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Recombinant O-GlcNAc transferase isoforms: identification of O-GlcNAcase, yes tyrosine kinase, and tau as isoform-specific substrates.

O-linked N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (OGT) catalyzes the transfer of O-linked GlcNAc to serine or threonine residues of a variety of substrate proteins, including nuclear pore proteins, transcription factors, and proteins implicated in diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. We have identified two nucleocytoplasmic isoforms of OGT (ncOGT and sOGT) and one isoform that localizes to the mitochondria (mOGT). These three isoforms contain identical catalytic regions but differ in the number of tetratricopeptide repeat motifs found at the N-terminus of each enzyme. We expressed each of these OGT isoforms in a soluble form in Escherichia coli and have used them to identify novel targets including the Src-family tyrosine kinase yes and O-GlcNAc-ase. We demonstrate that some substrate proteins, such as Nup62 and casein kinase II, are glycosylated by both ncOGT and mOGT, while others such as O-GlcNAcase and tau are specifically modified by ncOGT. The yes kinase was specifically modified by mOGT. The short isoform of OGT (sOGT) did not glycosylate any of the substrates tested, although it retains a potentially active catalytic domain. Our findings demonstrate the potential utility of recombinant OGT in identifying new targets and illustrate the necessity to examine all active isoforms of the enzyme. The identification of a tyrosine kinase and O-GlcNAcase as OGT targets suggests the potential for OGT participation in numerous signal transduction cascades.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Three different turkey luteinizing hormone receptor (tLH-R) isoforms II: characterization of differentially regulated tLH-R messenger ribonucleic acid isoforms in the ovary.

We have recently characterized three different, alternatively spliced, partial turkey LH receptor (tLH-R) cDNA isoforms by the combination of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The first cDNA (intact form: tLH-R(intact)) showed 98% and 72-75% similarity with chicken and mammalian LH receptor sequences, respectively. The other two cloned cDNA isoforms (insertion and truncated forms: tLH-R(insert) and tLH-R(trunc)) could encode truncated soluble protein isoforms that lack the transmembrane region. Northern blot analysis detected two transcripts of 3.0 kilobases (kb) (tLH-R(intact)) and 1.5 kb (tLH-R(trunc)) in the turkey ovary but could not discriminate a third alternatively spliced transcript (tLH-R(insert)) due to the small 86-base pair difference in the size range of approximately 3.0-kb mRNAs. But with the combination of RNase protection assay, RT-PCR, and Northern blot analysis, three different alternatively spliced tLH-R mRNA isoforms were quantified. Differential expression of the tLH-R mRNA isoforms was demonstrated in ovarian stromal tissue during various reproductive stages and in the theca and granulosa layer through follicular development. To gain a better understanding of the physiological significance of the three different tLH-R isoforms, total RNA from the theca layer through follicular development after prolactin (PRL) treatment was analyzed by RT-PCR. PRL treatment for 8-14 days significantly increased the steady-state levels of total tLH-R mRNAs, including tLH-R(insert) and tLH-R(trunc) mRNAs, compared to those in nontreated controls. In contrast, the steady-state levels of tLH-R(intact) mRNA during the same period was not significantly changed when compared to that in nontreated controls. The present study shows that tLH-R transcripts are alternatively spliced in a tissue-specific manner in the turkey and that the mechanism may, in part, be controlled hormonally.

Alternative Splicing↗

Localization of the mRNAs for the short and long isoforms of the dopamine D2 receptor in embryonic striatal grafts: predominance of the short isoform.

The expression of mRNA coding for the long (D2L) and short (D2S) isoforms of the dopamine D2 receptor was measured by in situ hybridization histochemistry in embryonic striatal tissue grafts implanted into the ibotenic acid-lesioned neostriatum of adult rats. The intact, lesioned and grafted neostriata were evaluated 3 months after transplantation using 35S-labelled 'antisense' oligonucleotide probes (45-mer) specific for each mRNA isoform. In the adult neostriatum each mRNA isoform exhibited a strong lateral-to-medial gradient in expression in terms of both the number of expressing cells and the hybridization signal (grain density) per cell. Although there were no significant differences in the numbers of cells expressing the two isoforms in each striatal compartment, the hybridization signal per cell for D2S was significantly greater than that for D2L in the lateral and central striatum. The mRNA expression of each isoform was markedly reduced by the lesions. In the striatal grafts, the expression of both D2L and D2S occurred in 'patches' that corresponded to patches of intense acetylcholinesterase activity, and which are believed to involve reaggregation of striatal-like tissues within the graft. In contrast to the situation in the intact neostriatum the striatal grafts contained significantly greater numbers of cells expressing D2S mRNA; however, similar to the findings in the intact striatum the mRNA signal per cell was significantly greater than that for D2L mRNA. These results indicate that the D2 receptor isoforms are differentially expressed in mature striatal tissue grafts, and suggest that the dopamine regulation of striatal grafts via D2 signal transduction mechanisms may be similar to that observed in the normal neostriatum.

Animals↗

PKC isoforms in rat medullary thick ascending limb: selective activation of the delta-isoform by PGE2.

In the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) of the rat kidney, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) reverses inhibition of HCO3 absorption by arginine vasopressin (AVP). This effect of PGE2 is blocked by chelerythrine or staurosporine and mimicked by phorbol ester, suggesting a critical role for protein kinase C (PKC). The present study was designed to examine directly regulation of PKC isoforms by PGE2 in the inner stripe of the outer medulla and in microdissected MTALs. Immunoblots with isoform-specific anti-PKC antibodies detected alpha-, beta II-, delta-, epsilon-, and zeta-isoforms in both inner stripe and MTAL. The beta I- and gamma-isoforms were not detected. Translocation and activation of PKC were assessed by immunoblot analysis and by direct measurement of enzyme activity using an immune complex kinase assay. In inner stripe tissue incubated with 10(10) M AVP, PGE2 10(6) M for 20 min) induced translocation of PKC-delta from the cytosolic fraction to the membrane fraction. This translocation was associated with an 85% increase in PKC-delta activity in the membrane fraction and a 70% decrease in PKC-delta activity in the cytosolic fraction. PGE2 had no effect on the subcellular distribution or the activities of the other isoforms. Activation of PKC-delta was confirmed directly in microdissected MTALs, in which PGF2 caused a near complete loss of PKC-delta from the cytosolic fraction. PGE2 did not induce translocation of PKC-delta in the absence of AVP. These results demonstrate that 1) the MTAL expresses Ca(2+)-dependent (alpha, beta II) and Ca(2+)-independent (delta, epsilon, zeta) PKC isoforms; 2) PGE2 causes selective activation of PKC-delta, which likely mediates the action of PGE2 to reverse AVP inhibition of HCO-3 absorption; and 3) PGE2 activation of PKC-delta requires the presence of AVP, which may explain the fact that PGE2 influences HCO-3 transport only when AVP is present.

Animals↗

Isoform transitions of the myosin binding protein C family in developing human and mouse muscles: lack of isoform transcomplementation in cardiac muscle.

Mutations in the gene for the cardiac isoform of myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) have been identified as the cause of chromosome 11-associated autosomal-dominant familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). Most mutations produce a truncated polypeptide that lacks the sarcomeric binding region. We have now investigated the expression pattern of the cardiac and skeletal isoforms of cMyBP-C in mice and humans by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence microscopy using specific antibodies and probes. We demonstrate that the cardiac isoform is expressed only in cardiac muscle throughout development. The slow and fast isoforms of MyBP-C remain specific for skeletal muscle, where they can be coexpressed. Immunological evidence also suggests that an embryonic isoform of MyBP-C precedes the expression of slow MyBP-C in developing skeletal muscle. This suggests that transcomplementation of MyBP-C isoforms is possible in skeletal but not cardiac muscle.

Adult↗

Differential effects of platelet-derived growth factor isoforms on plasminogen activator activity in fetal rat osteoblasts due to isoform-specific receptor functions.

We examined receptor binding and metabolic effects of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms AA, AB, and BB in cultures of osteoblastic cells from fetal rat calvaria. Saturation binding experiments demonstrated the presence of 6,000 binding sites for PDGF-AA, 42,000 for PDGF-AB, and 60,000 for PDGF-BB. Binding competition experiments were compatible with the recently postulated model of three PDGF receptor subtypes with differential affinity for the PDGF isoforms. The effects of the PDGF isoforms on DNA synthesis, collagen synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblasts strictly correlated with the number of available binding sites. Accordingly, PDGF-BB was the most potent isoform, PDGF-AB was slightly less potent, and PDGF-AA was the least potent. In contrast, we found that PDGF-BB was less potent than PDGF-AB in increasing plasminogen activator activity in the osteoblast-conditioned medium. Our data strongly suggest that the PDGF receptor subtypes in fetal rat osteoblasts not only selectively bind one or more PDGF isoforms, but are also capable of responding differently to these isoforms.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Isoforms of apolipoprotein A-II in human plasma and thoracic duct lymph. Identification of proapolipoprotein A-II and sialic acid-containing isoforms.

Proapolipoprotein (apo-) A-II and several isoforms of apo-A-II including sialylated isoforms were identified in human plasma and thoracic duct lymph. Proapo-A-II secreted by HepG2 cells was identified by a combination of immunoblots and [14C]arginine incorporation. Proapo-A-II which contains 2 arginine residues could be readily differentiated from mature apo-A-II which contains no arginine. The pI of proapo-A-II is 6.79, whereas the pI of the major apo-A-II isoform in plasma and lymph is 4.90. Minor apo-A-II isoforms have pI values of 5.17, 4.68, 4.42, and 4.20, respectively. Sialoisoforms of apo-A-II were identified, which had a higher apparent molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis than the major isoform and disappeared following neuraminidase treatment. The relative quantity of proapo-A-II was relatively constant in lymph very low density lipoproteins, lymph high density lipoproteins, and plasma high density lipoproteins, whereas the sialoforms and the other minor isoforms of apo-A-II were greater in lymph very low density lipoproteins and the lowest in plasma high density lipoproteins.

Apolipoprotein A-II↗

Laminin isoforms and lung development: all isoforms are not equal.

Laminins are a major component of basement membranes. Each laminin molecule is a heterotrimeric glycoprotein composed of one alpha, one beta, and one gamma chain. Fifteen laminin isoforms exist, assembled from various combinations of 5alpha, 3beta, and 3gamma chains. The embryonic lung has abundant laminin isoforms. Increasing evidence suggests that different laminin isoforms have unique functions in lung development. Studies of embryonic lung explants and organotypic co-cultures show that laminin alpha1 and laminin 111 are important for epithelial branching morphogenesis and that laminin alpha2 and laminin 211 have a role in smooth muscle cell differentiation. In vivo studies of laminin alpha5-deficient mice indicate that this laminin chain, found in laminins 511 and 521, is essential for normal lobar septation in early lung development and normal alveolization and distal epithelial cell differentiation and maturation in late lung development. However, not all of the laminin chains present in the developing lung appear to be necessary for normal lung development since laminin alpha4 null mice do not have obvious lung abnormalities and laminin gamma2 null mice have only minimal changes in lung development. The mechanisms responsible for the lung phenotypes in mice with laminin mutations are unknown, but it is clear that multiple laminin isoforms are crucial for lung development and that different laminin isoforms exhibit specific, non-overlapping functions.

Animals↗

Expression and structural analysis of glucocorticoid receptor isoform gamma in human leukaemia cells using an isoform-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction approach.

Glucocorticoids are broadly used for chemotherapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The intracellular effects of glucocorticoids are mediated through the glucocorticoid receptor. The human glucocorticoid receptor gamma isoform (hGR-gamma) differs from the main isoform (hGR-alpha) by an additional amino acid within the DNA binding domain of the receptor protein. This may decrease hGR-alpha-mediated transcriptional activation. The importance of hGR-gamma expression in childhood ALL is unknown. To evaluate hGR-gamma mRNA expression levels, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach, allowing the selective amplification of hGR-gamma, was developed and optimized. We were able to demonstrate target selectivity of hGR-gamma amplification using sequence-specific primers. Studying the structure of the 3' end of hGR-gamma, a combination of this isoform with other hGR isoforms could be demonstrated. Using analysis of hGR-gamma-specific amplification in comparison with the expression of hGR-total (all isoforms) in leukaemic blasts from patients with either a good response to prednisone (PGR) or poor-prednisone response (PPR) in vivo, relative hGR-gamma expression was observed to be lower in cells from patients with PGR compared with PPR, in particular after 10 h of dexamethasone stimulation. These data were correlated with cell survival, demonstrating a more pronounced induction of apoptosis in cells from patients with PGR as compared with PPR.

Apoptosis↗

Functional comparison of Egr3 transcription factor isoforms: identification of an activation domain in the N-terminal segment absent from Egr3beta, a major isoform expressed in brain.

Recent studies indicate that the Egr family of transcription regulatory factors plays a key role in nervous system development and plasticity. In prior studies, we demonstrated that multiple isoforms of the Egr3 transcription regulatory factor are expressed in brain and appear to be generated by use of alternative translation start sites. To compare the functional activity of these isoforms, we have examined their ability to stimulate transcription of a luciferase reporter construct driven by the Egr response element. Analysis of a series of N-terminal truncation constructs indicates that Egr3 contains two distinct activation domains: one located in the segment upstream of Met(106), the start site of the major truncated isoform Egr3beta, and the other located C-terminal to all of the alternative translation start sites used to generate Egr3 isoforms detected in brain. We confirmed this inference by demonstrating that each of these segments is able to drive transcription when fused to the GAL4 DNA binding domain. Taken together, these studies indicate that the internal translation start sites present in Egr3 are used to generate Egr3 isoforms lacking the activation domain located N-terminal to Met(106).

Alternative Splicing↗

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha isoforms originated from the P1 promoter are expressed in human pancreatic beta-cells and exhibit stronger transcriptional potentials than P2 promoter-driven isoforms.

The nuclear receptor hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) 4 alpha is involved in a transcriptional network and plays an important role in pancreatic beta-cells. Mutations in the HNF4 alpha gene are correlated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young 1. HNF4 alpha isoforms result from both alternative splicing and alternate usage of promoters P1 and P2. It has recently been reported that HNF4 alpha transcription is driven almost exclusively by the P2 promoter in pancreatic islets. We observed that transcripts from both P1 and P2 promoters were expressed in human pancreatic beta-cells and in the pancreatic beta-cell lines RIN m5F and HIT-T15. Expression of HNF4 alpha proteins originating from the P1 promoter was confirmed by immunodetection. Due to the presence of the activation function module AF-1, HNF4 alpha isoforms originating from the P1 promoter exhibit stronger transcriptional activities and recruit coactivators more efficiently than isoforms driven by the P2 promoter. Conversely, activities of isoforms produced by both promoters were similarly repressed by the corepressor small heterodimer partner. These behaviors were observed on the promoter of HNF1 alpha that is required for beta-cell function. Our results highlight that expression of P1 promoter-driven isoforms is important in the control of pancreatic beta-cell function.

Animals↗

Distinct roles of different neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) isoforms in synaptic maturation revealed by analysis of NCAM 180 kDa isoform-deficient mice.

Mice that lack all three major isoforms of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) (180 and 140 kDa transmembrane, and 120 kDa glycosylphosphatidylinositol linked) were previously shown to exhibit major alterations in the maturation of their neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Specifically, even by postnatal day 30, they failed to downregulate from along their axons and terminals an immature, brefeldin A-sensitive, synaptic vesicle-cycling mechanism that used L-type Ca2+ channels. In addition, these NCAM null NMJs were unable to maintain effective transmitter output with high-frequency repetitive stimulation, exhibiting both severe initial depression and subsequent cyclical periods of total transmission failures that were of presynaptic origin. As reported here, mice that lack only the 180 kDa isoform of NCAM downregulated the immature vesicle-cycling mechanism on schedule, implicating either the 140 or 120 kDa NCAM isoforms in this important maturational event. However, 180 NCAM-deficient mice still exhibited many functional transmission defects. Although 180 NCAM null NMJs did not show the severe initial depression of NCAM null NMJs, they still had cyclical periods of complete transmission failure. In addition, several presynaptic molecules were expressed at lower levels or were more diffusely localized. Thus, the 180 kDa isoform of NCAM appears to play an important role in the molecular organization of the presynaptic terminal and in ensuring effective transmitter output with repetitive stimulation. Our results also suggest that PKC and MLCK (myosin light chain kinase) may be downstream effectors of NCAM in these processes. Together, these results indicate that different isoforms of NCAM mediate distinct and important events in presynaptic maturation.

Animals↗

Transitions from fetal to fast troponin T isoforms are coordinated with changes in tropomyosin and alpha-actinin isoforms in developing rabbit skeletal muscle.

In adult fast skeletal muscle, specific combinations of thin filament and Z-line protein isoforms are coexpressed. To determine whether the expression of these sets of proteins, designated the TnT1f, TnT2f, and TnT3f programs, is coordinated during development, we characterized the transitions in troponin T (TnT), tropomyosin (Tm), and alpha-actinin isoforms that occur in developing fetal and neonatal rabbit skeletal muscle. Two coordinated developmental transitions were identified, and a novel pattern of thin filament expression was found in fetal muscle. In fetal muscle, new TnT species--whose protein and immunochemical properties suggest that they are the products of a new TnT gene--are expressed in combination with beta 2 Tm and alpha-actinin1f/s. This pattern, which is found in both back and hindlimb muscles, is specific to fetal and early neonatal muscle. Just prior to birth, there is a transition from the fetal program to the isoforms that define the TnT3f program, TnT3f, and alpha beta Tm. Like the fetal program, expression of the TnT3f program appears to be a general feature of muscle development, because it occurs in a variety of fast muscles as well as in the slow muscle soleus. The transition to adult patterns of thin filament expression begins at the end of the first postnatal week. Based on studies of erector spinae, the isoforms comprising the TnT2f program, TnT2f, alpha 2 Tm, and alpha-actinin2f, appear and increase coordinately at this time. The transitions, first to the TnT3f program, and then to adult patterns of expression indicate that synthesis of the isoforms comprising each program is coordinated during muscle specialization and throughout muscle development. In addition, these observations point to a dual role for the TnT3f program, which is the major thin filament program in some adult muscles, but appears to bridge the transition from developmentally to physiologically regulated patterns of thin filament expression during the late fetal and early neonatal development.

Actinin↗

Characterization of expression of phosphofructokinase isoforms in isolated rat pancreatic islets and purified beta cells and cloning and expression of the rat phosphofructokinase-A isoform.

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) plays a key role in regulating glycolytic flux, and the mammalian enzyme is a tetramer. Three monomeric isoforms are encoded by separate genes, are differentially expressed in specific tissues, and are designated by tissues in which they are most abundant (A, muscle; B, liver; and C, brain). Glucose-induced insulin secretion from pancreatic islets requires glucose transport into islet beta-cells and glycolytic metabolism. Little is known about islet PFK isozymes, but the possibility that PFK-A is expressed in beta-cells is of interest because that isoform is thought to govern glycolytic oscillations and to interact with a metabolically activated beta-cell phospholipase A2 enzyme. Using as probe a PCR product generated from rat islet RNA with primers designed from the human PFK-A sequence, we have cloned a full-length PFK-A cDNA from a rat islet cDNA library. The rat PFK-A deduced amino-acid sequence is 96% identical to that of human PFK-A, and all residues thought to participate in substrate or allosteric effector binding are conserved between the two sequences. The rat PFK-A amino-acid sequence is 69% and 68% identical to those for rat PFK-B and rat PFK-C, respectively, and differences in residues involved in binding of allosteric effectors were observed among the three isoforms. Rat PFK-A expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein was recognized by antibodies raised against a peptide in the PFK-A sequence. Expression of PFK isoform mRNA species was examined by RT-PCR in rat islets, in purified populations of beta-cells prepared by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and in RIN-m5F insulinoma cells, all of which expressed mRNA species for PFK-A, -B, and -C isoforms. PFK-A mRNA was expressed at much lower levels in an islet alpha-cell-enriched population. Interleukin-1 impairs islet glucose metabolism and insulin secretion and was found to induce a specific decline in islet expression of PFK-A mRNA. These findings establish the sequence of rat PFK-A, demonstrate that it is expressed in FACS-purified islet beta-cells, and suggest that its expression is regulated by a cytokine which influences insulin secretion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of actin isoforms in the guinea pig organ of Corti: muscle isoforms are not detected.

The specificity of antibodies to actin was assayed by use of immunoblots and histological sections of control tissues enriched for each of six different isoforms. On immunoblots, all antibodies stained at most one band of protein in most of the control materials, with a molecular weight of approximately 43 kDa. Their pattern of staining of muscle and nonmuscle tissues indicated their isoform specificity. On tissue sections, immunocytochemical staining demonstrated cellular and subcellular localization of the different isoforms. Once characterized with regard to specificity, these antibodies were used to probe actin in the guinea pig organ of Corti. None of the four muscle isoforms of actin were found in either immunoblots or tissue sections of the organ of Corti. Both beta- and gamma-cytoplasmic isoforms of actin were present in hair cells and supporting cells. This leaves open to investigation the role which cytoplasmic actins play in these cells of the organ of Corti.

Actins↗

Activation of a latent mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) tyrosinase isoform by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Kinetic properties of the SDS-activated isoform.

This study reports the activation of a latent mushroom tyrosinase isoform by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The activation process of latent mushroom tyrosinase by SDS is characterized by the presence of a lag period (tau) prior to the attainment of a steady-state rate (V(ss)). This could be related to a slow conformational change of the latent enzyme to render the active isoform. The molecular size of the latent isoform was 67 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and western-blotting assays. This size did not change after activation by SDS. The molecular size of the protease-activated isoform was 43 kDa. tau and V(ss) displayed a sigmoidal relationship to the concentration of SDS, but tau was not dependent on o-diphenol or enzyme concentration. Increasing SDS concentrations decreased tau, but then lower V(ss) values were detected because of a possible excess of unfolding and subsequent denaturation of the protein. The same reaction mechanism operated in both SDS-activated and protease-activated tyrosinase isoforms despite their different kinetic features. A possible mechanism for the activation of this latent tyrosinase by SDS is proposed.

Agaricales↗

Characterization of the binding of amyloid-beta peptide to cell culture-derived native apolipoprotein E2, E3, and E4 isoforms and to isoforms from human plasma.

The epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E (apoE, protein; APOE, gene) is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Genetically, the frequency of the epsilon 4 allele is enriched in early-onset sporadic, late-onset familial, and common late-onset sporadic AD. ApoE is found in the extracellular amyloid-beta (A beta) deposits that are characteristic features of AD. In this study, we examined the interaction between A beta and apoE isoforms. The apoE isoforms used in this study were either produced by stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or were from human plasma. We report that when similar concentrations of the apoE isoforms were used, native nonpurified apoE3 from recombinant CHO-derived sources bound A beta, but apoE4 did not. In fact, in our system, binding of recombinant apoE4 to A beta was never detectable, even after incubation for 4 days. Furthermore, using the same assay conditions, native apoE2, like apoE3, binds A beta avidly. Furthermore, when human plasma apoE isoforms are tested in A beta binding experiments, apoE3 bound A beta more avidly than apoE4, and a major apoE/A beta complex (the 40-kDa form) was observed with plasma apoE3 but not apoE4. These data extend our understanding of apoE isoform-dependent binding of A beta by associating apoE2 with efficient apoE/A beta complex formation and demonstrate that native apoE3 (whether recombinant or derived from human plasma) forms sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable apoE/A beta complexes more readily than native apoE4. The different A beta-binding properties of native apoE4 versus native apoE3 provide insight into the molecular mechanisms by which the APOE epsilon 4 allele exerts its risk factor effects in AD.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

Identification and characterization of protein kinase CKII isoforms in HeLa cells. Isoform-specific differences in rates of assembly from catalytic and regulatory subunits.

Protein kinase CKII (formerly casein kinase II) can be isolated as a heterotetramer, containing two catalytic (alpha or alpha') and two regulatory (beta) subunits. We have characterized the forms of CKII in HeLa cells using antibodies specific for the alpha or alpha' subunits. Following metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine, whole cell soluble extracts were analyzed by immunoprecipitation and gel electrophoresis. Both alpha and alpha' coprecipitate with beta and with each other. However, when extracts are depleted of alpha, a pool of CKII containing only alpha' and beta is identified. Similarly, depletion of alpha' revealed a pool exclusively of alpha and beta. Therefore, we propose that there are three distinct isoforms of CKII within HeLa cells with different catalytic subunit stoichiometries (alpha 2 beta 2, alpha alpha' beta 2, and alpha' 2 beta 2). With our immunodepletion procedure we have characterized the isoforms by activity analysis, turnover of pulse-labeled subunits, and by localization in subcellular fractions obtained from labeled cells. We have also analyzed complex formation between the catalytic and regulatory subunits by examining the differences in the rate of signal incorporation into subunits in immunoprecipitates obtained from continuously labeled and pulse-labeled cells. We have found that the alpha 2 beta 2 and alpha alpha' beta 2 isoforms assemble relatively slowly (12-16 h), whereas complex formation of the alpha' 2 beta 2 isoform occurs more rapidly (2-4 h). Analysis of isoform complex formation in subcellular fractions from pulse-labeled cells revealed that the majority of nuclear CKII is assembled in the nucleus from free catalytic and regulatory subunit polypeptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗