Major intrinsic polypeptide (MIP26K) of the lens membrane: covalent change in an internal sequence during human senile cataractogenesis

Polyclonal antisera to three synthetic peptides of bovine MIP26K have been used in combination with Western blot analysis to probe for changes of the MIP26K molecule during human senile cataractogenesis. Anti-MIP26K229-237 binds well to the 26K component from cataractous lens membranes, but binds poorly to the same component from normal lens. In contrast, antisera to two other sequences of MIP26K (anti-MIP26K252-259 and anti-MIP26K256-263) bind approximately equally well to the 26K component from either cataractous or normal lens. Together, these results demonstrate that during cataract development there is a selective covalent change in a region of the MIP26K molecule that may have profound effects upon the ability of this molecule to facilitate intercellular communication between lens fiber cells.     

Watersoluble synthetic nucleic acid analogs--polyethyleneimine derivatives containing nucleic acid bases--conformation and interactionwith nucleic acids

Water soluble polyethyleneimine derivatives containing nucleic acid bases were found to interact with polynucleotides, DNA, RNA. The conformational change by formation of complex was observed by CD spectra and was discussed with the hypochromicity in UV spectra. The rates of interactions between nucleic acid bases in polymers were slow as shown by UV spectra, but the conformational changes of the polynucleotides were fast as shown by CD spectra. In the case of the uracil derivative (PEI-Hse-Ura), high value of CD spectra [theta] 2.80 = -8.0 x 10(-4) for the complex with DNA might be caused by psi type conformation of DNA.     

Rod/cone dysplasia in Irish setters. Presence of an altered rhodopsin.

The subcellular distribution of beta-glucuronidase acquired by deficient human fibroblasts during co-culture with peritoneal macrophages was compared with that taken up by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Labelled enzyme taken up via receptors was located initially in a low-density endosomal fraction and was transferred to lysosomes within a few minutes. The beta-glucuronidase acquired during 24 h of co-culture was present almost entirely within lysosomes and had a distribution profile identical with that of endogenous beta-hexosaminidase. Monensin prevented transfer of radiolabelled enzyme from endosomes to lysosomes and had a similar effect on the distribution of enzyme acquired by direct transfer, causing beta-glucuronidase to accumulate within endosomes. When the temperature was lowered from 37 degrees C to 19 degrees C, the rate of transfer of enzyme from endosomes to lysosomes was decreased during both direct transfer and indirect receptor-mediated endocytosis. These results show that a lysosomal enzyme acquired by direct transfer during cell-to-cell contact follows a similar intracellular route and has a similar distribution to that of enzymes taken up via cell-surface receptors.     

Sequence of EndoA gene encoding mouse cytokeratin and its methylation state in the CpG-rich region.

A genomic clone obtained from mouse liver DNA using a mouse cytokeratin EndoA cDNA probe revealed the complete sequence of the EndoA gene. The gene is divided into nine exons and the exon-intron pattern has been conserved compared to that of other type-II cytokeratin-encoding genes. The 5' upstream, 3' downstream and first and third introns contain potential regulatory sequences, including polyoma virus enhancer motifs (PEA1 and PEA3) and AP-1 elements. The 5' regions upstream of the EndoA, EndoB and Ck8 genes contain homologous sequences surrounding the TATA boxes. In addition, a CpG dinucleotide cluster region was located around the first exon. This CpG cluster region was found to be hypomethylated in endodermal PYS-2 cells, retinoic acid-treated F9 cells, and F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, but hypermethylated in BALB/C 3T3 fibroblast cells that do not express EndoA. These findings may provide a clue to understanding the molecular mechanisms of EndoA gene expression.     

Mechanism of action of Pseudomonas syringae phytotoxin, syringomycin. Interaction with the plasma membrane of wild-type and respiratory-deficient strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The effects of the phytotoxin, syringomycin, produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, were examined on cells of a wild-type and a respiratory-deficient (rho0) mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The growth of both strains in liquid culture was inhibited by 0.5 micrograms syringomycin per ml and higher. Uptake rates of tetraphenylphosphonium and dimethyloxazolidine ions in cell suspensions of both strains increased when 1.5 micrograms per ml syringomycin was added. These responses were kinetically and quantitatively similar in the two strains and indicated increases in electrical potential (cell interior negative) and pH differences (cell interior alkaline) across the plasma membrane. Glucose (0.1 M) enhanced the effect on the electrical potential, was required for the pH changes, and increased the cellular ATP levels. These results show that the effects of syringomycin are energy-dependent and are due to alterations of plasma membrane and not to mitochondrial function.     

Isolation and characterization of a monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor (MNSF) produced by a T cell hybridoma

By fusing Con A-activated BALB/c mice spleen cells with AKR thymoma BW5147 cells, we prepared a hybridoma producing a monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor (MNSF). This factor inhibits a generation of LPS-induced immunoglobulin-secreting cells. We used ELISA for the bioassay of MNSF activity. With this method, a stable E17 hybridoma clone was selected, and its product in culture medium was isolated and characterized. MNSF fractionated on Sephadex G-100 in saline buffer shows a form with multiple m.w., but fractionated in 0.4 M pyridine-acetic buffer, it is limited to two species of approximately 24Kd and 16Kd. The MNSF was purified by hydroxyapatite chromatography, with marked effectiveness. MNSF activity was found exclusively in the 0.35 M sodium phosphate elution, and the content was further fractionated on subsequent gel filtration in the high ionic strength buffer described above. The purified factor exhibited two forms, of 24Kd and 16Kd, and showed peaks of pI 5.3 and 5.7, respectively, on isoelectric focusing. The MNSF preparation described here is stable at 56 degrees C and unaffected by 2-mercaptoethanol, but is unstable at pH 2.0 and is sensitive to tryptic proteolysis. We injected the hybridoma cells into the peritoneal cavity of pristane-primed F1 (AKR/J X BALB/c) mice, and a large amount of pure MNSF was obtained from the ascites, the characteristics of which were similar to those in the culture supernatant. Thus, the MNSF obtained from the E17 hybridoma consists of functionally identical but physicochemically different discrete proteins. This simple method of purification can serve as a probe for further characterization of MNSF and its application in in vivo experiments.     

The conformation of the lysyl side chain of substrates at the active center of trypsin

In order to study the conformation of the side chain of lysine substrates bound to the active center of trypsin, two lysine analogs, cis- and trans-2,6-diamino-4-hexenoic acids (4,5-dehydrolysines) were synthesized and kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of benzoyl methyl esters and phenylthiazolones of these analogs by this enzyme were compared with those of the corresponding lysine derivatives. The derivatives of cis-4,5-dehydrolysine were hydrolyzed much more slowly than those of lysine, owing largely to the small kcat values for the former. On the other hand, the derivatives of the trans-isomer were hydrolyzed at about the same rates as those of lysine and the values of both Km and kcat of the former are also similar to those of the latter. These results indicate that the conformation of the side chain of the lysine derivatives hydrolyzed by trypsin is such that the beta- and epsilon-carbons are in a trans-like conformation, as suggested by X-ray crystallographic studies of inhibitor-trypsin complex.     

Interactions of derivatives of guanidinophenylalanine and guanidinophenylglycine with Streptomyces griseus trypsin

The rates of hydrolysis of the ester, amide and anilide substrates of p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine (GPA) by Streptomyces griseus trypsin (S. griseus trypsin) were compared with those of arginine (Arg) substrates. The specificity constant (kcat/km) for the hydrolysis of GPA substrates by the enzyme was 2-3-times lower than that for arginine substrates. The kcat and Km values for the hydrolysis of N alpha-benzoyl-p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester (Bz-GPA-OEt) by S. griseus trypsin are in the same order of magnitude as those of N alpha-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester (Bz-Arg-OEt), although both values for the former when hydrolyzed by bovine trypsin are higher by one order of magnitude than those for the latter. The specificity constant for the hydrolysis of Bz-GPA-OEt by S. griseus trypsin is much higher than that for N alpha-benzoyl-p-guanidino-L-phenylglycine ethyl ester (Bz-GPG-OEt). As with the kinetic behavior of bovine trypsin, low values in Km and kcat were observed for the hydrolysis of amide and anilide substrates of GPA by S. griseus trypsin compared with those of arginine substrates. The rates of hydrolysis of GPA and arginine substrates by S. griseus trypsin are about 2- to 62-times higher than those obtained by bovine trypsin. Substrate activation was observed with S. griseus trypsin in the hydrolysis of Bz-GPA-OEt as well as Bz-Arg-OEt, whereas substrate inhibition was observed in three kinds of N alpha-protected anilide substrates of GPA and arginine. In contrast, no activation by the amide substrate of GPA could be detected with this enzyme.