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Biomedical subjects

B D Lemire

Publications and source records attributed to B D Lemire.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Characterisation of proton fluxes across the cytoplasmic membrane of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have tested the efficacy of fluorescent probes for the measurement of intracellular pH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Of the compounds tested (fluorescein, carboxyseminaphthorhodafluor-1 (C.SNARF-1) and 2',7'bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6')-carboxyfluorescein), C.SNARF-1 was found to be the most useful indicator of internal pH. Fluorescence microscopy showed that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain DAUL1, C.SNARF-1 and fluorescein had a heterogeneous distribution, with dye throughout the cytoplasm and concentration of the dye to an area close to the cell membrane. This region was also labeled by quinacrine, which is known to accumulate in acidic regions of the cell. Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ4932, which carries a defect in vacuolar acidification, did not show the same degree of dye concentration, suggesting that the site of C.SNARF-1 and fluorescein localisation in DAUL1 is the acidic vacuole. Changes in intracellular pH could be monitored by measuring changes in the fluorescence intensity of C.SNARF-1. The addition of glucose caused an initial, rapid decrease in fluorescence intensity, indicating a rise in cellular pH. This was followed by slow acidification. Fluorescence intensity changes were similar in all strains studied, suggesting that the localisation of dye to acidic regions does not affect the measurement of intracellular pH in DAUL1. The changes in intracellular pH on the addition of glucose correlated well with glucose-induced changes in external pH. Preincubation of cells in the presence of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase inhibitor diethylstilbestrol reduced extracellular acidification and intracellular alkalinisation on the addition of glucose. Both amiloride and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride also inhibited glucose-induced proton fluxes. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate had no effect on the activity of the plasma membrane ATPase.

Benzopyrans↗
PubMed1991

Isolation and characterization of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant disrupted for the succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein subunit.

A partial genomic clone of the flavoprotein subunit of the mitochondrial enzyme, succinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.1) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated. The partial clone was used to construct, by targeted gene disruption, a yeast mutant with a defective flavoprotein subunit gene. Submitochondrial membranes from the mutant are defective in activities requiring a functional succinate dehydrogenase but not in other respiratory chain activities. In addition, the mutant contains significantly lower levels of covalently attached flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor than does the wild type. Disruption of the flavoprotein subunit gene results in the simultaneous loss of both the iron-sulfur and the flavoprotein subunits from mitochondrial membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

The mitochondrial targeting function of randomly generated peptide sequences correlates with predicted helical amphiphilicity.

A pool of oligonucleotides encoding a start methionine and nine random amino acids was inserted at the 5'-end of the gene for the yeast cytochrome oxidase subunit IV lacking its own mitochondrial targeting sequence. Approximately one-quarter of the randomly generated sequences targeted subunit IV to its correct intramitochondrial location in vivo. Sequence analysis of 89 randomly generated sequences showed that their efficiencies as mitochondrial targeting signals correlated with the potential to fold into an amphiphilic alpha-helix. Functional targeting sequences were enriched in arginine and isoleucine residues but contained few aspartate, glutamate, and proline residues. Nonfunctional sequences predicted to have significant helical amphiphilicity often had at least one acidic or multiple helix-breaking residues that would be expected to interfere with targeting functioning. These results support the hypothesis that the signal for targeting a protein into the mitochondrial matrix is usually a positively charged amphiphilic helix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Tight folding of a passenger protein can interfere with the targeting function of a mitochondrial presequence.

The first seven residues of the yeast cytochrome oxidase subunit IV presequence are insufficient to target attached mouse dihydrofolate reductase into isolated yeast mitochondria. However, the targeting function of this truncated presequence can be restored by presenting the fusion protein to isolated mitochondria either as nascent, unfolded chains, or as full-length chains whose dihydrofolate reductase moiety had been destabilized either by urea treatment or by point mutations. The targeting efficiency of a mitochondrial presequence can thus be strongly influenced by the conformation of the attached 'passenger protein'. These results also underscore the difficulty of defining a 'minimal' mitochondrial targeting signal.

Electron Transport Complex IV↗
PubMed1988

Mutations restoring import of a yeast mitochondrial protein with a nonfunctional presequence.

An internal deletion in the presequence of the precursor to yeast cytochrome oxidase subunit IV blocks import of the protein into mitochondria. We have identified two mechanisms by which yeast cells can suppress the defect of the plasmid-borne defective gene. One mechanism creates a new functional presequence by point mutations, or local DNA rearrangements, within the open reading frame or its 5'-untranslated region. The second mechanism compensates for the defective presequence by recessive mutations in single nuclear genes. The plasmid-linked mutations may mimic the mechanism(s) by which mitochondrial presequences arose during evolution whereas the chromosomal mutations may help to identify components of the mitochondrial import machinery.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

A mutant of Escherichia coli fumarate reductase decoupled from electron transport.

The terminal electron-transfer enzyme fumarate reductase of Escherichia coli is a complex iron-sulfur flavoenzyme composed of four nonidentical subunits organized into two domains: FrdA and -B (a membrane-extrinsic catalytic domain) and FrdC and -D (a transmembrane anchor domain). We have identified a mutation within the membrane-intrinsic domain that alters the electron transfer properties of the iron-sulfur and flavin redox centers of the catalytic domain. Functional electron flow from the quinone analog 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone or from the electron transport chain is impaired. However, the mutant enzyme can be reduced normally by single-electron donors such as the dye benzyl viologen. The mutant phenotype results from a single A----G transition changing His-82, within the second transmembrane alpha-helix of the FrdC anchor sequence, to an arginine. The mutation, physically located within the anchor domain, is manifested by altered catalytic properties, indicating that the intrinsic and extrinsic domains are conformationally connected. These results confirm the important role of the anchor subunits in functional electron transport and have implications for communication between intrinsic and extrinsic domains of membrane proteins.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1984

A model for the structure of fumarate reductase in the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli.

By a recombinant DNA approach we have prepared Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membranes that are highly enriched in the terminal electron transfer enzyme fumarate reductase. This enzyme is composed of four nonidentical subunits in equal molar ratio. A 69,000-dalton covalent flavin-containing subunit and a 27,000-dalton nonheme iron-containing subunit make up a membrane extrinsic catalytic domain. Two very hydrophobic subunits of 15,000 and 13,000 daltons make up the hydrophobic membrane anchor domain. Electron microscopy of negatively stained membranes shows a characteristic knob-and-stalk-type structure composed of the catalytic domain. The anchor polypeptides have been analyzed for hydrophobic segments and alpha-helical content and a model for their organization within the lipid bilayer is presented. The results reviewed in this paper suggest a model for the fumarate reductase complex in the cytoplasmic membrane.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1984

Overproduction of fumarate reductase in Escherichia coli induces a novel intracellular lipid-protein organelle.

The expression of fumarate reductase in Escherichia coli has been amplified over 30-fold by utilizing a recombinant plasmid, pFR63 , carrying the fumarate reductase operon. More than 50% of the inner-membrane protein could be accounted for by the enzyme, whereas the total amount of protein associated with the membrane fraction doubled. The membrane accommodated this excess fumarate reductase without reducing the levels of other membrane-associated enzymes. At the same time, the amount of membrane lipid increased such that the lipid/protein ratio remained constant, indicating that the total amount of membrane had doubled. Small alterations in fatty acid composition as well as a large increase in cardiolipin were detected in the fumarate reductase-enriched membranes. The excess membrane was localized in novel tubular structures which were observed in thin-section and negatively stained electron-microscopic preparations. The tubules only appeared after the cytoplasmic membrane became highly enriched in fumarate reductase. They branched from the cytoplasmic membrane and were fumarate reductase. They branched from the cytoplasmic membrane and were composed of an aggregate of fumarate reductase and lipid.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1983

Structure of fumarate reductase on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli.

The terminal electron transfer enzyme fumarate reductase has been shown to be composed of a membrane-extrinsic catalytic dimer of 69- and 27-kilodalton (kd) subunits and a membrane-intrinsic anchor portion of 15- and 13-kd subunits. We prepared inverted membrane vesicles from a strain carrying the frd operon on a multicopy plasmid. When grown anaerobically on fumarate-containing medium, the membranes of this strain are highly enriched in fumarate reductase. When negatively stained preparations of these vesicles were examined with an electron microscope, they appeared to be covered with knob-like structures about 4 nm in diameter attached to the membrane by short stalks. Treatment of the membranes with chymotrypsin destroyed the 69-kd subunit, leaving the 27-, 15-, and 13-kd subunits bound to the membrane; these membranes appeared to retain remnants of the structure. Treatment of the membranes with 6 M urea removed the 69- and 27-kd subunits, leaving the anchor polypeptides intact. These vesicles appeared smooth and structureless. A functional four-subunit enzyme and the knob-like structure could be reconstituted by the addition of soluble catalytic subunits to the urea-stripped membranes. In addition to the vesicular structures, we observed unusual tubular structures which were covered with a helical array of fumarate reductase knobs.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1982

Identification of membrane anchor polypeptides of Escherichia coli fumarate reductase.

Fumarate reductase of Escherichia coli has been shown to be a membrane-bound enzyme composed of a 69,000-dalton catalytic-flavin-containing subunit and a 27,000-dalton nonheme-iron-containing subunit. Using gene cloning and amplification techniques, we have observed two additional polypeptides encoded by the frd operon, with apparent molecular weights of 15,000 and 14,000, which are expressed when E. coli is grown anaerobically on glycerol plus fumarate. Expression of these two small polypeptides is necessary for the two large subunits to associate with the membrane. The four subunits remain associated in Triton X-100 extracts of the membrane, and a holoenzyme form of fumarate reductase containing one copy of each of the four polypeptides has been isolated. Unlike the well-characterized two-subunit form, the holoenzyme is not dependent on anions for activity and is not labile at alkaline pH. In these respects, it more closely resembles the membrane-bound activity.

Cell Membrane↗