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Y K Ho

Publications and source records attributed to Y K Ho.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

39-kDa protein modulates binding of ligands to low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor.

A 39-kDa protein of unknown function has previously been reported to copurify with the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor. In this study we demonstrate that a recombinant 39-kDa fusion protein can reversibly bind to the 515-kDa subunit of the LRP/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor. This interaction inhibits the binding and uptake of the receptor's two known ligands: 1) beta-migrating very low density lipoproteins activated by enrichment with apoprotein E and 2) alpha 2-macroglobulin activated by incubation with plasma proteases or methylamine. A potential in vivo role of the 39-kDa protein is to modulate the uptake of apoE-enriched lipoproteins and activated alpha 2-macroglobulin in hepatic and extrahepatic tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Molecular mechanism of GTP hydrolysis by bovine transducin: pre-steady-state kinetic analyses.

During the visual transduction process in rod photoreceptor cells, transducin (T) mediates the flow of information from photoexcited rhodopsin (R*) to the cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) via a cycle of GTP binding and hydrolysis. The pre-steady-state kinetics of GTP hydrolysis by T was studied by rapid quenching and filtration techniques in a reconstituted system containing purified R* and T. Kinetic analyses have shown that the turnover of T-bound GTP can be dissected into four partial reactions: (1) the R*-catalyzed GTP binding via a GDP/GTP exchange reaction, (2) the on-site hydrolysis of bound GTP, which leads to the formation of a T-GDP.Pi complex, (3) the release of the tightly bound inorganic phosphate (Pi) from T-GDP.Pi, and (4) the recycling of T-GDP. The R*-catalyzed GTP binding was estimated to occur in less than 1 s. In rapid acid quenching experiments, the rate of Pi formation due to GTP hydrolysis exhibited biphasic characteristics. An initial burst of Pi formation occurred between 1 and 4 s, which was followed by a slow steady-state rate. Increasing T concentration yielded a proportional increase in the burst and steady-state rate. The addition of Gpp(NH)p decreased both parameters. D2O decreased the rise of the initial burst with a kinetic isotope effect of approximately 1.7 but has no effect on the steady-state rate of Pi formation. These results indicate that the burst represents the fast hydrolysis of GTP at the binding site of T, which results in the accumulation of T-GDP.Pi complexes. The steady-state rate represents the slow release of Pi. This finding was further supported by rapid filtration experiments that monitored the formation of free Pi in solution. An initial lag time in the formation of free Pi was observed before a steady-state rate was established, indicating that the initially formed Pi was tightly bound to T. Finally, the release of GDP from T-GDP.Pi was not detected. This suggests that another cycle of GTP exchange catalyzed by R* should occur before the release of bound GDP. The rate of Pi release from T-GDP.Pi was measured under single-turnover conditions and had a half life of approximately 20 s, which was identical with the rate of deactivation of the PDE due to GTP hydrolysis by T.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Activity and physicochemical properties of Photofrin.

Upon certain conditions of storage, Photofrin samples changed their photodynamic therapy activity in mice. These samples showed similar absorption and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles. The Photofrin samples that were active, however, had higher relative fluorescence yields than those which failed. Active and inactive samples also had different characteristics when analyzed by gel filtration chromatography using Sephacryl S-300; the failed samples had 60% or more high-molecular-weight fraction. The change of the amount of this high-molecular-weight fraction with the time of storage at room temperature could be clearly demonstrated. Results from fluorescence, HPLC and mass spectrometry studies suggest that the high-molecular-weight fraction may form by dehydration from or condensation between various components of Photofrin.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of human cancer cell lines in vitro with mono- and polynucleotides containing 5-mercaptocytosine bases.

Partially thiolated polycytidylic acid (5-mercaptopolycytidylic, MPC) and its double-stranded complex with polyinosinic acid [poly (I)].poly(I).MPC, were assayed in both antiproliferative and cytotoxicity tests against human cell lines: lung carcinoma A549, colon carcinoma HT-29, osteosarcoma HOS, and amnion cells (WISH). Inhibitory effects of MPC were noted in the antiproliferative assay with ID50 of 7, 24, 33, and 35 micrograms.ml-1, and in the cytotoxicity test with ID50 of 164, 174, 210, and 290 micrograms.ml-1 against the HOS, A549, HT-29, and WISH cells respectively. Comparison with the corresponding partially thiolated mononucleotide (5-mercapto-CMP + CMP) and the nucleoside (5-mercapto-cytidine) demonstrated that MPC was a more potent antiproliferative agent than either of its monomeric constituents. The inhibitory effect of MPC upon the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the DNA of growing A549 cells paralleled its antiproliferative activity.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1990

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein mediates endocytosis of monoclonal antibodies in cultured cells and rabbit liver.

Monoclonal antibodies that bound to the external domain of the rabbit low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) were taken into rabbit fibroblasts by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Uptake occurred in fibroblasts from Watanabe-heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits, which lack low density lipoprotein receptors, as well as in normal rabbit fibroblasts. The fate of the internalized antibodies differed, depending on the domain of LRP that was recognized. LRP is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain that is cleaved to form a heterodimer of two noncovalently bound proteins, 1) a 515-kDa subunit that contains the binding domain, and 2) an 85-kDa subunit that contains the membrane-spanning region and cytoplasmic tail. A monoclonal antibody directed against the 515-kDa subunit (anti-LRP 515) rapidly dissociated from LRP at pH 5.2. After uptake by cells this antibody dissociated from the receptor and was degraded in lysosomes. A second antibody directed against the external portion of the 85-kDa subunit (anti-LRP 85) failed to dissociate at acid pH. After uptake by cells this antibody was not degraded, but instead was released from the cells in an acid-precipitable form. When administered intravenously to rabbits, both 125I-labeled antibodies were rapidly cleared from the circulation, 75-95% of the uptake occurring in the liver. The anti-LRP 515 antibody was degraded and acid-soluble products appeared in the plasma. No significant acid-soluble products appeared when the anti-LRP-85 antibody was infused. We conclude that LRP can carry out receptor-mediated endocytosis and that its ligand-binding domain, like the similar domain of the low density lipoprotein receptor, undergoes an acid-dependent conformational change that ejects ligands within the endosome. We also conclude that in the body this endocytotic function is expressed primarily in the liver. Both of these conclusions lend support to the hypothesis that LRP may function in humans and animals as a receptor for apolipoprotein E-enriched lipoproteins, such as chylomicron remnants.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Identification of monoclonal antibody 4A-binding site on the transducin alpha subunit. Immunoblotting of submaxillary Arg-C protease fragments of transducin.

Monoclonal antibody 4A (mAb 4A) against the T alpha subunit of transducin has been widely used to study the structure and function of signal transducing GTP-binding proteins involved in the regulation of visual excitation, hormonal regulation of adenylyl cyclase and ionic channels. Results of mapping the epitope-binding site of mAb 4A on T alpha have been controversial. Hamm and co-workers (Deretic, D., and Hamm, H. E. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 10839-10847) reported that mAb 4A interacts with T alpha at the carboxyl-terminal peptide, whereas Fung and co-workers (Navon, S. E., and Fung, B. K.-k. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 489-498) showed that mAb 4A binds mainly at the amino-terminal peptide. In this report, we examine the epitope-binding site of mAb 4A by Western immunoblotting of the proteolytic fragments of T alpha generated by submaxillary Arg-C protease digestion. Submaxillary Arg-C protease cleaved T alpha at two sites, Arg-204 and Arg-310, generating two major fragments of apparent size 35 (T alpha'SM-35) and 23 kDa (T alpha'SM-23). Both fragments contain the amino-terminal peptide of T alpha but lack the carboxyl-terminal peptide. Western immunoblotting showed that mAb 4A cross-reacted with both peptides. Treatment of T alpha'SM-35 and T alpha'SM-25 with L-1-(tosylamido)-2-phenyethyl chloromethyl ketone-trypsin removed the amino-terminal 2-kDa peptide with concomitant loss of mAb 4A reactivity. This observation unequivocally confirms the result of Fung and co-workers that the epitope for mAb 4A is located on the amino-terminal 2-kDa peptide of T alpha. This conclusion should provide a more accurate interpretation of results in the literature as well as of future studies in which mAb 4A is used.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1990

Beta gamma dimers of G proteins inhibit atrial muscarinic K+ channels.

It has been proposed that beta gamma dimers of signal-transducing G proteins mediate muscarinic activation of atrial K+ channels. We examined this hypothesis by testing the effects of beta gamma dimers from four sources (human erythrocytes, human placenta, bovine brain, and bovine retina) on single channel muscarinic K+ (K+[acetylcholine (ACh)]) currents in inside-out membrane patches of adult guinea pig atria. None of the four beta gamma dimer preparations stimulated K+[ACh] currents; on the contrary, each inhibited the currents whether the currents were activated with GTP alone (agonist-independent activity) or with GTP plus a muscarinic agonist (agonist-dependent activity). Detergents at concentrations used to suspend erythrocyte, brain, and placental beta gamma dimers had no effect by themselves, and detergents were not used with the retinal beta gamma dimers. We conclude that beta gamma dimers do not mediate stimulatory effects of the endogenous G protein that regulates the K+ channels. In fact beta gamma dimers appear to inhibit activation by the endogenous G alpha subunits. Further insight into the role of beta gamma dimers came from the observation that agonist-independent GTP-activated K+[ACh] currents were inhibited by beta gamma dimers at about one-tenth the concentration required to inhibit agonist-dependent activation. One possibility is that dimeric beta gamma may have a higher affinity for free alpha subunits than for alpha subunits associated with agonist-occupied receptors. Thus, in addition to the known requirement of beta gamma dimers for the interaction of alpha subunits with receptors, beta gamma dimers may also improve the signal-to-noise ratio for agonists by reducing agonist-independent background activities.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

Some components of the tumor-localizing fraction of hematoporphyrin derivative.

In continuation of the effort to delineate the structure of Photofrin, a chromatographically well separated component of the tumor-localizing fraction was isolated and purified using a combination of gel filtration chromatography and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. This component, the least hydrophobic of the tumor-localizing fraction, was deemed to be dihematoporphyrin ether, based on mass spectrometric analysis and its behavior toward base hydrolysis and lithium aluminum hydride reduction. Although less potent than Photofrin, the purified component was an active photosensitizer.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Chemical modification of bovine transducin: probing the GTP-binding site with affinity analogues.

The structure of the GTP-binding site of transducin, a signal-transducing G-protein involved in the visual excitation process, was studied by affinity labeling. Radioactive GTP analogues with reactive groups attached to different moieties of the GTP molecule were obtained and include 8-azido-GTP, P3-(4-azidoanilino)-P1-5'-GTP (AA-GTP), 5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]guanosine (FSBG), 3'-O-(3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl)-GTP (ANPAP-GTP), the 2',3'-dialdehyde derivative of GTP (oGTP), and a bifunctional cross-linking analogue, 8-azido-P3-(4-azidoanilino)-P1-5'-GTP (8-azido-AA-GTP). With the exception of FSBG, all of the analogues were found to bind to transducin specifically and serve as a cofactor to activate the retinal cGMP cascade or act as a competitive inhibitor for the GTPase activity of transducin. The labeling sites of these analogues were localized by tryptic peptide mapping. ANPAP-GTP and oGTP were unable to covalently modify transducin, suggesting that the 2'- and 3'-hydroxy groups on the ribose ring of GTP are not in direct contact with the protein. AA-GTP only labeled the T alpha subunit of transducin and was localized on the 21-kDa tryptic fragment of T alpha. This indicates that the phosphate moiety of the bound GTP is in direct contact with this peptide. On the other hand, 8-azido-GTP labeled both the T alpha and T beta gamma subunits of transducin. The labeling on T alpha was on the 12-kDa tryptic fragment, suggesting that the guanine ring binding site is composed of a different peptide fragment than the phosphate binding region. Treatment with the bifunctional analogue 8-azido-AA-GTP generated the cross-linked products of T alpha and T beta gamma. This observation implies that the guanine ring of the bound GTP on T alpha could be in close proximity with T beta gamma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Distribution and elimination of Photofrin II in mice.

The distribution and elimination of [14C]PII, the radioisotopically-labeled equivalent of the mixture of porphyrins known as Photofrin II used in the photodynamic treatment of solid tumors, were determined in tumor-free and SMT-F tumor-bearing DBA/2 Ha-DD mice. Following i.p. injection, drug was absorbed from the peritoneum with a half-life of about 1 h; elimination from plasma was rapid, declining about 1.4 logs in concentration over 48 h following i.v. administration. However, some [14C]-activity was still detectable after 75 days. Normal tissues take up the drug within about 7.5 h after administration, with peak concentrations distributed as follows: liver, adrenal gland, urinary bladder greater than pancreas, kidney, spleen greater than stomach, bone, lung, heart greater than muscle much greater than brain. Only skeletal muscle, brain, and skin located contralaterally to subcutaneously implanted SMT-F tumors had peak [14C]-activities lower than tumor tissue; skin overlying SMT-F tumors showed concentrations not significantly different (P greater than 0.3) from tumor. After 75 days all tissues examined retained some fraction of [14C]-activity, ranging from 16% for kidney to 61% for spleen, of the initial peak tissue levels. The primary route of elimination of Photofrin II was through the bile-gut pathway, with greater than 59% of the administered [14C]-activity recovered in the feces, and only about 6% in the urine, over 192 h. HPLC analyses of fecal extracts showed that mostly monomeric and other low molecular weight porphyrin components of Photofrin II were eliminated. The higher molecular weight oligomeric fractions of Photofrin II were retained in liver and spleen up to 14 days after injection.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Fluorescent labeling of signal-transducing G-proteins. Pertussis toxin-catalyzed etheno-ADP ribosylation of transducin.

Nicotinamide 1,N6-ethenoadenine dinucleotide (etheno-NAD, epsilon-NAD), a fluorescent analogue of NAD, was able to serve as a substrate for the bacterial toxin-catalyzed epsilon-ADP ribosylation of signal-transducing G-proteins. Pertussis toxin and transducin were used as a model system to characterize this reaction. Similar to ADP ribosylation using NAD as substrate, the epsilon-ADP ribosylation occurs at the carboxyl-terminal 5-kDa tryptic fragment of the T alpha subunit of transducin with the same labeling stoichiometry; however, the rate of labeling is slightly slower. epsilon-NAD competes with NAD as a substrate which suggests that the epsilon-ADP ribosylation occurs at Cys-347 of the T alpha subunit. The biochemical effects of epsilon-ADP ribosylation on transducin are similar to those of ADP ribosylation and include inhibition of the GTPase and [3H]Gpp(NH)p-binding activities. The epsilon-ADP-ribosylated transducin exhibits a fluorescent spectrum which resembles that of epsilon-ADP with an excitation maximum at 292 nm and an emission maximum of 413 nm. Removal of the amino-terminal peptide of epsilon-ADP-ribosylated T alpha with either Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease or trypsin results in a decrease in the emission intensity. This result suggests that the amino- and carboxyl-terminal peptides of the T alpha molecule may interact with each other as suggested previously (Hingorani, V. N., and Ho, Y.-K. (1987) FEBS Lett. 220, 15-22). epsilon-NAD should prove to be a useful fluorescent substrate for future studies of the ADP ribosylation reaction in biological systems.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1988

Chromium(III) beta, gamma-bidentate guanine nucleotide complexes as probes of the GTP-activated cGMP cascade of retinal rod outer segments.

The exchange-inert Cr(III) beta, gamma-bidentate guanine nucleotide complexes Cr(III)GTP and Cr(III)Gpp(NH)p were used to probe the role of transducin in activating the retinal cGMP cascade. The Cr(III) nucleotide complexes were found to have lower binding affinity for transducin as compared to the Mg2+ complexes. However, the rate of hydrolysis of the transducin-bound Cr(III)GTP was similar to that of Mg(II)GTP. Cr(III)Gpp(NH)p activated the cGMP phosphodiesterase of photolyzed rod outer segment membranes up to 75% of the Mg(II)Gpp(NH)p level but lacked the ability to dissociated the transducin subunits from the rod outer segment membrane. This result implies that the activation of the phosphodiesterase by transducin-GTP complex is a membrane-associated event and the formation of a soluble complex of transducin-GTP with the inhibitory peptide of the phosphodiesterase may not be an obligatory step. Both the delta and lambda screw sense stereoisomers of Cr(III)Gpp(NH)p were capable of activating the cGMP cascade with no apparent stereoselectivity. The nature of the interaction of the metal ion and GTP at the nucleotide-binding site of transducin is discussed together with the results from previous studies using the phosphorothioate GTP analogues [Yamanaka, G., Eckstein, F., & Stryer, L. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 8094-8101] and is compared to the site found in homologous GTP-binding proteins such as elongation factor Tu [Jurnak, F. (1985) Science (Washington, D.C.) 230, 32-36; la Cour, T.F.M., Nyborg, J., Thirup, S., & Clark, B.F.C. (1985) EMBO J. 4, 2385-2388]. The implications of the observed results on the molecular mechanism of visual signal transduction are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Chemical cross-linking of bovine retinal transducin and cGMP phosphodiesterase.

The bifunctional reagents para-phenyldimaleimide and maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester were used to chemically cross-link the subunits of the transducin and cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) complexes of bovine rod photoreceptor cells. The cross-linked products were identified by Western immunoblotting using antisera against purified subunits of transducin (T alpha and T beta gamma) and PDE. Oligomeric cross-linked products of transducin subunits as large as (T alpha beta gamma)3 were observed in the latent form of transducin with bound GDP. In addition to the expected T alpha beta and T beta gamma cross-linked products, a (T alpha gamma)2 structure was detected. The close proximity of T alpha and T gamma suggests that T gamma may play a role in conferring the specificity of the interaction between T alpha and rhodopsin. Most of the oligomeric cross-linked structures between T alpha and T beta gamma were diminished in the activated form of transducin, with guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imidotriphosphate) (Gpp(NH)p) bound. However, cross-linking between T beta and T gamma was not altered. These results suggest that transducin exists as an oligomer in solution which dissociates upon the binding of Gpp(NH)p. To identify the possible interacting domains between the T alpha, T beta, and T gamma subunits, the cross-linked products were subjected to limited tryptic proteolysis. Several cross-linked tryptic peptides of transducin subunits were found and include the cross-linked products of the N terminus 15-kDa fragment of T beta and the C terminus 5-kDa fragment of T alpha, T gamma and the 12-kDa fragment of T alpha, T gamma and the 15-kDa as well as the 23-kDa fragments of T beta, and an intra-T alpha cross-linked product of the 2- and 21-kDa fragments. These results have allowed the construction of a topographical model for the transducin subunits. The organization of the subunits of PDE (P alpha, P beta, and P gamma) was also studied. The formation of the high molecular size cross-linked products of PDE resulted in the concurrent loss of the P beta and P gamma subunits, suggesting that they are in close proximity. Finally, the interaction between transducin and PDE was examined by chemical cross-linking of transducin-Gpp(NH)p and PDE. Two additional cross-linked products of 180 and 210 kDa were obtained which could be due to the cross-linking of T alpha or T beta with P alpha beta subunits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1988

G-proteins in mammalian gametes: an immunocytochemical study.

The presence of transductory GTP(G)-regulatory proteins in mammalian gametes has been examined by indirect fluorescence immunocytochemistry. Using rabbit antisera to bovine rod beta gamma-transducin (RA beta gamma T), bovine rod holotransducin (AS-1), bovine rod alpha-transducin (RA alpha T), synthetic bovine rod alpha-transducin C-terminal decapeptide (AS-6), bovine brain alpha 39Go (RA alpha 39), and two mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against frog retinal transducin (4A), and rat brain beta-tubulin, we demonstrated the presence of corresponding immunoreactive material in both rat oocytes and bovine ejaculated sperm. Immunostaining in the oocyte was evenly distributed on the oolemma, excluding the cell cytoplasm and zona pellucida. Immunoreactive material was also present in the cumulus cells that encapsulate the oocyte. In contrast, the immunofluorescence corresponding to transductory G-proteins was confined in sperm to functionally defined regions in the head and tail, in a manner specific for each antibody. While RA beta gamma T, AS-1 and RA alpha 39 all stained the entire acrosome, AS-6 and RA alpha T stained only the acrosomal tip. Monoclonal antibody 4A stained the midpiece exclusively and anti-rat betaq-tubulin (a structural G-protein) stained the full length of the sperm tail. The existence of several G-protein types in mammalian gametes suggests their possible involvement in the regulation of various effector systems, in a manner reminiscent of somatic cells. The unique situation in sperm, where different G-proteins show distinct and specific patterns of distribution, further suggests their association with various effector systems in discrete functional domains.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A structural model for the alpha-subunit of transducin. Implications of its role as a molecular switch in the visual signal transduction mechanism.

Transducin is a GTP-binding protein which mediates the light activation signal from photolyzed rhodopsin to cGMP phosphodiesterase and is pivotal in the visual excitation process. Biochemical studies suggest that the T alpha subunit of transducin is composed of three functional domains, one for rhodopsin/T beta gamma interaction, another for guanine nucleotide binding, and a third for the activation of phosphodiesterase. The integration of the primary sequence of T alpha along with secondary structure, hydropathy and folding topology predictions, and a comparison with homologous proteins have led to the construction of a three-dimensional model of the T alpha subunit. A molecular mechanism which underlies the coupling action of T alpha is suggested on the basis of this model.

Enzyme Activation↗