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GEF and glucosylation assays on liposome-bound Rac.

Rac binds tightly to lipid membranes through a lipid modification. The influence of the lipid membrane environment on the multiple interactions of Rac has not been well documented. In this chapter, we detail a method to prepare geranyl-geranylated Rac bound to liposomes of defined composition. With this method, one can dissect some lipid-protein interactions that facilitate the interaction of Rac with other proteins such as guanine nucleotide exchange factors and bacterial toxins.

Glucosyltransferases↗

Distribution of the NisI immunity protein and enhancement of nisin activity by the lipid-free NisI.

Lactococcus lactis cells producing the antibacterial peptide nisin protect their own cytoplasmic membrane by specific immunity proteins, NisI and NisF/E/G. We show here that approximately half of the produced NisI escaped the lipid modification (LF-NisI=lipid-free NisI) and was secreted to the medium, and that LF-NisI had no affinity to cells of L. lactis. The molar ratio of NisI and nisin was determined to be approximately 1:10 on the cell surface and 1:50 in the culture supernatant. Purified LF-NisI was shown to enhance the activity of nisin against several tested indicator strains. The enhancement of nisin activity by LF-NisI was not observed with cells containing the NisFEG transport system.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Enhancement of intestinal bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity by modification of microsomal lipid composition.

Microsomal membranes from rat small intestine exhibit a higher cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and a lower phosphatidyl-choline/sphingomyelin ratio than those of the liver, which could negatively influence membrane-bound enzymes like bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. To study the effect of in vitro modifications in the lipid composition of intestinal microsomes on bilirubin glucuronidating activity, two strategies were employed. On one hand, microsomal lipids were modified in order to mimic those of the liver tissue; on the other hand, cholesterol content of microsomal membranes was increased or decreased with respect to the normal value. Lipid changes were carried out by both an enzyme-mediated and a detergent-mediated procedure. Irrespective of the methodology employed, when a depletion in the cholesterol content was produced, enzyme activity increased about 40%, and when lipid composition approached that of the liver tissue, which not only decreased cholesterol but also modified phospholipid classes, enzyme activity increased about 80%. Both lipid modifications produced a 'fluidification' of microsomal membranes measured by fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenylhexatriene, being the effect of the approach to the liver higher than that of the decrease of cholesterol. In turn, the enrichment in cholesterol of microsomal membranes led to a decrease of enzyme activity of about 20% and to a 'rigidization' of the membranes. The present findings suggest that in rat intestine, bilirubin glucuronidation is strongly influenced by microsomal lipids. In particular, there seems to be an inverse association between enzyme activity and the cholesterol content of membrane.

Animals↗

Influence of dietary modifications on uptake of cholesterol, glucose, fatty acids, and alcohols into rabbit intestine.

The role of dietary modifications upon the rate of intestinal uptake of lipids and D-glucose was examined using a previously validated in vitro technique. Rabbits were fed for 6 wk on a control diet, or one containing 2% fat (F), 0.2% cholesterol (C), or 0.2% cholesterol plus 2% fat (CF). The rate of uptake Jd, of glucose into the jejunum and ileum was decreased from higher concentrations of glucose in CF, but was markedly increased in F and C. The Jd of a homologous series of saturated fatty acids into the jejunum was highest in C, intermediate in F and CF, and lowest in the control animals; the differences in Jd were most marked when the bulk phase was stirred to reduce the effective resistance of the intestinal unstirred layer, but the differences in lauric acid uptake persisted even when the bulk phase was unstirred and the effective resistance of the unstirred layer was high. The Jd of fatty alcohols was C greater than CF greater than F at each rate of stirring, and the relative rates of cholesterol Jd were control greater than CF greater than C greater than F. It is proposed that dietary lipid modifications are associated 1) with reciprocal changes in the effective resistance of the intestinal unstirred water layer and the passive permeability characteristics of the intestine; and 2) with alterations in the kinetic constants of the intestinal uptake of glucose; 3) there is a functional heterogenerity of the villus in response to variations in the lipid content of the diet, with quantitatively and qualitatively different changes in the passive uptake of fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and cholesterol. It is concluded that modification of the lipid content of the diet has a complex effect on intestinal membrane function and may affect both active and passive transport processes.

Animals↗

Gamma-subunits of G proteins, but not their alpha- or beta-subunits, are polyisoprenylated. Studies on post-translational modifications using in vitro translation with rabbit reticulocyte lysates.

Lipid modifications that may be introduced into several subunits of G proteins were explored by in vitro translation of recombinant mRNAs in reticulocyte lysates. In agreement with studies by others, myristic acid was incorporated into alpha i's and alpha o, but not alpha s, beta, or gamma's. In contrast, mevalonate (Mev) was incorporated only into gamma-subunits. Both, the gamma-subunit of transducin (gamma T) and that of other G proteins (gamma G) were modified by the lysates but with different characteristics. Labeled gamma T was unstable and was rapidly proteolyzed. Labeled gamma G was stable. The Mev-derivative in gamma G was sensitive to methyliodide and, after cleavage and chromatographic analysis, comigrated with the C20 polyisoprenol geranylgeraniol. This indicated that gamma G had been geranylgeranylated and that this polyisoprenoid was attached to the protein through a thioether linkage. It is thought that polyisoprenylation is defined by the COOH-terminal sequence Cys-A-A-X, where A is an aliphatic acid and X is any amino acid. Replacement by mutation of the Cys of the COOH-terminal -Cys-Ala-Ile-Leu sequence of gamma G with Ser abolished Mev incorporation, suggesting this Cys as the site of attachment of the geranylgeranyl moiety. Yet, Mev incorporation was less than 10% as much into gamma G with the Cys-A-A-X sequence -Cys-Ala-Ile-Trp. Consistent with geranylgeranylation, the C15 farnesyl moiety of farnesyl pyrophosphate was not incorporated into gamma G unless the incubations were fortified with Mev. In contrast, the farnesyl moiety was incorporated in an Mev-independent manner into gamma T (COOH terminus: -Cys-Val-Ile-Ser) and c-Ha-ras (COOH terminus: -Cys-Val-Leu-Ser) which are both farnesylated rather than geranylgeranylated. Thus, 1) separate enzymes appear to be involved in transferring farnesyl and geranylgeranyl groups to proteins, 2) structural factors other than the CAAX box contribute to the activity of the polyisoprenylating enzymes, and 3) this type of lipidation may be part of a proteolytic signaling system. Polyisoprenylation, which increases hydrophobicity of the derivatized protein, may play a role in anchoring not only ras but also G proteins to membranes.

Animals↗

Structural changes of high-density-lipoprotein apolipoproteins following incubation with human polymorphonuclear cells.

Based on the analogy in mechanisms and events between the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the inflammatory reaction, we investigated the impact of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) degranulation and oxidative process on high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) structure. HDL were incubated (37 degrees C) with PMN at a physiological ratio (370 nmol cholesterol-HDL/ml with 2 x 10(6) PMN/ml) for 15, 30 and 60 min with or without stimulating agent. PMN activation was assessed by measurement of superoxide anion generation and elastase production, which both reached peak concentration at 15 min. HDL apolipoproteins (apo) analysed by immunoblotting after SDS/PAGE and electrofocusing evidenced the following modifications: (a) a slow hydrolysis of apo AII and apo Cs; (b) a rapid hydrolysis of apo E; (c) a change in apo AI isoform distribution with an increase in the most acidic isoform (AI-2) at the expense of a less acidic form (AI-1); (d) a shift of the major apo AII isoform into two more basic forms. In contrast, no quantifiable lipid modification nor lipid oxidation, assessed by thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were noted. Despite a lack of variation of TBARS, a decrease in HDL vitamin E content by 80% was observed. Since this decrease was prevented by addition of superoxide dismutase in the medium, we concluded the occurrence of an oxidative process affecting HDL. Experiments with proteolytic inhibitors showed that elastase caused the proteolytic cleavage of apolipoprotein E, AII and Cs. In contrast, apo AI modification might involve both oxidative and proteolytic processes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of bis(levuglandinyl) urea derivatives as products of the reaction between prostaglandin H2 and arginine.

Levuglandins are gamma-keto aldehydes formed by rearrangement of prostaglandin (PG) H(2) in aqueous solution. Levuglandins are highly reactive with primary amines. We had previously characterized adducts formed after reaction of levuglandin E(2) (LGE(2)) or PGH(2) with lysine. In this study, we assessed whether reaction of PGH(2) with arginine yielded covalent adducts. Using N(alpha)-acetylarginine and both PGH(2) and synthetic LGE(2), we discovered a novel series of levuglandinyl adducts derived from reaction of two levuglandin moieties with the guanidino group of arginine. Subsequent spontaneous hydrolysis of the adducted amino acid yields bis(levuglandinyl) urea and the corresponding ornithine residue. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we characterized the molecular structure of these novel adducts and demonstrated their formation after coincubation of PGH(2) with synthetic peptides and proteins. The soluble characteristic of these molecules provides a potential strategy for development of biological markers of lipid modification of proteins following cyclooxygenase activity or lipid peroxidation.

Aldehydes↗

CD4 raft association and signaling regulate molecular clustering at the immunological synapse site.

T cell activation is associated with the partitioning of TCRs and other signaling proteins, forming an immunological synapse. This study demonstrates a novel function for the CD4 coreceptor in regulating molecular clustering at the immunological synapse site. We show using transgenic mouse and retroviral reconstitution studies that CD4 is required for TCR/protein kinase C (PKC) theta clustering. Specifically, we demonstrate that CD4 palmitoylation sequences are required for TCR/PKCtheta raft association and subsequent clustering, indicating a particular role for raft-associated CD4 molecules in regulating immune synapse organization. Although raft association of CD4 is necessary, it is not sufficient to mediate clustering, as cytoplasmic tail deletion mutants are able to localize to rafts, but are unable to mediate TCR/PKCtheta clustering, indicating an additional requirement for CD4 signaling. These studies suggest that CD4 coreceptor function is regulated not only through its known signaling function, but also by posttranslational lipid modifications which regulate localization of CD4 in lipid rafts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enzymology and biology of CaaX protein prenylation.

Protein prenylation refers to a type of lipid modification in which either a 15-carbon farnesyl or 20-carbon geranylgeranyl isoprenoid is linked via a thioether bond to specific cysteine residues of proteins. The majority of prenylated proteins belong to a group termed "CaaX proteins" that are defined by a specific C-terminal motif that directs their modification by this process. The ménage of CaaX-type prenylated proteins encompasses a wide variety of molecules that are found primarily at the cytoplasmic face of cellular membranes. These include nuclear lamins, Ras and a multitude of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins), several protein kinases and phosphatases, as well as other important proteins. A tremendous number of cellular signaling processes and regulatory events are under the control of CaaX prenyl proteins. While the attached isoprenoid lipids, in general, support the membrane association of the modified proteins, some proteins also clearly participate directly in protein-protein interactions. This chapter will emphasize 1) the biochemistry of the two enzymes termed farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase type I, responsible for CaaX protein prenylation, and 2) biological roles for these modifications. Throughout, we will attempt to highlight the significance of prenylation in specific cellular events. The critical importance of this class of lipid modifications is attested to by the emergence of farnesyltransferase as a target for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Postharvest heat and conditioning treatments activate different molecular responses and reduce chilling injuries in grapefruit.

A combination of hot water (a rinse at 62 degrees C for 20 s) and conditioning (pre-storage at 16 degrees C for 7 d) treatments synergistically reduced chilling injury development in grapefruit (Citrus paradisi, cv. "Star Ruby") during cold storage at 2 degrees C, suggesting that the treatments may activate different chilling tolerance responses. To study the molecular mechanisms involved, chilling- and conditioning-responsive genes were isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cDNA subtraction, cDNA libraries were constructed from hot water- and conditioning-treated fruit, and cDNA sequencing was used to identify putative stress-responsive and chilling tolerance genes. PCR cDNA subtraction revealed the identification of 17 chilling-responsive and heat- and conditioning-induced genes, and the expression patterns of 11 additional stress-related genes, antioxidant defensive genes, and genes encoding enzymes involved in membrane lipid modifications were characterized. It was found that hot water and conditioning treatments had little effect on gene expression by themselves, but rather had a priming effect, and enabled the fruit to activate their defence responses after subsequent exposure to chilling. RNA gel blot hybridizations revealed that the expression patterns of eight genes, including HSP19-I, HSP19-II, dehydrin, universal stress protein (USP), EIN2, 1,3;4-beta-D-glucanase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were specifically regulated by the heat treatment, and four genes, including fatty acid desaturase2 (FAD2) and lipid transfer protein (LTP), were specifically regulated by the conditioning treatment. Furthermore, four more genes were identified, including a translation initiation factor (SUI1), a chaperonin, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), that were commonly regulated by both heat and conditioning treatments. According to these data, it is suggested that pre-storage heat and conditioning treatments may enhance fruit chilling tolerance by activating different molecular mechanisms. The hot water treatment activates mainly the expression of various stress-related genes, whereas the conditioning treatment activates mainly the expression of lipid membrane modification enzymes.

Acclimatization↗

Interaction of cytoskeletal proteins with membrane lipids.

Rapid and significant progress has been made in understanding lipid/protein interactions involving cytoskeletal components and the plasma membrane. Covalent and noncovalent lipid modifications of cytoskeletal proteins mediate their interaction with lipid bilayers. The application of biophysical techniques such as differential scanning colorimetry, neutron reflection, electron spin resonance, CD spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and hydrophobic photolabeling, allow various folding stages of proteins during electrostatic adsorption and hydrophobic insertion into lipid bilayers to be analyzed. Reconstitution of proteins into planar lipid films and liposomes help to understand the architecture of biological interfaces. During signaling events at plasma membrane interfaces, lipids are important for the regulation of catalytic protein functions. Protein/lipid interactions occur selectively and with a high degree of specificity and thus have to be considered as physiologically relevant processes with gaining impact on cell functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural characterization and immunochemical detection of a fluorophore derived from 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and lysine.

Aging and the progression of certain degenerative diseases are accompanied by increases in intracellular fluorescent material, termed "lipofuscin" and ceroid, respectively. These pigments are observed within granules composed, in part, of damaged protein and lipid. Modification of various biomolecules by aldehyde products of lipid peroxidation is believed to contribute to lipofuscin and ceroid formation. However, little direct evidence currently exists because the structures responsible for the fluorescent, cross-linked nature of this material are not well characterized. In this study, we have identified a fluorescent product formed in the reaction of Nalpha-acetyllysine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a major product of lipid peroxidation and the most reactive of these compounds under physiological conditions [Esterbauer, H., Shaur, R. J. & Zollner, H. (1991) Free Radical Biol. Med. 11, 81-128]. This fluorescent compound, characterized as a 2-hydroxy-3-imino-1,2-dihydropyrrol derivative, appears to form upon oxidative cyclization of the nonfluorescent 2:1 lysine-HNE Michael adduct-Schiff base cross-link. Polyclonal antibody was raised to the Nalpha-acetyllysine-HNE fluorophore and found to be highly specific to the chromophore structure of the compound. This antibody has been used to conclusively demonstrate that the lysine-HNE derivative of this fluorophore forms on protein upon exposure to HNE. The results of this study therefore provide the basis for future investigations on the contribution(s) of HNE-derived fluorophore formation to lipofuscin and ceroid accumulation.

Aldehydes↗

A novel function of the C-terminal lipid moieties of Rab3A small G protein implicated in Ca2+-dependent exocytosis--inhibition of interaction with GTP and reduction of this inhibition by phospholipid.

BACKGROUND: Rab3A small G protein is implicated in Ca2+-dependent exocytosis. It undergoes posttranslational lipid-modifications at its C-terminal region. These lipid moieties are important for the actions of the regulators of Rab3A, but not for the interaction with its downstream target. RESULTS: We have found another function of the C-terminal lipid moieties of Rab3A. GTP rapidly associates with the guanine nucleotide-free form of unmodified Rab3A, but not with the same form of modified Rab3A. Moreover, GTP rapidly dissociates from the GTP-bound form of modified Rab3A, but not from the same form of unmodified Rab3A. The association of GTP with the guanine nucleotide-free form of modified Rab3A is stimulated by the Rab3 GDP/GTP exchange protein (Rab3 GEP), and the dissociation of GTP from the GTP-bound form is markedly reduced by synaptic vesicle phospholipid. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the interaction of the lipid moieties of Rab3A with Rab3 GEP or synaptic vesicles is required for the interaction of modified Rab3A with GTP. Moreover, these results - together with the fact that Rabphilin-3A associated with synaptic vesicles inhibits the activity of Rab3 GTPase-activating protein - suggest that the GTP-bound form of modified Rab3A is associated with synaptic vesicles through both Rabphilin-3A and the vesicle phospholipid.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Immunochemical detection of a lipofuscin-like fluorophore derived from malondialdehyde and lysine.

The accumulation of fluorescent age pigment or lipofuscin is a frequently observed age-associated cellular alteration in a variety of postmitotic cells of many species. These pigments are observed within granules composed, in part, of damaged protein and lipid. Modification of various biomolecules by aldehyde products of lipid peroxidation is believed to contribute to lipofuscin and ceroid formation. In the present study, we raised a monoclonal antibody (MAb 1F83) directed to the malondialdehyde-modified protein and identified a lipofuscin-like dihydropyridine fluorophore as the major epitope. This antibody was used to conclusively demonstrate that the fluorophore forms on oxidatively modified low density lipoproteins. In addition, we demonstrated that the materials immunoreactive to MAb 1F83 indeed constituted the atherosclerotic lesions, in which intense positivity was associated primarily with macrophage-derived foam cells. The results of this study suggest that the reaction between the lipid peroxidation-derived aldehyde and primary amino groups of protein might represent a process common to the formation of the lipofuscin-like fluorophore during aging and its related diseases.

Animals↗

[Outer membrane remodeling of Salmonella typhimurium and host innate immunity].

Pathogenic gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella typhimurium, remodel their outer membrane to survive within host tissues and phagosomes. The remodeling includes modifications of lipid A, a membrane anchor portion of lipopolysaccharide. Lipid A modifications, such as palmitoylation, deacylation, addition of aminoarabinose, and addition of phosphoethanolamine, are beneficial for salmonellae to resist host innate immunity. Aminoarabinose attachment, phosphoethanolamine attachment, and palmitoylation of lipid A increase salmonellae resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. Lipid A deacylation and palmitoylation reduce its ability to activate the Toll-like receptor 4-MD-2 complex, suggesting that these modifications are beneficial for salmonellae to evade host innate immune recognition. These modifications are regulated transcriptionally by the two-component regulatory system PhoP-PhoQ, which is essential for S. typhimurium virulence. Lipid A modifications are also regulated posttranslationally. Aminoarabinose modification of lipid A represses deacylation of lipid A by PagL. The posttranslational regulation may be involved in S. typhimurium pathogenesis.

Animals↗

Differences in lipoprotein subfraction composition and distribution between type I diabetic men and control subjects.

Subfractions of very-low-density and low-density lipoproteins were examined in 10 male normolipidemic type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients before and after improvement of metabolic control and were compared with subfractions from male control subjects matched to the diabetic patients at entry for age, body mass index, plasma cholesterol, and plasma triglycerides. Two consistent differences in subfraction composition were noted between the diabetic patients at entry and the control subjects. First, subfractions from diabetic patients tended to be cholesterol-ester poor and triglyceride rich; this was particularly marked for the low-density lipoprotein subfractions. Second, the subfractions from pretreatment diabetic patients contained higher proportions of non-apolipoprotein B apolipoproteins. This compositional anomaly, but not the lipid modifications, responded to but was not completely normalized by improved glycemic control, which was also accompanied by reductions in the plasma concentrations of all subfractions. Treatment modified subfraction distribution so that the lipoprotein profile of posttreatment diabetic patients more closely resembled the profile observed in the control subjects. These changes were achieved without significant modification of daily insulin dose. In the context of blood lipid risk factors, the results argue for the need to maintain optimal insulinization even in apparently normolipidemic diabetic patients to avoid modifications of the lipoprotein pattern toward a potentially more atherogenic profile.

Adult↗

Free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in cells: oxidizability is a function of cell lipid bis-allylic hydrogen content.

Oxidizability of lipids in homogeneous solution varies linearly with the extent of their unsaturation. In vitro cellular, as well as in vivo, studies of oxidizability have generally relied upon chemical indicators of peroxidation such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. To examine the oxidizability of lipids in cells, we have measured oxygen uptake and, using electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping with alpha-(1-oxo-4-pyridyl)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN), the real time generation of lipid-derived free radicals. We have used our experimental in vitro cellular lipid modification model to examine the rate and extent of lipid peroxidation versus the degree of lipid unsaturation in L1210 murine leukemia cells. Lipid peroxidation was stimulated using the prooxidants iron, ascorbate, and the ether lipid compound 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine. We did a total cellular lipid analysis to determine the number of lipid carbon-carbon double bonds contained in L1210 cells enriched with eight fatty acids of different degrees of unsaturation. We found in cellular lipids that (i) lipid chain length had no apparent effect on the rate or extent of radical formation; (ii) the maximum amount of lipid radical generated increases with the total number of bis-allylic positions in the cellular lipids; and, most importantly, (iii) the rate of cellular lipid peroxidation increases exponentially with the number of bis-allylic positions. Our quantitative results clearly demonstrate, for the first time, that the number of bis-allylic positions contained in the cellular lipids of intact cells determines their susceptibility, i.e., oxidizability, to free radical-mediated peroxidative events.

Animals↗