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Biomedical subjects

P Csermely

Publications and source records attributed to P Csermely.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Defensins purified from human granulocytes bind C1q and activate the classical complement pathway like the transmembrane glycoprotein gp41 of HIV-1.

The transmembrane glycoprotein gp41 of HIV-1 contains a C1q binding domain (HIVenv 583-610) and activates the human complement system through the classical pathway. Based on structural and functional similarities between human defensins (human neutrophil peptide, HNP 1-3) and synthetic peptides representing the env 583-610 region of HIV-1, we found it interesting to investigate the C1q binding and complement activating ability of human defensins. Human defensins were purified and characterized by size exclusion chromatography, ultrafiltration, gel electrophoresis and HPLC. The complement activating ability of the purified peptides was assessed in a solid-phase immunoassay. Defensins, fixed to an ELISA plate, were able to bind the C1q subcomponent of the first complement component (C1), triggering the classical pathway of complement activation which led to C4b binding to the plate. Reduction and subsequent alkylation of disulfide bridges of defensins greatly decreased the C1q binding ability but complement activation (C4b binding) remained high. Further acetylation of the reduced defensin peptide resulted in a molecule which bound very little or no C1q but still activated the complement cascade. These phenomena indicate that defensins interact with the complement system via C1q-dependent and C1q-independent mechanisms, and extend the number of functional similarities between defensins and gp41 of HIV-1 to include C1q binding and complement activation.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1997

Proteins, RNAs and chaperones in enzyme evolution: a folding perspective.

The present roles of RNA molecules as templates and of proteins as cellular catalysts may not have always been so clearly defined during evolution. Recent work on ribozymes shows that the catalytic activity of early RNAs may have been more general than previously thought. How did evolution select proteins, not RNA, to be the major biological catalysts? Why were chaperones necessary for the evolution of modern protein enzymes?

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed1996

Insulin-induced phosphorylation of a 38 kDa DNA-binding protein in ventricular cardiomyocytes: possible implication of nuclear protein phosphatase activity.

Ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from adult rat heart were used to analyze the effect of insulin on the phosphorylation of DNA-binding nuclear proteins and to elucidate the potential involvement of protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1) and PP-2A in this hormonal action. Cells were labelled with [33P]orthophosphate, stimulated with insulin (1.7 x 10(-7) M) and processed for the isolation of nuclei and extraction of DNA-binding proteins. Insulin was found to induce a rapid and constant increase in the serine/threonine phosphorylation of a 38 kDa DNA-binding protein, reaching 150% of control after 15 min and 180% after 150 min. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting experiments revealed the presence of phosphorylated numatrin in the nuclear extract, however, insulin did not modify its phosphorylation state. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with okadaic acid (1 microM) resulted in a large increase (246 +/- 30%) in the phosphorylation of the 38 kDa protein. Using 32P-labelled phosphorylase as a substrate, we observed a significant inhibition of nuclear PP-1 activity to 38.5 +/- 7% (n = 3) of control after incubation of cardiomyocytes with insulin for 15 min. PP-2A, which corresponds to about 25% of total phosphatase activity, was also inhibited to the same extent. These data show the presence of an insulin-responsive 38 kDa DNA-binding phosphoprotein in the nucleus of cardiomyocytes, which is at least partly regulated by nuclear phosphatase activity. It is suggested that inhibition of nuclear PP-1 and PP-2A represents a possible mechanism of insulin signalling to the nucleus of target cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Chronic overcrowding decreases cytoplasmic free calcium levels in T lymphocytes of aged CBA/CA mice.

Intracellular calcium concentration is a sensitive marker of the homeostasis of living cells, and its increase is an essential step of T lymphocyte activation. Changes in the environment provoke an adaptive stress-response of the organism. In our present work we have investigated the effect of chronic overcrowding on resting and lectin-stimulated cytoplasmic free calcium concentration of splenic T lymphocytes from young and aged CBA/CA mice (50 animals total). The animals were kept under 'normal' (68 cm2/animal) or 'overcrowded' (22 cm2/animal) conditions for 3 months. Young animals showed no change in resting and stimulated calcium after overcrowding. T cells from aged mice, however, displayed significantly smaller levels of both resting and lectin-stimulated intracellular calcium concentration (p < 0.01 each), as compared to those of the non-stressed, aged animals. This inadequate adaptation in the calcium metabolism of T lymphocytes may significantly contribute to the diminished immune response of the aged in stress.

Aging↗
PubMed1995

Alterations in the properties and isoform ratios of brain Na+/K(+)-ATPase in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

In this study we analysed the changes in the properties of rat cerebral cortex Na+K(+)-ATPase in streptozotocin induced diabetes (STZ-diabetes). Special attempt was made to determine whether insulin treatment of diabetic animals could restore the altered parameters of this enzyme. Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity was found to be decreased by 15% after 2 weeks, and by 37% after 4 weeks in diabetic rat brains with a parallel decrease in maximal capacity of low affinity ouabain binding sites. There was no significant change in the high affinity ouabain binding sites. The Kd values did not change significantly. Western blot analysis of brain Na+/K(+)-ATPase isoforms indicated a 61 +/- 5.8% and 20 +/- 2.8% decrease of the alpha 1 and alpha 3 isoforms, respectively in 4 weeks diabetic animals. Change in the amount of the alpha 2 isoform proved to be less characteristic. Both types of beta subunit isoform showed a significant decrease in four weeks diabetic rats. Our data indicate a good correlation in diabetic rats between changes in Na-/K(+)-ATPase activity, low affinity ouabain binding capacity and the level of alpha 1 isoform. While insulin treatment of diabetic animals restored the blood glucose level to normal, a complete reversal of diabetes induced changes in Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity, ouabain binding capacity and Na+/K(+)-ATPase isoform composition could not be achieved.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

ATP induces dissociation of the 90 kDa heat shock protein (hsp90) from F-actin: interference with the binding of heavy meromyosin.

The 90 kDa heat shock protein (hsp90) is a major cytoplasmic molecular chaperone associating with various other proteins such as steroid receptors, protein kinases and filamentous actin. hsp90 has also been shown to bind ATP, which causes a conformational change of the protein. The physiological role and significance of ATP binding by hsp90, however, has remained unclear. Here we show through direct, microscopic observations, that ATP induces the dissociation of actin filaments from immobilized molecules of hsp90 as well as the dissociation of F-actin from heavy meromyosin in the presence of hsp90.

Actins↗
PubMed1995

Autophosphorylation of grp94 (endoplasmin).

The 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein (endoplasmin, grp94) is an abundant member of the 90-kDa molecular chaperone family in the endoplasmic reticulum. We have found earlier that the 50% homologous 90-kDa heat shock protein, hsp90, has ATP-binding site(s) and autophosphorylating activity (Csermely, P., and Kahn, C. R. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 4943-4950). In the present paper we demonstrate that highly purified grp94 is also able to autophosphorylate itself on serine and threonine residues. grp94 can be freed from the co-purifying casein kinase II by concanavalin A affinity chromatography, and its phosphorylation is unaffected by activators and inhibitors of numerous protein kinases known to associate with the homologous hsp90. The autophosphorylation persists in immunoprecipitates and in SDS-polyacrylamide gel-purified and renatured grp94. Autophosphorylation displays a monomolecular kinetics, is activated by micromolar calcium concentrations, has an extreme heat stability, and can utilize both ATP and GTP with relatively high km values of 243 +/- 14 microM and 116 +/- 23 microM, respectively. Sequence analysis of grp94 shows the presence of two ATP-binding sites. The major product of limited proteolysis of grp94 by chymotrypsin or papain is an N-terminal 85-kDa fragment that can bind to ATP-agarose but does not show autophosphorylation. Our data suggest that grp94 has an enzymatic function analogous in many respects to the similar activity of hsp70, hsp90, and grp78 (BiP). Autophosphorylation may participate in/regulate the complex formation of these proteins, so it may be involved in their chaperone function.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

The tumor-selective somatostatin analog, TT2-32 induces a biphasic activation of phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity in human colon tumor cell line, SW620.

Somatostatin has been demonstrated to activate phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) in pancreatic cells. In this work we studied the effect of a tumor-selective somatostatin structural derivative, TT2-32, on the PTPase activity in the SW620 human colon tumor cell line. TT2-32 caused a strong inhibition of cell proliferation. In response to TT2-32 we found a rapid and sustained increase (5-30 min) in PTPase activity showing two maxima at 0.1 and 30 microM concentrations, respectively. During short-term incubation tyrosine kinase activity was much less affected by TT2-32. TT2-32-induced activation of PTPases may be an important early step in the signaling cascade in the inhibition of cell proliferation in colon carcinomas.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Interference of the sulphonylurea antidiabeticum gliquidone with mitochondrial bioenergetics in the rat under in vitro conditions.

The hypoglycaemic sulphonylurea gliquidone and glibenclamide exerted a partial uncoupling effect on mitochondrial respiration of liver under in vitro conditions using various citrate cycle intermediates as substrates. Besides the uncoupling effect, gliquidone and glibenclamide caused a direct inhibition of ATP-as well as DNP-stimulated oxygen consumption. Both phenomena proved to be dose dependent. Respiratory control ratio decreased progressively with increasing concentrations of sulphonylureas mainly through the inhibition of ADP-stimulated respiration. Basal and DNP-stimulated ATP-ase activity of isolated mitochondria changed similarly to the respiratory parameters. Changes in membrane permeability of mitochondria and the inhibition of substrate uptake further support the assumption of structural and functional alteration of mitochondria by the hypoglycaemic compounds tested.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Interference of sulphonylurea antidiabetica with mitochondrial bioenergetics under in vivo conditions.

Sulphonylurea antidiabetica effectively inhibits the basal hepatic glucose production. Since it has been firmly established that lipophylic sulphonylurea drugs exerted an uncoupling effect on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, a relationship between the reduction of hepatic gluconeogenesis and the insufficient energy supply due to sulphonylureas could be supposed. In this study we have investigated the effects of glibenclamide and gliquidone on mitochondrial bioenergetics in liver after peroral treatments of normal rats with different doses. The treatment of rats with 5 mg/kg glibenclamide or gliquidone daily for 14 days elicited only a marginal inhibition on mitochondrial oxidation capacity and remained without any effect on mitochondrial ATPase activity. Only the supermaximal dose 50 mg/kg for 14 day produced a significant damage in the mitochondrial functions. The basal respiration increased with 60-80 per cent, whereas the ADP- or DNP-stimulated oxygen consumption significantly decreased independently from the respiratory substrates investigated. Similar alterations were found in the mitochondrial ATPase activity after treatment with these drugs. No essential differences have been observed in the actions between glibenclamide and gliquidone. However, the lowest dose applied in this study is many times higher than the usual therapeutic dose. Consequently, glibenclamide and gliquidone do not interact with mitochondrial bioenergetic processes under therapeutic conditions. On the other hand, in different liver and kidney damages we have no sufficient knowledge whether these drugs can be accumulated in these organs and therefore their elevated concentration may interfere with the mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on kidney Na+/K(+)-ATPase.

The maximal capacity of low affinity ouabain binding sites in kidney medulla was found to be increased by 20 +/- 3.8% after 2 weeks, and by 35 +/- 4.5% in 4 weeks diabetes. However, in kidney cortex no similar changes could be detected. Western blot analysis of Na+/K(+)-ATPase subunits in kidney medulla indicated a significant enhancement of both the alpha 1 and beta 1 subunit in two and four weeks diabetic rats (alpha 1: 35 +/- 3.1, 51 +/- 5.8% and beta 1: 31.3 +/- 5.2 and 43.2 +/- 6.8%, respectively). However, kidney cortex showed no significant change in any condition tested. In diabetes we could detect a significant change only in the medulla in case of the b subunit mRNA transcript, which showed 1.69 +/- 0.59 and 2.89 +/- 0.81 times increased in two and four weeks diabetic state, respectively. There was no change in the alpha 1 subunit mRNA abundance. Insulin treatment of diabetic animals did not result in a complete reversal of diabetes-induced changes in ouabain binding capacity or in the amount of Na+/K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 and beta 1 subunit protein and mRNA levels. Our data indicate a good correlation between changes in low affinity ouabain binding capacity and the level of alpha 1 isoform in diabetic rats, and suggest an important role of the b subunit in the regulation of enzyme quantity.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Changes of the 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (grp78) in livers of diabetic rats.

The 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (grp78) is an abundant member of the 70 kDa molecular chaperone family in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum participating in the quality control of secretory proteins. In the present paper we have analysed the synthesis and level of grp78 in livers of control, streptozotocin-diabetic, and the spontaneously diabetic Zucker rats. The level of grp78 mRNA significantly decreased in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The effect was reversed by insulin treatment. In case of Zucker rats we did not detect any significant change in grp78 mRNA, grp78 protein level showed opposite changes being essentially unchanged in streptozotocin-diabetes and significantly reduced in Zucker rats. Autoradiograms of Ca-dependent phosphorylation of postmitochondrial supernatants of control and streptozotocin-diabetic livers indicated no significant changes in the 70 kDa region. Decrease in the availability of grp78 may participate in the attenuation of hepatic protein secretion in diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The 90 kDa heat shock protein (hsp90) induces the condensation of the chromatin structure.

The 90 kDa heat shock protein (hsp90) is a member of the "chaperone-complex" of steroid receptors believed to be partially or transiently localized in the cell nucleus. Demonstrating that hsp90 has an ATP binding site and autophosphorylating activity we have observed that histones, especially histone H1, are able to modulate the autophosphorylation of hsp90 [Csermely, P. and Kahn, C.R. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 4943-4950]. Our present data suggest a direct interaction of hsp90 with histones, showing that hsp90 is able to bind histone-agarose and enhances the binding of histones to DNA. Circular dichroism spectra of rat liver chromatin indicate that hsp90 induces a tighter, condensed state of the chromatin structure which is resistant against disruption by high salt treatment. Interactions of hsp90 with the chromatin may be important in regulating the transcriptional activity of steroid receptors and other transcription factors.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The nonapeptide leucinostatin A acts as a weak ionophore and as an immunosuppressant on T lymphocytes.

Earlier studies have disclosed that leucinostatin A, a hydrophobic nonapeptide antibiotic, assumes an alpha-helical secondary structure in nonpolar environments. The present report demonstrates that the peptide acts as a weak ionophore facilitating the transport of mono-and divalent cations through the plasma membrane of T lymphocytes and through artificial membranes. Leucinostatin A does not change the thymidine uptake of both resting mouse thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes but dose-dependently prevents the activation of T lymphocytes by tetradecanoyl-phorbol-acetate and by anti-T cell receptor antibody.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Lipocortin I is not accessible for protein kinase C bound to the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane in streptolysin-O-permeabilized pig granulocytes.

We previously observed a 38 kDa protein that was a major protein component of the cytosolic extract of pig granulocytes and the dominant substrate of protein kinase C at supra-physiological Ca2+ concentrations. The purified 38 kDa protein itself required Ca2+ to be phosphorylated by protein kinase C. Now we demonstrate that this protein, which is also present in human granulocytes, is identical to lipocortin I. The identification is based on the chromatographic properties and immunoblot of the purified protein which is also a good substrate for tissue transglutaminase. Phosphorylation of lipocortin I by protein kinase C was investigated in granulocytes permeabilized with streptolysin-O. At physiological intracellular Ca2+ concentrations lipocortin I was not phosphorylated at all. At supra-physiological Ca2+ concentrations (0.5 mM), lipocortin I was also not phosphorylated when protein kinase C was translocated to the membrane by treatment of the cells with phorbol myristate acetate. Its phosphorylation was detectable only in control experiments when protein kinase C was activated in the cytosol by the addition of dioleoylglycerol and phosphatidylserine to the permeabilized cells. The data presented show that, in permeabilized granulocytes, Ca(2+)-lipocortin is not formed at physiological Ca2+ concentrations, and at supra-physiological Ca2+ concentrations the Ca(2+)-lipocortin I is not accessible to protein kinase C bound to the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Regulation of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in 3T3-F442A adipocytes. Effects of differentiation, insulin, and dexamethasone.

Insulin rapidly stimulates tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor resulting in phosphorylation of its cytosolic substrate insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), which in turn associates with and activates the enzyme phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). In the present study we have examined these three initial steps in insulin action during the differentiation of 3T3-F442A adipocytes and after treatment with dexamethasone or insulin. The differentiation of 3T3-F442A cells was characterized by a 13-fold increase in insulin receptor protein, a 9-fold increase in IRS-1, and a 10- and 4.5-fold increase in their insulin-stimulated phosphorylation, respectively. The mRNA expression of these two proteins showed a similar 8-fold increase during differentiation. In addition there was a 3.5-fold increase in PI 3-kinase protein [85 kilodalton (kDa) subunit] and a 16-fold increase in IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase activity between day 0 and day 8 of differentiation. Dexamethasone (1 microM) treatment of differentiated cells induced a further 48% (P < 0.05) increase in insulin receptor level, but the autophosphorylation of the receptor was decreased by 31 +/- 1% (P < 0.02). At the same time there was a decrease by 56 +/- 4% (P < 0.005) in IRS-1 protein and by 31 +/- 1% (P < 0.001) in IRS-1 phosphorylation. The expression of insulin receptor mRNA was unchanged, but the expression of IRS-1 mRNA was decreased by approximately 75% after dexamethasone. By contrast, dexamethasone induced a 69% increase in the level of PI 3-kinase as determined by immunoblotting. The combined effect of decreased IRS-1 phosphorylation and increased PI 3-kinase protein was a minimal change (15% decrease) in the association/activation between IRS-1 and PI 3-kinase. Chronic treatment with 100 nM insulin induced a time- and dose-dependent decrease in insulin receptor and IRS-1 protein levels reaching a nadir of 34 +/- 5% (P < 0.005) and 39 +/- 5% (P < 0.01) of control levels after 24 h, respectively. There was an even more marked decrease in the phosphorylation level of these proteins. Chronic insulin treatment also produced a 30% decrease in PI 3-kinase protein levels and a approximately 50% decrease in the association/activation between IRS-1/PI 3-kinase. The expression of insulin receptor and IRS-1 mRNA was unchanged during chronic insulin treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Insulin induces the phosphorylation of nucleolin. A possible mechanism of insulin-induced RNA efflux from nuclei.

Insulin induces the serine phosphorylation of the nucleolar protein nucleolin at subnanomolar concentrations in differentiated 3T3-442A cells. The stimulation is biphasic with phosphorylation reaching a maximum at 10 pM insulin and then declining to only 40% of basal levels at insulin concentrations of 1 microM. These changes are rapid, reaching half-maximal after 4 min and maximal after 15 min of incubation. The cell-permeable casein kinase II inhibitor 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole-riboside prevents the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of nucleolin suggesting that casein kinase II may mediate this effect of the hormone. Insulin-like growth factor 1 mimics the action of insulin on dephosphorylation of nucleolin at nanomolar concentrations suggesting that the latter effect may be mediated by insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors. Insulin treatment of 3T3-442A cells also results in a stimulation of RNA efflux from isolated, intact cell nuclei. The dose dependence of insulin-induced nucleolin phosphorylation and insulin-stimulated RNA efflux from intact cell nuclei are almost identical. Insulin induces an increase in the RNA efflux at subnanomolar concentrations in 3T3-442A adipocytes, while high (micromolar) concentrations of insulin inhibited the efflux of RNA. These data indicate that insulin regulates the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of nucleolin, possibly via stimulation of casein kinase II, and this may play a role in regulation of the RNA efflux from nuclei.

3T3 Cells↗