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Biomedical subjects

J C Wallace

Publications and source records attributed to J C Wallace.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The gene encoding the biotin-apoprotein ligase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We report the isolation, genomic mapping, and DNA sequence of the BPL1 gene encoding the biotin-apoprotein ligase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene was isolated by complementation of an Escherichia coli birA (biotin-apoprotein ligase) mutant indicating that the expressed yeast protein modified the essential biotinated protein of the bacterial host. The BPL1 gene encodes a protein of 690 residues (M(r) 76.4 kDa) with strong sequence similarities to the E. coli and human biotin-apoprotein ligases. BPL1 was mapped to chromosome IV, is allelic to the previously described ACC2 gene, and encodes the major (if not the only) biotin-apoprotein ligase activity of S. cerevisiae.

Alleles

Solution structure of a nucleic acid photoproduct of deoxyfluorouridylyl-(3'-5')-thymidine monophosphate (d-FpT) determined by NMR and restrained molecular dynamics: structural comparison of two sequence isomer photoadducts (d-U5p5T and d-T5p5U).

Acetone-sensitized irradiation using UV-B (sun lamp, lambda max = 313 nm) of deoxyfluorouridylyl-(3'-5')-thymidine monophosphate (d-FpT, F = fluorouracil), produces two major photoproducts, the cis-syn cyclobutane-type photodimer and a defluorinated (5-5) photoadduct, d-U5p5T. Product distribution is dependent on the pH of the irradiation solution, as was the case of irradiated d-TpF. At high pH (8-10) the (5-5) photoadduct is the major photoproduct. Irradiation of d-FpT shows a much faster photodegradation rate than the sequence isomer d-TpF. Multinuclear NMR experiments establish the formation of (5-5) covalent bonding between the C5 (d-U5p-, where the fluorine had been) and the C5 (-p5T) and the C6 (-p5T) acquires an OH group. NOE interproton distances and dihedral angles derived from J coupling analysis are constrained to refine model structures of d-U5p5T in restrained molecular dynamics calculations. The resultant structures obtained show 5S-6S as the most chiralities of the C5 and C6 atoms of the thymine, which is the opposite chirality to the corresponding atoms in the sequence isomer d-T5p5U. The orientation of the C5 substituents (-p5T fragment), the CH3 and the uracil are pseudo-axial and pseudo-equatorial respectively. Glycosidic angles are in the anti regions for both the d-U5p- and -p5T residues. Averaged backbone conformations of the two photoadducts, d-U5p5T and d-T5p5U, are similar, although the overall structure of d-U5p5T appears much more flexible than that of d-T5p5U. In particular, the sugar conformations of the 5'-end residues show a remarkable difference in flexibility.

DNA Damage

Solution structure of human insulin-like growth factor II. Relationship to receptor and binding protein interactions.

The three-dimensional structure of human insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II in aqueous solution at pH 3.1 and 300 K has been determined from nuclear magnetic resonance data and restrained molecular dynamics calculations. Structural constraints consisting of 502 NOE-derived distance constraints, 11 dihedral angle restraints, and three disulfide bridges were used as input for distance geometry calculations in DIANA and X-PLOR, followed by simulated annealing refinement and energy minimization in X-PLOR. The resulting family of 20 structures was well defined in the regions of residues 5 to 28 and 41 to 62, with an average pairwise root-mean-square deviation of 1.24 A for the backbone heavy-atoms (N, C2, C) and 1.90 A for all heavy atoms. The poorly defined regions consist of the N and C termini, part of the B-domain, and the C-domain loop. Resonances from these regions of the protein gave stronger cross peaks in two dimensional NMR spectra, consistent with significant motional averaging. The main secondary structure elements in IGF-II are alpha-helices encompassing residues 11 to 21, 42 to 49 and 53 to 59. A small anti-parallel beta-sheet is formed by residues 59 to 61 and 25 to 27, while residues 26 to 28 appear to participate in intermolecular beta-sheet formation. The structure of IGF-II in the well-defined regions is very similar to those of the corresponding regions of insulin and IGF-I. Significant differences between IGF-II and IGF-I occur near the start of the third helix, in a region known to modulate affinity for the type 2 IGF receptor, and at the C terminus. The IGF II structure is discussed in relation to its binding sites for the insulin and IGF receptors and the IGF binding proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Analysis of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are important regulators of growth and development in eutherian mammals. In this study we have analyzed circulating insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) by Western ligand blotting (WLB) and neutral gel filtration, and hepatic IGFBP mRNA transcripts in the wallaby, Macropus eugenii, a marsupial in which the fetus is born at an immature stage compared to eutherian mammals. Plasma from male and female adults, lactating mothers, and pouch young contains an IGF binding species consisting of a 42- to 50-kDa doublet, 30, 28, 24, and approximately 200 kDa, as shown by WLB. This pattern of IGFBPs is very similar to that observed in human and sheep. Neutral gel filtration revealed IGF binding activity of molecular size 70-160 kDa. When electrophoresed under nonreducing, denaturing conditions, the 70- to 160-kDa IGF binding activity appeared as a 42- to 50-kDa doublet, indicating the presence of a high-molecular-weight circulating IGF binding complex. These properties are again analogous to those observed for eutherian IGFBPs. Northern analysis of total wallaby liver RNA detected transcripts of 1.8 kb for IGFBP-1 and 1.6 kb for IGFBP-2, the same as those observed in the sheep and rat. Transcripts of 3.2 kb were detected for IGFBP-4, larger than the major band of 2.6 kb observed for the sheep and rat. Transcripts representing wallaby IGFBP-3 mRNA were not detected using a rat IGFBP-3 cDNA probe. Circulating IGFBPs were analyzed in plasma from wallaby mothers and their pouch young. There were no changes in circulating IGFBPs in the wallaby mothers throughout lactation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Radiation chemistry of d(ApCpGpT).

The radiation chemistry of the DNA tetranucleoside triphosphate d(ApCpGpT) was investigated. Irradiations were carried out on aqueous solutions saturated with oxygen (with and without added Cu++), nitrogen or nitrous oxide. When oxygen was present, principal products were formed by hydroxylation at the 8-position of guanine and by degradation of thymine leaving a formamido remnant. Products were also formed containing both of the aforementioned lesions at adjacent deoxyguanosine and pyrimidine nucleosides. Other products resulted from rearrangement of the thymine ring generating two diastereoisomers of the 5-methyl-5-hydroxyhydantoin modification of d(ApCpGpT). Rearrangement of the cytosine ring occurred generating imidazolidine products and a hydantoin product. The product profiles are similar when either an N2O or N2 gaseous environment is maintained. However, in the latter case the dihydrothymine modifications of d(ApCpGpT) are markedly enhanced. Other products include an 8,5' cyclized product formed from the 2'-deoxyadenosine nucleoside and the 8-hydroxyguanine modification. 6-Hydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymine and 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymine modifications of the thymidine nucleoside were also observed. A strand break product formed in oxygenated solution is also produced in nitrous oxide saturated solutions. Scission of the deoxyadenosine terminus was also observed. The effect of several of these lesions on d(ApCpGpT) as substrate for nuclease P1, bovine spleen phosphodiesterase and snake venom phosphodiesterase was studied.

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Production and characterization of recombinant chicken insulin-like growth factor-II from Escherichia coli.

Recombinant chicken (c)IGF-II has been produced in Escherichia coli after first modifying a plasmid that coded for a human (h)IGF-II fusion protein. The cIGF-II fusion protein, deposited in bacterial inclusion bodies, was dissolved under reducing conditions, desalted, subjected to anion-exchange chromatography and refolded. Recombinant cIGF-II was then released from the fusion protein using a genetically engineered serine protease and purified to homogeneity by reverse-phase HPLC. In vitro analysis of recombinant cIGF-II revealed differences between cIGF-II and its human counterpart. Recombinant cIGF-II was less potent than hIGF-II in stimulating protein synthesis in rat myoblasts. This appeared to be due to a decreased affinity for the type-1 IGF receptor. The human and chicken peptides were similar, however, in studies assessing binding to the type-2 IGF receptor and to IGF-binding proteins. Moreover, recombinant cIGF-II and hIGF-II were equipotent in both biological and receptor binding studies in chick embryo fibroblasts, suggesting that there may be a difference between mammalian and avian type-1 IGF receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence

Continuous 14 day infusion of IGF-II increases the growth of normal female rats, but exhibits a lower potency than IGF-I.

The effects of continuous 14 day infusion of recombinant human IGF-I (104 or 260 micrograms/day) or IGF-II (104, 260 or 650 micrograms/day) via s.c. implanted osmotic pumps were compared in young female rats in order to establish the relative efficacies of these two growth factors. Significant increase in body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were achieved by 260 micrograms/day of IGF-I or 650 micrograms/day of IGF-II. These treatments were associated with increased nitrogen retention and increases in the fractional weights of kidneys, spleen, total gut and individual gut regions. There was an increase in the size of villi and muscularis lining the jejunum, suggesting an increased absorptive capacity of the gut. However there was no significant change in the amount of faecal nitrogen excretion when expressed as a percentage of nitrogen intake. Interestingly, IGF-II was at least as potent as IGF-I in increasing the depth of jejunal crypts. Infusion of equivalent doses of either IGF-I or IGF-II resulted in similar increases in circulating concentrations of the respective peptides, though IGF-II infusion dose-dependently decreased plasma IGF-I concentrations from those of the controls. Plasma IGF-binding protein levels were increased by both IGF-I and IGF-II treatments, though IGF-I elicited greater responses. In summary, IGF-II can promote the growth of young female rats, although generally less potently than IGF-I.

Animals

Circulating insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and tissue mRNA levels of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 in the ovine fetus.

The IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) are a family of at least six structurally related proteins, which bind the IGFs and modulate their actions, including the regulation of pre- and postnatal growth. In this study we have examined the relationship between circulating and tissue mRNA levels of IGFBPs and related this to circulating IGFs in the fetal sheep over the gestational period when rapid growth and development occurs. Circulating IGFBP-2, as measured by Western ligand blot (WLB), increases between early and mid gestation, remains high, then declines throughout late gestation (P = 0.0002). Circulating IGFBP-3 increases throughout gestation, as measured by WLB or RIA (P = 0.04 and P = 0.0001 respectively), as does circulating IGFBP-4 (P = 0.004). These ontogenic changes in circulating IGFBPs-2 and -4 are paralleled by changes in liver mRNA for these proteins and, for IGFBP-2, by those in kidney IGFBP-2 mRNA also. This suggests that liver and kidney may be the primary contributors to circulating IGFBP-2 and the liver to circulating IGFBP-4, IGFBP-2 mRNA is present in the heart and lung in early gestation but barely detectable in these tissues after approximately 60 days gestation. IGFBP-4 mRNA is also present in the heart in early but not late gestation, but is abundant in the lung throughout gestation. These results demonstrate tissue specific and developmental regulation of IGFBPs-2 and -4 at the mRNA level. To assess any role the circulating IGFs may play in mediating these changes in IGFBPs, or vice versa, both plasma IGF-I and IGF-II were measured by RIA. Circulating IGF-I increases as gestation progresses (P = 0.0001), while circulating IGF-II increases between early and mid gestation, remains high (P = 0.01), then declines. Circulating IGF-I is positively correlated with fetal weight (r = 0.66, P = 0.03), circulating IGFBP-3 (r = 0.54, P = 0.01) and IGFBP-4 (r = 0.52, P = 0.01). Circulating IGF-II positively correlates with circulating IGFBP-2 (r = 0.48, P = 0.02) throughout gestation and at 1 day postnatally. These relationships are consistent with circulating IGF-I influencing IGFBPs-3 and -4, and similarly, IGF-II determining IGFBP-2, or vice versa. Alternatively, these correlations may reflect coordinate regulation of IGF and IGFBP by a common factor.

Animals

Long R3 insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) infusion stimulates organ growth but reduces plasma IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF binding protein concentrations in the guinea pig.

We have tested whether an animal with substantial amounts of both IGF-I and IGF-II in circulation, such as the guinea pig, would respond to chronic IGF infusion in the same manner as the adult rat, which has negligible amounts of IGF-II in blood. Female guinea pigs of 350 g body weight were continuously infused for 7 days with recombinant guinea pig IGF-I or -II (120 or 360 micrograms/day) or long R3 IGF-I (LR3IGF-I) (120 micrograms/day), an analogue which has much reduced affinities for IGF binding proteins. IGF-I or IGF-II infusion led to substantial increases in plasma IGF-I or IGF-II respectively in comparison with vehicle-infused animals. Nevertheless, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency and carcass composition were not significantly affected by any treatment (significance was deemed to be P < 0.05). Amongst the tissues examined only the fractional weight (g/kg body weight) of the adrenals was increased, and that only by the higher dose (360 micrograms/day) of IGF-I. However, the fractional weight of adrenals, gut, kidneys and spleen were significantly increased by LR3IGF-I, but again overall growth was not stimulated. A possible explanation for the lack of IGF-I effects is that total circulating IGF concentrations were not increased by these treatments. IGF-II significantly raised total IGF concentrations at the higher dose only. Plasma IGF-I was reduced by IGF-II infusion, as was plasma IGF-II by IGF-I infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Glands

The radiation chemistry of d(CpGpTpA) in the presence of oxygen.

This report extends our investigation of double base lesions produced by irradiation of DNA model compounds. Studies of d(CpGpTpA) X-irradiated in oxygenated aqueous solution show that two of the five principal products are oligomers having adjacent bases damaged. In these oligomers guanine is hydroxylated at the 8-position and an adjacent pyrimidine is degraded to a formamido remnant.

DNA Damage

Free radical-induced double base lesions.

Evidence is presented for the formation of products in irradiated dinucleoside monophosphates in which both bases are damaged. The dinucleoside monophosphates d(GpT), d(GpC), d(TpG) and d(CpG) were X-irradiated in oxygenated aqueous solution. Product identification was by NMR spectroscopy. In products containing double base lesions, guanine is converted to 8-hydroxyguanine and the pyrimidine base is degraded to a formamido remnant.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid

A method for the determination of the cellular phosphorylation potential and glycolytic intermediates in yeast.

A method is described for rapidly quenching metabolism in yeast and extracting metabolites for analysis. The saponin digitonin is used to permeabilize the yeast cell membrane, in conjunction with perchloric acid (PCA) to quench metabolism and extract metabolites. Using this digitonin-PCA quench and extraction procedure, we have determined ATP concentrations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the range 2.89-3.39 mM, [ATP]/[ADP] ratios of 4.5-6.6, and phosphorylation potentials of 48.7-49.9 kJ.mol-1. A direct comparison with the currently accepted freeze/grind PCA/thaw procedure for extraction of yeast cell metabolites shows that essentially the same values are obtained by both techniques. The digitonin-PCA quench extraction method, used in conjunction with automated enzymatic analyses of metabolites, allows rapid extraction and analysis of large numbers of samples and metabolites and hence permits detailed investigations of intermediary metabolism in yeast.

Acetates

Expression, biotinylation and purification of a biotin-domain peptide from the biotin carboxy carrier protein of Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

A protein segment consisting of the C-terminal 87 residues of the biotin carboxy carrier protein from Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase was overexpressed in E. coli. The expressed biotin-domain peptide can be fully biotinylated by coexpression with a plasmid that overproduces E. coli biotin ligase. The extent of biotinylation was limited in vivo, but could be taken to completion in cell lysates on addition of ATP and biotin. We used the coexpression of biotin ligase and acceptor protein to label the biotin-domain peptide in vitro with [3H]biotin, which greatly facilitated development of a purification procedure. The apo (unbiotinylated) form of the protein was prepared by induction of biotin-domain expression in a strain lacking the biotin-ligase-overproduction plasmid. The apo domain could be separated from the biotinylated protein by ion-exchange chromatography or non-denaturing PAGE, and was converted into the biotinylated form of the peptide on addition of purified biotin ligase. The identify of the purified biotin-domain peptide was confirmed by N-terminal sequence analysis, amino acid analysis and m.s. The domain was readily produced and purified in sufficient quantities for n.m.r. structural analysis.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase

Regulation of pyruvate carboxylase isozyme (PYC1, PYC2) gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during fermentative and nonfermentative growth.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae there are two isoenzymes of pyruvate carboxylase (Pyc) encoded by separate genes, designated PYC1 and PYC2. In the wild type yeast, the expression of both genes is influenced by both the growth phase and the type of carbon source, indicating discrete regulatory mechanisms and metabolic roles for PYC1 and PYC2. On glucose minimal medium PYC1 and PYC2 are differentially regulated as shown by a constant level of PYC1 expression throughout the main growth phase compared to a high level of PYC2 expression only in the early growth phase. On ethanol minimal medium, the growth-related pattern of PYC1 and PYC2 expression was similar as shown by a 3.6-fold decline from early to mid log phase. PYC1 expression, however, was activated 10-fold above PYC2 mRNA levels during this period of growth. To further investigate the roles of the two PYC genes we determined the growth phenotypes and expression levels of PYC in pyc1 and pyc2 single null mutants. During fermentative growth, the lack of either PYC gene had little effect on the level and pattern of expression of the other PYC gene, indicating further their separate regulation. In comparison to the pyc2 null, the pyc1 null strain showed a 3- to 4-fold lower level of Pyc activity and Pyc protein concentration. Moreover, the pyc1 null showed a strong requirement for L-aspartate for efficient growth, indicating the importance of PYC1 expression for the synthesis of C4 intermediates. DV6.2 (PYC1, pyc2 delta) showed a 3.2-fold higher level of activity on ethanol minimal medium when compared to growth on glucose minimal medium, and supported growth in the absence of L-aspartate. The pyc1 null, MW21.3 (pyc1 delta, PYC2), on the other hand, did not support growth on ethanol in the absence of aspartate. This study represents the first report on the characterisation of expression of the PYC genes in yeast throughout growth. Their metabolic roles for both fermentative and gluconeogenic growth are considered.

Blotting, Southern

Isolation and characterization of ovine IGFBP-4: protein purification and cDNA sequence.

Three different molecular mass forms of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) were purified from ovine plasma by IGF-I affinity chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC: a 46 kDa doublet and 29 kDa and 24 kDa forms. Amino-terminal sequence analysis confirmed that these proteins were ovine (o)IGFBP-3 (46 kDa) and two molecular size variants of oIGFBP-4. oIGFBP-3 and the 29 kDa form of oIGFBP-4 were shown to be N-glycosylated. Isoelectric points were determined to be at approximately pH 6 for oIGFBP-3 and at pH 7 and pH 7.5 for the 29 and 24 kDa forms of oIGFBP-4 respectively. The two different molecular mass variants of oIGFBP-4 had similar IGF-binding properties. Compared with human IGFBP-3 and oIGFBP-3, the two variants of oIGFBP-4 exhibited lower relative binding to amino-terminally modified IGF-I analogues in a competitive IGF-binding assay. The full protein sequence of oIGFBP-4, as deduced from the cDNA sequence, showed a high degree of identity with rat (90%), human (96%) and bovine (98%) IGFBP-4. The cDNA sequence also showed homology over regions of the 3' non-coding sequence, particularly in comparison with bovine IGFBP-4 (96%). Northern analysis of mRNA for oIGFBP-4 indicated a 2.6 kb major transcript and two minor transcripts of approximately 2.1 and 1.8 kb. oIGFBP-4 mRNA transcripts were detected in adult ewe liver > kidney > lung >> heart and also in several fetal tissues, thus suggesting tissue-specific and developmental regulation. The availability of purified oIGFBP-4 and oIGFBP-3 as well as DNA probes for oIGFBP-4 will enable further study of the properties and functions of these proteins, as well as the establishment of specific assays for these IGFBPs.

Amino Acid Sequence

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II binding to IGF-binding proteins and IGF receptors is modified by deletion of the N-terminal hexapeptide or substitution of arginine for glutamate-6 in IGF-II.

Recombinant insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) and two structural analogues, des(1-6)IGF-II and [Arg6]-IGF-II, were produced to investigate the role of N-terminal residues in binding to IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and hence the biological properties of the modified peptides. The growth factors were modelled on two previously characterized variants of IGF-I, des(1-3)IGF-I and [Arg3]-IGF-I, which both show substantially decreased binding to IGFBPs and were expressed as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. The biological activities of the corresponding analogues of IGF-I and IGF-II were compared in rat L6 myoblasts and H35B hepatoma cells. In the L6-myoblast protein-synthesis assay, the IGF-II analogues, des(1-6)IGF-II and [Arg6]-IGF-II, were slightly more potent than IGF-II but about 10-fold less potent than IGF-I and 100-fold less potent than the respective IGF-I analogues, des(1-3)IGF-I and [Arg3]IGF-I. In H35 hepatoma cells the anabolic response measured was the inhibition of protein breakdown, and the potency order was insulin >>> [Arg3]-IGF-I > des(1-3)IGF-I > [Arg6]-IGF-II > des(1-6)IGF-II > IGF-I > IGF-II. Binding of the IGFs and their analogues to the type 1 IGF receptor in L6 myoblasts and to the insulin receptor in H35 hepatoma cells did not fully explain the observed anabolic potency differences. Moreover, binding of all four analogues to the IGFBPs secreted by L6 myoblasts and H35B hepatoma cells was greatly decreased compared with the parent IGF. We conclude that the observed anabolic response to each IGF was determined by their relative binding to the competing cell receptor and IGFBP binding sites present.

Amino Acid Sequence

Solution structure of nucleic acid photoadduct, deoxy-m5HO6-uridylyl(5-5)(3'-5')deoxyuridine by NMR and restrained molecular dynamics.

Sensitized UV-B irradiation (sunlamps) of the dinucleoside monophosphate, d-TpF (F = fluorouracil), produces the usual cyclobutane-type photodimer and an additional defluorinated 5-5 photoadduct, d-T5p5U. In d-T5p5U, the original C5 = C6 structure is modified such that the C5 (d-T5p-) is covalently bonded with the C5 (-p5U) (where the fluorine had been) and the C6 (d-T5p-) acquires an OH group. 2D NOE data and the results of J-coupling analysis are used as constraints to refine structures of d-T5p5U in restrained molecular dynamics calculations. The structures obtained show the most probable chiralities of the C5 and C6 atoms of the Thy-portion to be 5R and 6R, respectively. The orientation of the CH3- and uracil-groups are pseudo-axial and pseudo-equatorial, respectively, with respect to the C5 atom. Glycosidic angles are high-anti and anti for the d-T5p- and the -p5U residue, respectively. C3'-endo like sugar puckering is predominant in the d-T5p- residue while C2'-endo like puckering is predominant at the -p5U residue.

Dinucleoside Phosphates