Molecular bases of cyclic and specific disulfide interchange between human ERO1alpha protein and protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI)

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of human cells, ERO1α and protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) constitute one of the major electron flow pathways that catalyze oxidative folding of secretory proteins. Specific and limited PDI oxidation by ERO1α is essential to avoid ER hyperoxidation. To investigate how ERO1α oxidizes PDI selectively among more than 20 ER-resident PDI family member proteins, we performed docking simulations and systematic biochemical analyses. Our findings reveal that a protruding β-hairpin of ERO1α specifically interacts with the hydrophobic pocket present in the redox-inactive PDI b'-domain through the stacks between their aromatic residues, leading to preferred oxidation of the C-terminal PDI a'-domain. ERO1α associated preferentially with reduced PDI, explaining the stepwise disulfide shuttle mechanism, first from ERO1α to PDI and then from oxidized PDI to an unfolded polypeptide bound to its hydrophobic pocket. The interaction of ERO1α with ERp44, another PDI family member protein, was also analyzed. Notably, ERO1α-dependent PDI oxidation was inhibited by a hyperactive ERp44 mutant that lacks the C-terminal tail concealing the substrate-binding hydrophobic regions. The potential ability of ERp44 to inhibit ERO1α activity may suggest its physiological role in ER redox and protein homeostasis.     

Extracellular metabolism-dependent uptake of lysolipids through cultured monolayer of differentiated Caco-2 cells

Glycerophospholipids are known to be hydrolyzed in the intestinal lumen into free fatty acids and lysophospholipids that are then absorbed by the intestinal epithelial cells. A monolayer of enterocyte-differentiated Caco-2 cell is often used to assess the intestinal bioavailability of nutrients. In this study, we examined how differentiated Caco-2 cells process lysoglycerolipids such as lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Our findings were twofold. (1) Caco-2 cells secreted both a lysophospholipase A-like enzyme and a glycerophosphocholine-phosphodiesterase enzyme into the apical, but not basolateral, lumen, suggesting that food-derived LPC is converted to a free fatty acid, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate, and choline through two sequential enzymatic reactions in humans. The release of the latter enzyme was differentiation-dependent. (2) Fatty acid-releasing activities toward exogenous fluorescent LPC, lysophosphatidic acid and monoacylglycerol were shown to be higher on the apical membranes of Caco-2 cells than on the basolateral membranes. These results suggest that human intestinal epithelial cells metabolize lysoglycerolipids by two distinct mechanisms involving secreted or apical-selective expression of metabolic enzymes.     

Current status of weighting methodologies in Japan

In Japan, requirements for the development of valuation methodology are very stringent. Several methodologies have been proposed to meet these demands in recent years. These methods, however, are quite different in many points such as selected impact categories, the numbers of substances considered, and basic concepts for the environment. The results of LCA are fully dependent on the goals of LCA practitioners and commissioners. If they misunderstand the concept of method and use it, the result may not fit for the purpose. Consequently, it is important to characterize the methods selected by the practitioner in accordance with their LCA goals. In this paper, weighting methodologies proposed in Japan have been introduced with a comparison between the results of case studies for common industrial products. Furthermore, we considered the present situations and future directions of valuation methodologies in Japan. This consideration is carried out based on the results of investigations performed by the Impact Assessment Committee of the National LCA Project of Japan     

Studies on Tyrosinase in the Housefly

A natural activator occurring in the aged pupae of the housefly, Musca domestica Maquart, was partially purified by means of fractionation with ammonium sulfate and of lyophilization. The preparation of the activator without accompanying tyrosinase activity made it possible to devise a method for measuring its activity, i.e., a partially purified protyrosinase which contained no activator was incubated together with natural activator, and the formation of tyrosinase activity was followed either manometrically or colorimetrically. Effects of concentration of natural activator, pH and temperature on the activation of protyrosinase were studied, resulting in an assumption that the activation occurs catalytically. Inhibition of the activation by various chemical reagents were studies and it was found that sodium picryl sulfate, N-bromosuccinimide or iodine inactivated natural activator irreversibly, and thioglycol or monoiodoacetate inhibited considerably. However, these reagents have almost no effect on the potential activity of protyrosinase. As the results, it was presumed that natural activator is an enzyme and protyrosinase is its substrate. The mode of activation of protyrosinase by the activator is, however, still obscure.     

Distinct localization of two closely related Ypt3/Rab11 proteins on the trafficking pathway in higher plants.

Ypt/Rab proteins are Ras-related small GTPases that act on the intracellular membrane through the trafficking pathway, and their function depends on their localization. Approximately 25 genes encoding Ypt3/Rab11-related proteins exist in Arabidopsis, but the reason for the presence of many genes in plants remains unclear. Pea Pra2 and Pra3, members of Ypt3/Rab11, are closely related proteins. Because possible orthologs are conserved among dicots, they can be studied to determine their possible localization. Biochemical analysis revealed that these proteins were localized on distinct membranes in pea. Furthermore, using green fluorescent protein-Pra2 and green fluorescent protein-Pra3 fusion proteins, we demonstrated that these proteins are distinctively localized on the trafficking pathway in tobacco Bright Yellow 2 cells. Pra2 was predominantly localized on Golgi stacks and endosomes, which did not support the localization of Pra2 on the endoplasmic reticulum (Kang, J. G., Yun, J., Kim, D. H., Chung, K. S., Fujioka, S., Kim, J. I., Dae, H. W., Yoshida, S., Takatsuto, S., Song, P. S., and Park, C. M. (2001) Cell 105, 625--636). In contrast, Pra3 was likely to be localized on the trans-Golgi network and/or the prevacuolar compartment. We concluded that Pra2 and Pra3 proteins are distinctively localized on the trafficking pathway. This finding suggests that functional diversification takes place in the plant Ypt3/Rab11 family.     

Incidence of antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, hepatitis B virus, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus and Chlamydia in Tonga and western Samoa

Among the populations of Tonga and Western Samoa, serum antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus were not detected (0/904 and 0/192). No serum samples were considered to be positive for antibody against human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (0/527). Hepatitis B antigen and antibody were found in 4% (8/192) and 47% (90/192), respectively. Chlamydia trachomatis IgG and C. psittaci IgG antibodies were detected in 39% (75/192) and 47% (91/192), respectively. The possibilities of the spread of human immunodeficiency virus and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus on the islands when the viruses invade from abroad were discussed.     

Human monocyte colony-stimulating factor enhances the clearance of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B-100 via both low density lipoprotein receptor-dependent and -independent pathways in rabbits

To investigate the effects of recombinant human monocyte colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) on plasma cholesterol metabolism, we injected M-CSF intravenously into New Zealand White rabbits (n = 13) at a dose of 100 micrograms/day for 7 days. After the treatment, the plasma cholesterol levels fell by 33.2% from 61.4 +/- 25.9 to 41.0 +/- 10.2 mg/dl (mean +/- S.D.). We also injected a large dose of M-CSF (500 micrograms/day) for 6 days into Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbits, which are deficient in low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors. Again, there was a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol levels by 36.2% from 730.5 +/- 176.4 to 466.0 +/- 104.9 mg/dl (n = 4). In the kinetic studies in New Zealand White rabbits with very low density lipoprotein, LDL, and methylated LDL, the removal rates of those lipoproteins were increased 1.9-, 1.7-, and 2.0-fold, respectively, after the treatment. Immunoblot analysis of LDL receptors in the treated rabbits showed no significant changes in LDL receptor proteins in livers but a great increase in spleens and bone marrows compared with the controls. Messenger RNA was also estimated by Northern blotting in both groups, and the results were compatible with those from the immunoblot. The data suggest that M-CSF stimulates the clearance of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B-100 via both LDL receptor-dependent and -independent pathways in target cells of M-CSF and reduces plasma cholesterol.     

Expression of M-CSF receptor encoded by c-fms on smooth muscle cells derived from arteriosclerotic lesion.

Vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic lesions are phenotypically different from those in the normal arterial wall, and no expression of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptor encoded by the proto-oncogene c-fms has been demonstrated in normal smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we demonstrated expression of c-fms and high affinity binding of M-CSF in smooth muscle cells isolated from an experimental rabbit model of arteriosclerosis (intimal smooth muscle cells), while no expression of c-fms was shown in medial smooth muscle cells. In the immunocytochemical analysis, both types of smooth muscle cells similarly reacted with an antibody specific to muscle cells (HHF 35) but did not react with an antibody specific to rabbit macrophages (RAM 11). In intimal smooth muscle cells, when cells were incubated with acetylated low density lipoproteins (LDL), the binding of acetylated LDL and foam cell formation were observed. In response to M-CSF, tyrosine-phosphorylation, as analyzed by the detection of anti-phosphotyrosine-reactive proteins, and an increased rate of cell proliferation were observed in intimal smooth muscle cells. These results indicated that intimal smooth muscle cells have the characteristics of monocyte-macrophages such as the expression of c-fms, which may be related to their proliferation and phenotypic conversion into foam cells in atheromatous lesions.     

Effects of arginine vasopressin on blood pressure and renal prostaglandin E2 in rabbits.

The role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in blood pressure regulation in humans and animals is still controversial. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of AVP on blood pressure and the excretion of sodium and prostaglandin (PG) E2 in rabbits. AVP dissolved in 0.01 M acetic acid was infused subcutaneously at a rate of 0.86 ng/kg/min with a miniosmotic pump into 12 New Zealand white rabbits (2.7-3.4 kg), while 10 controls were given vehicle alone. AVP infusion resulted in a 3.5-fold rise in the level of plasma AVP (21.8 +/- 4.4 (SEM) pg/ml) as compared with controls, associated with a significant decrease in the urine volume and urinary excretion of sodium. The PGE2 excretion was increased 1.8-fold after AVP infusion. In the chronic AVP-infused group, blood pressure was not significantly increased, but the acute vascular response to AVP was significantly attenuated without any changes in the vasopressor response to angiotensin II. Preadministration of V1-antagonist completely abolished the vasopressor action of AVP, but not that of angiotensin II, in either group. These results suggest that circulating AVP within physiological range of concentrations may stimulate renal PGE2 synthesis and attenuate the vascular response through vascular V1 receptors without affecting the baroreflex, which may be attenuated through V2 receptors.