Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W D Schleuning

Publications and source records attributed to W D Schleuning.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Thrombin increases proliferation and decreases fibrinolytic activity of kidney glomerular epithelial cells.

Human glomerular epithelial cells (GECs) in culture synthesize single-chain, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (SC-uPA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and possess specific membrane-binding sites for u-PA. Using purified 125I-alpha thrombin, we demonstrate here the presence of two populations of specific binding sites for thrombin on GECs (1.Kd = 4.3 +/- 1.0 x 10(-10) M, 5.4 +/- 1.4 x 10(4) M sites per cell, 2. Kd = 1.6 +/- 0.5 x 10(-8) M, 7.9 +/- 1.8 x 10(5) sites per cell). Purified human alpha thrombin promoted the proliferation of GECs and induced a time- and dose-dependent increase of SC-uPA, t-PA, and PAI-1 antigens released by GECs. Thrombin-mediated increase in antigen was paralleled by an increase in the levels of corresponding u-PA and PAI-1 messenger RNA. In contrast, thrombin decreased u-PA activity in conditioned medium. This discrepancy between u-PA antigen and u-PA activity was explained by a limited proteolysis of SC-uPA by thrombin, leading to a two-chain form detected by immunoblotting and that could not be activated by plasmin. Thrombin also decreased the number of u-PA binding sites on GECs (p less than 0.05) without changing receptor affinity. Hirudin inhibited the binding and the cellular effects of thrombin, whereas thrombin inactivated by diisopropylfluorophosphate had no effect, indicating that both membrane binding and catalytic activity of thrombin were required. We conclude that thrombin, through specific membrane receptors, stimulates proliferation of GECs and decreases the fibrinolytic activity of GECs both at the cell surface and in the conditioned medium. These results suggest that thrombin could be involved in the pathogenesis of extracapillary proliferation and persistency of fibrin deposits in crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Cell Division↗

Activation and subsequent degradation of proacrosin is mediated by zona pellucida glycoproteins, negatively charged polysaccharides, and DNA.

Boar proacrosin (E.C. 3.4.21.10, Mw 53 kD) was isolated by a modified method and subjected to autoactivation. Previously described molecular intermediates of 49 and 43 kD and a stable form (beta-acrosin, 35 kD) were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Autoactivation was expedited in the presence of either zona pellucida glycoproteins, fucoidan, or DNA. The end point of this accelerated conversion was the complete degradation of otherwise stable beta-acrosin via the formation of a characteristic active intermediate protein of 30 kD. All intermediate molecular forms observed during proacrosin activation/conversion exhibited the N-terminal sequence of the boar acrosin heavy chain, indicating a C-terminal processing mechanism. Hence zona pellucida glycoproteins stimulate proacrosin activation as well as acrosin degradation. Such a mechanism of proenzyme activation and degradation is to our knowledge described here for the first time and points to a previously unrecognized role of zona pellucida during gamete interaction.

Acrosin↗

Regulation of human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene transcription by epidermal growth factor and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) biosynthesis in HeLa cells. Based on nuclear run-on transcription assays, t-PA biosynthesis is modulated by EGF on the level of gene transcription. The effect of EGF is slow, requiring 4-8 h to induce t-PA gene transcription and up to 24 h to induce t-PA mRNA and antigen secretion. An additive response is observed when cells are treated with both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and EGF, suggesting that the two pathways converge and act independently to implement their respective effects. cAMP has previously been shown to potentiate phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-mediated induction of t-PA biosynthesis in HeLa cells and in human endothelial cells. Akin to this observation, cAMP also potentiates the EGF-mediated increase in t-PA mRNA. Maximal levels of t-PA mRNA is seen in the presence of all three agonists. The regulation of t-PA by EGF alone and in the presence of either PMA or cAMP is consistent with a role of t-PA during growth and development, and further indicates a functional interplay between protein kinase C-, tyrosine kinase, - and cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathways during regulation of t-PA gene expression.

Blotting, Northern↗

A DNA motif related to the cAMP-responsive element and an exon-located activator protein-2 binding site in the human tissue-type plasminogen activator gene promoter cooperate in basal expression and convey activation by phorbol ester and cAMP.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene expression is regulated by the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), by cyclic AMP analogues, and the cAMP agonist, forskolin. Based on nuclear "run-on" transcription assays, t-PA expression is modulated by PMA on the level of transcription. 8-Bromo-cyclic AMP and forskolin do not induce t-PA gene transcription alone but act synergistically with PMA. These effects are confirmed by transient expression assays in HeLa cells employing deletion mutants of the t-PA gene promoter fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. Constitutive expression and most of the PMA-mediated induction requires sequences downstream of position -145. DNase I protection ("footprint") analysis of this region reveals two protein-binding sites: one between position -102 and -115, differing from the consensus sequence of the cAMP-responsive element (CRE) by the substitution of an adenine for a guanine in the middle of the core motif (TGACATCA), and another, located in the first exon (between position +60 and +74), displaying homology to the consensus sequence of the activator protein 2- (AP-2) binding site (CCCCACCCCC). Base substitutions in the core of either the CRE-like element or the AP-2 site suppress constitutive CAT expression by over 80%, whereas the relative PMA- and PMA plus cAMP-mediated responses are retained. CAT expression is below the detection limit when both elements are mutagenized together. Hence, the CRE-like element and the exon-located AP-2-binding site have a cooperative impact on basal transcription, but each element can independently convey the effect of activators of the protein kinase C- and A-dependent pathways of signal transduction. The results of band-shift analysis and competition titration experiments demonstrate that the CRE-like element acts as a low affinity binding site for the same proteins which recognize the authentic CRE.

Amanitins↗

The human receptor for urokinase plasminogen activator. NH2-terminal amino acid sequence and glycosylation variants.

The receptor for human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) was purified from phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated U937 cells by temperature-induced phase separation of detergent extracts, followed by affinity chromatography with immobilized diisopropyl fluorophosphate-treated u-PA. The purified protein shows a single 55-60 kDa band after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. It is a heavily glycosylated protein, the deglycosylated polypeptide chain comprising only 35 kDa. The glycosylated protein contains N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and sialic acid, but no N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. Glycosylation is responsible for substantial heterogeneity in the receptor on phorbol ester-stimulated U937 cells, and also for molecular weight variations among various cell lines. The amino acid composition and the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence are reported. The protein has a high content of cysteine residues. The NH2-terminal sequence is not closely related to any known sequence. The identification of the purified and sequenced protein with the human u-PA receptor is based on the following findings: 1) the ability of the purified protein to bind u-PA and its amino-terminal fragment; 2) the identical electrophoretic mobilities observed for cross-linked conjugates, formed between either the purified protein or the u-PA receptor on intact U937 cells and the above ligands; 3) the identity of the apparent molecular weight of the purified protein to that predicted for the u-PA receptor in the same cross-linking studies; 4) the identical extent of glycosylation of the purified protein and of the u-PA receptor in crude membrane fractions, as detected after cross-linking; 5) the ability of antibodies raised against the purified protein to inhibit cellular binding of the amino-terminal fragment of u-PA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator biosynthesis is induced by the EJ-Ha-ras oncogene in CL26 mouse colon carcinoma cells.

CL26 murine colon carcinoma cells express urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) mRNA and activity after transfection with the activated c-Ha-ras-I (EJ-ras) oncogene cloned from the EJ bladder carcinoma. PA activity and mRNA in control cells transfected with the non-mutated c-Ha-ras-I (CO-ras) gene remained negative. Ras mRNA was detected in EJ-ras- and CO-ras-transfected cells, but not in untransfected or pSV2-neo-transfected cells. These results indicate that u-PA biosynthesis can be modulated by EJ-Ha-ras-dependent pathways of signal transduction.

Animals↗

Characterization of the cellular binding site for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator.

Human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) binds rapidly and with high affinity to a number of human cell types; this localizes plasmin generation to the close environment of the cell surface. uPA binding to HeLa and U937 cells is mediated by a single class of sites with an affinity of 3.4 +/- 1.3 x 10(-10) M. Binding is abolished by treatment of the cells with trypsin. Chemical cross-linking of Mr 55,000 125I-uPA to the surface of HeLa and U937 cells with disuccinimidyl suberate or with formaldehyde results in the formation of a labeled complex of Mr 100,000, suggesting a Mr of 45,000 +/- 5,000 for the receptor or a subunit thereof. When cells solubilized in Triton X-114 are subjected to heat-induced phase separation, unoccupied receptor, receptor-bound 125I-uPA, and cross-linked 125I-uPA-receptor complex all partition in the detergent phase, whereas the unbound ligand remains in the aqueous phase; similar phase partitioning is observed with endogenous uPA-receptor complexes from cultured human and murine cells. Thus, uPA bound at the cell surface is tightly associated with an amphiphilic membrane protein. Interaction of uPA with this plasma membrane receptor is species-specific, since human uPA fails to bind to murine cells, and murine uPA does not bind to human cells. Finally, incubation of HeLa cells in the presence of epidermal growth factor or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate results, over a period of 24 h, in a progressive change in uPA binding: an approximately 10-fold increase in the number of sites is accompanied by a 10-fold decrease in their affinity. Cross-linking and phase partitioning of 125I-uPA bound to epidermal growth factor- or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-treated cells indicate that, as in control conditions, it is associated with a Mr 45,000 cell surface amphiphilic polypeptide.

Cell Line↗

Facultative polypeptide translocation allows a single mRNA to encode the secreted and cytosolic forms of plasminogen activators inhibitor 2.

Two forms of plasminogen activators inhibitor 2 (PAI-2) are synthesized by human and murine monocytes/macrophages: one accumulates in the cytosol, while the other is translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum, glycosylated and secreted. We show here that a single mRNA encodes both forms of PAI-2. Firstly, a single PIA-2 mRNA was detected by Northern blot hybridization and by RNase protection. Secondly, transfection of a PAI-2 cDNA led to the synthesis of both forms of PAI-2. Finally, in vitro translation of an mRNA transcript of the PAI-2 cDNA in the presence of microsomal membranes generated two topologically distinct forms of PAI-2. The cytosolic and secreted forms of PAI-2 do not result from the use of two translation start sites, since their synthesis initiates at the same AUG, in a sequence context that is conserved between the human and murine genes. Thus, the accumulation of one polypeptide into two topologically distinct cellular compartments can be achieved by facultative translocation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a plasminogen activator and its inhibitor in human mesangial cells.

In the course of some pathological and experimental nephropathies, intraglomerular fibrin deposits develop, possibly as a consequence of inefficient fibrinolysis. In vitro human glomeruli exhibit fibrinolytic activity due to the synthesis of plasminogen activators (PAs) such as, tissue-type PA (t-PA) and urokinase-type PA (u-PA). Immunofluorescence studies have previously shown that t-PA is localized in the capillary tufts and u-PA in the visceral epithelial cells. We have now investigated the fibrinolytic activity of cultured human mesangial cells. Inhibitory activity towards u-PA or t-PA but not plasmin was found in both conditioned medium and cellular extracts. Analysis of the conditioned medium by zymography revealed a single band of PA-activity (Mr: 110 to 120 kDa). Immunoneutralization with anti-t-PA and anti-plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) IgG but not anti-u-PA or anti-PAI-2 removed this band. Reverse fibrin autography demonstrated the presence of PAI-1 in both cellular extracts and in conditioned medium. Western Blot analysis showed that two bands (50 kD and 120 kD) were recognized by the anti-PAI-1 antibody. By ELISA t-PA and PAI-1 antigens were found to increase progressively with time in the culture medium but not in cellular extracts. Both t-PA and PAI-1, but not u-PA and PAI-2, were also detected by immunofluorescence studies. Thus human glomerular mesangial cells synthesize and secrete t-PA and PAI-1 in vitro. PAI-1 is produced in excess, therefore t-PA is only found in the form of a complex with PAI-1.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

Mouse L cells expressing human prourokinase-type plasminogen activator: effects on extracellular matrix degradation and invasion.

A cosmid (cos pUK0322) harboring the complete human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) gene and Geneticin resistance as a selectable marker was isolated from a human genomic library and characterized. After transfection of cos pUK0322 into mouse L cells and selection, several plasminogen activator (PA)-expressing clones were obtained and one (LuPA) was chosen for additional study. The PA expressed was identical to human pro-u-PA in enzymatic, electrophoretic, and antigenic properties. The expression of PA was stable over 50 population doublings. The regulation of the transfected gene was studied by treatment of the cells with various hormones and other effectors. Expression of PA activity was inhibited fivefold by dexamethasone and stimulated two- to threefold by agonists of the adenylate cyclase dependent pathway of signal transduction, such as dibutyryl cyclic AMP and cholera and pertussis toxins. The modulation of PA activity was associated with corresponding changes in mRNA steady-state levels. The phenotypic changes associated with pro-u-PA expression were analyzed in vitro by degradation of 3H-labeled extracellular matrix (ECM), invasion of a matrigel basement membrane analogue, and by light and electron microscopy. LuPA cells and reference HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells, in contrast to control Lneo cells transfected with the neomycin resistance gene, degraded the ECM and invaded the matrigel basement membrane. Matrix degradation correlated with the modulation of pro-u-PA gene expression as it was inhibited by dexamethasone and promoted by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Inhibition of PA or plasmin using anti-u-PA IgG or aprotinin prevented ECM degradation and invasion. These results demonstrate that u-PA expression alone is sufficient to confer to a cell an experimental invasive phenotype.

Animals↗

Plasminogen activators in dextran sulfate-activated euglobulin fractions: a molecular analysis of factor XII- and prekallikrein-dependent fibrinolysis.

To elucidate the mechanism by which activation of the contact system of blood coagulation leads to expression of fibrinolytic activity, we have determined the molecular characteristics of the plasminogen activators present in dextran sulfate-treated euglobulin fractions by electrophoretic-zymographic analysis and specific immunoadsorption. In addition to free and protease inhibitor-bound tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), dextran sulfate precipitates of euglobulins contained the complex formed between plasma kallikrein and C1-inhibitor, an indicator of prekallikrein activation. These precipitates also contained substantial fibrinolytic activity related to urinary-type plasminogen activator (u-PA). Autoradiographic analysis was then used to evaluate the cleavage of 125I-single-chain u-PA (prourokinase) in dextran sulfate euglobulins as well as after exposure to kallikrein or beta-factor XIIa. This analysis supported the conclusion that plasma kallikrein-mediated cleavage and activation of single-chain u-PA is the mechanism operative for the development of lytic activity in euglobulin precipitates following activation of the contact system.

Blood Proteins↗

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and 2 are tumor necrosis factor/cachectin-responsive genes.

Human rTNF/Cachectin was shown to stimulate gene transcription of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PA1)-1 and PAI-2, and simultaneously suppress constitutive gene expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in human fibrosarcoma cells. We propose that a TNF-mediated reprogramming of gene transcription induces, in appropriate target cells, an anti-fibrinolytic state, which may cooperate with the induction of procoagulant activity (tissue factor) to stabilize the fibrin deposits commonly found in inflamed tissue. PAI genes also provide a model system for a study of the molecular pathways underlying TNF-mediated signal transduction.

Cell Line↗

Glucocorticoid-modulated gene expression of tissue- and urinary-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and 2.

Constitutive gene expression of four components of plasminogen activating enzyme system, urinary and tissue-type plasminogen activator (u-PA and t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and PAI-2 in HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells, was modulated by the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex, 10(-7) M). More than 90% of u-PA, t-PA and PAI-1 antigen was found in conditioned medium, whereas PAI-2 was mainly cell associated. In 48-h culture supernatants (expressed per 10(6) cells) PAI-1 antigen increased from 350 to 3,300 ng and t-PA from 19 to 38 ng. u-PA and PAI-2 in the same samples decreased from 380 to 46 ng and from 3.5 to 1.8 ng, respectively. Northern blot hybridization and nuclear "Run-on" transcription assays demonstrated that the increase of t-PA and PAI-1 and the decrease of u-PA were associated with equivalent changes of gene template activity. Modulation of u-PA, t-PA and PAI-1 gene expression by Dex was completely blocked by the glucocorticoid antagonist RU 38486, suggesting that all effects were mediated through the glucocorticoid receptor. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis induced a rapid transient increase of t-PA, u-PA and PAI-1 mRNA and a sustained increase of PAI-2 mRNA, but blocked the more long term effects of Dex, suggesting that both constitutive and hormonally regulated maintenance of mRNA steady state levels required protein biosynthesis.

Cycloheximide↗

Monoclonal antibodies directed against human tissue-type plasminogen activator: a characterization of their species specificity, affinity and heavy-chain binding.

Six monoclonal antibodies (mIgG) and a polyclonal antibody (pIgG) directed against human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were tested for their species specificity towards human or murine t-PA. Whereas pIgG as well as several mIgGs discriminated poorly between these two t-PA species, one mIgG (clone E3) was highly specific for human t-PA. Inhibition and binding studies of human t-PA by mIgGs revealed high affinity-high inhibitory (E3) as well as high affinity-poor inhibitory (B1) mIgGs. The relative affinity of two mIgGs for human t-PA was found to be equal or even superior to that of pIgG. Immunoblotting of reduced two-chain t-PA and of an isolated heavy chain of t-PA prepared by recombinant DNA technology, showed that the E3 antibody was directed against the heavy chain of t-PA.

Animals↗

Phorbol ester induces the biosynthesis of glycosylated and nonglycosylated plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 in high excess over urokinase-type plasminogen activator in human U-937 lymphoma cells.

The tumor-promoting phorbol ester PMA induces changes in the histiocytic human lymphoma cell line U-937 akin to cellular differentiation (Ralph, P., N. Williams, M. A. S. Moore, and P. B. Litcofsky, 1982, Cell. Immunol., 71:215-223) and concomitantly stimulates the biosynthesis of plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI 2) and of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA). PAI 2 is found in a nonglycosylated intracellular and a glycosylated secreted form. The former appears to be identical to PAI 2 previously purified from placental extracts and large-scale U-937 cell cultures. The sixfold increase of PAI 2 antigen measured 24 h after PMA treatment in cell extracts and conditioned media is accompanied by an equal increase of active PAI 2 mRNA, whereas the 6 to 13-fold increase of u-PA antigen in the same samples is associated with only a 1.5-fold mRNA increase. The increase of PAI 2, but not of u-PA, biosynthesis requires transcription. A 50-fold molar excess of PAI 2 over u-PA is found in both extracts and conditioned media of PMA-treated cells. PAI 2 represents at least 0.3% of total de novo synthesized protein 24 h after induction with PMA. Thus, PAI 2, but not u-PA, is an abundant product of this precursor analogue of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage, and might represent a new marker for monocyte/macrophage differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 2: regulation of gene transcription during phorbol ester-mediated differentiation of U-937 human histiocytic lymphoma cells.

We have isolated and sequenced two cDNA clones coding for plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI-2). The cDNA was used to study the regulation of PAI-2 gene transcription by the tumor-promoting phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in the human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U-937. The tumor promoter caused a transient, 50-fold increase of PAI-2 gene transcription.

Base Sequence↗

Helodermatine, a kallikrein-like, hypotensive enzyme from the venom of Heloderma horridum horridum (Mexican beaded lizard).

We have purified and characterized the major N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester hydrolase from the venom of Heloderma horridum horridum. The enzyme belongs to the serine proteinase family, and its activity vs. peptide amide substrates and human high-molecular-weight kininogen suggests a similarity to the family of kallikreins. This interpretation is corroborated by its reactivity with the natural inhibitors soybean trypsin inhibitor and Kunitz-type bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (aprotinin). Injection of the enzyme (2-16 micrograms/kg) into anesthetized rabbits leads to a rapid dose-dependent transient decrease of the arterial blood pressure. Like glandular kallikrein it specifically converts single-chain tissue type plasminogen activator into its double chain form. In contrast to other kallikrein-like enzymes from snake venoms it shows no thrombin-like or plasminogen activator activity. The enzyme is a single-chain glycoprotein (Mr 63,000). The N-terminal sequence revealed significant homology to pig pancreatic kallikrein and to kallikrein like enzymes from Crotalus atrox and Crotalus adamanteus venom. This enzyme, which we name Helodermatine, is the first purified from Sauria with kallikrein-like properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗