bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative biochemical and ultrastructural study of proteoglycan–collagen interactions in corneal stroma. Functional and metabolic implications
Authors: Scott J E , Bosworth T R
Published: August 2015

1. Corneas of mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, sheep, cat, dog, pig and cow were quantitatively analysed for water, hydroxyproline, nucleic acid, total sulphated polyanion, chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate and keratan sulphate, several samples or pools of tissue from each species being used. Ferret cornea was similarly analysed for water and hydroxyproline on one pool of eight corneas. Pooled frog (38) and ferret (eight) corneas and a single sample of human cornea were qualitatively examined for keratan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes. Nine species (mouse, frog, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, sheep, cat, pig and cow) were examined by light microscopy and six (mouse, frog, rat, guinea pig, rabbit and cow) by electron microscopy, with the use of Alcian Blue or Cupromeronic Blue in critical-electrolyte-concentration (CEC) methods to stain proteoglycans. 2. Water (% of wet weight), hydroxyproline (mg/g dry wt.) and chondroitin sulphate (mg/g of hydroxyproline) contents were approximately constant across the species, except for mouse. 3. Keratan sulphate contents (mg/g of hydroxyproline) increased with corneal thickness, whereas dermatan sulphate contents decreased. The oversulphated domain of keratan sulphate was absent from mouse and frog corneas, increasing as percentage of total keratan sulphate with increasing corneal thickness. Sulphation of dermatan sulphate was essentially complete (i.e. one sulphate group per disaccharide unit). 4. Chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate proteoglycans were present at the d bands of the collagen fibrils of all species examined, orthogonally arrayed, with high frequency, and occasionally at the e bands. Keratan sulphate proteoglycans were present at the a and c bands of all species examined, but with far higher frequency in the thicker corneas, where keratan sulphate contents were high. 5. Alcian Blue CEC staining showed much higher sulphation of keratan sulphate in thick corneas, e.g. that of cow, than in thin corneas, e.g. that of mouse, in keeping with biochemical analyses. 6. It is suggested that the constancy of interfibrillar volumes is regulated via the swelling and osmotic pressure of the interfibrillar polyanions, by adjustment of the extent of sulphation in two independent proteoglycan populations, to achieve an ‘average sulphation’ of the total polyanion similar to that of fully sulphated chondroitin sulphate/dermatan sulphate. 7. The balance of synthesis of the two kinds of proteoglycans may be determined by the O2 supply to the avascular cornea. O2 supply may also determine the conversion of chondroitin sulphate into dermatan sulphate.
Solubilization and purification of a membrane-associated 3,3′,5-tri-iodo-l-thyronine-binding protein from rat erythrocytes
Authors: Angel R C , Botta J A , Morero R D , Farias R N
Published: August 2015

3,3′,5-Tri-iodo-L-thyronine (L-T3) binding sites from rat erythrocyte membranes were solubilized in an active form by using the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS or the anionic detergent lauroylsarcosine. The binding protein was successively purified by Sephadex G-200 and affinity chromatography. The purified material retained its binding activity and exhibited high affinity and specificity compared with those displayed in the original membrane. Yield was about 10% of the starting activity. The specific binding activity was enriched by approx. 100-fold, which represents a purity of only 0.1%. Analysis of the purified preparation on SDS/PAGE showed two major protein bands (Mr 64,000 and Mr 50,000), but these could not represent the binding protein since the purity obtained was low. However, affinity-labelling experiments with N-bromoacetyl-L-[125I]T3 in intact membranes showed that two proteins (also with Mr values of 64,000 and 50,000) bound the hormone specifically, suggesting a co-migration of hormone receptors and contaminants on gel electrophoresis.
Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase during liver regeneration
Authors: Rosa J L , Ventura F , Carreras J , Bartrons R
Published: August 2015

Glycogen and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in rat liver decreased quickly after partial hepatectomy. After 7 days the glycogen level was normalized and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate concentration still remained low. The ‘active’ (non-phosphorylated) form of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase varied in parallel with fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels, whereas the ‘total’ activity of the enzyme decreased only after 24 h, similarly to glucokinase. The response of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase from hepatectomized rats (96 h) to sn-glycerol 3-phosphate and to cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was different from that of the enzyme from control animals and similar to that of the foetal isoenzyme.
Studies on the origin of biliary phospholipid. Effect of dehydrocholic acid and cholic acid infusions on hepatic and biliary phospholipids
Authors: Chanussot F , Lafont H , Hauton J , Tuchweber B , Yousef I
Published: August 2015

The correlation between the secretion of biliary phospholipid (PL) and bile acid suggests a regulatory effect of bile acid on PL secretion. Bile acids may influence PL synthesis and/or the mobilization of a preformed PL pool. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of these two sources to biliary PL, by using an experimental protocol in which dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) and cholic acid (CA) were infused to manipulate biliary PL secretion. In control rats, there was a steady state in bile flow. PL secretion and the biliary secretion of newly synthesized phosphatidylcholine (PC). The specific radioactivity of PC in bile was significantly higher than in plasma, microsomes and canalicular membranes. DHCA infusion decreased biliary PC secretion rate by 80%, and secretion returned to normal values at the transport maximum of CA. The specific radioactivity of biliary PC was decreased by 30% by DHCA infusion and reached normal values during CA infusion. There were no significant changes in the specific radioactivity of PC in plasma or cellular organelles during infusion of bile acids. These data indicate that: (1) newly synthesized PC contributes a small percentage to biliary PC; thus a preformed pool (microsomal and extrahepatic) is a major source of biliary PL; (2) the contribution of the extrahepatic pool to the biliary PL may be more important than the microsomal pool.
Computer program for the expression of the kinetic equations of enzyme reactions as functions of the rate constants and the initial concentrations
Authors: Varón R , Havsteen B H , García M , García Cánovas F , Tudela J
Published: August 2015

A versatile computer program with an easy input method has been developed for the construction of the terms in kinetic equations of enzyme reactions. It allows the expression of the time-dependence of the concentrations of all of the species involved as functions of the kinetic parameters. The mathematical theory used in this paper, the program and examples of its use have been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50159 (41 pages) at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1990) 265, 5.
Nucleosomal histones of transcriptionally active/competent chromatin preferentially exchange with newly synthesized histones in quiescent chicken erythrocytes
Authors: Hendzel M J , Davie J R
Published: August 2015

The incorporation of newly synthesized histones among various chromatin fraction isolated from non-replicating cell-cycle-phase-Go chicken immature erythrocytes was investigated. We find that newly synthesized erythroid-specific histone Hl variant H5, is incorporated randomly into chromatin. In contrast, newly synthesized nucleosomal histones H2A, H2A.Z, H2B, H3.3, and H4 are preferentially found in a fraction that is highly enriched in active/competent gene chromatin fragments and depleted in repressed gene chromatin. Moreover, ubiquitinated species of histones H2A and H2B and hyperacetylated species of H4 and H2B, which are complexed to active DNA, are labelled. These observations provide evidence that newly synthesized histones preferentially exchange with the nucleosomal histones of transcriptionally active/component chromatin domains. The results of this study suggest that nucleosomes of active chromatin may be inherently less stable than bulk nucleosomes in vivo and have implications for chromatin remodelling.
The endogenous functional turkey erythrocyte and rat liver insulin receptor is an α2β2 heterotetrameric complex
Authors: Treadway J L , Morrison B D , Wemmie J A , Frias I , O'Hare T , Pilch P F , Pessin J E
Published: August 2015

Previous studies have indicated that turkey erythrocyte and rat liver membranes contain endogenous alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors in addition to the disulphide-linked alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric complexes characteristic of most cell types. We utilized 125I-insulin affinity cross-linking to examine the structural properties of insulin receptors from rat liver and turkey erythrocyte membranes prepared in the absence and presence of sulphydryl alkylating agents. Rat liver membranes prepared in the absence of sulphydryl alkylating agents displayed specific labelling of Mr 400,000 and 200,000 bands, corresponding to the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric and alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptor complexes respectively. In contrast, affinity cross-linking of membranes prepared with iodoacetamide (IAN) or N-ethylmaleimide identified predominantly the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric insulin receptor complex. Similarly, affinity cross-linking and solubilization of intact turkey erythrocytes in the presence of IAN resulted in exclusive labelling of the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric insulin receptor complex, whereas in the absence of IAN both alpha 2 beta 2 and alpha beta species were observed. Turkey erythrocyte alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric insulin receptors from IAN-protected membranes displayed a 3-4-fold stimulation of beta subunit autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation by insulin, equivalent to that observed in intact human placenta insulin receptors. Turkey erythrocyte alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors, prepared by defined pH/dithiothreitol treatment of IAN-protected membranes, were also fully competent in insulin-stimulated protein kinase activity compared with alpha beta heterodimeric human placenta receptors. In contrast, endogenous turkey erythrocyte alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors displayed basal protein kinase activity which was insulin-insensitive. These data indicate that native turkey erythrocyte and rat liver insulin receptors are structurally and functionally similar to alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric human placenta insulin receptors. The alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors previously identified in these tissues most likely resulted from disulphide bond reduction and denaturation of the alpha 2 beta 2 holoreceptor complexes during membrane preparation.
Synthesis of carboxy-residue-modified coenzyme derivatives as probes to the mechanism of glutathione enzymes
Authors: D'Silva C
Published: August 2015

a general procedure for the preparation of the monoglycyl and dimethyl ester and amide derivatives of s-(4-bromobenzyl)glutathione are reported, in addition to purification procedures.
Highly purified bile-canalicular vesicles and lateral plasma membranes isolated from rat liver on Nycodenz gradients. Biochemical and immunolocalization studies
Authors: Ali N , Aligue R , Evans W H
Published: August 2015

1. A liver canalicular plasma-membrane fraction enriched 115-155-fold in five marker enzymes relative to the tissue homogenate was obtained by sonication of liver plasma membranes followed by fractionation in iso-osmotic Nycodenz gradients. 2. Two lateral-plasma membrane fractions were also collected by this procedure; the lighter-density fraction was still associated with canalicular membranes, as assessed by enzymic and polypeptide analysis. 3. The polypeptide composition of the domain-defined plasma-membrane fractions was evaluated. It was demonstrated by immunoblotting that the 41 kDa alpha-subunit of the inhibitory G-protein, associated in high relative amounts with canalicular plasma-membrane fractions, was partially lost in the last stage of purification; however, this subunit was retained by lateral plasma membranes. 4. Antibodies to the proteins of bile-canalicular vesicles were shown to localize to the hepatocyte surface in thin liver sections examined by immunofluorescent and immuno-gold electron microscopy. Two subsets of antigens were identified, one present on both sinusoidal and canalicular plasma-membrane domains and another, by using antisera pre-absorbed with sinusoidal plasma membranes, that was confined to the bile-canalicular domain.
Priority targeting of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins to the bile-canalicular (apical) plasma membrane of hepatocytes. Involvement of ‘late’ endosomes
Authors: Ali N , Evans W H
Published: August 2015

1. Liver plasma membranes originating from the sinusoidal, lateral and canalicular surface domains of hepatocytes were covalently labelled with sulpho-N-hydroxysuccinamide-biotin. After solubilization in Triton X-114, treatment with a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), two-phase partitioning and 125I-streptavidin labelling of the proteins resolved by PAGE, six major polypeptides (molecular masses 110, 85, 70, 55, 38 and 35 kDa) were shown to be anchored in bile canalicular membrane vesicles by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (G-PI) ‘tail’. 2. Permeabilized ‘early’ and ‘late’ endocytic vesicles isolated from liver were also examined. Two polypeptides (110 and 35 kDa) were shown to be anchored by a G-PI tail in ‘late’ endocytic vesicles. 3. Analysis of marker enzymes in bile-canalicular vesicles treated with PI-PLC showed that 5′-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase, but not leucine aminopeptidase and ecto-Ca2(+)-ATPase activities were released from the membrane. A low release and recovery of alkaline phosphodiesterase activity was noted. The cleavage from the membrane of 5′-nucleotidase as a 70 kDa polypeptide was confirmed by Western blotting using an antibody to this enzyme. 4. Antibodies raised to proteins released from bile-canalicular vesicles by PI-PLC treatment, and purified by partitioning in aqueous and Triton X-114 phases, localized to the bile canaliculi in thin liver sections. Antibodies to proteins not hydrolysed by this treatment stained by immunofluorescence the sinusoidal and canalicular surface regions of hepatocytes. 5. Antibodies generated to proteins cleaved by PI-PLC treatment of canalicular vesicles were shown to identify, by Western blotting, a major 110 kDa polypeptide in these vesicles. Two polypeptides (55 and 38 kDa) were detected in MDCK and HepG-2 cultured cells. 6. Since two of the six G-PI-anchored proteins targeted to the bile-canalicular plasma membrane were also detected in ‘late’ endocytic vesicles, the results suggest that a junction where exocytic and endocytic traffic routes meet occurs in a ‘late’ endocytic compartment.
The temporal relationship between phospholipase activation, diradylglycerol formation and superoxide production in the human neutrophil
Authors: Thompson N T , Tateson J E , Randall R W , Spacey G D , Bonser R W , Garland L G
Published: August 2015

Fluctuations in the amounts of choline, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diradylglycerol have been used to monitor phospholipase activation in the human neutrophil. Stimulation of human neutrophils by formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) resulted in a rapid activation of both phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate breakdown by phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine breakdown by phospholipase D. Diradylglycerol accumulation occurred more slowly than that of either choline or IP3 and was inhibited by 30 mM-butanol, suggesting that the bulk was derived from the phospholipase D pathway via phosphatidate phosphohydrolase. Consistent with this is the observation that choline and diradylglycerol are produced in similar amounts. 1,2-Diacylglycerol (DAG) and 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerol species accumulated with different time courses, indicating that one or more steps in the phospholipase D pathway was selective for the diacyl species. Superoxide production by fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated neutrophils paralleled DAG accumulation over the first 5 min, but thereafter this production stopped, despite the fact that DAG remained elevated. We conclude that DAG derived from the phospholipase D pathway is only one of the second messengers important in controlling this functional response.
Second messenger modulation of epidermal growth factor receptor function does not occur at the level of receptor dimerization
Authors: Verheijden G F , Verlaan I , van Iersel M J , Moolenaar W H
Published: August 2015

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced receptor dimerization may provide a mechanism for activation of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase and for initiation of post-receptor signalling pathways. We have examined whether second messengers and agents that modulate EGF receptor function act at the level of receptor dimerization. Both the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin and the tumour promotor tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA), added shortly before EGF, inhibit EGF receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity in intact cells. In permeabilized cells, elevation of Ca2+ similarly inhibits EGF receptor function. The inhibitory effect of Ca2+, unlike that of TPA, appears not to be dependent on protein kinase C activity. Neither ionomycin nor phorbol ester affects EGF-induced receptor dimerization, as shown by cross-linking and immunoblotting techniques, although the phosphotyrosine content of both monomeric and dimeric receptors is strongly decreased. Furthermore, we show that EGF receptor dimerization is not affected by increases in cyclic AMP or intracellular pH, nor by changes in transmembrane potential, medium osmolarity or the glycosylation state of the receptor. These result suggest that modulation of EGF receptor function occurs at a step other than receptor dimerization.
Sensitivity of system A and ASC transport activities to thiol-group-modifying reagents in rat liver plasma-membrane vesicles. Evidence for a direct binding of N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide on A and ASC carriers
Authors: Pola E , Bertran J , Roca A , Palacín M , Zorzano A , Testar X
Published: August 2015

1. In the present study we have examined the sensitivity of A and ASC amino-acid-carrier activities in rat liver plasma-membrane vesicles to the thiol-group modifying reagents N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and iodoacetamide (IA). To this end, the different Na(+)-dependent entities involved in alanine transport were assessed. 2. NEM inactivated Na(+)-dependent alanine transport as a result of the inhibition of both system A and ASC transport activities. The functional sensitivity of system A to NEM was greater than that of system ASC. 3. The presence of L-alanine (10 mM) during the exposure of vesicles to NEM afforded partial protection to system A, but not to the ASC, carrier. This effect was specific, since the presence of L-phenylalanine (10 mM) did not cause any protection. 4. Na+ did not protect A or ASC carriers against NEM inactivation; however, the presence of Na+ (100 mM-NaCl) and L-alanine (10 mM) during the exposure of the vesicles to NEM protected against inactivation of system A and ASC transport activities. The extent of protection was greater in the case of the system ASC transport activity than in the case of the A carrier. 5. IA also diminished Na(+)-dependent alanine transport by inhibition of A and ASC transport activities. Sodium and L-alanine afforded protection to both A and ASC transport activities from the inhibitory action of IA. The extent of protection induced by substrates was similar for both carriers. 6. It is concluded that there is one, or several, free thiol groups in A and ASC carriers, the integrity of which is essential for transport activity. Sensitivity to thiol-group-specific reagents and the pattern of protection with substrates against inactivation is different in A and ASC carriers. That suggests the existence of topological dissimilarities regarding the thiol-group containing site(s) in A and ASC amino acid carriers.
NIH-3T3 cells transformed with a ras oncogene exhibit a protein kinase C-mediated inhibition of agonist-stimulated Ca2+ inflow
Authors: Polverino A J , Hughes B P , Barritt G J
Published: August 2015

1. The ability of bombesin or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to stimulate Ca2+ inflow (assessed by measuring changes in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in cells loaded with fura-2) in NIH-3T3 cells transformed with the EJ/T24-Ha-ras-1 oncogene is inhibited when compared with the action of the agonists on wild-type cells. 2. The effects of transformation with the ras oncogene are associated with complete inhibition of the ability of bombesin to release Ca2+ from intracellular stores, a substantial decrease in the number of bombesin receptors, no change in the ability of foetal calf serum or ionomycin to release Ca2+ from intracellular stores and the activation of protein kinase C. 3. The effects of transformation with the H-ras oncogene on the ability of bombesin or PDGF to stimulate Ca2+ inflow were mimicked by a 30 min exposure of wild-type cells to phorbol dibutyrate. This action of phorbol dibutyrate was completely blocked by prior treatment of wild-type cells for 24 h with the phorbol ester. 4. It is concluded that one of the actions of the H-ras oncogene in fibroblasts is to inhibit agonist-stimulated Ca2+ inflow by a mechanism which involves the activation of protein kinase C.
Atrial natriuretic factor mRNA and binding sites in the adrenal gland
Authors: Nunez D J R , Davenport A P , Brown M J
Published: August 2015

The factor inhibiting aldosterone secretion produced by the adrenal medulla may be atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), since the latter abolishes aldosterone release in response to a number of secretagogues, including angiotensin II and K+. In this study we have shown that cells in the adrenal medulla contain ANF mRNA and therefore have the potential to synthesize this peptide. The presence of binding sites for ANF predominantly in the adrenal zona glomerulosa suggests that, if ANF is synthesized in the medulla and transferred to the cortex, it may affect mineralocorticoid status.
Slow tight-binding inhibition of prolyl endopeptidase by benzyloxycarbonyl-prolyl-prolinal
Authors: Bakker A V , Jung S , Spencer R W , Vinick F J , Faraci W S
Published: August 2015

Prolyl endopeptidase is a serine proteinase that specifically cleaves peptides on the carboxy side of proline residues. Wilk & Orlowski [(1983) J. Neurochem. 41, 69-75] have shown that benzyloxycarbonyl-prolyl-prolinal (Z-prolyl-prolinal) is a potent inhibitor of prolyl endopeptidase. We show that Z-prolyl-prolinal is a slow-binding inhibitor of mouse brain prolyl endopeptidase with Ki 0.35 +/- 0.05 nM. Kinetic analysis indicates that the mechanism is a simple, but slow, reversible equilibrium between free and bound enzyme (E + I in equilibrium EI) with rate constants for association (kon) and dissociation (koff) of 1.6 X 10(5) M-1.s-1 and approx. 4 X 10(-5) s-1 respectively. Slow-binding inhibition is dependent on the presence of the aldehyde group since the alcohol (Z-prolyl-prolinol) is a rapid and 50,000-fold poorer inhibitor (Ki 19 microM). Prolyl endopeptidase from human brain is also inhibited by Z-prolyl-prolinal with kinetics similar to those of the mouse brain enzyme.
Differential control of glycogenolysis and flow by arterial and portal acetylcholine in perfused rat liver
Authors: Gardemann A , Beck H , Jungermann K
Published: August 2015

The effects of acetylcholine on glucose and lactate balance and on perfusion flow were studied in isolated rat livers perfused simultaneously via the hepatic artery (100 mmHg, 25-35% of flow) and the portal vein (10 mmHg, 75-65% of flow) with a Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 5 mM-glucose, 2 mM-lactate and 0.2 mM-pyruvate. Arterial acetylcholine (10 microM sinusoidal concentration) caused an increase in glucose and lactate output and a slight decrease in arterial and portal flow. These effects were accompanied by an output of noradrenaline and adrenaline into the hepatic vein. Portal acetylcholine elicited only minor increases in glucose and lactate output, a slight decrease in portal flow and a small increase in arterial flow, and no noradrenaline and adrenaline release. The metabolic and haemodynamic effects of arterial acetylcholine and the output of noradrenaline and adrenaline were strongly inhibited by the muscarinic antagonist atropine (10 microM). The acetylcholine-dependent alterations of metabolism and the output of noradrenaline were not influenced by the alpha 1-blocker prazosin (5 microM), whereas the output of adrenaline was increased. The acetylcholine-dependent metabolic alterations were not inhibited by the beta 2-antagonist butoxamine (10 microM), although the overflow of noradrenaline was nearly completely blocked and the output of adrenaline was slightly decreased. These results allow the conclusion that arterial, but not portal, acetylcholine caused sympathomimetic metabolic effects, without noradrenaline or adrenaline being involved in signal transduction.
3-Oxoacyl-(acyl-carrier protein) reductase from avocado (Persea americana) fruit mesocarp
Authors: Sheldon P S , Kekwick R G O , Sidebottom C , Smith C G , Slabas A R
Published: August 2015

The NADPH-linked 3-oxoacyl-(acyl-carrier protein) (ACP) reductase (EC 1.1.1.100), also known as ‘beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase’, has been purified from the mesocarp of mature avocado pears (Persea americana). The enzyme is inactivated by low ionic strength and low temperature. On SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions, purified 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase migrated as a single polypeptide giving a molecular mass of 28 kDa. Gel-filtration chromatography gave an apparent native molecular mass of 130 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme is tetrameric. The enzyme is inactivated by dilution, but some protection is afforded by the presence of NADPH. Kinetic constants have been determined using synthetic analogues as well as the natural ACP substrate. It exhibits a broad pH optimum around neutrality. Phenylglyoxal inactivates the enzyme, and partial protection is given by 1 mM-NADPH. Antibodies have been raised against the protein, which were used to localize it using immunogold electron microscopy. It is localized in plastids. N-Terminal amino-acid-sequence analysis was performed on the enzyme, and it shows close structural similarity with cytochrome f. Internal amino-acid-sequence data, derived from tryptic peptides, shows similarity with the putative gene products encoded by the nodG gene from the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Rhizobium meliloti and the gra III act III genes from Streptomyces spp.
Regulation of hepatic synthesis and secretion of cholesterol and glycerolipids in animals maintained in different nutritional states
Authors: Duerden J M , Marsh B , Burnham F J , Gibbons G F
Published: August 2015

The distribution of newly synthesized and exogenous fatty acids and of newly synthesized cholesterol between cellular and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) lipids was studied in hepatocytes derived from animals fed on a normal diet or on diets supplemented with polyunsaturated fat or sucrose. Phospholipid synthesis from either exogenous or endogenous (biosynthetic) fatty acids was unaffected by nutritional state. Cholesterol synthesis was decreased in the fat-fed animals, but sucrose feeding had no significant effect. In all nutritional states, newly synthesized rather than exogenous fatty acids were better substrates for phospholipid synthesis. In all groups, compared with newly synthesized triacylglycerol, smaller proportions of newly synthesized phospholipid and cholesterol were secreted as VLDLs. This was confirmed in intact animals by using Triton WR-1339. Newly synthesized phospholipid formed a greater proportion of the VLDL glycerolipid in the fat-fed than in the normal or sucrose-fed animals. In all groups, phospholipids labelled from endogenous fatty acids were secreted in preference to those labelled from exogenous fatty acids.
Apolipoprotein D is the major protein component in cyst fluid from women with human breast gross cystic disease
Authors: Balbín M , Freije J M , Fueyo A , Sánchez L M , López-Otín C
Published: August 2015

GCDFP(gross-cystic-disease-fluid protein)-24, a progesterone-binding protein present in large amounts in cyst fluid from human breast gross cystic disease, was purified in a one-step procedure by size-exclusion h.p.l.c. Peptide fragments obtained by trypsin digestion of the intact protein were purified by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. and analysed for their amino acid composition and subjected to automated Edman degradation. A search of the National Biomedical Research Foundation Data Bank revealed that all the sequenced tryptic peptides from protein GCDFP-24 matched perfectly with regions present in the amino acid sequence determined for human apolipoprotein D. Additional data on N-terminal sequence of the unblocked proteins, carbohydrate-attachment sites, amino acid composition and molecular-mass estimations supported the identity between both molecules. On the basis of this identity a possible role of apolipoprotein D in progesterone transport is proposed.
Evaluation of steady-state kinetic parameters for enzymes solubilized in water-in-oil microemulsion systems
Authors: Oldfield C
Published: August 2015

1. Equations are derived for the steady-state kinetics of substrate conversion by enzymes confined within the water-droplets of water-in-oil microemulsion systems. 2. Water-soluble substrates initially confined within droplets that do not contain enzyme are assumed to be converted into product only after they enter enzyme-containing droplets via the inter-droplet exchange process. 3. Hyperbolic (Michaelis-Menten) kinetics are predicted when the substrate concentration is varied in microemulsions of fixed composition. Both kcat. and Km are predicted to be dependent on the size and concentration of the water-droplets in the microemulsion. 4. The predicted behaviour is shown to be supported by published experimental data. A physical interpretation of the form of the rate equation is presented. 5. The rate equation for an oil-soluble substrate was derived assuming a pseudo-two-phase (oil & water) model for the microemulsion. Both kcat. and Km are shown to be independent of phi aq. Km is larger than the aqueous solution value by a factor approximately equal to the oil/water partition coefficient of the substrate. The validity of the rate equation is confirmed by published data.
Detection of inhibition of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide transformylase by thioinosinic acid and azathioprine by a new colorimetric assay
Authors: Ha T , Morgan S L , Vaughn W H , Eto I , Baggott J E
Published: August 2015

The colorimetric assay for 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide (AICAR) transformylase (phosphoribosylamino-imidazolecarboxamide formyltransferase; EC 2.1.2.3) has been extensively modified. The modified assay is based upon the short-term permanganate oxidation of the folate product, tetrahydrofolate (H4folate) to p-aminobenzoyl glutamate (pABG). The modified assay was used to detect the transformylase activity in crude extracts of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Azathioprine and its metabolite, thioinosinic acid (tIMP), are competitive inhibitors (with respect to AICAR) of the chicken liver transformylase and the transformylase from PBMCs of the MRL/lpr mouse, an animal model of systemic autoimmune disease. The Ki values of tIMP and azathioprine for the chicken liver enzyme are 39 +/- 4 microM and 120 +/- 10 microM, whereas the Ki values for the enzyme from PBMCs of the MRL/lpr mouse are 110 +/- 20 microM and 90 +/- 14 microM respectively. The anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and naproxen are also inhibitors of the transformylase.
Role of lysosomal and cytosolic pH in the regulation of macrophage lysosomal enzyme secretion
Authors: Tapper H , Sundler R
Published: August 2015

Rapid and parallel secretion of lysosomal beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and preloaded fluorescein-labelled dextran was initiated in macrophages by agents affecting intracellular pH (methylamine, chlorpromazine, and the ionophores monensin and nigericin). In order to evaluate the relative role of changes in lysosomal and cytosolic pH, these parameters were monitored by using pH-sensitive fluorescent probes [fluorescein-labelled dextran or 2′,7′-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein]. All agents except chlorpromazine caused large increases in lysosomal pH under conditions where they induced secretion. By varying extracellular pH and ion composition, the changes in lysosomal and cytosolic pH could be dissociated. Secretion was then found to be significantly modulated by changes in cytosolic pH, being enhanced by alkalinization and severely inhibited by cytosolic acidification. However, changes in cytosolic pH in the absence of stimulus were unable to initiate secretion. Dissociation of the effects on lysosomal and cytosolic pH was also achieved by combining stimuli with either nigericin or acetate. Further support for a role of intracellular pH in the control of lysosomal enzyme secretion was provided by experiments where bicarbonate was included in the medium. The present study demonstrates that an increase in lysosomal pH is sufficient to initiate lysosomal enzyme secretion in macrophages and provides evidence for a significant regulatory role of cytosolic pH.
Limited proteolysis and ‘in vitro’ mutagenesis of bovine brain inositol monophosphatase identifies an N-terminal region important for activity
Authors: Whiting P , Gee N S , Potter J , Howell S , Ragan C I
Published: August 2015

Bovine brain inositol monophosphatase is rapidly cleaved by endoprotease lys-C at a single site in the absence of SDS. Further sites are revealed only after prolonged incubation with high concentrations of protease. The initial cleavage occurs near one end of the enzyme, generating an N-terminally-derived 36-residue peptide, which is blocked, and a large 28 kDa fragment bearing a free N-terminus. The start sequence of this fragment was found to be Xaa-Ser-Pro-Ala-Asp-Leu-Val, consistent with the cDNA sequence, and Lys-36-Ser-37 was identified as the cleavage site. The activity of the cleaved enzyme was markedly decreased to 3% of that of the native enzyme, although its dimeric structure was preserved. The 36-residue peptide was not covalently associated with the large fragment after proteolytic cleavage, although the possibility of non-covalent association could not be excluded. Finally, the epitope for the inhibitory monoclonal antibody G-2A4 [Gee, Howell, Ryan & Ragan (1989) Biochem J. 264. 793-798] was found to lie proximal to the endoprotease lys-C cleavage site. In vitro mutagenesis further mapped the epitope for monoclonal antibody G-2A4 to residues around Cys-8 of the enzyme. These results suggest that the N-terminal region of the enzyme is important for activity.
Turnover and phosphorylation dynamics of connexin43 gap junction protein in cultured cardiac myocytes
Authors: Laird D W , Puranam K L , Revel J P
Published: August 2015

Cultured cardiomyocytes were used to study the turnover and post-translational modification of connexin43 (Cx43), a major gap junction protein in neonatal cardiac myocytes. Immunoprecipitation of [35S]Met-labelled lysates with anti-Cx43 antibodies followed by analysis using SDS/PAGE and fluorography revealed two bands, one at 40 kDa and the other at 42 kDa. Alkaline phosphatase treatment of [35S]Met-labelled Cx43 eliminated the band at 42 kDa, suggesting that it represented a phosphorylated form of the protein. This was confirmed by [32P]P1 incorporation into the 42 kDa band, but not into the band at 40 kDa. In addition, another alkaline phosphatase-sensitive phosphorylated form of Cx43 was identified at 44 kDa. In pulse-chase experiments, the half-life of Cx43 in cardiomyocytes was determined to be 1-2 h. Furthermore, the turnover rate of phosphate groups on Cx43 was found to be experimentally defined by the half-life of the protein. The observation that phosphate groups can remain with the protein throughout its life is consistent with the finding that in isolated adult rat heart gap junction plaques, Cx43 is primarily phosphorylated. We postulate that the rapid turnover of Cx43 and its multiple sites of phosphorylation play important roles in the regulation of cell-cell communication via gap junctions.
Isolation of cDNAs encoding the complete sequence of bovine type X collagen. Evidence for the condensed nature of mammalian type X collagen genes
Authors: Thomas J T , Kwan A P L , Grant M E , Boot-Handford R P
Published: August 2015

The complete primary structure of the bovine alpha 1(X) collagen chain was determined by nucleotide sequencing of cDNA clones. The overlapping cDNA clones encode 3144 bp with a 5′-terminal untranslated region of 148 bp, a 2025 bp reading frame and a 3′-terminal untranslated region of 971 bp. This represents the first complete sequence of a mammalian type X collagen cDNA and has allowed a number of informative comparisons to be made with the previously published chick alpha 1(X) sequence. The primary translation products of both bovine and chick type X collagen are 674 amino acid residues in length and there is a 73.3% identity at the amino acid level (67.8% at the base level). Sequence analyses reveal that the greatest degree of identity between the two species occurs within the triple-helical domain and the C-terminal non-collagenous domain, whereas the identity within the N-terminal non-collagenous domain is markedly lower. The interchain disulphide-bonding observed previously within the triple helix of bovine type X collagen is explained by the presence of two cysteine residues within an imperfection of the triple-helical domain encoded by -Gly-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Yaa-Cys-Xaa-Yaa-Gly-. Southern blot analyses of bovine genomic DNA demonstrate that the bovine type X collagen gene is likely to have a condensed structure, similar to that of the chick, with at least 1.3 kb of the coding sequence being contained within one exon.
Products and intermediates of the β-oxidation of [U-14C]hexadecanedionoyl-mono-CoA by rat liver peroxisomes and mitochondria
Authors: Pourfarzam M , Bartlett K
Published: August 2015

1. The synthesis of [U-14C]hexadecanedionoyl-mono-CoA is described. 2. The β-oxidation of [U-14C]hexadecanedionoyl-mono-CoA by purified rat liver peroxisomes and mitochondria is demonstrated. 3. The products of mitochondrial β-oxidation of [U-14C]hexadecanedionoyl-mono-CoA include ketone bodies, citrate and acetylcarnitine. 4. Tetradecadionoyl-mono-CoA, hexadec-2-enedionyl-mono-CoA and hexadionoyl-mono-CoA were the only detectable intermediates formed by mitochondrial β-oxidation, whereas acetyl-CoA and all saturated even-numbered intermediates of chain length C6-C16 were generated by peroxisomal β-oxidation. 5. Hexadecanedionoyl-mono-CoA and hexadecanoyl-CoA were equally effective substrates for peroxisomal β-oxidation, but hexadecanedionoyl-mono-CoA was a relatively poorer substrate for the mitochondrial pathway.
Sequence of the β-subunit of the phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-directed GTP-binding protein from squid (Loligo forbesi) photoreceptors
Authors: Ryba N J P , Pottinger J D D , Keen J N , Findlay J B C
Published: August 2015

The β-subunit (G-beta) of the squid (Loligo forbesi) visual GTP-binding protein (G-protein), thought to be associated with a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, has been identified and the sequence of the protein determined from its cDNA. The predicted polypeptide has a very marked sequence similarity with its mammalian counterparts (80-90% identity). Squid G-beta also has somewhat lower similarity to the yeast protein STE4 (approx. 40% identity). The role of G-beta in signal transduction is discussed in the light of its pronounced structural conservation.
Ostrich crystallins. Structural characterization of δ-crystallin with enzymic activity
Authors: Chiou S H , Lo C H , Chang C Y , Itoh T , Kaji H , Samejima T
Published: August 2015

Lens crystallins from the African ostrich (Struthio camelus) were isolated and characterized. Four crystallin fractions corresponding to alpha-, delta/beta- and beta-crystallins similar to those of duck crystallins were isolated, but epsilon-crystallin was found to be absent. The native molecular masses and subunit structures of the purified fractions were analysed by gel filtration. SDS/PAGE and isoelectric focusing, revealing various extents of heterogeneity in each orthologous crystallin class. An ion-exchange chromatographic method was used for the large-scale preparation of delta-crystallin suitable for structural and enzymic studies. It was unexpectedly found that the purified native delta-crystallin of ostrich lens possessed high argininosuccinate lyase activity, in contrast with chicken delta-crystallin. The c.d. spectra indicated a predominant beta-sheet structure in alpha- and beta-crystallins, and a significant contribution of alpha-helical structure in the delta-crystallin fraction. The estimate of secondary structures from c.d. spectroscopy for each crystallin class bears a resemblance to that of duck crystallins, except that ostrich delta-crystallin possesses much less helical content than duck delta-crystallin. Comparison of crystallin compositions and structures from aquatic and terrestrial birds revealed distinct differences.
Antibodies as probes for ligand gating of single sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-release channels
Authors: Fill M , Mejia-Alvarez R , Zorzato F , Volpe P , Stefani E
Published: August 2015

A large (565 kDa) junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein, the ryanodine receptor (RYR), may play both a structural and a functional role in the mechanism of skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling. Recently, the primary amino acid sequence of the RYR has been elucidated. In this paper, we introduce an immunological approach to examine the functional (electrophysiological) properties of the RYR when it is incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. The effects of two polyclonal antibodies against the SR junctional face membrane (JFM) and the RYR (anti-JFM and anti-RYR) were tested on the single-channel gating properties of the RYR SR Ca2(+)-release channel. Junctional SR vesicles were fused into planar lipid bilayers in solutions containing caesium salts. Solutions were designed to minimize the background conductances of the SR K+ and Cl- channels. Three actions of the anti-JFM antibody were distinguished on the basis of single-channel gating and conductance. The anti-RYR antibody had a single action, a simultaneous decrease in single-channel open probability (Po) and conductance. Both antibodies appear to alter single-channel gating by disrupting the Ca2(+)-activation mechanism of the channel. Anti-RYR-antibody-induced gating abnormalities were reversed by ATP, although the ATP-re-activated channels had altered gating kinetics. Two antigenic regions, recognizing the anti-RYR antibody, in the C-terminal end of the RYR primary amino acid sequence contain or are closely associated with putative ligand (Ca2+ and ATP)-binding sites identified previously. Our results demonstrate (1) that the antibodies induced abnormal gating (decreased open probability and stabilization of subconducting states) of SR release channels, and (2) that abnormal gating is not associated with physical obstruction or alteration of the conduction pathway. Thus antibodies directed at specific regions of the RYR (e.g. putative ligand-binding sites) can be used as effective probes with which to study the structural and functional properties of the SR Ca2(+)-release channel gating at the single-channel level.
The roles of different protein kinases and of calmodulin in the effects of Ca2+ mobilization on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in isolated rat hepatocytes
Authors: Zammit V A , Caldwell A M
Published: August 2015

The roles of protein kinase C, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and AMP-activated protein kinase in the phosphorylation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase induced by Ca2(+)-mobilizing conditions in isolated hepatocytes were investigated. Only partial evidence for the involvement of AMP-activated kinase was found. Antagonism of calmodulin action prolonged the decrease in expressed/total activity ratio induced by vasopressin plus glucagon. Protease inhibitors active against Ca2(+)-dependent cytosolic proteases or lysosomal proteolysis did not attenuate the loss of total HMG-CoA reductase induced by glucagon plus vasopressin, but calmodulin antagonists largely prevented this effect.
Regulation of transformation-sensitive secreted phosphoprotein (SPPI/osteopontin) expression by transforming growth factor-β. Comparisons with expression of SPARC (secreted acidic cysteine-rich protein)
Authors: Wrana J L , Kubota T , Zhang Q , Overall C M , Aubin J E , Butler W T , Sodek J
Published: August 2015

Secreted phosphoprotein I (SPPI; osteopontin), a highly phosphorylated form of which has been associated with cell transformation, is one of the major phosphorylated proteins in bone. Populations of rat bone cells derived from fetal calvariae, neonatal parietal bone and a rat osteosarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2.8) produce several forms of the protein, the major forms having apparent molecular masses of 55 and 44 kDa by SDS/PAGE on 15% (w/v) cross-linked gels and of 60 and 56 kDa on 10% gels. Northern blot analysis of SPPI mRNA using total cellular RNA revealed a single 1.5 kb mRNA species, indicating that the nascent protein chains of these phosphoproteins are identical. On treatment of the cells with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta; 1 ng/ml), the levels of SPPI mRNA and the synthesis of the 55 kDa phosphoprotein, but not of the 44 kDa phosphoprotein, were increased by 1.8-4.5-fold in the normal osteoblastic cells, the stimulation first being evident at 3 h and reaching a maximum at 12 h. In the transformed ROS 17/2.8 cells, TGF-beta did not alter significantly the SPPI mRNA level or the synthesis of either the 55 kDa or the 44 kDa SPPI over the 24 h period studied. By comparison, neither the steady-state levels of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, rich in cysteine) mRNA nor the synthesis of SPARC protein were affected significantly by the addition of TGF-beta to any of the osteoblastic bone cells. The half-lives for SPPI and SPARC mRNAs in the osteoblastic calvarial cells were calculated to be 18 h and greater than 50 h respectively, in both the presence and the absence of TGF-beta. Since the stability of the mRNA was unchanged by TGF-beta and the increased expression of SPPI mRNA could be blocked by cycloheximide, TGF-beta appears to increase transcription of the SppI gene indirectly by stimulating the synthesis of a protein that promotes transcription. These results demonstrate that several forms of SPPI are synthesized constitutively by bone cells, and that there are clear differences in the regulation of SppI gene expression by TGF-beta in normal bone cells compared with the tumorigenic ROS 17/2.8 cells. The differential responses of normal osteoblastic cells to TGF-beta in the expression of SPPI and the selective stimulation of specific forms of the SPPI protein may be important in bone repair and remodelling.
Accumulation and metabolism of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in muscarinic-receptor-stimulated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Lambert D G , Challiss R A J , Nahorski S R
Published: August 2015

Stimulation of M3 muscarinic receptors expressed by SH-SY5Y cells induced a dose- and time-related increase in the mass of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (basal 38.3 +/- 5.8 pmol/mg of protein) and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 (basal 6.1 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg of protein). Comparison of radioreceptor mass assays with [3H]inositol labelling showed higher-fold stimulations with the former protocol. The later accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 mass was dependent upon extracellular Ca2+.