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Biomedical subjects

J E Walker

Publications and source records attributed to J E Walker.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Two genes encoding the bovine mitochondrial ATP synthase proteolipid specify precursors with different import sequences and are expressed in a tissue-specific manner.

Two cDNAs encoding different precursor proteins of the same mature proteolipid subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase have been cloned from a bovine cDNA library. The hybridisation probe was a mixture of 17-mer oligonucleotides containing 256 discrete sequences. The coding sequences of the two cDNAs differ in 25 silent positions of codons and the 3' non-coding sequences are only weakly related. The precursor sequences, which direct the import of the proteolipid into the mitochondrion, are 61 and 68 amino acids long. They are related to each other in regions which probably are recognition signals for the processing protease. The corresponding genes are expressed differently in various tissues in a way that reflects their embryonic origin.

Animals↗

Primary structure and subunit stoichiometry of F1-ATPase from bovine mitochondria.

The enzyme complex F1-ATPase has been isolated from bovine heart mitochondria by gel filtration of the enzyme released by chloroform from sub-mitochondrial particles. The five individual subunits alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon that comprise the complex have been purified from it, and their amino acid sequences determined almost entirely by direct protein sequence analysis. A single overlap in the gamma-subunit was obtained by DNA sequence analysis of a complementary DNA clone isolated from a bovine cDNA library using a mixture of 32 oligonucleotides as the hybridization probe. The alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon subunits contain 509, 480, 272, 146 and 50 amino acids, respectively. Two half cystine residues are present in the alpha-subunit and one in each of the gamma- and epsilon-chains; they are absent from the beta- and delta-subunits. The stoichiometry of subunits in the complex is estimated to be alpha 3 beta 3 gamma 1 delta 1 epsilon 1 and the molecular weight of the complex is 371,135. Mild trypsinolysis of the F1-ATPase complex, which has little effect on the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme, releases peptides from the N-terminal regions of the alpha- and beta-chains only; the C-terminal regions are unaffected. Sequence analysis of the released peptides demonstrates that the N terminals of the alpha- and beta-chains are ragged. In 65% of alpha-chains, the terminus is pyrrolidone carboxylic acid; in the remainder this residue is absent and the chains commence at residue 2, i.e. lysine. In the beta-subunit a minority of chains (16%) have N-terminal glutamine, or its deamidation product, glutamic acid (6%), or the cyclized derivative, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (5%). A further 28% commence at residue 2, alanine, and 45% at residue 3, serine. The delta-chains also are heterogeneous; in 50% of chains the N-terminal alanine residue is absent. The sequences of the alpha- and beta-chains show that they are weakly homologous, as they are in bacterial F1-ATPases. The sequence of the bovine delta-subunit of F1-ATPase shows that it is the counterpart of the bacterial epsilon-subunit. The bovine epsilon-subunit is not related to any known bacterial or chloroplast H+-ATPase subunit, nor to any other known sequence. The counterpart of the bacterial delta-subunit is bovine oligomycin sensitivity conferral protein, which helps to bind F1 to the inner mitochondrial membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transcription of Rhodospirillum rubrum atp operon.

The photosynthetic non-sulphur bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum contains a cluster of five genes encoding the subunits of F1-ATPase [Falk, Hampe & Walker (1985) Biochem. J. 228, 391-407]. Transcription of these genes has been studied by two methods, transcriptional mapping with S1 nuclease and primer extension analysis. Thereby a 5'-end in RNA derived from this region has been demonstrated at a guanine residue 236 bases before the initiation codon of the gene for the delta-subunit, the first in this cluster. DNA sequences on the 5' side of this nucleotide show some similarity to promoters in Escherichia coli, but are not apparently related to sequences upstream of the Rhodopseudomonas blastica atp operon. A 3'-end in RNA derived from this gene cluster has been demonstrated by S1-nuclease mapping. This is found before a run of thymidylate residues in the DNA, on the 3' side of a region of dyad symmetry. In E. coli these features are characteristic of rho-independent transcriptional termination signals. It appears from these studies and from the organization of the genes that the five genes in the atp cluster may be co-transcribed from this promoter and that transcripts terminate at the region of dyad symmetry.

Base Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the Rhodospirillum rubrum atp operon.

The nucleotide sequence was determined of a 8775-base-pair region of DNA cloned from the photosynthetic non-sulphur bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. It contains a cluster of five genes encoding F1-ATPase subunits. The genes are arranged in the same order as F1 genes in the Escherichia coli unc operon. However, as in the related organism Rhodopseudomonas blastica, neither genes for components of F0, the membrane sector of ATP synthase, nor a homologue of the E. coli uncI gene are associated with this locus, as they are in E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning of the gene encoding the hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough) and determination of the NH2-terminal sequence.

The gene encoding the hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough) has been cloned in Escherichia coli. D. vulgaris DNA was digested with the restriction endonucleases EcoRI and SalI and ligated into the vector pUC9 [Vieira, J. & Messing, J. (1982) Gene 19, 259-268], which had been cut with these same enzymes. Approximately 9000 recombinant clones were obtained by transformation of E. coli JM 101 followed by growth on rich plates with ampicillin for selection and isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside present for detection of recombinants. The recombinant clones were then screened for production of immunoreactive proteins with rabbit antisera against purified hydrogenase and 125I-labelled protein A. 28 positive clones were found in this initial screening. These were further tested in an immunocompetition experiment, which showed that the protein product from one clone behaved identically to purified hydrogenase. The plasmid pHV15 isolated from this clone has a 4.7 X 10(3)-base-pair SalI/EcoRI insert. Cells of E. coli JM 101 transformed with pHV 15 produce a hydrogenase polypeptide of molecular mass 46 kDa as detected by Western blotting. The mass, as well as the Cleveland mapping pattern of the polypeptide produced by E. coli, are identical with those of the hydrogenase isolated from D. vulgaris (Hildenborough). Southern blotting of restriction-enzyme-digested D. vulgaris DNA, using the nick-translated 4.7 X 10(3)-base-pair SalI/EcoRI fragment as a probe, indicates the presence of a single gene with an internal PstI site. The NH2-terminal sequence of the hydrogenase was determined to be: (sequence in text). This information should allow an unambiguous identification of the hydrogenase gene.

Amino Acids↗

Molecular cloning of a bovine cathepsin.

A cDNA clone for a thiol endoproteinase has been isolated from a bovine heart cDNA library by using a mixture of 32 synthetic oligonucleotides as a hybridization probe. The inserted region is 672 base pairs in length. It contains a sequence encoding the C-terminal region of a protein that is homologous to rat liver cathepsins B and H and to plant thiol proteinases. In addition, it contains the sequence of 442 bases corresponding to the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA. The inserted region was used as a specific probe in RNA transfer analysis; the size of the mRNA encoding the thiol endoproteinase is estimated to be approx. 1.7 kilobases. Thus, the maximum size of the encoded protein is about 350-400 amino acids.

Animals↗

Interruption of cholinergic afferent pathways to the amygdala failed to alter electrical kindling.

We investigated the hypothesis that the cholinergic system is involved in the process of amygdala kindling. Electrical kindling of the amygdala was associated with an increase in the concentration of acetylcholine in the kindled amygdala and the ipsilateral hippocampus but was not associated with any alteration of choline acetyltransferase activity. Destruction of cholinergic neurons in the lateral preoptic area significantly decreased the activity of choline acetylase in the ipsilateral amygdala, but had no effect on the duration of time to kindling. We interpret these findings as indicating that the cholinergic system is affected by the kindling process, but does not seem to be crucial to the phenomenon.

Acetylcholine↗

Regulation of bovine kidney branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complex by reversible phosphorylation.

Bovine kidney mitochondrial branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complex is inactivated by covalent phosphorylation catalysed by a specific protein kinase intrinsic to the complex. It has been shown previously [Cook, K.G., Lawson, R. and Yeaman, S.J. (1983) FEBS Lett. 157, 59-62] that tryptic digestion of phosphorylated complex releases three phosphopeptides, indicative of multisite phosphorylation. In this communication we report several findings. (a) These three tryptic peptides contain only two sites of phosphorylation which are closely grouped on the alpha subunit of the E1 component of the complex. (b) The amino acid sequence of the phosphorylated region has been determined. (c) Conditions have been developed which allow investigation of the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the two sites. (d) Both sites can be dephosphorylated at significant rates in vitro by two cytosolic protein phosphatases, namely phosphatases 2A and 2C. Dephosphorylation of one site correlates closely with re-activation of the complex.

3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)↗

DNA sequence around the Escherichia coli unc operon. Completion of the sequence of a 17 kilobase segment containing asnA, oriC, unc, glmS and phoS.

The nucleotide sequence is described of a region of the Escherichia coli chromosome extending from oriC to phoS that also includes the loci gid, unc and glmS. Taken with known sequences for asnA and phoS this completes the sequence of a segment of about 17 kilobases or 0.4 min of the E. coli genome. Sequences that are probably transcriptional promoters for unc and phoS can be detected and the identity of the unc promoter has been confirmed by experiments in vitro with RNA polymerase. Upstream of the promoter sequence is an extensive region that appears to be non-coding. Conserved sequences are found that may serve to concentrate RNA polymerase in the vicinity of the unc promoter. Hairpin loop structures resembling known rho-independent transcription termination signals are evident following the unc operon and glmS. The glmS gene encoding the amidotransferase, glucosamine synthetase, has been identified by homology with glutamine 5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase.

Amidophosphoribosyltransferase↗

Rhodopseudomonas blastica atp operon. Nucleotide sequence and transcription.

The nucleotide sequence has been determined of a 12,368 base-pair region of DNA cloned from the non-sulphur photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas blastica. It contains a cluster of six genes of which five encode the subunits of F1-ATPase; the sixth codes for an unknown protein. The genes are arranged in the same order as in the Escherichia coli unc operon, except that the unknown gene is placed between those for gamma and beta subunits. Neither the genes for F0 subunits, nor a homologue of the E. coli uncI gene is associated with this locus. The six genes are transcribed from a single promoter and we have designated this region the R. blastica atp operon. The two distal genes, beta and epsilon, may also be transcribed from a second promoter. Initiation and termination points for transcription have been identified by primer extensions and S1 nuclease mapping experiments. Signals involved in initiation of translation (Shine and Dalgarno sequences) and termination of transcription in the photosynthetic bacterium resemble those in E. coli. However, no common features can be identified in these two bacteria between 5' regions adjacent to sites of initiation of transcription. The sequence also contains a gene that encodes a protein homologous to discoidin, a cell surface lectin of Dictyostelium discoideum thought to be involved in cell--cell aggregation. Seven other reading frames have not been identified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lorazepam: a controlled trial in patients with intractable partial complex seizures.

Lorazepam was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in eight patients with frequent partial complex seizures refractory to therapy with a combination of standard anticonvulsant drugs. Concomitant antiepileptic drugs were maintained at therapeutic serum levels throughout the study, and concentrations of lorazepam were monitored. Following an 8-week baseline observation, patients were randomly assigned to placebo or lorazepam (1 mg BID). The dose was increased biweekly until seizures stopped or unacceptable side effects occurred. Eight weeks later, patients were crossed over, and the same escalating dose paradigm was followed. When seizure frequency during the last 2 weeks of each treatment was compared, seven of eight patients had fewer seizures on lorazepam, and the eighth had decreased seizure duration (a significant difference: p less than 0.01, two-tailed sign test). Blood level data suggest a narrow therapeutic window, with seizure improvement occurring at concentrations of 20-30 ng/ml and side effects at greater than 33 ng/ml. Lorazepam appears to be a useful adjunct in refractory partial complex seizure therapy. It should not be stopped abruptly, as an increase in seizure frequency may result.

Adult↗

Amino acid sequence of ovine 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase.

The amino acid sequence of the NADP+-dependent enzyme ovine 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase has been determined by conventional direct protein sequence analysis of peptides resulting from digestion of the protein with trypsin and chemical cleavages with cyanogen bromide, hydroxylamine, and iodosobenzoic acid. The polypeptide contains 466 amino acids and its NH2 terminus is acetylated. The Candida utilis enzyme is inactivated by reaction of pyridoxal phosphate with two lysine residues (Minchiotti, L., Ronchi, S., and Rippa, M. (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 657, 232-242). These residues are conserved in the ovine enzyme. In contrast to NAD+ dehydrogenases which have weakly related sequences and spatially related folds in their nucleotide-binding sites, no significant sequence homologies were detected between 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and any of three other NADP+-requiring enzymes, glutamate dehydrogenase, p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase, and dihydrofolate reductase. This is in accord with structural data that show no spatial relationship between NADP+-binding sites in these enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The sites of labeling of the beta-subunit of bovine mitochondrial F1-ATPase with 8-azido-ATP.

Reaction of the photoaffinity label 8-azido-[2-3H] ATP with bovine heart mitochondrial F1-ATPase abolishes its enzyme activity; inhibition is prevented by ATP (Wagenvoord, R.J., van der Kraan, I., and Kemp, A. (1977) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 460, 17-24). More than 65% of the radioactivity is associated with the beta-subunit and about 25% with the alpha-chains. Radioactivity in the beta-subunit is localized in two specific regions. One corresponds to residues 1-12 (Runswick, M.J., and Walker, J.E. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 3081-3089), a region which is nonessential for catalysis. Radioactivity in the second region is localized predominantly on three amino acids, lysine 301, isoleucine 304, and tyrosine 311. It seems likely that these residues are found in the vicinity of the ATP binding site of F1-ATPase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Regional cortical glutamergic and aspartergic projections to the amygdala and thalamus of the rat.

Evidence continues to accumulate indicating that glutamate and aspartate act as excitatory neurotransmitters in a variety of corticofugal pathways. These two amino acids share a common high-affinity uptake system and the activity of this system is reduced when cell bodies giving rise to glutamergic or aspartergic nerve terminals are destroyed. Selective reduction of glutamate or aspartate concentration in association with decreased high-affinity uptake suggests that a given pathway utilizes the amino acid that is selectively reduced. Since various regions of the cerebral cortex vary both functionally and architectonically, it seemed a reasonable possibility that glutamergic and aspartergic neurons in different areas of the cerebral cortex might project differentially upon different subcortical nuclei. We have therefore removed various cortical regions or the olfactory bulk and determined high-affinity D-aspartate uptake and concentrations of glutamate, aspartate, and several other amino acids in the amygdala and thalamus one week later. The cortical areas which project to thalamus and amygdala are virtually exclusively ipsilateral, so that the contralateral homologous area in the same animal may be used as a control.

Amygdala↗

The amino acid sequence of the beta-subunit of ATP synthase from bovine heart mitochondria.

The amino acid sequence of the beta-subunit of bovine heart mitochondrial ATP synthase has been determined by protein sequence analysis. The polypeptide chain of 478 amino acids is blocked at its NH2 terminal. Comparison of this sequence with sequences of the corresponding proteins from Escherichia coli (Saraste, M., Gay, N.J., Eberle, A., Runswick, M.J., and Walker, J.E. (1981) Nucleic Acids Res. 9, 5287-5296) and maize and spinach chloroplasts Krebbers, E.T., Larrinua, I. M., McIntosh, L., and Bogorad, L. (1982) Nucleic Acids Res. 10, 4985-5002; Kurawski, G., Bottomley, W., and Whitfield, P.R. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 6260-6264) shows that the protein is highly conserved. 70% of residues are identical in E. coli and beef mitochondria. This contrasts with some of the other subunits in the enzyme complex which are much less conserved.

ATP Synthetase Complexes↗