bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of apolipoprotein B-48 and B-100 in rat liver endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi fractions
Authors: Cartwright I J , Higgins J A
Published: August 2015

We have developed a method for measurement of apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 and apo B-100 in blood and subcellular fractions of rat liver based on SDS/PAGE followed by quantitative immunoblotting using 125I-Protein A. Standard curves were prepared in each assay using apo B prepared from total rat lipoproteins by extraction with tetramethylurea. Subcellular fractions (rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi fractions) were prepared from rat liver and separated into membrane and cisternal-content fractions. For quantification, membrane fractions were solubilized in Triton X-100, and the apo B was immunoprecipitated before separation by SDS/PAGE and immunoblotting. Content fractions were concentrated by ultrafiltration and separated by SDS/PAGE without immunoprecipitation. Quantification of apo B in subcellular fractions and detection of apo B by immunoblotting yielded consistent results. In all fractions apo B-48 was the major form, accounting for approximately three-quarters of the total apo B. By using marker enzymes as internal standards, it was calculated that all of the apo B was recovered in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi fractions, with approximately 80% of each form of apo B in the endoplasmic reticulum. More than 90% of the apo B of the rough- and smooth-endoplasmic-reticulum fractions was membrane-bound, whereas approx. 33 and 15% of the apo B of the cis-enriched Golgi fractions and trans-enriched Golgi fractions respectively were membrane-bound.
A recombinant human ‘mini’-hexokinase is catalytically active and regulated by hexose 6-phosphates
Authors: Magnani M , Bianchi M , Casabianca A , Stocchi V , Daniele A , Altruda F , Ferrone M , Silengo L
Published: August 2015

Mammalian hexokinase type I is a 100 kDa enzyme that has been considered to be evolved from an ancestral 50 kDa yeast-type hexokinase, insensitive to product inhibition, by gene duplication and fusion. According to this model, and based on many experimental data, the catalytic site is associated with the C-terminal half of the enzyme, although an allosteric site for the binding of glucose 6-phosphate could be present on the N-terminal half of the molecule. We have isolated a cDNA clone of hexokinase from a lambda gt11 human placenta library comprising 2658 bp, containing a single open reading frame of 1893 nucleotides, which encodes a truncate form of hexokinase starting from asparagine-287 to the terminal serine-917. This clone was further digested with restriction enzyme NcoI to obtain almost only the C-terminal half of human hexokinase starting from methionine-455 to the terminal amino acid and was overexpressed in active form in Escherichia coli and purified by ion-exchange h.p.l.c. The overexpressed ‘mini’-hexokinase was found not only to catalyse glucose phosphorylation, but also to be inhibited by glucose 6-phosphate and other mono- and bis-phosphate sugars exactly like the complete mammalian enzyme. These results suggest that the C-terminal half of human hexokinase, in addition to the catalytic site, also contains the regulatory site and that the evolutionary relationship between the hexokinases should be reconsidered by including the appearance of a regulatory site before the gene duplication.
Inactivation of sarcoplasmic-reticulum Ca2+-ATPase in low-frequency-stimulated muscle results from a modification of the active site
Authors: Matsushita S , Pette D
Published: August 2015

Molecular changes underlying the partial inactivation of the sarcoplasmic-reticulum (SR) Ca(2+-) ATPase in low-frequency-stimulated fast-twitch muscle were investigated in the present study. The specific Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, as well as the ATP- and acetyl phosphate-driven Ca2+ uptakes by the SR, were reduced by approx. 30% in 4-day-stimulated muscle. Phosphoprotein formation of the enzyme in the presence of ATP or Pi was also decreased to the same extent. Measurements of ATP binding revealed a 30% decrease in binding to the enzyme. These changes were accompanied by similar decreases in the ligand-induced (ATP, ADP, Pi) intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. A decreased binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) corresponded to the lower ATP binding and phosphorylation of the enzyme. Moreover, Pi-induced changes in fluorescence of the FITC-labelled enzyme did not differ between SR from stimulated and contralateral muscles, indicating that Ca(2+)- ATPase molecules which did not bind FITC were responsible for the decreased Pi-dependent phosphorylation, and therefore represented the inactive form of the enzyme. No differences existed between the Ca(2+)-induced changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of SR from stimulated and contralateral muscles which fit their similar Ca(2+)-binding characteristics. Taking the proposed architecture of the Ca2(+)-ATPase into consideration, our results suggest that the inactivation relates to a circumscribed structural alteration of the enzyme in sections of the active site consisting of the nucleotide-binding and phosphorylation domains.
Human tumour cathepsin B. Comparison with normal liver cathepsin B
Authors: Moin K , Day N A , Sameni M , Hasnain S , Hirama T , Sloane B F
Published: August 2015

Cathepsin B was purified from normal human liver and several human tumour tissues and partially characterized. Three forms of cathepsin B, with molecular masses of 25 kDa, 26 kDa (the two appearing as a doublet) and 30 kDa, were detected in SDS/polyacrylamide gels. The 25-26 kDa doublet was associated with the fractions from tumours and normal liver containing the highest cathepsin B activity. Cathepsin B from both sources showed similar pH optima. Both normal liver and tumour cathepsin B exhibited similar kinetics against selected synthetic substrates. At neutral pH and 24 degrees C, cathepsin B from both normal liver and tumour exhibited a lower Km and a higher kcat./Km than at pH 6.0. Their inhibitory profiles against synthetic inhibitors were also similar. Immunological studies with a monospecific antibody against the mature double-chain form of human liver cathepsin B and an antibody against a cathepsin B-derived synthetic peptide established the immunological similarity of liver and tumour enzymes. The N-terminal sequences of the 25 kDa and 26 kDa forms were identical with that of the heavy chain of the mature double-chain form of human cathepsin B, whereas the N-terminal sequence of the 30 kDa species was identical with that of the single-chain form of human cathepsin B. Treatment of the double-chain form of cathepsin B from normal liver and tumours with the endoglycosidase peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase converted the 26 kDa form into 25 kDa in SDS/polyacrylamide gels, suggesting that cathepsin B may exist as both glycosylated and unglycosylated forms. Our results, in contrast with those reported earlier for mouse cathepsin B, indicate that human liver and tumour cathepsin B are similar.
Concurrent down-regulation of IP prostanoid receptors and the α-subunit of the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) during prolonged exposure of neuroblastoma × glioma cells to prostanoid agonists. Quantification and functional implications
Authors: Adie E J , Mullaney I , McKenzie F R , Milligan G
Published: August 2015

Neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells express a high-affinity IP prostanoid receptor. Saturation binding analysis of this receptor, using [3H]prostaglandin E1 ([3H]PGE1) as ligand, indicated that it was present at some 1.5 pmol/mg of membrane protein and displayed a dissociation constant for this ligand of 30-40 nM. Prolonged exposure of these cells either to PGE1 or to iloprost, which is a stable analogue of prostacyclin, caused a 40-70% decrease in levels of the receptor. The remaining receptors were capable of interacting with the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) of the adenylate cyclase cascade, as saturation analysis of the binding of [3H]PGE1 indicated that they had a similar affinity for the 3H-labelled ligand, and because the specific binding of [3H]PGE1 to these receptors was still sensitive to the presence of poorly hydrolysed analogues of GTP. We have recently demonstrated that prolonged exposure of NG108-15 ells to PGE1 causes a cyclic AMP-independent loss of Gs alpha-subunit (Gs alpha) from these cells [McKenzie & Milligan (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 17084-17093]. Steady-state concentration of the larger 45 kDa form of Gs alpha (which is the predominant form expressed in these cells) was assessed to be 9.6 pmol/mg of membrane protein, and treatment with iloprost decreased levels of this polypeptide to some 3.0 pmol/mg of protein. Time courses of iloprost-mediated down-regulation of the IP prostanoid receptor, loss of Gs alpha protein as assessed by immunoblotting and loss of Gs alpha activity as assessed by the reconstitution of NaF stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity to membranes of S49 cyc- cells by sodium cholate extracts of NG108-15 cells were identical, suggesting that the loss of the IP prostanoid receptor and G-protein occurred in parallel. Each of these effects was half-maximal between 2 and 3 h of exposure to the agonist. Stoichiometry of loss of Gs alpha and IP prostanoid receptor was unchanged by the percentage receptor occupancy, and quantification indicated the loss of some 7-10 mol of Gs alpha/mol of receptor. This is the first report to demonstrate the temporal concurrence of loss of Gs alpha and of a receptor which interacts with this G-protein. Chronic activation of the IP prostanoid receptor on these cells results in the development of a heterologous form of desensitization to agents which function to activate adenylate cyclase [Kelly, Keen, Nobbs & MacDermot (1990) Br. J. Pharmacol. 99, 306-316]. Agonist regulation of Gs alpha levels in these cells may contribute to this process.
Dual role for protein kinase C α as a regulator of ion secretion in the HT29cl.19A human colonic cell line
Authors: van den Berghe N , Vaandrager A B , Bot A G M , Parker P J , de Jonge H R
Published: August 2015

The involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of intestinal ion secretion was studied in polarized monolayers of the HT29cl.19A human colon carcinoma cell line. Carbachol, phorbol esters [PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and PDB (phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate)] and 8-bromo cyclic AMP (8-Br-cAMP) induced Cl secretion, as measured by a rise in the short-circuit current (ISC). The electrical response to carbachol coincided with a transient translocation of PKC alpha from the soluble to the particulate fraction. The carbachol-, PDB- and 8-Br-cAMP-induced ISC responses were inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with PMA (0.5 microM) for 2 h, a time period in which PKC alpha, beta 1 and gamma levels were not changed. As shown by 86Rb+ and 125I- efflux studies, the main targets for this inhibition were basolateral K+ transporters rather than apical Cl- channels. Prolonged exposure to PMA (24 h) led to a 60% recovery of the 8-Br-cAMP response, but not of the carbachol- or PDB-provoked secretion. As shown by immunoblotting with PKC-isoenzyme-specific antisera, the recovery of the 8-Br-cAMP response coincided with the down-regulation of PKC alpha, whereas the levels of PKC beta 1 and gamma were unmodified. These results suggest that PKC alpha, but not PKC beta 1 or gamma, is involved in both acute stimulation and chronic inhibition of ion secretion in the HT29cl.19A colonic cell line.
Kinetics of the functional loss of different muscarinic receptor isoforms in Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Matus-Leibovitch N , Mengod G , Oron Y
Published: August 2015

Native Xenopus oocytes express two isoforms of muscarinic receptors that mediate qualitatively different physiological responses. Oocytes of the majority of donors (common) express M3-like receptors (M3Rs) at comparable densities at both the animal and vegetal hemispheres of the cell. Rare (variant) donors possess oocytes that express mainly M1-like receptors (M1Rs), localized predominantly at the animal hemisphere. We have investigated the apparent degradation of these two isoforms and its relationship to their hemispheric distribution. Cycloheximide (CHX) caused a time-dependent decrease in receptor-mediated responses and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate (QNB) binding in oocytes from both types of donors. The t1/2 values ranged between 3 and 7 h. Removal of CHX resulted in rapid recovery of the response. This implied rapid degradation and turnover of both types of receptors. The loss of M1Rs was more than that of M3Rs. Moreover, the decrease was more rapid and more extensive on the animal hemisphere in both types of donors. Injection of oocytes expressing either receptor isoform with specific antisense oligonucleotides complementary to either m1 or m3 muscarinic receptors (from mouse) showed receptor loss at approximately the same rate as that calculated from experiments with CHX. Furthermore, oocytes of variant donors express M1Rs exclusively on the animal hemisphere, while the residual activity found on the vegetal hemisphere of the cell was mediated by M3Rs. Inhibition of putative receptor glycosylation with tunicamycin caused a rapid decrease in receptor-mediated responses and radioligand binding on M1Rs, but had virtually no effect on M3Rs. The expression of cloned m1 muscarinic receptors, however, was not affected by tunicamycin, suggesting that glycosylation is not a general prerequisite for the functional expression of muscarinic receptors.
Interferons induce xanthine dehydrogenase gene expression in L929 cells
Authors: Falciani F , Ghezzi P , Terao M , Cazzaniga G , Garattini E
Published: August 2015

Human interferon-alpha A/D (Bg/II) (IFN-alpha A/D) and mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are shown to induce xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) mRNA in L929 fibroblastic cells. XD mRNA accumulation after IFN-alpha A/D treatment is relatively fast, being already evident after 4 h and reaching its maximum after 24 h. IFN-alpha A/D is active in inducing XD mRNA at 0.1 unit/ml and it is maximally active at 10(3) units/ml. The half-life of the XD message is unaffected by IFN-alpha A/D treatment, whereas the transcriptional activity of the XD gene and the concentrations of XD heterogeneous nuclear RNA are increased by 2- and 6-fold respectively. The effect of IFN-alpha A/D on XD mRNA is insensitive to cycloheximide, suggesting that protein synthesis de novo is not required. Experiments conducted with specific inhibitors suggest that protein kinase C, cyclic AMP and arachidonic acid metabolites derived from lipoxygenase or cyclooxygenase do not act as second-messenger molecules in the induction of XD mRNA by IFN-alpha A/D. XD mRNA is also induced in NIH3T3 fibroblastic cells, but not in F9 teratocarcinoma or B16 melanoma cells after treatment with IFN-alpha A/D. NIH3T3 are the only cells so far tested that have detectable XD and xanthine oxidase activities under basal conditions and after IFN-alpha A/D treatment, although their responsiveness to the cytokine is much less than that observed in L929 cells.
Rationally designed selective inhibitors of trypanothione reductase. Phenothiazines and related tricyclics as lead structures
Authors: Benson T J , McKie J H , Garforth J , Borges A , Fairlamb A H , Douglas K T
Published: August 2015

Trypanothione reductase, an essential component of the anti-oxidant defences of parasitic trypanosomes and Leishmania, differs markedly from the equivalent host enzyme, glutathione reductase, in the binding site for the disulphide substrate. Molecular modelling of this region suggested that certain tricyclic compounds might bind selectively to trypanothione reductase without inhibiting host glutathione reductase. This was confirmed by testing 30 phenothiazine and tricyclic antidepressants, of which clomipramine was found to be the most potent, with a K(i) of 6 microM, competitive with respect to trypanothione. Many of these compounds have been noted previously to have anti-trypanosomal and anti-leishmanial activity and thus they can serve as lead structures for rational drug design.
Binding energy and catalysis. Fluorinated and deoxygenated glycosides as mechanistic probes of Escherichia coli (lacZ) β-galactosidase
Authors: McCarter J D , Adam M J , Withers S G
Published: August 2015

Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of a series of deoxy and deoxyfluoro analogues of 2′,4′-dinitrophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside by Escherichia coli (lacZ) beta-galactosidase have been determined and rates found to be two to nine orders of magnitude lower than that for the parent compound. These large rate reductions result primarily from the loss of transition-state binding interactions due to the replacement of sugar hydroxy groups, and such interactions are estimated to contribute at least 16.7 kJ (4 kcal).mol-1 to binding at the 3, 4 and 6 positions and more than 33.5 kJ (8 kcal).mol-1 at the 2 position. The existence of a linear free-energy relationship between log(kcat./Km) for these compounds and the logarithm of the first-order rate constant for their spontaneous hydrolysis demonstrates that electronic effects are also important and provides direct evidence for oxocarbonium ion character in the enzymic transition state. A covalent intermediate which turns over only extremely slowly (t1/2 = 45 h) accumulates during hydrolysis of the 2-deoxyfluorogalactoside, and kinetic parameters for its formation have been determined. This intermediate is nonetheless catalytically competent, since it re-activates much more rapidly in the presence of the transglycosylation acceptors methanol or glucose, thereby providing support for the notion of a covalent intermediate during hydrolysis of the parent substrates.
Functional inhibition of protein kinase C-mediated effects in myocardial tissue is due to the phosphatase 2A
Authors: Braconi S , Church D J , Vallotton M B , Lang U
Published: August 2015

An endogenous protein which inhibits protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated effects has been detected in rat heart ventricular tissue. This functional PKC-inhibitory activity was completely abolished by okadaic acid, making it possible to measure PKC activity in non-purified cell fractions. This suggests that the PKC-inhibitory activity is a type 1 or 2A serine/threonine phosphatase. Confirming this, membrane and cytosolic PKC-inhibitory preparations were found to contain phosphatase activity which was suppressed by okadaic acid, exhibiting an IC50 (concn. required for 50% inhibition) of 1.5-2 nM. Furthermore, okadaic acid stimulated prostacyclin production in rat cardiomyocytes and aortic smooth-muscle cells and, like the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, it augmented the prostacyclin formation induced by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Our results strongly suggest that the endogenous PKC ‘inhibitor’ is the cellular phosphatase 2A, which plays an important role in regulating the phosphorylation level of PKC target proteins.
Liver cell volume and protein synthesis
Authors: Stoll B , Gerok W , Lang F , Häussinger D
Published: August 2015

Protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes was determined from the incorporation of [3H]leucine (4 mM) into acid-precipitable material in the presence of amino acids at twice their physiological concentration. Protein synthesis increased linearly with time and incubated cell protein, and was inhibited by cycloheximide by more than 95%. In normo-osmotic incubations containing amino acids at twice the physiological concentration the rate of [3H]leucine incorporation was 5.8 +/- 0.2 nmol/h per mg of cell protein (n = 26). Hyperosmotic cell shrinkage due to addition of 60 mM-NaCl or 120 mM-raffinose inhibited [3H]leucine incorporation into acid-precipitable material by 60 and 74% respectively, whereas hypo-osmotic cell swelling was ineffective. Inhibition of protein synthesis by adding 120 mM-raffinose was largely counteracted by simultaneous lowering of the NaCl concentration by 60 mM. Glutamine (10 mM) had no effect on protein synthesis in normo-osmotic incubations (320 mosM), but stimulated protein synthesis in hyperosmotically (440 mosM) pre-shrunken cells almost to rates found in normo-osmotic (320 mosM) control incubations. Cyclic AMP and vasopressin inhibited protein synthesis by 23% and 8% respectively, whereas insulin and phenylephrine were ineffective. However, inhibition of protein synthesis by cyclic AMP was about twice as strong in the presence of vasopressin or phenylephrine. When protein synthesis was preinhibited by cyclic AMP, [3H]leucine incorporation was stimulated by glutamine (10 mM), insulin or hypo-osmotic exposure. There was a close relationship between the inhibition of protein synthesis and the extent of hepatocyte shrinkage induced by the above-mentioned effectors, suggesting a role of cell volume in the regulation of hepatic protein synthesis.
Importance of the structural zinc atom for the stability of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase
Authors: Magonet E , Hayen P , Delforge D , Delaive E , Remacle J
Published: August 2015

Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase is a tetrameric enzyme containing zinc. Initially we confirmed the presence of two zinc atoms per subunit. Incubation of the enzyme with increasing concentrations of dithiothreitol, a method for partial chelation, allowed first the reduction of four disulphide bridges per enzyme, but eventually was sufficient to chelate the structural zinc atom without having any effect on the zinc located in the active site. The enzyme activity was not affected but the enzyme became very sensitive to heat denaturation. Chelation by EDTA was also performed. Given its location at an external position in the globular protein, protected in each subunit by one disulphide bridge, the results establish that the second zinc atom present on each enzymic subunit plays a prominent conformational role, probably by stabilizing the tertiary structure of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. Recovery experiments were performed by incubation of the native enzyme, or the dithiothreitol-treated enzyme, with a small amount of Zn2+. A stabilization effect was found when the structural zinc was re-incorporated after its removal by dithiothreitol. In all cases a large increase in activity was also observed, which was much greater than that expected based on the amount of re-incorporated zinc atom, suggesting the re-activation of some inactive commercial enzyme which had lost some of its original catalytic zinc atoms.
Binding of tissue plasminogen activator to human endothelial cells. Importance of the B-chain as a ligand
Authors: Cheng X F , Bäck O , Nilsson T K , Nylander Lundqvist E , Pohl G , Wallén P
Published: August 2015

The aim of the present study was to investigate the binding of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to cultured endothelial cells and to characterize binding structures present in the cultures. Studies on the binding of 125I-tPA to cultured endothelial cells from human umbilical-cord veins (HUVEC) indicated that the number of sites for specific binding of tPA is 8 x 10(5) per cell. Treatment with an excess of antibodies against plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) caused an 80% decrease in the binding, leaving about 1.6 x 10(5) unoccupied binding sites per cell, which appeared to be different from PAI-1. About 1.9 x 10(5) binding sites/cell for tPA were found on the surface of HUVEC that had been detached from the matrix. This indicates that only minor amounts of PAI-1 occur on the surface of the cells. In addition, immunocytochemical analysis showed that PAI-1 antigen is present almost exclusively in the cytoplasm but was not observed on the surface of the cells, whereas tPA antigen is abundant on the plasma membrane of tPA-treated cells as well as intracellularly. Competition studies using unlabelled compounds showed that native tPA and tPA B-chain (the proteinase domain), as well as the inactive derivatives, B-chain inactivated with D-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethane and tPA-PAI-1 complex, caused a considerable quenching of the binding of 125I-tPA to HUVEC, whereas the isolated A-chain had no demonstrable effect. Two components (apparent molecular masses 38 kDa and 56 kDa) reacting with tPA but lacking PAI-1 antigen determinants were identified. Thus the data suggest that tPA binds to HUVEC by two principally different mechanisms. One is mediated by PAI-1, which binds and inactivates tPA with a functional active site. The other binding is achieved by components which react with sites on the activator molecule other than structures of the A-chain or the active site.
Taurolithocholate-induced Ca2+ release is inhibited by phorbol esters in isolated hepatocytes
Authors: Combettes L , Berthon B , Claret M
Published: August 2015

The monohydroxy bile acid taurolithocholate (TLC) causes a rapid and transient increase in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in suspensions of rat hepatocytes similar to that elicited by the InsP3-dependent hormone vasopressin. The effect of the bile acid is due to a mobilization of Ca2+, independent of InsP3, from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Short-term preincubation of cells with the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA), which activates protein kinase C (PKC), blocked the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by TLC, but did not alter that mediated by vasopressin. We obtained the following results, indicating that the effect of PMA is mediated by the activation of PKC. (1) Phorbol esters were effective over a concentration range where they activate PKC (IC50 = 0.5 nM); (2) phorbol esters that do not activate PKC did not inhibit the effects of TLC; (3) the permeant analogue oleoylacetylglycerol mimicked the inhibitory effect of PMA; (4) lastly, the inhibition of the TLC-induced Ca2+ mobilization by phorbol esters was partially prevented by preincubating the cells with the PKC inhibitors H7 and AMG-C16. Preincubating hepatocytes with PMA had no effect on the cell uptake of labelled TLC, indicating that the phorbol ester does not interfere with the transport system responsible for the accumulation of bile acids. In saponin-treated liver cells, PMA added before or after permeabilization failed to abolish TLC-induced Ca2+ release from the ER. The possibility is discussed that PMA, via PKC activation, may alter the intracellular binding or the transfer of bile acids in the liver.
Protein phosphatase 2A is a specific protamine-kinase-inactivating phosphatase
Authors: Amick G D , Reddy S A G , Damuni Z
Published: August 2015

Purified preparations of a protamine protein kinase from bovine kidney cytosol [Damuni, Amick & Sneed (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 6412-6416] were inactivated after incubation with near-homogeneous preparations of protein phosphatase 2A1 and protein phosphatase 2A2. These protein phosphatase 2A-mediated inactivations of the protamine kinase were unaffected by highly purified preparations of inhibitor 2, but were prevented when the incubations were performed in the presence of 100 nM microcystin-LR, 100 nM okadaic acid or 0.2 mM-ATP. By contrast, highly purified preparations of protein phosphatase 2B, protein phosphatase 2C, the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1, and two forms of a protein tyrosine phosphatase, designated PTPase 1B and T-cell PTPase, had little effect, if any, on protamine kinase activity. Purified preparations of the protamine kinase did not react with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, as determined by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation analysis. The results indicate that protein phosphatase 2A is a specific protamine-kinase-inactivating phosphatase.
The inhibitory GTP-binding protein (Gi) regulates the agonistic property of β-adrenergic ligands in isolated rat adipocytes. Evidence for a priming effect of cyclic AMP
Authors: Wesslau C , Smith U
Published: August 2015

Prenalterol, an allegedly beta 1-selective adrenergic agonist with high intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), was shown to be weakly lipolytic in rat adipocytes. However, in pertussis-toxin-treated adipocytes, the ISA of prenalterol was markedly increased (from 10-20% to approx. 100% of that of isoprenaline). The cellular sensitivity was also increased (EC50 approx. 60 nM and approx. 3 microM in pertussis-toxin-treated and control cells respectively). A similar effect was seen for other partial agonists such as the beta 2-selective agonist terbutaline and for beta-adrenergic antagonists with some intrinsic activity (metoprolol, pindolol). There was no clear change in sensitivity to isoprenaline's ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase in adipocyte membranes from pertussis-toxin-treated animals but the cyclase activity was increased approx. 4-fold in the presence of 1 microM-GTP. Prenalterol stimulated lipolysis by only small increases in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels (less than 10% of that seen with isoprenaline). Basal lipolysis was increased in cells from pertussis-toxin-treated rats and the cellular sensitivity to the non-degradable cAMP analogue, N6-monobutyryl-cAMP, was increased. In control cells, a submaximal concentration of prenalterol (0.1 microM) increased the sensitivity to the cAMP analogues, N6-monobutyryl-cAMP and 8-bromo-cAMP. A low concentration (1 mM) of 8-bromo-cAMP also increased the effect of prenalterol. Similar effects were seen when the phosphodiesterase was inhibited. Thus (1) lipolysis is extremely sensitive to small increases in intracellular cAMP; (2) the degree of activation of adenylate cyclase and thus cAMP formation is the rate-limiting step for the biological response of partial agonists; (3) the inhibitory GTP-binding protein, Gi, is an important modulator (‘tissue factor’) of the beta-adrenergic agonistic property; (4) low levels of cAMP exert a priming effect on protein kinase A.
Kinetic analysis of internalization, recycling and redistribution of atrial natriuretic factor-receptor complex in cultured vascular smooth-muscle cells. Ligand-dependent receptor down-regulation
Authors: Pandey K N
Published: August 2015

The kinetics of internalization, sequestration and metabolic degradation of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-receptor complex were studied in rat thoracic aortic smooth-muscle (RTASM) cells. These parameters were directly determined by measuring 125I-ANF binding to total, intracellular and cell-surface receptors. Pretreatment of cells with the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine and the energy depleter dinitrophenol led to an increase in the intracellular 125I-ANF radioactivity. After 60 min incubation at 37 degrees C, cell-associated 125I-ANF radioactivity fell rapidly in chloroquine-treated cells (> 85%) compared with the controls (< 45%). 125I-ANF radioactivity increased to a peak of 65% of the initial level within 15 min in chloroquine-treated cells compared with only 22% in the control cells. During the initial incubation period at 37 degrees C, chloroquine inhibited the release of both intact and degraded 125I-ANF in a time-dependent manner. However, at later incubation times, the effect of chloroquine was diminished and release of both degraded and intact ligand was resumed. Extracellular unlabelled ANF did not affect the release of degraded 125I-ANF but it accelerated the release of intact ANF by a retroendocytotic mechanism. After the endocytosis, about 30-40% of ANF receptors were restored to the cell surface from the internalized pool of receptors. The restoration was blocked by chloroquine or dinitrophenol but not by cycloheximide. Exposure of RTASM cells to unlabelled ANF resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent loss of ANF receptors. Unlabelled ANF (10 nM) induced a loss of more than 52% of 125I-ANF binding, and a complete loss occurred at micromolar concentrations. It is inferred that ANF-induced down-regulation of its receptor resulted primarily from an increased rate in internalization and metabolic degradation of ligand-receptor complex by receptor-mediated endocytotic mechanisms.
Role of glucose 6-phosphate in the translocation of glycogen synthase in rat hepatocytes
Authors: Fernández-Novell J M , Ariño J , Vilaró S , Bellido D , Guinovart J J
Published: August 2015

Incubation of rat hepatocytes with glucose induces the translocation of glycogen synthase from soluble fractions to fractions which sediment at 10,000 g. Incubation of the cells with fructose, galactose, 2-deoxyglucose or 5-thioglucose, which activate glycogen synthase, also resulted in the translocation of the enzyme, whereas 3-O-methylglucose, 6-deoxyglucose and 1,5-anhydroglucitol, which do not cause the activation of the enzyme, were ineffective. Adenosine and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, although activating glycogen synthase, did not induce its translocation. Mannoheptulose, which inhibits glucose phosphorylation, impaired the translocation of glycogen synthase induced by glucose. Furthermore, the extent of the translocation of the enzyme triggered by glucose and other sugars showed a high positive correlation with the intracellular concentration of glucose 6-phosphate. Microcystin, which blocks the activation of glycogen synthase by glucose, but not the accumulation of glucose 6-phosphate, did not affect the translocation of the enzyme. These results indicate that glucose 6-phosphate plays a role in the translocation of glycogen synthase in rat hepatocytes.
Microtubule-independent choleresis and anti-cholestatic action of tauroursodeoxycholate in colchicine-treated rat liver
Authors: Nakai T , Katagiri K , Hoshino M , Hayakawa T , Ohiwa T
Published: August 2015

In order to cast light on the anti-cholestatic and cytoprotective properties of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), intrahepatic transport and secretion of bile salts and biliary phospholipids were investigated by using isolated perfused livers from colchicine-pretreated rats. Administration of taurocholic acid (TCA) after colchicine pretreatment induced marked cholestasis. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) treatment, in contrast, was associated with maintenance of bile flow, with excretion rates of bile acids and phospholipids similar to those in control animals. Furthermore, TCA-induced cholestasis in colchicine-treated rat livers was clearly decreased by co-administration of TUDCA. Although simultaneous addition of UDCA also showed slight improvement, with or without taurine pre-treatment, biliary bile-salt analysis also showed that cholestasis was markedly remitted as the excretion of taurine-conjugated UDCA was increased. The results suggest that the cytoprotective and anti-cholestatic effects of TUDCA may be linked to action at the intrahepatocyte level, represented by mild detergent effects on organelle lipids and preservation of intracellular transport even under microtubule-dysfunctional conditions. In addition, it was indicated that cytoprotective effects of UDCA may also be exerted after its conjugation with taurine inside hepatocytes.
Spectroscopic studies on an oxygen-binding haemoglobin-like flavohaemoprotein from Escherichia coli
Authors: Ioannidis N , Cooper C E , Poole R K
Published: August 2015

The Escherichia coli haemoglobin-like flavohaemoprotein (Hmp) has been purified to near homogeneity using two chromatographic steps. The prosthetic groups are identified as FAD and protohaem IX. SDS/PAGE has indicated a molecular mass of 44 kDa for the monomeric protein consistent with the amino-acid sequence deduced from the hmp+ gene. The protein, as isolated, is in the Fe(III) state, exhibiting absorbance maxima at 403.5, 540 (shoulder) and 627 nm. The ferrous and carbonmonoxyferrous states resemble those of haemoglobin, showing maxima at 431.5 and 558 nm, and 421, 542 and 566 nm respectively. Upon aerobic addition of NAD(P)H, the ferric state is reduced to the oxygenated Fe(II) state, characterized by maxima at 413, 544 and 580 nm. This oxy form is not stable and slowly decays to the ferric state. Addition of dithionite and nitrite to the ferric protein results in the formation of a nitrosyl complex, whose e.p.r. characteristics indicate that the b-type haem is attached to the protein through a nitrogenous ligand, probably originating from a histidine residue.
Observations on the inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by catechins
Authors: Moore P S , Pizza C
Published: August 2015

The sensitivity and specificity of the inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by various catechins have been examined. As previously reported, (-)epicatechin 3-gallate inhibits the viral polymerase. However, it is noted here that this inhibition is not observed in the presence of either serum albumin or Triton X-100. Other catechins behave similarly to (-)epicatechin 3-gallate in that they inhibit polymerase activity only in the absence of these reagents. Additionally, other DNA polymerases are inhibited to a similar degree by (-)epicatechin 3-gallate. Taken cumulatively, these results suggest that these catechins, and in particular (-)epicatechin 3-gallate, bind with no apparent selectivity and that the observed inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase is non-specific in nature.
Characterization of the placental brush border membrane Na+/H+ exchanger: identification of thiol-dependent transitions in apparent molecular size
Authors: Fliegel L , Haworth R S , Dyck J R
Published: August 2015

We examined the protein and mRNA encoding the amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger from human placenta. Reverse transcriptase PCR of human placental RNA and a human choriocarcinoma cell line showed that the message for the amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger from human placenta. Reverse transcriptase PCR of human placental RNA and a human choriocarcinoma cell line showed that the message for the amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger is present in the placenta and its derived cell line. Northern blot analysis showed only one species of Na+/H+ exchanger mRNA, of about 5 kb in size. To examine the Na+/H+ exchanger protein two different affinity-purified antibodies were produced against the C-terminal cytoplasmic region of the Na+/H+ exchanger. The antibodies both identified a 105 kDa protein in human placental brush border membrane vesicles. Under non-reducing conditions the amount of 105 kDa protein was greatly decreased, while a 205 kDa protein became apparent. This is probably a dimer of the 105 kDa protein. The monomer-to-dimer transition was dependent on the concentration of beta-mercaptoethanol. The results show that the amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger is relatively abundant in human placenta and that it can exist as a larger 205 kDa protein linked by disulphide bonds.
Agonist activation of transfected human M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in CHO cells results in down-regulation of both the receptor and the α subunit of the G-protein Gq
Authors: Mullaney I , Dodd M W , Buckley N , Milligan G
Published: August 2015

CHO cells stably transfected with cDNA encoding the human M1 muscarinic acetylcholine (HM1) receptor were treated with the cholinergic agonist carbachol at various concentrations for differing times. Levels of the HM1 receptor and of a range of G-proteins were subsequently measured. Carbachol treatment of the transfected cells caused a substantial down-regulation of cellular levels of the alpha subunit of Gq (Gq alpha), but did not significantly alter cellular levels of the alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2. A small decrease in levels of G-protein beta-subunit was also produced. Parallel assessment of agonist-induced down-regulation of the HM1 receptor demonstrated that it was lost in concert with the G-protein. Similar concentrations of carbachol (5 microM) were required to produce half-maximal stimulation of inositol phosphate generation and loss of each of the HM1 receptor and Gq alpha, and half-maximal losses of both receptor and Gq alpha were produced by 3 h of treatment with 1 mM-carbachol. By contrast, treatment of the non-transfected parental CHO cells, which do not express detectable levels of the receptor, with carbachol had no effect on cellular Gq alpha levels. Concurrent treatment of the HM1-expressing CHO cells with carbachol and cycloheximide indicated that suppression of protein synthesis de novo did not mimic the effect of carbachol, and hence even complete inhibition of transcription of the Gq alpha gene and/or translation of pre-existing Gq alpha mRNA could not account for the agonist-induced effect. We have previously noted that cellular levels of both Gs alpha [McKenzie and Milligan (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 17084-17093] and the alpha subunits of the pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins Gi1, Gi2 and Gi3 [Green, Johnson and Milligan (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 5206-5210] can be regulated in certain cell systems by agonist activation of receptors expected to interact with these G-proteins. These results demonstrate that the same is true of Gq alpha and suggest that agonist-induced co-ordinate loss of receptors and associated G-proteins may be a more common feature than has been appreciated to date.
Expression of human recombinant 72 kDa gelatinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2): characterization of complex and free enzyme
Authors: Fridman R , Bird R E , Hoyhtya M , Oelkuct M , Komarek D , Liang C M , Berman M L , Liotta L A , Stetler-Stevenson W G , Fuerst T R
Published: August 2015

The human 72 kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase is a metalloproteinase that is thought to play a role in metastasis and angiogenesis. The 72 kDa progelatinase can be isolated from conditioned media as a complex with the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). To investigate 72 kDa gelatinase-TIMP-2 interactions and to compare the activity of the complex versus that of the free enzyme, we have expressed and purified human 72 kDa progelatinase and TIMP-2 as single proteins in a recombinant vaccinia virus mammalian cell expression system. The recombinant 72 kDa progelatinase was able to bind TIMP-2, and it digested gelatin and collagen type IV after activation by p-aminophenylmercuric acid (APMA). The specific activity of the recombinant free enzyme was 20-fold higher than the activity of an APMA-treated stoichiometric complex of recombinant 72 kDa progelatinase and TIMP-2. Also, TIMP-2 caused an 86% inhibition of activity when added to the activated enzyme at a 1:1 molar ratio. Activation of the free recombinant 72 kDa progelatinase yielded the 62 kDa species and two fragments of 46 and 35 kDa that cross-reacted with monoclonal antibodies to the 72 kDa proenzyme. TIMP-2 inhibited the conversion of the recombinant proenzyme to the 62 kDa species and the appearance of the 45 and 35 kDa bands. These results suggest that TIMP-2 is not only a potent inhibitor of the activated enzyme but also prevents the generation of low-molecular-mass species and full enzymic activity from the zymogen.
Identification of a surface structure in the fourth component of human complement, C4, which becomes hidden upon activation by C1ˉs
Authors: Maeda S , Takamaru Y , Fukatsu J , Nagasawa S
Published: August 2015

Treatment of complement component C4 with C1(-)s and methylamine induces a series of conformation changes such as to generate functional binding sites. A monoclonal antibody (mAb), Al 121/6, which does not inhibit the haemolytic activity of C4 was found to bind to native C4 and C4d, but not to C4b and methylamine-treated C4, unless these C4 derivatives were denatured. These results suggested that a linear epitope for mAb Al 121/6 in the C4d domain is originally located at the surface of C4 and becomes hidden as a result of conformational changes induced by C1(-)s or methylamine treatment. The hidden linear epitope was exposed again upon further cleavage of C4b into C4c and C4d. Trypsin digestion of C4d and its chemical modification with phthalic anhydride suggested that the epitope is located at the C-terminal 13 kDa region of C4d and that lysine residues are involved in the epitope. There is a single lysine residue at 1259 in the 13 kDa C-terminal side of C4d and the synthetic undecapeptide Leu1254-Asp1264 was found to inhibit the binding of C4 to mAb Al 121/6, suggesting that the epitope for mAb Al 121/6 is involved in the sequence. The N-terminal portion of the peptide is partly overlapping, with a highly hydrophobic amino acid sequence spanning residues Ala1249-Leu-Leu-His-Leu-Leu-Leu1255. The surface hydrophobicity of C4 has been reported to decrease upon treatment with C1(-)s and methylamine. So it appears that the hydrophobic sequence spanning Ala1249-Leu1255 may be hidden, together with the linear epitope, into the inner region of C4 upon treatment with C1s and methylamine.
Involvement of calcium in modulation of neutrophil function by phorbol esters that activate protein kinase C isotypes and related enzymes
Authors: Merritt J E , Moores K E , Evans A T , Sharma P , Evans F J , MacPhee C H
Published: August 2015

In this study, the effects of a series of phorbol esters with different spectra of biological activities and different patterns of activation of the isoenzymes of protein kinase C (PKC) have been studied in human neutrophils. The aim was to gain more information on which isoenzymes of PKC are involved in neutrophil activation, specifically inhibition of fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-stimulated bivalent cation influx and stimulation of O2-. release (either alone or potentiation of the response to fMLP). Prior addition of both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and sapintoxin A (SAPA) inhibited fMLP-stimulated Mn2+ influx. Higher concentrations of resiniferatoxin (RX) were also inhibitory, inhibition being more apparent at longer preincubation times. However, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-O-phenylacetate (DOPPA) showed only a slight inhibitory effect and required a prolonged preincubation. PMA, SAPA and RX, but not DOPPA, stimulated O2-. release by themselves. Lower concentrations of PMA, SAPA and RX, which were ineffective alone, considerably potentiated O2-. release stimulated by fMLP, whereas DOPPA had little or no effect. These results rule out a major role for PKC-delta (not activated by SAPA) and PKC-beta 1 (activated by DOPPA), but suggest the involvement of RX kinase in addition to PKC in the inhibition of fMLP-stimulated Mn2+ influx and potentiation of fMLP-stimulated O2-. release. However, when the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was elevated with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, DOPPA was able to stimulate O2-. release, which probably reflects the known Ca2+ requirement for activation of PKC-beta 1 by DOPPA in vitro. The effects of the other phorbols were also enhanced when [Ca2+]i was elevated; all of the phorbols synergize, to variable extents, with Ca2+ to activate PKC in vitro. Enhancement of RX-stimulated O2- release by elevation of [Ca2+]i was unexpected, since RX kinase has been reported to be inhibited by high concentrations of Ca2+ in vitro. Finally, use of fura-2 and SK&F 96365 to manipulate the fMLP-stimulated rise in [Ca2+]i showed that when fMLP was able to evoke its normal rise in [Ca2+]i (to a peak of 700-900 nM), O2-. release was potentiated by PMA, SAPA and RX. However, when fMLP was only able to evoke a small increase in [Ca2+]i (to a peak of 400 nM), potentiation by PMA was unaffected but potentiation by SAPA and RX was considerably reduced. This observation agrees with published data demonstrating that activation of PKC in vitro by SAPA is more Ca(2+)-dependent than activation by PMA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)