Concanavalin A-induced translocation of part of the GTP-binding activity from the membrane to the cytosol in murine thymocytes

Concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation resulted in the rapid redistribution of part of the GTP-binding activity from the membrane to the cytosol in murine thymocytes. This change in GTP-binding activity was dependent on the Con A concentration. To investigate the relationship between this redistribution and phospholipase C (PLC) activity, the effect of GTP gamma S on the cytosol PLC activity was also examined, and it was found that GTP gamma S enhanced the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis activity in the cytosol of Con A-stimulated thymocytes more than in that of unstimulated thymocytes. This enhancement by GTP gamma S was also dependent on the Con A concentration. The results suggest that in murine thymocytes, the GTP-binding protein (G-protein) involved in the regulation of PLC activity may be translocated from the membrane to the cytosol upon Con A stimulation. Besides, the dose dependence curve for the change in the GTP gamma S-binding activity was similar to that for inositol phosphates formation in Con A-stimulated thymocytes, suggesting that the translocation of the G-protein is closely related to PLC activation. Furthermore, the effects of cytosol fractions containing the 38-43 and 23-28 kDa GTP-binding subunits of G-proteins on the PIP2 hydrolysis activity of partially purified PLC were examined. The fraction containing the 23-28 kDa subunit evidently enhanced the PLC activity but that containing the 38-43 kDa subunit enhanced the activity to a much lower extent. Moreover, the 23-28 kDa subunit fraction of Con A-stimulated thymocytes was more effective as to enhancement of the PLC activity than that of unstimulated thymocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Detection and characterization of GTP-binding proteins in the chloroplast envelope of spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

Proteins binding guanosine triphosphate (GTP) have emerged as important regulators in several cellular processes in plants. To investigate any role of such proteins in chloroplast functions, we subjected envelope, stroma and thylakoid fractions isolated from spinach chloroplasts to two different GTP-binding assays. With both methods, we detected GTP-specific binding only in the envelope fraction. Two chloroplast envelope proteins with the apparent molecular weights of 30.5 and 33.5 kDa, respectively, bound [α-³²P]GTP after SDS-PAGE followed by electroblotting onto a PVDF-membrane and renaturation. Both proteins were intrinsic proteins located in the outer chloroplast envelope. Also, when the fractions were incubated with [α-³²P]GTP, followed by periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction to cross-link GTP to proteins, two proteins in the envelope fraction, of apparent molecular weights of 28 and 39 kDa, appeared to specifically bind GTP. When agents that stimulate heterotrimeric G-proteins, cholera toxin or the mastoparan analogue mas7, were added to isolated chloroplast envelope, the binding of radiolabelled GTP to the 39 kDa protein, a protein of the inner chloroplast envelope, was stimulated, whereas GTP-binding of the 28 kDa protein, a protein of the outer envelope, was unchanged. Mas7 also stimulated synthesis of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol in isolated chloroplast envelope. The occurrence and regulation of GTP-binding proteins in the chloroplast envelope suggests that GTP-binding proteins could be involved in communication with the extraplastidic compartment during chloroplast biogenesis and development.     

Purification and characterization of two G-proteins that activate the beta 1 isozyme of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C. Identification as members of the Gq class.

Plasma membranes from bovine liver contain a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C (PLC) activity that is activated by guanine nucleotides. The G-proteins involved retained their ability to activate bovine brain PLC-beta 1 in a guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S)-dependent manner following extraction from the membranes with cholate and reconstitution with phospholipids. This reconstitution assay was used to purify the G-proteins by chromatography on heparin-Sepharose, DEAE-Sephacel, octyl-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite, Mono Q, and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. Gel electrophoresis showed that two alpha-subunits with molecular mass of 42 and 43 kDa were isolated to a high degree of purity, together with a beta-subunit. Neither alpha-subunit was a substrate for pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. Gel filtration of the final activity indicated an apparent molecular mass of 95 kDa, suggesting the presence of an alpha beta gamma heterotrimer. Immunological data revealed that the 42- and 43-kDa proteins were related to alpha-subunits of the Gq class recently purified from brain (Pang, I.-H., and Sternweis, P. C. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18707-18712) and identified by molecular cloning (Strathmann, M., and Simon, M. I. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 87, 9113-9117). The activation of PLC-beta 1 by the purified G-protein preparation was specific for nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotides, the efficacy decreasing in order GTP gamma S greater than guanylimidodiphosphate greater than guanylyl(beta,gamma-methylene)-diphosphonate. Half-maximal activation required 4 microM GTP gamma S suggesting that the affinity of the G-proteins for GTP analogues is low. The GTP gamma S-dependent activation of PLC-beta 1 required millimolar Mg2+ and was inhibited by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) and by excess beta gamma-subunits. Aluminum fluoride also activated PLC-beta 1 in the presence of the G-proteins. The G-proteins were inactive toward PLC-gamma 1 or PLC-delta 1. In summary, these findings identify two G-protein activators of PLC-beta 1 that have the properties of heterotrimeric G-proteins and are members of the Gq class.     

Identification and purification of GTP-binding regulatory proteins from plasma membranes of swine heart

A 23 kDa GTP-binding protein was purified from pig heart sarcolemma. This protein was not ADP-ribosylated by cholera, pertussis and botulinum C3 toxins. In pig heart sarcolemma pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylated 40 kDa subunit of Gi-protein, cholera toxin--45 kDa subunit of Gs-protein, botulinum C3 toxin ADP-ribosylated a group of proteins with Mr 22, 26 and 29 kDa. Antiserum generated against the peptide common for all alpha-subunits of G-proteins did not react with purified 23 kDa protein. Trypsin cleaved the 23 kDa protein in the presence of guanyl nucleotides into a 22 kDa fragment. Proteolysis of the 39 kDa alpha 0-subunit from bovine brain plasma membranes and ADP-ribosylated 40 kDa alpha i-subunit from pig heart sarcolemma in the presence of GTP gamma S yielded the 37 and 38 kDa fragments, respectively. In the presence of GTP and GDP the proteolysis of alpha 0 yielded the 24 and 15 kDa fragments, while the proteolysis of ADP-ribosylated alpha i-subunit yielded a labelled 16 kDa peptide. Irrespective of nucleotides trypsin cleaved the ADP-ribosylated 26 kDa substrate of botulinum C3 toxin into two labelled peptides with Mr 24 and 17 kDa. The data obtained indicate the existence in pig heart sarcolemma of a new 23 kDa GTP-binding protein with partial homology to the alpha-subunits of "classical" G-proteins.     

Purification and characterization of two GTP-binding proteins of 22 kDa from human platelet membranes

Two GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) of 22 kDa were purified to near homogeneity from a sodium cholate extract of human platelet membranes by successive chromatographies on DEAE-Sephacel, Ultrogel AcA-44, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, Mono Q HR5/5 and hydroxyapatite columns. They bound maximally 0.89 mol of [35S]guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate per mol of both purified proteins, and this binding was inhibited by GTP and GDP but not by ATP and AppNHp. Their molecular masses were somewhat lower than that of ras p21 and they were not recognized by an anti-v-Ki-ras p21 antibody. These results indicate that human platelet membranes contain at least two low-molecular-mass G-proteins distinct from ras p21, in addition to the heterotrimeric G-proteins, the alpha-subunits of which possess molecular mass values of about 40 kDa.     

Pollination-induced senescence in phalaenopsis petals. Relationship of ethylene sensitivity to activity of GTP-binding proteins and protein phosphorylation

Treatments of cut phalaenopsis ( Phalaenopsis hybrid , cv. 'Herbert Hager') flowers with cholera toxin or guanosine-5-0-(3-thiotriphosphate), compounds that modulate GTP-binding protein activity, increased the sensitivity of the flowers to ethylene. Guanosine-5-0-(2-thiodiphosphate) which does not affect the activity of GTP-binding proteins, had no affect on the sensitivity to ethylene. Western blot analysis of microsomal proteins, revealed that a peptide with a molecular mass of ca 42 kDa cross-reacts with antibodies against a well-conserved amino acid sequence (G_α-commun peptide) of mammalian G-proteins. Calcium ions, known co-factors of protein kinases, also increased the sensitivity of the flowers to ethylene, while EGTA, a chelator of calcium, decreased it. Phorbol 12-myrisate 13-acetate, a phorbol ester, had no effect on the sensitivity to ethylene. Protein phosphorylation in petal microsomal membranes was doubled in the presence of calcium ions, but was unaffected by phorbol ester. Ten h after pollination, at the peak of ethylene sensitivity, a significant increase of ca 20% was measured in the binding of GTP to the membranes. Protein phosphorylation in flowers increased significantly following pollination, with a single peptide of ca 30 kDa most heavily phosphorylated. These observations may indicate a direct involvement of GTP-binding proteins, and protein phosphorylation, two major components of the cellular signal transduction pathway, in the regulation of pollination induced ethylene sensitivity in phalaenopsis petals.     

Novel GTP-binding proteins in plasma membranes of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae

We report the existence of several families of GTP-binding proteins in plasma membranes of Metarhizium anisopliae. Two proteins (18.4 and 24 kDa) resemble mammalian Gn-proteins in their being toxin insensitive, binding [alpha-32P]GTP on nitrocellulose blots of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels, and also in their immunological properties. Four other proteins (31-38.2 kDa) were similar except that they did not bind [alpha-32P]GTP after treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate. An 18.2 kDa cholera toxin substrate and three toxin insensitive bands (18.6, 18.8, and 24 kDa) are novel proteins antigenically related both to mammalian G-proteins and ras gene products. An additional 23 kDa pertussis toxin substrate (the major G-protein in a crude mycelial extract) reacted strongly with antisera to G-proteins but not with anti-ras serum. Other substrates ADP ribosylated by cholera toxin or botulinum D toxin were immunologically unreactive. Analysis of the structural and functional characteristics of these multiple GTP-binding proteins will promote a better understanding of signal transduction in fungi.     

Nod factors activate both heterotrimeric and monomeric G-proteins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna unguiculata</Emphasis> (L.) Walp

Nod factors are lipo-chito-oligosaccharides secreted by rhizobia that initiate many responses in the root hairs of the legume hosts, culminating in deformed hairs. The heterotrimeric G-protein agonists mastoparan, Mas7, melittin, compound 48/80 and cholera toxin provoke root hair deformation, whereas the heterotrimeric G-protein antagonist pertussis toxin inhibits mastoparan and Nod factor NodNGR[S]- (from Rhizobiumsp. NGR234) induced root hair deformation. Another heterotrimeric G-protein antagonist, isotetrandrine, only inhibited root hair deformation provoked by mastoparan and melittin. These results support the notion that G-proteins are implicated in Nod factor signalling. To study the role of G-proteins at a biochemical level, we examined the GTP-binding profiles of root microsomal membrane fractions isolated from the nodulation competent zone of Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp. GTP competitively bound to the microsomal membrane fractions labelled with [(35)S]GTPgammaS, yielding a two-site displacement curve with displacement constants ( K(i)) of 0.58 micro M and 0.16 mM. Competition with either ATP or GDP revealed a one-site displacement curve with K(i) of 4.4 and 29 micro M, respectively, whereas ADP and UTP were ineffective competitors. The GTP-binding profiles of microsomal membrane fractions isolated from roots pretreated with either NodNGR[S] or the four-sugar, N- N'- N"- N'"-tetracetylchitotetraose (TACT) backbone of Nod factors were significantly altered compared with control microsomal fractions. To identify candidate proteins, membrane proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and electrotransferred to nitrocellulose. GTP overlay experiments revealed that membrane fractions isolated from roots pretreated with NodNGR[S] or TACT contained two proteins (28 kDa and 25 kDa) with a higher affinity for GTPgammaS than control membrane fractions. Western analysis demonstrated that membranes from the pretreated roots contained more of another protein (~55 kDa) recognised by Galpha(common) antisera. These results provide pharmacological and biochemical evidence supporting the contention that G-proteins are involved in Nod factor signalling and, importantly, implicate monomeric G-proteins in this process.     

Protein Methylation in Cerebellar Synaptosomes

Abstract: Synaptosomes from five regions of adult rat brain were isolated, analyzed for methyl acceptor proteins, and probed for methyltransferases by photoaffinity labeling. Methylated proteins of 17 and 35 kDa were observed in all regions, but cerebellar synaptosomes were enriched in a 21–26-kDa family of methyl acceptor proteins and contained a unique major methylated protein of 52 kDa and a protein of 50 kDa, which was methylated only in the presence of EGTA. When cerebellar and liver subcellular fractions were compared, the cytosolic fractions of each tissue contained methylated proteins of 17 and 35 kDa; liver membrane fractions contained few methylated proteins, whereas cerebellar microsomes had robust methylation of the 21–26-kDa group. Differential centrifugation of lysed cerebellar synaptosomes localized the 17- and 35-kDa methyl acceptor proteins to the synaptoplasm, the 21–26-kDa family to the synaptic membranes, and the 52-kDa to synaptic vesicles. The 21–26-kDa family was identified as GTP-binding proteins by [α-³²P]GTP overlay assay; these proteins contained a putative methylated carboxyl cysteine, based on the presence of volatile methyl esters and the inhibition of methylation by acetylfarnesylcysteine. The 52-kDa methylated protein also contained volatile methyl esters, but did not bind [α-³²P]GTP. When synaptosomes were screened for putative methyltransferases by S -adenosyl-L-[ methyl -³H]methionine photoaffinity labeling, a protein of 24 kDa was detected only in cerebellum, and this labeled protein was localized to synaptic membranes.     

Small GTP-binding proteins in the brain-corpus cardiacum-corpus allatum complex of the silkworm,Bombyx mori: Involvement in the secretion of prothoracicotropic hormone

At least three GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins), 28, 25, and 21 kDa, were found in the brain-corpus cardiacum-corpus allatum complex (BR-CC-CA) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. They bound to GTP and GDP specifically among nucleotides tested, indicating that these proteins are small G-proteins. The 25 kDa G-protein showed a cross-reactivity to anti-rab3A antibody, while it did not cross-react with anti-rhoA, rab3B, and anti-ras antibodies. On the other hand, the 28 and 21 kDa G-proteins showed no cross-reactivity to any of those antibodies tested. Immunoblot analysis using the anti-rab3A antibody demonstrated that the 25 kDa G-protein was detected preferentially in the BR-CC-CA, and to some extent in the suboesophageal ganglion, but not in the salivary gland, fat body, prothoracic gland, and oesophagus. These results suggested that the 25 kDa G-protein was a member of the rab family of G-proteins. Furthermore, 1 mM GTPγS capable of activating G-proteins induced BR-CC-CA to release PTTH under the conditions that stimulation of the PTTH release with hetero-trimeric G-protein was suppressed. These results indicated that the small G-proteins may possibly contribute to PTTH release in Bombyx mori. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 38:177–184, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Characterization of GTP binding and hydrolysis in plasma membranes of zucchini.

We have investigated the possibility that G-protein-like entities may be present in the plasma membrane (PM) of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hypocotyls by examining a number of criteria common to animal and yeast G-proteins. The GTP binding and hydrolysis characteristics of purified zucchini PM are similar to the characteristics of a number of known G-proteins. Our results demonstrate GTP binding to a single PM site having a Kd value between 16-31 nM. This binding has a high specificity for guanine nucleotides, and is stimulated by Mg2+, detergents, and fluoride or aluminium ions. The GTPase activity (Km = 0.49 micromole) of zucchini PM shows a sensitivity to NaF similar to that seen for other G-proteins. Localization of GTP mu 35S binding to nitrocellulose blots of proteins separated by SDS-PAGE indicates a 30-kDa protein as the predominant GTP-binding species in zucchini PM. Taken together, these data indicate that plant PM contains proteins which are biochemically similar to previously characterized G-proteins.     

Survey for g-proteins in the prokaryotic genomes: prediction of functional roles based on classification

The members of the family of G-proteins are characterized by their ability to bind and hydrolyze guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to guanosine diphosphate (GDP). Despite a common biochemical function of GTP hydrolysis shared among the members of the family of G-proteins, they are associated with diverse biological roles. The current work describes the identification and detailed analysis of the putative G-proteins encoded in the completely sequenced prokaryotic genomes. Inferences on the biological roles of these G-proteins have been obtained by their classification into known functional subfamilies. We have identified 497 G-proteins in 42 genomes. Seven small GTP-binding protein homologues have been identified in prokaryotes with at least two of the diagnostic sequence motifs of G-proteins conserved. The translation factors have the largest representation (234 sequences) and are found to be ubiquitous, which is consistent with their critical role in protein synthesis. The GTP_OBG subfamily comprises of 79 sequences in our dataset. A total of 177 sequences belong to the subfamily of GTPase of unknown function and 154 of these could be associated with domains of known functions such as cell cycle regulation and t-RNA modification. The large GTP-binding proteins and the alpha-subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins are not detected in the genomes of the prokaryotes surveyed.     

Platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa is associated with 21-kDa GTP-binding protein.

Platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa has been widely studied in the last years because of its role as an activation-dependent, adhesive protein receptor. Recently we demonstrated that occupancy of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa-receptor sites by specific ligands exerts an inhibitory effect on platelet responses induced by mild stimulation, leading us to suppose that this event may interact with activation pathways. Although the mechanisms of signal transduction in human platelets are not completely elucidated, the hypothesis that GTP-binding proteins are involved is generally accepted. Our results demonstrate that platelet ConA receptors, known to be located mainly on GP IIb-IIIa, are able to bind [35S]GTP gamma S; the GTP-binding activity is specific and is due to the association with the receptors of two G-proteins, with apparent molecular masses of 25 and 21 kDa, respectively. After the purification of GP IIb-IIIa, a glycoprotein complex electrophoretically pure was obtained that was still associated with a GTP-binding activity, migrating in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a narrow band of about 21 kDa.     

Characterization of a phospholipase C activity regulated by the purified Gh in reconstitution systems.

Recently, we have reported that the isolated guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein, Gh, couples to the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor (Im, M.-J., and Graham, R. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18944-18951 and Im, M.-J., Riek, R.P., and Graham, R. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18952-18960) and has a molecular mass of approximately 74 kDa, and the approximately 50-kDa protein which is copurified probably regulates guanine nucleotide binding of the 74-kDa GTP-binding protein. In this paper, we describe the role of purified Gh in the regulation of phospholipase C in the reconstitution system. The stimulation of phospholipase C activity by Gh effectively occurred at a low calcium concentration (less than or equal to 2 microM), but the phospholipase C (PLC) itself required at least 50-100 times more calcium to become fully activated. The characteristic nature of phospholipase C stimulation by Gh is its response to the calcium concentration. Thus, the enzyme activity changes in narrow submicromolar ranges and reaches maximal stimulation, but it does not extend to the levels above those stimulated by calcium alone. The calcium concentrations for the maximal stimulation of phospholipase C activity were 10-20 microM with phospholipid vesicles and 100-200 microM with detergent solution. These calcium concentrations were further decreased when Gh and phospholipase C were co-reconstituted into the phospholipid vesicles or in the detergent solution. The maximal stimulations of the PLC activity were reached at less than 5 microM calcium in both the vesicles and the detergent solution. The changes of calcium concentration for the activation of PLC are quite different from those obtained by reconstituting PLC-beta 1 with Gq-like G-proteins (Smarcka, A. V., Hepler, J. R., Brown, K. O., and Sternweis, P. C. (1991) Science 251, 804-807 and Taylor, S. J., Chae, H. Z., Rhee, S. G., and Exton, J. H. (1991) Nature 350, 516-518). The phospholipase C activity was stimulated in a Gh concentration-dependent manner in the presence of GTP gamma S. The phospholipase C activity was activated by Gh alpha in the presence of aluminum fluoride, but not by Gh beta. Furthermore, a Gh.PLC complex can be induced by incubation with aluminum fluoride in a detergent solution and partially purified without the dissociation of related proteins. Thus, our reconstitution studies show that the pattern of stimulation of PLC by AIF-4-activated Gh in the ternary complex is similar to the stimulation of PLC activated by Gh in both detergent solution and phospholipid vesicles.     

GTP-binding proteins and adenylate cyclase activity in v-Ki-ras transformed NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells

To identify the role of ras oncogene and p21 in the coupling mechanism of GTP-binding proteins to adenylate cyclase, we used v-Ki-ras transformed NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells. In the previous study, we investigated that NaF, cholera toxin and forskolin remarkably enhanced the adenylate cyclase activity in transformed cells compared to normal NIH/3T3 cells. In the present study, adenylate cyclase was more enhanced by GTP gamma S in transformed cells than in normal cells. It was considered that p21 plays enhancing role in coupling of GTP-binding proteins to adenylate cyclase. Further, as measured by the degree of [32P] ADP-ribosylation of GTP-binding proteins by cholera toxin and pertussis toxin respectively, the amount of Gs (46 kDa) was almost equal in both cells, while the amount of Gi (41 kDa) in transformant was about one third of that in normal cells. This difference seems to be reflected in either the biological situations or the quantities of Gi. Our data suggest that v-Ki-ras transformation resulted in the decrease of Gi protein so that the inhibitory regulation on adenylate cyclase relatively becomes low and then stimulatory influence of Gs seems to be enhanced.     

Phospholipase C activity from Catharanthus roseus transformed roots: aluminum effect

The effect of aluminum on the activity of PLC was examined in transformed roots from Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don. When added in vitro to the reaction mixture, Al inhibited the enzymatic activity in a concentration and time-dependent fashion. This effect is very similar for both activities (soluble and membrane-associated). When roots were treated in vivo with Al 0.1 mM for short periods (0-4 h), PLC activity was also inhibited. Aluminum (1 mM) diminished root growth in approximately 50% when added on the first day of the culture cycle conditions in which PLC activity is also affected. Other enzymatic activities (NAD+-GDH, NADH-GDH, NADH-GOGAT and HMGR) were not affected when roots were treated with Al (0.1 mM) for short periods of time (1 h). Results obtained in this work suggest that the Al can affect PLC activity as a specific target. Enzymes: Phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.10).     

Actin assembly in electropermeabilized neutrophils: role of G-proteins

Polymerization of microfilaments, one of the responses triggered in neutrophils by stimuli such as the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), involves the conversion of actin from the monomeric to the filamentous form. The exact sequence of events responsible for this conversion remains to be defined, but its susceptibility to inhibition by pertussis toxin provides indirect evidence that GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) are involved. In this report, electropermeabilized cells were used to obtain more direct evidence of a role for G-proteins in actin assembly. Staining with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD)-phallacidin and flow cytometry were used to monitor the formation of filamentous actin. GTP-gamma-S, a nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP and aluminum fluoride, which in combination with GDP can activate G-proteins, stimulated actin assembly in electropermeabilized cells but had only marginal effects on intact cells. fMLP-induced actin polymerization in permeabilized cells was inhibited by pretreatment with GDP-beta-S, an analogue of GDP that stabilizes the inactive form of G-proteins. In contrast, stimulation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was largely unaffected by GDP-3-S. These observations indicate that activation of G-proteins is essential for actin assembly induced by receptor-dependent stimuli such as fMLP. Moreover, GTP-binding proteins do not seem to be required in the late stages of the signalling cascade, i.e. after stimulation of protein kinase C.     

Inhibition by cyclic AMP of guanine nucleotide-induced activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in human platelets

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) activity of human platelet membranes was activated by the nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotide GTP gamma S. This activation did not occur in either membranes prepared from dibutyryl cyclic AMP-pretreated platelets (A-membranes) or those prepared from untreated cells and subsequently incubated with cyclic AMP (cAMP) (B-membranes). This cAMP-mediated inhibition was abolished in the presence of inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase), suggesting that the inhibition was due to phosphorylation of (a) protein component(s). No significant differences were observed in the basal PLC activity and the extent of pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation among control membranes and the two types of phosphorylated membranes (A- and B-membranes). GTP-binding activities of Gs, Gi and GTP-binding proteins of lower molecular masses were not altered by the phosphorylation of the membranes. These findings suggest that a GTP-binding protein is involved in the GTP gamma S-mediated activation of PLC and that cAMP (plus A-kinase) inhibits this activation by phosphorylating a membrane protein (probably a 240-kDa protein), rather than the GTP-binding protein or PLC itself. It is likely that this phosphorylation uncouples the GTP-binding protein from PLC.     

Activation of G-proteins by receptor-stimulated nucleoside diphosphate kinase in Dictyostelium.

Recently, interest in the enzyme nucleoside diphosphate kinase (EC2.7.4.6) has increased as a result of its possible involvement in cell proliferation and development. Since NDP kinase is one of the major sources of GTP in cells, it has been suggested that the effects of an altered NDP kinase activity on cellular processes might be the result of altered transmembrane signal transduction via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins). In the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum, extracellular cAMP induces an increase of phospholipase C activity via a surface cAMP receptor and G-proteins. In this paper it is demonstrated that part of the cellular NDP kinase is associated with the membrane and stimulated by cell surface cAMP receptors. The GTP produced by the action of NDP kinase is capable of activating G-proteins as monitored by altered G-protein-receptor interaction and the activation of the effector enzyme phospholipase C. Furthermore, specific monoclonal antibodies inhibit the effect of NDP kinase on G-protein activation. These results suggest that receptor-stimulated NDP kinase contributes to the mediation of hormone action by producing GTP for the activation of GTP-binding proteins.     

Multiple GTP-binding proteins in sea urchin sperm: Evidence for Gs and small G-proteins

Sea urchin sperm plasma membranes isolated from heads and flagella were used to examine the presence of Gs (stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein) and small G-proteins. Flagellar plasma membranes incubated with [³²P]NAD and cholera toxin (CTX) displayed radiolabeling in a protein of 48 kDa, which was reactive by immunoblotting with a specific antibody against mammalian Gs. CTX-catalyzed [³²P]ADP-ribosylation in conjunction with immunoprecipitation with anti-Gs, followed by electrophoresis and autoradiography, revealed one band of 48 kDa. Head plasma membranes, in contrast, did not show substrates for ADP-ribosylation by CTX. In flagellar and head plasma membranes pertussis toxin (PTX) ADP-ribosylated the same protein described previously in membranes from whole sperm; the extent of ADP-ribosylation by PTX was higher in flagellar than in head membranes. Small G-proteins were investigated by [³²P]GTP-blotting. Both head and flagellar plasma membranes showed three radiolabeled bands of 28, 25 and 24 kDa. Unlabeled GTP and GDP, but not other nucleotides, interfered with the [α-³²P]GTP-binding in a concentration-dependent manner. A monoclonal antibody against human Ras p21 recognized a single protein of 21 kDa only in flagellar membranes. Thus, sea urchin sperm contain a membrane protein that shares characteristics with mammalian Gs and four small G-proteins, including Ras . Gs, Gi and Ras are enriched in flagellar membranes while the other small G-proteins do not display a preferential distribution along the sea urchin sperm plasma membrane. The role of these G-proteins in sea urchin sperm is presently under investigation.