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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

A novel protein expression strategy using recombinant bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV): modifications of the peptide sequence between the two furin cleavage sites of the BRSV fusion protein yield secreted proteins, but affect processing and function of the BRSV fusion protein.

The bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) fusion (F) protein is cleaved at two furin cleavage sites, which results in generation of the disulfide-linked F(1) and F(2) subunits and release of an intervening peptide of 27 aa (pep27). A series of mutated open reading frames encoding F proteins that lacked the entire pep27, that contained an arbitrarily chosen 23 aa sequence instead of pep27 or in which pep27 was replaced by the amino acid sequences for the bovine cytokines interleukin 2 (boIL2), interleukin 4 (boIL4) or gamma interferon (boIFN-gamma) was constructed. Transient expression experiments revealed that the sequence of the intervening peptide influenced intracellular transport, maturation of the F protein and F-mediated syncytium formation. Expression of boIL2, boIL4 or boIFN-gamma in place of pep27 resulted in secretion of the cytokines into the culture medium. All mutated F proteins except the boIFN-gamma-containing variant could be expressed by and were functional for recombinant BRSV. Characterization of the cell culture properties of the recombinants demonstrated that the amino acid sequence between the two furin cleavage sites affected entry into target cells, direct spreading of virions from cell to cell and virus growth. Secretion of boIL2 and boIL4 into the medium of cells infected with the respective recombinants demonstrated that the F protein can be used to express secreted heterologous bioactive peptides or (glyco)proteins, which might be of interest for the development of novel RSV vaccines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Protein utilization of mixed feed rations in lactating pigs with reference to the essential amino acid content of the feed proteins. 3. Report. Correlation between the protein metabolism data and the amino acid content of the dietary protein].

Protein utilization data were established in N balance trials with lactating sows fed various dietary proteins. The data obtained were compared with the amino acid indices of the dietary proteins and regression equations were established for the relations existing between these data. Additionally, simple and multiple regressions were calculated for relationships between the levels of N balance and the levels of crude protein intake, digestible crude protein, lysine per kg of milk production or lysine and all the other essential amino acids per 10 g of milk N. A relation was found between the level of daily lysine intake and all the other essential amino acids and the level of productive N utilization.

Amino Acids, Essential↗

Enhanced CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta-liver-enriched inhibitory protein production by Oltipraz, which accompanies CUG repeat-binding protein-1 (CUGBP1) RNA-binding protein activation, leads to inhibition of preadipocyte differentiation.

The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta-isoforms liver-enriched activator protein (LAP) and truncated dominant-negative liver-enriched inhibitory protein (LIP) differentially regulate adipogenesis. We previously demonstrated that oltipraz (5-[2-pyrazinyl]-4-methyl-1,2-dithiol-3-thione), a cancer-chemopreventive agent, promotes C/EBPbeta-LAP activation in hepatocytes. This study investigated whether oltipraz affects adipocyte differentiation and, if so, the molecular basis for the alterations in adipogenesis. The expression of LIP notably increased 6 to 48 h after oltipraz treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, whereas that of LAP was minimally changed. Oltipraz treatment approximately 3-fold elevated the ratio of LIP to LAP. Immunoblot, gel-shift, and Southwestern analyses revealed that oltipraz enhanced the levels of nuclear LIP and LAP and their binding to the C/EBP-binding site. Cotransfection of predipocytes with the plasmid encoding LIP interfered with LAP-mediated luciferase expression, confirming the inhibitory role of LIP in gene expression. Likewise, LAP-mediated luciferase gene transactivation was inhibited by oltipraz, as was observed by cotransfection of a dominant-negative mutant form of C/EBP. Oltipraz enhanced cytoplasmic translocation and RNA binding of CUG repeat-binding protein-1 (CUGBP1) but not calreticulin, another RNA-binding protein that interacts with C/EBPbeta mRNA. When 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiate by exposure to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin, oltipraz markedly inhibited hormone-induced adipocyte differentiation. In primary cultured rat preadipocytes, oltipraz enhanced LIP production and inhibited adipocyte differentiation. In conclusion, oltipraz inhibits adipogenesis by promoting LIP production and activation, and the enhanced LIP production accompanies cytoplasmic translocation of CUGBP1 and its binding to the GC-rich region of C/EBPbeta mRNA. Our finding holds significance in that adipogenesis can be pharmacologically controlled by LIP production.

3T3-L1 Cells↗

Online size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography light scattering and differential refractometry methods to determine degree of polymer conjugation to proteins and protein-protein or protein-ligand association states.

Characterizing the solution structure of protein-polymer conjugates and protein-ligand interactions is important in fields such as biotechnology and biochemistry. Size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography with online classical light scattering (LS), refractive index (RI), and UV detection offers a powerful tool in such characterization. Novel methods are presented utilizing LS, RI, and UV signals to rapidly determine the degree of conjugation and the molecular mass of the protein conjugate. Baseline resolution of the chromatographic peaks is not required; peaks need only be sufficiently separated to represent relatively pure fractions. An improved technique for determining the polypeptide-only mass of protein conjugates is also described. These techniques are applied to determining the degree of erythropoietin glycosylation, the degree of polyethylene glycol conjugation to RNase A and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and the solution association states of these molecules. Calibration methods for the RI, UV, and LS detectors will also be addressed, as well as online methods to determine protein extinction coefficients and dn/dc values both unconjugated and conjugated protein molecules.

Animals↗

The homeodomain protein Arix promotes protein kinase A-dependent activation of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase promoter through multiple elements and interaction with the coactivator cAMP-response element-binding protein-binding protein.

The differentiation and maintenance of a neurotransmitter phenotype is guided by the interaction of exogenous cues with intrinsic genetic machinery. For the noradrenergic phenotype, these influences combine to activate the expression of the catecholaminergic biosynthetic enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). In this study, we evaluate the molecular mechanisms by which the transcription factor Arix/Phox2a contributes to DBH gene transcription. We have evaluated the contribution of individual homeodomain binding sites in the rat DBH promoter region and find that all are essential for both basal and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-stimulated transcription. Using mammalian one-hybrid and two-hybrid systems, we demonstrate that recruitment of Arix to the positions of homeodomain core recognition sites 1 and 2 at -153 to -166 of the DBH gene restores complete responsiveness of the promoter to PKA in SHSY-5Y neuroblastoma and HepG2 hepatoma cells. Intracellular Arix-Arix interactions are evident and may contribute to the interdependence of homeodomain binding sites. Analysis of functional domains of Arix reveals an N-terminal activation domain and a C-terminal repression domain. The N terminus of Arix contains an amino acid motif similar to a region in Brachyury and Pax9 transcription factors. The N-terminal activation domain of Arix interacts with the transcriptional co-activator, cAMP-response element-binding protein-binding protein, which potentiates transcription from the DBH promoter in a PKA-dependent manner. The present study supports the hypothesis that the paired-like homeodomain protein, Arix, acts as a critical phenotype-specific regulator of the DBH promoter by serving as an integrator of signal-dependent transcription activators within the network of the general transcription machinery.

Animals↗

Sequence homology of rat and human HCNP precursor proteins, bovine phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein and rat 23-kDa protein associated with the opioid-binding protein.

The hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide (HCNP) enhances acetylcholine synthesis in rat medial septal tissues. We have cloned the cDNAs of the precursor proteins of rat and human HCNP and deduced their respective amino acid sequences. The HCNP sequences aligned at the N-terminal regions of their precursors. The deduced amino acid sequences showed homology with those of the bovine brain phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein and the rat protein associated with the opioid-binding protein. These observations suggest that the HCNP precursor proteins may have multiple functions.

Acetylcholine↗

Oxysterol-binding protein and vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein are required for sterol-dependent activation of the ceramide transport protein.

Sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol are coregulated metabolically and associate physically in membrane microdomains involved in cargo sorting and signaling. One mechanism for regulation of this metabolic interface involves oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) via high-affinity binding to oxysterol regulators of cholesterol homeostasis and activation of SM synthesis at the Golgi apparatus. Here, we show that OSBP regulation of SM synthesis involves the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi ceramide transport protein (CERT). RNA interference (RNAi) experiments in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells revealed that OSBP and vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein (VAP) were required for stimulation of CERT-dependent ceramide transport and SM synthesis by 25-hydroxycholesterol and cholesterol depletion in response to cyclodextrin. Additional RNAi experiments in human embryonic kidney 293 cells supported OSBP involvement in oxysterol-activated SM synthesis and also revealed a role for OSBP in basal SM synthesis. Activation of ER-to-Golgi ceramide transport in CHO-K1 cells required interaction of OSBP with the ER and Golgi apparatus, OSBP-dependent Golgi translocation of CERT, and enhanced CERT-VAP interaction. Regulation of CERT by OSBP, sterols, and VAP reveals a novel mechanism for integrating sterol regulatory signals with ceramide transport and SM synthesis in the Golgi apparatus.

Animals↗

Lipid-protein and protein-protein interactions in double recombinants of myelin proteolipid apoprotein and myelin basic protein with dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol.

The integral proteolipid apoprotein (PLP) from bovine spinal cord has been reconstituted in dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) bilayers, and the mutual interactions on binding the peripheral myelin basic protein (MBP) have been studied. Quantitation of protein and lipid contents in the MBP-PLP-DMPG double recombinants at different PLP:DMPG ratios led to the conclusion that MBP binds only to the DMPG lipid headgroups and is hindered from interaction with the first shell of lipids surrounding the PLP. No specific PLP-MBP association could be detected. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of phosphatidylglycerol spin-labeled at position n = 5 in the sn-2 chain showed that complexation of MBP with the PLP-DMPG recombinants leads to a decrease in lipid chain mobility to an extent which correlates with the degree of MBP binding. At low DMPG:PLP ratios, the perturbations of lipid mobility by both proteins are mutually enhanced. In single recombinants of PLP with DMPG, the ESR spectra of phosphatidylglycerol spin-labeled at position n = 14 in the sn-2 chain indicated that approximately 10 lipids/protein are motionally restricted by direct contact with the intramembranous surface of the protein. This number is in agreement with earlier results for reconstitutions of PLP in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) [Brophy, P. J., Horváth, L. I., & Marsh, D. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 860-865] and is consistent with a hexameric arrangement of the PLP molecules in DMPG bilayers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The Gla26 residue of protein C is required for the binding of protein C to thrombomodulin and endothelial cell protein C receptor, but not to protein S and factor Va.

A functionally defective protein C (PC)-Mie, detected the plasma of a patient with hereditary thrombophilia, has Lys substituted for gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla)26 residue. The activation rate of PC-Mie by Protac or thrombin in the absence of Ca2+ and that by thrombin with native thrombomodulin (TM), recombinant soluble truncated TM or on cultured endothelial cells in the presence of Ca2+ were all apparently lower than that of normal PC. The anticoagulant activity of Protac-activated PC (APC)-Mie on the plasma clotting time and the rate of inactivation of factor Va by APC-Mie in the presence of phospholipids were lower than those seen with normal APC. APC-Mie and normal APC bound equally to protein S and to biotinyl-factor Va. However, neither PC-Mie nor APC-Mie bound to phospholipids and to cultured human endothelial cells. It was similar to that observed with Gladomainless PC/APC, but different from that seen with normal PC/APC. These results suggest that Gla26-dependent conformation is required for the binding of PC/APC to phospholipids, TM and the surface of endothelial cell PC/APC receptor, but not to protein S and factor Va.

1-Carboxyglutamic Acid↗

Protein-protein and protein-salt interactions in aqueous protein solutions containing concentrated electrolytes.

Protein-protein and protein-salt interactions have been obtained for ovalbumin in solutions of ammonium sulfate and for lysozyme in solutions of ammonium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium isothiocyanate, and potassium chloride. The two-body interactions between ovalbumin molecules in concentrated ammonium-sulfate solutions can be described by the DLVO potentials plus a potential that accounts for the decrease in free volume available to the protein due to the presence of the salt ions. The interaction between ovalbumin and ammonium sulfate is unfavorable, reflecting the kosmotropic nature of sulfate anions. Lysozyme-lysozyme interactions cannot be described by the above potentials because anion binding to lysozyme alters these interactions. Lysozyme-isothiocyanate complexes are strongly attractive due to electrostatic interactions resulting from bridging by the isothiocyanate ion. Lysozyme-lysozyme interactions in sulfate solutions are more repulsive than expected, possibly resulting from a larger excluded volume of a lysozyme-sulfate bound complex or perhaps, hydration forces between the lysozyme-sulfate complexes.

Animals↗

Comparative analysis of specificity in protein-protein interactions. Part I.: A theoretical and mathematical approach to specificity in protein-protein interactions.

The definition of informational complementarity (IC) is introduced and a comparative computer method is described to analyse the possible sources of the specificity in some protein-protein (P-P) interactions. The essence of this method is the step-by-step comparison of the primary structures of the proteins regarding the frequency and sequence (distribution) of one or more selected amino acids. The calculation of the probability of finding two different amino acids in two different protein parts by the same frequency and distribution (Random Pair Building, RPB) and it's checking with the number of actually found pairs (Concrete Pair Building, CPB) and with the number of maximal available pair forming (Maximal Pair Building, MPB) may give the chance to find IC sequences and to understand the nature of specific P-P interactions. The usefulness of this method for analysing intramolecular structures and intermolecular interactions is discussed and an example is presented how it may be used.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Electron-transfer studies involving flavodoxin and a natural redox partner, the iron protein of nitrogenase. Conformational constraints on protein-protein interactions and the kinetics of electron transfer within the protein complex.

The kinetics of electron-transfer reactions involving flavodoxins from Klebsiella pneumoniae (KpFld), Azotobacter chroococcum (AcFld), Anacystis nidulans (AnFld) and Megasphaera elsdenii (MeFld), the free, MgADP-bound and MgATP-bound forms of the Fe protein component of nitrogenase from K. pneumoniae [Kp2, Kp2(MgADP)2 and Kp2(MgATP)2] and Na2S2O4 were studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Kinetic evidence was obtained for the formation of binary protein complexes involving KpFldSQ (semiquinone) with either Kp2(MgADP)2 (KD = 49 microM) or Kp2(MgATP)2 (KD = 13 microM) but not with Kp2 (KD greater than 730 microM). The binding of 2MgATP or 2MgADP to Kp2 therefore not only shifts the midpoint potential (Em) of the [4Fe-4S] centre from -200 mV to -320 mV or -350 mV respectively but also changes the affinity of Kp2 for KpFldSQ. Thermodynamically unfavourable electron from Kp2(MgADP)2 and Kp2(MgATP)2 to KpFldSQ occurs within the protein complexes with k = 1.2 s-1 (delta E = -72 mV) and 0.5 s-1 (delta E = -120 mV) respectively. Although AcFldSQ is reduced by Kp2, Kp2(MgADP)2 and Kp2(MgATP)2 (k = 8 x 10(3), 2.4 x 10(3) and 9 x 10(2) M-1.s-1 respectively), protein-complex formation is weak in each case (KD greater than 700 microM). Electron transfer in the physiologically important and thermodynamically favourable direction from Kp2FldHQ (hydroquinone) and AcFldHQ to Kp2ox.(MgADP)2 (the state of Kp2 that accepts electrons from FldHQ in the catalytic cycle of nitrogenase) is rapid (k greater than 10(6) M-1.s-1). The second-order rate constants for the reduction of KpFldSQ, AcFldSQ, AnFldSQ and MeFldSQ by SO2.- (active reductant formed by the predissociation of S2O4(2-) ion) exhibited the linear free-energy relationship predicted by the Marcus theory of electron transfer.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

N-Labelled proteins by cell-free protein synthesis. Strategies for high-throughput NMR studies of proteins and protein-ligand complexes.

[(15)N]-heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) spectra provide a readily accessible fingerprint of [(15)N]-labelled proteins, where the backbone amide group of each nonproline amino acid residue contributes a single cross-peak. Cell-free protein synthesis offers a fast and economical route to enhance the information content of [(15)N]-HSQC spectra by amino acid type selective [(15)N]-labelling. The samples can be measured without chromatographic protein purification, dilution of isotopes by transaminase activities are suppressed, and a combinatorial isotope labelling scheme can be adopted that combines reduced spectral overlap with a minimum number of samples for the identification of all [(15)N]-HSQC cross-peaks by amino acid residue type. These techniques are particularly powerful for tracking [(15)N]-HSQC cross-peaks after titration with unlabelled ligand molecules or macromolecular binding partners. In particular, combinatorial isotope labelling can provide complete cross-peak identification by amino acid type in 24 h, including protein production and NMR measurement.

Cell-Free System↗

Biomolecular simulations: recent developments in force fields, simulations of enzyme catalysis, protein-ligand, protein-protein, and protein-nucleic acid noncovalent interactions.

Computer modeling has been developed and widely applied in studying molecules of biological interest. The force field is the cornerstone of computer simulations, and many force fields have been developed and successfully applied in these simulations. Two interesting areas are (a) studying enzyme catalytic mechanisms using a combination of quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics, and (b) studying macromolecular dynamics and interactions using molecular dynamics (MD) and free energy (FE) calculation methods. Enzyme catalysis involves forming and breaking of covalent bonds and requires the use of quantum mechanics. Noncovalent interactions appear ubiquitously in biology, but here we confine ourselves to review only noncovalent interactions between protein and protein, protein and ligand, and protein and nucleic acids.

Catalysis↗

Induction of glucose-regulated protein (glucose-regulated protein 78/BiP and glucose-regulated protein 94) and heat shock protein 70 transcripts in the immature rat brain following status epilepticus.

Prior to 21 days of age, the immature rat brain is relatively resistant to excitotoxicity caused by the glutamate analogue, kainate. As stress-inducible proteins (GRP78, GRP94 and HSP70) have been proposed to possess molecular chaperone activity and protect cells from the deleterious effects of damaged proteins, we examined the pattern of expression of their respective messenger RNAs following systemic kainate at different postnatal ages. In untreated rats between seven and 21 days old, there was a higher basal level of grp78 and grp94 expression compared to hsp70. Unlike hsp70, which was inducible only in 21-day-old rats, kainate-mediated grp94 induction occurred in several regions of the brain as early as postnatal day 7. Grp78 messenger RNA expression was also increased by kainate treatment in 14-day-old rats, and the induction was most pronounced in the kainate-resistant dentate gyrus. With increasing age, longer lasting expression of both grp78 and grp94 messenger RNAs was observed in kainate-vulnerable regions, similar to observations in the adult rat brain. These results demonstrate non-overlapping expression patterns of glucose-regulated proteins and HSP70 in the immature central nervous system, suggesting that they serve different functions. While hsp70 induction could be a marker for potential cell injury and death, increased expression of grp78 and grp94 could play a neuroprotective role in the developing rat brain.

Animals↗

Calmodulin and protein kinase C cross-talk: the MARCKS protein is an actin filament and plasma membrane cross-linking protein regulated by protein kinase C phosphorylation and by calmodulin.

The myristoylated, alanine-rich C kinase (PKC) substrate (MARCKS) is a major, specific substrate of PKC that is phosphorylated during macrophage and neutrophil activation, growth factor-dependent mitogenesis and neurosecretion. MARCKS is also a calmodulin-binding protein and binding of calmodulin inhibits phosphorylation of the protein by PKC. Several recent observations from our laboratories suggest a role for MARCKS in cellular morphology and motility. First, in macrophages MARCKS is located at points of cellular adherence where actin filaments insert at the plasma membrane and is released to the cytoplasm upon activation of PKC. Second, during neutrophil chemotaxis MARCKS undergoes a cycle of release from, and reassociation with, the plasma membrane. Third, in vitro, MARCKS is an F-actin cross-linking protein whose activity is inhibited by PKC-mediated phosphorylation and by binding to calmodulin. MARCKS therefore appears to be a regulated cross-bridge between actin and the plasma membrane. Regulation of the plasma membrane-binding and actin-binding properties of MARCKS represents a convergence of the PKC and calmodulin signal transduction pathways in the control of actin cytoskeleton-plasma membrane interactions.

Actins↗