bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of cold acclimation on GSH, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in brown adipose tissue
Authors: Barja de Quiroga G , López-Torres M , Pérez-Campo R , Abelenda M , Paz Nava M , Puerta M L
Published: August 2015

Cold acclimation increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, total and selenium (Se)-dependent glutathione peroxidases (GPx) and glutathione reductase by 2-4-fold in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of cold-acclimated rats. Nevertheless, when expressed per unit protein, the antioxidant enzyme activities were unaltered. Sensitivity to lipid peroxidation and GSH levels both increased by one order of magnitude in the cold on a per weight basis and were still 3-5 times greater in the cold when expressed per mg of protein. We suggest that activation of BAT leads to a large increase in the potential for lipid peroxidation and that the tissue responds to this challenge by increasing practically all of its antioxidant defences. Nevertheless, GSH, and possibly GPx activity, seem to be the principal defences involved in adaptation of the tissue to a higher sensitivity to peroxidative damage after activation.
Expression of cyclic-nucleotide-sensitive and -insensitive isoforms of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump in smooth muscle and other tissues
Authors: Khan I , Grover A K
Published: August 2015

cDNA clones encoding the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump isoform PMCA1 were obtained from rabbit stomach smooth muscle. The PMCA1 gene has a 154 base exon which can be alternatively spliced. In splices containing 0, 87 or 114 bases of this exon, the mRNA downstream from this position encodes a protein containing the peptide sequence Lys-Arg-Asn-Ser-Ser (KRNSS), which can be phosphorylated by cyclic-nucleotide-sensitive protein kinase. However, in those splices containing 154 bases, the mRNA encodes a protein that does not contain this sequence. The cDNA clone obtained in this study did not contain the latter exon, and thus it coded for KRNSS. The presence of the various splices of PMCA1 was determined in stomach smooth muscle and other tissues by reverse transcription followed by a polymerase chain reaction. Percentage of transcripts encoding the potentially cyclic-nucleotide-sensitive isoform in various tissues were as follows: liver, 100%; stomach mucosa, 100%; heart, 100%; stomach smooth muscle, 86%; aorta, 83%; brain, 55%. Thus brain was the only tissue which expressed a very high proportion of the isoform of PMCA1 that is insensitive to cyclic-nucleotide-dependent protein kinases.
Activation of membrane protein kinase C by glucagon and Ca2+-mobilizing hormones in cultured rat hepatocytes. Role of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis
Authors: Pittner R A , Fain J N
Published: August 2015

We found that glucagon stimulated membrane protein kinase C (PKC) activity and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis in 24 h-cultured rat hepatocytes. Phorbol myristate acetate, 8-bromo cyclic AMP, vasopressin, noradrenaline and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 also stimulated membrane PKC activity. However, only vasopressin and noradrenaline stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation, whereas all agonists stimulated the rate of release of water-soluble choline metabolites into the medium. Choline, and to a much lesser extent phosphocholine, were released, suggesting predominantly phospholipase D activation. This was supported by the finding that the accumulation of phosphatidate and diacylglycerol was enhanced by the agents in [3H]myristate-labelled hepatocytes, as was [32P]phosphatidylethanol formation. Since the time courses for the release of choline into the medium and the accumulation of phosphatidate and diacylglycerol caused by vasopressin and glucagon were similar, the more rapid activation of PKC by vasopressin probably reflects diacylglycerol formation from phosphoinositide breakdown. The inability of glucagon to stimulate inositol phosphate production was not due to the prolonged culture, since similar results were obtained in 4 h cultures. We conclude that the stimulation of membrane PKC activity by glucagon correlates with accumulation of diacylglycerol and phosphatidate derived from the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine.
Specificity of dopachrome tautomerase and inhibition by carboxylated indoles. Considerations on the enzyme active site
Authors: Aroca P , Solano F , Garcia-Borrón J C , Lozano J A
Published: August 2015

Dopachrome tautomerase (EC 5.3.2.3) catalyses the tautomerization of dopachrome to 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) within the melanin-formation pathway. We have analysed a series of substrate analogues and related compounds as possible substrates and inhibitors of tautomerization. The enzyme appears to be highly specific since D-dopachrome, alpha-methyldopachrome, dopaminochrome, adrenochrome methyl ether and deoxyadrenochrome are not substrates. Conversely, dopachrome tautomerase catalyses the tautomerization of dopachrome methyl ester, suggesting that a carboxy group, either free or as a methyl ester, is essential for enzyme recognition. No inhibition of dopachrome tautomerization was observed in the presence of either semiquinonic compounds, such as tropolone and L-mimosine, or pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and unsubstituted indole. However, a number of indole derivatives, including DHICA, the product of dopachrome tautomerization, and the analogues 5-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylic and indole-2-carboxylic acid were able to inhibit the enzyme. Furthermore, indoles with a side chain at position 3 of the ring and containing a carboxylic group at the gamma-position of this chain, such as L-tryptophan or indole-3-propionic acid, are stronger inhibitors of the enzyme. Indole-3-carboxylic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid are very weak inhibitors, showing that the carboxylic group needs to be located at an optimal distance from the indole ring to mimic the carboxylic group at position 2 on the authentic substrate.
An extremely thermostable xylanase from the thermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga
Authors: Simpson H D , Haufler U R , Daniel R M
Published: August 2015

Endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) was isolated from the culture supernatant of Thermotoga sp. strain FjSS3-B.1, an extremely thermophilic anaerobic eubacterium which grows optimally at 80 degrees C. Activity was purified 165-fold by anion-exchange and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The enzyme has an Mr of 31,000 as determined by SDS/PAGE and 35,000 by analytical gel filtration. The optima for activity and stability for purified xylanase were between pH 5.0 and 5.5. At pH 5.5, which is the optimum pH for thermostability, t1/2 (95 degrees C) is 90 min. The thermostability was improved by immobilization of the xylanase on to porous glass beads; t1/2 (105 degrees C) is 10 min. Several additives, such as sorbitol and xylan, were also found to increase the thermostability. At 130 degrees C, the half-life of immobilized xylanase in the presence of 90% sorbitol was 1.3 min. At 130 degrees C in molten sorbitol half of the enzyme denatured rapidly, but the remainder appeared to have a half-life of about 60 min.
Inhibition of human leucocyte elastase by ursolic acid. Evidence for a binding site for pentacyclic triterpenes
Authors: Ying Q L , Rinehart A R , Simon S R , Cheronis J C
Published: August 2015

Several pentacyclic triterpenoid metabolites of plant origin are inhibitors of hydrolysis of both synthetic peptide substrates and elastin by human leucocyte elastase (HLE). Ursolic acid, the most potent of these compounds, has an inhibition constant of 4-6 microM for hydrolysis of peptide substrates in phosphate-buffered saline. With tripeptide and tetrapeptide substrates, the inhibition is purely competitive, whereas with a shorter dipeptide substrate the inhibition is non-competitive, suggesting that ursolic acid interacts with subsite S3 of the extended substrate-binding domain in HLE, but not with subsites S1 and S2. The carboxy group at position 28 in the pentacyclic-ring system of the triterpenes contributes to binding to HLE, since replacement of this group with a hydroxy group, as in uvaol, the alcohol analogue of ursolic acid, reduces the potency of inhibition. The inhibitory potency of ursolic acid is also reduced by addition of 1 M-NaCl, further supporting a postulated electrostatic interaction between the negative charge on the triterpene and a positively charged residue on the enzyme, which we assign to the side chain of Arg-217, located in the vicinity of subsites S4 and S5 in HLE. These observations are consistent with a binding site for ursolic acid which extends from S3 towards S4 and S5 on the enzyme. Other triterpenes, including oleanolic acid, erythrodiol, hederagenin and 18 beta-glycyrrhetic acid, can also interact with this binding site. On the basis of these results we conclude that the extended substrate-binding domain of HLE can accommodate a variety of hydrophobic ligands, including not only such molecules as fatty acids [Ashe & Zimmerman (1977) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 75, 194-199; Cook & Ternai (1988) Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Seyler 369, 629-637], but also polycyclic molecules such as the pentacyclic triterpenoids.
Comparison between the effects of the microsomal Ca2+-translocase inhibitors thapsigargin and 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone on cellular calcium fluxes
Authors: Llopis J , Chow S B , Kass G E N , Gahm A , Orrenius S
Published: August 2015

The effects of two inhibitors of the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase, thapsigargin and 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone, were compared in hepatocytes and in a T-cell line (JURKAT). Both compounds mobilized the same intracellular Ca2+ pool, which contained the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive store, in hepatocytes and in JURKAT cells. The mobilization of the internal Ca2+ store with either compound activated Mn2+ entry in JURKAT cells, but not in hepatocytes. This suggests different properties of the bivalent-cation entry pathway between these cell types.
ADP-ribosylation of core histones and their acetylated subspecies
Authors: Golderer G , Gröbner P
Published: August 2015

ADP-ribosylation of core histones was investigated in isolated nuclei of Physarum polycephalum. Core histone species differed in the mode of modification. Whereas ADP-ribosylation of H2A and H2B is sensitive to inhibition by 3-methoxybenzamide, as with most other nuclear acceptor proteins, the modification of H3 and H4 is not inhibited. Cleavage experiments with hydroxylamine indicate a carboxylate ester type ADP-ribose-protein bond for H2A and H2B and arginine-linked ADP-ribose residues for H3 and H4. ADP-ribosylation preferentially occurs on acetylated histone subspecies, as shown for H4. These data are substantiated by the use of n-butyrate, which induces hyperacetylation of core histones; the butyrate-induced shift towards more acetylated H4 subspecies is accompanied by an increase of ADP-ribose incorporation into highly acetylated H4 subspecies.
Active-site serine mutants of the Streptomyces albus G β-lactamase
Authors: Jacob F , Joris B , Frère J M
Published: August 2015

By using site-directed mutagenesis, the active-site serine residue of the Streptomyces albus G beta-lactamase was substituted by alanine and cysteine. Both mutant enzymes were produced in Streptomyces lividans and purified to homogeneity. The cysteine beta-lactamase exhibited a substrate-specificity profile distinct from that of the wild-type enzyme, and its kcat./Km values at pH 7 were never higher than 0.1% of that of the serine enzyme. Unlike the wild-type enzyme, the activity of the mutant increased at acidic pH values. Surprisingly, the alanine mutant exhibited a weak but specific activity for benzylpenicillin and ampicillin. In addition, a very small production of wild-type enzyme, probably due to mistranslation, was detected, but that activity could be selectively eliminated. Both mutant enzymes were nearly as thermostable as the wild-type.
Mucin-like glycoprotein secreted by cultured hamster tracheal epithelial cells. Biochemical and immunological characterization
Authors: Wu R , Plopper C G , Cheng P W
Published: August 2015

We isolated mucin-like glycoproteins from the conditioned medium of primary hamster tracheal epithelial (HTE) cell culture and characterized them biochemically and immunologically. These glycoproteins were purified on Sepharose CL-4B after Streptomyces hyaluronidase treatment and then by CsCl-density-gradient centrifugation in the presence of 4 M-guanidinium chloride. The purified glycoproteins were resistant to digestion by chondroitin AC lyase, heparinase, heparitinase and endo-N-acetylglucosaminidases A, D and H, but susceptible to endo-beta-galactosidase and keratanase. SDS/PAGE demonstrated no contamination by low-molecular-mass proteins. The purified glycoproteins showed a peak buoyant density of 1.56 g/ml in CsCl-density-gradient centrifugation, and contained 10% peptide and 90% carbohydrate by weight. Carbohydrates in these glycoproteins contained N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, fucose, sialic acid and a trace amount of mannose, but no uronic acid. Serine and threonine together accounted for 27% of the total amino acid residues. In addition, the mucin-like glycoproteins exhibited blood-group A and B activities, and very strong inhibitory activity for influenza A virus haemagglutination. With the use of the purified glycoprotein as an antigen, six monoclonal antibodies that stained mucus granules in hamster tracheal epithelium were obtained. We characterized the antibody produced by one of the clones, HM D46. We conclude that HTE cells cultured in the serum-free medium secrete a glycoprotein with physicochemical properties similar to those known in various airways mucins.
Nitrogenase of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Reversibility of the reductant-independent MgATP-cleavage reaction is shown by MgADP-catalysed phosphate/water oxygen exchange
Authors: Thorneley R N F , Ashby G A , Julius C , Hunter J L , Webb M R
Published: August 2015

The steady-state kinetics of reductant-independent ATP hydrolysis by Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase at 23 degrees C at pH 7.4 were determined as a function of component protein ratio (optimal at an oxidized Fe protein/MoFe protein ratio of 3:1) and MgATP concentration (Km 400 microM). Competitive inhibition was observed for MgADP (Ki 145 microM), [beta gamma-methylene]ATP (Mgp[CH2]ppA) (Ki 115 microM), [beta gamma-monofluoromethylene]ATP (Mgp[CHF]ppA) (Ki 53 microM) and [beta gamma-difluoromethylene]ATP (Mgp[CF2]ppA) (Ki 160 microM). The tighter binding of MgADP to free oxidized Fe protein (KD less than 10 microM) than to the oxidized Fe protein-MoFe protein complex (Ki 145 microM) is proposed as the driving force that induces rate-limiting protein dissociation in the catalytic cycle of nitrogenase. The reversible nature of the reductant-independent MgATP-cleavage reaction was demonstrated by an MgADP-induced enhancement of the rate of the phosphate/water oxygen exchange reaction with 18O-labelled phosphate ion. This enhancement, like the reductant-independent ATPase reaction, only occurred with the complex formed by oxidized Fe protein and MoFe protein and not with the individual proteins. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of ATP hydrolysis by nitrogenase and other systems involving protein-protein interactions.
The mechanism of tyrosinase-catalysed oxidative decarboxylation of α-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-lactic acid
Authors: Sugumaran M , Dali H , Semensi V
Published: August 2015

Mushroom tyrosinase, which is known to catalyse the conversion of o-diphenols into o-benzoquinones, has been shown to catalyse the oxidative decarboxylation of 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid [Sugumaran (1986) Biochemistry 25, 4489-4492]. To account for this unusual reaction, a quinone methide intermediate has been proposed. Since all attempts to trap this intermediate ended in vain, mechanistic studies were designed to support the formation of this transient product. Replacement of the alpha-proton in 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid with a methyl group generates alpha-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-lactic acid, the enzymic oxidation of which should produce 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone as the end product if the oxidative decarboxylation proceeds through the quinone methide intermediate. Accordingly, chemically synthesized alpha-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-lactic acid on enzymic oxidation produced 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone as the major isolatable product. Non-steady-state kinetic analysis of the enzyme reaction attested to the transient formation of the conventional quinone product. Thus the enzymic oxidation of alpha-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-lactic acid seems to generate the conventional quinone, which, owing to its instability, is rapidly decarboxylated to yield the transient quinone methide. The coupled dieneonephenol re-arrangement and ketol-enol tautomerism transforms the quinone methide into 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone.
Mechanism of acyl transfer by the class A serine β-lactamase of Streptomyces albus G
Authors: Lamotte-Brasseur J , Dive G , Dideberg O , Charlier P , Frère J M , Ghuysen J M
Published: August 2015

Optimization by energy minimization of stable complexes occurring along the pathway of hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin and cephalosporin C by the Streptomyces albus G beta-lactamase has highlighted a proton shuttle that may explain the catalytic mechanism of the beta-lactamases of class A. Five residues, S70, S130, N132, T235 and A237, are involved in ligand binding. The gamma-OH group of T235 and, in the case of benzylpenicillin, the gamma-OH group of S130 interact with the carboxylate group, on one side of the ligand molecule. The side-chain NH2 group of N132 and the carbonyl backbone of A237 interact with the exocyclic CONH amide bond, on the other side of the ligand. The backbone NH groups of S70 and A237 polarize the carbonyl group of the scissile beta-lactam amide bond. Four residues, S70, K73, S130 and E166, and two water molecules, W1 and W2, perform hydrolysis of the bound beta-lactam compound. E166, via W1, abstracts the proton from the gamma-OH group of S70. While losing its proton, the O-gamma atom of S70 attacks the carbonyl carbon atom of the beta-lactam ring and, concomitantly, the proton is delivered back to the adjacent nitrogen atom via W2, K73 and S130, thus achieving formation of the acyl-enzyme. Subsequently, E166 abstracts a proton from W1. While losing its proton, W1 attacks the carbonyl carbon atom of the S70 ester-linked acyl-enzyme and, concomitantly, re-entry of a water molecule W'1 replacing W1 allows E166 to deliver the proton back to the same carbonyl carbon atom, thus achieving hydrolysis of the beta-lactam compound and enzyme recovery. The model well explains the differences found in the kcat. values for hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin and cephalosporin C by the Streptomyces albus G beta-lactamase. It also explains the effects caused by site-directed mutagenesis of the Bacillus cereus beta-lactamase I [Gibson, Christensen & Waley (1990) Biochem J. 272, 613-619].
Multiple sources of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in platelet-derived-growth-factor-stimulated Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Evidence for activation of phosphoinositidase C and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D
Authors: Plevin R , Cook S J , Palmer S , Wakelam M J O
Published: August 2015

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) mass formation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts with a lag time of some 30 s. The response was biphasic, with the second phase being sustained over time. PDGF also stimulated the formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 with a similar lag time to the DAG response, suggesting that DAG is derived from PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis at this time point. PDGF-stimulated phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) hydrolysis in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, as measured by the formation of water-soluble choline metabolites and phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut) accumulation, was by a phospholipase D (PLD)-catalysed pathway which was kinetically downstream of initial PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis. Accumulation of PtdBut increased up to 15 min, suggesting that PLD activity is not rapidly densitized in response to PDGF. The kinetics of PtdCho hydrolysis closely paralleled the second phase of DAG formation, strongly suggesting that during prolonged stimulation periods PtdCho is a major source of DAG in these cells. However, since PtdIns(4,5)P2 breakdown was also prolonged, PDGF-stimulated DAG may be derived from both phospholipids. Down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC), by pre-treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, abolished both [3H]choline and [3H]PtdBut formation, suggesting that PLD-catalysed PtdCho hydrolysis may be dependent on PKC activation, supporting its dependence on prior PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis.
Purification and characterization of methionine γ-lyase from Trichomonas vaginalis
Authors: Lockwood B C , Coombs G H
Published: August 2015

Methionine gamma-lyase (EC 4.4.1.11) was purified to homogeneity from the anaerobic protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis by a series of f.p.l.c. procedures. The enzyme catalyses alpha gamma- and alpha beta-elimination reactions of a number of derivatives of methionine and cysteine. It also catalyses gamma-replacement reactions of the thiomethyl group of methionine, homocysteine and ethionine to yield the corresponding S-substituted homocysteine derivative. The enzyme is pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent, has a native molecular mass of approx. 160 kDa and consists of four apparently identical subunits of molecular mass 43-45 kDa. The absorption spectrum of the enzyme is typical of those obtained for other pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes, and the holoenzyme can be resolved to the apoenzyme by incubation with hydroxylamine and reconstituted by addition of the cofactor. The enzyme activity is significantly affected by carbonyl and thiol reagents, is competitively inhibited by a number of substrate analogues and is completely inactivated by the suicide inhibitor DL-propargylglycine. The T. vaginalis enzyme is similar, in terms of activity and properties, to the enzymes found in a number of species of bacteria that metabolize methionine under anaerobic conditions. It is suggested that methionine catabolism may be of particular importance to the survival of T. vaginalis under microaerophilic conditions in its host.
Effects of human recombinant interleukin-1β on protein synthesis in rat tissues compared with a classical acute-phase reaction induced by turpentine. Rapid response of muscle to interleukin-1β
Authors: Ballmer P E , McNurlan M A , Southorn B G , Grant I , Garlick P J
Published: August 2015

The early time course (1, 3, 9, 24 h) of changes in rates of protein synthesis (ks) in liver and three different muscles (gastrocnemius, soleus and heart) was investigated after injection of saline, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) or turpentine in rats. IL-1 injection induced a consistent increase in body temperature of about 3 degrees C between 3 and 5 h, but thereafter a hypothermic response occurred. With turpentine, a delayed fever response with a peak value by 9 h was observed. Both IL-1 and turpentine had no effect on protein synthesis in the small intestine, but produced a significant increase in ks in the liver at 9 h. By 24 h in IL-1-treated animals, liver ks had returned back to control values, whereas the turpentine-treated group showed a progressive rise in ks. Gastrocnemius and soleus muscles exhibited a significant fall in ks at 9 h after IL-1 and turpentine injection compared with the control. In contrast, the ks of heart muscle increased at 3-9 h after IL-1 injection, but there was no effect of turpentine. Thus for the first time a marked decrease of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle in response to IL-1 could be demonstrated.
Kinetics of the interaction of chymotrypsin with eglin c
Authors: Faller B , Bieth J G
Published: August 2015

The kinetics of binding of recombinant eglin c to bovine pancreatic chymotrypsin was studied by conventional and stopped-flow techniques. With nanomolar enzyme and inhibitor concentrations, the inhibition was fast and pseudo-irreversible (k(assoc.) = 4 x 10(6) m-1.s-1 at 7.4 and 25 degrees C). Reaction of the enzyme-inhibitor complex with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, an irreversible chymotrypsin ligand, resulted in a slow release of free eglin c, which was monitored by electrophoresis (k(dissoc.) approximately 1.6 x 10(-6) s-1, t1/2 approximately 5 days). The proflavin displacement method and a stopped-flow apparatus were used to monitor the association of chymotrypsin with eglin c under a wide range of inhibitor concentration and under pseudo-first-order conditions. At pH 7.4 and 25 degrees C or 5 degrees C, or at pH 5.0 and 25 degrees C, the pseudo-first-order rate constant of proflavin displacement increased linearly with eglin c up to the highest concentration tested, suggesting a one-step bimolecular association reaction: E + I in equilibrium with EI. However, kassoc. is much lower than the rate constant for a bimolecular reaction and its activation energy (66 kJ.mol-1 at pH 7.4 and 78 kJ.mol-1 at pH 5.0) is far too high for a diffusion-controlled step. The enzyme-inhibitor association may therefore occur via a loose pre-equilibrium complex EI* (Ki* much greater than 5 x 10(-4) M) that rapidly isomerizes (k2 much greater than 2 x 10(3) s-1) into an extremely stable final complex (Ki approximately 4 x 10(-13) M). Unlike other proteinase-inhibitor systems, the chymotrypsin-eglin association is virtually pH-independent.
Regulation of cell volume in the perfused rat liver by hormones
Authors: vom Dahl S , Hallbrucker C , Lang F , Häussinger D
Published: August 2015

The effect of hormones on cell volume was studied in isolated perfused rat liver by assessing the intracellular water space as the difference between a [3H]inulin- and a [14C]urea-accessible space. The intracellular water space (control value 559 +/- 7 microliters/g of liver; n = 88) increased on addition of insulin (35 nM) or phenylephrine (5 microM) by 12 or 8% respectively, whereas it decreased with cyclic AMP (cAMP; 50 microM), glucagon (100 nM) or adenosine (50 microM) by 9, 13 or 6% respectively. Both insulin and glucagon exerted half-maximal effects on cell volume and cellular K+ balance at hormone concentrations found physiologically in the portal vein. Adenosine-induced cell shrinkage was explained by a net K+ release from the liver. Phenylephrine (5 microM) led to cell swelling by about 8%, which was additive to insulin-induced swelling. Extracellular ATP (20 microM) induced cell shrinkage by about 6%; this was additive to adenosine-induced shrinkage. Vasopressin (15 nM) did not appreciably change cell volume, but induced marked cell shrinkage when glucagon or cAMP was present. Insulin- and phenylephrine-induced cell swelling was counteracted by cAMP. Hormone-induced changes of intracellular water space could sufficiently explain accompanying liver mass changes induced by glucagon, cAMP, adenosine or vasopressin, but not those by phenylephrine and extracellular ATP. The data show that liver cell volume is subject to hormonal regulation, in part owing to modification of cellular K+ balance. Glucagon- and insulin-induced cell volume changes occur already in the presence of physiological hormone concentrations. The effects of Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones on cell volume are not uniform. In view of the recently established role of cell volume changes in modulating liver cell function, the present findings open a new perspective on the mechanisms of hormone action in liver, underlining our previous hypothesis that cell volume changes may represent a ‘second messenger’ of hormone action.
Identification of residues essential for catalysis and binding of calmodulin in rat brain inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase
Authors: Takazawa K , Erneux C
Published: August 2015

In order to identify the amino acid residues involved in calmodulin (CaM) binding and catalytic activity, rat brain inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) 3-kinase was expressed in Escherichia coli as a beta-galactosidase fusion protein [clone C5; Takazawa, Vandekerckhove, Dumont & Erneux (1990) Biochem. J. 272, 107-112]. Three deletion mutants in the plasmid of clone C5 were generated using convenient restriction enzymes. The results show that the removal of 34 amino acids from the C-terminal end of InsP3 3-kinase resulted in an inactive protein which still interacted with CaM-Sepharose in a Ca2(+)-dependent way. The catalytic domain is thus located at the C-terminal end of the protein. A series of 5′ deletion mutants was prepared and used to produce proteins with the same C-terminal end but shortened N-termini, varying in length by over 80 amino acids. Assay of InsP3 3-kinase activity in bacterial extracts indicated that a maximum of 275 amino acids in the C-terminal region may be sufficient for the construction of a catalytically active domain. Affinity chromatography on CaM-Sepharose of 5′ and 3′ deletion mutants revealed that the sequence stretching from Ser-156 to Leu-189 is involved in CaM binding and enzyme stimulation.
Progesterone and oestradiol increase cytosolic Ca2+ in single rat hepatocytes
Authors: Sanchez-Bueno A , Sancho M J , Cobbold P H
Published: August 2015

Progesterone (300-400 microM) and oestradiol (25-200 microM) induce a prompt rise in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration (free Ca) in single rat hepatocytes, but testosterone, cortisol and dexamethasone do not. These increases are dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Both progesterone and oestradiol block phenylephrine-induced free Ca oscillations. These data suggest a certain specificity of the response of free Ca to steroids and may explain some of the non-genomic effects of these steroids on hepatocytes.
Determination of the intracellular sites and topology of glucosylceramide synthesis in rat liver
Authors: Futerman A H , Pagano R E
Published: August 2015

We examined the intracellular site(s) and topology of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) synthesis in subcellular fractions from rat liver, using radioactive and fluorescent ceramide analogues as precursors, and compared these results with those obtained in our recent study of sphingomyelin (SM) synthesis in rat liver [Futerman, Stieger, Hubbard & Pagano (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 8650-8657]. In contrast with SM synthesis, which occurs principally at the cis/medial Golgi apparatus, GlcCer synthesis was more widely distributed, with substantial amounts of synthesis detected in a heavy (cis/medial) Golgi-apparatus subfraction, a light smooth-vesicle fraction that is almost devoid of an endoplasmic-reticulum marker enzyme (glucose-6-phosphatase), and a heavy vesicle fraction. Furthermore, no GlcCer synthesis was detected in an enriched plasma-membrane fraction after accounting for contamination by Golgi-apparatus membranes. These results suggest that a significant amount of GlcCer may be synthesized in a pre- or early Golgi-apparatus compartment. Unlike SM synthesis, which occurs at the luminal surface of the Golgi apparatus, GlcCer synthesis appeared to occur at the cytosolic surface of intracellular membranes, since (i) limited proteolytic digestion of intact Golgi-apparatus vesicles almost completely inhibited GlcCer synthesis, and (ii) the extent of UDP-glucose translocation into the Golgi apparatus was insufficient to account for the amount of GlcCer synthesis measured. These findings imply that, after its synthesis, GlcCer must undergo transbilayer movement to the luminal surface to account for the known topology of higher-order glycosphingolipids within the Golgi apparatus and plasma membrane.
Large-scale purification and characterization of the major phosphoproteins and mucins of human submandibular-sublingual saliva
Authors: Ramasubbu N , Reddy M S , Bergey E J , Haraszthy G G , Soni S D , Levine M J
Published: August 2015

The major components of human submandibular-sublingual saliva (HSMSL) are mucins, amylases, cystatins, proline-rich proteins and statherin. Structure-function studies of these molecules have been hampered by the small amounts of purified materials that can be isolated from human secretions. The present study describes an integrated purification protocol for the large-scale preparation of many of these molecules. To dissociate partially heterotypic complexes among salivary molecules, HSMSL was initially fractionated into four pools by gel filtration with 6 M-guanidine hydrochloride. Subsequent fractionation of these four pools by gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography resulted in the purification of high- and low-Mr mucins, neutral and acidic cystatins, acidic and basic proline-rich proteins and statherin. Many variants or isoforms of these salivary molecules have been identified and biochemically characterized. Biochemical studies indicated that the low-Mr mucin exists as two isoforms which vary in their sialic acid to fucose ratios. Three isoforms of acidic cystatin S were characterized which differ in their phosphate content. Two isoforms of a basic proline-rich peptide were identified; the smaller peptide was a truncated form missing the first seven amino acids.
Specific down-regulation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors and responses to PTH by tumour necrosis factor α and retinoic acid in UMR 106-06 osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Schneider H G , Allan E H , Moseley J M , Martin T J , Findlay D M
Published: August 2015

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) act via PTH receptors in bone to stimulate bone resorption. Bone resorption is also stimulated by certain cytokines, which are produced in bone and bone marrow. The effects of such cytokines on the PTH-receptor system were studied in the osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line UMR 106-06. 125I-labelled PTHrP-(1-84)-peptide bound specifically to the cells, and PTHrP-(1-34) and -(1-84) competed with equimolar affinity for binding to UMR 106-06 cells. The specific binding of 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) could be completely blocked by PTH. Therefore 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) bound to a classical receptor in UMR 106-06 cells. Preincubation for 3 days with either tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) or retinoic acid (RA) both decreased the specific binding of 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) to about 40% of control levels. These effects were specific for PTH binding, since there was little effect on 125I-salmon-calcitonin binding. Both TNF alpha and RA required 24 h exposure to cells to produce a measurable effect. The decrease in 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) binding was due to a reduced number of binding sites, with little apparent change in affinity. Half-maximal effects were seen with 1 ng of TNF alpha/ml, whereas 1 microM-RA was needed to observe the loss of PTH receptors. Combinations of RA and TNF alpha produced a greater effect than that of either agonist alone. The loss of PTH receptors was accompanied by a specific loss of PTH-stimulated cyclic AMP production. Preincubation with TNF alpha increased the basal plasminogen activator (PA) activity in the cells and decreased the amplitude of the response of PA activity to PTH compared with control cells. Furthermore TNF alpha decreased sensitivity to PTH (50% stimulation of PA activity with 0.1 nM-PTH in control cells versus 50% stimulation with 0.3 nM-PTH in TNF alpha-treated cells). In contrast, TNF alpha pretreatment increased the amplitude of the response of PA activity to calcitonin, whereas sensitivity to calcitonin was not altered. These data are consistent with a specific down-regulation of PTH receptors in osteoblast-like UMR 106-06 cells after exposure to TNF alpha or RA. The loss of PTH receptors is accompanied by a decreased responsiveness to PTH, as measured with the PA system in these cells. A loss of PTH receptors could modulate PTH responses in osteoblasts, either in the local control of bone formation and resorption, or in pathological conditions such as humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy.
Anomalous behaviour of a protein during SDS/PAGE corrected by chemical modification of carboxylic groups
Authors: Matagne A , Joris B , Frère J M
Published: August 2015

The 29,000-Mr Actinomadura R39 beta-lactamase exhibited a remarkably low electrophoretic mobility on SDS/PAGE, yielding an Mr value almost twice that computed from the corresponding gene sequence. We showed that chemical modification of the carboxylic groups of glutamic acid and aspartic acid residues restored a normal electrophoretic mobility and that the anomalous behaviour of that protein on SDS/PAGE was due to its very large negative charge at neutral pH. We also compared the behaviour of the same enzyme on gel filtration in the presence of SDS with those of other class A beta-lactamases (Mr approx. 30,000). These experiments suggested that the very low electrophoretic mobility of the Actinomadura R39 beta-lactamase upon SDS/PAGE was more probably due to a low degree of SDS binding rather than to an unusual shape of the SDS-protein complex.
A calmodulin-activated (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase is involved in Ca2+ transport by plasma membrane vesicles from Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Benaim G , Losada S , Gadelha F R , Docampo R
Published: August 2015

High-affinity Ca(2+)-activated ATPases that do not show any demonstrable dependence on Mg2+ have been reported in the plasma membranes of different trypanosomatids, and it has been suggested [McLaughlin (1985) Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 15, 189-201; Ghosh, Ray, Sarkar & Bhaduri (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 11345-11351] that these enzymes may have a role in Ca2+ transport by the plasma membrane and in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ in these parasites. In this report we investigated Ca2+ transport by Trypanosoma cruzi plasma membrane vesicles using Arsenazo III as a Ca2+ indicator. These vesicles accumulated Ca2+ upon addition of ATP only when Mg2+ was present and released it in response to the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, but were insensitive to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Ca2+ transport was insensitive to antimycin A, oligomycin and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluorophenylhydrazone, ruling out any mitochondrial contamination. Staurosporine and phorbol myristate acetate had no effect on this activity, while low concentrations of vanadate (10 microM) completely inhibited it. In addition, we describe a high-affinity vanadate-sensitive (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase in the highly enriched plasma membrane fraction of T. cruzi. Kinetic studies indicated that the apparent Km for free Ca2+ was 0.3 microM. On the other hand, Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and Ca2+ transport were both stimulated by bovine brain calmodulin and by endogenous calmodulin purified from these cells. In addition, trifluoperazine and calmidazolium, at concentrations in the range in which they normally exert anti-calmodulin effects, inhibited the calmodulin-stimulated Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. These observations support the notion that a Mg(2+)-dependent plasma membrane Ca2+ pump is present in these parasites.
Phosphorylation in vitro of the 85 kDa subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and its possible activation by insulin receptor tyrosine kinase
Authors: Hayashi H , Miyake N , Kanai F , Shibasaki F , Takenawa T , Ebina Y
Published: August 2015

Insulin causes a dramatic and rapid increase in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in the anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates of cells overexpressing the human insulin receptor. This enzyme may therefore be a mediator of insulin signal transduction [Endemann, Yonezawa & Roth (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 396-400; Ruderman, Kapeller, White & Cantley (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 1411-1415]. At least two questions remain to be elucidated. Firstly, does the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase directly, or does it phosphorylate a protein associated with the 3-kinase? Second, if the enzyme is a direct substrate for the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, does tyrosine phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by the kinase alter the specific enzyme activity, or does the amount of the tyrosine-phosphorylated form of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase increase, with no change in the specific activity? We report here evidence that the 85 kDa subunit of highly purified phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is phosphorylated on the tyrosine residue by the activated normal insulin receptor in vitro, but not by a mutant insulin receptor which lacks tyrosine kinase activity. We found that an increase in enzyme activity was detected in response to insulin not only in the anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates of the cytosol, but also in the cytosolic fraction before immunoprecipitation. In addition, we partially separated the tyrosine-phosphorylated form from the unphosphorylated form of the enzyme, by using a f.p.l.c. Mono Q column. The insulin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity was mainly detected in the fraction containing almost all of the tyrosine-phosphorylated form. This result suggests that tyrosine phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by the insulin receptor kinase may increase the specific activity of the former enzyme in vivo.
A novel one-step purification of human α-thrombin after direct activation of crude prothrombin enriched from plasma
Authors: Ngai P K , Chang J Y
Published: August 2015

Crude prothrombin enriched from human plasma was directly activated to generate alpha-thrombin without prior exhaustive purification of the proenzyme using a combination of several different types of chromatographic techniques, as in all previously described methodologies. Activated thrombin was separated from other components in a single step by taking advantage of its highly specific affinity to heparin immobilized on a matrix support of Sepharose CL-6B. On the basis of the data presented herein, we have demonstrated the ease with which at least 25 mg of a highly purified enzyme (greater than 97% homogeneous by laser densitometry) can be obtained per litre of plasma. Our product exhibits a specific activity of at least 4000 National Institutes of Health units/mg and is stable after being freeze-dried for the purpose of long-term storage.
Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid stimulates ADP-ribosylation of a 52 kDa protein in rat liver cytosol
Authors: Seki K , Hirai A , Noda M , Tamura Y , Kato I , Yoshida S
Published: August 2015

In rat liver cytosol, rapid ADP-ribosylation of a 52 kDa protein by endogenous ADP-ribosyltransferase(s) was observed. This ADP-ribosylation was stimulated dose-dependently by 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET), one of the metabolites of arachidonic acid by NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 mono-oxygenase. This stimulatory effect required the presence of GTP or its non-hydrolysable analogues, guanosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate or guanosine 5′-[gamma-thio]triphosphate. Of four regioisomeric EETs, 14,15-EET was the most potent. No stimulatory effect was observed with addition of 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, a stable metabolite of 14,15-EET. The 52 kDa protein was not ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin A subunit and pertussis toxin, and was not recognized by anti-Gs alpha and anti-Gi alpha antibodies. However, the 52 kDa protein could be photoaffinity-labelled with 8-azidoguanosine 5′-[alpha-32P]triphosphate. These results suggest that the 52 kDa protein is neither Gs nor Gi, though it may have a GTP-binding site. These results contribute to the understanding of the role of mono-oxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid in intracellular signal transduction.
Cytosolic pH regulation in mouse macrophages. Characteristics of HCO3--dependent mechanisms
Authors: Tapper H , Sundler R
Published: August 2015

Mechanisms regulating cytosolic pH (pHi) in adherent resident mouse macrophages have been characterized by use of the pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 2′,7′-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Na+/H+ exchange was activated after an acid load of the macrophage cytosol. However, when Na+/H+ exchange was the only pHi-regulatory mechanism operative, recovery did not proceed beyond a pHi of approx. 6.6. The mechanisms found to be operative at physiological pHi levels were alkalinizing Na(+)-dependent and acidifying Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchangers and a H(+)-ATPase further characterized in the accompanying paper [Tapper & Sundler (1992) Biochem. J. 281, 245-250]. Acid extrusion via Na+/Cl-/HCO3- exchange was demonstrated by the dependence on external Na+ and HCO3- and on internal Cl- and by the sensitivity to 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (SITS) and 4,4′-di-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (DIDS). By monitoring pHi changes upon Cl- removal and re-addition, the pH-dependence and sensitivity to SITS were found to differ for the alkalinizing and the acidifying Cl-/HCO3- exchangers.
Tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide) in aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Schmidt K , Werner E R , Mayer B , Wachter H , Kukovetz W R
Published: August 2015

Inhibition of tetrahydrobiopterin (H4biopterin) biosynthesis in endothelial cells almost completely abolished the agonist-induced formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) (NO). This inhibitory effect could be antagonized when H4biopterin biosynthesis was restored by activating a salvage pathway. These data indicate that the formation of EDRF strictly depends on the presence of intracellular H4biopterin, which, in addition to Ca2+, may represent a further physiological and/or pathophysiological regulatory of endothelial NO synthases.
Differential sensitivity of insulin- and adaptive-regulation-induced system A activation to microtubular function in skeletal muscle
Authors: Gumà A , Castelló A , Testar X , Palacín M , Zorzano A
Published: August 2015

1. Insulin and adaptive regulation are known to stimulate system A amino acid transport activity in skeletal muscle. The present study was designed to investigate whether activation of system A in muscle is a consequence of processes which rely on microtubule or microfilament function. To that end, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were incubated in the presence of colchicine and cytochalasin D, well-known inhibitors of microtubule and microfilament activity respectively. 2. Basal alpha-(methyl)aminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB) uptake decreased after incubation with 5 microM-colchicine in a time-dependent manner. In keeping with this, adaptive regulation of MeAIB uptake caused by prolonged incubation in the absence of amino acids was substantially decreased in the presence of colchicine. 3. Under these conditions, stimulation of MeAIB uptake by insulin was unaltered in muscle in the presence of colchicine. This contrasted with the insulin-induced stimulation of MeAIB uptake by isolated rat hepatocytes, which was markedly decreased by colchicine. 4. Cytochalasin D, an agent that disrupts microfilaments, did not inhibit basal or insulin-stimulated MeAIB uptake by the incubated muscle. 5. Neither colchicine nor cytochalasin D modified the stimulatory effect of insulin on 3-O-methylglucose uptake by EDL muscle. 6. We conclude that up-regulation of system A by synthesis of new carriers depends on the integrity of microtubular function both in skeletal muscle and in hepatocytes. Microtubules might play a role in the movement of system A-containing vesicles from the Golgi network to the plasma membrane.