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L H Pinto

Publications and source records attributed to L H Pinto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Permeation and activation of the M2 ion channel of influenza A virus.

The M(2) ion channel protein of influenza A virus is essential for mediating protein-protein dissociation during the virus uncoating process that occurs when the virus is in the acidic environment of the lumen of the secondary endosome. The difficulty of determining the ion selectivity of this minimalistic ion channel is due in part to the fact that the channel activity is so great that it causes local acidification in the expressing cells and a consequent alteration of reversal voltage, V(rev). We have confirmed the high proton selectivity of the channel (1.5-2.0 x 10(6)) in both oocytes and mammalian cells by using four methods as follows: 1) comparison of V(rev) with proton equilibrium potential; 2) measurement of pH(in) and V(rev) while Na(+)(out) was replaced; 3) measurements with limiting external buffer concentration to limit proton currents specifically; and 4) comparison of measurements of M(2)-expressing cells with cells exposed to a protonophore. Increased currents at low pH(out) are due to true activation and not merely increased [H(+)](out) because increased pH(out) stops the outward current of acidified cells. Although the proton conductance is the biologically relevant conductance in an influenza virus-infected cell, experiments employing methods 1-3 show that the channel is also capable of conducting NH(4)(+), probably by a different mechanism from H(+).

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Mechanism for proton conduction of the M(2) ion channel of influenza A virus.

The M(2) integral membrane protein of influenza A virus forms a proton-selective ion channel. We investigated the mechanism for proton transport of the M(2) protein in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage clamp and in CV-1 cells using the whole cell patch clamp technique. Membrane currents were recorded while manipulating the external solution to alter either the total or free proton concentration or the solvent itself. Membrane conductance decreased by approximately 50% when D(2)O replaced H(2)O as the solvent. From this, we conclude that hydrogen ions do not pass through M(2) as hydronium ions, but instead must interact with titratable groups that line the pore of the channel. M(2) currents measured in solutions of low buffer concentration (<15 mM in oocytes and <0.15 mM in CV-1 cells) were smaller than those studied in solutions of high buffer concentration. Furthermore, the reversal voltage measured in low buffer was shifted to a more negative voltage than in high buffer. Also, at a given pH, M(2) current amplitude in 15 mM buffer decreased when pH-pK(a) was increased by changing the buffer pK(a). Collectively, these results demonstrate that M(2) currents can be limited by external buffer capacity. The data presented in this study were also used to estimate the maximum single channel current of the M(2) ion channel, which was calculated to be on the order of 1-10 fA.

Alkanesulfonic Acids↗
PubMed2000

Tests of the mouse visual system.

To apply the approach of forward genetics (e.g., gene identification with mutagenesis and screening, followed by positional cloning) to the mouse, it is necessary to have available screening tests that can be applied rapidly to individual mice and that give a reliable assessment of visual function. This paper reviews the strengths and limitations of two anatomical tests related to visual function, fundus examination and retinal histological examination. Two tests that do not depend on behavior of a conscious animal are reviewed: the electroretinogram and the visual evoked potentials of the cortex. Eight behavioral tests are also summarized: maze-based tests, cued fear conditioning, tests based on conditioned suppression, visual placing, optokinetic nystagmus, pupillary reflex, and light-induced shifts in circadian phase. It is recommended that retinal histology, the electroretinogram, and visual-evoked potentials be used at the present time for screening because they assess the function and structure of the visual system rapidly and reliably. In fact, the electroretinogram (or visually evoked potentials) can be recorded from several animals simultaneously in response to the same stimulus. It is also recommended that efforts be made to develop more appropriate, automated, behavioral tests of visual perception than are now available, particularly tests that rely solely on rewarding visually evoked behavior. Two other promising behavioral tests are cued fear conditioning and variants of maze tests.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of the pore structure of the influenza A virus M(2) ion channel by the substituted-cysteine accessibility method.

The M(2) ion channel of influenza A virus is a small integral membrane protein whose active form is a homotetramer with each polypeptide chain containing 96-amino-acid residues. To identify residues of the transmembrane (TM) domain that line the presumed central ion-conducting pore, a set of mutants was generated in which each residue of the TM domain (residues 25 to 44) was replaced by cysteine. The accessibility of the cysteine mutants to modification by the sulfhydryl-specific reagents methane thiosulfonate ethylammonium (MTSEA) and MTS tetraethylammonium (MTSET) was tested. Extracellular application of MTSEA evoked decreases in the conductances measured from two mutants, M(2)-A30C and M(2)-G34C. The changes observed were not reversible on washout, indicative of a covalent modification. Inhibition by MTSEA, or by the larger reagent MTSET, was not detected for residues closer to the extracellular end of the channel than Ala-30, indicating the pore may be wider near the extracellular opening. To investigate the accessibility of the cysteine mutants to reagents applied intracellularly, oocytes were microinjected directly with reagents during recordings. The conductance of the M(2)-W41C mutant was decreased by intracellular injection of a concentrated MTSET solution. However, intracellular application of MTSET caused no change in the conductance of the M(2)-G34C mutant, a result in contrast to that obtained when the reagent was applied extracellularly. These data suggest that a constriction in the pore exists between residues 34 and 41 which prevents passage of the MTS reagent. These findings are consistent with the proposed role for His-37 as the selectivity filter. Taken together, these data confirm our earlier model that Ala-30, Gly-34, His-37, and Trp-41 line the channel pore (L. H. Pinto, G. R. Dieckmann, C. S. Gandhi, C. G. Papworth, J. Braman, M. A. Shaughnessy, J. D. Lear, R. A. Lamb, and W. F. DeGrado, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:11301-11306, 1997).

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1999

Cu(II) inhibition of the proton translocation machinery of the influenza A virus M2 protein.

The homotetrameric M2 integral membrane protein of influenza virus forms a proton-selective ion channel. An essential histidine residue (His-37) in the M2 transmembrane domain is believed to play an important role in the conduction mechanism of this channel. Also, this residue is believed to form hydrogen-bonded interactions with the ammonium group of the anti-viral compound, amantadine. A molecular model of this channel suggests that the imidazole side chains of His-37 from symmetry-related monomers of the homotetrameric pore converge to form a coordination site for transition metals. Thus, membrane currents of oocytes of Xenopus laevis expressing the M2 protein were recorded when the solution bathing the oocytes contained various transition metals. Membrane currents were strongly and reversibly inhibited by Cu2+ with biphasic reaction kinetics. The biphasic inhibition curves may be explained by a two-site model involving a fast-binding peripheral site with low specificity for divalent metal ions, as well as a high affinity site (Kdiss approximately 2 microM) that lies deep within the pore and shows rather slow-binding kinetics (kon = 18.6 +/- 0.9 M-1 s-1). The pH dependence of the interaction with the high affinity Cu2+-binding site parallels the pH dependence of inhibition by amantadine, which has previously been ascribed to protonation of His-37. The voltage dependence of the inhibition at the high affinity site indicates that the binding site lies within the transmembrane region of the pore. Furthermore, the inhibition by Cu2+ could be prevented by prior application of the reversible blocker of M2 channel activity, BL-1743, providing further support for the location of the site within the pore region of M2. Finally, substitutions of His-37 by alanine or glycine eliminated the high affinity site and resulted in membrane currents that were only partially inhibited at millimolar concentrations of Cu2+. Binding of Cu2+ to the high affinity site resulted in an approximately equal inhibition of both inward and outward currents. The wild-type protein showed very high specificity for Cu2+ and was only partially inhibited by 1 mM Ni2+, Pt2+, and Zn2+. These data are discussed in terms of the functional role of His-37 in the mechanism of proton translocation through the channel.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The influenza virus M2 ion channel protein: probing the structure of the transmembrane domain in intact cells by using engineered disulfide cross-linking.

The influenza A virus M2 integral membrane protein is an ion channel that permits protons to enter virus particles during uncoating of virions in endosomes, and it also modulates the pH of the trans-Golgi network in virus-infected cells. M2 protein is a homo-oligomer of 97 residues with a single transmembrane (TM) domain whose residues encompass the pore region of the channel and the biologically active form of the channel is a homotetramer. To understand the structural arrangement of the TM domains, each residue of the TM domain was changed in turn to cysteine, and oxidative disulfide cross-linking used to identify residues in close proximity. Oxidative treatment of M2 protein in membranes using iodine resulted in maximum cross-linking at TM domain residues 27, 34, and 41. Oxidation of M2 protein in membranes using the catalyst Cu(II)(1,10-phenanthroline)3 resulted in cross-linking of many TM domain residues when the reaction was allowed to proceed at 37 degreesC, suggesting that rotational movements of the TM domains in the membrane can occur. However, analysis of the kinetics of disulfide-linked dimer formation showed that TM domain residues 27, 30, 34, 37, and 41 formed most rapidly. Furthermore, when oxidation was performed at 4 degreesC, maximum cross-linking occurred at TM domain residues 27, 30, 34, 37, and 41. These positions correspond to the a and d positions of a heptad repeat. Thus these biochemical data are consistent with the TM domain region of the M2 tetramer forming a four-helix bundle. Analysis of the disulfide bonds that formed when oxidation of M2 protein in membranes was performed at pH 5.2 showed greatly reduced cross-linking at TM domain residues 40, 42, and 43 than that found at pH 7.4. This pH-dependent change in cross-linking of residues toward the cytoplasmic side of the TM domain parallels with the activation of the M2 ion channel at low pH.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Effect of cytoplasmic tail truncations on the activity of the M(2) ion channel of influenza A virus.

The M(2) protein of influenza A virus forms a proton channel that is required for viral replication. The M(2) ion channel is a homotetramer and has a 24-residue N-terminal extracellular domain, a 19-residue transmembrane domain, and a 54-residue cytoplasmic tail. We show here that the N-terminal methionine residue is cleaved from the mature protein. Translational stop codons were introduced into the M(2) cDNA at residues 46, 52, 62, 72, 77, 82, 87, and 92. The deletion mutants were designated truncx, according to the amino acid position that was changed to a stop codon. We studied the role of the cytoplasmic tail by measuring the ion channel activity (the current sensitive to the M(2)-specific inhibitor amantadine) of the cytoplasmic tail truncation mutants expressed in oocytes of Xenopus laevis. When their conductance was measured over time, mutants trunc72, trunc77, and trunc92 behaved comparably to wild-type M(2) protein (a decrease of only 4% over 30 min). In contrast, conductance decreased by 28% for trunc82, 27% for trunc62, and 81% for trunc52 channels. Complete closure of the channel could be observed in some cells for trunc62 and trunc52 within 30 min. These data suggest that a role of the cytoplasmic tail region of the M(2) ion channel is to stabilize the pore against premature closure while the ectodomain is exposed to low pH.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Effects of aging on lens transmittance and retinal input to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in golden hamsters.

Old animals are less sensitive by almost an order of magnitude to the phase-shifting effects of a low intensity light pulse on the locomotor activity rhythm and the associated induction of immediate early genes in the circadian clock. The transmittance of energy from 200 to 700 nm through the excised lens of the eyes of young and old golden hamsters was measured to determine if an age-related difference exists in the transmittance of light. There is only a small decrease (8-50%) in transmittance, with the magnitude being dependent upon wavelength. No significant differences were detected between young and old animals in the retinal innervation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). These results support the hypothesis that the observed decrease in sensitivity to light in the aged circadian system occurs within the SCN itself and/or retino-hypothalamic tract photoreceptors.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Localization of potassium channels in the retina.

The functional role of the delayed rectifier potassium channels is reviewed and the specific roles that these channels play in the retina is enumerated in examples using retinal neurons. These channels are contrasted with other types of potassium channels. The reasons why several types of delayed rectifier molecules could be expected to be expressed in a single neuron, and specific examples of retinal neurons that would be expected to express several of these molecules are given. The families of delayed rectifier potassium channels are explained and their transmembrane topology is related to their functional characteristics. The approaches to the localization of these channels are given and these methods (in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR) are compared and contrasted with examples from retinal neurons. This is followed by specific technical hints for applying these methods to the retina. The localization of the 6 transmembrane domain delayed rectifier channels of the Kv1, Kv2, Kv3 and Kv4 families is given for the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium and the optic nerve. An explanation for why the ionic currents recorded from a cell may not represent accurately the sum of the currents of the ion channels normally expressed in that cell is followed by an example of the assignment of the currents recorded from a retinal neuron to a specific ion channel. The future directions of this type of investigation appear to be to understand the relationship between clustered ion channel molecules of a given type with the function of the subset of the retinal neuron in which this type of ion channel is clustered, to understand the mechanism for the clustering, and to understand the mechanism for the localization of ion channel molecules to one region of the cell i.e. the polarization of the expression of these molecules in retinal neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A functionally defined model for the M2 proton channel of influenza A virus suggests a mechanism for its ion selectivity.

The M2 protein from influenza A virus forms proton-selective channels that are essential to viral function and are the target of the drug amantadine. Cys scanning was used to generate a series of mutants with successive substitutions in the transmembrane segment of the protein, and the mutants were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The effect of the mutations on reversal potential, ion currents, and amantadine resistance were measured. Fourier analysis revealed a periodicity consistent with a four-stranded coiled coil or helical bundle. A three-dimensional model of this structure suggests a possible mechanism for the proton selectivity of the M2 channel of influenza virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Functional identification of the mouse circadian Clock gene by transgenic BAC rescue.

As a complementary approach to positional cloning, we used in vivo complementation with bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones expressed in transgenic mice to identify the circadian Clock gene. A 140 kb BAC transgene completely rescued both the long period and the loss-of-rhythm phenotypes in Clock mutant mice. Analysis with overlapping BAC transgenes demonstrates that a large transcription unit spanning approximately 100,000 base pairs is the Clock gene and encodes a novel basic-helix-loop-helix-PAS domain protein. Overexpression of the Clock transgene can shorten period length beyond the wild-type range, which provides additional evidence that Clock is an integral component of the circadian pacemaking system. Taken together, these results provide a proof of principle that "cloning by rescue" is an efficient and definitive method in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The active oligomeric state of the minimalistic influenza virus M2 ion channel is a tetramer.

The influenza A virus M2 integral membrane protein is an ion channel that permits protons to enter virus particles during uncoating of virions in endosomes and also modulates the pH of the trans-Golgi network in virus-infected cells. The M2 protein is a homo-oligomer of 97 residues, and analysis by chemical cross-linking and SDS/PAGE indicates M2 forms a tetramer. However, a higher order molecular form is sometimes observed and, thus, it is necessary to determine the active form of the molecule. This was done by studying the currents of oocytes that expressed mixtures of the wild-type M2 protein (epitope tagged) and the mutant protein M2-V27S, which is resistant to the inhibitor amantadine. The composition of mixed oligomers of the two proteins expressed at the plasma membrane of individual oocytes was quantified after antibody capture of the cell surface expressed molecules and it was found that the subunits mixed freely. When the ratio of wild-type to mutant protein subunits was 0. 85:0.15, the amantadine sensitivity was reduced to 50% and for a ratio of 0.71:0.29 to 20%. These results are consistent with the amantadine-resistant mutant being dominant and the oligomeric state being a tetramer.

Amantadine↗
PubMed1997

Differences in the retinal GABA system among control, spastic mutant and retinal degeneration mutant mice.

Immunocytochemical methods were used to compare the GABA system in control mice and two mutant strains: spastic which has reduced glycine receptors and retinal degeneration mutant in which the photoreceptors degenerate and reportedly have increased GABA and GAD levels. We found that the spastic mutant retina had reduced GABA-immunoreactivity (IR) in the proximal retina, reduced staining for GAD-1440 in the OPL, and reduced GABAA receptor staining in the OPL, compared to control. The retinal degeneration mutant retinas had enhanced GABA-IR throughout the retina, particularly in Müller cells, bipolar cells and IPL, and enhancement of GABAA receptor staining in the OPL, compared to control. The distributions of GABA-IR, GAD-1440-IR and GABAA receptor-IR in retinas of spastic mutant mice that also expressed the retinal degeneration phenotype resembled those found in retinas of mice that expressed only the retinal degeneration phenotype rather than those that expressed only the spastic mutation. No differences were observed among the conditions for GAD-65, GAD-67 or GABA-T. Our results with the spastic and retinal degeneration mutant mice demonstrate that attenuation in the glycinergic system and photoreceptor degeneration, respectively, is accompanied by alterations in different aspects of the GABA system, giving impetus for caution in the interpretation of experiments involving genetic manipulation of complex phenotypes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The mouse Clock mutation behaves as an antimorph and maps within the W19H deletion, distal of Kit.

Clock is a semidominant mutation identified from an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis screen in mice. Mice carrying the Clock mutation exhibit abnormalities of circadian behavior, including lengthening of endogenous period and loss of rhythmicity. To identify the gene affected by this mutation, we have generated a high-resolution genetic map (> 1800 meioses) of the Clock locus. We report that Clock is 0.7 cM distal of Kit on mouse chromosome 5. Mapping shows that Clock lies within the W19H deletion. Complementation analysis of different Clock and W19H compound genotypes indicates that the Clock mutation behaves as an antimorph. This antimorphic behavior of Clock strongly argues that Clock defines a gene centrally involved in the mammalian circadian system.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Ion selectivity and activation of the M2 ion channel of influenza virus.

The influenza A virus-associated M2 ion channel is generally believed to function during uncoating of virions in infected cells. On endocytosis of a virion into the lumen of endosomes, the M2 ion channel is thought to cause acidification of the virion interior. In addition, the influenza virus M2 ion channel is thought to function in the exocytic pathway by equilibrating the pH gradient between the acidic lumen of the trans-Golgi network and the neutral cytoplasm. A necessary test of the proposed roles of the influenza virus M2 ion channel in the virus life cycle is to show directly that the M2 ion channel conducts protons. We have measured the ionic selectivity and activation of three subtypes (Udorn, Weybridge, and Rostock) of the M2 ion channel in oocytes of Xenopus laevis by measurement of 1) the intracellular pH (pHin) of voltage-clamped oocytes, 2) the current-voltage relationship in solutions of various pH and ionic composition, and 3) the flux of 86Rb. We took advantage of the low pHin achieved during incubation in low pH medium to study the effects of low pHin on M2 activation. Oocytes expressing each of the three subtypes of the M2 protein a) underwent a slow acidification when incubated in medium of low pH (acidification was blocked by the M2 ion channel inhibitor, amantadine); b) had current-voltage relationships that shifted to more positive values and had greater conductance when the pHout was lowered (this relationship was modified when Na- was replaced by NH4+ or Li+); c) had an amantadine-sensitive influx of Rb+. The effects on the current-voltage relationship of reduced pHin were opposed to the increased conductance found with reduced pHout. We interpret these results to indicate that the M2 ion channel is capable of conducting H+ and that other ions may also be conducted. Moreover, the channel conductance is reduced by decreased pHin. These findings are consistent with the proposed roles of the M2 protein in the life cycle of influenza A virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

An integrated genetic map of the pearl locus of mouse chromosome 13.

We have used a Mus domesticus/spretus congenic animal and two interspecific backcross panels to map genetically 30 sequence-tagged sites (STSs) and 13 genes to the vicinity of the pearl locus on mouse chromosome 13. The STSs defining the mapped region are from D13Mit9 to D13Mit37, spanning 10.6 cM. Genes mapped to this region include Versican (Cspg2), GTPase activating protein (Rasa), dihydrofolate reductase (Dhfr), arylsulfatase (As-1), thrombin receptor (Cf2r), hexosaminidase b(Hexb), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr), microtubule associated protein 5/1b (Mtap5), phosphodiesterase (Pde), phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (Pik3rl), rat integrin a1-subunit (Itga1), collagen receptor a2-subunit (Itga2), and 5-hydroxytryptamine 1a receptor (Htr1a). This high resolution genetic map of the pearl region of chromosome 13 establishes the order of multiple markers, including genes whose human homologs are located within a limited region of human chromosome 5, with respect to the phenotypic anchor marker pearl.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of inhibition of M2 ion channel activity by BL-1743, an inhibitor of influenza A virus.

The influenza A virus M2 integral membrane protein has ion channel activity that can be inhibited by the antiviral drug amantadine. Recently, a spirene-containing compound, BL-1743 (2-[3-azaspiro (5,5)undecanol]-2-imidazoline), that inhibits influenza virus growth was identified (S. Kurtz, G. Lao, K. M. Hahnenberger, C. Brooks, O. Gecha, K. Ingalls, K.-I. Numata, and M. Krystal, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 39:2204-2209, 1995). We have examined the ability of BL-1743 to inhibit the M2 ion channel when expressed in oocytes of Xenopus laevis. BL-1743 inhibition is complete as far as can be measured by electrophysiological methods and is reversible, with a reverse reaction rate constant of 4.0 x 10(-3) s(-1). In contrast, amantadine inhibition is irreversible within the time frame of the experiment. However, BL-1743 inhibition and amantadine inhibition have similar properties. The majority of isolated influenza viruses resistant to BL-1743 are also amantadine resistant. In addition, all known amino acid changes which result in amantadine resistance also confer BL-1743 resistance. However, one BL-1743-resistant virus isolated, designated M2-I35T, contained the change Ile-35-->Thr. This virus is >70-fold more resistant to BL-1743 and only 10-fold more resistant to amantadine than the wild-type virus. When the ion channel activity of M2-I35T was examined in oocytes, it was found that M2-I35T is BL-1743 resistant but is reversibly inhibited by amantadine. These findings suggest that these two drugs interact differently with the M2 protein transmembrane pore region.

Amantadine↗