Isolation and partial amino acid sequence of three subunit species of porcine spleen ferritin: evidence of multiple H subunits

A partial amino acid sequence for three different subunits of the iron storage protein, ferritin, has been determined. Ferritin (Mr approximately 480,000) was isolated from porcine spleen and dissociated into its component subunits (Mr approximately 20,000). The subunits, in turn, were separated into three fractions by reversed-phase HPLC. The fractions appeared to be of equal size by sedimentation velocity, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and size-exclusion chromatography in 6 M guanidinium chloride. All three fractions were shown to be monomeric and to have no covalently attached carbohydrate (J. F. Collawn et al. (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 233, 260-266). Determination of the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal 70-80 residues from each of the fractions demonstrated three different sequences. Comparison with human liver H and L subunit sequences indicates that two of the porcine ferritin subunits are H-type subunits and one is an L-type subunit. Application of the Chou-Fasman algorithm on the three partial sequences suggests that these respective regions from each of the three subunits would probably adopt the same conformation.     

Determination of subunit composition of Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosomes that degrade plant cell walls

Clostridium cellulovorans produces a cellulase enzyme complex (cellulosome). In this study, we isolated two plant cell wall-degrading cellulosomal fractions from culture supernatant of C. cellulovorans and determined their subunit compositions and enzymatic activities. One of the cellulosomal fractions showed fourfold-higher plant cell wall-degrading activity than the other. Both cellulosomal fractions contained the same nine subunits (the scaffolding protein CbpA, endoglucanases EngE and EngK, cellobiohydrolase ExgS, xylanase XynA, mannanase ManA, and three unknown proteins), although the relative amounts of the subunits differed. Since only cellobiose was released from plant cell walls by the cellulosomal fractions, cellobiohydrolases were considered to be key enzymes for plant cell wall degradation.     

Subcellular distribution of GTP-binding proteins, Go and Gi2, in rat cerebral cortex

The localization of GTP-binding protein (G-protein) subunits, Go alpha, Gi2 alpha and beta, in subcellular fractions of rat cerebral cortex was determined by means of immunoassays specific for the respective subunits. High concentrations of all three subunits were observed in both crude mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. Muscarinic cholinergic receptors were also densely localized in these fractions. Then the crude mitochondrial and microsomal fractions were subfractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Each fraction obtained was evaluated morphologically by electron microscopy and biochemically by determination of membrane markers. The crude mitochondrial fraction was subfractionated into myelin, synaptic plasma membrane, and mitochondrial fractions. All the G-protein subunits examined and muscarinic receptors were exclusively localized in the synaptic plasma membrane fraction. Among the submicrosomal fractions, the heavy smooth-surfaced microsomal fraction showed the highest concentrations of all G-protein subunits and receptors, while the rough-surfaced microsomal fraction contained low amounts of them. The heavy smooth-surfaced microsomal fraction also contained high specific activity of (Na(+)-K+)-ATPase, a marker of the plasma membrane. These results indicated that the Go alpha, Gi2 alpha and beta subunits are mainly localized in the plasma membrane in the brain.     

Determination of Subunit Composition of Clostridium cellulovorans Cellulosomes That Degrade Plant Cell Walls

Clostridium cellulovorans produces a cellulase enzyme complex (cellulosome). In this study, we isolated two plant cell wall-degrading cellulosomal fractions from culture supernatant of C. cellulovorans and determined their subunit compositions and enzymatic activities. One of the cellulosomal fractions showed fourfold-higher plant cell wall-degrading activity than the other. Both cellulosomal fractions contained the same nine subunits (the scaffolding protein CbpA, endoglucanases EngE and EngK, cellobiohydrolase ExgS, xylanase XynA, mannanase ManA, and three unknown proteins), although the relative amounts of the subunits differed. Since only cellobiose was released from plant cell walls by the cellulosomal fractions, cellobiohydrolases were considered to be key enzymes for plant cell wall degradation.     

The distribution of ferritin subunit types in porcine tissues

Ferritin was isolated from porcine heart, liver and spleen. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography of the ferritin subunits yielded three chromatographic fractions. The relative proportions of the three chromatographic fractions were different for each tissue ferritin. These results support the model which proposes a combination of (at least) two subunit types as the basis for the existence of isoferritins.     

Internalization of insulin receptors in the isolated rat adipose cell. Demonstration of the vectorial disposition of receptor subunits

The internalization of the insulin receptor in the isolated rat adipose cell and the spatial orientation of the alpha (Mr = 135,000) and beta (Mr = 95,000) subunits of the receptor in the plasma membrane have been examined. The receptor subunits were labeled by lactoperoxidase/Na125I iodination, a technique which side-specifically labels membrane proteins in intact cells and impermeable membrane vesicles. Internalization was induced by incubating cells for 30 min at 37 degrees C in the presence of saturating insulin. Plasma, high density microsomal (endoplasmic reticulum-enriched), and low density microsomal (Golgi-enriched) membrane fractions were prepared by differential ultracentrifugation. Receptor subunit iodination was analyzed by immunoprecipitation with anti-receptor antibodies, sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and autoradiography. When intact cells were surface-labeled and incubated in the absence of insulin, the alpha and beta receptor subunits were clearly observed in the plasma membrane fraction and their quantities in the microsomal membrane fractions paralleled plasma membrane contamination. Following receptor internalization, however, both subunits were decreased in the plasma membrane fraction by 20-30% and concomitantly and stoichiometrically increased in the high and low density microsomal membrane fractions, without alterations in either their apparent molecular size or proportion. In contrast, when the isolated particulate membrane fractions were directly iodinated, both subunits were labeled in the plasma membrane fraction whereas only the beta subunit was prominently labeled in the two microsomal membrane fractions. Iodination of the subcellular fractions following their solubilization in Triton X-100 again clearly labeled both subunits in all three membrane fractions in identical proportions. These results suggest that 1) insulin receptor internalization comprises the translocation of both major receptor subunits from the plasma membrane into at least two different intracellular membrane compartments associated, respectively, with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi-enriched membrane fractions, 2) this translocation occurs without receptor loss or alterations in receptor subunit structure, and 3) the alpha receptor subunit is primarily, if not exclusively, exposed on the extracellular surface of the plasma membrane while the beta receptor subunit traverses the membrane, and this vectorial disposition is inverted during internalization.     

HETEROGENEITY OF S-100 PROTEINS OF BRAIN: SUBUNIT COMPOSITIONS

Abstract— Two populations of S-100 proteins (III-IVa-1) and (III-IVb-1) were isolated from bovine brain by a simple three-step procedure involving precipitation with ammonium sulfate, ion exchange chromatography and gel electrophoresis. These two fractions reacted with anti-S-100 serum and showed all the properties of S-100 protein, but differed in the distribution of protein among the four subunits obtained in SDS-gels. These subunits had apparent molecular weights of 7800, 6800, 6100, and 5200. Separations based on charge differences revealed only three subunits. Similar fractions isolated from rat brain contained only two subunits with apparent molecular weights of 7800 and 6500. The two S-100 protein fractions also differed in the specific extinction at 280 nm and in the protein distribution among the separate bands which formed either in a 14% acrylamide-agarose gel-discontinuous buffer system or in 7.5% gels in the presence of calcium. The yield of S-100 protein isolated in the presence of aids (EDTA, EGTA, mercaptoethanol, protease inhibitors) was considerably higher than in their absence (80 mg vs 60 mg/kg tissue), the predominant loss occurring in fraction III-IVa-1. It is concluded that 'S-100 protein'contains a number of molecular species which have different subunit compositions and differences in stability.     

Biosynthesis of ferritin in rat hepatoma cells and rat livers. I. Synthesis and assembly of protein subunits of ferritin.

Cell fractions were prepared from ACI rat livers and from rat hepatoma cell clone M-5123-C1. Radioimmunoassays of ferritin and of its protein subunits in various cell fractions after biosynthetic labeling with [14C]leucine were done by means of ferritin-specific and subunit-specific rabbit antibody. In both ACI rat livers and M-5123-C1 hepatoma cells free polyribosomes synthesized approximately 81% of the protein subunits of ferritin, and membrane-bound polyribosomes synthesized the rest. In both polyribosomal fractions, [14C]leucine-labeled subunits were detected earlier than [14C]leucine-labeled ferritin and apoferritin (5 min as against 30 min after initiation of a pulse). Time sequence studies of the shifts of biosynthetically labeled subunits and ferritin through different cell compartments provided evidence for vectorial transport of subunits and of ferritin, the direction of transport being from the two polyribosomal systems to the smooth membrane compartment and to the cytosol.     

Microinjected glutathione S-transferase Yb subunits translocate to the cell nucleus.

We have previously shown that a 30 kDa DNA-binding protein isolated from rat cell nuclei exhibits the chemical and immunological properties of glutathione S-transferase Yb subunits [Bennett, Spector & Yeoman (1986) J. Cell Biol. 102, 600-609]. It was of interest, therefore, to determine whether Yb subunits isolated from rat liver nuclei would return to nuclear fractions upon reintroduction to cell cytoplasms via red-blood-cell-mediated fusion. Labelled Yb subunits were associated with nuclear fractions 60 min after cell fusion. The microinjected protein remained associated with the nuclei for 18 h and was not extractable with low-salt washes. In addition, injected Yb subunits were found to equally distribute between extractable (56%) and residual (44%) nuclear fractions. These experiments demonstrate that glutathione S-transferase Yb subunits isolated from nuclei rapidly translocate to nuclei upon reintroduction into cell cytoplasms.     

IMMUNOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF S-100 PROTEINS AND THEIR SUBUNITS

Abstract— The immunological activities of two populations of bovine S-100 proteins with anti-S-100 serum were studied by complement fixation and rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The reactivities of subunits of these two populations were studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Although the two populations conformed in all respects to the properties of S-100 protein, the immunological reactivity of one, III-IVa-1, was significantly lower than that of the other, III-IVb-1. The difference was much larger when the S-100 protein fractions were isolated in the absence of aids (mercaptoethanol, EDTA, EGTA, protease inhibitors). With bovine S-100 fractions, the three subunits separated by differences in charge as well as the four subunits separated by differences in molecular weight all reacted with the same antibody molecules in the antiserum. The reactivities of the subunits showed large quantitative differences.
Two populations of S-100 proteins from rat brain also showed differences in reactivity with anti-S-100 serum. The two subunits in each of these fractions reacted with anti-S-100 serum but with quantitative differences, the larger having almost double the activity of the smaller. These results provide firm evidence for the heterogeneity of S-100 proteins based on immunological activity of their subunit components. Different molecular species of S-100 proteins probably differ considerably in their reactivity with antibodies to S-100 protein. Some of the more reactive molecular species also appear to be much more labile, since the reactivity of some S-100 protein fractions was considerably reduced when they were isolated in the absence of aids.     

SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION OF PROTEIN CARBOXYL-METHYLASE AND ITS SUBSTRATES IN RAT PITUITARY LOBES

Subcellular distribution of protein carboxyl-methylase (PCM) and its endogenous substrates the methyl acceptor proteins (MAP) have been studied in the anterior, the posterior and the intermediate lobes of the rat pituitary gland. In all three lobes, PCM was found to be a cytosolic enzyme whereas the highest MAP specific capacity was observed in the lysate of the granular fractions. The methylated proteins from the lysates of the granular fractions and the cytosolic fractions were analyzed with a novel electrophoretic system which prevents the hydrolysis of the protein-methyl esters. Gel electrophoretic profiles from the lysates of the granular fractions were different from those of the cytosolic fractions. In the lysatcs of the granular fractions. the MAP had a molecular weight of less than 25,000 suggesting that the methylated polypeptides in these fractions were the pituitary peptide hormones (and their subunits) and neurophysins.     

Purification and Properties of Lectins from a Mushroom,Pleurotus cornucopiae

Hemagglutinating activity in fruit bodies of Pleurotus cornucopiae was separated by DEAE column chromatography into two, adsorbed and unadsorbed, fractions. From the unadsorbed fraction, three active substances were purified and characterized. The main component (PCL-a) consisted of two identical subunits with an apparent molecular mass of 16kDa and the second (PCL-b) consisted of two heterogeneous subunits of 16 and 15 kDa. The three lectins as well as the two kinds of subunits were immunologically cross-reactive with anti-PCL-a serum. Amino acid compositions of the two subunits were similar, and N-terminal residues of the subunits were blocked. Hemagglutinating activities of the three lectins were not inhibited by any monosaccharide tested but were strongly inhibited by asialo-mucin. From these results, the three lectins in P. cornucopiae were found to be isolectins.     

Characterization of B- and C-type low molecular weight glutenin subunits by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) are typically subdivided into three groups, according to their molecular weights and isoelectric points, namely the B-, C-, and D groups. Enriched B- and C-type LMW-GS fractions extracted from the bread wheat cultivar Chinese Spring were characterized using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) directly interfaced with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and HPLC coupled off-line with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, in order to ascertain the number and relative molecular masses of the components present in each fraction and determine the number of cysteine residues. About 70 components were detected in each of the fractions examined by the combined use of these two techniques, with 18 components common to both fractions. Analysis of the fractions after alkylation with 4-vinylpyridine allowed determination of the number of the cysteines present in about 40 subunits. The proteins detected were tentatively classified based on the relative molecular masses and number of cysteine residues. Cross-contamination was found in both B- and C- fractions, along with the presence of D-type LMW-GS. The two fractions also contained unexpected components, probably lipid transfer proteins and omega-gliadins. The presence of extensive microheterogeneity was suggested by the detection of several co-eluting proteins with minor differences in their molecular masses.     

Properties of three creatine kinases MM from porcine skeletal muscle

The properties of three fractions (FI, FII, and FIII) of porcine creatine kinase MM, which have been isolated by isoelectric focusing, were compared. Sugars were not detected in them. Their carboxyl-terminal sequences were identical and were determined to be -Thr-Lys by digestion with carboxypeptidases A and B. Immunodiffusion and competitive radioimmunoassay could not differentiate the three fractions from one another. Their amino-terminal sequences revealed that they had different primary structures. At residue 1, although all the three fractions had Pro, FI and FIII had an additional amino acid, Ser. At residue 23, only FI had Leu in addition to Ser, the amino acid common to the three fractions. These results indicate that differences among the three fractions of porcine creatine kinase MM are based on differences in the primary structures of the subunits in their dimer structures, and confirm the conclusion that FII is a homodimer and FI and FIII are heterodimers, which was reported in the preceding paper [Takasawa, T. & Shiokawa, H. (1983) J. Biochem. 93, 383-388].     

Isolation and characterization of the two active fractions from porcine brain phosphofructokinase purified by affinity chromatography

Phosphofructokinase was purified from porcine brain by the successive affinity chromatographies of Blue-Sepharose and ATP-agarose. The purified enzyme was found to contain three subunits, namely, the L-, M- and C-type by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purified enzyme separated into the two active fractions through gel filtration (FIs and FIIs). SDS-PAGE revealed that the FIs contained the L- and M-type subunits, while the FIIs contained the M- and C-type. The FIIs preparation was more sensitive to ATP inhibition, ADP activation and citrate inhibition than the FIs.     

Subcellular compartmentalization of cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunits during palate ontogeny

Mammalian palatal ontogeny involves epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, cell differentiation, and cell movements. These events occur on days 12, 13, and 14 of gestation in the C57BL/6J mouse embryo. During this period intracellular cAMP levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-dPK) levels in the palate transiently elevate. Cyclic AMP activates cAMP-dPK by binding primarily to two types of regulatory subunits of this enzyme, designated as RI and RII. To assess whether differential compartmentalization of the regulatory subunits occurs during palatal ontogeny, cytosolic, nuclear, and particulate fractions were prepared from day 12, 13, and 14 embryonic maxillary and palatal tissue. After photo-affinity labeling of each fraction with 8-azido [32P] cAMP, SDS-PAGE, and autoradiography, autoradiograms were analyzed densitometrically. The RI isoform predominated in the nuclear and particulate fractions on all three developmental days; whereas RII predominated in the cytosolic fractions. Thus, differential compartmentalization of cAMP-dPK may be a means by which cAMP dependent responses are regulated during palatogenesis.     

The majority of human replication protein A remains complexed throughout the cell cycle

Replication Protein A (RPA), the replicative single-strand DNA binding protein from eukaryotic cells, is a stable heterotrimeric complex consisting of three polypeptides. Cytological studies have investigated the subcellular distribution and association characteristics of the three RPA subunits during different stages of the cell cycle with varying results. In this study, various HeLa cell fractions were subjected to separation by either immunoprecipitation or velocity sedimentation. These separations were evaluated by immunoblotting for specific RPA subunits to determine whether the RPA in these fractions retains its heterotrimeric association. Immunoprecipitation of either the large (RPA70) or middle-sized (RPA32) subunit of RPA followed by immunoblotting for the other subunits demonstrate that RPA remains complexed throughout the G₁, S and G₂ phases of the cell cycle. Immunoprecipitation and sedimentation separations of both the nucleosolic and chromatin-bound RPA populations from both cycling and nocodazole-blocked cells showed that the majority of RPA remains complexed under all conditions examined. Consistent with previous reports, hypotonic extracts from 293 cells were shown to contain some RPA32 not complexed with RPA70. These results indicate that in some cell types, extracts may contain small amounts of RPA32 free of RPA70; however, in HeLa cells the majority of RPA clearly remains complexed as a heterotrimer throughout the cell cycle.     

Analysis of glutathione S-transferase from human liver by isoelectric focusing in a urea minigel system.

A method for the rapid analysis of isozyme subunits of glutathione transferase (GST) from human liver is described. Following purification of enzyme protein to electrophoretic homogeneity on columns of GSH-agarose, pooled transferase fractions were concentrated by ultrafiltration and subjected to further fractionation and analysis by urea-isoelectric focusing in minigels using a Hoefer Mighty Small II electrophoresis system. These methods combined with immunoblotting techniques permitted the resolution, detection, and eventual analysis of up to six different subunits of the alpha isozyme of human GST and at least three to four different forms of the pi isozyme of the transferase rapidity, accuracy, and sensitivity of the methodology may prove useful to the analysis and quantification of GST subunits in biopsies of malignant human tissue and to the development of effective chemotherapeutic regimens.     

Homo- and heterotetrameric forms of the membrane-bound metalloendopeptidases meprin A and B

Meprin A and B are disulfide-linked, tetrameric metalloendopeptidases in renal brush border membranes. Meprin A contains 90-kDa subunits (alpha subunits) and is expressed in random-bred and some inbred strains of mice. Meprin B contains subunits of 110 kDa (beta subunits) in situ, and the enzyme from C3H mice, a strain that does not express alpha subunits, has been characterized. Evidence from this and previous studies indicate that beta subunits are expressed in all mouse strains. The tetrameric organization of these meprins was examined in brush border membrane fractions from a random-bred strain (ICR) and two inbred strains of mice (C57BL/6 and C3H/He). Lectin blotting using biotinylated concanavalin A revealed that membranes from the random-bred strain contained three oligomeric complexes of approximately 390, 440, and 490 kDa as determined after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in the absence of reducing agents. The subunits in all three oligomers were linked by disulfide bridges. Western blotting using an anti-alpha monoclonal antibody indicated that alpha subunits (90 kDa) were present in the 390- and 440-kDa complexes. Western blotting with a polyclonal antibody specific for beta subunits (110 kDa) indicated the presence of these subunits in the 440- and 490-kDa complexes. Electroelution of the individual oligomers followed by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions confirmed that the 390- and 490-kDa molecules are homotetramers of alpha and beta subunits, respectively, and that the 440-kDa molecule is a heterotetramer consisting of disulfide-bridged alpha and beta subunits. C57BL/6 mice expressed both alpha and beta subunits and contained tetramers composed of alpha 4 and alpha 2 beta 2. C3H/He mice expressed only the 110-kDa beta subunits and the beta 4 oligomer. This type of multimeric organization of disulfide-linked subunits is unique for the known endopeptidases.