetal and neonatal life. This in turn correlated with a 58% fall in the ribosomal capacity. From weaning onwards, synthesis rates remained between 30 and 40% per day. In contrast, the degradation of lung proteins was unchanged, at 28-38% per day throughout both fetal and post-natal life.
Internalization of insulin receptors and HLA antigens in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Cousin J L , Samson M , Pilch P F , Fehlmann M
Published: August 2015

Human HepG2 hepatoma cells express a high number of insulin receptors. Growing cells exhibit 70% of their insulin receptors on the plasma membrane. Moreover, cell-surface insulin receptors form molecular complexes with class I major histocompatibility antigens, as determined by co-immunoprecipitation of the receptors by anti-class I monoclonal antibodies. On exposure to saturating concentrations of insulin, the hormone is rapidly internalized into a Pronase-resistant compartment. Internalization of insulin is accompanied by a rapid (t1/2 = 2-3 min) redistribution of insulin receptors from the cell surface to an intracellular compartment. On removal of insulin from the medium, functional receptors recycle back to the plasma membrane, where they can bind insulin again. With chronic exposure of HepG2 cells to insulin, the initial redistribution of receptors is followed by a slow (t1/2 = 9 h) down-regulation of the receptors. Finally, notwithstanding their interaction at the cell surface, insulin receptors and class I major histocompatibility antigens are internalized at different rates and with independent regulation.
Limited proteolysis and sequence analysis of the 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes from Escherichia coli. Cleavage sites and domains in the dihydrolipoamide acyltransferase components
Authors: Packman L C , Perham R N
Published: August 2015

The structures of the dihydrolipoamide acyltransferase (E2) components of the 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes from Escherichia coli were investigated by limited proteolysis. Trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase were used to excise the three lipoyl domains from the E2p component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and the single lipoyl domain from the E2o component of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. The principal sites of action of these enzymes on each E2 chain were determined by sequence analysis of the isolated lipoyl fragments and of the truncated E2p and E2o chains. Each of the numerous cleavage sites (12 in E2p, six in E2o) fell within similar segments of the E2 chains, namely stretches of polypeptide rich in alanine, proline and/or charged amino acids. These regions are clearly accessible to proteinases of Mr 24,000-28,000 and, on the basis of n.m.r. spectroscopy, some of them have previously been implicated in facilitating domain movements by virtue of their conformational flexibility. The limited proteolysis data suggest that E2p and E2o possess closer architectural similarities than would be predicted from inspection of their amino acid sequences. As a result of this work, an error was detected in the sequence of E2o inferred from the previously published sequence of the encoding gene, sucB. The relevant peptides from E2o were purified and sequenced by direct means; an amended sequence is presented.
The role of insulin in the modulation of glucagon-dependent control of phenylalanine hydroxylation in isolated liver cells
Authors: Fisher M J , Dickson A J , Pogson C I
Published: August 2015

The stimulation of phenylalanine hydroxylation in isolated liver cells by sub-maximally effective concentrations of glucagon (less than 0.1 microM) is antagonized by insulin (0.1 nM-0.1 microM). This phenomenon is a consequence of a decrease in the glucagon-stimulated phosphorylation of phenylalanine hydroxylase from liver cells incubated in the presence of insulin. The impact of insulin on the phosphorylation state and activity of the hydroxylase is mimicked by incubation of liver cells in the presence of orthovanadate (10 microM). A series of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP analogues enhanced phenylalanine hydroxylation: in each case insulin diminished the stimulation of flux. These results are discussed in the light of the characteristics of insulin action on other metabolic processes.
Molecular cloning and over-expression of the glyoxylate bypass operon from Escherichia coli ML308
Authors: el-Mansi E M T , MacKintosh C , Duncan K , Holms W H , Nimmo H G
Published: August 2015

A recombinant plasmid carrying an 11 kb restriction-endonuclease-ClaI fragment of genomic DNA from Escherichia coli ML308 was constructed. This plasmid complements an aceA mutation. The plasmid encodes the structural genes of the glyoxylate bypass operon, namely malate synthase A (aceB), isocitrate lyase (aceA) and isocitrate dehydrogenase kinase/phosphatase (aceK), as judged by overexpression of enzyme activities and transcription/translation experiments in vitro. Subcloning confirmed that expression of the aceK gene is essential for growth on acetate.
Nature of the subunits of the 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase isoenzymes from rat tissues
Authors: Dunaway G A , Kasten T P
Published: August 2015

The nature of the PFK (6-phosphofructo-1-kinase) isoenzymes in many rat tissues was examined by immunological and chromatographic techniques and by measurement of their subunit compositions. It was revealed that, except for diaphragm and skeletal muscle, these complex isoenzymic populations contained different amounts of the three subunit types and were nearly tissue-specific. Apparently this tissue specificity is due to different concentrations of the tetramers, which in turn are controlled by the types and amounts of each subunit that are available to associate randomly.
Immunoblot analysis of glutaminase peptides in intact and solubilized mitochondria isolated from various rat tissues
Authors: Shapiro R A , Haser W G , Curthoys N P
Published: August 2015

Antibodies were prepared against isolated rat renal glutaminase and affinity-purified against the 65 kDa peptide contained in the purified rat brain glutaminase. The affinity-purified IgGs were then used to compare the glutaminase immunoreactive peptides contained in samples that had been subjected to SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose. The purified brain glutaminase and isolated brain mitochondria contain 68 and 65 kDa peptides that exhibit nearly equivalent immunostaining. Partial proteolysis of the isolated 68 and 65 kDa peptides with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase produced an identical pattern of immunoreactive proteolytic fragments. However, digestion of the two peptides with chymotrypsin resulted in similar, but slightly different, patterns. The pattern of immunostaining was unaltered even when the brain mitochondria were solubilized with Triton X-100 and stored for 2 days at 4 degrees C. A very similar pattern was observed when intact renal mitochondria were subjected to immunoblot analysis. However, when renal mitochondria were solubilized, the 68 kDa peptide was rapidly degraded to the 65 kDa form. At 4 degrees C this reaction occurs with apparent first-order kinetics and a t1/2 of 35 min. Degradation of the 65 kDa form of the renal glutaminase occurs with much slower kinetics, but is nearly complete after 24 h. Solubilization of mitochondria isolated from various zones of the kidney indicated that the responsible endogenous proteinase was localized primarily in the cortex. Mitochondria isolated from intestinal or renal papillary tissue contain four glutaminase immunoreactive peptides (Mr 68,000, 65,000, 61,000 and 58,000). The smallest of these peptides is identical in size with the single immunoreactive peptide observed in liver tissue.
Identification of signal sequence binding proteins integrated into the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Authors: Robinson A , Kaderbhai M A , Austen B M
Published: August 2015

An azidophenacyl derivative of a chemically synthesized consensus signal peptide has been prepared. The peptide, when photoactivated in the presence of rough or high-salt-stripped microsomes from pancreas, leads to inhibition of their activity in cotranslational processing of secretory pre-proteins translated from their mRNA in vitro. The peptide binds specifically with high affinity to components in the microsomal membranes from pancreas and liver, and photoreaction of a radioactive form of the azidophenacyl derivative leads to covalent linkage to yield two closely related radiolabelled proteins of Mr about 45,000. These proteins are integrated into the membrane, with large 30,000-Mr domains embedded into the phospholipid bilayer to which the signal peptide binds. A smaller, endopeptidase-sensitive, domain is exposed on the cytoplasmic surface of the microsomal vesicles. The specificity and selectivity of the binding of azidophenacyl-derivatized consensus signal peptide was demonstrated by concentration-dependent inhibition of photolabelling by the ‘cold’ synthetic consensus signal peptide and by a natural internal signal sequence cleaved and isolated from ovalbumin. The properties of the labelled 45,000-Mr protein-signal peptide complexes, i.e. mass, pI, ease of dissociation from the membrane by detergent or salts and immunological properties, distinguish them from other proteins, e.g. subunits of signal recognition particle, docking protein and signal peptidase, already known to be involved in targetting and processing of nascent secretory proteins at the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Although the 45,000-Mr signal peptide binding protein displays properties similar to those of the signal peptidase, a component of the endoplasmic reticulum, the azido-derivatized consensus signal peptide does not interact with it. It is proposed that the endoplasmic reticulum proteins with which the azidophenacyl-derivatized consensus signal peptide interacts to yield the 45,000-Mr adducts may act as receptors for signals in nascent secretory pre-proteins in transduction of changes in the endoplasmic reticulum which bring about translocation of secretory protein across the membrane.
Expression of UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine: β-galactose β 1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase in functionally defined T-cell clones
Authors: Conzelmann A , Bron C
Published: August 2015

To measure UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine: beta-galactose beta 1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (beta 1,4-GalNActransferase) in crude cell and tissue extracts we designed an assay containing UDP-[3H]N-acetylgalactosamine as donor and biotinylated human glycophorin A as an acceptor. After incubation the labelled acceptor was separated by the use of avidin-agarose from extract-derived endogenous acceptors. This assay permitted one to measure specifically the beta 1,4-GalNActransferase in crude extracts. This glycosyltransferase has previously been shown to be involved in the biosynthesis of Vicia villosa (hairy winter vetch)-lectin (VV)-binding sites of the murine cytotoxic T-cell line B6.1. Since VV-binding sites are a distinct marker for the cytotoxic subclass of murine T-lymphocytes, we used this assay to determine enzyme levels in a panel of functionally defined murine T-cell clones. Non-cytolytic T-cell lines generally have low activity, whereas most cytotoxic lines have high levels of activity. However, one cytotoxic T-cell line does not express the enzyme, although it has large numbers of VV-binding sites. This suggests the existence of another type of VV-binding sites which is independent of the beta 1,4-GalNActransferase in some cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte lines. The enzyme was also assayed in a variety of other tissues and found to have a very high activity in the intestine but a low activity in most other tissues. This was in considerable contrast with the ubiquitously high expression of UDP-GalNAc:peptide alpha 1-GalNActransferase. Therefore, the beta 1,4-GalNActransferase seems to be regulated during differentiation.
Human liver glutathione S-transferase ψ. Chemical characterization and secondary-structure comparison with other mammalian glutathione S-transferases
Authors: Singh S V , Kurosky A , Awasthi Y C
Published: August 2015

The isolation and chemical characterization of the anionic human liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) psi (pI 5.5) are described and compared with other GST isoenzymes reported for rat and human. Amino acid compositional analysis, substrate specificity and isoelectric focusing indicated that GST psi is a unique isoenzyme form of GST. Strikingly, however, amino acid sequence analysis of the N-terminal region indicated that GST psi was identical with GST mu in the first 23 amino acid residues reported. It is likely that these two enzyme forms are at least partially structurally related. In order to investigate further the genetic relationship of GST psi to other reported GST isoenzymes, secondary-structure analysis was performed. Despite substantial differences in the N-terminal-region amino acid sequences of some of the GST isoenzymes, the secondary structure of all the isoenzymes is highly conserved at their N-termini. The general uniformity of the secondary structure of this enzyme class at their N-termini strongly indicated that the observed diversity of these isoenzymes probably occurred as a result of a mechanism of gene duplication followed by divergence rather than a mechanism of convergent evolution.
Identification of the Ro and La antigens in the endoribonuclease VII–ribonucleoprotein complex
Authors: Bachmann M , Mayet W J , Schröder H C , Pfeifer K , Meyer zum Büschenfelde K H , Müller W E G
Published: August 2015

45 S RNP (ribonucleoprotein) particles from calf thymus or L5178y mouse lymphoma cells contain the poly(A)-modulated and oligo(U)-binding endoribonuclease VII [Bachmann, Zahn & Müller (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7033-7040]. From these particles a 4.5 S RNA was isolated that possesses an oligo(U) sequence. By using monospecific and non-cross-reacting antibodies directed against the La or Ro antigen, both proteins were identified in the endoribonuclease VII-RNP complex after phosphorylation in vitro. In a second approach, endoribonuclease VII activity was identified in immunoaffinity-purified Ro RNPs after preparative isoelectric focusing. Therefore we conclude that the 4.5 S RNA belongs to the Ro RNAs. The results indicate a possible function of endoribonuclease VII in activating stored mRNAs.
The bisphosphonomethyl analogue of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate inhibits yeast but not wheat-germ phosphoglycerate mutase
Authors: McAleese S M , Jutagir V , Blackburn G M , Fothergill-Gilmore L A
Published: August 2015

The bisphosphonomethyl analogue of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate [4-phosphono-2-(phosphonomethyl) butanoate] was a potent competitive inhibitor of cofactor-dependent phosphoglycerate mutase from yeast, with a Ki of 0.8 mM. In contrast, the analogue did not affect the activity of cofactor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase from wheat germ. It is considered that this compound should be particularly useful for n.m.r. spectroscopic studies on the mechanism of action of cofactor-dependent phosphoglycerate mutases.
The use of gel chromatography for the determination of sizes and relative molecular masses of proteins. Interpretation of calibration curves in terms of gel-pore-size distribution
Authors: le Maire M , Ghazi A , Møller J V , Aggerbeck L P
Published: August 2015

The separation of proteins by gel-exclusion chromatography has been explained in terms of partitioning of the macromolecules within the gel by a distribution of pores of various radii. The assumption that the distribution of pore sizes is Gaussian has led to the prediction of a linear relationship between the molecular Stokes radius (RS) of the protein and the function erf-1 (1-KD), where KD is the partition coefficient [Ackers (1967) J. Biol. Chem. 242, 3237-3238]. Since careful calibrations of classical (agarose and dextran) gels and h.p.l.c. gels have shown that such a linear relationship is not verified experimentally over a wide range of native protein sizes, we have reinvestigated the model of Ackers (above reference). We show that Ackers' (above reference) derivation is not valid except for a particular Gaussian distribution of pore sizes centred at the origin. Relaxation of this restriction to allow for other types of Gaussian distributions cannot account for the non-linear calibration curves that we have obtained. Instead we show that the pore-size distribution can be calculated from the experimentally determined function KD = f(RS) and that this distribution is bimodal (non-Gaussian). One distribution is centred below 2 nm, whereas the mean value of the second one is around 6-8 nm. The minimum in this bimodal distribution corresponds, for some gels, to a region of poor resolution, which needs to be appreciated for the proper use of gel chromatography in the determination of molecular size.
Quantitative analysis of the interaction between immune complex and Clq complement subcomponent. The role of interdomain interactions in rabbit IgG in binding of Clq to immune precipitates
Authors: Vonderviszt F , Török J , Lakatos S , Kilár F , Závodszky P
Published: August 2015

A novel method was developed for the analysis of the interaction of large multivalent ligands with surfaces (matrices) to analyse the binding of complement subcomponent C1q to immune precipitates. Our new evaluation method provides quantitative data characteristic of the C1q-immune-complex interaction and of the structure of the immune complex as well. To reveal the functional role of domain-domain interactions in the Fc part of IgG the binding of C1q to different anti-ovalbumin IgG-ovalbumin immune complexes was studied. Immune-complex precipitates composed of rabbit IgG in which the non-covalent or covalent bonds between the heavy chains had been eliminated were used. Non-covalent bonds were abolished by splitting off the CH3 domains, i.e. by using Facb fragments, and the covalent contact was broken by reduction and alkylation of the single inter-heavy-chain disulphide bond. The quantitative analysis of the binding curves provides a dissociation constant (K) of 200 nM for the interaction between C1q and immune precipitate formed from native IgG. Surprisingly, for immune precipitates composed of Facb fragments or IgG in which the inter-heavy-chain disulphide bond had been selectively reduced and alkylated, stronger binding (K = 30 nM) was observed. In this case, however, changes in the structure of the immune-complex matrix were also detected. These structural changes may account for the strengthening of the C1q-immune-complex interaction, which can be strongly influenced by the flexibility and the binding-site pattern of the immune-complex precipitates. These results suggest that domain-domain interactions in the Fc part of IgG affect the segmental mobility of IgG molecules and the spatial arrangement of the immune-complex matrix rather than the affinity of individual C1q-binding sites on IgG.
The control of electron flux through cytochrome oxidase
Authors: Murphy M P , Brand M D
Published: August 2015

1. The electron flux through cytochrome oxidase is a linear function of the net thermodynamic force across the complex over a limited range of conditions. 2. Over a wide range of conditions the electron flux is a complicated function of the percentage reduction of the cytochrome c pool and of delta psi (at low values of delta pH). 3. We have estimated the elasticities of electron flux through cytochrome oxidase to delta Eh of the redox reaction catalysed by cytochrome oxidase (or to cyt c2+/cyt c3+) and to delta psi. The elasticities varied depending on the values of delta psi and of the percentage reduction of the cytochrome c pool. 4. At intermediate rates (which may correspond to those in vivo) the electron flux through cytochrome oxidase is controlled to about the same extent by delta psi and by delta Eh.
Ontogenetic changes in adenylate cyclase, cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and calmodulin in chick ventricular myocardium
Authors: Epstein P M , Andrenyak D M , Smith C J , Pappano A J
Published: August 2015

The activities of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (3′,5′-cyclic nucleotide 5′-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17) and adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] and calmodulin content during development of chick ventricular myocardium were determined. The specific activity of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was relatively low in early embryos, increased during embryogenesis by about 4-fold to reach highest values just before hatching, and then decreased by approx. 30% within 1 week after hatching. In contrast, adenylate cyclase did not change during embryonic development, but increased by approx. 50% within 1 week after hatching. Calmodulin content remained constant at 9 micrograms/g wet wt. during embryonic development and decreased to 6 micrograms/g wet wt. by 1 week after hatching. DEAE-Sephacel chromatography of chick ventricular supernatant revealed a single major form of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in early embryonic (9-day E) and hatched (6-day H) chicks. This enzyme form was eluted at approx. 0.27 M-sodium acetate, hydrolysed both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, and was sensitive to stimulation by Ca2+-calmodulin, with an apparent Km for calmodulin of approx. 1 nM. In contrast, ventricular supernatant from late-embryonic (18-day E) chicks contained two forms of phosphodiesterase separable on DEAE-Sephacel: the same form as that seen at other ages, plus a cyclic AMP-specific form which was eluted at approx. 0.65 M-sodium acetate and was insensitive to stimulation by Ca2+-calmodulin. The ontogenetic changes in cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in chick ventricular myocardium are consistent with reported ontogenetic changes in the steady-state contents of cyclic AMP in this tissue and suggest that this enzyme may be responsible for the changes that occur in this nucleotide during development of chick myocardium.
Tyrosine and tyrosinate fluorescence of pig intestinal Ca2+-binding protein
Authors: O'Neil J D J , Hofmann T
Published: August 2015

The single tyrosine residue in both pig and cow intestinal Ca2+-binding proteins fluoresces at 303 nm although the crystal structure of the cow protein shows a hydrogen bond between the hydroxy group of the tyrosine and glutamate-38 [Szebenyi & Moffat (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 8761-8777]. The latter interaction suggests that tyrosinate fluorescence should dominate the emission spectra of these proteins. A fluorescence difference spectrum, produced by subtracting the spectrum of free tyrosine from the spectrum of the protein, gives a peak at 334 nm due to ionized tyrosine. That this component of the emission spectrum is not due to a tryptophan-containing contaminant is shown by its elimination when the protein is denatured by guanidine and when glutamate-38 is protonated. We conclude that, in solution, the tyrosine residue in this protein interacts occasionally with glutamate-38 but that a permanent hydrogen bond is not formed.
Regulation of rat foetal lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue in vivo and in isolated brown adipocytes during the last day of, and after prolonged, gestation
Authors: Roncero C , Lorenzo M , Benito M
Published: August 2015

Rates of lipogenesis in foetal isolated brown adipocytes from 22-day-pregnant rats were significantly increased by lactate plus pyruvate as major substrates in the incubation medium, in comparison with the endogenous rates. Insulin stimulated foetal brown-adipocyte lipogenesis, and adrenaline or noradrenaline and isoprenaline decreased lipogenesis. Glucagon had no effect on the lipogenic rate in brown adipocytes. Progesterone administration to the mother significantly increased the rates of lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue and in isolated brown adipocytes from 22-day foetuses. Prolongation of gestation by progesterone to day 23 decreased the rates of brown-adipose-tissue lipogenesis in vivo and in isolated cells in the post-mature foetuses.
Cystine storage in cultured myotubes from patients with nephropathic cystinosis
Authors: Harper G S , Bernardini I , Hurko O , Zuurveld J , Gahl W A
Published: August 2015

Sorted muscle cells, cultured from a patient with nephropathic cystinosis, stored 100 times normal amounts of cystine. Subcellular fractionation and density-gradient centrifugation confirmed that the cystine was located in a lysosomal compartment. 2. Myoblasts from cystinotic patients in culture underwent fusion to myotubes in a normal fashion. 3. The free thiol cysteamine effectively depleted cystinotic-muscle cells of cystine. 4. Cultured myoblast and myotubes offered a unique system for investigating the effects of lysosomal storage on differentiated cell functions.
Development of multiple activities of UDP-glucuronyltransferase in human liver
Authors: Leakey J E A , Hume R , Burchell B
Published: August 2015

UDP-glucuronyltransferase activities towards eight substrates were assayed in samples of foetal, term and adult human liver. Activities towards bilirubin, androsterone, testosterone, 1-naphthol, 4-nitrophenol and 2-aminophenol were present in foetal and term liver samples at less than 14% of adult values, whereas activity towards 5-hydroxytryptamine was present in foetal and term liver at 109 and 121% of adult values respectively. Thus a ‘foetal’ form of UDP-glucuronyltransferase may exist in human liver that is more restricted in substrate specificity than are those of the rat or rhesus monkey.
Molecular composition of the phosphatidylcholines produced by the phospholipid methylation pathway in rat brain in vivo
Authors: Lakher M B , Wurtman R J
Published: August 2015

We examined the formation in vivo of molecular subspecies of brain phosphatidylcholine (PC) via the phospholipid-methylation pathway. [3H]Methionine was infused into a lateral cerebral ventricle, and 3H-labelled PC was isolated from brains of rats 0.1-18 h after the infusions. Three major subspecies of this PC, differing in their fatty acid compositions, were separated on silver-impregnated t.l.c. plates, and the proportions of radioactivities in these three PC fractions were determined. The results indicate that newly-formed PC synthesized by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine at 0.1 h after [3H]methionine contains a significantly higher proportion of polyunsaturated subspecies (i.e. those with six or four double bonds) than does PC obtained later times after injection of [3H]methionine. This change in the composition of 3H-labelled brain PC occurs gradually and is not due to an influx of radioactive PC from the periphery. Our data suggest that polyunsaturated PC (hexaenes and tetraenes) produced in the brain by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine turns over faster than does that containing more-saturated fatty acids.
Expression and developmental regulation of two unique mRNAs specific to brain membrane-bound polyribosomes
Authors: Hall C , Lowndes C M , Leung T K , Cooper D N , Goate A M , Lim L
Published: August 2015

Translation in vitro of membrane-bound polyribosomal mRNAs from rat brain has shown several to be developmentally regulated [Hall & Lim (1981) Biochem. J. 196, 327-336]. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of cDNAs corresponding to two such brain mRNAs. One cDNA (M444) hybrid-selected a 0.95 kb mRNA directing the synthesis in vitro of a 21 kDa pI-6.3 polypeptide, which was processed in vitro by microsomal membranes. A second cDNA (M1622) hybridized to a 2.2 kb mRNA directing the synthesis of a 55 kDa pI-5.8 polypeptide. Both mRNAs were specific to membrane-bound polyribosomes. Restriction maps of the corresponding genomic DNA sequences are consistent with both being single copy. The two mRNAs were present in astrocytic and neuronal cultures, but not in liver or spleen or in neuroblastoma or glioma cells. The two mRNAs were differently regulated during brain development. In the developing forebrain there was a gradual and sustained increase in M444 mRNA during the first 3 weeks post partum, whereas M1622 mRNA appeared earlier and showed no further increase after day 10. In the cerebellum the developmental increase in M444 mRNA was biphasic. After a small initial increase there was a decrease in this mRNA at day 10, coincident with high amounts of M1622 mRNA. This was followed by a second, larger, increase in M444 mRNA, when amounts of M1622 mRNA were constant. The contrasting changes in these two mRNAs in the developing cerebellum are of particular interest, since they occur during an intensive period of cell proliferation, migration and altering neural connectivity. As these mRNAs are specific to differentiated neural tissue, they represent useful molecular markers for studying brain differentiation.
Cytosolic free Ca2+ in single rat heart cells during anoxia and reoxygenation
Authors: Allshire A , Piper H M , Cuthbertson K S , Cobbold P H
Published: August 2015

Free Ca2+ in the cytosol ([Ca2+]i) of individual rat ventricle cells injected with aequorin was measured under anoxia. In glucose-free medium myocytes spontaneously shortened after about 60 min, although [Ca2+]i was still at or near resting levels. However, within minutes a net inward movement of Ca2+ across the sarcolemma developed and [Ca2+]i began to rise. Provided oxygen was readmitted before [Ca2+]i exceeded 2-3 microM, cells were able to restore [Ca2+]i to resting levels through caffeine-sensitive sequestration of Ca2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We suggest that Ca2+-independent shortening of anoxic cardiomyocytes reflects onset of rigor which triggers loss of [Ca2+]i homoeostasis.
The effects of phosphorylation of smooth-muscle caldesmon
Authors: Ngai P K , Walsh M P
Published: August 2015

Caldesmon is a major calmodulin- and actin-binding protein of smooth muscle which interacts with calmodulin in a Ca2+-dependent manner or with actin in a Ca2+-independent manner. Isolated caldesmon is capable of inhibiting the actin-activated Mg2+-ATPase of smooth-muscle myosin, suggesting a possible physiological role for caldesmon in regulating the contractile state of smooth-muscle. Caldesmon can be phosphorylated in vitro by a co-purifying Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and dephosphorylated by a protein phosphatase, both of which are present in smooth muscle. We investigated further the phosphorylation of caldesmon and the effects which phosphorylation has on the functional properties of the protein. The kinetics of caldesmon phosphorylation were similar whether the caldesmon substrate was free or bound to actin, actin/tropomyosin or thin filaments. Caldesmon containing endogenous kinase activity was rapidly phosphorylated (to approx. 1 mol of Pi/mol of caldesmon in 5 min) when reconstituted with actin, myosin, tropomyosin, calmodulin and myosin light-chain kinase in the presence of Ca2+ and MgATP2-. Under conditions in which unphosphorylated caldesmon showed substantial inhibition of the actin-activated myosin Mg2+-ATPase, no inhibition was observed with phosphorylated caldesmon. This was the case whether caldesmon was phosphorylated before addition to the actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase system, or phosphorylation was allowed to take place during the ATPase reaction. Binding studies revealed maximal binding of 1 mol of unphosphorylated caldesmon/9.5 mol of actin and 1 mol of phosphorylated caldesmon/11.7 mol of actin. All the bound phosphorylated caldesmon could be released by Ca2+/calmodulin, with half-maximal release at 0.11 microM-Ca2+, whereas only 62% of the bound unphosphorylated caldesmon could be removed, with half-maximal release at 0.16 microM-Ca2+. However, under conditions in which inhibition of actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase activity by non-phosphorylated but not by phosphorylated caldesmon was observed, both forms of caldesmon would remain bound to the thin filament. These observations suggest a possible mechanism whereby caldesmon phosphorylation may prevent its inhibitory action on the actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase.
Renal dipeptidase is one of the membrane proteins released by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.
Authors: Hooper N M , Low M G , Turner A J
Published: August 2015

Renal dipeptidase (dehydropeptidase-I, EC 3.4.13.11) was released from pig kidney membrane preparations by treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus thuringiensis and a phospholipase C preparation from Bacillus cereus to a similar extent as alkaline phosphatase. Endopeptidase-24.11 and aminopeptidase N were not released by this treatment. After treatment of the membrane fraction with the S. aureus phospholipase C the dipeptidase was converted from an amphipathic to a hydrophilic form, as deduced from phase-separation experiments in Triton X-114. It is concluded that renal dipeptidase is anchored to the microvillar membrane by covalently attached phosphatidylinositol.
The effects of Mg2+ and adenine nucleotides on the sensitivity of the heart mitochondrial Na+-Ca2+ carrier to extramitochondrial Ca2+. A study using arsenazo III-loaded mitochondria
Authors: Hayat L H , Crompton M
Published: August 2015

The technique of reversible Ca2+-induced permeabilization [Al Nasser & Crompton (1986) Biochem. J. 239, 19-29, 31-40] has been applied to the preparation of heart mitochondria loaded with the Ca2+ indicator arsenazo III (2 nmol of arsenazo III/mg of mitochondrial protein). The loaded mitochondria (‘mitosomes’) were used to study the control of the Na+-Ca2+ carrier by extramitochondrial Ca2+ mediated by putative regulatory sites. The Vmax. of the Na+-Ca2+ carrier and the degree of regulatory-site-mediated inhibition were similar to normal heart mitochondria. Ca2+ occupation of the sites in mitosomes yields partial inhibition, which is half-maximal with 0.8 microM external free Ca2+. The inhibition consists of a small decrease in Vmax. and a relatively large increase in apparent Km for internal Ca2+. Mg2+ also appears to interact with the sites, but this is largely abolished by ATP and ADP (but not AMP) under conditions in which the free [Mg2+] is maintained constant. The results indicate that the regulatory sites are effective in controlling the Na+-Ca2+ carrier at physiological concentrations of adenine nucleotides, Mg2+, intra- and extra-mitochondrial free Ca2+.
Mechanism of thrombin-induced rise in platelet fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content. Studies using phorbol myristate acetate, dioctanoylglycerol and ionophore A23187
Authors: Vasta V , Bruni P , Farnararo M
Published: August 2015

The mechanism by which thrombin increases platelet fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content was investigated. The action of thrombin was mimicked by phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate and 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol. Ca2+ with A23187 potentiated the action of both these compounds. The action of thrombin required mobilization of intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ and was not decreased by indomethacin. This study suggests that protein kinase C activation and Ca2+ mobilization are both involved in the activation of glycolysis by thrombin.
Confirmation of the identities of inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate by the use of one-dimensional and two-dimensional n.m.r. spectroscopy
Authors: Lindon J C , Baker D J , Williams J M , Irvine R F
Published: August 2015

Multinuclear n.m.r. spectroscopy, including the use of two-dimensional methodology, was used to confirm the identity of inositol 1,3,4-triphosphate and its metabolic precursor inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The cyclohexane ring in each molecule exhibits a chair conformation with all phosphate groups occupying equatorial positions.
Action of epidermal growth factor on acid secretion by rat isolated parietal cells
Authors: Shaw G P , Hatt J F , Anderson N G , Hanson P J
Published: August 2015

The site and mechanism of action of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on acid secretion by rat isolated parietal cells were investigated by using the intracellular accumulation of the weak base aminopyrine as an index of secretory activity. When parietal cells were stimulated with histamine (0.5 mM), the concentration of EGF required for half-maximal inhibition of acid secretion was 19 nM, with a maximally effective concentration of EGF producing 38% inhibition of secretory activity. EGF did not inhibit secretion stimulated by 0.1 mM-carbachol, or by 30 microM-, 56 microM-, 100 microM- or 1000 microM-dibutyryl cyclic AMP, low concentrations of which produced a secretory response comparable with that obtained with 0.5 mM-histamine. Addition of 0.1 mM-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) substantially increased aminopyrine accumulation in the presence of 0.5 mM-histamine. The inhibitory action of EGF on histamine-stimulated secretion was blocked by 0.1 mM-IBMX, even if low concentrations of histamine were used to generate aminopyrine accumulation ratios similar to those obtained with 0.5 mM-histamine alone. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor flurbiprofen (1-100 microM) and the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10-100 microM) did not affect the inhibitory action of EGF. The pattern of inhibition of secretion produced by the activator of Ca2+-sensitive phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, was markedly different from that produced by EGF. In conclusion, a major site of the action of EGF on acid secretion in the intact stomach is probably a decrease in the stimulatory effect of histamine by a mechanism which does not involve Ca2+-sensitive phospholipid-dependent protein kinase or the production of prostaglandins, but which might involve enhancement of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity.
Effect of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase on insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity
Authors: Tanti J F , Grémeaux T , Rochet N , Van Obberghen E , Le Marchand-Brustel Y
Published: August 2015

To explain the insulin resistance induced by catecholamines, we studied the tyrosine kinase activity of insulin receptors in a state characterized by elevated noradrenaline concentrations in vivo, i.e. cold-acclimation. Insulin receptors were partially purified from brown adipose tissue of 3-week- or 48 h-cold-acclimated mice. Insulin-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity of insulin receptors prepared from cold-acclimated mice were decreased. Since the effect of noradrenaline is mediated by cyclic AMP and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, we tested the effect of the purified catalytic subunit of this enzyme on insulin receptors purified by wheat-germ agglutinin chromatography. The catalytic subunit had no effect on basal phosphorylation, but completely inhibited the insulin-stimulated receptor phosphorylation. Similarly, receptor kinase activity towards exogenous substrates such as histone or a tyrosine-containing copolymer was abolished. This inhibitory effect was observed with receptors prepared from brown adipose tissue, isolated hepatocytes and skeletal muscle. The same results were obtained on epidermal-growth-factor receptors. Further, the catalytic subunit exerted a comparable effect on the phosphorylation of highly purified insulin receptors. To explain this inhibition, we were able to rule out the following phenomena: a change in insulin binding, a change in the Km of the enzyme for ATP, activation of a phosphatase activity present in the insulin-receptor preparation, depletion of ATP, and phosphorylation of a serine residue of the receptor. These results suggest that the alteration in the insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase activity induced by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase could contribute to the insulin resistance produced by catecholamines.
Studies on the metal-ion and lipoxygenase-catalysed breakdown of hydroperoxides using electron-spin-resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Davies M J , Slater T F
Published: August 2015

The breakdown of cumene hydroperoxide and peroxidized fatty acids by iron is shown, by use of the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-N-oxide, to be sensitive to (a) the oxidation state of the metal and (b) the nature of the chelating ligands. The initial step in the Fe2+-catalysed breakdown is the production of an alkoxyl radical by one-electron reduction, and this type of radical has been successfully trapped from each substrate. Subsequent reactions of this alkoxyl species produce both carbon-centred and peroxyl radicals, depending on the concentrations of the reagents present. The use of the same spin trap in microsomal systems undergoing either NADPH-supported or Fe2+-induced peroxidation led to the detection of low concentrations of radical adducts, among which are signals that are believed to be due to lipid alkoxyl radicals. Reaction of polyunsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxides with both Fe2+ and lipoxygenase under anaerobic conditions gives rise to signals not only from the alkoxy-radical adduct, but also from a further species which is tentatively identified as being due to an acyl [RC(O).]-radical adduct; chemical studies lend support to this assignment.
Glucose autoxidation and protein modification. The potential role of ‘autoxidative glycosylation’ in diabetes
Authors: Wolff S P , Dean R T
Published: August 2015

Monosaccharide autoxidation (a transition metal-catalysed process that generates H2O2 and ketoaldehydes) appears to contribute to protein modification by glucose in vitro. The metal-chelating agent diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DETAPAC), which inhibits glucose autoxidation, also reduces the covalent attachment of glucose to bovine serum albumin. A maximal 45% inhibition of covalent attachment was observed, but this varied with glucose and DETAPAC concentrations in a complex fashion, suggesting at least two modes of attachment. The extent of inhibition of the metal-catalysed pathway correlated with the extent of inhibition of glycosylation-associated chromo- and fluorophore development. DETAPAC also inhibited tryptophan fluorescence quenching associated with glycosylation. Conversely, ketoaldehydes analogous to those produced by glucose autoxidation, but generated by 60Co irradiation, bound avidly to albumin and accelerated browning reactions. It is therefore suggested that a component of protein glycosylation is dependent upon glucose autoxidation and subsequent covalent attachment of ketoaldehydes. The process of glucose autoxidation, or ketoaldehydes derived therefrom, appear to be important in chromophoric and fluorophoric alterations. It is noted, consistent with these observations, that the chemical evidence for the currently accepted ‘Amadori’ product derived from the reaction of glucose with protein amino groups is consistent also with the structure expected for the attachment of a glucose-derived ketoaldehyde to protein. The concept of ‘autoxidative glycosylation’ is briefly discussed in relation to oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus.
The levels of nicotinamide nucleotides in liver microsomes and their possible significance to the function of hexose phosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: Bublitz C , Lawler C A
Published: August 2015

The concentrations of NAD and NADP have been determined in detergent extracts of washed rat liver microsomes. Precautions were taken during the preparation of the microsomes to remove nicotinamide nucleotides from their external surface both by hydrolysis by nucleotide pyrophosphatase (EC 3.6.1.9) and by washing them three times in 0.15 M-Tris/HCl, pH 8.0, to remove soluble proteins which bind these nucleotides. The mannose phosphatase was essentially completely latent, indicating that the microsomes were intact. Assuming these nucleotides are in the cisternae of the microsomes, the concentrations in the cisternae are 240 +/- 25 microM-NAD and 55 +/- 12 microM-NADP. These levels of nucleotides are compatible with both the glucose: NAD+ and the glucose 6-phosphate: NADP+ oxidoreductase activities of hexose phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.47). Since the organ and subcellular distributions of this dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase are similar, and Pi stimulates the glucose: NAD+ oxidoreductase activity, it is proposed that the combined action of these two enzymes leads to the reduction of both coenzymes in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. A modification of the colorimetric method of Nisselbaum & Green [(1969) Anal. Biochem. 27, 212-217] for the determination of NADP+ is described. Colour formation is linear with the concentration of NADP+ and is sensitive to less than 0.3 nmol of NADP+.
Synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol by calvarial cells. Characterization of the enzyme systems
Authors: Puzas J E , Turner R T , Howard G A , Brand J S , Baylink D J
Published: August 2015

The synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3] and 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24,25(OH)2D3] from 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3] has previously been shown to occur in cells isolated from bone. The main findings of the present study are that the enzyme systems which catalyse these syntheses are: (1) active at ‘in vitro’ substrate concentrations over the range of 2-50 nM; (2) regulatable in a complex way by 1,25(OH)2D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, 25,26-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 25(OH)D3, but not by cholecalciferol (‘vitamin D3’); and (3) have relatively short half-lives (approx. 5 h).
Effect of adenosine and inosine on ureagenesis in hepatocytes
Authors: Guinzberg P R , Laguna I , Zentella A , Guzman R , Piña E
Published: August 2015

Adenosine and inosine produced a dose-dependent stimulation of ureagenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes. Hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid were without effect. Half-maximally effective concentrations were 0.08 microM for adenosine and 5 microM for inosine. Activation of ureagenesis by both nucleosides had the following characteristics: (a) it was observed with either glutamine or (NH4)2CO3, provided that glucose was present; (b) it was not detected when glucose was replaced by lactate plus oleate; (c) it was mutually antagonized by glucagon, but not by adrenaline; and (d) it was dependent on Ca2+. We suggest that the action of adenosine and inosine on ureagenesis might be of physiological significance.
Foetal-calf serum stimulates a pertussis-toxin-sensitive high-affinity GTPase activity in rat glioma C6 BU1 cells
Authors: Milligan G
Published: August 2015

Cellular proliferation of rat glioma C6 BU1 cells in tissue culture is dependent on the presence of either calf or foetal-calf serum in the medium. Foetal-calf serum stimulated a high-affinity GTPase in membranes derived from C6 BU1 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin decreased the high-affinity GTPase activity substantially, and attenuated the foetal-calf-serum-stimulated increase in this GTPase activity. Cholera toxin, in contrast, did not modulate the response to foetal-calf serum. Foetal-calf serum did not inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in membranes of these cells, indicating that the G-protein that was stimulated by foetal-calf serum was not Gi (the inhibitory one). Although the nature of the specific component of foetal-calf serum responsible for this pertussis-toxin-sensitive receptor-mediated stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity has not been identified, it was mimicked neither by bombesin, which can stimulate inositol phospholipid turnover via a guanine nucleotide binding protein, nor by platelet-derived growth factor, which is present in substantial concentrations in foetal-calf serum. This report represents the first demonstration of a pertussis-toxin-substrate-mediated response in this cell line and provides further evidence that G-proteins other than Gi can be functionally inactivated by pertussis toxin.