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Recognition of Staphylococcus saprophyticus in urine cultures by screening colonies for production of phosphatase.

Phenolphthalein diphosphate was incorporated into a primary blood agar medium for use in performing quantitative urine cultures. Phosphatase-negative staphylococci, such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus, were differentiated from phosphatase-positive species, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, by spot testing colonies on filter paper saturated with 1 N NaOH. Phosphatase-positive colonies turned pink within seconds, and phosphatase-negative colonies showed no color. None of 55 S. saprophyticus isolates showed production of phosphatase on this medium. Of 193 consecutive coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from the urine of 190 adolescent female patients, 84% were phosphatase positive, non-S. saprophyticus species; 16% were phosphatase-negative and indicated S. saprophyticus (22), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (4), Staphylococcus simulans (2), Staphylococcus warneri (1), and Staphylococcus hominis (1). Phosphatase activity was variable in the other flora encountered in the urine cultures. Mixtures of phosphatase-positive and -negative organisms did not cause false-positive reactions.

Adolescent↗

Synthesis and secretion of phosphatases by endophytic isolates of Colletotrichum musae grown under conditions of nutritional starvation.

Even though fungal phosphatases are widely used to study ambient-regulated gene expression, little is known about these enzymes in the agriculturally important genus Colletotrichum. We have therefore identified several phosphatase activities in endophytic isolates of Colletotrichum musae grown under conditions of nutritional sufficiency or starvation for sources of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and sulphur (S). These enzyme forms could be distinguished by substrate specificity, optimum pH, activation and inhibition by some substances, response to nutritional starvation, and pattern of migration in native gel electrophoresis. At least four individual phosphatase activities were identified under the growth conditions employed. A pH 5.0 acid phosphatase and an Mg(2+)-dependent pH 7.5 phosphodiesterase were expressed under all growth conditions at constant rates. Under conditions of P-starvation, derepression of a major pH 6.0-acid phosphatase was observed in cell-free extracts and the culture medium. A synthesis of alkaline phosphatase activities followed a more distinct pattern. Under conditions of nutritional sufficiency of P- or N-starvation, only a single intracellular enzyme form (optimum pH 10) was observed, which was resolved as a single electrophoretic activity band. However, in media lacking C or S sources additional alkaline phosphatase forms were derepressed with a concomitant increase in the overall enzyme activity level measured at pH 10. To our knowledge, this report represents the most detailed study of phosphatases in Colletotrichum and the first partial characterization of the phosphatase system in an endophytic fungus.

Journal Article↗

Isolation and characterization of two 3-phosphatases that hydrolyze both phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and inositol 1,3-bisphosphate.

Inositol-polyphosphate 3-phosphatase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the 3-position phosphate bond of inositol 1,3-bisphosphate (Ins(1,3)P2) to form inositol 1-monophosphate and inorganic phosphate (Bansal, V.S., Inhorn, R.C., and Majerus, P.W. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 9444-9447). Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphatase catalyzes the analogous reaction utilizing phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P) as substrate to form phosphatidylinositol and inorganic phosphate (Lips, D.L., and Majerus, P.W. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 19911-19915). We now demonstrate that these enzyme activities are identical. Two forms of the enzyme, designated Type I and II 3-phosphatases, were isolated from rat brain. The Type I 3-phosphatase consisted of a protein doublet that migrated at a relative Mr of 65,000 upon sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The Mr of this isoform upon size-exclusion chromatography was 110,000, suggesting that the native enzyme is a dimer. The Type II enzyme consisted of equal amounts of an Mr = 65,000 doublet and an Mr = 78,000 band upon SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This isoform displayed an Mr upon size-exclusion chromatography of 147,000, indicating that it is a heterodimer. The Type II 3-phosphatase catalyzed the hydrolysis of Ins(1,3)P2 with a catalytic efficiency of one-nineteenth of that measured for the Type I enzyme, whereas PtdIns(3)P was hydrolyzed by the Type II 3-phosphatase at three times the rate measured for the Type I 3-phosphatase. The Mr = 65,000 subunits of the two forms of 3-phosphatase appear to be the same based on co-migration on SDS-polyacrylamide gels and peptide maps generated with Staphylococcus aureus protease V8 and trypsin. The peptide map of the Mr = 78,000 subunit was different from that of the Mr = 65,000 subunits. Thus, we propose that the differing relative specificities of the Type I and II 3-phosphatases for Ins(1,3)P2 and PtdIns(3)P are due to the presence of the Mr = 78,000 subunit of the Type II enzyme.

Animals↗

The level of the glycogen targetting regulatory subunit R5 of protein phosphatase 1 is decreased in the livers of insulin-dependent diabetic rats and starved rats.

Hepatic glycogen synthesis is impaired in insulin-dependent diabetic rats owing to defective activation of glycogen synthase by glycogen-bound protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). The identification of three glycogen-targetting subunits in liver, G(L), R5/PTG and R6, which form complexes with the catalytic subunit of PP1 (PP1c), raises the question of whether some or all of these PP1c complexes are subject to regulation by insulin. In liver lysates of control rats, R5 and R6 complexes with PP1c were found to contribute significantly (16 and 21% respectively) to the phosphorylase phosphatase activity associated with the glycogen-targetting subunits, G(L)-PP1c accounting for the remainder (63%). In liver lysates of insulin-dependent diabetic and of starved rats, the phosphorylase phosphatase activities of the R5 and G(L) complexes with PP1c were shown by specific immunoadsorption assays to be substantially decreased, and the levels of R5 and G(L) were shown by immunoblotting to be much lower than those in control extracts. The phosphorylase phosphatase activity of R6-PP1c and the concentration of R6 protein were unaffected by these treatments. Insulin administration to diabetic rats restored the levels of R5 and G(L) and their associated activities. The regulation of R5 protein levels by insulin was shown to correspond to changes in the level of the mRNA, as has been found for G(L). The in vitro glycogen synthase phosphatase/phosphorylase phosphatase activity ratio of R5-PP1c was lower than that of G(L)-PP1c, suggesting that R5-PP1c may function as a hepatic phosphorylase phosphatase, whereas G(L)-PP1c may be the major hepatic glycogen synthase phosphatase. In hepatic lysates, more than half the R6 was present in the glycogen-free supernatant, suggesting that R6 may have lower affinity for glycogen than R5 and G(L)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of Src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 during activation of human neutrophils. Role of protein kinase C.

The tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins induced in neutrophils by soluble and particulate stimuli is thought to be crucial for initiating antimicrobial responses. Although activation of tyrosine kinases is thought to mediate this event, the role of tyrosine phosphatases in the initiation and modulation of neutrophil responses remains largely undefined. We investigated the role of Src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1; also known as protein tyrosine phosphatase 1C (PTP1C), hematopoetic cell phosphatase, PTP-N6, and SHPTP-1), a phosphatase expressed primarily in hemopoietic cells, in the activation of human neutrophils. SHP-1 mRNA and protein were detected in these cells, and the enzyme was found to be predominantly localized to the cytosol in unstimulated cells. Following stimulation with neutrophil agonists such as phorbol ester, chemotactic peptide, or opsonized zymosan, a fraction of the phosphatase redistributed to the cytoskeleton. Agonist treatment also induced significant decreases (30-60%) in SHP-1 activity, which correlated temporally with increases in the cellular phosphotyrosine content. Phosphorylation of SHP-1 on serine residues was associated with the inhibition of its enzymatic activity, suggesting a causal relationship. Accordingly, both the agonist-evoked phosphorylation of SHP-1 and the inhibition of its catalytic activity were blocked by treatment with bisindolylmaleimide I, a potent and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Immunoprecipitated SHP-1 was found to be phosphorylated efficiently by purified PKC in vitro. Such phosphorylation also caused a decrease in the phosphatase activity of SHP-1. Together, these data suggest that inhibition of SHP-1 by PKC-mediated serine phosphorylation plays a role in facilitating the accumulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins following neutrophil stimulation. These findings provide a new link between the PKC and tyrosine phosphorylation branches of the signaling cascade that triggers antimicrobial responses in human neutrophils.

Enzyme Activation↗

Phosphatase active antigens in sea urchin eggs and embryos. II. A comparison between the activities in unfertilized eggs and plutei.

Phosphatase activities in sea urchin eggs and plutei were investigated by means of histochemical staining of immunoprecipitates. Two protein fractions were obtained by extraction in a hypotonic medium and by detergent treatment of the residual pellet. Three distinctly different phosphatase activities were discerned, nucleoside diphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.6.), acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2.) and alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1.). The nucleoside diphosphatase activity, which was confined to one antigen, was present in both water soluble and detergent extracts and at roughly the same concentration in eggs and plutei. By means of a monospecific antiserum the immunological identify of this antigen was established in all instances. The acid phosphatase activity, which was displayed by ten detergent extracted antigens in eggs, was only found in five detergent extracted antigens in plutei. This decrease in number of enzyme active antigens was also reflected by a general decrease in number of enzyme active antigens was also reflected by a general decrease in activity as assessed by quantitative determinations. Furthermore, by means of absorbed antisera it was established that two or three of the acid phosphatase active antigens were "egg specific". Another acid phosphatase active antigen, which was common to both developmental stages, was investigated by a monospecific antiserum. While this antigen was found in both soluble fractions, it was only enzymatically active when extracted with detergent. Alkaline phosphatase active antigens were only found in the detergent extract of plutei. However, immunoprecipitates with this activity appeared both with antiserum against unfertilized eggs and with antiserum against plutei. This suggests that the egg contained the antigens in an enzymatically inactive form.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Localization of four phosphatases in rat liver sinusoidal cells. An enzyme cytochemical study.

In the present study we have localized neutral phosphatase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and 5' nucleotidase in the sinusoidal cells of rat liver using enzyme cytochemistry at light and electron microscopical level. Neutral phosphatase was present in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of parenchymal cells and of sinusoidal endothelial, Kupffer and fat-storing cells. The intensity of the neutral phosphatase reaction was stronger in sinusoidal than in parenchymal cells. Sinusoidal cells were devoid of cytochemically demonstrable alkaline phosphatase. Abundant acid phosphatase was present in the many lysosomes of endothelial and Kupffer cells. Substantially less acid phosphatase-positive lysosomes were found in fat-storing cells. 5' nucleotidase was present on the cell membrane of fat-storing cells, on 90% of all Kupffer cells and on the microvilli of parenchymal cells. We have further shown that combined staining for 5' nucleotidase and for endogenous peroxidase, offers a histochemical tool to discriminate between the three main sinusoidal cell types in normal rat liver.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Hyperalkaline and thermostable phosphatase in Thermus thermophilus.

The phosphatases existing in the extreme thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus have been studied. Utilizing ion exchange, hydrophobic, pseudoaffinity, and affinity chromatography, a number of distinct phosphatase activities were identified. At least four phosphatases, with optimum pH ranging between 5.0 and 11.5, were assayed with p-nitrophenylphosphate, and two with optimum pH between 7.0 and 11.0, with 32P-casein as substrate. The authors have focused on the hyperalkaline phosphatase and have tried to purify and characterize it. This hyperalkaline phosphatase reaches a maximal level at the stationary phase of the growth, and is co-purified with alkaline phosphatase with optimum pH of 10.2. The enzymes present a relative mol wt of 65 and 58 kDa, respectively, as judged by SDS-PAGE and Sephadex G-150 column, and possess similar properties, indicating that they are isoforms. These enzymes barely function in the presence of tartrate, and are inhibited by EDTA, pyrophosphate, and molybdate. Among the metals tested, Hg2+ appeared as the strongest inhibitor of the hyperalkaline phosphatase. The two enzymes are thermostable and, upon treatment at 90 degrees C for 10 min, 75% of their activity remains. The physiological role and function of these phosphatases need further investigation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Activation of bovine heart ATP-MG2+-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase: isolation of a phosphoenzyme intermediate and its conversion to the active form via a Mg2+-dependent autodephosphorylation reaction.

The ATP-Mg2+-dependent protein phosphatase, a holoenzyme form of type I protein phosphatase (phosphatase-1) requires the action of phosphatase-1 kinase (FA) for activation. The enzyme (75 kDa) purified from bovine heart consists of a catalytic (C) and a regulatory (R) subunit of 40 kDa and 34 kDa, respectively, and activation is associated with phosphorylation of the R-sub-unit. A procedure has been developed for isolation of [32P]phosphatase-1 ( [32P]E-P) in non-denatured form. In the absence of divalent cation, [32P]E-P is catalytically inactive and the phosphorylation is stable. Addition of Mg2+ triggers autodephosphorylation of [32P]E-P with concomitant generation of phosphorylase phosphatase activity. The autodephosphorylation/activation process is dependent on Mg2+ concentration. The KA value for Mg2+ is 0.6 mM. The phosphorylase phosphatase activity generated from the release of 1 mol. 32P is 1.1 X 10(12) units which is equivalent to 15,000 units per mg enzyme protein. The present findings provide direct evidence that the phosphorylated phosphatase-1 is not the active form (Ea). Instead, Ea is directly produced from the intermediate by a Mg2+-dependent autodephosphorylation reaction.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The dephosphorylation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the immature rat hippocampus is catalyzed mainly by a type 1 protein phosphatase.

We used protein phosphatase inhibitors to study the phosphatase activity involved in the dephosphorylation of the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in a cytoskeletal fraction and in slices prepared from hippocampi of immature rats. Cytoskeletal proteins were labelled with [gamma 32P]ATP in the presence of Ca2+ and calmodulin and then allowed to dephosphorylate through the activity of bound protein phosphatases. Dephosphorylation was inhibited by the protein phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and microcystin-LR, but not by EGTA. Maximal inhibition was given by 1 microM okadaic acid and 10 nM microcystin-LR. This difference of two orders of magnitude in the sensitivity of the dephosphorylation to the inhibitors indicates that the bound dephosphorylating activity in the cytoskeletal fraction was due to a type 1 protein phosphatase, rather than protein phosphatase 2A which is equally sensitive to okadaic acid and microcystin-LR. To investigate the dephosphorylation of GFAP in intact tissue we incubated slices with various concentrations of the cell-permeable inhibitor okadaic acid in the presence of [32P] phosphate. Net [32P]-incorporation into GFAP was increased by okadaic acid due to inhibition of dephosphorylation; the minimum effective concentration was 25 nM. Since the IC50 for inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A by okadaic acid is 0.1 nM, this result indicates that in intact tissue GFAP dephosphorylation is primarily due to a type 1 protein phosphatase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Phosphatase activity in Trypanosoma cruzi. Phosphate removal from ATP, phosphorylated proteins and other phosphate compounds.

T. cruzi epimastigotes have a lysosomal acid phosphatase (pH 4.0) and acid and alkaline phosphatases (pH 5.5 and 8.0) localized in the cytosolic fraction. The levels of the lysosomal acid phosphatase increase with the age of the cultures, but the cytosolic phosphatases decline after the logarithmic phase of growth. The lysosomal phosphatase preferentially hydrolyses low mol. wt phosphate esters; whereas, the cytosolic alkaline phosphatases primarily act on phosphorylated proteins, and both the cytosolic acid and alkaline phosphatases on uridine nucleotide derivatives. The parasite also contains a microsomal glucose 6-phosphatase, and ATPases (Mg2+ and Ca2+-activated) derived from plasma membranes and mitochondria.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Identification of a novel shrimp protein phosphatase and its association with latency-related ORF427 of white spot syndrome virus.

To characterize the role of latency-associated ORF427 of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a shrimp cDNA library was constructed to screen interacting proteins of ORF427. Employing the yeast two-hybrid system, a novel shrimp protein phosphatase (named PPs), sharing 93% homology with human protein phosphatase 1, has been identified able to bind ORF427 in yeast. Through co-immunoprecipitation assays, the interaction between PPs and ORF427 was further confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the novel shrimp protein phosphatase consists of only 199 aa and contains almost all the functional catalytic domains of human protein phosphatase, while it lacks the corresponding C-terminal non-catalytic sequence. Transcription and translation products of the identified cDNA can be detected in both normal and WSSV-infected shrimps; and PPs was found to localize mainly in the lysosome of shrimp cells. To characterize its function, the PPs cDNA was highly expressed in bacteria and the purified protein showed phosphatase activity when tested against pNPP in a standard phosphatase assay. Our results suggest that the identified protein phosphatase, PPs, may represent a novel member of protein phosphatase family and might be involved in the regulation of WSSV's life cycle through interaction with latency-related ORF427 of WSSV.

Animals↗

Inhibition of nuclear protein phosphatase activity in mouse hepatocytes by the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin-LR.

Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is a cyanobacterial hepatotoxin and protein phosphatase inhibitor that contaminates water reservoirs worldwide. MCLR localizes to the cytosol of hepatocytes, however, immunohistochemical studies indicate that it accumulates in the nucleus. MCLR toxicosis is associated with decreased hepatic protein phosphatase activity, but effects in nuclear protein phosphatase activity have not been investigated. Balb/c mice were given lethal (100 microg/kg) or sublethal (12, 23 and 45 microg/kg) i.p. doses of MCLR and hepatic nuclear extracts were analyzed for protein phosphatase 1 and 2A activity. There was profound inhibition of nuclear protein phosphatase activity within 50 min of lethal dosing, however an inhibition was not detected with sublethal doses. MCLR immunohistochemistry revealed widespread lobular staining in the lethal group and centrilobular staining in the sublethal groups. At the cellular level there was nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of equal intensity. As an indicator of nuclear protein phosphatase activity, the phosphorylation of p53, a nuclear phosphoprotein and known substrate for protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, was evaluated. Balb/c mice were treated with sublethal doses of MCLR or saline vehicle after induction of hepatic p53 by the DNA damaging agent diethylnitrosamine (DEN). P53 was immunoprecipitated and probed with phosphoserine specific antibodies by Western blotting. There was greater phosphoserine reactivity of p53 protein in animals treated with MCLR relative to saline treated controls, consistent with increased phosphorylation of serine sites. It is concluded that an interaction of this toxin with nuclear protein phosphatases occurs within 50 min of lethal dosing, which leads to a profound inhibition of enzymatic activity. Even sublethal doses of MCLR that do not result in significant inhibition of activity in bulk nuclei, result in detectable changes in phosphorylation of p53.

Animals↗

Myxoma virus and Shope fibroma virus encode dual-specificity tyrosine/serine phosphatases which are essential for virus viability.

Sequence analysis of the genomes of the Leporipoxviruses myxoma virus and Shope fibroma virus (SFV) led to the discovery of open reading frames homologous to the vaccinia H1L gene encoding a soluble protein phosphatase with dual tyrosine/serine specificity. These viral phosphatase genes were subsequently localized to the myxoma BamHI-I fragment and the SFV BamHI-M fragment, and the resulting encoded proteins were designated I1L and M1L, respectively. The localization and orientation of the myxoma I1L and SFV M1L open reading frames within the well conserved central core of the viral genomes closely mirror that of the Orthopoxviruses vaccinia virus and variola virus. The myxoma I1L and SFV M1L phosphatases each contain the conserved tyrosine phosphatase signature sequence motif, (I/V)HCXAGXXR(S/T)G, including the active site cysteine, found previously to be essential for phosphotyrosine dephosphorylation. The vaccinia H1L phosphatase was originally shown to have the ability to dephosphorylate phosphotyrosyl and phosphoseryl residues in vitro. To assess whether this is a common feature of poxvirus phosphatases, myxoma I1L was expressed as a GST-fusion protein, purified, and shown to dephosphorylate substrates containing tyrosine and serine phosphorylated residues, in a similar fashion to vaccinia H1L. A myxoma I1L variant, in which the active site cysteine 110 was mutated to serine, was expressed in a parallel fashion to the wild-type I1L protein and found to be completely deficient in its ability to dephosphorylate both phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine amino acids. In an attempt to ascertain the biological requirement for the myxoma I1L phosphatase, we constructed a recombinant myxoma virus containing a disrupted I1L open reading frame. This I1L mutant virus was able to successfully propagate in tissue culture only in the presence of a wild-type complementing gene, and pure virus clones containing only the disrupted allele were not viable. Thus, we conclude that the myxoma I1L dual specificity phosphatase is an essential factor for virus viability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acid phosphatase: defining a role in androgen-independent prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: In multivariable analysis, post-therapy change in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was shown to be the most significant factor predictive of survival in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. To refine the model, we studied the patterns of change in acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase after treatment. METHODS: One hundred seven patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer treated on seven different protocols in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center were evaluated. For tumor-specific (acid phosphatase and PSA) and nontumor-specific (alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase) enzymes, a minimum 50% or 80% decrease from baseline documented on three separate occasions a minimum of 6 weeks apart was required to categorize a patient as having a decline. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (18%) had either a 50% decline in acid phosphatase or PSA, of whom 13 (68%) had a decline of both markers. Six (32%) patients showed discordance between the two parameters. Declines in PSA level typically preceded declines in acid phosphatase levels. The median survival of patients showing declines in both markers exceeded that of patients showing declines in PSA alone by 1 year. Although baseline measurements of alkaline phosphatase or lactate dehydrogenase did add additional prognostic information, post-therapy changes did not. CONCLUSIONS: Post-therapy declines in PSA and acid phosphatase represent reproducible endpoints for clinical trials in androgen-independent disease. The requirement of a repeated and parallel decline in both markers may improve the results observed by monitoring declines in PSA alone. Monitoring the two parameters may allow the development of models that can be used as surrogate endpoints for response and survival in a disease in which reproducible measurements of response are lacking.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Phosphatase synthesis in Klebsiella (aerobacter) aerogenes growing in continuous culture.

1. Phosphatase synthesis was studied in Klebsiella aerogenes grown in a wide range of continuous-culture systems. 2. Maximum acid phosphatase synthesis was associated with nutrient-limited, particularly carbohydrate-limited, growth at a relatively low rate, glucose-limited cells exhibiting the highest activity. Compared with glucose as the carbon-limiting growth material, other sugars not only altered the activity but also changed the pH-activity profile of the enzyme(s). 3. The affinity of the acid phosphatase in glucose-limited cells towards p-nitrophenyl phosphate (K(m) 0.25-0.43mm) was similar to that of staphylococcal acid phosphatase but was ten times greater than that of the Escherichia coli enzyme. 4. PO(4) (3-)-limitation derepressed alkaline phosphatase synthesis but the amounts of activity were largely independent of the carbon source used for growth. 5. The enzymes were further differentiated by the effect of adding inhibitors (F(-), PO(4) (3-)) and sugars to the reaction mixture during the assays. In particular, it was shown that adding glucose, but not other sugars, stimulated the rate of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate by the acid phosphatase in carbohydrate-limited cells at low pH values (<4.6) but inhibited it at high pH values (>4.6). Alkaline phosphatase activity was unaffected. 6. The function of phosphatases in general is discussed and possible mechanisms for the glucose effect are outlined.

Acetates↗

The association of type 1, type 2A and type 2B phosphatases with the human T lymphocyte plasma membrane.

Several putative plasma-membrane-associated components of the T-lymphocyte signal-transduction pathway are phosphorylated during the initial events of cellular activation. Little is known about the control of dephosphorylation of these components. We have shown by immunoblotting that the type 1 phosphatase, the type 2A phosphatase and type 2B phosphatase (calcineurin) are associated with the plasma membrane of normal human T lymphoblasts and the human T leukaemic cell line Jurkat 6. The type 1 phosphorylase phosphatase activity is present in a latent form which can be stimulated synergistically by deinhibitor and p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The PCSH form of the type 2A phosphatase appears to be the predominant oligomer in the plasma-membrane fraction. All three phosphatases can be extracted from membranes with Nonidet P40, but whereas the type 1c and type 2Ac phosphatases separate into the detergent-poor phase of Triton X-114, calcineurin separates into both detergent-rich and -poor phases. It is probable that one or more of these three plasma-membrane-associated phosphatases play regulatory roles in determining the phosphorylation state of membrane-bound proteins involved in human T-cell activation.

Calcineurin↗

Purification and characterization of calponin phosphatase from smooth muscle. Effect of dephosphorylation on calponin function.

Calponin, a thin-filament protein of smooth muscle, has been implicated in the regulation of smooth-muscle contraction, since in vitro the isolated protein inhibits the actin-activated myosin MgATPase. This inhibitory effect, and the ability of calponin to bind to actin, is lost after its phosphorylation by protein kinase C or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II [Winder & Walsh (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 10148-10155]. If this phosphorylation reaction is of physiological significance, there must be a protein phosphatase in smooth muscle capable of dephosphorylating calponin and restoring its inhibitory effect on the actomyosin MgATPase. We demonstrate here the presence, in chicken gizzard smooth muscle, of a single major phosphatase activity directed towards calponin. This phosphatase was purified from the soluble fraction of chicken gizzard by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and sequential chromatography on Sephacryl S-300, DEAE-Sephacel, omega-amino-octyl-agarose and thiophosphorylated myosin 20 kDa light-chain-Sepharose columns. The purified phosphatase contained three polypeptide chains of 60, 55 and 38 kDa which were shown to be identical with the subunits of SMP-I, a smooth-muscle phosphatase capable of dephosphorylating the isolated 20 kDa light chain of myosin but not intact myosin [Pato & Adelstein (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7047-7054]. Consistent with its identity with SMP-I, calponin phosphatase was classified as a type-2A protein phosphatase. Of several potential phosphoprotein substrates examined, calponin proved to be kinetically the best, suggesting that calponin may be a physiological substrate for this phosphatase. Finally, dephosphorylation of calponin which had been phosphorylated by protein kinase C restored completely its ability to inhibit the actin-activated MgATPase of smooth-muscle myosin. These observations support the hypothesis that calponin plays a role in regulating the contractile state of smooth muscle and that this function in turn is controlled by phosphorylation-dephosphorylation.

Actins↗