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J D Scott

Publications and source records attributed to J D Scott.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Localization of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase to the postsynaptic densities by A-kinase anchoring proteins. Characterization of AKAP 79.

Postsynaptic densities (PSD) are a network of proteins located on the internal surface of excitatory synapses just inside the postsynaptic membrane. Enzymes associated with the PSD are optimally positioned to respond to signals transduced across the postsynaptic membrane resulting from excitatory synaptic transmission or neurotransmitter release. We present evidence suggesting that type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is anchored to the PSD through interaction of its regulatory subunit (RII) with an A-Kinase Anchor Protein (AKAPs). A cDNA for the human RII-anchoring protein, AKAP 79, was isolated by screening an expression library with radiolabeled RII. This cDNA (2621 base pairs) encodes a protein of 427 amino acids with 76% identity to bovine brain AKAP 75 and 93% identity to a carboxyl-terminal RII-binding fragment of murine brain AKAP 150. A bacterially expressed 92-amino acid fragment, AKAP 79 (335-427) was able to bind RII alpha. Disruption of secondary structure by site-directed mutagenesis at selected residues within a putative acidic amphipathic helix located between residues 392 and 408 prevented RII binding. Immunological studies demonstrate that AKAP 79 is predominantly expressed in the cerebral cortex and is a component of fractions enriched for postsynaptic densities. AKAP antisera strongly cross-react with a 150-kDa protein in murine PSD believed to be AKAP 150. Co-localization of the type II PKA in purified PSD fractions was confirmed immunologically by detection of RII and enzymologically by measuring cAMP-stimulated phosphorylation of the heptapeptide substrate Kemptide. Approximately 30% of the PSD kinase activity was specifically inhibited by PKI 5-24 peptide, a highly specific inhibitor of PKA. We propose that AKAP 79 and AKAP 150 function to anchor the type II PKA to the PSD, presumably for a role in the regulation of postsynaptic events.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Association of the type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase with a human thyroid RII-anchoring protein. Cloning and characterization of the RII-binding domain.

The type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is localized to specific subcellular environments through binding of the dimeric regulatory subunit (RII) to anchoring proteins. Subcellular localization is likely to influence which substrates are most accessible to the catalytic subunit upon activation. We have previously shown that the RII-binding domains of four anchoring proteins contain sequences which exhibit a high probability of amphipathic helix formation (Carr, D. W., Stofko-Hahn, R. E., Fraser, I. D. C., Bishop, S. M., Acott, T. E., Brennan, R. G., and Scott J. D. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 14188-14192). In the present study we describe the cloning of a cDNA which encodes a 1015-amino acid segment of Ht 31. A synthetic peptide (Asp-Leu-Ile-Glu-Glu-Ala-Ala-Ser-Arg-Ile-Val-Asp-Ala-Val-Ile-Glu-Gln-Val -Lys-Ala-Ala-Tyr) representing residues 493-515 encompasses the minimum region of Ht 31 required for RII binding and blocks anchoring protein interaction with RII as detected by band-shift analysis. Structural analysis by circular dichroism suggests that this peptide can adopt an alpha-helical conformation. Both Ht 31 (493-515) peptide and its parent protein bind RII alpha or the type II PKA holoenzyme with high affinity. Equilibrium dialysis was used to calculate dissociation constants of 4.0 and 3.8 nM for Ht 31 peptide interaction with RII alpha and the type II PKA, respectively. A survey of nine different bovine tissues was conducted to identify RII binding proteins. Several bands were detected in each tissues using a 32P-RII overlay method. Addition of 0.4 microM Ht 31 (493-515) peptide to the reaction mixture blocked all RII binding. These data suggest that all anchoring proteins bind RII alpha at the same site as the Ht 31 peptide. The nanomolar affinity constant and the different patterns of RII-anchoring proteins in each tissue suggest that the type II alpha PKA holoenzyme may be specifically targeted to different locations in each type of cell.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗
PubMed1992

A single step purification for recombinant proteins. Characterization of a microtubule associated protein (MAP 2) fragment which associates with the type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

A 167 base pair DNA cassette has been constructed to facilitate the detection and purification of recombinant proteins. This cassette, kfc, encodes three distinct peptide units: a phosphorylation site for the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), called kemptide, a factor Xa cleavage site, and a calmodulin-binding peptide. Expressed kfc fusion proteins can be purified from bacterial lysates in one step by affinity chromatography on calmodulin-agarose using EGTA as eluant. As a test of this system, we describe the expression, purification and characterization of the PKA binding domain of the microtubule associated protein (MAP 2).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Serine/threonine protein kinases.

Signal transduction in the nervous system is heavily dependent on the three multifunctional serine/threonine protein kinases, PKA, PKC, and CaM-KII. Recent studies have furthered our understanding of how the multiple isoforms of these kinases and their subcellular localizations, regulatory properties, and substrate determinants are important for the specificity of kinase functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Blotting and band-shifting: techniques for studying protein-protein interactions.

The type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is localized in certain cellular compartments through association with specific A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). A variety of blotting and electrophoresis techniques have been developed to study the protein-protein interactions that occur between the regulatory (R) subunit of PKA and AKAPs. These methods have also been used for a variety of purposes such as detecting calmodulin-binding proteins, comparing wild-type- and mutant-form binding affinities and estimating the molecular weight of multiprotein complexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Interaction of the regulatory subunit (RII) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase with RII-anchoring proteins occurs through an amphipathic helix binding motif.

The type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase is localized to specific subcellular environments through the binding of the regulatory subunit (RII) dimer to RII-anchoring proteins. Computer-aided analysis of secondary structure, performed on four RII-anchoring protein sequences (the microtubule-associated protein 2, P150, and two thyroid proteins Ht 21 and Ht 31), has identified common regions of approximately 14 residues which display high probabilities of forming amphipathic helices. The potential amphipathic helix region of Ht 31 (Leu-Ile-Glu-Glu-Ala-Ala-Ser-Arg-Ile-Val-Asp-Ala-Val-Ile) lies between residues 494 and 507. A bacterially expressed 318-amino acid fragment, Ht 31 (418-736), containing the amphipathic helix region, was able to bind RII alpha. Site-directed mutagenesis designed to disrupt the secondary structure in the putative binding helix reduced binding dramatically. Specifically, substitution of proline for Ala-498 significantly diminished RII alpha binding, and similar mutation of Ile-502 or Ile-507 abolished interaction. Mutation of Ala-522 to proline, which is located outside the predicted amphipathic helix region, had no effect on RII alpha binding. These data suggest that anchoring proteins interact with RII alpha via an amphipathic helix binding motif.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗
PubMed1991

A constitutively active holoenzyme form of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

The major function of the regulatory (R) subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase is to bind tightly to the catalytic (C) subunit to form an inactive holoenzyme in the absence of cAMP. The hinge region of the R subunit resembles the substrate recognition site for the C subunit and is known to be involved in the R.C subunit interaction. Two arginine residues in this region, Arg-92 and Arg-93, are suggested to be essential for holoenzyme formation. In this study, a mutant in which Arg-92 and Arg-93 of type II regulatory subunit (RII) were replaced with alanine was constructed. Formation of the holoenzyme from mutant RII and C subunits was analyzed by gel-filtration and cation-exchange chromatography. Mutant RII in its cAMP-free form formed a stable holoenzyme with the C subunit, which dissociated in the presence of cAMP. Interestingly, the holoenzyme formed from mutant RII and C subunits retained full enzymatic activity even in the absence of cAMP. Although mutant RII could no longer be phosphorylated by the C subunit, the rate of [3H]cAMP release from mutant RII.cAMP was increased by addition of the C subunit, indicating that C-induced cAMP release is not the result of the interaction of the C subunit with the hinge region. These results demonstrate that Arg-92 and Arg-93 are not essential for holoenzyme formation but are critical for inhibiting kinase activity in the holoenzyme probably by occupying the substrate binding site. The results suggest that, in addition to the hinge region, a second site on the RII subunit may interact with the C subunit in a cAMP-dependent manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases.

The actions of several hormones and neurotransmitters evoke signal transduction pathways which rapidly elevate the cytosolic concentrations of the intracellular messengers, cAMP and cGMP. The cyclic-nucleotide dependent protein kinases, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), are the major intracellular receptors of cAMP and cGMP. These enzymes become active upon binding respective cyclic nucleotides and modulate a diverse array of biochemical events through the phosphorylation of specific substrate proteins. The focus of this review is to describe the progress made in understanding the structure and function of both PKA and PKG.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

NGF-induction of the metalloproteinase-transin/stromelysin in PC12 cells: involvement of multiple protein kinases.

In previous work, we found that nerve growth factor (NGF) induced expression of the mRNA transcript encoding the metalloproteinase transin/stromelysin in PC12 cells. Transin was found, moreover, to be a "late" gene product whose expression correlated with neurites extension. In this study, various aspects of the NGF intracellular signaling pathway in PC12 cells are investigated. We show that the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine, but not various other kinase inhibitors, specifically blocked the NGF induction of transin. Preliminary characterization of this staurosporine-sensitive kinase suggest that it does not correspond to a tyrosine kinase, nor various serine kinases, and that it is involved both at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels of transin gene regulation. In contrast to these effects of staurosporine, various activators of protein kinases C and A augmented the NGF induction of transin. Similar effects of these kinase inhibitors and activators were also observed with the expression of various immediate-early genes that have been proposed to mediate the transcriptional effects of NGF, including c-fos and c-jun. These data suggest, therefore, that the NGF induction of transin mRNA expression involves multiple protein kinases acting at a number of postreceptor regulatory steps in the NGF signaling pathway.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

Type II regulatory subunit dimerization determines the subcellular localization of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

The type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is localized to specific subcellular environments through binding of dimeric regulatory subunits (RII) to anchoring proteins. Cytoskeletal localization occurs through RII dimer interaction with the PKA substrate molecule microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). RII alpha deletion mutants and RII alpha/endonexin chimeras retained MAP2 binding activity if they contained the first 79 residues of the molecule. Disruption of RII alpha dimerization always prevented MAP2 interaction because 1) RII delta 1-14 (an amino-terminal deletion mutant lacking residues 1-14) was unable to bind MAP2 or form dimers, and 2) a modified RII alpha monomer including residues 1-14 did not bind MAP2. Chimeric proteins containing the first 30 residues of RII alpha fused to endonexin II formed dimers but did not bind MAP2. This suggested other side-chains between residues 30-79 also participate in MAP2 interaction. Peptide studies indicate additional contact with MAP2 may occur through an acidic region (residues 68-82) close to the RII autoinhibitor domain. Therefore, anchored PKA holoenzyme topology may position the catalytic subunit and MAP2 as to allow its preferential phosphorylation upon kinase activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Immunocytochemical localization of the neural-specific regulatory subunit of the type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase to postsynaptic structures in the rat brain.

The cellular and subcellular distribution of a major cyclic AMP binding protein in the central nervous system, the neural-specific regulatory subunit of the type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (RII-B), was analyzed in rat brains with light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods. The distribution of the non-neural isoform of the regulatory subunit of the enzyme (RII-H) was also analyzed. It was found that RII-B immunoreactivity was predominantly localized to neurons whereas glial and endothelial cells were unlabeled. In the neurons the RII-B immunoreactivity occurred in the perikaryal cytoplasm and in the dendrites; there was no significant accumulation of immunoreaction product in nuclei, myelinated axons and axon terminals. Although immunoreactivity was never detected in axon terminals, it was characteristically associated with the postsynaptic densities and the surrounding non-synaptic sites in somata, dendrites and dendritic spines. The localization of RII-B antigenic sites did not show specificity to any type of neuron or synapse, but the amount of immunoreactivity varied. The distribution of RII-H immunoreactivity was similar to that of RII-B except that RII-H immunoreaction product was also observed in glial cells and occurred more frequently in myelinated axons. Our data confirm that RII-B is one of the major cyclic AMP binding proteins in neurons, and provide morphological support for the involvement of the type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in postsynaptic neural functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Application of a brain-targeting chemical delivery system to 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine.

Several chemical delivery systems (CDS) were synthesized for the cholinesterase inhibitor 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (THA). The derivatives prepared were substituted with a 1,4-dihydropyridine in equilibrium pyridinium salt redox system at the amino functionality. These compounds were synthesized by acylation of the 9 amino group of THA with nicotinic anhydride under forced conditions, followed by a selective N-alkylation of the pyridine ring and regioselective reduction of the resulting quaternary salts. Lipophilicity parameters indicated increased lipophilic indices for various CDS's compared to the THA. Oxidation studies showed that dihydronicotinamides readily converted to the quaternary salt, both chemically and enzymatically. The transport forms of THA were also shown not to interact with acetylcholinesterase in vivo. In vivo distribution studies in the rat indicated that high and sustained levels of the pyridinium quaternary ion derivative were present in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, THA was produced in the CNS from the quaternary salt precursor in low concentrations, indicating a slow but sustained release. The CDS for THA were found to be less acutely toxic than THA.

Aminoacridines↗
PubMed1990

The superior peripheral iridectomy: prevention of pupil block due to silicone oil.

Superior peripheral iridectomy has been performed in 40 patients who have undergone silicone oil surgery for retinal detachment and who are aphakic. Only two developed raised intraocular pressure due to pupil block by liquid silicone and in each case the iridectomies seemed to be closed by proliferative membrane rather than the silicone meniscus. This type of iridectomy is particularly suitable in patients requiring intracapsular cataract extraction after previous vitrectomy and silicone oil surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Subunits of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase show differential and distinct expression patterns during germ cell differentiation: alternative polyadenylation in germ cells gives rise to unique smaller-sized mRNA species.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKAs) are believed to be involved in the regulation of essential spermatozoal functions, such as motility, epididymal maturation, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. In this study, we document the presence of significant mRNA levels for 5 different PKA subunits (RI alpha, RI beta, RII alpha, RII beta, and C alpha) in germ cells and demonstrate differential expression patterns for these subunits during spermatogenesis. Messenger RNAs for RI (RI alpha and RI beta) and C alpha appear to be induced at premeiotic germ cell stages, whereas mRNAs for RII (RII alpha and RII beta) are first expressed at haploid stages. The individual PKA subunits may convey specific functions in developing germ cells and mature sperm. The present study, furthermore, demonstrates the presence of unique smaller-sized mRNAs in germ cells compared with somatic cells. Specific, truncated forms of RI alpha, RII alpha, RII beta, and C alpha mRNAs appear to be selected in the germ cells. Our data suggest this to be due to the use of alternative polyadenylation site signals. The selection of shorter mRNA species, with higher stability, may be essential for the delayed translation observed in spermatids. This may ensure certain levels of mRNA for translation at late spermatid stages, after cessation of transcription.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Human testis cDNA for the regulatory subunit RII alpha of cAMP-dependent protein kinase encodes an alternate amino-terminal region.

Phosphorylations catalyzed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase are essential for sperm motility, and type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase in mature sperm has been shown to be firmly bound to the flagellum via the regulatory subunit, RII. The present study documents high-levelled expression of a human, testis-specific RII alpha mRNA (2.0 kb) analogous to the rat mRNA which is induced in haploid germ cells [(1988) FEBS Lett. 229, 391-394]. We report the molecular cloning of a full-length human cDNA corresponding to this unique testis mRNA, and the presence of an alternative amino-terminal region (amino acids 45-75) of the predicted RII alpha protein (404 amino acids) compared with the previously published mouse and rat sequences. However, this alternate region is also shown to be present in RII alpha mRNA (7.0 kb) of human somatic cells. Our data indicate the divergent amino-terminal sequence to be due to species differences, suggesting an active evolutionary pressure on this particular region, which could be involved in subcellular attachment of RII alpha and thereby localization of kinase activity to certain targets within the cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

The expression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunits is differentially regulated during liver regeneration.

The levels of the regulatory (RI and RII) and catalytic (C) components of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and of their messages were studied during the first 36 h of liver regeneration after 70% hepatectomy. Both RI alpha mRNA and RII alpha mRNA started to increase 4 h after the resection, reaching peak levels after 9 h. RI mRNA decreased abruptly 9-12 h after resection, whereas RII mRNA stayed elevated. C alpha mRNA was rather constant during the period of study. In accordance with the mRNA data the level of C was constant while RI and RII increased during the prereplicative phase of liver regeneration. RI increased rapidly when its message became elevated. RII, however, increased noticeably only 6-8 h after its mRNA had become elevated. The increased expression of R led to a disproportion between R and C that was most pronounced 14 h after resection, i.e. coinciding with the prereplicative cAMP burst. The increased R/C ratio at that time of regeneration diminished the concentration of active C subunit during the cAMP burst. In that way the otherwise inhibitory effect of high concentrations of active C on the DNA replication may have been decreased. The fractional saturation of RI and RII by endogenous cAMP fluctuated in parallel as a function of liver cAMP levels, although there was a tendency that RI was more highly saturated than RII at high concentrations of cAMP.

Animals↗