Sciatin Is a Transferrin-Like Polypeptide

Abstract: Sciatin, an acidic glycoprotein from chicken sciatic nerve, has myotrophic effects on avian skeletal muscle cells in culture. As sciatin was found to have certain structural similarities to transferrin, we further investigated the physicochemical characteristics of sciatin in order to determine the relationship between these two proteins. Sciatin was found to be strikingly similar to ovotransferrin in amino acid composition. In addition, amino acid sequence analysis revealed that sciatin and ovotransferrin had identical amino-terminal sequences for at least the first 20 amino acid residues. Chicken ovotransferrin, but not human serum transferrin, cross-reacted with rabbit antisciatin antibodies upon rocket immunoelectrophoresis and double immunodiffusion in agar. In addition, in the presence of bicarbonate, sciatin bound approximately 2 mol ferrous iron/mol protein. Using the purification procedure developed for sciatin, we purified a protein from chicken serum that cross-reacted with antisciatin serum, migrated at a position identical to that of sciatin or ovotransferrin on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, had an amino composition very similar to ovotransferrin and sciatin, and had myotrophic effects on cultured muscle cells. From these data, we conclude that sciatin is a growth-promoting polypeptide closely related in structure to transferrin.     

Sciatin: a myotrophic protein increases the number of acetylcholine receptors and receptor clusters in cultured skeletal muscle

Factors present in neural extracts or in media conditioned by neurons have been shown by others to increase both the number of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and the number of receptor clusters in cultures of embryonic skeletal muscle. We have recently shown that the glycoprotein, sciatin, exerts trophic effects on developing muscle in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effect of sciatin on AChRs in aneural cultures of chick skeletal muscle. Sciatin caused a significant increase in the number of AChRs/dish as measured by binding of ¹²⁵I-α-bungarotoxin (α-Btx) and in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity/dish in differentiating muscle cells. The increase in AChRs elicited by sciatin was due solely to increased receptor synthesis and incorporation. The rate of AChR synthesis in sciatin-treated cultures was as much as five times the control rate and was significantly reduced by cycloheximide (10 μM). AChR degradation was unaffected by the myotrophic protein. Although the number of AChRs/dish was increased by sciatin during myogenesis, AChR specific activity, expressed as picomoles ¹²⁵I-α-Btx bound/mg cell protein, was only transiently increased by the myotrophic protein. This contrasted with AChE specific activity in sciatin-treated cultures which remained elevated throughout differentiation. Autoradiographs of ¹²⁵I-α-Btx-labeled cultures showed that sciatin caused an increase in the number and size of AChR “hot spots” and maintained the integrity of these AChR clusters in aneural muscle cultures for up to 5 weeks. At this time control cultures had completely degenerated. The mechanism by which sciatin enhanced the synthesis of AChRs appeared to be distinct from that of tetrodotoxin (TTX), an agent which abolishes muscle activity. However, like theophylline, sciatin might evoke increased synthesis of AChRs via regulation of cyclic AMP since the myotrophic protein increased cAMP both in cells and in conditioned medium. The results of this study suggest that sciatin may be related to the diffusible factor(s) from motor neurons described by others which has trophic effects on AChRs. Furthermore, we suggest that this myotrophic protein may be responsible for the clustering of AChRs and maintenance of receptor clusters at neuromuscular junctions in developing avian muscle.     

Purification of Sciatin Using Affinity Chromatography on Concanavalin A-Agarose

Abstract: A glycoprotein from chicken sciatic nerves, sciatin , has been shown to have trophic effects on the maturation and maintenance of skeletal muscle cells in culture. This protein was purified 24-fold from sciatic nerve extracts by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-agarose followed by ion-exchange on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. The purity of sciatin obtained by this procedure was greater than 97% as estimated by densitometric integration of sodium dodecyl sulfate gels, and represented 33% of the sciatin present in sciatic nerve extracts as determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Sciatin purified by this technique retained full biological activity since (1) addition of the protein to embryonic chicken skeletal muscle cells in culture enhanced the morphological development of the cells, and (2) the protein increased the number of acetylcholine receptors as measured by binding of ¹²⁵I-α-bungarotoxin to 261% of the control value after 4 days in vitro . The purification procedure described in the present communication provides a more rapid and convenient method for the isolation of this trophic protein.     

Identification and characterization of the chicken transferrin receptor.

Among a panel of monoclonal antibodies that recognize chicken haematopoietic-differentiation antigens, one, JS 8, was found to immunoprecipitate a 95000-Mr cell-surface protein from chicken erythroblasts transformed with avian-erythroblastosis virus. This protein was shown, by affinity chromatography on immobilized chicken transferrin (conalbumin), to be the chicken transferrin receptor. Although immunologically unrelated to the human transferrin receptor, biochemical comparison of the chicken transferrin receptor to the human receptor showed similarities with respect to the pattern of biosynthesis, degree of glycosylation, dimerization in the absence of reducing agents and subcellular localization. The present report contrasts with recent ones describing the chicken transferrin receptor isolated from embryonic tissues as a 58000-Mr protein.     

Transferrin Promotes Endothelial Cell Migration and Invasion: Implication in Cartilage Neovascularization

During endochondral bone formation, avascular cartilage differentiates to hypertrophic cartilage that then undergoes erosion and vascularization leading to bone deposition. Resting cartilage produces inhibitors of angiogenesis, shifting to production of angiogenic stimulators in hypertrophic cartilage. A major protein synthesized by hypertrophic cartilage both in vivo and in vitro is transferrin. Here we show that transferrin is a major angiogenic molecule released by hypertrophic cartilage. Endothelial cell migration and invasion is stimulated by transferrins from a number of different sources, including hypertrophic cartilage. Checkerboard analysis demonstrates that transferrin is a chemotactic and chemokinetic molecule. Chondrocyte-conditioned media show similar properties. Polyclonal anti-transferrin antibodies completely block endothelial cell migration and invasion induced by purified transferrin and inhibit the activity produced by hypertrophic chondrocytes by 50–70% as compared with controls. Function-blocking mAbs directed against the transferrin receptor similarly reduce the endothelial migratory response. Chondrocytes differentiating in the presence of serum produce transferrin, whereas those that differentiate in the absence of serum do not. Conditioned media from differentiated chondrocytes not producing transferrin have only 30% of the endothelial cell migratory activity of parallel cultures that synthesize transferrin.

The angiogenic activity of transferrins was confirmed by in vivo assays on chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane, showing promotion of neovascularization by transferrins purified from different sources including conditioned culture medium.

Based on the above results, we suggest that transferrin is a major angiogenic molecule produced by hypertrophic chondrocytes during endochondral bone formation.

     

Characterization and application of monoclonal antibodies directed to separate epitopes of glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase

Five monoclonal antibodies specific for glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase were characterized. None of the monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted with another insulin-degrading enzyme, neutral thiopeptidase. The isotype of four antibodies was IgG1 and of the fifth IgG2b. Affinity studies, competitive binding studies and immunoblot analysis of CNBr and trypsin cleavage products of glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase demonstrated that the four IgG1 antibodies were directed to an epitope of the enzyme which was distinct from the epitope recognized by the IgG2b antibody. Inhibition studies indicated that each monoclonal antibody, when added singly to glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase, was unable to inhibit the insulin-degrading activity of the enzyme. However, when monoclonal antibodies directed against separate epitopes of glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase were presented together (i.e., the IgG2b with any one of the four IgG1 antibodies), a loss in enzymatic activity was noted. Immunoblot analysis of rat organ extracts with the IgG1 antibodies demonstrated one immunoreactive protein band of Mr 56,000 in all tissues examined (liver, fat, pancreas and kidney) except the spleen, which demonstrated two immunoreactive protein bands of Mr 56,000 and 51,000. The same immunoblots, when probed with the IgG2b antibody, demonstrated the same immunoreactive protein banding pattern as above plus an additional immunoreactive protein band of Mr 67,000 in all tissues. Studies with spleen extracts from steptozotocin-induced diabetic rats demonstrated that there was a loss of the 51,000 immunoreactive band in diabetes. This 51,000 protein was restored upon insulin treatment of the diabetic rats and nullified upon concomitant administration of cycloheximide or actinomycin D with insulin. Immunoblots of human liver, adipose and skeletal muscle extracts indicated that each monoclonal antibody cross-reacted with the human form of the enzyme which had a molecular weight of Mr 63,000; a second minor immunoreactive band of 67,000 was detected with the IgG2b antibody. The physiological significance of additional molecular forms of the enzyme (i.e., 67,000 and 51,000) remains to be determined.     

Purification and characterization of the glycine receptor of pig spinal cord

A large-scale purification procedure was developed to isolate the glycine receptor of pig spinal cord by affinity chromatography on aminostrychnine agarose. After an overall purification of about 10 000-fold, the glycine receptor preparations contained three major polypeptides of Mr 48 000, 58 000, and 93 000. Photoaffinity labeling with [3H]strychnine showed that the [3H]strychnine binding site is associated with the Mr 48 000 and, to a much lesser extent, the Mr 58 000 polypeptides. [3H]Strychnine binding to the purified receptor exhibited a dissociation constant KD of 13.8 nM and was inhibited by the agonists glycine, taurine, and beta-alanine. Gel filtration and sucrose gradient centrifugation gave a Stokes radius of 7.1 nm and an apparent sedimentation coefficient of 9.6 S. Peptide mapping of the [3H]strychnine-labeled Mr 48 000 polypeptides of purified pig and rat glycine receptor preparations showed that the strychnine binding region of this receptor subunit is highly conserved between these species. Also, three out of six monoclonal antibodies against the glycine receptor of rat spinal cord significantly cross-reacted with their corresponding polypeptides of the pig glycine receptor. These results show that the glycine receptor of pig spinal cord is very similar to the well-characterized rat receptor protein and can be purified in quantities sufficient for protein chemical analysis.     

Translocation of nascent non-signal sequence protein in heated Escherichia coli

Exposure of Escherichia coli to heat resulted in 1) selective inhibition of protein synthesis, 2) synthesis of heat shock proteins, and 3) altered subcellular distribution of newly synthesized proteins. Either 5 min or 1 h at 48 degrees C increases outer membrane proteins of Coomassie Blue-stained gels. After 1 h, there was a loss of stained proteins from the soluble fraction. Much greater changes in the distribution of radiolabeled (newly synthesized) proteins were observed, with marked increases in the number of outer membrane protein species and a corresponding loss of soluble fraction proteins. Three major species of radiolabeled proteins from heat-treated cells remain in the soluble fraction; these proteins have apparent Mr 56,000, 69,200, and 79,400. Cells were labeled with L-[35S] methionine at either 37 or 48 degrees C and chased with non-radiolabeled methionine before a temperature shift to either 48 or 37 degrees C, respectively. Only proteins synthesized at elevated temperature participated in translocation. It is suggested that heat disordering of membrane lipids promotes interlipidic connections between the inner and outer membrane providing pathways for protein movement to the outer membrane and may be the mechanism whereby a cell quickly responds to environmental temperature stress. The response does not require but may trigger synthesis of mRNA.     

Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the enzyme activity of NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase.

Three hybridoma cell lines secreting antibodies against human placental NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-OH-PGDH) were produced. Purified IgG2b from these cell lines recognized a distinct band of Mr 28,000 on SDS/PAGE from the purified enzyme as well as a band of Mr 56,000 from the crude enzyme preparation. These three monoclonal antibodies inhibited 15-OH-PGDH activity to different degrees. Inhibition of the enzyme activity could be prevented by prior incubation of the enzyme with NAD+ but not with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or NADP+. Inhibition by monoclonal antibodies appears to be non-competitive with respect to NAD+ and PGE2. An increased concentration of antibodies alters the apparent Km for NAD+ but not for PGE2, further supporting the notion that the antibodies bind to the coenzyme-binding site. The availability of these monoclonal antibodies should be valuable for probing the structure of the active site.     

Co-migration and internalization of transferrin and its receptor on K562 cells

The incorporation of iron into human cells involves the binding of diferric transferrin to a specific cell surface receptor. We studied the process of endocytosis in K562, a human erythroid cell line, by using tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-labeled transferrin (TRITC- transferrin) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Fab fragments of goat antireceptor IgG preparation (FITC-Fab-antitransferrin receptor antibody). Because the antireceptor antibody and transferrin bind to different sites on the transferrin receptor molecule it was possible to simultaneously and independently follow ligand and receptor. At 4 degrees C, the binding of TRITC-transferrin or FITC-Fab antitransferrin receptor antibody exhibited diffuse membrane fluorescence. At 20 degrees C, the binding of TRITC-transferrin was followed by the rapid formation of aggregates. However, the FITC-Fab antitransferrin receptor did not show similar aggregation at 20 degrees C unless transferrin was present. In the presence of transferrin, the FITC-Fab antitransferrin receptor antibody formed aggregates at the same sites and within the same time period as TRITC transferrin, indicating co-migration. Although the diffuse surface staining of either label was removed by proteolysis, the larger aggregates were not susceptible to enzyme degradation, indicating that they were intracellular. The internal location of the aggregates was also demonstrated using permeabilized cells that had been preincubated with transferrin and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde. These cells showed aggregated receptor in the interior of the cell when reacted with fluorescein-labeled antibody to the receptor. This indicated that the transferrin and the transferrin receptor co-internalize and migrate to the same structures within the cell.     

Purification and protein sequence analysis of rat liver prolactin receptor

Prolactin receptors were purified from rat liver membranes by single-step immunoaffinity chromatography using a specific monoclonal antibody to the rat liver prolactin receptor. Scatchard analysis of 125I-human growth hormone binding to the purified receptor revealed two classes of specific binding sites with Ka = 18.5 x 10(9) and 1.2 x 10(9) M-1. Considering that both classes of binding sites are responsible for high affinity prolactin binding, the partially purified receptor preparation had a binding activity of 1.69 nmol/mg protein, representing 1000-fold purification over microsomal receptors with a recovery of 52%. From three separate purifications, 6 mg of partially purified prolactin receptor were obtained with a purity of approximately 4 to 6.5%. Thus, the use of monoclonal antibody for affinity chromatography resulted in a large improvement of prolactin receptor purification compared to previous hormone affinity chromatography (300-fold purification, 15% recovery). The purified receptor was run on preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and a homogeneous preparation of prolactin receptor was obtained by electroelution from gel slices corresponding to Mr 38,000-43,000. Immunoblot analysis using a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody revealed two separate but closely located bands of Mr 42,000 and 40,000 in microsomal, partially purified, and electroeluted preparations. The homogeneous receptor protein was extensively digested with L-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone trypsin, and 10 internal amino acid sequences of the rat liver prolactin receptor were determined by gas-phase sequence analysis. Oligonucleotide probes were prepared against two of these internal sequences, and a prolactin receptor cDNA was isolated from a rat liver library using one of these probes (Boutin, J. M., Jolicoeur, C., Okamura, H., Gagnon, J., Edery, M., Shirota, M., Banville, D., Dusanter-Fourt, I., Djiane, J., and Kelly, P. A. (1988) Cell 53, 69-77). The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA reveals three potential sites of N-linked glycosylation, two of which were confirmed during protein sequencing. The prolactin receptor was characterized by affinity labeling with 125I-human growth hormone. Cross-linking of microsomes revealed a single band for the hormone-receptor complex with Mr 62,000. On the other hand, cross-linking of Triton X-100-solubilized or partially purified receptor with labeled hormone resulted in the appearance of two bands with Mr 62,000 and 102,000, suggesting the existence of a subunit structure of the prolactin receptor, or alternatively, the existence of two types of prolactin receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Characterization of ovarian gonadotropin receptor. Monomer and associated form of the receptor

We have purified luteinizing hormone/human choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor from rat ovary by sequential affinity column on wheat germ lectin-Sepharose and hCG-Sepharose chromatography. The purified receptor, previously identified as a single protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) (Kusuda, S., and Dufau, M.L. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 16161-16168), was further characterized by radioiodination with 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3 alpha, 6 alpha-diphenylglycouril, and column chromatography on wheat germ lectin-Sepharose. Autoradiography of SDS-PAGE analysis under reducing conditions showed a single radiolabeled band of Mr = 80,000. The radioiodinated receptors treated with peptide:N-glycosidase F migrated at Mr = 54,000. Treatment with neuraminidase alone caused only a minor reduction in molecular weight, and subsequent treatment with endo-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase had little further effect on the receptor. When the radioiodinated receptor was analyzed by fast protein liquid chromatography, a single broad peak was eluted with Mr of approximately 350,000. The higher Mr of radioiodinated receptors than that of native receptors (Mr = 190,000 dimeric form) could be due to the aggregation of labeled molecules. These complexes dissociated into the monomeric form in the presence of SDS. To determine whether the monomers can bind hormone, the purified unlabeled receptors resolved with SDS were electroblotted to nitrocellulose membranes and incubated with 125I-hCG. Autoradiograms of the blots showed a band of monomer (Mr = 78,000) as well as one of dimer (Mr approximately 150,000). These studies have demonstrated that the luteinizing hormone/hCG receptors are predominantly N-linked glycosylated and suggest that the native receptor is a dimer of identical hormone binding subunits associated by noncovalent interactions. Although the individual subunits can bind hormone, it is conceivable that the dimeric form is necessary for signal transduction.     

Purification and characterization of the human brain insulin receptor

The insulin receptor from human brain cortex was purified by a combination monoclonal antibody affinity column and a wheat germ agglutinin column. This purified receptor preparation exhibited major protein bands of apparent Mr = 135,000 and 95,000, molecular weights comparable to those for the alpha and beta subunits of the purified human placental and rat liver receptors. A minor protein band of apparent Mr = 120,000 was also observed in the brain receptor preparation. Crosslinking of 125I-insulin to all three receptor preparations was found to preferentially label a protein of apparent Mr = 135,000. In contrast, cross-linking of 125I-labeled insulin-like growth factor I to the brain preparation preferentially labeled the protein of apparent Mr = 120,000. The purified brain insulin receptor was found to be identical with the placental insulin receptor in the amount of neuraminidase-sensitive sialic acid and reaction with three monoclonal antibodies to the beta subunit of the placental receptor. In contrast, a monoclonal antibody to the insulin binding site recognized the placental receptor approximately 300 times better than the brain receptor. These results indicate that the brain insulin receptor differs from the receptor in other tissues and suggests that this difference is not simply due to the amount of sialic acid on the receptor.     

Plasma cell antigen PC-1 and the transferrin receptor in mouse, rat, and hamster: serologic and biochemical analysis

The plasma cell membrane antigen PC-1 and the receptor for the iron transport protein transferrin are high m.w., developmentally regulated proteins consisting of two similar or identical disulfide-bonded subunits. In this paper, we report the results of a serologic and biochemical analysis of these proteins in various strains of inbred mice, and in rats and hamsters. A monoclonal antibody against the PC-1a allelic product is shown to detect an antigenic determinant on the PC-1 molecule that has the same strain distribution as the antigen previously detected with polyclonal alloantisera. The mouse PC-1 protein was purified from plasma cells of the PC-1a genotype and was used to generate polyclonal rabbit anti-PC-1 antibodies. These antibodies precipitated a homologous protein from plasmacytoma cells derived from PC-1- congenic mice, demonstrating that PC-1b is not a "null" allele. The PC-1b allelic product had a slightly lower apparent m.w. than the PC-1a product, and had a slightly more basic isoelectric point. Rabbit anti-mouse PC-1 antibodies also precipitated a homologous protein from immunoglobulin-secreting cells of rat and hamster origin, but did not show detectable cross-reaction with the transferrin receptor. Disulfide bonding between chains was conserved in both PC-1 and the transferrin receptor in all species examined, but transferrin receptors from mouse cells had a significantly higher apparent m.w. than those of rat, hamster, or human cells.     

Structure of proteoheparan sulfates from fibroblasts. Confluent and proliferating fibroblasts produce at least three types of proteoheparan sulfates with functionally different core proteins

[3H]Leucine- and [35S]sulfate-labeled proteoheparan sulfates were isolated from postconfluent or proliferating cultures of human skin fibroblasts. Cell layers were solubilized by Triton X-100, and transferrin-binding macromolecules were isolated by affinity chromatography. Proteoglycans with no affinity for transferrin were purified by using ion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography. Postconfluent cells synthesize a proteoheparan sulfate of Mr 350,000 (as determined by gel permeation chromatography) which has affinity for transferrin as well as for octyl-Sepharose. Its core protein (Mr 180,000) consists of two disulfide-bonded polypeptides of Mr 90,000. This species was not detected in cultures of proliferating cells. Proliferating and confluent cells also synthesize other forms of proteoheparan sulfates (Mr 200,000-400,000) which have no affinity for transferrin. However, most of them have affinity for octyl-Sepharose. The core protein of proteoheparan sulfates made by proliferating cells has Mr 50,000. A smaller form (Mr 250,000) of this proteoglycan was solubilized by Triton X-100, whereas a larger form (Mr 400,000) remained associated with the pericellular matrix. A third type of proteoheparan sulfate (Mr 200,000) without affinity for transferrin nor octyl-Sepharose was associated with postconfluent cell layers but not with proliferating ones. Its core protein has Mr 35,000. Heparan sulfate oligosaccharides (Mr 6,000 or higher) were found in proliferating cells but not in postconfluent ones.     

The cell surface receptor for immunoglobulin E. Effect of tunicamycin on molecular properties of receptor from rat basophilic leukemia cells

Cell surface receptors for immunoglobulin E were isolated by repetitive affinity chromatography from rat basophilic leukemia cells biosynthetically labeled with L-[35S]methionine and D-[3H]mannose. Native immunoglobulin E receptor appeared as a very broad band in the 45,000 to 62,000 Mr region in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. However, from cells cultured in the presence of tunicamycin, a relatively narrow band with an apparent Mr of 38,000 was isolated. The 38,000 Mr band rebound to immunoglobulin E-Sepharose, was immunoprecipitated with antibodies to immunoglobulin E receptor, shared tryptic peptides with native receptor, and was labeled with L-[35S]methionine but not D-[3H]mannose, and thus appears to be immunoglobulin E receptor lacking N-linked oligosaccharides. It is demonstrated that N-linked oligosaccharides account for much of the apparent heterogeneity of native receptor in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels and in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A receptor-associated protein with apparent Mr = 30,000, prominently labeled with L-[35S]methionine but not with D-[3H]mannose, did not have altered molecular properties when isolated from tunicamycin-cultured cells, and did not share tryptic peptides with receptor.     

Isolation and purification of an antibody to 67-KD calcimedin

The 67-KD calcimedin is a calcium-binding protein isolated from several muscle tissues. The protein shows apparent Mr of 67,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An antibody has been prepared by immunizing sheep with the protein purified from chicken gizzard smooth muscle. This antibody recognizes 67-KD calcimedin but not calmodulin, bovine serum albumin, transferrin, or brain p68 calelectrin. The presence of 67-KD calcimedin is demonstrated in the smooth muscle cell lines A10 and DDT1MF-2 as well as in primary cultures of chicken breast and heart muscle, by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. The 67-KD calcimedin, being responsive to calcium, may play a role in calcium-mediated cell regulation. This report identifies several cells that may be useful for further delineation of the cellular role of 67-KD calcimedin.     

Purification and properties of intracellular clotting factor, factor B, from horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) hemocytes

An intracellular clotting factor, factor B, which is closely associated with the hemolymph coagulation system of horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), was purified and characterized. The purified preparation gave a single band (Mr = 64,000) on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in the absence of 2-mercaptoethanol, while three bands (Mr = 64,000, 40,000, and 25,000) were detected on SDS-PAGE after reduction. This preparation was converted by limulus clotting factor C to an activated form, factor B, with Mr = 56,000 consisting of a heavy chain (Mr = 32,000) and a light chain (Mr = 25,000) bridged by disulfide linkage(s). The factor B, which was produced separately by treating the partially purified factor B with factor C, was also purified. It gave a single band on unreduced SDS-PAGE and two bands on reduced SDS-PAGE. The purified factor B had Mr of 56,000 consisting of a heavy chain (Mr = 32,000) and a light chain (Mr = 25,000). These results indicated that the purified factor B zymogen is a mixture of single-chain and two-chain forms, both of which have the same molecular weight of 64,000, and that these two forms are converted to factor B by factor C. The diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate-sensitive site of factor B was found in the heavy chain. The reconstitution studies using purified factor C, factor B, proclotting enzyme and coagulogen in the presence of lipopolysaccharide indicated that factor B is an essential component to complete sequential activation of the limulus clotting system, and that it specifically activates proclotting enzyme to the active clotting enzyme.     

Molecular cloning, expression and functional characterization of the chicken cation dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor protein

Mammalian mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) receptors function in transport of lysosomal enzymes. To understand the structural and functional significance of the chicken cation dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (MPR) (Mr 46kDa), a full-length cDNA for the chicken protein was cloned and expressed in mpr((-/-)) MEF cells devoid of both the receptors. The stably transfected cells express the receptor that could be affinity purified by phosphomannan chromatography. The authenticity of the receptor was confirmed by its immuno-reactivity with mammalian MPR 46 antibodies and its ability to sort cathepsin D in transfected cells (92.3%) as compared to mock transfected cells (50.2%), establishing a functional role for the chicken receptor.     

Chick embryo spinal cord neurons synthesize a transferrin-like myotrophic protein

Highly enriched cultures of chick embryo spinal cord neurons synthesize and secrete a protein which is immunoprecipitable by anti-ovotransferrin. Ovotransferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein of Mr 80 000, is also shown to stimulate in vitro myogenesis of cultured chick embryo myotubes as measured by saturable dose-dependent increase in acetylcholine receptors. This effect is probably dependent on ovotransferrin's ability to donate iron to the cells. In many respects ovotransferrin is similar to 'sciatin', a myotrophic protein isolated from chicken sciatic nerves.