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Effects of amantadine treatment on in vitro production of interleukin-2 in de-novo patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

An involvement of immunological events in the process of neurodegeneration has frequently been reported. We investigated the cytokine producing capacity for interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in whole blood cultures of de-novo patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) at the time of first diagnosis and after oral amantadine treatment. Before treatment, productions of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were markedly decreased in PD patients compared to patients with major depressive disorder and healthy controls. After amantadine treatment, the in vitro IL-2 secretion defect was corrected to normal levels in half of the patients, and the increase in IL-2 production was correlated with an increase in IFN-gamma secretion. Our findings suggest that immunological abnormalities occur in the course of PD and that a formerly unappreciated therapeutic potential of amantadine may arise from its immunomodulatory effects on altered T cell function in patients with PD.

Adult↗

IgA synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal and selectively IgA deficient subjects.

IgA secretion and intracellular IgA synthesis by PWM-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal and IgA deficient subjects were measured by radioimmunoassay. Cultured lymphocytes from eleven out of twelve IgA deficient subjects had impaired or undetectable IgA production. Measurement of intracellular IgA showed that the defect was more basic than simply defective secretion by IgA plasma cells. Co-culture of lymphocytes from IgA deficient and normal subjects revealed defects in both the B and T cell populations of IgA deficient subjects. In one subject the defect was in the T cells, in another the B cells, and in two others both T and B cells were defective.

Animals↗

Analysis of protein localization and secretory pathway function using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The isolation and characterization of mutants has been crucial in understanding a number of processes in the field of cell biology. In this exercise, students examine the effects of mutations in the secretory pathway on protein localization. Yeast strains deficient for synthesis of histidinol dehydrogenase are transformed with a plasmid encoding a chimeric protein. The chimera contains a signal sequence fused to histidinol dehydrogenase. A strain with a defect in the translocation of secretory proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) accumulates sufficient histidinol dehydrogenase in the cytoplasm to grow on media lacking histidine. In contrast, yeast proficient for secretion, or yeast with secretion defects later in the pathway, are unable to grow on media lacking histidine. Student analysis of the experimental yeast transformants and appropriate controls allows investigation into the effects of conditional defects in the secretory pathway on both cell viability and protein localization. The exercise is usually performed in a manner that allows students to execute a number of techniques common in molecular biology laboratories, including plasmid minipreps, restriction digestions, and Southern blots. Student understanding and enjoyment of the exercise was assessed by laboratory reports, oral and written examinations, and questionnaires. After completion of these experiments, students can describe the utility of protein fusions, the roles of mutant analysis in cell biology, and the steps taken by proteins transiting the secretory pathway.

Biology↗

Expression of glucokinase in glucose-unresponsive human fetal pancreatic islet-like cell clusters.

Glucokinase (GK) is the glucose sensor in the adult beta-cell, resulting in fuel for insulin synthesis and secretion. Defects in this enzyme in the beta-cell are responsible for the genetic disorder maturity-onset diabetes of the young, with the beta-cell being unable to secrete insulin appropriately when challenged with glucose. The human fetal beta-cell is also unable to secrete insulin when exposed to glucose, but whether GK is present and functional in this developing cell is unknown. To determine the expression of GK in human fetal pancreatic tissue, cytosolic protein was extracted from human fetal islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) at 17-19 weeks gestation and examined for protein content and enzyme activity. On Western blots, a single band corresponding to GK was seen at 52 kDa, and this was similar to that obtained from human adult islets. The maximal velocity (Vmax) of GK was less in fetal ICCs than that in adult islets (8.7 vs. 20.7 nmol/mg protein x h); similar K(m) values were found in both ICCs and islets. No attempt was made to determine which cells in an ICC contained GK. Glucose utilization was determined radiometrically; the Vmax of the high K(m) component was less in ICCs than in islets (31.3 pmol/ICC x h vs. 101.4 pmol/islet.h). Culture of ICCs for 3-7 days in medium containing 11.2 mmol/L glucose resulted in a 3.7-fold increase in the Vmax of GK and a 1.8-fold increase in glucose utilization. These enhanced activities of glucose phosphorylation and glycolysis, however, did not lead to the beta-cell being able to secrete insulin when exposed to glucose. In conclusion, glucokinase is present and functional in human fetal ICCs, but the inability of the human fetal beta-cell to secrete insulin in response to an acute glucose challenge is not due to immaturity of this enzyme.

Fetus↗

Differential dependence of levansucrase and alpha-amylase secretion on SecA (Div) during the exponential phase of growth of Bacillus subtilis.

SecA, the translocation ATPase of the preprotein translocase, accounts for 0.25% of the total protein in a degU32(Hy) Bacillus subtilis strain in logarithmic phase. The SecA level remained constant irrespective of the demand for exoprotein production but dropped about 12-fold during the late stationary phase. Modulation of the level of functional SecA during the exponential phase of growth affected differently the secretion of levansucrase and alpha-amylase overexpressed under the control of the sacB leader region. The level of SecA was reduced in the presence of sodium azide and in the div341 thermosensitive mutant at nonpermissive temperatures. Overproduction of SecA was obtained with a multicopy plasmid bearing secA. The gradual decrease of the SecA level reduced the yield of secreted levansucrase with a concomitant accumulation of unprocessed precursor in the cells, while an increase in the SecA level resulted in an elevation of the production of exocellular levansucrase. In contrast, alpha-amylase secretion was almost unaffected by high concentrations of sodium azide or by very low levels of SecA. Secretion defects were apparent only under conditions of strong SecA deprivation of the cell. These data demonstrate that the alpha-amylase and levansucrase precursors markedly differ in their dependency on SecA for secretion. It is suggested that these precursors differ in their binding affinities for SecA.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Impaired secretion of rat mannose-binding protein resulting from mutations in the collagen-like domain.

Serum mannose-binding protein (MBP) or mannose-binding lectin initiates the lectin branch of the innate immune response by binding to the surface of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and initiating complement fixation through an N-terminal collagen-like domain. Mutations in this region of human MBP are associated with immunodeficiency resulting from a reduction in the ability of the mutant MBPs to fix complement as well as from reduced serum concentrations. Inefficient secretion of the mutant proteins, which is one possible cause of the reduced serum levels, has been investigated using a mammalian expression system in which each of the naturally occurring human mutations has been recreated in rat serum MBP. The mutations Gly25-->Asp and Gly28-->Glu disrupt the disulfide-bonding arrangement of the protein and cause at least a 5-fold increase in the half-time of secretion of MBP compared with wild-type rat serum MBP. A similar phenotype, including a 3-fold increase in the half-time of secretion, disruption of the disulfide bonding arrangement, and inefficient complement fixation, is observed when nearby glucosylgalactosyl hydroxylysine residues at positions 27 and 30 are replaced with arginine residues. The results suggest that defective secretion resulting from structural changes in the collagen-like domain is likely to be a contributory factor for MBP immunodeficiency.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Defective pancreatic beta-cell glycolytic signaling in hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha-deficient mice.

Mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha (HNF-1alpha) gene cause maturity onset diabetes of the young type 3, a form of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In mice lacking the HNF-1alpha gene, insulin secretion and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) responses were impaired following stimulation with nutrient secretagogues such as glucose and glyceraldehyde but normal with non-nutrient stimuli such as potassium chloride. Patch clamp recordings revealed ATP-sensitive K+ currents (KATP) in beta-cells that were insensitive to suppression by glucose but normally sensitive to ATP. Exposure to mitochondrial substrates suppressed KATP, elevated [Ca2+]i, and corrected the insulin secretion defect. NAD(P)H responses to glucose were substantially reduced, and inhibitors of glycolytic NADH generation reproduced the mutant phenotype in normal islets. Flux of glucose through glycolysis in islets from mutant mice was reduced, as a result of which ATP generation in response to glucose was impaired. We conclude that hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha diabetes results from defective beta-cell glycolytic signaling, which is potentially correctable using substrates that bypass the defect.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Transrectal microwave hyperthermia in the treatment of chronic prostatitis].

The efficacy of transrectal microwave hyperthermia (TMH) was investigated in 124 patients aged 20 to 55 years. Of them, 75 (60.5%) patients had chronic noninfectious and 49 (39.5%) patients infectious prostatitis. In addition to standard pre- and posttreatment examinations the following tests were made: bacteriological and biochemical tests of prostatic secretion, uroflowmetry, transrectal color Dopplerographic mapping. The course of the treatment included 10 one-hour sessions of microwave hyperthermia, drug therapy and prostatic massage. Patients with both forms of chronic prostatitis exhibited disorders of prostatic circulation, activated lipid peroxidation, low concentration of catalase in the organ secretion, defective urodynamics of the lower urinary tracts. More pronounced changes occurred in noninfectious process. Microwave hyperthermia produced clinical improvement, recovery of hemodynamics in the prostate, structure and function of cell membranes in prostatic secretion, positive response of urodynamics. Thus, TMH generated on domestic equipment can be considered as one of the methods of pathogenetically sound treatment of noninfectious and infectious chronic prostatitis.

Adult↗

An update on acid secretion.

Gastric acid secretion is a complex process that requires hormonal, neuronal, or calcium-sensing receptor activation for insertion of pumps into the apical surface of the parietal cell. Activation of any or all these pathways causes the parietal cell to secrete concentrated acid with a pH at or close to 1. This acidic fluid combines with enzymes that are secreted from neighbouring chief cells and passes out of the gland up through a mucous gel layer covering the surface of the stomach producing a final intragastric pH of less than 4 during the active phase of acid secretion. Defects in either the mucosal barrier or in the regulatory mechanisms that modulate the secretory pathways will result in erosion of the barrier and ulcerations of the stomach or esophagus. The entire process of acid secretion relies on activation of the catalytic cycle of the gastric H+,K+-ATPase, resulting in the secretion of acid into the parietal cell canaliculus, with K+ being the important and rate-limiting ion in this activation process. In addition to K+ as a rate limiter for acid production, Cl- secretion via an apical channel must also occur. In this review we present a discussion of the mechanics of acid secretion and a discussion of recently identified transporter proteins and receptors. Included is a discussion of some of the recent candidates for the apical K' recycling channel, as well as two recently identified apical proteins (NHE-3, PAT-1), and the newly characterized calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). We hope that this review will give additional insight into the complex process of acid secretion.

Animals↗

Cellular and functional characterization of three recombinant antithrombin mutants that caused pleiotropic effect-type deficiency.

Inherited antithrombin deficiency is associated with a predisposition for familial venous thromboembolic disease. Pleiotropic effect-type mutants of antithrombin that have an amino acid replacement in a distal hinge region including strands 1C, 4B, and 5B of the polypeptide chain are known to exhibit impaired interactions with both thrombin and heparin, coupled with a secretion defect. To examine the mechanism of pleiotropic effect-type antithrombin deficiency, we expressed three mutants, Oslo (Ala404-->Thr), Kyoto (Arg406-->Met), and Utah (Pro407-->Leu), in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, and compared their secretion rates, affinities for heparin and abilities to form thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes with those of wild-type (Wt) antithrombin. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the Oslo- and Kyoto-mutants were secreted at rates similar to Wt antithrombin. In contrast, the Utah-mutant underwent partial intracellular degradation. The intracellular degradation of the Utah-mutant was not inhibited by lysosomotropic inhibitors, but by proteasome inhibitors such as carbobenzoxy-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucinal (LLL) and lactacystin, indicating that a part of the Utah-mutant was degraded by proteasome through quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Crossed immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of heparin showed that only the Oslo-mutant lacks heparin-binding ability. Incubation with thrombin showed that the Kyoto- and Utah-mutants, but not the Oslo-mutant, formed a weak but detectable TAT complex. Furthermore, heparin enhanced the TAT complex formation by the Kyoto- and Utah-mutants, suggesting heparin cofactor activities of these mutants. These results show that each of the Oslo-, Kyoto-, and Utah-mutants exhibits different properties as to secretion, intracellular degradation and functional activity, although they are grouped as pleiotropic effect-type mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

YopD of Yersinia pestis plays a role in negative regulation of the low-calcium response in addition to its role in translocation of Yops.

Yersinia pestis produces a set of virulence proteins (Yops and LcrV) that are expressed at high levels and secreted by a type III secretion system (Ysc) upon bacterium-host cell contact, and four of the Yops are vectorially translocated into eukaryotic cells. YopD, YopB, and YopK are required for the translocation process. In vitro, induction and secretion occur at 37 degrees C in the absence of calcium. LcrH (also called SycD), a protein required for the stability and secretion of YopD, had initially been identified as a negative regulator of Yop expression. In this study, we constructed a yopD mutation in both wild-type and secretion-defective (ysc) Y. pestis to determine if the lcrH phenotype could be attributed to the decreased stability of YopD. These mutants were constitutively induced for expression of Yops and LcrV, despite the presence of the secreted negative regulator LcrQ, demonstrating that YopD is involved in negative regulation, regardless of a functioning Ysc system. Normally, secretion of Yops and LcrV is blocked in the presence of calcium. The single yopD mutant was not completely effective in blocking secretion: LcrV was secreted equally well in the presence and absence of calcium, while there was partial secretion of Yops in the presence of calcium. YopD is probably not rate limiting for negative regulation, as increasing levels of YopD did not result in decreased Yop expression. Overexpression of LcrQ in the yopD mutant had no significant effect on Yop expression, whereas increased levels of LcrQ in the parent resulted in decreased levels of Yops. These results indicate that LcrQ requires YopD to function as a negative regulator.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

A carboxyl-terminal four-amino acid motif is required for secretion of the metalloprotease PrtG through the Erwinia chrysanthemi protease secretion pathway.

PrtG is an extracellular metalloprotease secreted by the Gram-negative bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi through a signal peptide-independent secretion pathway. Previous studies showed that the PrtG secretion signal is COOH-terminal and located in the last 56 residues of PrtG. We have now performed a deletion and elongation mapping of a short secretion competent COOH-terminal peptide CterG. This approach allowed us to show that: (i) the smaller COOH-terminal sequence containing the information necessary to promote the secretion of a small polypeptide is contained in the last 29 residues of PrtG; (ii) a low but significant level of secretion can be promoted by the last 15 residues of PrtG when fused to the COOH terminus of a non-secreted PrtG derivative; (iii) the extreme COOH-terminal sequence Dxxx, where xs are hydrophobic residues, is a conserved motif in all constructs that are secreted through the E. chrysanthemi transporter. (vi) This motif has to be COOH terminally exposed since addition of even one amino acid impairs the secretion of CterG. The extent of the secretion defect observed with the COOH terminally extended variants correlates with the length of the extension. These results indicate a key role for the COOH-terminal exposition of the last four amino acids in the secretion of PrtG.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The product of gene secC is involved in the synthesis of exported proteins in E. coli.

To obtain additional mutants in the secretory apparatus of E. coli we have isolated suppressors of a mutant (secAts) that is temperature-sensitive for secretion. One of these, secC, can suppress the secretion defect of secA and has a phenotype of its own. At 23 degrees C, the secC mutant is cold-sensitive for growth and blocks the synthesis of transported proteins. The synthesis of at least one secreted protein, maltose-binding protein (MBP), can be restored by mutations that alter the hydrophobic region of the signal sequence of MBP. The phenotype of the secC mutant suggests that the SecC protein may be a component of the secretory apparatus of E. coli; it also supports the notion that in procaryotes secretion and gene expression are coupled. The secC gene maps at 68.5 minutes on the E. coli chromosome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Prediction of signal peptide functional properties: a study of the orientation and angle of insertion of yeast invertase mutants and human apolipoprotein B signal peptide variants.

A number of studies have introduced mutations into the yeast invertase signal peptide, using it as a model system to elucidate features for targeting, translocation and intracellular transport. Using molecular modelling of the invertase signal peptide we have analysed the hydrophobicity potential and the change in dielectric constant of the energy transfer, when the molecule moves from a hydrophobic to a hydrophilic phase at the simulated hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface. This modelling has been carried out on wild type and mutant invertase signal peptides of altered function, previously reported in the literature. While the predicted angle of insertion correlates with the measured extent of invertase secretion, with an optimum angle of 45 degrees, mutations that change the angle of orientation reduce the extent of invertase secretion. We have applied these same molecular modelling principles to the naturally occurring variants of the human apolipo-protein B (apoB) signal peptide, that confer a secretion defective phenotype when fused to yeast invertase and expressed in yeast. Our modelling thus identifies a strong correlation between the predicted angle of insertion of the signal peptide into the membrane and its ability to direct secretion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Saccharomyces cerevisiae can release hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) particles into the medium by its secretory apparatus.

We constructed a plasmid that directs the synthesis and secretion of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) particles by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This plasmid contains a proteinase-resistant HBsAg M (M-P31c) gene fused at its 5'-terminus with a chicken-lysozyme signal peptide (C-SIG) gene, which is placed under the yeast GLD (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene) promoter. The products encoded by the "C-SIG+M-P31c" (LM-P31c) gene were synthesized and assembled themselves into HBsAg particles in yeast cells, and the particles were released into the medium along with poly-HSA (polymerized human serum albumin) binding activity. The HBsAg particles purified from the medium were very similar in density (1.19 g cm-3), size (19.2 +/- 0.8 nm in diameter) and shape (sphere) to human-plasma-derived HBsAg particles. When several sec (temperature-sensitive secretion-defective) mutants were used as host cells, the release of HBsAg particles into the medium was blocked at 37 degrees C but not at 25 degrees C, indicating that the HBsAg particles are exported through the normal yeast secretion pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first report that yeast cells are capable of secreting particles into the medium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stable recombinant expression and characterization of the two haemophilic factor VIII variants C329S (CRM(-)) and G1948D (CRM(r)).

In haemophilia A, the functional defect at the molecular level of most factor VIII (FVIII) missense mutations remains unknown. Site-directed mutagenesis of B domain-deleted FVIII cDNA (FVIIISQ) was used to introduce two mutations associated with severe cross-reacting material (CRM)-negative (FVIII-C329S) or mild/moderate CRM-reduced (FVIII-G1948D) haemophilia A. Wild-type (FVIIISQ-WT) and variant FVIIISQ proteins were successfully expressed after stable transfection in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and partially characterized at the intracellular, molecular and functional levels. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that both transcription and mRNA processing appeared normal in CHO cells transfected with both the wild-type and two variant constructs. In contrast to FVIIISQ-WT, immunofluorescence analysis of both CRM(-) and CRM(r) variants showed intracellular FVIII accumulation within the rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting secretion defects in transfected CHO cells. Immunoblot analysis of the FVIIISQ variant proteins that were secreted showed that they were expressed as mixed populations of uncleaved 170 kDa polypeptides, processed 90 kDa heavy chains and 80 kDa light chains, similar to FVIIISQ-WT. Phenotypic analysis of the B domain-deleted FVIIISQ variants expressed in CHO cells correlated well with the patients' reduced FVIII activity and, in addition, surface plasmon resonance studies demonstrated that both missense mutations were associated with increased rates of A2 domain dissociation following thrombin activation. We conclude that the mutations found are responsible for the haemophilia A phenotype, through intracellular retention and decreased stability of the active cofactor FVIIIa.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of new Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants perturbed in nuclear pore complex assembly.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are essential for facilitated, directional nuclear transport; however, the mechanism by which ~30 different nucleoporins (nups) are assembled into NPCs is unknown. We combined a genetic strategy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) technology to identify mutants in NPC structure, assembly, and localization. To identify such mutants, a bank of temperature sensitive strains was generated and examined by fluorescence microscopy for mislocalization of GFP-tagged nups at the non-permissive temperature. RESULTS: A total of 121 mutant strains were isolated, with most showing GFP-Nic96 and Nup170-GFP mislocalized to discrete, cytoplasmic foci. By electron microscopy, several mutants also displayed an expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Complementation analysis identified several mutant groups with defects in components required for ER/Golgi trafficking (sec13, sec23, sec27, and bet3). By directed testing, we found that mutant alleles of all COPII components resulted in altered GFP-Nup localization. Finally, at least nine unknown complementation groups were identified that lack secretion defects. CONCLUSION: The isolation of sec mutants in the screen could reflect a direct role for vesicle fusion or the COPII coat during NPC assembly; however, only those sec mutants that altered ER structure affected Nup localization. This suggests that the GFP-Nup mislocalization phenotypes observed in these mutants were the indirect result of overproliferation of the ER and connected outer nuclear envelope. The identification of potentially novel mutants with no secretory defects suggests the distinct GFP-Nup localization defects in other mutants in the collection will provide insights into NPC structure and assembly.

Genetic Complementation Test↗

Inherited defects in platelet signaling mechanisms.

In the majority of patients with an inherited abnormality in platelet function and a bleeding diathesis, the underlying platelet molecular mechanisms are unknown. The usually considered entities, such as thrombasthenia, the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, and storage pool deficiency, occur in a small proportion of patients. A substantial number of patients present with decreased aggregation and secretion of dense granule contents upon activation, and are lumped in the category of primary secretion defects or platelet activation defects. Evidence is now available that defects in platelet signaling mechanisms may be the basis for the platelet dysfunction in some of these patients. This evidence is presented here. If the key components in signal transduction are the surface receptors, the G-proteins, and the effectors, evidence now exists for specific human platelet abnormalities at each of these levels. There is a pressing need for a concerted effort to delineate the molecular mechanisms in the large group of patients with impaired platelet function who represent an untapped reservoir of new information into normal platelet function.

Arachidonic Acid↗