bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intrinsic as opposed to the apparent stoichiometry of the glycine-proton symport of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis
Authors: Eddy A A , Hopkins P
Published: August 2015

1. Various ways of computing the proton stoichiometry of glycine absorption were examined in relation to the problem of distinguishing the proton flow (i) through the symport from the basal proton flow (ii) outside it. By depolarizing the plasma membrane, i will tend to inhibit ii. 2. A series of 23 yeast (Saccharomyces carlsbergensis) preparations grown with proline or glutamate were used, some of which were starved in the presence of glucose. Consequently, after ATP depletion, the rate of glycine uptake from a 0.2 mM solution varied through the series from 3 to 14 nmol.min-1.mg-1. Basal proton uptake in the absence of glycine was fairly constant at 3-4 nmol.min-1.mg-1. 3. After addition of glycine, the number of extra equivalents of protons entering the yeast with each amino acid equivalent in 30 s was 0.5 at the lowest rate of glycine absorption and 1.8 equivalents at the fastest rate. However, total proton absorption in 30 s increased in direct proportion to the amount of glycine absorbed. The proportionality factor, indicative of the carrier stoichiometry, was 2.25 +/- 0.13 (23) S.E.M. The effective basal proton uptake was negligibly small. 4. Progress of proton and glycine absorption by each yeast preparation in the period up to 180 s fitted the mathematical model described in the preceding paper by Eddy, Hopkins & Johnson [(1988) Biochem. J. 251, 111-114]. The analysis led to two estimates of the constant ratio of the inflow of protons to the inflow of glycine that would apply when the basal proton flow vanished. These further estimates of the carrier stoichiometry were also near 2, being 2.07 +/- 0.24 (6) and 2.22 +/- 0.07 (17).
Purification and characterization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase from pig aortic smooth muscle
Authors: Yamaguchi K , Hirata M , Kuriyama H
Published: August 2015

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) 3-kinase, which phosphorylates InsP3 to form inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, was purified to apparent homogeneity by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and sequential chromatographic steps on DEAE-sepharose, calmodulin-Affi-Gel and DEAE-5PW h.p.l.c. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 24.4 nmol of inositol tetrakisphosphate formed/min per mg of protein, which represented a purification of approx. 195-fold with a 0.29% recovery, compared with the cytosol fraction of the muscle. SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed a single protein-staining band of Mr 93,000. Moreover, the major protein peak, of Mr 84,000, was detected by TSK gel G3000SW gel-permeation chromatography of the purified sample. As this value was approximately consistent with the Mr determined by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoretic analysis, the InsP3 3-kinase might be a monomeric enzyme. The purified enzyme had a Km for InsP3 of 0.4 microM, with an optimum pH range of 5.8-7.7. The enzyme was maximally activated by calmodulin, with a stoichiometry of 1:1.
Partial purification and some properties of rat brain inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase
Authors: Morris A J , Murray K J , England P J , Downes C P , Michell R H
Published: August 2015

An enzyme which catalyses the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] was purified approx. 180-fold from rat brain cytosol by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, chromatography through hydroxyapatite, anion-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography. Gel filtration on Sepharose 4B CL gives an Mr of 200 × 10(3) for the native enzyme. The inositol tetrakisphosphate (InsP4) produced by the enzyme has the chromatographic, chemical and metabolic properties of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase displays simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics for both its substrates, having Km values of 460 microM and 0.44 microM for ATP and Ins(1,4,5)P3 respectively. When many of the inositol phosphates known to occur in cells were tested, only Ins(1,4,5)P3 was a substrate for the enzyme; the 2,4,5-trisphosphate was not phosphorylated. Inositol 4,5-bisphosphate and glycerophosphoinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were phosphorylated much more slowly than Ins(1,4,5)P3. CTP, GTP and adenosine 5′-[gamma−thio]triphosphate were unable to substitute for ATP. When assayed under conditions of first-order kinetics, Ins(1,4,5)P3 kinase activity decreased by about 40% as the [Ca2+] was increased over the physiologically relevant range. This effect was insensitive to the presence of calmodulin and appeared to be the result of an increase in the Km of the enzyme for Ins(1,4,5)P3. Preincubation with ATP and the purified catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase did not affect the rate of phosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 when the enzyme was assayed at saturating concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or at concentrations close to its Km for this substrate.
67 k calcimedin (67 kDa) is distinct from p67 calelectrin and lymphocyte 68 kDa Ca2+-binding protein
Authors: Morse S S , Moore P B
Published: August 2015

The 67 k calcimedin is a Ca2+-binding protein present in both muscle cells and peritoneal macrophages. Many tissues, including lymphoid tissues, liver and lymphocytes, have been shown to contain Ca2+-binding proteins of similar molecular size, such as the p67(67 kDa) calelectrin or the 68 kDa lymphocyte protein. We have tested affinity-purified antibodies raised to the smooth-muscle 67 k calcimedin in these several tissues and here report that the 67 k calcimedin is not detectable in liver, thymus, spleen or thymic lymphocytes. These findings support recent biochemical evidence, discussed here, suggesting that the 67 k calcimedin is a protein different from calelectrin and the 68 kDa lymphocyte protein. The more limited tissue distribution of the 67 k calcimedin, which includes muscle and macrophages, suggests that the 67 k calcimedin may function in Ca2+-mediated events special to these cell types. The affinity-purified antibodies to the 67 k calcimedin will be useful in obtaining information concerning the special roles of this Ca2+-binding protein in these cells.
The computerized derivation of rate equations for enzyme reactions on the basis of the pseudo-steady-state assumption and the rapid-equilibrium assumption
Authors: Ishikawa H , Maeda T , Hikita H , Miyatake K
Published: August 2015

A computer program is developed for the derivation of the rate equation for enzyme reactions on the basis of the pseudo-steady-state assumption and the combination of the pseudo-steady-state and the rapid-equilibrium assumptions. The program not only has an easy input method, but also can obtain a complete rate equation in itself on only one run. The usefulness of the program is demonstrated by deriving the rate equations for some typical enzyme reactions. Details of the program have been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50141 (42 pages) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7QB, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained as indicated in Biochem. J. (1988), 249, 5.
S-adenosyl-l-methionine modulates Na+ + K+-ATPase activity in rat colonic basolateral membranes
Authors: Brown M D , Dudeja P K , Brasitus T A
Published: August 2015

Rat colonic basolateral membranes were incubated with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H]methionine (0.3 mM) at 37 degrees C for 2 h at pH 9.0. This resulted in an increase in the specific activity of Na+ + K+-ATPase by 60%. Kinetic parameter analysis revealed a 2-fold increase in the Vmax. of this enzymatic activity, whereas the Km for ATP was unchanged. The methylation inhibitor S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (2 mM) significantly reduced these S-adenosyl-L-methionine-stimulated increases in specific activity and the Vmax. of Na+ + K+-ATPase. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine treatment of basolateral membranes was also found to significantly increase the fluidity of these preparations, as assessed by steady-state fluorescence polarization techniques using the fluorophore 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene; S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (2 mM) again markedly reduced this S-adenosyl-L-methionine-induced increase in fluidity. While transmethylation reactions involving phospholipids, non-polar lipids and proteins were all found to exist in rat colonic basolateral membranes, based on a number of observations, the results of the present studies suggest that transmethylation of membrane phospholipids, but not membrane non-polar lipids or proteins, influenced the fluidity of basolateral membranes which, in turn, modified Na+ + K+-ATPase activity in these membranes.
Estimation of the distance between the divalent cation binding site of des-1-41-light chain-activated bovine plasma protein C and a nitroxide spin label attached to the active-site serine residue
Authors: Hill K A W , Steiner S A , Castellino F J
Published: August 2015

The paramagnetic effect of Mn2+ on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of a nitroxide spin label covalently attached to the active-site serine residue of des-1-41-light chain bovine plasma-activated protein C, and situated at a distance of approximately 1.2 nm from this amino acid, has been utilized to estimate the distance on the enzyme surface between the single Mn2+ site and the free electron of the spin label. This distance has been found to be approx. 1.12 nm. A significant paramagnetic effect of Mn2+ on the spectrum of this same nitroxide spin label bound to activated protein C (APC) has been found. However, in this case distance calculations are complicated by the existence of a multiplicity of Mn2+ sites on APC. If it is assumed that a single Mn2+ site is responsible for the paramagnetic effect on the spectrum of the spin label, the interelectron distance on APC would be approx. 0.90 nm.
Biochemical measurements in Alzheimer's disease reveal a necessity for improved neuroimaging techniques to study metabolism
Authors: Najlerahim A , Bowen D M
Published: August 2015

A series of Alzheimer's disease and control brains were dissected to determine the extent of atrophy (based on total protein content) and loss of choline acetyltransferase activity in the cerebral cortex from the entire surface of the diseased brains. The distribution of intensity of pathology so determined is strikingly similar to the degree of hypometabolism as shown by positron emission tomography. It is argued that the hypometabolism can be explained (at least in part) by focal areas of atrophy.
Primary- and secondary-structural analysis of a unique prokaryotic metallothionein from a Synechococcus sp. cyanobacterium
Authors: Olafson R W , McCubbin W D , Kay C M
Published: August 2015

Biochemical and physiological studies of Synechococcus cyanobacteria have indicated the presence of a low-Mr heavy-metal-binding protein with marked similarity to eukaryotic metallothioneins (MTs). We report here the characterization of a Synechococcus prokaryotic MT isolated by gel-permeation and reverse-phase chromatography. The large number of variants of this molecule found during chromatographic separation could not be attributed to the presence of major isoproteins as assessed by amino acid analysis and amino acid sequencing of isoforms. Two of the latter were shown to have identical primary structures that differed substantially from the well-described eukaryotic MTs. In addition to six long-chain aliphatic residues, two aromatic residues were found adjacent to one another near the centre of the molecule, making this the most hydrophobic MT to be described. Other unusual features included a pair of histidine residues located in repeating Gly-His-Thr-Gly sequences near the C-terminus and a complete lack of association of hydroxylated residues with cysteine residues, as is commonly found in eukaryotes. Similarly, aside from a single lysine residue, no basic amino acid residues were found adjacent to cysteine residues in the sequence. Most importantly, sequence alignment analyses with mammalian, invertebrate and fungal MT sequences showed no statistically significant homology aside from the presence of Cys-Xaa-Cys structures common to all MTs. On the other hand, like other MTs, the prokaryotic molecule appears to be free of alpha-helical structure but has a considerable amount of beta-structure, as predicted by both c.d. measurements and the Chou & Fasman empirical relations. Considered together, these data suggested that some similarity between the metal-thiolate clusters of the prokaryote and eukaryote MTs may exist.
Characterization of link protein(s) from human intervertebral-disc tissues
Authors: Donohue P J , Jahnke M R , Blaha J D , Caterson B
Published: August 2015

Proteoglycan aggregates (A1) were prepared from the anulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus and cartilage-endplate tissues of postnatal (0-6-month-old)-and young-adult (20-30-year-old)-human intervertebral discs. The A1 fractions from young-adult disc contained a greater proportion of non-aggregating proteoglycans than did postnatal tissues. After dissociative CsCl-density-gradient fractionation of the A1, more than 90% of the uronic acid was found in the postnatal A1D1, whereas only 60-80% of the hexuronate was present in the A1D1 isolated from young-adult disc tissues. These results indicated that more lower-buoyant-density proteoglycans occur in the young-adult disc. Link-protein-rich fractions (A1D3) were subjected to SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and immunolocation analyses using monoclonal antibodies specific for epitopes on link protein or proteoglycan. Under non-reducing conditions, the major link protein present in postnatal disc tissues was link protein 1. By contrast, all three link proteins (1, 2 and 3) were detected in young-adult tissues, with the smaller link protein 3 predominating. Analyses of the A1D3 fractions under reducing conditions also indicated the presence of link-protein-degradation peptides (Mr approx. 26,000) from young-adult disc tissues, but not from postnatal tissues. Sequential Sepharose CL-6B and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography in 4 M-guanidinium chloride was employed to separate the link proteins of the A1D3 fraction from protein-rich proteoglycan. Immunolocation analyses indicated that postnatal samples contained no detectable contaminating proteoglycan fragments. However, young-adult link-protein preparations could not be separated from hyaluronic acid-binding region and other proteoglycan fragments by means of these chromatographic procedures. The studies indicate that, compared with hyaline articular cartilage, degraded link protein and proteoglycan accumulate at an early age in young-adult disc tissues. These partially degraded proteoglycan aggregate components may significantly alter the biomechanical properties of disc tissues.
A mechanistic and kinetic analysis of the interactions of the diastereoisomers of adenosine 3′,5′-(cyclic)phosphorothioate with purified cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase
Authors: Rothermel J D , Parker Botelho L H
Published: August 2015

The binding affinities of the diastereoisomers of adenosine 3′,5′-(cyclic)phosphorothioate, Sp-cAMP[S] and Rp-cAMP[S], for the cyclic AMP- (cAMP-)binding sites on purified and reconstituted pig heart type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme were determined by measuring the ability of these compounds to displace [3H]cAMP from this enzyme. Sp-cAMP[S], a cAMP agonist, displaced 50% of the [3H]cAMP bound to the holoenzyme at a concentration 10-fold higher than that of cAMP; Rp-cAMP[S], a cAMP antagonist, required a 100-fold higher concentration relative to cAMP. Activation of the isolated holoenzyme, determined as phosphotransferase activity, was measured in the presence of the agonist and in the absence and in the presence of increasing concentrations of the antagonist. The results of fitting the activation data to sigmoid curves with a non-linear-regression program and to Hill plots by using a linear-regression program showed that Rp-cAMP[S] had no effect on Vmax, increased the EC50 values for agonist activation and had no effect on the co-operativity of activation (h). A Ki value of 11 microM was determined for Rp-cAMP[S] inhibition of cAMP-induced activation of purified type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Electrophoresis of the holoenzyme on polyacrylamide gels under non-denaturing conditions in the presence of saturating concentrations of the diastereoisomers resulted in 100% dissociation of the subunits with Sp-cAMP[S] and 0% dissociation with Rp-cAMP[S]. Sp-cAMP[S], the isomer with an axial exocyclic sulphur atom, binds to the holoenzyme, releases the catalytic subunit and activates the phosphotransferase activity. Rp-cAMP[S], the isomer with an equatorial exocyclic sulphur atom, binds to the holoenzyme but does not result in dissociation, and thus acts as a competitive inhibitor of phosphotransferase activity.
Hepatic inositol release upon hormonal stimulation of perfused rat liver
Authors: vom Dahl S , Graf P , Sies H
Published: August 2015

A sustained increase in the hepatic release of 3H radioactivity was shown to occur upon hormonal stimulation of perfused rat liver 15-20 h after intraperitoneal injection of 100 microCi of myo-[2-3H]inositol. Hormone-released radioactive material was analysed by t.l.c. and was found to consist predominantly of [3H]inositol, without further metabolites. Vasopressin (14 nM), phenylephrine (1.7 microM), angiotensin II (15 nM), glucagon (0.5 nM) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (5 microM) exert maximal effects on hepatic inositol efflux after 10-15 min of stimulation. Omission of Ca2+ from the perfusion medium abolishes the hormone-dependent inositol release. LiCl (10 mM) does not significantly affect the basal release of [3H]inositol, but suppresses vasopressin- and angiotensin-triggered inositol release. Inositol efflux induced by glucagon, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and phenylephrine, however, remains essentially unchanged by LiCl infusion. This establishes a further metabolic difference between these two groups of agonists in that stimuli that act through cyclic AMP produce a stimulated outflow of inositol, but apparently without a Li+-sensitive phosphatase being involved in the overall process.
The dimerization of half-molecule fragments of transferrin
Authors: Williams J , Moreton K
Published: August 2015

Partial proteolysis was used to prepare half-molecule fragments of hen ovotransferrin. N-Terminal and C-terminal fragments associate to form an N-terminal fragment-C-terminal fragment dimer. Variant forms of the N- and C-terminal fragments can be prepared in which a few amino acid residues are lacking from the C-terminal ends of the fragments. These variant fragments are partially or completely unable to associate; the suggestion that the molecular recognition sites are located in these C-terminal stretches of the N-terminal half-molecule (320-332) and of the C-terminal half-molecule (683-686) is in agreement with X-ray-crystallography data for human lactotransferrin [Anderson, Baker, Dodson, Norris, Rumball, Waters & Baker (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 1769-1773].
Formation of the Ca2+-activated photoprotein obelin from apo-obelin and mRNA inside human neutrophils
Authors: Campbell A K , Patel A K , Razavi Z S , McCapra F
Published: August 2015

1. A method has been developed to incorporate the apoprotein of the Ca2+-activated photoprotein obelin, and mRNA purified from the hydroid Obelia, into the cytoplasm of intact human neutrophils. This was based on internal release from pH-sensitive immunoliposomes taken up initially by phagocytosis. 2. Addition of the prosthetic group of obelin, coelenterazine, to these cells containing apo-obelin or Obelia mRNA resulted in formation of active Ca2+-activated obelin. 3. The obelin formed within the neutrophils responded to the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (1 microM) and to the membrane attack complex of complement (C5B6789n). 4. The formation of the apo-obelin from mRNA within neutrophils was inhibited by over 80% in the absence of added amino acids, and by over 90% by the protein-synthesis inhibitor puromycin (100 micrograms/ml). 5. The translation of Obelia mRNA inside cells provides a method for circumventing consumption of Ca2+-activated photoproteins during cell activation or injury, and for monitoring protein synthesis in living cells.
Characterization and amino acid sequence of a fatty acid-binding protein from human heart
Authors: Offner G D , Brecher P , Sawlivich W B , Costello C E , Troxler R F
Published: August 2015

The complete amino acid sequence of a fatty acid-binding protein from human heart was determined by automated Edman degradation of CNBr, BNPS-skatole [3′-bromo-3-methyl-2-(2-nitrobenzenesulphenyl)indolenine], hydroxylamine, Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, tryptic and chymotryptic peptides, and by digestion of the protein with carboxypeptidase A. The sequence of the blocked N-terminal tryptic peptide from citraconylated protein was determined by collisionally induced decomposition mass spectrometry. The protein contains 132 amino acid residues, is enriched with respect to threonine and lysine, lacks cysteine, has an acetylated valine residue at the N-terminus, and has an Mr of 14768 and an isoelectric point of 5.25. This protein contains two short internal repeated sequences from residues 48-54 and from residues 114-119 located within regions of predicted beta-structure and decreasing hydrophobicity. These short repeats are contained within two longer repeated regions from residues 48-60 and residues 114-125, which display 62% sequence similarity. These regions could accommodate the charged and uncharged moieties of long-chain fatty acids and may represent fatty acid-binding domains consistent with the finding that human heart fatty acid-binding protein binds 2 mol of oleate or palmitate/mol of protein. Detailed evidence for the amino acid sequences of the peptides has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50143 (23 pages) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained as indicated in Biochem. J. (1988) 249, 5.
Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylates phospholamban in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum from cardiac and smooth muscle
Authors: Raeymaekers L , Hofmann F , Casteels R
Published: August 2015

Phospholamban of isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac and smooth muscle is phosphorylated by cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (G-kinase). Concomitantly, the affinity of the Ca2+ pump for Ca2+ is increased. These effects are very similar to those seen with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase). The phosphate incorporation into phospholamban and the stimulatory effects of both kinases on the Ca2+ pump are not additive, suggesting that G-kinase phosphorylates the same serine residue as A-kinase. A possible physiological role for phosphorylation of phospholamban by G-kinase is discussed.
Sulphation by cultured cells. Cysteine, cysteinesulphinic acid and sulphite as sources for proteoglycan sulphate
Authors: Humphries D E , Silbert C K , Silbert J E
Published: August 2015

Bovine aortic smooth-muscle cells, bovine aortic endothelial cells, and IMR-90 human embryonic lung fibroblasts were tested to determine their ability to use cysteine or cysteine metabolites as a source of sulphate (SO4). Cells were incubated in SO4-depleted medium containing [3H]glucosamine plus 0.2 mM-cystine, 0.3 mM-cysteinesulphinic acid or 0.3 mM-sulphite (SO3). The [3H]chondroitin sulphate produced by the different cells was found to vary considerably in degree of sulphation under these conditions. One line of smooth-muscle cells utilized cysteine effectively as a SO4 source and thus produced chondroitin sulphate which was highly sulphated. IMR-90 fibroblasts produced partly sulphated chondroitin sulphate under these conditions, while another smooth-muscle cell line could not utilize cysteine, but could utilize cysteinesulphinic acid as a partial SO4 source. In contrast with the above cells, endothelial cells could not use cysteine or cysteinesulphinic acid as a source of SO4 and produced chondroitin with almost no SO4. All of the cells were able to utilize SO3. Incubation of the cells in the SO4-depleted medium containing [35S]cysteine confirmed that only the first line of smooth-muscle cells could convert significant amounts of [35S]cysteine to 35SO4. Furthermore, the addition of 0.4 mM inorganic SO4 did not inhibit the production of SO4 from cysteine by these cells.
The disposition of carbohydrate between glycogenesis, lipogenesis and oxidation in liver during the starved-to-fed transition
Authors: Holness M J , MacLennan P A , Palmer T N , Sugden M C
Published: August 2015

A comparison was made between the time courses of restoration of pyruvate dehydrogenase activities, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate concentrations and lipogenic rates, together with net hepatic glucose flux and glycogen synthesis/deposition in livers of 48 h-starved rats provided with laboratory chow ad libitum for up to 24 h. Increased glycogenesis, lipogenesis and net glucose uptake were observed after 1 h of re-feeding, preceding re-activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, which occurred after 3-4 h. Increased concentrations of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate were only observed after 5-6 h. The implication of the temporal relationship between these parameters is discussed.
Subcellular localization of the sulphation reaction of heparan sulphate synthesis and transport of the proteoglycan to the cell surface in rat liver
Authors: Graham J M , Winterbourne D J
Published: August 2015

We report on the incorporation of radiolabelled sulphate into proteoglycan in the ‘in situ’-perfused rat liver. After 5 min virtually all of the [35S]sulphate was incorporated into heparan sulphate; no partially sulphated precursors were detected. Pulse-chase experiments, followed by centrifugation in gradients of sucrose and metrizamide, showed that, at 5 min, the heparan sulphate was associated predominantly with the Golgi membranes. Over the next 20 min, intact proteoglycan appeared at the plasma membrane. At intermediate times the heparan sulphate was detected simultaneously in two distinct populations of membrane vesicles. Whether the heparan sulphate in these two populations has two different destinies (e.g. plasma membrane or secretion) is not yet clear. Subfractionation of the Golgi membranes showed that the N-sulphotransferase co-purified with the heparan [35S]sulphate and was separable from the galactosyltransferase of glycoprotein synthesis, confirming that the Golgi membrane system is functionally segregated. Subfractionation also permitted an almost 100-fold purification of the N-sulphotransferase over the homogenate: this will provide an excellent starting material for isolation and further characterization of the enzyme.
Evidence against lung galaptin being important to the synthesis or organization of the elastic fibril
Authors: Powell J T
Published: August 2015

Previously it has been suggested that galaptin, an endogenous beta-galactoside-binding lectin, may function in the organization of lung elastic fibres. Galaptin was not present in preparations of rat or porcine lung elastic fibrils, neither did it bind to any of the fibril-associated proteins when these were separated by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Elastin and galaptin synthesis and secretion were investigated in lung fibroblast cultures and in anatomically preserved slices from developing rat lung. In both systems the synthesis and secretion of elastin was unmodified by the presence of beta-galactosides or antigalaptin in the culture medium. The synthesis of galaptin was unmodified by the presence of anti-elastin or beta-aminoproprionitrile in the culture medium. Cultured fibroblasts secreted elastin but only trivial amounts of galaptin. When cultures were treated with iodoacetamide (10(-5)M) galaptin synthesis was maintained but elastin synthesis ceased. These results argue against galaptin having an important role in the synthesis, secretion or organization of the elastic fibril.
Structure and distribution of N-linked oligosaccharide chains on various domains of mouse tumour laminin
Authors: Fujiwara S , Shinkai H , Deutzmann R , Paulsson M , Timpl R
Published: August 2015

Asparagine-linked oligosaccharides were liberated from laminin and some of its fragments by hydrazinolysis, and after purification characterized by exoglycosidase digestions. This demonstrated the presence of nine forms of complex oligosaccharide chains, which differed in antennary and oligolactosamine structure, and of small amounts of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides. Additional variations were found with regard to substitutions by terminal alpha-galactose and sialic acid residues. Each of the various laminin fragments showed a unique but less complex repertoire of carbohydrate structures. These fragments also differed in mass, carbohydrate content, localization within the laminin molecule and functional activities such as cell-binding (fragments 1 and 6) and heparin- and collagen-binding (fragments 3 and 4). Fragment 7 with a particularly high carbohydrate content (72%) also showed the highest complexity of tri- and tetra-antennary structures. Further differences between the fragments were detected with human antibodies against the Gal alpha 1-3Gal epitope, which was expressed in either a high-affinity or a low-affinity form. Such differences in carbohydrate structure of topologically distinct laminin domains may have implications for their functions and in the regulation of post-translational modification events.
Influence of the phosphorylation state of neurofilament proteins on the interactions between purified filaments in vitro
Authors: Eyer J , Leterrier J F
Published: August 2015

The extensive enzymic dephosphorylation of neurofilaments determined the progressive loss of their capacity to interconnect in vitro into a reticulated network, measured by the formation of highly viscous gels in purified preparations of neurofilaments [Leterrier & Eyer (1987) Biochem. J. 245, 93-101]. Conversely, a cyclic AMP-dependent activation of the gelation process was obtained by phosphorylation of the neurofilament proteins by the cyclic-nucleotide-dependent protein kinase added to the preparation. These findings argue for a direct relationship between the high phosphorylation level of the neurofilament subunits and the cross-bridging of the polymers in vitro. However, a transient stimulation of the neurofilament viscosity kinetics was also observed during the early steps of dephosphorylation with acid phosphatase, which, moreover, disappeared with longer incubation times before the net inhibition was obtained. In the same way, the calmodulin-dependent brain phosphatase, calcineurin, induced a permanent activation of the phenomenon, correlated with a low dephosphorylation capacity of the neurofilament molecules. Taken together, these results suggest a functional heterogeneity of the numerous phosphate groups of the neurofilament subunits and raise the hypothesis of a highly controlled regulation of the neurofilament cross-bridging by selective phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanisms.
Comparison of p25 presequence peptide and melittin. Red blood cell haemolysis and band 3 aggregation
Authors: Clague M J , Cherry R J
Published: August 2015

The 25 residue presequence (p25) for subunit IV of yeast cytochrome oxidase had previously been shown to possess structural and behavioural characteristics in common with the bee venom polypeptide, melittin. The present study extends the results of leakage experiments on model-membrane systems to the haemolysis of human erythrocytes, which both peptides are shown to accomplish in a manner sensitive to membrane potential. In addition, the laser flash-induced transient dichroism technique for measuring protein rotational diffusion has been used to show that both peptides aggregate band 3, the major integral membrane protein of the erythrocyte. Aggregation cannot be reversed by high ionic strength; this serves to differentiate these peptides from other positively charged species such as polylysine that aggregate band 3 at low ionic strength. These results suggest that aggregation of membrane proteins may possibly prove to be a feature of the interaction of p25 signal peptide with mitochondrial membranes.
Mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II-binding proteins in human serum and urine. Their relation to the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor
Authors: Causin C , Waheed A , Braulke T , Junghans U , Maly P , Humbel R E , von Figura K
Published: August 2015

Human serum and urine contain polypeptides which bind mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF II) and crossreact with antibodies against the M6P/IGF II receptor. These polypeptides are considered to be fragments of the M6P/IGF II receptor. The major Mr approx. 205,000 fragment in serum and urine is about 10 kDa smaller in size than the membrane-associated receptor and is accompanied by minor forms with Mr values ranging from 104,000 to 180,000. The presence of receptor fragments in biological fluids indicates that shedding is one of the mechanisms contributing to the turnover of the M6P/IGF II receptor and that receptor fragments are part of the heterogenous group of serum proteins whic bind IGF II.
Epidermal-growth-factor-induced formation of inositol phosphates in human A431 cells. Differences from the effect of bradykinin
Authors: Tilly B C , van Paridon P A , Verlaan I , de Laat S W , Moolenaar W H
Published: August 2015

In human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells, epidermal growth factor (EGF) rapidly stimulates the breakdown of inositol phospholipids and raises cytoplasmic free [Ca2+]. In this paper, we investigate the action of EGF on inositol phosphate metabolism, and we compare it with the previously described effects of bradykinin on the same cell system [Tilly, van Paridon, Verlaan, Wirtz, de Laat & Moolenaar (1987) Biochem. J. 244, 129-135]. In cells prelabelled with [3H]inositol, EGF slowly but persistently (for at least 30 min) stimulates the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates, whereas bradykinin causes an immediate but transient release of inositol phosphates, which lasts for only a few minutes. The EGF effect is additive to bradykinin stimulation and does not require extracellular Ca2+. In contrast, inositol phosphate formation induced by Ca2+-ionophore A23187 has an absolute requirement for external Ca2+. Treatment of the cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate completely abolishes the response to EGF and to sub-optimal doses of bradykinin, suggesting a negative-feedback function of protein kinase C. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin has no effect on inositol phosphate formation induced by either EGF or bradykinin. Unlike bradykinin, EGF stimulates very little accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, with only a small and rather variable release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. EGF rapidly but transiently increases inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, but the effects are much smaller than those of bradykinin. In addition, EGF increases both inositol mono- and bis-phosphate. At 10 min after EGF addition, inositol monophosphate, unlike the other inositol phosphates, is still increasing. It is concluded that the EGF-dependent pattern of stimulation is different from that observed in bradykinin-stimulated A431 cells, suggesting that there are separate mechanisms of inositol-lipid hydrolysis involved.
Carbon isotope effects on the decarboxylation of carboxylic acids. Comparison of the lactate oxidase reaction and the degradation of pyruvate by H2O2
Authors: Melzer E , Schmidt H L
Published: August 2015

The isotope effect at C-1 on the H2O2-catalysed decarboxylation of pyruvate (used as a model reaction for the enzymic reaction) increases between pH 3 and 10 from 1.0007 +/- 0.0004 to 1.0283 +/- 0.0014 (25 degrees C). This result indicates a change in the rate-determining step from formation of the tetrahedral intermediate to decarboxylation of this intermediate. Practically no isotope fractionation at C-1 (1.0011 +/- 0.0002, pH 6.0, 25 degrees C) is found in the lactate oxidase-catalysed decarboxylation of lactate, which is indicative for the existence of an irreversible O2-dependent step prior to the enzyme-catalysed decarboxylation. In addition, the result provides further evidence that dissociation of pyruvate and H2O2 from the enzyme can be excluded. The isotope effect at C-2 of lactate in the enzymic reaction (1.0048 +/- 0.0004) is attributed to the hydrogen transfer step from lactate to the coenzyme.
Carboxylation and dephosphorylation of phosphoenol-3-fluoropyruvate by maize leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase
Authors: Gonzalez D H , Andreo C S
Published: August 2015

The analogue (Z)-phosphoenol-3-fluoropyruvate [(Z)-3-fluoro-2-(phosphono-oxy)propenoic acid] was tested as substrate of maize leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Studies with NaH14CO3 indicate that the analogue is carboxylated by the enzyme. However, this reaction accounts for only one-tenth of the activity measured by Pi liberation. The rest of the analogue is merely dephosphorylated. This is the first analogue for which both carboxylation and dephosphorylation have been observed.
Inhibition of Nb2 T-lymphoma cell growth by transforming growth factor-β
Authors: Rayhel E J , Prentice D A , Tabor P S , Flurkey W H , Geib R W , Laherty R F , Schnitzer S B , Chen R , Hughes J P
Published: August 2015

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibits proliferation of Nb2 cells, a rat T lymphoma, in response to lactogens and interleukin-2. Prostaglandins may play an important role in the pathway through which TGF-beta exerts its inhibitory actions, because prostaglandin E2 also inhibits proliferation of Nb2 cells, and indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, reverses the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta on Nb2 cell proliferation.
Isolation and sequence of a cDNA for human pro-(cathepsin L)
Authors: Gal S , Gottesman M M
Published: August 2015

The major excreted protein (MEP) of malignantly transformed mouse fibroblasts is the precursor to an acid proteinase with enzymic specificity similar to that of human cathepsin L. By cross-hybridization with a mouse MEP sequence, cDNA clones of the human form of MEP in an SV40 expression vector were isolated. A 1.6 kb cDNA showed 70% deduced amino acid sequence identity with mouse MEP. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned human MEP was the same, except for two amino acids, as the N-terminal sequence of mature human cathepsin L, thereby establishing that human MEP is human pro-(cathepsin L). Use of this human pro-(cathepsin L) cDNA clone allowed the detection of a 1.6-1.8 kb pro-(cathepsin L) mRNA in human cells which was not detected with a mouse pro-(cathepsin L) probe.
A novel aspect of the inhibition by arsenicals of binding-protein-dependent galactose transport in gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Richarme G
Published: August 2015

The inhibitory effects of arsenate and arsenite on binding-protein-dependent transport systems are reconsidered. It is shown that arsenate inhibits binding-protein-dependent galactose transport in proteoliposomes energized either by dihydrolipoamide and NAD+ or by a membrane potential (under conditions where ATP metabolism is not implicated); this result is in contradiction with the current interpretation of arsenate inhibition of binding-protein-dependent transport systems (which is based on ATP depletion) and can be explained by reference to the recently discovered ATP inhibition of the binding-protein-dependent galactose transport. In whole cells, the greater inhibition by arsenate of lipoamide-dependent transport than of protonmotive-force-dependent transport may be explained by a modification by arsenate of the pools of several compounds metabolized by 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenases (which have been implicated in binding-protein-dependent transport). The inhibition of binding-protein-dependent galactose transport by arsenite is probably linked to the inhibition by arsenite of the galactose-stimulated lipoamide dehydrogenase activity implicated in this transport and is reminiscent of the known arsenite inhibition of lipoamide dehydrogenases.
Two modes of regulation of the phospholipase C-linked substance-P receptor in rat parotid acinar cells
Authors: Sugiya H , Obie J F , Putney J W
Published: August 2015

In rat parotid acinar cells prelabelled with [3H]inositol, substance P (100 nM) induced the formation of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. Ins(1,4,5)P3 reached a maximum 7 s after substance P stimulation, and thereafter decreased and reached a stable value at 60 s. When the cells were exposed to substance P for 10, 30, 60, or 300 s, washed, and re-exposed to this peptide, the formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) was attenuated in a time-dependent manner. In the cells pretreated as described above, the number of [3H]substance-P-binding sites (Bmax) was also decreased. Possible role(s) of Ca2+ and protein kinase (protein kinase C) control mechanisms in regulating substance P responses were investigated. Desensitization of substance P-induced InsP3 was not affected by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, nor was it dependent on Ca2+ mobilization. On the other hand, in the presence of 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-4 beta-phorbol 13-acetate, known activators of protein kinase C, substance P-induced InsP3 formation was inhibited. However, PDBu had no effect on [3H]substance P binding, whether present during the assay or when cells were pretreated. The persistent desensitization of InsP3 formation induced by substance P was not affected by PDBu. These results suggest that the persistent desensitization of InsP3 formation induced by substance P is a homologous process involving down-regulation of the substance P receptor; the mechanism does not appear to involve, or to be affected by, the Ca2+ or protein kinase C signalling systems. Protein kinase C activation can, however, inhibit substance P-induced InsP3 formation, which may indicate the presence of a negative-feedback control on the substance P pathway.
Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to human lysyl hydroxylase and studies on the molecular heterogeneity of the enzyme
Authors: Myllylä R , Pajunen L , Kivirikko K I
Published: August 2015

Human placental lysyl hydroxylase gave two bands in SDS/polyacrylamide-slab-gel electrophoresis: a broad, diffuse, major band corresponding to an apparent Mr of 80,000-85,000, and a sharp minor band with Mr 78,000. Mouse and chick-embryo lysyl hydroxylases gave only the broad, diffuse band, whereas the sharp band could not be detected. Polyclonal antibodies were prepared to the two bands of the human enzyme separately, and monoclonal antibodies were prepared to the whole purified enzyme preparation. Both types of polyclonal antibody inhibited and precipitated the enzyme activity, and both stained the two polypeptide bands in immunoblotting after SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Only one out of five monoclonal antibodies inhibited the enzyme activity, whereas they all precipitated the activity when studied with antibody coupled to Sepharose. All five monoclonal antibodies stained the whole broad band in immunoblotting, and at least three of them also stained the sharp band. Peptide maps produced from the two polypeptide species by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease were highly similar. Experiments with endoglycosidase H demonstrated that the Mr-80,000-85,000 polypeptide contains asparagine-linked carbohydrate units, which are required for maximal lysyl hydroxylase activity. The data suggest that the lysyl hydroxylase dimer consists of only one type of monomer, the heterogeneity of which is due to differences in glycosylation.
Skeletal muscle mitochondrial β-oxidation. A study of the products of oxidation of [U-14C]hexadecanoate by h.p.l.c. using continuous on-line radiochemical detection
Authors: Watmough N J , Bhuiyan A K , Bartlett K , Sherratt H S , Turnbull D M
Published: August 2015

Well-coupled mitochondrial fractions were prepared from rat skeletal muscle without the use of proteolytic enzymes. The products of [U-14C]hexadecanoate oxidation by rat skeletal muscle mitochondrial fractions were analysed by h.p.l.c. with on-line radiochemical detection. In the presence of 1 mM-carnitine, 70% of the products is acetylcarnitine. In agreement with Veerkamp et al. [Veerkamp, van Moerkerk, Glatz, Zuurveld, Jacobs & Wagenmakers (1986) Biochem. Med. Metab. Biol. 35, 248-259] 14CO2 release is shown to be an unreliable estimate of flux through beta-oxidation in skeletal muscle mitochondrial fractions. The flux through beta-oxidation is recorded unambiguously polarographically in the presence of 1 mM-carnitine and the absence of citrate cycle intermediates.
Factors regulating the secretion of lysophosphatidylcholine by rat hepatocytes compared with the synthesis and secretion of phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerol. Effects of albumin, cycloheximide, verapamil, EGTA and chlorpromazine
Authors: Graham A , Bennett A J , McLean A A M , Zammit V A , Brindley D N
Published: August 2015

1. The synthesis and secretion of glycerolipid by monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes was measured by determining the incorporations of [3H]glycerol, [3H]oleate and [14C]choline and by the absolute concentration of triacylglycerol. 2. The presence of albumin in the medium stimulated the accumulation of lysophosphatidylcholine in the medium by 11-13-fold. 3. Cycloheximide did not significantly alter the accumulation of lysophosphatidylcholine. 4. This process was particularly sensitive to inhibition by chlorpromazine and verapamil, compared with the secretion of triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. By contrast, it was relatively less sensitive to EGTA. 5. It is suggested that intracellular Ca2+ may be important in the production of lysophosphatidylcholine, which then accumulates in the medium by binding to albumin. In vivo this lysophosphatidycholine may be a means of delivering choline and polyunsaturated fatty acids to other organs.
Interactions of cholera toxin with isolated hepatocytes. Effects of low pH, chloroquine and monensin on toxin internalization, processing and action
Authors: Janicot M , Clot J P , Desbuquois B
Published: August 2015

The major steps in cholera-toxin action, i.e. binding, internalization, generation of A1 peptide and activation of adenylate cyclase, were examined in isolated hepatocytes. The binding of toxin involves a single class of high-affinity sites (KD congruent to 0.1 nM; Bmax. congruent to 10(7) sites/cell). At 37 degrees C, cell-associated toxin is progressively internalized, as judged by the loss of its accessibility to antibodies against whole toxin, A and B subunits (about 50, 75 and 30% of initially bound toxin after 40 min respectively). Two distinct pathways are involved in this process: endocytosis of the whole toxin, and selective penetration of the A subunit into the plasma membrane. Exposure of hepatocytes to an acidic medium (pH 5) results in a rapid and marked disappearance of the A subunit from the cell surface. Generation of A1 peptide and activation of adenylate cyclase by the toxin occur after a lag phase (10 min at 37 degrees C), and increase with time in a parallel manner up to 2-3% A1 peptide generated; they are unaffected by exposure of cells to an acidic medium. Chloroquine and monensin, which elevate the pH in acidic organelles, inhibit by 2-4-fold both the generation of A1 peptide and the activation of adenylate cyclase. Unexpectedly, these drugs also inhibit the internalization of the toxin. These results suggest that an acidic pH facilitates the penetration of A subunit into the plasma membrane and presumably the endosomal membrane as well, and that endocytosis of cholera toxin is required for generation of A1 peptide and activation of adenylate cyclase.