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Biomedical subjects

J L Goldstein

Publications and source records attributed to J L Goldstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and gp330 bind similar ligands, including plasminogen activator-inhibitor complexes and lactoferrin, an inhibitor of chylomicron remnant clearance.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP) and gp330, two members of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene family, share a multitude of cysteine-rich repeats. LRP has been shown to act as an endocytosis-mediating receptor for several ligands, including protease-antiprotease complexes and plasma lipoproteins. The former include alpha 2-macroglobulin-protease complexes and plasminogen activator inhibitor-activator complexes. The latter include chylomicron remnant-like particles designated beta-very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) complexed with apoprotein E or lipoprotein lipase. The binding specificity of gp330 is unknown. In the current studies we show that gp330 from rat kidney membranes binds several of these ligands on nitrocellulose blots. We also show that both LRP and gp330 bind an additional ligand, bovine lactoferrin, which is known to inhibit the hepatic clearance of chylomicron remnants. Lactoferrin blocked the LRP-dependent stimulation of cholesteryl ester synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts elicited by apoprotein E-beta-VLDL or lipoprotein lipase-beta-VLDL complexes. Cross-competition experiments in fibroblasts showed that the multiple ligands recognize at least three distinct, but partially overlapping sites on the LRP molecule. Binding of all ligands to LRP and gp330 was inhibited by the 39-kDa protein, which co-purifies with the two receptors, suggesting that the 39-kDa protein is a universal regulator of ligand binding to both receptors. The correlation of the inhibitory effects of lactoferrin in vivo and in vitro support the notion that LRP functions as a chylomicron remnant receptor in liver. LRP and gp330 share a multiplicity of binding sites, and both may function as endocytosis-mediating receptors for a large number of ligands in different organs.

Animals

cDNA cloning of MEV, a mutant protein that facilitates cellular uptake of mevalonate, and identification of the point mutation responsible for its gain of function.

We report the expression cloning of pMev, a cDNA that facilitates cellular uptake of mevalonate. pMev was isolated from the met-18b-2 clone of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which were selected for growth in low concentrations of mevalonate when synthesis is blocked by compactin (Faust, J. R., and Krieger, M. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 1996-2004). pMev encodes a 494-residue protein, Mev, that is predicted to have 12 membrane-spanning regions, consistent with a membrane transporter. Surprisingly, levels of Mev mRNA and protein are similar in CHO and met-18b-2 cells. The Mev gene differs from the wild-type gene by a single base change that substitutes a cysteine for phenylalanine in the 10th membrane-spanning region. met-18b-2 cells are heterozygous for this dominant gain-of-function mutation. Transfection of a cDNA encoding pMev, but not the wild-type cDNA, elicited a marked increase in [3H]mevalonate uptake and incorporation into cellular lipids in stably and transiently transfected cells. The availability of pMev will facilitate studies of [3H]mevalonate incorporation into trace products, including p21ras and other prenylated proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Purification of component A of Rab geranylgeranyl transferase: possible identity with the choroideremia gene product.

Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (GG transferase) from rat brain contains two components, A and B. Component B comprises polypeptides of 60 and 38 kd. Here we report the purification of component A, a single 95 kd polypeptide. The holoenzyme attaches 3H-geranylgeranyl to cysteines in two GTP-binding proteins, Rab3A and Rab1A. The reaction is abolished when both cysteines in the COOH-terminal CysCys sequence of Rab1A are mutated to serines. The mutant protein inhibits transfer of 3H-geranylgeranyl to wild-type Rab1A and Rab3A, suggesting that the enzyme recognizes conserved sequences distinct from the COOH-terminus. Six peptides from rat component A show striking similarity to the product of the defective gene in choroideremia, an X-linked retinal degeneration disease. The choroideremia protein resembles Rab3A GDI, which binds Rab3A. We hypothesize that component A binds conserved sequences in Rab and that component B transfers geranylgeranyl. A defect in this reaction may cause choroideremia.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

Tetrapeptide inhibitors of protein farnesyltransferase: amino-terminal substitution in phenylalanine-containing tetrapeptides restores farnesylation.

Protein farnesyltransferase from rat brain transfers farnesyl residues to cysteine residues in tetrapeptides that conform to the sequence CA1A2X, where C is cysteine, A1 and A2 are aliphatic amino acids, and X is methionine or serine. When the A2 residue is aromatic [e.g., phenylalanine as in Cys-Val-Phe-Met (CVFM)], the tetrapeptide continues to bind to the enzyme, but it can no longer accept a farnesyl group, and it becomes a pure inhibitor. The current studies show that this resistance to farnesylation also requires a positive charge on the cysteine amino group. Derivatization of this group with acetyl, octanoyl, or cholic acid residues or extension of the peptide with an additional amino acid restores the ability of phenylalanine-containing peptides to accept a farnesyl residue. The same result was obtained when the amino group of cysteine was deleted (mercaptopropionyl-VFM). These data suggest that the positive change on the cysteine amino group acts in concert with an aromatic residue in the A2 position to render peptides resistant to farnesylation by the rat brain enzyme.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

Rab geranylgeranyl transferase. A multisubunit enzyme that prenylates GTP-binding proteins terminating in Cys-X-Cys or Cys-Cys.

Rab proteins are membrane-bound prenylated GTP-binding proteins required for the targeted movement of membrane vesicles from one organelle to another. In the current paper we have characterized and purified an enzyme that attaches geranylgeranyl residues to Rab proteins that bear the COOH-terminal sequence Cys-X-Cys (such as Rab3A) and Cys-Cys (such as Rab1A). This enzyme is designated Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (Rab GG transferase). At high salt concentrations, Rab GG transferase from rat brain cytosol separates into two components, designated A and B, both of which are required for activity. We purified Component B to apparent homogeneity and found that it contains two peptides of 60 and 38 kDa. The purified Rab GG transferase did not attach geranylgeranyl to p21H-ras-CVLL, which is prenylated by a GG transferase of the CAAX type that resembles the CAAX farnesyltransferase. Rab GG transferase was strongly inhibited by Zn2+, a cation that is absolutely required by farnesyltransferase. The Rab GG transferase was also inhibited by NaCl concentrations in excess of 100 mM. Together with previous data, the current findings indicate that mammalian cells possess at least three protein prenyltransferases (CAAX farnesyltransferase, CAAX GG transferase, and Rab GG transferase) that are specific for different classes of low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins and other proteins.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

Divalent cation and prenyl pyrophosphate specificities of the protein farnesyltransferase from rat brain, a zinc metalloenzyme.

The separate catalytic roles of Zn2+ and Mg2+ and the specificity of the prenyl pyrophosphate-binding site of the rat brain protein farnesyltransferase were explored using a purified enzyme preparation. The binding of p21Hras to the enzyme was abolished by dialysis against EDTA and restored by addition of ZnCl2, as demonstrated by chemical cross-linking. The binding of the other substrate, farnesyl pyrophosphate, was independent of divalent cations, as demonstrated by gel filtration. Transfer of the enzyme-bound farnesyl group to the bound p21Hras required Mg2+. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate bound to the prenyl pyrophosphate-binding site with an affinity equal to that of farnesyl pyrophosphate, but the geranylgeranyl group was not transferred efficiently to p21Hras. It also was not transferred to a modified p21Hras containing COOH-terminal leucine, a protein that was shown previously to be a good substrate for a rat brain geranylgeranyltransferase. We conclude that the protein farnesyltransferase is a metalloenzyme that most likely contains Zn2+ at the peptide-binding site. It thus resembles certain metallopeptidases, including carboxypeptidase A and the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Strategies previously developed to screen for inhibitors of those enzymes may aid in the search for inhibitors of the protein farnesyltransferase.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

Molecular genetics of the LDL receptor gene in familial hypercholesterolemia.

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor is a cell surface transmembrane protein that mediates the uptake and lysosomal degradation of plasma LDL, thereby providing cholesterol to cells. Mutations disrupting the function of this receptor produce autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Affected individuals have elevated plasma levels of LDL, which causes premature coronary atherosclerosis. To date, 71 mutations in the LDL receptor gene have been characterized at a molecular level. In this report, we describe 79 additional mutations and review the insights that all 150 mutations have provided into the structure/function relationship of the receptor protein and the clinical manifestations of FH.

Alleles

Translocation of oxysterol binding protein to Golgi apparatus triggered by ligand binding.

A cDNA encoding a cytoplasmic oxysterol binding protein was expressed at high levels by transfection in animal cells. This protein binds oxysterols such as 25-hydroxycholesterol that regulate sterol metabolism by transcriptional and posttranscriptional effects. In the transfected cells, some of the oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) was distributed diffusely in the cytoplasm, and some was bound to small vesicles near the nucleus, as revealed by indirect immunofluorescence. Upon addition of 25-hydroxycholesterol, most of the OSBP became concentrated in large perinuclear structures that stained with lentil lectin, a protein that stains the Golgi apparatus. The structures that contained OSBP were disrupted by brefeldin A, confirming their identification as Golgi. A mutant OSBP lacking the COOH-terminal oxysterol binding domain localized to the Golgi spontaneously, suggesting that this domain normally occludes the domain that binds to the Golgi and that sterols relieve this occlusion. The previously noted potential leucine zipper sequence in OSBP was not required for Golgi localization, nor was it essential for homodimer formation. We conclude that OSBP is triggered to bind extrinsically to Golgi membranes when it binds oxysterols and speculate that this translocation may play a role in the transport, metabolism, or regulatory actions of oxysterols.

Animals

Cytoplasmic sequence required for basolateral targeting of LDL receptor in livers of transgenic mice.

When expressed in livers of transgenic mice, the human low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor is specifically targeted to the basolateral (sinusoidal) surface of hepatocytes as determined by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The COOH-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the receptor (residues 790-839) contains a signal for this targeting. A mutant receptor truncated at residue 812 was localized exclusively to the apical (bile canalicular) surface. A mutant receptor terminating at residue 829 showed the normal basolateral distribution, as did a receptor in which alanine was substituted for serine 833, which was previously shown to be a site for phosphorylation in vitro. These data localize the basolateral targeting signal to the 17-residue segment between residues 812 and 828. A 10-amino acid stretch within this segment shows a 4/10 match with a sequence within a previously identified basolateral sorting motif for the receptor for polymeric IgA/IgM in MDCK cells. The four shared residues are spaced at intervals of three, raising the possibility that they all face the same side of an alpha-helix. We conclude that this 10-amino acid stretch may contain a signal that directs certain proteins, including the LDL receptor and the polymeric IgG/IgM receptor, to the basolateral surface of polarized epithelia.

Amino Acid Sequence

Rabbit esophageal cell cytoplasmic pH regulation: role of-antiport and-dependenttransport systems.

Regulation of cytoplasmic pH (pHi) of esophageal cells assumes importance as these cells can be exposed to mucosally absorbed acid during gastroesophageal reflux episodes. In this study, we examined whether esophageal cells possess pHi transport systems. Esophageal cells were harvested utilizing a gentle trypsin technique that yieldedcells per esophagus. Cells were attached to a glass cover slip that had been pretreated with rat-tail collagen, and pHi was measured continuously in a spectrofluorometer utilizing 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(-6)- carboxyfluoroscein acetoxymethyl ester as a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe.The basal pHi of cells exposed to a-containing solution averaged 7.52 ± 0.20 (n = 6). The pHi declined slightly but not significantly to 7.46 ± 0.12 with the addition of 5%and 28 mMWhen H2 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene- 2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS; 0.5 mM) was added, pHi was unchanged. However, addition ofM amiloride caused pHi to decrease to 7.29 ± 0.18 (P less than 0.01). When cells were acidified (pHi 6.3-7.0) using a(20 mM) pulse technique, pHi was rapidly restored toward neutrality in the presence of a-free externalconcentration ([]o)-containing solution (pH units/min = 0.26 ± 0.12; n = 8). Alkalinization was completely blocked withM amiloride. In the presence ofM amiloride, 28 mM, and 5%, acidified cells also alkalinized, although at a slower rate (0.11 ± 0.04 pH units/min; n = 16).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding the alpha subunit of rat p21ras protein farnesyltransferase.

The complete amino acid sequence of the alpha subunit of heterodimeric p21ras protein farnesyltransferase from rat has been deduced from the sequence of a cloned cDNA. The cDNA encodes a 377-amino acid protein that migrates on NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels identically to the alpha subunit purified from rat brain. When introduced into mammalian cells by transfection, the cDNA for the alpha subunit produced no immunodetectable protein or farnesyltransferase activity unless the cells were simultaneously transfected with a cDNA encoding beta subunit. In light of previous evidence that alpha subunit forms a heterodimer with at least two different beta subunits, current data suggest a mechanism for coordinating amounts of alpha and beta subunits. If an alpha subunit were stable only as a complex with a beta subunit, the number of alpha subunits would be automatically maintained at a level just sufficient to balance all beta subunits, thereby avoiding the potentially toxic overaccumulation of free alpha subunits.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

39-kDa protein modulates binding of ligands to low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor.

A 39-kDa protein of unknown function has previously been reported to copurify with the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor. In this study we demonstrate that a recombinant 39-kDa fusion protein can reversibly bind to the 515-kDa subunit of the LRP/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor. This interaction inhibits the binding and uptake of the receptor's two known ligands: 1) beta-migrating very low density lipoproteins activated by enrichment with apoprotein E and 2) alpha 2-macroglobulin activated by incubation with plasma proteases or methylamine. A potential in vivo role of the 39-kDa protein is to modulate the uptake of apoE-enriched lipoproteins and activated alpha 2-macroglobulin in hepatic and extrahepatic tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence

Nonfarnesylated tetrapeptide inhibitors of protein farnesyltransferase.

The protein farnesyltransferase from rat brain was previously shown to be inhibited competitively by tetrapeptides that conform to the consensus Cys-A1-A2-X, where A1 and A2 are aliphatic amino acids and X is methionine, serine, or phenylalanine. In the current studies we use a thin layer chromatography assay to show that most of these tetrapeptides are themselves farnesylated by the purified enzyme. Two classes of tetrapeptides are not farnesylated and therefore act as true inhibitors: 1) those that contain an aromatic residue at the A2 position and 2) those that contain penicillamine (beta,beta-dimethylcysteine) in place of cysteine. The most potent of these pure inhibitors was Cys-Val-Phe-Met, which inhibited farnesyltransferase activity by 50% at less than 0.1 microM. These data indicate that the inclusion of bulky aromatic or methyl residues in a tetrapeptide can abolish prenyl group transfer without blocking binding to the enzyme. This information should be useful in the design of peptides or peptidomimetics that inhibit farnesylation and thus block the action of p21ras proteins in animal cells.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases

cDNA cloning and expression of the peptide-binding beta subunit of rat p21ras farnesyltransferase, the counterpart of yeast DPR1/RAM1.

Protein farnesyltransferase is a heterodimeric enzyme that attaches a farnesyl group to cysteine in ras proteins and other membrane-associated proteins. The beta subunit contains the recognition site for the peptide substrates, but is inactive in the absence of the alpha subunit. A cloned cDNA for the rat beta subunit predicts a protein of 437 amino acids whose mRNA is present in many tissues. Transfection of the beta subunit cDNA produced farnesyltransferase activity in human kidney cells, but only when it was transfected together with a cDNA encoding part of the alpha subunit. Each of the subunits appeared to be unstable in the transfected cells unless the other subunit was present. The rat beta subunit shows 37% sequence identity with the protein encoded by the yeast DPR1/RAM1 gene, indicating that DPR1/RAM1 is the yeast counterpart of the peptide-binding subunit of the mammalian farnesyltransferase.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases