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Nigel M Hooper

Publications and source records attributed to Nigel M Hooper.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Tethering the N-terminus of the prion protein compromises the cellular response to oxidative stress.

The role of the N-terminal half of the prion protein (PrPC) in normal cellular function and pathology remains enigmatic. To investigate the biological role of the N-terminus of PrP, we examined the cellular properties of a construct of murine PrP, PrP-DA, in which the N-terminus is tethered to the membrane by an uncleaved signal peptide and which retains the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor. Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing PrP-DA were more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide and copper induced toxicity than wtPrP expressing cells. The PrP-DA expressing cells had an increased level of intracellular free radicals and reduced levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase as compared to the wtPrP expressing cells. The membrane topology, cell surface location, lipid raft localisation, intracellular trafficking and copper-mediated endocytosis of PrP-DA were not significantly different from wtPrP. However, cells expressing PrP-DA accumulated an N-terminal fragment that was resistant to proteinase K. The data presented here are consistent with the N-terminal region of PrPC having a role in the cellular response to oxidative stress, and that tethering this region of the protein to the membrane compromises this function through the accumulation of a protease-resistant N-terminal fragment, similar to that seen in some forms of human prion disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Presenilin-1 mutations alter K+ currents in the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y.

Mutations in presenilin 1 (PS1) are the major cause of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. We have measured the voltage-gated K+ current in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y using whole-cell patch-clamp. When cells were stably transfected to over-express PS1, no change in K+ current was observed. However, over-expression of a deletion mutation (deltaE9) in PS1 led to a decreased K+ current. These changes were channel specific since no change in the Na+ current could be observed in the same cells. Confocal microscopy revealed that the K(V)3.1 K+ channel subunit had a diminished plasma membrane distribution when the deltaE9 over-expressing cells were compared to control cells. Intracellular retention of Kv3.1 is consistent with the notion that PS1 can modulate the activity and trafficking of ion channels in central neurones and implicates a compromise in electrical signalling as an underlying factor in the pathogenesis of familial Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2002

Muscarine enhances soluble amyloid precursor protein secretion in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y by a pathway dependent on protein kinase C(alpha), src-tyrosine kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase but not phospholipase C.

The signalling pathways by which muscarine and epidermal growth factor (EGF) regulate the secretion of the alpha-secretase cleavage product (sAPPalpha) of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) were examined in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y. Using specific inhibitors it was found that over 80% of sAPPalpha secretion, enhanced by muscarine, occurred via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family and was dependent on protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) and a member of the Src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases (Src-TK). In contrast the stimulation of sAPPalpha secretion by EGF was not affected by inhibitors of PKC nor Src-TK but was dependent on ERK1/2. In addition muscarine-enhanced sAPPalpha secretion and ERK1/2 activation were inhibited 60 and 80%, respectively, by micromolar concentrations of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor wortmannin. In comparison wortmannin decreased EGF stimulation of sAPPalpha secretion and ERK 1/2 activation by approximately 40%. Unexpectedly, U73122, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C, did not inhibit muscarine enhancement of sAPPalpha secretion. These data are discussed in relation to a pathway for the enhancement of sAPPalpha secretion by muscarine which involves the activation of a Src-TK by G-protein beta/gamma-subunits leading to activation of PKCalpha, and ERK1/2 by a mechanism not involving phospholipase C.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2002

Nitric oxide inhibits the shedding of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored dipeptidase from porcine renal proximal tubules.

NO is related to the pathological condition acute renal failure, in which we previously observed that the level of soluble dipeptidase in urine was decreased. In this study the role of NO in the shedding of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored form of renal dipeptidase (RDPase) was examined. The NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine rapidly inhibited the release of RDPase from porcine kidney proximal tubules. The substrate of NO synthase, l-Arg, also inhibited the release of RDPase, and this effect was reversed by the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Western-blot analyses using antibodies raised against porcine RDPase and the inositol-1,2-cyclic monophosphate moiety formed on phospholipase C cleavage of the GPI anchor demonstrated that SNP mediated its inhibitory effect on the release of RDPase via a GPI-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC). Peroxynitrite scavengers (deferoxamine and superoxide dismutase) or reducing agent (dithiothreitol) did not affect SNP's inhibition of the release of RDPase. Exposure to the G-protein activator AlF(-)(4) mimicked the l-Arg effect in the presence of a low concentration of l-Arg, and the effect was completely reversed by U73122, an intracellular phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC (PI-PLC) inhibitor. These results suggest a signal-transduction pathway involving NO, which is produced by NO synthase(s) following activation of a G-protein-coupled PI-PLC, resulting in inhibition of the GPI-PLC that cleaves and releases RDPase. Therefore, this indicates a role for NO as an inhibitory regulator of the shedding of the GPI-anchored RDPase in acute renal failure.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Structure-activity relationship of hydroxamate-based inhibitors on the secretases that cleave the amyloid precursor protein, angiotensin converting enzyme, CD23, and pro-tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Multiple proteins are proteolytically shed from the membrane, including the amyloid precursor protein (APP) involved in Alzheimer's disease, the blood pressure regulating angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), the low affinity IgE receptor CD23, and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The inhibitory effect of a range of hydroxamic acid-based compounds on the secretases involved in cleaving and releasing these four proteins has been examined to build up a structure-activity relationship. Compounds have been identified that can discriminate between TNF-alpha convertase and the other three secretases (compound 15), between the shedding of CD23 and the shedding of APP and ACE (compound 21), and between the secretases and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (compound 22). The structure-activity relationship for the APP alpha-secretase and the ACE secretase were remarkably similar, and both secretases were activated in whole cell systems by the serine proteinase inhibitor 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin. The basal and carbachol-stimulated shedding of APP and ACE from human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells could not be differentiated by any of the hydroxamate compounds, implying that the same or very similar activities are involved in the constitutive and regulated shedding of these two proteins. By utilizing a key discriminatory compound (compound 15) that potently inhibits TNF-alpha convertase but not alpha-secretase, we show that TNF-alpha convertase is not involved in the regulated shedding of APP from human neuronal cells. The compounds reported here will be useful in future studies aimed at identifying and validating candidate secretases.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗
PubMed2002

Prion disease: close encounters of the cellular kind.

Co-culture of prion-infected cells with uninfected target cells has recently been found to lead to rapid and efficient transmission of infectivity to the target cells by a process that is dependent on direct cell contact.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The C-terminal domain, but not the interchain disulphide, is required for the activity and intracellular trafficking of aminopeptidase A.

Mammalian aminopeptidase A (APA; glutamyl aminopeptidase; EC 3.4.11.7) is a type II membrane-spanning protein consisting of a short N-terminal cytosolic domain, a single transmembrane domain and a large extracellular C-terminal domain containing the active site. The extracellular domain consists of a 107 kDa domain, containing the zinc-binding motif and all the residues involved in catalysis, separated by a protease-susceptible hinge region from the 45 kDA C-terminal domain of unknown function. To investigate the role of the 45 kDa domain, a construct of murine APA (G594Delta) lacking this C-terminal domain was expressed in COS-1 cells. This truncated form of APA, although expressed, lacked enzymic activity and failed to reach the cell surface. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that G594Delta co-localized with the lectin concanavalin A and had a similar staining pattern as protein disulphide-isomerase, indicating that it was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Thus the C-terminal 45 kDa domain appears to be acting like a pro-domain and seems to be required for the correct folding and trafficking of APA. In contrast, mutation of cysteine-43 to serine, which is involved in the disulphide-linkage of the APA homodimer, did not affect the enzymic activity, cellular location or rate of trafficking through the secretory pathway of APA.

Aminopeptidases↗
PubMed2002

Spontaneous release of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored renal dipeptidase from porcine renal proximal tubules.

The incubation of porcine renal proximal tubules (PTs) resulted in the release of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored renal dipeptidase (RDPase, EC 3. 4. 13. 19) from the membrane after a lag period of approximately 6 hours. This spontaneous release of RDPase from the membrane was inhibited by antibiotics. When the incubation supernatant was added back to fresh PTs, both the antibiotic inhibition of RDPase release and the lag period disappeared. The released RDPase reacted with an anti-cross reacting determinant antibody indicating the presence of the Ins (1,2-cyc)P moiety. These results suggest that bacteria in the PTs, when incubated, grow and secrete a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). This enzyme then hydrolyses the GPI-anchored RDPase and is transferable. RDPase was purified following its release from the membrane by this simple and inexpensive method which may also be applied to other GPI-anchored proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The angiotensin-converting enzyme gene family: genomics and pharmacology.

Modulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and particularly inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a zinc metallopeptidase, has long been a prime strategy in the treatment of hypertension. However, other angiotensin metabolites are gaining in importance as our understanding of the RAS increases. Recently, genomic approaches have identified the first human homologue of ACE, termed ACEH (or ACE2). ACEH differs in specificity and physiological roles from ACE, which opens a potential new area for discovery biology. The gene that encodes collectrin, a homologue of ACEH, is upregulated in response to renal injury. Collectrin lacks a catalytic domain, which indicates that there is more to ACE-like function than simple peptide hydrolysis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Proteases: a primer.

A protease can be defined as an enzyme that hydrolyses peptide bonds. Proteases can be divided into endopeptidases, which cleave internal peptide bonds in substrates, and exopeptidases, which cleave the terminal peptide bonds. Exopeptidases can be further subdivided into aminopeptidases and carboxypeptidases. The Schechter and Berger nomenclature provides a model for describing the interactions between the peptide substrate and the active site of a protease. Proteases can also be classified as aspartic proteases, cysteine proteases, metalloproteases, serine proteases and threonine proteases, depending on the nature of the active site. Different inhibitors can be used experimentally to distinguish between these classes of protease. The MEROPs database groups proteases into families on the basis of similarities in sequence and structure. Protease activity can be regulated in vivo by endogenous inhibitors, by the activation of zymogens and by altering the rate of their synthesis and degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

ACEH/ACE2 is a novel mammalian metallocarboxypeptidase and a homologue of angiotensin-converting enzyme insensitive to ACE inhibitors.

A human zinc metalloprotease (termed ACEH or ACE2) with considerable homology to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (EC 3.4.15.1) has been identified and subsequently cloned and functionally expressed. The translated protein contains an N-terminal signal sequence, a single catalytic domain with zinc-binding motif (HEMGH), a transmembrane region, and a small C-terminal cytosolic domain. Unlike somatic ACE, ACEH functions as a carboxypeptidase when acting on angiotensin I and angiotensin II or other peptide substrates. ACEH may function in conjunction with ACE and neprilysin in novel pathways of angiotensin metabolism of physiological significance. In contrast with ACE, ACEH does not hydrolyse bradykinin and is not inhibited by typical ACE inhibitors. ACEH is unique among mammalian carboxypeptidases in containing an HEXXH zinc motif but, in this respect, resembles a bacterial enzyme, Thermus aquaticus (Taq) carboxypeptidase (EC 3.4.17.19). Collectrin, a developmentally regulated renal protein, is homologous with the C-terminal region of ACEH but has no similarity with ACE and no catalytic domain. Thus, the ACEH protein may have evolved as a chimera of a single ACE-like domain and a collectrin domain. The collectrin domain may regulate tissue response to injury whereas the catalytic domain is involved in peptide processing events.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored renal dipeptidase is released by a phospholipase C in vivo.

The release mechanism of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored renal dipeptidase (EC 3.4.13.19) in vivo has been investigated. Triton X-114 phase separation indicated that the dipeptidase is exclusively present as a hydrophilic form in urine from porcine, rat, rabbit and human. Western blot analysis of human and porcine purified dipeptidase and the urine concentrates with anti-(cross-reacting determinant) serum demonstrated the presence of inositol 1,2-cyclic monophosphate indicating that the renal dipeptidase had been released from the membrane by the action of a phospholipase C. This is the first direct evidence for cleavage of a human GPI-anchored protein by a responsible phospholipase C in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The prion protein and lipid rafts.

Prions are the causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. In these prion diseases the normal cellular form of the prion protein (PrP(C)) undergoes a post-translational conformational conversion to the infectious form (PrP(Sc)). PrP(C) associates with cholesterol- and glycosphingolipid-rich lipid rafts through association of its glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor with saturated raft lipids and through interaction of its N-terminal region with an as yet unidentified raft associated molecule. PrP(C) resides in detergent-resistant domains that have different lipid and protein compositions to the domains occupied by another GPI-anchored protein, Thy-1. In some cells PrP(C) may endocytose through caveolae, but in neuronal cells, upon copper binding to the N-terminal octapeptide repeats, the protein translocates out of rafts into detergent-soluble regions of the plasma membrane prior to endocytosis through clathrin-coated pits. The current data suggest that the polybasic region at its N-terminus is required to engage PrP(C) with a transmembrane adaptor protein which in turn links with the clathrin endocytic machinery. PrP(C) associates in rafts with a variety of signalling molecules, including caveolin-1 and Fyn and Src tyrosine kinases. The clustering of PrP(C) triggers a range of signal transduction processes, including the recruitment of the neural cell adhesion molecule to rafts which in turn promotes neurite outgrowth. Lipid rafts appear to be involved in the conformational conversion of PrP(C) to PrP(Sc), possibly by providing a favourable environment for this process to occur and enabling disease progression.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The involvement of lipid rafts in Alzheimer's disease.

The amyloidogenesis occurring in Alzheimer's disease represents a fundamental membrane-related pathology involving a membrane-bound substrate metabolized by integral membrane proteases (secretases). Thus, the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta), which accumulates extracellularly as plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients, is derived by sequential proteolytic cleavage of the integral transmembrane amyloid precursor protein (APP). Beta-Secretase or BACE-1 (beta-site APP cleaving enzyme) is a transmembrane aspartic protease responsible for the first of these cleavage events, generating the soluble APP ectodomain sAPPbeta, and a C-terminal fragment CTFbeta. CTFbeta is subsequently cleaved by the ?gamma-secretase complex, of which presenilin is the catalytic core, to produce Ass. A variety of studies indicate that cholesterol is an important factor in the regulation of Ass production, with high cholesterol levels being linked to increased Ass generation and deposition. However, the mechanism(s) underlying this effect are unclear at present. Recent evidence suggests that amyloidogenic APP processing may preferentially occur in the cholesterol-rich regions of membranes known as lipid rafts, and that changes in cholesterol levels could exert their effects by altering the distribution of APP-cleaving enzymes within the membrane. Rafts may be involved in the aggregation of Ass and also in its clearance by amyloid-degrading enzymes such as plasmin or possibly neprilysin (NEP).

Alzheimer Disease↗