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Conjugation of drug to poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) for controlled release from biodegradable microspheres.

Poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was chemically conjugated to a model drug, N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-l-tryptophan (Fmoc-Trp(Boc)) via an ester linkage. Various coupling reaction conditions were tested to optimize the conjugation process between a hydroxyl terminal group of PLGA and a carboxylic acid group of Fmoc-Trp(Boc). Two different lactic/glycolic acid compositions of PLGA (50/50 and 75/25) were used for the conjugation. The Fmoc-Trp(Boc)-PLGA conjugates were formulated into microspheres by a solvent evaporation technique for controlled release of Fmoc-Trp(Boc) over an one month period. A linear constant release of Fmoc-Trp(Boc) and its water-soluble PLGA oligomer conjugates was observed over an extended period without any initial burst effect, while unconjugated Fmoc-Trp(Boc) encapsulated within microspheres exhibited a rapid release profile. In addition, Fmoc-Trp(Boc) release rate solely depended on the PLGA composition that affected polymer degradation rate. The release rate of Fmoc-Trp(Boc) conjugated with fast degrading 50/50 PLGA was more rapid than that conjugated with relatively slow degrading 75/25 PLGA. This study demonstrates that PLGA-drug conjugation approach is a new and novel strategy to control the drug release rate from PLGA microspheres by utilizing the chemical degradation rate of PLGA backbone.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Use of endogenous signal sequences for transient production and efficient secretion by moss (Physcomitrella patens) cells.

BACKGROUND: Efficient targeting to appropriate cell organelles is one of the bottlenecks for the production of recombinant proteins in plant systems. A common practice is to use the native secretory signal peptide of the heterologous protein to be produced. Though general features of secretion signals are conserved between plants and animals, the broad sequence variability among signal peptides suggests differing efficiency of signal peptide recognition. RESULTS: Aiming to improve secretion in moss bioreactors, we quantitatively compared the efficiency of two human signal peptides and six signals from recently isolated moss (Physcomitrella patens) proteins. We therefore used fusions of the different signals to heterologous reporter sequences for transient transfection of moss cells and measured the extra- and intracellular accumulation of the recombinant proteins rhVEGF and GST, respectively. Our data demonstrates an up to fivefold higher secretion efficiency with endogenous moss signals compared to the two utilised human signal peptides. CONCLUSION: From the distribution of extra- and intracellular recombinant proteins, we suggest translational inhibition during the signal recognition particle-cycle (SRP-cycle) as the most probable of several possible explanations for the decreased extracellular accumulation with the human signals. In this work, we report on the supremacy of moss secretion signals over the utilised heterologous ones within the moss-bioreactor system. Though the molecular details of this effect remain to be elucidated, our results will contribute to the improvement of molecular farming systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functions of signal and signal-anchor sequences are determined by the balance between the hydrophobic segment and the N-terminal charge.

The signal sequence of secretory proteins and the signal-anchor sequence of type II membrane proteins initiate the translocation of the following polypeptide segments, whereas the signal-anchor sequence of cytochrome P-450-type membrane proteins mediates the membrane insertion of the polypeptide via a signal-recognition particle-dependent mechanism but does not lead to the translocation of the following C-terminal sequences. To establish the structural requirements for the function of signal and signal-anchor sequences, we constructed chimeric proteins containing artificial topogenic sequences in which the N-terminal net charge and the length of the hydrophobic segment were systematically altered. Utilizing an in vitro translation-translocation system, we found that hydrophobic segments consisting of 7-10 leucine residues functioned as signal sequences whereas segments with 12-15 leucine residues showed different topogenic functions, behaving as signal sequences or P-450-type signal-anchor sequences, depending on the N-terminal charge. From these observations, we propose that the function of N-terminal topogenic sequences depends on a balance between the N-terminal charge and the length of the following hydrophobic segment.

Base Sequence↗

Protein targeting to the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane.

Proteins that perform their activity within the cytoplasmic membrane or outside this cell boundary must be targeted to the translocation site prior to their insertion and/or translocation. In bacteria, several targeting routes are known; the SecB- and the signal recognition particle-dependent pathways are the best characterized. Recently, evidence for the existence of a third major route, the twin-Arg pathway, was gathered. Proteins that use either one of these three different pathways possess special features that enable their specific interaction with the components of the targeting routes. Such targeting information is often contained in an N-terminal extension, the signal sequence, but can also be found within the mature domain of the targeted protein. Once the nascent chain starts to emerge from the ribosome, competition for the protein between different targeting factors begins. After recognition and binding, the targeting factor delivers the protein to the translocation sites at the cytoplasmic membrane. Only by means of a specific interaction between the targeting component and its receptor is the cargo released for further processing and translocation. This mechanism ensures the high-fidelity targeting of premembrane and membrane proteins to the translocation site.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Membrane insertion of gap junction connexins: polytopic channel forming membrane proteins.

Connexins, the proteins that form gap junction channels, are polytopic plasma membrane (PM) proteins that traverse the plasma membrane bilayer four times. The insertion of five different connexins into the membrane of the ER was studied by synthesizing connexins in translation-competent cell lysates supplemented with pancreatic ER-derived microsomes, and by expressing connexins in vivo in several eucaryotic cell types. In addition, the subcellular distribution of the connexins was determined. In vitro-synthesis in the presence of microsomes resulted in the signal recognition particle-dependent membrane insertion of the connexins. The membrane insertion of all connexins was accompanied by an efficient proteolytic processing that was dependent on the microsome concentration. Endogenous unprocessed connexins were detectable in the microsomes used, indicating that the pancreatic microsomes serve as a competent recipient in vivo for unprocessed full length connexins. Although oriented with their amino terminus in the cytoplasm, the analysis of the cleavage reaction indicated that an unprecedented processing by signal peptidase resulted in the removal of an amino-terminal portion of the connexins. Variable amounts of similar connexin cleavage products were also identified in the ER membranes of connexin overexpressing cells. The amount generated correlated with the level of protein expression. These results demonstrate that the connexins contain a cryptic signal peptidase cleavage site that can be processed by this enzyme in vitro and in vivo in association with their membrane insertion. Consequently, a specific factor or condition must be required to prevent this aberrant processing of connexins under normal conditions in the cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Screening genes related to 'black' character in wu-ding chicken by delta differential display].

The 'black' character is a cardinal character of black chicken that is very important to the medical value and economical value of black chicken. The study compared gene expression between black chicken and non-black chicken by delta differential display method, and obtained twenty-nine expressed sequence tags(ESTs) by extraction, amplification, purification, northern blotting, cloning and sequencing of gel-embedded DNA. Of twenty-nine ESTs, eight ESTs have high similarity rate with known gene in chicken-beta-trepomyosin gene, cardiac myosin alkali light chain gene, insertionally activated c-Ha-ras oncogene, fra-2 oncogene, 16S rRNA gene and mitochondrion genome sequence, respectively, with similarity rate 97%,100%, 98%, 98%, 98%, 99%, 99% and 97%. Five ESTs have high similarity rate with human TTN gene, human phosphoglucomutase 5 gene, human or mouse signal recongnition particle 54 kD gene, human or mouse ribonuclease/angiogenin inhibitor gene, respectively, with similarity rate 82%, 82%, 87%, 99% and 99%. Their homologous genes in chicken are still not cloned. Thirteen ESTs are novel gene fragments. Of thirteen ESTs, nine ESTs have high similarity with ESTs in database. Four ESTs have not high similarity with any EST in database. The results of gene expression analysis show that one known gene (insertionally activated c-Ha-ras oncogene) fragment and one novel gene fragment are expressed in all non-black chicken and are not expressed in all black chicken, and that one known gene (signal recongnition particle 54 kD gene) fragment is expressed in all black chicken and is not expressed in all non-black chicken. According to these results, we conclude that the expression of insertionally activated c-Ha-ras oncogene, signal recongnition particle 54 kD gene and one novel gene are related to the 'black' character in chicken.

Animals↗

Recognition of a subset of signal sequences by Ssh1p, a Sec61p-related protein in the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Ssh1p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is related in sequence to Sec61p, a general receptor for signal sequences and the major subunit of the channel that guides proteins across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. The split-ubiquitin technique was used to determine whether Ssh1p serves as an additional receptor for signal sequences in vivo. We measured the interactions between the N(ub)-labeled Ssh1p and C(ub)-translocation substrates bearing four different signal sequences. The so-determined interaction profile of Ssh1p was compared with the signal sequence interaction profile of the correspondingly modified N(ub)-Sec61p. The assay reveals interactions of Ssh1p with the signal sequences of Kar2p and invertase, whereas Sec61p additionally interacts with the signal sequences of Mfalpha1 and carboxypeptidase Y. The measured physical proximity between Ssh1p and the beta-subunit of the signal sequence recognition particle receptor confirms our hypothesis that Ssh1p is directly involved in the cotranslational translocation of proteins across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Endoplasmic Reticulum↗

Yarrowia lipolytica SRP54 homolog and translocation of Kar2p.

To investigate the role of Srp54p in protein translocation, the Yarrowia lipolytica SRP54 homolog was cloned. Sequencing revealed an open reading frame of 536 amino acids coding for a 57.2 kilodalton polypeptide with 55 to 57% sequence identity to Srp54ps of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and mouse. Like these Srp54ps, Y. lipolytica Srp54p has an N-terminal domain with a highly conserved GTP-binding site and a methionine-rich C-terminal domain. Differing results regarding the essentiality of SRP subunits were obtained. SRP54 is important but not essential for growth, but it was reconfirmed that at least one SRP RNA gene is essential. Cells with SRP54 deleted grow about six times more slowly than wild type; faster-growing colonies, still growing much slower than wild type, appeared quite frequently. In srp54 delta cells, no untranslocated alkaline extracellular protease precursor was detected. Therefore, to develop another reporter molecule the Y. lipolytica KAR2 homolog was cloned and Kar2p antibodies were produced. For Kar2p an untranslocated precursor was detected in srp54 delta but not in wild-type cells, suggesting that its translocation was defective in the srp54 delta cells. These results confirm an in vivo rule for SRP in protein translocation in Y. lipolytica, suggest that SRP RNA or an SRP core-particle has functions not shared by Srp54p, and show that, as in S. cerevisiae and Sz. pombe, reporter molecules differ in their dependency on SRP for translocation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effects of deleting the propeptide from human preproapolipoprotein A-I on co-translational translocation and signal peptidase processing.

The two principal protein components of human high density lipoprotein particles, apoA-I and apoA-II, are initially synthesized as prepropolypeptides. The function of their NH2-terminal prosegments is not known. We have previously shown that deletion of the pentapeptide prosegment (Ala-Leu-Val-Arg-Arg) from human preproapoA-II redirects signal peptidase cleavage to a site located between the second and third residues of the mature protein (Folz, R. J., and Gordon, J. I. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 14752-14759). The hexapeptide prosegment of human preproapoA-I differs from other NH2-terminal propeptides in that it terminates with paired glutamine residues (Arg-His-Phe-Trp-Gln-Gln). To examine its role in the early events of protein export, we isolated a full-length human preproapoA-I cDNA and deleted its propeptide coding region by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The effects of this deletion on co-translational translocation and signal peptidase processing were assessed using an in vitro transcription/translation/microsomal membrane processing system. Propeptide deletion reduces the efficiency of co-translational translocation/processing in both reticulocyte and wheat germ lysates but does not affect the fidelity of signal peptidase cleavage. This reduced efficiency does not appear to reflect differences in signal recognition particle-nascent protein interaction as measured by a translational arrest assay. However, differences in translocation/processing rates were noted in a postinitiation translocation/cleavage assay. This assay employed the initiation inhibitor edeine to generate nascent wild type and mutant proteins of increasing chain length which were subsequently presented to canine pancreatic membranes. Unlike preproapoA-I, pre(delta pro)apoA-I retained its ability to undergo translocation and proteolytic processing even after the entire protein was synthesized. These data suggest that the propeptide in human preproapoA-I may play a role in promoting an optimal structure for co-translational translocation and processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nonrandom packaging of host RNAs in moloney murine leukemia virus.

Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV) particles contain both viral genomic RNA and an assortment of host cell RNAs. Packaging of virus-encoded RNA is selective, with virions virtually devoid of spliced env mRNA and highly enriched for unspliced genome. Except for primer tRNA, it is unclear whether packaged host RNAs are randomly sampled from the cell or specifically encapsidated. To address possible biases in host RNA sampling, the relative abundances of several host RNAs in MLV particles and in producer cells were compared. Using 7SL RNA as a standard, some cellular RNAs, such as those of the Ro RNP, were found to be enriched in MLV particles in that their ratios relative to 7SL differed little, if at all, from their ratios in cells. Some RNAs were underrepresented, with ratios relative to 7SL several orders of magnitude lower in virions than in cells, while others displayed intermediate values. At least some enriched RNAs were encapsidated by genome-defective nucleocapsid mutants. Virion RNAs were not a random sample of the cytosol as a whole, since some cytoplasmic RNAs like tRNA(Met) were vastly underrepresented, while U6 spliceosomal RNA, which functions in the nucleus, was enriched. Real-time PCR demonstrated that env mRNA, although several orders of magnitude less abundant than unspliced viral RNA, was slightly enriched relative to actin mRNA in virions. These data demonstrate that certain host RNAs are nearly as enriched in virions as genomic RNA and suggest that Psi- mRNAs and some other host RNAs may be specifically excluded from assembly sites.

Blotting, Northern↗

Requirement of the hinge domain for dimerization of Ca2+-ATPase large cytoplasmic portion expressed in bacteria.

The large cytoplasmic domain of rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a 48 kDa fusion protein, designated p48, containing an N-terminal hexa-His tag. Purification conditions were optimized, thus conferring long-term stability to p48. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and the pattern of limited trypsinolysis confirmed the proper folding of the domain. p48 retained 0.5 +/- 0.1 mol of high affinity 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine-5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP) binding sites per mol of polypeptide chain with an apparent dissociation constant of about 8 microM. Size-exclusion FPLC using protein concentrations in the range 0.03 5 mg/ml showed that p48 was essentially monodisperse with apparent molecular mass and Stokes radius (Rs) values compatible with a dimer (100 kDa and 40 A, respectively). Analysis of p48 by small-angle X-ray scattering provided an independent second proof for a dimeric p48 particle with a radius of gyration (Rg) of 39 A, suggesting that the dimer was not spherical (Rs/Rg = 1.026). When digested by proteinase K, p48 was converted to a 30 kDa fragment, designated p30, which was very resistant to further proteolysis. p30 retained high affinity TNP-ATP binding (Kd = 8 microM) and eluted as a monomer (35 kDa) in size-exclusion FPLC. As opposed to p48, the p30 fragment did not react with monoclonal antibody A52 [Clarke et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264 (1989) 11246-11251] which recognizes region E657-R672 located upstream of the hinge domain of the Ca2+-ATPase. These results indicate a requirement of the hinge domain (670-728) region for self-association of the p48 large hydrophilic domain as a dimer. We propose that this behavior points to a possible role of the hinge domain in dimerization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase in the native membrane.

Animals↗

The sequence of a 16,691 bp segment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome IV identifies the DUN1, PMT1, PMT5, SRP14 and DPR1 genes, and five new open reading frames.

As part of the European BIOTECH programme, the nucleotide sequence of a 16691 bp fragment from the left arm of chromosome IV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been deduced. Analysis of the sequence reveals the presence of 13 open reading frames (ORFs) larger than 100 codons. five of these were previously identified as genes DUN1, PMT1, PMT5, SRP14 and DPR1. One putative protein, D2371p, contains an ATP-GTP binding site, and shares homology to the ArsA component of an Escherichia coli arsenical pump. No significant homology to any known protein has been found for the other ORFs. D2378p contains a zinc finger domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A membrane component of the endoplasmic reticulum that may be essential for protein translocation.

We have purified a glycosylated, membrane-spanning protein of relative molecular mass approximately 34,000 (Mr approximately 34 K) from canine microsomes that appears to be essential for protein translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as shown by the inhibitory action of antibodies directed against it and of monovalent Fab-fragments produced from them. The ER membrane contains at least as many molecules of the 34 K membrane protein as bound ribosomes. The protein can be detected immunologically in tissues of various organisms, indicating an universal function.

Animals↗

Ubiquitin-assisted dissection of protein transport across membranes.

We describe a new way to analyze targeting in protein translocation. A fusion in which ubiquitin (Ub) is positioned between a signal sequence and a reporter domain is cleaved by Ub-specific proteases (UBPs) in the cytosol unless the fusion can 'escape' into a compartment such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The critical step involves rapid folding of the newly formed Ub moiety, which precludes its translocation and makes possible its cleavage by UBPs. However, if a sufficiently long spacer is present between the signal sequence and Ub, then by the time the Ub polypeptide emerges from the ribosome, the latter is already docked at the transmembrane channel, allowing the translocation of both the Ub and reporter domains of the fusion into the ER. We show that Ub fusions can be used as in vivo probes for kinetic and stochastic aspects of targeting in protein translocation, for distinguishing directly between cotranslational and posttranslational translocation, and for comparing the strengths of different signal sequences. This method should also be applicable to non-ER translocation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein A-tagging for purification of native macromolecular complexes from Candida albicans.

Protein A-tagging has become an important tool in characterization of protein-protein interactions in many systems, allowing purification of multicomponent complexes under native conditions. Here we provide a set of vectors that allow protein A-tagging in Candida albicans, through addition of the tag to open reading frames. These vectors were successfully used to generate stably tagged proteins that were functional, shown to be localized appropriately or assembled into complexes. These new vectors comprise a useful addition to the C. albicans molecular toolbox.

Base Sequence↗