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K Rose

Publications and source records attributed to K Rose.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Identification of radioactive insulin fragments liberated by insulin proteinase during the degradation of semisynthetic [3H]GlyA1]insulin and [3H]PheB1]insulin.

(1) We [Muir, Offord & Davies (1986) Biochem. J. 237, 631-637 and Davies, Muir & Offord (1986) Biochem. J. 240, 609-612] have previously identified a major product in the degradation of insulin by insulin proteinase (the N-terminal fragment produced by cleavage between residues LeuA13 and TyrA14, SerB9 and HisB10) together with evidence for a minor cleavage site between HisB10 and LeuB11 or between LeuB11 and ValB12. (2) We now present evidence for minor sites of cleavage between TyrA14 and GlnA15, GluB13 and AlaB14 as well as HisB10 and LeuB11.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Identification by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of insulin fragments produced by insulin proteinase.

We describe the isolation by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. of a number of products of the degradation of insulin by insulin proteinase and their direct analysis by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (f.a.b.-m.s.). Various semisynthetically labelled insulins were used, including [[2H2]GlyA1]insulin and [18O]LysB29]insulin. The results obtained confirm and extend the results obtained by non-mass-spectrometric methods [Davies, Muir, Rose & Offord (1988) Biochem. J. 249, 209-214, and papers cited therein]. Cleavage sites were identified between positions A13-A14, A14-A15, B9-B10, B13-B14, B24-B25 and B25-B26. The advantages and disadvantages of the application of f.a.b.-m.s. to such studies are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from Drosophila melanogaster: primary structure analysis, secondary structure prediction, and comparison with vertebrate aldolases.

The amino acid sequence of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from Drosophila melanogaster was determined and was compared with those of five vertebrate aldolases on record. The four identical polypeptide chains of the insect enzyme, acetylated at the N-terminus and three residues shorter than the vertebrate chains, contain 360 amino acid residues. Of these 190 (or 53%) are identical in all six enzymes and in addition 33 positions (or 9%) are occupied by homologous residues. Comparison with the muscle-type isoaldolases from man and rabbit and the liver-type isoaldolases from man, rat, and chicken indicates an average sequence identity of 70 and 63%, respectively. Thus, the insect and the vertebrate muscle aldolases are probably coded by orthologous genes. On this basis an average rate of evolution of 3.0 PAM per 10(8) years is calculated, documenting an evolutional divergence slower than that of cytochrome c (4.2 PAM/10(8) years). The rate is also lower than that of the liver isoform (3.6 PAM/10(8) years). Secondary structure prediction analysis for Drosophila aldolase suggests the occurrence of 11-12 helical segments and 8-9 beta-strands. The conspicuous alternation of these structures in all six aldolases, especially in the C-terminal 200 residues, is consistant with the formation of an alpha beta-barrel supersecondary structure as documented for several other glycolytic enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The preparation of porcine (Tyr-A14-2H) insulin and its characterization by mass spectrometry.

The title compound was prepared by catalytic deiodination of (Tyr-A14-3-I) insulin with deuterium gas. Under special conditions (large excess of PdO in CH3OD/D2O at pH 9.2) developed to minimize problems due to poisoning of the catalyst, deuterated insulin was produced in yields of about 35% after purification by reversed phase HPLC. For analysis, the deuterated insulin was digested with V8 protease and was shown by mass spectrometry to have incorporated deuterium to an extent of 96.6 atom %, exclusively in a pentapeptide containing Tyr A14. The title compound should prove useful to those workers studying insulin by mass spectrometry, and use of the method with tritium gas in place of deuterium should permit the preparation of a specifically labelled radioactive insulin analogue which behaves identically to the natural hormone.

Animals↗

Semisynthetic human [[3H2]Phe1]proinsulin.

Biosynthetic human proinsulin (obtained by recombinant DNA techniques) was used as the starting material for the preparation, by semisynthetic methods, of [3H]proinsulin with the label at the N-terminal phenylalanine residue. The labelled proinsulin was characterized by its retention time on reversed-phase h.p.l.c., by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, by the time course of its enzymic conversion into insulin and by chromatographic analysis after extensive proteolytic degradation. The specific radioactivity of the product was 5 Ci/mmol. Experimental details of the preparation of human [[3H]Phe1]proinsulin, the isolation of this product by isocratic h.p.l.c. and gel filtration, and further characterization of protein intermediates have been deposited as supplement SUP 50138 (12 pages) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on prepayment [see Biochem. J. (1987) 241, 5].

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Characterization of human and mouse granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factors derived from Escherichia coli.

Human and mouse granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factors (hGM-CSF and mGM-CSF, respectively), isolated from Escherichia coli cells expressing the corresponding human and mouse genes, have been characterized. The observed properties of the proteins have been compared with those properties which can be deduced from the DNA sequence alone and the published properties of natural GM-CSFs. The purified E. coli-derived proteins were found to have the expected molecular masses, amino acid compositions and N- and C-terminal amino acid sequences. The finding of 70-90% unprocessed N-terminal methionine for both proteins is discussed. The four Cys residues were found to be involved in two intramolecular disulphide bonds, linking the first and third, and second and fourth Cys residues. This disulphide bond arrangement is probably the one existing in natural material, since, although not glycosylated, both E. coli-derived proteins showed biological activity (colony stimulating assay for hGM-CSF, and cell proliferation assay for mGM-CSF) comparable with that reported for the respective proteins purified from animal cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The state of the N-terminus of recombinant proteins: determination of N-terminal methionine (formylated, acetylated, or free).

The removal of N-terminal methionine from proteins produced by recombinant DNA techniques is often far from quantitative. Furthermore, a proportion of the methionylated product may be N alpha-blocked and thus not easily accessible to conventional (Edman) techniques of protein characterization. In this paper, a method for overcoming the resulting analytical problems is described. The technique is based on perdeuteroacetylation (performed only if unblocked methionine is to be determined), cleavage with cyanogen bromide, extraction of any acylhomoserine lactone into ethyl acetate, formation of a chemical derivative, and analysis by combined gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The remaining cyanogen bromide fragments, insoluble in ethyl acetate, are available for further analysis by mass spectrometric or other methods if required. Using an acylhomoserine lactone labeled with a stable isotope as internal standard, the method is semiquantitative. It should be possible to develop a quantitative method if appropriate polypeptide standards are prepared. N-Terminal processing of eight recombinant-derived proteins is discussed.

Acetylation↗

Purification and characterization of human interleukin-1 alpha produced in Escherichia coli.

The production of human interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) in Escherichia coli is described together with a method for its purification. The isolated protein was shown to be pure and physically homogeneous. The in vitro biological activity of IL-1 alpha was tested with the mononuclear-cell factor and the lymphocyte-activating factor assays. The specific activity determined with both assays was about 3 X 10(7) units mg-1 and is similar to that observed with recombinant human IL-1 beta. The purified protein was resolved by chromatofocusing into two species of isoelectric points 5.45 and 5.20 (75% and 25%, respectively, of the total protein). Both species had similar chemical properties and biological activities to the unfractionated protein. The charge difference between the species was attributed to the deamidation of a single Asn or Gln residue.

Amino Acids↗

Preparation and characterization of bovine growth hormones produced in recombinant Escherichia coli.

Two analogues of bovine growth hormone (BGH) have been produced in Escherichia coli by recombinant DNA techniques. In analogue Delta-1, the N-terminal alanine residue of the full-length bovine sequence is replaced by methionine. In analogue Delta-9, which is expressed at much higher levels than is Delta-1, the full-length bovine sequence is truncated at the N-terminus by eight residues and there is a serine-for-glycine substitution in the first position of the truncated protein. Both analogues, which were characterized by isoelectric focusing (i.e.f.), polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS (SDS/PAGE), amino acid analysis and N-terminal amino acid sequence determination using combined g.l.c.-m.s., are compared with BGH isolated from pituitaries. In contrast with pituitary-derived BGH, the recombinant-derived proteins are homogeneous on SDS/PAGE and on i.e.f. In a radioimmunoassay, a radioreceptor assay and a bioassay in vivo (rat tibia), Delta-9 BGH showed very similar characteristics to the pituitary-derived hormone. Similar results have also been obtained with the Delta-1 analogue.

Amino Acids↗

Chromatofocusing of N-terminally processed forms of proteins. Isolation and characterization of two forms of interleukin-1 beta and of bovine growth hormone.

Using chromatofocusing, two fractions have been obtained from recombinant-derived interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and from pituitary-derived bovine growth hormone (BGH). The forms of both proteins responsible for these fractions have been characterized by N-terminal and C-terminal amino acid sequence determination. Recombinant IL-1 beta, as a mixture of correctly processed polypeptide and an N-terminally methionylated form, was resolved rapidly by chromatofocusing. BGH was resolved into the full-length polypeptide commencing Ala-Phe-Pro-Ala-Met-Ser-Leu- and a form truncated at the N-terminus by four amino acid residues, which thus commences Met-Ser-Leu-; the fraction containing the truncated form also contains a species having N-terminal Phe-Pro-Ala-. These results, and the possible generality of the separation, are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Redesigning metabolic routes: manipulation of TOL plasmid pathway for catabolism of alkylbenzoates.

Increasing quantities of man-made organic chemicals are released each year into the biosphere. Some of these compounds are both toxic and relatively resistant to physical, chemical, or biological degradation, and they thus constitute an environmental burden of considerable magnitude. Genetic manipulation of microbial catabolic pathways offers a powerful means by which to accelerate evolution of biodegradative routes through which such compounds might be eliminated from the environment. In the experiments described here, a catabolic pathway for alkylbenzoates specified by the TOL plasmid of Pseudomonas was restructured to produce a pathway capable of processing a new substrate, 4-ethylbenzoate. Analysis of critical steps in the TOL pathway that prevent metabolism of 4-ethylbenzoate revealed that this compound fails to induce synthesis of the catabolic enzymes and that one of its metabolic intermediates inactivates catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O), the enzyme that cleaves the aromatic ring. Consequently, the pathway was sequentially modified by recruitment of genes from mutant bacteria selected for their production of either an altered pathway operon regulator that is activated by 4-ethylbenzoate or an altered C23O that is less sensitive to metabolite inactivation. The redesigned pathway was stably expressed and enabled host bacteria to degrade 4-ethylbenzoate in addition to the normal substrates of the TOL pathway.

Benzoates↗

Purification and characterization of human interleukin-1 beta expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli.

The high-level expression of human interleukin-1 beta in Escherichia coli is described. The protein contributes about 12% of the total cell protein and is associated with the soluble cytoplasmic fraction of the cell. A method for the purification of the protein is given which is based on anion- and cation-exchange chromatographies. The isolated protein, shown to be homogeneous by several analytical methods, has been characterized by amino acid analysis, N- and C-terminal sequence analysis and analytical centrifugation. The protein is biologically active as demonstrated by two different in vitro assays, namely, the mononuclear cell factor (IL-1/MCF) assay and lymphocyte activating factor (IL-1/LAF) assay. The specific activities determined with the IL-1/MCF and IL-1/LAF assays, are 2 X 10(7) and 4 X 10(7) units mg-1, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10,MetO17]-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Preparation, characterization, and use for radioimmunoassay and receptor binding.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was labeled with sodium [125I]iodide using the chloramine-T method and subsequently purified by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Three main 125I-labeled peaks designated A, B, and C resulted from the radioiodination and purification procedures. They were characterized by electrophoresis of tryptic fragments; Edman degradation (for Peaks A and C); enzymatic digestion to amino acids by leucine aminopeptidase, carboxypeptidase Y and Pronase; and treatment with cyanogen bromide. Peak A corresponds to VIP monoiodinated on Tyr10 and with the Met17 residue oxidized to methionine sulfoxide. This [mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10,MetO17]VIP displays the following characteristics. 1) It constitutes quantitatively the major product of the iodination procedure (62.5%); 2) it is well resolved from other labeled and unlabeled products; 3) it is stable (2 months at -20 degrees C); 4) it possesses a high specific activity (2050 Ci/mmol); 5) it maintains the biological activity of native VIP; and 6) it binds to antibody and membrane recognition sites in a specific, saturable, and reversible manner. Reduction of [mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10, Met-O17]VIP to [mono[125I]iodo-Tyr10]VIP does not improve the performance of the tracer in a radioimmunoassay. The method described in this article is simple and rapid and yields a molecular form of 125I-labeled VIP that has been fully characterized and is suitable for use in biological studies.

Animals↗

Characterization of human interleukin 2 derived from Escherichia coli.

Interleukin 2 isolated from Escherichia coli cells expressing the human interleukin gene has been characterized. The observed properties of the protein have been compared with those properties which can be deduced from the DNA sequence alone and the published properties of natural human interleukin 2. The purified E. coli-derived interleukin 2 is a monomeric protein of Mr 15 000 with a sedimentation velocity of 1.86S. The amino acid composition of the protein and isoelectric point (7.7) are consistent with that part of the translated DNA sequence of the gene corresponding to the mature protein. A single disulphide bridge was identified between Cys-58 and Cys-105. C.d. suggested that interleukin 2 is predominantly alpha-helical in secondary structure. The E. coli-derived protein differed from natural interleukin 2 in the presence of N-terminal methionine and also in the absence of a carbohydrate moiety. Removal of the coding region for the first three amino acids of the natural interleukin 2 protein sequence (Ala-Pro-Thr) by site-specific mutagenesis resulted in a protein with N-terminal serine. The possibility that the specificity of the E. coli ribosomal methionine aminopeptidase may not recognize the sequence NH2-Met-Xaa-Pro is discussed (where Xaa is any amino acid residue).

Amino Acids↗

Synthesis of Escherichia coli carbamoylphosphate synthetase initiates at a UUG codon.

The ribosome binding region of the messenger RNA for the Escherichia coli carA gene contains two adjacent putative translational start codons, UUG and AUU, both of them unusual. By Edman degradation and mass spectrometry of purified carA protein, we show that only UUG is used in vivo. Translation initiation at UUG in carA appears about half as efficient as at AUG in lacZ.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and overexpression of the bacteriophage T4 regA gene.

The bacteriophage T4 regA gene codes for a regulatory protein that controls the expression of a number of T4 early genes, apparently at the level of translation. Restriction fragments containing the regA structural gene have been cloned into phage M13, and the nucleotide sequence has been determined. Translation of the DNA sequence predicted that regA protein contains 122 amino acids, with a Mr of 14,620. A DNA fragment carrying 85% of the coding sequence of regA has been cloned into the phage lambda leftward promoter PL expression vector pAS1, and a high level of truncated regA protein was produced by nalidixic acid induction. Protein chemical studies of the truncated regA protein gave results consistent with the nucleotide sequence of the regA gene. Subsequently, an intact regA gene was cloned into plasmid pAS1 and overexpressed. The regA protein produced in this way regulates the level of T4 45 and 44 proteins when their corresponding genes are carried on the same plasmid as the regA gene.

Base Sequence↗