A β-(1→4)-xylosyltransferase involved in the synthesis of arabinoxylans in developing barley endosperms

A β-(1→4)-xylosyltransferase (XylTase; EC 2.4.2.24) participating in the synthesis of arabinoxylans was investigated using microsomal membranes prepared from developing barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) endosperms. The microsomal fraction transferred Xyl from uridine 5'-diphosphoxylose (UDP-Xyl) into exogenous β-(1→4)-xylooligosaccharides derivatized at their reducing ends with 2-aminopyridine. HPLC analysis showed chain elongation of pyridylaminated β-(1→4)-xylotriose (Xyl₃-PA) by repeated attachment of one to five single xylosyl residues depending on the reaction time, leading to the formation of Xyl₄₋₈-PA. Methylation analysis and enzymatic digestions with β-xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37) and endo -β-(1→4)-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) confirmed that the transfer of xylosyl residues into the newly synthesized products occurred through β-(1→4)-linkages. The activity of the XylTase was maximal at pH 6.8 and 20°C and most enhanced in the presence of 0.5% Triton X-100 and 5 m M MnCl₂. The apparent Michaelis constant and maximal velocity of the enzyme for Xyl₃-PA were 2.1 m M and 25 400 pmol min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹, respectively. The enzyme also transferred [¹⁴C]Xyl from UDP-[¹⁴C]Xyl into higher β-(1→4)-xylooligosaccharides and birchwood xylans through β-(1→4)-linkages. The enzyme activity varied according to the stage of development (7–35 days after flowering) of the endosperms. Maximal activity occurred at 13–16 days; no activity was detectable in mature seeds. A comparison of endosperms from 10 different cultivars of barley harvested 11–22 days after flowering showed no correlation between enzyme activity and the amount of Xyl in the cell walls.     

The novel neuropeptide Y Y(1) receptor antagonist J-104870: a potent feeding suppressant with oral bioavailability

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is known to induce robust feeding through the action of NPY receptors in the hypothalamus. Among the subtypes of NPY receptors, Y(1) receptors may play a key role in feeding regulation. In the present study, we demonstrated that a novel Y(1) antagonist, J-104870, shows high selectivity and potency for the Y(1) receptor with an anorexigenic effect on NPY-mediated feeding. J-104870 displaced [(125)I]peptide YY (PYY) binding to cloned human and rat Y(1) receptors with K(i) values of 0.29 and 0.54 nM, respectively, and inhibited the NPY (10 nM)-induced increase in intracellular calcium levels (IC(50) = 3.2 nM) in cells expressing human Y(1) receptors. In contrast, J-104870 showed low affinities for human Y(2) (K(i) > 10 microM), Y(4) (K(i) > 10 microM), and Y(5) receptors (K(i) = 6 microM). In rat hypothalamic membranes, J-104870 also completely displaced the binding of [(125)I]1229U91, which is known to bind to the typical Y(1) receptor, with a high affinity (K(i) = 2.0 nM). Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of J-104870 (200 microg) significantly suppressed NPY (5 microg)-induced feeding in satiated Sprague-Dawley rats by 74%. Furthermore, ICV and oral administration of J-104870 (200 microg and 100 mg/kg, respectively) significantly suppressed spontaneous food intake in Zucker fatty rats. These findings suggested that J-104870 is a selective and potent nonpeptide Y(1) antagonist with oral bioavailability and brain penetrability. In addition, the anorexigenic effect of J-104870 clearly revealed the participation of the Y(1) receptor in NPY-mediated feeding regulation. The potent and orally active Y(1) antagonist J-104970 is a useful tool for elucidating the physiological roles of NPY in obesity.     

Involvement of thioredoxin peroxidase type II (Ahp1p) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Mn2+ homeostasis

To identify new proteins involved in Mn2+ homeostasis, we isolated Mn(2+)-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae starting from a calcineurin-deficient, Mn2+ hypersensitive strain (delta cmp1 delta cmp2). The mutations were found to lie in the PMR1 gene, known to encode a "P-type" Ca(2+)-ATPase that transports Ca2+ and Mn2+ from the cytosol to the Golgi apparatus. A second gene, AHP1, was cloned as a suppressor of the Mn2+ tolerance of a delta cmp1 delta cmp2 pmr1 mutant. Ahp1p was recently described as a thioredoxin peroxidase type II, an antioxidant protein with alkyl hydroperoxide defense properties in yeast. AHP1 disruption in strain W303 decreased tolerance to Mn2+ and H2O2. We found that a GFP-Ahp1p fusion construct was in the cytosol when cells were grown in glucose, and in the mitochondria when cells were grown in oleate. Based on Mn2+ transport data, we concluded that Ahp1p is involved in cellular Mn2+ homeostasis in trafficking of Mn2+ from cytosol to mitochondria and from cytosol for export across the plasma membrane.     

nhaG Na(+)/H(+) antiporter gene of Bacillus subtilis ATCC9372, which is missing in the complete genome sequence of strain 168, and properties of the antiporter.

We cloned a gene which enabled Escherichia coli mutant host cells lacking all of the major Na(+)/H(+) antiporters to grow in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl from chromosomal DNA of Bacillus subtilis ATCC9372. An Na(+)/H(+) antiport activity was observed with membrane vesicles prepared from E. coli cells possessing the cloned gene, but not with vesicles from the host cells. Lithium ion was also a substrate for the antiporter. We sequenced the cloned DNA and found one open reading frame (designated nhaG) preceded by a promoter-like sequence and a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, and followed by a terminator-like sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of NhaG suggested that it consisted of 524 residues and that the calculated molecular mass was 58.1 kDa. None of the bacterial Na(+)/H(+) antiporters so far reported, except NhaP of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and SynNhaP (NhaS1) of Synechocystis sp., showed significant sequence similarity with the NhaG. However, the NhaP, the SynNhaP, animal NHEs (Na(+)/H(+) exchangers), and some hypothetical Na(+)/H(+) antiporters of several organisms showed significant sequence similarities with the NhaG. Interestingly, the entire DNA region corresponding to the nhaG gene is missing in the reported complete genome sequence of B. subtilis strain 168. We detected a band that hybridized with the nhaG DNA in chromosomal DNA from B. subtilis ATCC9372 but not with that from strain 168. The missing DNA region (1,774 base pairs) is sandwiched by two identical sequences, TTTTCTT.     

ADP-ribosylation of actins by arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase purified from chicken heterophils.

We reported the purification and characterization of an arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase and acceptor protein p33 in granules of chicken peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (heterophils) [Mishima, K., Terashima, M., Obara, S., Yamada, K., Imai, K. & Shimoyama, M. (1991) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 110, 388-394]. In the present study, we obtained evidence that chicken non-muscle beta/gamma-actin, skeletal muscle alpha-actin and smooth-muscle gamma-actin were ADP ribosylated by the heterophil ADP-ribosyltransferase. The stoichiometry of ADP-ribose incorporation into these actins was 1.2 mol, 1.0 mol and 2.0 mol ADP-ribose/mol of beta/gamma-actin, alpha-actin and gamma-actin, respectively. The optimal pH for the ADP ribosylation was at pH 8.5, with the respective actin. Km values for NAD were calculated to be 30 microM with beta/gamma-actin, 35 microM with alpha-actin and 20 microM with gamma-actin. The Km values for the actin isoforms were 15 microM for beta/gamma-actin, 2.5 microM for alpha-actin and 10 microM for gamma-actin. ADP ribosylation of actin inhibited its capacity to polymerize, as determined by the increase in fluorescence intensity with N-(1-pyrenyl)iodoacetamide-labelled actin. Filamentous actin (F-actin) polymerized with the respective actin isoform was also ADP ribosylated, although the extent of the modification of F-actin was lower than that of globular actin (G-actin). In situ ADP ribosylation of beta/gamma-actin was evidenced with chicken peripheral heterophils permeabilized with saponin. Thus, the endogenous ADP ribosylation of actin in the heterophils may be involved in the cellular processes such as phagocytosis, secretion and migration.     

Nucleotide sequence and copy control function of the extension of the incI region (incI-b) of Rts 1

An Rts1 derivative, pTW20, contains three incompatibility (inc) regions, incI-a (incI in previous studies), incII, and newly determined incI-b loci. By restriction analysis, we have located the incI-b adjacent to the incI-a region on the pTW20 map. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the minimal incI-b region revealed the presence of four repeated sequences, each consisting of 18 bp, which is similar to the incI-a and incII repeats existing on mini-Rts1. All four repeating units were required for expression of a strong incompatibility. In addition, RepA protein, essential for the replication of Rts1, bound specifically to the repeated sequences, suggesting that the repeats would titrate out RepA protein as do incI-a and IncII. Insertion of the incI-b to a mini-Rts1 plasmid in a natural arrangement decreases the copy number of mini-Rts1 to the same level as that of mini-F. The incI-a and incI-b might be a single constituent in incompatibility and copy number control of Rts1.     

Spatial heterogeneity of photosynthetic photon flux density in the canopy ofMiscanthus sinensis

Spatial variation in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was investigated in detail at different heights within the canopy of aMiscanthus sinensis grassland to evaluate the light environment of microsites for establishment of heliophilic tree seedlings. Highly heterogeneous patterns of light distribution were revealed within the apparently uniform grass canopies, especially under direct light. The frequency distribution patterns of relative PPFD (RPFD) were compared among different solar and sky conditions. With increasing height in the canopy, the mean RPFD value and standard deviation (SD) increased, while the skewness and kurtosis of the distribution decreased. The mean RPFD and SD were higher, especially at higher solar elevation angles, under direct light than those under diffuse light conditions. The frequency distribution of RPFD was more platykurtic under direct light and at higher solar elevation angles.     

A respiratory-driven and an artificially driven ATP synthesis in mutants of Vibrio parahaemolyticus lacking H+-translocating ATPase

Mutants of Vibrio parahaemolyticus lacking the H+-translocating ATPase were isolated to evaluate both the role of this enzyme and the possibility of the involvement of other cation-translocating ATPase in the energy transduction in this organism. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive ATPase activity which represents the H+-translocating ATPase was not detected either in the membrane vesicles or in the cytosol of the mutants. Three major subunits, alpha, beta and gamma, of the H+-translocating ATPase were missing in the membranes of the mutants. Although ATP was synthesized in wild type cells when an artificial H+ gradient was imposed, little ATP was synthesized in the mutants. However, we observed a large ATP synthesis driven by the respiration not only in the wild type but also in the mutants. The respiratory-driven ATP synthesis in wild type was inhibited by an H+ conductor, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, by about 50%. On the other hand, the ATP synthesis in the mutants was not affected by the H+ conductor. Since this organism possesses a respiratory Na+ pump, Na+-coupled ATP synthesis might take place. In fact, we observed some ATP synthesis driven by an artificially imposed Na+ gradient both in the wild type and the mutant.     

Transient increase of Ca2+ uptake as a signal for mating pheromone-induced differentiation in the heterobasidiomycetous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides.

The role of Ca2+ for the signaling of rhodotorucine A, a mating pheromone of Rhodosporidium toruloides, was investigated. The efficiency with which the target cells responded to the mating pheromone was dependent on the Ca2+ concentration in the medium. The pheromone induced a very rapid and transient increase of Ca2+ uptake in the recipient cell. We concluded that the transient increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration could play an essential role in the control of differentiation by the pheromone.