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F Hucho

Publications and source records attributed to F Hucho.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Anionic subsites of the acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo californica: affinity labelling with the cationic reagent N,N-dimethyl-2-phenyl-aziridinium.

Several peptides of acetylcholinesterase of Torpedo californica labelled with the alkylating reagent [3H]N,N-dimethyl-2-phenyl-aziridinium (DPA) were localized within the primary structure. One peptide had the sequence KPQELIDVE (positions 270-278); the incorporation of DPA into this peptide could be specifically suppressed by propidium, which suggests that it is part of the peripheral anionic site. The incorporation of DPA into two other peptides was insensitive to propidium but could be prevented by edrophonium; the sequence of one of the peptides assumed to be part of the anionic site in the catalytic centre was found to be DLFR (positions 217-220). Decamethonium efficiently blocked alkylation by DPA in all three investigated peptides.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1990

Protein kinase C inhibition by calmodulin and its fragments.

Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by calmodulin is investigated and we describe the localization of inhibitory sequences within the calmodulin molecule. We present evidence that calmodulin inhibits PKC through an inhibition of the activation of PKC associated with lipid membranes: Binding of PKC to lipid vesicles is not affected, but activation is abolished. The potent calmodulin antagonist R24571 (calmidazol) did not affect the inhibition of PKC by calmodulin at concentrations up to 10(-5) M. Two tryptic fragments of calmodulin were isolated which inhibited PKC. They were only slightly less potent than intact calmodulin with an IC50 of 6 microM compared to 1 microM of intact calmodulin. They were identified as Ser38-Arg74 and His107-Lys148. Each of the inhibiting fragments contains an intact Ca2(+)-binding domain with complete helix-loop-helix structure ("EF hand"). Other calmodulin peptides showed only weak inhibitory activity. Both fragments did not stimulate cAMP phosphodiesterase even at concentrations 100-fold higher than the calmodulin concentration needed for maximal stimulation. None of the fragments acted as a calmodulin antagonist.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

The active site and partial sequence of cobra venom acetylcholinesterase.

About 30% of the primary structure of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) from the cobra Naja naja oxiana has been determined. The sequence around the serine residue labeled by diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) was found to be TVTLFGESAGAASVGM which is similar to the active sites of AChE from other tissues. The part of the primary structure determined shows 76% identity with AChE from Torpedo and 42% identity with the Drosophila enzyme. A surprisingly large identity (42% in the sequence determined) was found with lysophospholipase from rat.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1989

The selectivity filter of a ligand-gated ion channel. The helix-M2 model of the ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Evidence from electrophysiology and biochemistry supports the hypothesis that the ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is formed by homologous amino acid sequences of all receptor subunits, called helices M2. A model of the ion channel is proposed and the selectivity filter is described as a ring of negatively-charged amino acid side chains [(1988) Nature 335, 645-648] which may undergo conformational changes upon permeation of the cation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

The electron microscopy of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a glycoprotein occurring in the electric tissue of the electric ray Torpedo sp. and the electric eel Electrophorus electricus in postsynaptic membranes in high densities. Since these membranes can be easily prepared they have been, since their discovery, a favourable object for electron microscopists. The receptor protein appears in negatively stained membranes as a ring with a diameter of about 75 A. With improved techniques of preparing membranes which contain the receptor molecules in two-dimensional crystalline arrays and especially with computer-aided image processing, the ring appeared as an arrangement of five maxima (representing probably the five receptor subunits) with a five-fold axis of pseudosymmetry perpendicular to the membrane plane. At present the resolution obtained is better than 20 A, enough to depict the receptor's overall shape and dimensions but not enough to resolve functional moieties, as for example the selectivity filter and the gating device of the ion channel, which is an integral part of the receptor complex. The receptor-rich membranes turned out to be models for developing and comparing image processing methods. In this article some of these methods, especially the Circular Harmonic Averaging method, are critically reviewed.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Symmetry and dimensions of membrane-bound nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from Torpedo californica electric tissue: rapid rearrangement to two-dimensional ordered lattices.

Computer-aided image-averaging methods are applied to different preparations of membrane-bound nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Circular harmonic averaging (CHA), a novel, reference-independent averaging method developed by W. Kunath and H. Sack-Kongehl [1989) Ultramicroscopy 27:171-184) allows analyzing images of single molecules of the receptor in its native membrane-bound state. The five subunits of the receptor are clearly resolved. At the resolution obtained (approximately 20 A) no differences were observed with resting and agonist-desensitized receptors. A method is proposed for rapidly arranging the acetylcholine receptors to ordered lattices. Depending on the conditions, tetragonal or hexagonal, two-dimensional lattices can be obtained within 2 to 6 days at 4 degrees C. Analysis by CHA shows that the receptor molecules preserve their gross structure and dimensions in these membranes, but that they are randomly oriented. Both lattices, therefore, do not represent true two-dimensional crystals.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Heat-resistant inhibitors of protein kinase C from bovine brain.

Bovine brain cytosol is shown to contain two heat-resistant inhibitors of protein kinase C, with the following characteristics: 1. One protein kinase C inhibitor can be easily purified to homogeneity. Evidence is presented that this polypeptide of Mr 19,000 is calmodulin. It inhibits protein kinase C with an EC50 of about 2.5 microM and the inhibition is Ca2+-independent. It inhibits only intact protein kinase C. Removal of the regulatory domain of protein kinase C, by limited proteolysis with trypsin, abolishes the inhibition. 2. Another protein kinase C inhibitory activity has been partially purified. Its Mr is low (Mr 600-700, as estimated by gel chromatography). It is not digested by proteases, is hydrophilic, acid- and alkali-resistant, acts Ca2+-independently, and, in contrast to calmodulin, inhibits even the catalytic fragment of protein kinase C after removal of the regulatory domain by limited proteolysis. This inhibition is, at least partially, due to a competition with ATP. Besides protein kinase C, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II is inhibited to a similar extent. cAMP-dependent protein kinase is not affected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Photoaffinity labeling of functional states of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor was subjected to photoaffinity labeling in different conformational and functional states. The photolabel used was the ion-channel blocker [3H]-TPMP+. A procedure is described for isolating labeled delta-polypeptide chains from the receptor complex by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The photolabel was localized in the primary structure of the delta-chain. The site of labeling was found to be identical when photoaffinity labeling was performed in the resting, desensitized, or antagonist state, respectively.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1986

The ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is formed by the homologous helices M II of the receptor subunits.

A binding site for the channel-blocking noncompetitive antagonist [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium ([3H]TPMP+) was localized in the alpha-, beta- and delta-chains of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from Torpedo marmorata electric tissue. The photolabel was found in homologous positions of the highly conserved sequence helix II, alpha 248, beta 254, and delta 262. The site of the photoreaction appears to not be affected by the functional state of the receptor. [3H]TPMP+ was found in position delta 262 independent of whether photolabeling was performed with the receptor in its resting, desensitized or antagonist state. A model of the AChR ion channel is proposed, according to which the channel is formed by the five helices II contributed by the five receptor subunits.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1986

Ca2+-dependent inactivation of acetylcholine receptors by an endogenous transglutaminase.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) from Torpedo californica and T. marmorata electric tissue polymerises irreversibly when DTE and Ca2+ are added to receptor-rich membranes. The polymerisation is time-dependent and complete within 3 h at 30 degrees C. It can be completely prevented by EGTA or the transglutaminase inhibitor cystamine. Transglutaminase activity can also be monitored with the exogenous substrates [3H]putrescine and dimethylcasein. This assay can also be inhibited by EGTA or cystamine.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1986

The reaction site of a non-competitive antagonist in the delta-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

A site in the primary structure of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo marmorata covalently labeled with the non-competitive antagonist [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP+) was localized. The label was found in position 262 of the delta-polypeptide chain. This site is specifically labeled in the presence of the agonist carbamoylcholine. Labeling is prevented by the non-competitive antagonist histrionicotoxin. Position 262, probably a serine, is located in the highly conserved membrane-spanning helix M2 (according to the predicted folding scheme of Finer-Moore and Stroud (1984). The relationship of this site to the receptor's ion channel and its regulation is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗