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Biomedical subjects

P A Haynes

Publications and source records attributed to P A Haynes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A simplified gradient solvent delivery system for capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

We describe a simple solvent delivery system for gradient capillary HPLC at nanoliter per minute flow rates. The novel aspect of the system is that solvents are delivered one at a time, using a switching valve, into a relatively large-volume mixing chamber. Efficient mixing in the chamber causes the formation of a sigmoidal gradient from the initial solvent to the subsequent solvent, which is then delivered to a capillary column. The shape of the gradients formed can be predicted from a simple theoretical model. Gradients of different slope can be formed by varying either the size of the chamber or the system flow rate. The system is robust, reproducible, and simple to operate. We provide a detailed protocol of how to construct a low-cost capillary HPLC system consisting of two syringe pumps, a capillary mixing chamber, a capillary column, and a zero dead-volume microelectrospray interface. We demonstrate that the coupling of this HPLC system to a mass spectrometer enabled us to identify proteins at the low femtomole level in solution-phase digests and at the picomole level in digests of samples separated on SDS-PAGE gels. We believe that the strategy presented will be useful as a general method for the characterization of proteins and peptides by capillary HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid

Oligopeptidase B-dependent signaling mediates host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi.

Mammalian cell invasion by the intracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is mediated by recruitment and fusion of host cell lysosomes, an unusual process that has been proposed to be dependent on the ability of parasites to trigger intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) transients in host cells. Previous work implicated the T.cruzi serine hydrolase oligopeptidase B in the generation of Ca2+-signaling activity in parasite extracts. Here we show that deletion of the gene encoding oligopeptidase B results in a marked defect in host cell invasion and in the establishment of infections in mice. The invasion defect is associated with the inability of oligopeptidase B null mutant trypomastigotes to mobilize Ca2+ from thapsigargin-sensitive stores in mammalian cells. Exogenous recombinant oligopeptidase B reconstitutes the oligopeptidase B-dependent Ca2+ signaling activity in null mutant parasite extracts, demonstrating that this enzyme is responsible for the generation of a signaling agonist for mammalian cells.

Animals

Identification of gel-separated proteins by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry: comparison of methods and their limitations.

We have compared several different experimental systems currently in use in our laboratory for protein identification by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The efficiency of peptide recovery from trypsin-digested gel bands or electroblotted membrane slices was examined using 35S-labeled yeast proteins, and was found to be in excess of 80%. A dilution series of two standard proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and carbonic anhydrase (CA), was analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS to determine what amount of protein could be loaded onto a gel and successfully identified, a measure we refer to as the practical detection limit. We were able to identify both standards at the 500 ng level in samples prepared from gel slices, using either a regular spray or a flow-split microspray HPLC-MS interface system. In samples prepared from membrane pieces, carbonic anhydrase was also identified at the 500 ng level, while bovine serum albumin could only be identified in samples of more than 1000 ng. In general, protein identification was slightly better in samples prepared from gels rather than membranes. A dilution series of lesser amounts of the same standard proteins was also analyzed using a gradient capillary LC system and we were able to successfully identify 50 ng of carbonic anhydrase and 100 ng of BSA.

Animals

Proteome analysis: biological assay or data archive?

In this review we examine the current state of proteome analysis. There are three main issues discussed: why it is necessary to study proteomes; how proteomes can be analyzed with current technology; and how proteome analysis can be used to enhance biological research. We conclude that proteome analysis is an essential tool in the understanding of regulated biological systems. Current technology, while still mostly limited to the more abundant proteins, enables the use of proteome analysis both to establish databases of proteins present, and to perform biological assays involving measurement of multiple variables. We believe that the utility of proteome analysis in future biological research will continue to be enhanced by further improvements in analytical technology.

Animals

Phosphoglycosylation: a new structural class of glycosylation?

There are a number of different glycoproteins that have been identified relatively recently which contain oligosaccharides linked to serine or threonine in a peptide backbone via phosphodiesters. It is possible that these glycoproteins may form an alternative structural class of glycosylation. This modification has been referred to as phosphoglycosylation (Mehta et al., 1996; J. Biol. Chem., 271, 10897-10903), and has been reported in slime molds and several unicellular parasites. In this review, examples of phosphoglycosylation from different biological sources are discussed. Those which are well characterized have been found to be highly variable with respect to the glycan moiety, while sharing some common features. An experimental approach detailing how to determine whether a protein is phosphoglycosylated is also presented.

Animals

Characterization of the Trypanosoma brucei homologue of a Trypanosoma cruzi flagellum-adhesion glycoprotein.

An immunodominant 72-kDa surface glycoprotein (Gp72) of Trypanosoma cruzi is involved in adhesion of the flagellum to the cell body (Cooper, R, Ribeiro de Jesus, A and Cross, G.A.M (1993) J. Cell Biol. 122, 149-156). We have characterized a gene, flagellum-adhesion glycoprotein genel (fla1), from Trypanosoma brucei that encodes a 546 amino-acid protein (Fla1) with high similarity to Gp72. Their sequence similarity and cellular localization suggest that Fla1 and Gp72 have similar functions. We could disrupt individual fla1 alleles but not both, suggesting that fla1 is essential in T. brucei, in contrast to the situation for gp72 in T. cruzi. Using affinity-purified polyclonal antibody, raised against part of the amino-terminal domain of Fla1 expressed in Escherichia coli, we showed that Fla1 is concentrated along the flagellum and in the flagellar pocket in both bloodstream-form and procyclic trypanosomes. Fla1 from both life-cycle stages is N-glycosylated. Fla1 from bloodstream-form T. brucei contains additional glycans, which can be liberated by treatment with mild acid, suggestive of phosphodiester linkages.

Amino Acid Sequence

Conservation of the lipooligosaccharide synthesis locus lgt among strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: requirement for lgtE in synthesis of the 2C7 epitope and of the beta chain of strain 15253.

The present study was undertaken to examine the extent to which the lgt locus varies among strains of gonococci. This locus encodes five glycosyl transferases involved in the synthesis of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. We examined seven gonococcal strains and found that the structure of the lgt locus is conserved among six of these strains. The locus is strikingly altered in strain 15253. This is one of the few strains where extensive structural analysis of its LOS is available, and therefore, we defined the altered lgt locus and focused on the reactivity of mAB 2C7. We found that strain 15253 contains only two lgt genes, lgtA and lgtE. As in F62, lgtA encodes a GlcNAc transferase and is subject to phase variation. In addition, by analysis of deletion mutants, we found that lgtE, which encodes a galactosyl transferase that is required for elongating the alpha-chain, is also necessary for completing the beta chain.

Blotting, Southern

Structural characterization of novel oligosaccharides of cell-surface glycoproteins of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Affinity-purified glycopeptides were prepared from Trypanosoma cruzi using the carbohydrate-specific monoclonal antibody WIC29.26. These glycopeptides contain rhamnose, fucose, xylose, and galactose, in the ratio 1:1:2:3. A series of oligosaccharides was released from the glycopeptides by mild acid hydrolysis, while, in contrast, no oligosaccharides were released by either peptide N-glycosidase F or conventional base-catalyzed beta-elimination and reduction. This suggested the presence of a phosphodiester linkage between the carbohydrate and peptide, which was further supported by the detection of phosphothreonine in the glycopeptides. The mild acid liberated (MAL) fraction was resolved into two major acidic oligosaccharides (MAL-P1 and MAL-P2), two minor neutral oligosaccharides (MAL-P1b and MAL-P2b) and a neutral fraction (MAL-N1), consisting of Gal and Xyl monosaccharides. The MAL-P1 and MAL-P2 oligosaccharides proved to be hexa- and hepta-saccharides that shared a common xylose reducing terminus, but differed by one galactofuranose residue, and their negative charge was shown to be due to the presence of cyclic-phosphate attached to nonreducing terminal galactofuranose residues. The MAL-P1b and MAL-P2b oligosaccharides appeared to be nonphosphorylated versions of MAL-P1 and MAL-P2. Partial structures of MAL-P1 and MAL-P2 are suggested, based on compositional analyses, electrospray mass spectrometry, and tandem mass spectrometry before and after permethylation. The origin and significance of these unique trypanosomatid glycoconjugates is discussed.

Animals

Subcellular localization of Trypanosoma cruzi glycoprotein Gp72.

We have investigated the subcellular location of the Trypanosoma cruzi surface glycoprotein, Gp72, by introducing epitope-tagged copies of gp72 null-mutant cells. A tagged Gp72, containing three tandemly repeated copies of a human influenza hemagglutinin nonapeptide (HA) adjacent to the mature Gp72 amino terminus, was able to complement the null mutant phenotype, as well as being recognized in Western blots by both anti-HA antibody and the carbohydrate-specific monoclonal antibody WIC29.26. Integration of this epitope-tagged gp72 into the chromosomal gp72 locus produced a clonal cell line, 72HAN3.1G7, which was used for studies of the subcellular location of the epitope-tagged Gp72. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy of fixed 72HAN3.1G7 epimastigotes showed that GP72 was evenly distributed over the cell body and somewhat concentrated in the proximal region of the flagellum. No fluorescence could be detected in the distal tip of the flagellum. Immunoelectron microscopy of fixed 72HAN3.1G7 epimastigotes revealed that Gp72 was predominantly membrane-associated and located on the cell surface. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy of live 72HAN3.1G7 epimastigote cells showed a similar pattern of fluorescence on the flagellum, but no fluorescence was detected on the cell body, which was attributed to masking by other cell-surface components. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy of fixed 72HAN3.1G7 amastigotes revealed that Gp72, which has long been considered to be expressed only in epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes, can be expressed in amastigotes, but it no longer contains the WIC29.26 carbohydrate epitope.

Amino Acid Sequence

The rat hepatic lectin 1 subunit of the rat asialoglycoprotein receptor is a phosphoprotein and contains phosphotyrosine.

The rat asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is an integral transmembrane glycoprotein composed of three polypeptide subunits, designated rat hepatic lectins (RHL) 1, 2, and 3. Each subunit contains one or more Ser and Thr residues in its cytoplasmic domain that are potential sites of phosphorylation; in addition, RHL1 also contains one cytoplasmic Tyr. Based on [32P]PO4 metabolic radiolabeling experiments, Takahashi et al. (Takahashi, T., Nakada, H., Okumura, T., Sawamura, T., and Tashiro, Y. (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 126, 1054-1060) concluded that RHL2 and RHL3 are phosphoproteins but that RHL1 is not. We report here that RHL1 in active ASGPR is, in fact, a phosphoprotein. Western blot analysis using anti-Tyr(P) antibody identified Tyr(P) in RHL1 of affinity-purified ASGPRs. RHL2 and RHL3, which do not contain Tyr in their cytoplasmic domains, did not react with this antibody. When isolated hepatocytes were radiolabeled metabolically with [32P]PO4, RHL1, RHL2, and RHL3 became radiolabeled. Each ASGPR subunit was radiolabeled to a similar extent in the presence or absence of the ligand asialo-orosomucoid, indicating that functioning of the ASGPR does not change its steady-state 23P-radiolabeling. Phosphoamino acid analysis of radiolabeled ASGPR subunits identified Ser(P) as the predominant (approximately 95%) and Thr(P) as a minor (approximately 5%) phosphoamino acid in each polypeptide and confirmed the presence of Tyr(P) (approximately 1%) in RHL1. Furthermore, treatment of hepatocytes with 3 mM vandate at 37 degrees C for 30 min doubled the steady-state level of Tyr(P) in RHL1.

Amino Acid Sequence

Inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation in the rat hepatic lectin 1 subunit of the rat asialoglycoprotein receptor prevents ATP-dependent receptor inactivation in permeabilized hepatocytes.

We previously reconstituted the ATP-dependent inactivation of asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs) in digitonin-permeabilized hepatocytes (Medh, J. D., and Weigel, P. H. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 8771-8778). Here we report that rat hepatic lectin 1 (RHL1) is the only ASGPR subunit that becomes radiolabeled when permeabilized washed hepatocytes are incubated at 4 degrees C in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP; RHL2 and RHL3 are not radiolabeled. Phosphorylation of RHL1 was rapid (t1/2 appoximately 4 min) and complete within 30 min. Inclusion of 20 mM EDTA inhibited phosphorylation of RHL1 completely. Phosphoamino acid analysis identified Tyr(P) as the predominant (> 90%) radiolabeled phosphoamino acid. Addition of vanadate enhanced phosphorylation of Tyr in RHL1 4-fold. Phosphorylation of RHL1 occurred to the same extent in hepatocytes permeabilized with either 0.006% (w/v) or 0.055% digitonin and in the presence or the absence of ligand (50 micrograms/ml asialo-orosomucoid; ASOR) and/or 10 mM CaCl2. Sequential purification of active ASGPRs (using ASOR-Sepharose) and inactive ASGPRs from the ASOR-Sepharose flow-through (using anti-ASGPR antibody-Sepharose) demonstrated that radiolabeled RHL1 was present almost exclusively in active ASGPR oligomers. When permeabilized hepatocytes radiolabeled with [gamma-32P]ATP at 4 degrees C were warmed to 37 degrees C, a temperature at which ATP-dependent ASGPR inactivation occurs, RHL1 was dephosphorylated rapidly (t1/2 approximately 4 min) and completely within approximately 30 min. Western blot analysis using a monoclonal anti-Tyr(P) antibody showed that the steady-state level of endogenous Tyr(P) in RHL1 doubled as a result of ATP treatment at 4 degrees C and then decreased to undetectable levels upon warming to 37 degrees C. The protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin 51 inhibited phosphorylation of RHL1 at 4 degrees C and also prevented ATP-dependent ASGPR inactivation at 37 degrees C. We conclude that phosphorylation of Tyr in RHL1 of active ASGPRs is a prerequisite for ATP-dependent ASGPR inactivation.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Post-translational modifications of the Dictyostelium discoideum glycoprotein PsA. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol membrane anchor and composition of O-linked oligosaccharides.

Prespore-specific antigen (PsA) is a cell-surface glycoprotein isolated from Dictyostelium discoideum, which is post-translationally modified by addition of carbohydrate to threonine residues of the carboxy-terminal peptide domain, and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor which attaches the glycoprotein to the cell membrane. The GPI anchor was isolated by proteolytic cleavage of the protein, and the structure of the lipid and glycan portions of the anchor were determined. The lipid moiety of the anchor is an inositolphosphoceramide which contains C18:0 phytosphingosine as a long chain base, and a mixture of fatty acids with a C18:1 mono-unsaturated fatty acid as the major component. The purified GPI anchor was susceptible to digestion by a bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase-C enzyme. The glycan of the GPI anchor consisted of two molecular species present in the ratio 55:45, the structures of which were determined by exoglycosidase sequencing and found to be Man alpha 1-2Man alpha 1-6Man alpha 1-4GlcNH2 and Man alpha 1-2Man alpha 1-2Man alpha 1-6Man alpha 1-4GlcNH2. The glucosamine in both structures is glycosidically linked to the inositol ring of the inositolphosphoceramide. The GPI glycan structures are consistent with the conserved core structure of all characterised GPI anchors, and the structure of the D. discoideum GPI moiety has features in common with structures from yeast, protozoa and higher eukaryotes. Compositional analysis of the carbohydrate attached to threonine residues in the carboxy-terminal peptide domain is also presented. The oligosaccharides bind to wheat germ agglutinin, and contain glucosamine and fucose as the major constituents.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterisation of oligosaccharides from a glycoprotein variant of human serum albumin (albumin Casebrook) using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The characterisation of oligosaccharides present on albumin Casebrook, a glycoprotein variant of human serum albumin, which contains an N-linked oligosaccharide at an attachment site formed by a point mutation of 494 Asp-->Asn, is described. The monosaccharide compositional analysis of purified glycopeptides suggested the presence of complex biantennary carbohydrate structures. The oligosaccharides which were released by N-glycosidase-F appeared to be a single molecular species according to their retention on high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. The structure of the oligosaccharide was suggested by sequential exoglycosidase digestions and confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was concluded that the oligosaccharides were essentially homogeneous and consisted of an alpha(2-6)-desialylated complex biantennary glycan.

Amidohydrolases

Applications of automated amino acid analysis using 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate.

A rapid and sensitive fully automated method for the determination of primary and secondary amino acids in different matrices is described. Amino acids are derivatized with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate using an automated precolumn derivatization technique. Data are presented to show that the technique is both reproducible and highly sensitive. Applications of the technique are presented, including the analysis of peptide and protein hydrolysates and the profiling of free amino acids in physiological fluids.

Adult

Amino acid analysis using derivatisation with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple procedure for the precolumn derivatisation of amino acids with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate and a liquid chromatographic method for the separation of the derivatives with fluorimetric detection in the picomole range are reported. The procedure does not involve a solvent extraction and gives single, stable derivatives of the common protein amino acids. The method has been demonstrated on hydrolysates of proteins and peptides.

Amino Acids