bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Albumin binding of insulins acylated with fatty acids: characterization of the ligand-protein interaction and correlation between binding affinity and timing of the insulin effect in vivo
Authors: Kurtzhals P , Havelund S , Jonassen I , Kiehr B , Larsen U D , Ribel U , Markussen J
Published: August 2015

Albumin is a multifunctional transport protein that binds a wide variety of endogenous substances and drugs. Insulins with affinity for albumin were engineered by acylation of the epsilon-amino group of LysB29 with saturated fatty acids containing 10-16 carbon atoms. The association constants for binding of the fatty acid acylated insulins to human albumin are in the order of 10(4)-10(5) M-1. The binding apparently involves both non-polar and ionic interactions with the protein. The acylated insulins bind at the long-chain fatty acid binding sites, but the binding affinity is lower than that of the free fatty acids and depends to a relatively small degree on the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain. Differences in affinity of the acylated insulins for albumin are reflected in the relative timing of the blood-glucose-lowering effect after subcutaneous injection into rabbits. The acylated insulins provide a breakthrough in the search for soluble, prolonged-action insulin preparations for basal delivery of the hormone to the diabetic patient. We conclude that the biochemical concept of albumin binding can be applied to protract the effect of insulin, and suggest that derivatization with albumin-binding ligands could be generally applicable to prolong the action profile of peptide drugs.
Temperature-dependent changes in plasma-membrane lipid order and the phagocytotic activity of the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii are closely correlated
Authors: Avery S V , Lloyd D , Harwood J L
Published: August 2015

The relationship between temperature-dependent changes in phagocytotic activity of Acanthamoeba castellanii and the fatty acid composition and physical properties of plasma membrane-enriched fractions were determined in cultures acclimated to 30 degrees C and 15 degrees C. Chilling (from 30 degrees C to 15 degrees C) had a very pronounced short-term inhibitory effect on phagocytosis only in stationary-phase cultures, which displayed a low degree of fatty acid unsaturation. A subsequent increase in phagocytosis by these cells was correlated with a low-temperature-induced increase in fatty acid unsaturation (shown previously [Jones, Lloyd and Harwood (1993) Biochem. J. 296, 183-188] to be due to n-6 desaturase induction). Plasma membrane-enriched fractions from 15 degrees C-acclimated cells also showed a marked increase in the relative proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Steady-state fluorescence depolarization studies, using the membrane probe diphenylhexatriene, revealed increases in plasma membrane order with decreasing assay temperature. Over the upper assay-temperature range (25-40 degrees C), fluorescence anisotropy values were higher in membranes from 30 degrees C-acclimated cells; a 3.3 degrees C relative displacement of plots indicated that temperature-induced changes in membrane lipid composition compensated for approx. 22% of the ordering effect of low temperature. Changes in the temperature-dependence of fluorescence anisotropy, possibly corresponding to lateral phase separations or alterations in other bulk physical properties of membranes, occurred between 20 and 25 degrees C in membranes from 30 degrees C-acclimated cells and between 15 and 20 degrees C in membranes from 15 degrees C-acclimated cells. Fluorescence anisotropy plots were superimposed at assay temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees C. Short-term phagocytotic rates in whole cells decreased with assay temperature. Arrhenius discontinuities in rates of phagocytosis occurred at approx. 25.0 degrees C and 17.5 degrees C in 30 degrees C- and 15 degrees C-acclimated cells respectively, and in each case were thus within the temperature ranges of slope-change in the corresponding fluorescence anisotropy plots. The results show a direct correlation between plasma membrane fatty acid unsaturation, membrane physical properties and phagocytotic activity in A. castellanii. Therefore, a specific integrated physiological process has been correlated with fatty acid desaturase induction for the first time.
Cloning of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe gene encoding diadenosine 5′,5′′′-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) asymmetrical hydrolase: sequence similarity with the histidine triad (HIT) protein family
Authors: Huang Y , Garrison P N , Barnes L D
Published: August 2015

Diadenosine 5′,5‴-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) asymmetric hydrolase (EC 3.6.1.17) is a specific catabolic enzyme of Ap4A found in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We have previously described the partial purification of Ap4A hydrolase from S. pombe [Robinson, de la Peña and Barnes (1993) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1161, 139-148]. We determined the sequence of the N-terminal 20 amino acids of Ap4A hydrolase and designed two degenerate PCR primers based on the sequence. The 60 bp DNA fragment obtained by PCR, which is specific to Ap4A hydrolase, was used to isolate the Ap4A hydrolase gene, aph1, from S. pombe by screening a genomic DNA library in a multicopy plasmid. Ap4A hydrolase activity from the crude supernatant of a positive S. pombe transformant was about 25-fold higher than the control. There was no detectable stimulation of enzymic activity by phosphate. The aph1 gene from S. pombe contains three introns. The intron boundaries were confirmed by sequencing the cDNA of the aph1 gene from a S. pombe cDNA library. The deduced open reading frame of the aph1 gene codes for 182 amino acids. Two regions of significant local similarity were identified between the Ap4A hydrolase and the histidine triad (HIT) protein family [Séraphin (1992) DNA Sequence 3, 177-179]. HIT proteins are present in prokaryotes, yeast, plants and mammals. Their functions are unknown, except that the bovine protein inhibits protein kinase C in vitro. All four histidine residues which are conserved among the HIT proteins, including the HxHxH putative Zn(2+)-binding motif, are conserved in the Ap4A hydrolase. In addition, there are two regions of similarity between the Ap4A phosphorylases I and II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Ap4A hydrolase from S. pombe. These regions overlap with the HIT protein similarity regions. The aph1 gene from S. pombe is the first asymmetrical Ap4A hydrolase gene to be cloned and sequenced.
Dual bradykinin B2 receptor signalling in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells: activation of protein kinase C is counteracted by a GS-mediated stimulation of the cyclic AMP pathway
Authors: LIEBMANN Claus , GRANESS Angela , LUDWIG Beate , ADOMEIT Antje , BOEHMER Anette , BOEHMER Frank-D. , NÜRNBERG Bernd , WETZKER Reinhard
Published: August 2015

Cell membranes of the human epidermoid cell line A431 express classical bradykinin (BK) B2 receptors, as assessed by [3H]BK binding studies. Furthermore, stimulation by BK induced a time-dependent modulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in A431 cells: a rapid activation (t½ ≈1 min) is followed by a slow inhibition (t½ ≈20 min) of PKC translocation measured by [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding. In addition, BK stimulated both adenylate cyclase activity in A431 membranes and accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) in intact cells in a retarded manner. A possible BK-induced activation of the cAMP pathway mediated via PKC, phospholipase D, prostaglandins or Ca2+/calmodulin was excluded. A 35 kDa protein was found in A431 membranes to be specifically phosphorylated in the presence of both BK and protein kinase A (PKA). An anti-αs-antibody, AS 348, abolished stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in response to BK, cholera toxin and isoprenaline, strongly suggesting the involvement of Gs proteins in the BK action. The BK-activated cAMP signalling system might be important for the observed inactivation of PKC slowly evoked by BK: the BK-induced rapid activation of PKC is decreased by dibutyryl cAMP, and the slow inhibition of PKC is prevented by an inhibitor of PKA, adenosine 3ʹ:5ʹ-monophosphothioate (cyclic, Rp isomer). The inhibition of PKC translocation might be exerted directly at the level of PKC activation, since stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis by BK was affected by neither dibutyryl cAMP nor forskolin. Thus our results provide the first evidence that A431 cells BK is able to activate two independent signal-transduction pathways via a single class of B2 receptors but two different G proteins. The lagging stimulation of the cAMP signalling pathway via Gs might serve to switch off PKC, which is rapidly activated via Gq-mediated stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis.
1,10-Phenanthroline stimulates internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in isolated rat-liver nuclei by promoting the redox activity of endogenous copper ions
Authors: BURKITT Mark J. , MILNE Lesley , NICOTERA Pierluigi , ORRENIUS Sten
Published: August 2015

Isolated rat-liver nuclei were incubated with a series of membrane-permeable metal-ion-complexing agents and examined for DNA damage. Of the reagents tested, only 1,10-phenanthroline (OP) and neocuproine (NC) were found to induce DNA fragmentation. Agarose-gel electrophoresis of the DNA fragments generated in the presence of OP revealed internucleosomal cleavage, which is widely considered to be a hallmark for the enzymic DNA digestion that occurs during apoptosis. Ascorbate, particularly in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, increased the levels of fragmentation induced by OP. As well as undergoing fragmentation, the DNA from nuclei was also found to contain 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, which indicates attack (oxidation) by the hydroxyl radical. Complementary experiments in vitro involving ESR determinations of hydroxyl radical formation and measurements of DNA oxidation under biomimetic conditions demonstrated that Cu2+, but not Fe3+, forms a complex with either OP or NC (but not the other complexing agents tested) that stimulates hydroxyl radical formation and DNA damage in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ascorbate. It is therefore proposed that OP in the nuclei incubations binds to Cu2+, which exists naturally in chromosomes, forming a complex that promotes hydroxyl-radical-dependent DNA fragmentation. These findings demonstrate the promotion of hydroxyl-radical-mediated DNA damage by endogenous Cu2+ and, perhaps more significantly, demonstrate that the internucleosomal DNA ‘laddering’ that is often used as an indicator of apoptosis may also result from DNA fragmentation by non-enzymic processes.
ATP-regulated activity of the plasmin-streptokinase complex: a novel mechanism involving phosphorylation of streptokinase
Authors: SERRANO Ramon L. , RODRIGUEZ Pedro , PIZZO Salvatore V. , GONZALEZ-GRONOW Mario
Published: August 2015

Streptokinase, an extracellular protein produced by Streptococci, is capable of activating the human fibrinolytic zymogen plasminogen. The rate of amidolytic activity of the plasminogen-streptokinase complex is greatly diminished by micromolar concentrations of ATP and heparin oligosaccharides. In addition, the plasminogen activator activity of the plasminogen-streptokinase complex is also inhibited by these effectors. ATP and heparin oligosaccharides show structural similarity, suggesting that the inhibition is caused by binding of these molecules to a common newly formed binding pocket in streptokinase, which appears after interaction with plasminogen. Addition of the bivalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ reverses the inhibition caused by ATP and heparin. In the presence of ATP and bivalent cations, the complex between plasminogen and streptokinase develops an autophosphorylating activity whose target is the sequence LTSRPAHG in the 4.5 kDa streptokinase N-terminal peptide, which is an early autolysis peptide. This streptokinase N-terminal peptide, which is essential for streptokinase activating activity, may serve, once phosphorylated, in mechanisms related to the pathogenicity of Streptococci. These studies suggest a critical role for plasminogen in regulating the activity of the streptokinase molecule.
Human ficolin: cDNA cloning, demonstration of peripheral blood leucocytes as the major site of synthesis and assignment of the gene to chromosome 9
Authors: LU Jinhua , TAY Puei Nam , KON Oi Lian , REID Kenneth B. M.
Published: August 2015

Pig ficolins and a number of other proteins contain sequences that are homologous to the C-terminal halves of fibrinogen β-and γ-chains. To clone the cDNA for human ficolin, two degenerate oligonucleotide primers were synthesized, based on two stretches of protein sequence that were highly conserved among those proteins, and used for PCR with cDNA from a human uterus λgt11 library as a template. A PCR product with a predicted size of 300 bp was obtained and this was used to screen a uterus cDNA library. Of the positive clones isolated, two (U1 and U2), containing inserts of 1.7 and 1.1 kb respectively, were found to encode human ficolin. The cDNA-derived amino acid sequence of human ficolin has approx. 75% identity with, and a similar domain organization to, the two pig ficolin sequences, which are characterized by the presence of a leader peptide, a short N-terminal segment followed by a collagen-like region and then by a C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain. The 1.1 kb insert of clone U2 was used in Northern-blot analysis, and a very strong signal for a 1.4 kb mRNA species was detected in mRNA from human peripheral blood leucocytes. This showed that, despite the initial characterization of pig ficolin as a putative receptor on uterine cells for transforming growth factor β1, blood leucocytes are probably the major site of human ficolin synthesis. Much weaker signals of the same size were also detected in spleen, lung and thymus and may be due to the presence of tissue macrophages or trapped blood in these tissues. An mRNA species of approx. 1.3 kb in human liver also weakly hybridized to the U2 probe, indicating the presence of a sequence that was distinct from, but related to, ficolin. The gene for human ficolin has been mapped to chromosome 9.
Glucagon stimulation of hepatic Na+-pump activity and α-subunit phosphorylation in rat hepatocytes
Authors: LYNCH Christopher J. , McCALL Kenneth M. , NG Yuk-Chow , HAZEN Stacy A.
Published: August 2015

In this study the possible role of Na+ influx, arachidonate mediators and α-subunit phosphorylation in the stimulatory response of hepatic Na+/K+-ATPase to glucagon was examined. Glucagon stimulation of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes reached maximal levels in less than 1 min after hormone addition and was half-maximal (EC50) at a concentration of 2.4(±1.3)×10-10 M. Analysis of the K+-dependence of this response indicates an effect on the apparent Vmax. for K+ with no significant change in the apparent K0.5. Unlike monensin, glucagon stimulation of Na+/K+-ATPase-mediated transport activity was not associated with an increase in 22Na+ influx. This indicates that the stimulation of Na+/K+-ATPase by glucagon is not secondary to an increase in Na+ influx. A role for arachidonate mediators in this effect also appears unlikely because neither basal nor glucagon-stimulated ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake was significantly affected by supramaximal concentrations of cyclo-oxygenase, lipoxygenase, cytochrome P-450 or phospholipase A2 inhibitors. To study the possible role of protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation in the stimulation of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake, hepatocytes were metabolically radiolabelled with [32P]Pi. Glucagon stimulated incorporation of 32P into a 95 kDa phosphoprotein that co-migrates with Na+/K+-ATPase α-subunit immunoreactivity in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The α-subunit could be immunoprecipitated from detergent-solubilized particulate fractions of hepatocytes using an anti-(rat kidney Na+/K+-ATPase) serum. When hepatocytes were metabolically radiolabelled with [32P]Pi, the immunoprecipitated α-subunit contained 32P. Glucagon increased the incorporation of 32P into the immunoprecipitated subunit by 197±21% (n = 6). Similar results were observed with a rabbit anti-peptide serum (‘anti-LEAVE’ serum) prepared against an amino acid sequence in the α-subunit. The EC50 for glucagon-stimulated phosphorylation of the α-subunit (1×10-10 M) was very close to that for glucagon stimulation of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake. In conclusion, it appears that glucagon stimulation of hepatic Na+/K+-ATPase-mediated transport activity is not secondary to increases in Na+ influx or changes in the levels of an arachidonate mediator. The data provide support for the hypothesis that glucagon stimulation of Na+-pump activity in hepatocytes may be related to protein kinase-mediated changes in the phosphorylation state of the α-subunit.
Temporal patterns of changes in ATP/ADP ratio, glucose 6-phosphate and cytoplasmic free Ca2+ in glucose-stimulated pancreatic β-cells
Authors: NILSSON Thomas , SCHULTZ Vera , BERGGREN Per-Olof , CORKEY Barbara E. , TORNHEIM TORNHEIM
Published: August 2015

Closure of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels is part of the stimulus–secretion coupling mechanism in the pancreatic β-cell, leading to membrane depolarization and influx of Ca2+ through voltage-sensitive L-type Ca2+ channels. The elevated ATP/ADP ratio seen in the presence of high levels of glucose has been postulated to mediate the glucose-induced closure of the KATP channels and rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), or alternatively to be a consequence of activation of mitochondrial dehydrogenases by the increase in [Ca2+]i. To distinguish between these two possibilities, the time course of the change in the ATP/ADP ratio was determined in comparison with that of [Ca2+]i. We here show that a severalfold rise in the ATP/ADP ratio occurs rapidly on stimulation of suspensions of mouse pancreatic β-cells with glucose. The change in the ATP/ADP ratio is an early event that begins within 20–40 s and precedes the rise in [Ca2+]i. The temporal relationship indicates that the adenine nucleotide changes cannot be a consequence of the [Ca2+]i changes and may indeed be the connecting link between glucose metabolism and [Ca2+]i changes. When the cells were sequentially treated with high glucose concentration, clonidine and finally high extracellular Ca2+ concentration to induce synchronized oscillations in [Ca2+]i in the cell suspension, corresponding oscillations in the ATP/ADP ratio were observed. Glucose 6-phosphate levels oscillated out of phase with the ATP/ADP ratio. These results support the hypothesis that the Ca2+ oscillations previously observed in glucose-stimulated single islets or β-cells may reflect oscillations in the ATP/ADP ratio that accompany oscillatory glycolysis.
Kinetic modelling of the nitric oxide gradient generated in vitro by adherent cells expressing inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: LAURENT Michel , LEPOIVRE Michel , TENU Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2015

Inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase produces a long-lasting NO flux which can exert cytotoxic effects on target cells. A prerequisite for the understanding of the molecular basis of NO action is quantitative data on the availability of this small neutral radical molecule at both the spatial and temporal levels. The limits of NO availability depend on the respective rates of NO production, diffusion and autoxidation by molecular oxygen. Kinetic modelling of these processes has been performed for a widely used experimental system consisting of a monolayer of adherent cells cultured in vitro for hours in unstirred culture medium. It appears that: (i) the maximal NO concentration in the culture is in the immediate vicinity of the monolayer, where target cells will sediment; (ii) the steady-state NO concentration in this area is lower than 4 to 5 μM; and (iii) measurements of nitrite/nitrate or citrulline accumulation in the bulk cell medium culture during a given time period significantly underestimate (by a factor of up to 3 to 4) the true rate of NO synthesis at the level of the producer cell. This rate can be, nevertheless, easily estimated from the rate of production of the stable NO synthase products.
Comparison of the effects of perchlorate and Bay K 8644 on the dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and insulin secretion in mouse β-cells
Authors: LARSSON-NYRÉN Gerd , SEHLIN Janove
Published: August 2015

Non-inbred ob/ob mice were used to study the dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated pancreatic β-cells using microfluorimetry with fura 2/AM as probe, and the dynamics of insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islets. D-Glucose (20 mM) caused a transient peak increase in [Ca2+]i which changed to either an oscillating or a flat, elevated phase. The lag-time before the first peak increase in [Ca2+]i was markedly shortened by 12 mM ClO4- and the glucose-stimulated level of [Ca2+]i after the first peak was clearly elevated by the anion. ClO4- also amplified K+-stimulated (20 mM) [Ca2+]i. ClO4- did not change the basal [Ca2+]i at 3 mM glucose. Extracellular Ca2+ deficiency abolished the effect of high glucose and ClO4- on [Ca2+]i. This suggests that ClO4- acts as an amplifier of transmembrane Ca2+ inflow. The L-type Ca2+ channel agonist, Bay K 8644 (0.01–1.0 μM), strictly reproduced all the effects of perchlorate on the glucose-stimulated β-cell [Ca2+]i. Both phases of insulin release (20 mM glucose) were markedly enhanced by ClO4- (12 mM) or Bay K 8644 (1.0 μM). The lag-time for glucose-stimulated insulin release was shortened by both agents. Taken together, these data strengthen the idea that perchlorate amplifies the glucose-stimulation of [Ca2+]i and insulin release by directly modifying the function of the L-type Ca2+ channel. This effect can induce both a more prompt onset of and an amplified level of β-cell secretory activity.
Hepatocyte growth factor and transforming growth factor β regulate 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase gene expression in rat hepatocyte primary cultures
Authors: JOAQUIN Manel , ROSA Jose Luis , SALVADÓ Cristina , LÓPEZ Sofía , NAKAMURA Toshikazu , BARTRONS Ramon , GIL Joan , TAULER Albert
Published: August 2015

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) are believed to be of major importance for hepatic regeneration after liver damage. We have studied the effect of these growth factors on fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2) levels and the expression of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (6PF2K/Fru-2,6-BPase) in rat hepatocyte primary cultures. Our results demonstrate that HGF activates the expression of the 6PF2K/Fru-2,6-BPase gene by increasing the levels of its mRNA. As a consequence of this activation, the amount of 6PF2K/Fru-2,6-BPase protein and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase activity increased, which was reflected by a rise in Fru-2,6-P2 levels. In contrast, TGF-β decreased the levels of 6PF2K/Fru-2,6-BPase mRNA, which led to a decrease in the amount of 6PF2K/Fru-2,6-BPase protein and Fru-2,6-P2. The different actions of HGF and TGF-β on 6PF2K/Fru-2,6-BPase gene expression are concomitant with their effect on cell proliferation. Here we show that, in the absence of hormones, primary cultures of hepatocytes express the F-type isoenzyme. In addition, HGF increases the expression of this isoenzyme, and dexamethasone activates the L-type isoform. HGF and TGF-β were able to inhibit this activation.
Resistance of lipoprotein(a) to lipid peroxidation induced by oxygenated free radicals produced by γ radiolysis: a comparison with low-density lipoprotein
Authors: BEAUDEUX Jean-Louis , GARDES-ALBERT Monique , DELATTRE Jacques , LEGRAND Alain , ROUSSELET François , PEYNET Jacqueline
Published: August 2015

Lipid peroxidation of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] by defined oxygen-centred free radicals (O2-· /OH·, O2-·, O2-· /HO2·) produced by γ radiolysis was compared with that of paired samples of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Lp(a) appeared to be more resistant to oxidation than LDL, as indicated by the kinetic study of four markers of lipid peroxidation: decrease in vitamin E, formation of conjugated dienes and aldehydic products, and modification of electrophoretic mobility. In contrast, similar kinetics of lipid peroxidation were obtained for LDL and Lp(a-), which is the lipoparticle issued following the reductive cleavage of apolipoprotein(a) from Lp(a), thus suggesting that the greater resistance of Lp(a) to lipid peroxidation was due to the presence of apolipoprotein(a). Lipid peroxidation of Lp(a) and LDL induced by peroxyl radicals, which were produced by an azo compound [2,2′-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride], confirmed both the resistance of Lp(a) to lipid peroxidation and the propensity of Lp(a-) to exhibit a greater susceptibility to oxidation than intact Lp(a). Our findings also indicated that the high content of apolipoprotein(a) in N-acetylneuraminic acid residues was only partly responsible for the resistance of Lp(a) to oxidation.
Lipoprotein lipase stimulates the binding and uptake of moderately oxidized low-density lipoprotein by J774 macrophages
Authors: HENDRIKS Wendy L. , van der BOOM Hans , van VARK Leonie C. , HAVEKES Louis M.
Published: August 2015

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) stimulates the uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in different cell types, including macrophages, through bridging of LPL between lipoproteins and extracellular heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG). Because macrophages produce LPL and because modified lipoproteins are present in the arterial wall in vivo, we wondered whether LPL also enhances the uptake of oxidized LDL by J774 macrophages. LDL samples with different degrees of oxidation, as evaluated by relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) as compared with native LDL are used, as well as native and acetylated LDL. Addition of 5 μg/ml LPL to the J774 cell culture medium stimulated the binding of both native LDL and moderately oxidized LDL (REM < 3.5) 50–100-fold, and their uptake was stimulated approx. 20-fold. The LPL-mediated binding of native LDL and moderately oxidized LDL was dose-dependent. Preincubation of the cells with heparinase (2.4 units/ml) inhibited the stimulatory effect of LPL, indicating that this LPL-mediated stimulation was due to bridging between the lipoproteins and HSPG. The binding to J774 macrophages of severely oxidized LDL (REM = 4.3) was stimulated less than 3-fold by LPL, whereas its uptake was not stimulated significantly. The binding and uptake of acetylated LDL (AcLDL) were not stimulated by LPL, although the LPL-molecule itself does bind to AcLDL. Measurements of the cellular lipid content showed that addition of LPL also stimulated the accumulation in the cells of cholesteryl ester derived from both native LDL and moderately oxidized LDL in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that our results present experimental evidence for the hypothesis that LPL serves as an atherogenic component in the vessel wall.
Purification and characterization of a plasma membrane ferricyanide-utilizing NADH dehydrogenase from Ehrlich tumour cells
Authors: del CASTILLO-OLIVARES Antonio , MEDINA Miguel A. , de CASTRO Ignacio NÚÑEZ , MÁRQUEZ Javier
Published: August 2015

A ferricyanide-utilizing NADH dehydrogenase (NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase) from the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells has been purified about 1500-fold to apparent homogeneity. The method comprises the isolation of an enriched plasma membrane fraction, solubilization with Triton X-100, ion-exchange chromatography, ammonium sulphate precipitation, Cibacron Blue chromatography and fast-protein liquid chromatography with a Superose-6 gel filtration column. The specific activity of the final pool was more than 61 units/mg protein. The pure enzyme examined by SDS/PAGE displayed only one type of subunit with an apparent molecular mass of 32.0 kDa. The molecular mass of the native protein (117.0 kDa) was estimated by gel filtration; these results suggest a protein composed of four subunits of identical molecular mass. The enzyme was stable in the pH interval between 6 and 9, with maximum activity at pH values from 7.5 to 8.5. The purified enzyme showed Michaelis–Menten kinetics for the substrates, with apparent Km values of 4.3×10-5 M and 6.7×10-5 M for NADH and ferricyanide respectively. The isolated protein was strongly inhibited by Zn2+ and the thiol-specific reagents mersalyl and p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonic acid.
A unique combination of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase isoforms is expressed in islets of Langerhans and pancreatic β-cell lines
Authors: VÁRADI Anikó , MOLNÁR Elek , ASHCROFT Stephen J. H.
Published: August 2015

Changes in free intracellular Ca2+ concentration regulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. The existence of steep Ca2+ gradients within the β-cell requires the presence of specialized Ca2+ exclusion systems. In this study we have characterized the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPases (PMCAs) which extrude Ca2+ from the cytoplasm. PMCA isoform- and subtype-specific mRNA expression was investigated in rodent pancreatic α- and β-cell lines, and in human and rat islets of Langerhans using reverse-transcription PCR with primers flanking the calmodulin-binding region of rat PMCA. The expression pattern of PMCA 1 and 2 was conserved in different species and islet-cell types since both rat and human islets of Langerhans and all cell lines tested contained the 1b and 2b forms. PMCA 4 isoform subtypes, however, were expressed in a cell-type-specific manner since β-cells expressed PMCA 4b only, whereas in islets of Langerhans, which contain α, β, δ and polypeptide-secreting cells, PMCA 4a and 4b were simultaneously present. No evidence was obtained for the expression of PMCA 3. Characterization of the β-cell Ca2+-pump protein showed that it shared several similarities with the erythrocyte PMCA. It is a P-type ATPase; its phosphorylated intermediate was stabilized by La3+; it reacted with a PMCA-specific antibody; and it was not N-glycosylated. However, the β-cell PMCA had a higher molecular mass than that of the erythrocyte; this difference could be explained by either predominant translation of the PMCA 2 form, which has a molecular mass 3–8 kDa higher than the erythrocyte PMCA 1 and 4 proteins, or by a possible sequence insertion. Thus a unique combination of functionally distinct PMCA isoforms (1b, 2b, 4b) participates in Ca2+ homoeostasis in the β-cell.
Top-down control analysis of temperature effect on oxidative phosphorylation
Authors: DUFOUR Sylvie , ROUSSE Nicole , CANIONI Paul , DIOLEZ Philippe
Published: August 2015

The effects of temperature on the control of respiration rate, phosphorylation rate, proton leakage rate, the protonmotive force and the effective ATP/O ratio were determined in isolated rat liver mitochondria over a range of respiratory conditions by applying top-down elasticity and control analyses. Simultaneous measurements of membrane potential, oxidation and phosphorylation rates were performed under various ATP turnover rates, ranging from state 4 to state 3. Although the activities of the three subsystems decreased with temperature (over 30-fold between 37 and 4 °C), the effective ATP/O ratio exhibited a maximum at 25 °C, far below the physiological value. Top-down elasticity analysis revealed that maximal membrane potential was maintained over the range of temperature studied, and that the proton leakage rate was considerably reduced at 4 °C. These results definitely rule out a possible uncoupling of mitochondria at low temperature. At 4 °C, the decrease in ATP/O ratio is explained by the relative decrease in phosphorylation processes revealed by the decrease in depolarization after ADP addition [Diolez and Moreau (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 806, 56–63]. The change in depolarization between 37 and 25 °C was too small to explain the decrease in ATP/O ratio. This result is best explained by the changes in the elasticity of proton leakage to membrane potential between 37 and 25 °C, leading to a higher leak rate at 37 °C for the same value of membrane potential. Top-down control analysis showed that despite the important changes in activities of the three subsystems between 37 and 25 °C, the patterns of the control distribution are very similar. However, a different pattern was obtained at 4 °C under all phosphorylating conditions. Surprisingly, control by the proton leakage subsystem was almost unchanged, although both control patterns by substrate oxidation and phosphorylation subsystems were affected at 4 °C. In comparison with results for 25 and 37 °C, at 4 °C there was evidence for increased control by the phosphorylation subsystem over both fluxes of oxidation and phosphorylation as well as on the ATP/O ratio when the system is close to state 3. However, the pattern of control coefficients as a function of mitochondrial activity also showed enhanced control exerted by the substrate oxidation subsystem under all intermediate conditions. These results suggest that passive membrane permeability to protons is not involved in the effect of temperature on the control of oxidative phosphorylation.
Acidic phospholipids inhibit the intramolecular association between the N- and C-terminal regions of vinculin, exposing actin-binding and protein kinase C phosphorylation sites
Authors: WEEKES John , BARRY Simon T. , CRITCHLEY David R.
Published: August 2015

Chick vinculin polypeptides expressed in Escherichia coli as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins have been used to identify the sites involved in the intramolecular association between the 90 kDa N-terminal head and the 30 kDa C-terminal tail region of the vinculin molecule. Fusion proteins spanning vinculin residues 1–258 and 1–398, immobilized on glutathione–agarose beads, were shown to bind a C-terminal vinculin polypeptide spanning residues 881–1066 (liberated from GST by thrombin cleavage). However, the C-terminal polypeptide did not bind to a fusion protein spanning residues 399–881 or to itself. Binding was dependent on residues 167–207 within the N-terminal polypeptide, a sequence also essential for talin binding. Conversely, the 90 kDa head polypeptide was shown to bind to residues 1029–1036 in the tail region of vinculin. The association of head and tail was inhibited by acidic, but not neutral, phospholipids. Pre-incubation of vinculin with acidic phospholipids exposed the binding site for F-actin and a phosphorylation site for protein kinase C. The phosphorylation site was located in the tail region of the vinculin molecule. These results raise the possibility that acidic phospholipids play a role in regulating the activity of vinculin and therefore the assembly of both cell–cell and cell–matrix adherens-type junctions.
Sustained signalling from the insulin receptor after stimulation with insulin analogues exhibiting increased mitogenic potency
Authors: Falck HANSEN Bo , DANIELSEN Gillian M. , DREJER Kirsten , SØRENSEN Anders R. , WIBERG Finn C. , KLEIN Harald H. , LUNDEMOSE Anker G.
Published: August 2015

The metabolic and mitogenic potencies of six different insulin analogues were determined by measuring glucose transport in primary adipocytes and DNA synthesis in CHO cells respectively. Three analogues showed a disproportionately high mitogenic potency compared with their metabolic potency, and were up to 7 times more mitogenically than metabolically potent when compared with human insulin. The mitogenic/metabolic potency ratio of the analogues was found to be inversely correlated with the insulin receptor dissociation rate constant (Kd) in an exponential fashion (r = 0.99), with a disproportionately greater increase in mitogenic potential compared with metabolic potential for analogues with Kd values of less than 40% of that of human insulin. To investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the correlation between the increased half-life of the receptor–ligand complex (low Kd) and mitogenicity, 3 h time-course experiments were performed. Slow ligand dissociation from the insulin receptor induced a parallel sustained activation of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. A similar pattern was observed for insulin receptor autophosphorylation and Shc phosphorylation, whereas the duration of insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation with low-Kd analogues and with insulin was similar. Thus the increased half-life of the ligand–receptor complex induces sustained activation of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase and sustained phoshorylation of Shc, which may be the cause of the disproportionately high mitogenic potency seen for some insulin analogues.
A network of specific minor-groove contacts is a common characteristic of paired-domain-DNA interactions
Authors: PELLIZZARI Lucia , FABBRO Dora , LONIGRO Renata , LAURO Roberto DI , DAMANTE Guiseppe
Published: August 2015

Pax proteins are a family of transcription factors conserved during evolution and able to bind specific DNA sequences through a domain called a ‘paired domain’. The DNA-binding specificity of the Pax-8 paired domain was investigated. Site-selection experiments indicate that Pax-8 binds to a consensus sequence similar to those bound by Pax-2 and Pax-5. When consensus sequences of various paired domains are observed in light of recent structural studies describing paired-domain–DNA interaction [Xu, Rould, Jun, Desplan and Pabo (1995) Cell 80, 639–650], it appears that base-pairs contacted in the minor groove are conserved, while most of the base-pairs contacted in the major groove are not. Therefore a network of specific minor groove contacts is a common characteristic of paired-domain–DNA interactions. The functional importance of such a network was successfully tested by analysing the effect of consensus-based mutations on the Pax-8 binding site of the thyroglobulin promoter.
Protein tyrosine kinases regulate agonist-stimulated prostacyclin release but not von Willebrand factor secretion from human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: WHEELER-JONES Caroline P. D. , MAY Michael J. , MORGAN Anthony J. , PEARSON Jeremy D.
Published: August 2015

The rapid synthesis and release of prostacyclin (PGI2) and the exocytotic secretion of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) elicited by activation of G-protein-coupled receptors on endothelium occur via signalling mechanisms which are incompletely defined. Activation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and modulation of the tyrosine-phosphorylation state of endogenous proteins have been implicated in several cellular processes including arachidonate release and exocytosis. In the present study we have examined the regulatory role of PTKs in agonist-stimulated release of PGI2 and vWF from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using two chemically and mechanistically dissimilar PTK inhibitors (genistein and ST271). Genistein, but not the less active analogue daidzein, dose-dependently attenuated PGI2 release in response to thrombin and histamine (IC50 approx. 20 μM), and to the thrombin-receptor-activating peptide. A more potent inhibition of thrombin- and histamine-induced PGI2 synthesis was observed in cells exposed to ST271. In contrast, neither genistein nor ST271 modulated agonist-drive vWF secretion. At concentrations that abolished PGI2 release, genistein blocked thrombin- or histamine-evoked tyrosine phosphorylation of a 42 kDa protein. Ca2+ ionophore-induced PGI2 generation, but not vWF secretion, was also inhibited by both genistein and ST271, suggesting that these agents modulate PGI2 synthesis by acting at, or distal to, agonist-induced changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). In fura-2-loaded HUVECs genistein partially reduced the histamine-induced peak [Ca2+]i but had no effect on the thrombin response. Ca2+-induced PGI2 release from electrically permeabilized HUVECs was abolished in the presence of ST271 or genistein, but not daidzein. The generation of PGI2 in response to exogenous arachidonic acid was not modulated by genistein or ST271, suggesting that PTK inhibitors do not directly inhibit cyclo-oxygenase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that PTKs regulate PGI2 synthesis and release in HUVECs by modulating, directly or indirectly, a Ca2+-sensitive step upstream of cyclo-oxygenase.
Role of receptor desensitization, phosphatase induction and intracellular cyclic AMP in the termination of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in UTP-stimulated EAhy 926 endothelial cells
Authors: GRAHAM Anne , McLEES Angela , MALARKEY Kevin , GOULD Gwyn W. , PLEVIN Robin
Published: August 2015

We have investigated the mechanisms that bring about the termination of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activation in response to UTP in EAhy 926 endothelial cells. UTP-stimulated MAP kinase activity was transient, returning to basal values by 60 min. At this time MAP kinase activation was desensitized; re-application of UTP did not further activate MAP kinase, full re-activation of MAP kinase being only apparent after a 1–2 h wash period. However, activation of MAP kinase by UTP could be sustained beyond 60 min by preincubation of the cells with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. UTP also stimulated expression of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 and this was abolished after pretreatment with cycloheximide. Pretreatment of cells with forskolin abolished the initial activation of MAP kinase kinase or c-Raf-1 by UTP, but only affected MAP kinase activity during prolonged stimulation. The effect of forskolin on prolonged MAP kinase activation was also prevented by cycloheximide. These results suggest that the termination of MAP kinase activity in response to UTP involves a number of interacting mechanisms including receptor desensitization and the induction of a phosphatase. However, several pieces of evidence do not support a major role for MAP kinase phosphatase-1 in termination of the MAP kinase signal. Raising intracellular cyclic AMP may also be involved but only after an initial protein-synthesis step and by a mechanism that does not involve the inactivation of c-Raf-1 or MAP kinase kinase.
The differential regulation of cyclic AMP by sphingomyelin-derived lipids and the modulation of sphingolipid-stimulated extracellular signal regulated kinase-2 in airway smooth muscle
Authors: PYNE Susan , PYNE Nigel J.
Published: August 2015

We report that sphingosine and short-chain ceramides activate adenylate cyclase and stimulate intracellular cyclic AMP formation in airway-smooth-muscle (ASM) cells. In each case, there is a conditional requirement for GTP-Gsα. Sphingosine utilizes a protein kinase C-dependent pathway to elicit activation of adenylate cyclase, whereas for short-chain ceramides the mechanism remains unidentified. In contrast, sphingosine phosphate inhibits Gs-stimulated cyclic AMP formation via a Gi-dependent mechanism. Therefore, the potential interconversion of sphingosine and sphingosine phosphate is a switch that can elicit reciprocal changes in cyclic AMP levels. This may have a significant impact upon the regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal specific kinase (JNK) by sphingolipids and may help to explain how growth factors that utilize these second messengers evoke pleiotropic responses such as proliferation and cell survival. In this context, short-chain ceramides are poor stimulators of ERKs in ASM cells, and sphingosine is inactive, whereas both sphingolipids are powerful activators of the JNK module. Activated JNK catalyses N-terminal phosphorylation of c-Jun, a kinase cascade that programmes growth arrest. Therefore, in blocking ceramide-stimulated ERK-2 activity, cyclic AMP may allow the ceramide-dependent activation of JNK to programme cells to opt out of the cell cycle. In contrast, sphingosine phosphate activates ERK-2, potentiates growth-factor-stimulated DNA synthesis and fails to activate JNK, indicating that its sequential formation from ceramide and sphingosine may commit cells to DNA synthesis. ERK-2 can be activated by both cyclic AMP-sensitive c-Raf-1 kinase-dependent and cyclic AMP-insensitive c-Raf-1 kinase-independent pathways in ASM cells. In this context, sphingosine phosphate activates ERK-2 exclusively via c-Raf-1 kinase. Sphingosine phosphate-stimulated ERK-2 activity is also abolished by pertussis toxin, indicating that c-Raf-1 kinase is activated via a Gi-dependent mechanism.
Interaction of proteolytic fragments of calmodulin with caldesmon and calponin
Authors: MEDVEDEVA Marina V. , KOLOBOVA Elena A. , WANG Peiyi , GUSEV Nikolai B.
Published: August 2015

Interaction of five tryptic fragments of calmodulin with caldesmon and calponin was analysed by native gel electrophoresis. In the presence of Ca2+ intact calmodulin interacts with caldesmon and calponin with apparent Kd values equal to 0.23 and 1.3 μM respectively. The interaction was abolished in the absence of Ca2+. Two large tryptic fragments of calmodulin obtained in the presence of Ca2+ (TR1C, residues 1–77, and TR2C, residues 78–148) interact with caldesmon with apparent Kd values of 11.9 and 4.6 μM. Affinity of TR2C to calponin (Kd 3.8 μM) was comparable with that of native calmodulin and was much higher than the corresponding value for TR1C (Kd 41 μM). The short C-terminal tryptic peptide of calmodulin obtained in the presence of EGTA (TR3E, residues 107–148) interacts with caldesmon and calponin with Kd values of 23.9 and 12.1 μM, whereas the large N-terminal peptide TR1E (residues 1–106) interacts with both caldesmon and calponin with a very low affinity (Kd 60 μM). Thus although both N- and C-terminal domains of calmodulin are involved in the interaction with caldesmon and calponin, the C-terminal part of calmodulin (residues 78–148) is of special importance and has the highest contribution for caldesmon and calponin binding.
Pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase of Entamoeba histolytica: molecular cloning, recombinant expression and inhibition by pyrophosphate analogues
Authors: BRUCHHAUS Iris , JACOBS Thomas , DENART Martin , TANNICH Egbert
Published: August 2015

By using oligonucleotide primers derived from regions highly conserved in prokaryotic and eukaryotic phosphofructokinase sequences, a genomic DNA fragment was amplified and used to isolate cDNA and genomic clones coding for PPi-dependent phosphofructokinase (PPi-PFK) of Entamoeba histolytica. The open reading frame consists of 1308 bp and the corresponding protein has a calculated molecular mass of 47.6 kDa. The N-terminal half of the protein shows 27–35% identity with PPi-PFKs or ATP-dependent phosphofructokinases (ATP-PFKs) of various eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. The amino acid residues that form the active site of the PPi-PFK from Propionibacterium freudenreichii and the allosteric ATP-PFK from Escherichia coli are conserved within the amoeba sequence. The PPi-PFK was recombinantly expressed by using a prokaryotic expression system. The purified recombinant protein was found to be enzymically active. The Km values for PPi and fructose 6-phosphate of the native and the recombinant PPi-PFKs were nearly identical. Various bisphosphonates (synthetic pyrophosphate analogues) were tested for their ability to inhibit PPi-PFK activity or amoebic growth. All bisphosphonates tested were competitive inhibitors for amoeba PPi-PFK activity. The best inhibitors were CGP 48048 and zoledronate, with Ki values of 50 μM. All bisphosphonates inhibited amoebic growth. One of them (risedronate) was inhibitory at a concentration of 10 μM. Bisphosphonates are therefore potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of amoebiasis.