Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

V I Zannis

Publications and source records attributed to V I Zannis.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Regulation of the human ApoA-II gene by the synergistic action of factors binding to the proximal and distal regulatory elements.

We have recently shown that the human apoA-II promoter contains a set of 11 distal regulatory elements between nucleotides -903 and -255 and three proximal regulatory elements between nucleotides -126 and -33 that are essential for hepatic and intestinal transcription of the apoA-II gene (Chambaz, J., Cardot, P., Pastier, D., Zannis, V. I., and Cladaras, C. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 11676-11685). Deletion or nucleotide substitution analysis has shown that alterations in elements L (nucleotides -803 to -773) and K (nucleotides -760 to -743) reduced hepatic transcription to 25 and 20% and intestinal transcription to 8 and 4% of control, respectively, as measured by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays, indicating that these elements play an important regulatory role. Nucleotide substitutions in element AB (nucleotides -65 to -33) reduced hepatic and intestinal transcription to 60 and 36% of control, respectively. The factors that recognize regulatory regions L, K, and AB were analyzed by DNA binding gel electrophoretic and competition assays. This analysis has shown that elements AB, K, and L bind with different affinities to a newly characterized heat-stable factor, CIIIB1, which is a transcriptional activator of the human apoC-III gene (Ogami, K., Kardassis, D., Cladaras, C., and Zannis, V. I. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 9640-9646). In addition, elements AB and K bind a heat-labile activity, designated AIIAB1, and element L binds to several CCAAT box binding activities. Mutations in domain L that prevented the binding of CCAAT box binding activities reduced both hepatic and intestinal transcription to 30% of control, indicating the importance of these factors in transcription. Simultaneous nucleotide substitutions that prevented the binding of CIIIB1 activity in elements AB, K, and L reduced hepatic and intestinal transcription to 7 and 6% of control, respectively, suggesting that the synergistic interaction of CIIIB1 (bound to the proximal and distal regulatory elements) with CCAAT box proteins (bound to element L) can modulate the level of transcription of the human apoA-II gene.

Animals↗

Expression, secretion, and lipid-binding characterization of the N-terminal 17% of apolipoprotein B.

The N-terminal 17% of human apolipoprotein B (apoB-17) was expressed in murine C127 cells following transfection with a bovine papilloma virus-based expression vector. A permanent cell line overexpressing the expected 89-kDa protein was selected and characterized. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the depletion of intracellular apoB-17 follows an apparent first-order kinetics with t1/2 = 51 min. Under conditions of continuous labeling, greater than 60% of the total synthesized apoB-17 was secreted in a soluble form, approximately 98% lipid-poor and approximately 2% lipid-bound. Inclusion of 1.2 mM oleate resulted in 5- and 2.5-fold increases in the amount of labeled apoB-17 in the p less than 1.063 g/ml and 1.063 less than p less than 1.21 g/ml fractions, respectively, which was coordinated with increased secretion of radiolabeled core lipids, triacylglycerols, and cholesteryl esters. Thus under conditions in which lipid pools are enriched a greater fraction of apoB-17 may be secreted on lipoprotein-like particles. The lipid-poor apoB-17 present in p greater than 1.21 g/ml readily associates with exogenously added dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) multilamellar vesicles to form discoidal particles. Discs formed with DMPC/apoB-17, 7:1 (wt/wt), are 239 +/- 43 A in diameter and 61 +/- 4 A thick and contain approximately 2 molecules of apoB-17 and 2250 molecules of DMPC per disc. Based on volume calculations we conclude that apoB-17 forms an annulus about one bilayer high and 10 A thick surrounding the DMPC disc. Circular dichroic spectra of apoB-17 on DMPC discs showed apoB-17 to contain 39% alpha-helix, 36% beta-sheet, 9% beta-turn, and 16% random coil. To be consistent with this model greater than 70% of apoB-17 on DMPC discs must bind to lipid. These data suggest that the N-terminal 17% of apoB-100 can bind lipid and may contribute to some extent to the stabilization of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Promoter elements and factors required for hepatic transcription of the human ApoA-II gene.

The apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) gene regulatory region -911 to +29 strongly promotes the transcription of the promotorless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene in cells of hepatic (HepG2) and intestinal (CaCo2) origin but not in HeLa cells. Deletion of nucleotides -911 to -860 decreased the hepatic and intestinal transcription to 7% and 18% of control, respectively. Further progressive deletions extending to nucleotides -614, -440, -230, and -80 abolished both hepatic and intestinal transcription, indicating that the distal promoter region -911 to -614 contains regulatory elements that are essential for intestinal and hepatic transcription. An internal deletion of the -614 to -230 region decreased hepatic transcription 60% while it increased intestinal transcription 140% of control indicating that the elements which control hepatic and intestinal transcription of the apoA-II gene may be different within this regulatory region. DNase I footprinting analysis with rat liver nuclear extracts identified 14 protected regions: A, -40 to -33; B, -65 to -42; C, -126 to -110; D, -276 to -255; E, -377 to -364; F, -404 to -384; G, -468 to -455; H, -573 to -554; I, -706 to -680; J, -734 to -716; K, -760 to -743; L, -803 to -773; M, -853 to -829, and N, -903 to -879, as the DNA binding sites for nuclear factors. Five of the regions (B, C, G, H, and K) bind to heat-stable factors. DNA binding gel electrophoretic assays indicated that region N (-903 to -879), which is essential for efficient transcription, binds predominantly a nuclear activity designated AIIN3. This activity is present in cells of hepatic and intestinal origin but absent in HeLa cells. Similar analysis showed that region H (-573 to -554) binds to the liver-specific factor HNF1/LFB1. Deletion of this region decreased hepatic and intestinal transcription 80 and 64% of control, respectively, suggesting that HNF1/LFB1 or a related activity contributes to optimal transcription but is not essential for the tissue-specific expression of the human apoA-II gene.

Apolipoprotein A-II↗

Purification and characterization of a heat stable nuclear factor CIIIB1 involved in the regulation of the human ApoC-III gene.

The apoC-III promoter region -86 to -74 is recognized by two nuclear factors designated CIIIB1 and CIIIB2 (NF-BA1) which are both activators of apoC-III gene transcription (Ogami, K., Hadzopoulou-Cladaras, M., Cladaras, C., and Zannis, V. I. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 9808-9815). In this communication we report the purification of factor CIIIB1 from rat liver nuclear extracts. The purification procedure included anion- and cation-exchange chromatography, DNA sequence-specific affinity chromatography, and heat treatment at 85 degrees C for 5 min. The ligand used for affinity chromatography was a mutated apoC-III -90 to -73 promoter sequence which binds only the CIIIB1 factor. The purified protein was identified as a poly-peptide of Mr 41,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and photoaffinity cross-linking. The binding site of CIIIB1, defined by DNase I footprinting and methylation interference assays, contains the octameric motif CAGGTGAC. Nucleotide substitutions within this sequence abolished the binding of the purified factor. DNase I footprinting analysis showed that purified CIIIB1 protein protects the apoA-II promoter region -65 to -48 which contains an identical octameric CAGGTGAC motif in the antisense strand suggesting that CIIIB1 may also play a role in apoA-II gene regulation.

Animals↗

Promoter elements and factors involved in hepatic transcription of the human ApoA-I gene positive and negative regulators bind to overlapping sites.

DNase I footprinting analysis of the proximal apoA-I promoter sequences with rat liver nuclear extracts identified four protected regions: A, -22 to +17; B, -128 to -77; C, -175 to -148; and D, -220 to -190. Region D (-220 to -190) binds at least two distinct activities, designated AID1 and AID2, respectively, which can be separated by ion exchange chromatography. Region C (-175 to -148) forms five DNA protein complexes. Three of the complexes (2, 4, and 5) originate from the binding of more than one heat-stable nuclear factor, and two (1 and 3), from the binding of two heat-labile factors. The heat-stable factors bind in the -175 to -148 region and can be distinguished from C/EBP, which recognizes the same region, with DNA binding gel electrophoretic assays. Both factors 1 and 3 bind in the -168 to -148 apoA-I region. Despite the lack of a CCAAT motif in this region, the binding of factor 1 is competed out by oligonucleotides containing the binding sites of NFY and NFY*. Mutagenesis of the promoter region showed that mutations in the -171 to -166 and -158 to -153 regions diminished the binding of the heat-stable factors and reduced hepatic transcription to 14 and 8% of control, respectively. In contrast, a mutation in the -164 to -159 region abolished the binding of factor 1 and was associated with a 4.6-fold increase in hepatic transcription. These findings suggest that the heat-stable factors act as positive regulators, whereas factor 1 acts as a negative regulator in apoA-I gene transcription.

Animals↗

Cloning and expression of a rat brain alpha 2B-adrenergic receptor.

We have isolated a cDNA clone (RB alpha 2B) and its homologous gene (GR alpha 2B) encoding an alpha 2B-adrenergic receptor subtype by screening a rat brain cDNA and a rat genomic library. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that both clones code for a protein of 458 amino acids, which is 87% homologous to the human kidney glycosylated adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-C4) and divergent from the rat kidney nonglycosylated alpha 2B subtype (RNG alpha 2). Transient expression of RB alpha 2B in COS-7 cells resulted in high-affinity saturable binding (Kd = 0.25 nM) for [3H]rauwolscine and a high receptor number (Bmax = 7.7 pmol/mg of protein) in the membranes of transfected COS-7 cells. Pharmacological analysis demonstrated that the expressed receptor bound adrenergic ligands with the following order of potency: rauwolscine greater than yohimbine greater than prazosin greater than oxymetazoline, with a prazosin-to-oxymetazoline Ki ratio of 0.34. This profile is characteristic of the alpha 2B-adrenergic receptor subtype. Blotting analysis of rat brain mRNA gave one major (3.0-kilobase) and two minor (4.6- and 2.3-kilobase) mRNA species, and hybridization with strand-specific probes showed that both DNA strands of GR alpha 2B may be transcriptionally active. These findings show that rat brain expresses an alpha 2B-adrenergic receptor subtype that is structurally different from the rat kidney nonglycosylated alpha 2B subtype. Thus the rat expresses at least two divergent alpha 2B-adrenergic receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Secretion of lipid-poor nascent human apolipoprotein apoAI, apoCIII, and apoE by cell clones expressing the corresponding genes.

The human apolipoprotein apoAI, apoCIII, and apoE genes were placed under the control of the mouse metallothionein 1 promoter in a bovine papilloma virus vector that also contained the human metallothionein 1A gene. Following transfection of mouse C127 cells with the expression vector, cell clones resistant to Cd2+ were selected and found to express in high abundance specific apolipoprotein genes. Individual cell clones expressing apoAI, apoCIII, or apoE genes were used further to study the isoprotein composition and the flotation properties of the corresponding nascent apolipoproteins. It was found that the lipoproteins secreted by cell clones expressing the apoAI, apoCIII, and apoE genes consisted of the proapoAI disialylated form of apoCIII (apoCIIIS2) and mainly sialylated forms of apoE. Separation of the secreted apolipoproteins by density gradient ultracentrifugation resulted in limited flotation of nascent apoAI, apoE and apoCIII in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. Similar analysis in the presence of human serum increased the flotation of apoAI, apoE, and apoCIII to 6.5-, 4.5-, and 5.5-fold, respectively, and resulted in their redistribution to various lipoprotein fractions. HDL increased the flotation of apoAI to 12-fold and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) increased the flotation of apoCIII and apoE to 6.5- and 5.5-fold, respectively. These findings suggest that in the cell system used, the majority of nascent apoAI, apoCIII and apoE is secreted in the lipid-poor form, which then associates extracellularly with preexisting lipoproteins.

Animals↗

Effect of dietary cholesterol and alloxan-diabetes on tissue cholesterol and apolipoprotein E mRNA levels in the rabbit.

Alloxan-diabetic rabbits develop hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in response to cholesterol feeding. To determine whether alterations in apolipoprotein composition of plasma lipoproteins were due to changes in apolipoprotein gene expression, we measured the steady state apoE mRNA levels in several tissues from both control and diabetic rabbits. Control rabbits were fed either chow or chow plus 1.5% cholesterol (chow-fed or cholesterol-fed groups) and diabetic rabbits were fed either chow or chow plus 0.5% cholesterol for dietary periods of 5, 21, and 42 days. The tissues examined were liver, small intestine, brain, adrenals, and aorta. ApoE mRNA levels were measured by Northern and dot blot analysis with a human apoE cDNA probe. In control rabbits fed either chow or cholesterol diets for up to 42 days, the steady state apoE mRNA levels remained relatively constant in all of the tissues examined. In contrast, in alloxan-diabetic rabbits fed a 0.5% cholesterol diet, apoE mRNA was reduced in liver, brain, and adrenals (46 +/- 19%, 56 +/- 5%, and 39 +/- 18% of chow-fed control, respectively), but showed little change in the aorta (91 +/- 22% of chow-fed control). Despite a similar increase in plasma cholesterol, the cholesterol content of the liver and adrenals of cholesterol-fed diabetic rabbits were 20% and 50%, respectively, of that of the liver and adrenals in cholesterol-fed control rabbits. The result that apoE mRNA levels and tissue cholesterol content are altered in the diabetic cholesterol-fed rabbit suggests that insulin deficiency in the rabbit may influence apoE gene expression and tissue cholesterol homeostasis.

Alloxan↗

Purification and characterization of the nuclear factor BA1. A transcriptional activator of the human apoB gene.

The promoter region of human apoB -79 to -63 is recognized by a sequence-specific DNA binding protein, designated NF-BA1, which is essential for the transcriptional activation of the apoB gene in hepatic and intestinal cells. This protein has been purified to apparent homogeneity from rat liver nuclear extracts. The purification steps involve Q-Sepharose, Bio-Rex 70, S-Sepharose, and DNA-specific affinity chromatography. The purified protein was identified as a polypeptide of 60 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and photoaffinity cross-linking. In vitro transcription complementation experiments using normal and mutated -268 to +8 apoB promoter sequences as templates indicated that the purified protein retained the ability to stimulate apoB transcription when added to hepatic nuclear extracts. The stimulation of transcription is associated with the binding of the factor to its recognition sequence. A synthetic promoter consisting of five contiguous -79 to -63 elements in front of the core apoB promoter region -38 to +8 is strongly activated by NF-BA1 protein in hepatic extracts in vitro. Footprinting analysis showed that purified NF-BA1 binds to the regulatory regions of apoCIII (-87 to -63), apoAII (-740 to -719), and apoAI (-212 to -191) genes and may be involved in the regulation of their expression.

Animals↗

Promoter elements and factors required for hepatic and intestinal transcription of the human ApoCIII gene.

We have mapped the promoter elements required for hepatic and intestinal transcription of the human apoCIII gene by deletion, nucleotide substitution, and DNase I footprinting analyses of the promoter region (nucleotides -1411 to +24). Deletion of the region -1020 to -871 increased 2-fold intestinal transcription without affecting hepatic transcription. Deletion of the region -890 to -686 decreased hepatic and intestinal transcription 34- and 13-fold respectively. Internal deletions of the -686 to -553 region increased intestinal transcription 2-fold and decreased hepatic transcription 9-fold. Finally, internal deletions in the region -408 to -163 decreased hepatic transcription 2- to 4-fold without affecting the intestinal transcription. Footprinting analysis using rat liver nuclear extracts identified 10 protected regions as follows: A, -32 to -25; B, -87 to -72; C, -138 to -119; D, -160 to -142; E, -414 to -403; F, -611 to -592; G, -669 to -648; H, -705 to -690; I, -766 to -726; and J, -792 to -779. The findings indicate that the region -890 to -686 is recognized by nuclear factors which promote both intestinal and hepatic transcription, whereas the region -686 to -553 is recognized by factors which promote only hepatic transcription. DNA binding and methylation interference assays indicated that the region -86 to -74 is recognized by two mutually exclusive nuclear factors with overlapping domains. One factor (CIIIB1) is unique to apoCIII and the other (CIIIB2) recognizes the regulatory elements of other apolipoprotein promoters. Binding of factor CIIIB2 is associated with normal transcription. In contrast, binding of factor CIIIB1 is associated with reduced transcription indicating that this factor may act as a modulator of transcription.

Animals↗

High level of expression of functional human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in a stable mouse C127 cell line.

We have generated, by transfection and proper selection, a stable mouse C127 cell line which expresses the human alpha 2-adrenergic receptor gene. The size of the mRNA produced by the cloned gene is 1.8 kb. Electrophoretic analysis and autoradiography of cell membrane proteins photoaffinity labeled with p-[3H]azidoclonidine gave a broad protein band of molecular mass of approx. 64 kDa. Saturation binding with [3H]rauwolscine as ligand gave an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.29 +/- 0.46 nM (mean +/- S.D.) and binding capacity range of 18-35 pmol/mg membrane protein, with (3-6) x 10(6) receptors per cell. Antagonist competition experiments displayed the order of potency: yohimbine greater than rauwolscine greater than phentolamine much greater than prazosin. Agonist competitions demonstrated the order of potency: p-aminoclonidine greater than (-)epinephrine much greater than (+)epinephrine much greater than (-)isoproterenol. This pharmacological profile is characteristic of the human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor. The expressed receptor is able to couple to the Gi protein. Thus, when epinephrine competition for specific binding of [3H]rauwolscine was performed in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2, 1 mM Gpp[NH]p increased the Ki for epinephrine from 164 to 315 nM. Following preincubation of cultures with 1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine, 1 microM epinephrine decreased forskolin-stimulated cellular cyclic AMP accumulation by 72%. The response was biphasic, and the attenuation effect disappeared at 100 microM epinephrine. A transfected clone which did not demonstrate detectable alpha 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA displayed low levels of alpha 2-adrenergic receptor, (less than 50 fmol/mg membrane protein), similar to those found in the parent C127 cell line. In this clone, epinephrine did not attenuate but, rather, enhanced forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. This new C127 cell line expressing high levels of alpha 2-adrenergic receptor provides an abundant source of a single human adrenergic receptor subtype in membrane-bound conformation which is able to couple to the Gi protein and inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. This cell line will facilitate studies of the structure: function relationship of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor and should aid in separating the components of various signal transduction mechanisms putatively attributed to this receptor.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Intracellular modification of human apolipoprotein AII (apoAII) and sites of apoAII mRNA synthesis: comparison of apoAII with apoCII and apoCIII isoproteins.

We have studied the intracellular modifications of human apoAII by pulse-chase labeling of HepG2 cell cultures with [35S]methionine or [3H]arginine followed by two-dimensional analysis and autoradiography of the radiolabeled apoAII isoproteins. A short (5.0-min) pulse showed the presence of a precursor form of apoAII (pI = 5.75) designated proapoAII or apoAII3. A 5-10-min chase resulted in a decrease in the relative concentration of the proapoAII coupled with an increase in the relative concentration of a new form (pI = 5.3) designated modified proapoAII or apoAII1. Longer chase resulted in the appearance of the plasma apoAII form and at least five other acidic apoAII isoproteins in the cell lysate and the culture medium. Labeling with [3H]arginine showed that apoAII isoproteins designated 3, 1, -1, and -3 contained the prosegment whereas isoproteins designated 1a, 0, -1a, -2a, -3a, and -4a did not. Comparison of nascent apoAII, apoCII, and apoCIII isoproteins revealed that they were distinctly different on the two-dimensional gels. Neuraminidase treatment converted the acidic apoAII isoproteins to isoproteins 1a and 0 (modified and plasma apoAII forms). The combined data are consistent with the following intra- and/or extracellular modifications of apoAII: (a) modification of the apoAII which results in the net loss of two positive charges; (b) glycosylation of the modified proapoAII with carbohydrate chains containing sialic acid; (c) proteolytic removal of the prosegment and cyclization of the N-terminal glutamine. Analysis of apoAII mRNA distribution in 13 fetal human tissues as well as in cell lines of human origin showed abundance of apoAII mRNA in liver and HepG2 cells and only traces in the intestine.

Animals↗

Characterization of the promoter elements required for hepatic and intestinal transcription of the human apoB gene: definition of the DNA-binding site of a tissue-specific transcriptional factor.

The promoter elements important for intestinal and hepatic transcription of the human apoB gene have been localized downstream of nucleotide -150. Footprinting analysis using hepatic nuclear extracts identified four protected regions, -124 to -100, -97 to -93, -86 to -33, and +33 to +52. Gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that multiple factors interact with the apoB sequence -86 to -33, while the region -88 to -61 binds a single nuclear factor. Methylation interference analysis and nucleotide substitution mutagenesis identified the binding site of the factor between residues -78 and -68. Binding competition experiments indicate that this factor recognizes the regulatory elements of other liver-specific genes.

Apolipoproteins B↗

Expression of multiple alpha 2-adrenergic receptor messenger RNA species in rat tissues.

We used a human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor probe to study the tissue distribution and messenger RNA (mRNA) forms of the rat alpha 2-adrenergic receptor. Under stringent conditions of hybridization and washing, we detected an mRNA species of 3.8 kb. The abundance of this form follows the order spleen, kidney, brain stem and cortex, and skeletal muscle and lung and is consistent with the reported abundance and tissue distribution of the alpha 2 receptor activity. A 3.0 kb mRNA form was also detected in cerebral cortex and brain stem and a 4.1 kb mRNA form was observed in kidney under less stringent hybridization conditions. The tissue distribution of the 3.0 kb form is different from that of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors and the D2 dopaminergic receptor. The mRNA analysis combined with Southern blot analysis of rat and human genomic DNA indicate that: 1) in addition to a 3.8 kb rat alpha 2-adrenergic receptor transcript, there are other mRNA forms in the rat that do not correspond to previously described adrenergic receptor mRNA species and 2) more than one alpha 2-adrenergic receptor gene in the rat is expressed in a tissue-specific manner.

Animals↗

Characterization of glutamate dehydrogenase isoproteins purified from the cerebellum of normal subjects and patients with degenerative neurological disorders, and from human neoplastic cell lines.

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was purified to homogeneity from cerebellar tissue of three normal subjects and seven patients with four distinct types of degenerative neurological disorders. Nonequilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis showed that the purified enzyme consists of four major isoproteins designated GDH 1, 2, 3, and 4. With one exception, the relative abundance and isoelectric points of the GDH isoproteins decrease and the molecular weights increase progressively going from isoprotein 1 to isoprotein 4. The enzyme isolated from the brain of one patient with a variant form of multiple system atrophy displayed marked reduction of GDH isoprotein 1. The Km values of the patients' GDH for alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, NADH, and NADPH were significantly increased as compared to GDH obtained from normal and neurologic control subjects. In addition, glutamate levels were reduced markedly in the patient's cerebellum. Pulse-chase studies have shown that both the human hepatoma HepG2 and the human glioma U373 cell lines synthesize exclusively GDH isoprotein 2. The different GDH isoproteins do not have a precursor-product relationship and may represent products of different GDH mRNA species.

Adolescent↗

Expression of ApoE gene in Chinese hamster cells with a reversible defect in O-glycosylation. Glycosylation is not required for apoE secretion.

The effects of O-glycosylation on the synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein E (apoE, a glycoprotein with O- but not N-linked sugars) were studied with a UDP-galactose/UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine 4-epimerase-deficient cell mutant (ldlD cells) which expresses a reversible defect in protein O-glycosylation. Under normal culture conditions the mutant ldlD cells cannot add N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to proteins. GalNAc is the first sugar of mucin-type O-linked oligosaccharides attached to the protein. This O-glycosylation defect is rapidly corrected when GalNAc is added to the culture medium. These cells also require external sources of galactose for the addition of this sugar to O-linked and other oligosaccharides. A bovine papilloma virus-based expression vector for human apoE and the human metallothionein 1A gene were transfected into ldlD cells, and apoE-expressing cell clones resistant to CdCl2 were selected and used in the present studies. The structure and secretion of apoE in these cells were examined by immunoprecipitation and one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. The synthesis, rate, and extent of secretion of apoE were unaffected by O-glycosylation (GalNAc-independent). In the presence of both galactose and GalNAc, multiple apoE isoforms were synthesized in ldlD cells as a result of variation in the extent of sialylation. ApoE sialylation was dependent on the addition of galactose as well as GalNAc to the extracellular medium, suggesting that addition of galactose to the nascent oligosaccharide chains was required for the addition of sialic acid.

Acetylgalactosamine↗

Synthesis, modification, and flotation properties of rat hepatocyte apolipoproteins.

We have studied apolipoprotein synthesis, intracellular modification and secretion by primary adult rat hepatocyte cultures using continuous pulse or pulse chase labeling with [35S]methionine, immunoprecipitation and two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The flotation properties of the newly secreted apolipoproteins were studied by discontinuous density gradient ultracentrifugation and one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These studies showed that rat hepatocyte apoE is modified intracellularly to produce minor isoproteins that differ in size and charge. One of these minor isoproteins represents a monosialated apoE form (apoE3s1). Similarly, apoCIII is modified intracellularly to produce a disialated apoCIII form (apoCIIIs2), whereas newly synthesized apoA-I and apoA-IV are not glycosylated and overlap on two-dimensional gels with the proapoA-I and the plasma apoA-IV form, respectively. Both unmodified and modified apolipoproteins are secreted into the medium. Separation of secreted apolipoproteins by density gradient ultracentrifugation has shown that 50% of apoE, 80% of apoA-I, and more than 90% of apoA-IV and apoCIII are secreted in a lipid-poor form, whereas apoB-100 and apoB-48 are 100% associated with lipids. ApoB-100 floats in the VLDL and IDL regions, whereas apoB-48 is found in all lipoprotein fractions. ApoE and small amounts of apoA-I, apoA-IV and apoCIII float in the HDL region. Small amounts of apoE and apoCIII are also found in the VLDL and IDL regions, and apoE in the LDL region. Ultracentrifugation of nascent lipoproteins in the presence of rat serum promoted flotation of apoA-I and apoA-IV in the HDL fraction and resulted in increased flotation and distribution of apoE and apoCs in VLDL, IDL and LDL regions. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that intracellular assembly of lipoproteins involves apoB-48 and apoB-100 forms, whereas a large portion of apoA-I, apoCIII and apoA-IV can be secreted in a lipid-poor form, which associates extracellularly with preexisting lipoproteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗