Zooplankton capture by a coral reef fish: an adaptive response to evasive prey

Synopsis High-speed cinematography and video using modified Schlieren optics and laser illumination helped elicit details of prey capture mechanisms used by Chromis viridis while feeding on calanoid copepods and Artemia. Chromis viridis is capable of a ram-jaw, low-suction feeding, as well as a typical suction feeding behavior described for other species of planktivores. By adjusting the degree of jaw protrusion and amount of suction used during a feeding strike, this fish can modulate its feeding strikes according to the prey type being encountered. The ram-jaw feeding mode enables C. viridis to capture highly evasive calanoid copepods within 6 to 10 msec. The use of specialized feeding behavior for evasive prey and the ability to vary feeding behavior are adaptations for feeding on evasive prey.     

Utility of the gas-phase sequencer for both liquid- and solid-phase degradation of proteins and peptides at low picomole levels

The utility of the commercially available gas-phase sequencer for complete analysis of peptide samples was investigated. Using the program supplied with the instrument, significant extractive loss of samples in Polybrene was observed, even at input levels up to 500 pmol. In order to reduce this loss, the sequencer program was modified by increasing the phenylisothiocyanate (PITC)-coupling steps from two to three and lengthening the duration of ethyl acetate (S2) delivery while reducing the delivery rate. These changes gave improved results with peptides, e.g., all eight residues of angiotensin II were identified at the 25-pmol level. In addition, background contamination was decreased and repetitive yields were increased. The instrument was also found to function well with samples coupled to solid supports; however, some of the methodologies that work adequately for covalent attachment of peptides to solid supports at the level 1-10 nmol were found to give unacceptable coupling/sequenceable yields at or below the 100-pmol level. The coupling methods tried were (1) reaction of homoserine lactone with aminopropyl (AP)-glass, (2) reaction of alpha- and epsilon-NH2 groups with p-phenylenediisothiocyanate (DITC)-glass, and (3) reaction of alpha-COOH groups with aminoaryl (AA)-glass via EDAC (1-ethyl-3,3'-dimethylaminopropyl-carbodiimide). Of these, the first method gave combined yields of 42-94% while the latter two were only 9-35% efficient. The covalently bound samples provided sequence information even at the resulting low levels, e.g., 9/13 residues of dynorphin including Lys-13 at 11 pmol. In general, sequencer runs on solid-phase samples gave "cleaner" analyses and slightly higher repetitive yields (1-2%). Sequence information has also been obtained on peptides made by solid-phase synthesis prior to cleavage from the polystyrene support. With improved coupling efficiencies, solid-phase techniques would provide an alternative to immobilization of peptides in Polybrene films for low picomole level gas-phase sequencing.     

Specific proteolytic modification of creatine kinase isoenzymes. Implication of C-terminal involvement in enzymic activity but not in subunit-subunit recognition.

We are using the isoenzymes of creatine kinase (CK) to investigate the effect of specific proteolytic modification on the abilities of enzyme subunits to establish precise subunit-subunit recognition in vitro. Previous work by others has shown that treatment of the MM isoenzyme of rabbit CK with Proteinase K results in a specific proteolytic modification and inactivation of the enzyme. In the present work, we show that both the MM and BB isoenzymes of chicken CK are also specifically modified by Proteinase K, resulting in over 98% loss of catalytic activity and approx. 10% decreases in subunit molecular masses of the enzymes. Similar reactions appear to occur when the isoenzymes are treated with Pronase E. Limited amino acid sequence analysis of intact and Proteinase K-modified MM-CK suggests that the proteolytic modification results from a single peptide-bond cleavage occurring between alanine residues 328 and 329, about 50 amino acid residues from the C-terminal end; the active-site cysteine residue was recovered in the large protein fragment of modified M-CK subunits. Proteolytically modified M-CK and B-CK subunits were able to refold and reassociate into dimeric structures after treatment with high concentrations of LiCl and at low pH. Thus the proteolytically modified CK subunits retain their ability to refold and to establish precise subunit-subunit recognition in vitro.     

Characterization of the promoter, signal sequence, and amino terminus of a secreted beta-galactosidase from "Streptomyces lividans"

The gene for a secreted 130-kilodalton beta-galactosidase from "Streptomyces lividans" has been cloned, its promoter, signal sequence, and amino terminal region have been localized, and their nucleotide sequence has been determined. The signal sequence extends over 56 amino acids and shows the characteristic-features of signal sequences, including a hydrophilic amino terminus followed by a hydrophobic core near the signal cleavage site. The secretion of beta-galactosidase depends on the presence of the signal sequence. beta-Galactosidase is the major protein in culture supernatants and extracts of strains expressing the cloned beta-galactosidase gene and represents a valuable tool in the study of protein secretion in Streptomyces spp.     

The yeast cyclophilin multigene family: purification, cloning and characterization of a new isoform.

Cyclophilins (Cyps) constitute a highly conserved family of proteins present in a wide variety of organisms. Historically, Cyps were first identified by their ability to bind the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A (CsA) with high affinity; they later were found to have peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity, which catalyzes the folding of oligopeptides at proline-peptide bonds in vitro and may be important for protein folding in vivo. Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain at least two distinct Cyp-related PPIases encoded by the genes CYP1 and CYP2. A yeast strain (GL81) containing genomic disruptions of three known yeast PPIase-encoding genes [CYP1, CYP2 and RBP1 (for rapamycin-binding protein); Koltin et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 11 (1991) 1718-1723] was previously constructed and found to be viable. Soluble fractions of these cells possess residual CsA-sensitive PPIase activity (2-5% of that present in wild-type cells as assayed in vitro). We have purified an approx. 18-kDa protein exhibiting PPIase activity from a soluble fraction of GL81 cells and determined that its N-terminal amino acid (aa) sequence exhibits significant homology (but nonidentity) to the Cyp1 and Cyp2 proteins. We designate the gene for this new protein, CYP3. Using a degenerate oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligo) based on the N-terminal aa sequence, plus an internal oligo homologous to a conserved region within the portion of CYP1 and CYP2 that had been deleted in the genome, a CYP3-specific DNA fragment was generated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using GL81 genomic DNA as a substrate. This PCR fragment was used as a probe to isolate CYP3 genomic and cDNA clones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Identification and partial characterization of plasma membrane polypeptides of Trypanosoma brucei

A plasma membrane-enriched vesicle fraction has been prepared from Trypanosoma brucei by sonication and differential centrifugation on sucrose gradients. This fraction is enriched 5-fold in the plasma membrane marker enzymes adenyl cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) and ouabain-inhibitable, ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$)-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.3). It is also enriched up to 14-fold in iodinated surface proteins, and up to 4-fold in [³H]mannose-labeled glycoproteins, of which the major variable surface coat glycoprotein is the main constituent. Proteins of the plasma membrane fraction and other subcellular fractions have been identified by electrophoretic analysis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient slab gels. Several high molecular weight surface glycopeptides have been selectively investigated and partially characterized by a combination of metabolic labeling with [³H]mannose, lactoperoxidase-catalyzed surface iodination, and affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharose. In addition to the major variable surface coat glycoprotein (estimated $\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>r</mtext>}}\text{= 58 000}$), there are several minor surface glycopeptides ($\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>r</mtext>}}\text{= 76 000, 86 000}\text{and}\text{92 000–100 000}$) which are apparent extrinsic membrane components, and two surface glycopeptides ($\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>r</mtext>}}\text{= 42 000}\text{and}\text{130 000}$) which are intrinsic membrane components.     

Application of high-performance liquid chromatographic peptide purification to protein microsequencing by solid-phase Edman degradation

Peptide purification via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and solid-phase sequencing were integrated to form a system allowing the determination of complete sequence information on a microscale without the use of radiolabels or modified phenylisothiocyanate. Mixtures of peptides (500 pmol to 10 nmol) resulting from proteolytic digestion or chemical cleavage were applied directly to reverse-phase columns. The columns, equilibrated in either 10 mm KP_i or 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid, were then developed using acetonitrile gradients. Eluates were monitored nondestructively by direct ultraviolet detection at both 214 and 254 nm. Each peak was collected as a discrete fraction, and purity was assessed by amino acid analysis prior to covalent attachment to a solid support for sequence analysis. Activation of the peptide carboxyl terminus via a water soluble carbonyldiimide was the solid-phase coupling method used 90% of the time. Coupling yields averaged 52% of starting material. Sequence analysis was performed in the range 100 pmol to 4 nmol of coupled peptide. Phenylthiohydantoin-amino acids were identified by reverse-phase HPLC using ultraviolet detection.