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Binding of the Src SH2 domain to phosphopeptides is determined by residues in both the SH2 domain and the phosphopeptides.

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains are found in a variety of signaling proteins and bind phosphotyrosine-containing peptide sequences. To explore the binding properties of the SH2 domain of the Src protein kinase, we used immobilized phosphopeptides to bind purified glutathione S-transferase-Src SH2 fusion proteins. With this assay, as well as a free-peptide competition assay, we have estimated the affinities of the Src SH2 domain for various phosphopeptides relative to a Src SH2-phosphopeptide interaction whose Kd has been determined previously (YEEI-P; Kd = 4 nM). Two Src-derived phosphopeptides, one containing the regulatory C-terminal Tyr-527 and another containing the autophosphorylation site Tyr-416, bind the Src SH2 domain in a specific though low-affinity manner (with about 10(4)-lower affinity than the YEEI-P peptide). A platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R) phosphopeptide containing Tyr-857 does not bind appreciably to the Src SH2 domain, suggesting it is not the PDGF-R binding site for Src as previously reported. However, another PDGF-R-derived phosphopeptide containing Tyr-751 does bind the Src SH2 domain (with an affinity approximately 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of YEEI-P). All of the phosphopeptides which bind to the Src SH2 domain contain a glutamic acid at position -3 or -4 with respect to phosphotyrosine; changing this residue to alanine greatly diminishes binding. We have also tested Src SH2 mutants for their binding properties and have interpreted our results in light of the recent crystal structure solution for the Src SH2 domain. Mutations in various conserved and nonconserved residues (R155A, R155K, N198E, H201R, and H201L) cause slight reductions in binding, while two mutations cause severe reductions. The W148E mutant domain, which alters the invariant tryptophan that marks the N-terminal border of the SH2 domain, binds poorly to phosphopeptides. Inclusion of the SH3 domain in the fusion protein partially restores the binding by the W148E mutant. A change in the invariant arginine that coordinates twice with phosphotyrosine in the peptide (R175L) results in a nearly complete loss of binding. The R175L mutant does display high affinity for the PDGF-R peptide containing Tyr-751, via an interaction that is at least partly phosphotyrosine independent. We have used this interaction to show that the R175L mutation also disrupts the intramolecular interaction between the Src SH2 domain and the phosphorylated C terminus within the context of the entire Src protein; thus, the binding properties observed for mutant domains in an in vitro assay appear to mimic those that occur in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence

Semi-preparative isolation of phosphopeptides derived from bovine casein and dephosphorylation of casein phosphopeptides.

Semi-preparative isolation of casein phosphopeptides (CPP) from a tryptic hydrolysate of bovine casein was performed applying a three-step procedure consisting of solid phase extraction, reversed phase HPLC and ion exchange chromatography. Dephosphorylation of CPP was achieved using immobilized alkaline phosphatase. The purified phosphopeptides and their dephosphorylated forms obtained by these methods are suitable for comparative studies on biological activities, especially mineral binding and immunmodulation.

Animals

Calorimetric examination of high-affinity Src SH2 domain-tyrosyl phosphopeptide binding: dissection of the phosphopeptide sequence specificity and coupling energetics.

SH2 domains are protein modules which interact with specific tyrosine phosphorylated sequences in target proteins. The SH2 domain of the Src kinase binds with high affinity to a tyrosine phosphorylated peptide containing the amino acids Glu, Glu, and Ile (EEI) at the positions +1, +2, and +3 C-terminal to the phosphotyrosine, respectively. To investigate the degree of selectivity of the Src SH2 domain for each amino acid of the EEI motif, the binding thermodynamics of a panel of substitutions at the +1 (Gln, Asp, Ala, Gly), +2 (Gln, Asp, Ala, Gly), and +3 (Leu, Val, Ala, Gly) positions were examined using titration microcalorimetry. It was revealed that the Src SH2 domain is insensitive (DeltaDeltaG degrees </= 0.6 kcal/mol) to conservative substitutions at all three peptide positions. However, mutation to Ala resulted in moderate reductions in DeltaG degrees, with the substitution at the +3 position showing the largest loss in affinity (DeltaDeltaG degrees = 1.4 kcal/mol), followed by the +2 (DeltaDeltaG degrees = 1.0 kcal/mol) and +1 (DeltaDeltaG degrees = 0.5 kcal/mol) positions. This hierarchy of binding was not reflected in the values of the heat capacity change, since only the peptide substituted to Ala at the +3 position showed a DeltaCp degrees that was reduced in magnitude compared to wild-type. To assess the degree of cooperation upon binding (or coupling) between the amino acids of the EEI sequence, the binding of a series of singly, doubly, and triply Ala substituted phosphopeptides was examined and analyzed using double mutant cycles. It was revealed that the effects of the Ala substitutions on DeltaG degrees were additive. However, nonadditive binding enthalpies were observed between the +1 Glu and +3 Ile, as well as the +2 Glu and +3 Ile, suggesting that communication occurs between residues of the EEI motif upon binding.

Alanine

Phosphopeptides as substrates for thylakoid protein phosphatase activity.

Lack of a suitable substrate has been a major obstacle in studying the chloroplastic thylakoid membrane protein phosphatase activity. In this study, the suitability of synthetic phosphopeptides for this purpose was investigated. Phosphothreonine-containing phosphopeptides mimicking the N-terminal phosphorylation site of the major thylakoid phosphoprotein, the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (LHCP-II), were dephosphorylated by isolated peak thylakoid membranes. Phosphopeptides representing unrelated sequences or in which the target phosphothreonine had been changed to a phosphoserine were not dephosphorylated. The dephosphorylation of phosphopeptides by thylakoid membranes was similar to the dephosphorylation of endogenous LHCP-II in its pH-dependence profile, sensitivity to inhibitors, and bivalent cation requirement. The same phosphopeptide analogs of the LHCP-II phosphorylation site inhibited endogenous LHCP-II dephosphorylation in isolated thylakoids, whereas the dephospho-analogs and nonsubstrate phosphopeptides had no effect. Collectively, these results suggest that phosphopeptides mimicking a thylakoid phosphoprotein dephosphorylation site can be exploited for further study of the thylakoid protein phosphatase activity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Evaluation of two-dimensional phosphopeptide maps by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of recovered peptides.

Intracellular signaling pathways are to a large extent regulated by reversible protein phosphorylation of pathway components. To fully investigate the regulation of these pathways, it is often necessary to identify the sites of protein phosphorylation induced on individual components. The low abundance of many of these molecules and the potentially low stoichiometry of phosphorylation means that conventional analytical techniques are incapable of identifying specific sites of modification inducible in vivo. The most common technique used is two-dimensional (2D) phosphopeptide mapping (electrophoresis, thin-layer chromatography) of peptides derived by proteolysis of a phosphoprotein. The number of spots detected is commonly interpreted as the number of sites of phosphorylation. Here we have achieved positive identification of phosphorylation sites by capillary high-performance liquid chromatography, with on-line mass spectrometric detection, of phosphopeptides recovered from 2D phosphopeptide maps. We demonstrate that the chemical composition of phosphopeptides is not altered during the 2D mapping procedure. By detailed analysis of the sites of phosphorylation induced in vitro on CD3-zeta by p56lck we demonstrate that interpretation of the sites of phosphorylation based on 2D phosphopeptide mapping alone is difficult. To minimize over- or misinterpretation of 2D phosphopeptide maps we therefore postulate rules that should be applied generally in cases in which protein phosphorylation sites are being evaluated by 2D phosphopeptide patterns alone.

Amino Acid Sequence

Selective detection and sequencing of phosphopeptides at the femtomole level by mass spectrometry.

We describe a new procedure that enables selective detection and sequencing of Ser-, Thr-, and Tyr-phosphopeptides at the low femtomole level in protein digests. Radiolabeling with 32P is not required, nor is prior chromatographic separation of the peptide mixture. One to two microliters of the unfractionated protein digest is infused at basic pH into an electrospray mass spectrometer at a flow rate of 20-40 nl/min using an ultra-low flow sprayer. A precursor-ion scan of m/z 79 (PO-3) produces a mass spectrum containing only the molecular ions of the phosphopeptides that are present in the sample. In cases where the protein sequence is known, the peptide molecular weights obtained are often sufficient to identify the specific sequences that are phosphorylated. If the protein sequence is not known, tandem MS with collision-induced dissociation of phosphopeptide precursor-ions may be used to obtain the amino acid sequences including the site(s) of phosphorylation. We demonstrate that phosphopeptides may be selectively detected using as little as 3 fmol of a 10 fmol/microl solution and that sequence information for a phosphopeptide in the mixture may be obtained using as little as 3 femtomole of the same solution. In addition, we show that the stoichiometry of phosphorylation at specific sites may be estimated from the ratio of the ion signals for the respective forms of the peptides observed in the normal full-scan mass spectra of the digest. These procedures are illustrated here to identify and sequence phosphopeptides from alpha-casein, a milk-derived protein possessing up to nine phosphorylation-sites. Numerous MS and tandem MS experiments were carried out on a single, 250 fmol/microl loading of the phosphoprotein digest. Phosphopeptides derived from an unexpected variant of the protein were also observed.

Amino Acid Sequence

Identification and subcellular distribution of adipocyte peptides and phosphopeptides.

Subcellular fractions of high purity (including plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, nuclei, and cytoplasm) were prepared from isolated adipocytes, and the peptide components were examined by detergent gel electrophoresis. Each fraction except the endoplasmic reticulum exhibited a unique and reproducible complement of major peptides. Although the endoplasmic reticulum was distinctive in its enzymic markers, its peptide components showed striking homologies with certain species in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The two major adipocyte glycopeptides appear to be contained in the plasma membrane, inasmuch as they followed the distribution of 5'-nucleotidase. Incubation of adipocytes with extracellular 32Pi led to a uniform rate of incorporation of 32P into cellular peptides, with steady-state incorporation reached by 2 hours. Plasma membrane, mitochondria, nuclei, and cytoplasm all contained a distinctive complement of from two to five major phosphopeptides of different molecular weights. The majority of endoplasmic reticulum phosphopeptides exhibited molecular weights closely similar to those of certain species in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The phosphopeptides of the plasma membrane exhibited the highest absolute 32P incorporation of all phosphopeptides, next was the single major mitochondiral phosphopeptide. All fractions except the mitochondria contained, in addition to the few major phosphopeptides, numerous minor 32P-labeled phosphopeptides.

Adipose Tissue

Phosphopeptide and phosphoprotein metabolism in brain.

Phosphopeptide and phosphoprotein phosphorylation was studied in rat brain microsomes and rat brain slices which were incubated in the presence of [gamma-32 P] ATP under various experimental conditions. Radioactive phosphoserine was isolated from phosphopeptides and phosphoproteins. Naplus, K+, Mg2+ and cyclic AMP had a stimulating effect on the labelling of phosphopeptides. Ouabain and Ca2+ lowered the level of 32P incorporation into the phosphopeptides. The phosphoproteins behaved similarly to the phosphopeptides except for the potassium effect. Chase experiments showed a faster decrease in the labelling of phosphopeptides than in phosphoproteins. We suggest that both compounds may be involved in active transport phenomena.

Adenosine Triphosphate

The presence and origin of phosphopeptides in human saliva.

The presence of phosphopeptides in whole saliva (saliva expectorated from the mouth) was demonstrated and their origin was evaluated. Whole saliva contained much larger numbers of small phosphopeptides than are found in the glandular secretions. Most of these originated from the acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs) in the major salivary glands and were formed, after secretion into the oral cavity, as a result of rapid degradation by proteolytic enzymes from extraglandular sources contained in sediment from whole saliva. Some peptides may have been formed by cleavage of basic PRPs, but other phosphoproteins apparently contributed little to the observed phosphopeptides. Most of the enzymes that produced phosphopeptides are serine proteinases. The gel-electrophoretic band patterns of the phosphopeptides obtained from 26 individuals of various acidic-PRP phenotypes were remarkably similar, demonstrating that the enzymes responsible were generally present in the population surveyed and that similar cleavages occur regardless of the nature of the acidic PRPs. Many of these peptides were N-terminal proteolytic cleavage products of acidic PRPs. The N-terminal phosphorylated region of acidic PRPs contains various biological activities, such as inhibition of hydroxyapatite formation, calcium binding and binding to hydroxyapatite, the major mineral of teeth. The demonstration of these phosphopeptides in the saliva that is in contact with the oral surface may therefore be of biological importance.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel

Phosphopeptides derived from human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins. Biological activities and concentration in saliva.

Human saliva contains a large number of phosphopeptides derived by cleavage of acidic proline-rich proteins (APRPs). These peptides were purified by column chromatography and they constituted 0.5% of APRPs in parotid saliva, but 11% of APRPs in saliva expectorated from the mouth (whole saliva), indicating that there is considerable cleavage of APRPs after secretion from the gland. Similarly to APRP, the phosphopeptides bind Ca2+, but they accounted for only 4% of protein-bound Ca2+ in whole saliva. APRPs as well as the phosphopeptides inhibited formation of hydroxyapatite, but, whereas 19-20 micrograms of APRP was needed for 50% inhibition, only 0.7-3.3 micrograms of purified peptides was needed for the same degree of activity, and the phosphopeptides accounted for 18% of total inhibitory activity in whole saliva. All phosphopeptides adsorbed on hydroxyapatite in vitro, and adsorption of phosphopeptides on tooth surfaces in vivo could also be demonstrated, indicating that they would be able to inhibit unwanted mineral formation on the tooth surface in vivo. Degradation of APRPs after secretion therefore does not lead to a loss of their biological activities.

Adsorption

Transcriptional activation of heat shock factor HSF1 probed by phosphopeptide analysis of factor 32P-labeled in vivo.

Mapping of tryptic phosphopeptides of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) from non-stressed or moderately heat-stressed HeLa cells, labeled in vivo by [32P]orthophosphate, revealed four major phosphopeptides A to D. Heat stress drastically increased phosphopeptide signals. To identify target peptides and amino acids and to correlate phosphorylation and transactivation function, phosphopeptide maps were produced of LexA-human HSF1 chimeras and mutant derivatives thereof, and transactivation activities of original and mutant chimeras were compared. LexA-HSF1 chimeras were previously shown to be regulated identically to HSF1, except that they transactivate promoters with LexA-binding sites instead of hsp promoters. The patterns of phosphopeptides of LexA-HSF1 and endogenous HSF1 were similar. Analysis of single residue substitutions suggested that phosphopeptide C is peptide VKEEPPSPPQSPR (297-309) phosphorylated on Ser-307 but not Ser-303. Substitution of Ser-307 but not Ser-303 caused deregulation of factor activity. Mapping of several constitutively active chimeras associated unphosphorylated peptide C with the transcriptionally active HSF1 conformation, suggesting that dephosphorylation of this peptide (at Ser-307) may either be an integral step in the activation process or serve to maintain the active conformation of HSF1. Exploiting this correlation, indirect evidence was obtained that activation domains of HSF1 interact with the distantly located regulatory domain to maintain the factor in an inactive state.

Amino Acid Sequence

Depolarization-dependent protein phosphorylation in rat cortical synaptosomes: characterization of active protein kinases by phosphopeptide analysis of substrates.

Depolarization of synaptosomes is known to cause a calcium-dependent increase in the phosphorylation of a number of proteins. It was the aim of this study to determine which protein kinases are activated on depolarization by analyzing the incorporation of 32Pi into synaptosomal phosphoproteins and phosphopeptides. The following well-characterized phosphoproteins were chosen for study: phosphoprotein "87K," synapsin Ia and Ib, phosphoproteins IIIa and IIIb, the catalytic subunits of calmodulin kinase II, and the B-50 protein. Each was initially identified as a phosphoprotein in lysed synaptosomes after incubation with [gamma-32P]ATP. Mobility on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels and phosphorylation by specific protein kinases were the primary criteria used for identification. A technique was developed that allowed simultaneous analysis of the phosphopeptides derived from all of these proteins. Phosphopeptides were characterized in lysed synaptosomes after activating cyclic AMP-, calmodulin-, and phospholipid-stimulated protein kinases in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP. Phosphoproteins labelled in intact synaptosomes after incubation with 32Pi were then compared with those seen after ATP-labelling of lysed synaptosomes. As expected from previous work, phosphoprotein "87K," and synapsin Ia and Ib were labelled, but for the first time, phosphoproteins IIIa, IIIb, and the B-50 protein were identified as being labelled in intact synaptosomes; the calmodulin kinase II subunits were hardly phosphorylated. From a comparison of the phosphopeptide profiles it was found that cyclic AMP-, calmodulin-, and phospholipid-stimulated protein kinases are all active in intact synaptosomes and their activity is dependent on extrasynaptosomal calcium. The activation of cyclic AMP-stimulated protein kinases in intact synaptosomes was confirmed by the addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline which specifically increased the labelling of phosphopeptides in synapsin Ia and Ib and in phosphoproteins IIIa and IIIb. On depolarization of intact synaptosomes, a number of phosphopeptides showed increased labelling and the pattern suggested that cyclic AMP-, calmodulin-, and phospholipid-stimulated protein kinases were all activated. No new peptides were phosphorylated, suggesting that depolarization simply increased the activity of already active protein kinases and that there was no depolarization-specific increase in protein phosphorylation.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Calcium binding of phosphopeptides derived from hydrolysis of alpha s-casein or beta-casein using immobilized trypsin.

Calcium binding to casein phosphopeptides that were derived from alpha s-CN or beta-CN was studied. Purified alpha s-CN or beta-CN was prepared from fresh skim milk using an anion-exchange column. Peptides were prepared by casein hydrolysis using a fluidized bed bioreactor containing 2 ml of immobilized trypsin (activity: 49.4 U/g of beads). The disappearance of intact protein and the appearance of products of low molecular mass were monitored by SDS-PAGE. alpha s-Casein and beta-CN hydrolysates were loaded on an anion-exchange column, followed by stepwise elution with 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.5 M KCl in equilibration buffer to separate the phosphopeptides from the other casein peptides. Protein and P were measured in the elution peaks. Calcium binding to each fraction was determined with a Ca-selective electrode. Electrophoresis showed that intact proteins were hydrolyzed rapidly, and peptides appeared on the gel in greater concentrations as the incubation time increased. The major products were a main band with a molecular mass of 6.2 kDa from beta-CN hydrolysates and a series of bands from 4.0 to 12.8 kDa from alpha s-CN hydrolysate. The greatest yield and concentration of phosphate from beta-CN hydrolysate were found in the peak that eluted with 0.4 M KCl in equilibration buffer and for alpha s-CN in the peak that eluted with 0.1 M KCl. The alpha s-CN phosphopeptides showed greater Ca2+ binding than the phosphopeptides from beta-CN. Separation of casein phosphopeptides using anion exchange was not specific. However, results showed that each peak containing high concentrations of phosphate had Ca(2+)-binding ability. Further characterization of these casein phosphopeptides might result in a Ca-complexing food ingredient.

Amino Acid Sequence

Preparation of phosphopeptides derived from alpha s-casein and beta-casein using immobilized glutamic acid-specific endopeptidase and characterization of their calcium binding.

Phosphopeptides that were derived from alpha s-CN or beta-CN were prepared with immobilized glutamic acid-specific endopeptidase, and their Ca2+ binding was characterized. alpha s-Casein or beta-CN was hydrolyzed in a fluidized bed bioreactor containing 2 ml of immobilized glutamic acid-specific endopeptidase by recirculating 20 ml of alpha s-CN or beta-CN solution (10 mg/ml in 50 mM Tris.HCl and 0.02% NaN3, pH 8.0) for 3 h at 20 degrees C. The molecular masses of casein peptides were monitored by SDS-PAGE. Each hydrolysate was applied to an anion-exchange column using stepwise elution with various concentrations of KCl to separate peptides. The casein phosphopeptide content of the elution profile was monitored by analysis of protein and P concentrations. Calcium binding in phosphopeptide-enriched fractions was determined by CaCl2 titration and measurement of free Ca2+ with a Ca-selective electrode. The electrophoresis patterns showed four major peptides having molecular masses of 10.8, 9.0, 6.6, and 3.6 kDa in the alpha s-CN hydrolysate and 9.3, 8.2, and 6.2 kDa in the beta-CN hydrolysate. The highest concentrations of P were detected in the fractions that eluted with 0.4 and 0.5 M KCl for the alpha s-CN hydrolysate and with 0.4 M KCl for the beta-CN hydrolysate. The calcium-binding ability was found only in the fraction that was eluted with 0.4 M KCl; the maximum Ca2+ binding and the apparent binding constant were 0.24 mmol/mg of protein and 75 M-1, and 0.14 mmol/mg of protein and 148 M-1, respectively. alpha s-Casein phosphopeptides had different patterns for Ca2+ binding than did beta-CN phosphopeptides as the total Ca concentration was increased. Calcium binding to these casein phosphopeptides differed from that previously characterized for the tryptic peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence

Specific phosphopeptide binding regulates a conformational change in the PI 3-kinase SH2 domain associated with enzyme activation.

SH2 (src-homology 2) domains define a newly recognized binding motif that mediates the physical association of target phosphotyrosyl proteins with downstream effector enzymes. An example of such phosphoprotein-effector coupling is provided by the association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) with specific phosphorylation sites within the PDGF receptor, the c-Src/polyoma virus middle T antigen complex and the insulin receptor substrate IRS-1. Notably, phosphoprotein association with the SH2 domains of p85 also stimulates an increase in catalytic activity of the PI 3-kinase p110 subunit, which can be mimicked by phosphopeptides corresponding to targeted phosphoprotein phosphorylation sites. To investigate how phosphoprotein binding to the p85 SH2 domain stimulates p110 catalytic activation, we have examined the differential effects of phosphotyrosine and PDGF receptor-, IRS-1- and c-Src-derived phosphopeptides on the conformation of an isolated SH2 domain of PI 3-kinase. Although phosphotyrosine and both activating and non-activating phosphopeptides bind to the SH2 domain, activating phosphopeptides bind with higher affinity and induce a qualitatively distinct conformational change as monitored by CD and NMR spectroscopy. Amide proton exchange and protease protection assays further show that high affinity, specific phosphopeptide binding induces non-local dynamic SH2 domain stabilization. Based on these findings we propose that specific phosphoprotein binding to the p85 subunit induces a change in SH2 domain structure which is transmitted to the p110 subunit and regulates enzymatic activity by an allosteric mechanism.

Amides

Protein kinase assay using tritiated peptide substrates and ferric adsorbent paper for phosphopeptide binding.

The recently described synthesis of ferric adsorbent paper has made possible the modification of protein kinase assays. The adsorbent contains ferric chelate groups, which are responsible for the binding of phosphopeptide via phosphate group. The selective adsorption of phosphopeptide contra nonphosphorylated peptide allows the use of tritium-labeled peptides and unlabeled ATP as substrates. The binding of the reaction product to the adsorbent was complete and was not affected by the amino acid sequence of the peptide. The conditions required for the separation of the produced phosphopeptide from the initial peptide have been worked out as well. The firmly bound phosphopeptide should be released from the ferric adsorbent paper prior to liquid scintillation counting. Using 0.1 m NH4HCO3 solution (pH 8.0), the elution of phosphopeptides was almost complete. The modified protein kinase assay proposed herein is rapid and allows handling of multiple samples simultaneously. In addition, the ferric paper method avoids the use of 32P-isotope, replacing it with 3H which has lower radiation energy and a much longer half-life.

Adsorption

Synthesis of phosphotyrosyl-containing phosphopeptides by solid-phase peptide synthesis.

The synthesis of phosphotyrosine-containing phosphopeptides using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) techniques is described. We present the synthesis of a Boc-phosphotyrosine derivative, which when used with modifications of the conventional SPPS protocol permits the incorporation of phosphotyrosine into synthetic peptides. The resulting phosphopeptides were authenticated by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, amino acid analysis, and phosphate assay. Alkaline phosphatase was found to dephosphorylate synthetic phosphopeptides at different rates, supporting the potential use of these synthetic substrates for studies of phosphoprotein phosphatases. Synthesis of a phosphopeptide using the described protocol has several advantages over the preparation of phosphopeptides via enzymatic phosphorylation.

Alkaline Phosphatase

[Extraction and purification of tissue phosphopeptides].

We describe a method of extraction and partial purification of phosphopeptides isolated from pig brain or from the electrical organ of Torpedo marmorata. The extraction of the phosphopeptides was achieved by alcoholic 0,04 N potassium hydroxyde solution or by 10(-1) M KCL containing 10(-3) M EDTA and 10(-4) M DTT. After having tried various fractionation methods like ion exchange chromatography or gel filtration we chose chromatography on DEAE Sephadex followed by purification of the isolated fractions by Sephadex G 25 filtration. The most important phosphate fractions (one was purified to about 90 per cent) were characterized by the determination of the N/P ratio which was different from one phosphopeptide to another. The amino acid composition showed a high glycin, serine and "acid" amino acid content. The presence of phosphoserine was shown by electrophoresis and chromatography of a partial hydrolysate of in vivo 32P labelled phosphopeptides isolated from rat liver. The polyanionic structure of these phosphopeptides allow them to act as real ion exchangers which might be involved during active transport mechanisms in cellular membranes.

Amino Acids