Stimulation by growth hormone of MAP kinase activity in 3T3-F442A fibroblasts.

We have previously demonstrated that growth hormone (GH) promotes an increase in tyrosine kinase activity associated with the GH receptor. To gain insight into the role of GH-dependent tyrosine kinase activity in signaling by GH, we investigated the possibility that GH might stimulate MAP kinase, a serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase thought to be a common element in tyrosine kinase-initiated response cascades. Treatment of 3T3-F442A fibroblasts with 100 ng/ml GH results in a 3-6-fold increase in the ability of cell-free extracts to phosphorylate MAP-2 and myelin basic protein. GH-stimulated kinase activity is unaffected by heparin, H7, or cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor peptide, partially reduced by staurosporin and inhibited by fluoride and calcium ions, indicating that the kinase is not protein kinase C or A, casein kinase, or a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Based on gel permeation chromatography, the molecular mass of the GH-stimulated MAP kinase is approximately kDa. Furthermore, anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies revealed the GH-dependent appearance of two phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in cell-free lysates of GH-treated cells that co-migrate with proteins recognized by anti-MAP kinase antibodies. The GH-dependent increase in MAP kinase activity displays a biphasic time course and is dependent on the concentration of GH applied to the cells. GH-dependent MAP kinase activity, partially purified by Mono-Q chromatography, is inactivated by treatment with alkaline phosphatase. Addition of H7 to the cells prior to the addition of GH has no effect, whereas addition of H8 increases MAP kinase activity in control cells with no effect in GH-treated cells, indicating that protein kinase C is unlikely to be an intermediary in the GH-dependent stimulation of MAP kinase activity. These findings indicate that signaling by GH in 3T3-F443A cells may, at least in part, utilize a kinase cascade similar to those that have been proposed for other membrane receptors with associated tyrosine kinase activity.     

Cloning, genetic organization, and characterization of a structural gene encoding bacillopeptidase F from Bacillus subtilis

Bacillopeptidase F is an extracellular serine protease that is expressed at the beginning of the stationary phase. To study its structure, regulation of expression, and physiological roles, we have cloned and characterized the structural gene (bpf) encoding this protease from Bacillus subtilis. DNA sequence analysis suggests this protease is synthesized as a preproenzyme (Mr = 92,000). Through processing at both the NH2 and COOH termini, it is gradually converted into various forms with molecular mass ranging from 80 to 48 kDa. Shortening the 3' end of bpf demonstrates that at least 290 amino acid residues from the COOH-terminus of bacillopeptidase F are not required for either catalytic activity or secretion. Bacillopeptidase F exhibits sequence similarity with several serine proteases. Its gene is found immediately downstream from the fts operon which was mapped at 135 degrees on the B. subtilis genetic linkage map. Inactivation of the chromosomal copy of bpf shows no effect on cell growth and sporulation. A triple protease-deficient strain (WB300 with the structural genes for bacillopeptidase F and two other major proteases inactivated) was constructed to serve as a better expression host for the production and secretion of foreign proteins.     

Rapid and efficient separation and identification of the two molecular forms of human adenosine deaminase by thin-layer gel filtration chromatography

Two molecular forms of adenosine deaminase have been found in human tissues. The column gel filtration method has been used for the separation of the two enzyme forms. Routine separation and analysis of the enzyme forms based on the molecular size difference can be achieved by thin-layer gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 superfine gel. The thin-layer method has been found to be more rapid and efficient than the column method. Enzymes in crude preparations can be studied effectively with the thin-layer method.     

Cooperation between mouse T-cell subpopulations in the cell-mediated response to a natural poxvirus pathogen.

Irradiated CBA anti-DBA/2 cells (10⁶ cells/culture) suppressed the production of effector cells in cultures containing 10⁷ unprimed CBA (responder) and 10⁶ irradiated DBA/2 (stimulator) spleen cells per culture. The suppressive element was cellular and suppression was specific for the stimulating antigen. The suppressive activity resided in the cytotoxic cell population in that both suppressive and cytotoxic activities were found in cells of the same size range, predominantly in T-cells, were produced in response to similar doses of stimulator antigen, and were produced with the same time course following establishment of first sensitization cultures. Eventual suppression correlated with the cytotoxic activity introduced into second sensitization cultures by suppressor cells. The short-term cytotoxic activity and suppressor activity were both highly radioresistant. These studies indicate that the suppressor cells formed in an in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture are cytotoxic to stimulator cells.     

Kinase–substrate Edge Biomarkers Provide A More Accurate Prognostic Prediction in ER-negative Breast Cancer

The estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer subtype is aggressive with few treatment options available. To identify specific prognostic factors for ER-negative breast cancer, this study included 705,729 and 1034 breast invasive cancer patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, respectively. To identify key differential kinase–substrate node and edge biomarkers between ER-negative and ER-positive breast cancer patients, we adopted a network-based method using correlation coefficients between molecular pairs in the kinase regulatory network. Integrated analysis of the clinical and molecular data revealed the significant prognostic power of kinase–substrate node and edge features for both subtypes of breast cancer. Two promising kinase–substrate edge features, CSNK1A1–NFATC3 and SRC–OCLN, were identified for more accurate prognostic prediction in ER-negative breast cancer patients.