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A Levitzki

Publications and source records attributed to A Levitzki.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Beta subunit copurifies with GppNHp-activated adenylyl cyclase.

Previous kinetic studies (Tolkovsky, A.M., Braun, S., and Levitzki, A. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S.A. 79, 213-222) and biochemical studies (Arad, H., Rosenbusch, J., and Levitzki, A. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 6579-6583) from our laboratory suggest that Gs or alpha s remain associated with the catalytic subunit of adenylyl cyclase (C) throughout the activation cycle of adenylyl cyclase by hormone receptors. In this study we have purified GppNHp-activated bovine brain adenylyl cyclase over 3000-fold under mild solution conditions. We demonstrate that although the enzyme is permanently activated it retains the beta subunit when bound to a forskolin-agarose affinity column as long as it is not exposed to high salt concentrations. The stoichiometry of alpha s to beta to C is close to unity, suggesting that beta gamma subunits do not dissociate from Gs upon its activation. The complex gamma beta alpha s (GppNHp). C dissociates partially when migrating on a Superose 12 fast protein liquid chromatography molecular-seiving column. This partial dissociation probably results from the relatively diluted state of the enzyme at a high degree of purity. Prolonged ultracentrifugation of the complex also causes partial dissociation of the beta gamma subunits from alpha s (GppNHp). C. The apparent contradiction between the results reported here and the observation that beta gamma subunits inhibit cyclase activity when added to platelet membranes (Katada, T., Bokoch, G. M., Northrup, J. K., Ui, M., and Gilman, A. G. (1984a) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 3568-3577) is discussed. We suggest an alternative model to account for this inhibitory effect of added beta gamma subunits.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Adenylyl cyclase activity of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is not regulated by guanyl nucleotides.

The adenylyl cyclase activity of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is localized to the plasma membrane of the cell. The enzyme utilizes Mn2+/ATP as substrate and free Mn2+ ions as an effector. Unlike the baker yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. pombe adenylyl cyclase does not utilize Mg2+/ATP as substrate and the activity is not stimulated by guanyl nucleotides. The optimal pH for the S. pombe adenylyl cyclase activity is 6.0. The activity dependence on ATP is cooperative with a Hill coefficient of 1.68 +/- 0.14.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

In vitro reconstitution of cdc25 regulated S. cerevisiae adenylyl cyclase and its kinetic properties.

The attenuated GTP regulation adenylyl cyclase (CDC35) lysates or membranes prepared from cells of a cdc25ts strain is enhanced 2.5- to 6-fold by mixing these lysates or membranes with lysates or membranes from a cdc35ts strain harboring wild-type CDC25. The kinetics of activation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae adenylyl cyclase in vitro is first order, as is the activation of mammalian adenylyl cyclase. The rate of enzyme activation in the presence of non-hydrolysable analogs of GTP increases with the number of CDC25 gene copies present in the cell. When GppNHp was used the rate of activation of the cyclase in a strain harboring a multicopy plasmid of CDC25 was 7.0-fold higher than the rate in an isogenic strain with the cdc25-2 mutation. The rate of adenylyl cyclase activation from a strain with a disrupted CDC25 gene is 14.7-fold lower than the rate in an isogenic strain containing the CDC25 gene on a multicopy plasmid. The reconstitution experiments described provide direct biochemical evidence for the role of the CDC25 protein in regulating the RAS dependent adenylyl cyclase in S.cerevisiae. The reconstitution experiments and the kinetic experiments may also provide a biochemical assay for the CDC25 protein and can form the basis for its characterization. In this study we also show that adenylyl cyclase activity in ras1ras2byc1 cells is found in the soluble fraction, whereas in wild-type strain it is found in the membrane fraction. Overexpression of the gene CDC25 in the ras1ras2bcy1 strain relocalizes adenylyl cyclase activity to the membrane fraction. This finding suggests a biochemical link between CDC25 and CDC35 in the absence of RAS, in addition to its role in regulating RAS dependent adenylyl cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Analytical determination of receptor-ligand dissociation constants of two populations of receptors from displacement curves.

The determination of receptor-ligand dissociation constants from displacement data has been restricted until recently to the condition of receptor saturation, in which the concentration of receptor is negligible as compared to the displaced ligand and the displacing ligand used. This restriction has lately been removed since an accurate method has been developed for the determination of the dissociation constants for all experimental conditions for a system that includes a single type of binding site. In many cases, however, there are two types of receptor binding sites that exhibit different affinities toward the ligand. The present study provides an analytic solution for the problem of determination of the two dissociation constants as well as the proportion of the two receptor types. The formal derivation of the equations is described, along with analysis of a displacement simulation. The sensitivity of the method to the ratio between the two dissociation constants is also investigated. The application of the method is demonstrated for the analysis of the binding of beta-adrenergic receptors to the agonist isoproterenol as monitored by the displacement of the beta-antagonist 125I-labeled cyanopindolol.

Animals↗

Tyrosine kinase blockers: new platelet activation inhibitors.

Tyrphostins are low-molecular-weight inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. Since tyrosine kinase activity has been shown to be increased during thrombin-induced platelet activation, the effect of tyrphostins on platelet activation was investigated. Tyrphostins inhibited dose-dependently thrombin-induced aggregation and the release reaction, with a maximum effect at 25 microM. Using immunoblots of platelet proteins revealed with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, tyrphostins were effective inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation elicited by thrombin. Using metabolically 32P-labelled human platelets, tyrphostins also inhibited phosphorylation of p43, the main substrate for protein kinase C, and myosin light chain particularly at short periods of activation. The results suggest that tyrosine kinase activity may play a role in platelet signal transduction involving the protein kinase C pathway, and that tyrphostins represent a new type of anti-aggregative drugs.

Blood Platelets↗

Tyrphostins inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated breakdown of phosphoinositides.

In response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, the total phosphatidylinositides (IPT) increased in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells 1.8- and 2.0-fold and in the EGF-dependent A431/Clone 15-2 cells 3.0- and 8.0-fold, respectively, over basal levels. Both responses were inhibited by the antiproliferative agents tyrphostins, but the EGF-induced increase in IPT was inhibited to a much greater extent than that induced by the ionophore. Tyrphostins which are potent EGF-receptor kinase inhibitors were also potent in blocking the EGF-induced production of phosphoinositides. The less potent tyrphostins were found to inhibit the EGF-dependent IPT formation more weakly. These results support the notion that phospholipase C is activated through its phosphorylation by the EGF receptor.

Calcimycin↗

Tyrphostins inhibit epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor tyrosine kinase activity in living cells and EGF-stimulated cell proliferation.

Synthetic compounds called tyrphostins were examined for their effects on cells which are mitogenically responsive to epidermal growth factor (EGF). We studied in detail the effects of two tyrphostins on EGF binding, tyrosine phosphorylation in intact cells, EGF-receptor internalization, and mitogenesis. These compounds inhibited EGF-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation in a specific manner and the degree of selectivity varied. Both compounds inhibited EGF-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous substrates in intact cells at doses that correlated with the IC50 for [3H] thymidine incorporation. These results are consistent with the notion that tyrosine phosphorylation is a crucial signal in transduction of the mitogenic message delivered by EGF. The compound RG50864 demonstrated specificity at inhibiting EGF-stimulated cell growth compared with stimulation with either platelet-derived growth factor or serum. For both compounds RG50864 and RG50810, long term exposure (16 h) of cells to tyrphostins was required for optimal inhibition because of the instability and slow action of these compounds. Tyrphostins did not alter cell surface display of EGF-receptor, EGF binding or EGF-induced internalization, degradation, and down-regulation of EGF receptors. These novel synthetic inhibitors, specific for EGF-receptor kinase, offer a new method to inhibit EGF-stimulated cell proliferation which may be useful in treating specific pathological conditions involving cellular proliferation, including different types of cancers.

Animals↗

EGF induces tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-II: a potential mechanism for EGF receptor signaling.

Binding of EGF to cells expressing human EGF receptor stimulated rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-II (PLC-II), as revealed by immunoblotting analysis with phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-II was stimulated by low physiological concentrations of EGF (1 nM), was quantitative, and was already maximal after a 30 sec incubation with 50 nM EGF at 37 degrees C. Interestingly, antibodies specific for PLC-II were able to coimmunoprecipitate the EGF receptor and antibodies against EGF receptor also coimmunoprecipitated PLC-II. According to this analysis, approximately 1% of EGF receptor molecules were associated with PLC-II molecules. The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin RG50864, which blocks EGF-dependent cell proliferation, blocked EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-II, its association with EGF receptor, and EGF-induced Ca2+ release. Hence, EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-II may be a regulatory event linking the tyrosine kinase activity of EGF receptor to the PIP2 hydrolysis signaling pathway.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Inhibition of insulin-dependent lipogenesis and anti-lipolysis by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) blockers which competitively inhibit the kinase activity of insulin receptors were synthesized and their properties examined. The best insulin receptor kinase (IRK) inhibitors possess either one hydroxyphenyl ring and two carboxyl groups or two phenyl rings and one carboxyl group. All the inhibitors, except tBoc-tyrosine aminomalonate, effectively block the IRK-catalyzed phosphorylation of exogenous substrate, but only partially block receptor autophosphorylation. These PTK blockers inhibit the insulin induced [14C]glucose assimilation into lipids (lipogenesis), but fail to inhibit the anti-lipolytic effect of the hormone. Only tBocTyr-aminomalonate was found to inhibit all the effects of insulin measured: insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of exogenous substrate, IRK autophosphorylation, insulin-dependent lipogenesis and the insulin-dependent anti-lipolytic effect. This inhibitor is the first blocker which is reported to block insulin-dependent anti-lipolysis. The inhibitors examined are devoid of general adverse effects since they have no effect on insulin-independent lipolysis, on [U14C]fructose assimilation or on (-)isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis. These studies suggest that insulin-dependent lipogenesis and anti-lipolysis may be mediated by two distinguishable signalling pathways. This study also suggests that PTK inhibitors may become useful tools in the investigation of the signalling pathways of PTKs.

Adipose Tissue↗

Transmembrane signalling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Baker's yeast, a unicellular eukaryote, has been a model organism for biochemists, geneticists and most recently for molecular biologists. Pioneering biochemical studies were conducted on yeast, such as the study of glucose fermentation and amino acid metabolism. The powerful tools of yeast genetics have allowed a comprehensive study of important issues such as the cell cycle and meiosis. In recent years, it has been established that Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the most extensively characterized of the yeasts, shares key molecules and biochemical pathways with higher eukaryotes. For example, actin, tubulin, ubiquitin, calmodulin, GTP regulatory proteins, different protein kinases including protein tyrosine kinases, were all found to play central roles in yeast. Furthermore, structurally homologous proteins, as well as transcription regulating elements, of yeast and higher eukaryotes, including mammals, were shown to be structurally and functionally interchangeable. It has also been found that yeast can express human genes. Technically, yeasts are simple to handle, inexpensive to grow, complete a cell cycle within 90 min, and therefore can yield relatively quick results. These qualities are useful in biotechnological applications. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can be genetically manipulated fairly easily, and has been tinkered with more than any other system. A cloned, in vitro mutated gene, can be transformed into wild type yeast and by homologous recombination, can replace the native gene and generate the desired mutant. Such manipulations, not possible yet in other eukaryotic cells, allow the precise definition of the role played by different genes and their domains. These unique features of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, together with rapidly evolving techniques of molecular biology, have made it a successful model organism for the study of numerous questions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Rapid intracellular alkalinization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MATa cells in response to alpha-factor requires the CDC25 gene product.

The alpha-factor mating pheromone induces a transient intracellular alkalinization of MATa cells within minutes after exposure to the pheromone, and is the earliest biochemical event that can be identified subsequent to the exposure. Dissipation of the pheromone induced pH gradient, using 2,4-dinitrophenol or sodium orthovanadate, does not inhibit the biological response of the yeast to the pheromone such as mating and 'schmoo' formation. These findings suggest that the pheromone mediated pH change per se is not a part of the transmembrane signalling but rather the consequence of a biochemical reaction triggered by the alpha-pheromone interaction with its receptor and may have a permissive effect on the pheromonal response. The cdc25ts mutation causes MATa cells to become nonresponsive to alpha-factor subsequent to a shift to the restrictive temperature, suggesting that the CDC25 gene product participates in the pheromone response pathway.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Tyrphostins I: synthesis and biological activity of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

A novel class of low molecular weight protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors is described. These compounds constitute a systematic series of molecules with a progressive increase in affinity toward the substrate site of the EGF receptor kinase domain. These competitive inhibitors also effectively block the EGF-dependent autophosphorylation of the receptor. The potent EGF receptor kinase blockers examined were found to competitively inhibit the homologous insulin receptor kinase at 10(2)-10(3) higher inhibitor concentrations in spite of the significant homology between these protein tyrosine kinases. These results demonstrate the ability to synthesize selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The most potent EGF receptor kinase inhibitors also inhibit the EGF-dependent proliferation of A431/clone 15 cells with little or no effect on EGF independent cell growth. These results demonstrate the potential use of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors as selective antiproliferative agents for proliferative diseases caused by the hyperactivity of protein tyrosine kinases. We have suggested the name "tyrphostins" for this class of antiproliferative compounds which act as protein tyrosine kinase blockers.

Benzylidene Compounds↗

Blocking of EGF-dependent cell proliferation by EGF receptor kinase inhibitors.

A systematic series of low molecular weight protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors were synthesized; they had progressively increasing affinity over a 2500-fold range toward the substrate site of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor kinase domain. These compounds inhibited EGF receptor kinase activity up to three orders of magnitude more than they inhibited insulin receptor kinase, and they also effectively inhibited the EGF-dependent autophosphorylation of the receptor. The most potent compounds effectively inhibited the EGF-dependent proliferation of A431/clone 15 cells with little or no effect on the EGF-independent proliferation of these cells. The potential use of tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors as antiproliferative agents is demonstrated.

Binding, Competitive↗

From epinephrine to cyclic AMP.

Binding of catecholamines to the beta-adrenergic receptor results in the activation of adenylate cyclase and the intracellular formation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP). In the past 20 years the events that lead from hormone binding at the cell surface receptor site to the synthesis of cAMP at the inner layer of the membrane have been intensively studied. Signal transduction in this system involves the sequential interaction of the beta-adrenergic receptor with the guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) and the adenylate cyclase catalyst (C). The mechanism of signal transduction from the receptor through Gs to C, as well as the role of the adenylate cyclase inhibitory G protein Gi, is discussed.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Use of electrofocusing for the analysis and purification of turkey erythrocytes beta 1-adrenoceptors.

We show that following one cycle of alprenolol affinity chromatography of turkey erythrocyte beta 1-adrenoceptors, electrofocusing on polyacrylamide gels in digitonin, followed by electroelution, results in complete receptor purification. The overall yield from the electrofocusing-electroelution step of turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenoceptor is 75 +/- 3%. In addition, we are able to demonstrate that receptor-binding assays can be performed directly on the polyacrylamide gel, using 125I-cyanopindolol. This method can be employed for minute quantities of receptor which is an advantage when one wishes to characterize rapidly the beta-adrenoceptor in its native state from tissues that may be available only in limited amounts. We also report, for comparison, on the behavior of the turkey erythrocyte beta 1-adrenoceptor on immobiline polyacrylamide gels and the ability to purify only partially the receptor on these gels.

Acrylic Resins↗

Guanine nucleotide regulation of adenylate cyclase in permeabilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Adenylate cyclase in permeabilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined. Among various permeabilization procedures, including organic solvents, detergents and other reagents, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and digitonin treatments resulted in the highest recovery of adenylate cyclase activity. Incubation of cells at 30 degrees C with digitonin at 0.01% to 0.1%, or DMSO at 20% to 40% for 15 to 30 min gave optimal adenylate cyclase activity. The enzyme activity in digitonin-permeabilized cells could be supported only by Mn2+, whereas Mg2+ with or without guanine nucleotides did not support cyclase activity. DMSO-permeabilized cells exhibit efficient Mn2+- and Mg2+/Gpp[NH]p-dependent stimulation. Furthermore, digitonin added to yeast membranes at a 1:50 detergent to protein ratio (w/w) abolishes guanyl nucleotide regulation without significantly affecting the Mn2+-supported cyclase activity. The superiority of DMSO is further supported by the fact that recovery of adenylate cyclase activity is better in the DMSO-treated cells than in the digitonin-treated cells. DMSO most probably causes less disturbance of the fabric of the native cell. We conclude that digitonin, but not DMSO, uncouples the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase from the regulatory GTP binding (ras) proteins.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗