Modification of human placental lactogen with plasmin. Preparation and characterization of a modified hormone with increased biologic activity.

To determine the structure needed for the biologic activity of human placental lactogen (hPL), we have cleaved hPL with the proteolytic enzyme plasmin. Plasmin modified hPL (PL-hPL) was purified by gel chromatography. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis before and after reduction showed that cleavage had occurred within the Cys53-Cys165 loop and tryptic peptide maps revealed that a single peptide consisting of residues 135 to 140 had been removed. 5-Dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl end group analysis and digestion with carboxypeptidase B confirmed that cleavage was complete and only the single hexapeptide was removed. In a membrane binding assay for lactogenic activity PL-hPL was 2- to 3-fold more potent than hPL. Using growth hormone receptors from rabbit liver membranes, PL-hPL was also more potent than hPL, but still much less potent than growth hormone. The lactogenic activity of PL-hPL in an in vitro bioassay was 75% above that of unmodified hormone. It is concluded that plasmin cleaves homologous peptides from hPL and growth hormone and that removal of the hexapeptide from hPL results in enhanced biologic activity.     

Deletion of epidermal growth factor-like domains converts mammalian tolloid into a chordinase and effective procollagen C-proteinase

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-1 and mammalian tolloid (mTld) are Ca(2+)-dependent metalloproteinases that result from alternative splicing of the bmp1 gene. They have different proteinase activities, e.g. BMP-1 effectively cleaves procollagen (an extracellular matrix protein) and chordin (a BMP antagonist), whereas mTld is a poor procollagen proteinase and will not cleave chordin in the absence of twisted gastrulation. This is perplexing because mTld (being the longer variant) might be expected to cleave all substrates cleaved by BMP-1. Studies have shown that the minimal structure for procollagen proteinase activity is proteinase-CUB1-CUB2 (BMP-1DeltaEC3) and therefore lacking the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain thought to account for the Ca(2+) dependence of BMP-1. In this study we generated three deletion mutants of mTld that lacked either one or both EGF-like domains (referred to as "mTld-DeltaEGF"). The mutated proteins were poorly but sufficiently secreted from 293-EBNA cells for in vitro assays of procollagen and chordin cleavage. Most surprisingly, the mTld-DeltaEGF mutants required Ca(2+) for proteolytic activity, thereby showing that the EGF-like domains do not account for the Ca(2+) dependence of BMP-1/mTld. Moreover, the mTld-DeltaEGFs are effective procollagen proteinases and cleave chordin. Furthermore, BMP-1DeltaEC3 cleaves chordin and requires Ca(2+) for activity. Studies using nondenaturing gels showed that mTld molecules lacking EGF-like domains have a loose conformation such that in the presence of Ca(2+) binding sites for chordin and procollagen on the "BMP-1-part" of the molecule are exposed. We propose that the EGF-like domains could hold CUB4/5 domains in locations that exclude substrates cleavable by BMP-1.     

Evidence from the use of monoclonal antibody probes for structural heterogeneity of the growth hormone receptor.

We describe the use of four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the rabbit liver growth hormone (GH) receptor and one raised against purified rat liver GH receptor to characterize liver receptor subtypes which differ in their hormone-binding regions. The anti-(rat liver GH receptor) MAb both inhibited and precipitated rat and rabbit GH receptors, but only one-half of 125I-oGH (ovine GH) binding to liver microsomes could be inhibited by excess antibody. Conversely, only one-half of 125I-anti-(rat GH receptor) MAb binding was inhibited by excess oGH and Scatchard plots for this MAb exhibited two components. Although only 50% of 125I-oGH binding to membranes was inhibited by this MAb, all solubilized receptor could be immunoprecipitated. We postulate two epitopes for the anti-(rat GH receptor) MAb, one located at the hormone-binding site (inhibitory site) and one elsewhere (immunoprecipitating site). A second, rabbit-specific antibody (MAb 7) inhibited 85% of hormone binding but only 30% of 125I-anti-(rat GH receptor) MAb binding to rabbit liver microsomes. A combination of this MAb with the anti-(rat GH receptor) MAb totally inhibited 125I-oGH binding. MAb 7 alone totally inhibited 125I-rat GH binding to rabbit liver microsomes, as it did with 125I-oGH binding to purified receptor. On the basis of these results and others we postulate three types of GH receptor in rabbit liver membranes and ascribe approximate extents of 125I-oGH binding to each. A cytosolic 'GH receptor' which is not poly(ethylene glycol)-precipitable is shown to share five epitopes with 'type 2' microsomal receptors. Purified plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum fractions derived from a rabbit liver microsomal preparation have identical antigenic characteristics with respect to the GH-binding region, indicating that the heterogeneity we describe is not related to receptor processing. Of the three types of GH receptor in the plasma membrane of the rabbit (and possibly rat) we postulate that one (type 1) corresponds to the GH receptor involved in stimulating growth and possesses all of the epitopes studied here. A second (type 2) appears to be identical with the cytosolic 'GH receptor' and lacks the epitope for the anti-(rat GH receptor) MAb in the hormone binding site region. A third (type 3) does not possess the epitope for the inhibitory anti-(rabbit GH receptor) MAb, appears not to bind rat GH and is lost during purification. The availability of type-specific MAbs will facilitate assignment of specific functions to liver receptor subtypes which mediate the multiple functions of GH.     

A calmodulin endoproteinase from mitochondrial membranes

A proteinase specific for calmodulin has been identified in a crude rat kidney Triton-extracted or sonicated mitochondrial fraction and solubilized by EGTA extraction of these membranes. Mitochondrial fractions from other tissues had less activity, with relative activities: kidney = spleen greater than testes greater than liver, and no detectable activity in either brain or skeletal muscle. This enzyme is active in the presence of EGTA, but not in the presence of calcium, and cleaves calmodulin into three major peptide fragments with Mr 6000, 9000 and 10,000. N-methylated and non-methylated calmodulins were both cleaved by calmodulin proteinase and while troponin was a poor substrate, it was cleaved in the presence of either calcium or EGTA. No other EF hand calcium-binding proteins or other major mitochondrial proteins were cleaved by this enzyme. The peptides resulting from calmodulin proteinase action were isolated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and sequenced. Sequence analysis indicated that calmodulin proteinase cleaves calmodulin at Lys-75. The effects of proteinase inhibitors indicate that calmodulin proteinase is a trypsin-like enzyme belonging to the serine endopeptidase family of enzymes.     

Growth hormone-binding proteins in high-speed cytosols of multiple tissues of the rabbit

Soluble, specific binding protein(s) for growth hormone (GH) have been identified and partially characterized in high-speed cytosolic preparations from a number of rabbit tissues. The binding of 125I-labelled human GH to proteins in liver, heart, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and kidney cytosols was dependent on time and cytosolic protein concentration. By Scatchard analysis, the binding affinities (KA: (2-7) X 10(9) M-1) were somewhat higher than those generally reported for membrane GH receptors. The binding proteins had a greater specificity for somatotrophic hormones than lactogenic hormones, although the kidney appeared to have, in addition, a lactogen-binding protein. By gel filtration, the Mr of the cytosolic GH-binding protein was approximately 100 000 in all tissues. None of the binding proteins was detectable by the poly(ethylene glycol) precipitation method used widely for soluble hormone receptors. The cytosolic GH-binding proteins also cross-reacted with a monoclonal antibody to the rabbit liver membrane GH receptor. These results indicate the ubiquitous presence of apparently naturally soluble GH-binding proteins in the cytosolic fractions of several tissues in the rabbit. Of great interest is their presence in muscle, where GH receptors or binding proteins have not previously been detected, despite muscle being recognized as a classical GH target tissue.     

A major cysteine proteinase is developmentally regulated in Trypanosoma cruzi

Epimastigotes of different stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi contain similar levels of proteinase activity on azocasein; amastigotes and trypomastigotes contain 10-fold lower levels of this proteolytic activity, which seems, therefore, to be developmentally regulated. The proteinase could be detected as a broad band, centered at about 60 kDa, which in some cases resolved into two close bands, in (a) SDS-polyacrylamide gels containing fibrinogen, and (b) Western blots probed with a polyclonal rabbit antiserum prepared against purified cysteine proteinase. No proteinase activity was observed at molecular weights lower than 55 kDa. The results show that the enzyme previously purified is the major cysteine proteinase present in epimastigotes of all stocks of T. cruzi tested.     

Proteolysis of the exodomain of recombinant protease-activated receptors: prediction of receptor activation or inactivation by MALDI mass spectrometry

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) mediate cell activation after proteolytic cleavage of their extracellular amino terminus. Thrombin selectively cleaves PAR1, PAR3, and PAR4 to induce activation of platelets and vascular cells, while PAR2 is preferentially cleaved by trypsin. In pathological situations, other proteolytic enzymes may be generated in the circulation and could modify the responses of PARs by cleaving their extracellular domains. To assess the ability of such proteases to activate or inactivate PARs, we designed a strategy for locating cleavage sites on the exofacial NH(2)-terminal fragments of the receptors. The first extracellular segments of PAR1 (PAR1E) and PAR2 (PAR2E) expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli were incubated with a series of proteases likely to be encountered in the circulation during thrombosis or inflammation. Kinetic and dose-response studies were performed, and the cleavage products were analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Thrombin cleaved PAR1E at the Arg41-Ser42 activation site at concentrations known to induce cellular activation, supporting a native conformation of the recombinant polypeptide. Plasmin, calpain and leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G, and proteinase 3 cleaved at multiple sites and would be expected to disable PAR1 by cleaving COOH-terminal to the activation site. Cleavage specificities were further confirmed using activation site defective PAR1E S42P mutant polypeptides. Surface plasmon resonance studies on immobilized PAR1E or PAR1E S42P were consistent with cleavage results obtained in solution and allowed us to determine affinities of PAR1E-thrombin binding. FACS analyses of intact platelets confirmed the cleavage of PAR1 downstream of the Arg41-Ser42 site. Mass spectrometry studies of PAR2E predicted activation of PAR2 by trypsin through cleavage at the Arg36-Ser37 site, no effect of thrombin, and inactivation of the receptor by plasmin, calpain and leukocyte elastase, cathepsin G, and proteinase 3. The inhibitory effect of elastase was confirmed on native PAR1 and PAR2 on the basis of Ca(2+) signaling studies in endothelial cells. It was concluded that none of the main proteases generated during fibrinolysis or inflammation appears to be able to signal through PAR1 or PAR2. This strategy provides results which can be extended to the native receptor to predict its activation or inactivation, and it could likewise be used to study other PARs or protease-dependent processes.     

Trypsin-resistant forms of human growth hormone have diabetogenic and insulin-like activities

Although diabetogenic and insulin-like activities are intrinsic properties of the growth hormone (GH) molecule, it has been frequently suggested that the hormone must be proteolytically processed for these activities to be expressed. If this is correct, then derivatives of GH having resistance to appropriate proteolytic attack might not have diabetogenic and/or insulin-like activity. The purpose of the present study was to prepare derivatives of human GH that are resistant to digestion by trypsin and to determine whether they possess diabetogenic or insulin-like activity. Three derivatives were prepared from purified native human GH in which lysine residues were modified with methyl acetimidate, citraconic anhydride or S-ethyl-thioltrifluoroacetate, and one in which arginine residues were modified with camphorquinone-10-sulfonic acid. Comparisons of peptide maps of tryptic digests of these derivatives with that of unmodified human GH indicated that all four were resistant to proteolysis by trypsin. All of these trypsin-resistant forms of human GH were found to possess significant growth-promoting, diabetogenic and insulin-like activities, although all activities were attenuated to some extent in each derivative. The relative potencies of the human GH derivatives in a radioimmunoassay for human GH were somewhat similar to their order of potency in the growth-promoting and diabetogenic assays. These results suggest that if proteolytic processing of the GH molecule is involved in the expression of one or more of its biological activities, such processing probably does not involve a trypsin-like proteinase.     

Thyroglobulin processing by thyroidal proteases. Major sites of cleavage by cathepsins B, D, and L

The normal provision of thyroid hormones to the body requires their release from the prohormone, thyroglobulin (Tg). Previous work established the importance of cathepsins B, D, and L (formerly designated cysteine proteinase I) to this process but had not defined the points of proteolytic attack for each enzyme. In the present study we labeled rabbit Tg in vivo with sodium 125I and performed limited digestions with cathepsins B, D, and L, purified from human thyroids. The resultant peptide fragments were analyzed by amino-terminal sequencing and located within the Tg molecule by comparison with the cDNA-derived sequences from human Tg. We identified three cleavage points for cathepsin B, corresponding to P'1 residues 532, 795, and 2487; four cleavage points for cathepsin L, corresponding to P'1 residues 2389, 2452, 2490, and 2657; and four cleavage points for cathepsin D, corresponding to P'1 residues 551, 1835, 2468, and 2643. None of the cleavage points was near Tgs known hormonogenic sites, but these peptide fragments contained three of the four major hormonogenic sites in rabbit Tg, suggesting some preference for their early proteolytic processing. Cathespin B alone among the three endopeptidases had some exopeptidase activity toward Tg. The cleavage specificities for each of the endopeptidases resembled those described with other protein substrates. Thus, cathepsin D preferentially cleaved bonds between hydrophobic residues, and cathespin L cleaved bonds with hydrophobic residues at P2 and P3. Although cathepsin Bs specificity was less obvious, it produced a major cleavage between 2 leucine residues. The existence of three endopeptidases cleaving at different sites shows that Tg proteolysis is a complex process, suggests synergism among their enzyme activities, and provides a physiological mechanism for selective hormone release, including its regulation by TSH.     

Involvement of proteolytic enzymes in the lipotropic effect of the pituitary polypeptide hormones

The influence of proteinase inhibitors on the lipolytic effect of the pituitary polypeptide hormones and epinephrine in an isolated adipose tissue of rabbits and rats has been studied. Neither of proteinase inhibitors changed the basal rate of lipolysis. Trasylol, a serine proteinase inhibitor, suppressed completely growth hormone (GH) effect and partially reduced the effect of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) but did not change the effect of epinephrine. Bacitracin proved ineffective with regard to the effect of polypeptide hormones. Pepstatin, an acid proteinase inhibitor, partially blocked the stimulation of lipolysis by ACTH without affecting the effect of GH and beta-LPH. The influence of proteinase inhibitors on the ACTH effect in rat adipose tissue was similar to that found in rabbit tissue. The Trasylol-induced inhibition of the hormone-stimulated lipolysis decreased to a considerable extent after GH or ACTH incubation with rabbit plasma or partial GH digestion with pepsin. This decrease was not observed when plasma serine proteinases were blocked during GH incubation with plasma. The results demonstrate an involvement of some proteolytic enzymes in the realization of the polypeptide hormone lipolytic effect and permit to suppose the requirement of preliminary activation of the hormones by means of proteolytic modification.     

Binding inhibition by monoclonal antibodies of ovine placental lactogen to growth hormone receptors in human liver

In the radioreceptor assay for growth hormone (RRA-GH) using [125I]iodo-hGH, hGH and human liver membrane particulate fractions as tracer, hormone standard and receptors, respectively, ovine placental lactogen (oPL) is capable of inhibiting the binding of [125I]iodo-hGH in a parallel manner with hGH and in equipotency. Similarly, in the RRA-GH by employing [125I]iodo-oPL, oPL and human liver membrane particulate fractions as tracer, hormone standard and receptors, respectively, hGH is also equipotent as oPL in inhibiting the binding of [125I]iodo-oPL in a parallel fashion. The addition of monoclonal antibodies against oPL in the assay was effective in inhibiting the binding of [125I] iodo-oPL to human liver, but could not, however, inhibit the binding of [125I]iodo-hGH to human liver. Furthermore, the addition of the monoclonal antibodies in the RRA-GH did not affect the parallelism of the oPL standard but lowered the total binding of oPL. Our studies indicate that the structure of the binding sequence in oPL which binds to the GH receptor of human liver is not identical to the equivalent sequence of hGH and that the monoclonal antibodies compete with GH receptors in human liver for the binding of oPL.     

Proteolytic processing of IGFBP-related protein-1 (TAF/angiomodulin/mac25) modulates its biological activity

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-related protein-1 (IGFBP-rP1) was previously identified as tumor-derived adhesion factor (TAF) secreted from human bladder carcinoma cells. It exhibits growth-stimulatory activity in synergy with insulin or IGFs. In the present study, we found that IGFBP-rP1 was proteolytically cleaved to a two-chain form. The cleavage sequence suggested that a trypsin-like serine proteinase may be responsible for the processing. The cleavage of IGFBP-rP1 led to an almost complete loss of both insulin/IGF-1-binding activity and insulin/IGF-1-dependent growth-stimulatory activity. On the other hand, the cell attachment activity of IGFBP-rP1 was markedly increased by the proteolytic processing. Syndecan-1 was thought to be a cell surface receptor for both intact and cleaved IGFBP-rP1 forms. Although the proteolytic cleavage of IGFBP-rP1 decreased its heparin-binding activity, the cleaved form could bind syndecan-1 efficiently. Thus the proteolytic processing of IGFBP-rP1 seems to modulate its insulin/IGF-dependent and -independent biological functions.     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope gp120 is cleaved after incubation with recombinant soluble CD4.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infects human CD4+ cells by a high-affinity interaction between its envelope glycoprotein gp120 and the CD4 molecule on the cell surface. Subsequent virus entry into the cells involves other steps, one of which could be cleavage of the gp120 followed by virus-cell fusion. The envelope gp120 is highly variable among different HIV-1 isolates, but conserved amino acid sequence motifs that contain potential proteolytic cleavage sites can be found. Following incubation with a soluble form of CD4, we demonstrate that gp120 of highly purified HIV-1 preparations is, without addition of exogenous proteinase, cleaved most likely in the V3 loop, yielding two proteins of 50 and 70 kDa. The extent of gp120 proteolysis is HIV-1 strain dependent and correlates with the recombinant soluble CD4 sensitivity to neutralization of the particular strain. The origin of the proteolytic activity in the virus preparations remains unclear. The results support the hypothesis that cleavage of gp120 is required for HIV infection of cells.     

Evidence for NAD nucleosidase in rabbit-liver lysosomes.

A method is described for the isolation of secondary lysosomes from homogenates of rabbit liver; The uptake of Triton WR-1339 by rabbit-liver lysosomes when administered by intraperitoneal injection was used to decrease the density of secondary lysosomes. Lysosomal fractions prepared by this method contain an NAD nucleosidase (NAD glycohydrolase, EC 3;2.25), an enzyme which has previously been considered to be associated with other subcellular fractions. The enzyme has maximum activity at pH 6 and cleaves both NAD and NADP. It is inhibited by nicotinamide (Ki equals 4.5 mM) and by HgCl2. Both nucleosidase and 2'-nucleotidase show in-vitro latency typical of lysosomal acid hydrolases. Rabbit-liver plasma-membrane fractions were isolated which contained most 5'-nucleotidase but relatively little nucleosidase, whereas rabbit liver lysosomes contain both 5'-nucleotidase and nucleosidase enzymes but little adenyl cyclase.     

Inhibition of the proteolytic activity of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A by targeting substrate exosite binding

The metalloproteinase pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) cleaves both insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) and -5 at a single site in their central domain causing the release of bioactive IGF. Inhibition of IGF signaling is relevant in human disease, and several drugs in development target the IGF receptor. However, inhibition of PAPP-A activity may be a valuable alternative. We have generated monoclonal phage-derived single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies which selectively inhibit the cleavage of IGFBP-4 by PAPP-A, relevant under conditions where cleavage of IGFBP-4 represents the final step in the delivery of IGF to the IGF receptor. None of the antibodies inhibited the homologous proteinase PAPP-A2, which allowed mapping of antibody binding by means of chimeras between PAPP-A and PAPP-A2 to the C-terminal Lin12-Notch repeat module, separated from the proteolytic domain by almost 1000 amino acids. Hence, the antibodies define a substrate binding exosite that can be targeted for the selective inhibition of PAPP-A proteolytic activity against IGFBP-4. In addition, we show that the Lin12-Notch repeat module reversibly binds a calcium ion and that bound calcium is required for antibody binding, providing a strategy for the further development of selective inhibitory compounds. To our knowledge these data represent the first example of differential inhibition of cleavage of natural proteinase substrates by exosite targeting. Generally, exosite inhibitors are less likely to affect the activity of related proteolytic enzymes with similar active site environments. In the case of PAPP-A, selective inhibition of IGFBP-4 cleavage by interference with exosite binding is a further advantage, as the activity against other known or unknown PAPP-A substrates, whose cleavage may not depend on binding to the same exosite, is not targeted.     

Multiple metalloproteinases process protransforming growth factor-alpha (proTGF-alpha)

Shedding of TNF-alpha requires a single cleavage event, whereas the ectodomain of proTGF-alpha is cleaved at N-proximal (N-terminal) and membrane proximal (C-terminal) sites to release mature TGF-alpha. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) was shown to have a central role in the shedding of both factors. Here we show that cleavage of the proTGF-alpha C-terminal site, required for release of mature growth factor, is less sensitive to a panel of hydroxamates than TNF-alpha processing. Recombinant TACE cleaves TNF-alpha and N-terminal TGF-alpha peptides 50-fold more efficiently than the C-terminal TGF-alpha peptide. Moreover, fractionation of rat liver epithelial cell membranes yields two populations: one contains TACE and cleaves peptides corresponding to TNF-alpha and both proTGF-alpha processing sites, while the other lacks detectable TACE and cleaves only the C-terminal proTGF-alpha processing site. Activities in both fractions are inhibited by hydroxamates and EDTA but not by cysteine, aspartate, or serine protease inhibitors. Both membrane fractions also contain ADAM 10. ADAM 10 correctly cleaves peptides and a soluble form of precursor TGF-alpha (proTGFecto) at the N-terminal site but not the C-terminal site. However, the kinetics of N-terminal peptide cleavage by ADAM 10 are 90-fold less efficient than TACE. Our findings indicate that while TACE is an efficient proTGF-alpha N-terminal convertase, a different activity, distinguishable from TACE, exists that can process proTGF-alpha at the C-terminal site. A model that accounts for these findings and the requirement for TACE in TGF-alpha shedding is proposed.     

Somatotropic and lactotropic receptors in transgenic mice expressing human or bovine growth hormone genes

The somatotropic and lactotropic receptors were studied in liver microsomal preparations from transgenic mice carrying the human growth hormone (hGH) or bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene fused to mouse metallothionein-I (MT) or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase promoter/regulator (PEPCK). Specificity studies indicated that, similarly to normal mice, liver microsomes from the transgenic animals possess a mixed population of somatotropic and lactotropic binding sites. In transgenic animals of both sexes, the binding capacity of somatotropic receptors was significantly increased without corresponding changes in affinity. Expression of the MT-hGH hybrid gene was associated with the induction of somatotropic receptors which was approximately twice as great as that measured in animals expressing the MT-bGH hybrid gene. The binding capacity of lactotropic receptors in liver microsomes (quantitated, by the use, of labelled ovine prolactin) was increased 2–3 fold in transgenic females and approximately 10-fold in transgenic males as compared to the respective normal controls. We conclude that lifelong excess of GH up-regulates hepatic GH and prolactin receptors, and that lactogenic activity of GH is not essential for induction of prolactin receptors in the liver of transgenic mice.     

Structural requirements for V2 vasopressin receptor proteolytic cleavage.

The ligand-induced proteolytic cleavage of the V2 vasopressin receptor transiently expressed in COS cells was investigated. After incubation of the cell membranes with a photoreactive ligand possessing full agonistic properties for V2 receptors, approximately 90% of the porcine and bovine V2 vasopressin receptors were cleaved in the upper part of transmembrane helix 2 at a heptapeptide sequence conserved in both vasopressin and oxytocin receptors. The oxytocin receptor was completely resistant to proteolysis after binding the same photoreactive ligand, which is only a partial agonist for this receptor. Chimeric V2/oxytocin receptors obtained by transfer of extracellular domains of the oxytocin receptor into the V2 receptor showed an increase in binding affinity for oxytocin versus vasopressin and a diminished cleavage. The proteolysis-resistant chimeric V2/oxytocin receptor, which contains the first three extracellular domains of the oxytocin receptor, stimulated cAMP accumulation to a larger extent in response to vasopressin than the wild-type receptor and showed impaired desensitization of the adenylate cyclase system. Our data indicate that the proteolytic cleavage of the V2 receptor requires a defined conformation, especially of the first two extracellular domains that is induced by agonist binding. Furthermore, the results suggest that the proteolytic V2 receptor cleavage might play a role in signal termination at elevated hormone concentrations.     

Differences in hepatic growth hormone receptor binding during development of normal and dwarf chickens

The aim of this study was to compare the growth hormone (GH) receptor in liver microsomal fractions of normal chickens (Dw) and chickens carrying the dwarf gene (dw). Specific binding of GH to its hepatic receptor was significantly higher for Dw embryos from d 14 till d 20 of incubation than for dw embryos. The difference in binding was due to a decreased binding capacity but not affinity in the livers of the dwarf embryos. The same binding pattern was found in livers of adult chickens: lower binding was again caused by a lower number of GH receptors and at this stage the difference was even clearer than during embryonic development. Binding studies on livers of growing chicks demonstrated that binding was low for both genotypes, but a small though significant difference between them remained. The cause of this decrease in number of GH receptors in dwarf birds has yet to be determined but may be due to the primary action of the dwarf gene.     

Mutational analysis of tobacco etch virus polyprotein processing: cis and trans proteolytic activities of polyproteins containing the 49-kilodalton proteinase.

The genome of tobacco etch virus contains a single open reading frame with the potential to encode a 346-kilodalton (kDa) polyprotein. The large polyprotein is cleaved at several positions by a tobacco etch virus genome-encoded, 49-kDa proteinase. The locations of the 49-kDa proteinase-mediated cleavage sites flanking the 71-kDa cytoplasmic pinwheel inclusion protein, 6-kDa protein, 49-kDa proteinase, and 58-kDa putative polymerase have been determined by using cell-free expression, proteolytic processing, and site-directed mutagenesis systems. Each of these sites is characterized by the conserved sequence motif Glu-Xaa-Xaa-Tyr-Xaa-Gln-Ser or Gly (in which cleavage occurs after the Gln residue). The amino acid residue (Gln) predicted to occupy the -1 position relative to the scissile bond has been substituted, by mutagenesis of cloned cDNA, at each of four cleavage sites. The altered sites were not cleaved by the 49-kDa proteinase. A series of synthetic polyproteins that contained the 49-kDa proteinase linked to adjoining proteins via defective cleavage sites were expressed, and their proteolytic activities were analyzed. As part of a polyprotein, the proteinase was found to exhibit cis (intramolecular) and trans (intermolecular) activity.