Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S C Rall

Publications and source records attributed to S C Rall.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Platelet glycoproteins IIb and IIIa: evidence for a family of immunologically and structurally related glycoproteins in mammalian cells.

Human and bovine cultured cell lines and circulating leukocytes were examined for the presence of surface proteins similar to platelet glycoproteins IIb (GPIIb) and IIIa (GPIIIa). Human endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and MG-63 fibroblast-like cells were found to have surface proteins that cross-reacted with platelet GPIIb and GPIIIa antibodies, existed as complexes, and had molecular weights similar to those of the corresponding platelet glycoproteins. Bovine endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells also expressed GPIIb- and GPIIIa-like surface proteins. Metabolic labeling studies with [35S]methionine demonstrated that the cultured cells synthesized these glycoproteins. The GPIIIa-like protein in human endothelial and smooth muscle cells had the same isoelectric point as platelet GPIIIa, whereas their GPIIb alpha-like protein was slightly more acidic than platelet GPIIb alpha (pI = 5.2-5.3 versus 5.5). Platelet and endothelial cell GPIIb alpha (but not GPIIIa) showed an increased electrophoretic mobility in Ca2+ -containing versus EDTA-containing gels, implying a Ca2+ -GPIIb alpha interaction. The amino acid sequence of the amino termini of platelet GPIIb alpha and GPIIb beta and of the alpha chains of the leukocyte LFA-1 and Mac-1 glycoprotein complexes had significant sequence homology. These data indicate that glycoproteins that have either immunological cross-reactivity or amino-terminal sequence homology with the platelet GPIIb-IIIa complex are widely distributed in human and non-human adherent cells and circulating leukocytes and suggest that these proteins may be the products of a large gene family whose expression is cell specific.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fat feeding in humans induces lipoproteins of density less than 1.006 that are enriched in apolipoprotein [a] and that cause lipid accumulation in macrophages.

Formula diets containing lard or lard and egg yolks were fed to six normolipidemic volunteers to investigate subsequent changes in the composition of lipoproteins of d less than 1.006 g/ml and in their ability to bind and be taken up by receptors on mouse macrophages. Both formulas induced the formation of d less than 1.006 lipoproteins that were approximately 3.5-fold more active than fasting very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in binding to the receptor for beta-VLDL on macrophages. Subfractionation of postprandial d less than 1.006 lipoproteins by agarose chromatography yielded two subfractions, fraction I (chylomicron remnants) and fraction II (hepatic VLDL remnants), which bound to receptors on macrophages. However, fraction I lipoproteins induced a 4.6-fold greater increase in macrophage triglyceride content than fraction II lipoproteins or fasting VLDL. Fraction I lipoproteins were enriched in apolipoproteins (apo) B48, E, and [a]. Fraction II lipoproteins lacked apo[a] but possessed apo B100 and apo E. The apo[a] was absent in normal fasting VLDL, but was present in the d less than 1.006 lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) of fasting individuals with type III hyperlipoproteinemia. The apo[a] from postprandial d less than 1.006 lipoproteins was larger than either of two apo[a] subspecies obtained from lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] isolated at d = 1.05-1.09. However, all three apo[a] subspecies were immunochemically identical and had similar amino acid compositions: all were enriched in proline and contained relatively little lysine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, or leucine. The association of apo[a] with dietary fat-induced fraction I lipoproteins suggests that the previously observed correlation between plasma Lp(a) concentrations and premature atherosclerosis may be mediated, in part, by the effect of apo[a] on chylomicron remnant metabolism.

Adult↗

Isolation and characterization of the major plasma apolipoproteins, A-1 and B, in the European badger, Meles meles.

The two major apolipoproteins of badger serum, apoA-I and apoB, have been isolated and characterized. Apolipoprotein A-I was the principal protein of badger lipoproteins with density 1.063-1.21 g/ml and, in addition, was present in the lipoprotein class with density 1.006-1.063 g/ml. This apolipoprotein displayed an Mr of approximately equal to 27,000-28,000 and was polymorphic (three prominent isoproteins) on isoelectric focusing, with pI values in the range 5.38-5.55. The amino acid profile of badger apoA-I generally resembled those reported in the literature for similar proteins in dog and man. Amino terminal sequence analysis up to the 40th residue showed close homology between the badger, dog, and human proteins; badger and dog apoA-I differed only at residue 24, at which serine in the dog was substituted by glycine in the badger. Several forms of apolipoprotein B were present in badger lipoproteins with densities less than 1.063 g/ml, their distribution and apparent Mr being unaffected by the presence or absence of 1 mM PMSF during the isolation process. The components of higher Mr were essentially represented by a protein with Mr approximately equal to 530,000-550,000 (apoBH) as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis; this protein predominated both in lipoproteins with d 1.006-1.063 g/ml and in those with d less than 1.006 g/ml. In addition, proteins with approximate Mr values of 490,000, 450,000, and 190,000, respectively, were present as minor components. A lower Mr form (250,000, apoBL), was observed only in lipoproteins with d less than 1.006 g/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of homozygosity for a human apolipoprotein A-I variant.

An apolipoprotein (apo) A-I variant, previously described in two Norwegian families (Schamaun et al. 1983. Hum. Genet. 64: 380-383), represents a mutation in apoA-I in which a single amino acid substitution of lysine for glutamic acid has taken place at residue 136. An offspring resulting from intermarriage between the two families is genotypically homozygous for this variant. He is the first individual discovered to be homozygous for any of the apoA-I variants. Analysis of lipid data collected from these families indicates one or more lipid abnormalities. The low density lipoproteins (LDL) of subjects having this apoA-I variant demonstrate a compositional abnormality. The plasma cholesterol concentration in the homozygous subject is low because of the extremely reduced levels of LDL and apoB, a property shared by some of his first-degree relatives. However, because of the presence of apoE2 in this family, it is not possible to definitively link these lipid abnormalities to the presence of the A-I variant.

Adolescent↗

Human apolipoprotein B: structure of carboxyl-terminal domains, sites of gene expression, and chromosomal localization.

Apolipoprotein (apo-) B is the ligand responsible for the receptor-mediated catabolism of low density lipoproteins, the principal cholesterol-transporting lipoproteins in plasma. The primary structure of the carboxyl-terminal 30 percent (1455 amino acids) of human apo-B (apo-B100) has been deduced from the nucleotide sequence of complementary DNA. Portions of the protein structure that may relate to its receptor binding function and lipid binding properties have been identified. The apo-B100 messenger RNA is about 19 kilobases in length. The apo-B100 gene is expressed primarily in liver and, to a lesser extent, in small intestine, but in no other tissues. The gene for apo-B100 is located in the p24 region (near the tip of the short arm) of chromosome 2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Apolipoprotein E: receptor binding properties.

The E apoprotein plays a central role in lipoprotein metabolism. It is a key protein determinant responsible for the recognition of lipoproteins by specific lipoprotein receptors. Structure-function studies are providing insights into the normal function of this apoprotein in cholesterol homeostasis and into the clinical abnormalities resulting from the occurrence of specific mutants.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Preparative immobiline isoelectric focusing of plasma apolipoproteins on vertical slab gels.

An effective preparative isoelectric focusing method has been developed using the LKB Immobiline system in a vertical slab gel apparatus. Advantages of this procedure are ease of sample application, excellent resolution, and the direct visualization of focused bands. Narrow pH gradients have been used to separate apolipoprotein E3 isoforms (pH gradient 4.9-5.9) and to resolve the apolipoprotein C mixture (pH gradient 4.0-5.0). Recoveries ranged from 40 to 70%. The method should be valuable for protein and isoform purification.

Amino Acids↗

Human apolipoprotein E expression in Escherichia coli: structural and functional identity of the bacterially produced protein with plasma apolipoprotein E.

Human apolipoprotein E (apoE) was produced in Escherichia coli by transforming cells with an expression vector containing a reconstructed apoE cDNA, a lambda PL promoter regulated by the thermolabile cI repressor, and a ribosomal binding site derived from the lambda cII or the E. coli beta-lactamase gene. Transformed cells induced at 42 degrees C for short periods of time (less than 20 min) produced apoE, which accumulated in the cells at levels of approximately equal to 1% of the total soluble cellular protein. Longer induction periods resulted in cell lysis and the proteolytic destruction of apoE. The bacterially produced apoE was purified by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography, Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration, and preparative Immobiline isoelectric focusing. The final yield was approximately equal to 20% of the initial apoE present in the cells. Except for an additional methionine at the amino terminus, the bacterially produced apoE was indistinguishable from authentic human plasma apoE as determined by NaDodSO4 and isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis, amino acid composition of the total protein as well as its cyanogen bromide fragments, and partial amino acid sequence analysis (residues 1-17 and 109-164). Both the bacterially produced and authentic plasma apoE bound similarly to apolipoprotein B,E(low density lipoprotein) receptors of human fibroblasts and to hepatic apoE receptors. Intravenous injection resulted in similar rates of clearance for both the bacterially produced and authentic apoE from rabbit and rat plasma (approximately equal to 50% removed in 20 min). The ability to synthesize a bacterially produced human apolipoprotein with biological properties indistinguishable from those of the native protein will allow the production of large quantities of apoE for use in further investigations of the biological and physiological properties of this apolipoprotein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lipoproteins of special significance in atherosclerosis. Insights provided by studies of type III hyperlipoproteinemia.

In summary, the study of type III hyperlipoproteinemia has provided important insights into lipoprotein metabolism that have helped to elucidate several functional roles for apo E and have provided a better understanding of the mechanisms whereby specific lipoproteins may be atherogenic or anti-atherogenic. The molecular defect in type III hyperlipoproteinemia and dysbetalipoproteinemia is the presence of a mutant form of apo E, usually apo E2, that is defective in binding to both apo B,E(LDL) and apo E receptors. The receptor-defective apo E results in an impaired clearance of remnant lipoproteins (beta-VLDL). In addition, the abnormal apo E may impair the lipolytic processing of hepatic beta-VLDL through its involvement in lipid transfer or exchange processes. The accumulation of beta-VLDL may provide the most direct mechanism responsible for the accelerated atherosclerosis observed in type III hyperlipoproteinemia, a mechanism that involves the receptor mediated uptake of beta-VLDL by macrophages, which are then converted to arterial foam cells. Alterations in the HDL of patients with type III hyperlipoproteinemia further support the concept that HDL are anti-atherogenic. The increase in HDL-with apo E provides insight into the role of these cholesterol-enriched HDL in reverse cholesterol transport and in the cellular redistribution of cholesterol, processes whereby cholesterol deposition may be reversed. It should be stressed that both the accumulation of beta-VLDL and alterations in HDL (reduction in typical HDL and an increase in HDL-with apo E) are associated with accelerated atherogenesis in animals fed high levels of fat and cholesterol. Although valuable information has been gained concerning the mechanisms involved in type III hyperlipoproteinemia by the study of the disease, the clinical expression of this disorder is variable, ranging from hypocholesterolemia to marked hypercholesterolemia in subjects with the same molecular defect (E2/2). This variability in expression is more easily understood when one considers the various factors that can promote the hyperlipoproteinemia and when one considers the mechanisms of action whereby these factors may exacerbate the effects of the presence of an abnormal apo E. In most cases, development of type III hyperlipoproteinemia requires that a second event (a predisposing environmental factor or a second genetic defect) be associated with the primary genetic defect (an abnormal form of apo E).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Receptor interactions controlling lipoprotein metabolism.

Lipoprotein receptors play a central role in lipoprotein metabolism and a major role in cholesterol homeostasis. The most completely characterized lipoprotein receptor is the LDL (low density lipoprotein) or apo-B,E(LDL) receptor. The apo-B,E(LDL) receptor is present on both hepatic and extrahepatic cells and is responsible for the metabolism of a major portion of plasma LDL. Binding and internalization of LDL particles by this receptor initiates a series of intracellular events, resulting in the regulation of cellular cholesterol metabolism. In addition to the apo-B on LDL interacting with the apo-B,E(LDL) receptor, the apo-E on apo-E-containing lipoproteins is also capable of interacting and regulating intracellular cholesterol metabolism. The liver has also been shown to contain a second distinct lipoprotein receptor that is specific for apo-E. This receptor has been demonstrated on hepatic membranes from humans, dogs, and swine and is referred to as the apo-E receptor. This receptor may be responsible for the clearance of chylomicron remnants from plasma by the liver and may participate in reverse cholesterol transport. Thus, apo-E is a major determinant in lipoprotein metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis. The receptor binding properties of apo-E are well characterized, and a series of structural variants, several with lipoprotein binding defects, have been identified. Studies of the binding activity of these receptor-defective apo-E variants have helped to define the receptor binding domain of apo-E.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plasma lipoproteins: apolipoprotein structure and function.

Plasma lipoprotein metabolism is regulated and controlled by the specific apolipoprotein (apo-) constituents of the various lipoprotein classes. The major apolipoproteins include apoE, apoB, apoA-I, apoA-II, apoA-IV, apoC-I, apoC-II, and apoC-III. Specific apolipoproteins function in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism through their involvement in the transport and redistribution of lipids among various cells and tissues, through their role as cofactors for enzymes of lipid metabolism, or through their maintenance of the structure of the lipoprotein particles. The primary structures of most of the apolipoproteins are now known, and various functional domains of these proteins are being mapped using selective chemical modification, synthetic peptides, and monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, the establishment of structure-function relationships has been greatly advanced by the identification of genetically determined variants of specific apolipoproteins that are associated with a disorder of lipoprotein metabolism. Future studies will rely heavily on the use of recombinant DNA technology and site-specific mutagenesis to elucidate further the correlations between structure and function and the role of specific apolipoproteins in lipoprotein metabolism.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗

Apolipoprotein A-IGiessen (Pro143----Arg). A mutant that is defective in activating lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase.

Apolipoprotein A-IGiessen is a variant form of apo A-I that is displaced from the corresponding normal A-I isoforms on isoelectric focusing gels by a single charge unit towards the cathode [Utermann et al. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 501-507]. Three subjects heterozygous for the variant were detected in one family. The percentage of the total A-I in plasma represented by the A-IGiessen in these subjects ranged over 25-30%. The variant and normal major A-I isoforms from the proband (Y.J.) were purified by preparative isoelectric focusing and cleaved with CNBr. Analytical focusing of CNBr fragments demonstrated a charge difference between CB3Giessen and normal CB3. Sequence analysis of CB3Giessen revealed that a proline existing in normal A-I was replaced by an arginine in the variant A-I at residue 143. The ability of the mutant A-I to activate purified lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase was determined in vitro. The cofactor activity of [Arg143]apolipoprotein A-I was about 60-70% of that demonstrated by control A-I. Residue 143 is in a putative beta-turn between two of the repeating amphiphilic helices in apolipoprotein A-I and may be a critical determinant of the protein's structure and function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Abnormal lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activation by a human apolipoprotein A-I variant in which a single lysine residue is deleted.

An apolipoprotein (apo) A-I variant that has a relative charge of -1 compared to normal apo-A-I on isoelectric focusing gels has been identified in five unrelated families as a result of screening a large number of individuals. The cause of the electrophoretic abnormality has been examined by analyzing the variant apo-A-I structure. The evidence suggests that a single amino acid, lysine 107, has been deleted in the variant apo-A-I of all affected individuals studied from these families, with the remainder of the variant apo-A-I sequence being unaffected. The deletion of this single basic amino acid residue is sufficient to account for the charge difference between the variant and normal apo-A-I as seen on isoelectric focusing gels. This variant, previously referred to as A-I-Marburg or A-I-Münster-2, can now be designated by the structural abnormality apo-A-I(Lys107----0). The evidence from extensive pedigree analysis suggests the likelihood that the deletion mutant gene is allelic to the normal apo-A-I gene. At the same time, the kindred analyses have failed to yield a lipid abnormality that can be unequivocally related to the presence of this deletion mutant of apo-A-I. However, all subjects expressing apo-A-I(Lys107----0) also express normal apo-A-I, so that any abnormality caused by the variant apo-A-I might be adequately compensated for by the normal apo-A-I. To examine directly the functional consequence of the lysine deletion, the isolated variant was tested in vitro for its ability to activate lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, the principal cholesterol-esterifying enzyme in plasma. It was found that apo-A-I(Lys107----0) is deficient in its ability to activate lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, having only 40-60% of the cofactor activity of normal apo-A-I. The cofactor activity of the pro-apo-A-I component of the variant was also reduced to about 60% of either normal A-I or normal pro-apo-A-I. The functional defect is probably related to a disruption in the secondary and/or tertiary structure of the protein caused by the deletion of lysine 107 in the primary structure.

Adult↗

Normalization of receptor binding of apolipoprotein E2. Evidence for modulation of the binding site conformation.

Apolipoprotein (apo-) E3, when combined with the phospholipid dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), binds avidly to apo-B,E (low density lipoprotein) receptors on human fibroblasts. Apolipoprotein E2 isolated from type III hyperlipoproteinemic subjects, which differs from apo-E3 by the presence of cysteine instead of arginine at residue 158, possesses only about 1% of the receptor binding activity of apo-E3. Modification of apo-E2 with cysteamine, which converts the cysteine at position 158 to a positively charged lysine analogue, activates receptor binding approximately 13-fold. In the present experiments, thrombin was used to cleave apo-E2 into two fragments (Mr = 22,000 and Mr = 10,000). The larger fragment, which has been shown to possess the receptor binding domain, displayed binding activity up to 12-fold greater than intact apo-E2 or equivalent to apo-E2 treated with cysteamine. When the Mr = 22,000 fragment was modified with cysteamine and combined with DMPC, receptor binding was further enhanced, attaining the level of activity of normal apo-E3 X DMPC, a 100-fold increase over apo-E2 X DMPC binding. When the cysteamine modification was reversed by incubation with beta-mercaptoethanol, the Mr = 22,000 fragment retained most of its binding activity. However, when the same sample was tested 24 h later, the level of binding activity dropped significantly. The receptor binding of apo-E2-containing beta-very low density lipoproteins could also be activated by cysteamine treatment, with the same retention of enhanced binding activity occurring after the reversal of the modification. These results indicate that apo-E2 can attain full binding activity by the removal of the carboxyl-terminal one-third of the molecule and the addition of a positive charge at residue 158 of the molecule. The retention of enhanced binding after the reversal of the cysteamine modification indicates that the enhanced binding is probably due to conformational changes induced in the binding domain (and maintained by the phospholipid) and not merely to the presence of the positive charge at residue 158.

Apolipoprotein E2↗

Human apolipoprotein A-I polymorphism. Identification of amino acid substitutions in three electrophoretic variants of the Münster-3 type.

Variant forms of apolipoprotein A-I (apo-A-I) have been shown to exist in the human population. One mutant form, referred to as apo-A-I-Münster-3, is one charge unit more basic than normal apo-A-I on isoelectric focusing gels. This variant has the same immunologic characteristics and molecular weight as normal apo-A-I. The apo-A-I-Münster-3 from subjects in three unrelated families (in two of which the trait has been shown to be transmitted as an autosomal co-dominant) has been analyzed by partial amino acid sequencing to define the cause of the electrophoretic abnormality. In the apo-A-I of family A, the abnormality was shown to occur in the smallest cyanogen bromide fragment, CB-2 (residues 87-112), and amino acid sequencing revealed asparagine instead of the usual aspartic acid at residue 103. Subjects with this mutant form have shown no signs of dyslipoproteinemia. The NH2-terminal cyanogen bromide fragment (CB-1, residues 1-86) from the apo-A-I of family B was shown to differ electrophoretically from normal CB-1, and amino acid sequencing revealed that a substitution of arginine for proline at residue 4 was responsible for this variant form. Analysis of the plasma lipids of one affected family B member demonstrated that the percentage of the total cholesterol that was esterified was somewhat lower than that normally observed. In a third family, family C, a variant having the same electrophoretic abnormality as the other two was determined to have an amino acid substitution at yet a different position. In this variant, histidine was found at residue 3 in the apo-A-I sequence, rather than the usual proline. In all three cases, the substitution could account for the electrophoretic abnormality. It is proposed that these three apo-A-I-Münster-3 variants be designated apo-A-I(Asp103----Asn), apo-A-I(Pro4----Arg), and apo-A-I(Pro3----His), respectively, to indicate the substitution that accounts for the abnormality in isoelectric focusing gels.

Amino Acids↗

A novel electrophoretic variant of human apolipoprotein E. Identification and characterization of apolipoprotein E1.

A new apolipoprotein E (apo E) phenotype has been demonstrated in a Finnish hypertriglyceridemic subject (R.M.). At the time of this study, R.M.'s plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels were 1,021 and 230 mg/dl, respectively. The subject's apo E isoelectric focusing pattern was characterized by two major bands, one in the E3 position and the other in the E1 position. Normally the E1 position is occupied by sialylated derivatives of apo E4, E3, or E2. The E1 band of subject R.M. is not a sialylated form, however, because it was not affected by neuraminidase digestion. The identity of the E1 variant as a genetically determined structure was established by amino acid and partial sequence analyses, confirming that the variant is an example of a previously uncharacterized apo E phenotype, E3/1. Both cysteamine modification and amino acid analysis demonstrated that this variant contains two cysteine residues per mole. Sequence analysis of two cyanogen bromide fragments and one tryptic fragment of the apo E3/1 showed that it differs from E2(Arg158----Cys) at residue 127, where an aspartic acid residue is substituted for glycine. This single amino acid interchange is sufficient to account for the one-charge difference observed on isoelectric focusing gels between E2(Arg158----Cys) and the E1 variant. The variant has been designated E1 (Gly127----Asp, Arg158----Cys). When compared with apo E3, the E1 variant demonstrated reduced ability to compete with 125I-LDL for binding to LDL (apo B,E) receptors on cultured fibroblasts (approximately 4% of the amount of binding of apo E3). This defective binding is similar to that of E2-(Arg158----Cys). Therefore, the binding defect of the variant is probably due to the presence of cysteine at residue 158, rather than aspartic acid at residue 127. In contrast, the apo E3 isoform from this subject demonstrated normal binding activity, indicating that it has a normal structure. In family studies, the vertical transmission of the apo E1 variant has been established. It is not yet clear, however, if the hypertriglyceridemia observed in the proband is associated with the presence of the E1(Gly127----Asp, Arg158----Cys) variant.

Adolescent↗