bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the gene celD and its encoded product 1,4-β-d-glucan glucohydrolase D from Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa
Authors: Rixon J E , Ferreira L M A , Durrant A J , Laurie J I , Hazlewood G P , Gilbert H J
Published: August 2015

A genomic library of Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa DNA constructed in pUC18 and expressed in Escherichia coli was screened for recombinants expressing 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-glucoside hydrolysing activity (MUGase). A single MUGase-positive clone was isolated. The MUGase hydrolysed cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, cellopentaose and cellohexaose to glucose, by sequentially cleaving glucose residues from the non-reducing end of the cello-oligosaccharides. The Km values for cellobiose and cellohexaose hydrolysis were 1.2 mM and 28 microM respectively. The enzyme exhibited no activity against soluble or insoluble cellulose, xylan and xylobiose. Thus the MUGase is classified as a 1,4-beta-D-glucan glucohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.74) and is designated 1,4-beta-D-glucan glucohydrolase D (CELD). When expressed by E. coli, CELD was located in the cell-envelope fraction; a significant proportion of the native enzyme was also associated with the cell envelope when synthesized by its endogenous host. The nucleotide sequence of the gene, celD, which encodes CELD, revealed an open reading frame of 2607 bp, encoding a protein of M(r) 92,000. The deduced primary structure of CELD was confirmed by the M(r) of CELD (85,000) expressed by E. coli and P. fluorescens subsp. cellulosa, and by the experimentally determined N-terminus of the enzyme purified from E. coli, which showed identity with residues 52-67 of the celD translated sequence. The structure of the N-terminal region of full-length CELD was similar to the signal peptides of P. fluorescens subsp. cellulosa plant-cell-wall hydrolases. Deletion of the N-terminal 47 residues of CELD solubilized MUGase activity in E. coli. CELD exhibited sequence similarity with beta-glucosidase B of Clostridium thermocellum, particularly in the vicinity of the active-site aspartate residue, but did not display structural similarity with the mature forms of cellulases and xylanases expressed by P. fluorescens subsp. cellulosa.
Ca2+-induced insulin secretion from electrically permeabilized islets. Loss of the Ca2+-induced secretory response is accompanied by loss of Ca2+-induced protein phosphorylation
Authors: Jones P M , Persaud S J , Howell S L
Published: August 2015

Increasing the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration of electrically permeabilized rat islets of Langerhans caused rapid increases in insulin secretion and in 32P incorporation into islet proteins. However, the secretory responsiveness of permeabilized islets was relatively transient, with insulin secretion approaching basal levels within 20-30 min despite the continued presence of stimulatory concentrations of Ca2+. The loss of Ca2(+)-induced insulin secretion was accompanied by a marked reduction in Ca2(+)-dependent protein phosphorylation, but not in cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation. Similarly, permeabilized islets which were no longer responsive to Ca2+ were able to mount appropriate secretory responses to cyclic AMP and to a protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester. These results suggest that prolonged exposure to elevated cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations results in a specific desensitization of the secretory mechanism to Ca2+, perhaps as a result of a decrease in Ca2(+)-dependent kinase activity. Furthermore, these studies suggest that secretory responses of B-cells to cyclic AMP and activators of protein kinase C are not dependent upon the responsiveness of the cells to changes in cytosolic Ca2+.
Isolation of a novel protein from the outer layer of the vitelline membrane
Authors: Kido S , Morimoto A , Kim F , Doi Y
Published: August 2015

The outer layer of the vitelline membrane from hen egg yolk consists of ovomucin, vitelline membrane outer layer protein I (VMOI) and lysozyme. Here we report the occurrence of a further basic protein (pI 11.5) in the outer layer, which was designated as vitelline membrane outer layer protein II (VMOII). It was dissociated from the outer layer in a 10% (w/v) NaCl solution and purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography. VMOII is a simple protein with a molecular mass of 6000 Da, as determined by sedimentation equilibrium analysis. The amino acid composition of VMOII was characterized by the absence of Met and high contents of cystine (half) (14%) and basic amino acids (6% Arg, 6% Lys and 3% His). Analysis of carboxymethylated VMOII indicated that all cysteine residues were involved in disulphide bonding, which appears to facilitate the binding of SDS to the protein. Sequence comparison of the N-terminal 20 residues revealed no identity with other known proteins. VMOII contained a small amount of alpha-helix and was quite resistant to heat denaturation.
Lipoprotein (a) promotes plasmin inhibition by α2-antiplasmin
Authors: Edelberg J M , Pizzo S V
Published: August 2015

Plasmin inhibition by alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2AP) is regulated by the vascular components fibrin(ogen) fragments, plasminogen and lipoprotein (a). Kinetic analysis demonstrates that CNBr-derived fibrinogen fragments completely protect plasmin from alpha 2AP. Plasminogen and 6-aminohexanoic acid decrease the rate of inhibition by 5- and 10-fold respectively. These studies show that CNBr-derived fibrinogen fragments and 6-aminohexanoic acid bind plasmin kringle(s) with binding constants of 2 micrograms/ml and 120 microM respectively, and that plasminogen binds to alpha 2AP with an affinity of 0.5 nM. The unmodulated inhibition is not effected by the presence of lipoprotein (a), but in the presence of protective CNBr-derived fibrinogen fragments the rate of inhibition is increased by the presence of the lipoprotein. The kinetics demonstrate that lipoprotein (a) binds to CNBr-derived fibrinogen fragments with an affinity of 4 nM, displacing plasmin from the protective surface. In addition, tissue-type plasminogen activator and trypsin inhibition by alpha 2AP is not slowed by the presence of CNBr-derived fibrinogen fragments or plasminogen (Pg), respectively. These kinetics suggest that the initial reversible interaction between plasmin and alpha 2AP is mediated by binding of the inhibitor to the kringle 1 domain of plasmin, with a reversible inhibition constant (Ki) of 5.0 x 10(-10) M. Under conditions where this kringle-inhibitor interaction is blocked, the reversible inhibition still occurs between the plasmin and alpha 2AP, but the initial Ki is increased to 5.0 x 10(-9) M. These data suggest that, in the circulation, plasmin inhibition by alpha 2AP may be down-regulated by fibrin, fibrin(ogen) fragments and Pg, but up-regulated by lipoprotein (a) in the presence of fibrin or fibrin(ogen) fragments. The lipoprotein (a)-mediated promotion of plasmin inhibition may provide an additional mechanism by which the lipoprotein impairs fibrinolysis and promotes atherosclerosis.
Human platelets express the SERCA2-b isoform of Ca2+-transport ATPase
Authors: Enouf J , Bredoux R , Papp B , Djaffar I , Lompré A M , Kieffer N , Gayet O , Clemetson K , Wuytack F , Rosa J P
Published: August 2015

Previous biochemical studies suggested that the human platelet Ca2+ATPase system may be cell-specific. To test this hypothesis, we first undertook the molecular cloning of Ca2+ATPase from human erythroleukaemia (HEL) cells, because this human cell line exhibits megakaryocytic features and expresses a Ca2+ATPase that cross-reacts with platelet Ca(2+)-ATPase. For this cloning, an HEL-cell cDNA library was screened with a rat cardiac Ca2+ATPase cDNA probe. The insert of the longest clone isolated was 3.9 kb and its sequence displayed a 100% identity with that of the non-muscle human Ca2+ATPase 2-b isoform, termed SERCA2-b (sarco-endoplasmic-reticulum Ca2+ATPase). The 3.9 kb cDNA covered a subtotal coding region and part of the 3′ non-coding end of the SERCA2-b mRNA. It cross-hybridized with the 4 kb transcript species of cardiac SERCA2-a and with non-muscle SERCA2-b mRNAs, but not with fast-skeletal-muscle SERCA1 mRNA. We next confirmed that SERCA2-b was a component of the platelet Ca2+ATPase system because (1) the platelet clones isolated from a platelet cDNA library exhibited a 100% homology with HEL-cell cDNA; (2) SERCA2-b mRNA was amplified by PCR on total platelet RNA and (3) platelet Ca2+ATPase cross-reacted with a polyclonal SERCA2-b-specific antiserum. Platelets therefore contain a Ca2+ATPase definitely identified as the SERCA2-b isoform of Ca2+ATPase, thus eliminating the possibility that they only contain a single specific Ca2+ATPase.
Effects of organic anions on biliary lipid secretion in rats. Importance of association with biliary lipid structures
Authors: Yamashita G , Tazuma S , Kajiyama G
Published: August 2015

This study was performed to determine the effects of various organic anions on biliary lipid secretion in rats. We infused bile-salt-pool-depleted rats with sodium taurocholate at a constant rate, with or without various organic anions: Indocyanine Green (ICG), bromosulphophthalein (BSP), BSP-glutathione and Phenol Red (PR). BSP decreased biliary secretion of cholesterol and phospholipids in a dose-dependent manner without affecting bile salt secretion (uncoupling), and this change was fully reversible. In contrast, ICG, BSP-glutathione and PR did not cause such an uncoupling of biliary lipids. In addition, the distribution pattern of each organic anion to various lipid particles was determined by gel-permeation chromatography. BSP was predominantly associated with bile salt micelles, whereas vesicular association was dominant for ICG, and both BSP-glutathione and PR formed only self-aggregations. From these data, we concluded that the uncoupling of biliary lipids from bile salt secretion by BSP resulted from the interaction between BSP and bile salt micelles in the bile canaliculus, and that this interaction inhibited the capacity of bile salts to induce the secretion of phospholipids and cholesterol.
Site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification of cysteine residues of rat glutathione S-transferase 3–3
Authors: Chen W L , Hsieh J C , Hong J L , Tsai S P , Tam M F
Published: August 2015

Rat liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) 3-3 is composed of two identical subunits, each containing three cysteine residues, Cys-86, Cys-114 and Cys-173. We have shown previously that Cys-86 is not involved in the enzymic activity of GST 3-3 [Hsieh, Huang, Chen, Lai & Tam (1991) Biochem, J. 278, 293-297]. At 50 degrees C, iodoacetamide can inactivate the enzyme by modifying Cys-86 and Cys-114. Cys-114 can be protected against iodoacetamide inhibition by S-(dinitrophenyl)glutathione. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to construct mutants in which serine replaced one (C114S and C173S) or all three (CallS) cysteine residues. These mutants were over-expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells in a baculovirus system and were found to be fully active. Replacing Cys-86 or Cys-114 with alanine (C86A and C114A) does not diminish the activity of the protein. The results suggest that cysteines are not involved in the enzymic mechanism, and Cys-114 is possibly located at the active site of GST 3-3.
E.p.r. and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopic characterization of bacterioferritin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Cheesman M R , Kadir F H A , al-Basseet J , al-Massad F , Farrar J , Greenwood C , Thomson A J , Moore G R
Published: August 2015

The e.p.r. and magnetic circular dichroism (m.c.d.) spectra of bacterioferritin (BFR) extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Azotobacter vinelandii have been studied over a wide temperature range down to liquid-helium temperature. The e.p.r. spectra show the presence of low-spin Fe3+ haem with g values of 2.86, 2.32, 1.48 (P. aeruginosa) and 2.88, 2.31, 1.46 (A. vinelandii), in both the presence and absence of the BFR core. Together with evidence from the porphyrin-to-Fe3+ charge-transfer band at 2240 and 2270 nm the axial haem ligands are identified as two methionines. The low-temperature m.c.d. spectra in the region 300-1000 nm of P. aeruginosa and A. vinelandii BFR are identical with one another and unaffected by removal of the iron core. Hence it can be concluded that the presence of the iron core has no detectable effect on the electronic states and on the stereochemistry of the haem group. This was unexpected, in view of the observations by Watt, Frankel, Papaefthymiou, Spartalian & Stiefel [(1986) Biochemistry 25, 4330-4336] that the redox potential of the haem group in A. vinelandii BFR shifts from -475 mV to -225 mV on removal of the core. The e.p.r. spectra of holoBFR show a broad symmetrical derivative-shaped band centred at g = 2.0 which decreases in bandwidth as the temperature is raised. This signal is assigned to the uncompensated electron spins of the iron core.
Mechanisms regulating cardiac fuel selection in hyperthyroidism
Authors: Sugden M C , Holness M J , Liu Y L , Smith D M , Fryer L G , Kruszynska Y T
Published: August 2015

Starvation (48 h) decreases fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2) concentrations and the ratio of free to acylated carnitine in hearts of euthyroid rats. These decreases, which are indicative of increased lipid fuel oxidation, are accompanied by decreased rates of glucose uptake and phosphorylation, assessed by using radioactive 2-deoxyglucose. Cardiac concentrations of acylated carnitines were increased at the expense of free carnitine even in the fed state in response to experimental hyperthyroidism, but neither Fru-2,6-P2 concentrations nor rates of glucose utilization were suppressed. Starvation (48 h) did not further increase the proportion of acylated carnitine in the heart in hyperthyroidism, and suppression of Fru-2,6-P2 concentrations and glucose utilization rates by starvation was attenuated. Although glucose utilization rates were decreased, starvation did not decrease immunoreactive GLUT 4 protein concentrations. Furthermore, although hyperthyroidism was associated with a statistically significant (30-40%) increase in relative abundance of GLUT 4 mRNA, the amount of GLUT 4 protein was not increased by hyperthyroidism in either the fed or the starved state. The results demonstrate a significant effect of hyperthyroidism to enhance cardiac glucose utilization in starvation by a mechanism which does not involve changes in GLUT 4 expression but may be secondary to changes in glucose-lipid interactions at the tissue level.
Isolation and characterization of grancalcin, a novel 28 kDa EF-hand calcium-binding protein from human neutrophils
Authors: Teahan C G , Totty N F , Segal A W
Published: August 2015

A novel 28 kDa protein, which we have named ‘grancalcin’, has been identified in human neutrophils. The protein was isolated from the cytosol and found to be a homodimer, with an apparent molecular mass of 55 kDa on gel filtration. Polyclonal antibodies were raised to the native protein. N-Terminal sequence analysis and tryptic-peptide sequence analysis was performed. The protein exhibits sequence similarity to sorcin, a 24 kDa calcium-binding protein over-expressed in certain multi-drug-resistant cell lines. It appears to be a member of the EF-hand family of calcium-binding proteins. The association of a high proportion of this protein with the membranes and granules in the presence of physiological concentrations of calcium may indicate a role in granule-membrane fusion and degranulation.
Functional difference between SERCA2a and SERCA2b Ca2+ pumps and their modulation by phospholamban
Authors: Verboomen H , Wuytack F , De Smedt H , Himpens B , Casteels R
Published: August 2015

COS 1 cells were transfected with full-length pig stomach sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump (SERCA)2a or SERCA2b cDNA. Ca2+ uptake by microsomes from transfected cells revealed that the Ca2+ affinity of the SERCA2b Ca2+ pump (K0.5 0.17 +/- 0.01 microM) was higher than that of the SERCA2a Ca2+ pump (K0.5 0.31 +/- 0.02 microM). Thapsigargin-sensitivity was found to be identical for the two isoforms. The Ca2+ affinity of both the SERCA2a and SERCA2b Ca2+ pumps was decreased by a factor of two when they were co-expressed with phospholamban.
Dual effect of spermine on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport
Authors: Lenzen S , Münster W , Rustenbeck I
Published: August 2015

1. A dual effect of the polyamine spermine on Ca2+ uptake by isolated rat liver, brain and heart mitochondria could be demonstrated by using a high-resolution system for studying mitochondrial Ca2+ transport. Depending on the experimental situation, spermine had an inhibiting or accelerating effects on mitochondrial Ca(2+)-uptake rate, but invariably increased the mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation. 2. Both effects were concentration-dependent and clearly discernible on the basis of their different kinetic characteristics. For mitochondria from all three tissues the half-maximally effective concentration for inhibition of the initial rate of Ca2+ uptake was approx. 180 microM, whereas that for the subsequent stimulation of Ca2+ accumulation was approx. 50 microM. 3. Acceleration of the initial uptake rate could be seen when the mitochondria were preloaded with spermine during a 2 min preincubation period and thereafter incubated in a medium without spermine. 4. When such spermine-preloaded mitochondria were incubated in a spermine-containing medium, the increase in Ca(2+)-accumulation capacity was maintained in spite of an unchanged rate of Ca2+ uptake. 5. Mg2+ interacted with the effects of spermine in a differential manner, enhancing the initial inhibition of the rate of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and diminishing the subsequent stimulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation. 6. This dual effect of spermine on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport resolves the apparent paradox that a polycationic compound can act as a stimulator of Ca2+ uptake.
Sequence requirements for processing of proinsulin in transfected mouse pituitary AtT20 cells
Authors: Taylor N A , Docherty K
Published: August 2015

To investigate the sequence requirements for proteolytic processing of prohormones at pairs of basic amino acids, normal and mutant proinsulins were expressed in the mouse pituitary corticotrophic cell line AtT20. The extent of processing was determined by h.p.l.c. analysis of insulin-like immunoreactivity secreted into the media of transfected cells. In this model system, normal proinsulin was efficiently processed to insulin. The mutant des-38-62-proinsulin, in which all but six amino acids of the C-peptide were deleted, was also processed to insulin but less efficiently than the wild-type. The mutant Lys64-Arg65 to Thr64-Arg65 was partially processed to insulin, while the mutant Arg31-Arg32 to Arg31-Gly32 was not processed at either site. These results indicate: (i) that a six-amino-acid spacer between the two pairs of basic amino acids in proinsulin is sufficient to permit processing at both sites; (ii) that the endoproteinase responsible for cleavage at the Lys64-Arg65 site will also recognize Thr64-Arg65; (iii) that the endoproteinase responsible for cleavage at the Arg31-Arg32 site will not recognize Arg31-Gly32; and (iv) that the change Arg31-Arg32 to Arg31-Gly32 affects processing at the Lys64-Arg65 site.
Ethanol increases receptor-dependent cyclic AMP production in cultured hepatocytes by decreasing Gi-mediated inhibition
Authors: Nagy L E , DeSilva S E F
Published: August 2015

Increasing evidence suggests that ethanol-induced changes in cyclic AMP (cAMP) signal transduction play a critical role in the acute and chronic effects of ethanol. Here we have investigated the effects of ethanol on cAMP signal transduction in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Acute exposure to ethanol had a biphasic effect on glucagon-receptor-dependent cAMP production in intact cells: 25-50 mM-ethanol decreased cAMP, whereas treatment with 100-200 mM-ethanol increased cAMP. After chronic exposure to 50-200 mM-ethanol for 48 h in culture, glucagon-receptor-dependent cAMP levels were increased, but no change in glucagon receptor number was observed. These effects of ethanol were independent of ethanol oxidation. Chronic ethanol treatment also increased adenosine-receptor- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production. Increased cAMP production was also observed upon stimulation of adenylate cyclase with glucagon, forskolin and F- in membranes isolated from cells cultured with 100 mM-ethanol for 48 h. However, no differences were observed in basal and MnCl2-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The quantity of alpha i protein was decreased by 35% after chronic ethanol treatment, but no change in the quantity of alpha s protein was detected. Decreased alpha i protein was associated with a decrease in G(i) function, as assessed by the ability of 0.1 nM-guanosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate and 1 microM-somatostatin to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that chronic exposure to ethanol increases receptor-dependent cAMP production in hepatocytes by decreasing the quantity of alpha i protein at the plasma membrane and thereby decreasing the inhibitory effects of G(i) on adenylate cyclase activity.
Sphingomyelin content of intestinal cell membranes regulates cholesterol absorption. Evidence for pancreatic and intestinal cell sphingomyelinase activity
Authors: Chen H , Born E , Mathur S N , Johlin F C , Field F J
Published: August 2015

Micellar cholesterol uptake and secretion were investigated in the human intestinal cell line CaCo-2 following depletion of apical membrane sphingomyelin. The addition of exogenous sphingomyelinase, which hydrolysed 60% of prelabelled sphingomyelin, resulted in a 50% decrease in the uptake of cholesterol from bile salt micelles. The flux of membrane cholesterol into the cell by the hydrolysis of membrane sphingomyelin decreased the rate of cholesterol synthesis by 43% and inhibited hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity by 54%. Moreover, the rate of cholesterol esterification was increased 4-fold. Total cellular cholesterol mass was unchanged by the addition of sphingomyelinase; however, cholesteryl esters increased by 50% and the amount of unesterified cholesterol decreased significantly. The basolateral secretion of cholesterol mass was also decreased following sphingomyelin hydrolysis. Human pancreatic juice was found to contain neutral sphingomyelinase activity which required taurocholate for full expression. The presence of neutral sphingomyelinase activity was also documented in membranes prepared from CaCo-2 cells and in whole homogenates from human duodenal biopsies. The data suggest that the amount of sphingomyelin present in the apical membrane of the intestinal absorptive cell regulates cholesterol uptake from bile salt micelles. Sphingomyelinase activity within intestinal cells and in pancreatic juice could alter the sphingomyelin content of brush-border membranes of small intestinal absorptive cells and thus regulate the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the gut.
Biosynthesis of heparin. The d-glucuronosyl- and N-acetyl-d-glucosaminyltransferase reactions and their relation to polymer modification
Authors: Lidholt K , Lindahl U
Published: August 2015

Oligosaccharides with the general structure [GlcA-GlcNAc]n-GlcA-aMan (aMan is 2,5-anhydro-D-mannose), derived from the Escherichia coli K5 capsular polysaccharide, were found to serve as monosaccharide acceptors for a GlcNAc-transferase, solubilized from a mouse mastocytoma microsomal fraction and implicated in heparin biosynthesis. Digestion of these oligosaccharides with beta-D-glucuronidase yielded acceptors for the GlcA-transferase that acts in concert with the GlcNAc-transferase. Assays based on the oligosaccharide acceptors showed broad pH optima for the two enzymes, centred around pH 6.5 for the GlcNAc-transferase and around pH 7.0 for the GlcA-transferase. The GlcNAc-transferase showed an absolute requirement for Mn2+, whereas the GlcA-transferase was stimulated by Ca2+ and Mg2+ but not by Mn2+. The GlcNAc acceptor ability of the [GlcA-GlcNAc]n-GlcA-aMan oligosaccharides increased with increasing chain length, as reflected by the apparent Km, which was 60 microM for a hexasaccharide but 6 microM for a hexadecasaccharide. By contrast, the Km for [GlcNAc-GlcA]n-aMan oligosaccharides in the GlcA-transferase reaction was higher, approximately 0.5 mM, and unaffected by acceptor size. After chemical modification of the oligosaccharides to obtain mixed N-substituents (N-unsubstituted, N-acetylated or N-sulphated GlcN residues), GlcNAc transfer was found to be virtually independent of the N-substituent pattern of the acceptor sequence. The GlcA-transferase, on the other hand, showed marked preference for an acceptor with a non-reducing-terminal GlcNAc-GlcA-GlcNSO3- sequence, which would thus have a lower Km for the enzyme than the corresponding fully N-acetylated structure. These results, along with our previous finding that chain elongation in a mastocytoma microsomal system is strongly promoted by concomitant N-sulphation of the nascent chain [Lidholt, Kjellén & Lindahl (1989) Biochem. J. 261, 999-1007], raise the possibility that the glycosyltransferases and the N-deacetylase/N-sulphotransferase act in concert during chain elongation, assembled into an enzyme complex.
Intracellular pH and the stimulus-secretion coupling in insulin-producing RINm5F cells
Authors: Juntti-Berggren L , Rorsman P , Siffert W , Berggren P O
Published: August 2015

The regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) and its role in the insulin-secretory process were evaluated, by using the clonal insulin-secreting cell line RINm5F. Glyceraldehyde, lactate and dihydroxyacetone decreased pHi, but only the first two released insulin. In the presence of extracellular Na+ the cells counteracted the acidification. Blocking the Na+/H+ exchange in acidic cells resulted in a drastic further lowering of pHi, an effect not obtained under basal conditions. Whereas glyceraldehyde depolarized the cells, lactate was without effect. Dihydroxyacetone hyperpolarized the cells in the presence of extracellular Na+, but this effect disappeared when Na+ was excluded from the medium. Stimulation with glyceraldehyde resulted in increased free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Dihydroxyacetone and lactate had no effect on [Ca2+]i in the presence of Na+, but lactate induced a decrease in [Ca2+]i in Na(+)-deficient medium. In RINm5F cells the activity of the Na+/H+ antiport could not be augmented by activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Hence, in insulin-secreting cells a PKC-insensitive Na+/H+ antiport is the major mechanism restoring a decrease in pHi. Acidification itself does not affect membrane potential, but may directly interact with the mechanisms regulating exocytosis.
Different triggers for calcium oscillations in mouse eggs involve a ryanodine-sensitive calcium store
Authors: Swann K
Published: August 2015

Relative intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were monitored in mature unfertilized mouse eggs by measuring fluorescence of intracellular fluo3. A number of different agents were found to cause sustained repetitive transient [Ca2+]i oscillations. These were microinjection of a cytosolic sperm factor, sustained injection of Ins-(1,4,5)P1, or extracellular addition of the thiol reagent thimerosal. Stimulating G-protein activity by injection of guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate plus application of carbachol also caused [Ca2+]i oscillations, but less reliably than other stimuli. A role for Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release and a ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channel in mouse eggs was suggested by the finding that microinjection, or external addition, of ryanodine also caused [Ca2+]i increases. Furthermore, ryanodine, along with thimerosal, increased the sensitivity of eggs to Ca(2+)-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations. When ryanodine was added to eggs oscillating in response to the sperm factor, InsP3 or thimerosal, it caused a decrease in amplitude of oscillations and eventually a block of [Ca2+]i oscillations associated with a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. These data suggest that a ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+)-release mechanism exists in mouse eggs and that a ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ store plays a role in generating intracellular [Ca2+]i oscillations.
Immunological detection of phenylalanine hydroxylase protein in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Silva F J , Bel Y , Botella L M , Cotton R G H , Ferré J
Published: August 2015

A monoclonal antibody raised against monkey liver phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) has been used to detect this protein in Drosophila melanogaster. A cross-reacting material (CRM) band of apparent molecular mass 50-52 kDa, equivalent to that deduced for the Drosophila melanogaster PAH protein based on the pah gene cDNA sequence, has been detected. This CRM was analysed throughout development and showed an equivalent pattern to that reported for PAH activity in this insect, with maxima at pupariation and at pharate adult formation. Distribution of this CRM in larval tissues, the haemolymph and the adult body is mainly restricted to the larval fat body and the adult head. Demonstration of this CRM as the PAH protein comes from the correlation between the decreased PAH enzyme activities of two mutant strains and their decreased amounts of CRM by Western blotting.
Isolation of cDNA clones for a 50 kDa glycoprotein of the human erythrocyte membrane associated with Rh (rhesus) blood-group antigen expression
Authors: Ridgwell K , Spurr N K , Laguda B , MacGeoch C , Avent N D , Tanner M J A
Published: August 2015

The Rh blood-group antigens are associated with human erythrocyte membrane proteins of approx. 30 kDa (the Rh30 polypeptides). Heterogeneously glycosylated membrane proteins of 50 and 45 kDa (the Rh50 glycoproteins) are coprecipitated with the Rh30 polypeptides on immunoprecipitation with anti-Rh-specific mono- and poly-clonal antibodies. We have isolated cDNA clones representing a member of the Rh50 glycoprotein family (the Rh50A glycoprotein). We used PCR with degenerate primers based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the Rh50 glycoproteins and human genomic DNA as a template and cloned and sequenced three types of PCR product of the expected size. Two of these products, Rh50A and Rh50B, gave the same translated amino acid sequence which corresponded to the expected Rh50 glycoprotein sequence but had only 75% DNA sequence similarity. The third product (Rh50C) contained a single base deletion, and the translated amino acid sequence contained an in-frame stop codon. We have isolated cDNA clones containing the full coding sequence of the Rh50A glycoprotein. This sequence predicts that it is a 409-amino acid N-glycosylated membrane protein with up to 12 transmembrane domains. The Rh50A glycoprotein shows clear similarity to the Rh30A protein in both amino acid sequence and predicted topology. Our results are consistent with the Rh30 and Rh50 groups of proteins being different subunits of an oligomeric complex which is likely to have a transport or channel function in the erythrocyte membrane. We mapped the Rh50A gene to human chromosome 6p21-qter, showing that genetic differences in the Rh30 rather than the Rh50 genes specify the major polymorphic forms of the Rh antigens.
Characterization of retroendocytosis in rat liver parenchymal cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells
Authors: Magnusson S , Faerevik I , Berg T
Published: August 2015

After receptor-mediated endocytosis, internalized ligands may be recycled to the cell surface instead of being routed to lysosomes for degradation, a process termed retroendocytosis. We have investigated the kinetics and extent of retroendocytosis of neoglycoproteins after internalization via two carbohydrate-specific receptors in rat liver cells: galactose receptors in parenchymal cells (PC) and mannose receptors in sinusoidal endothelial cells (EC). Retroendocytosis in both cell types occurred with first-order kinetics, and the rate of recycling of internalized ligands was about 4 times higher in EC than in PC. As the length of the internalization pulse was increased, the extent of subsequent retroendocytosis decreased, indicating that retroendocytosis takes place from a relatively early stage in the endocytic pathway. Furthermore, as the degree of carbohydrate substitution of the neoglycoprotein ligands increased, the affinities of the receptors for the ligands and the extent of ligand retroendocytosis increased. In the EC, the relationship between degree of substitution and extent of retroendocytosis was not immediately apparent, as some of the neoglycoprotein ligands used may also bind to and be internalized by scavenger receptors on the EC, causing a decreased apparent retroendocytosis. However, when this interaction was inhibited, this relationship was restored. We conclude that retroendocytosis mainly occurs because of incomplete dissociation of ligands from receptors before receptor recycling to the cell surface and that the affinities of a receptor for its ligand at the cell surface and in the endosomal environment are major factors in determining the extent of retroendocytosis.
Role of the scavenger receptor in the uptake of methylamine-activated α2-macroglobulin by rat liver
Authors: van Dijk M C M , Boers W , Linthorst C , van Berkel T J C
Published: August 2015

Alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2M) requires activation by small nucleophiles (e.g. methylamine; giving alpha 2M-Me) or proteolytic enzymes (e.g. trypsin; giving alpha 2M-Tr) in order to be rapidly removed from the circulation by the liver. Separation of rat liver cells into parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells at 10 min after injection indicates that liver uptake of alpha 2M-Me is shared between parenchymal and endothelial cells, with relative contributions of 51.3% and 48.3% respectively of total liver-associated radioactivity. In contrast, alpha 2M-Tr is almost exclusively taken up by the parenchymal cells (90.1% of liver-associated radioactivity). A preinjection of 5 mg of poly(inosinic acid) decreased liver uptake of alpha 2M-Me to 39.9% of the control value, while it had no effect on liver uptake of alpha 2M-Tr. It appears that poly(inosinic acid) specifically reduces the uptake of alpha 2M-Me in vivo by endothelial cells, leaving uptake by parenchymal cells unaffected. In vitro studies with isolated liver cells indicate that the association of alpha 2M-Me with endothelial cells is 21-fold higher per mg of cell protein than with parenchymal cells. The capacity of endothelial cells to degrade alpha 2M-Me appears to be 46 times higher than that of parenchymal cells. Competition studies show that poly(inosinic acid) or acetylated low-density lipoprotein effectively competes with the association of alpha 2M-Me with endothelial and Kupffer cells, but association with parenchymal cells is unaffected. It is suggested that activation of alpha 2M by methylamine induces a charge distribution on the protein which triggers specific uptake by the scavenger receptor on endothelial cells. It is concluded that the uptake of alpha 2M-Me by the scavenger receptor might function as an additional system for the uptake of activated alpha 2M.
Kinetics of the monomer-dimer reaction of yeast hexokinase PI
Authors: Hoggett J G , Kellett G L
Published: August 2015

Kinetic studies of the glucose-dependent monomer-dimer reaction of yeast hexokinase PI at pH 8.0 in the presence of 0.1 M-KCl have been carried out using the fluorescence temperature-jump technique. A slow-relaxation effect was observed which was attributed from its dependence on enzyme concentration to the monomer-dimer reaction; the reciprocal relaxation times tau-1 varied from 3 s-1 at low concentrations of glucose to 42 s-1 at saturating concentrations. Rate constants for association (kass.) and dissociation (kdiss.) were determined as a function of glucose concentration using values of the equilibrium association constant of the monomer-dimer reaction derived from sedimentation ultracentrifugation studies under similar conditions, and also from the dependence of tau-2 on enzyme concentration. kass. was almost independent of glucose concentration and its value (2 x 10(5) M-1.s-1) was close to that expected for a diffusion-controlled process. The influence of glucose on the monomer-dimer reaction is entirely due to effects on kdiss., which increases from 0.21 s-1 in the absence of glucose to 25 s-1 at saturating concentrations. The monomer and dimer forms of hexokinase have different affinities and Km values for glucose, and the results reported here imply that there may be a significant lag in the response of the monomer-dimer reaction to changes in glucose concentrations in vivo with consequent hysteretic effects on the hexokinase activity.
Cellular distribution of nuclear factor κB binding activity in rat liver
Authors: Freedman A R , Sharma R J , Nabel G J , Emerson S G , Griffin G E
Published: August 2015

The cellular localization of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) binding activity in rat liver has been investigated using electrophoretic mobility shift assay on extracts of highly purified hepatocytes and Kupffer cells obtained from liver perfused in vivo with collagenase. Constitutive NF-kappa B binding activity was demonstrated in nuclear extracts of control Kupffer cells, and this was not apparently influenced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into rats 24 h before perfusion. In contrast, little nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity was present in hepatocytes from control animals, although there was detectable inactive, inhibitor-bound, NF-kappa B in the cytoplasm. However, nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity was increased in hepatocytes from LPS-treated animals and after in vitro culture of control rat hepatocytes. Thus NF-kappa B binding activity has been demonstrated in highly purified hepatocytes and appears to be inducible both in vivo and in vitro. These findings support a role for NF-kappa B in hepatocyte gene regulation which may be important in the modulation of the hepatic acute phase response.
Purification and characterization of a vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase from pig liver microsomes
Authors: Axén E , Bergman T , Wikvall K
Published: August 2015

A cytochrome P-450 which catalyses 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3 has been purified to apparent homogeneity from pig liver microsomes. The specific content of cytochrome P-450 was 12 nmol.mg of protein-1, and the preparation showed a single band with an apparent M(r) of 50,500 upon SDS/PAGE. A monoclonal antibody raised against the vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase reacted strongly with the purified 25-hydroxylating cytochrome P-450 from pig kidney microsomes [Bergman & Postlind (1990) Biochem. J. 270, 345-350]. The liver enzyme showed structural and functional properties very similar to those of the kidney enzyme. The two enzymes differed with respect to only one of the first 16 N-terminal amino acids. The vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase in pig liver microsomes exhibited a turnover and an apparent Km for 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3 which were of the same order of magnitude as those of a well-characterized male-specific 25-hydroxylating cytochrome P-450 in rat liver microsomes. The two enzymes differed structurally. The pig liver enzyme was, in contrast to the rat liver enzyme, not sex-specific, and did not catalyse 16 alpha-hydroxylation of testosterone. These properties of the 25-hydroxylase in rat liver microsomes have led to questions on the role of microsomal 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D3. It is concluded that studies on microsomal 25-hydroxylation with the rat may be misleading. The results of the present study show that the pig appears to be a representative species for evaluation of vitamin D3 hydroxylases in other mammals, including man.
Fluorescence of peptide N-terminal 2-oxoacyl and quinoxaline derivatives
Authors: He R , Tsou C L
Published: August 2015

A peptide reacts with glyoxalic acid resulting in transamination of the N-terminal residue to form a 2-oxoacyl group. This further reacts with o-phenylenediamine, leading to a quinoxaline derivative of the original N-terminal amino acid, which is cleavable in mild acid [Dixon & Fields (1972) Methods Enzymol. 25, 409-419]. The 2-oxoacyl peptides are weakly fluorescent with emission maxima around 410 nm and excitation maxima at about 320 nm, depending on the nature and length of the peptide. Formation of the quinoxaline derivative results in a marked increase of fluorescence, with emission maximum of 363 nm when excited at 303 nm. The fluorescence properties of these derivatives change with the nature and length of the peptides and are affected by the presence of organic solvents, NaCl and denaturants. It is suggested that such fluorescent derivatives could be used as probes for the study of the conformation of the N-terminal region of peptides and proteins.
Enhanced expression of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Relationship to adenylate cyclase inhibition
Authors: Anand-Srivastava M B
Published: August 2015

We have previously shown that the stimulatory effects of guanine nucleotides, N-ethylcarboxamide-adenosine and other agonists on adenylate cyclase activity were diminished in aorta and heart sarcolemma of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) [Anand-Srivastava (1988) Biochem. Pharmacol. 37, 3017-3022]. In the present studies, we have examined whether the decreased response of these agonists is due to the defective GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) which couple the receptors to adenylate cyclase, and have therefore measured the levels of G-proteins in aorta and heart from SHR and their respective Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls by using pertussis toxin (PT)- and cholera toxin (CT)-catalysed ADP-ribosylations and immunoblotting techniques using specific antibodies against G-proteins. The labelling with [32P]NAD+ and PT identified a 40/41 kDa protein in heart and aorta from WKY and SHR and was significantly increased in the hearts (approximately 100%) and aorta (approximately 30-40%), from SHR as compared with WKY. Immunoblotting revealed an increase in the levels of the G-protein alpha-subunits Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 in heart and Gi alpha-2 in aorta, whereas no change in Go alpha was observed in heart from SHR and WKY. On the other hand, no differences were observed in CT labelling or immunoblotting of stimulatory G-protein (Gs) in heart and aorta from WKY and SHR. In addition, CT stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity in heart sarcolemma from WKY and SHR to a similar extent. These results were correlated with adenylate cyclase inhibition and stimulation by various hormones. Angiotensin II (AII), atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and oxotremorine-mediated inhibition was found to be greater in SHR as compared with WKY, whereas the stimulatory effects of adrenaline, isoprenaline, dopamine and forskolin were diminished in SHR aorta as compared to WKY. These results indicate that regulatory protein G(i) is more expressed in SHR, which may be associated with the decreased responsiveness of stimulatory hormones and increased sensitivity of inhibitory hormones to stimulate/inhibit adenylate cyclase activity. It may thus be suggested that the enhanced G(i) activity may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the diminished vascular tone and impaired myocardial functions in hypertension.
Mechanisms of activation of Na+/H+ exchange in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells
Authors: Graham C S , Tashjian A H
Published: August 2015

Because of the importance of pH homeostasis in bone and the current uncertainty about the mechanisms by which intracellular pH (pHi) is regulated in this tissue, we have investigated the roles of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and protein kinase C on the activation of Na+/H+ exchange in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. [Ca2+]i and pHi were measured using Fura-2 and 2′7′-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) respectively. The basal pHi in HCO3(-)-free buffer was 7.36 +/- 0.04 units (mean +/- S.D.). Addition of ionomycin in Ca(2+)-containing buffer did not cause a rise in basal pHi; however, addition of the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) did cause a slowly developing rise in resting pHi of 0.14 +/- 0.02 unit over 4-5 min. Nigericin, a K+/H+ ionophore, caused an abrupt fall in pHi to 6.70 +/- 0.07 units. In nigericin-pretreated cells, PMA caused a rapid rise in pHi without changing the [Ca2+]i. In acidified cells, ionomycin increased [Ca2+]i and pHi in a parallel concentration-dependent (30-500 nM) manner. This action of ionomycin occurred in both the presence and the nominal absence of extracellular Ca2+. Ionomycin-induced alkalinization depended on extracellular Na+ and was inhibited in cells incubated with hexamethylene amiloride. When the incremental increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ionomycin was blocked by preincubation with bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-NNN‘N’-tetra-acetic acid (BAPTA)/AM, the effect on pHi was inhibited. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, blocked the action of PMA on pHi, but it had no effect on the ionomycin-induced increase in pHi. The action of ionomycin was not due to osmotic shock. We conclude that SaOS-2 cells have a protein kinase C-activatable Na+/H+ antiporter that is also stimulated, in acidified cells, in a concentration-dependent fashion by transients in [Ca2+]i which act via a non-protein kinase C pathway.
Glycation (non-enzymic glycosylation) inactivates glutathione reductase
Authors: Blakytny R , Harding J J
Published: August 2015

Non-enzymic binding of sugars to proteins (glycation) is a common biological phenomenon that is increased in diabetes. Most work has been directed towards structural proteins which may be present for many years and would continue to accumulate sugar residues. As glycation is a non-specific reaction, other proteins such as enzymes will also be susceptible to glycation and could well display altered activity. We investigated the effect of various sugars whose concentrations increase in diabetes in insulin-independent tissues on glutathione reductase, an enzyme that maintains the GSH level in cells. Glucose, glucose 6-phosphate and fructose all displayed a time-dependent inhibition of glutathione reductase activity, suggesting that these sugars glycate this enzyme. Aspirin gave some protection against the loss of activity induced by glucose.
Sustained activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade may be required for differentiation of PC12 cells. Comparison of the effects of nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor
Authors: Traverse S , Gomez N , Paterson H , Marshall C , Cohen P
Published: August 2015

Stimulation of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) increased mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) activity > 20-fold after 5 min to a level that was largely sustained for at least 90 min. MAPKK activity was stimulated to a similar level by epidermal growth factor (EGF), but peaked at 2 min, declining thereafter and returning to basal levels after 60-90 min. Activation of MAPKK by either growth factor occurred prior to the activation of MAP kinase, consistent with MAPKK being the physiological activator of MAP kinase. The results demonstrate that the transient activation of MAPKK by EGF and its sustained activation by NGF underlies the transient and sustained activation of MAP kinase induced by EGF and NGF respectively. NGF or EGF induced the same two forms of MAPKK that were resolved on a Mono Q column. The Peak-1 MAPKK was activated initially and partially converted into the more acidic peak-2 MAPKK after prolonged growth-factor stimulation. The Peak-2 MAPKK was 20-fold more sensitive to inactivation by the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A. Stimulation with NGF caused a striking translocation of MAP kinase from the cytosol to the nucleus after 30 min, but not nuclear translocation of MAP kinase occurred after stimulation with EGF. The results suggest that sustained activation of the MAP kinase cascade may be required for MAP kinase to enter the nucleus, where it may initiate the gene transcription events required for neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.