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Functional expression of human mannan-binding proteins (MBPs) in human hepatoma cell lines infected by recombinant vaccinia virus: post-translational modification, molecular assembly, and differentiation of serum and liver MBP.

Human mannan-binding proteins (MBPs) occur in two forms, serum MBP (S-MBP) and liver MBP (L-MBP), both of which are synthesized in the liver from a single form of human MBP mRNA. To investigate further the mechanisms of post-translational modification, molecular assembly and differentiation of S-MBP and L-MBP in vitro, we expressed a full-length human MBP cDNA in three human hepatoma cell lines, using the vaccinia virus expression system. The expression of human MBP cDNA reproduced the native MBP differentiation of S-MBP and L-MBP in human hepatoma cells. The recombinant S-MBP was secreted into the medium, and the recombinant L-MBP retained in the cells. The former had the ability to activate the complement through the classical or lectin pathway but the latter did not. Furthermore, one notable difference between the two MBPs was the degree of oligomerization through interchain disulfide bonds between subunits. In addition, we showed that both S-MBP and L-MBP undergo hydroxylation of lysine and proline residues in collagen-like sequences, and that the hydroxylysine is glycosylated to form glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine (GluGalHyl) and galactosylhydroxylysine (GalHyl). Hydroxylation was required for S-MBP to be assembled into large complexes, the apparent molecular sizes of which were estimated to be 200-1,300 kDa by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions and gel filtration under non-denaturing conditions. The hydroxylation and subsequent glycosylation and oligomerization were inhibited by alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl, an inhibitor of collagen lysyl and prolyl hydroxylases. These results suggested that newly synthesized lectins undergo post-translational modifications unique to the two forms of MBP, S-MBP, and L-MBP, in human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells, and that the collagen-like domains of the MBPs play an important role in promoting molecular assembly.

Aged↗

Increased synthetic peptide specificity of tissue-CSF bound anti-MBP in multiple sclerosis.

Free and bound hydrosoluble protein extracts were prepared from four anatomical areas of a multiple sclerosis (MS) cerebrum and from corresponding anatomical areas of a normal (non-MS) control. Increased levels of IgG and anti-myelin basic protein antibodies (anti-MBP) were detected in all MS samples and they were undetectable in the controls. IgG and anti-MBP from free (unbound) hydrosoluble protein extracts are defined as free IgG and free anti-MBP while IgG and anti-MBP from tissue bound protein extracts are defined as bound IgG and bound anti-MBP. IgG was purified from free protein extracts by protein G Sepharose affinity chromatography and anti-MBP was further isolated from purified IgG by antigen specific (MBP) Sepharose affinity chromatography. Free and bound anti-MBP were reacted with 20 synthetic peptides of human MBP prepared by the Fmoc method. Free anti-MBP, whether in the context of whole protein extracts, or as purified IgG or as purified antibody was completely neutralized by peptides #12, #15, #56 and #56* containing overall residues 75-106, partially neutralized by peptides #27, #16 and #21 containing overall residues 61-83 and did not react with the remaining 13 peptides. Tissue bound anti-MBP was completely neutralized only by peptides #12, #15, #56 and #56* (overall residues 75-106) and showed no reactivity towards the remaining 16 peptides including peptides #27, #16 and #21. Synthetic peptide specificity of free anti-MBP purified from MS cerebrum was identical to previously reported specificity of free anti-MBP from MS cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), while tissue bound anti-MBP, as well as bound anti-MBP from CSF had a more restricted synthetic peptide specificity than free anti-MBP. This suggests that the most likely epitope of anti-MBP is located between residues 84 and 95 of human MBP just proximal to the tri-proline sequence (99-101).

Adult↗

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA coding for a novel human 17.3K myelin basic protein (MBP) variant.

Human fetal spinal cord poly A (+) mRNA was found to direct the synthesis of three major myelin basic protein (MBP) variants with molecular weights of 17K, 18.5K, and 21.5K when translated in reticulocyte lysates. In order to investigate the structural relationships between these MBP variants and their corresponding mouse variants, human fetal spinal cord and mouse brain cDNA libraries were constructed and screened for MBP cDNAs. A number of MBP cDNA clones were isolated and characterized. One of these, PP535 contained the entire coding region of the mouse 14K MBP; and another mouse cDNA clone, PP1.85, was almost full-length and coded for either the 21.5K MBP or the 18.5K MBP. A human clone (KK36), 1,173 nucleotides in length, contained the entire coding region of an MBP variant with a molecular weight of 17,342. The structure of this clone within its coding region is significantly different from the corresponding mouse 17K MBP cDNA. It is missing two sequences found in the mouse 17K MBP cDNA (exons 2 and 5); and it contains a sequence (exon 6) that is missing from the mouse 17K MBP cDNA. Thus, this human 17.3K cDNA codes for a "17K" human MBP variant that is quite different from the corresponding mouse variant and is identical to the human 18.5K MBP except for a deletion of a peptide consisting of 11 amino acids that includes the single tryptophan residue of the 18.5K MBP. An analysis of the structure of this 17.3K human MBP cDNA suggests that the major pathway for splicing the primary human MBP gene product may be different from that in the mouse.

Animals↗

PCR typing of DNA fragments of the two short tandem repeat (STR) systems upstream of the human myelin basic protein (MBP) gene in Danes and Greenland Eskimos.

DNA from the double short tandem repeat (STR) system MBP (locus 18q23-pter) was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the two polymorphic repeat systems were separated by cutting with the restriction enzyme NlaIII. The lengths of the DNA fragments of the two MBP STR systems MBP-A and MBP-B were analyzed by vertical electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels followed by silver staining. DNA samples from 112 unrelated Danes, 140 unrelated Greenland Eskimos, and 88 Danish mother/child pairs were analyzed. The distributions of MBP phenotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both the Eskimo and Danish populations. Significant differences were observed between the distribution of fragments ('alleles') in Greenland Eskimos and in Danes. The allele MBP-A7 was considerably more frequent in Eskimos (0.2214) than in Danes (0.0775) and also the allele MBP-B9 was considerably more frequent in Eskimos (0.225) than in Danes (0.06). Strong gametic associations were found between fragments from MBP-A and MBP-B series in both Danes and Eskimos. Some of the associations were different in Danes and Eskimos. In the 88 Danish mother/child pairs, the segregation of the MBP genotypes were in accordance with a genetic model of co-dominant inheritance and no mutation was found. Two MBP STR regions with irregular structures were sequenced. One fragment had a single base G to A transition at position 124 in the primer binding region between the MBP-A and MBP-B regions. In the other fragment, a deletion starting at position 117 and including the primer binding region between MBP-A and MBP-B regions was found.

Alleles↗

T-cell vaccination prevents EAE effector cell development but does not inhibit priming of MBP responsive cells.

Cell recipients which have recovered from adoptively transferred Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE) mediated by encephalitogenic T-cell lines do not develop clinical disease following subsequent challenge with myelin basic protein (MBP) emulsified in CFA (MBP-CFA), a recipient response termed vaccination. The immune mechanism(s), which accounts for the vaccination-induced resistance response, is not known. We have used an adoptive transfer system to investigate the point(s) of control within the pathway of EAE effector cell development from MBP-specific naive precursors that prevents clinical disease in T-cell line vaccinated, MBP-CFA challenged Lewis rats. Although EAE effector cells do not develop in T-cell line vaccinated recipients, our data shows that MBP precursor cells are primed in T-cell line vaccinated MBP-CFA challenged animals, and these MBP-specific precursor cells can be stimulated in culture to the EAE effector cell level. MBP-memory cells also arise in T-cell line vaccinated MBP-CFA challenged donors, as demonstrated by the early and rapid onset of EAE in MBP-CFA challenged recipients of lymphnode cells from T-cell line vaccinated MBP-CFA challenged donors. We also found that it was possible to adoptively transfer resistance to MBP-CFA challenge using spleen cells from donors previously vaccinated with encephalitogenic T-cells. These results show that although EAE effector cells do not develop in T-cell line vaccinated animals, T-cell vaccination does not inhibit the initial MBP precursor cell response and does not prevent the development of MBP memory cells.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Ability of MBP or RBP signal peptides to influence folding and in vitro translocation of wild-type and hybrid precursors.

Maltose-binding protein (MBP), whose export in E. coli is dependent upon the chaperone SecB, and ribose-binding protein (RBP), whose export is SecB-independent, have been used to generate hybrid secretory proteins. Here, in vitro techniques were used to analyze MBP, RBP, RBP-MBP (RBP signal and MBP mature), and MBP-RBP (MBP signal and RBP mature). In protease-protection experiments, RBP folded considerably faster than MBP, RBP-MBP, or MBP-RBP. Only the folding properties of proteins containing the MBP mature moiety were influenced by SecB. In post-translational translocation assays, MBP exhibited the highest translocation efficiency. The hybrids RBP-MBP and MBP-RBP showed intermediate levels, and RBP translocation was not detected in these assays. These experiments demonstrate the influence of the signal peptide in determining folding properties and translocation efficiency of precursor secretory proteins.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Carboxyl-terminal repressor domain of MBP-1 is sufficient for regression of prostate tumor growth in nude mice.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and the second leading cause of male cancer death in the United States. Early detection and improved procedures for surgical intervention and radiation therapy have reduced the fatalities; however, there is no effective cure for men with advanced disease and additional therapy is urgently needed. We have previously shown that MBP-1 acts as a general transcriptional repressor and exerts an antiproliferative effect on several human cancer cells. MBP-1 possesses two repressor domains, located at the amino and carboxyl termini. In this study, we have examined the potential of the repressor domains of MBP-1 as a gene therapeutic candidate in regression of prostate tumor growth. Our results suggested that replication-deficient adenovirus-mediated delivery of amino-terminal (MBP-AR) or carboxyl-terminal (MBP-CR) repressor domain of MBP-1 exerted an antiproliferative effect, like the full-length MBP-1, and induced caspase-independent apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Next, we investigated the therapeutic effectiveness of MBP-1 repressor domain on prostate tumors. When tested in human tumor xenografts in nude mice, MBP-CR suppressed prostate tumor growth more effectively than full-length MBP-1, whereas MBP-AR delayed prostate tumor growth. Together, these results suggested that MBP-CR expression has an antiproliferative effect in human prostate cancer cells, being more effective than the full-length MBP-1 in preventing tumor growth.

Adenoviridae↗

Morphological distribution of MBP-like immunoreactivity in the brain during development.

Myelin-basic protein (MBP)-like immunoreactivity was studied during development from postnatal day 1 to day 21 as a marker for the myelination process in the rat brain. Using monoclonal MBP antibodies, the caudo-rostral successive progression of MBP immunoreactivity was mapped in 1-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day-old animals using fluorescence microscopy of both coronal and sagittal sections. At 1 day of age, MBP-immunoreactive single fibers were seen in the lower brain stem, especially in formatio reticularis, whereas the rest of the brain was negative. In 1-week-old animals, MBP-positive fibers extended all the way into frontal cortex, but still in sparse arrays of single fibers with the largest number at the brain stem level. The 2-week stage showed a dramatic increase in the number of MBP-immunoreactive fibers. At the brain stem level, MBP-positive fiber plexuses were mixed with MBP-positive longitudinal axonal pathways. In cerebellar cortex, positive fibers began to radiate out from the white matter into the grey matter. A dense network of MBP-positive fibers was located in thalamus, and dense fluorescent fiber bundles were seen in capsula interna piercing through striatum. In cerebral cortex positive radiating fibers were considerably more numerous than at the previous stage. At the age of 3 weeks, MBP-immunoreactive fibers could be seen in networks and bundles in all parts of the brain. In the brain stem, a dense plexus of positive fibers filled formatio reticularis. In cortex cerebelli and cortex cerebri, a high density of radiating positive fibers was found. In striatum, a sparse distribution of single fibers was found in the neuropil surrounding the now strongly positive bundles of capsula interna. MBP-like immunoreactivity was followed during postnatal rat brain development and seemed to serve as a good indicator of progression of the myelinization process. With the excellent signal-to-noise ratio and the detailed morphological description of the distribution of MBP-like immunoreactivity, the present report can serve as a reference for studies of pathological disturbances of myelination in CNS as they relate to mechanical, chemical or hormonal perturbations.

Animals↗

T-cell responses to myelin basic protein in normal and MBP-deficient mice.

BALB/c mice are resistant to the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) after immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP). Previous studies of BALB/c mice suggest that MBP-specific T-cells can eventually be cloned from these mice, although they are either initially present in very low frequencies or are functionally anergic. To determine what role endogenous MBP expression plays in shaping the BALB/c T-cell repertoire, MBP-deficient BALB/c mice were constructed by breeding the shiverer (shi/shi) mutation onto the BALB/c background. These mice lack all conventional isoforms of MBP due to a deletion of MBP exons 3-7. Studies of the MBP-directed response of these mice suggest that endogenous MBP expression is directly responsible for EAE resistance in BALB/c mice, by quantitatively affecting expression of the T-cell repertoire. In contrast to wild-type BALB/c T-cells, uncloned T-cells from BALB/c shi/shi mice immunized with MBP proliferate in vitro to MBP and MBP peptides 59-76 and 89-101 and are able to induce severe EAE upon transfer to BALB/c recipients expressing MBP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The c-myc promoter binding protein (MBP-1) and TBP bind simultaneously in the minor groove of the c-myc P2 promoter.

The c-myc promoter binding protein (MBP-1) is a DNA binding protein which negatively regulates the expression of the human c-myc gene. MBP-1 binds to a sequence which overlaps the binding site for the general transcription factor TBP, within the c-myc P2 promoter region. Since TBP binds in the minor groove, MBP-1 might inhibit c-myc transcription by preventing the formation of a functional preinitiation complex. In support of this hypothesis, we have demonstrated that MPB-1 is a minor groove binding protein. In order to characterize MBP-1 binding, we substituted A-T base pairs in the MBP-1 binding site with I-C base pairs, which changes the major groove surface without altering the minor groove surface. This substitution did not inhibit the sequence-specific binding of MBP-1 and TBP. On the other hand, G-C to I-C substitution within the MBP-1 binding site alters the minor groove and prevents MBP-1 binding. Competitive electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to show that berenil, distamycin, and mithramycin, all of which bind in the minor groove, compete with MBP-1 for binding to the MPB-1 binding site. These minor groove binding ligands also effectively inhibit the simultaneous DNA binding activity of both MBP-1 and TBP. We conclude that both MBP-1 and TBP can bind simultaneously in the minor groove of the TATA motif on the c-myc P2 promoter. This suggests that MBP-1 may negatively regulate c-myc gene expression by preventing efficient transcription initiation.

Base Sequence↗

Epithelium-dependent contraction of airway smooth muscle caused by eosinophil MBP.

We have identified two distinct functions of the epithelium of guinea pig airways that modulate airway smooth muscle contractility in the presence of the major basic protein (MBP) of human eosinophilic granules: 1) active force generation resulting less than 1 min after epithelial contact with MBP; and 2) sustained, augmented force generation that does not depend on cytotoxic interference with the synthesis of an epithelial-derived inhibitory factor. To evaluate these influences, an in situ preparation of guinea pig trachea was developed that permitted direct, on-line measurement of isometric force generation in the underlying muscle. Direct application of 10(-8) mol/cm2 MBP to the surface of the epithelium elicited force generation that did not require the presence of a contractile agonist. Force generation began less than 1 min after MBP application and reached maximum active tension (AT) of 0.97 +/- 0.38 g/cm at 30 min (P less than 0.05 vs. baseline). Denatured MBP did not elicit active tension. MBP also caused augmented contraction to intravenous acetylcholine (ACh); 30 min after topical application of MBP, AT generated by 3 x 10(-7) mol/kg iv ACh was 0.85 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.55 +/- 0.08 g/cm in control animals (P less than 0.05). Threshold response to ACh (-8.1 +/- 0.3 log mol/kg) also decreased significantly after MBP (-9.1 +/- 0.4 log mol/kg) vs. baseline (P less than 0.01). Removal of the epithelium (confirmed histologically) abolished both direct contraction and augmented force generation to ACh caused by topical application of MBP to the airway muscle. These data suggest actions of MBP that have not been demonstrated previously: 1) activation of epithelial function that causes direct contraction of airway smooth muscle; and 2) independence of the MBP-induced effects from active tone elicited by other agonists. We also demonstrate that augmented contraction that does not depend on MBP blockade of tonic inhibitory secretion from the epithelium.

Acetylcholine↗

Tumor-suppressive effects of MBP-1 in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Only approximately 15% of people diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survive this disease beyond 5 years. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to improve the clinical management of this devastating disease. We have previously shown the antiproliferative effect of MBP-1 on several human cancer cells. In this study, we have examined the potential of MBP-1 as a gene therapeutic candidate in regression of non-small cell lung tumor growth. We have observed that exogenous expression of MBP-1 in NSCLC cells (H1299) induces massive cell death. To determine the gene therapeutic potential of MBP-1, replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus expressing MBP-1 was given intratumorally in human lung cancer xenografts in nude mice. Our results showed a significant regression of lung tumor growth and prolonged survival on treatment with MBP-1 compared with the control groups (saline or dl312). Subsequently, the mechanism of MBP-1-mediated H1299 cell death was investigated. Our results suggested that MBP-1 induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage in H1299 cells; however, treatment with pan-caspase inhibitor did not protect against MBP-1-induced cell death. Cells transduced with MBP-1 displayed early plasma membrane permeability, mitochondrial damage without cytochrome c release, and extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation, yielding a morphotype that is typical of necrosis. Taken together, this study suggests that MBP-1 expression induces a novel form of necrosis-like cell death and MBP-1 could be a potential gene therapeutic candidate against non-small cell lung tumor growth.

Animals↗

Regulation of cytoskeleton by myelin components: studies on shiverer oligodendrocytes carrying an Mbp transgene.

Oligodendrocytes from the shiverer mutant mouse are missing most of the myelin basic protein (Mbp) gene. In axon-free cultures, they produce membrane sheets with abnormally assembled microtubule and actin-based structures. This suggests that an Mbp gene product may have an important role in regulating the organization and stability of the wild-type oligodendrocyte cytoskeleton. We now present evidence extending these observations, using cultured oligodendrocytes that carry both the shiverer mutation and the Mbp1 transgene which partially corrects their deficit. Shiverer oligodendrocytes that carry one dose of the Mbp1 transgene abnormally express MBP along major cytoskeletal vein-like structures in processes and sheets. Shiverer oligodendrocytes that carry two doses of the Mbp1 transgene contain two types of membrane sheet regions, i.e. regions filled with aberrant punctate foci of MBP, and regions with normal domains of MBP. Immunocytochemical staining data show that the distribution of cytoskeleton and associated 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase) is dependent upon how MBP is organized. Bundling of actin filaments occurs only around MBP domains, and the colocalization of CNPase along microtubular structures also appears to be regulated by MBP domains in sheets. Multinucleated oligodendrocytes are observed, a likely result of the inability of dividing pro-oligodendrocytes to bundle actin filaments. In addition, the ability of MBP to mediate extracellular signals that modulate cytoskeleton appears to be dependent upon MBP's organization. Transduction of the galactocerebroside signaling pathway, which results in the destabilization of microtubules but not actin filaments, occurs only in sheets containing MBP domains. The distribution of MBP, however, does not affect the myelin/oligodendrocyte-specific protein signaling pathway, which results in growth of microtubular structures and extensive destabilization of the actin cytoskeleton.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗

A minimal human MBP promoter-lacZ transgene is appropriately regulated in developing brain and after optic enucleation, but not in shiverer mutant mice.

Previous studies, both in vitro and in vivo, suggest that small portions of the mouse myelin basic protein (MBP) promoter are sufficient to activate regulated expression of MBP. To confirm our previous in vitro studies, we prepared transgenic mice with short regions of the human MBP promoter fused to the lacZ reporter gene. We found that 750 nucleotides of the proximal human MBP promoter is sufficient to activate oligodendrocyte-specific, developmentally regulated expression of lacZ in three independent lines. This promoter, however, does not activate expression of lacZ in Schwann cells in peripheral nerve or in adult mouse brain. The relative levels of beta-galactosidase specific activity, mRNA, and transcription parallel those of MBP mRNA during myelinogenesis. Thus, we exploited this transgene as a quantitative tool to evaluate the response to stimuli known to affect myelination. Transgene expression is reduced 75 % after optic enucleation, as previously reported for levels of MBP mRNA, indicating that axons signal to this portion of the proximal MBP promoter to fully activate MBP expression during myelinogenesis. Instead, in adult shiverer mice, another setting in which MBP transcription is modulated, transgene expression is not increased, in contrast to the increased transcriptional activation of MBP previously reported in these mice. These data suggest that the regulatory region that mediates transcriptional activation of the MBP gene is modular, since discrete subregions are required for activation in Schwann cells, during myelinogenesis in oligodendrocytes, during maintenance myelination in adult brain, and in the dysmyelinating mutant shiverer mouse.

Animals↗

A novel antigen-toxin chimeric protein: myelin basic protein-pseudomonas exotoxin (MBP-PE 40) for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Myelin basic protein (MBP), is a major component of the central nervous system (CNS) myelin. MBP can stimulate T cells that migrate into the CNS, initiating a cascade of events that result in perivascular infiltration and demyelination. EAE is an inflammatory and demyelinating autoimmune disease of the CNS that serves as a model for the human disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Taking advantage of the fact that EAE can be mediated by T cells, able to recognize MBP or its peptides, we developed a new approach to target anti-MBP T cells by fusing an MBP-sequence to a toxin. In the new chimeric protein, an oligonucleotide coding for the guinea pig MBP encephalitogenic moiety (residues 68-88) was fused to a cDNA encoding a truncated form of the PE gene (PE40). The chimeric gene termed MBP-PE was expressed in E. coli and highly purified. MBP-PE chimeric protein was cytotoxic to various anti-MBP T cells. Moreover, treatment with the novel MBP-toxin blocked the clinical signs of EAE as well as CNS inflammation and demyelination. A chimeric protein such as MBP-PE40 presents a novel prototype of chimeric proteins, composed of antigen/peptide-toxin, that could prove to be an efficient and specific immunotherapeutic agent for autoimmune diseases in which a known antigen is involved.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

MBP-1 mediated apoptosis involves cytochrome c release from mitochondria.

MBP-1, a cellular factor, appears to be involved in multiple functions, including transcriptional modulation, apoptosis and cell growth regulation. In this study, we have investigated the signaling pathway involved in MBP-1 mediated apoptotic cell death. Human carcinoma cells infected with a replication deficient adenovirus expressing MBP-1 (AdMBP-1) induced apoptosis, when compared with cells infected by replication-defective adenovirus (dl312) as a negative control. Transduction of MBP-1 in carcinoma cells releases cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol leading to activation of procaspase-9, procaspase-3 and PARP cleavage. We previously observed that MBP-1 mediated apoptosis can be protected by Bcl-2, although MBP-1 does not share a homology with the BH domain of the Bcl-2 family member of proteins. To further understand the mechanism of MBP-1 mediated apoptosis, we examined whether MBP-1 modulates the Bcl-2 gene family. Our results demonstrated that human breast carcinoma cells infected with AdMBP-1 selectively reduced Bcl-xL mRNA and protein expression when compared with dl312 infected negative control cells. An in vitro transient reporter assay also suggested repression of the Bcl-x promoter activity by MBP-1. Additional studies indicated that MBP-1 modulates Ets family protein function, thereby downregulating Bcl-xL expression. Taken together, our results suggest that MBP-1 selectively represses Bcl-xL expression in MCF-7 cells and induces mitochondrial involvement in the apoptotic process.

3T3 Cells↗

Single-step purification and characterization of MBP (maltose binding protein)-DnaJ fusion protein and its utilization for structure-function analysis.

DnaJ is a molecular chaperone, which contains a zinc finger-like motif and cooperates with DnaK to mediate the folding of newly synthesized and denatured proteins. DnaJ was overproduced and purified using the maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion vector. The fusion protein (MBP-DnaJ) was expressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity using amylose resin in a single step. The UV-visible absorption spectrum of MBP-DnaJ showed peaks at 355 and 475 nm. Moreover, these absorption peaks disappeared upon treatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonic acid (PMPS). Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry demonstrated that MBP-DnaJ contains Fe ions as well as Zn ions. MBP-DnaJ mediated the replication of the lambda phage in vivo, stimulated the ATPase activity of DnaK and prevented the aggregation of denatured rhodanase, indicating that fusion of MBP to the N-terminal of DnaJ does not affect the functions of DnaJ. To study the roles of bound metal ions, metal-free MBP-DnaJ, and MBP-DnaJ containing 2 Zn ions were prepared. MBP-DnaJ containing Fe and Zn ions, and MBP-DnaJ containing 2 Zn ions stimulated the ATPase activity of DnaK, prevented the aggregation of denatured rhodanase and bound to DNA to similar extents. On the other hand, metal-free MBP-DnaJ showed much lower DNA-binding ability and lower ability to prevent rhodanese aggregation. Therefore, the bound metal species do not affect the function of the zinc finger-like motif of DnaJ, whereas removal of the metal ions from DnaJ diminishes its binding ability as to DNA and denatured proteins.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗