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Katrin Marcus

Publications and source records attributed to Katrin Marcus.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Application of fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis saturation labelling for the analysis of microdissected precursor lesions of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

In order to identify new molecular markers for pancreatic intra-epithelial neoplasias (PanINs), the precursor lesions of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we established a proteomics approach analysing microdissected PanIN cells. Due to the limited amount of proteins available from microdissection, we developed a procedure including fluorescence dye saturation labelling in combination with high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. With this procedure we were able to analyse proteins extracted from 1000 microdissected cells with a high resolution of up to 2500 protein spots. Using protein lysates from the pancreatic carcinoma tissue as a reference proteome, we were able to successfully identify the proteins. Thus, we could match approximately 2200 protein spots (92%) of the microdissected sample proteome to the reference proteome for protein identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry and nanoliquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry after in-gel digestion. The first proteome analysis of microdissected PanIN-2 grades revealed eight differentially expressed proteins. The differential expression of the three actin filament-associated proteins--transgelin, vimentin and MRCL3 as well as actin itself--indicates a relevant role of the actin cytoskeleton during pancreatic tumour progression. Additionally, two members of the annexin family (annexin A2 and A4) implicate a functional contribution of exocytotic and endocytotic pathways at that stage.

Adenocarcinoma↗

HUPO BPP Workshop on Mouse Models for Neurodegeneration--Choosing the right models.

The HUPO Brain Proteome Project met during the 4th Dutch Endo-Neuro-Psycho Meeting in Doorwerth, The Netherlands, on June 1, 2005, in order to discuss appropriate (mouse) models for neurodegenerative diseases as well as to conceptualise sophisticated proteomics analyses strategies. Here, the topics of the meeting are summarised.

Animals↗

5th HUPO BPP Bioinformatics Meeting at the European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton, UK--Setting the analysis frame.

The Bioinformatics Committee of the HUPO Brain Proteome Project (HUPO BPP) meets regularly to execute the post-lab analyses of the data produced in the HUPO BPP pilot studies. On July 7, 2005 the members came together for the 5th time at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) in Hinxton, UK, hosted by Rolf Apweiler. As a main result, the parameter set of the semi-automated data re-analysis of MS/MS spectra has been elaborated and the subsequent work steps have been defined.

Computational Biology↗

How proteomics reveals potential biomarkers in brain diseases.

The brain is complex, and so are the proteomics studies of brain tissue and its diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and schizophrenia. In this review, general considerations and strategies of proteomics technologies, the advantages and challenges as well as the special needs for brain tissue are described and summarized. In addition, the results of the first studies are presented including a quality evaluation of the candidate proteins for these diseases. A paragraph is dedicated to the efforts of standardization in this field.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation of mouse LASP-1 on threonine 156 by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase.

LIM and SH3 domain protein (LASP-1) is a specific focal adhesion protein involved in cell migration. Overlay studies demonstrate that LASP-1 directly binds to the proline-rich domains of zyxin, lipoma preferred partner (LPP), and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), with zyxin being the most prominent interacting partner. Despite the LIM/zinc-finger domain, hypothesized to be involved in homodimerization, LASP-1 exists as a monomer. In vitro phosphorylation of recombinant mouse LASP-1 by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA and PKG, respectively) occurs at serine 61, serine 99, and threonine 156 whereas in intact cells mouse LASP-1 is phosphorylated only at threonine 156. This site is different from the known in vivo phosphorylation sites in human (serine 146) and rabbit (serine 99 and serine 146). Nevertheless, immunofluorescence of LASP-1 in human and mouse mesangial cells revealed no difference in subcellular distribution. Exposure of the cells to forskolin induced a translocation of both, human and mouse LASP-1, from the focal contacts to the cell interior without affecting F-actin structure. Immunoblotting of LASP-1 in various mouse and human tissues detected a similar prominent expression in non-muscle tissue. Altogether, our data suggest so far no functional differences between human and mouse LASP-1.

Actins↗

A peptide preconcentration approach for nano-high-performance liquid chromatography to diminish memory effects.

An advanced method has been developed for the analysis of proteolytic digests of complex protein mixtures by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The occurrence of memory effects was prevented by a parallel set of two precolumns employed for simultaneous separation and washing procedures. The system was tested extensively, and tryptic digests of three single proteins were analyzed. In addition, different solvent systems were evaluated for effective washing of the employed precolumns. Using the analytical strategy presented, a reliable identification of proteins in complex mixtures was obtained and not hampered by the occurrence of memory effects.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

"Does understanding the brain need proteomics and does understanding proteomics need brains?"--Second HUPO HBPP Workshop hosted in Paris.

The second Human Brain Proteome Project (HBPP) Workshop of the Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) took place at the Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris (ESPCI) from April 23-24, 2004. During two days, more than 70 attendees from Europe, Asia and the US came together to decide basic strategic approaches, standards and the beginning of a pilot phase prior to further studies of the human brain proteome. The international consortium presented the technological and scientific portfolio and scheduled the time table for the next year.

Animals↗

Identification of phosphorylation and acetylation sites in alphaA-crystallin of the eye lens ( mus musculus) after two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Posttranslational modifications are of great interest because of their relevance in biological systems as proteins are commonly activated or deactivated by phosphorylation, glycation and acetylation [1, 2]. During eye lens aging the number of the alphaA-crystallin isoproteins increases. This could be observed by the use of 2D-PAGE (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis). The number of alphaA-crystallin spots in the gel increased during eye lens aging. For further analysis the spots of 2D-PAGE were cut out and the identification of the proteins was done using nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS (liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry). The created MS/MS-data were analyzed using the Sequest algorithm. Searches with different parameters were done to preferably get the complete sequence coverage and to identify posttranslational modifications of the alphaA-crystallin. The acetylated N-terminus of this protein could be detected. Furthermore, phosphorylation of serine 122 and 148 was identified in two different spots.

Acetylation↗

Differential analysis of phosphorylated proteins in resting and thrombin-stimulated human platelets.

Blood platelets are important components of haemostasis. After their activation they cause healing of wounds by forming plugs and initiate repair processes. One important event in regulating this activation is the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of multiple proteins on various tyrosine, serine and threonine residues. To understand the exact molecular mechanisms in platelet activation it is essential to identify proteins involved in the signalling pathways and to localise and characterise their phosphorylation sites. After treatment with (32)P and separation by 2D-PAGE using different pI ranges, phosphorylated platelet proteins were detected by autoradiography. Phosphotyrosine-containing proteins were assigned by immunoblotting with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Another approach for the identification of phosphorylated proteins was immunoprecipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins using an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Protein spots/bands of interest were excised from the gel, digested with trypsin and analysed by MALDI-TOF-MS and nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS, respectively. Several phosphorylated proteins could be identified and the localisation of some in vivo phosphorylation sites was possible.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cGMP-dependent protein kinase type II regulates basal level of aldosterone production by zona glomerulosa cells without increasing expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a pivotal role in the regulation of salt and water homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate the expression and functional role of cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKGs) in rat adrenal cortex. Expression of PKG II is restricted to adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells, whereas PKG I is localized to the adrenal capsule and blood vessels. Activation of the aldosterone system by a low sodium diet up-regulated the expression of PKG II, however, it did not change PKG I expression in adrenal cortex. Both, activation of PKG II in isolated ZG cell and adenoviral gene transfer of wild type PKG II into ZG cells enhanced aldosterone production. In contrast, inhibition of PKG II as well as infection with a PKG II catalytically inactive mutant had an inhibitory effect on aldosterone production. Steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein that regulates the rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis is a new substrate for PKG II and can be phosphorylated by PKG II in vitro at serine 55/56 and serine 99. Stimulation of aldosterone production by PKG II in contrast to stimulation by PKA did not activate StAR gene expression in ZG cells. The results presented indicate that PKG II activity in ZG cells is important for maintaining basal aldosterone production.

Adenoviridae↗

Actin binding of human LIM and SH3 protein is regulated by cGMP- and cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation on serine 146.

Various drugs that elevate cGMP levels and activate cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK) inhibit agonist-induced platelet activation. In the present study we identified the LIM and SH3 domain protein (LASP) that was recently cloned from human breast cancer cells (Tomasetto, C., Regnier, C., Moog-Lutz, C., Mattei, M. G., Chenard, M. P., Liderau, R., Basset, P., and Rio, M. C. (1995) Genomics 28, 367-376) as a novel substrate of cGK in human platelets. Recombinant human LASP was phosphorylated by cGMP- and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAK) in vitro. Cotransfection of PtK-2 cells with LASP and cGK confirmed phosphorylation of LASP in vivo. Studies with human LASP mutants identified serine 146 as a specific phosphorylation site for cGK and cAK in vivo. LASP is an actin-binding protein, and the phospho-LASP-mimicking mutant S146D showed reduced binding affinity for F-actin in cosedimentation experiments. Immunofluorescence of transfected PtK2 cells demonstrated the localization of LASP in the tips of cell membrane extensions and at cell-cell contacts. Expression of the human LASP mutant S146D resulted in nearly complete relocalization to the cytosol and reduced migration of the cells. Taken together, these data suggest that phosphorylation of LASP by cGK and cAK may be involved in cytoskeletal organization and cell motility.

Actins↗

Kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase is associated with moesin.

Na+,K(+)-ATPase is a ubiquitous plasmalemmal membrane protein essential for generation and maintenance of transmembrane Na+ and K+ gradients in virtually all animal cell types. Activity and polarized distribution of renal Na+,(+)-ATPase appears to depend on connection of ankyrin to the spectrin-based membrane cytoskeleton as well as on association with actin filaments. In a previous study we showed copurification and codistribution of renal Na+,K(+)-ATPase not only with ankyrin, spectrin and actin, but also with two further peripheral membrane proteins, pasin 1 and pasin 2. In this paper we show by sequence analysis through mass spectrometry as well as by immunoblotting that pasin 2 is identical to moesin, a member of the FERM (protein 4.1, ezrin, radixin, moesin) protein family, all members of which have been shown to serve as cytoskeletal adaptor molecules. Moreover, we show that recombinant full-length moesin as well as its FERM domain bind to Na+,K(+)-ATPase and that this binding can be inhibited by an antibody specific for the ATPase activity-containing cytoplasmic loop (domain 3) of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit. This loop has been previously shown to be a site essential for ankyrin binding. These observations indicate that moesin might not only serve as direct linker molecule of Na+,K(+)-ATPase to actin filaments but also modify ankyrin binding at domain 3 of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in a way similar to protein 4.1 modifying the binding of ankyrin to the cytoplasmic domain of the erythrocyte anion exchanger (AE1).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Elimination of protein kinase MK5/PRAK activity by targeted homologous recombination.

MK5 (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK]-activated protein kinase 5), also designated PRAK (p38-regulated and -activated kinase), was deleted from mice by homologous recombination. Although no MK5 full-length protein and kinase activity was detected in the MK5 knockout mice, the animals were viable and fertile and did not display abnormalities in tissue morphology or behavior. In addition, these mice did not show increased resistance to endotoxic shock or decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production. Hence, MK5 deletion resulted in a phenotype very different from the complex inflammation-impaired phenotype of mice deficient in MK2, although MK2 and MK5 exhibit evolutional, structural, and apparent extensive functional similarities. To explain this discrepancy, we used wild-type cells and embryonic fibroblasts from both MK2 and MK5 knockout mice as controls to reexamine the mechanism of activation, the interaction with endogenous p38 MAPK, and the substrate specificity of both enzymes. In contrast to MK2, which shows interaction with and chaperoning properties for p38 MAPK and which is activated by extracellular stresses such as arsenite or sorbitol treatment, endogenous MK5 did not show these properties. Furthermore, endogenous MK5 is not able to phosphorylate Hsp27 in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that the differences between the phenotypes of MK5- and MK2-deficient mice result from clearly different functional properties of both enzymes.

Animals↗

Heterologous expression and characterization of recombinant purple acid phosphatase from red kidney bean.

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) are dinuclear metallohydrolases of widespread occurrence. In a first step to understand structure-function relationship of PAP from red kidney bean (kbPAP), we cloned its cDNA and functionally expressed the enzyme in insect cells. kbPAP cDNA encodes a protein of 459 amino acids with 99% identity to the published primary structure (T. Klabunde et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 226 (1994) 369-375). N-terminally the cDNA encodes 27 amino acids with characteristics for a signal directing the nascent protein to the endoplasmic reticulum. A baculovirus vector was constructed containing cDNAs of kbPAP and green fluorescent protein, the latter to serve as transfection and infection marker. Heterologous expression in High Five insect cells afforded a dimeric, disulfide-linked phosphatase of 110 kDa, identical to the mass of native kbPAP. Purification in three steps yielded 1.5 mg recombinant protein per liter of culture medium with a specific activity of 266 units/mg, slightly exceeding that of native kbPAP. The recombinant protein was functionally indistinguishable from native kbPAP, despite differences in glycosylation and sensitivity to redox reagents.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Genetic analysis of the mouse brain proteome.

Proteome analysis is a fundamental step in systematic functional genomics. Here we have resolved 8,767 proteins from the mouse brain proteome by large-gel two-dimensional electrophoresis. We detected 1,324 polymorphic proteins from the European collaborative interspecific backcross. Of these, we mapped 665 proteins genetically and identified 466 proteins by mass spectrometry. Qualitatively polymorphic proteins, to 96%, reflect changes in conformation and/or mass. Quantitatively polymorphic proteins show a high frequency (73%) of allele-specific transmission in codominant heterozygotes. Variations in protein isoforms and protein quantity often mapped to chromosomal positions different from that of the structural gene, indicating that single proteins may act as polygenic traits. Genetic analysis of proteomes may detect the types of polymorphism that are most relevant in disease-association studies.

Alleles↗