bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemokines: understanding their role in T-lymphocyte biology
Authors: WARD Stephen G. , WESTWICK John
Published: August 2015

The chemokines are a complex superfamily of small, secreted proteins that were initially characterized through their chemotactic effects on a variety of leucocytes. The superfamily is divided into families based on structural and genetic considerations and have been termed the CXC, CC, C and CX3C families. Chemokines from these families have a key role in the recruitment and function of T lymphocytes. Moreover, T lymphocytes have also been identified as a source of a number of chemokines. T lymphocytes also express most of the known CXC and CC chemokine receptors to an extent that depends on their state of activation/differentiation and/or the activating stimuli. The expression of two chemokine receptors, namely CXCR4 and CCR5, together with the regulated production of their respective ligands, appears to be extremely important in determining sensitivity of T cells to HIV-1 infection. The intracellular events which mediate the effects of chemokines, particularly those elicited by the CC chemokine RANTES, include activation of both G-protein- and protein tyrosine kinase-coupled signalling pathways. The present review describes our current understanding of the structure and expression of chemokines and their receptors, the effects of chemokines on T-cell function(s), the intracellular signalling pathways activated by chemokines and the role of certain chemokines and chemokine receptors in determining sensitivity to HIV-1 infection.
Unique mechanism of GLUT3 glucose transporter regulation by prolonged energy demand: increased protein half-life
Authors: KHAYAT Zayna A. , McCALL Anthony L. , KLIP Amira
Published: August 2015

L6 muscle cells survive long-term (18 h) disruption of oxidative phosphorylation by the mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) because, in response to this metabolic stress, they increase their rate of glucose transport. This response is associated with an elevation of the protein content of glucose transporter isoforms GLUT3 and GLUT1, but not GLUT4. Previously we have reported that the rise in GLUT1 expression is likely to be a result of de novo biosynthesis of the transporter, since the uncoupler increases GLUT1 mRNA levels. Unlike GLUT1, very little is known about how interfering with mitochondrial ATP production regulates GLUT3 protein expression. Here we examine the mechanisms employed by DNP to increase GLUT3 protein content and glucose uptake in L6 muscle cells. We report that, in contrast with GLUT1, continuous exposure to DNP had no effect on GLUT3 mRNA levels. DNP-stimulated glucose transport was unaffected by the protein-synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. The increase in GLUT3 protein mediated by DNP was also insensitive to cycloheximide, paralleling the response of glucose uptake, whereas the rise in GLUT1 protein levels was blocked by the inhibitor. The GLUT3 glucose transporter may therefore provide the majority of the glucose transport stimulation by DNP, despite elevated levels of GLUT1 protein. The half-lives of GLUT3 and GLUT1 proteins in L6 myotubes were determined to be about 15 h and 6 h respectively. DNP prolonged the half-life of both proteins. After 24 h of DNP treatment, 88% of GLUT3 protein and 57% of GLUT1 protein had not turned over, compared with 25% in untreated cells. We conclude that the long-term stimulation of glucose transport by DNP arises from an elevation of GLUT3 protein content associated with an increase in GLUT3 protein half-life. These findings suggest that disruption of the oxidative chain of L6 muscle cells leads to an adaptive response of glucose transport that is distinct from the insulin response, involving specific glucose transporter isoforms that are regulated by different mechanisms.
ErbB3 (HER3) interaction with the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase
Authors: HELLYER Nathan J. , CHENG Kunrong , KOLAND John G.
Published: August 2015

ErbB3 (HER3), a unique member of the ErbB receptor family, lacks intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity and contains six Tyr-Xaa-Xaa-Met (YXXM) consensus binding sites for the SH2 domains of the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. ErbB3 also has a proline-rich sequence that forms a consensus binding site for the SH3 domain of p85. Here we have investigated the interacting domains of ErbB3 and p85 by a unique application of the yeast two-hybrid system. A chimaeric ErbB3 molecule containing the epidermal growth factor receptor protein tyrosine kinase domain was developed so that the C-terminal domain of ErbB3 could become phosphorylated in the yeast system. We also generated several ErbB3 deletion and Tyr → Phe site-specific mutants, and observed that a single ErbB3 YXXM motif was necessary and sufficient for the association of ErbB3 with p85. The incorporation of multiple YXXM motifs into the ErbB3 C-terminus enabled a stronger ErbB3/p85 interaction. The proline-rich region of ErbB3 was not necessary for interaction with p85. However, either deletion or mutation of the p85 SH3 domain decreased the observed ErbB3/p85 association. Additionally an ErbB3/p85 SH3 domain interaction was detected by an assay in vitro. These results were consistent with a model in which pairs of phosphorylated ErbB3 YXXM motifs co-operate in binding to the tandem SH2 domains of p85. Although a contributing role for the p85 SH3 domain was suggested, the N- and C-terminal SH2 domains seemed to be primarily responsible for the high-affinity association of p85 and ErbB3.
Thymidine phosphorylase, 2-deoxy-D-ribose and angiogenesis
Authors: BROWN Nicholas S. , BICKNELL Roy
Published: August 2015

Angiogenesis is the term used to describe the formation of new blood vessels from the existing vasculature. In order to attract new vessels, a tissue must release an endothelial-cell chemoattractant. 2-Deoxy-d-ribose is produced in vivo by the catalytic action of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) on thymidine and has recently been identified as an endothelial-cell chemoattractant and angiogenesis-inducing factor. TP, previously known only for its role in nucleotide salvage, is now known to be angiogenic. TP expression is elevated in many solid tumours and in chronically inflamed tissues, both known areas of active angiogenesis. There is evidence that TP is also involved in physiological angiogenesis such as endometrial angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle. The majority of known endothelial-cell chemoattractants are polypeptides that bind to endothelial-cell-surface receptors. In contrast, 2-deoxy-d-ribose appears to lack a cell-surface receptor. Glucose is another sugar that acts as an endothelial-cell chemoattractant. The migratory activity of glucose is blocked by ouabain. It is possible that 2-deoxy-d-ribose and glucose stimulate endothelial-cell migration via a similar mechanistic pathway.
Site-directed mutations in fungal laccase: effect on redox potential, activity and pH profile
Authors: XU Feng , BERKA Randy M. , WAHLEITHNER Jill A. , NELSON Beth A. , SHUSTER Jeffrey R. , BROWN Stephen H. , PALMER Amy E. , SOLOMON Edward I.
Published: August 2015

A Myceliophthora thermophila laccase and a Rhizoctonia solani laccase were mutated on a pentapeptide segment believed to be near the type-1 Cu site. The mutation L513F in Myceliophthora laccase and the mutation L470F in Rhizoctonia laccase took place at a position corresponding to the type-1 Cu axial methionine (M517) ligand in Zucchini ascorbate oxidase. The triple mutations V509L,S510E,G511A in Myceliophthora laccase and L466V,E467S,A468G in Rhizoctonia laccase involved a sequence segment whose homologue in ascorbate oxidase is flanked by the M517 and a type-1 Cu-ligating histidine (H512). The single mutation did not yield significant changes in the enzymic properties (including any significant increase in the redox potential of the type-1 Cu). In contrast, the triple mutation resulted in several significant changes. In comparison with the wild type, the Rhizoctonia and Myceliophthora laccase triple mutants had a phenol-oxidase activity whose pH optimum shifted 1 unit lower and higher, respectively. Although the redox potentials were not significantly altered, the Km, kcat and fluoride inhibition of the laccases were greatly changed by the mutations. The observed effects are interpreted as possible mutation-induced structural perturbations on the molecular recognition between the reducing substrate and laccase and on the electron transfer from the substrate to the type-1 Cu centre.
Expression of ryanodine receptors in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells
Authors: QUERFURTH Henry W. , HAUGHEY Norman J. , GREENWAY Steven C. , YACONO Patrick W. , GOLAN David E. , GEIGER Jonathan D.
Published: August 2015

It has been shown previously that mobilization of caffeine-sensitive intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) stores increased the release of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) from transfected human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) [Querfurth, Jiang, Geiger and Selkoe (1997) J. Neurochem. 69, 1580–1591]. The present study was to test the hypothesis that the caffeine/Aβ responses were due to interactions with specific subtypes of ryanodine receptors (RyR) using [3H]ryanodine receptor binding, epifluorescence imaging of Ca2+i, immunocytofluorescence, immunoprecipitation and PCR techniques. [3H]Ryanodine bound to a single class of high-affinity caffeine-sensitive sites (Kd = 9.9±1.6 nM, Bmax = 25±4 fmol/mg of protein). RyRs were immuno-decorated in a punctate reticulo-linear pattern. Results from SDS/PAGE and reverse transcriptase-PCR demonstrated endogenous expression of type 1 (skeletal) and type 2 (cardiac) RyRs. HEK293 cell RyRs were functionally active, because (i) [Ca2+]i increased 2.8-fold over baseline following applications of 5–15 mM caffeine, (ii) repetitive spiked increases in [Ca2+]i were observed, and (iii) evidence for a use-dependent block was obtained. Some of these findings were extended to include HeLa and human fibroblast cell lines, suggesting a broader applicability to cells of epithelioid lineage. Implications for the processing of the β-amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease and for calcium channel research using transfected HEK293 cells are discussed.
Regulation of serum amyloid A protein expression during the acute-phase response
Authors: JENSEN Liselotte E. , WHITEHEAD Alexander S.
Published: August 2015

The acute-phase (AP) serum amyloid A proteins (A-SAA) are multifunctional apolipoproteins which are involved in cholesterol transport and metabolism, and in modulating numerous immunological responses during inflammation and the AP response to infection, trauma or stress. During the AP response the hepatic biosynthesis of A-SAA is up-regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, and circulating concentrations can increase by up to 1000-fold. Chronically elevated A-SAA concentrations are a prerequisite for the pathogenesis of secondary amyloidosis, a progressive and fatal disease characterized by the deposition in major organs of insoluble plaques composed principally of proteolytically cleaved A-SAA, and may also contribute to physiological processes that lead to atherosclerosis. There is therefore a requirement for both positive and negative control mechanisms that permit the rapid induction of A-SAA expression until it has fulfilled its host-protective function(s) and subsequently ensure that its expression can be rapidly returned to baseline. These mechanisms include modulation of promoter activity involving, for example, the inducer nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and its inhibitor IκB, up-regulatory transcription factors of the nuclear factor for interleukin-6 (NF-IL6) family and transcriptional repressors such as yin and yang 1 (YY1). Post-transcriptional modulation involving changes in mRNA stability and translation efficiency permit further up- and down-regulatory control of A-SAA protein synthesis to be achieved. In the later stages of the AP response, A-SAA expression is effectively down-regulated via the increased production of cytokine antagonists such as the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and of soluble cytokine receptors, resulting in less signal transduction driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Mutation of tyrosine-194 and lysine-198 in the catalytic site of pig 3α/β,20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
Authors: NAKAJIN Shizuo , TAKASE Noriko , OHNO Shuji , TOYOSHIMA Satoshi , BAKER Michael E.
Published: August 2015

Pig 3α/β,20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is an NADPH-dependent enzyme that catalyses the reduction of ketones on steroids and aldehydes and ketones on various xenobiotics, like its homologue carbonyl reductase. 3α/β,20β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and carbonyl reductase are members of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductase family, in which a tyrosine residue and a lysine residue have been identified as catalytically important. In pig 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase these residues are tyrosine-194 and lysine-198. Here we report the effect on the reduction of two ketone and two aldehyde substrates by pig 3α/β,20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in which tyrosine-194 has been mutated to phenylalanine and cysteine, and lysine-198 has been mutated to isoleucine and arginine. Mutants with phenylalanine-194 or isoleucine-198 are inactive. Depending on the substrate, the mutant with cysteine-194 has a catalytic efficiency of 0.4–1% and the mutant with arginine-198 has a catalytic efficiency of 4–23% of the wild-type enzyme. We also mutated tyrosine-81 and tyrosine-253 to phenylalanine. Although both tyrosines are conserved in 3α/β,20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and carbonyl reductase, depending on the substrate, the mutant enzymes are as active as, or more active than, wild-type enzyme.
Intracellular calcium mobilization and phospholipid degradation in sphingosylphosphorylcholine-stimulated human airway epithelial cells
Authors: ORLATI Silvia , PORCELLI Anna M. , HRELIA Silvana , LORENZINI Antonello , RUGOLO Michela
Published: August 2015

Extracellular sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) caused a remarkable elevation in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in immortalized human airway epithelial cells (CFNP9o-). An increase in total inositol phosphates formation was determined; however, the dose responses for [Ca2+]i elevation and inositol phosphates production were slightly different and, furthermore, PMA and pertussis toxin almost completely inhibited [Ca2+]i mobilization by SPC, whereas inositol phosphates production was only partially reduced. The possible direct interaction of SPC with Ca2+ channels of intracellular stores was determined by experiments with permeabilized cells, where SPC failed to evoke Ca2+ release, whereas lysophosphatidic acid was shown to be effective. The level of phosphatidic acid was increased by SPC only in the presence of AACOCF3, a specific inhibitor of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and blocked by both pertussis toxin and R59022, an inhibitor of diacylglycerol kinase. R59022 enhanced diacylglycerol production by SPC and also significantly reduced [Ca2+]i mobilization. Only polyunsaturated diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid were generated by SPC. Lastly, SPC caused stimulation of arachidonic acid release, indicating the involvement of PLA2. Taken together, these data suggest that, after SPC stimulation, phospholipase C-derived diacylglycerol is phosphorylated by a diacylglycerol kinase to phosphatidic acid, which is further hydrolysed by PLA2 activity to arachidonic and lysophosphatidic acids. We propose that lysophosphatidic acid might be the intracellular messenger able to release Ca2+ from internal stores.
Prodigiosins uncouple lysosomal vacuolar-type ATPase through promotion of H+/Cl− symport
Authors: OHKUMA Shoji , SATO Tomohiko , OKAMOTO Masayuki , MATSUYA Hidekazu , ARAI Kunizo , KATAOKA Takao , NAGAI Kazuo , WASSERMAN Harry H.
Published: August 2015

We reported previously [Kataoka, Muroi, Ohkuma, Waritani, Magae, Takatsuki, Kondo, Yamasaki and Nagai (1995) FEBS Lett. 359, 53–59] that prodigiosin 25-C (one of the red pigments of the prodigiosin group produced by micro-organisms like Streptomycesand Serratia) uncoupled vacuolar H+-ATPase, inhibited vacuolar acidification and affected glycoprotein processing. In the present study we show that prodigiosin, metacycloprodigiosin and prodigiosin 25-C, all raise intralysosomal pH through inhibition of lysosomal acidification driven by vacuolar-type (V-)ATPase without inhibiting ATP hydrolysis in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 30–120 pmol/mg of protein. The inhibition against lysosomal acidification was quick and reversible, showing kinetics of simple non-competitive (for ATP) inhibition. However, the prodigiosins neither raised the internal pH of isolated lysosomes nor showed ionophoric activity against H+ or K+ at concentrations where they strongly inhibited lysosomal acidification. They required Cl- for their acidification inhibitory activity even when driven in the presence of K+ and valinomycin, suggesting that their target is not anion (chloride) channel(s). In fact, the prodigiosins inhibited acidification of proteoliposomes devoid of anion channels that were reconstituted from lysosomal vacuolar-type (V-)ATPase and Escherichia coli phospholipids. However, they did not inhibit the formation of an inside-positive membrane potential driven by lysosomal V-ATPase. Instead, they caused quick reversal of acidified pH driven by lysosomal V-ATPase and, in acidic buffer, produced quick acidification of lysosomal pH, both only in the presence of Cl-. In addition, they induced swelling of liposomes and erythrocytes in iso-osmotic ammonium salt of chloride but not of gluconate, suggesting the promotion of Cl- entry by prodigiosins. These results suggest that prodigiosins facilitate the symport of H+ with Cl- (or exchange of OH- with Cl-) through lysosomal membranes, resulting in uncoupling of vacuolar H+-ATPase.
Protein kinase B (c-Akt): a multifunctional mediator of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation
Authors: COFFER Paul J. , JIN Jing , WOODGETT James R.
Published: August 2015

While a plethora of extracellular molecules exist that modulate cellular functions via binding to membrane receptors inside the cell, their actions are mediated by relatively few signalling mechanisms. One of these is activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K), which results in the generation of a membrane-restricted second messenger, polyphosphatidylinositides containing a 3´-phosphate. How these molecules transduced the effects of agonists of PI-3K was unclear until the recent discovery that several protein kinases become activated upon exposure to 3´-phosphorylated inositol lipids. These enzymes include protein kinase B (PKB)/AKT and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-dependent kinases 1 and 2, the first two of which interact with 3´-phosphorylated phosphoinositides via pleckstrin homology domains. Once targeted to the membrane by this motif, PKB becomes phosphorylated at two residues, which relieves intermolecular inhibition, allowing the activated complex to dissociate and modify its targets. Identification of these substrates is the subject of intensive research, since at least one must play a key role in suppressing apoptosis, as demonstrated by expression of activated alleles of PKB. The generation of effective transdominant mutants, coupled with genetic analysis of the protein kinase in simpler organisms, should help in elucidating outstanding questions in the functions, targets and regulation of this important mediator of PI-3K signalling.
Oxidation of DNA bases, deoxyribonucleosides and homopolymers by peroxyl radicals
Authors: SIMANDAN Tiberiu , SUN Jing , DIX Thomas A.
Published: August 2015

DNA base oxidation is considered to be a key event associated with disease initiation and progression in humans. Peroxyl radicals (ROO•) are important oxidants found in cells whose ability to react with the DNA bases has not been characterized extensively. In this paper, the products resulting from ROO• oxidation of the DNA bases are determined by gas chromatography/MS in comparison with authentic standards. ROO• radicals oxidize adenine and guanine to their 8-hydroxy derivatives, which are considered biomarkers of hydroxyl radical (HO•) oxidations in cells. ROO• radicals also oxidize adenine to its hydroxylamine, a previously unidentified product. ROO• radicals oxidize cytosine and thymine to the monohydroxy and dihydroxy derivatives that are formed by oxidative damage in cells. Identical ROO• oxidation profiles are observed for each base when exposed as deoxyribonucleosides, monohomopolymers and base-paired dihomopolymers. These results have significance for the development, utilization and interpretation of DNA base-derived biomarkers of oxidative damage associated with disease initiation and propagation, and support the idea that the mutagenic potential of N-oxidized bases, when generated in cellular DNA, will require careful evaluation. Adenine hydroxylamine is proposed as a specific molecular probe for the activity of ROO• in cellular systems.
Crystal structure of the family 7 endoglucanase I (Cel7B) from Humicola insolens at 2.2 Å resolution and identification of the catalytic nucleophile by trapping of the covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate
Authors: MACKENZIE Lloyd F. , SULZENBACHER Gerlind , DIVNE Christina , JONES T. Alwyn , WÖLDIKE Helle F. , SCHÜLEIN Martin , WITHERS Stephen G. , DAVIES Gideon J.
Published: August 2015

Cellulose is the major polysaccharide component of the plant cell wall and the most abundant naturally produced macromolecule on Earth. The enzymic degradation of cellulose, by cellulases, is therefore of great environmental and commercial significance. Cellulases are found in 12 of the glycoside hydrolase families classified according to their amino acid sequence similarities. Endoglucanase I (Cel7B), from the soft-rot fungus Humicola insolens, is a family 7 enzyme. The structure of the native form of Cel7B from H. insolens at 2.2 Å resolution has been solved by molecular replacement using the known Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I [Divne, Ståhlberg, Reinikainen, Ruohonen, Pettersson, Knowles, Teeri and Jones (1994) Science265, 524–528] structure as the search model. Cel7B catalyses hydrolysis of the β-1,4 glycosidic linkages in cellulose with net retention of anomeric configuration. The catalytic nucleophile at the active site of Cel7B has been identified as Glu-197 by trapping of a 2-deoxy-2-fluorocellotriosyl enzyme intermediate and identification of the labelled peptide in peptic digests by tandem MS. Site-directed mutagenesis of both Glu-197 and the prospective catalytic acid, Glu-202, results in inactive enzyme, confirming the critical role of these groups for catalysis.
Purification of native p94, a muscle-specific calpain, and characterization of its autolysis
Authors: KINBARA Kayoko , ISHIURA Shoichi , TOMIOKA Shigeo , SORIMACHI Hiroyuki , JEONG Seon-Yong , AMANO Susumu , KAWASAKI Hiroshi , KOLMERER Bernhard , KIMURA Sumiko , LABEIT Siegfried , SUZUKI Koichi
Published: August 2015

p94, a skeletal muscle-specific calpain, has attracted much attention because its gene is responsible for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A. p94, however, has not been characterized at the protein and enzyme levels, owing to its very rapid autolysis. In the present study, a purification procedure for p94 was first established by using a recombinant inactive p94 expressed in COS cells in which the active site cysteine residue was changed to serine [p94(C129S)]. The isolation of native p94 from rabbit skeletal muscle by the established method with conventional procedures was extremely difficult because p94 became highly unstable in a crude extract on the addition of NaCl for separation. Purification of native p94 was possible with an antibody-affinity column but only as an inactive enzyme; p94(C129S) was purified as a homodimer. Characterization of p94, especially autolysis, was performed with partly purified native p94 and p94(C129S). The autolysis of p94, which consisted at least partly of an intermolecular reaction, proceeded in three consecutive steps; 60 and 58 kDa fragments were produced as intermediates before a stable 55 kDa fragment appeared. Autolysis of p94 was regarded as a degradative step rather than for the activation of the enzyme. All the autolysis cleavage sites were located in the p94-specific insertion sequence 1 region, which explains why p94 is unstable compared with the other calpains. The autolysis sites in p94 clearly showed a different specificity relative to the autolytic and proteolytic cleavage sites of the ubiquitous µ- and m-calpains, in its preference for residues at the P3 to P1´ sites, indicating a distinct substrate specificity and function for the muscle enzyme.
Structure of the human histamine H1 receptor gene
Authors: DE BACKER Marianne D. , LOONEN Inge , VERHASSELT Peter , NEEFS Jean-Marc , LUYTEN Walter H. M.L.
Published: August 2015

Histamine H1 receptor expression has been reported to change in disorders such as allergic rhinitis, autoimmune myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Here we report the isolation and characterization of genomic clones containing the 5´ flanking (regulatory) region of the human histamine H1 receptor gene. An intron of approx. 5.8 kb was identified in the 5´ untranslated region, which suggests that an entire subfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors may contain an intron immediately upstream of the start codon. The transcription initiation site was mapped by 5´ rapid amplification of cDNA ends to a region 6.2 kb upstream of the start codon. Immediately upstream of the transcription start site a fragment of 1.85 kb was identified that showed promoter activity when placed upstream of a luciferase reporter gene and transiently transfected into cells expressing the histamine H1 receptor. The promoter sequence shares a number of characteristics with the promoter sequences of other G-protein-coupled receptor encoding genes, including binding sites for several transcription factors, and the absence of TATA and CAAT sequences at the appropriate locations. The promoter sequence described here differs from that reported previously [Fukui, Fujimoto, Mizuguchi, Sakamoto, Horio, Takai, Yamada and Ito (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 201, 894–901] because the reported genomic clone was chimaeric. Furthermore our study provides evidence that the 3´ untranslated region of the H1 receptor mRNA is much longer than previously accepted. Together, these findings provide a complete view of the structure of the human histamine H1 receptor gene. Both the coding region of the H1 receptor gene and its promoter region were independently mapped to chromosome 3p25.
De novo expression of glutamine synthetase during transformation of hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblast-like cells
Authors: BODE Johannes G. , PETERS-REGEHR Thorsten , GRESSNER Axel M. , HÄUSSINGER Dieter
Published: August 2015

The expression of glutamine synthetase (GS) was studied in cultured quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and during their transformation into myofibroblast-like cells. GS mRNA was detectable in quiescent HSC (1-day culture); however, the enzyme protein was not expressed, as assessed by Western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry and the absence of detectable enzyme activity. Similar findings were obtained after 2 days of culture; in addition, the mRNA levels had dropped by about 70%, but they increased again thereafter during the process of HSC transformation in culture, as indicated by the expression of α-smooth-muscle actin. In parallel with the accumulation of α-smooth-muscle actin, GS was expressed, as shown by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, and enzyme activity increased from undetectable levels in quiescent cells to 0.13±0.01 µmol/h per mg of cell protein within 7–14 days. This value compares with GS activity in liver parenchymal cells of 0.57±0.03 µmol/h per mg of cell protein. The findings suggest that activation of HSC results in the de novo expression of GS protein and activity, and this may serve as another marker of HSC transformation.
Functional characterization of transcriptional regulatory elements in the upstream region and intron 1 of the human S6 ribosomal protein gene
Authors: ANTOINE Marianne , KIEFER Paul
Published: August 2015

Expression of housekeeping genes involves regulation at comparable levels in a wide spectrum of cells. To define the cis-regulatory elements in the human S6 ribosomal protein (rpS6) gene, we made a series of deletions of the upstream non-transcribed region, including or excluding exon 1 or intron 1 sequences. The mutated rpS6 gene regulatory regions were fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and transfected into HeLa and COS-1 cells. The results have identified three parts of the rpS6 gene that are required for efficient and specific transcription. The core promoter includes only a 40 bp region upstream of the transcription start site and initiation region. Both upstream and intronic elements enhance transcription from the core promoter. Furthermore, mutation of the splice donor site of intron 1 almost completely abolished the enhancing activity of the intronic transcriptional modulator. We used gel retardation assays to identify sequence-specific binding sites in the upstream region and in the proximal half of intron 1. Both common and different nuclear factors that bind the rpS6 gene promoter were identified in extracts from HeLa and COS-1 cells, suggesting that different transcription factors may bind specifically to the same binding region and might be interchangeable in their function to ensure high-level expression of housekeeping genes independently of the cell type.
ω-Oxidation impairs oxidizability of polyenoic fatty acids by 15-lipoxygenases: consequences for substrate orientation at the active site
Authors: IVANOV Igor , SCHWARZ Kristin , HOLZHÜTTER Herman G. , MYAGKOVA Galina , KÜHN Hartmut
Published: August 2015

During oxygenation by 15-lipoxygenases, polyenoic fatty acids are bound at the active site in such a way that the ω-terminus of the fatty acids penetrates into the substrate binding pocket. In contrast, for arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenation, an inverse head to tail orientation has been suggested. However, an inverse orientation may be hindered by the large energy barrier associated with burying the charged carboxylate group in the hydrophobic environment of the substrate binding cleft. We studied the oxygenation kinetics of ω-modified fatty acids by 15-lipoxygenases and found that ω-hydroxylation strongly impaired substrate affinity (higher Km), but only moderately altered Vmax. In contrast, ω-carboxylation completely prevented the lipoxygenase reaction; however, methylation of the additional carboxylate group restored the activity. Arg403 of the human 15-lipoxygenase has been implicated in fatty acid binding by forming a salt bridge with the carboxylate group, and thus mutation of this amino acid to an uncharged residue was supposed to favour an inverse substrate orientation. The prepared Arg403 → Leu mutant of the rabbit 15-lipoxygenase was found to be a less effective catalyst of linoleic acid oxygenation. However, the oxygenation rate of ω-hydroxyarachidonic acid was similar when the wild-type and mutant enzyme were compared, and the patterns of oxygenation products were identical for both enzyme species. These data suggest that introduction of a polar, or even charged residue, at the ω-terminus of substrate fatty acids in connection with mutation of Arg403 may not alter substrate alignment at the active site of 15-lipoxygenases.
Low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-related protein (LRP) interacts with a GTP-binding protein
Authors: GORETZKI Lothar , MUELLER Barbara M.
Published: August 2015

The low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-related protein (LRP) binds and internalizes numerous ligands, including lipoproteins, proteinase–inhibitor complexes and others. We have shown previously that LRP-mediated ligand internalization is dependent on cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity. Here, we investigated whether ligation of LRP increases the intracellular cAMP level and PKA activity via a stimulatory GTP-binding protein. Treatment of LRP-expressing cell lines with the LRP ligands lactoferrin or urokinase-type plasminogen activator caused a significant elevation in cAMP and stimulated PKA activity in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of the 39 kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP), an antagonist for ligand interactions with LRP, blocked the lactoferrin-induced increase in PKA activity, demonstrating a requirement for ligand binding to LRP. Incubation of cell membrane fractions with lactoferrin increased GTPase activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and treatment with LRP ligands suppressed cholera-toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation of the Gsα subunit of a heterotrimeric G-protein. Affinity precipitation of LRP with RAP resulted in co-precipitation of two isoforms of Gsα from detergent extracts. We thus conclude that LRP is a signalling receptor that associates directly with a stimulatory heterotrimeric G-protein and activates a downstream PKA-dependent pathway.
Comparative studies on peptides representing the so-called tachykinin-like region of the Alzheimer Aβ peptide [Aβ(25–35)]
Authors: EL-AGNAF Omar M. A. , IRVINE G. Brent , FITZPATRICK Geraldine , GLASS W. Kenneth , GUTHRIE David J. S.
Published: August 2015

In an attempt to answer the question of whether or not the so-called tachykinin-like region of the Alzheimer β-amyloid protein [Aβ(25–35)] can act as a tachykinin, the sequences Aβ(25–35), Aβ(25–35)amide and their norleucine-35 and phenylalanine-31 analogues were synthesized. These peptides were examined with ligand binding studies, electron microscopy, CD and NMR. In all cases some differences were found between the Aβ(25–35) analogue and the corresponding Phe31 peptide. In addition, in ligand displacement studies on tachykinin NK1 receptors, only the Phe31 analogue showed activity comparable to that of genuine tachykinins. We conclude that peptides based on Aβ(25–35) but with a Phe residue at position 31 do display properties typical of a tachykinin, but that peptides with Ile at this position do not.
Interleukin 1β decreases prostacyclin synthase activity in rat mesangial cells via endogenous peroxynitrite formation
Authors: ZOU Ming-Hui , KLEIN Thomas , PASQUET Jean-Paul , ULLRICH Volker
Published: August 2015

We have reported that peroxynitrite (PON) selectively inactivated prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) by a mechanism of tyrosine nitration at the active site [Zou, Martin and Ullrich (1997) Biol. Chem. Hoppe–Seyler 378, 707–713]. We have now extended our studies on rat mesangial cells (RMC) and show that nitration can occur under the influence of cytokines. Pretreatment of RMC with interleukin 1β (IL-1β), which up-regulated cyclo-oxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2), significantly attenuated the conversion of [14C]prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) into the stable prostacyclin (PGI2) metabolite 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1α (6-oxo-PGF1α). The presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 100 units/ml) or the NOS synthase inhibitor Nω-monomethyl-l-arginine (100 µM) as well as cycloheximide (10 µM) plus actinomycin (10 µM) abolished IL-1β-mediated down-regulation of 6-oxo-PGF1α from PGH2. At the same time, 6-oxo-PGF1α production from arachidonate (AA) increased at the expense of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Neither NO alone generated from different NO donors nor superoxide from xanthine/xanthine oxidase (1–100 m-units/ml) inhibited PGI2 synthesis, either from PGH2 or from AA. Bolus additions of chemically synthesized PON or the PON generator 3-morpholinosydnonimine N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1) exhibited a potent inhibition of 6-oxo-PGF1α release from both PGH2 and AA. In addition, immunoprecipitation of nitrotyrosine-containing proteins from PON- and SIN-1-treated RMC yielded distinct nitrated PGIS bands but also from IL-1β-pretreated cells alone, compared with a lack of nitrated PGIS in control cells. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that IL-1β pretreatment of RMC via NOS-2 leads to the production of PON with the consequence of a partial nitration and inhibition of PGIS.
Inducible expression of the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase light subunit by t-butylhydroquinone in HepG2 cells is not dependent on an antioxidant- responsive element
Authors: GALLOWAY Diane C. , McLELLAN Lesley I.
Published: August 2015

Mutation analysis of putative regulatory elements located in the 5´-flanking region of the gene encoding the regulatory subunit of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GLCLR) revealed that neither an antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) nor an activator protein-1 (AP-1) site regulates inducible expression by t-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ). The AP-1 site was found to modulate basal expression of GLCLR. A 42 bp region between nucleotides -303 and -344, not containing an ARE, was found to regulate inducible expression of GLCLR by tBHQ.
Molecular and biochemical characterization of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: DA'DARA Akram A. , WALTER Rolf D.
Published: August 2015

S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) is a major regulatory enzyme in the polyamine biosynthesis and is considered a potentially important drug target for the chemotherapy of proliferative and parasitic diseases. To study regulatory mechanisms which are involved in the expression of SAMDC of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, we have isolated the SAMDC gene and cDNA. Genomic Southern-blot analysis suggests that the C. elegans SAMDC is encoded by a single-copy gene which spans 3.9 kb and consists of six exons and five introns. The first two introns are located in the 5´-untranslated region (UTR). Analyses of the 5´-flanking region of the gene revealed several consensus sequences for the binding of different transcription factors such as CBP, AP2, cMyb, VPE2 and others. The C. elegans SAMDC mRNA possesses an open reading frame (ORF) which encodes a polypeptide of 368 amino acids, corresponding to a SAMDC proenzyme with a calculated molecular mass of 42141 Da. The active form of the C. elegans SAMDC is a heterotetramer, consisting of two subunits of 32 and 10 kDa derived from cleavage of the pro-enzyme. The SAMDC mRNA has an unusually long 5´-UTR of 477 nucleotides. This region has a small ORF which could encode a putative peptide of 17 residues. Moreover, the C. elegans SAMDC mRNA is trans-spliced with the 22 nucleotides spliced leader sequence at the 5´-end.
Modulation of circulatory residence of recombinant acetylcholinesterase through biochemical or genetic manipulation of sialylation levels
Authors: CHITLARU Theodor , KRONMAN Chanoch , ZEEVI Menachem , KAM Michal , HAREL Adrian , ORDENTLICH Arie , VELAN Baruch , SHAFFERMAN Avigdor
Published: August 2015

Sialylation of N-glycans associated with recombinant human acetylcholinesterase (rHuAChE) has a central role in determining its circulatory clearance rate. Human embryonal kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells, which are widely used for the expression of recombinant proteins, seem to be limited in their ability to sialylate overexpressed rHuAChE. High-resolution N-glycan structural analysis, by gel permeation, HPLC anion-exchange chromatography and high-pH anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC), revealed that the N-glycans associated with rHuAChE produced in HEK-293 cells belong mainly to the complex-biantennary class and are only partly sialylated, with approx. 60% of the glycans being monosialylated. This partial sialylation characterizes rHuAChE produced by cells selected for high-level expression of the recombinant protein. In low-level producer lines, the enzyme exhibits a higher sialic acid content, suggesting that undersialylation of rHuAChE in high-level producer lines stems from a limited endogenous glycosyltransferase activity. To improve sialylation in HEK-293 cells, rat liver β-galactoside α-2,6-sialyltransferase cDNA was stably transfected into cells expressing high levels of rHuAChE. rHuAChE produced by the modified cells displayed a significantly higher proportion of fully sialylated glycans as shown by sialic acid incorporation assays, direct measurement of sialic acid, and HPAEC glycan profiling. Genetically modified sialylated rHuAChE exhibited increased circulatory retention (the slow-phase half-life, t½β, was 130 min, compared with 80 min for the undersialylated enzyme). Interestingly, the same increase in circulatory residence was observed when rHuAChE was subjected to extensive sialylation in vitro. The engineered HEK-293 cells in which the glycosylation machinery was modified might represent a valuable tool for the high level of expression of recombinant glycoproteins whose sialic acid content is important for their function or for pharmacokinetic behaviour.
Phenol sulphotransferase SULT1A1 polymorphism: molecular diagnosis and allele frequencies in Caucasian and African populations
Authors: COUGHTRIE Michael W. H. , GILISSEN Ron A. H. J. , SHEK Benedicte , STRANGE Richard C. , FRYER Anthony A. , JONES Peter W. , BAMBER Dianne E.
Published: August 2015

Sulphation, catalysed by members of the sulphotransferase (SULT) enzyme family, is an important component of the body's chemical defence mechanism, but also acts to bioactivate mutagens such as hydroxylated aryl and heterocyclic amines. A major human sulphotransferase, SULT1A1 (P-PST), metabolizes and/or bioactivates many drugs, iodothyronines and hydroxylated aromatic amines. The enzyme activity varies widely within the population and is under genetic control. We have developed an assay detecting a G → A transition in SULT1A1 that causes an Arg213 → His substitution associated with low SULT activity and altered enzyme properties, and have used it to assess the SULT1A1 genotype in Caucasian (n = 293) and African (Nigerian, n = 52) populations. We show that the mutant SULT1A1*2 allele is present at frequencies of 0.321 and 0.269 in the Caucasian and African populations respectively. We also demonstrate a significant age-related difference in SULT1A1 genotype within our Caucasian population, with increasing incidence of SULT1A1*1 homozygosity and decreasing incidence of SULT1A1*2 homozygosity with increasing age, indicating a potential association of SULT1A1*1 allozyme(s) with protection against cell and/or tissue damage during aging.
Magnesium chelatase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides: initial characterization of the enzyme using purified subunits and evidence for a BchI–BchD complex
Authors: GIBSON Lucien C. D. , JENSEN Poul Erik , HUNTER C. Neil
Published: August 2015

The enzyme magnesium-protoporphyrin IX chelatase (Mg chelatase) catalyses the insertion of Mg into protoporphyrin IX, the first committed step in (bacterio)chlorophyll biosynthesis. In the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides, this reaction is catalysed by the products of the bchI, bchDand bchH genes. These genes have been expressed in Escherichia coli so that the BchI, BchD and BchH proteins are produced with N-terminal His6 affinity tags, which has led to the production of large amounts of highly purified, highly active Mg chelatase subunits from a single chromatography step. Furthermore, BchD has been purifed free of contamination with the chaperone GroEL, which had proven to be a problem in the past. BchD, present largely as an insoluble protein in E. coli, was purified in 6 M urea and refolded by addition of BchI, MgCl2 and ATP, yielding highly active protein. BchI/BchD mixtures prepared in this way were used in conjunction with BchH to determine the kinetic parameters of R. sphaeroides Mg chelatase for its natural substrates. We have been able to demonstrate for the first time that BchI and BchD form a complex, and that Mg2+ and ATP are required to establish and maintain this complex. Gel filtration data suggest that BchI and BchD form a complex of molecular mass 200 kDa in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP. Our data suggest that, in vivo, BchD is only folded correctly and maintained in its correct conformation in the presence of BchI, Mg2+ and ATP.
Crystal structure of the catalytic core domain of the family 6 cellobiohydrolase II, Cel6A, from Humicola insolens, at 1.92 Å resolution
Authors: VARROT Annabelle , HASTRUP Sven , SCHÜLEIN Martin , DAVIES Gideon J.
Published: August 2015

The three-dimensional structure of the catalytic core of the family 6 cellobiohydrolase II, Cel6A (CBH II), from Humicola insolens has been determined by X-ray crystallography at a resolution of 1.92 Å. The structure was solved by molecular replacement using the homologous Trichoderma reesei CBH II as a search model. The H. insolens enzyme displays a high degree of structural similarity with its T. reeseiequivalent. The structure features both O- (α-linked mannose) and N-linked glycosylation and a hexa-co-ordinate Mg2+ ion. The active-site residues are located within the enclosed tunnel that is typical for cellobiohydrolase enzymes and which may permit a processive hydrolysis of the cellulose substrate. The close structural similarity between the two enzymes implies that kinetics and chain-end specificity experiments performed on the H. insolens enzyme are likely to be applicable to the homologous T. reesei enzyme. These cast doubt on the description of cellobiohydrolases as exo-enzymes since they demonstrated that Cel6A (CBH II) shows no requirement for non-reducing chain-ends, as had been presumed. There is no crystallographic evidence in the present structure to support a mechanism involving loop opening, yet preliminary modelling experiments suggest that the active-site tunnel of Cel6A (CBH II) is too narrow to permit entry of a fluorescenyl-derivatized substrate, known to be a viable substrate for this enzyme.

Co-ordinates for the structure described in this paper have been deposited with the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank with accession code 1BVW.PDB.
Isolation of pig mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase gene promoter: characterization of a peroxisome proliferator-responsive element
Authors: ORTIZ José A. , MALLOLAS Judith , NICOT Carine , BOFARULL Josep , RODRÍGUEZ Joan C. , HEGARDT Fausto G. , HARO Diego , MARRERO Pedro F.
Published: August 2015

Low expression of the mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase gene during development correlates with an unusually low hepatic ketogenic capacity and lack of hyperketonaemia in piglets. Here we report the isolation and characterization of the 5´ end of the pig mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase gene. The 581 bp region proximal to the transcription start site permits transcription of a reporter gene, confirming the function of the promoter. The pig mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase promoter is trans-activated by the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), and a functional response element for PPAR (PPRE) has been localized in the promoter region. Pig PPRE is constituted by an imperfect direct repeat (DR-1) and a downstream sequence, both of which are needed to confer PPAR-sensitivity to a thymidine kinase promoter and to form complexes with PPAR·retinoid X receptor heterodimers. A role of PPAR trans-activation in starvation-associated induction of gene expression is suggested.