Isolation of oligosaccharides from a partial-acid hydrolysate of pneumococcal type 3 polysaccharide for use in conjugate vaccines

A series of well-defined oligosaccharide fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 has been generated. Partial-acid hydrolysis of the capsular polysaccharide, followed by fractionation of the oligosaccharide mixture by Sepharose Q ion-exchange chromatography yielded fragments containing one to seven [-->3)-beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->] repeating units. The isolated fragments were analysed for purity by high-pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) using an IonPac AS11 column, and their structures were verified by 1H NMR spectroscopy and nano-electrospray mass spectrometry. The oligosaccharides can be used to produce neoglycoprotein vaccines with a defined carbohydrate part.     

Synthesis of dimeric lactose and dimeric (sialyl) Lewis(X) glycolipids

To investigate structural requirements for the homophilic interaction between carbohydrates on planar model membranes, divalent derivatives with enforced proximity between the two carbohydrate epitopes (lactose, Lewis(X), and sialyl Lewis(X)) were synthesized by use of a dimeric membrane anchor as scaffold.     

NAIM and site-specific functional group modification analysis of RNase P RNA: magnesium dependent structure within the conserved P1-P4 multihelix junction contributes to catalysis

The tRNA processing endonuclease ribonuclease P contains an essential and highly conserved RNA molecule (RNase P RNA) that is the catalytic subunit of the enzyme. To identify and characterize functional groups involved in RNase P RNA catalysis, we applied self-cleaving ribozyme-substrate conjugates, on the basis of the RNase P RNA from Escherichia coli, in nucleotide analogue interference mapping (NAIM) and site-specific modification experiments. At high monovalent ion concentrations (3 M) that facilitate protein-independent substrate binding, we find that the ribozyme is largely insensitive to analogue substitution and that concentrations of Mg2+ (1.25 mM) well below that necessary for optimal catalytic rate (>100 mM) are required to produce interference effects because of modification of nucleotide bases. An examination of the pH dependence of the reaction rate at 1.25 mM Mg2+ indicates that the increased sensitivity to analogue interference is not due to a change in the rate-limiting step. The nucleotide positions detected by NAIM under these conditions are located exclusively in the catalytic domain, consistent with the proposed global structure of the ribozyme, and predominantly occur within the highly conserved P1-P4 multihelix junction. Several sensitive positions in J3/4 and J2/4 are proximal to a previously identified site of divalent metal ion binding in the P1-P4 element. Kinetic analysis of ribozymes with site-specific N7-deazaadenosine and deazaguanosine modifications in J3/4 was, in general, consistent with the interference results and also permitted the analysis of sites not accessible by NAIM. These results show that, in this region only, modification of the N7 positions of A62, A65, and A66 resulted in measurable effects on reaction rate and modification at each position displayed distinct sensitivities to Mg2+ concentration. These results reveal a restricted subset of individual functional groups within the catalytic domain that are particularly important for substrate cleavage and demonstrate a close association between catalytic function and metal ion-dependent structure in the highly conserved P1-P4 multihelix junction.     

Systematic site-directed mutagenesis of human protein SRP54: interactions with signal recognition particle RNA and modes of signal peptide recognition

The amino acid residues of human protein SRP54 which are required for binding to SRP RNA were identified by generating 40 nonoverlapping tri-alanine alterations within its methionine-rich M-domain (SRP54M). The mutant polypeptides were expressed in Escherichia coli, and their ability to bind to human and Methanococcus jannaschii SRP RNA were determined in vitro. Residues at positions 379-387, 394-396, 400-405, and 409-411 of human SRP54 were within the predicted RNA binding site, and their alteration abolished the binding activities of the mutant polypeptides as expected. Changes at positions 418-423 had intermediate effects. Polypeptides containing mutations of 328-TLR-330 were inactive although these residues were far away from the presumed RNA binding site in the crystal structure of the free protein. Using the structures of the E. coli Ffh/4.5S core and of the human SRP54m dimer as templates, a molecular model of the complex between human SRP RNA helix 8 and a single SRP54M molecule was constructed in which Leucine 329 was positioned in closer proximity to the RNA binding domain. This representation was supported by studies of the SRP54m monomer/dimer ratio using gel filtration. The results were consistent with a change in the shape of the signal peptide binding groove upon binding of SRP54 to SRP RNA. We propose that the SRP RNA and a small region centered at a bulky nonpolar amino acid residue at position 329 of protein SRP54 play a critical role in the SRP-dependent binding and release of signal peptides.     

Vitrification of posterior corneal lamellae

Cryopreservation of corneas has not yet been established as a routine method. Unsatisfactory experimental results with conventional techniques prompted us to explore the possibilities of vitrification. The aim of the present study was to optimize the heat exchange between the corneal tissue and cooling medium by reducing the corneal tissue volume and using a suitable sample container. A further objective was to promote vitrification by developing a new device for rapid cooling to -140 degrees C, just below the vitrification temperature of the cryopreservation medium. Experiments were done using posterior lamellar discs from pig corneas with a diameter of 7.5 mm and a thickness of 250-350 microm. The volume of tissue to be vitrified was 88% lower with posterior corneal lamellae than with the previously used corneoscleral discs. A very thin-walled (0.05 mm), teflon-coated bag served as the sample container. Immersed in only 0.1 ml of the vitrification solution VS41a, the lamellae were cooled to a final storage temperature of -196 degrees C. After warming and organ-culturing for 24h, the endothelium was stained with trypan blue and alizarin red, to determine cell viability. Vitrification of corneal lamellae without apparent ice formation or cracking of the specimen was achieved. Despite the successful vitrification, only a maximum of 10% of the endothelial cells was vital after warming. Thus, the toxicity of the cryoprotective agents and the devitrification that occurred during the heating process require further optimization of the method.     

Canine RBC osmotic tolerance and membrane permeability

The objective of this study was to determine the cryobiological characteristics of canine red blood cells (RBC). These included the hydraulic conductivity (L(p)), the permeability coefficients (P(s)) of common cryoprotectant agents (CPAs), the associated reflection coefficient (sigma), the activation energies (E(a)) of L(p) and P(s) and the osmotic tolerance limits. By using a stopped-flow apparatus, the changes of fluorescence intensity emitted by intracellularly entrapped 5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) were recorded when cells were experiencing osmotic volume changes. After the determination of the relationship between fluorescence intensity and cell volume, cell volume changes were calculated. These volume changes were used in three-parameter fitting calculations to determine the values of L(p), P(s), and sigma for common CPAs. These volume measurements and data analyses were repeated at three different temperatures (22, 14, 7 degrees C). Using the Arrhenius equation, the activation energies of L(p) and P(s) in the presence of CPAs were determined. The osmotic tolerance limits for canine RBC were determined by measuring the percentage of free hemoglobin in NaCl solutions with various osmolalities compared to that released by RBC incubated in double distilled water. The upper and lower osmotic tolerance limits were found to be 150mOsm (1.67V(iso)) and 1200mOsm (0.45V(iso)), respectively. These parameters were then used to calculate the amount of non-permeating solute needed to keep cell volume excursions within the osmotic tolerance limits during CPA addition and removal.     

Membrane-bound neuregulin1 type III actively promotes Schwann cell differentiation of multipotent Progenitor cells

Many steps of peripheral glia development appear to be regulated by neuregulin1 (NRG1) signaling but the exact roles of the different NRG1 isoforms in these processes remain to be determined. While glial growth factor 2 (GGF2), a NRG1 type II isoform, is able to induce a satellite glial fate in neural crest stem cells, targeted mutations in mice have revealed a prominent role of NRG1 type III isoforms in supporting survival of Schwann cells at early developmental stages. Here, we investigated the role of NRG1 isoforms in the differentiation of Schwann cells from neural crest-derived progenitor cells. In multipotent cells isolated from dorsal root ganglia, soluble NRG1 isoforms do not promote Schwann cell features, whereas signaling by membrane-associated NRG1 type III induces the expression of the Schwann cell markers Oct-6/SCIP and S100 in neighboring cells, independent of survival. Thus, axon-bound NRG1 might actively promote both Schwann cell survival and differentiation.     

X-ray structure and ligand binding study of a moth chemosensory protein

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are believed to be involved in chemical communication and perception. Such proteins, of M(r) 13,000, have been isolated from several sensory organs of a wide range of insect species. Several CSPs have been identified in the antennae and proboscis of the moth Mamestra brassicae. One of them, CSPMbraA6, a 112-amino acid antennal protein, has been expressed in large quantities and is soluble in the Escherichia coli periplasm. X-ray structure determination has been performed in parallel with ligand binding assays using tryptophan fluorescence quenching. The protein has overall dimensions of 25 x 30 x 32 A and exhibits a novel type of alpha-helical fold with six helices connected by alpha-alpha loops. A narrow channel extends within the protein hydrophobic core. Fluorescence quenching with brominated alkyl alcohols or fatty acids and modeling studies indicates that CSPMbraA6 is able to bind such compounds with C12-18 alkyl chains. These ubiquitous proteins might have the role of extracting hydrophobic linear compounds (pheromones, odors, or fatty acids) dispersed in the phospholipid membrane and transporting them to their receptor.     

Androgen receptor phosphorylation. Regulation and identification of the phosphorylation sites

Activation of signal transduction kinase cascades has been shown to alter androgen receptor (AR) activity. Although it has been suggested that changes in AR phosphorylation might be directly responsible, the basal and regulated phosphorylations of the AR have not been fully determined. We have identified the major sites of AR phosphorylation on ARs expressed in COS-1 cells using a combination of peptide mapping, Edman degradation, and mass spectrometry. We describe the identification of seven AR phosphorylation sites, show that the phosphopeptides seen with exogenously expressed ARs are highly similar to those seen with endogenous ARs in LNCaP cells and show that specific agonists differentially regulate the phosphorylation state of endogenous ARs in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Treatment of LNCaP cells with the synthetic androgen, R1881, elevates phosphorylation of serines 16, 81, 256, 308, 424, and 650. Ser-94 appears constitutively phosphorylated. Forskolin, epidermal growth factor, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate increase the phosphorylation of Ser-650. The kinetics of phosphorylation of most sites in response to hormone or forskolin is temporally delayed, reaching a maximum at 2 h post-stimulation. The exception is Ser-81, which continues to display increasing phosphorylation at 6 h. These data provide a basis for analyzing mechanisms of cross-talk between growth factor signaling and androgen in prostate development, physiology, and cancer.     

Presenilin-dependent intramembrane proteolysis of CD44 leads to the liberation of its intracellular domain and the secretion of an Abeta-like peptide

Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated gamma-secretase is a presenilin (PS)- dependent proteolytic activity involved in the intramembraneous cleavage of the beta-amyloid precursor protein, Notch, LDL receptor-related protein, E-cadherin, and ErbB-4. This cut produces the corresponding intracellular domains (ICD), which are required for nuclear signaling of Notch and probably ErbB-4, the beta-amyloid precursor protein, E-cadherin, and the LDL receptor-related protein as well. We have now investigated CD44, a cell surface adhesion molecule, which also undergoes an intramembraneous cleavage to liberate its ICD. We demonstrate that this cleavage requires a PS-dependent gamma-secretase activity. A loss-of-function PS1 mutation, a PS1/PS2 knockout, as well as two independent and highly specific gamma-secretase inhibitors, abolish this cleavage. Surprisingly, small peptides similar to the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) are generated by an additional cut in the middle of the transmembrane region of CD44. Like Abeta, these CD44 beta-peptides are generated in a PS-dependent manner. These findings therefore suggest a dual intramembraneous cleavage mechanism mediated by PS proteins. The dual cleavage mechanism is required for nuclear signaling as well as removal of remaining transmembrane domains, a general function of PS in membrane protein metabolism.