bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of high-affinity gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake in primary astrocyte cultures by phorbol esters and phospholipase C
Authors: Gomeza J , Casado M , Gimenez C , Aragon C
Published: August 2015

The effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of protein kinase C (PKC), on high-affinity Na(+)-dependent gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake were investigated in primary cultures of neurons and glial cells from rat brain cortex. Incubation of glial cells with PMA led to concentration- and time-dependent decreases in the GABA transport in glial cells. This effect could be completely suppressed by addition of the PKC inhibitor H7. The PMA effects could be mimicked by oleoylacetylglycerol, the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59022 and exogenous phospholipase C. Treatment with PMA did not affect GABA transport in neuronal cells.
Transgenic mice carrying the guinea-pig α-lactalbumin gene transcribe milk protein genes in their sebaceous glands during lactation
Authors: Maschio A , Brickell P M , Kioussis D , Mellor A L , Katz D , Craig R K
Published: August 2015

We have generated transgenic mice carrying the entire guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin gene. Lactating transgenic mice expressed high levels of correctly initiated and processed guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin mRNA in the secretory epithelium of their mammary glands, and secreted guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin in their milk. Transcripts were detectable after 7 days of pregnancy, indicating that the transgene was under correct hormonal control. Whereas no or negligible transcription was detectable in all other tissues tested, high levels of transcripts were found in the skin of lactating transgenic mice. Guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin protein was undetectable in the skin, however. In situ hybridization analysis showed that expression was localized to the undifferentiated cells in the basal layer of the sebaceous glands. Further studies revealed high levels of endogenous beta-casein mRNA in normal lactating mouse skin, demonstrating that the transcription of milk protein genes in lactating mouse skin is a normal event, and is not peculiar to the transgene. This surprising finding highlights the developmental relationship of the mammary gland to other specialized structures of the skin, supports a role for epithelial-extracellular matrix interactions in the regulation of milk protein gene expression in vivo, and identifies the skin as a particularly accessible model system in which to study the regulation of milk protein gene expression. In addition, the guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin gene will be a source of regulatory sequences with which to direct heterologous gene expression to the sebaceous glands of transgenic mice.
Envelope alteration of Escherichia coli HB101 carrying pEAP31 caused by Kil peptide and its involvement in the extracellular release of periplasmic penicillinase from an alkaliphilic Bacillus
Authors: Aono R
Published: August 2015

The plasmid pEAP31 contains the colicin E1 kil gene. Peptidoglycan and outer-membrane components (lipopoly-saccharide, proteins and phosphatidylethanolamine) decreased concurrently in the envelope fraction from Escherichia coli HB101 carrying pEAP31 during the stationary phase of growth. At almost the same time. D-alanine residues in peptidoglycan decreased. The Kil peptide is suggested to affect, directly or indirectly, the turnover of peptidoglycan in stationary phase and, as a result, to cause partial exfoliation of the outer membrane. Periplasmic proteins are liberated from E. coli HB101 (pEAP31) probably because of the exfoliation of outer membrane.
Aminoacetone synthase from goat liver. Involvement of arginine residue at the active site and on the stability of the enzyme
Authors: Ray S , Sarkar D , Ray M
Published: August 2015

The arginine-specific reagents phenylglyoxal and butane-2,3-dione inactivated goat liver aminoacetone synthase with pseudo-first-order kinetics, with the rate dependent on modifier concentration. Phenylglyoxal and butane-2,3-dione appeared to react with one arginine residue per enzyme molecule. The inactivated enzyme could be re-activated by Tris, suggesting additional evidence of modification of the arginine residue. Acetyl-CoA, one of the substrates, completely protected the enzyme from inactivation. Glycine gave partial protection. Protection by substrates against inactivation by phenylglyoxal and butane-2,3-dione suggested the presence of an essential arginine residue at the substrate-binding region. Experiments with [7-14C]phenylglyoxal in the presence of acetyl-CoA showed that only the arginine residue at the active site could be modified by phenylglyoxal. The stability of the enzyme is dependent on the presence of both EDTA and Mg2+.
Methylmalonic acid metabolism and nervous-system fatty acids in cobalamin-deficient fruit bats receiving supplements of methionine, valine and isoleucine
Authors: Vieira-Makings E , Chetty N , Reavis S C , Metz J
Published: August 2015

Cobalamin neuropathy was produced in Cape fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) by a cobalamin-free diet combined with intermittent exposure to nitrous oxide, which inactivates cobalamin. Cobalamin-deficient bats had low hepatic methylmalonyl-CoA mutase holoenzyme activity, with elevated plasma and urinary methylmalonic acid levels. No significant changes could be demonstrated in the concentration of odd- or branched-chain fatty acids in the nervous system. Supplementation of the cobalamin-free diet with methionine, valine or isoleucine delayed the onset of neuropathy, despite persistence of methylmalonic acid accumulation. Supplementation with any of the three amino acids was associated with elevation of hepatic methionine concentration. The action of valine and isoleucine in delaying the onset of neuropathy can be explained by their methionine-sparing effect. These results emphasize the central role of methionine in the cobalamin neuropathy and do not support the hypothesis that the neuropathy is related to an effect of cobalamin deficiency on the propionic acid pathway.
Control of glycogenolysis and blood flow by arterial and portal adrenaline in perfused liver
Authors: Meyerholz H H , Gardemann A , Jungermann K
Published: August 2015

In isolated liver from fed rats, simultaneously single-pass-perfused via both the hepatic artery (80 mmHg, 30-35% flow) and the portal vein (10 mmHg, 70-65% flow), adrenaline was infused either singly or jointly via the hepatic artery or the portal vein in the absence or presence of the alpha 1-blocker prazosin and the beta 2-blocker butoxamine. It was found that: (1) arterial adrenaline caused increases in glucose and lactate output which were slower in onset, smaller in peak height but longer in duration than did portal adrenaline; (2) arterial adrenaline elicited a much more pronounced decrease in flow and increase in pressure in the ipsilateral vessel than did portal adrenaline, and arterial, but not portal, adrenaline elicited qualitatively similar alterations also in the contralateral vessel; (3) arterial adrenaline caused metabolic changes mainly via alpha 1-receptors, with beta 2-receptors playing a permissive role via haemodynamic alterations, whereas portal adrenaline acted only via alpha 1-receptors; (4) arterial adrenaline decreased arterial flow via alpha 1-receptors counteracted via beta 2-receptors and operated on portal flow as portal adrenaline only via alpha 1-receptors; and (5) arterial adrenaline was extracted to a far greater extent than portal adrenaline. The results indicate that the hepatic artery and the portal vein can function as independent sites of hormonal signal input, which interact by complex, still undefined, mechanisms.
Mucins in cat airway secretions
Authors: Davies J R , Gallagher J T , Richardson P S , Sheehan J K , Carlstedt I
Published: August 2015

Mucous secretions were obtained from cat tracheas that had received [3H]glucose and [35S]sulphate to radiolabel mucus glycoproteins biosynthetically. Samples were collected under resting (‘basal’) conditions as well as after pilocarpine stimulation and were separated into gel and sol phases by centrifugation. Macromolecules were partially purified by using gel chromatography on Sepharose CL-4B, and the species that were eluted with the void volume were then separated into two major populations with isopycnic density-gradient centrifugation in CsCl. The major component from the gel phase of pilocarpine-induced secretions had a buoyant density typical of mucins and was observed as linear and apparently flexible chains by electron microscopy. Reduction of disulphide bonds gave subunits that could be further cleaved by trypsin digestion into components of approximately the same size as the high-Mr glycopeptides obtained from other mucins after this treatment. In contrast, the dominant species in the gel phase of the ‘basal’ secretion had a significantly higher buoyant density than expected for mucins and was largely unaffected by reduction, as studied by gel chromatography. The macromolecules were fragmented by trypsin, suggesting that they contain a polypeptide backbone. This more dense component also predominated in the sol phase both from the ‘basal’ secretions and from the pilocarpine-released secretions. Digestion with DNAase, chondroitin ABC lyase or heparan sulphate lyase had no effect, which shows that this component is not DNA, a dermatan sulphate/chondroitin sulphate or a heparan sulphate proteoglycan. In contrast, endo-beta-galactosidase and keratanase caused some fragmentation, suggesting that the molecules contain some linkages of the poly-(N-acetyl-lactosamine) type, although the degradation was not as extensive as expected for keratan sulphate. Treatment with alkaline borohydride resulted in extensive fragmentation of the high-Mr glycopeptides from both components, indicating that the glycans were oligosaccharides that were probably O-linked. The monosaccharide compositions of both components were consistent with that expected for mucins. The data are in keeping with the major component from the pilocarpine-stimulated gel secretions being a mucus glycoprotein and the more dense component being a mucin-like molecule, possibly related to the keratanase-sensitive material isolated from canine trachea by Varsano, Basbaum, Forsberg, Borson, Caughey & Nadel [(1987) Exp. Lung Res. 13, 157-184].
A unique charged tyrosine-containing member of the adipokinetic hormone/red-pigment-concentrating hormone peptide family isolated and sequenced from two beetle species
Authors: Gäde G
Published: August 2015

An identical neuropeptide was isolated from the corpora cardiaca of two beetle species, Melolontha melolontha and Geotrupes stercorosus. Its primary structure was determined by pulsed-liquid-phase sequencing employing Edman chemistry after enzymically deblocking the N-terminal pyroglutamate residue. The C-terminus was also blocked, as indicated by the lack of digestion when the peptide was incubated with carboxypeptidase A. The sequence of this peptide, which is designated Mem-CC, is pGlu-Leu-Asn-Tyr-Ser-Pro-Asp-Trp-NH2. It is a new member of the adipokinetic hormone/red-pigment-concentrating hormone (AKH/RPCH) family of peptides with two unusual structural features: it is charged and contains a tyrosine residue at position 4, where all other family members have a phenylalanine residue. Structure-activity studies in the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) and the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) revealed that the peptide was poorly active, owing to its structural uniqueness.
The initial-rate kinetics of mouse glutathione S-transferase YfYf. Evidence for an allosteric site for ethacrynic acid
Authors: Phillips M F , Mantle T J
Published: August 2015

Mouse glutathione S-transferase GST YfYf (an orthologue of GST P or 7-7 in the rat and of GST pi in the human) was found to have a subunit Mr of 24,500 and cross-reacted with anti-(rat GST YfYf). N-Terminal analysis showed a close similarity to the rat, human and bovine orthologues. On isoelectric focusing the native enzyme had a pI of 8.3 and a pI of 7.3 in the presence of urea. Initial-rate studies with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and GSH as substrates and inhibition studies with the product of the enzyme-catalysed conjugation of CDNB and GSH, S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione, indicated a rapid-equilibrium random mechanism for the enzyme. The diuretic drug ethacrynic acid was found to be simultaneously a competitive inhibitor and an uncompetitive activator of the enzyme (with CDNB as the substrate whose concentration was varied). By using a computer simulation program (EKPLOT) a model was developed that would explain the experimental data. It is proposed that ethacrynic acid can compete with CDNB at the active site but simultaneously bind to an allosteric site on the enzyme, causing an elevation in the Vmax. for the conjugation of CDNB and GSH. The implications of such an activation mechanism for an enzyme potentially conjugating a range of xenobiotic compounds are discussed.
Preparation, characterization and biological properties of biotinylated derivatives of calmodulin
Authors: Polli J W , Billingsley M L
Published: August 2015

Biotinylated derivatives of calmodulin (CaM) were prepared and their biological properties characterized by using enzyme assays, affinity and hydrophobic-interaction chromatography. Several N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin derivatives [sulphosuccinimidobiotin (sulpho-NHS) and sulphosuccinimido-6-(biotinamido)hexanoate (BNHS-LC)] differing in spacer arm length were used to modify CaM. The shorter-spacer-arm CaM derivative (sulpho-CaM) activated CaM-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and CaM-dependent protein kinase II; preincubation with avidin blocked its ability to activate these enzymes. The extended-spacer-arm derivative (BNHS-LC-CaM) activated CaM-dependent enzymes both in the presence and in the absence of avidin, suggesting that the longer spacer arm diminished steric effects from avidin preincubation. Other biotinylated CaM derivatives were prepared with biotinylated tyrosine and/or histidine residues (diazobenzoylbiocytin; DBB-CaM) or nucleophilic sites (photobiotin acetate; photo-CaM). These derivatives activated CaM-dependent enzymes in the presence and in the absence of avidin. Oriented affinity columns were constructed with covalently immobilized avidin complexed to each biotinylated CaM derivative. The chromatographic profiles obtained revealed that each column interacted with a specific subset of CaM-binding proteins. Elution profiles of biotinyl CaM derivatives on phenyl-Sepharose hydrophobic-interaction chromatography suggested that several derivatives displayed diminished binding to the matrix in the presence of Ca2+. Development and characterization of a series of biotinylated CaM molecules can be used to identify domains of CaM that interact with specific CaM-dependent enzymes.
The unfolding and refolding of pig heart fumarase
Authors: Kelly S M , Price N C
Published: August 2015

The unfolding of pig heart fumarase in solutions of guanidinium chloride (GdnHCl) has been examined. Loss of activity occurs at lower concentrations of GdnHCl than the structural changes detected by fluorescence or c.d. After denaturation, regain of activity can be observed provided that a reducing agent (dithiothreitol) is present and that the concentration of GdnHCl is lowered by dialysis rather than by dilution. The regain of secondary structure occurs with high efficiency even when little or no activity is recovered.
A model to explain the pH-dependent specificity of cathepsin B-catalysed hydrolyses
Authors: Khouri H E , Plouffe C , Hasnain S , Hirama T , Storer A C , Ménard R
Published: August 2015

1. Three synthetic substrates of cathepsin B (EC 3.4.22.1) with various amino acid residues at the P2 position (Cbz-Phe-Arg-NH-Mec, Cbz-Arg-Arg-NH-Mec and Cbz-Cit-Arg-NH-Mec, where Cbz represents benzyloxycarbonyl and NH-Mec represents 4-methylcoumarin-7-ylamide) were used to investigate the pH-dependency of cathepsin B-catalysed hydrolyses and to obtain information on the nature of enzyme-substrate interactions. 2. Non-linear-regression analysis of pH-activity profiles for these substrates indicates that at least four ionizable groups on cathepsin B with pKa values of 3.3, 4.55, 5.46 and greater than 7.3 can affect the rate of substrate hydrolysis. 3. Ionization of the residue with a pKa of 5.46 has a strong effect on activity towards the substrate with an arginine in P2 (8.4-fold increase in activity) but has only a moderate effect on the rate of hydrolysis with Cbz-Cit-Arg-NH-Mec (2.3-fold increase in activity) and virtually no effect with Cbz-Phe-Arg-NH-Mec. The kinetic data are consistent with this group being an acid residue with a side chain able to interact with the side chains of an arginine or a citrulline in the P2 position of a substrate. Amino acid sequence alignment and model building with the related enzyme papain (EC 3.4.22.2) suggest that Glu-245 of cathepsin B is a likely candidate. The relative importance of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in the S2 subsite of cathepsin B is discussed. 4. For all three substrates, activity appears after ionization of a group with a pKa of 3.3, believed to be the active-site Cys-29 of cathepsin B. The identity of the groups with pKa values of 4.55 and greater than 7.3 remains unknown.
A mechanism for differential release of acrosomal enzymes during the acrosome reaction
Authors: Hardy D M , Oda M N , Friend D S , Huang T T F
Published: August 2015

To study the organization of fertilization enzymes in the sperm acrosome, we isolated and characterized two physicochemically distinct acrosomal fractions of guinea-pig spermatozoa. A soluble fraction contained the 25,000-Mr acrosomal autoantigen, AA1, and most of the acrosomal hyaluronidase and dipeptidyl peptidase II activity. A particulate fraction, designated acrosomal matrix (AM), consisted of membraneless crescent-shaped structures, and contained most of the acrosomal proacrosin. The AM also contained a 28,000-Mr putative proacrosin-binding protein, and a very-high-Mr component which, on reduction, was dissociated into 48,000-Mr and 67,000-Mr subunits. Autoproteolytic dissolution of the AM correlated with proteolysis by acrosin of the 28,000-Mr and 48,000-Mr AM molecules. Components of both the AM and the soluble fraction were localized by immuno-electron microscopy to the electron-dense region of the guinea-pig sperm acrosome. We conclude that acrosomal molecules are segregated into soluble and matrix compartments. This segregation is a function of disulphide bonding and non-covalent interactions among the relatively few components of the AM. Association of acrosin with the AM may be the mechanism by which this enzyme's release from the spermatozoon during the acrosome reaction is delayed relative to the release of other acrosomal molecules.
Evidence that rat liver pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase activator protein is a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase
Authors: Mistry S C , Priestman D A , Kerbey A L , Randle P J
Published: August 2015

It is shown here that rat liver pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) kinase activator protein (KAP) catalyses ATP-dependent inactivation and [32P]phosphorylation of pig heart PDHE1 and of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) PDH complex devoid of PDH kinase activity, that fluorosulphonylbenzoyladenosine inactivates rat liver KAP and the intrinsic PDH kinase of rat liver PDH complex, and that KAP, like PDH kinase, is inactivated by thiol-reactive reagents. It is concluded that KAP is a free PDH kinase.
Role of spermine in mammalian sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction
Authors: Rubinstein S , Breitbart H
Published: August 2015

The binding properties of seminal polyamines to ram spermatozoa and their possible role in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction were studied. Binding and release of [14C]spermine from ram spermatozoa occurred at a rate faster than in somatic cells and were not energy-dependent. Release of bound spermine was further facilitated by heparin, a constituent of the female reproductive tract which was reported to induce capacitation and the acrosome reaction. High- and low-affinity polyamine-binding sites were identified, of which the high-affinity site was specific to polyamines with three or more amino groups. We also found that spermine inhibited the acrosome reaction and propose that it is the major seminal decapacitating factor. Since precise timing of capacitation and the acrosome reaction are critical for successful fertilization, it is suggested that the role of seminal spermine is to prevent premature capacitation and the acrosome reaction.
Production of platelet-activating factor is a component of the angiotensin II-protein kinase C activation pathway in bovine adrenocortical cells
Authors: Pelosin J M , Keramidas M , Chambaz E M
Published: August 2015

Lyso-platelet-activating factor (lyso-PAF): acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) enzyme activity was characterized for the first time in bovine adrenocortical tissue. It was found to be associated with the microsomal membrane fraction, in which it exhibited a specific activity of 0.4 nmol/min per mg of protein and catalytic properties similar to those described in other cell types. The adrenocortical acetyltransferase activity was increased by 2-3-fold on incubation of the preparation with purified protein kinase C (PKC) under phosphorylating condition. This activation was optimal after 5 min of incubation and paralleled an increase in PKC-catalysed 32P incorporation into microsomal proteins. Both acetyltransferase activation and protein phosphorylation were dependent on the presence of Ca2+ and phospholipids, and were blocked in the presence of the potent PKC inhibitor H-7. In the intact adrenocortical cell, angiotensin II and a potent phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) were able to rapidly induce an increase in the biosynthesis of PAF, which was mostly released into the extracellular medium. These data suggest that bovine adrenocortical lyso-PAF acetyltransferase may be regulated by a PKC-dependent activation pathway, whereas no evidence for an additional adrenocorticotropin/cyclic AMP-dependent stimulation process was obtained in this cell type. Bovine adrenocortical cell membrane preparations were shown to possess high-affinity PAF-binding sites (Kd approximately 0.5 nM). Altogether, these observations suggest that PAF production and release may play a role in the autocrine or paracrine control of adrenocortical cell activation.
Purification and characterization of biologically active scatter factor from ras-transformed NIH 3T3 conditioned medium
Authors: Coffer A , Fellows J , Young S , Pappin D , Rahman D
Published: August 2015

Scatter factor (SF), a glycoprotein produced by cultured fibroblasts, acts in vitro on epithelial cells causing separation and increased local motility. In this study, the polypeptide was purified to apparent homogeneity in high yields with conserved biological activity from medium conditioned by ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells, by a three-step procedure involving ammonium sulphate fractionation, cation-exchange and hydroxyapatite chromatography. After purification, SF specific activity increased from approximately 0.3 units/microgram in unprocessed conditioned medium to approximately 5 units/ng, and cumulative recovery of biological activity was approximately 38%. Treatment of pure SF with N-glycanase resulted in a decreased Mr, but no concomitant effect was observed on biological activity. Proteolytic activity was absent from samples of both partially purified and pure SF. Our biochemical studies showed that SF, which is highly aggregated in low-ionic-strength media, is not aggregated in 0.4 M-salt. Under non-reducing conditions, pure SF migrated as a single stained band at Mr 67,000 on SDS/PAGE, and biological activity was eluted from unstained gels with an identical Mr. SF was electrofocused sharply at pI 8.5 with no degradation of activity. From ultracentrifugation studies (under non-aggregating conditions), the sedimentation coefficient of active SF was 3.7 S and f.p.l.c. molecular sieve chromatography indicated a Stokes' radius of 2.95 nm. The calculated Mr from these data was 61,400. The appearance of three stained polypeptides of Mr 82,000, 57,000 and 32,000 derived from the Mr-67,000 constituent after reduction with mercaptoethanol suggests that SF may be a heterodimer of Mr-57,000 and -32,000 subunits. Data from protein sequence analysis of the hydroxyapatite-purified protein confirms that SF has sequence identity with both rat hepatocyte growth factor and human fibroblast tumour cytotoxic factor.
Inhibition of glutathione S-transferase 3-3 by glutathione derivatives that bind covalently to the active site
Authors: Adang A E P , Moree W J , Brussee J , Mulder G J , van der Gen A
Published: August 2015

In all, 13 GSH derivatives have been synthesized and tested for their potency to inhibit glutathione S-transferase (GST) 3-3. All of these derivatives contained a reactive group that could potentially react with the enzyme active site. Best results were obtained with the phenylthiosulphonate derivative of GSH, GSSO2Ph. Preincubation of GST 3-3 with a 100 microM concentration of this inhibitor resulted in a time-dependent loss of activity: after 30 min at pH 6.5 and 25 degrees C, 51% of the activity was lost. At more alkaline pH, the activity is more rapidly inhibited: at pH 8.0 the 90%-inhibition level is already reached after 10 min preincubation. Separation of enzyme and excess unbound GSSO2Ph after preincubation by gel-filtration chromatography did not result in a reappearance of enzyme activity. If 100 microM-GSH was added to the preincubation mixture at pH 7.4, inhibition was almost completely prevented. Addition of S-(hexyl)glutathione (20 microM) could delay the inhibition but, ultimately, not prevent it. The inhibited enzyme could be re-activated by addition of 10 mM-2-mercaptoethanol: 60 min after this thiol was added, the inhibited GST-3- activity was bacxk to the control level. GSH at the same concentration could not re-activate the enzyme. On the basis of these results, on the known reactivity of thiosulphonate compounds, and on current knowledge about the amino acid residues involved in GST catalysis, a covalent modification of an active-site cysteine residue by mixed-disulphide formation between enzyme and the cosubstrate GSH is postulated. Information on the synthesis and characterization of the GSH derivatives is given in Supplementary Publication SUP 50166 (5 pages) which has been deposited at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1991) 273, 5.
Dexamethasone inhibits the hexose monophosphate shunt in activated rat peritoneal macrophages by reducing hexokinase-dependent sugar uptake
Authors: Rist R J , Naftalin R J
Published: August 2015

Dexamethasone decreases 2-D-deoxyglucose (2-dGlc) uptake and accumulation into rat peritoneal macrophages in vitro in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (Ki for 1 microM-dexamethasone after a 2 h exposure = 0.71 +/- 0.21 microM; Ki for 0.1 microM-dexamethasone after exposure for 4 h = 0.10 +/- 0.06 microM). The inhibition of 2-dGlc uptake is consistent with a decrease in the coupling between endofacial hexokinase activity and the sugar transporter. The evidence for this is: (1) the Km for zero-trans 2-dGlc uptake in quiescent macrophages was increased by dexamethasone, but there was no significant effect on the Vmax.; (2) dexamethasone increased the rate of exit of sugar from cells preloaded with 2-dGlc; (3). the free sugar accumulation within the cytosol of the cells above the external solution concentration was significantly decreased by dexamethasone. These effects of dexamethasone on 2-dGlc transport were antagonized by simultaneous exposure to the steroid RU 38486 (Ki = 0.04 +/- 0.01 microM; 4 h incubation). Although dexamethasone inhibited zero-trans uptake, the maximum rate of infinite-trans exchange uptake of 2-dGlc into cells preloaded with 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (40 mM) was unaltered by dexamethasone or RU 38486, indicating that the dexamethasone-dependent decrease in zero-trans uptake was not due to a change in the number of transporters in the plasma membrane. Dexamethasone also inhibited the phorbol myristate acetate-induced stimulation of hexose monophosphate shunt (HMPS) activity, and this was reversed by RU 38486. Cytochalasin B, the potent sugar-transport inhibitor, inhibited HMPS activity and 2-d[2,6-3H]Glc uptake equally, indicating a single site of action. By contrast, dexamethasone showed differential inhibition of HMPS activity and 2-d[2,6-3H]Glc uptake, suggesting that it not only acts by decreasing the coupling between hexokinase and sugar transport, but also at one or more additional points.
Immunochemical characterization of two isoforms of rat liver ecto-ATPase that show an immunological and structural identity with a glycoprotein cell-adhesion molecule with Mr 105,000
Authors: Lin S H , Culic O , Flanagan D , Hixson D C
Published: August 2015

One of the cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) responsible for rat hepatocyte aggregation has been described as a glycoprotein having an Mr of 105,000 (cell-CAM105). The Mr and localization of cell-CAM105 in liver membranes are very similar to those of liver ecto-ATPase, an ATPase with its nucleotide-hydrolysing site localized on the outside of the cell membrane. The protein sequence of the ecto-ATPase has been deduced from cDNA cloning. Structural analysis of the sequence indicates that the ecto-ATPase has immunoglobulin-like domains and is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Since a group of proteins in the immunoglobulin superfamily has been shown to have functions related to cell adhesion, the structural characteristics of the ecto-ATPase further led to the possibility that the ecto-ATPase may have functions related to cell adhesion. In this paper, using the cDNA for the ecto-ATPase, the anti-peptide antibodies produced against peptides derived from the ecto-ATPase cDNA sequence and monoclonal antibodies against the cell-CAM105, we present evidence of identity between cell-CAM105 and ecto-ATPase. First, in Western immunoblots, two anti-cell-CAM105 monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted with the purified ecto-ATPase. Secondly, in immunodepletion experiments, antibodies against the ecto-ATPase depleted the same protein recognized by the anti-cell-CAM105 antibodies. Thirdly, in two-dimensional gel-electrophoretic analysis, anti-peptide antibodies generated against an extracellular N-terminal peptide and the intracellular C-terminal peptides of the ecto-ATPase immunoprecipitated proteins of similar isoelectric points and Mr values to those of the cell-CAM105. Fourthly, proteins immunoprecipitated by anti-ecto-ATPase antibodies and anti-cell-CAM105 antibodies have similar V8-proteinase-digest peptide maps. Finally, monoclonal antibodies against the cell-CAM105 specifically recognized the protein expressed in COS cells transfected with the ecto-ATPase cDNA. These results indicate that the ecto-ATPase cDNA codes for a protein that is identical with the cell-CAM105. Since the ecto-ATPase has structural features of immunoglobulin domains, the identity of cell-CAM105 with ecto-ATPase leads to the conclusion that this liver CAM, similarly to neuronal CAM, is also a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family. Furthermore, immunological studies indicate that the cell-CAM105/ecto-ATPase is composed of two isoforms of different C-terminal sequences. The association of ATPase activity with cell-CAM105 raises the possibility that extracellular nucleotides may play important roles in regulating cell adhesion.
The purification of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 from its 72 kDa progelatinase complex. Demonstration of the biochemical similarities of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1
Authors: Ward R V , Hembry R M , Reynolds J J , Murphy G
Published: August 2015

Human gingival fibroblasts in culture were shown to secrete a 72 kDa progelatinase, of which a proportion in the medium was found to be complexed with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2). A purification procedure was devised to purify free enzyme and inhibitor. We also describe the purification of both 95 kDa progelatinase bound to TIMP-1 and free 95 kDa progelatinase from the medium of U937 cells. A polyclonal antiserum to TIMP-2 was prepared and it was shown that TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 are antigenically distinct. The ability to form stable complexes and the relative inhibitory activities of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 towards 95 kDa and 72 kDa gelatinases, collagenase, stromelysins 1 and 2 and punctuated metalloproteinase were determined; only minor differences were found. Complex-formation between TIMP-2 and 72 kDa progelatinase was demonstrated not to reduce the metalloproteinase-inhibitory activity of TIMP-2, a finding that led to the characterization of high-molecular-mass TIMP activity. Competition experiments between progelatinases and active gelatinases for TIMPs indicated that the affinity of TIMPs for progelatinases is weaker than that for active gelatinases. In a study of the effects of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 on progelatinase self-cleavage we found that both TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 inhibit the conversion of 95 kDa and 72 kDa progelatinases and prostromelysin into lower-molecular-mass forms. TIMP capable of complexing with progelatinase was shown to be no more efficient an inhibitor of gelatinase self-cleavage than TIMP not able to complex with progelatinase.
Expression of a cDNA clone encoding the haem-binding domain of Chlorella nitrate reductase
Authors: Cannons A C , Iida N , Solomonson L P
Published: August 2015

A partial cDNA clone coding for the haem-binding domain of NADH:nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) (NR) from the unicellular green alga Chlorella vulgaris has been isolated, sequenced and expressed. A 1.2 kb cDNA (pCVNR1) was isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library produced from polyadenylated RNA extracted from nitrate-grown Chlorella cells. pCVNR1 hybridized to a 3.5 kb mRNA transcript that was nitrate-inducible and absent from ammonium-grown cells. The entire sequence of pCVNR1 was obtained and found to have a single uninterrupted reading frame. The derived amino acid sequence of 318 amino acids has a 45-50% similarity to higher-plant NRs, including Arabidopsis thaliana, spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). A comparison with the putative domain structure of higher-plant nitrate reductases suggested that this sequence contains the complete haem-binding domain, approximately one-third of the Mo-pterin domain and no FAD-binding domain. A 32% sequence similarity is evident when comparing the Chlorella NR haem domain with that of calf cytochrome b5. Expression of pCVNR1 in a pET vector synthesized a 35 kDa protein that was antigenic to anti-(Chlorella NR) antibody. The spectral properties of this protein (reduced and oxidized) in the 400-600 nm region are identical with those of native Chlorella NR and indicate that haem is associated with the protein.
The presence of atrial-natriuretic-factor receptors of ANF-R2 subtype in rat platelets. Coupling to adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP signal-transduction system
Authors: Anand-Srivastava M B , Gutkowska J , Cantin M
Published: August 2015

The effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on adenylate cyclase activity was studied in rat platelet membranes. ANF-(99-126)-, -(101-126)-, -(103-126)- and -(103-123)-peptide inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in a concentration-dependent manner with an order of potency of ANF-(103-123)-peptide greater than ANF-(99-126)-peptide greater than ANF-(101-126)-peptide greater than ANF-(103-126)-peptide. ANF-(103-123)-peptide and ANF-(99-126)-peptide inhibited the enzyme activity by about 50-55%, with an apparent Ki between 0.1 and 0.5 nM, and ANF-(101-126)-peptide inhibited the enzyme activity by about 35%, with an apparent Ki between 1 and 3 nM. On the other hand, ANF-(103-126)-peptide was the least potent and inhibited the adenylate cyclase activity by about 30% (Ki approximately 10 nM). The inhibitory effect of ANF on adenylate cyclase was also dependent on the presence of guanine nucleotides and was attenuated by amiloride and pertussis toxin. The stimulatory effects of various agonists such as N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine, prostaglandin E1, isoprenaline and forskolin on adenylate cyclase were also inhibited by ANF to various extents; however, the stimulations were not completely abolished. In addition, 125I-labelled ANF-(99-126)-peptide bound specifically to rat platelet membranes. The binding of 125I-ANF was competitively inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the unlabelled peptides which were used for adenylate cyclase inhibition. ANF-(103-123)-peptide, ANF-(99-126)-peptide and ANF-(101-126)-peptide were almost equipotent [IC50 (median inhibitory concentration) = 0.1-1 nM], and ANF-(103-126)-peptide was the least potent (IC50 approximately 10 nM). Scatchard analysis of the data revealed the presence of a single class of binding sites of high affinity (Kd approximately 120 pM). Affinity cross-linking of 125I-ANF-(99-126)-peptide to its binding sites in rat platelet membranes and analysis by SDS/PAGE followed by autoradiography showed a predominant labelling of a protein band with an apparent Mr of 66,000. These data indicate the presence of only ANF-R2 (low-Mr) receptors in platelets and suggest that these receptors may be coupled to the adenylate cyclase system.
Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate and inositol hexakisphosphate are inhibitors of the soluble inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate 3-phosphatase and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate 5-phosphatase from pig brain
Authors: Höer A , Oberdisse E
Published: August 2015

The influence of highly phosphorylated inositol phosphates on the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 3-phosphatase enriched from the soluble fraction of pig brain was tested, using [5-32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 as substrate. Both Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and InsP6 were very potent inhibitors of the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 3-phosphatase. The Ki values were approximately 60 nM and approximately 3 nM for Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and InsP6 respectively. Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and InsP6 also inhibited the Ins(1,4,5)P3/Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 5-phosphatase. Using Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 as substrate, the Ki values were about 35 microM and 15 microM for Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and InsP6 respectively. The concentrations which led to a 50% inhibition of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (0.5 microM) degradation by the 5-phosphatase were about 20 and 10 microM for the pentakis- and hexakis-phosphate respectively. As the intracellular concentrations of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and InsP6 are high (up to 60 microM) compared with those of the inositol trisphosphates and tetrakisphosphates, it is possible that the highly phosphorylated inositol phosphates act as regulators in the metabolism of Ca(2+)-mobilizing inositol phosphates.
Does cyclic guanosine monophosphate mediate noradrenaline-induced inhibition of islet insulin secretion stimulated by glucose and palmitate?
Authors: Vara E , Tamarit-Rodriguez J
Published: August 2015

Noradrenaline inhibits in rat islets the stimulation of insulin secretion induced by glucose and its potentiation by palmitate, but the signalling system responsible remains unknown. We have tested the hypothesis that noradrenaline-induced inhibition is mediated by an elevation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels. The analogue 8-Br-cGMP decreases dose-dependently the potentiation by palmitate of glucose-induced insulin secretion, whereas it only slightly affects the proper effect of glucose. Similarly, it abolishes palmitate acceleration of glucose-induced 45Ca2+ uptake without modifying the sugar effect. Finally, 8-Br-cGMP completely inhibits the stimulation of the lipid synthesis de novo induced by palmitate, but not that caused by glucose alone. On the other hand, noradrenaline increases dose-dependently islet cGMP content, with alpha 2-adrenergic specificity. As noradrenaline-induced elevation of cGMP is sensitive to pertussis toxin, it probably results from alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation of islet guanylate cyclase through a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. It is concluded that the elevated cGMP levels mediate noradrenaline inhibition of lipid synthesis de novo, and hence of acceleration by palmitate of 45Ca2+ uptake and insulin secretion in the presence of glucose.
The mouse androgen receptor. Functional analysis of the protein and characterization of the gene
Authors: Faber P W , King A , van Rooij H C J , Brinkmann A O , de Both N J , Trapman J
Published: August 2015

Screening a mouse genomic DNA library with human androgen-receptor (hAR) cDNA probes resulted in the isolation and characterization of eight genomic fragments that contain the eight exons of the mouse androgen-receptor (mAR) gene. On the basis of similarity to the hAR gene, the nucleotide sequences of the protein-coding parts of the exons as well as the sequences of the intron/exon boundaries were determined. An open reading frame (ORF) of 2697 nucleotides, which can encode an 899-amino-acid protein, could be predicted. The structure of the mAR ORF was confirmed by sequence analysis of mAR cDNA fragments, which were obtained by PCR amplification of mouse testis cDNA, using mAR specific primers. A eukaryotic mAR expression vector was constructed and mAR was transiently expressed in COS-1 cells. The expressed protein was shown by Western blotting to be identical in size with the native mAR. Co-transfection of HeLa cells with the mAR expression plasmid and an androgen-responsive chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter-gene construct showed mAR to be able to trans-activate the androgen-responsive promoter in a ligand-dependent manner. Transcription-initiation sites of the mAR gene were identified by S1-nuclease protection experiments, and the functional activity of the promoter region was determined by transient expression of mAR promoter-CAT-reporter-gene constructs in HeLa cells. Structural analysis revealed the promoter of the mAR gene to be devoid of TATA/CCAAT elements. In addition, the promoter region is not remarkably (G + C)-rich. Potential promoter elements consist of a consensus Sp1 binding sequence and a homopurine stretch. The polyadenylation sites of mAR mRNA were identified by sequence similarity to the corresponding sites in the hAR mRNA.
The origin of multiply sigmoid curves of pH-dependence. The partitioning of groups among titration pK values
Authors: Dixon H B F , Clarke S D , Smith G A , Carne T K
Published: August 2015

An acid, HnA, with n ionizing groups is known to have the same titration curve as an equimolar mixture of n hypothetical monobasic acids, whose dissociation constants are known as the ‘titration constants’ of the real acid. We show that the pH-dependence of any property of HnA is also represented by the sum of one-site titration curves, characterized by these same titration constants. Since one such property is the degree of dissociation of one of the dissociating groups, a fraction of each group shows each of the various titration pK values, so that the group partitions among them. The n groups therefore share the same n titration pK values but differ in the fractions belonging to each. The one H+ ion per molecule that titrates with each pK is thus made up of the fractions, one from each group, that share this pK value. A group may possess a single pK value, in that it contributes virtually all of this pK and almost nothing to the others, only if either (1) in titrates in a different pH range from the other groups or (2) its affinity for H+ is unaffected by their ionization state.
Kinetic studies of Mg2+-, Co2+- and Mn2+-activated d-xylose isomerases
Authors: van Bastelaere P , Vangrysperre W , Kersters-Hilderson H
Published: August 2015

The kinetic parameters for the interconverting substrates D-xylose in equilibrium D-xylulose and D-glucose in equilibrium D-fructose were determined for several D-xylose isomerases, with Mg2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ as metal ion activators. The Km, kcat. and kcat./Km values are tabulated for the anomeric mixtures (observed parameters) as well as for the respective reactive species, i.e. the alpha-pyranose anomers of D-xylose and D-glucose and the alpha-furanose forms of D-xylulose and D-fructose (real parameters). The real Km values and catalytic efficiencies are more favourable for the ketose sugars (reverse reaction) than for the aldose sugars (forward reaction). Comparisons of the kinetic parameters further support the existence of two distinct groups of D-xylose isomerases. Inhibition constants for the cyclic substrate analogues 5-thio-alpha-D-xylopyranose and alpha-D-xylopyranosyl fluoride and for the acyclic substrate analogue xylitol and its dehydrated form 1,5-anhydroxylitol were determined and are discussed.
Kinetics of the urea-induced dissociation of human plasma α2-macroglobulin as measured by small-angle neutron scattering
Authors: Sjöberg B , Pap S , Järnberg S E , Mortensen K
Published: August 2015

The kinetics of the urea-induced dissociation of human plasma alpha 2-macroglobulin into two half-molecular fragments was investigated at 21.0 degrees C by using small-angle neutron scattering. The relative change in molecular mass that occurs upon dissociation was monitored by recording the forward scattering of neutrons as a function of time. All these kinetic data can be explained by a reaction that is first-order with respect to the concentration of undissociated alpha 2-macroglobulin. The velocity constant is a function of urea concentration and it varies within wide limits. For instance, the half-life of the reaction at the lowest concentration of [2H]urea studied (2.70 M) is 328 h, whereas the same value at the highest concentration of [2H]urea (6.24 M) is only 8 min. Measurements were made both with [1H]urea in 1H2O and with [2H]urea in 99% 2H2O, and it was found that there is a pronounced kinetic isotope effect, i.e. the dissociation is 4 times faster in the 1H-containing medium as compared with the 2H-containing medium at the same molar concentration of urea. From the angular dependence of the neutron scattering it can be concluded that the dissociation is associated with a drastic change in structure. This is directly shown by the radius of gyration, which increases from about 7.4 nm immediately after the addition of urea up to about 9.4 nm when the protein is fully dissociated. A structural analysis shows that the scattering curve of urea-dissociated alpha 2-macroglobulin can best be explained by that of a Gaussian coil with a radius of gyration equal to 9.44 nm. These data indicate that the so-called non-covalent interaction of alpha 2-macroglobulin probably is more complicated than just a pure hydrophobic interaction. Finally, it is also shown that the dissociation is accompanied by a loss in trypsin-binding activity, which is directly related to the fraction of dissociated protein.
Purification and characterization of an endoxylanase from Trichoderma koningii G-39
Authors: Huang L , Hseu T H , Wey T T
Published: August 2015

Trichoderma koningii G-39 produced xylanases in submerged culture using oat spelt xylan or crystalline cellulose, Avicel, as the sole carbon source. A low-Mr xylanase was purified from the culture filtrate by ion-exchange chromatography on SP-Trisacryl-M and gel filtration on Fractogel TSK HW-50F. It was homogeneous on SDS/PAGE and isoelectric focusing. A typical procedure provided about 11-fold purification with 4.5% protein yield and 50% activity recovery. The purified enzyme has an Mr value of about 21,500 and a pI of 8.9. Its specific activity was 6100 units/mg of protein, with optimal activity towards 0.5% xylan at about pH 5.5 and 60 degrees C. The purified enzyme had no activity against CM-cellulose with a degree of substitution of 0.63. It also showed no beta-xylosidase activity. The Km and Vmax. values, as determined with the soluble fraction of oat spelt xylan as substrate, were 0.70 mg/ml and 1.85 x 10(6) mumol/min per mg of enzyme respectively. Hg2+ (1 mM) and SDS (10 mM) completely inhibited xylanase activity, whereas Ca2+ showed no significant effect on the enzyme activity at 1 mM, but gave 80% inhibition at 10 mM. The enzyme contained about 4.4% carbohydrate and showed an immunological relationship to a cellobiohydrolase from the same fungal strain.