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R T Timmer

Publications and source records attributed to R T Timmer.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The molecular basis for Na-dependent phosphate transport in human erythrocytes and K562 cells.

The kinetics of sodium-stimulated phosphate flux and phosphate-stimulated sodium flux in human red cells have been previously described (Shoemaker, D.G., C.A. Bender, and R.B. Gunn. 1988. J. Gen. Physiol. 92:449-474). However, despite the identification of multiple isoforms in three gene families (Timmer, R.T., and R.B. Gunn. 1998. Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 274:C757-C769), the molecular basis for the sodium-phosphate cotransporter in erythrocytes is unknown. Most cells express multiple isoforms, thus disallowing explication of isoform-specific kinetics and function. We have found that erythrocyte membranes express one dominant isoform, hBNP-1, to which the kinetics can thus be ascribed. In addition, because the erythrocyte Na-PO(4) cotransporter can also mediate Li-PO(4) cotransport, it has been suggested that this transporter functions as the erythrocyte Na-Li exchanger whose activity is systematically altered in patients with bipolar disease and patients with essential hypertension. To determine the molecular basis for the sodium-phosphate cotransporter, we reasoned that if the kinetics of phosphate transport in a nucleated erythroid-like cell paralleled those of the Na-activated pathway in anucleated erythrocytes and yet were distinct from those known for other Na-PO(4) cotransporters, then the expressed genes may be the same in both cell types. In this study, we show that the kinetics of sodium phosphate cotransport were similar in anuclear human erythrocytes and K562 cells, a human erythroleukemic cell line. Although the erythrocyte fluxes were 750-fold smaller, the half-activation concentrations for phosphate and sodium and the relative cation specificities for activation of (32)PO(4) influx were similar. Na-activation curves for both cell types showed cooperativity consistent with the reported stoichiometry of more than one Na cotransported per PO(4). In K562 cells, external lithium activation of phosphate influx was also cooperative. Inhibition by arsenate, K(I) = 2.6-2.7 mM, and relative inhibition by amiloride, amiloride analogs, phosphonoformate, and phloretin were similar. These characteristics were different from those reported for hNaPi-3 and hPiT-1 in other systems. PCR analysis of sodium-phosphate cotransporter isoforms in K562 cells demonstrated the presence of mRNAs for hPiT-1, hPiT-2, and hBNP-1. The mRNAs for hNaPi-10 and hNaPi-3, the other two known isoforms, were absent. Western analysis of erythrocytes and K562 cells with isoform-specific antibodies detected the presence of only hBNP-1, an isoform expressed in brain neurons and glia. The similarities in the kinetics and the expression of only hBNP-1 protein in the two cell types is strong evidence that hBNP-1 is the erythrocyte and K562 cell sodium-phosphate cotransporter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Separate entry pathways for phosphate and oxalate in rat brain microsomes.

ATP-dependent (45)Ca uptake in rat brain microsomes was measured in intracellular-like media containing different concentrations of PO(4) and oxalate. In the absence of divalent anions, there was a transient (45)Ca accumulation, lasting only a few minutes. Addition of PO(4) did not change the initial accumulation but added a second stage that increased with PO(4) concentration. Accumulation during the second stage was inhibited by the following anion transport inhibitors: niflumic acid (50 microM), 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid (DNDS; 250 microM), and DIDS (3-5 microM); accumulation during the initial stage was unaffected. Higher concentrations of DIDS (100 microM), however, inhibited the initial stage as well. Uptake was unaffected by 20 mM Na, an activator, or 1 mM arsenate, an inhibitor of Na-PO(4) cotransport. An oxalate-supported (45)Ca uptake was larger, less sensitive to DIDS, and enhanced by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (40 U/ml). Combinations of PO(4) and oxalate had activating and inhibitory effects that could be explained by PO(4) inhibition of an oxalate-dependent pathway, but not vice versa. These results support the existence of separate transport pathways for oxalate and PO(4) in brain endoplasmic reticulum.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗
PubMed1999

Inducible expression of erythrocyte band 3 protein.

A permanent cell line with inducible expression of the human anion exchanger protein 1 (hAE1) was constructed in a derivative of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). In the absence of the inducer, muristerone A, the new cell line had no detectable hAE1 protein by Western analysis or additional 36Cl flux. Increasing dose and incubation time with muristerone A increased the amount of protein (both unglycosylated and glycosylated). The 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonate (DNDS)-inhibitable rapid Cl exchange flux was increased up to 40-fold in induced cells compared with noninduced cells. There was no DNDS-inhibitable rapid flux component in noninduced cells. This result demonstrates inducible expression of a new rapid Cl transport pathway that is DNDS sensitive. The additional transport of 36Cl and 35SO4 had the characteristics of hAE1-mediated transport in erythrocytes: 1) inhibition by 250 microM DNDS, 2) activation of 36Cl efflux by external Cl with a concentration producing half-maximal effect of 4.8 mM, 3) activation of 36Cl efflux by external anions that was selective in the order NO3 = Cl > Br > I, and 4) activation of 35SO4 influx by external protons. Under the assumption that the turnover numbers of hAE1 were the same as in erythrocytes, there was good agreement (+/-3-fold) between the number of copies of glycosylated hAE1 and the induced tracer fluxes. This is the first expression of hAE1 in a mammalian system to track the kinetic characteristics of the native protein.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗
PubMed1999

UT-A urea transporter protein expressed in liver: upregulation by uremia.

In perfused rat liver, there is phloretin-inhibitable urea efflux, but whether it is mediated by the kidney UT-A urea transporter family is unknown. To determine whether cultured HepG2 cells transport urea, thiourea influx was measured. HepG2 cells had a thiourea influx rate of 1739 +/- 156 nmol/g protein per min; influx was inhibited 46% by phloretin and 32% by thionicotinamide. Western analysis of HepG2 cell lysate using an antibody to UT-A1, UT-A2, and UT-A4 revealed two protein bands: 49 and 36 kD. The same bands were detected in cultured rat hepatocytes, freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, and in liver from rat, mouse, and chimpanzee. Both bands were present when analyzed by native gel electrophoresis, and deglycosylation of rat liver lysate had no effect on either band. Differential centrifugation of rat liver lysate showed that the 49-kD protein is in the membrane fraction and the 36-kD protein is in the cytoplasm. To determine whether the abundance of these UT-A proteins varies in vivo, rats were made uremic by 5/6 nephrectomy. The 49-kD protein was significantly increased 5.5-fold in livers from uremic rats compared to pair-fed control rats. It is concluded that phloretin-inhibitable urea flux in liver may occur via a 49-kD protein that is specifically detected by a UT-A antibody. Uremia increases the abundance of this 49-kD UT-A protein in rat liver in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Cloning and characterization of two new isoforms of the rat kidney urea transporter: UT-A3 and UT-A4.

Urea transport in the kidney is important for the production of concentrated urine and is mediated by a family of transporter proteins, identified from erythropoietic tissue (UT-B) and from kidney (UT-A). Two isoforms of the renal urea transporter (UT-A) have been cloned so far: UT-A1 and UT-A2. We used rapid amplification of cDNA ends to clone two new isoforms of the rat UT-A transporter: UT-A3 and UT-A4. UT-A3 and UT-A4 are 87% homologous. The UT-A3 cDNA encodes a peptide of 460 amino acids, which corresponds to the amino-terminal half of the UT-A1 peptide and is 62% identical to UT-A2. The UT-A4 cDNA encodes a peptide of 466 amino acids, which is 84% identical to UT-A2. Transient transfection of HEK-293 cells with the UT-A3 or UT-A4 cDNA results in phloretin-inhibitable urea uptake, which is increased by forskolin. Thus, both new isoforms encode functional urea transporters that may be vasopressin-regulated. UT-A3 and UT-A4 mRNA are expressed in the renal outer and inner medulla but not in the cortex; unidentified UT-A isoforms similar to UT-A3 may also be expressed in the testis. It is concluded that there are at least four different rat UT-A urea transporters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Phosphate transport by the human renal cotransporter NaPi-3 expressed in HEK-293 cells.

The human renal Na-PO4 cotransporter gene NaPi-3 was expressed in human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells, and the transport characteristics were measured in cells transfected with a vector containing NaPi-3 or with the vector alone (sham transfected). The initial rate of 32PO4 influx had saturation kinetics for external Na and PO4 with K1/2Na of 128 mM (PO4 = 0.1 mM) and K1/2PO4 of 0.084 mM (extracellular Na = 143 mM) in sham- and NaPi-3-transfected cells expressing the transporter. Transfection had no effect on the Na-independent 32PO4 influx, but transfection increased Na-dependent 32PO4 influxes 2.5- to 5-fold. Of the alkali cations, only Na significantly supported PO4 influx. Arsenate inhibited flux with an inhibition constant of 0.4 mM. The phosphate transport in sham- and NaPi-3-transfected cells has nearly the same temperature dependence in the absence and presence of extracellular Na. The Na-dependent phosphate flux decreased with pH in sham-transfected cells but was pH independent in transfected cells. The Na-dependent 32PO4 influx was inhibited by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate, phosphonoformate, phloretin, vanadate, and 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)-amiloride but not by amiloride or other amiloride analogs. These functional characteristics are in general agreement with the known behavior of NaPi-3 homologues in the renal tubule of other species and, thus, demonstrate the fidelity of this transfection system for the study of this protein. Commensurate with the increased functional expression, there was an increase in the amount of NaPi-3 protein by Western analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Urea transporters in kidney and erythrocytes.

Physiological and molecular data demonstrate that urea transport in kidney and erythrocytes is regulated by specific urea transporter proteins. The urea transporter in the terminal inner medullary collecting duct permits very high rates of regulated transepithelial urea transport and results in the delivery of large amounts of urea into the deepest portions of the inner medulla, where it is needed to maintain a high interstitial osmolality for concentrating the urine maximally. The urea transporter in erythrocytes permits these cells to lose urea rapidly as they ascend through the ascending vasa recta, thereby preventing loss of urea from the medulla. Urea lost from the medulla would decrease concentrating ability by decreasing the efficiency of countercurrent exchange, as occurs in individuals who lack the Kidd antigen. The recent cloning of cDNAs for these two urea transporters has begun to yield new insights into the mechanisms underlying acute and long-term regulation of urea transport and should permit exciting new insights in the future. This review focuses on the physiological and biophysical evidence that established the concept of urea transporters, the subsequent cloning of cDNAs for urea transporters, and the recent integrative studies into the regulation of urea transport. We also propose a new systematic nomenclature and a new structural model for urea transporters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Determination of the amounts of protein synthesis initiation factors required for translation of rabbit alpha-globin and beta-globin mRNAs.

alpha-Globin mRNA was translated at 60-80% of the rate of beta-globin mRNA in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, a wheat germ S30 and in a wheat germ partially purified system. The concentrations of the initiation factors (eIF-) required to obtain half-maximal rate of translation (C0.5) of these mRNAs were determined in the partially purified system from wheat germ. The C0.5s of eIF-3, eIF-2 and eIF-4F were found to be about the same. The C0.5s of eIF-4C and eIF-4A for alpha-globin mRNA were only slightly higher (1.5-fold) than those of beta-globin mRNA. The C0.5 for eIF-4B was 2.5-fold higher for alpha-globin mRNA. Addition of saturating amounts of these initiation factors to either the S-30 system or the partially purified system did not increase the rate of translation of alpha-globin mRNA. These results indicate that the difference in the rate of translation of alpha- and beta-globin mRNAs is not due solely to the amounts of factors required.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of wheat germ protein synthesis initiation factor eIF-4C and comparison of eIF-4C from wheat germ and rabbit reticulocytes.

Eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor (eIF)-4C was purified from wheat germ and the molecular weight was calculated to be approximately 19,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A similar molecular weight was determined by gel filtration chromatography indicating that wheat germ eIF-4C is functional as a single polypeptide chain. An efficient in vitro translation system dependent upon the addition of eIF-4C was developed. This system was used to determine the concentrations of eIF-4C required for the half-maximal rate of translation of satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA, alfalfa mosaic virus RNA 4, and barley alpha-amylase mRNA. No significant differences in the concentrations of eIF-4C required for the translation of these mRNAs were observed, although differences were noted for eIF-4A and eIF-4F. This finding suggests that eIF-4C is not involved in the binding of mRNA to 40 S ribosomal subunits. In heterologous assays, rabbit reticulocyte eIF-4C was as active as wheat germ eIF-4C in the wheat germ eIF-4C-dependent system. In addition, wheat germ eIF-4C substituted for rabbit reticulocyte eIF-4C in in vitro assay systems from rabbit reticulocytes. These results indicate that eIF-4C from wheat and rabbit contain conserved functional domains.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The 5' and 3' untranslated regions of satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA affect translational efficiency and dependence on a 5' cap structure.

Satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA (STNV RNA) is a naturally uncapped viral RNA that contains 1239 nucleotides: 29 in the 5' untranslated region (UTR), 591 in the coding region and 619 in the 3' UTR. Mutations were made in the 5' and 3' UTRs, and the effects of these mutations on translational efficiency and cap independence were measured in an in vitro translation system from wheat germ. Removal of the first 12 nucleotides or 10 changes in the nucleotide sequence of the 5' UTR reduced translational efficiency approximately 3-fold; capping of these 5' mutant mRNAs restored their translational efficiencies. Truncation of the 3' UTR to nucleotide 627 or 700, or deletion of nucleotides 627-737, reduced translational efficiency more than 20-fold; capping of these 3' mutant mRNAs restored their translational efficiencies. These modifications in the 3' UTR increased the concentration of initiation factor 4F required for translation. Chimeric mRNAs were constructed which contained the coding region of rabbit alpha-globin mRNA and either the 5' UTR, 3' UTR, or both the 5' and 3' UTRs of STNV RNA. Both the 5' and 3' UTRs of STNV RNA were necessary to obtain cap-independent translation. These findings indicate that interaction between 5' UTR and the region between nucleotides 627 and 737 in the 3' UTR are required for cap-independent translation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Isolation and sequence of the cDNAs encoding the subunits of the isozyme form of wheat protein synthesis initiation factor 4F.

The nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs for the two subunits, p82 and p28, of the isozyme form of wheat germ eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF-(iso)4F) were determined. The cDNA for the p82 subunit encodes a polypeptide of 86,514 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of p82 contains possible motifs for ATP binding, metal binding, and phosphorylation. The cDNA sequence for the small subunit, p28, which is a m7G cap-binding protein, encodes a polypeptide of 23,524 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of p28 is similar (approximately 38%) to cap-binding proteins from yeast and mammals. The p28 of wheat eIF-(iso)4F does not contain a serine or threonine in the vicinity of the serine (Ser53) of mammalian cap-binding protein which is phosphorylated and shown to affect activity in mammalian cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Sequence of a cDNA encoding the alpha-subunit of wheat translation elongation factor 1.

A cDNA encoding the alpha-subunit of wheat protein synthesis elongation factor 1 (EF-1 alpha) was isolated from a wheat cDNA expression library and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence is compared to EF-1 alpha from other species and to elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) from Escherichia coli. Putative GTP-binding sites are identified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Purification and properties of mitochondrial uracil-DNA glycosylase from rat liver.

Uracil-DNA glycosylase from rat liver mitochondria, an inner membrane protein, has been purified approximately 575,000-fold to apparent homogeneity. During purification two distinct activity peaks, designated form I and form II, were resolved by phosphocellulose chromatography. Form I constituted approximately 85% while form II was approximately 15% of the total activity; no interconversion between the forms was observed. The major form was purified as a basic protein with an isoelectric point of 10.3. This enzyme consists of a single polypeptide with an apparent Mr of 24,000 as determined by recovering glycosylase activity from a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. A native Mr of 29,000 was determined by glycerol gradient sedimentation. The purified enzyme had no detectable exonuclease, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease, DNA polymerase, or hydroxymethyluracil-DNA glycosylase activity. A 2-fold preference for single-stranded uracil-DNA over a duplex substrate was observed. The apparent Km for uracil residues in DNA was 1.1 microM, and the turnover number is about 1000 uracil residues released per minute. Both free uracil and apyrimidinic sites inhibited glycosylase activity with Ki values of approximately 600 microM and 1.2 microM, respectively. Other uracil analogues including 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5-fluorouracil, 5-aminouracil, 6-azauracil, and 2-thiouracil or analogues of apyrimidinic sites such as deoxyribose and deoxyribose 5'-phosphate did not inhibit activity. Both form I and form II had virtually identical kinetic properties, and the catalytic fingerprints (specificity for uracil residues located in a defined nucleotide sequence) obtained on a 152-nucleotide restriction fragment of M13mp2 uracil-DNA were almost identical. These properties differentiated the mitochondrial enzyme from that of the uracil-DNA glycosylase purified from nuclei of the same source.

Animals↗