Effect of detergent on protein structure. Action of detergents on secondary and oligomeric structures of band 3 from bovine erythrocyte membranes

With special interest in the mode of action of zwitterionic detergents on proteins, a variety of detergents were examined for their ability to disrupt the secondary and quaternary structures of an anion transport protein, band 3, and its cytoplasmic 38 kDa fragment from bovine erythrocyte membranes and for their effect on the binding of an anion transport inhibitor to band 3. Nonionic detergents and Chaps also acted as a nondenaturant in these instances, as well accepted for other proteins. Though deoxycholate and cholate inhibited the binding of an anion transport inhibitor to band 3, these detergents did not show any effect on the native structure of band 3. Zwitterionic detergents (Zwittergent 3-10, Zwittergent 3-12 and N, N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl glycine) were suggested to denature the water-soluble 38 kDa fragment at concentrations above the critical micelle concentration, but to be weak in disrupting interacting forces between hydrophobic membrane-bound domains of band 3. The results indicated that these zwitterionic detergents are similar in the mode of denaturing action to dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide rather than sodium dodecyl sulfate.     

Cloning and characterization of mouse klk27, a novel tissue kallikrein expressed in testicular Leydig cells and exhibiting chymotrypsin-like specificity.

A cDNA clone of a new mouse tissue kallikrein, designated mKlk27, was isolated from an adult mouse testis cDNA library. mKlk27 was expressed in the submaxillary glands and testis of the mouse. In testis, mKlk27 gene was expressed exclusively in the Leydig cells of the adult mouse. Active recombinant mKlk27 exhibited chymotrypsin-like cleavage specificity. A single amino-acid substitution of Gly for Asp at position 209 in mKlk27 resulted in complete loss of its chymotryptic activity but acquisition of tryptic activity. mKlk27 effectively hydrolyzed casein, gelatin and fibronectin. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 was also hydrolyzed by recombinant mKlk27. These results suggest that mKlk27 plays an important role in association with the function of the adult mouse testis.     

Nucleotide binding sites and chemical modification of the chromaffin granule proton ATPase

The purified proton ATPase of chromaffin granules contains five different polypeptides denoted as subunits I to V in the order of decreasing molecular weights of 115,000, 72,000, 57,000, 39,000, and 17,000, respectively. The purified enzyme was reconstituted as a highly active proton pump, and the binding of N-ethylmaleimide and nucleotides to individual subunits was studied. N-Ethylmaleimide binds to subunits I, II, and IV, but inhibition of both ATPase and proton pumping activity correlated with binding to subunit II. In the presence of ADP, the saturation curve of ATP changed from hyperbolic to a sigmoid shape, suggesting that the proton ATPase is an allosteric enzyme. Upon illumination of the purified enzyme in the presence of micromolar concentrations of 8-azido-ATP, alpha-[35S]ATP, or alpha-[32P]ATP subunits I, II, and IV were labeled. However, at concentrations of alpha-[32P]ATP below 0.1 microM, subunit II was exclusively labeled in both the purified and reconstituted enzyme. This labeling was absolutely dependent on the presence of divalent cations, like Mg2+ and Mn2+, while Ca2+, Co2+, and Zn2+ had little or no effect. About 0.2 mM Mg2+ was required to saturate the reaction even in the presence of 50 nM alpha-[32P]ATP, suggesting a specific and separate Mg2+ binding site on the enzyme. Nitrate, sulfate, and thiocyanate at 100 mM or N-ethylmaleimide and 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole at 100 microM prevented the binding of the nucleotide to subunit II. The labeling of this subunit was effectively prevented by micromolar concentrations of three phosphonucleotides including those that cannot serve as substrate for the enzyme. It is concluded that a tightly bound ADP on subunit II is necessary for the activity of the enzyme.     

Internal anion binding site and membrane potential dominate the regulation of proton pumping by the chromaffin granule ATPase

Effects of anions and membrane potential on the reconstituted proton pump from chromaffin granules were investigated. When acetate was present inside of the vesicles, ATP-dependent proton uptake was absolutely dependent on external chloride. Without external chloride, however, substantial proton uptake was observed when chloride or sulfate was present inside of the vesicles. Inside negative membrane potential drove ATP-dependent proton uptake regardless of the anion species present inside or outside of the vesicles. It is concluded that the internal anion binding site and membrane potential regulate the proton pumping activity of the ATPase.     

Rhythmical jaw movements and lateral ponto-medullary reticular neurons in rats

Neuronal activity in the lateral reticular formation was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Stimulation of anterior and posterior cortical areas induced two types of rhythmical jaw movements (RJM). The effects of stimulation of these cortical areas, the peripheral nerves, and the trigeminal motor nucleus on these neurons and their activity during the RJM were analyzed. The smallest percentage of neurons receiving anterior cortical input received peripheral input, and most neurons with posterior cortical input received peripheral input. Sixty per cent of reticular neurons showed the rhythmical firing closely related to the RJM. Therefore, these neurons may participate in masticatory pattern formation.     

Conformational change of bovine serum albumin by heat treatment

The thermal denaturation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied at pH 2.8 and 7.0 in the range of 2–65°C. The relative proportions of -helix, -structure, and disordered structure in the protein conformation were determined as a function of temperature, by the curve-fitting method of circular dichroism spectra. With the rise of temperature at pH 7.0, the proportion of -helix decreased above 30°C and those of -structure and disordered structure increased in the same temperature range. The structural change was reversible in the temperature range below 45°C. However, the structural change was partially reversible upon cooling to room temperature subsequent to heating at 65°C. On the other hand, the structural change of BSA at pH 2.3 was completely reversible in the temperature range of 2–65°C, probably because the interactions between domains and between subdomains might disappear due to the acid expansion. The secondary structure of disulfide bridges-cleaved BSA remained unchanged during the heat treatment up to 65°C at pH 2.8 and 7.0.     

Experiments inducing prospective polar body nuclei to participate in embryogenesis of the sawfly Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera)

Summary Mature eggs dissected from ovaries of unmated females of Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), if placed on a filter-paper soaked with distilled water, are activated and develop to haploid males. Occasionally, however, diploid females develop from these artificially activated eggs. Treatment of mature unfertilized eggs dissected from diploid females with ice-cold temperatures immediately before activation and with a high temperature (36° C) upon and immediately after activation resulted in the production of diploid males, diploid females, triploid females and gynandromorphs at high frequency. The same treatment of mature unfertilized eggs dissected from triploid females resulted in the production of only triploid survivors. These results, together with the results on the segregation of a marker mutation, yellow fatbody (yfb), appear to indicate that meiotic divisions were complete in the treated eggs, and that all four nuclei became potentially capable of participating in development with or without automictic fusion.Studies on the sawfly, Athalia rosae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), part V     

A case of diverticular disease of the colon in a Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata)

Diverticular disease of the colon was detected in a female Japanese monkey by X-ray examination. The monkey was 15 years old and had been kept under captive conditions for nine years. Lack of appetite and activity, and constipation were observed. The monkey was given fiber-rich vegetables and wild plants, and its appetite and activity then improved. Based on a consideration of various factors, it is suggested that one possible cause of the diverticulosis in this case was a low dietary fiber intake.     

Xenopus M phase MAP kinase: isolation of its cDNA and activation by MPF.

MAP kinase is activated and phosphorylated during M phase of the Xenopus oocyte cell cycle, and induces the interphase-M phase transition of microtubule dynamics in vitro. We have carried out molecular cloning of Xenopus M phase MAP kinase and report its entire amino acid sequence. There is no marked change in the MAP kinase mRNA level during the cell cycle. Moreover, studies with an anti-MAP kinase antiserum indicate that MAP kinase activity may be regulated posttranslationally, most likely by phosphorylation. We show that MAP kinase can be activated by microinjection of MPF into immature oocytes or by adding MPF to cell-free extracts of interphase eggs. These results suggest that MAP kinase functions as an intermediate between MPF and the interphase-M phase transition of microtubule organization.