bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Replacement of isoleucine-397 by threonine in the clotting proteinase factor IXa (Los Angeles and Long Beach variants) affects macromolecular catalysis but not l-tosylarginine methyl ester hydrolysis. Lack of correlation between the ox brain prothrombin time and the mutation site in the variant proteins
Authors: Spitzer S G , Warn-Cramer B J , Kasper C K , Bajaj S P
Published: August 2015

Previously, from the plasma of unrelated haemophilia-B patients, we isolated two non-functional Factor IX variants, namely Los Angeles (IXLA) and Long Beach (IXLB). Both variants could be cleaved to yield Factor IXa-like molecules, but were defective in catalysing the cleavage of Factor X (macromolecular substrate) and in binding to antithrombin III (macromolecular inhibitor). In the present study we have identified the mutation of IXLA by amplifying the exons (including flanking regions) as well as the 5′ end of the gene by polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) method and sequencing the amplified DNA by the dideoxy chain-termination method. Comparison of the normal IX and IXLA sequences revealed only one base substitution (T----C) in exon VIII of IXLA, with a predicted replacement of Ile-397 to Thr in the mature protein. This mutation is the same as found recently for IXLB. The observation that IXLB and IXLA have the same mutation is an unexpected finding, since, on the basis of their ox brain prothrombin time (PT, a test that measures the ability of the variant Factor IX molecules to inhibit the activation of Factor X by Factor VIIa-tissue factor complex), these variants have been classified into two different groups and were thought to be genetically different. Our observation thus suggests that the ox brain PT does not reflect the locus of mutation in the coding region of the variant molecules. However, our analysis suggests that the ox brain PT is related to Factor IX antigen concentration in the patient's plasma. Importantly, although the mutation in IXLA or IXLB protein is in the catalytic domain, purified IXaLA and IXaLB hydrolyse L-tosylarginine methyl ester at rates very similar to that of normal IXa. These data, in conjunction with our recent data on Factor IXBm Lake Elsinore (Ala-390----Val mutant), strengthen a conclusion that the peptide region containing residues 390-397 of normal Factor IXa plays an essential role in macromolecular substrate catalysis and inhibitor binding. However, the two mutations noted thus far in this region do not distort S1 binding site in the Factor IXa enzyme.
Mass measurement of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in bombesin-stimulated Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts
Authors: Cook S J , Palmer S , Plevin R , Wakelam M J O
Published: August 2015

Two specific and selective assays were used to measure changes in the mass of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in bombesin-stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells. The results demonstrate that the increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 was extremely rapid, but transient, returning to basal levels by 30 s. In contrast, the increase in sn-1,2-diacylglycerol was biphasic: the first phase mirrored the transient Ins(1,4,5)P3 response, whereas the second phase was sustained and occurred in the absence of elevated Ins(1,4,5)P3. The possible source of the second phase of diacylglycerol is discussed.
The primary structure of a minor isoform (H1.2) of histone H1 from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Vanfleteren J R , Van Bun S M , De Baere I , Van Beeumen J J
Published: August 2015

The complete amino acid sequence of a minor isoform (H1.2) of histone H1 from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was determined. The amino acid chain consists of 190 residues and has a blocked N-terminus. Histone subtype H1.2 is 17 residues shorter than the major isoform H1.1, mainly as the result of deletions of short peptide fragments. Considerable divergence from isoform H1.1 has occurred in the N-terminal domain and the very C-terminus of the molecule, but the central globular domain and most of the C-terminal domain, including two potential phosphorylation sites, have been well conserved. Secondary-structure predictions for both H1 isoforms reveal a high potential for helix formation in the N-terminal region 1-33 of isoform H1.1 whereas the corresponding region in isoform H1.2 has low probability of being found in alpha-helix. No major differences in secondary structure are predicted for other parts of both H1 subtypes. The aberrant conformation of isoform H1.2 may be indicative of a significantly different function.
Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in mammary tissue of the lactating rat. Activity ratio and responsiveness of the target enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase and glycogen phosphorylase to β-adrenergic stimulation
Authors: Clegg R A , Ottey K A
Published: August 2015

The role of cyclic AMP in acute regulation of the metabolism of mammary tissue in the lactating rat was examined by measuring the activity ratio of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) and by examining the properties of this enzyme in its two major isoenzymic forms. Isoenzyme II is the major form in soluble extracts of rat mammary tissue. A-kinase activity ratio in such extracts is unaffected by starvation of the lactating rat. Treatment of the intact rat with isoprenaline, or addition of isoprenaline to incubations in vitro of mammary acini, resulted in a major increase in the activity ratio of A-kinase. These treatments equally affected isoenzymes I and II. The treatment in vitro lead to a rapid depletion of A-kinase as subsequently measured in extracts of acini. The degree of activation of the enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase and glycogen phosphorylase in extracts of mammary tissue and of acini was assessed as a function of these treatments. The increased activation of A-kinase induced by isoprenaline was unaccompanied by significant changes in the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in acini, although we previously showed that this agent activates acetyl-CoA carboxylase in intact mammary tissue. Contrastingly, isoprenaline-induced enhancement of A-kinase activity was accompanied by an increase in the activity ratio of phosphorylase in acini. These results indicate that: (a) a normal response of expressed A-kinase activity to cyclic AMP operates in mammary acini and mammary tissue from lactating rats; (b) rapid modulation of the total amount of soluble A-kinase is mediated in mammary epithelial cells by cyclic AMP; (c) phosphorylase, an ultimate target of the protein phosphorylation cascade initiated by A-kinase, is activated in acini under conditions where A-kinase activity is enhanced; and (d) mechanisms other than that of the A-kinase phosphorylation/inhibition model for acetyl-CoA carboxylase regulation must operate in mammary tissue preparations and in vivo to account for the response of this enzyme to enhanced A-kinase activity.
Isolation and characterization of proteoglycans synthesized by mouse osteoblastic cells in culture during the mineralization process
Authors: Takeuchi Y , Matsumoto T , Ogata E , Shishiba Y
Published: August 2015

Proteoglycans in mineralized (0.5 M-EDTA/4 M-guanidinium chloride-extractable) and non-mineralized (4 M-guanidinium chloride-extractable) matrices synthesized by a mouse osteoblastic-cell line MC3T3-E1 were characterized at different phases of mineralization in vitro. Cell cultures were labelled with [35S]sulphate and either [3H]glucosamine or 3H-labelled amino acids. At the mineralization phase a large majority of proteoglycans were extracted with 4 M-guanidinium chloride (G extract), and at least five species of labelled proteoglycans were identified; dermatan sulphate proteoglycans (DSPG), apparent Mr approx. 120,000 and 70,000), heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG, apparent Mr approx. 200,000 and 120,000) and DS chains with very little core protein. DSPGs weakly bound to an octyl-Sepharose CL-4B column and HSPGs bound more tightly, whereas DS chains did not bind to the column. Amounts of labelled proteoglycans extracted with 0.5 M-EDTA/4 M-guanidinium chloride (EDTA extract) were much less than those in G extract. Although the predominant species in the EDTA extract were comparable with the DS or DSPGs in the G extract, none of them bound to octyl-Sepharose CL-4B, indicating their lack of hydrophobicity. At the nonmineralizing phase a large chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (Mr greater than 600,000) was found in the matrix in addition to the five proteoglycan species similar to those at the mineralization phase. Although DS chains at the early phase were similar in size to those at the mineralization phase, the ratio of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(beta-D-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-4-O-sulpho-D-galactose to 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(beta-D-gluculo-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-6-O-sulpho-D-galactose was less than that at the mineralization phase. These results agree with those of previous studies performed in vivo and suggest that alteration in the synthesis of proteoglycans is involved in the mineralization process. They also suggest that at the osteoblastic mineralization front proteoglycans undergo partial degradation and lose their hydrophobicity.
Evaluation of synthetic sphingosine, lysosphingolipids and glycosphingolipids as inhibitors of functional responses of human neutrophils
Authors: Fiore S , Nicolaou K C , Caulfield T , Kataoka H , Serhan C N
Published: August 2015

Human neutrophils, when exposed to soluble stimuli, aggregate, release oxygenated products of arachidonic acid and generate active oxygen species. Sphingolipid-derived products such as sphingosine and lysosphingolipids have been shown to exert selective actions on a variety of cell types, including neutrophils. Therefore, to determine the structural basis for selective inhibition of neutrophil responses by naturally occurring sphingolipids, seven compounds were prepared by total organic synthesis, and their impact on neutrophils in suspension has been studied. The compounds synthesized included sphingosine, psychosine, lactosyl lysosphingolipid, globotriaosyl (Gb3) lysosphingolipid, galactosyl cerebroside, lactosyl ceramide and Gb3 ceramide. The neutrophil responses studied were aggregation, leukotriene generation and superoxide anion production. When exposed to non-cytotoxic levels of the synthetic compounds, as monitored by exclusion of Trypan Blue, none of the synthetic sphingolipids inhibited A23187-induced aggregation of neutrophils. Only lactosyl lysosphingolipid, at a concentration of 1 microM, significantly inhibited aggregation induced by fMetLeuPhe; the other compounds in this series including sphingosine were without effect at equal molar concentrations (1 microM). Aggregation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (0.1 microM) was significantly blocked by only two of the synthetic sphingolipids (1 microM). At concentrations below 1 microM, these inhibitory actions were not evident, nor was it possible to assign a structure-activity relationship for this series of compounds. None of the synthetic sphingolipids effectively inhibited the generation of superoxide anions induced by PMA. In addition, neither synthetic sphingosine nor psychosine affected either the formation or metabolism of leukotriene B4. Taken together, the results provide further evidence that sphingolipids, when added to intact cells, are not potent selective inhibitors of functional responses of human neutrophils.
A heart mitochondrial Ca2+-dependent pore of possible relevance to re-perfusion-induced injury. Evidence that ADP facilitates pore interconversion between the closed and open states
Authors: Crompton M , Costi A
Published: August 2015

The permeability properties of a putative Ca2(+)-activated pore in heart mitochondria, of possible relevance to re-perfusion-induced injury, have been investigated by a pulsed-flow solute-entrapment technique. The relative permeabilities of [14C]mannitol, [14C]sucrose and arsenazo III are consistent with permeation via a pore of about 2.3 nm diameter. Ca2+ removal with EGTA induced pore closure, and the mitochondria became ‘resealed’. The permeability of the unresealed mitochondria during resealing was markedly stimulated by 200 microM-ADP, and the relative permeabilities to solutes of different size were stimulated equally, indicating an increase in open-pore number, rather than an increase in pore dimensions. This is paradoxical, since ADP also stimulated the rate of resealing. The rate of EGTA-induced resealing was also stimulated by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, which indicates that the rate of removal of matrix free Ca2+ is limiting for pore closure. An explanation for the paradox is suggested in which ADP facilitates pore interconversion between the closed and open states in permeabilized mitochondria, and pore closure in Ca2(+)-free mitochondria occurs much faster than previously thought.
Pig aortic endothelial-cell cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. Use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors to evaluate their roles in regulating cyclic nucleotide levels in intact cells
Authors: Souness J E , Diocee B K , Martin W , Moodie S A
Published: August 2015

Two cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities were identified in pig aortic endothelial cells, a cyclic GMP-stimulated PDE and a cyclic AMP PDE. Cyclic GMP-stimulated PDE had Km values of 367 microM for cyclic AMP and 24 microM for cyclic GMP, and low concentrations (1 microM) of cyclic GMP increased the affinity of the enzyme for cyclic AMP (Km = 13 microM) without changing the Vmax. This isoenzyme was inhibited by trequinsin [IC50 (concn. giving 50% inhibition of substrate hydrolysis) = 0.6 microM for cyclic AMP hydrolysis in the presence of cyclic GMP; IC50 = 0.6 microM for cyclic GMP hydrolysis] and dipyridamole (IC50 = 5 microM for cyclic AMP hydrolysis in the presence of cyclic GMP; IC50 = 3 microM for cyclic GMP hydrolysis). Cyclic AMP PDE exhibited a Km of 2 microM for cyclic AMP and did not hydrolyse cyclic GMP. This activity was inhibited by trequinsin (IC50 = 0.2 microM), dipyridamole (IC50 = 6 microM) and, selectively, by rolipram (IC50 = 3 microM). Inhibitors of cyclic GMP PDE (M&B 22948) and of low Km (Type III) cyclic AMP PDE (SK&F 94120) only weakly inhibited the two endothelial PDEs. Incubation of intact cells with trequinsin and dipyridamole induced large increases in cyclic GMP, which were completely blocked by LY-83583. Rolipram, SK&F 94120 and M&B 22948 did not significantly influence cyclic GMP accumulation. Dipyridamole enhanced the increase in cyclic GMP induced by sodium nitroprusside. Cyclic AMP accumulation was stimulated by dipyridamole and trequinsin with and without forskolin. Rolipram, although without effect alone, increased cyclic AMP in the presence of forskolin, whereas M&B 22948 and SK&F 94120 had no effects on resting or forskolin-stimulated levels. These results suggest that cyclic GMP-stimulated PDE regulates cyclic GMP levels and that both endothelial PDE isoenzymes contribute to the control of cyclic AMP.
Cerebral metabolism of acetate and glucose studied by 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. A technique for investigating metabolic compartmentation in the brain
Authors: Badar-Goffer R S , Bachelard H S , Morris P G
Published: August 2015

The time courses of incorporation of 13C from 13C-labelled glucose or acetate into cerebral amino acids (glutamate, glutamine and 4-aminobutyrate) and lactate were monitored by using 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. When [1-13C]glucose was used as precursor the C-2 of 4-aminobutyrate was more highly labelled than the analogous C-4 of glutamate, whereas no label was observed in glutamine. A similar pattern was observed with [2-13C]glucose: the C-1 of 4-aminobutyrate was more highly labelled than the analogous C-5 of glutamate. Again, no labelling of glutamine was detected. In contrast, [2-13C]acetate labelled the C-4 of glutamine and the C-2 of 4-aminobutyrate more highly than the C-4 of glutamate; [1-13C]acetate also labelled the C-1 and C-5 positions of glutamine more than the analogous positions of glutamate. These results are consistent with earlier patterns reported from the use of 14C-labelled precursors that led to the concept of compartmentation of neuronal and glial metabolism and now provide the possibility of distinguishing differential effects of metabolic perturbations on the two pools simultaneously. An unexpected observation was that citrate is more highly labelled from acetate than from glucose.
Characterization of a specific form of protein kinase C overproduced by a C3H 10T½ cell line
Authors: Rotenberg S A , Krauss R S , Borner C M B , Weinstein I B
Published: August 2015

Murine embryo fibroblasts (C3H 10T1/2) which were genetically engineered to overproduce the beta 1 isoform of protein kinase C (PKC-beta 1) were used to obtain homogeneous preparations of PKC-beta 1 for the purpose of characterizing the specific structural and functional properties of this isoform. Fractionation of PKC activity from these cells by hydroxyapatite chromatography produced one major peak, which represented 93% of the total cellular PKC activity and was not detected in control cells. This major peak of activity was shown by Western-blotting analysis with a beta 1-specific antiserum to be the overproduced beta 1-isoform, and exhibited a band at 77 kDa. The functional properties of the overproduced PKC-beta 1 were established with regard to phospholipid-dependence, Ca2(+)-dependence, responsiveness to a phorbol ester tumour promoter, activation by arachidonic acid (plus Ca2+), and inhibition by known PKC inhibitors. From these studies we conclude that PKC-beta 1 overproduced by C3H 10T1/2 cells exhibits the structural and functional properties previously ascribed to native PKC. Furthermore, these data provide the first definitive biochemical characteristics of this isoform of PKC.
Correlation of loss of activity of human aldehyde dehydrogenase with reaction of bromoacetophenone with glutamic acid-268 and cysteine-302 residues. Partial-sites reactivity of aldehyde dehydrogenase
Authors: Abriola D P , MacKerell A D , Pietruszko R
Published: August 2015

Bromoacetophenone (2-bromo-1-phenylethanone) has been characterized as an affinity reagent for human aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) [MacKerell, MacWright & Pietruszko (1986) Biochemistry 25, 5182-5189], and has been shown to react specifically with the Glu-268 residue [Abriola, Fields, Stein, MacKerell & Pietruszko (1987) Biochemistry 26, 5679-5684] with an apparent inactivation stoichiometry of two molecules of bromoacetophenone per molecule of enzyme. The specificity of bromoacetophenone for reaction with Glu-268, however, is not absolute, owing to the extreme reactivity of this reagent. When bromo[14C]acetophenone was used to label the human cytoplasmic E1 isoenzyme radioactively and tryptic fragmentation was carried out, peptides besides that containing Glu-268 were found to have reacted with reagent. These peptides were purified by h.p.l.c. and analysed by sequencing and scintillation counting to quantify radioactive label in the material from each cycle of sequencing. Reaction of bromoacetophenone with the aldehyde dehydrogenase molecule during enzyme activity loss occurs with two residues, Glu-268 and Cys-302. The activity loss, however, appears to be proportional to incorporation of label at Glu-268. The large part of incorporation of label at Cys-302 occurs after the activity loss is essentially complete. With both Glu-268 and Cys-302, however, the incorporation of label stops after one molecule of bromoacetophenone has reacted with each residue. Reaction with other residues continues after activity loss is complete.
Purification and characterization of a hyaluronan-binding protein from rat chondrosarcoma
Authors: Crossman M V , Mason R M
Published: August 2015

Swarm rat chondrosarcoma contains a hyaluronan-binding protein of molecular mass 102 kDa (HABP102). The protein is present in 4 M-guanidinium chloride extracts of the chondrosarcoma and can be incorporated into reconstituted proteoglycan aggregates, but it is not present in native proteoglycan aggregates or in 0.5 M-guanidinium chloride extracts. HABP102 is unlikely to be an integral membrane protein, as it does not require detergent for extraction, is not enriched in hydrophobic amino acids and does not bind avidly to octyl-Sepharose. The protein stains poorly with Coomassie Blue and is only visible on PAGE gels after staining with silver. Disulphide bonds are essential for the binding of HABP102 to hyaluronan, and bivalent cations are not required for this interaction. HABP102 can be purified from dissociative chondrosarcoma extracts by sequential density-gradient centrifugation, hyaluronan-Sepharose affinity chromatography and hydrophobic-interaction chromatography. The amino acid composition is similar to that of domains 1-4 of the chondrosarcoma proteoglycan core protein, but peptide analysis after digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase and chymotrypsin and different immunoreactivity suggest that HABP102 is not closely related to proteoglycan hyaluronan-binding region. HABP102 is a glycoprotein containing N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, mannose and galactose.
Molecular mechanisms of the irreversible thermal denaturation of guinea-pig liver transglutaminase
Authors: Nury S , Meunier J C
Published: August 2015

When transglutaminase is heated at temperatures above 40 degrees C, it loses its activity according to a two-step mechanism [Nury, Meunier & Mouranche (1989) Eur. J. Biochem. 180, 161-166]: N→X(TD)→D However, the nature of the molecular events responsible for the irreversible denaturation is still unknown. Investigation of the effects of dithiothreitol and 5,5′-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoate on the kinetics of inactivation, titrations of ammonia released by deamidation and of thiol groups on the native and denatured enzymes and SDS/PAGE rule out the involvement of covalent processes during the denaturation of transglutaminase at 55 degrees C and pH 7. Of the two possible kinds of non-covalent events, i.e. unfolding of the polypeptide chain and aggregation of enzyme molecules, we show that both occur, though only the former process is responsible for the denaturation. The latter process, aggregation, follows the unfolding of the molecules.
Testosterone-mediated regulation of mouse renal cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes
Authors: Henderson C J , Scott A R , Yang C S , Wolf C R
Published: August 2015

We have studied the extent to which mouse renal cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes are sexually differentiated, and the factor(s) regulating this dimorphism. Intriguingly, sex differences were not seen in the expression of a single cytochrome P-450 enzyme, but were observed in the expression of all P-450 isoenzymes detectable, encoded by six gene families or sub-families. This effect was mediated by testosterone, which had the capacity to both induce and repress P-450 gene expression, and which was independent of growth hormone. The changes in protein content were mirrored in all but one case by changes in the levels of mRNA, indicating that these genes contain hormone-responsive elements. These findings are consistent with numerous reports of sex differences in the susceptibility of the mouse kidney to the toxic and carcinogenic effects of drugs and environmental chemicals, many of which are metabolized to cytotoxic products by the cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenases. These data imply that circulating androgen levels will be an important factor in susceptibility of the kidney to toxic or carcinogenic compounds which require metabolic activation.
1,2-Diacylglycerols overcome cyclic AMP-mediated inhibition of phosphatidylcholine synthesis in GH3 pituitary cells
Authors: Kolesnick R N
Published: August 2015

Previous studies showed that phorbol esters and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulated phosphatidylcholine synthesis via protein kinase C in GH3 pituitary cells [Kolesnick (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 14525-14530]. In contrast, 1,2-diacylglycerol-stimulated phosphatidylcholine synthesis appeared independent of protein kinase C. The present studies compare phosphatidylcholine synthesis stimulated by these agents with inhibition via the cyclic AMP system. The potent phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10 nM) increased [32P]Pi incorporation into phosphatidylcholine at 30 min to 159 +/- 6% of control. The adenylate cyclase activator cholera toxin (CT; 10 nM) and the cyclic AMP analogue dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) abolished this effect. CT similarly abolished TRH-induced phosphatidylcholine, but not phosphatidylinositol, synthesis. This is the first report of inhibiton of receptor-mediated phosphatidylcholine synthesis by the cyclic AMP system. The 1,2-diacylglycerol 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) also stimulated concentration-dependent phosphatidylcholine synthesis. DiC8 (3 micrograms/ml) induced an effect quantitatively similar to that of maximal concentrations of PMA and TRH, whereas a maximal diC8 concentration (30 micrograms/ml) stimulated an effect 3-4-fold greater than these other agents. CT decreased the effect of diC8 (3 micrograms/ml) by 80%. Higher diC8 concentrations overcame the CT inhibition. Similar results were obtained with dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Additional differences were found between low and high concentrations of diC8. Low concentrations of diC8 failed to induce additive phosphatidylcholine synthesis with maximal concentrations of PMA, whereas high concentrations were additive. Hence, low concentrations of 1,2-diacylglycerols appear to be regulated similarly to phorbol esters, and higher concentrations appear to act via a pathway unavailable to phorbol esters.
Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the enzyme activity of NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase
Authors: Tai C L , Mak O T , Arai T , Tai H H
Published: August 2015

Three hybridoma cell lines secreting antibodies against human placental NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-OH-PGDH) were produced. Purified IgG2b from these cell lines recognized a distinct band of Mr 28,000 on SDS/PAGE from the purified enzyme as well as a band of Mr 56,000 from the crude enzyme preparation. These three monoclonal antibodies inhibited 15-OH-PGDH activity to different degrees. Inhibition of the enzyme activity could be prevented by prior incubation of the enzyme with NAD+ but not with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or NADP+. Inhibition by monoclonal antibodies appears to be non-competitive with respect to NAD+ and PGE2. An increased concentration of antibodies alters the apparent Km for NAD+ but not for PGE2, further supporting the notion that the antibodies bind to the coenzyme-binding site. The availability of these monoclonal antibodies should be valuable for probing the structure of the active site.
Mitogenic signalling pathway of tumour necrosis factor involves the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of 41,000-Mr and 43,000-Mr cytosol proteins
Authors: Kohno M , Nishizawa N , Tsujimoto M , Nomoto H
Published: August 2015

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent mitogen for some fibroblast cell lines. Here we have examined the TNF-mediated changes in protein phosphorylation in Swiss 3T3 and human FS-4 fibroblasts, and compared them with changes observed after the treatment of cells with other mitogens, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and bombesin. TNF stimulated the rapid phosphorylation of two 41,000-Mr and two 43,000-Mr cytosol proteins on tyrosine, threonine and/or serine, as did PDGF, epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor; the increased levels of this mitogen-induced protein-tyrosine phosphorylation correlated well with the extent of mitogen-induced DNA synthesis as determined by the percentage of labelled nuclei. In contrast, bombesin, which is an even better mitogen for Swiss 3T3 cells than TNF, stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of 41,000-Mr and 43,000-Mr proteins only to a limited extent. On the other hand, bombesin and PDGF stimulated the rapid serine phosphorylation of an 80,000-Mr acidic protein, a major substrate for protein kinase C; increased phosphorylation of the 80,000-Mr protein was not observed at all when cells were stimulated with TNF. These results suggest significant differences among the mitogenic signalling pathways of TNF, PDGF and bombesin as regards the involvement of protein kinases; the mitogenic signalling pathway of TNF involves the activation of tyrosine kinase, but not of protein kinase C, whereas bombesin seems to transduce its mitogenic signal mainly through the activation of protein kinase C, and the activation of both kinases seems to be involved in the mitogenic signalling pathway of PDGF.
Expression and purification of a truncated recombinant streptococcal protein G
Authors: Goward C R , Murphy J P , Atkinson T , Barstow D A
Published: August 2015

The gene for Protein G from Streptococcus strain G148 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The regions on the gene corresponding to the albumin-binding domains and the Fab-binding region were then deleted by site-directed mutagenesis. The translation of regions corresponding to the cell-wall- and membrane-binding domains was prevented by introduction of stop codons upstream of these domains. This recombinant DNA sequence codes for a protein (G′) that contains repetitive regions and that binds only the Fc portion of IgG, analogously to Protein A. Translation of the sequence produces a protein with an Mr of about 20,000. The nucleotide sequence differs from those published previously [Guss, Eliasson, Olsson, Uhlén, Frej, Jornvall, Flock & Lindberg (1986) EMBO J. 5, 1567-1575; Olsson, Eliasson, Guss, Nilsson, Hellman, Lindberg & Uhlén (1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 168, 319-324]. The protein can be substantially purified on a large scale by chromatography on IgG-Sepharose 4B. Homogeneous Protein G′ can be prepared by anion-exchange f.p.l.c. on Mono Q HR. This Protein G‘ has a pI of 4.19 and SDS/PAGE gives an apparent anomalous Mr of 35,000.
Identification of the human liver cytochrome P-450 responsible for coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity
Authors: Miles J S , McLaren A W , Forrester L M , Glancey M J , Lang M A , Wolf C R
Published: August 2015

1. We have constructed a full-length human liver cytochrome P450IIA cDNA from a partial-length clone by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, and subcloned it into the monkey kidney (COS-7) cell expression vector, pSVL. 2. The cDNA encodes a 49 kDa protein with coumarin 7-hydroxylase (COH) activity which cross-reacts with antisera to the mouse cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme responsible for COH activity and comigrates with a human liver microsomal protein. 3. Western blot analysis of a panel of human livers indicates that the level of the 49 kDa protein, detected using antisera to either the mouse COH P-450 or rat P450IIA1 protein, correlates very highly with COH activity. 4. Antisera to the rat P450IIA1 protein can inhibit COH activity in human liver microsomes. Taken together, these data indicate that a member of the P450IIA subfamily is responsible for most, if not all, of the COH activity in human liver.
Recombinant neutral endopeptidase-24.11 expressed in mouse neuroblastoma cells is associated with neurite membranes
Authors: Lemay G , Zollinger M , Waksman G , Roques B P , Crine P , Boileau G
Published: August 2015

Neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (EC 3.4.24.11) (NEP) is a transmembrane metallo-endopeptidase that has been shown to be involved in the degradation of several mammalian neuropeptides, including enkephalins. The enzyme has recently been found to be specifically associated with the axonal and synaptic membranes of neurons in the globus pallidus of the pig brain. This result suggests that neurons must possess mechanisms for targeting NEP to particular membrane domains. Study of these mechanisms would greatly benefit from the existence of an established neuron-like cell line capable of expressing and targeting NEP to specific membrane domains. For this reason we have used a retroviral vector containing the cDNA for rabbit kidney NEP to express this enzyme in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line (Neuro2A). Labelling of the cell surface with an antibody coupled to colloidal gold particles and examination of the cells by electron microscopy revealed a non-uniform distribution of NEP at the surface of the cells, the protein being preferentially associated with the membrane of neurites compared with the cell body. This observation suggests that Neuro2A cells possess a mechanism for targeting NEP to specific domains of the plasma membrane. This cell line could thus constitute a good model for studying the mechanisms responsible for targeting this enzyme to specialized regions of the plasma membrane.
Human carboxypeptidase E. Isolation and characterization of the cDNA, sequence conservation, expression and processing in vitro
Authors: Manser E , Fernandez D , Loo L , Goh P Y , Monfries C , Hall C , Lim L
Published: August 2015

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), which cleaves C-terminal amino acid residues and is involved in neuropeptide processing, is itself subject to intracellular processing. Human CPE cDNA was isolated and sequence comparisons were made with those of a previously isolated brain cDNA (M1622) encoding rat CPE and of other human carboxypeptidases (M and N). Human (2.5 kb) and rat (2.1 kb) CPE cDNAs approximated to the size of their respective mRNAs; additional sequences were located in putative 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of human CPE mRNA. There is 79% sequence similarity between human and rat CPE cDNAs, with greater similarity (89%) over the coding region and short sections of the non-coding sequence. The predicted 476-amino acid-residue sequences of human and rat preproCPEs are highly conserved (96% identity), with lower degree of similarity of the N-terminal signal peptide (76%). Human CPE showed 51% and 43% sequence similarity to human CPN and CPM respectively, with discrete regions of divergence dispersed between the highly conserved mechanistically implicated regions. Antiserum generated from a fusion protein, synthesized in Escherichia coli from constructs of the human cDNA, recognized an approx. 50 kDa membrane protein and a smaller soluble protein in rat and human brain preparations, corresponding to the two forms of native CPE. Human CPE mRNA transcripts directed the synthesis in reticulocyte lysate of a 54 kDa translation product, which in the presence of dog pancreas microsomal membranes was co-translationally processed with cleavage, insertion into membranes and glycosylation. Three processed forms were generated, the largest (56 kDa) and smallest (52 kDa) being equally glycosylated. The membrane association of the processed translation products and of native brain membrane CPE, detected immunologically, was resistant to moderate alkali but not pH 11.5 extraction. These results are consistent with secondary-structure predictions that CPE is a peripheral membrane protein. The dissimilar regions of human carboxypeptidases may provide information on sequences responsible for their different cellular disposition.
Glucose-induced activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in isolated rat pancreatic islets
Authors: McCormack J G , Longo E A , Corkey B E
Published: August 2015

1. Rat pancreatic islets were isolated and then maintained in culture for 2-4 days before being incubated in groups of 100 in the presence of different glucose (0-20 mM) or CaCl2 (1.2-4.2 mM) concentrations, or with uncoupler. 2. Increases in extracellular glucose concentration resulted in increases in the amount of active, non-phosphorylated, pyruvate dehydrogenase in the islets, with half-maximal effects around 5-6 mM-glucose. Increasing extracellular glucose from 3 to 20 mM resulted in a 4-6-fold activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase within 2 min. 3. The total enzyme activity was unchanged, and averaged 0.4 m-unit/100 islets at 37 degrees C. 4. These changes in active pyruvate dehydrogenase were broadly similar to changes in insulin secretion by the islets. 5. Increasing extracellular Ca2+ or adding uncoupler also activated pyruvate dehydrogenase to a similar degree, but only the former was associated with increased insulin secretion.
Polyamine regulation of heat-shock-induced spermidine N1-acetyltransferase activity
Authors: Fuller D J M , Carper S W , Clay L , Chen J R , Gerner E W
Published: August 2015

The enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (N1-SAT) is rapidly induced by heat shock in CHO and A549 cells, with activity declining by 24 h. Depletion of intracellular polyamines by alpha-difluoromethylornithine, an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, blocks this induction. Re-addition of putrescine to these cultures restores the response to heat shock, with a concomitant increase in intracellular N1-acetylspermidine. Diaminopropane is more than twice as effective as the naturally occurring diamine putrescine, suggesting that the propylamine moiety of spermidine is involved in the regulation of N1-SAT induction. Inhibitor studies indicate transcriptional activation and that the enzyme has an apparent half-life of 30-60 min. A second heat shock rapidly inhibits induced N1-SAT activity, which decays with a half-life of 2-3 min. Despite its induction by heat, N1-SAT is not a stable enzyme, suggesting that the activity observed is not due to a modification of an existing peptide, but is due to a transcriptional event, which may justify the inclusion of this enzyme in the family of heat-shock proteins.
Translocation-independent activation of protein kinase C by platelet-activating factor, thrombin and prostacyclin. Lack of correlation with polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in rabbit platelets
Authors: Salari H , Duronio V , Howard S , Demos M , Pelech S L
Published: August 2015

The relationship between polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and protein kinase C (PKC) activation was explored in rabbit platelets treated with the agonists platelet-activating factor (PAF), thrombin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), and with the anti-aggregant prostacyclin (PGI2). Measurement of the hydrolysis of radiolabelled inositol-containing phospholipids relied upon the separation of the products [3H]inositol mono-, bis- and tris-phosphates by Dowex-1 chromatography. PKC activity, measured in platelet cytosolic and Nonidet-P40-solubilized particulate extracts that were fractionated by MonoQ chromatography, was based upon the ability of the enzyme to phosphorylate either histone H1 in the presence of the activators Ca2+, diacylglycerol and phosphatidylserine, or protamine in the absence of Ca2+ and lipid. Treatment of platelets for 1 min with PAF (2 nM) or thrombin (2 units/ml) led to the rapid hydrolysis of inositol-containing phospholipids, a 2-3-fold stimulation of both cytosolic and particulate-derived PKC activity, and platelet aggregation. Exposure to TPA (200 nM) for 5 min did not stimulate formation of phosphoinositides, but translocated more than 95% of cytosolic PKC into the particulate fraction, and induced a slower rate of aggregation. PGI2 (1 microgram/ml) did not enhance phosphoinositide production, and at higher concentrations (50 micrograms/ml) it antagonized the ability of PAF, but not that of thrombin, to induce inositol phospholipid turnover, even though platelet aggregation in response to both agonists was blocked by PGI2. On the other hand, PGI2 alone also appeared to activate (by 3-5-fold) cytosolic and particulate PKC by a translocation-independent mechanism. The activation of PKC by PGI2 was probably mediated via cyclic AMP (cAMP), as this effect was mimicked by the cAMP analogue 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP. It is concluded that this novel mechanism of PKC regulation by platelet agonists may operate independently of polyphosphoinositide turnover, and that activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase represents another route leading to PKC activation.
Purification and characterization of the invertase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A comparative analysis with the invertase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Moreno S , Sanchez Y , Rodriguez L
Published: August 2015

Invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) was purified to homogeneity from exponentially growing cells of Schizosaccharomyces pombe fully de-repressed for synthesis of the enzyme, and was shown to be a high-molecular-mass glycoprotein that can be dissociated in the presence of 8 M-urea/1% SDS into identical subunits with an apparent molecular mass of 205 kDa. The carbohydrate moiety, accounting for 67% of the total mass, is composed of equimolar amounts of mannose and galactose. There is a small amount of glucosamine, which is probably involved in the linkage to the protein moiety, since the enzyme is sensitive to treatment with endoglycosidase H. The composition of the carbohydrate moiety resembles that found in higher-eukaryotic glycoproteins and differs from glycoproteins found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The protein portion of each subunit is a polypeptide of molecular mass 60 kDa, very similar to the invertase of Sacch. cerevisiae. Both proteins cross-react with antibodies raised against the protein fractions of the other, indicating that the two enzymes are similar.
Reduced inositol polyphosphate accumulation and inositol supply induced by lithium in stimulated cerebral cortex slices
Authors: Kennedy E D , Challiss R A J , Ragan C I , Nahorski S R
Published: August 2015

The ability of lithium to interfere with phosphoinositide metabolism in rat cerebral cortex slices has been examined by monitoring the accumulation of CMP-phosphatidate (CMP-PtdOH) and the reduction in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 levels. A small accumulation of [14C]CMP-PtdOH was seen in slices prelabelled with [14C]cytidine and stimulated with carbachol (1 mM) or Li+ (1 mM). However, simultaneous addition of both agents for 30 min produced a 22-fold accumulation, with Li+ producing a half-maximal effect at a concentration of 0.61 +/- 0.19 mM. Kinetic studies revealed that the effects of carbachol and Li+ on CMP-PtdOH accumulation occurred with no initial lag apparent under these conditions and that preincubation with myo-inositol (10 or 30 mM) dramatically attenuated CMP-PtdOH accumulation. myo-Inositol could also attenuate the rate of accumulation of CMP-PtdOH when added 20 min after carbachol and Li+; these effects were not observed when equimolar concentrations of scyllo-inositol were added. Use of specific radioreceptor assays allowed the mass accumulations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 to be monitored. Following a lag of 5-10 min, Li+ resulted in a marked reduction in the accumulation of both inositol polyphosphates resulting from muscarinic-cholinergic stimulation. Preincubation of cerebral cortex slices with myo- (but not scyllo-) inositol delayed, but did not prevent, the reduction in the accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. The results suggest that cerebral cortex, at least in vitro, is very sensitive to myo-inositol depletion under conditions of muscarinic receptor stimulation. The relationship of such depletion to the generation of inositol polyphosphate second messengers is discussed.
Activation of superoxide formation and lysozyme release in human neutrophils by the synthetic lipopeptide Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4. Involvement of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins and synergism with chemotactic peptides
Authors: Seifert R , Schultz G , Richter-Freund M , Metzger J , Wiesmüller K H , Jung G , Bessler W G , Hauschildt S
Published: August 2015

Upon exposure to the bacterial chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe, human neutrophils release lysozyme and generate superoxide anions (O2.-). The synthetic lipoamino acid N-palmitoyl-S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl]-(R)-cysteine (Pam3Cys), which is derived from the N-terminus of bacterial lipoprotein, when attached to Ser-(Lys)4 [giving Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4], activated O2.- formation and lysozyme release in human neutrophils with an effectiveness amounting to about 15% of that of fMet-Leu-Phe. Palmitic acid, muramyl dipeptide, lipopolysaccharide and the lipopeptides Pam3Cys-Ala-Gly, Pam3Cys-Ser-Gly, Pam3Cys-Ser, Pam3Cys-OMe and Pam3Cys-OH did not activate O2.- formation. Pertussis toxin, which ADP-ribosylates guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) and functionally uncouples formyl peptide receptors from G-proteins, prevented activation of O2.- formation by fMet-Leu-Phe and inhibited Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4-induced O2.- formation by 85%. Lipopeptide-induced exocytosis was pertussis-toxin-insensitive. O2.- formation induced by Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 and fMet-Leu-Phe was enhanced by cytochalasin B, by a phorbol ester and by a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor. Addition of activators of adenylate cyclase and removal of extracellular Ca2+ inhibited O2.- formation by fMet-Leu-Phe and Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 to different extents. Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 synergistically enhanced fMet-Leu-Phe-induced O2.- formation and primed neutrophils to respond to the chemotactic peptide at non-stimulatory concentrations. Our data suggest the following. (1) Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 activates neutrophils through G-proteins, involving pertussis-toxin-sensitive and -insensitive processes. (2) The signal transduction pathways activated by fMet-Leu-Phe and Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 are similar but not identical. (3) In inflammatory processes, bacterial lipoproteins and chemotactic peptides may interact synergistically to activate O2.- formation, leading to enhanced bactericidal activity.
Assembly and secretion of hepatic very-low-density lipoprotein
Authors: Gibbons G F
Published: August 2015

In contrast to water-soluble fuels such as glucose or ketone bodies, the use of lipids as an energy source for tissues has required the development of complex structures for their transport through the aqueous plasma. In the case of endogenously synthesized triacylglycerol this is achieved by the assembly and secretion of hepatic VLDL which provides the necessary stability in an aqueous medium. An essential component of this assembly process is apo B. Dietary changes which require an increase in hepatic VLDL secretion appear to be accompanied by increases in the availability of functional apo B. Interesting questions relate to: (a) the intracellular site(s) of triacylglycerol association with apo B, and (b) the mechanism(s) by which the availability of functional apo B at this site responds to metabolic and hormonal signals which reflect dietary status and, thus, the need to secrete triacylglycerol. As regards the latter, although in some cases changes in apo B synthesis occur in response to VLDL secretion hepatic apo B mRNA levels appear to be quite stable in vitro. Intracellular switching of apo B between the secretory and degradative pathways may be important in controlling VLDL assembly and post-translational modifications of the apoprotein may also play a role by influencing its ability to bind to triacylglycerol. Transport is not the only problem associated with the utilization of a concentrated energy source such as triacylglycerol and the complex problems of waste product disposal and recycling have to be dealt with. In the case of triacylglycerol, potentially toxic waste products include atherogenic remnants and LDL. The overall problem, then, in the long-term, involves the development of a ‘safe’ means of utilizing triacylglycerol and this requirement accounts for much of the complexity of plasma lipoprotein metabolism. In this area, the rat could teach the human a few tricks. One of these appears to be the utilization of hepatic apo B48 rather than apo B100 for VLDL assembly in response to increases in the extrahepatic utilization of hepatically synthesized triacylglycerol. Under these conditions, the remnants of hepatic triacylglycerol utilization by peripheral tissues are cleared from the plasma much more readily via a process which seems to involve the cycling of more triacylglycerol back to the liver than that which occurs in humans. The means by which this is achieved, though, are obscure and may involve a chylomicron remnant receptor, the nature of which, itself, remains controversial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Intestinal bacterial origin of d-alanine in urine of mutant mice lacking d-amino-acid oxidase
Authors: Konno R , Niwa A , Yasumura Y
Published: August 2015

Urine from mutant mice which lack D-amino-acid oxidase contained a large amount of D-alanine. The alanine content was not changed by changes in the dietary composition or by starvation. However, oral administration of an antibiotic, amoxicillin, decreased the urinary alanine to the normal level. These results suggest that the D-alanine is not of dietary origin but of intestinal bacterial origin.