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Eukaryotic CTR copper uptake transporters require two faces of the third transmembrane domain for helix packing, oligomerization, and function.

Members of the copper uptake transporter (CTR) family from yeast, plants, and mammals including human are required for cellular uptake of the essential metal copper. Based on biochemical data, CTRs have three transmembrane domains and have been shown to oligomerize in the membrane. Among individual members of the family, there is little amino acid sequence identity, raising questions as to how these proteins adopt a common fold, oligomerize, and participate in copper transport. Using site-directed mutagenesis, tryptophan scanning, genetic complementation, subcellular localization, chemical cross-linking, and the yeast unfolded protein response, we demonstrated that at least half of the third transmembrane domain (TM3) plays a vital role in CTR structure and function. The results of our analysis showed that TM3 contains two functionally distinct faces. One face bears a highly conserved Gly-X-X-X-Gly (GG4) motif, which we showed to be essential for CTR oligomerization. Moreover, we showed that steric constraints reach past the GG4-motif itself including amino acid residues that are not conserved throughout the CTR family. A second face of TM3 contains three amino acid positions that, when mutated to tryptophan, cause predominantly abnormal localization but are still partially functional in growth complementation experiments. These mutations cluster on the face opposite to the GG4-bearing face of TM3 where they may mediate interactions with the remaining two transmembrane domains. Taken together, our data support TM3 as being buried within trimeric CTR where it plays an essential role in CTR assembly.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

An analysis of the action of cations of the lanthanide series on the mechanical responses of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle.

1. The inhibitory effects of lanthanide cations (Ln3+) on mechanical responses and 45Ca uptake in guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle were studied. 2. Ln3+ strongly inhibited the phasic and tonic component of the response to the muscarinic agonist cis-2-methyl-4-dimethylaminomethyl-1,3-dioxolane methiodide (CD) the two components being affected to the same extent. Inhibition was also obtained for the responses evoked by high K+ but here the effect was mainly on the phasic response, the tonic component was merely delayed. 3. Other members of the Ln3+ series, with the exception of cerium, were found to be more effective than lanthanum in their ability to inhibit the CD response. Thulium, Tm3+, the thirteenth member of the series was the most effective cation. 4. Analysis of 170Tm uptake revealed at least two components. The concentration-dependence of one component, saturating at 2-5 x 10(-6) Tm, corresponded closely to that of the inhibitory effect of Tm3+ on contraction. 5. 170Tm uptake as a function of time showed a secondary rise after 30 min of exposure to the lanthanide. 6. Although 2-5 x 10(-6) M-Tm3+ produced 90% inhibition of the CD and the high K+ induced responses significant reduction of 45Ca uptake by the muscle was only detected when much higher Tm3+ concentrations (greater than or equal 10(-3) M-Tm3+) were used. 7. It is concluded that Ln3+ combine with membrane sites specifically involved in Ca2+ translocation during excitation-contraction coupling.

Animals↗

Pleiotypic actions of the seminiferous growth factor on two testicular cell lines: comparisons with acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors.

Bovine seminiferous growth factor (SGF) stimulated different pleiotypic responses in TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells from those obtained with bovine acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF, bFGF). First, the three growth factors had distinct mitogenic effects. SGF increased TM3 and TM4 cell numbers, whereas aFGF was mitogenic only for TM3 cells, and bFGF was inactive on both cell lines. Second, only SGF and bFGF stimulated TM4 cells to produce 3- and 2-fold, respectively, greater levels of extracellular, sulfated glycoprotein-1. By Northern analyses, SGF increased the steady-state levels of sulfated glycoprotein-1 mRNA approximately 1.34-fold relative to those of actin mRNA during a 48-hr period. Third, the cell lines secreted different [35S]methionine-labeled proteins. With TM3 cells, some proteins were secreted specifically, whereas other were up- or down-regulated differentially in response to SGF, aFGF, or bFGF. Likewise, with TM4 cells, the three growth factors induced qualitative and quantitative changes in the secretion of specific proteins. On immunoblots, SGF did not bind antibodies specific for an internal domain of aFGF or FGF-5, nor those directed against N-terminal, internal, and C-terminal regions of bFGF. These data suggest SGF, aFGF, and bFGF acted on TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells through different receptors and/or diverging pathways of signal transduction to induce different pleiotypic effects.

Animals↗

The third transmembrane helix of the cannabinoid receptor plays a role in the selectivity of aminoalkylindoles for CB2, peripheral cannabinoid receptor.

Two subtypes of the human cannabinoid receptor have been identified. The CB1 receptor is primarily distributed in the central nervous system, whereas the CB2 receptor is associated with peripheral tissue, including the spleen. These two subtypes are also distinguished by their ligand-binding profiles. The goal of this study was to identify critical residues in transmembrane region III (TM3) of the receptors that contribute to subtype specificity in ligand binding. For this purpose, a chimeric cannabinoid receptor [CB1/2(TM3)] was generated in which the TM3 of CB1 was replaced with the corresponding region of CB2. These receptors were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells for evaluation. The binding affinities of CB1/2(TM3) and the wild-type CB1 receptor to several prototype ligands were similar with one notable exception: the chimeric receptor exhibited a 4-fold enhancement in binding affinity to WIN 55,212-2 (K(d) = 4.8 nM) relative to that observed with CB1 (K(d) = 21.7 nM). Two additional aminoalkylindoles, JWH 015 and JWH 018, also bound the chimeric receptor (K(i) = 1.0 microM and 1.4 nM, respectively) with higher affinity compared with the wild-type CB1 (K(i) = 5.2 microM and 9.8 nM, respectively). Furthermore, the increase in binding affinities of the aminoalkylindoles were reflected in the EC(50) values for the ligand-induced inhibition of intracellular cAMP levels mediated by the chimeric receptor. This pattern mirrors the selectivity of WIN 55,212-2 binding to CB2 compared with CB1. Site-specific mutagenesis of the most notable amino acid changes in the chimeric receptor, Gly195 to Ser and Ala198 to Met, revealed that the enhancement in WIN 55,212-2 binding is contributed to by the Ser but not by the Met residue. The data indicate that the amino acid differences in TM3 between CB1 and CB2 play a critical role in subtype selectivity for this class of compounds.

Animals↗

Morphological and functional properties of TM preneoplastic mammary outgrowths.

The TM series of preneoplastic mammary outgrowth lines was derived from the transplantation of the FSK mammary cell lines into the cleared mammary fat pads of syngeneic female BALB/c mice. The tumor-producing capabilities of the 6 TM outgrowth lines varied from high (TM2, -4, -6) to low (TM9, -10) to nil (TM3). Outgrowth lines 2, 4, and 6 each segregated into sublines of high and low tumor potential. The majority of the outgrowth lines exhibited a moderate to dense alveolar hyperplasia typical of mouse mammary hyperplasias. The exceptions to this picture were lines TM2H and TM10 which exhibited a unique ductular morphology. The ductular morphology was not correlated with tumor potential of the outgrowth lines but was correlated with the expression of K6 and K14 keratins in luminal epithelial cells. In an examination of the growth and hormonal responsiveness properties of the TM outgrowth lines, the TM3 line stands as distinct from the other lines and from any other lines previously characterized in BALB/c mice. The TM3 line grew very slowly and failed to fill the fat pad by 12 months of age. At 12 months of age, the alveolar hyperplasia had regressed so that only bare ducts were present. The TM3 outgrowth was ovarian hormone dependent for growth and alveolar differentiation. TM3 outgrowth represents a minimally deviated mammary hyperplasia which has acquired the immortal phenotype but not the other phenotypic characteristics of mammary preneoplasias. This outgrowth line will be useful for examining the essential molecular changes important for the preneoplastic state, some of which are reported in an accompanying paper (D. Medina et al., Cancer Res., 53: 668-674, 1993).

Animals↗

Novel computational model for the interaction of dopamine with the D2 receptor.

With the use of molecular modelling and computational chemistry, two models were obtained showing the binding of dopamine to part of the D2 receptor. These models consist of a molecular complex containing dopamine, the transmembrane domains (TM) 3, 4 and 5, a small part of the extracellular loop just before TM3 and a larger part of the loop connecting TM4 and TM5. The models are further characterized by the presence of two disulphide bonds: one between TM3 and TM4 and a second linking the Cys residue before TM3 with the Cys residue in the loop between TM4 and TM5. In the first model, the beta-adrenergic receptor is used as a reference with the catechol moieties of dopamine interacting with two Ser residues in TM5, and the Asp residue in TM3 interacting with the protonated nitrogen of dopamine. In the second model, dopamine is positioned between the TM without interaction assumptions. In both models the TM positions are close to the arrangement of the alpha-helix ordering as found in bacteriorhodopsin. Energy minimization was accomplished using these two starting structures. The two minimized complexes show different molecular interactions that make good chemical sense and are in agreement with reported X-ray data of different proteins. The disulphide bond between TM3 and 4 is apparently unique to the D2 and D3 receptors. The first minimized complex revealed that not Ser194, as in the beta-receptor, but Ser 193 interacted with the meta-hydroxyl of dopamine, although a proper hydrogen bond with Ser194 was initially present in the starting structure. The para-hydroxyl group interacted with Ser197.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antigen-presenting function of murine gonadal epithelial cell lines.

Murine Leydig (TM3) and Sertoli (TM4) cell lines were studied as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells using the antigen model of human choriogonadotropin (hCG alpha/beta) and specific T-cell hybridomas. Both cell lines were treated with IFN-gamma to induce I-A(d) and I-E(d) molecules expression. Only the TM3 cell line, which expressed MHC-class II molecules upon IFN-gamma stimulation, was able to uptake, process, and present the human choriogonadotropin beta subunit to related T-cell hybridomas. Interestingly, the TM3 cell line was incapable of presenting the human choriogonadotropin alpha subunit, the presentation of which, by classical APC, is highly efficient. Using T-cell hybridomas directed against the immunogenic regions of hCG alpha/beta previously described in BALB/c mice, we showed that the TM3 cell line generated a narrower peptide repertoire than classical APC (i.e., B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells). This experimental system suggests that Leydig cells could initiate, in vivo, an autoimmune process directed against gonadal tissues. In particular, such a mechanism has been evoked in experimental autoimmune orchitis.

Animals↗

Prevention of adriamycin toxicity.

Mice treated with lethal doses of adriamycin (A1) (IP) are rescued with a single IP dose of 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinon-3-yl radical dimer (TM3). The in vivo rescue is assumed to be analogous to the in vitro reaction of TM3 with A1 that produces the non-toxic 7-deoxy-adriamycinone (7dAone). TM3 prevents death if given within 60 min following A1 administration. Control A1-treated mice died by 8 days (median survival time) whereas TM3 rescued A1-treated mice had a median survival time of greater than 60 days.

Animals↗

Molecular characterization of human melanocortin-3 receptor ligand-receptor interaction.

UNLABELLED: Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R), primarily expressed in the hypothalamus, plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. MC3R-deficient (MC3R(-)(/)(-)) mice demonstrate increased fat mass, higher feeding efficiency, hyperleptinaemia, and mild hyperinsulinism. At least one specific mutation of MC3R has been identified to be associated with human obesity. Functional analysis of this altered MC3R (I183N) has indicated that the mutation completely abolishes agonist-mediated receptor activation. However, the specific molecular determinants of MC3R responsible for ligand binding and receptor signaling are currently unknown. The present study is to determine the structural aspects of MC3R responsible for ligand binding and receptor signaling. On the basis of our theoretical model for MC1R, using mutagenesis, we have examined 19 transmembrane domain amino acids selected for these potential roles in ligand binding and receptor signaling. Our results indicate that (i) substitutions of charged amino acid residues E131 in transmembrane domain 2 (TM2), D154 and D158 in TM3, and H298 in TM6 with alanine dramatically reduced NDP-MSH binding affinity and receptor signaling, (ii) substitutions of aromatic amino acids F295 and F296 in TM6 with alanine also significantly decreased NDP-MSH binding and receptor activity, (iii) substitutions of D121in TM2 and D332 in TM7 with alanine resulted in the complete loss of ligand binding, ligand induced receptor activation, and cell surface protein expression, and (iv) interestingly, substitution of L165 in TM3 with methionine or alanine switched antagonist SHU9119 into a receptor agonist. IN CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TM3 and TM6 are important for NDP-MSH binding, while D121 in TM2 and D332 in TM7 are crucial for receptor activity and signaling. Importantly, L165 in TM3 is critical for agonist or antagonist selectivity. These results provide important information about the molecular determinants of hMC3R responsible for ligand binding and receptor signaling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of the adenine binding site of the human A1 adenosine receptor.

To provide new insights into ligand-A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) interactions, site-directed mutagenesis was used to test the role of several residues in the first four transmembrane domains of the human A1AR. First, we replaced eight unique A1AR residues with amino acids present at corresponding transmembrane (TM) positions of A2AARs. We also tested the role of carboxamide amino acids in TMs 1-4, and the roles of Val-87, Leu-88, and Thr-91 in TM3. Following conversion of Gly-14 in TM1 to Thr-14, the affinity for adenosine agonists increased 100-fold, and after Pro-25 in TM1 was converted to Leu-25, the affinity for agonists fell. After conversion of TM3 sites Thr-91 to Ala-91, and Gln-92 to Ala-92, the affinity for N6-substituted agonists was reduced, and binding of ligands without N6 substituents was eliminated. When Leu-88 was converted to Ala-88, the binding of ligands with N6 substituents was reduced to a greater extent than ligands without N6 substituents. Following conversion of Pro-86 to Phe-86, the affinity for N6-substituted agonists was lost, and the affinity for ligands without N6 substitution was reduced. These observations strongly suggest that Thr-91 and Gln-92 in TM3 interact with the adenosine adenine moiety, and Leu-88 and Pro-86 play roles in conferring specificity for A1AR selective compounds. Using computer modeling based on the structure of rhodopsin, a revised model of adenosine-A1AR interactions is proposed with the N6-adenine position oriented toward the top of TM3 and the ribose group interacting with the bottom half of TMs 3 and 7.

Adenine↗

Identification of sequence determinants that direct different intracellular folding pathways for aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-4.

Homologous aquaporin water channels utilize different folding pathways to acquire their transmembrane (TM) topology in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). AQP4 acquires each of its six TM segments via cotranslational translocation events, whereas AQP1 is initially synthesized with four TM segments and subsequently converted into a six membrane-spanning topology. To identify sequence determinants responsible for these pathways, peptide segments from AQP1 and AQP4 were systematically exchanged. Chimeric proteins were then truncated, fused to a C-terminal translocation reporter, and topology was analyzed by protease accessibility. In each chimeric context, TM1 initiated ER targeting and translocation. However, AQP4-TM2 cotranslationally terminated translocation, while AQP1-TM2 failed to terminate translocation and passed into the ER lumen. This difference in stop transfer activity was due to two residues that altered both the length and hydrophobicity of TM2 (Asn(49) and Lys(51) in AQP1 versus Met(48) and Leu(50) in AQP4). A second peptide region was identified within the TM3-4 peptide loop that enabled AQP4-TM3 but not AQP1-TM3 to reinitiate translocation and cotranslationally span the membrane. Based on these findings, it was possible to convert AQP1 into a cotranslational biogenesis mode similar to that of AQP4 by substituting just two peptide regions at the N terminus of TM2 and the C terminus of TM3. Interestingly, each of these substitutions disrupted water channel activity. These data thus establish the structural basis for different AQP folding pathways and provide evidence that variations in cotranslational folding enable polytopic proteins to acquire and/or maintain primary sequence determinants necessary for function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Monoclonal antibodies to human choriocarcinoma.

We have established two monoclonal antibodies (TM7-3 and TM3-8) that react to choriocarcinoma cells. Both of these monoclonal antibodies have shown a similar reactive pattern to human cell lines, normal and neoplastic trophoblast tissues, and other fetal and adult tissues. They have reacted to nine of the ten choriocarcinoma cell lines, as well as to Hela cells (a cervical carcinoma cell line). During a cellular radioimmunoassay, neither TM7-3 nor TM3-8 reacted to two T lymphoblastoid cell lines or three B lymphoblastoid cell lines. Immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining showed that both monoclonal antibodies reacted selectively to the cytotrophoblast-like tumor cells of a choriocarcinoma and a hydatidiform mole but not to syncytiotrophoblast-like tumor cells. TM7-3 and TM3-8 also reacted slightly to the normal cytotrophoblast of early human chorionic villi under the same conditions as they did to choriocarcinoma tissues, TM7-3 and TM3-8 bind only to a part of the urinary tubles of the kidney and to the ducts of the pancreas of both adult and fetus.

Animals↗

Repulsive separation of the cytoplasmic ends of transmembrane helices 3 and 6 is linked to receptor activation in a novel thyrotropin receptor mutant (M626I).

Ligand-dependent activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involves repositioning of the juxtacytoplasmic ends of transmembrane helices TM3 and TM6. This concept, inferred from site-directed spin labeling studies, is supported by chemical cross-linking of the cytoplasmic ends of TM3 and TM6 blocking GPCR activation. Here we report a novel constitutive active mutation (M626I) in TM6 of the TSH receptor (TSHR), identified in affected members of a family with nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism. The specific constitutive activity of M626I, measured by its basal cAMP generation corrected for cell surface expression, was 13-fold higher than that of wild-type TSHR. Homology modeling of the TSHR serpentine domain based on the rhodopsin crystal structure suggests that M626 faces the side chain of I515 of TM3 near the membrane-cytoplasmic junction. Steric hindrance of the introduced isoleucine by I515 is consistent with the fact that shorter or more flexible side chains at position 626 did not increase constitutivity. Furthermore, a reciprocal mutation at position 515 (I515M), when introduced into the M626I background, acts as revertant mutation by allowing accommodation of the isoleucine sidechain at position 626 and fully restoring the constitutive activity to the level of wild-type TSHR. Thus, repulsive separation of the juxtacytoplasmic TM6 and TM3 in the M626I model conclusively demonstrates a direct link between the opening of this cytoplasmic face of the receptor structure and G protein coupling.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

[Fluorescence enhancement character of terbium perchlorate and thulium perchlorate with phenylcarboxymethyl sulfoxide coordination compounds].

(Tb1-x Tmx).L2.(ClO4).2H2O(x = 0.000 to 0.200, L = C6H5SOCH2COO-) have been synthesized. The coordination compounds have been studied by means of composition analysis, molar conductivity, IR, and the condition of coordination have been inferred. In the fluorescent spectra it was found that Tm3+ has a strongly sensitization effect to the fluorescence of Tb3+. The fluorescent emission intensity of Terbium perchlorate with phenylcarboxymethyl sulfoxide coordination compounds would be enhanced by Tm3+ in mixing. Tm3+ has a sensitization to the fluorescence of Tb3+ in the ratio of Tb3+:Tm3+ = 0.999:0.001-0.900:0.100. In the solubility experiment it was found that the complexes have high solubility in ethanol.

Benzene Derivatives↗

[Distribution of oncotrophoblast antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies].

In order to analyze Oncotrophoblast antigen, I used monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) TM7-3 and TM3-8, which demonstrated a very strong reaction with choriocarcinoma, particularly cytotrophoblast-like tumor cells, in spite of a very weak reaction in normal chorionic villi. I examined their reaction with other tumors of non-trophoblastic origin. Those examined were 58 malignant cases, 2 low-potential malignant cases and 14 benign cases. Immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase stainings show that 1) TM7-3 and TM3-8 had similar patterns of distribution. 2) In various normal tissues tested, only a part of the urinary tubules of the kidneys and the duct of the pancreas reacted with these MoAbs. 3) In various neoplastic tissues, ovarian serous cancer (3/6), ovarian clear cell cancer (3/3), ovarian undifferentiated cancer (2/2) and well differentiated uterine corpus cancer (3/3) showed a positive reaction with TM7-3 and TM3-8. On the other hand, no uterine cervical squamous cell cancer (0/20) showed a positive reaction. These results suggest that TM7-3 and TM3-8 may be valuable for research on the relationship between the oncotrophoblast antigen and adenocarcinoma of the ovary.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and associated cyclins in Leydig and Sertoli cells of the testis.

In this study, we examined the expression and subcellular localization of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), cyclin D1, and cyclin E in Leydig and Sertoli cell lines that were cultured with 7.5, 1.0, 0.5, or 0% serum (mixture of a 2:1 ratio of horse serum and fetal bovine serum) and in the developing rat testis to verify the possible functions of Cdk5, cyclin D1, and cyclin E in the testis. The abundance of Cdk5 and cyclin E in the Leydig cell line, TM3, was significantly reduced at low serum concentrations. In contrast, serum concentration had no effect on Cdk5 and cyclin E levels in the Sertoli cell line, TM4. Cyclin D1 was detected by western blot analysis in TM4 cells only, and its abundance was serum dose dependent. The kinase activity of Cdk5 in TM3 and TM4 cells that were cultured at various serum concentrations coincided with the levels of Cdk5 expression. Immunohistochemical staining for Cdk5 and cyclin E revealed nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution, both in TM3 and TM4 cells. Moreover, cyclin D1 immunoreactivity was only detected in TM4 cells. In the developing rat testis, Cdk5 expression was most prominent at 2 and 3 weeks after birth. Cyclin D1 was strongly expressed at 1 and 2 weeks in premature rat testes. On the other hand, cyclin E was highly expressed in the adult testis. Immunohistochemical localization of Cdk5, cyclin D1, and cyclin E in 1-week-old and adult rat testes revealed expression in both Leydig and Sertoli cells. Our results suggest that Cdk5 in TM3 and Leydig cells of the testis might play a role in cell cycle regulation, whereas Cdk5 in TM4 and Sertoli cells of the adult testis might have some additional functions besides control of proliferation.

Animals↗

Study on the mechanism of SW inhibiting testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells.

BACKGROUND: Swainsonine (SW), the main toxic component of locoweed, can cause livestock poisoning and reproductive damage in male animals; however, the mechanism by which it affects testosterone secretion remains unclear. METHODS: Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were orally administered SW at doses of 0, 0.05, and 0.25 mg/(kg·d) for 28 days. TM3 mouse Leydig cells were treated with SW at concentrations of 0, 1, and 10 nM for 24 h. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed on RNA-seq data from mouse testicular tissues to identify differentially enriched pathways between the control and SW-treated groups. Testosterone secretion levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes (StAR, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b2, and Hsd17b3) were detected by qPCR, while the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein was detected by western blotting. AutoDock Vina molecular docking was used to predict the binding affinity between SW and the STAR protein. RESULTS: KEGG analysis revealed a significant enrichment of pathways related to steroid synthesis. In both the mouse model and TM3 cells, SW significantly inhibited testosterone secretion, downregulated the mRNA expression of StAR, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b2, and Hsd17b3, and reduced the protein expression of STAR. Molecular docking analysis revealed multiple potential hydrogen-bond interaction sites between SW and STAR. CONCLUSION: SW downregulates the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes and STAR protein, thereby suppressing testosterone secretion in male mice and TM3 cells.

Swainsonine↗

Co-translational effects of temperature on membrane insertion and orientation of P-glycoprotein sequences.

P-glycoprotein (pgp) is a membrane transport protein that causes multidrug resistance (MDR) by actively extruding a wide variety of cytotoxic agents out of cells. It may also function as a peptide transporter, a volume-regulated chloride channel, and an ATP channel. Previously, it has been shown that hamster pgp 1 Pgp is expressed in more than one topological form and that the generation of these structures is modulated by charged amino acids flanking the predicted transmembrane (TM) segments 3 and 4 and by soluble cytoplasmic factors. Different topological structures of Pgp may be related to its different functions. In this study, we examined the effects of translation temperature on the membrane insertion process and the topologies of Pgp. Using the rabbit reticulocyte lysate expression system, we showed that translation at different temperatures affects the membrane insertion and orientation of the putative TM3 and TM4 of hamster pgp 1 Pgp in a co-translational manner. This observation suggests that the membrane insertion process of TM3 and TM4 of Pgp molecules may involve a protein conducting channel and/or the interaction between TM3 and TM4, which act in a temperature sensitive manner. We speculate that manipulating temperature may provide a way to understand the structure-function relationship of Pgp and help overcome Pgp-related multidrug resistance of cancer cells.

Animals↗