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[Alkaline phosphatase activity and properties in the organs of cattle and sheep].

Alkaline-phosphatase activity and the physico-chemical properties of the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, intestine, bone and placenta of 25 clinically healthy cattle and 30 clinically healthy sheep were investigated. High alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in kidneys and intestines. The alcaline phosphatase of cattle and sheep liver, spleen, kidney, lung, bone and placenta was thermo-labile and sensitive to l-arginine, l-homoarginine and imidazole, but was not sensitive to l-phenylalanine. Bone phosphatase of cattle and sheep was sensitive to urea. Intestinal phosphatase of cattle proved thermostable, sensitive to l-phenylalanine and not sensitive to l-arginine, l-homoarginine, imidasol and urea. Agarose gel electrophoresis of alkaline phosphatase indicated the presence of one fraction only and liver alkaline phosphatase proved to be the fastest. Sheep liver alkaline phosphatase had two fractions while sheep intestinal and placental alkaline phosphatase had three fractions and some of them were faster than liver alkaline phosphatase.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Purification and properties of acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphatase.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphatase has been purified from the rat epididymal fat pad. The phosphatase occurs in a complex with the carboxylase. In the purification of the phosphatase, the high molecular weight complex was initially separated by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and the phosphatase was isolated from the complex by adjusting to 80% saturation with ethanol and by chromatography on Sephadex G-75. The molecular weight of the phosphatase is 71,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and gel chromatography on Sephacryl-200 in the presence of 6 M urea. The Km for acetyl-CoA carboxylase and glycogen phosphorylase a are 1.5 microM and 37 microM, respectively. The phosphatase has a broad substrate specificity, being active toward glycogen synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, phosphorylase a, phosphoprotamine, and p-nitrophenyl phosphate, in addition to acetyl-CoA carboxylase from fat tissue and liver. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibits the dephosphorylation of phosphoprotamine, indicating that the same activity is responsible for dephosphorylating both substrates. The phosphatase requires no metal ion for activity and is not inhibited by the rat liver phosphorylase phosphatase inhibitor protein. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and the phosphatase is compared to other phosphoprotein phosphatases.

Adipose Tissue↗

Phosphoprotein phosphatases in human erythrocyte cytosol.

More than 97% of spectrin phosphatase activity in human erythrocyte hemolysate was recovered in cytosol. The cytosolic phosphatase activity was resolved into four peaks, namely phosphatases I (22%, Mr = 180,000), II (3%, Mr = 42,000), III (8%, Mr = 177,000), and IV (62%, Mr = 104,000), by aminohexyl-Sepharose column chromatography. Although these phosphoprotein phosphatases also catalyzed the dephosphorylation of phosphorylase a, glycogen synthase b, and phosphorylated H1 and H2B histones, the phosphatases differed from each other in preferences for substrates and the Mg2+ or Mn2+ requirements for their activities. The treatment with 80% ethanol converted phosphatases I, III, and IV to Mr = 31,000 forms which had essentially the same physical and catalytic properties. By contrast, the molecular weight and catalytic properties of phosphatase II, which was Mg2+- or Mn2+-dependent, were not changed by the same ethanol treatment. The major spectrin phosphatase, phosphatase IV, was purified to near homogeneity, as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis revealed that the enzyme was composed of one 32,000-Da polypeptide (alpha) and one 69,000-Da polypeptide (beta). Km values of the enzyme for phosphorylated spectrin and H2B histone were 1.63 +/- 0.45 and 48.2 +/- 7.6 microM, respectively. The spectrin phosphatase activity was stimulated about 2-fold by 5-25 mM Mg2+, but was completely inhibited by the same concentration of Mn2+. Physiological concentrations of adenine nucleotides, 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid, cyclic nucleotides, or Ca2+ and/or calmodulin had no significant effect on the reaction, but 20 mg/ml of hemoglobin inhibited the reaction by 60%. -SH-blocking agents but not iodoacetate inhibited the reaction.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Isolation and characterization of a high molecular weight protein phosphatase from rabbit skeletal muscle.

A high molecular weight protein phosphatase (phosphatase H-II) was isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. The enzyme had a Mr = 260,000 as determined by gel filtration and possessed two types of subunit, of Mr = 70,000 and 35,000, respectively, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. On ethanol treatment, the enzyme was dissociated to an active species of Mr = 35,000. The purified phosphatase dephosphorylated lysine-rich histone, phosphorylase a, glycogen synthase, and phosphorylase kinase. It dephosphorylated both the alpha- and beta-subunit phosphates of phosphorylase kinase, with a preference for the dephosphorylation of the alpha-subunit phosphate over the beta-subunit phosphate of phosphorylase kinase. The enzyme also dephosphorylated p-nitrophenyl phosphate at alkaline pH. Phosphatase H-II is distinct from the major phosphorylase phosphatase activities in the muscle extracts. Its enzymatic properties closely resemble that of a Mr = 33,500 protein phosphatase (protein phosphatase C-II) isolated from the same tissue. However, despite their similarity of enzymatic properties, the Mr = 35,000 subunit of phosphatase H-II is physically different from phosphatase C-II as revealed by their different sizes on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. On trypsin treatment of the enzyme, this subunit is converted to a form which is a similar size to phosphatase C-II.

Animals↗

Partial purification from rat liver microsomes of three native protein phosphatases with activity towards HMG-CoA reductase.

A procedure for the isolation and partial purification of three hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase phosphatases in their native high molecular weight form from rat liver microsomes is described for the first time. Reductase phosphatase Ex (Mr 90,000), IM (Mr 75,000), and IIM (Mr 180,000) were purified 132-, 55-, and 98-fold, respectively. Treatment with 80% ethanol irreversibly inactivated the three enzymes contrary to what is found for cytosolic reductase phosphatases. The three microsomal reductase phosphatases differ among themselves and with respect to the cytosolic reductase phosphatases in molecular weight, response to inhibitors, thermal stability, and optimum pH. Indirect evidence that these three proteins are phosphatases includes their inhibition by inhibitors of phosphatase activity, such as KF, Pi, and PPi. Direct evidence includes their ability to release 32P from highly radioactive homogeneous 32P-labeled HMG-CoA reductase, this dephosphorylation being concomitant with activation of HMG-CoA reductase. The three phosphatases dephosphorylate 32P-labeled phosphorylase a, but only reductase phosphatase IIM shows glycogen synthase phosphatase activity.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of acid phosphatase from Dunning R3327H prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Acid phosphatase (phosphoric monoester hydrolase) was isolated from the Dunning R3327H prostatic adenocarcinoma, a slow-growing and hormone-sensitive rat prostate tumor histologically similar to well-differentiated human prostatic cancer. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity and characterized. In comparison with the acid phosphatase isolated from human malignant prostate, the acid phosphatase from the Dunning rat tumor was similar in molecular weight [100,000 +/- 10% (S.D.)]. However, it possessed a single isoelectric point of 7.6 (human prostatic acid phosphatase showed multiple isoenzymes at 4.4 to 5.3); an electrophoretic mobility of 0.5 in reference to human prostatic acid phosphatase on 7.5% polyacrylamide gel, pH 8.5; an optimal pH of 5.0 with alpha-naphthyl phosphate as the substrate in 0.1 M citrate buffer (human prostatic acid phosphatase, 5.5); and a Km (alpha-naphthyl phosphate) of 6.9 X 10(-4) M (human prostatic acid phosphatase, 4.4 X 10(-5) M). Furthermore, it did not cross-react with antiserum raised against human prostatic acid phosphatase. These results show that the acid phosphatase of the Dunning R3327H prostatic adenocarcinoma is biochemically and immunologically distinct from human prostatic acid phosphatase and may be unique for this animal model of prostatic cancer.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Purification of two immunologically related phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)- bisphosphate phosphatases from bovine brain cytosol.

Two phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PtdIns-(4,5)P2) phosphatase activities were isolated from a 45% saturated (NH4)2SO4 fraction of the soluble cytosol (100,000 x g supernatant) of bovine cerebral hemispheres by ion-exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose (Q-1 and Q-2). Each was further purified on heparin-Sepharose, butyl-agarose, and/or Cibacron blue F3GA to yield products of similar specific activity (70-100 mumol/min/mg protein, 1000-2000-fold purification). Salt was required to stabilize activity and dithiothreitol was required to preserve maximum activity and to prevent or reverse aggregation that resisted disruption by mercaptoethanol and/or SDS. Monoclonal antibodies were prepared that recognized several components in the partially purified preparations. Immunoabsorption of activity by monoclonal antibodies that had been chemically cross-linked to protein A-Sepharose followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of absorbed proteins was used to identify the active components as a 155-kDa protein in Q-1 and a 115-kDa protein in Q-2. Two antibodies recognized different epitopes in the 155-kDa phosphatase. A third antibody recognized a common epitope in both phosphatases indicating that the two enzymes are related. Both phosphatases were Mg(2+)-dependent, exhibited similar kinetic properties, and hydrolyzed PtdIns(4,5)P2 but not PtdIns(4)P, phosphatidic acid, or several other phosphate monoesters. They hydrolyzed inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate at 30% of the rate with PtdIns(4,5)P2 and this activity co-purified with PtdIns(4,5)P2 phosphatase activity. High molecular weight PtdIns(4,5)P2 phosphatases may be precursors of lower molecular weight soluble Type II inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatases shown to account for the PtdIns(4,5)P2 phosphatase activity in platelets (Matzaris, M., Jackson, S.P., Laxminarayan, M., Speed, C.J., and Mitchell, C.A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 3397-3402). The three antibodies did not inhibit activity but recognized both native and denatured (Western blots) phosphatases and should be useful tools to study the distribution, structure, and regulation of the two forms of PtdIns(4,5)P2 phosphatase.

Animals↗

Dephosphorylation of protein kinase C substrates, neurogranin, neuromodulin, and MARCKS, by calcineurin and protein phosphatases 1 and 2A.

Neurogranin, neuromodulin, and MARCKS are among the most prominent substrates of protein kinase C (PKC) in the mammalian brain. These phosphoproteins were dephosphorylated by three isoforms of rat brain calcineurin, also known as calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein phosphatase (CaMPP). The three CaMPP isozymes dephosphorylate neurogranin, the most favorable substrate among the three tested, with subtle differences in their responses to divalent metal ions, Mn2+ and Ni2+. Dephosphorylation of neurogranin by all three CaMPP isozymes, CaMPP-1, -2, and -3, were stimulated to a higher extent by Mn2+ than by Ni2+ in the presence of CaM and Ca2+. The Km values of neurogranin in the presence of Mn2+ were lower than those in the presence of Ni2+ for CaMPP-1 and -2, but that for CaMPP-3 was comparable with either divalent metal ion. The Vmax values were higher in the presence of Mn2+ than those of Ni2+ for all three isozymes. Neurogranin and neuromodulin, both phosphorylated by PKC at a single site, were dephosphorylated completely by CaMPP; however, MARCKS, phosphorylated by PKC at three sites, was partially dephosphorylated by this phosphatase. A higher extent of dephosphorylation of MARCKS could be achieved by the combination of CaMPP and protein phosphatase 2A and a complete dephosphorylation of this protein was observed with protein phosphatase 1. Protein phosphatase 1 and 2A were also effective in a complete dephosphorylation of neurogranin and neuromodulin. Amino acid sequence analysis of the tryptic phosphopeptides derived from MARCKS dephosphorylated by CaMPP and protein phosphatase 2A revealed that the former preferentially dephosphorylated Ser155 and the latter Ser162 of rat brain MARCKS. Both phosphatases dephosphorylated poorly of Ser151. Because of the high concentration of CaMPP in the brain and the colocalization of this phosphatase with major PKC substrates in the various brain regions, it is likely that CaMPP is a phosphatase with potential to reverse the action of PKC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibitors of serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases stimulate transcription by the Ah receptor/Arnt dimer by affecting a step subsequent to XRE binding.

The Ah receptor binds aryl hydrocarbons such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) with high affinity. After binding aryl hydrocarbons, the receptor releases the 90-kDa heat shock protein and forms a dimer with the Arnt protein capable of binding at xenobiotic-responsive elements (XREs) and stimulating the transcription of genes involved in the metabolism of aryl hydrocarbons. The activity of the Ah receptor/ Arnt dimer can be decreased by treatments causing the down-regulation of protein kinase C and decreasing the nuclear accumulation of the receptor. Incubation with acid phosphatase or with alkaline phosphatase has been reported to block XRE binding. Thus the literature suggests that phosphorylation regulates Ah receptor activity by affecting DNA binding and/or nuclear transport. A reporter plasmid containing two XREs was used to investigate the effects of phosphatase inhibitors on TCDD-dependent transcription by the Hepa-1 mouse liver cell line. The inhibitors calyculin A and okadaic acid caused two- to threefold increases in TCDD-dependent transcription at concentrations capable of selectively inhibiting protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A. The inhibitor cyclosporin A doubled TCDD-dependent transcription at a concentration capable of selectively inhibiting protein phosphatase 2B. All three of the phosphatase inhibitors increased TCDD-dependent transcription without affecting transcription in the absence of TCDD. Nuclear extracts were prepared from cells treated with concentrations of okadaic acid or cyclosporin A which substantially stimulated TCDD-dependent transcription. Neither of the inhibitors significantly increased the level of TCDD-dependent XRE binding in the extracts. GAL4-Arnt fusion proteins were used to further investigate whether the phosphatase inhibitors affected a step other than DNA binding. Okadaic acid treatment specifically increased the ability of a GAL4 fusion protein containing the Arnt PAS and transactivation domains to stimulate transcription. These results suggest that serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases can act at a level subsequent to XRE binding to inhibit the ability of the Ah receptor/Arnt dimer to stimulate transcription.

Animals↗

Okadaic acid-induced inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A enhances chondrogenesis in chicken limb bud micromass cell cultures.

The role of major cellular serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases, protein phosphatase 1 and 2A, was investigated during chicken cartilage differentiation under in vitro conditions. Activity of protein phosphatase 2A decreased parallel to differentiation of chondrogenic cells, whereas activity of protein phosphatase 1 remained unchanged as assayed in the supernatants of the homogenised chicken limb bud micromass cell cultures. When okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A was applied in 20 nM concentration for 4 h during the second and third culturing days, it significantly increased the size of metachromatic cartilage areas measured in 6-day-old colonies. Following okadaic acid treatments, a significant inhibition in the activity of protein phosphatase 2A was found, while the activity of protein phosphatase 1 was unaffected as measured an days 2 and 3. TRITC-phalloidin labelling demonstrated that okadaic acid disorganised actin filaments and induced rounding of chondrogenic cells. This deterioration of actin filaments was reversible. Electron microscopy and biochemical analysis of colonies revealed that the ultrastructure and major components of cartilage matrix remained unchanged under the effect of okadaic acid. Okadaic acid-treatment applied to cultures containing predominantly differentiated chondrocytes (after day 4) did not influence the cartilage formation. 3H-thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation-assays demonstrated enhanced cell proliferation in the okadaic acid-treated colonies compared to that of the untreated ones. Our results indicate, for the first time, that protein phosphatase 2A is involved in the regulation of chondrogenesis. Inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A with okadaic acid may result in increased chondrogenesis via modulation of proliferation and cytoskeletal organisation, as well as via alteration of protein kinase A-signaling pathway of the chondrogenic cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Isolation and characterization of an inhibitor-sensitive and a polycation-stimulated protein phosphatase from rat liver nuclei.

Two protein phosphatases were isolated from rat liver nuclei. The enzymes, solubilized from crude chromatin by 1 M NaCl, were resolved by column chromatography on Sephadex G-150, DEAE-Sepharose and heparin-Sepharose. The phosphorylase phosphatase activity of one of the enzymes (inhibitor-sensitive phosphatase) was inhibited by heat-stable phosphatase inhibitor proteins and also by histone H1. This phosphatase had a molecular weight of approx. 35,000 both before and after 4 M urea treatment. Its activity was specific for the beta-subunit of phosphorylase kinase. Pretreatment with 0.1 mM ATP inhibited the enzyme only about 10%, and it did not require divalent cations for activity. On the basis of these properties, this nuclear enzyme was identified as the catalytic subunit of phosphatase 1. The other phosphatase (polycation-stimulated phosphatase) was insensitive to inhibition by inhibitor 1, and it was stimulated 10-fold by low concentrations of histone H1 (A0.5 = 0.6 microM). This enzyme had a molecular weight of approx. 70,000 which was reduced to approx. 35,000 after treatment with 4 M urea. It dephosphorylated both the alpha- and beta-subunits of phosphorylase kinase. The enzyme was inhibited more than 90% by preincubation with 0.1 mM ATP and did not require divalent cations for activity. On the basis of these properties, this nuclear enzyme was identified as phosphatase 2A.

Animals↗

Immobilized inhibitor-1 binds and inhibits protein phosphatase 1.

Inhibitor-1 is a potent and specific inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1. Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase is required for expression of its inhibitor activity. In the present study, we have used immobilized inhibitor-1 preparations to study the mechanism underlying protein phosphatase 1 inhibition. Protein phosphatase 1 bound to phosphorylated inhibitor-1 covalently coupled to Sepharose or Affi-Gel beads but did not bind to immobilized preparations of dephosphorylated inhibitor-1 or bovine serum albumin. Phosphorylated inhibitor-1 coupled to Sepharose or Affi-Gel beads retained its ability to inhibit protein phosphatase 1, although the apparent IC50 was decreased about 500-fold. The extent of protein phosphatase 1 binding to immobilized phosphorylated inhibitor-1 was comparable to the degree of protein phosphatase inhibition when the inhibitor protein was present at a concentration near the IC50. The efficiency of protein phosphatase 1 binding to immobilized phosphorylated inhibitor-1 was dependent on the inhibitor concentration on the matrix. Taken together these data indicate that the inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 by phosphorylated inhibitor-1 is a consequence of the binding of the inhibitor protein to one or more sites on protein phosphatase 1.

Animals↗

The catalytic subunits of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases from Caenorhabditis elegans.

The catalytic activities of protein phosphatase 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C were detected in crude extracts of Caenorhabditis elegans with different phosphoprotein substrates and specific inhibitors or activators. The enzymological properties of protein phosphatase 2B as well as those of the catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A were determined after partial purification. Gene fragments encoding the catalytic subunits of the protein phosphatase 1-2A-2B superfamily were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and were identified by DNA sequencing. Besides the homologs of protein phosphatase 1, 2B, and X, five protein phosphatase 1-type sequences and four novel protein phosphatase sequences were found. Our data, together with the results of the C. elegans genome project, suggest that this nematode contains an extensive family of Ser/Thr specific protein phosphatases including several up to now biochemically uncharacterized members.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Discovery of a protein phosphatase activity encoded in the genome of bacteriophage lambda. Probable identity with open reading frame 221.

Infection of Escherichia coli with phage lambda gt10 resulted in the appearance of a protein phosphatase with activity towards 32P-labelled casein. Activity reached a maximum near the point of cell lysis and declined thereafter. The phosphatase was stimulated 30-fold by Mn2+, while Mg2+ and Ca2+ were much less effective. Activity was unaffected by inhibitors 1 and 2, okadaic acid, calmodulin and trifluoperazine, distinguishing it from the major serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases of eukaryotic cells. The lambda phosphatase was also capable of dephosphorylating other substrates in the presence of Mn2+, although activity towards 32P-labelled phosphorylase was 10-fold lower, and activity towards phosphorylase kinase and glycogen synthase 25 50-fold lower than with casein. No casein phosphatase activity was present in either uninfected cells, or in E. coli infected with phage lambda gt11. Since lambda gt11 lacks part of the open reading frame (orf) 221, previously shown to encode a protein with sequence similarity to protein phosphatase-1 and protein phosphatase-2A of mammalian cells [Cohen, Collins, Coulson, Berndt & da Cruz e Silva (1988) Gene 69, 131-134], the results indicate that ORF221 is the protein phosphatase detected in cells infected with lambda gt10. Comparison of the sequence of ORF221 with other mammalian protein phosphatases defines three highly conserved regions which are likely to be essential for function. The first of these is deleted in lambda gt11.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The involvement of protein phosphatases in the activation of ICE/CED-3 protease, intracellular acidification, DNA digestion, and apoptosis.

Many events in apoptosis have been identified but their temporal relationships remain obscure. Apoptosis in human ML-1 cells induced by etoposide is characterized by intracellular acidification, enhanced Hoechst 33342 fluorescence, DNA digestion, chromatin condensation, and proteolysis of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. This proteolysis is a marker for the action of ICE/CED-3 proteases, which are critical activators of apoptosis. We observed that three serine/threonine protein phosphatase inhibitors, okadaic acid, calyculin A, and cantharidin, prevented all of these apoptotic characteristics. To determine which protein phosphatase was involved, we investigated the dephosphorylation of the retinoblastoma susceptibility protein Rb, a substrate for protein phosphatase 1 but not protein phosphatase 2A. Rb was dephosphorylated during apoptosis, and each inhibitor prevented this dephosphorylation at the same concentrations that prevented apoptosis. No increase in protein phosphatase 1 activity was observed in apoptotic cells suggesting that dephosphorylation of Rb may result from loss of Rb kinase activity in the presence of a constant level of protein phosphatase activity. Long term inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 (>8 h) also led to the appearance of dephosphorylated Rb, cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and apoptosis, suggesting these events are not solely dependent upon protein phosphatase 1. Rb dephosphorylation was also observed in several other models of apoptosis. Hence, an imbalance between protein phosphatase 1 and Rb kinase may be a common means to activate ICE/CED-3 proteases resulting in the subsequent events of apoptosis.

Acids↗

Phosphoprotein phosphatase activities in Alzheimer disease brain.

Microtubule-associated protein tau is known to be hyperphosphorylated in Alzheimer disease brain and this abnormal hyperphosphorylation is associated with an inability of tau to promote the assembly of microtubule in the affected neurons. Our previous studies demonstrated that abnormally phosphorylated tau could be dephosphorylated after treatment with alkaline phosphatase, thereby suggesting that the abnormal phosphorylation of tau might in part be the result of a deficiency of the phosphoprotein phosphatase system in patients with Alzheimer disease. In the present study we used 32P-labeled phosphorylase kinase and poly(Glu, Tyr) 4:1 as substrates to measure phosphoprotein phosphatase activities in Alzheimer disease and control brains. The activities of phosphoseryl/phosphothreonyl-protein phosphatase types 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C and of phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase in frontal gray and white matters from 13 Alzheimer brains were determined and compared with those from 12 age-matched control brains. The activities of type 1 phosphatase and phosphotyrosyl phosphatase in gray matter and of type 2A phosphatase in both gray and white matters were significantly lower in Alzheimer disease brains than in controls. These findings suggest that the hyperphosphorylation of tau in Alzheimer disease brain could result from a protein dephosphorylation defect in vivo. The decrease in the phosphatase activities in Alzheimer disease might also be involved in the formation of beta-amyloid by augmenting the amyloidogenic pathway processing of beta-amyloid precursor protein.

Adult↗

Protein phosphatases 1 and 2A in rabbit ciliary epithelium and iris-ciliary body.

A significant dephosphorylation of exogenous phosphorylase a by serine/threonine protein phosphatases in tissue extracts of rabbit ciliary epithelium and iris-ciliary body was observed. Okadaic acid caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of this dephosphorylation. In a series of diluted samples, selective inhibitions of protein phosphatase 2A by 1 nM okadaic acid and protein phosphatase 1 by 1 microM okadaic acid were determined. In the preparation of ciliary epithelium, the ratio of protein phosphatase 1 to protein phosphatase 2A activity was estimated to be 1:2. Dephosphorylation by other phosphatases was little. In the preparation of iris-ciliary body, the ratio of protein phosphatase 1 to protein phosphatase 2A activity was approximately 2.5:1. Other phosphatases were also present.

Animals↗

Multiplicity of protein serine-threonine phosphatases in PC12 pheochromocytoma and FTO-2B hepatoma cells.

Protein purification and molecular cloning have defined five classes of protein serine-threonine phosphatase catalytic subunits referred to as types 1, 2A, 2B (calcineurin), 2C, and X. Protein serine-threonine phosphatases 1, 2A, 2B, and X appear to have significant sequence homologies, whereas the 2C enzyme is more divergent. We have used the polymerase chain reaction to define the multiplicity of the closely related types 1, 2A, 2B, and X phosphatase catalytic subunits in two clonal cell lines, rat PC12 pheochromocytoma and rat FTO-2B hepatoma. RNAs for all four related phosphatase types were expressed in both cell lines. In addition to the phosphatase X enzyme, four phosphatase 1, two phosphatase 2A, and three phosphatase 2B isoforms were identified in PC12 and FTO-2B cells. The results indicate a large multiplicity of protein serine-threonine phosphatases within clonal cells of different tissue origin, suggesting that their role in cell regulation will be as divergent as that for the protein serine-threonine kinases.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗