Membrane Topology and Functional Importance of the Periplasmic Region of ABC Transporter LolCDE

The LolCDE complex is an ATP-binding cassette transporter that mediates the release of newly synthesized lipoproteins from the cytoplasmic membrane of gram-negative bacteria, which results in the initiation of outer-membrane sorting of lipoproteins through the Lol pathway. LolCDE is composed of one copy each of membrane subunits LolC and LolE, and two copies of nucleotide-binding subunit LolD. In this study, we examined the membrane topology of LolC and LolE by PhoA fusion analysis. Both LolC and LolE were found to have four transmembrane segments with a large periplasmic loop exposed to the periplasm. Despite similarities in sequence and topology, the accessibility of a sulfhydryl reagent to Cys introduced into the periplasmic loop suggested that the structure of the periplasmic region differs between LolC and LolE. Inhibition of the release of lipoproteins by the sulfhydryl reagent supported a previous proposal that LolC and LolE have distinct functions.     

Assessment of Key Amino-Acid Residues of CD36 in Specific Binding Interaction with an Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein

A stereo controlled synthesis of the biologically active neolignan, (+)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (1) was achieved. This synthetic method was also efficient for preparing its enantiomer and other derivatives with biological activity.     

Effect of Kluyveromyces marxianus YIT 8292 Crude Cell Wall Fraction on Serum Lipids in Normocholesterolemic and Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Subjects

The hypocholesterolemic effects of Kluyveromyces marxianus YIT 8292 crude cell wall (KM-CW) were examined. In pilot studies, KM-CW tablets were administered to mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects at doses of 8.0, 4.0, 2.0, or 1.0 g/d for 4 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased at doses above 2.0 and 4.0 g/d, respectively. Further, we examined the effect of intake of yogurt containing 3.0 or 4.0 g of KM-CW/d for 8 weeks in normal and hypercholesterolemic subjects in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. The intake of either of the KM-CW-containing yogurts was associated with significantly improved TC and LDL-C in hypercholesterolemic subjects, but had no effect on these levels in normal subjects. TC was significantly lower at week 8 in the hypercholesterolemic subjects who ingested yogurt containing 3.0 or 4.0 g of KM-CW than in those who consumed placebo yogurt. Intake of KM-CW might contribute to the prevention of hypercholesterolemia.     

Activities of Cysteine Synthetase and Cystathionase in Bacilhis subtilis during Sporulation

Cysteine synthetase (O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase) was partially purified from cells of Bacillus subtilis by the use of ammonium sulfate fractionation technique and DEAE-Sephadex A–50 chromatography. The cysteine synthetase preparation was compared with cystathionase (cystathionine β-cleavage enzyme) of the same organism in regard to biochemical properties and to changes in activity during sporulation.

The optimal pH and temperature for the cysteine synthetase were 8.5 and 25°C respectively. The enzyme was relatively stable at temperatures below 50°C and fairly resistant to proteases, in contrast to cystathionase. Production by B. subtilis of cysteine synthetase in sulfur-deficient synthetic medium was repressed by the addition of cysteine and derepressed by djenkolic acid. Activity of the enzyme was inhibited by methionine and increased by acetate. The cysteine synthetase activity was almost constant until the late sporulation stage commenced, but the specific activity of cystathionase (Fraction I) decreased rapidly in the course of sporulation and it could not be detected in the free spores.     

On the Properties of the Starch Granules from Unicellular Green Algae

Starch granules from Chlorella, Chlamydomonas and Scenedesmus, grown heterotro-phically in a medium containing organic carbon sources, were isolated by means of the toluol treatment of the sonicate of alga. The toluol treatment separated the starch granules in the water layer from the cells and cell debris coagulated in the upper toluol layer.

The starch granules of Chlorella vulgaris and Chlamydomonas sp. were composed of amylose (12 to 3%) and amylopectin. The amylose content of the starch granules of Scenedesmus basilensis was 22 %. All the X-ray diffraction patterns of algal starch obtained in this investigation were of the A-type, identical to that of corn starch.     

Tailor-made approach for selective isolation and elution of low-density lipoproteins by immunoaffinity sorbent on silica

Immunoaffinity procedure was developed for isolation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) from biological samples by using silica-derived immunoaffinity sorbent. Sorbent was prepared by immobilization of monoclonal anti-apoB-100 antibody onto macroporous silica particles, using carefully optimized binding chemistry. Binding capacity of the sorbent towards LDL was determined by batch extraction experiments with solutions of isolated LDL in phosphate-buffered saline, and found to be 8 mg LDL/g. The bound LDL fraction was readily released from the sorbent by elution with ammonia at pH 11.2. The total time needed for isolation procedure was less than 1 h, with LDL recoveries being essentially quantitative for samples containing less than 0.3 mg LDL/mL. With higher concentrations, recoveries were less favorable, most probably due to irreversible adsorption caused by LDL aggreggation. However, reusability studies with isolated LDL at concentration 0.2 mg/mL indicate that the developed immunoaffinity material may be used for multiple binding-release cycles, with minor losses in binding capacity. Finally, the sorbent was successfully applied to isolation of LDL from diluted plasma. Apart from its practical implications for LDL isolation, this study provides crucial insights into issues associated with LDL-sorbent interactions, and may be useful in future efforts directed to development of lipoprotein isolation approaches.     

Mechanisms Preserving Insulin Action during High Dietary Fat Intake

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The Cbl-interacting protein TULA inhibits dynamin-dependent endocytosis

The Cbl- and ubiquitin-interacting protein T-cell ubiquitin ligand (TULA) has been demonstrated to inhibit endocytosis and downregulation of ligand-activated EGF receptor (EGFR) by impairing Cbl-induced ubiquitination. We presently report that TULA additionally inhibited clathrin-dependent endocytosis in general, as both uptake of transferrin (Tf) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was inhibited. Additionally, endocytosis of the raft proteins CD59 and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), which we demonstrate were mainly endocytosed clathrin-independently, but dynamin-dependently, was blocked in cells overexpressing TULA. By contrast, the uptake of ricin, which is mainly endocytosed clathrin- and dynamin-independently, was not affected by overexpressed TULA. Consistently, TULA and dynamin co-immunoprecipitated and colocalized intracellularly, and upon overexpression of dynamin the TULA-mediated inhibitory effect on endocytosis of Tf, LDL, CD59 and MHC-I was counteracted. Overexpressed dynamin did not restore ubiquitination of the EGFR, and consistently dynamin did not rescue endocytosis of the EGFR in cells overexpressing TULA. We conclude that TULA inhibits both clathrin-dependent and clathrin-independent endocytic pathways by functionally sequestering dynamin via the SH3 domain of TULA binding proline-rich sequences in dynamin.     

Modulation of nuclear internalization of Tat peptides by fluorescent dyes and receptor-avid peptides

The nuclear internalization of biomolecules by Tat peptide provides a mechanism to deliver drugs to cells. However, translocation of molecular imaging probes to the nucleus may induce undesirable mutagenesis. To assess the feasibility of retaining its cell permeating effect without nuclear translocation, Tat-peptide was conjugated with a somatostatin receptor (STR)-avid ligand (Oct) and labeled with fluorescent dyes. The results show that Tat-Oct-5-FAM (fluorescein 5'-carboxylic acid) remained in the cytoplasm of STR-positive AR42J cells. Co-incubation of Tat-Oct-5-FAM with ATP induced nuclear translocation. These data suggest that both dye and Oct-STR endocytosis complex could modulate nuclear internalization of Tat peptides.     

Regulating cytoskeleton-based vesicle motility

During vesicular transport, the assembly of the coat complexes and the selection of cargo proteins must be coordinated with the subsequent translocation of vesicles from the donor to an acceptor compartment. Here, we review recent progress toward uncovering the molecular mechanisms that connect transport vesicles to the protein machinery responsible for cytoskeleton-mediated motility. An emerging theme is that vesicle cargo proteins, either directly or through binding interactions with coat proteins, are able to influence cytoskeletal dynamics and motor protein function. Hence, a vesicle's cargo composition may help direct its intracellular motility and targeting.