Evolution of eutherian cytochrome c oxidase subunit II: heterogeneous rates of protein evolution and altered interaction with cytochrome c

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII), encoded by the mitochondrial genome, exhibits one of the most heterogeneous rates of amino acid replacement among placental mammals. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that cytochrome c oxidase has undergone a structural change in higher primates which has altered its physical interaction with cytochrome c. We collected a large data set of COII sequences from several orders of mammals with emphasis on primates, rodents, and artiodactyls. Using phylogenetic hypotheses based on data independent of the COII gene, we demonstrated that an increased number of amino acid replacements are concentrated among higher primates. Incorporating approximate divergence dates derived from the fossil record, we find that most of the change occurred independently along the New World monkey lineage and in a rapid burst before apes and Old World monkeys diverged. There is some evidence that Old World monkeys have undergone a faster rate of nonsynonymous substitution than have apes. Rates of substitution at four-fold degenerate sites in primates are relatively homogeneous, indicating that the rate heterogeneity is restricted to nondegenerate sites. Excluding the rate acceleration mentioned above, primates, rodents, and artiodactyls have remarkably similar nonsynonymous replacement rates. A different pattern is observed for transversions at four-fold degenerate sites, for which rodents exhibit a higher rate of replacement than do primates and artiodactyls. Finally, we hypothesize specific amino acid replacements which may account for much of the structural difference in cytochrome c oxidase between higher primates and other mammals.      

Subsite mapping of Aspergillus niger glucoamylases I and II with malto- and isomaltooligosaccharides

Glucoamylase, industrially derived from Aspergillus niger, was chromatographically separated into forms I and II and purified to near homogeneity. Preparations were proved to be free of D-glucosyltransferase by electrophoretic and differential inhibition tests. Maximum rates and Michaelis constants were obtained for both glucoamylases I and II with maltooligosaccharides from maltose to maltoheptaose and with isomaltooligosac-charides from isomaltose to isomaltohexaose. Subsite maps were calculated from these kinetic data and were not significantly different for the two forms. Subsites in both forms had lower affinities for D-glucosyl residues contained in isomaltooligosaccharides than for D-glucosyl residues in maltooligosaccharides.     

Effects of EDTA treatment upon the protein subunit composition and mechanical properties of mammalian single skeletal muscle fibers

Considerable interest has been focused on the role of myosin light chain LC(2) in the contraction of vertebrate striated muscle. A study was undertaken to further our investigations (Moss, R.L., G.G. Giulian, and M.L. Greaser, 1981, J. Biol. Chem., 257:8588-8591) of the effects of LC(2) removal upon contraction in skinned fibers from rabbit psoas muscles. Isometric tension and maximum velocity of shortening, V(max), were measured in fiber segments prior to LC(2) removal. The segments were then bathed at 30 degrees C for up to 240 min in a buffer solution containing 20 mM EDTA in order to extract up to 60 percent of the LC(2). Troponin C (TnC) was also partially removed by this procedure. Mechanical measurements were done following the EDTA extraction and the readditions of first TnC and then LC(2) to the segments. The protein subunit compositions of the same fiber segments were determined following each of these procedures by SDS PAGE of small pieces of the fiber. V(max) was found to decrease as the LC(2) content of the fiber segments was reduced by increasing the duration of extraction. EDTA treatment also resulted in substantial reductions in tension due mainly to the loss of TnC, though smaller reductions due to the extraction of LC(2) were also observed. Reversal of the order of recombination of LC(2) and TnC indicated that the reduction in V(max) following EDTA treatment was a specific effect of LC(2) removal. These results strongly suggest that LC(2) may have roles in determining the kinetics and extent of interaction between myosin and actin.     

Oxidative Enzymes of Ceratocystis fimbriata Isolates Differing in Host Specificity

Eight isolates of Ceratocystis fimbriata differing in pathogenicity on sweet potato roots were compared in vitro for peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase activities. Pathogenic isolates were generally lower in specific activities of peroxidase and catalase than the nonpathogenic isolates. Cultures of pathogenic isolates were distinguished by black culture liquid compared to the yellow color of nonpathogenic isolates. No consistent differences among the isolates were apparent when the specific activity of polyphenol oxidase preparations were compared on various phenolic substrates. The peroxidase of C. fimbriata had an approximate molecular weight of 81,000 when compared with known protein standards on a column of Sephadex G-100 dextran gel. Its substrate specificity differed from horseradish peroxidase in that it was nonreactive with guaiacol.