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Panduratin A Induces Autophagy Through AMPK Activation Independent of mTOR Inhibition and Restricts Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Host Macrophages.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a major global health burden, especially with the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant strains. There is an urgent need for new therapeutics that act via alternative mechanisms. Autophagy, a vital cell-autonomous defense process, allows macrophages to degrade intracellular pathogens such as Mtb and has gained attention as a potential target for host-directed therapy. In this study, we conducted a high-content imaging screen of herb-derived compounds to identify autophagy inducers in RAW264.7 macrophages. Panduratin A (NPA), a natural compound from Boesenbergia rotunda, was found to potently induce autophagy. NPA promoted autophagic vacuole formation in a dose-dependent fashion at low micromolar levels. Its autophagy-inducing effect was validated using RFP-GFP-LC3 dual fluorescence assays and immunoblotting in the presence of bafilomycin A1. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that NPA activates autophagy through AMPK activation, independent of mTOR inhibition. Importantly, NPA significantly promoted intracellular Mtb clearance and increased colocalization of Mtb with autophagosomes and lysosomes, in a manner dependent on Beclin-1. These findings highlight NPA as a potent enhancer of macrophage antimicrobial responses via autophagy, supporting its potential as a candidate for host-directed adjunctive therapy against TB.

Autophagy

Colocalization of adeno-associated virus Rep and capsid proteins in the nuclei of infected cells.

The mechanism of adeno-associated virus (AAV) DNA replication was characterized both genetically and biochemically. In this study, we used monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to examine the AAV p5 (Rep78 and Rep68) and p19 (Rep52 and Rep40) proteins in infected cells. By overexpressing a truncated Rep78 protein in Escherichia coli, we obtained monoclonal antibody anti-78/68, which is specific for the p5 Rep proteins, and monoclonal antibody anti-52/40, which recognized both the p5 and p19 Rep proteins. In single-fluorochrome indirect immunofluorescence labeling experiments, the viral Rep proteins were localized in distinct intranuclear foci. Analysis of AAV proteins by double-fluorochrome indirect immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that (i) all four AAV Rep proteins occupied the same intranuclear compartments and (ii) the Rep and capsid proteins colocalized in the nuclei of infected cells. These results suggest that replication centers similar to those established by other viruses exist for AAV. These reagents should provide a useful tool for further delineation of the mechanism of AAV replication in vitro.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Identifying causal genetic variants for high-altitude adaptation through blood eQTL analysis in plateau populations.

A substantial number of genetic variants have been associated with high-altitude adaptation (HAA), yet most of them are located in non-coding genomic regions, leaving their specific functions and underlying mechanisms largely unknown. In this study, we analyze whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing data from a self-established cohort comprising 61 native highlanders (NHs) and 164 acclimatized newcomers (ANs), identifying 6,586 cis- and 34,203 trans-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), along with 130 cell type-specific eQTLs. By further combining these data with a large East Asia (~30% Tibetan) genome-wide association study (GWAS) cohort, we employ colocalization and causal inference analyses to prioritize 85 cis-eQTLs associated with HAA and identify several novel candidate causal genes, including EXOC8, which is experimentally confirmed to regulate erythroid differentiation. Additionally, network analysis of these causal genes uncovers multiple regulatory pathways, mainly involving energy metabolism, autophagy, ubiquitination and inflammation. Our study offers a comprehensive eQTL map and reveals causal chains of "variant-gene-phenotype" for HAA-related traits, which provides new insights into potential regulatory mechanisms and targets for prevention and treatment of altitude sickness.

Quantitative Trait Loci

Pathophysiology of rhinitis. Lactoferrin and lysozyme in nasal secretions.

The antimicrobial proteins lactoferrin (Lf) and lysozyme (Ly) are invariably found in nasal secretions. To investigate the cellular sources and the secretory control of these nasal proteins in vivo, 34 adult subjects underwent nasal provocation tests with methacholine (MC), histamine (H), and gustatory stimuli. Nasal lavages were collected and analyzed for total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), Lf, and Ly. MC (25 mg), H (1 mg), and gustatory stimuli (spicy foods) all increased the concentrations of TP, Alb, Lf, and Ly. However, when each protein was assessed as a percentage of TP (i.e., Alb% = Alb/TP; Lf% = Lf/TP; Ly% = Ly/TP), MC and gustatory stimuli, which both induce glandular secretion, selectively augmented Lf% and Ly% without changing Alb%, while H, which primarily increases vascular permeability, increased Alb% without significantly affecting Lf% or Ly%. Gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analysis of nasal secretions demonstrated both Lf and Ly in cholinergically induced secretions. Furthermore, histochemical analyses of nasal turbinate tissue revealed Lf and Ly colocalization within the serous cells of submucosal glands, providing evidence that both proteins are strictly glandular products within the nasal mucosa. Therefore, both Lf and Ly are produced and secreted from the glands, and their secretion may be pharmacologically regulated in attempts to improve host defenses.

Adult

Genetic insights into the relationship between age at menarche and mental health-related phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Multiple observational studies have reported associations between age at menarche (AAM) and mental health problems, yet their shared genetic architecture remains poorly characterized. METHODS: We leveraged genome-wide association study summary statistics for AAM and 15 mental health-related phenotypes. We conducted a multi-method integrative analysis encompassing linkage disequilibrium score regression, pleiotropic analysis under the composite null hypothesis, functional mapping and annotation, multi-marker analysis of genomic annotation, pathway enrichment, and bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore shared genetic architecture and potential causal relationships. RESULTS: Our study identified significant genetic correlations between AAM and eight mental health-related phenotypes (miserableness, fed-up feelings, nervous feelings, ever thought that life is not worth living, ever self-harmed, depression, ever smoker, and age started smoking in former smokers). A total of 155 pleiotropic loci, 18 colocalized loci (e.g., 6q16.3), and 203 pleiotropic genes (e.g., LIN28B) were identified. These genes are expressed in multiple regions, including the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, and are involved in various biological processes and signaling pathways. Additionally, MR analysis revealed causal associations between AAM and 5 mental health-related phenotypes (mood swings, miserableness, fed-up feelings, and age at which smokers started smoking in former/current smokers). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed extensive genetic associations between AAM and mental health-related phenotypes, and further explored the potential causal relationships between them. These findings enhance our understanding of the relationship from a genetic perspective and establish a foundation for future research to explore the biological pathways and environmental interactions contributing to these associations.

Genome-Wide Association Study

TP53 tumor suppressor gene: a model for investigating human mutagenesis.

More than 350 independent point mutations of the TP53 gene, found in a wide variety of human cancers, were compiled and analysed. From this study, we confirm the presence of four hot-spot regions which colocalize with some highly conserved domains of the protein. We also define a new hot-spot region which is observed predominantly in lung tumors. Analysis of the mutational events suggests the direct involvement of environmental carcinogens in lung tumors and hepatocarcinomas, and spontaneous mutagenesis generating essentially CpG transitions in most of the remaining ones. Furthermore, we demonstrate in this work that the TP53 gene is an informative model with which to study the molecular mechanisms of mutagenesis in the human genome.

Amino Acid Sequence

Immunocytochemical evidence suggests that taurine is colocalized with GABA in the Purkinje cell terminals, but that the stellate cell terminals predominantly contain GABA: a light- and electronmicroscopic study of the rat cerebellum.

The distributions of taurine-like and GABA-like immunoreactivities in the rat cerebellum were compared by analysis of consecutive semithin and ultrathin sections, postembedding labeled with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique or with an indirect immunogold procedure, respectively. Taurine-like immunoreactivity was selectively enriched in Purkinje cell bodies, dendrites and spines, and boutons in the cerebellar nuclei exhibiting ultrastructural features typical of Purkinje cell terminals. The stellate and basket cell bodies and terminals were very weakly labeled. A computer assisted quantitative assessment of the net immunogold labeling revealed that the mean gold particle density in the Purkinje cell terminals was about 70% higher than that in the Purkinje cell dendrites, and about 14 times higher than that in the stellate/basket cell terminals in the molecular layer. Stellate, basket and Purkinje cell terminals emerged as intensely immunoreactive in adjacent sections processed with an antiserum against conjugated GABA. These findings indicate, contrary to recent electrophysiological data, that GABA is a more likely transmitter candidate than taurine in the stellate cells. The apparent colocalization of GABA and taurine in the terminals of Purkinje cells raises the possibility that these terminals are capable of releasing two different inhibitory amino acids.

Animals

Monoclonal antibodies specific for human platelet membrane glycoproteins bind to monocytes by focal absorption of platelet membrane fragments: an ultrastructural immunogold study.

The membrane labeling of monocytes by monoclonal antibodies directed against platelet glycoproteins Ib (AN51), IIb (Tab), IIIa (C17), IIb-IIIa complex (J15) and to antigens common to platelets and monocytes (anti-monocyte platelet antigen and FA6 152) has been investigated by an ultrastructural immunogold method. Only with FA6 152, which identifies a structure shared by erythroblasts, platelets, and monocytes, was labeling obtained on membranes of both platelets and monocytes from normal blood. With all the other monoclonal antibodies, platelets were highly labeled but monocytes lacked quantitatively significant label; however, focal microparticles which exhibited gold particles were adherent to the membrane of monocytes. This localized labeling, interpreted as resulting from the fragmentation of platelet membranes during monocyte isolation with adhesion of the fragments to monocyte surfaces, was verified by two approaches. First, double staining with C17 visualized by an anti-IgG coupled to 40 nm gold particles and MO2 recognizing exclusively a surface monocyte antigen, as visualized by an anti-IgG coupled to 15 nm gold particles, was performed. The absence of colocalization of large and small gold particles either on monocytes or on microparticles confirmed the exclusive cell origin. Second, when analyzed by quantitative x-ray analysis, monocyte associated gold following C17 treatment was restricted to platelet pseudopods and fragments on whole mount spread cells. Finally, when monocytes were spread immediately after blood collection in the absence of sedimentation and centrifugation to prevent platelet activation, platelet rosetting was avoided and the number of microparticles markedly decreased. Thus, the attachment to monocyte membranes of microparticles originating from platelets may be confused with true labeling of monocytes by antibodies to platelet glycoproteins if analysis is limited to immunofluorescence.

Adsorption

Sphingolipid metabolism in cultured fibroblasts: microscopic and biochemical studies employing a fluorescent ceramide analogue.

A fluorescent analogue of ceramide, N-[7-(4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole)]-epsilon-aminocaproyl sphingosine (C6-NBD-ceramide), was used to investigate sphingolipid metabolism in Chinese hamster fibroblasts. C6-NBD-ceramide was incorporated into small unilamellar dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles and incubated with cells in monolayer culture at 2 degrees C, resulting in rapid and preferential transfer of the labeled ceramide from vesicles to cells. The cells were then washed and subsequently incubated at 37 degrees C for various intervals. The metabolism of C6-NBD-ceramide was monitored by lipid extraction and analysis, and the intracellular distribution of the labeled molecule was followed by fluorescence microscopy. Initially, fluorescence was detected almost exclusively in mitochondria, with over 90% of the extractable lipid fluorescence due to C6-NBD-ceramide. After 30 min at 37 degrees C, intense fluorescence appeared in the Golgi apparatus. This organelle was identified by colocalization of NBD fluorescence with a Golgi-apparatus-specific stain. At later times the plasma membrane became visibly labeled as well, at which point 90% of the cell-associated fluorescence was recovered as NBD-labeled sphingomyelin and NBD-labeled cerebroside. These metabolites were identified by enzymatic and biochemical analysis and by thin-layer chromatography of the fluorescent lipid extracts. The finding that C6-NBD-ceramide is used by these cells in standard pathways of sphingolipid biosynthesis suggests that this fluorescent precursor will be a valuable tool for correlating the metabolism of sphingolipids with their intracellular distribution and translocation. In addition, during its metabolism by Chinese hamster fibroblasts, this compound acts as a vital stain for the Golgi apparatus.

4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan

Multi-omic characterization of the Hispanic/Latino blood lipidome reveals an additional locus and attenuated genetic prediction.

While lipids have been extensively investigated, genetic regulation of the circulating lipidome in diverse populations remains poorly understood. We conducted a lipidome-wide genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 830 lipid species in 2,287 Hispanic/Latino participants and performed predictive modeling across omics layers. We identified 7,593 genome-wide significant SNPs mapping to 208 genes. Conditional analysis disentangled the long-range linkage disequilibrium artifacts from the pleiotropic FADS1/2/3 cluster. Separately, we discovered an association at the GPLD1 locus for a circulating ceramide. Colocalization revealed shared genetic architecture with conventional lipids alongside distinct, species-specific pathways. Incorporating Native/Indigenous American expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) within a multi-omic framework uncovered 62 likely regulatory genes missed by European-centric gene expression models. Finally, genetically regulated predictive models demonstrated performance declining from transcriptomics to proteomics to lipidomics, reflecting increased distance from gene action along the molecular cascade. Our study provides a genetic landscape of lipid metabolism in a highly burdened population and highlights the challenges in predicting lipid abundance.

Hispanic/Latino population

Comparative distribution of 3H-GABA uptake and GAD immunoreactivity in goldfish retinal amacrine cells: a double-label analysis.

The comparative distribution of 3H-GABA uptake and glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity (GAD-IR) in amacrine cells of goldfish retina was studied simultaneously by using a combined autoradiographic/immunocytochemical technique in order to determine the degree of colocalization of these two markers of GABAergic neurons; 3H-GABA was taken up most intensely by large pyriform Ab amacrine cells (3% of inner nuclear layer (INL) somata), and less intensely by smaller, polyform amacrine cells (12% of INL somata), cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer (one-half as common as Ab cells), and cell bodies in the inner plexiform layer (very rare). GAD-IR was observed in 25% of amacrine cells in the INL, the vast majority of which were polyform in shape, and cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer. Twice as many cells were labeled for GAD-IR as for 3H-GABA uptake. Of the cells that took up 3H-GABA, colocalization of 3H-GABA uptake and GAD-IR was observed in 90% of the polyform amacrine cells, 80% of the cells in the ganglion cell layer, and none of the pyriform Ab amacrine cells or cells in the inner plexiform layer. We suggest that the polyform cells compose the major population of GABAergic amacrine cells in the goldfish retina, rather than the pyriform Ab cells. GABAergic displaced amacrine cells or ganglion cells are also indicated by our data. The implications of these data with regard to the physiology of the goldfish retina are discussed as well.

Animals

Characterization and colocalization of steroid binding and dimerization activities in the mouse estrogen receptor.

We have identified a region within the steroid binding domain of the mouse estrogen receptor that is required for both receptor dimerization and high affinity DNA binding. Analysis of sequences in this region revealed that a heptad repeat of hydrophobic residues was conserved in all members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Single amino acid substitutions of residues in the N-terminal half, but not the C-terminal half, of the repeat prevented receptor dimerization. Steroid binding was abolished by point mutations in the center of the conserved region, implying that the steroid binding and dimerization domains overlap. The role of this region in steroid receptor function is discussed in relation to other models of protein dimerization and DNA binding.

Amino Acid Sequence

[Conformation analysis of modified tetrasaccharide sequences of the N-glycoprotein type--problem of the alpha-(1 to 6)-glycosidic bond].

The conformational analysis of the recently synthesized tetrasaccharides alpha-D-Manp (1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-4-deoxy-beta-D-lyx-hexp+ ++-(1----4)-D-GlcNAc (2) and alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Talp -(1----4)-D-GlcNAc (3) will be described. The preferred solution conformation of 2 and 3 is a gt-conformation, which is nearly identical with the preferred conformation of the naturally occurring tetrasaccharide alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp -(1----4)-D-GlcNAc (1). The main structural feature is the backfolding of the alpha-(1----6)-linked D-Man to the reducing D-GlcNAc unit. Conformational analysis of the tetrasaccharides alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Manp -(1----4)-1,6- anhydro-beta-D-GlcNAc (4), alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-4-deoxy-beta-D- lyx-hexp-(1----4)- 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-GlcNAc (5), and alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)]-beta-D-Talp -(1----4)- 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-GlcNAc (6) gave additional proof for this backfolding. The substitution of the reducing unit leads to a smaller amount of gt- and a greater amount of gg-conformers. The method used for conformational analysis of 2-6 is a combination of n.m.r.-experiments and HSEA-calculations with the program GESA. Concerning the application of new 2D-techniques, the COLOC-experiment turned out to be extremely useful in sequencing oligosaccharides.

Carbohydrate Conformation

Distribution and co-localization of calbindin D28k with VIP and neuropeptide Y but not somatostatin, galanin and substance P in the enteric nervous system of the rat.

Calbindin D28k, previously demonstrated in the mammalian central nervous system, has been localized to discrete neurons in the enteric nervous system of the rat. Calbindin D28k is present in cell bodies in both the myenteric and submucous plexi and in interganglionic nerve fibers in all regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Immunoreactive nerve fibers were also detected in the mucosal region, although none were observed in the pyloric sphincter, circular or longitudinal muscle layers. The highest concentration of immunoreactivity was present in the submucosal plexus and mucosa of the colon. Western blot analysis of the protein detected by the antiserum confirmed that it comigrated with purified calbindin D28k and the single immunoreactive band seen in extracts from rat brain. The colocalization of calbindin D28k with components of the peptidergic innervation was also investigated. Of the peptides studied the neurons containing both vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuropeptide Y in the submucous plexus were seen to exhibit calbindin D28k immunoreactivity. The neurons containing somatostatin, galanin and substance P did not demonstrate co-localization. In the stomach, calbindin D28k was detected within a small number of epithelial cells which were found to correspond to a sub-population of the somatostatin-immunoreactive endocrine cells.

Animals

FANCI promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression and cell cycle regulation and interacts with FANCD2.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor clinical outcomes, and reliable molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets remain limited. Fanconi anemia group I protein (FANCI) is a core component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway, but its expression pattern, clinical significance, and functional role in ESCC have not been comprehensively defined. This study aimed to investigate FANCI expression and prognostic value in ESCC, assess its effects on malignant cellular phenotypes and tumor growth, and explore its potential mechanistic relationship with Fanconi anemia group D2 protein (FANCD2) and cell-cycle regulation. METHODS: Multi-cohort analyses were performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, together with ESCC single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. FANCI functions were assessed by bidirectional gain- and loss-of-function experiments in vitro (proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and cell-cycle assays) and by xenograft models in vivo. Mechanistic studies included protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and immunofluorescence (IF) colocalization. RESULTS: FANCI was consistently upregulated in ESCC across bulk transcriptomic datasets and was further supported by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). FANCI discriminated ESCC from normal tissues in TCGA-ESCC and was independently validated in GSE53624 [area under the curve (AUC) =0.940 and 0.975, respectively]. FANCI was associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and shorter disease-free interval (DFI), and these findings were validated in an independent GEO cohort. Functionally, FANCI promoted ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while inhibiting apoptosis; FANCI knockdown suppressed tumor growth in vivo and induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest. Mechanistically, FANCI physically interacted with FANCD2, colocalized with FANCD2 in the nucleus, and was associated with altered FANCD2 protein abundance, consistent with cell-cycle and DNA repair-related programs. Single-cell analysis indicated that FANCI was enriched in epithelial cells and associated with higher activity of malignant functional programs. In TCGA-ESCC, FANCI-high tumors showed distinct mutation profiles, a trend toward increased tumor mutation burden (TMB), and altered immune-associated signatures. CONCLUSIONS: FANCI is upregulated in ESCC and is associated with diagnostic and prognostic value. It promotes malignant phenotypes and tumor growth, potentially through a FANCI-FANCD2-linked cell-cycle/DNA repair program, supporting FANCI as a candidate biomarker and therapeutic target in ESCC.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)

Use of enhanced silver staining combined with electron microscopical immunolabelling to demonstrate the colocalization of neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in cerebrovascular nerves.

The combination of immunolabelling at the electron microscope level and enhanced silver staining has been used to demonstrate the colocalization of neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in perivascular nerves supplying cerebral arteries of the rat. This has been shown in control tissue, but it is easier to demonstrate after long-term sympathectomy since that leads to an enhancement of neuropeptide Y in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-containing parasympathetic nerves supplying these vessels. Immunolabelling of the antigens for these peptides was performed sequentially with the biotin streptavidin diaminobenzidine method, and the end product to the first antiserum was gold-silver intensified before the visualization of the second antigen. Using this technique, it was shown that all the neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity present in the rat cerebral vessels after long-term sympathectomy with guanethidine was localized in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-containing nerves. Furthermore, an immunohistochemical analysis of the parasympathetic pterygopalatine ganglia in guanethidine-treated rats showed an increase in the percentage of neurons displaying neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity. In order to clarify if the pterygopalatine ganglion was the origin of those neuropeptide Y/vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive cerebrovascular nerves, which had increased in number after sympathectomy, a fluorescent neuronal tracer (Fast Blue) was applied to the right middle cerebral artery of rats which had undergone guanethidine treatment for six weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis of the ipsilateral ganglion 72 h after application of the tracer revealed the presence of immunoreactivity to both these peptides in retrogradely labelled neurons. It is concluded that neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide are colocalized in perivascular parasympathetic nerves supplying the middle cerebral artery of the rat, which have their origin in the pterygopalatine ganglion. Furthermore, long-term sympathectomy with guanethidine leads to an increase in the expression of neuropeptide Y in these vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive neurons.

Animals

Direct evidence for nuclear and cytoplasmic colocalization of proteasomes (multiprotease complexes) in liver.

Subcellular localization of the large multicatalytic protease complexes called proteasomes, which have been found in soluble fractions of various cells, was examined by biochemical, immunological, and immunohistological methods. Rat liver nuclei, purified by two different procedures, showed high activities for degrading [3H]methylcasein and various fluorogenic oligopeptides with neutral and weakly alkaline pH optima. On gel filtration, all of these peptidase activities were recovered in a single peak with the unusually large molecular weight of about 600,000. Properties of the proteolytic activity in crude extracts of the nucleus and the cytoplasm were very similar. Immunoelectrophoretic blot analysis showed the presence of appreciable concentrations of proteasomes with similar immunoreactivity in isolated nuclear and cytosolic fractions. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of human liver showed that proteasomes were predominantly localized in the nuclear matrix but also were present diffusely in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. These findings indicate the nuclear and cytoplasmic colocalization of proteasomes.

Animals

PKC epsilon-related kinase associates with and phosphorylates cytokeratin 8 and 18.

A 40-kD protein kinase C (PKC)epsilon related activity was found to associate with human epithelial specific cytokeratin (CK) polypeptides 8 and 18. The kinase activity coimmunoprecipitated with CK8 and 18 and phosphorylated immunoprecipitates of the CK. Immunoblot analysis of CK8/18 immunoprecipitates using an anti-PKC epsilon specific antibody showed that the 40-kD species, and not native PKC epsilon (90 kD) associated with the cytokeratins. Reconstitution experiments demonstrated that purified CK8 or CK18 associated with a 40-kD tryptic fragment of purified PKC epsilon, or with a similar species obtained from cells that express the fragment constitutively but do not express CK8/18. A peptide pseudosubstrate specific for PKC epsilon inhibited phosphorylation of CK8/18 in intact cells or in a kinase assay with CK8/18 immunoprecipitates. Tryptic peptide map analysis of the cytokeratins that were phosphorylated by purified rat brain PKC epsilon or as immunoprecipitates by the associated kinase showed similar phosphopeptides. Furthermore, PKC epsilon immunoreactive species and CK8/18 colocalized using immunofluorescent double staining. We propose that a kinase related to the catalytic fragment of PKC epsilon physically associates with and phosphorylates cytokeratins 8 and 18.

Cytoskeleton