The structural basis of ankyrin function. II. Identification of two functional domains

Human erythrocyte ankyrin was cleaved by restricted proteolysis at 0 degrees C into two distinct chemical domains. The site on ankyrin that binds spectrin was found to be within a 55,000-dalton domain by spectrin affinity chromatography and co-sedimentation with spectrin in a sucrose gradient. A 32,000-dalton fragment of this domain was prepared (tryptic digest, 0 degrees C, 24 h), separated by gel filtration, and shown to inhibit spectrin binding to the membrane. By comparison with previous two-dimensional peptide maps, the spectrin-binding site was located within this 32,000-dalton fragment near the end of the molecule. The band 3-binding site was identified within an 82,000-dalton domain by binding to a band 3 affinity column. Gel electrophoresis in the absence of detergents confirmed these results and demonstrated that a peptide from the cytoplasmic portion of band 3 retained the capacity to bind the 82,000-dalton domain. The binding properties of the structural domains of ankyrin were correlated with a determination of the affinity constant of the intact molecule. Ankyrin bound with a high affinity to the cytoplasmic portion of band 3 (KD = 8 X 10(-8) M) and to spectrin tetramer (KD = 1 X 10(-7) M) but less so to spectrin dimer (KD = 1 X 10(-6) M). These findings are summarized in a preliminary structural and functional model of ankyrin's role in linking spectrin to the membrane.     

A structural model of human erythrocyte protein 4.1

Limited proteolysis and specific chemical cleavage methods have enabled a detailed structural characterization of human erythrocyte protein 4.1. This protein is composed of two chemically very similar polypeptide chains (a and b) with apparent molecular masses of 80,000 and 78,000 daltons. Cleavage of protein 4.1 at cysteine residues by 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid produces a series of doublets which differ by approximately 2,000 daltons and have identical peptide maps. Alignment of these peptides by mapping analysis has localized 4 cysteine residues within a 17,000-dalton segment on both a and b polypeptides. Mild chymotryptic treatment at 0 degrees C cleaves protein 4.1 primarily in three central locations and generates two families of unrelated peptides. Analysis of these fragments in two-dimensional gels and by peptide mapping reveals an unusual polarity in protein 4.1 structure in that each polypeptide chain contains two segments, one relatively acidic the other basic, that are segregated at opposite ends of the molecule. The basic region is digested into a cysteine-rich 30,000-dalton domain which resists further breakdown while the acidic region is readily degraded into smaller fragments. The peptides derived from the acidic region all appear as doublets suggesting that protein 4.1 a and b polypeptides differ close to the terminus of the acidic end. Similar phosphorylation sites occur on both polypeptides within a segment some 24,000-34,000 daltons from the acidic terminus.     

Limited trypsin proteolysis of photoreceptor GTP-binding protein. Light- and GTP-induced conformational changes

The amphibian photoreceptor rod outer segment contains a guanine nucleotide-binding complex which consists of a 39,000-dalton polypeptide that binds guanine nucleotides (G protein), a 36,000-dalton polypeptide (H protein), and an approximately 6,500-dalton polypeptide. Sensitivity to trypsin proteolysis was utilized as a probe of structure-function relationships for these polypeptides. Digestion of the H protein generated fragments of 26,000 and 15,000 daltons whose proteolytic susceptibility was not altered by guanosine triphosphates, light, or membranes. The approximately 6,500-dalton polypeptide was not trypsin sensitive. When the G protein was eluted from illuminated membranes by GTP, trypsin proteolysis cleaved a terminal 1,000-dalton fragment (G1) to yield a 38,000-dalton fragment (G38). With increased digestion time, a 6,000-dalton fragment (G6) was removed from G38 to yield a 32,000-dalton fragment (G32). G32 was subsequently digested to fragments of 23,000 and 12,000 daltons. However, when the G protein was eluted from illuminated membranes by hydrolysis-resistant analogues of GTP, G32 was protected from further digestion. This is consistent with a GTP-induced conformational change in the G protein which is altered by GTP hydrolysis. Proteolysis of the G protein after covalent labeling with a photoaffinity analogue of GTP demonstrated that the analogue is bound to first G38 and then G32, indicating the GTP-binding site is associated with G32. Fragment G6 was cleaved when the G protein was soluble or bound to unilluminated membranes. However, when bound to illuminated membranes, fragments were generated reflecting the loss of 7,500, 9,000, or 11,000 daltons from the G protein. This light-induced alteration in proteolytic susceptibility indicates there is a light-induced conformational change in the G protein. Fragment G1 was not removed from the G protein when it was membrane bound, suggesting G1 is involved in binding to a membrane structure. These data suggest that the light-induced binding of the G protein to illuminated membranes and the reversal of this binding by GTP are mediated through conformational changes in the G protein and that three conformations exist: 1) a basal, inactive conformation; 2) a primed conformation induced by binding to photolyzed rhodopsin, with a high affinity for GTP; and 3) an active conformation, induced by binding of GTP, which activates the catalytic complex of light-activated phosphodiesterase.     

Localization of ionophore activity in a 20,000-dalton fragment of the adenosine triphosphatase of Sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum has been shown to ast as a Ca2+-dependent and selective ionophore in artificial lipid bilayers. Four fragments of 55,000, 45,000, 30,000, and 20,000 daltons have been purified from tryptic digests of the enzyme and it has been shown that the 55,000- and 45,000-dalton fragments are obtained from a single cleavage of the 100,000-dalton ATPase, while the 30,000- and 20,000-dalton fragments are obtained subsequently by a cleavage of the 55,000-dalton fragment. The 55,000- and 20,000-dalton fragments have ionophore activity inhibited by ruthenium red and by mercuric chloride but not by methylmercuric chloride, an inhibitor of the hydrolytic site of the enzyme. Under standard conditions the 45,000-dalton fragment was not active as an ionophore, while the 30,000-dalton fragment acted as a nonselective ionophore. The 55,000- and 30,000-dalton fragments have been shown to contain the site of phosphorylation and of N-ethyl [2-3H]-maleimide binding indicative of the hydrolytic site in the enzyme, and this site is absent from the 20,000-dalton fragment. Therefore, the ionophoric and hydrolytic sites are localized in separate regions of the ATPase molecule and they have now been physically separated. The 20,000-dalton fragment was degraded with cyanogen bromide and fragments were separated by molecular sieving. Ionophore activity was found in fragments of molecular mass less than 2,000 daltons.     

Evidence for a proteolytic modification of liver pyruvate kinase in fasted rats.

Liver pyruvate kinase was purified to homogeneity from rats fed a high carbohydrate, low protein diet (LPK-C) and from rats fasted for 84 h (LPK-F). Although the enzymes have similar electrophoretic mobilities in 7% polyacrylamide disc gels, the specific activity of LPK-C was two to three times the value of the specific activity of LPK-F. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of LPK-C yields a single protein band of 56,000 daltons. In contrast, LPK-F yields two bands of protein. Approximately one-third of the LPK-F has an electrophoretic mobility similar to the 56,000-dalton LPK-C peptide. The remaining two-thirds of the LPK-F protein migrates as a 51,000-dalton peptide. Cyanogen bromide was used to cleave LPK-C and LPK-F. Similar peptide patterns were obtained from LPK-C and LPK-F when the cyanogen bromide fragments were resolved by 12% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 7.5 m urea containing 6 mm Triton X-100 and 5% acetic acid. Separation of the two peptides from LPK-F was accomplished by selective immunologie absorption of the 56,000-dalton peptide with anti-LPK-C gammaglobulin immobilized on Sepharose 4B. Tryptic digests of LPK-C, LPK-F and the 51,000-dalton peptide yield similar peptide patterns when analyzed via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. These results suggest that the 51,000-dalton peptide could be derived by a proteolytic cleavage or limited digestion of the 56,000-dalton subunit. Phosphorylation of LPK-C and LPK-F by [γ-³²P]ATP in vitro with cyclic AMP-activated protein kinase results in covalent incorporation of ${}^{32}$P into only the 56,000-dalton subunit. These results suggest that anin vivo proteolytic modification that yields the 51,000-dalton subunit.     

Limited proteolysis of nitrate reductase purified from membranes of Escherichia coli.

The heterogeneous form of nitrate reductase released from the membrane fraction of Escherichia coli by heat treatment was converted to a new electrophoretic form by incubation with trypsin. As a result of the trypsin treatment, the heat-released enzyme was converted from an associating-dissociating system to a nonassociating monomer (Mr approximately 200,000) which retained full enzymatic activity. Several distinct subunits in the 47,000- to 59,000-dalton range were converted to a single 43,000-dalton subunit during the trypsin treatment, while the other major subunit (155,000 daltons) was unaffected. Nitrate reductase extracted from the membrane fraction with deoxycholate and ammonium sulfate was composed of two apparently homogeneous subunits (155,000 and 59,000 daltons). The detergent-extracted enzyme preparation was converted by trypsin to an electrophoretic form very similar to the product of trypsin treatment of the heat-released enzyme with an identical subunit composition (155,000 and 43,000 daltons). These results demonstrate that the heterogeneous subunits present in the heat-released enzyme are produced during heat treatment by proteolytic cleavage of a single 59,000-dalton subunit. The fragments removed by trypsin treatment are implicated in the self-associating properties of the heat-released enzyme.     

The detection of smooth muscle desmin-like protein in BHK21/C13 fibroblasts.

Three distinct proteins, actin (42,000 daltons), the principal form of fibroblast 10 nm filament protein (55,000 daltons), and a protein with a molecular weight of 52,000 and a pI of 5.8 were detected in nonionic detergent-insoluble cytoskeletal and 10 nm filament preparations of control BHK21/C13 and line 9 hamster fibroblasts. Cytoskeletal preparations of other hamster fibroblast cell types, such as NIL8 and primary embryo fibroblasts, contained the 55,000-dalton component but lacked the 52,000-dalton protein. A Rous sarcoma virus transformant of the BHK21/C13 line and an adenovirus transformant of line 9, resembled the NIL8 and other fibroblast types in that they contained only the 55,000- and 42,000-dalton polypeptides. The identity of the 52,000-dalton protein in BHK21/C13 cells was studied. This protein co-electrophoreses on both one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels with the predominant muscle form of 10 nm filament protein. Further, one-dimensional peptide maps of the hamster smooth muscle 10 nm filament protein and the hamster fibroblast 52,000-dalton protein are identical to one another and distinct from the peptide maps of both the 42,000- and the 55,000-dalton components of the fibroblast cytoskeletal preparations. We conclude that BHK21/C13 cells contain both the fibroblast and the muscle form of 10 nm filament protein.     

The action of trypsin on the gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase.

The effect of trypsin on gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-phosphatase was studied. Loss of both enzymic activities was biphasic, consisting of a fast and slow phase. Several peptides were produced from the original 105,000-dalton region of the sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoretic separation, but only two, 87,000 and 47,000 daltons, were labeled following incubation with [gamma-33P]ATP. After a 30-min hydrolysis, 35% of the original peptide remained unaltered and appeared to be a glycoprotein. ATP and ADP abolished the second phase of tryptic inactivation of both activities and only two peptides, of 78,000 and 30,000 daltons, were found on the acrylamide gel in addition to the original 105,000-dalton region, neither of which was labeled by [gamma-33P]ATP. The protection was specific for these nucleotides, AMP, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, TTP, and pNPP being ineffective. Na+ and K+ at high concentrations reduced the rate of loss of activity but no change in the peptides produced was found. The level of phosphoenzyme was increased 2-fold by trypsin treatment, whereas the quantity of K+-sensitive phosphoenzyme remained relatively constant. Thus, the 105,000-dalton region is heterogeneous, consisting of a catalytic subunit (the active site is on a 47,000-dalton fragment), a glycoprotein, and another 105,000-dalton peptide. The action of trypsin is initially to prevent interconversion of a K+-insensitive to a K+-sensitive form of the phosphoenzyme, thus inhibiting hydrolysis.     

Origin of the minor glycoproteins of murine leukemia viruses.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis and immunoprecipitation were used to study glycoproteins from purified Rauscher murine leukemia virus (R-MuLV) and from AKR thymic lymphoblastoid cell membranes. In addition to gp70, a minor glycoprotein of approximately 52,000 daltons (gp52) was demonstrated in purified R-MuLV preparations, which was antigenically related to gp70. Analysis of R-MuLV glycopeptides obtained after exhaustive Pronase digestion showed that gp70 has at least two different glycopeptide size classes with molecular weights of 5,100 and 2,900, respectively. gp52, however, contained only a single glycopeptide size class of approximately 5,100 daltons, indicating that the two glycoproteins contain distinct carbohydrate components. Trypsin treatment of R-MuLV converted gp70 into a product with a molecular mass of approximately 52,000 daltons as well as a 45,000-dalton minor product, with little effect on virus infectivity. Similarly, trypsin treatment of 125I-labeled glycoproteins derived from AKR mouse lymphoblastoid cell membranes generated fragments antigenically related to gp70 and similar in size to those obtained by trypsin treatment of R-MuLV. In both cases, the appearance of cleavage products was accompanied by a decrease in gp70 during trypsin treatment. The occurrence of glycosylated components antigenically related to gp70 in AKR membrane glycoprotein preparations and in purified R-MuLV preparations which were similar to those generated by trypsin treatment supports the concept that these minor components arise from proteolytic cleavage of gp70.     

Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen Is Phosphorylated at Multiple Sites Clustered in Two Separate Regions

The phosphorylation sites of simian virus 40 large T antigen were determined within the primary structure of the molecule. Exhaustive digestion of ³²P-labeled large T antigen with trypsin generated six major phosphopeptides which could be separated in a newly developed isobutyric acid-containing chromatography system. By partial tryptic digestion, large T antigen was cleaved into an amino-terminal fragment of 17,000 daltons and overlapping fragments from the carboxy-terminal region ranging in size between 71,000 and 13,000 daltons. The location of the phosphopeptides was then determined by fingerprint analyses of individual fragments. Their physical properties were analyzed by sizing on polyacrylamide gels and by sequential digestion and peptide mapping; their amino acid composition was determined by differential labeling with various amino acids. The amino-terminal 17,000-dalton fragment gave rise to only one phosphopeptide (phosphopeptide 3) that contained half of the phosphate label incorporated into large T antigen. It contained phosphoserine and phosphothreonine sites, all of which were clustered within a small segment between Cys₁₀₅ and Lys₁₂₇. This segment contained five serines and two threonines. Among these, Ser₁₀₆, Ser₁₂₃, and Thr₁₂₄ were identified as phosphorylated residues; in addition, either one or both of Ser₁₁₁ and Ser₁₁₂ were phosphorylated. The neighboring residues, Ser₁₂₃ and Thr₁₂₄, were found in three different phosphorylation states in that either Ser₁₂₃ or Thr₁₂₄ or both were phosphorylated. Phosphopeptides 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were all derived from a single fragment extending 26,000 daltons upstream from the carboxy terminus of large T antigen. Phosphopeptide 6 was identical with the previously determined phosphothreonine peptide phosphorylated at Thr₇₀₁. Phosphopeptides 1, 2, 4, and 5 contained only serine-bound phosphate. Phosphopeptides 1, 2, and 4 represented overlapping peptides, all of which were phosphorylated at Ser₆₃₉ located next to a cluster of six acidic residues. In phosphopeptide 5, a large peptide ranging from Asn₆₅₃ to Arg₆₉₁, at least two of seven serines were phosphorylated. Thus, large T antigen contains at least eight phosphorylation sites. Their clustering within two separate regions might correlate with structural and functional domains of this protein.     

Spectrin Domains: Proteolytic Susceptibility as a Probe of Protein Structure

Mild treatment of human erythrocyte spectrin with trypsin produces discrete intermediate-sized peptides. The effects of buffer composition, enzyme–substrate ratio, temperature, and other experimental parameters on the resulting peptide pattern have been examined. Spectrin is capable of regaining its proteolytic resistance after NaDodSO₄-induced denaturation, permitting the use of isolated subunits to study spectrin structure and function. Tryptic digestion of isolated subunits also has greatly facilitated the identification of the subunit origin of the intermediate-sized peptides. Isolated subunits could also be recombined to form functional units similar but not identical to the native dimeric form of the molecule. Spectrin apparently is composed of numerous large protease-resistant regions or domains connected by small protease sensitive segments. The structural integrity and accessibility of these sites is minimally affected by oligomeric state or proteolytic digestion conditions. The similarities of sizes, isoelectric points, and amino acid compositions of many intermediate-size peptides from areas of both subunits suggest that at least part of spectrin's structure may have evolved via replication of a single gene. A possible structural repeat of approximately 50,000 daltons is hypothesized.     

Reactive sulfhydryl groups of the band 3 polypeptide from human erythroycte membranes. Location in the primary structure.

Human erythrocyte membranes contain a major transmembrane protein, known as Band 3, that is involved in anion transport. This protein contains a total of five reactive sulfhydryl groups, which can be assigned to either of two classes on the basis of their susceptibility to release from the membrane by trypsin. Two of the groups are located in the region COOH-terminal to the extracellular chymotrypsin-sensitive site of the protein and remain with a membrane-bound 55,000-dalton fragment generated by trypsin treatment. The three sulfhydryl groups NH2-terminal to the extracellular chymotrypsin site are released from the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane by trypsin. All three groups are present in a 20,000-dalton tryptic fragment of Band 3. Two of these groups are located very close to the sites of trypsin cleavage that generate the 20,000-dalton fragment. The third reactve group is probably located about 15,000-daltons from the most NH2-terminal sulfhydryl group. Two other well defined fragments of the protein do not contain reactive sulfhydryl groups. They are a 23,000-dalton fragment derived from the NH2-terminal end that is also released by trypsin from the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane and a 19,000-dalton membrane-bound region of the protein that is produced by treatment with chymotrypsin in ghosts. The 20,000-dalton tryptic fragment may, therefore, constitute a sulfhydryl-containing domain of the Band 3 protein.     

Phosphorylation of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter by protein kinase C: localization of the site of in vivo and in vitro phosphorylation

1. The human erythrocyte glucose transporter was phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase C. 2. Tryptic cleavage of phosphorylated native transporter produced two major unphosphorylated membrane-embedded fragments weighing 23 and 19 kDa and released numerous water-soluble peptides. 3. Ion-exchange FPLC of the soluble tryptic peptides resolved the mixture into two phosphopeptide peaks. 4. Tryptic digestion of glucose transporter that was phosphorylated in vivo in response to phorbol esters produced soluble phosphopeptides that eluted at identical salt concentrations. 5. Proteolytic digestion and peptide mapping of the transporter revealed that the site(s) of phosphorylation lie within the large cytoplasmic domain that bisects the molecule.     

Sequence analysis of phospholamban. Identification of phosphorylation sites and two major structural domains

Phospholamban is a regulatory protein in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum that is phosphorylated by cAMP- and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activities. In this report, we present the partial amino acid sequence of canine cardiac phospholamban and the identification of the sites phosphorylated by these two protein kinases. Gas-phase protein sequencing was used to identify 20 NH2-terminal residues. Overlap peptides produced by trypsin or papain digestion extended the sequence 16 residues to give the following primary structure: Ser-Ala-Ile-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Thr-Ile-Glu-Met-Pro-Gln-Gln-Ala- Arg-Gln-Asn-Leu-Gln-Asn-Leu-Phe-Ile-Asn-Phe-(Cys)-Leu-Ile-Leu-Ile-(Cys)- Leu-Leu-Leu-Ile-. Phospholamban phosphorylated by either cAMP-dependent or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was cleaved with trypsin, and the major phosphorylated peptide (comprising greater than 70% of the incorporated 32P label) was purified by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The identical sequence was revealed for the radioactive peptide obtained from phospholamban phosphorylated by either kinase: Arg-Ala-Ser-Thr-Ile-Glu-Met-Pro-Gln-Gln-. The adjacent residues Ser7 and Thr8 of phospholamban were identified as the unique sites phosphorylated by cAMP- and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, respectively. These results establish that phospholamban is an oligomer of small, identical polypeptide chains. A hydrophilic, cytoplasmically oriented NH2-terminal domain on each monomer contains the unique, adjacent residues phosphorylated by cAMP- and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activities. Analysis by hydropathic profiling and secondary structure prediction suggests that phospholamban monomers also contain a hydrophobic domain, which could form amphipathic helices sufficiently long to traverse the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. A model of phospholamban as a pentamer is presented in which the amphipathic alpha-helix of each monomer is a subunit of the pentameric membrane-anchored domain, which is comprised of an exterior hydrophobic surface and an interior hydrophilic region containing polar side chains.     

Reconstitution of a native-like SH2 domain from disordered peptide fragments examined by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR

The N-terminal SH2 domain from the p85alpha subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase is cleaved specifically into 9- and 5-kD fragments by limited proteolytic digestion with trypsin. The noncovalent SH2 domain complex and its constituent tryptic peptides have been investigated using high-resolution heteronuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These studies have established the viability of the SH2 domain as a fragment complementation system. The individual peptide fragments are predominantly unstructured in solution. In contrast, the noncovalent 9-kD + 5-kD complex shows a native-like (1)H-(15)N HSQC spectrum, demonstrating that the two fragments fold into a native-like structure on binding. Chemical shift analysis of the noncovalent complex compared to the native SH2 domain reveals that the highest degree of perturbation in the structure occurs at the cleavage site within a flexible loop and along the hydrophobic interface between the two peptide fragments. Mapping of these chemical shift changes on the structure of the domain reveals changes consistent with the reduction in affinity for the target peptide ligand observed in the noncovalent complex relative to the intact protein. The 5-kD fragment of the homologous Src protein is incapable of structurally complementing the p85 9-kD fragment, either in complex formation or in the context of the full-length protein. These high-resolution structural studies of the SH2 domain fragment complementation features establish the suitability of the system for further protein-folding and design studies.     

Characterization of gastric mucosal membranes. VIII.The localization of peptides by iodination and phosphorylation.

Two fractions of gastric mucosal membranes obtained by Ficoll-sucrose density gradient centrifugation were studied by a variety of techniques to localize the polypeptides. Gel electrophoresis showed the presence of five major polypeptides and several minor ones. Only one of these, 82,000 daltons, was available for iodination in the intact tissue. The two membrane fractions differed in their accessibility to peroxidase. The denser fraction showed two major defined iodination peaks at 82,000 and 102,000 daltons. Freeze-thawing and iodinating with 131-I produced additional labeling of peaks as well as relabeling the 82,000-dalton component, showing it was accessible from both sides of the membrane. The two major components were also sensitive to cross-linking, the 102,000 polypeptide being especially sensitive to --SH oxidation. Proteolysis with trypsin removed both components in the denser membrane fraction, in addition to inhibiting the K+-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase of that fraction. Phosphorylation with [gamma-32-P]ATP labeled the 102,000-dalton component and K+, HCO3- minus and p-nitrophenylphosphate reduced the level of labeling. Hence the 102,000 region contains a subunit of the ATPase, is readily iodinated in inside-out vesicles, and is the most available for interpeptide S--S cross-linking.     

Transport of hemolysin by Escherichia coli

The hemolytic phenotype in Escherichia coli is determined by four genes. Two (hlyC and hlyA) determine the synthesis of a hemolytically active protein which is transported across the cytoplasmic membrane. The other two genes (hlyBa and hlyBb) encode two proteins which are located in the outer membrane and seem to form a specific transport system for hemolysin across the outer membrane. The primary product of gene hlyA is a protein (protein A) of 106,000 daltons which is nonhemolytic and which is not transported. No signal peptide can be recognized at its N-terminus. In the presence of the hlyC gene product (protein C), the 106,000-dalton protein is processed to the major proteolytic product of 58,000 daltons, which is hemolytically active and is transported across the cytoplasmic membrane. Several other proteolytic fragments of the 106,000-dalton protein are also generated. During the transport of the 58,000-dalton fragment (and possible other proteolytic fragments of hlyA gene product), the C protein remains in the cytoplasm. In the absence of hlyBa and hlyBb the entire hemolytic activity (mainly associated with the 58,000-dalton protein) is located in the periplasm: Studies on the location of hemolysin in hlyBa and hlyBb mutants suggest that the gene product of hlyBa (protein Ba) binds hemolysin and leads it through the outer membrane whereas the gene product of hlyBb (protein Bb) releases hemolysin from the outer membrane. This transport system is specific for E coli hemolysin. Other periplasmic enzymes of E coli and heterologous hemolysin (cereolysin) are not transported.     

Proteolytic fragmentation of myosin: location of SH-1 and SH-2 thiols.

The heavy chain fragmentation pattern of native myosin when digested by proteolytic enzymes is influenced by such conditions as the nature of the proteolytic agent, ionic strength and presence or absence of divalent cations. HMM and S-1 produced by digestion of 14CNEM-labelled myosin under various conditions were analyzed by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purified samples of these species were digested under controlled conditions by chymotrypsin and trypsin and a comparison of the observed heavy chain fragmentation patterns led to a sequential arrangement of the proteolytic fragments. The main features of this arrangement are the following: a 21K molecular weight tryptic peptide is found at the N-terminal side of myosin heavy chain. Adjacent to it is a 48K peptide, then a 19.5K peptide containing the two SH-1 and SH-2 thiols. These three peptides constitute the heavy chain of S-1. Adjacent to this S-1 heavy chain is a tryptic (and also chymotryptic) 40K peptide. The rest of the HMM heavy chain on the C-terminus is a sequence susceptible to both chymotrypsin and trypsin attack yielding an undefined number of small peptides.     

Subunit and primary structure of a mouse alpha-macroglobulin, a human alpha 2-macroglobulin homologue

A mouse alpha-macroglobulin (AMG), a homologue of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2 M), has been purified to homogeneity. In contrast to human and acute-phase rat alpha 2 M which contains subunits of about Mr 190 000, the mouse protein contains two major (Mr 163000 and 35000) and one minor (Mr 185000) subunits. Also unlike human alpha 2 M, which can be broken down into about 85000-dalton subunits when reacted with an endopeptidase, the native AMG is cleaved by trypsin into multiple components (Mr 86000, 63000, 61000 and 33000). Two-dimensional peptide map analysis of these various 125I-labeled subunit components reveals that the 185000- and 163000-dalton components are homologous proteins but only the 185000-dalton protein contains the 35000-dalton component. The 163000-dalton protein is cleaved by trypsin into 86000- and 63000-dalton components, and the 86-kDa component in turn can be broken down into 61000- and 33000-dalton fragments. Since the 35000-dalton component is serologically related to AMG but does not share any tryptic peptides with both the 163000- and 33000-dalton components, it is neither a copurified impurity nor a cleavage product of the major (163000-dalton) subunit. AMG, therefore, is composed of covalently linked subunits of Mr 163000 and 35000, and the 185000-dalton protein may be a variant subunit of AMG. Trypsin treatment of the [14C]methylamine-labeled AMG and alpha 2 M also sequentially generate subunit patterns indistinguishable from those of the unlabeled macroglobulins. The methylamine-sensitive site(s) of AMG is localized in the 63000-dalton peptide, which is rather resistant to trypsin digestion and to staining by Coomassie brillant blue. We conclude from this study that the mouse homologue has a subunit composition and primary structure distinctly different from those of human and rat alpha 2 M.     

Novel purification of the catalytic domain of Golgi alpha-mannosidase II. Characterization and comparison with the intact enzyme

Rat liver alpha-mannosidase II, a hydrolase involved in the processing of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides, is an integral membrane glycoprotein facing the lumen of Golgi membranes. We have previously shown (Moremen, K. W., and Touster, O. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10945-10951) that mild chymotrypsin digestion of permeabilized or solubilized Golgi membranes will result in the cleavage of the intact 124,000-dalton alpha-mannosidase II subunit, releasing a 110,000-dalton hydrophilic polypeptide which contains the catalytic site. Consistent with the removal of a membrane binding domain, the chymotrypsin-generated 110,000-dalton peptide was found exclusively in the aqueous phase in Triton X-114 phase separation studies, whereas the intact enzyme was found in the detergent phase. Taking advantage of this conversion in phase partitioning behavior, a purification procedure was developed to isolate the 110,000-dalton proteolytic digestion product as a homogeneous polypeptide for further characterization and protein sequencing at a yield of greater than 65% from a rat liver Golgi-enriched membrane fraction. An improved purification procedure for the intact enzyme was also developed. The two forms of the enzyme were compared yielding the following results. (a) The catalytic activity of the intact and cleaved forms of alpha-mannosidase II were indistinguishable in Km, Vmax, inhibition by the alkaloid, swainsonine, and in their activity toward the natural substrate GlcNAc-Man5GlcNAc. (b) Both the intact and cleaved forms of the enzyme appear to be disulfide-linked dimers. (c) The two forms of the enzyme contain different NH2-terminal sequences suggesting that the cleaved NH2 terminus contains the membrane-spanning domain. (d) Additional peptide sequences were obtained from proteolytic fragments and cyanogen bromide digestion products in order to create a partial protein sequence map of the enzyme. These results are consistent with a model common among Golgi processing enzymes of a hydrophilic catalytic domain anchored to the lumenal face of Golgi membranes through an NH2-terminal hydrophobic membrane-anchoring domain.