Purification and structural analysis of a latent form of transforming growth factor-beta from rat platelets

A latent form of transforming growth factor type-beta (TGF-beta) with a high molecular weight was purified to homogeneity from rat platelets by a six-step procedure. The yield of the purified latent TGF-beta from platelets of 2,500 rats was 1.4 mg. The purified latent TGF-beta was activated by treatment with urea at concentrations of over 4M or acidic solutions of below pH 4. SDS-PAGE and gel filtration chromatography showed that the latent TGF-beta consisted of active TGF-beta and glycoproteins of about 200 kDa as masking components, and that under physiological conditions, these components formed a high molecular weight complex of about 400 kDa linked by non-covalent bonds. Here, we found that the masking protein was composed of one large subunit of about 110 kDa and two small subunits of 39 kDa linked by disulfide bridges. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the small subunit was identical to the N-terminal region of the TGF-beta precursor lacking a signal peptide. From these findings, we proposed a structural model for the latent TGF-beta from rat platelets.     

Generation of recombinant human large latent transforming growth factor-beta 1 and monoclonal antibodies to it

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. It is produced in various of cells and tissues as a biologically latent complex, whose significance is still unknown. We established a Chinese hamster ovary cells that produced recombinant human large latent TGF-beta 1. The growth factor was purified from serum-free conditioned medium of the cell line was purified to apparent homogeneity by four steps of column chromatography. The purified protein gave a single band with the apparent molecular weight of 210,000 on SDS-PAGE, and had four subunits, of 12.5, 40, 53, and 150-190 kDa. These components were identical to TGF-beta 1, the N-terminal remnant of pro-TGF-beta 1, pro-TGF-beta 1, and latent TGF-beta 1 binding protein, respectively. The purified growth factor had biological activity similar to that of the growth factor purified from human platelets. We prepared four monoclonal antibodies by immunization of mice with the recombinant protein. In western blotting, two of the antibodies bound to latent TGF-beta 1 binding protein. The two other antibodies reacted with the N-terminal remnant of pro-TGF-beta 1. Recombinant large latent TGF-beta 1 and its monoclonal antibodies could be used for detailed structural and functional studies of the large latent TGF-beta 1 complex.     

Partial purification and characterization of masking protein for beta-type transforming growth factor from rat platelets

beta-Transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) is stored in platelets and secreted as a high molecular weight latent form associated with a carrier protein of about 440 KD. This carrier protein could be separated from TGF-beta in 1 N acetic acid and could again mask the activity of TGF-beta under neutral conditions. Therefore, it was named the masking protein of TGF-beta. The masking protein was separated from TGF-beta by gel filtration on a Sephacryl S-300 column or by anion-exchanger FPLC on a Mono Q column in the presence of 6 M urea. Partially purified masking protein from rat platelets neutralized the activity of TGF-beta dose-dependently and was effective at 0.3 microgram/ml. This masking protein could also mask the activity of human TGF-beta, suggesting that it was not species specific. The masking protein was a heat- and acid-stable protein, but was inactivated by treatment with dithiothreitol. The Physiological role of the masking protein in the mechanisms of wound healing and liver regeneration is discussed.     

Latent high molecular weight complex of transforming growth factor beta 1. Purification from human platelets and structural characterization

Human transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) was purified as a latent high Mr complex from human platelets by a six-step procedure. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions revealed that the complex was composed of at least three components with apparent Mr values of 13,000, 40,000, and 125,000-160,000. The 13-kDa subunit was part of a disulfide-bonded dimer and was identified by amino acid sequencing as TGF-beta 1. The 40-kDa subunit was identified as the amino-terminal part of the TGF-beta 1 precursor lacking the hydrophobic signal sequence. Partial sequencing of the 125-160-kDa protein revealed that it is distinct from known proteins. The 40-kDa and the 125-160-kDa subunits are linked by disulfide bonds, forming a complex with an apparent Mr of 210,000 on SDS gels under nonreducing conditions. Experiments with partial reduction revealed that each complex contains two 40-kDa components linked by disulfide bonds; in addition, the dimer is disulfide-linked to one 125-160-kDa binding protein. TGF-beta 1 binds noncovalently to the 210-kDa complex, and in bound form, TGF-beta 1 is inactive. Incubations of the latent form of TGF-beta 1 at extreme pH values, in 0.02% SDS or in 8 M urea, lead to activation of TGF-beta 1, whereas the complex was resistant to treatment with 5 M NaCl or heat (3 min at 95 degrees C).     

Purification and identification of a novel subunit of protein serine/threonine phosphatase 4

The catalytic subunit of protein serine/threonine phosphatase 4 (PP4C) has greater than 65% amino acid identity to the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2AC). Despite this high homology, PP4 does not appear to associate with known PP2A regulatory subunits. As a first step toward characterization of PP4 holoenzymes and identification of putative PP4 regulatory subunits, PP4 was purified from bovine testis soluble extracts. PP4 existed in two complexes of approximately 270-300 and 400-450 kDa as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The smaller PP4 complex was purified by sequential phenyl-Sepharose, Source 15Q, DEAE2, and Superdex 200 gel filtration chromatographies. The final product contained two major proteins: the PP4 catalytic subunit plus a protein that migrated as a doublet of 120-125 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The associated protein, termed PP4R1, and PP4C also bound to microcystin-Sepharose. Mass spectrometry analysis of the purified complex revealed two major peaks, at 35 (PP4C) and 105 kDa (PP4R1). Amino acid sequence information of several peptides derived from the 105 kDa protein was utilized to isolate a human cDNA clone. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence revealed 13 nonidentical repeats similar to repeats found in the A subunit of PP2A (PP2AA). The PP4R1 cDNA clone engineered with an N-terminal Myc tag was expressed in COS M6 cells and PP4C co-immunoprecipitated with Myc-tagged PP4R1. These data indicate that one form of PP4 is similar to the core complex of PP2A in that it consists of a catalytic subunit and a "PP2AA-like" structural subunit.     

Purification and characterization of a unique osteoinductive factor from bovine bone

A unique protein that promotes ectopic osteoinduction in the rat has been isolated and characterized. Osteoinductive factor (OIF) was extracted from the organic matrix of bovine bone with 4 M guanidine HCl and purified by gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. OIF is a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular mass of 22-28 kDa based on sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Enzymatic or chemical deglycosylation of OIF reduces its mass to about 12 kDa with apparent loss of activity. OIF activity in the model used is substantially increased by addition of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 or TGF-beta 2, suggesting an important role for TGF-beta 1 and -2 in bone regeneration and repair. The N-terminal sequence of OIF has no homology to other reported proteins.     

Transforming growth factor-beta suppresses the invasiveness of human fibrosarcoma cells in vitro by increasing expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease

We have investigated the effects of TGF-beta on the ability of the human fibrosarcoma cell line, HT1080, to invade a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) in vitro. Exposure of HT1080 cells to TGF-beta (1-10ng/ml) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of HT1080 cell invasion. Unexpectedly, TGF-beta (10ng/ml) significantly enhanced (10-fold) the mRNA expression of the 68-72kDa latent type IV collagenase. Zymogram analysis revealed a 7-fold increase in the 68-72kDa latent type IV collagenase concomitant with an increase in the activated form (62kDa). TGF-beta induced the 92kDa type IV collagenase to a lesser degree. HT1080 cells exposed to TGF-beta also produced more tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP) at both the mRNA (10-fold) and protein levels (5-fold). Although TGF-beta induced both type IV collagenases and TIMP, the net collagenolytic activity in the conditioned media after invasion assay was reduced in the presence of TGF-beta. The data suggest that the inhibition of invasiveness is due, at least in part, to the increased TIMP expression. These data suggest that TGF-beta may play a role in tumor cell invasion by increasing the expression of TIMP.     

Characterization of the regulatory subunit of Yarrowia lipolytica cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Evidences of a monomeric protein

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) catalytic (C) and regulatory (R) subunits from Yarrowia lipolytica are encoded by single genes, TPK1 and RKA1, respectively. Here we performed the heterologous expression, purification and characterization of the R subunit from Y. lipolytica yeast cells, and explored the main biochemical features of the PKA. The purified recombinant R, active and capable to interact with C subunit was used to prepare highly specific polyclonal antiserum. Sucrose-gradient centrifugation and gel filtration analysis of both recombinant and native R revealed the monomeric nature of this subunit. Hydrodynamic parameters of the holoenzyme indicated that Y. lipolytica PKA is a dimer of 90 kDa composed of an R subunit of 42 kDa and a C subunit of 39 kDa. The identification of the N-terminal sequence was carried out by mass spectrometry analysis of the purified native R subunit. The differences between N-terminal sequences of R subunits from Y. lipolytica and other organisms, particularly a short linker that spans the inhibitory site, were discussed as the possible cause of the lack of dimerization. R was identified as a type II subunit since our results indicated that it was phosphorylated in vivo by C at S124 identified by anti-phospho-PKA substrate (RRXS/T) antibody.     

Transforming growth factor-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 secreted by a human glioblastoma cell line. Identification of small and different forms of large latent complexes.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been found to occur as latent high molecular weight complexes, with or without an associated component denoted latent TGF-beta 1-binding protein (LTBP). We show here that a human glioblastoma cell line (U-1240 MG) secretes all isoforms of TGF-beta s found in mammalian cells (TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3). Approximately 26% of the secreted TGF-beta is in an active form. Latent TGF-beta s were partially purified from medium conditioned by the U-1240 MG cell line using anion exchange chromatography. Analysis of the different fractions by immunoblotting using antisera against precursor parts of the different TGF-beta isoforms, and against LTBP, revealed that not only TGF-beta 1 but also other isoforms of TGF-beta may occur in high molecular weight forms containing LTBP. In addition, each one of the TGF-beta isoforms occurred in smaller forms not containing LTBP. Interestingly, each of the TGF-beta isoforms was also seen in complexes of about 210 kDa containing associated component(s) distinct from LTBP. These results indicate that each of the different isoforms of TGF-beta is synthesized and secreted by this glioblastoma cell line in several different high molecular weight latent forms; the biological importance of the various latent TGF-beta complexes is discussed.     

Induction of vitellogenesis by estradiol-17beta and development of enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays to quantify plasma vitellogenin levels in green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Treatment of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with estradiol-17beta resulted in the induction of a 200 kDa plasma protein, consistent with vitellogenin (Vtg). The N-terminal 15 amino acids of the anion exchange purified protein shared sequence homologies with vitellogenins of several vertebrate species. Rabbit antiserum raised against purified Vtg recognized the plasma protein as well as several yolk proteins. Monoclonal antibody (Mab) HL1248, produced by inoculating mice with turtle yolk granules, showed specificity for plasma Vtg as well as a set of yolk proteins 120, 82, 43 and 32 kDa in size. The N-terminal 22 amino acids of the 43 kDa yolk protein was similar to the lipovitellin I subunit of Vtg of several vertebrate species. The peptide mass map of the 82 kDa yolk protein shared enough ions with that of purified plasma Vtg to support the conclusion that this protein was derived from plasma Vtg. Taken together, these results validate the specificity of Mab HL1248 for Vtg. Using purified Vtg concentration standards, competition and antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISAs) were shown to quantitatively detect Vtg in green turtle plasma. Pre-induced plasma of juvenile turtles had Vtg levels of 2-4 micrograms/ml whereas post-estradiol exposure samples had 38-40 mg/ml. The plasma Vtg concentration of a nesting female turtle was 4.6 mg/ml, approximately 20-fold higher than that of a non-nesting adult female. The antigen capture ELISA will be useful in population studies of this endangered species, to detect vitellogenesis in females that will nest in a given year and to detect inappropriate Vtg levels in turtles exposed to xenoestrogens.     

A transforming growth factor-beta like growth factor in mouse embryonal carcinoma cells

Our previous study indicated that polypeptides isolated from acid/ethanol extracts of solid tumors of a cloned F9-3 embryonal carcinoma cells by Bio-Gel P60 column chromatography were found to be able to stimulate anchorage independent growth of either NIH 3T3 cells or NRK 49 F cells in soft agar. The major peak of active elute had a molecular weight of about 15 kDa as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the present report we further isolated and purified the active compound corresponding to molecular weight of 15 kDa by gel filteration on Bio-Gel P10 column (Fig. 1) and then by high pressure liquid chromatography (Fig. 2). It was found that the purified 15 kDa molecules showed some properties similar to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta): 1. Colony-stimulating activity in soft agar can be induced in NRK 49 F cells only in the presence of mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) (Plate I); 2. Increase in relative uptake of 3H-thymidine in NRK 49 F cells occurred in the presence of EGF, but with the same amount of EGF, not much change in 3H-thymidine incorporation could be found with further increasing amounts of purified 15 kDa molecules (Fig. 3); 3. Like human blood platelets derived TGF-beta, inhibition effect on the growth of mink lung epithelial cells (CCL/64) can also be exhibited by purified 15 kDa molecules (Fig. 4). In addition, using ELISA procedure, we have also demonstrated that the 15 kDa molecules had immunological reactivity with the antibody raised against a synthetic oligopeptide identical to the N-terminal residues 1-29 of TGF-beta 1 from human blood platelets (Fig.5). Thus, the 15 kDa molecules isolated from mouse F9-3 embryonal carcinoma cells appeared to share some common antigenic determinants with human TGF-beta 1 molecule. These results taken together provide strong support for the existence of TGF-beta like growth factor in mouse embryonal carcinoma cells.     

Cloning and sequencing of the cellulose synthase catalytic subunit gene of Acetobacter xylinum

The gene for the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase from Acetobacter xylinum has been cloned by using an oligonucleotide probe designed from the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the catalytic subunit (an 83 kDa polypeptide) of the cellulose synthase purified from trypsin-treated membranes of A. xylinum. The gene was located on a 9.5 kb HindIII fragment of A. xylinum DNA that was cloned in the plasmid pUC18. DNA sequencing of approximately 3 kb of the HindIII fragment led to the identification of an open reading frame of 2169 base pairs coding for a polypeptide of 80 kDa. Fifteen amino acids in the N-terminal region (positions 6 to 20) of the amino acid sequence, deduced from the DNA sequence, match with the N-terminal amino acid sequence obtained for the 83 kDa polypeptide, confirming that the DNA sequence cloned codes for the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase which transfers glucose from UDP-glucose to the growing glucan chain. Trypsin treatment of membranes during purification of the 83 kDa polypeptide cleaved the first 5 amino acids at the N-terminal end of this polypeptide as observed from the deduced amino acid sequence, and also from sequencing of the 83 kDa polypeptide purified from membranes that were not treated with trypsin. Sequence analysis suggests that the cellulose synthase catalytic subunit is an integral membrane protein with 6 transmembrane segments. There is no signal sequence and it is postulated that the protein is anchored in the membrane at the N-terminal end by a single hydrophobic helix. Two potential N-glycosylation sites are predicted from the sequence analysis, and this is in agreement with the earlier observations that the 83 kDa polypeptide is a glycoprotein [13]. The cloned gene is conserved among a number of A. xylinum strains, as determined by Southern hybridization.     

Protein kinases CKI and CKII are implicated in modification of ribosomal proteins of the yeast Trichosporon cutaneum

Phosphorylation of acidic ribosomal proteins P1/P2-P0 is a common phenomenon in eukaryotic organisms. It was found previously that in Trichosporon cutaneum, unlike in other yeast species, in addition to the two acidic ribosomal proteins, two other proteins of 15 kDa and 19 kDa of the small ribosomal subunit were phosphorylated. Here we describe two protein kinases: CKI and CKII, which are engaged in the modification of T. cutaneum ribosomal proteins. The acidic ribosomal proteins and the protein of 19 kDa were modified by CKII associated with ribosomes, while the protein of 15 kDa was modified by CKI. Protein kinase CKI was purified from cell-free extract (CKIC) and from ribosomal fraction (CKIR). The molecular mass of CKIC was established at 33 kDa while that of CKIR at 35-37 kDa. A protein of 40 kDa copurified with CKIR but not CKIC. Heparin significantly increased 40 kDa protein phosphorylation level by CKIR. Microsequencing analysis revealed the presence of CKI recognition motifs in the N-terminal fragment of the 40 kDa protein.     

A monoclonal antibody that distinguishes latent and active forms of the proteasome (multicatalytic proteinase complex).

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated to proteasome purified from human erythrocytes. Five of six proteasome-specific mAbs reacted with three subunits in the molecular mass range of 25-28 kDa, indicating a common epitope. The other mAb (AP5C10) exhibited a more restricted reactivity, recognizing a 32-kDa subunit of the proteasome purified in its latent state. However, when the proteasome is isolated in its active state, AP5C10 reacts with a 28-kDa subunit, evidence for processing of the proteasome subunits during purification. Purified proteasome preparations which exhibited partial latency have both AP5C10 reactive subunits. Although the 32-kDa subunit appears required for latency, loss of this component and generation of the 28-kDa component are not obligatory for activation. The 32- and 28-kDa subunits can each be further resolved into three components by isoelectric focusing. The apparent loss of 4 kDa during the conversion of the 32- to 28-kDa subunit is accompanied by a shift to a more basic pI for each polypeptide. Western blots of the early steps of proteasome purification reveal an AP5C10-reactive protein at 41 kDa. This protein was separated from proteasomes by sizing chromatography and may represent a pool of precursor subunits. Since the 32-kDa subunit appears necessary for latency, it is speculated to play a regulatory role in ATP-dependent proteolytic activity.     

Regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell integrin expression by transforming growth factor beta1 and by platelet-derived growth factor-BB.

We have examined the ability of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to regulate the expression of various integrins in cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). We found that expression of the alpha v beta 3 integrin complex was induced by both growth factors, although TGF-beta 1 appeared to be the more potent inducer. mRNA level of the beta 3 integrin subunit was undetectable in quiescent cells and enhanced by both growth factors, while the alpha v integrin subunit mRNA level did not change with growth factor addition. Therefore, appearance of the alpha v beta 3 integrin protein complex after growth factor stimulation was due to increased expression of the beta 3 integrin subunit mRNA. The TGF-beta 1 induced increase in beta 3 integrin mRNA was delayed, but did not require prior protein synthesis, since cycloheximide was unable to block the increase in beta 3 mRNA level. By contrast, PDGF-BB induced a more rapid increase in beta 3 integrin mRNA level that peaked by 6 h after growth factor addition and no detectable beta 3 integrin mRNA remained after 24 h. Interestingly, the PDGF-BB induced elevation of beta 3 integrin, although more rapid, was completely inhibited by cycloheximide. Expression of the alpha 5 integrin subunit in response to growth factors was very similar to beta 3. However, in contrast to beta 3 and alpha 5, neither TGF-beta 1 nor PDGF-BB were able to alter the expression of the beta 1 integrin subunit in vascular SMC. However, in TGF-beta 1 treated cells, there was a large increase in expression of a 190 kDa polypeptide that was associated with the beta 1 integrin subunit. This 190 kDa polypeptide was not detected in PDGF treated SMC or in TGF-beta 1 treated fibroblasts. The alpha 1 integrin subunit has a MW of approximately 190 kDa and is capable of complexing with beta 1. Analysis of the alpha 1 integrin subunit mRNA level indicated that it was indeed induced by TGF-beta 1, but not by PDGF-BB, suggesting that the 190 kDa polypeptide may be the alpha 1 integrin subunit. These results indicate that TGF-beta 1 and PDGF-BB are potent but distinct activators of integrin expression in vascular SMC.     

Association of the small latent transforming growth factor-beta with an eight cysteine repeat of its binding protein LTBP-1.

Transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-betas) are produced by most cells in large latent complexes of TGF-beta and its propeptide (LAP) associated with a binding protein. The latent TGF-beta binding proteins (LTBPs-1, -2 and -3) mediate the secretion and, subsequently, the association of latent TGF-beta complexes with the extracellular matrix (ECM). The association of beta1-LAP with LTBP-1 was characterized at the molecular level with an expression system in mammalian cells, where TGF-beta1 and various fragments of LTBP-1 were co-expressed and secreted with the aid of a signal peptide synthesized to the LTBP-1 constructs. Immunoblotting of the fusion protein complexes indicated that the third 8-Cys repeat of LTBP-1 bound covalently to the LAP region of TGF-beta1. The cysteine required for the association between LTBP-1 and beta1-LAP was mapped to Cys33 of beta1-LAP. The N-terminal region of LTBP-1 consisting of the first 400 amino acids was found to associate covalently with the ECM. The data indicate that an 8-Cys repeat of LTBP is capable of covalent and specific protein-protein interactions. These interactions are mediated by exchanging cysteine disulfide bonds between the core 8-Cys repeat and an optionally associated protein during the secretion. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of an extracellular protein module that is able to exchange cysteine disulfide bonds with heterologous ligand proteins.     

TGF-beta 1 binding protein: a component of the large latent complex of TGF-beta 1 with multiple repeat sequences

TGF-beta occurs in a latent complex of high Mr. We report the cDNA cloning and an initial structural and functional characterization of a component of the large latent TGF-beta 1 complex, denoted TGF-beta 1 binding protein (TGF-beta 1-BP). Most of the sequence of fibroblast TGF-beta 1-BP is made up of cysteine-rich repeats of two different kinds; there are 16 EGF-like repeats and three repeats with a distant resemblance to EGF, but of a distinct type hitherto not found in any other protein. beta-hydroxylated asparagine residues were identified in two of the EGF-like repeats. TGF-beta 1-BP purified from human platelets is considerably smaller than the fibroblast form (125-160 kd vs. 170-190 kd), suggesting that there is alternative splicing of the TGF-beta 1-BP gene or that TGF-beta 1-BP undergoes cell-specific proteolysis. TGF-beta 1-BP was found not to bind and inactive TGF-beta 1; its role in the latent complex is discussed.     

A 27.368 kDa retinal reductase in New Zealand white rabbit liver cytosol encoded by the peroxisomal retinol dehydrogenase-reductase cDNA: purification and characterization of the enzyme.

We obtained a full-length cDNA based on a sequence deposited in GenBank (accession No. AB045133), annotated as rabbit peroxisomal NADP(H)-dependent retinol dehydrogenase-reductase (NDRD). The rabbit NDRD gene, like its mouse and human homologs, harbors 2 initiation sites, one of which theoretically encodes a 29.6 kDa protein with 279 amino acids, and the other encodes a 27.4 kDa protein with 260 amino acids. The purification of a rabbit cytosolic retinol oxidoreductase with a subunit molecular mass of 34 kDa and an N terminus that is not completely identical to that of NDRD, has been reported. An enzyme responsible for the all-trans retinal reductase activity in the liver cytosol of New Zealand white rabbit was purified to homogeneity using differential centrifugation and successive chromatographic analyses. The subunit molecular mass of the purified enzyme, revealed by SDS-PAGE, was approximately 27 kDa. The intact molecular mass, measured by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, was 27.368 kDa. The 60 kDa relative mobility observed in size-exclusion chromatography indicates that the native protein probably exists as a dimer. The purified enzyme was positively confirmed to be the product of NDRD by peptide mass fingerprinting, tandem mass spectrometry, and N-terminal sequencing. Taken together, the results suggested that the native protein is truncated at the N terminus.     

Cloning and expression of a ferritin subunit for Galleria mellonella

Ferritin was purified from iron-fed Galleria mellonella hemolymph by ultra centrifugation and FPLC (Superose 6). SDS-PAGE revealed three bands of 26, 30, and 32 kDa. The ferritin 26 kDa subunit cDNA was obtained from RT-PCR using primer designed from N-terminal sequence analysis. 5'-RACE was used to obtain the complete protein coding sequence. The sequence encodes a 211 amino acid polypeptide including a 20 amino acid leader peptide. An IRE (iron-responsive element) sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure was present in the 5'-UTR of ferritin mRNA. Sequence alignment has a sequence identity with Calpodes ethlius (S)(74%), Drosophila melanogaster (50%), and Aedes aegypti (39%). Northern blot analysis indicated that there were 1.5- and 1.75-fold increases in the expression of ferritin mRNA after iron-fed fat body and midgut, respectively. Also, we confirmed that the ferritin mRNA is not expressed in adult ovary and testis. Arch.     

Purification and characterization of transforming growth factor-beta 2.3 and -beta 1.2 heterodimers from bovine bone.

A unique form of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), TGF-beta 2.3 heterodimer, has been purified from bovine bone extract. TGF-beta 2.3 migrated as a single 25-kDa band by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, whereas under reducing conditions it migrated as a 12.5 kDa band. The TGF-beta 2.3 reacted positively with anti-TGF-beta 2 and anti-TGF-beta 3 antibodies on immunoblots. Equal levels of TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 sequences were detected by N-terminal sequencing. TGF-beta 2.3 eluted as a single sharp peak by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. However, prior reduction of the protein with dithiothreitol resulted in the protein eluting in two peaks, one containing predominantly TGF-beta 3 and the other containing predominantly TGF-beta 2. TGF-beta 2.3 inhibited proliferation of mink lung epithelial cells and promoted the formation of colonies of normal rat kidney fibroblasts in culture with specific biological activity similar to those of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2. These results demonstrate that the protein is TGF-beta 2.3 heterodimer, consisting of one polypeptide chain each of TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 linked by one or more disulfide bonds. In addition, TGF-beta 1.2 heterodimer, previously found only in porcine platelets, has also been purified from bovine bone extract.