bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rat gastric mucin is synthesized and secreted exclusively as filamentous oligomers
Authors: Dekker J , van der Ende A , Aelmans P H , Strous G J
Published: August 2015

Oligomeric gastric mucin was isolated from the fundic part of the rat stomach. Previously we have shown by biochemical analysis that this oligomeric mucin consists of disulphide-linked homo-oligomers, which contain no other covalently attached proteins [Dekker, Aelmans & Strous (1991) Biochem. J. 277, 423-427]. Electron-microscopic images of the oligomeric mucin revealed a heterogenous population of long filamentous molecules of 300-3000 nm length. After reduction and carboxymethylation the monomeric mucins displayed a length distribution with a single peak at about 279 nm. Length-distribution analysis of oligomeric molecules with length up to 1000 nm revealed three subpopulations with one, two or three times the length of the monomeric mucin. The oligomers displayed small globular domains of about 15 nm, which were equally spaced along the molecule's length. As the distance between these globular domains was similar to the monomer length, these domains most likely indicate attachment sites of the monomers. These results show that the mucin monomers attached end-to-end in the oligomer. Biosynthesis of the mucin oligomers was studied by labelling of stomach explants in vitro with [35S]methionine, [3H]galactose or [35S]sulphate and subsequent immunoprecipitation of the mucin with a specific antiserum. Analysis by electrophoresis and gel filtration revealed that the oligomerization takes place by formation of disulphide bonds between the 300 kDa mucin precursors. The mucin was exclusively synthesized and secreted as fully glycosylated oligomers, as neither precursor proteins nor monomeric mucin were detected in the culture medium. A model for the biosynthesis of rat gastric mucin is proposed in which the filamentous mucin monomers are linked end-to-end by disulphide bonds.
The identification and purification of the heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein from squid (Loligo forbesi) photoreceptors
Authors: Pottinger J D D , Ryba N J P , Keen J N , Findlay J B C
Published: August 2015

The principal GTP-binding protein (G-protein) from squid (Loligo forbesi) photoreceptor membranes has been identified by amino acid sequencing. The heterotrimeric protein was purified by detergent solubilization and ion-exchange chromatography. The amino acid sequence of the G-protein alpha-subunit (G-alpha) indicates that this subunit is closely related to the recently characterized Gq subgroup, whereas the G-gamma subunit varies widely in sequence from other homologues.
Pectin methylesterase, metal ions and plant cell-wall extension. Hydrolysis of pectin by plant cell-wall pectin methylesterase
Authors: Nari J , Noat G , Ricard J
Published: August 2015

The hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate catalysed by pectin methylesterase is competitively inhibited by pectin and does not require metal ions to occur. The results suggest that the activastion by metal ions may be explained by assuming that they interact with the substrate rather than with the enzyme. With pectin used as substrate, metal ions are required in order to allow the hydrolysis to occur in the presence of pectin methylesterase. This is explained by the existence of ‘blocks’ of carboxy groups on pectin that may trap enzyme molecules and thus prevent the enzyme reaction occurring. Metal ions may interact with these negatively charged groups, thus allowing the enzyme to interact with the ester bonds to be cleaved. At high concentrations, however, metal ions inhibit the enzyme reaction. This is again understandable on the basis of the view that some carboxy groups must be adjacent to the ester bond to be cleaved in order to allow the reaction to proceed. Indeed, if these groups are blocked by metal ions, the enzyme reaction cannot occur, and this is the reason for the apparent inhibition of the reaction by high concentrations of metal ions. Methylene Blue, which may be bound to pectin, may replace metal ions in the ‘activation’ and ‘inhibition’ of the enzyme reaction. A kinetic model based on these results has been proposed and fits the kinetic data very well. All the available results favour the view that metal ions do not affect the reaction through a direct interaction with enzyme, but rather with pectin.
Involvement of a cell surface protein and an ecto-protein kinase in myogenesis
Authors: Chen X Y , Lo T C Y
Published: August 2015

Myogenic differentiation is composed of a sequential cascade of multiple steps leading to the formation of multinucleated myotubes. The interference with any one step would abolish myogenesis. The present investigation examined the cell surface components which might be involved in myogenesis. Studies with subconfluent day 2 cultures of rat L6 myoblasts revealed that a cell surface 112 kDa protein was phosphorylated by a Ca(2+)-, F(-)- and Mg(2+)-dependent ecto-protein kinase [Chen & Lo (1991) Biochem. J. 279, 467-474]. We have shown in the present investigation that adequate ATP was present on the cell surface for efficient functioning of this ecto-protein kinase. The phosphorylation of the 112 kDa protein by this ecto-protein kinase was decrease dramatically in confluent cells and in multinucleated myotubes. The following evidence suggests that both the 112 kDa protein and the ecto-protein kinase may play important roles in myogenesis. (i) The highest phosphorylation activity was observed in subconfluent cultures, i.e. before the onset of morphological differentiation. (ii) Treatment of cells with chemical reagents resulted in a corresponding decrease in the ecto-protein kinase, the 112 kDa protein, the phosphorylated 112 kDa protein (p112) and the ability to form myotubes. (iii) The level of p112 in a conditional myogenesis-defective mutant corresponded with the cells' eventual ability to differentiate. (iv) A mutant defective in the ecto-protein kinase was impaired in the phosphorylation of the 112 kDa protein and in myogenesis. (v) A mutant containing only residual levels of the 112 kDa protein was deficient in both p112 and myogenesis. (vi) Since the level of p112 was normal in another myogenesis-defective mutant, the phosphorylation of this protein was not likely to be a consequence of myogenic differentiation. The above findings suggest that the ecto-protein kinase and the 112 kDa protein may directly or indirectly be associated with the myogenic pathway. Since the levels of the ecto-protein kinase, the 112 kDa protein and p112 decreased dramatically upon the formation of myotubes, these proteins were probably not required once morphological differentiation had been initiated.
Glycosylation and transmembrane topography of bovine chromaffin granule p65
Authors: Tugal H B , van Leeuwen F , Apps D K , Haywood J , Phillips J H
Published: August 2015

The bovine homologue of p65, a calmodulin-binding protein located in the membranes of synaptic vesicles and endocrine secretory granules, has been studied by the use of monoclonal antibodies directed against this antigen and against dopamine beta-mono-oxygenase. The protein (apparent molecular mass 67 kDa; pI = 5.5-6.2) is partially degraded by treatment with neuraminidase or endoglycosidase F. Trypsin treatment of intact adrenal chromaffin granules or of granule membranes releases a soluble 39 kDa fragment of p65 which corresponds to the whole of its cytoplasmic domain. This domain contains both the epitope for the monoclonal antibody cgm67 and the calmodulin-binding site. The 20 amino acids at the N-terminus of this fragment are identical to part of the rat p65 sequence.
The specificity and Kd at physiological ionic strength of an ATP-binding site on cytochrome c suit it to a regulatory role
Authors: Craig D B , Wallace C J A
Published: August 2015

Cytochrome c binds ATP with marked specificity at a site that contains the evolutionarily invariant residue Arg-91. The binding of ATP to this site was studied using equilibrium gel filtration, equilibrium dialysis and affinity chromatography. At physiological ionic strength the affinity is such that the major change in occupancy coincides with the normal cellular ATP concentration range, and the degree of saturation is proportional to the ratio of [ATP]/[ADP]. The specificity of binding at this site is more a function of the degree of phosphorylation of the nucleotide, than of the nature of the nucleoside moiety. Thus under physiological conditions the degree of occupancy of this site is proportional to the energy state of the cell, providing a means for the regulation of the respiratory chain which is sensitive to cytoplasmic ATP levels.
Diurnal rhythm of rat liver cytosolic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase
Authors: Royo T , Ayté J , Albericio F , Giralt E , Haro D , Hegardt F G
Published: August 2015

Rat liver cytosolic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase exhibits a diurnal rhythm of enzyme activity which coincides with the diurnal rhythm of HMG-CoA synthase protein. The peaks of activity and protein (determined by SDS/PAGE and immunoblotting) both occur at D10 (the tenth hour of the daily 12 h dark cycle). The peak of mRNA levels (measured by slot-blot hybridization of liver RNA) is slightly advanced with respect to that of protein, by about 4 h, and shows a maximum at D6. Cytosolic HMG-CoA synthase activity and protein in rats fed on a normal diet were approx. 2-fold higher during the peak at D10 than in the nadir at D2. HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels were approx. 4-fold higher during the peak at D6 than in the nadir at D2. These results point to a transcriptional and translational regulation of the cytosolic HMG-CoA synthase.
Structural studies on the [But-Cys18](19-37)-fragment of human β-calcitonin-gene-related peptide
Authors: Sagoo J K , Bose C , Beeley N R A , Tendler S J B
Published: August 2015

High-field n.m.r. studies were undertaken upon a peptide fragment of the C-terminal region of human beta-calcitonin-gene-related peptide (beta-hCGRP). Studies on the antigenic [Bu(t)-Cys18]beta-hCGRP-(19-37)-fragment revealed that several elements of secondary structure were present when the peptide was dissolved in [2H6]dimethyl sulphoxide. In particular an unspecified turn in the region of Ser19-Gly20 and a type I beta-turn in the region of Asn31-Val32-Gly33 were identified. Through-space connections between the terminal Phe37 amide group and the beta-protons of Thr50 suggest that the peptide may be folded into a loop-type conformation. These structural elements appear to overlap with the epitopes of a number of monoclonal antibodies and provide a molecular basis for understanding the role of the terminal Phe37 amide residue in the immune recognition of beta-hCGRP.
Effects of platelet-activating factor on lipid metabolism in rats in vivo. Origin of the hypertriglyceridaemia
Authors: Evans R D , Ilic V , Williamson D H
Published: August 2015

Administration of platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; PAF) did not alter the rate of triacylglycerol entry into the plasma. The gastrointestinal absorption of [1-14C]triolein was, however, inhibited by PAF, yet there was increased accumulation of [14C]lipid in the plasma and hypertriglyceridaemia. The half-life of injected [9,10(n)-3H]triolein in the plasma increased by 47%, and there was decreased accumulation of [3H]lipid in brown adipose tissue. This was accompanied by a decrease in lipoprotein lipase activity. The hypertriglyceridaemia induced by PAF appears to be mainly due to decreased peripheral removal, one important site affected being brown adipose tissue.
Melatonin biosynthesis and metabolism in peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes
Authors: Finocchiaro L M E , Nahmod V E , Launay J M
Published: August 2015

Cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes (PBML) were able to synthesize indoleamines, including melatonin, and were also able to convert melatonin taken up from the incubation medium into N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (NAHT) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). These compounds were analysed by h.p.l.c., and melatonin was additionally characterized by two-dimensional t.l.c., mass spectrometry and radioimmunoassay. Only hydroxyindoles were detected by h.p.l.c. in unstimulated PBML culture. Sustained stimulation by melatonin or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) increased markedly the basal production of 5-HT. IFN-gamma- or 5-HT-stimulated (but not resting) cells produced NAHT and melatonin. Furthermore, the addition of melatonin to the culture medium strongly enhanced NAHT and 5-HT production without affecting tryptophan hydroxylation, suggesting the possibility of direct or indirect transformation of melatonin into NAHT and 5-HT.
Heparin and other polyanions uncouple α1-adrenoceptors from G-proteins
Authors: Dasso L L T , Taylor C W
Published: August 2015

Several polyanionic compounds antagonize the interaction between receptors and the G-proteins that regulate adenylate cyclase or K+ channels, possibly by binding to a basic stretch of the receptor that is proposed to mediate its interaction with the G-proteins. We have studied the effects of polyanions on the interaction between the liver alpha 1-adrenoceptor and the G-protein through which it stimulates polyphosphoinositide turnover. Heparin [concn. causing 50% of maximal effect (EC50) = 0.5 microM], Trypan Blue (EC50 7.1 microM) or suramin (EC50 2.1 microM) prevented formation of the high-affinity adrenaline-receptor-G-protein complex without affecting antagonist binding. After alkaline treatment of the membranes, previously reported to cause G-protein removal, binding of agonists was insensitive to both guanine nucleotides and heparin. We conclude that these polyanions uncouple the alpha 1-adrenoceptor from its G-protein, suggesting that similar coupling mechanisms may underlie receptor activation of the G-proteins that activate polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and those that regulate adenylate cyclase. This action of heparin severely limits its utility as a selective antagonist of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor in intact cells.
Alteration of the kinetic properties of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase by basic proteins
Authors: Hubler L , Leventhal P S , Bertics P J
Published: August 2015

Previous studies have shown that lysine- and arginine-rich proteins can enhance the activity of tyrosine and serine/threonine protein kinases. However, the kinetics and mechanism of this activation are not fully understood. Therefore we investigated the ability of poly(amino acids) and the arginine-rich protein, protamine, to alter the kinetic properties of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor protein-tyrosine kinase activity using immunoaffinity-purified receptor isolated from human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cells. Poly(L-lysine), poly(L-arginine) and protamine stimulated EGF receptor kinase activity by 3-5-fold at non-saturating doses of ATP and peptide substrate, while poly(L-glutamate) had no effect. Initial kinetic studies demonstrated an increase in the maximum velocity and a decrease in the apparent Km for the peptide substrate angiotensin II in the presence of the basic effectors. Further analysis of the kinetic mechanism by product inhibition revealed that protamine altered the pattern of ADP inhibition towards the peptide substrate but not towards ATP. The change was indicative of the receptor's ability to form an enzyme-angiotensin II-ADP ternary complex in the presence of protamine but not in its absence. In addition, the basic effectors had a substantially decreased influence on the kinase activity of a C-terminally truncated form of the EGF receptor. Thus the changes in kinase activity may be partially mediated by the C-terminal region of the receptor, which contains the sites of receptor self-phosphorylation. These results suggest that the basic domains of proteins can interact with the EGF receptor to induce changes in its kinetic properties, especially with regard to reactant recognition and binding.
Inhibition of glycolysis by 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside in isolated rat hepatocytes
Authors: Vincent M F , Bontemps F , Van den Berghe G
Published: August 2015

5-Amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside (AICAriboside; Z-riboside), the nucleotide corresponding to AICAribotide (AICAR or ZMP), an intermediate of the ‘de novo’ pathway of purine nucleotide biosynthesis, has been shown to inhibit gluconeogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes [Vincent, Marangos, Gruber & Van den Berghe (1991) Diabetes 40, 1259-1266]. We now report that glycosis is also inhibited and even more sensitive to AICAriboside in these cells. In hepatocyte suspensions from fasted rats, production of lactate from 15 mM-glucose was half-maximally inhibited by 25-50 microM-AICAriboside. AICAriboside influenced two regulatory steps of glycolysis: (1) it decreased the release of 3H2O from [2-3H]glucose and the concentrations of both glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate, indicating that it diminished the phosphorylation of glucose by glucokinase; (2) it decreased the concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2), the main physiological stimulator of liver 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase. Further studies showed that AICAriboside induced an inactivation of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase, the enzyme that produces Fru-2,6-P2, without affecting the concentration of cyclic AMP. Similarly to the inhibiton of gluconeogenesis by AICAriboside, the inhibition of glycolysis became apparent after an approx. 10 min latency and persisted when the cells were washed after addition of AICAriboside, strongly suggesting that the effects were also exerted by the Z-nucleotides, which accumulate after addition of AICAriboside to hepatocytes. An increased uptake of lactate was evident when 50-200 microM-AICAriboside was added 15 min after addition of glucose. This can be explained by the higher sensitivity of glycolysis, as compared with gluconeogenesis, to inhibition by AICAriboside, and reveals the simultaneous operation of both processes.
Isolation of cleaved prolactin variants that stimulate DNA synthesis in specific cell types in rat pituitary cell aggregates in culture
Authors: Andries M , Tilemans D , Denef C
Published: August 2015

Using an affinity column of monoclonal antibodies against rat prolactin (PRL), PRL immunoreactive material secreted by rat pituitary aggregate cell cultures was purified in milligram amounts from the culture medium. Further purification of the PRL immunoreactive molecules was achieved by anion-exchange and reversed-phase h.p.l.c. At least four variants could be distinguished which showed PRL-like bioactivity in the Nb2 lymphoma bioassay. On SDS/PAGE two variants migrated as single bands under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. The two other variants migrated as single bands under non-reducing conditions, but yielded under reducing conditions two fragments, the larger of which had molecular masses of approx. 16 and 17 kDa respectively. These variants were therefore considered to be cleaved PRL (clPRL) variants, and were designated clPRL-1 and clPRL-2 respectively. These variants were not artefactually produced at low pH during the h.p.l.c. purification step. Each of the clPRLs represented about 0.6-1.0% of total PRL. The cleavage site of clPRL-1, determined by N-terminal and C-terminal amino acid sequence analysis, was in the large disulphide loop between Tyr-145 and Leu-146. Purified clPRL-1 added to pituitary aggregate cell cultures from 14-day-old female rats in the presence of the dopamine agonist bromocriptine increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs, but not in other pituitary cell types. Under the same experimental conditions the main forms of PRL and clPRL-2 were inactive. These data demonstrate that PRL is cleaved within the pituitary gland between specific amino acid residues, and that PRL cleaved between Tyr-145 and Leu-146 may have a specific biological role as a paracrine growth regulator in this tissue.
Characterization of a novel inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in isolated olfactory cilia
Authors: Kalinoski D L , Aldinger S B , Boyle A G , Huque T , Marecek J F , Prestwich G D , Restrepo D
Published: August 2015

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), a product of G-protein-mediated receptor activation of phosphoinositide turnover, plays the role of a second messenger when olfactory neurons are stimulated with certain olfactory stimuli. In this paper we examine the specific binding of [3H]InsP3 to isolated olfactory cilia, microsomes and brain membranes from the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and, by photoaffinity labelling with an InsP3 analogue (125I-labelled 1-[3-(4-azidosalicyloxy)-aminopropyl]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (125I-ASA-InsP3)], we tentatively identify the major InsP3-binding protein in catfish olfactory cilia. InsP3 binding to ciliary membranes is specific and saturable, with a Kd of 1.10 +/- 0.31 microM and a maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of 17.6 +/- 5.8 pmol/mg. The rank order for potency of inhibition of [3H]InsP3 binding is Ins(1,4)P2 less than Ins(1,3,4)P3 less than Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 = Ins(1,4,5)P3 less than Ins(2,4,5)P3. Exposure of cilia membranes to u.v. light in the presence of 125I-ASA-InsP3 results in the labelling of a protein with apparent Mr 107,000. Labelling is specifically prevented by Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(2,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, but not by Ins(1,4)P2 or Ins(1,3,4)P3. Both specific [3H]InsP3 binding and photoaffinity labelling of the Mr-107,000 protein were displaced by heparin. The Kd and the inhibition of [3H]InsP3 binding and of photoaffinity labelling by inositol phosphates and heparin are consistent with the ability of micromolar concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 [but not Ins(1,3,4)P3] to activate the InsP3-gated currents in patch-clamp experiments with olfactory neurons. These results suggest that InsP3 binding to a Mr-107,000 cilia membrane protein may represent binding to the olfactory InsP3-gated cation channel.
Domain mapping of the retinal cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase γ-subunit. Function of the domains encoded by the three exons of the γ-subunit gene
Authors: Takemoto D J , Hurt D , Oppert B , Cunnick J
Published: August 2015

Retinal rod-outer-segment phosphodiesterase (PDE) is a heterotetramer consisting of two similar, but not identical, catalytic subunits (alpha and beta) and two identical inhibitory subunits (gamma 2). Previously, we have reported that the site of PDE alpha/beta interaction with PDE gamma is located within residues 54-87 [Cunnick, Hurt, Oppert, Sakamoto & Takemoto (1990) Biochem. J. 271, 721-727]. The site for PDE gamma interaction with transducin alpha (T alpha) was found to encompass residues 24-45 of PDE gamma [Morrison, Cunnick, Oppert & Takemoto (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 11671-11681]. In order to identify binding sites and other functional domains of PDE gamma, the three peptides which are encoded by the three exons of the PDE gamma gene were synthesized chemically. These exons encode for residues 1-49, 50-62 and 63-87 of bovine PDE gamma [Piriev, Purishko, Khramtsov & Lipkin (1990) Dokl. Akad. Nauk. SSSR 315, 229-230]. The peptide encompassing residues 63-87 was inhibitory in a PDE assay, whereas peptides 1-49 and 50-62 had no effect. However, both peptides 1-49 and 63-87 bound to PDE alpha/beta in a solid-phase binding assay. Only peptide 1-49 bound to T alpha.GTP[S] (GTP[S] is guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate). These data confirm that the inhibitory region of PDE gamma is encoded by exon 3 (residues 63-87), whereas a separate binding site for PDE alpha/beta and for T alpha.GTP[S] is encoded by exon 1 (residues 1-49). To study further the structure-function relationship of PDE gamma, this entire protein and two mutants were chemically synthesized. One mutant (-CT) lacked residues 78-87, whereas another replaced tyrosine-84 with glycine (TYR-84). Whereas the synthetic PDE gamma inhibited PDE alpha/beta catalytic activity, the -CT and TVR-84 mutants did not. All three synthetic proteins bound to both PDE alpha/beta and and T alpha.GTP[S]. These data confirm the presence of an alternative binding site on PDE gamma and demonstrate the importance of tyrosine-84 in PDE gamma inhibitory activity.
Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate kinase by heparin. A possible mechanism for the antiproliferative effects of heparin
Authors: Smith C D , Wen D , Mooberry S L , Chang K J
Published: August 2015

Heparin and related glycosaminoglycans are important modulators of vascular smooth muscle cell growth, and may be involved in pathological processes such as atherosclerosis. Since polyphosphoinositide metabolism is a major mechanism for regulating cellular activities, including proliferation, the effects of glycosaminoglycans and polyanionic compounds on the activities of phosphoinositide kinases were characterized. Heparin and heparan sulphate caused dose-dependent inhibitions of rat brain cytosolic phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) kinase activity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of approx. 0.5 and 5 microM respectively. PIP kinase was also inhibited by several dextran sulphates, but was not sensitive to inhibition by keratin sulphate, chondroitin sulphate or hyaluronic acid. Polynucleotides and acidic polypeptides were only weakly inhibitory. Heparin did not alter either the PIP- or the Mg(2+)-dependence of PIP kinase. Addition of heparin to brain membranes suppressed PIP kinase activity without affecting phosphatidylinositol (PI) kinase activity. Heparin interfered with the ability of a GTP analogue to stimulate PIP kinase activity in these membranes, suggesting that it uncouples the kinase from an activating guanine-nucleotide-binding protein. In cultured A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells, heparin caused dose- and time-dependent inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Similar treatments with heparin decreased cellular levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) without changing PI and PIP levels. Therefore heparin-mediated inhibition of PIP kinase appears to lead to decreases in PIP2 levels which may attenuate cellular proliferation.
Direct zinc binding to purified rhodopsin and disc membranes
Authors: Shuster T A , Nagy A K , Conly D C , Farber D B
Published: August 2015

Using the radionuclide 65Zn, we have demonstrated the direct binding of zinc to purified rhodopsin. 65Zn is eluted with detergent-solubilized rhodopsin from concanavalin A columns and remains bound to the visual pigment through a subsequent gel-filtration step. Zinc binding to purified disc membranes is highly specific and, of the ions tested, copper is the best competitor. Equilibrium-dialysis experiments indicate that zinc binding to detergent-solubilized forms of rhodopsin may increase on bleaching the photopigment. These results may have important implications for studies that indicate that zinc plays a role in retinal degeneration and normal photoreceptor physiology.
Effects of transformation by v-fps on nucleoside transport in Rat-2 fibroblasts
Authors: Meckling-Gill K A , Cass C E
Published: August 2015

Important cellular nutrients, including nucleosides and hexose sugars, are rapidly taken up by cells, largely through mediated carrier systems. The present study examined nucleoside and hexose transport activity in normal Rat-2 fibroblasts and clonal derivatives that expressed either the wild-type (C10) or a temperature-sensitive mutant (NA9) form of v-fps, a transforming protein-tyrosine kinase. Initial uptake rates (transport) of adenosine, thymidine, 3-O-methylglucose and 2-deoxyglucose were greater in v-fps-transformed cells than in normal cells. Elevated transport rates were seen in cells that expressed the temperature-sensitive mutant v-fps only after growth at a temperature that was permissive for protein-tyrosine kinase activity. Nucleoside transport rates declined with increasing cell density in both normal and v-fps transformed cells. Analysis of the sensitivity of adenosine transport to inhibition by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) indicated that Rat-2 fibroblasts, like many other rat cell types, possess at least two nucleoside transport systems, which can be distinguished by differences in sensitivity to NBMPR. Although both transport activities were elevated in v-fps-transformed cells, a greater increase was seen in the NBMPR-sensitive component than in the NBMPR-insensitive component. Mass law analysis of the binding of [3H]NBMPR indicated that transformed cells had either the same number (NA9) or a smaller number (C10) of NBMPR-binding sites than normal cells, and photolabelling of membrane proteins with [3H]NBMPR identified polypeptides with similar electrophoretic mobilities (55-75 kDa) in both normal and transformed cells. Thus transformation by v-fps resulted in an increase in NBMPR-sensitive transport activity which was not related to either the number of NBMPR-binding sites or the apparent molecular mass of NBMPR-binding polypeptides.
The catalytic consequences of experimental evolution. Studies on the subunit structure of the second (ebg) β-galactosidase of Escherichia coli, and on catalysis by ebg
ab, an experimental evolvant containing two amino acid substitutions
Authors: Elliott A C , K S , Sinnott M L , Smith P J , Bommuswamy J , Guo Z , Hall B G , Zhang Y
Published: August 2015

1. The ratio of ebgA-gene product of ebgC-gene product in the functional aggregate of ebg beta-galactosidases was determined to be 1:1 by isolation of the enzyme from bacteria grown on uniformly radiolabelled amino acids and separation of the subunits by gel-permeation chromatography under denaturing conditions. 2. This datum, taken together with a recalculation of the previous ultracentrifuge data [Hall (1976) J. Mol. Biol. 107, 71-84], analytical gel-permeation chromatography and electron microscopy, strongly suggests an alpha 4 beta 4 quaternary structure for the enzyme. 3. The second chemical step in the enzyme turnover sequence, hydrolysis of the galactosyl-enzyme intermediate, is markedly slower for ebgab, having both Asp-97----Asn and Trp-977----Cys changes in the large subunit, than for ebga (having only the first change) and ebgb (having only the second), and is so slow as to be rate-determining even for an S-glycoside, beta-D-galactopyranosyl thiopicrate, as is shown by nucleophilic competition with methanol. 4. The selectivity of galactosyl-ebgab between water and methanol on a molar basis is 57, similar to the value for galactosyl-ebgb. 5. The equilibrium constant for the hydrolysis of lactose at 37 degrees C is 152 +/- 19 M, that for hydrolysis of allolactose is approx. 44 M and that for hydrolysis of lactulose is approx. 40 M. 6. A comparison of the free-energy profiles for the hydrolyses of lactose catalysed by the double mutant with those for the wild-type and the single mutants reveals that free-energy changes from the two mutations are not in general independently additive, but that the changes generally are in the direction predicted by the theory of Burbaum, Raines, Albery & Knowles [(1989) Biochemistry 28, 9283-9305] for an enzyme catalysing a thermodynamically irreversible reaction. 7. Michaelis-Menten parameters for the hydrolysis of six beta-D-galactopyranosylpyridinium ions and ten aryl beta-galactosides by ebgab were measured. 8. The derived beta 1g values are the same as those for ebgb (which has only the Trp-977----Cys change) and significantly different from those for ebgo (the wild-type enzyme) and ebga. 9. The alpha- and beta-deuterium secondary isotope effects on the hydrolysis of the galactosyl-enzyme of 1.08 and 1.00 are difficult to reconcile with the pyranose ring in this intermediate being in the 4C1 conformation.
Purification and characterization of a proteolytic active fragment of DNA topoisomerase I from the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana (Crustacea Anostraca)
Authors: Badaracco G , Landsberger N , Benfante R
Published: August 2015

The ATP-independent type I topoisomerase from the crustacean Artemia franciscana was purified to near-homogeneity. Its activity was measured by an assay that uses the formation of an enzyme-cleaved DNA complex in the presence of the specific inhibitor camptothecin. The purification procedure is reported. Purified topoisomerase is a single-subunit enzyme with a molecular mass of 63 kDa. Immunoblot performed on the different steps of purification shows that the purified 63 kDa peptide is a proteolytic fragment of a protein with a molecular mass of 110 kDa. Similarly to the other purified eukaryotic topoisomerases, the crustacean enzyme does not require a bivalent cation for activity, but is stimulated in the presence of 10 mM-MgCl2; moreover, it can relax both negative and positive superhelical turns. The enzyme activity is strongly inhibited by the antitumour drug camptothecin. The enzyme inhibition is related to the stabilization of the cleavable complex between topoisomerase I and DNA.
On the catalytic mechanism of prokaryotic leader peptidase 1
Authors: Black M T , Munn J G R , Allsop A E
Published: August 2015

The catalytic mechanism of leader peptidase 1 (LP1) of the bacterium Escherichia coli has been investigated by a combination of site-directed mutagenesis, assays of enzyme activity in vivo utilizing a strain of E. coli which has a conditional defect in LP1 activity, and gene cloning. The biological activity of mutant forms of E. coli LP1 demonstrates that this enzyme belongs to a novel class of proteinases. The possibility that LP1 may be an aspartyl proteinase has been excluded on the basis of primary sequence comparison and mutagenesis. Assignment of LP1 to one of the other three recognized classes of proteinases (metalloproteinases, thiol proteinases and the classical serine proteinases) can also be excluded, as it is clearly demonstrated that none of the histidine or cysteine residues within LP1 are required for catalytic activity. The Pseudomonas fluorescens lep gene has been cloned and sequenced and the corresponding amino acid sequence compared with that of E. coli LP1. The E. coli LP1 and P. fluorescens LP1 primary sequences are 50% identical after insertion of gaps. The P. fluorescens LP1 has 39 fewer amino acids, a calculated molecular mass of 31903 Da and functions effectively in vivo in E. coli. None of the cysteine residues and only one of the histidine residues which are present in E. coli LP1 are conserved in sequence position in the P. fluorescens LP1 enzyme. The possibility that LP1 is a novel type of serine proteinase is discussed.
Proteoglycan synthesis in human erythroleukaemia (HEL) cells
Authors: Schick B P , Senkowski-Richardson S
Published: August 2015

Synthesis of sulphated proteoglycans was compared in human erythroleukaemia (HEL) cells grown under control conditions and under stimulation by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Synthesis of [35S]sulphate-labelled proteoglycans by DMSO-treated cells was decreased by about 35% relative to controls, but synthesis of proteoglycans by PMA-treated cells increased 3-4-fold. Control and DMSO-treated cells secreted 65% of the newly synthesized proteoglycans, but PMA-treated cells secreted more than 90%. Sepharose CL-6B chromatography and SDS/PAGE suggested the presence of several proteoglycans in the cells and culture medium. The PMA-treated cells synthesized a low-Mr proteoglycan (Kav. 0.3(that was not present in controls and DMSO-treated cultures. The proteoglycans of the cells and medium from control, DMSO-treated and PMA-treated cultures could be separated into three fractions by octyl-Sepharose chromatography. The proteoglycans were resistant to trypsin but were degraded by Pronase and papain to fragments similar in size to the NaOH/NaBH4-generated glycosaminoglycans. The average chain length of the glycosaminoglycans (Kav. 0.20 on Sepharose CL-6B for controls) was decreased by DMSO (Kav. 0.25) and by PMA (Kav. 0.30-0.38). Chondroitin ABC lyase digestion of the proteoglycans from the medium of the control cultures produced two core proteins at Mr 31,000 and 36,000. The DMSO medium proteoglycans had only the 31,000-Mr core protein, and the PMA culture medium proteoglycans had core proteins of Mr 27,000, 31,000 and 36,000. Changes in synthesis of proteoglycans induced by DMSO or PMA may have relevance for the maturation of haematopoietic cells.
A comparison of the enzymological and biophysical properties of two distinct classes of dehydroquinase enzymes
Authors: Kleanthous C , Deka R , Davis K , Kelly S M , Cooper A , Harding S E , Price N C , Hawkins A R , Coggins J R
Published: August 2015

This paper compares the biophysical and mechanistic properties of a typical type I dehydroquinase (DHQase), from the biosynthetic shikimate pathway of Escherichia coli, and a typical type II DHQase, from the quinate pathway of Aspergillus nidulans. C.d. shows that the two proteins have different secondary-structure compositions; the type I enzyme contains approx. 50% alpha-helix while the type II enzyme contains approx. 75% alpha-helix. The stability of the two types of DHQase was compared by denaturant-induced unfolding, as monitored by c.d., and by differential scanning calorimetry. The type II enzyme unfolds at concentrations of denaturant 4-fold greater than the type I and through a series of discrete transitions, while the type I enzyme unfolds in a single transition. These differences in conformational stability were also evident from the calorimetric experiments which show that type I DHQase unfolds as a single co-operative dimer at 57 degrees C whereas the type II enzyme unfolds above 82 degrees C and through a series of transitions suggesting higher orders of structure than that seen for the type I enzyme. Sedimentation and Mr analysis of both proteins by analytical ultracentrifugation is consistent with the unfolding data. The type I DHQase exists predominantly as a dimer with Mr = 46,000 +/- 2000 (a weighted average affected by the presence of monomer) and has a sedimentation coefficient s0(20,w) = 4.12 (+/- 0.08) S whereas the type II enzyme is a dodecamer, weight-average Mr = 190,000 +/- 10,000 and has a sedimentation coefficient, s0(20,w) = 9.96 (+/- 0.21) S. Although both enzymes have reactive histidine residues in the active site and can be inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate, the possibility that these structurally dissimilar enzymes catalyse the same dehydration reaction by the same catalytic mechanism is deemed unlikely by three criteria: (1) they have very different pH/log kcat. profiles and pH optima; (2) imine intermediates, which are known to play a central role in the mechanism of type I enzymes, could not be detected (by borohydride reduction) in the type II enzyme; (3) unlike Schiff's base-forming type I enzymes, there are no conserved lysine residues in type II amino acid sequences.
Design and recognition properties of a hydropathically complementary peptide to human interleukin 1 β
Authors: Fassina G , Cassani G
Published: August 2015

A computer-designed hydropathically complementary peptide to human interleukin 1 beta (IL1 beta) precursor sequence 204-215 recognized the 204-215 peptide as well the entire IL1 beta protein with binding affinities in the micromolar range. Interaction between the complementary pair was characterized by analytical high-performance liquid affinity chromatography on columns derivatized with the computer-generated peptide. Recognition selectivity was clearly shown by the ability of the computer-generated complementary peptide columns to purify the IL1 beta-(204-215)-peptide from complex synthetic mixtures with high yields, independently of the type of solid support used. Recognition specificity was demonstrated by the inability of the IL1 beta-(204-215)-peptide and IL1 beta molecules to interact with blank columns or columns derivatized with other non-related peptides. Furthermore, scrambling the sequence of the computer-generated peptide or the IL1 beta-(204-215)-peptide in such a way as to alter their hydropathic profiles had the effect of abolishing binding. The complementary pair failed to interact in the presence of competing peptide, thus providing further evidence of specificity. Computer-generated complementary peptide affinity columns also proved useful for purification of recombinant human IL1 beta protein directly from crude Escherichia coli lysates.
Proteinase treatment of intact hepatic mitochondria has differential effects on inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase by different inhibitors
Authors: Kashfi K , Cook G A
Published: August 2015

Proteolysis of intact mitochondria by Nagarse (subtilisin BPN') and papain resulted in limited loss of activity of the outer-membrane carnitine palmitoyltransferase, but much greater loss of sensitivity to inhibition by malonyl-CoA. In contrast with a previous report [Murthy & Pande (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 378-382], we found that trypsin had no effect on malonyl-CoA sensitivity. Even when 80% of activity was destroyed by trypsin, there was no difference in the malonyl-CoA sensitivity of the enzyme remaining. Trypsin caused release of the intermembrane-space enzyme adenylate kinase, indicating loss of integrity of the mitochondrial outer membrane, whereas Nagarse and papain caused no release of that enzyme. Citrate synthase was not released by any of the three proteinases, indicating no damage to the mitochondrial inner membrane. When we examined the effects of proteolysis on the inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase by a wide variety of inhibitors having different mechanisms of inhibition, we found differential proteolytic effects that were specific for those inhibitors (malonyl-CoA and hydroxyphenylglyoxylate) that have their inhibitory potencies diminished by changes in physiological state. Both of those inhibitors protected carnitine palmitoyltransferase from the effects of proteolysis, but did not inhibit the proteinases directly. Inhibition by two other inhibitors (DL-2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA and N-benzyladriamycin 14-valerate) was not altered by proteinase treatment, even when most of the enzyme activity had been destroyed. Inhibition by glyburide, which is minimally affected by physiological state, was affected only to a slight extent at the highest concentration of trypsin tested. Proteolysis by Nagarse appeared to produce loss of co-operativity in malonyl-CoA inhibition. The effects of proteolysis are discussed and compared with changes in Ki occurring with changing physiological states.
Phosphorylation of the adipose/muscle-type glucose transporter (GLUT4) and its relationship to glucose transport activity
Authors: Schürmann A , Mieskes G , Joost H G
Published: August 2015

The effects of protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation on glucose transport activity reconstituted from adipocyte membrane fractions and its relationship to the phosphorylation state of the adipose/muscle-type glucose transporter (GLUT4) were studied. In vitro phosphorylation of membranes in the presence of ATP and protein kinase A produced a stimulation of the reconstituted glucose transport activity in plasma membranes and low-density microsomes (51% and 65% stimulation respectively), provided that the cells had been treated with insulin prior to isolation of the membranes. Conversely, treatment of membrane fractions with alkaline phosphatase produced an inhibition of reconstituted transport activity. However, in vitro phosphorylation catalysed by protein kinase C failed to alter reconstituted glucose transport activity in membrane fractions from both basal and insulin-treated cells. In experiments run under identical conditions, the phosphorylation state of GLUT4 was investigated by immunoprecipitation of glucose transporters from membrane fractions incubated with [32P]ATP and protein kinases A and C. Protein kinase C stimulated a marked phosphate incorporation into GLUT4 in both plasma membranes and low-density microsomes. Protein kinase A, in contrast to its effect on reconstituted glucose transport activity, produced a much smaller phosphorylation of the GLUT4 in plasma membranes than in low-density microsomes. The present data suggest that glucose transport activity can be modified by protein phosphorylation via an insulin-dependent mechanism. However, the phosphorylation of the GLUT4 itself was not correlated with changes in its reconstituted transport activity.
Neutron and X-ray solution-scattering studies of the ternary complex between proteoglycan-binding region, link protein and hyaluronan
Authors: Perkins S J , Nealis A S , Dunham D G , Hardingham T E , Muir I H
Published: August 2015

Proteoglycan aggregates of cartilage are stabilized by the formation of a ternary complex between the G1 domain at the N-terminus of the proteoglycan monomer (aggrecan), link protein and hyaluronan polysaccharide. Both the G1 domain and link protein contain similar three-domain structures formed from an immunoglobulin fold and two proteoglycan tandem repeats, the arrangement of which had been investigated by neutron and synchrotron X-ray scattering [Perkins, Nealis, Dunham, Hardingham & Muir (1991) Biochemistry 30, 10708-10716]. Here, solution scattering was used to investigate the ternary complexes formed between a proteolytic fragment of proteoglycan monomer containing G1 (termed binding region), link protein and hyaluronan oligosaccharides containing either 34 or 450 saccharide units (HA34 and HA450). The ternary complex with HA34 had a neutron radius of gyration, RG, at infinite contrast not exceeding 5.5 nm. The ternary complex with HA34 had an X-ray cross-sectional radius of gyration Rxs of 2.4 nm and a neutron Rxs at infinite contrast of 2.00 nm. Since both were similar or larger than the Rxs for binding region (X-rays, 2.04 nm; neutrons, 1.84 nm) and link protein (neutrons, 0.8 nm), analyses showed that the cross-sectional mean width of the ternary complex is greater than those in each of the free proteins, i.e. the two proteins associated side-by-side. Similar results were obtained with HA450 complexed with binding region and with both binding region and link protein. This structural model was verified by hydrodynamic simulations of the experimental sedimentation coefficient of 5.5 S, which showed that a compact ternary-complex structure was formed. Although scattering curve simulations using small spheres were limited for the ternary complex with HA34 because of its approximate RG value, the scattering data were compatible with the formation of a compact complex formed by side-by-side contacts between G1 and link protein.
Modification of catalytically important carboxy residues in endoglucanase D from Clostridium thermocellum
Authors: Tomme P , van Beeumen J , Claeyssens M
Published: August 2015

Endoglucanase D (EC 3.2.1.4; EGD) from Clostridium thermocellum is rapidly (k = 216 M-1.min-1) and almost completely (greater than 95%) inactivated with Woodward's reagent K (N-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazolium-3′-sulphonate). Spectrophotometric analysis at 340 nm reveals that eight carboxy residues react, whereas specific ligands protect one residue against modification. The enzyme retains it full activity under the latter conditions. The kinetics and pH-dependence of inactivation point towards the involvement of one or more essential carboxy groups with a pKa of 5.7-5.8. Samples modified in the absence or presence of ligand were analysed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography after proteolysis with subtilisin. Dual-wavelength monitoring at 214 and 340 nm during this fractionation leads to the identification of a putatively active-site peptide (Gly-508-Ala-562) which was further characterized by amino acid and partial N-terminal sequence analyses. Asp-546 and Glu-555 are postulated as possible active-site residues. This follows from alignments using ten endoglucanase sequences belonging to the same family. Strong local conservation suggests that this C-terminal sequence is structurally and/or functionally important.