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SHIP, a new player in cytokine-induced signalling.

We recently purified and cloned the cDNAs for the murine and human forms of a novel 145 kDa inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (5-ptase) that becomes tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with Shc following stimulation of hemopoietic cells with multiple cytokines. Unlike most 5-ptases which hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol-4,5-P2-bisphosphate (PI-4,5-P2) and/or inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (I-1,4,5-P3), this enzyme selectively hydrolyzes the 5'-phosphate from inositol-1,3,4,5-tetraphosphate (I-1,3,4,5-P4) and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI-3,4,5-P3), two inositol polyphosphates recently implicated in growth factor-mediated signalling. This 5-ptase is also unique among 5-ptases in that it is the only one to date to possess an SH2 domain. In this review we discuss the cloning, the Shc binding and the potential role of this protein, which we call SHIP, for SH2-containing inositol 5-phosphatase, in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Hydrolytic reactions of diadenosine 5',5'-triphosphate.

The hydrolysis of diadenosine 5',5'-triphosphate to AMP and ADP has been studied over a wide pH-range. Under acidic conditions the reaction shows a first-order dependence on the hydronium ion concentration. Below pH 3 the rate-increase begins to level off. From pH 6 to 9 the hydrolysis is slow and pH-independent. Base-catalysed hydrolysis is observed in NaOH-solutions. Under alkaline conditions an intramolecular nucleophilic attack on the phosphate producing 3',5'-cAMP is also observed, but it is slower than the intermolecular reaction. Depurination of the adenosine moieties competes with the hydrolysis both under acidic and alkaline conditions, but the mechanisms are different. The temperature-dependence of the hydrolysis of Ap(3)A and the depurination of adenosine moieties were studied under acidic conditions, and the activation parameters of the reactions were calculated. The results of the work reflect the fact that the negatively charged polyphosphate group is very resistant towards nucleophilic attack. An efficient catalysis is only observed under acidic conditions, where the phosphate group becomes protonated. General acids or bases did not catalyse the hydrolysis. Furthermore, hydroxide ion catalysed cleavage is only observed at high base concentrations and other negatively charged nucleophiles did not attack the phosphate groups of diadenosine polyphosphates.

Dinucleoside Phosphates↗

Formation and metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in human platelets.

1. myo-[3H]Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], when added to lysed platelets, was rapidly converted into [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4], which was in turn converted into [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4)P3]. This result demonstrates that platelets have the same metabolic pathways for interconversion of inositol polyphosphates that are found in other cells. 2. Labelling of platelets with [32P]Pi, followed by h.p.l.c., was used to measure thrombin-induced changes in the three inositol polyphosphates. Interfering compounds were removed by a combination of enzymic and non-enzymic techniques. 3. Ins(1,4,5)P3 was formed rapidly, and reached a maximum at about 4 s. It was also rapidly degraded, and was no longer detectable after 30-60 s. 4. Formation of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was almost as rapid as that of Ins(1,4,5)P3, and it remained detectable for a longer time. 5. Ins(1,3,4)P3 was formed after an initial lag, and this isomer reached its maximum, which was 10-fold higher than that of Ins(1,4,5)P3, at 30 s. 6. Comparison of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration as measured with fura-2 indicates that agents other than Ins(1,4,5)P3 are responsible for the sustained maintenance of a high concentration of intracellular Ca2+. It is proposed that either Ins(1,3,4)P3 or Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 may also be Ca2+-mobilizing agents.

Blood Platelets↗

Inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate and inositol 1,2- and/or 2,3-bisphosphate are normal constituents of mammalian cells.

1. An inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) distinct from Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4)P3, which we previously observed in myeloid and lymphoid cells [French, Bunce, Stephens, Lord, McConnell, Brown, Creba and Michell (1991) Proc R. Soc. London B 245, 193-201; Bunce, French, Allen, Mountford, Moore, Greaves, Michell and Brown (1993) Biochem. J. 289, 667-673], is present in WRK1 rat mammary tumour cells and pancreatic endocrine beta-cells. 2. It has been identified as Ins(1,2,3)P3 by a combination of oxidation to ribitol, a structurally diagnostic polyol, and ammoniacal hydrolysis to identified inositol monophosphates. 3. Ins(1,2,3)P3 concentration in HL60 cells changed little during stimulation by ATP or fMetLeuPhe or during neutrophilic or monocytic differentiation, and Ins(1,2,3)P3 was unresponsive to vasopressin in WRK1 cells. 4. Ins(1,2,3)P3 was usually more abundant than Ins(1,4,5)P3, often being present at concentrations between approximately 1 microM and approximately 10 microM. 5. HL60, WRK-1 and lymphoid cells also contain Ins(1,2)P2 or Ins(2,3)P2, or a mixture of these two enantiomers, as a major InsP2 species. 6. Ins(1,2,3)P3 and Ins(1,2)P2/Ins(2,3)P2 are readily detected in cells labelled for long periods, but not in acutely labelled cells. This behaviour resembles that of InsP6, the most abundant cellular inositol polyphosphate that includes the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif, which also achieves isotopic equilibrium with inositol only slowly. 7. Ins(1,2,3)P3 is the major InsP3 that accumulates during metabolism of InsP6 by WRK-1 cell homogenates. 8. Possible metabolic relationships between Ins(1,2,3)P3, Ins(1,2)P2/Ins(2,3)P2 and other inositol polyphosphates in cells, and a possible role for Ins(1,2,3)P3 in cellular iron handling, are considered.

Animals↗

Characterization of the binding of diadenosine 5',5'''-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) to rat liver cell membranes.

Diadenosine polyphosphates present in the extracellular environment can, through interaction with appropriate purinoceptors, influence a range of cellular activities. Here we have investigated the nature of the ligand:receptor interactions involved in diadenosine 5',5'''-P1, P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A)-mediated stimulation of glycogen breakdown in isolated rat liver cells. [2-3H]Ap4A showed specific binding to both intact isolated liver cells and plasma membrane fractions prepared from isolated liver cells. HPLC analysis confirmed that binding was mediated by intact Ap4A and not by potential breakdown products (e.g. ATP, adenosine, etc.). Binding of [2-3H]Ap4A, to isolated liver cell plasma membrane preparations, was successfully displaced by a range of both naturally occurring and synthetic diadenosine polyphospates with the rank order potency Ap4A > or = Ap5A > Ap6A > Ap3A > Ap2A. [2-3H]Ap4A binding was not displaced by P1 effectors but was successfully displaced by a range of P2 effectors with the rank order potency 2-methylthio-ATP > ATP > ATP > or = adenosine 5'-[alpha beta-methylene]triphosphate > adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-methylene]triphospate. These findings are consistent with the interaction of Ap4A with a P2y-like subclass of purinoceptor and are discussed in relation to (1) the known purinoceptor populations in liver cell plasma membranes and (2) observations concerning the binding of diadenosine polyphosphates to purinoceptors in other tissues.

Animals↗

Inositol hexakisphosphate in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: synthesis from Ins(1,4,5)P3 and osmotic regulation.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe extracts synthesize InsP6 (myo-inositol hexaphosphate) from Ins(1,4,5)P3 plus ATP. An S. pombe soluble fraction converts Ins(1,4,5)P3 into Ins(1,4,5,6)P4 and Ins(1,3,4, 5)P4, in a constant ratio of approximately 5:1, and thence to Ins(1, 3,4,5,6)P5 and InsP6. We have purified a soluble Mg2+-dependent kinase of molecular mass approximately 41 kDa that makes Ins(1,4,5, 6)P4 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in the same ratio and also converts Ins(1,4, 5,6)P4 or Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 into Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and InsP6. Of InsP3 isomers other than Ins(1,4,5)P3, only the non-biological molecule Ins(1,4,6)P3 potently 'competed' with all steps in conversion of Ins(1,4,5)P3 into InsP6. Examination of molecular graphics representations allowed us to draw tentative conclusions about the environment needed for an hydroxyl group to be phosphorylated by this kinase and to predict successfully that the purified kinase would phosphorylate the 5-hydroxyl of Ins(1,4,6)P3. S. pombe that have been cultured with [3H]inositol contains a variety of 3H-labelled inositol polyphosphates, with Ins(1,4,5)P3 and InsP6 the most prominent, and the InsP6 concentration quickly increases in hyper-osmotically stressed S. pombe. This yeast therefore contains InsP6 and Ins(1,4,5)P3 as normal constituents, makes more InsP6 when hyper-osmotically stressed and contains a versatile inositol polyphosphate kinase that synthesizes InsP6 from Ins(1,4,5)P3.

Homeostasis↗

Evolution of the diverse biological roles of inositols.

Several of the nine hexahydroxycylohexanes (inositols) have functions in Biology, with myo-inositol (Ins) in most of the starring roles; and Ins polyphosphates are amongst the most abundant organic phosphate constituents on Earth. Many Archaea make Ins and use it as a component of diphytanyl membrane phospholipids and the thermoprotective solute di-L-Ins-1,1'-phosphate. Few bacteria make Ins or use it, other than as a carbon source. Those that do include hyperthermophilic Thermotogales (which also employ di-L-Ins-1,1'-phosphate) and actinomycetes such as Mycobacterium spp. (which use mycothiol, an inositol-containing thiol, as an intracellular redox reagent and have characteristic phosphatidylinositol-linked surface oligosaccharides). Bacteria acquired their Ins3P synthases by lateral gene transfer from Archaea. Many eukaryotes, including stressed plants, insects, deep-sea animals and kidney tubule cells, adapt to environmental variation by making or accumulating diverse inositol derivatives as 'compatible' solutes. Eukaryotes use phosphatidylinositol derivatives for numerous roles in cell signalling and regulation and in protein anchoring at the cell surface. Remarkably, the diradylglycerol cores of archaeal and eukaryote/bacterial glycerophospholipids have mirror image configurations: sn-2,3 and sn-1,2 respectively. Multicellular animals and amoebozoans exhibit the greatest variety of functions for PtdIns derivatives, including the use of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 as a signal. Evolutionarily, it seems likely that (i) early archaeons first made myo-inositol approx. 3500 Ma (million years) ago; (ii) archeons brought inositol derivatives into early eukaryotes (approx. 2000 Ma?); (iii) soon thereafter, eukaryotes established ubiquitous functions for phosphoinositides in membrane trafficking and Ins polyphosphate synthesis; and (iv) since approx. 1000 Ma, further waves of functional diversification in amoebozoans and metazoans have introduced Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor Ca2+ channels and the messenger role of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3.

Biological Evolution↗

Analysis of the microbial community structure and function of a laboratory scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal reactor.

A laboratory scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) operating for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) and fed with a mixture of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) showed stable and efficient EBPR capacity over a four-year-period. Phosphorus (P), poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and glycogen cycling consistent with classical anaerobic/aerobic EBPR were demonstrated with the order of anaerobic VFA uptake being propionate, acetate then butyrate. The SBR was operated without pH control and 63.67 +/- 13.86 mg P l-1 was released anaerobically. The P% of the sludge fluctuated between 6% and 10% over the operating period (average of 8.04 +/- 1.31%). Four main morphological types of floc-forming bacteria were observed in the sludge during one year of in-tensive microscopic observation. Two of them were mainly responsible for anaerobic/aerobic P and PHA transformations. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and post-FISH chemical staining for intracellular polyphosphate and PHA were used to determine that 'Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis' was the most abundant polyphosphate accumulating organism (PAO), forming large clusters of coccobacilli (1.0-1.5 micro m) and comprising 53% of the sludge bacteria. Also by these methods, large coccobacillus-shaped gammaproteobacteria (2.5-3.5 micro m) from a recently described novel cluster were glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) comprising 13% of the bacteria. Tetrad-forming organisms (TFOs) consistent with the 'G bacterium' morphotype were alphaproteobacteria, but not Amaricoccus spp., and comprised 25% of all bacteria. According to chemical staining, TFOs were occasionally able to store PHA anaerobically and utilize it aerobically.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Muscarinic cholinoceptor-stimulated synthesis and degradation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the rat cerebellar granule cell.

A detailed analysis of the generation and subsequent metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] following muscarinic cholinoceptor stimulation in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells has been undertaken. Following incubation of cerebellar granule cell cultures with [3H]inositol for 48 h, labelling of the inositol phospholipid pool approached equilibrium. Significant basal labelling of inositol pentakisphosphate (InsP5) and inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6), as well as inositol mono- to tetrakisphosphate, fractions was observed. Addition of carbachol (1 mM) caused an immediate increase in level of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (peak increase two-fold over basal by 60 s), which was well-maintained over the initial 300 s following agonist addition. In contrast, only a modest, more slowly developing, increase in inositol tetrakisphosphate accumulation was observed, whereas labelling of InsP5 and InsP6 was entirely unaffected by carbachol stimulation. Analysis of the products of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate metabolism in broken cell preparations strongly suggested that Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolism occurs predominantly via the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase route, with metabolism via the Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase being a relatively minor pathway. In view of the pattern of inositol (poly)phosphate metabolites observed on stimulation of the muscarinic receptor, it seems likely that, over the time course studied, the inositol polyphosphates are derived principally from phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, although some hydrolysis of phosphatidyl-inositol 4-phosphate cannot be excluded.

Animals↗

Stable isotope composition of organic compounds transported in the phloem of European beech--evaluation of different methods of phloem sap collection and assessment of gradients in carbon isotope composition during leaf-to-stem transport.

The analysis of stable isotope composition (delta13C, delta15N, delta18O) of phloem-transported organic matter is a useful tool for assessing short-term carbon and water balance of trees. A major constraint of the general application of this method to trees at natural field sites is that the collection of phloem sap with the "phloem bleeding" technique is restricted to particular species and plant parts. To overcome this restriction, we compared the contents (amino compounds and sugars) and isotope signatures (delta13C, delta15N, delta18O) of phloem sap directly obtained from incisions in the bark (bleeding technique) with phloem exudates where bark pieces were incubated in aqueous solutions (phloem exudation technique with and without chelating agents [EDTA, polyphosphate] in the initial sampling solution, which prevent blocking of sieve tubes). A comparable spectrum of amino compounds and sugars was detected using the different techniques. O, C, or N compounds in the initial sampling solution originating from the chelating agents always decreased precision of determination of the respective isotopic signatures, as indicated by higher standard deviation, and/or led to a significant difference of mean delta as compared to the phloem bleeding technique. Hence, depending on the element from which the ratio of heavy to light isotope is determined, compounds lacking C, N, and/or O should be used as chelating agents in the exudation solution. In applying the different techniques, delta13C of organic compounds transported in the phloem of the twig (exudation technique with polyphosphate as chelating agent) were compared with those in the phloem of the main stem (phloem bleeding technique) in order to assess possible differences in carbon isotope composition of phloem carbohydrates along the tree axis. In July, organic compounds in the stem phloem were significantly enriched in 13C by > 1.3 per thousand as compared to the twig phloem, whereas this effect was not observed in September. Correlation analysis between delta13C and stomatal conductance (Gs) revealed the gradient from the twigs to the stem observed in July may be attributed to temporal differences rather than to spatial differences in carbon isotope composition of sugars. As various authors have produced conflicting results regarding the enrichment/depletion of 13C in organic compounds in the leaf-to-stem transition, the different techniques presented in this paper can be used to provide further insight into fractionation processes associated with transport of C compounds from leaves to branches and down the main stem.

Biological Transport↗

Reversibility of the pyrophosphoryl transfer from ATP to GTP by Escherichia coli stringent factor.

The stringent factor-catalyzed, ribosome-dependent synthesis of guanosine polyphosphates is found to be reversible. The reverse reaction specifically requires 5'-AMP as the pyrophosphoryl acceptor, and guanosine 5'-triphosphate-3'-diphosphate is preferentially utilized as the pyrophosphoryl donor. The primary products of the reaction are GTP and ATP. The reverse reaction is strongly inhibited by the antibiotics thiostrepton and tetracycline, and by ATP and beta-gamma-methylene-adenosine-triphosphate, but not by ADP, GTP, and GDP. The reverse reaction occurs under conditions for nonribosomal synthesis. The overall reaction for stringent factor-catalyzed guanosine polyphosphate formation may thus be formulated: (p)pp5'G + ppp5'A right harpoon over left harpoon (p)pp5'G3'pp + p5'A.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

High resolution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies of intact yeast cells.

High resolution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra at 145.7 MHZ are presented for intact yeast cells. Several peaks are resolved and assigned. They include the middle phosphate peaks from long chain or cyclic polyphosphates. Our results are consistent with the suggestion that these polyphosphates act as a phosphate store in the cell. We have also been able to measure cytoplasmic pH using the orthophosphate peak inside the cell, as compared with outside the cell. The results show that yeast cells maintain their cytoplasmic pH around 6.3. This value is considerably higher than the acidic extracellular pH at which they normally live. These preliminary results indicate that 31P NMR at 145.7 MHZ can be a rapid, informative, and non-invasive method for probing biochemical events within living cells.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

Sites of transcription initiation in vivo on Xenopus laevis ribosomal DNA.

We report the results of a novel method for locating sites of transcription initiation using a complex of capping enzymes from vaccinia virions that catalyze the reaction pppG + S-adenosylmethionine + (p)ppXpYpZp..... -->(7m)GpppXpYpZp..... [Ensinger, M. J., Martin, S. A., Paoletti, E. and Moss, B. (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 72, 2525-2529]. This enzyme complex will cap di- or triphosphate termini but will not cap monophosphate or hydroxyl termini. Xenopus laevis 40S precursor rRNA from oocytes is capped by these enzymes, and we conclude that it has 5'-polyphosphate termini. Therefore, 40S RNA must represent the primary transcript of amplified X. laevis ribosomal DNA. The majority of 40S molecules with polyphosphate termini begin with the sequence (p)ppAAG. There is evidence, however, that the 5' terminus may be heterogeneous. The majority of all detectable initiation events were localized close to the region coding for the 5' end of the 40S RNA. No initiation sites were detected in the nontranscribed spacer, but an apparent initiation site in the middle of the transcribed region was also observed.

Animals↗

Isolation of 1-monomethylphosphoinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [a product of methanolysis of inositol 1,2-(cyclic)-4,5-trisphosphate] from Swiss mouse 3T3 cells.

We have noted two previously undescribed inositol polyphosphates in neutral methanol extracts from Swiss mouse 3T3 cells that were grown in [3H]inositol and stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor. They have been identified as 1-monomethylphosphoinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and 1-monomethylphosphoinositol 4-phosphate by comparison to a synthesized standard using HPLC chromatography, paper electrophoresis, and enzymatic dephosphorylation with inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphomonoesterase and intestinal alkaline phosphatase [orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum), EC 3.1.3.1]. We propose that these compounds are formed by methanolysis of inositol 1,2-(cyclic)-4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,2-(cyclic)-4-bisphosphate present in the cells. Inositol cyclic phosphates did not react with neutral methanol in the absence of the cells, which are required for the methanolysis reaction. These findings suggest a role for inositol cyclic phosphates as reactive compounds that are added to as yet unidentified cellular acceptors.

Animals↗

A novel, phospholipase C-independent pathway of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation in Dictyostelium and rat liver.

In an earlier study a mutant Dictyostelium cell-line (plc-) was constructed in which all phospholipase C activity was disrupted and nonfunctional, yet these cells had nearly normal Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels (Drayer, A.L., Van Der Kaay, J., Mayr, G.W, Van Haastert, P.J.M. (1990) EMBO J. 13, 1601-1609). We have now investigated if these cells have a phospholipase C-independent de novo pathway of Ins(1,4,5)P3 synthesis. We found that homogenates of plc- cells produce Ins(1,4,5)P3 from endogenous precursors. The enzyme activities that performed these reactions were located in the particulate cell fraction, whereas the endogenous substrate was soluble and could be degraded by phytase. We tested various potential inositol polyphosphate precursors and found that the most efficient were Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, and Ins(1,4,5,6)P4. The utilization of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, which can be formed independently of phospholipase C by direct phosphorylation of inositol (Stephens, L.R. and Irvine, R.F. (1990) Nature 346, 580-582), provides Dictyostelium with an alternative and novel pathway of de novo Ins(1,4,5)P3 synthesis. We further discovered that Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 was converted to Ins(1,4,5)P3 via both Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and Ins(1,4,5,6)P4. In the absence of calcium no Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation could be observed; half-maximal activity was observed at low micromolar calcium concentrations. These reaction steps could also be performed by a single enzyme purified from rat liver, namely, the multiple inositol polyphosphate phosphatase. These data indicate that organisms as diverse as rat and Dictyostelium possess enzyme activities capable of synthesizing the second messengers Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 via a novel phospholipase C-independent pathway.

Animals↗

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is associated with specific proteins in the cytoplasm and membranes of Escherichia coli.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is well-known as a high molecular weight homopolymer of R-3-hydroxybutyrate which accumulates in storage granules within the cytosols of certain bacteria. Escherichia coli does not amass these granules; however, small amounts of low molecular weight PHB (<0.02% of dry weight) have been found in the plasma membranes in complexes with calcium polyphosphate; the complexes serve as voltage-activated calcium channels. Here we report that polyphosphate-complexed PHB is only a minor fraction of the polyester in E. coli. PHB comprises 0.36 to 0. 55% of the dry weight of log-phase cells, depending on culture medium, and this amount increases by 15 to 20% when the cells are made genetically competent. The PHB is widely distributed throughout the cell, wherein it is primarily associated with proteins. The identity of protein-associated PHB was established by antibody reaction, chemical assay, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. As expected, the physical and chemical properties of protein-associated PHB were found to be considerably different from those of the bulk polymer or granule PHB, e.g. protein-PHB complexes are normally insoluble in chloroform, soluble in water and alkaline hypochlorite, and are converted to crotonic acid more slowly on heating in concentrated sulfuric acid. Our studies indicate that the majority of cellular PHB (over 80%) is located in cytoplasmic proteins, especially proteins of the ribosomal fraction. Western immunoblots, probed with polyclonal anti-PHB IgG, revealed a number of PHB-polypeptides having a wide range of molecular weights in all cell fractions. These results suggest that PHB is a fundamental constituent of cells that may have physiological functions in addition to facilitating ion transmembrane transport or serving as a carbon reserve.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate binding activities of neuronal and non-neuronal synaptotagmins. Identification of conserved amino acid substitutions that abolish inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate binding to synaptotagmins III, V, and X.

Synaptotagmins I and II are essential for Ca2+-regulated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles from neurons, probably serving as Ca2+ sensors. This Ca2+-sensing function is thought to be disrupted by binding of an inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4) to the C2B domain of synaptotagmin I or II (Fukuda, M., Moreira, J. E., Lewis, F. M. T., Sugimori, M., Niinobe, M., Mikoshiba, K., and Llinás, R. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92, 10708-10712). Recently, several synaptotagmin isoforms, expressed outside the nervous system, have been identified in rats and proposed to be involved in constitutive vesicle traffic. To test whether the inositol high polyphosphates also regulate constitutive vesicle traffic by binding to the non-neuronal synaptotagmins, we examined the IP4 binding properties of the recombinant C2 domains of both neuronal (III, V, X, and XI) and non-neuronal (VI-VIII and IX) synaptotagmins. The C2B domains of synaptotagmins VII-IX and XI had strong IP4 binding activity, but the C2B domain of synaptotagmin VI showed very weak IP4 binding activity. In contrast, there was no significant IP4 binding activity of the C2B domains of synaptotagmins III, V, and X or any of the C2A domains. A phylogenetic tree of the C2 domains of 11 isoforms revealed that synaptotagmins III, V, VI, and X (IP4-insensitive or very weak IP4-binding isoforms) belong to the same branch. Based on the sequence comparison between the IP4-sensitive and -insensitive isoforms, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of synaptotagmin III and identified several amino acid substitutions that abolish IP4 binding activity. Our data suggest that the inositol high polyphosphates might also regulate constitutive vesicle traffic via binding to the IP4-sensitive non-neuronal synaptotagmins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae YOR163w gene encodes a diadenosine 5', 5"'-P1,P6-hexaphosphate (Ap6A) hydrolase member of the MutT motif (Nudix hydrolase) family.

The YOR163w open reading frame on chromosome XV of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome encodes a member of the MutT motif (nudix hydrolase) family of enzymes of Mr 21,443. By cloning and expressing this gene in Escherichia coli and S. cerevisiae, we have shown the product to be a (di)adenosine polyphosphate hydrolase with a previously undescribed substrate specificity. Diadenosine 5',5"'-P1, P6-hexaphosphate is the preferred substrate, and hydrolysis in H218O shows that ADP and adenosine 5'-tetraphosphate are produced by attack at Pbeta and AMP and adenosine 5'-pentaphosphate are produced by attack at Palpha with a Km of 56 microM and kcat of 0.4 s-1. Diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P5-pentaphosphate, adenosine 5'-pentaphosphate, and adenosine 5'-tetraphosphate are also substrates, but not diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P4-tetraphosphate or other dinucleotides, mononucleotides, nucleotide sugars, or nucleotide alcohols. The enzyme, which was shown to be expressed in log phase yeast cells by immunoblotting, displays optimal activity at pH 6.9, 50 degrees C, and 4-10 mM Mg2+ (or 200 microM Mn2+). It has an absolute requirement for a reducing agent, such as dithiothreitol (1 mM), and is inhibited by Ca2+ with an IC50 of 3.3 mM and F- (noncompetitively) with a Ki of 80 microM. Its function may be to eliminate potentially toxic dinucleoside polyphosphates during sporulation.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗