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N Sahyoun

Publications and source records attributed to N Sahyoun.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Mechanism of activation of adenylate cyclase by cholera toxin.

Cholera toxin (choleragen) can stimulate adenylate cyclase [EC 4.6.1.1; ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing)] activity in whole particulate fractions or purified plasma membranes of homogenates of isolated fat cells provided special precautions are taken to stabilize the enzyme during the required preincubation period. As observed with intact cells, the activation exhibits a protracted (about 25 min) lag phase, and it is blocked by ganglioside GM1 and choleragenoid ("binding" subunit of toxin). The 36,000 molecular weight subunit ("active" subunit), a hydrophobic polypeptide which does not block choleragen binding or action, can directly activate the enzyme in intact cells without a lag phase. Its effects are not blocked by ganglioside GM1 or choleragenoid, yet the stimulated activity exhibits reduced fluoride and enhanced isoproterenol sensitivity, properties characteristic of the choleragen-activated enzyme. Binding of the 125I-labeled 36,000 molecular weight subunit to cells is not saturable and is unaffected by gangliosides, choleragen, or choleragenoid, and the bound material behaves as an integral membrane protein; this protein may simply partition into the membrane matrix. With increasing time of incubation cell-bound choleragen may dissociate into its component subunits, but these remain in the membrane. Using a double antibody immunoprecipitin system, substantial precipitation of cyclase activity occurs with antisera against the 36,000 molecular weight subunit provided toxin activation has occurred. The normal process of activation may involve an initially inactive toxin--ganglioside complex which, as a result of lateral mobility and multivalent binding (lag phase), results in destabilization of the molecule with release of the "active" subunit into the membrane core where it can spontaneously associate with and perturb the cyclase complex.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Evidence against the presence of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate and relevant enzymes in Lactobacillus plantarum.

Analysis of cells of Lactobacillus plantarum, starved or undergoing induction, showed no 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Neither adenyl cyclase nor 3', 5'-cAMP phosphodiesterase was detected in extracts. Extracts of L. plantarum did not inhibit these two enzymes of Escherichia coli K-12, strain W1435. Incubation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-U-(14)C with cells or various cell-free fractions of L. plantarum did not produce labeled 3', 5'-cAMP. Of various 3', 5'-cyclic and acyclic nucleotides tested, only 3', 5'-cAMP, ATP, and yeast adenylic acid stimulated l-arabinose isomerase. Yeast adenylic acid was two to four times as effective as 3', 5'-cAMP or ATP. 2', 3'-cAMP was not effective.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A model for intracellular translocation of protein kinase C involving synergism between Ca2+ and phorbol esters.

The activation of protein kinase C by diacylglycerol and by tumour promoters has implicated this enzyme in transmembrane signalling and in the regulation of the cell cycle. In vitro studies revealed that catalytic activity requires the presence of calcium and phospholipids with a preference for phosphatidylserine. Diacylglycerol and tumour promoters such as phorbol esters bind to the enzyme, leading to its activation while sharply increasing its affinity for Ca2+ and phospholipid. Addition of diacylglycerol analogues or phorbol esters to intact cells results in the phosphorylation of specific polypeptides. Several cellular processes, including hormone and neurotransmitter release and receptor down-regulation, are modulated by the activation of protein kinase C, while phorbol ester-induced stimulation of the enzyme in whole cells has been associated with its translocation from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. Moreover, the use of Ca2+ ionophores has revealed an apparent synergism between Ca2+ mobilization and protein kinase C activation. This synergism has recently also been found to apply to receptor down-regulation (ref. 23 and accompanying paper). Here we describe a reconstitution system in which intracellular translocation of protein kinase C and the synergism between Ca2+ and enzyme activators can be studied. The results suggest a rationale for concomitant Ca2+ mobilization and diacylglycerol formation in response to some hormones, neurotransmitters and growth factors.

Calcium↗

Role of intracellular calcium mobilization in the regulation of protein kinase C-mediated membrane processes.

Phorbol esters are potent tumour-promoting agents that exert pleiotropic effects on cells. Among these are the control of growth, stimulation of release of stored bioactive constituents and regulation of growth-factor surface receptors. Phorbol esters bind to and activate protein kinase C, leading to the phosphorylation of specific protein substrates presumed to be necessary for eliciting the full response. Strong evidence exists that specific binding of tumour promoter occurs at the membrane level in intact cells, resulting in activation of protein kinase C. Recent evidence concerning the release of bioactive constituents from platelets and neutrophils has linked agonist-induced protein kinase C activation and Ca2+ mobilization in a synergistic mechanism. Here we present a novel model of synergism between Ca2+ and phorbol esters that leads to transferrin receptor phosphorylation and down-regulation in HL-60 human leukaemic cells. Raising intracellular Ca2+, although ineffective by itself, increases the potency and rate of action of phorbol ester for activating protein kinase C and mediating transferrin receptor phosphorylation and down-regulation. We propose a molecular model in which increased intracellular Ca2+ recruits protein kinase C to the plasma membrane, thus "priming' the system for activation by phorbol ester.

Calcimycin↗