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M Rechsteiner

Publications and source records attributed to M Rechsteiner.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effects of interferon gamma and major histocompatibility complex-encoded subunits on peptidase activities of human multicatalytic proteases.

We have examined several peptidase activities of human multicatalytic protease (MCP) purified from the lymphoblastoid cell line 721.45 and a deletion mutant derivative, 721.174, lacking MCP subunits encoded in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II region. Wild-type lymphoblast MCP hydrolyzed a specific peptide, glutaryl-Gly-Gly-Phe-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (-MCA), several times faster than the mutant enzyme did, suggesting that MHC-encoded subunits may provide this activity. Contrary to a recent report [Driscoll, J., Brown, M. G., Finley, D. & Monaco, J J. (1993) Nature (London) 365, 262-264], we did not detect significant aminopeptidase associated with lymphoblast MCPs. Our results also differ markedly from those of Gaczynska et al. [Gaczynska, M., Rock, K. L. & Goldberg, A L. (1993) Nature (London) 365, 264-267], who reported that gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) alters the peptidase activities of lymphoblast MCPs. We found that IFN-gamma did not produce significant differences in the peptidase activities of purified MCPs. Moreover, our measurements of Vmax and Km for succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-MCA hydrolysis differ 600-fold and 15-fold, respectively, from those reported by Gaczynska et al. On balance, the findings presented here do not support the idea that IFN-gamma induces major changes in the peptidase activity of purified MCPs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

On the relationship between the metabolic and thermodynamic stabilities of T4 lysozymes. Measurements in Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli cells were transformed with plasmids encoding 12 site-specific variants of T4 lysozyme, and pulse-chase protocols were used to measure the metabolic stability of each protein. The resulting half-lives ranged from 1 h to more than 50 h. Although the metabolic half-lives of T4 lysozymes correlated roughly with their thermal stabilities, three mutant enzymes were clear exceptions. A reasonably temperature-resistant variant, G156D, exhibited a half-life of 1 h. By contrast, two temperature-sensitive variants, T157I and I3G, were as metabolically stable as wild-type T4 lysozyme. Degradation of two short lived variants, L91P and G156P, required ATP both in vivo and in vitro. Degradation of variant and wild-type enzymes was unimpaired in cells lacking the Lon protease, Clp A or Clp P. However, degradation of L91P and G156D was inhibited in Clp B-cells. Decreased proteolysis of L91P was accompanied by its accumulation in inclusion bodies, indicating that Clp B prevents accumulation of aggregated protein either by preventing aggregation of misfolded polypeptides or solubilizing aggregates.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1994

On the relationship between the metabolic and thermodynamic stabilities of T4 lysozymes. Measurements in eukaryotic cells.

We have measured the metabolic stabilities of wild-type and 17 temperature-sensitive mutants of T4 lysozyme in HeLa cells, in Xenopus egg extract, and in reticulocyte lysate. [35S]Methionine-labeled T4 lysozymes were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, injected into HeLa cells, and their degradation rates were determined. Wild-type T4 lysozyme has a half-life of 4 h; the half-lives of 16 lysozyme variants ranged from 2 to 10 h. Surprisingly, the most temperature-sensitive enzyme in the set, R96H, was significantly more stable (half-life = 10 h). Different T4 lysozyme variants yield conflicting answers to the proposed relationship between thermal and metabolic stabilities. For mutations at Thr157 there is no correlation between melting temperature and half-life. By contrast, T4 lysozymes mutated at various positions show a definite correlation between the two parameters. Treatment of injected HeLa cells with the lysosomotropic agents chloroquine or ammonium chloride did not alter the stability of T4 lysozyme. However, the enzyme's half-life increased 10-fold in HeLa cells depleted of ATP. Although T4 lysozyme is degraded rapidly within HeLa cells, the molecule is stable in reticulocyte lysate and Xenopus egg extract. Presumably, there is a specific proteolytic event(s) in HeLa cells which is not manifest in the in vitro extracts.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Molecular cloning and expression of a gamma-interferon-inducible activator of the multicatalytic protease.

The multicatalytic protease (MCP) can be activated by two distinct multisubunit complexes. One is the regulatory component of the 26 S protease, which contains at least 15 distinct subunits. The other is a hexameric activator composed of 31- and 29-kDa subunits. A cDNA for the smaller subunit has been cloned and sequenced. The cDNA encodes a protein of 249 amino acids. Embedded between sequences typical of globular protein domains is a stretch of 28 "alternating" lysine and glutamic acid residues. Similar regions, which we call KEKE motifs, are also found in two MCP subunits, in subunit 12 of the 26 S protease and in a variety of chaperonins including hsp90, hsp70, and calnexin. Expression of the activator cDNA in Escherichia coli produced a functional protein virtually indistinguishable from MCP activator purified directly from red blood cells. The recombinant protein formed three isoelectric species on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it reacted with antibodies to red blood cell activator. Recombinant activator also bound the multicatalytic protease and stimulated cleavage at the carboxyl terminus of hydrophobic or charged residues. Synthesis of the activator subunit was induced by gamma interferon treatment of HeLa cells. These last two findings have implications for antigen presentation by class I major histocompatibility receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

KEKE motifs. Proposed roles in protein-protein association and presentation of peptides by MHC class I receptors.

A stretch of 28 'alternating' lysine (K) and glutamate (E) residues is found in an activator of the multicatalytic protease. Such 'KEKE sequences' are also present in subunits of the multicatalytic protease, in subunits of the 26S protease and in a variety of chaperonins. We propose that KEKE regions promote association between protein complexes. Furthermore, they may contribute to the selection of peptides presented on MHC Class I receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Activation of the multicatalytic protease. The 11 S regulator and 20 S ATPase complexes contain distinct 30-kilodalton subunits.

The multicatalytic protease (MCP) associates with a 20 S ATPase complex in the presence of ATP to form the 26 S ubiquitin/ATP-dependent protease. This association results in a uniform 3-fold activation of peptide hydrolysis by MCP. In the absence of nucleotides, an 11 S regulator binds MCP and differentially stimulates its peptidase activities from 3-fold to 25-fold depending upon the peptide. When incubated separately with ATPase complex or regulator, all MCP molecules are converted to 26 S protease or to an activated MCP, respectively. Competition between ATPase complex and regulator for limiting amounts of MCP results in the 26 S protease as the only assembled species. Rabbit reticulocyte regulator is composed of a single 30-kDa protein. Among the 15 subunits in the ATPase complex, there is also a 30-kDa protein. Three findings demonstrate that the 30-kDa subunits in each complex are distinct proteins. First, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel revealed different isoelectric points for each 30-kDa protein. Second, anti-regulator antibodies did not cross-react with proteins in the ATPase complex or in the 26 S protease. Third, directly sequenced peptides from the 30-kDa subunit of the ATPase complex are not present in the deduced amino acid sequence of the regulator. Thus, the regulator and ATPase complex are independent activators of MCP.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1994

A 26 S protease subunit that binds ubiquitin conjugates.

Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis provides an important mechanism for regulating a variety of cellular processes. Ubiquitin-conjugated proteins are degraded by a 26 S protease that contains more than 30 different subunits. Of these, a single 50-kDa polypeptide, subunit 5, specifically binds ubiquitin-lysozyme conjugates. Binding is inhibited by short polymeric chains of ubiquitin but not by ubiquitin monomers or by lysozyme. In addition, subunit 5 binds free ubiquitin chains with efficient association requiring at least four ubiquitins. Thus, proteins conjugated to polymers of ubiquitin may be selected for degradation by a single subunit of the 26 S protease complex.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1994

Tat-binding protein 7 is a subunit of the 26S protease.

Subunit 6 (S6), an integral component of the 26S protease from human erythrocytes, has been studied by SDS-PAGE, peptide mapping and sequence analysis. S6 was cleaved with CNBr and three internal peptides were sequenced. A comparison with known proteins in Genbank revealed that all three S6 peptides match the predicted sequence of TBP7, Tat-binding protein 7. Based on peptide matches covering more than 10% of the TBP7 sequence, and the fact that the migration of S6 on SDS-PAGE is consistent with the estimated molecular mass for TBP7, we conclude that subunit 6 of the 26S protease is TBP7.

ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activitie↗
PubMed1993

Ubiquitin metabolism in cycling Xenopus egg extracts.

Xenopus egg extract is capable of supporting mitosis in vitro, which makes it ideal for biochemical analysis of the cell cycle. Since several studies have implicated the ubiquitin system in cell cycle progression, we have measured ubiquitin conjugation rates, proteolysis of ubiquitin-lysozyme conjugates, and rates of isopeptidase activity in cycling Xenopus egg extracts. Although ubiquitin conjugation in cytostatic factor arrested extract was half that in activated extract, there were no changes in rates of ubiquitin conjugation during the cell cycle. Ubiquitin conjugates are degraded by a 26 S ATP-stimulated protease. The ability of the 26 S protease to degrade ubiquitin-lysozyme conjugates and a fluorigenic peptide also remained constant across the cell cycle. In contrast to previously characterized systems, isopeptidase activity in Xenopus egg extract is energy-dependent. Glycerol gradient fractionation of Xenopus egg extract separated two ATP-dependent isopeptidases. On co-sedimented with the 26 S protease; the other sedimented slower and was not associated with any additional proteolytic activity. As found for rates of Ub conjugation and conjugate proteolysis, there was little or no variation in isopeptidase activity during the cell cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Peptide sequencing identifies MSS1, a modulator of HIV Tat-mediated transactivation, as subunit 7 of the 26 S protease.

Subunit 7 is an integral component of the human erythrocyte 26 S protease. Peptide sequence analysis reveals that 22 amino acids from the N-terminus of subunit 7 correspond exactly to the N-terminus of MSS1, a modulator of HIV gene expression. Additional internal peptides from subunit 7 obtained by CNBr cleavage also match 100% with the deduced amino acid sequence of MSS1. Based on the fact that directly sequenced peptides from subunit 7 are identical to more than 12% of the hypothetical translation product of MSS1, and the fact that the molecular weight of subunit 7 (49 kDa) corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of MSS1 (48,633 Da), we conclude that subunit 7 is MSS1.

ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activitie↗
PubMed1992

Subunit 4 of the 26 S protease is a member of a novel eukaryotic ATPase family.

Ubiquitinated proteins are degraded by a 26 S ATP-dependent protease. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the purified 26 S enzyme reveals more than 20 polypeptides ranging in apparent molecular masses from 20 to 110 kDa. Although many of the subunits smaller than 30 kDa are members of the multicatalytic protease family, the identity and function of the larger polypeptides have remained unknown. We report here the cDNA sequence for subunit 4, a 51-kDa chain of the 26 S protease. Subunit 4 belongs to a recently identified eukaryotic ATPase family, which includes proteins involved in peroxisome formation, secretion, and human immunodeficiency virus gene expression. Subunit 4 also shows weak similarity to ClpA, the ATP-binding subunit of the Escherichia coli protease, Clp.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1992

Multiple forms of the 20 S multicatalytic and the 26 S ubiquitin/ATP-dependent proteases from rabbit reticulocyte lysate.

We have used native gel electrophoresis followed by fluorogenic peptide overlay to identify multiple forms of rabbit reticulocyte multicatalytic protease (MCP) or 20 S protease, and two forms of rabbit 26 S ubiquitin/ATP-dependent protease. An abundant, fast-migrating 20 S complex (20 SF) possesses modest ability to hydrolyze the fluorogenic peptide succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-4-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide. In contrast, two minor, slower migrating species cleave the peptide at high rates. A unique 30-kDa polypeptide is associated with one of the active MCPs, and a 160-kDa subunit is associated with the other. Two electrophoretically distinct 26 S proteases can also be isolated from rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The faster migrating form, 26 SF, is more resistant to inactivation by ATP depletion. Despite the differential response to nucleotides and the distinctive electrophoretic mobilities of 26 SF and 26 SS, we have not identified any subunit differences between the two enzymes. In addition to active 26 S proteases, we have discovered and purified a proteolytically inactive particle that contains subunits characteristic of the 26 S protease (e.g. molecular masses between 30 and 110 kDa). Incubation of this protein complex with purified MCP and ATP results in the formation of the 26 S proteases.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Purification of an 11 S regulator of the multicatalytic protease.

We have identified and purified a protein complex from human red blood cells that activates the multicatalytic protease (MCP). The complex, which we call the regulator, sediments at 11 S and is composed of 30-kDa subunits. The regulator does not hydrolyze fluorogenic peptides, but when multicatalytic protease and regulator are combined, MCP cleaves succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin and Leu-Leu-Glu-p-nitroanilide as much as 60-fold faster. Hydrolysis of several other fluorogenic peptides is stimulated to a lesser extent, and activated MCP does not degrade ubiquitin-lysozyme conjugates, bovine serum albumin, or lysozyme. Latent and activated forms of MCP display similar sensitivity to protease inhibitors, suggesting that activation does not generate new kinds of catalytic sites. In addition, ATP suppresses peptide hydrolysis by activated and latent MCPs to the same extent. Activation involves binding of regulator to MCP, and activated MCP migrates slower on native acrylamide gels. Dissociation of the MCP regulator complex during prolonged sedimentation on glycerol gradients releases active regulator and MCP molecules capable of being reactivated. Moreover, two-dimensional electrophoresis does not reveal changes in MCP or regulator subunits following activation. Thus, activation appears to result from reversible association of regulator subunits with MCP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Ubiquitin metabolism in HeLa cells starved of amino acids.

Radio-iodinated ubiquitin (Ub) was introduced into HeLa cells by red blood cell-mediated microinjection. The half-life and solubility of Ub, as well as the molecular weight distributions of Ub conjugates, were then measured in HeLa cells grown in complete medium or in medium lacking amino acids and fetal calf serum. Ub metabolism was similar in the two sets of cells. Thus, the dramatic changes in Ub metabolism induced by thermal stress are not observed upon amino acid deprivation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Ubiquitin-RAS peptide extensions as substrates for farnesyl-protein transferase and carboxymethyltransferase.

Using oligonucleotide-mediated 'loop-in' mutagenesis strategies in M13, a heat-inducible ubiquitin (Ub) gene was extended by sequences coding for the C-terminal 11 amino acids of Ha-RAS. The resulting gene was transformed into AR13 and production of the Ub-peptide extension was induced by heat treatment. After one-step purification, the fusion protein (Ub-cRAS) was used as a substrate for farnesyl-protein transferase. Ub-cRAS was farnesylated on incubation in Xenopus egg extract or rabbit reticulocyte lysate. In contrast, when serine was substituted for the last cysteine in the RAS extension, transfer of the [3H]farnesyl group from [3H] farnesyl pyrophosphate to the modified Ub-cRAS was not observed. Farnesylation of Ub-cRAS permitted us to develop an easy membrane-binding assay for farnesyl-protein transferase enzyme activity. Using this assay, we partially purified the enzyme from rabbit reticulocyte lysate. We also detected methylation of the farnesylated Ub-cRAS terminus in Xenopus egg extract.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗