bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergy between Ca2+ and protein kinase C is the major factor in determining the level of secretion from human platelets
Authors: Walker T R , Watson S P
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to establish further the role of protein kinase C in aggregation and secretion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from human platelets by using the selective inhibitor Ro 31-8220. Ro 31-8220 (3 microM) inhibited completely phosphorylation of pleckstrin, the major protein kinase C substrate, induced by thrombin, A23187 or phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu). Myosin light-chain phosphorylation induced by PDBu was also inhibited completely, but that induced by thrombin or A23187 was only inhibited partially. As myosin light chain is a substrate for both myosin light-chain kinase and protein kinase C, these results suggest that Ro 31-8220 is inhibiting only the protein kinase C-induced phosphorylation and that Ro 31-8220 has a greater selectivity to protein kinase C than does its structural analogue staurosporine. The stimulation of secretion of 5-HT by maximally effective concentrations of thrombin and A23187 was decreased significantly by 3 microM Ro 31-8220, but not inhibited completely. These results indicate a major role for protein kinase C in the stimulation of secretion by agonist- and ionophore-induced activation. On its own, a maximal concentration of PDBu induced a small degree of secretion (3.3 +/- 1.0%), but potentiated markedly the response to a submaximal concentration of A23187 (300 nM) to a level greater than seen with a maximal concentration of A23187. A similar set of results was also seen with aggregation, but not with shape change. We interpret these results to mean that the signalling event for secretion and aggregation is Ca2+, and this is potentiated markedly by protein kinase C. In the case of secretion, it appears that it is the synergy which is the major determining factor in influencing the extent.
Carrageenans inhibit growth-factor binding
Authors: Hoffman R
Published: August 2015

Carrageenans, a family of polysulphated carbohydrates, inhibited binding of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). iota-Carrageenan was the most potent bFGF antagonist (IC50 = 0.4 +/- 0.1 microgram/ml), kappa-carrageenan was the most potent PDGF antagonist (IC50 = 1.7 +/- 1.3 micrograms/ml) and lambda-carrageenan was the most potent TGF beta 1 antagonist (IC50 = 19 +/- 2 micrograms/ml). None of the carrageenans, at concentrations up to 200 micrograms/ml, inhibited binding of insulin-like growth factor 1 or transforming growth factor alpha. Carrageenans are selective growth-factor antagonists and have potential for the treatment of disorders associated with the over-production of certain growth factors.
The molybdenum and vanadium nitrogenases of Azotobacter chroococcum: effect of elevated temperature on N2 reduction
Authors: Dilworth M J , Eldridge M E , Eady R R
Published: August 2015

During the reduction of N2 by V-nitrogenase at 30 degrees C, some hydrazine (N2H4) is formed as a product in addition to NH3 [Dilworth and Eady (1991) Biochem. J. 277, 465-468]. We show here the following. (1) That over the temperature range 30-45 degrees C the apparent Km for the reduction of N2 to yield these products is the same, but increases from 30 to 58 kPa of N2. On increasing the temperature from 45 degrees C to 50 degrees C, little change occurred in the rate of reduction of protons to H2; the rate of N2H4 production increased, but the rate of NH3 formation decreased 7-fold. (2) Temperature-shift experiments from 42 to 50 degrees C or from 50 to 42 degrees C showed that this selective loss of the ability to reduce N2 to NH3 was reversible. The effects we observe are consistent with the existence of different conformers of the VFe-protein at the two temperatures, that predominating at 50 degrees C being largely unable to reduce N2 to ammonia. (3) Measurement of the ratio between H2 evolution and N2 reduced to NH3 at N2 pressures up to 339 kPa for both Mo- and V-nitrogenases gave limiting H2/N2 values of 1.13 +/- 0.13 for Mo-nitrogenase and 3.50 +/- 0.03 for V-nitrogenase. Since for Mo-nitrogenase our measured value for the ratio at 339 kPa is the same as that derived by Simpson and Burris [(1984) Science 224, 1095-1097] at 5650 kPa, there appears to be little or no divergence from the predictions based on the apparent Km for N2. These data then suggest that there may be a fundamentally different mechanism for N2 binding to V-nitrogenase compared with Mo-nitrogenase. (4) We did not detect any N2H4 as a product of N2 reduction by Mo-nitrogenase over the temperature range investigated; however, at 50 degrees C this system reduced acetylene (C2H2) to yield some ethane (C2H6), in addition to ethylene (C2H4), a reaction normally associated with Mo-independent nitrogenases.
Binding of human xanthine oxidase to sulphated glycosaminoglycans on the endothelial-cell surface
Authors: Adachi T , Fukushima T , Usami Y , Hirano K
Published: August 2015

Much evidence has suggested that the superoxide generated by xanthine oxidase (XOD) within the endothelial cell triggers characteristic free-radical-mediated tissue injuries. Although it has been reported that XOD exists not only in the cytoplasm, but also on the outside surface of the endothelial cell membrane, it is not clear how XOD localizes on the outside of the plasma membrane. Purified human xanthine oxidase (h-XOD) had an affinity for heparin-Sepharose. The binding was largely independent of the pH over the physiological range, whereas it tended to increase at lower pH and to decrease at higher pH. Exposure of h-XOD to the lysine-specific reagent trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid or the arginine-specific reagent phenylglyoxal caused it to lose its affinity for heparin-Sepharose. The binding of h-XOD to heparin is apparently of electrostatic nature, and both lysine and arginine residues are involved in the binding. h-XOD was found to bind to cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells, and this binding was inhibited by the addition of heparin or pretreatment of the cells with heparinase and/or heparitinase. Intravenous injection of heparin into two healthy persons led to a prompt increase in plasma h-XOD concentration. These results suggest that XOD localizes on the outside surface of endothelial cells by association with polysaccharide chains of heparin-like proteoglycans on the endothelial-cell membranes. Superoxide extracellularly generated by XOD may injure the source-endothelial-cell membrane and also attract and activate closely appositional neutrophils, which themselves actually cause progressive oxidative damage.
The conservative substitution Asp-645→Glu in lysosomal α-glucosidase affects transport and phosphorylation of the enzyme in an adult patient with glycogen-storage disease type II
Authors: Hermans M M P , de Graaff E , Kroos M A , Wisselaar H A , Willemsen R , Oostra B A , Reuser A J J
Published: August 2015

Glycogen-storage disease type II (GSDII) is caused by the deficiency of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase (acid maltase). This paper reports on the analysis of the mutant alleles in an American black patient with an adult form of GSDII (GM1935). The lysosomal alpha-glucosidase precursor of this patient has abnormal molecular features: (i) the molecular mass is decreased, (ii) the phosphorylation is deficient and (iii) the proteolytic processing is impaired. Sequence analysis revealed four mutations leading to amino acid alterations: Asp-645->Glu, Val-816->Ile, Arg-854->Stop and Thr-927->Ile. By using allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization on PCR-amplified cDNA we have demonstrated that the Arg-854->Stop mutation is located in one allele that is not expressed, and that the other allele contains the remaining three mutations. Each of the mutations was introduced in wild-type cDNA and expressed in COS cells to analyse the effect on biosynthesis, transport and phosphorylation of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase. The Val-816->Ile substitution appeared to have no significant effect in contrast with results [Martiniuk, Mehler, Bodkin, Tzall, Hirshhorn, Zhong and Hirschhorn (1991) DNA Cell Biol. 10, 681-687] and was therefore defined as a polymorphism. The Thr-927->Ile substitution deleting one of the seven glycosylation sites was found to be responsible for the decrease in molecular-mass, but not for the deficient proteolytic processing and phosphorylation. It did not cause the enzyme deficiency either. The third mutation leading to the Asp-645->Glu substitution was proven to account in full for the observed defects in transport, phosphorylation and proteolytic processing of the newly synthesized alpha-glucosidase precursor of the patient.
Effects of fasting on phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in hamster liver: regulation of cholinephosphotransferase activity by endogenous argininosuccinate
Authors: O K M , Choy P C
Published: August 2015

The control of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in the hamster liver was examined. Livers of hamsters fasted for 24 and 48 h were perfused with labelled choline. Under both fasting conditions, the incorporation of labelled choline into phosphatidylcholine was reduced. After 48 h of fasting, the 52% reduction in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis was caused by changes in several factors including a diminishing rate of choline uptake and severe reductions in the pool sizes of ATP and CTP (to 33-37% control values) which resulted in a decrease in the pools of choline-containing metabolites. The activation of cytidylyltransferase after 48 h of fasting might be regarded as a compensatory mechanism for the maintenance of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. After 24 h of fasting, a 25% reduction in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis was observed. The ATP and CTP levels were decreased but the reduction was not severe enough to affect the choline uptake or the labelling of the phosphocholine fraction. The activities of the cytidylyltransferase remained unchanged but an accumulation of labelled CDP-choline was detected. Although choline-phosphotransferase activity was not changed in the microsomes, the enzyme activity was attenuated in the postmitochondrial fraction. Further analysis revealed that cholinephosphotransferase in the liver was inhibited by an endogenous inhibitor in the cytosol which was later identified as argininosuccinate. The level of argininosuccinate was elevated during fasting and the change quantitatively accounted for the attenuation of cholinephosphotransferase activity. The inhibition of choline-phosphotransferase by argininosuccinate, coupled with a substantial decrease in the diacylglycerol level, would provide the hamster liver with an immediate mechanism for the transient modulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis during short-term fasting.
Caerulein and gastrin(2–17 ds) regulate differently synthesis of secretory enzymes, mRNA levels and cell proliferation in pancreatic acinar cells (AR4-2J)
Authors: Pradel P , Estival A , Seva C , Wicker-Planquart C , Puigserver A , Vaysse N , Clemente F
Published: August 2015

In order to characterize the biological functions coupled to cholecystokinin (CCK) A and B receptors, the effects of gastrin(2-17 ds) and caerulein were compared. An isolated cell model, the pancreatic acinar cell line AR4-2J, was used and the experiments were carried out in serum-free media. Caerulein was found to evoke no mitogenic effects either alone or in the presence of the CCK antagonists L364,718 and CR1409. Gastrin(2-17 ds) increased cell proliferation by 2-fold with an IC50 of 150 pM, corresponding to the occupancy of the CCK B receptors. CR1409, at concentrations that fully occupied CCK B receptors, inhibited the gastrin(2-17 ds) effects. Caerulein enhanced chymotrypsinogen biosynthesis by 100% and the corresponding mRNA level by 75%; amylase biosynthesis and mRNA level were enhanced by 40% only. Half-maximal increases in chymotrypsin activity and mRNA level were recorded in response to caerulein at concentrations of 100 pM and 50 pM respectively. Gastrin(2-17 ds) at 100 nM enhanced chymotrypsinogen biosynthesis by 26% and its mRNA level by 35%; these responses were lower than those evoked by 0.1 nM caerulein. Furthermore, CR1409 completely inhibited caerulein- and gastrin(2-17 ds)-stimulated chymotrypsinogen synthesis, with similar IC50 (4 microM). These results suggest that both peptides induced the synthesis of the secretory enzyme after occupancy of CCK A receptors.
Benzyloxycarbonyl-d-Phe-Pro-methoxypropylboroglycine: a novel inhibitor of thrombin with high selectivity containing a neutral side chain at the P1 position
Authors: Claeson G , Philipp M , Agner E , Scully M F , Metternich R , Kakkar V V , DeSoyza T , Niu L H
Published: August 2015

Thrombin, the blood-clotting enzyme, is a serine proteinase with trypsin-like specificity and is able to cleave Arg-Xaa peptide bonds but only in a very limited number of substrates (and sites therein). For the prevention and treatment of thrombosis the control of thrombin activity is a key target, and a variety of synthetic inhibitors have been introduced recently, all of which have a positive charge at the P1 site. We report the synthesis of the first example of a new class of inhibitor containing a neutral side chain at the P1 site, the peptide benzyloxycarbonyl-D-Phe-Pro- methoxypropylboroglycine. The peptide is a potent inhibitor of thrombin [Ki (limiting) = 7 nM] and is highly selective for its target enzyme in respect of other serine proteinases. This may be expected to confer considerable advantage in terms of specificity of action and reduced toxicity over conventional, positively charged, inhibitors.
Subcellular distribution of agonist-stimulated phosphatidylinositol synthesis in 1321 N1 astrocytoma cells
Authors: Sillence D J , Downes C P
Published: August 2015

In an inositol-depleted 1321 N1 astrocytoma cell line, propranolol at 0.5 mM concentration and carbachol in the presence of Li+ induce a large increase (30-60-fold) in the amount of CMP-phosphatidate, the lipid substrate of PtdIns synthase. The actions of both agents on CMP-phosphatidate accumulation were reversed by co-incubation with 1 mM inositol. In cells grown in the presence of 40 microM inositol the propranolol- and carbachol-mediated CMP-phosphatidate accumulation was much smaller (2-4-fold). Propranolol- and carbachol-mediated increases in CMP-phosphatidate accumulation were at least additive in both inositol-replete and -depleted cells. The subcellular distribution of accumulated CMP-phosphatidate was investigated by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation of a lysate of inositol-depleted cells. There were two coincident peaks of carbachol-stimulated [3H]CMP-phosphatidate and PtdIns synthase activity, respectively. The first peak of accumulated [3H]CMP-phosphatidate and PtdIns synthase activity is characteristic of a ‘light vesicle’ fraction, since it sediments at sucrose densities similar to that of endocytosed 125I-transferrin. The later peak, containing both carbachol-stimulated [3H]CMP-phosphatidate and PtdIns synthase activity, has a distribution in the gradient that is similar to NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, an endoplasmic-reticulum marker. By contrast, propranolol-stimulated [3H]CMP-phosphatidate accumulates in membranes which sediment as a single peak corresponding to the endoplasmic-reticulum marker. These observations suggest that agonist-stimulated PtdIns synthesis occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and in at least one additional membrane compartment which is insensitive to propranolol, an inhibitor of endoplasmic-reticulum phosphatidate phosphohydrolase.
The interaction of 6-propionyl-2-(NN-dimethyl)aminonaphthalene (PRODAN)-labelled actin with actin-binding proteins and drugs
Authors: Zechel K
Published: August 2015

The influence of various actin-binding proteins and drugs on the fluorescence emission of rabbit muscle actin labelled with the fluorescent probe acrylodan (6-acryloyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene) at Cys-374, the penultimate amino acid residue of the actin amino acid sequence, was studied. Addition of myosin, tropomyosin or phalloidin, agents known to bind only to filamentous F-actin, did not change the emission energy or the integrated intensity of the fluorescence spectrum. The presence of heavy meromyosin or of the glycolytic enzyme aldolase led to a small (approx. 2%) increase in the integrated intensity, and in the energy of the emitted fluorescence. The interaction of 6-propionyl-2-(NN-dimethyl)aminonaphthalene (PRODAN)-F-actin with pancreatic DNAase I and with a filament-severing 19 kDa protein from pig brain resulted in the gradual reduction of the integrated intensity of the emission and a red shift of the emission energy, suggestive of a disintegration of the actin filament structure. Profilin caused a < 10% change in the emission energy. Cytochalasin D reduced the integrated intensity of PRODAN-F-actin and red-shifted the emission energy, while cytochalasin B was without influence. Pancreatic DNAase I did not change the fluorescence emission of PRODAN-G-actin, suggesting that binding of this enzyme does not alter the environment of the probe. When the 19 kDa protein bound to PRODAN-G-actin, however, the integrated intensity was reduced and the emission energy was lowered. This effect was exploited to estimate the binding constant for the interaction between the 19 kDa protein and PRODAN-G-actin. The Kd was found to be about 0.25 microM.
Molecular interconversion of cold-sensitive cytosolic 3,3′,5-tri-iodo-l-thyronine-binding proteins from human erythrocytes: effect of cold, heat and pH treatments
Authors: Fanjul A N , Farías R N
Published: August 2015

Cytosolic 3,3′,5-tri-iodo-L-thyronine-binding proteins (CTBP I, II and IV species) from human red blood cells undergo rapid loss of activity at low temperatures. Cold treatment of CTBPs was accompanied by dissociation of the polymeric protein to the 60 kDa inactive monomer. Re-activation of the cold-inactivated CTBP IV by warming resulted in association of the monomer to the active polymeric form. A similar association-dissociation phenomenon was also obtained isothermically, though pH changes. We conclude that CTBP I and CTBP II are polymeric forms of CTBP IV.
N.m.r. lipid profiles of cells, tissues and body fluids. Neutral, non-acidic and acidic phospholipid analysis of Bond Elut chromatographic fractions
Authors: Choi G T , Casu M , Gibbons W A
Published: August 2015

Although the advantages of in vitro n.m.r. analysis of cellular lipids have been documented, this purely n.m.r. approach also has drawbacks. Rapid and quantitative separation of total lipids into neutral lipids, non-esterified fatty acids, non-acidic phospholipids and acidic phospholipids using Bond Elut ion-exchange columns as demonstrated here permitted a more quantitative and complete n.m.r. analysis of glycerides, cholesterol, saturated and unsaturated sphingolipids and ether lipids, as well as of diacylcholine and ethanolamine lipids. Acidic lipids were also analysed. The fatty acid compositions of the intact lipids in each of the four Bond Elut fractions were determined from the n.m.r. spectrum of each fraction.
The role of inorganic metals and metalloporphyrins in the induction of haem oxygenase and heat-shock protein 70 in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Mitani K , Fujita H , Fukuda Y , Kappas A , Sassa S
Published: August 2015

The role of inorganic metals and metalloporphyrins in the induction of mRNAs for haem oxygenase and heat-shock protein 70 (hsp70), the two heat-shock proteins, was examined in human HepG2 and Hep3B hepatoma cells. SnCl2, but not Sn-protoporphyrin, was found to be a potent inducer of both haem oxygenase and hsp70 mRNAs. In contrast, CoCl2, ZnCl2 and FeCl2 caused little induction of haem oxygenase and hsp70 mRNAs, whereas the porphyrin complexes of these metals strongly induced haem oxygenase mRNA, without influencing the level of hsp70 mRNA. The induction process was largely transcriptional, as judged by the inhibition of induction by actinomycin D, but not by cycloheximide, and by increased transcription demonstrated by nuclear run-off analysis. Since CoCl2 is a potent inducer of haem oxygenase in vivo in animals, the possibility of the biosynthesis of Co-protoporphyrin was examined in human hepatoma cells by incubating them with CoCl2 and protoporphyrin, or delta-aminolaevulinate (ALA), the precursor of protoporphyrin. Both types of treatment led to a potent induction of haem oxygenase mRNA. Co-protoporphyrin formation was also spectrally demonstrated in cells incubated with the metal and ALA. The results of this study indicate that certain metals, e.g. SnCl2, may directly induce haem oxygenase mRNA, whereas with other elements, incorporation of the metal into the porphyrin macrocycle is necessary for induction. Therefore CoCl2, like haemin, may activate the haem oxygenase gene via a haem-responsive transcription factor, whereas SnCl2 may exert its effect via a metal-responsive transcription factor.
Role of the C-terminal domain of pulmonary surfactant protein A in binding to alveolar type II cells and regulation of phospholipid secretion
Authors: Murata Y , Kuroki Y , Akino T
Published: August 2015

Surfactant protein A (SP-A), with a reduced denatured molecular mass of 26-38 kDa, is characterized by a collagen-like sequence in the N-terminal half of the protein. This protein forms an oligomeric structure which is dependent upon this collagenous domain. SP-A has been demonstrated to function as an inhibitor of phospholipid secretion by primary cultures of alveolar type II cells via a cell surface receptor for the protein. However, the receptor-binding domain of SP-A has not been identified. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of the C-terminal domain of SP-A in binding to type II cells and regulation of phospholipid secretion. A monoclonal antibody to human SP-A, whose epitope was localized at the C-terminal domain of the protein, abolished the inhibitory activity of human SP-A on lipid secretion by type II cells, and attenuated the ability of human SP-A to compete with 125I-(rat SP-A) for receptor binding. SP-A was then digested with collagenase and the collagenase-resistant fragment (CRF), which is the C-terminal domain of SP-A (thus lacking the N-terminal domain), was isolated. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that CRF exists as a monomer in solution containing Ca2+. CRF had the ability to inhibit phospholipid secretion, although at a higher concentration than for SP-A, and was also able to compete with 125I-(rat SP-A) for binding to type II cells. A direct binding study showed that CRF bound to type II cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The present study demonstrates that the non-collagenous, C-terminal, domain of SP-A is responsible for the protein's inhibitory effect on lipid secretion and its binding to type II cells.
The importance of the interdomain hinge in intramolecular electron transfer in flavocytochrome b2
Authors: White P , Manson F D C , Brunt C E , Chapman S K , Reid G A
Published: August 2015

The two distinct domains of flavocytochrome b2 (L-lactate:cytochrome c oxidoreductase) are connected by a typical hinge peptide. The amino acid sequence of this interdomain hinge is dramatically different in flavocytochromes b2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula anomala. This difference in the hinge is believed to contribute to the difference in kinetic properties between the two enzymes. To probe the importance of the hinge, an interspecies hybrid enzyme has been constructed comprising the bulk of the S. cerevisiae enzyme but containing the H. anomala flavocytochrome b2 hinge. The kinetic properties of this ‘hinge-swap’ enzyme have been investigated by steady-state and stopped-flow methods. The hinge-swap enzyme remains a good lactate dehydrogenase as is evident from steady-state experiments with ferricyanide as acceptor (only 3-fold less active than wild-type enzyme) and stopped-flow experiments monitoring flavin reduction (2.5-fold slower than in wild-type enzyme). The major effect of the hinge-swap mutation is to lower dramatically the enzyme's effectiveness as a cytochrome c reductase; kcat. for cytochrome c reduction falls by more than 100-fold, from 207 +/- 10 s-1 (25 degrees C, pH 7.5) in the wild-type enzyme to 1.62 +/- 0.41 s-1 in the mutant enzyme. This fall in cytochrome c reductase activity results from poor interdomain electron transfer between the FMN and haem groups. This can be demonstrated by the fact that the kcat. for haem reduction in the hinge-swap enzyme (measured by the stopped-flow method) has a value of 1.61 +/- 0.42 s-1, identical with the value for cytochrome c reduction and some 300-fold lower than the value for the wild-type enzyme. From these and other kinetic parameters, including kinetic isotope effects with [2-2H]lactate, we conclude that the hinge plays a crucial role in allowing efficient electron transfer between the two domains of flavocytochrome b2.
G-protein from Medicago sativa: functional association to photoreceptors
Authors: Muschietti J P , Martinetto H E , Coso O A , Farber M D , Torres H N , Flawia M M
Published: August 2015

G-protein subunits were characterized from Medicago sativa (alfalfa) seedlings. Crude membranes and GTP-Sepharose-purified fractions were electrophoresed on SDS/polyacrylamide gels and analysed by Western blotting with 9193 (anti-alpha common) and AS/7 (anti-alpha t, anti-alpha i1 and anti-alpha i2) polyclonal antibodies. These procedures led to the identification of a specific polypeptide band of about 43 kDa. Another polypeptide reacting with the SW/1 (anti-beta) antibody, of about 37 kDa, was also detected. The 43 kDa polypeptide bound specifically [alpha-32P]GTP by a photoaffinity reaction and was ADP-ribosylated by activated cholera toxin, but not by pertussis toxin. Irradiation of etiolated Medicago sativa protoplast preparations at 660 nm for 1 min produced a maximal increase in the guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[35S])-binding rate. After this period of irradiation, the binding rate tended to decrease. The effect of a red-light (660 nm) pulse on the binding rate was reversed when it was immediately followed by a period of far-red (> 730 nm) illumination. These results may suggest that activation of GTP[S]-binding rate was a consequence of conversion of phytochrome Pr into the Ptr form.
Transgenic mice over-producing putrescine in their tissues do not convert the diamine into higher polyamines
Authors: Halmekytö M , Alhonen L , Alakuijala L , Jänne J
Published: August 2015

We recently described a transgenic mouse line over-expressing the human ornithine decarboxylase gene virtually in all tissues. Despite strikingly elevated tissue putrescine concentrations, no or minimal changes were found in the levels of the higher polyamines spermidine and spermine. We have now extended these studies by further increasing tissue putrescine with the aid of 5-fluoromethylornithine, a specific inhibitor of ornithine transaminase and hence the catabolism of L-ornithine. As a result of the treatment with the latter drug, the concentration of putrescine was further increased by a factor of 2-3 without any changes in the concentrations of spermidine and spermine. In the testis of transgenic mice treated with 5-fluoromethylornithine, the concentration of putrescine was nearly 60 times that in non-transgenic untreated animals, yet the concentration of spermidine was only 1.5-fold higher. A similar small increase in brain spermidine was accompanied by a 40-fold elevation in the concentration of putrescine. The apparent blockade between putrescine and spermidine was in all likelihood not attributable to an inhibition of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, the rate-controlling enzyme in the biosynthesis of spermidine and spermine. Our results are more compatible with the view that in non-dividing adult tissues putrescine is sequestered through some unknown mechanisms in a way that makes it unavailable for the synthesis of the higher polyamines.
Glucose- and phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated oxygen consumption and superoxide production in rat peritoneal macrophages is inhibited by dexamethasone
Authors: Rist R J , Naftalin R J
Published: August 2015

1. Rat peritoneal macrophages stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (40 nM) show an increase in the rate of oxygen consumption (measured with an O2 electrode) and the production of superoxide (measured by cytochrome c reduction), which are both dependent on the presence of exogenous glucose. There is a 1:1 correlation between the oxygen consumed and the superoxide produced over a range of glucose concentrations (0-10 mM). 2. Preincubation of macrophages with dexamethasone (1 microM) for 3 h significantly decreased the Vmax. for PMA-induced glucose-dependent oxygen consumption (P < 0.001) and glucose-dependent superoxide production (P < 0.001). However, dexamethasone did not significantly change the Km for glucose in either PMA-induced oxygen consumption or superoxide production. Dexamethasone is therefore a non-competitive inhibitor of PMA-stimulated glucose-dependent oxygen consumption (Ki = 0.83 +/- 0.09 microM) and superoxide generation (Ki = 0.87 +/- 0.09 microM). 3. The PMA-induced rate of oxygen consumption by macrophages was decreased at oxygen concentrations below approx. 15 microM. The Km of oxygen for PMA-induced oxygen consumption was 1.28 +/- 0.13 microM (n = 12), and this was not significantly different in the presence of dexamethasone; Km = 1.61 +/- 0.31 microM (n = 12). It is therefore concluded that in vivo macrophage superoxide production is not limited by external oxygen or glucose concentrations, even in hypoxic joints.
Purification and reactivation of recombinant Synechococcus phytoene desaturase from an overexpressing strain of Escherichia coli
Authors: Fraser P D , Linden H , Sandmann G
Published: August 2015

The Synechococcus phytoene desaturase has been isolated from an overexpressing strain of Escherichia coli. The plasma pPDSde135 mediated the overexpression of the full-length polypeptide directly. The recombinant protein comprised 5% of the total cellular protein and was found predominantly in the inclusion body fraction. Urea was used to solubilize the recombinant protein from the inclusion fraction and the protein was subsequently purified to homogeneity on a DEAE-cellulose column. The purification scheme yielded 4.0 mg of homogeneous desaturase protein after a 20-fold purification, recovering 40% of the original protein from a 100 ml suspension culture of E. coli. The recombinant desaturase had an apparent molecular mass of 53 kDa on SDS/PAGE and crossreacted with an antiserum raised against the expressed protein. Desaturase activity was restored upon the removal of urea. The enzyme catalysed the conversion of phytoene to zeta-carotene via phytofluene. These products of the desaturase reaction existed predominantly in a cis configuration. Lipid replenishment enhanced activity. NAD+ and NADP+ were observed to be involved, whilst FAD was an ineffective electron acceptor.
Retinol esterification in bovine retinal pigment epithelium: reversibility of lecithin:retinol acyltransferase
Authors: Saari J C , Bredberg D L , Farrell D F
Published: August 2015

Esterification of all-trans-retinol is a key reaction of the vertebrate visual cycle, since it produces an insoluble, relatively non-toxic, form of the vitamin for storage and supplies substrate for the isomerization reaction. CoA-dependent and -independent pathways have been described for retinol esterification in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The CoA-independent reaction, catalysed by lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) was examined in more detail in this study. Addition of retinol to RPE microsomes results in a burst of retinyl ester synthesis, followed by a rapid apparent cessation of the reaction. However, [3H]retinol, added when retinyl ester synthesis has apparently ceased, is rapidly incorporated into retinyl ester without a net increase in the amount of ester. The specific radioactivities of [3H]retinol and [3H]retinyl ester reach the same value. [14C]Palmitate from palmitoyl-CoA is incorporated into preexisting retinyl ester in the absence of net ester synthesis, too. These exchange reactions suggest that the reaction has reached equilibrium at the plateau of the progress curve and that only the accumulation of retinyl ester, and not its synthesis, has stopped during this phase of the reaction. Studies with geometrical isomers of retinol revealed that the rate of exchange of all-trans-retinol with all-trans-retinyl esters was about 6 times more rapid than exchange of 11-cis-retinol with 11-cis-retinyl ester. This is the first demonstration of the reversibility of LRAT and the first example of stereospecificity of retinyl ester synthesis in the visual system. Reversal of the LRAT reaction could contribute to the mobilization of 11-cis-retinol from 11-cis-retinyl ester pools.
Identification of the domain recognized by anti-(ryanodine receptor) antibodies which affect Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release
Authors: Treves S , Chiozzi P , Zorzato F
Published: August 2015

In the present paper we have defined putative functional domains of the ryanodine receptor Ca2+ channel. cDNA fragments of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor were fused in-frame with the Escherichia coli trpe protein and the resulting fusion proteins were evaluated for their ability to react with anti-(ryanodine receptor) antibodies, which are known to block Ca(2+)-dependent activation of the Ca(2+)-release channel. Anti-(ryanodine receptor) antibodies react with epitopes lying within a 245-amino-acid-long polypeptide which is located in a region (residues 4380-4625) encompassing most of myoplasmic loop 2, the predicted transmembrane segment M5 and part of the next lumenal loop (45 residues). Purification of the anti-(ryanodine receptor) antibodies by affinity chromatography led to the isolation of a population of antibodies which was capable of decreasing (by > 30%) the doxorubicin-induced Ca2+ release from isolated terminal cisternae. Polyclonal antibodies raised against a ryanodine receptor fusion encompassing part (198 out of 245 residues) of the immunopositive polypeptide decreased by 2-fold the first-order rate constant of Ca(2+)-induced 45Ca2+ efflux from isolated terminal cisternae. These results suggest strongly that the Ca(2+)-activating domain of the skeletal muscle Ca(2+)-release channel is close to, or associated with, myoplasmic loop 2.
Sensitive, hydrosoluble, macromolecular fluorogenic substrates for human immunodeficiency virus 1 proteinase
Authors: Anjuère F , Monsigny M , Lelièvre Y , Mayer R
Published: August 2015

Hydrosoluble macromolecular fluorogenic substrates specific for the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) proteinase have been prepared. The fluoresceinyl peptide Ftc-epsilon-Ahx-Ser-Phe-Asn-Phe-Pro-Gln-Ile-Thr-(Gly)n, corresponding to the first cleavage site of HIV-1 gag-pol native precursor was linked to a water-soluble neutral (Lys)n derivative. The epsilon-aminohexanoyl residue (epsilon-Ahx) and the glycyl sequence were added in order to improve the stability of the substrate and the accessibility of the cleavage site to the HIV-1 proteinase respectively. This macro-molecular peptidic-substrate conjugate is significantly more water-soluble than the free peptide itself on a substrate molar concentration basis. The assay is based on the quantitative precipitation of the polymeric material by adding propan-2-ol whereas the fluorescent peptide moiety released upon proteolysis remains soluble in the supernatant. The proteinase activity is assessed by measuring the fluorescence of the supernatant. This assay allows the detection of a few fmol of HIV-1 proteinase, even in the presence of cell culture media, plasma or cell lysate and it gives accurate results within a large proteinase concentration range. The hydrosoluble macromolecular substrate is also suitable for determining the HIV-1 proteinase activity using 96-well microplates, allowing us to test accurately and rapidly numerous enzyme samples and/or the potency of new proteinase inhibitors.
Fluorescence analysis of the interaction of isometamidium with Trypanosoma congolense
Authors: Zilberstein D , Wilkes J , Hirumi H , Peregrine A S
Published: August 2015

Isometamidium chloride (Samorin) is the only compound recommended for prophylaxis against bovine trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. The fluorescence property of this compound was used to investigate the interaction of the molecule with in vitro-derived bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma congolense IL 1180. Incubation of isometamidium with trypanosomes at 37 degrees C for 180 min resulted in a gradual alteration of the lambda max. with time (from 600 to 584 nm) and an increase in the intensity of trypanosome-associated fluorescence of approx. 2-fold. The alteration in fluorescence was temperature-dependent and inhibited by the addition of N-ethylmaleimide. In contrast, with intact cells addition of digitonin caused a rapid increase in fluorescence intensity to approximately four times that observed with intact cells. Uptake of isometamidium was also determined using radiolabelled drug; the results indicated that the time course of the uptake process resembled the fluorescence profile and was temperature-dependent. The results therefore indicate that the alteration of fluorescence is due to interaction of isometamidium with an intracellular component(s) and that isometamidium is transported across the plasma membrane via a protein carrier. The data also indicate that the described fluorescence technique can be used to investigate the role of membrane transport in resistance to isometamidium.
Quantitative description of the absorption spectra of the coenzyme in glycogen phosphorylases based on log-normal distribution curves
Authors: Donoso J , Muñoz F , Garcia Blanco F
Published: August 2015

The absorption spectra of the coenzyme [pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)] in glycogen phosphorylase a (GPha), glycogen phosphorylase b (GPhb) and of the latter bound to various effectors and substrates were analysed on the basis of log-normal distribution curves. The results obtained showed that the ionization state of the PLP and GPha environment differs from that of GPhb. This divergence was interpreted in terms of tautomeric equilibria between some forms of the Schiff base of PLP and enzymic Lys-679. The ionic forms are slightly more predominant in GPha than they are in GPhb, so ionic and/or hydrogen-bonding interactions between the aromatic ring of PLP and GPha must be stronger than with GPhb. This confirms the purely structural role of the aromatic ring of the coenzyme. Binding of GPhb to AMP and Mg2+ results in the coenzyme adopting a similar state as in GPha. On the other hand, binding to IMP gives rise to no detectable changes in the tautomeric equilibrium of the coenzyme.
Ca2+-mediated prostaglandin E2 induction reduces haematoporphyrin-derivative-induced cytotoxicity of T24 human bladder transitional carcinoma cells in vitro
Authors: Penning L C , Keirse M J N C , VanSteveninck J , Dubbelman T M A R
Published: August 2015

The effects of haematoporphyrin-derivative-mediated photodynamic treatment on arachidonic acid metabolism and its relation to clonogenicity have been studied in human bladder-tumour cells. Photodynamic treatment resulted in a transient release of arachidonic acid-derived compounds; prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) especially were strongly increased. This release was reduced by chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with Quin-2 or by lowering the extracellular Ca2+ concentration in the medium with EGTA, presumably resulting in inhibition of phospholipase A2. A similar reduction was obtained when indomethacin, an inhibitor of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, was added prior to light exposure. These three treatments enhanced the photosensitivity, as revealed by the clonogenicity assay. Incubation with PGE2 prior to light exposure, but not with TXB2, protected against reproductive-cell death. The results of these experiments suggest that Ca(2+)-mediated activation of cyclo-oxygenase, resulting in increased levels of PGE2, participates in a cellular-defence mechanism against photodynamic cell killing.
Expression of ferrochelatase mRNA in erythroid and non-erythroid cells
Authors: Chan R Y Y , Schulman H M , Ponka P
Published: August 2015

Ferrochelatase, which catalyses the last step in haem biosynthesis, i.e. the insertion of Fe(II) into protophorphyrin IX, is present in all cells, but is particularly abundant in erythroid cells during haemoglobinization. Using mouse ferrochelatase cDNA as a probe two ferrochelatase transcripts, having lengths of 2.9 kb and 2.2 kb, were found in extracts of mouse liver, kidney, brain, muscle and spleen, the 2.9 kb transcript being more abundant in the non-erythroid tissues and the 2.2 kb transcript more predominant in spleen. In mouse erythroleukemia cells the 2.9 kb ferrochelatase transcript is also more abundant; however, following induction of erythroid differentiation by dimethyl sulphoxide there is a preferential increase in the 2.2 kb transcript, which eventually predominates. With mouse reticulocytes, the purest immature erythroid cell population available, over 90% of the total ferrochelatase mRNA is present as the 2.2 kb transcript. Since there is probably only one mouse ferrochelatase gene, the occurrence of two ferrochelatase transcripts could arise from the use of two putative polyadenylation signals in the 3′ region of ferrochelatase DNA. This possibility was explored by using a 389 bp DNA fragment produced by PCR with synthetic oligoprimers having sequence similarity with a region between the polyadenylation sites. This fragment hybridized only to the 2.9 kb ferrochelatase transcript, indicating that the two transcripts differ at their 3′ ends and suggesting that the 2.2 kb transcript results from the utilization of the upstream polyadenylation signal. The preferential utilization of the upstream polyadenylation signal may be an erythroid-specific characteristic of ferrochelatase gene expression.
Co-culture of embryonic chick heart cells and ciliary ganglia induces parasympathetic responsiveness in embryonic chick heart cells
Authors: Barnett J V , Taniuchi M , Yang M B , Galper J B
Published: August 2015

We have developed a system for the co-culture of embryonic chick heart cells obtained from embryos at 3.5 days in ovo with ciliary ganglia from chick embryos at 7 days in vivo. After 3 days of co-culture, removal of the ciliary ganglia resulted in complete degeneration of axons within 6-8 h, leaving the post-innervated heart cell culture devoid of neurons. Embryonic chick heart cells at 3.5 days in ovo are unresponsive to muscarinic stimulation. However, following 3 days of co-culture with ciliary ganglia, the heart cells developed a negative chronotropic response to muscarinic stimulation (paired t test, P < 0.02) which persisted for at least 24 h after removal of the ciliary ganglion. The development of muscarinic responsiveness was associated with an increase in the levels of specific alpha-subunits of the guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins), with a 3-fold increase in the level of alpha 39 (39 kDa subunit) and a 2.5-fold increase in the level of alpha 41. The level of the G-protein subunit alpha s remained unchanged. Culture of embryonic chick heart cells at 3.5 days in ovo with medium conditioned by the growth of embryonic chick heart cells and ciliary ganglia had an effect on the chronotropic response to muscarinic stimulation and on alpha 39 and alpha 41 levels identical to that of co-culture. These data suggest that a soluble factor released during the co-culture of embryonic chick heart cells and ciliary ganglia is capable of inducing muscarinic responsiveness. These studies suggest that innervation of the heart may induce parasympathetic responsiveness by increasing the availability of G-proteins which couple the muscarinic receptor to a physiological response.
Potentiation by cholera toxin of bradykinin-induced inositol phosphate production in the osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1
Authors: Banno Y , Sakai T , Kumada T , Nozawa Y
Published: August 2015

Cells of the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 were shown to contain at least three phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) isoenzymes (PLC-beta, PLC-gamma and PLC-delta) by Western blotting analysis with various anti-PLC antibodies. Stimulation of inositol phosphate production in MC3T3-E1 cells by bradykinin (BK) occurred via a GTP-binding protein. Inositol phosphate formation on stimulation by BK was not affected by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, whereas it was potentiated by cholera toxin pretreatment. Elevation of cellular cyclic AMP levels by brief pretreatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP or forskolin failed to enhance the BK-mediated generation of inositol phosphates, but long-term preincubation with these agents partially mimicked the action of the cholera toxin. Cholera toxin also caused an increase in BK receptor number. Cycloheximide, a protein biosynthesis inhibitor, prevented the potentiating actions of the cholera toxin and the cyclic AMP-elevating agents on BK-induced inositol phosphate production, and also inhibited the increase in BK receptor number. The specific binding of [3H]BK to the whole MC3T3-E1 cells in the presence or absence of cholera toxin was completely inhibited by the B2 BK receptor antagonist D-Arg[Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]BK, but not by the B1 BK receptor agonist des-Arg9-BK. These data suggest that the activation of PI-PLC induced by cholera toxin in BK-stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells was caused by an enhancement of the synthesis of BK receptor protein(s), at least part of which was mediated by a sustained increase in the intracellular level of cyclic AMP.
A dramatic change in the rate-limiting step of β-lactam hydrolysis results from the substitution of the active-site serine residue by a cysteine in the class-C β-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae 908R
Authors: Dubus A , Monnaie D , Jacobs C , Normark S , FrÉre J M
Published: August 2015

A cysteine residue has been substituted for the active-site serine of the class-C beta-lactamase produced by Enterobacter cloacae 908R by site-directed mutagenesis. The modified protein exhibited drastically reduced kcat./Km values on all tested substrates. However, this decrease was due to increased Km values with some substrates and to decreased kcat. values with others. These apparently contradictory results could be explained by a selective influence of the mutation on the first-order rate constant characteristic of the acylation step, a hypothesis which was confirmed by the absence of detectable acylenzyme accumulation with all the tested substrates, with the sole exception of cefoxitin.
Characterization of the interaction of the human mineralocorticosteroid receptor with hormone response elements
Authors: Lombès M , Binart N , Oblin M E , Joulin V , Baulieu E E
Published: August 2015

Although the mineralocorticosteroid receptor (MR) belongs to the superfamily of hormone-dependent transcription factors, the molecular mechanism by which it regulates gene expression is poorly understood. Binding of the MR to target gene promoters has never been characterized, and specific mineralocorticosteroid response elements (MREs) remain to be identified. The human MR (hMR) was overexpressed in Sf21 insect cells using the baculovirus system. The high degree of similarity between the glucocorticosteroid receptor (GR) and the MR prompted us to examine the DNA-binding properties of the recombinant MR with glucocorticosteroid-regulated genes. Gel shift mobility assays demonstrated that the recombinant receptor interacted with oligonucleotides containing perfect and imperfect palindromic sequences of GRE. A monoclonal anti-hMR antibody (FD4) induced a supershift of protein-DNA complexes and identified the MR in Western blot analysis. In vitro DNAse I protection assays with the hormone-regulated murine mammary tumour virus promoter showed that recombinant hMR generated four footprints whose limits encompassed the GRE motifs. By means of these two complementary approaches, no difference between the interaction of free, agonist- or antagonist-bound MR and DNA was detected. We provide evidence that hMR functions as a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein.