bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specific changes in the protein composition of rat liver in response to the peroxisome proliferators ciprofibrate, Wy-14,643 and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Authors: Watanabe T , Lalwani N D , Reddy J K
Published: August 2015

The hypolipidaemic agents ciprofibrate and Wy-14,643 ([4-chloro-6-(2,3-xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio]acetic acid) and the phthalate-ester plasticizer di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), like other peroxisome proliferators, produce a significant hepatomegaly and induce the peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation enzyme system together with profound proliferation of peroxisomes in hepatic parenchymal cells. Changes in the profile of liver proteins in rats following induction of peroxisome proliferation by ciprofibrate, Wy-14,643 and DEHP have been analysed by high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The proteins of whole liver homogenates from normal and peroxisome-proliferator-treated rats were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using isoelectric focusing for acidic proteins and nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis for basic proteins. In the whole liver homogenates, the quantities of six proteins in acidic gels and six proteins in the basic gels increased following induction of peroxisome proliferation. Peroxisome proliferator administration caused a repression of three acidic proteins in the liver homogenates. By the immunoblot method using polyspecific antiserum against soluble peroxisomal proteins and monospecific antiserum against peroxisome proliferation associated Mr 80000 polypeptide (polypeptide PPA-80), the majority of basic proteins induced by these peroxisome proliferators appeared to be peroxisomal proteins. Polypeptide PPA-80 becomes the most abundant protein in the total liver homogenates of peroxisome-proliferator-treated rats. These results indicate that ciprofibrate, DEHP and Wy-14,643 induce marked changes in the profile of specific hepatic proteins and that some of these changes should serve as a baseline to identify a set of gene products that may assist in defining the specific ‘peroxisome proliferator domain’.
Effect of antituberculous calixarenes on phospholipase A2 susceptibility and on fusion of phospholipid bilayers
Authors: Jain M K , Jahagirdar D V
Published: August 2015

Some homologous calixarenes or polyoxyethylene ethers that are known to suppress or enhance experimental tuberculous infection (depending on their polyoxyethylene chain lengths) were examined for their effects on phospholipid bilayers. The effect of these solutes is seen at 0.5-50p.p.m., and their effect depends upon their structure as well as that of the phospholipid substrate. The antituberculous compound HOC-12.5 (Macrocyclon) inhibits susceptibility to pig pancreatic phospholipase A2 action and to aggregation/fusion of the ternary co-dispersions of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine + 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine + palmitic acid (50:11:11 molar proportions). In contrast, the protuberculous compound HOC-60 stimulates these effects. Differential scanning calorimetry suggests that these effects are probably due to modulation of the phase equilibrium in substrate bilayers by these polyethers.
The effect of castanospermine on the oligosaccharide structures of glycoproteins from lymphoma cell lines
Authors: Palamarczyk G , Elbein A D
Published: August 2015

The effect of castanospermine on the processing of N-linked oligosaccharides was examined in the parent mouse lymphoma cell line and in a mutant cell line that lacks glucosidase II. When the parent cell line was grown in the presence of castanospermine at 100 micrograms/ml, glucose-containing high-mannose oligosaccharides were obtained that were not found in the absence of inhibitor. These oligosaccharides bound tightly to concanavalin A-Sepharose and were eluted in the same position as oligosaccharides from the mutant cells grown in the absence or presence of the alkaloid. The castanospermine-induced oligosaccharides were characterized by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-4, by h.p.l.c. analysis, by enzymic digestions and by methylation analysis of [3H]mannose-labelled and [3H]galactose-labelled oligosaccharides. The major oligosaccharide released by endoglucosaminidase H in either parent or mutant cells grown in castanospermine was a Glc3Man7GlcNAc, with smaller amounts of Glc3Man8GlcNAc and Glc3Man9GlcNAc. On the other hand, in the absence of castanospermine the mutant produces mostly Glc2Man7GlcNAc. In addition to the above oligosaccharides, castanospermine stimulated the formation of an endoglucosaminidase H-resistant oligosaccharide in both cell lines. This oligosaccharide was characterized as a Glc2Man5GlcNAc2 (i.e., Glc(1,2)Glc(1,3)Man(1,2)Man(1,2)Man(1,3)[Man(1,6)]Man-GlcNAc-GlcNAc). Castanospermine was tested directly on glucosidase I and glucosidase II in lymphoma cell extracts by using [Glc-3H]Glc3Man9GlcNAc and [Glc-3H]Glc2Man9GlcNAc as substrates. Castanospermine was a potent inhibitor of both activities, but glucosidase I appeared to be more sensitive to inhibition.
Articular cartilage cultured with catabolin (pig interleukin 1) synthesizes a decreased number of normal proteoglycan molecules
Authors: Tyler J A
Published: August 2015

A homogeneous preparation of catabolin from pig leucocytes caused a reversible dose-dependent (0.01-1 nM) decrease in the synthesis of proteoglycan in slices of pig articular cartilage cultured in serum-free medium. The monomers that were synthesized and secreted in the presence of catabolin had the same average hydrodynamic size and ability to aggregate as the controls, and the core protein was substituted with the same number of glycosaminoglycan chains. The chains were the same average length and charge as normal and were sulphated to the same extent as the controls. Newly synthesized extracellular proteoglycan was not preferentially degraded. A 2-3-fold increase in glycosaminoglycan synthesis occurred in control and catabolin-treated cartilage in the presence of beta-D-xyloside (1 mM), more than 80% being secreted into the medium as free chains. Decreased incorporation of sulphate was not reversed in the presence of lysosomal-enzyme inhibitors, and there was no evidence in pulse-chase experiments of increased intracellular degradation of glycosaminoglycan chains before secretion. It is concluded that catabolin-treated cartilage synthesizes a smaller number of normal proteoglycan molecules.
Affinity-purified antibodies of defined specificity for use in a solid-phase microplate radioimmunoassay of human Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein in urine
Authors: Hunt J S , McGiven A R , Groufsky A , Lynn K L , Taylor M C
Published: August 2015

Rabbit antibodies to human Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (prepared by salt precipitation from normal urine) were purified by affinity chromatography using columns containing Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein linked to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. The specificity of these antibodies was determined by analysis of their binding characteristics on Western blots of Tamm-Horsfall protein from sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gradient gels and comparison with the reactivity of monoclonal antibodies to this glycoprotein. Optimal conditions of adsorption to poly(vinyl chloride) microtitre plates were established such that these purified antibodies could be used in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for the determination of urinary Tamm-Horsfall-glycoprotein concentration. The specificity of the immunoassay was confirmed by competitive inhibition of the urinary Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein by purified freeze-dried material in solution. A standard curve obtained with this material showed the radioimmunoassay to have a sensitivity of at least 5 ng/ml, with linearity between 30 and 600 ng/ml. The mean coefficient of variation over the linear section of the curve was 11.3 +/- 2.2% (n = 13). The effects of dialysis and freezing of urine samples before determination of Tamm-Horsfall-glycoprotein concentrations were investigated and the mean 24 h urinary excretion rate in 60 normal donors was shown to be 84.9 +/- 44.1 mg.
Basal phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoproteins in intact S49 mouse lymphoma cells
Authors: Steinberg R A , Kiss Z
Published: August 2015

Protein phosphorylation in intact S49 mouse lymphoma cells was studied by using high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of proteins labelled with [35S]methionine or [32P]Pi. In wild-type cells substrates for cyclic AMP-stimulatable phosphorylation exhibited high basal phosphorylation; in mutant cells deficient in activities of either cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase or adenylate cyclase, basal phosphorylation of most of these substrates was negligible. Analysis of tryptic phosphopeptides from proteins labelled with [32P]Pi in wild-type cells suggested that identical sites were phosphorylated under conditions of both basal and hormonally elevated concentrations of cyclic AMP. These results argue that most basal phosphorylation is a consequence of partial activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and that this activation is attributable to basal concentrations of cyclic AMP. For the intermediate filament protein vimentin, basal phosphorylation was largely at a site distinct from that stimulated by increased cyclic AMP, and basal phosphorylation was not markedly different in mutant and wild-type cells. Vimentin phosphorylated at both sites was not observed. Cyclic AMP treatment resulted in enhanced phosphorylation at the cyclic AMP-specific site and decreased phosphorylation at the cyclic AMP-independent site.
Analysis of insulin receptor phosphorylation sites in intact rat liver cells by two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping. Predominance of the tris-phosphorylated form of the kinase domain after stimulation by insulin
Authors: Issad T , Tavaré J M , Denton R M
Published: August 2015

1. Insulin receptors were partially purified from rat liver by chromatography on wheat-germ-lectin-Sepharose. Incubation with [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of insulin resulted in increased phosphorylation of the beta-subunit on both tyrosine and serine residues. Two-dimensional mapping of tryptic peptides showed that, in agreement with previous studies using preparations of receptors from other sources, the tyrosine residues involved were the three tyrosines in the kinase domain (corresponding to tyrosines 1158, 1162 and 1163 of the human receptor) plus two tyrosines close to the C-terminus (corresponding to tyrosines 1328 and 1334). 2. The effects of insulin on the phosphorylation of receptors within intact rat liver cells were determined by incubating cells in the presence of [32P]Pi for 50 min and then with or without insulin for a further 10 min. The labelled receptors were then rapidly isolated by sequential use of wheat-germ-lectin-Sepharose chromatography and immuno-isolation using a monoclonal antibody to the C-terminal end of the beta-subunit. 3. Insulin was found to increase overall phosphorylation of the receptor nearly 3-fold. Two-dimensional mapping was then carried out in combination with phosphoamino acid analysis. This revealed that the pattern of phosphorylation of the receptors in cells incubated in the absence and presence of insulin exhibited a number of marked differences from that observed in previous studies on intact cells, which had been restricted to cells expressing very high levels of insulin receptors such as certain hepatoma-derived cells or cells transfected with insulin receptor cDNA. The differences in the effects of insulin included a larger increase in the proportion of receptors being phosphorylated on the three tyrosine residues of the kinase domain, no apparent phosphorylation of the two tyrosine residues close to the C-terminus and no increase in either threonine or overall serine phosphorylation. 4. The receptors appeared to be phosphorylated on a number of different serine residues in cells incubated in the absence of insulin. Evidence for both increases and decreases in the phosphorylation of specific serine residues on addition of insulin was obtained. 5. It is concluded that care should be taken when extrapolating findings on the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor within cultured cells to more physiological situations.
Band 3 protein degradation by calpain is enhanced in erythrocytes of old people
Authors: Schwarz-Ben Meir N , Glaser T , Kosower N S
Published: August 2015

Band 3 protein is a major erythrocyte transmembrane glycoprotein. We compared the degradation of band 3 protein by calpain I (a cytoplasmic, micromolar-Ca2(+)-requiring thiol proteinase) in the cells from old individuals (greater than 70 years old) to that in the cells from young ones (20-30 years old). In the young, little degradation of band 3 protein occurred in calpain-treated erythrocyte ghosts. In the old, significant band 3 protein degradation was found in erythrocyte ghosts treated similarly. The difference between young and old in the susceptibility of band 3 protein to calpain was retained in membrane vesicles (membranes stripped of peripheral proteins by NaOH) and in chymotrypsin-generated 60 kDa fragment (CH-60). The isolated N-terminal cytoplasmic 43 kDa fragment was degraded by calpain to a similar extent in old and in young. The separated 17 kDa membrane domain of the CH-60 and the trypsin-generated C-terminal 55 kDa membrane-spanning fragment were not degraded by calpain I in the young, nor in the old. Thus the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain is the domain degraded by calpain I. Enhanced sensitivity in the old is observed in intact band 3 protein and in CH-60, the isolated cytoplasmic domain being equally susceptible in young and old. The observed age-related enhanced sensitivity to calpain is consistent with the presence of modifications in band 3 protein and alterations in the association with the calpain-calpastatin system. Band 3 protein has several important functions, with modifications in the protein having implications for altered cell behaviour in the old individual.
Isolation and characterization of the integral glycosaminoglycan constituents of human amyloid A and monoclonal light-chain amyloid fibrils
Authors: Nelson S R , Lyon M , Gallagher J T , Johnson E A , Pepys M B
Published: August 2015

Amyloid fibrils were isolated by extraction in water from the livers and spleens of four patients who had died of monoclonal, light-chain (AL)-type, systemic amyloidosis and one with reactive systemic, amyloid A protein (AA)-type amyloidosis. Each fibril preparation contained 1-2% by weight of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) which was tightly associated with the fibrils and not just co-isolated from the tissues with them. After exhaustive digestion of the fibrils with papain and Pronase, the GAGs were specifically precipitated with cetylpyridinium chloride and were identified by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and selective susceptibility to specific glycosidases. All the preparations contained approximately equal amounts of heparan sulphate and dermatan sulphate. There was no evidence for the presence of chondroitin sulphate or other GAGs. Fine structural analysis by oligosaccharide mapping in gradient polyacrylamide gels, following partial digestion with specific glycosidases, showed very similar structures among the heparan sulphates and the dermatan sulphates, respectively. GAGs were also extracted by solubilizing amyloid fibrils in 4 M-guanidinium chloride followed by CsCl density-gradient ultracentrifugation. Although a minor proportion of the GAG material obtained in this way was apparently in the form of proteoglycan molecules, most of it was free GAG chains. The presence in amyloid fibrils of different types, in different organs and from different patients of particular GAG classes with similar structures supports the view that these molecules may be of pathogenic significance.
Effect of protonmotive force on the relative proton stoichiometries of the mitochondrial proton pumps
Authors: Hafner R P , Brand M D
Published: August 2015

The rate of phosphorylation of ADP by isolated mitochondria respiring on succinate was set by addition of ATP, ADP or ADP plus malonate. We measured the rates of phosphorylation and respiration and the protonmotive force under each of these conditions. We measured the oxygen consumption required to drive the proton leak at the protonmotive force reached under each condition and subtracted it from the respiration rate during phosphorylation to determine the oxygen consumption driving phosphorylation. By dividing the rate of phosphorylation by the rate of respiration driving phosphorylation we calculated the mechanistic P/O ratio (number of molecules of ADP phosphorylated per oxygen atom reduced). This ratio was the same at high, intermediate and low values of protonmotive force, indicating that the relative stoichiometries of the mitochondrial protonmotive-force-producing and protonmotive-force-consuming pumps (i.e. H+/O:H+/ATP) are independent of the protonmotive force. This greatly weakens the case for a decrease in stoichiometry, or ‘slip’, in the mitochondrial proton pumps at high protonmotive force.
Evolution of energy metabolism. Proton permeability of the inner membrane of liver mitochondria is greater in a mammal than in a reptile
Authors: Brand M D , Couture P , Else P L , Withers K W , Hulbert A J
Published: August 2015

Standard metabolic rate is 7-fold greater in the rat (a typical mammal) than in the bearded dragon, Amphibolurus vitticeps (a reptile with the same body mass and temperature). Rat hepatocytes respire 4-fold faster than do hepatocytes from the lizard. The inner membrane of isolated rat liver mitochondrial has a proton permeability that is 4-5-fold greater than the proton permeability of the lizard liver mitochondrial membrane per mg of mitochondrial protein. The greater permeability of rat mitochondria is not caused by differences in the surface area of the mitochondrial inner membrane, but differences in the fatty acid composition of the mitochondrial phospholipids may be involved in the permeability differences. Greater proton permeability of the mitochondrial inner membrane may contribute to the greater standard metabolic rate of mammals.
Effect of nutritional state on the utilization of fatty acids for hepatitic triacylglycerol synthesis and secretion as very-low-density lipoprotein
Authors: Gibbons G F , Burnham F J
Published: August 2015

The mass of very-low-density-lipoproteins (VLDL) triacylglycerol secreted from isolated hepatocytes was dependent on the nutritional state of the donor rats, and declined in the order sucrose-fed greater than chow-fed greater than polyunsaturated-fat-fed greater than starved. This was the case irrespective of the presence or absence of exogenous oleate. The contribution of newly synthesized fatty acids to the total mass of VLDL triacylglycerol also declined in the above order, and reflected the relative rates of fatty acid synthesis de novo in each of the groups. The contribution of exogenous oleate to VLDL triacylglycerol varied in a manner similar to that for newly synthesized fatty acid. However, the contribution either of exogenous oleate or of newly synthesized fatty acid never exceeded 17-20% of the total VLDL triacylglycerol fatty acid even in the sucrose-fed animals. The increased contribution of newly synthesized fatty acids in the sucrose-fed group was not sufficient to account for the increase in the total mass of VLDL triacylglycerol secreted. These results suggest that: (a) changes in the rate of triacylglycerol secretion are not a direct consequence of variations in the rate of fatty acid synthesis de novo; (b) in the short term, most of the triacylglycerol required for VLDL assembly and secretion is derived from an intracellular storage source: (c) the distribution of newly synthesized triacylglycerol between the cytosolic and secretory pools was similar irrespective of the source of fatty acids (i.e. synthesized de novo or exogenous).
Selective Ca2+-dependent interaction of calmodulin with the head domain of synapsin 1
Authors: Hayes N V , Bennett A F , Baines A J
Published: August 2015

The calcium-dependent regulatory protein calmodulin is a critical element in the machinery regulating exocytosis at nerve terminals. Okabe & Sobue [(1987) FEBS Lett. 213, 184-188] showed that calmodulin interacts with one of the proteins intimately connected with the neuronal exocytotic process, i.e. synapsin 1. We have investigated the site at which calmodulin interacts with synapsin 1. We find that it is possible to generate chemically cross-linked Ca2(+)-dependent complexes between synapsin 1 and calmodulin in vitro, and have used covalent cross-linking in conjunction with calmodulin affinity chromatography to identify fragments of synapsin 1 that interact with calmodulin. Ca2(+)-dependent calmodulin binding is restricted to the ‘head’ domain (residues 1-453 in bovine synapsin 1). Within this domain the binding site is located in a unique 11 kDa Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase generated fragment. This fragment does not contain the site for cyclic-AMP-dependent phosphorylation and therefore does not represent the N-terminus of the protein.
Distinct forms of cytochrome P-450 are responsible for 6β-hydroxylation of bile acids and of neutral steroids
Authors: Zimniak P , Holsztynska E J , Radominska A , Iscan M , Lester R , Waxman D J
Published: August 2015

Cytochrome P-450-dependent 6 beta-hydroxylation of bile acids in rat liver contributes to the synthesis of the quantitatively important pool of 6-hydroxylated bile acids, as well as to the detoxification of hydrophobic bile acids. The lithocholic acid 6 beta-hydroxylation reaction was investigated and compared with androstenedione 6 beta-hydroxylation. Differential responses of these two activities to inducers and inhibitors of microsomal P-450 enzymes, lack of mutual inhibition by the two substrates and differential inhibition by antibodies raised against several purified hepatic cytochromes P-450 were observed. From these results it was concluded that 6 beta-hydroxylation of lithocholic acid is catalysed by P-450 form(s) different from the subfamily IIIA cytochromes P-450 which are responsible for the bulk of microsomal androstenedione 6 beta-hydroxylation. Similar, but more tentative, results revealed that the 7 alpha-hydroxylation of lithocholic acid and of androstenedione may be also catalysed by distinct P-450 enzymes. The results indicate that cytochromes P-450 hydroxylating bile acids are distinct from analogous enzymes that carry out reactions of the same regio- and stereo-specificity on neutral steroids (steroid hormones). A comparison of pairs of cytochromes P-450 that catalyse the same reaction on closely related steroid molecules will help to define those structural elements in the proteins that determine the recognition of their respective substrates.
Transverse topology of glucose-6-phosphatase in rat hepatic endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Waddell I D , Burchell A
Published: August 2015

Antibodies raised against purified components of glucose-6-phosphatase were used to study the transmembrane orientation of the complex. Measurements of glucose-6-phosphatase activities and immunoblot analysis of sealed microsomes and detergent-solubilized microsomes after treatment with proteases suggested that most of the catalytic subunit resides within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, other components of glucose-6-phosphatase are accessible to the cytoplasm. Treatment of the partially purified glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme with glycopeptide N-glycosidase indicated that the catalytic subunit of the enzyme was a glycoprotein.
Biosynthesis of heparin. Use of Escherichia coli K5 capsular polysaccharide as a model substrate in enzymic polymer-modification reactions
Authors: Kusche M , Hannesson H H , Lindahl U
Published: August 2015

A capsular polysaccharide from Escherichia coli K5 was previously found to have the same structure, [-(4)beta GlcA(1)→(4)alpha GlcNAc(1)-]n, as that of the non-sulphated precursor polysaccharide in heparin biosynthesis [Vann, Schmidt, Jann & Jann (1981) Eur. J. Biochem. 116, 359-364]. The K5 polysaccharide was N-deacetylated (by hydrazinolysis) and N-sulphated, and was then incubated with detergent-solubilized enzymes from a heparin-producing mouse mastocytoma, in the presence of adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phospho[35S] sulphate ([35S]PAPS). Structural analysis of the resulting 35S-labelled polysaccharide revealed the formation of all the major disaccharide units found in heparin. The identification of 2-O-[35S]sulphated IdoA (L-iduronic acid) as well as 6-O-[35S]sulphated GlcNSO3 units demonstrated that the modified K5 polysaccharide served as a substrate in the hexuronosyl C-5-epimerase and the major O-sulphotransferase reactions involved in the biosynthesis of heparin. The GlcA units of the native (N-acetylated) E. coli polysaccharide were attacked by the epimerase only when PAPS was present in the incubations, whereas those of the chemically N-sulphated polysaccharide were epimerized also in the absence of PAPS, in accord with the notion that N-sulphate groups are required for epimerization. With increasing concentrations of PAPS, the mono-O-sulphated disaccharide unit-IdoA(2-OSO3)-GlcNSO3- was progressively converted into the di-O-sulphated species -IdoA(2-OSO3)-GlcNSO3(6-OSO3)-. A small proportion of the 35S-labelled polysaccharide was found to bind with high affinity to the proteinase inhibitor antithrombin. This proportion increased with increasing concentration of PAPS up to a level corresponding to approximately 1-2% of the total incorporated 35S. The solubilized enzymes thus catalysed all the reactions required for the generation of functional antithrombin-binding sites.
Cholera toxin impairment of opioid-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells is due to a toxin-induced decrease in opioid receptor levels
Authors: McKenzie F R , Milligan G
Published: August 2015

Cholera toxin treatment (up to 1 microgram/ml, 16 h) of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells produced a decrease of some 35% in both delta opioid receptor-mediated stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity and inhibition of forskolin-amplified adenylate cyclase. Coincident with these decreases was a down-regulation of some 35% in the delta opioid receptor population. A similar pattern of a decrease in signalling capacity was noted for the alpha 2B-adrenergic receptor in these cells after cholera toxin treatment. Half-maximal effects of cholera toxin on all of the parameters assayed were noted at concentrations between 2 and 5 ng/ml. Neither levels of Gi2, as assessed by immunoblotting with specific antisera, nor the intrinsic activity of the alpha subunit of the guanine-nucleotide-binding protein which acts as the inhibitory G-protein of the adenylate cyclase in these cells, as assessed by guanosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p)-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase, was lowered by cholera toxin treatment. Furthermore, levels of another pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein (Go) expressed by these cells was also not lowered by cholera toxin treatment. However, as previously noted in other cells [Milligan, Unson & Wakelam (1989) Biochem. J. 262, 643-649], marked down-regulation of the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) of the adenylate cyclase cascade was observed in response to cholera toxin treatment. Previous studies [Klee, Milligan, Simonds & Tocque (1985) Mol. Aspects Cell Regul. 4, 117-129] have shown that cholera toxin treatment can result in a decrease in the maximal effectiveness of agonists which function to inhibit adenylate cyclase. These data have been used as evidence to suggest a functional interaction between Gs and ‘Gi’. The results provided herein demonstrate that such effects of the toxin can be explained adequately by a decrease in the number of receptors that function to produce inhibition of adenylate cyclase.
Identification of a superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase system in human fibroblasts
Authors: Meier B , Cross A R , Hancock J T , Kaup F J , Jones O T G
Published: August 2015

Human fibroblasts have the capacity to release superoxide radicals upon stimulation of an electron transport system similar to the NADPH oxidase of leukocytes. Two components of the NADPH oxidase system, (1) a flavoprotein of 45 kDa which binds diphenylene iodonium (a compound described as a specific inhibitor of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase), and (2) a low-potential cytochrome b, are present in fibroblast membranes. Fibroblasts exhibit these compounds at lower concentrations than do polymorphonuclear leukocytes or B-lymphocytes. The superoxide-generating system is rather uniformly associated with the outer cell membrane, as shown by light and electron microscopy. Superoxide release upon stimulation with various agents was prevented by the addition of micromolar concentrations of diphenylene iodonium, making an NADPH oxidase a likely source.
Localization and differential induction of cytochrome P450IVA and acyl-CoA oxidase in rat liver
Authors: Bell D R , Bars R G , Gibson G G , Elcombe C R
Published: August 2015

The peroxisome proliferators are structurally diverse chemicals which induce hyperplasia, hypertrophy and the proliferation of peroxisomes in the rodent liver. Cytochrome P450IVA1 and peroxisomal enzymes, such as acyl-CoA oxidase, are induced and are early markers of treatment with peroxisome proliferators. In this study, rats were dosed intraperitoneally with the potent peroxisome proliferator methylclofenapate and the hepatic induction response was studied. There was no significant change in the enzyme activities of laurate hydroxylase (cytochrome P450IVA1) or acyl-CoA oxidase in the first 8 h after treatment, but the activities had doubled at 24 h, suggesting that these enzymes are not involved in the mediation of early events in peroxisome proliferation. Hepatic cytochrome P450IVA1 mRNA was significantly increased at 6 and 8 h after treatment, rising to 15-fold above control values at 30 h. In contrast, acyl-CoA oxidase mRNA showed no significant change in the first 8 h, but increased to 13-fold above control values at 24 and 30 h, thereby demonstrating different kinetics of induction of the two mRNAs. In order to determine whether cytochrome P450IVA1 and peroxisomal enzymes were included in the same cells, rats were treated daily with sub-maximal (2 or 5 mg/kg) and maximal (25 mg/kg) inducing doses of methylclofenapate for 4 days. The lobular distribution of induced proteins was determined immunocytochemically with antibodies raised against P450IVA1 and acyl-CoA oxidase. Livers from control animals showed minimal staining for both proteins. However, in the livers of animals treated with 2 or 5 mg of methylclofenapate/kg, both acyl-CoA and P450IVA immunostaining was increased, mainly in the centrilobular area. Immunostaining of serial sections revealed that these proteins were induced in the same region of the lobule. A maximal inducing dose of methylclofenapate (25 mg/kg) caused panlobular induction of both proteins. The results demonstrate that these proteins are induced in a dose-dependent manner in the same, spatially distinct, sensitive region of the liver lobule.
Chondroitin sulphate and keratan sulphate are almost isosteric
Authors: Scott J E
Published: August 2015

Keratan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate (KS and CS) in the 2-fold helical configurations that are prevalent in solution are of very similar tacticity. The chiral centres, anionic sites and hydrophobic patches are in identical conformations. Only the position of the acetamido group varies from CS to KS, but part of its intramolecular H-bonding potential in CS is retained in KS. The formation of tertiary aggregates, observed in vitro and in tissues, is explicable on these bases. The proposal that KS may be a functional substitute for CS [Scott & Haigh (1988) J. Anat. 158, 95-108] under low-O2 conditions is relevant.
Protein-synthesis-dependent induction of annexin I by glucocorticoid
Authors: Wong W T , Frost S C , Nick H S
Published: August 2015

We demonstrate that annexin I/lipocortin I (lipo I) gene expression is regulated by dexamethasone (DEX) in mouse 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and LA-4 lung epithelial cells. We have characterized this induction further in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. At 24 h after addition of DEX, the levels of lipo I mRNA and protein increased 5-fold and 1.5-fold respectively. Time-course experiments revealed that the induction was delayed by 2-4 h after DEX addition. Half-maximal induction of both lipo I mRNA and protein was achieved with 10 nM-DEX. Both actinomycin D and cycloheximide blocked the DEX effect on lipo I mRNA expression. These results indicate that the induction of lipo I by DEX has a transcriptional component and requires protein synthesis de novo.
Multiple mechanisms for the regulation of haem synthesis during erythroid cell differentiation. Possible role for coproporphyrinogen oxidase
Authors: Conder L H , Woodard S I , Dailey H A
Published: August 2015

Murine erythroleukaemia (MEL) cells are virus-transformed erythroid precursor cells that, when induced to differentiate by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), will initiate haem biosynthesis by the induction and synthesis de novo of all of the enzymes of the haem-biosynthetic pathway. The activities of porphobilinogen (PBG) deaminase (EC 4.3.1.8), coproporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.3), protoporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.4), ferrochelatase (EC 4.99.1.1) and NADH:ferric iron reductase, as well as the synthesis of the enzyme ferrochelatase and the levels of excreted porphyrins, were monitored during DMSO-induced differentiation of MEL cells in culture. The data demonstrate that PBG deaminase and protoporphyrinogen oxidase activities rise rapidly and early, in comparison with ferrochelatase activity, which rises more slowly, and coproporphyrinogen oxidase activity, which decreases by 60% within 24 h of induction before returning to initial levels by 72 h. NADH:ferric iron reductase activity increases slightly, but is always present at levels higher than needed for haem synthesis. Total immunoprecipitable ferrochelatase also rises slowly and parallels the increase in its activity, suggesting that it is not synthesized early in a slowly processed precursor form. Examination of culture media demonstrated that, whereas excretion of protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin occurs within 24 h of induction, coproporphyrin is excreted in amounts 4-15 times greater than protoporphyrin.
Enzymic methylation of myelin basic protein in myelin
Authors: Ghosh S K , Rawal N , Syed S K , Paik W K , Kim S D
Published: August 2015

Myelin fractions with different degrees of compaction were isolated from bovine brain, and post-translational methylation of membrane-associated proteins was studied. When the purified myelin-basic-protein-specific protein methylase I and S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-14C]methionine were added exogenously, the most compact myelin fraction exhibited higher methyl-accepting activity than the less compact dense fractions. The methylated protein was identified as myelin basic protein (18.4 kDa) exclusively among the several myelin proteins from all membrane fractions, by SDS/PAGE/radioautography of methyl-14C-labelled membrane proteins. The methyl-14C-labelled amino acid residue in the basic protein was identified by h.p.l.c. as NG-methylarginine, indicating the high degree of specificity for the arginine residue as well as the myelin basic protein in the intact myelin membranes. The possibility of a charge alteration of myelin basic protein resulting from its arginine methylation was investigated by using the purified component 1 of myelin basic protein. The methylated component was shown to be less cationic than the unmethylated component by Bio-Rex 70 cation-exchange chromatography, since the former preceded the latter. However, in the presence of the denaturant (guanidinium chloride), the two species were co-eluted, indicating that the charge difference between methylated and unmethylated myelin basic protein can only be shown under the renatured condition.
Homologues of insulinase, a new superfamily of metalloendopeptidases
Authors: Rawlings N D , Barrett A J
Published: August 2015

On the basis of a statistical analysis of an alignment of the amino acid sequences, a new superfamily of metalloendopeptidases is proposed, consisting of human insulinase, Escherichia coli protease III and mitochondrial processing endopeptidases from Saccharomyces and Neurospora. These enzymes do not contain the ‘HEXXH’ consensus sequence found in all previously recognized zinc metalloendopeptidases.
Esterification of reduced glutathione
Authors: Thornalley P K
Published: August 2015

GSH monoethyl ester [gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl(ethyl glycinate)] may be used to supplement cellular pools of GSH in vitro and in vivo. The compound was prepared by esterification of GSH in anhydrous ethanol with HCl as the catalyst. However, a full analysis of products from the esterification of GSH revealed the formation of minor products: gamma-L-(ethyl glutamyl)-L-cysteinylglycine, i.e. an isomeric monoester, gamma-L-(ethyl glutamyl)-L-cysteinyl(ethyl glycinate), i.e. GSH diethyl ester, and N-(3-amino-2,6-dioxopiperazino)-L-cysteinyl(ethyl glycinate), i.e. an acid-catalysed cyclization product. These compounds were separated and purified by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. Esterification of GSH produces mainly the glycyl monoester with minor products of gamma-glutamyl ester, diester and the cyclization product. Only analytical reverse-phase h.p.l.c. of the compounds was found to resolve these products.
Fatty-acid-binding protein facilitates the diffusion of oleate in a model cytosol system
Authors: Stewart J M , Driedzic W R , Berkelaar J A
Published: August 2015

The proposed function of fatty-acid-binding proteins in facilitating the diffusion of their ligand has been examined in a cytosolic model using a steady-state diaphragm cell apparatus. The white muscle of ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) does not have a fatty-acid-binding protein: nor does it exhibit detectable beta-oxidative capacity, and as such is a good source of cytosol preparation. After determining the diffusion coefficient of oleate in this medium, fatty-acid-binding protein, isolated from the ventricle of this animal, was added and the apparent diffusion coefficient was again determined. The presence of the fatty-acid-binding protein increased the apparent diffusion coefficient of this long-chain fatty acid about 6-fold, from 0.087 x 10(-5) cm2.s-1 to 0.58 x 10(-5)cm2.s-1. This confirms the facilitated diffusion hypothesis as one role of fatty-acid-binding protein. The diffusion coefficients of oleate in 50 mM-sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 10 degrees C and 25 degrees C (0.15 x 10(-5) cm2.s-1 and 0.28 x 10(-5) cm2.s-1 respectively) were also measured.
Inhibition of biliary cholesterol and phospholipid secretion by cefmetazole. The role of vesicular transport and of canalicular events
Authors: Cava F , Gonzalez J , Gonzalez-Buitrago J M , Muriel C , Jimenez R
Published: August 2015

A number of organic anions selectively inhibit the biliary secretion of cholesterol and phospholipids without affecting bile acid secretion. We studied the effect of cefmetazole, a third-generation cephalosporin, on biliary lipid secretion in the rat. Injection of cefmetazole at a dose of 200 mumol/kg body wt. induced a choleretic effect and a significant decrease in the biliary output of cholesterol and phospholipid, without changes in bile acid secretion. The decrease was more marked for cholesterol than for phospholipid secretion, with a significant decrease in their molar ratio in bile. The effects were apparently unrelated to an inhibition of intracellular vesicular transport because, after injection of horseradish peroxidase, both the time course and total amount secreted of the protein did not significantly differ between control animals and those receiving cefmetazole. The secretory rate of the lysosomal marker acid phosphatase was not affected by cefmetazole administration. Biliary outputs of the plasma-membrane enzymes alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase were significantly decreased by the antibiotic. These results point to an effect of cefmetazole at the level of the canalicular membrane.
The translocation of the glucose transporter sub-types GLUT1 and GLUT4 in isolated fat cells is differently regulated by phorbol esters
Authors: Vogt B , Mushack J , Seffer E , Häring H U
Published: August 2015

Insulin stimulates glucose transport in isolated fat cells by activation of glucose transporters in the plasma membranes and through translocation of the glucose transporter sub-types GLUT4 (insulin-regulatable) and GLUT1 (HepG2 transporter). The protein kinase C-stimulating phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is able to mimic partially the effect of insulin on glucose transport, apparently through stimulation of carrier translocation. In order to ascertain whether protein kinase C is involved in the translocation signal to both carrier sub-types, we determined the effect of PMA on the subcellular distribution of GLUT1 and GLUT4 by immunoblotting with specific antibodies directed against these transporters. Isolated rat fat cells (4 x 10(6) cells/ml) were stimulated for 20 min with insulin (6 nM) or PMA (1 nM). 3-O-Methylglucose transport was determined and plasma membranes and low-density microsomes were prepared for Western blotting. 3-O-Methylglucose transport was stimulated 8-9-fold by insulin, and 3-4-fold by PMA (basal, 5.6 +/- 2.3%; insulin, 43.6 +/- 7.3%; PMA, 18.4 +/- 4.9%, n = 9). PMA was able to increase the amount of GLUT4 in the plasma membrane fraction by 2.5(+/- 0.9)-fold (n = 6) whereas insulin stimulation was 4.4(+/- 1.7)-fold (n = 6), paralleled by a corresponding decrease of transport in the low-density microsomes (insulin, 50 +/- 5% of basal; PMA, 63 +/- 11% of basal, n = 6). Although PMA regulates the translocation of GLUT4, it has no effect on GLUT1 in the same cell fractions (increase in plasma membranes: insulin, 1.7 +/- 0.5-fold; PMA, 0.91 +/- 0.1-fold, n = 4; decrease in low-density microsomes: insulin, 53 +/- 11% of basal; PMA, 101 +/- 5% of basal, n = 4). These data are in favour of a role for protein kinase C in signal transduction to GLUT4 but not to GLUT1 in fat cells.
Na+ modulates carrier-mediated Fe2+ transport through the erythroid cell membrane
Authors: Egyed A
Published: August 2015

The effects of univalent cations on Fe2+ uptake by rabbit reticulocytes have been studied. The rate of Fe2+ uptake was almost identical when measured in Na(+)-free choline chloride or KCl medium. Na+ but not Li+ inhibited Fe2+ uptake even at relatively low concentrations (2.5-20 mM) in these media. In contrast to this effect of extracellular Na+, the rate of Fe2+ uptake was facilitated by an increase in the intracellular Na2+ concentration in the range 5-40 mM, suggesting that intracellular Na+ is required for the uptake process. This effect also appears to be specific for Na+. Amiloride inhibited Fe2+ uptake in KCl (or in choline chloride), but had little if any effect in NaCl. Therefore a Na(+)- and amiloride-sensitive and a Na(+)- and amiloride-insensitive component can be distinguished. The two components differ in maximum velocity and pH optimum, but not in their apparent affinity for Fe2+. The ineffectiveness of selective inhibitors excludes the involvement of the Na+/H+ or Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanisms. To account for the results presented in this work, a Na+/Fe2+ exchange system in the erythroid cell membrane is proposed.
Hormonal regulation of collagenolysis in uterine cervical fibroblasts. Modulation of synthesis of procollagenase, prostromelysin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) by progesterone and oestradiol-17 β
Authors: Sato T , Ito A , Mori Y , Yamashita K , Hayakawa T , Nagase H
Published: August 2015

Rabbit uterine cervical fibroblasts produced a large amount of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin (MMP-3) and a small relatively amount of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP). When cells were treated with progesterone or oestradiol-17 beta, both steroids concurrently decreased the level of procollagenase and prostromelysin in the culture media and the steady-state levels of the respective mRNAs. On the other hand, the level of TIMP in the culture media and the steady-state level of its mRNA were simultaneously increased by these steroids. Similarly, the suppression of production of MMPs and the augmentation of TIMP production by both steroids were observed with interleukin 1 (IL-1)-treated cells, but the action of progesterone was more effective than that of oestradiol-17 beta in the IL-1-untreated and -treated cells. These results suggest that collagenolysis in uterine cervical fibroblasts is negatively regulated by steroid hormones via the acceleration of TIMP production and the suppression of synthesis of MMPs at the pretranslational level.
Interactions of purified bovine brain A1-adenosine receptors with G-proteins. Reciprocal modulation of agonist and antagonist binding
Authors: Freissmuth M , Selzer E , Schütz W
Published: August 2015

The bovine brain A1-adenosine receptor was purified 8000-fold by affinity chromatography on xanthine-amine-congener (XAC)-Sepharose. Addition of a 120-fold molar excess of a purified bovine brain G-protein preparation (Go,i a mixture of Go and Gi, containing predominantly Go) decreases the Bmax of the binding of the antagonist radioligand [3H]XAC to the receptor. This decrease is observed not only after insertion into phospholipid vesicles but also in detergent solution, and is reversed by GTP analogues. In the presence of Go,i, about 20 and 40% of the receptors display guanine-nucleotide-sensitive high-affinity binding of the agonist radioligand (-)-N6-3-([125I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl)adenosine after reconstitution into lipid vesicles and in detergent solution, respectively. The ability of Go,i to enhance agonist binding and decrease antagonist binding is concentration-dependent, with a half-maximal effect occurring at approximately 10-fold molar excess of G-proteins over A1-adenosine receptors. In the presence of the receptor, the rate of guanosine 5′-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate (GTP[35S]) binding to Go,i is accelerated. This rate is further enhanced if the receptor is activated by the agonist (-)(R)-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine, whereas the antagonist XAC decreases the association rate of GTP[35S] to levels observed in the absence of receptor. These results show (1) that detergent removal is not a prerequisite for the observation of coupling between the A1-adenosine receptor and Go,i, and (2) that the regulatory effect of G-proteins on antagonist binding to the A1-adenosine receptor can be reconstituted by using purified components.