Calcium-dependent muscle contraction in obliquely striated Ascaris suum muscle

The regulatory proteins of Ascaris suum striated skeletal muscle were partially purified and characterized. A tropomyosin isoform (Mr 41K) and three troponin subunits identified as troponin T (Mr 37.5K), troponin I (Mr 25.5K) and troponin C (Mr 18.5K) were purified. Three myosin light chains (Mr 25K, 19K, and 17K) were isolated from washed Ascaris actomyosin; the 19K subunit was phosphorylated in vitro. A calcium/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase activity was identified in the muscle. In contrast to previously reported data suggesting that Ascaris obliquely striated muscle contraction is regulated by a myosin-mediated mechanism, these data indicate that all of the proteins required for actin-mediated, calcium-dependent muscle contraction are present in this tissue.     

Comparison of the properties of the protein phosphatases from avian and mammalian smooth muscles: purification and characterization of rabbit uterine smooth muscle phosphatases

Three protein phosphatases were purified to near homogeneity from rabbit uterine muscle. These enzymes are termed rabbit uterine smooth muscle phosphatase (RU SMP)-I, -II, and -IV. RU SMP-I is composed of three subunits (Mr 60,000, 55,000, and 38,000) which comigrated with the subunits of turkey gizzard smooth muscle phosphatase (TG SMP)-I. Ethanol treatment of RU SMP-I dissociated the subunits and led to the purification of its catalytic subunit (Mr 38,000), RU SMP-Ic. Structural homology between the turkey gizzard and rabbit uterine SMP-I is indicated by the cross-reactivity of RU SMP-I with the polyclonal antibodies against TG SMP-I and -Ic. Like TG SMP-II, RU SMP-II is inactive in the absence of divalent cations and can be activated by Mg2+ and Mn2+. However, their electrophoretic profiles on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel are different. RU SMP-II shows two bands (Mr 42,000 and 44,000) while TG SMP-II is monomeric (Mr 43,000). Western blot analysis revealed that the 42,000 and 44,000-Da proteins cross-react with anti-TG SMP-II antibodies, suggesting that these proteins share common structural properties. The anti-TG SMP-I and Ic antibodies do not cross-react with RU SMP-II and -IV. Likewise, the anti-TG SMP-II antibodies do not cross-react with RU SMP-I and -IV, implying that these enzymes are distinct. RU SMP-IV is composed of a catalytic subunit (Mr 40,000) and a subunit with a molecular weight of 60,000 or 58,000. All three rabbit uterine smooth muscle phosphatases dephosphorylate the isolated myosin light chains but only RU SMP-IV dephosphorylates heavy meromyosin. However, when the catalytic subunit of RU SMP-I is dissociated from the regulatory subunits, it is active toward heavy meromyosin and exhibits higher activity toward myosin light chains and phosphorylase a than its holoenzyme. The substrate specificity of these enzymes and the effects of ATP, NaF, pyrophosphate, okadaic acid, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ on their activities are very similar to those of the turkey gizzard smooth muscle phosphatases.     

Subcellular Site of Biosynthesis of the Catecholamine Biosynthetic Enzymes in Bovine Adrenal Medulla

The subcellular site of biosynthesis of the catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes was examined. Free and membrane-bound polysomes were prepared from bovine adrenal medulla and mRNA was isolated from these polysomes. Both were active in directing cell-free translations. Immunoprecipitation of cell-free products with specific antisera localized the biosynthesis of the subunits of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (apparent Mr = 61,000) and of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) (apparent Mr = 32,000) on free polysomes, compared with biosynthesis of subunits of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) (apparent Mr = 67,000) on membrane-bound polysomes. Cross-reactivity between translation products was observed. Antibodies for DBH recognized a polypeptide with electrophoretic mobility identical to newly synthesized PNMT. However increasing concentrations of antibodies to DBH recognized at most 1/20 of the PNMT formed. The results of this study show the subcellular distribution of the catecholamine synthesizing enzymes is determined by their site of biosynthesis.     

Cardiac contractile protein phosphatases. Purification of two enzyme forms and their characterization with subunit-specific antibodies

Two forms of protein phosphatase which dephosphorylate cardiac myosin or myosin light chains and the inhibitory subunit of cardiac troponin were purified from bovine cardiac muscle. The enzymes were composed of subunits of Mr = 63,000, 55,000, and 38,000 in a 1:1:1 molar ratio (PT-1) or Mr = 63,000 and 38,000 in a 1:1 molar ratio (PT-2). Native gel electrophoresis and sucrose gradient sedimentation indicated that activity toward all three substrates was due to a single enzyme species. A monoclonal antibody and polyclonal antiserum directed against an Mr = 38,000 protein phosphatase from this tissue specifically reacted with the Mr = 38,000 subunit of PT-1 and PT-2. The specificity of antibodies for the Mr = 38,000 subunit indicated that it was distinct from the other subunits. The Mr = 63,000 subunits of PT-1 and PT-2 were identical based on mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and one-dimensional peptide maps. Specificity of antiserum against the Mr = 55,000 subunit of PT-1 showed that this subunit was a distinct protein and not derived from the Mr = 63,000 subunit by proteolysis. PT-2 but not PT-1 could interact with antiserum against the Mr = 38,000 catalytic subunit in competitive immunoassays indicating that the presence of the Mr = 55,000 subunit may alter or mask antigenic site(s). Analysis of the enzymatic properties of PT-1 and PT-2 showed that PT-2 had higher activity with myosin, myosin light chains, and phosphorylase while PT-1 had higher activity with troponin. The results indicate that the presence of the Mr = 55,000 subunit may alter the enzymatic properties of the catalytic subunit.     

Two biochemically distinct classes of fumarase in Escherichia coli

Biochemical studies with strains of Escherichia coli that are amplified for the products of the three fumarase genes, fumA (FUMA), fumB (FUMB) and fumC (FUMC), have shown that there are two distinct classes of fumarase. The Class I enzymes include FUMA, FUMB, and the immunologically related fumarase of Euglena gracilis. These are characteristically thermolabile dimeric enzymes containing identical subunits of Mr 60,000. FUMA and FUMB are differentially regulated enzymes that function in the citric acid cycle (FUMA) or to provide fumarate as an anaerobic electron acceptor (FUMB), and their affinities for fumarate and L-malate are consistent with these roles. The Class II enzymes include FUMC, and the fumarases of Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian sources. They are thermostable tetrameric enzymes containing identical subunits Mr 48,000-50,000. The Class II fumarases share a high degree of sequence identity with each other (approx. 60%) and with aspartase (approx. 38%) and argininosuccinase (approx. 15%), and it would appear that these are all members of a family of structurally related enzymes. It is also suggested that the Class I enzymes may belong to a wider family of iron-dependent carboxylic acid hydro-lyases that includes maleate dehydratase and aconitase. Apart from one region containing a Gly-Ser-X-X-Met-X-X-Lys-X-Asn consensus sequence, no significant homology was detected between the Class I and Class II fumarases.     

Use of immuno-blot techniques to discriminate between the glutathione S-transferase Yf, Yk, Ya, Yn/Yb and Yc subunits and to study their distribution in extrahepatic tissues. Evidence for three immunochemically distinct groups of transferase in the rat.

The glutathione S-transferases are dimeric enzymes whose subunits can be defined by their mobility during sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis as Yf (Mr 24,500), Yk (Mr 25,000), Ya (Mr 25,500), Yn (Mr 26,500), Yb1 (Mr 27,000), Yb2 (Mr 27,000) and Yc (Mr 28,500) [Hayes (1986) Biochem. J. 233, 789-798]. Antisera were raised against each of these subunits and their specificities assessed by immuno-blotting. The transferases in extrahepatic tissues were purified by using, sequentially, S-hexylglutathione and glutathione affinity chromatography. Immune-blotting was employed to identify individual transferase polypeptides in the enzyme pools from various organs. The immuno-blots showed marked tissue-specific expression of transferase subunits. In contrast with other subunits, the Yk subunit showed poor affinity for S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose 6B in all tissues examined, and subsequent use of glutathione and glutathione affinity chromatography. Immuno-blotting was employed to identify a new cytosolic polypeptide, or polypeptides, immunochemically related to the Yk subunit but with an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of the Yc subunit; high concentrations of the new polypeptide(s) are present in colon, an organ that lacks Yc.     

Different forms of human liver glutathione S-transferases arise from dimeric combinations of at least four immunologically and functionally distinct subunits.

Four immunologically distinct subunits were characterized in glutathione (GSH) S-transferases of human liver. Five cationic enzymes (pI 8.9, 8.5, 8.3, 8.2 and 8.0) have an apparently similar subunit composition, and are dimers of 26 500-Mr (A) and 24 500-Mr (B) subunits. A neutral enzyme, pI 6.8, is a dimer of B-type subunits. One of the anionic enzymes, pI 5.5, is also a dimer of 26 500-Mr subunits. However, the 26 500-Mr subunits of this anionic enzyme form are immunologically distinct from the A subunits of the cationic enzymes, and have been designated as A'. Immunoabsorption studies with the neutral enzyme, BB, and the antibodies raised against the cationic enzymes (AB) indicate that A and B subunits are immunologically distinct. Hybridization in vitro of the A and B subunits of the cationic enzymes (AB) results in the expected binary combinations of AA, AB and BB. Studies with the hybridized enzyme forms indicate that only the A subunits express GSH peroxidase activity. A' subunits have maximum affinity for p-nitrobenzyl chloride and p-nitrophenyl acetate, and the B subunits have highest activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The other anionic form, pI 4.5, present in liver is a heterodimer of 22 500-Mr (C) and B subunits. The C subunits of this enzyme are probably the same as the 22 500-Mr subunits present in human lung and placental GSH transferases. The distinct immunological nature of B and C subunits was also demonstrated by immunoaffinity and subunit-hybridization studies. The results of two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoretic analyses indicate that in human liver GSH transferases, three charge isomers of Mr 26 500 (A type), two charge isomers of Mr 24 500 (B type) and two charge isomers of Mr 22 500 (C type) subunits are present.     

Synthesis and characterization of N-hydroxysuccinimide ester chemical affinity derivatives of asialoorosomucoid that covalently cross-link to galactosyl receptors on isolated rat hepatocytes

We have developed chemical affinity reagents for the hepatic galactosyl receptor. Asialoorosomucoid (ASOR) was derivatized with five homobifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester cross-linkers. NHS/ASOR derivatives were synthesized, purified, and applied within 10 min to isolated rat hepatocytes at 4 degrees C. Specific binding of these 125I-labeled derivatives was approximately 90% in the presence of either EGTA or excess ASOR. Specific cross-linking assessed by the resistance of specifically bound NHS/125I-ASOR to release by EGTA, was 50-75% of the specifically bound ligand. The extent of specific cross-linking correlated with the average number of NHS groups per ASOR and was controlled by varying the molar ratio of cross-linker to ASOR during the synthesis. Cross-linking proceeded rapidly at 4 degrees C as a first-order process (k = 0.25 min-1, t1/2 = 2.8 min). After being cross-linked with any of the NHS/125I-ASOR derivatives, cells were washed with EGTA, solubilized in Triton X-100, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Major bands were observed at Mr congruent to 84K, 93K, and 105K corresponding to the expected size of 1:1 adducts between NHS/ASOR (Mr congruent to 41.3K) and the three subunits of the receptor, Mr congruent to 43K, 50K, and 60K. The three subunits, rat hepatic lectin (RHL) 1, 2, and 3, were labeled in the ratio of about 1.0:1.2:1.0, respectively. After cross-linking, a polyclonal goat antibody to the receptor immunoprecipitated up to 100% of the specifically cross-linked NHS/125I-ASOR. Preimmune IgG immunoprecipitated less than 1% of the radiolabeled ligand. Cell surface receptors were cross-linked to NHS-ASOR, extracted with Triton X-100, immunoprecipitated with anti-orosomucoid-Sepharose, and subjected to Western blot analysis. By use of anti-sera specific for RHL 1 or RHL 2/3 (from K. Drickamer), cross-linked complexes of Mr congruent to 85K or approximately 90-115K, respectively, were detected as were un-cross-linked native subunits. The ratio of free to cross-linked subunits was approximately 10:1 for RHL 1 and approximately 0.5:1 for RHL 2/3. We conclude that all three receptor subunits can cross-link to ligand. We propose a model in which the native receptor is a heterohexamer composed of four subunits of RHL 1 and two subunits of RHL 2 and/or RHL 3.     

A new strategy for the study of oligomeric enzymes: gamma-glutamyltransferase in reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents

A heterodimeric enzyme (gamma-glutamyltransferase) was studied in the reversed micellar medium of Aerosol OT (AOT) in octane. As was shown earlier, the size (radius) of inner cavity of the AOT-reversed micelles is determined by their hydration degree, i.e., [H2O]/[AOT] molar ratio, in the system. Owing to this, the dependence of hydrolytic, transpeptidation and autotranspeptidation activities of the enzyme on the hydration degree was investigated using L- and D-isomers of gamma-glutamyl(3-carboxy-4-nitro)anilide and glycylglycine as substrates. For all of the reaction types, the observed dependences are curves with three optima. The optima are found at the hydration degrees, [H2O]/[AOT] = 11, 17 and 26 when the inner cavity radii of reversed micelles are equal to the size of light (Mr 21,000) and heavy (Mr 54,000) subunits of gamma-glutamyltransferase, and to their dimer (Mr 75,000), respectively. Ultracentrifugation experiments showed that a change of the hydration degree resulted in a reversible dissociation of the enzyme to light and heavy subunits. The separation of light and heavy subunits of gamma-glutamyltransferase formed in reversed micelles was carried out and their catalytic properties were studied. The two subunits catalyze hydrolysis and transpeptidation reactions; autotranspeptidation reaction is detected only in the case of the heavy subunit. These findings imply that the reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents function as the matrices with adjustable size permitting to regulate the supramolecular structure and the catalytic activity of oligomeric enzymes.     

Topological analysis of the pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase of Escherichia coli using proteolytic enzymes

The pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase of Escherichia coli has an alpha 2 beta 2 structure (alpha: Mr, 54,000; beta: Mr, 48,700). Hydropathy analysis of the amino acid sequences suggested that the 10 kDa C-terminal portion of the alpha subunit and the N-terminal 20-25 kDa region of the beta subunit are composed of transmembranous alpha-helices. The topology of these subunits in the membrane was investigated using proteolytic enzymes. Trypsin digestion of everted cytoplasmic membrane vesicles released a 43 kDa polypeptide from the alpha subunit. The beta subunit was not susceptible to trypsin digestion. However, it was digested by proteinase K in everted vesicles. Both alpha and beta subunits were not attacked by trypsin and proteinase K in right-side out membrane vesicles. The beta subunit in the solubilized enzyme was only susceptible to digestion by trypsin if the substrates NADP(H) were present. NAD(H) did not affect digestion of the beta subunit. Digestion of the beta subunit of the membrane-bound enzyme by trypsin was not induced by NADP(H) unless the membranes had been previously stripped of extrinsic proteins by detergent. It is concluded that binding of NADP(H) induces a conformational change in the transhydrogenase. The location of the trypsin cleavage sites in the sequences of the alpha and beta subunits were determined by N- and C-terminal sequencing. A model is proposed in which the N-terminal 43 kDa region of the alpha subunit and the C-terminal 30 kDa region of the beta subunit are exposed on the cytoplasmic side of the inner membrane of E. coli. Binding sites for pyridine nucleotide coenzymes in these regions were suggested by affinity chromatography on NAD-agarose columns.     

Enzymes of nucleotide metabolism: the significance of subunit size and polymer size for biological function and regulatory properties

The 72 enzymes in nucleotide metabolism, from all sources, have a distribution of subunit sizes similar to those from other surveys: an average subunit Mr of 47,900, and a median size of 33,300. The same enzyme, from whatever source, usually has the same subunit size (there are exceptions); enzymes having a similar activity (e.g., kinases, deaminases) usually have a similar subunit size. Most simple enzymes in all EC classes (except class 6, ligases/synthetases) have subunit sizes of less than 30,000. Since structural domains defined in proteins tend to be in the Mr range of 5,000 to 30,000, it may be that most simple enzymes are formed as single domains. Multifunctional proteins and ligases have subunits generally much larger than Mr 40,000. Analyses of several well-characterized ligases suggest that they also have two or more distinct catalytic sites, and that ligases therefore are also multifunctional proteins, containing two or more domains. Cooperative kinetics and evidence for allosteric regulation are much more frequently associated with larger enzymes: such complex functions are associated with only 19% of enzymes having a subunit Mr less than or equal to 29,000, and with 86% of all enzymes having a subunit Mr greater than 50,000. In general, larger enzymes have more functions. Only 20% of these enzymes appear to be monomers; the rest are homopolymers and rarely are they heteropolymers. Evidence for the reversible dissociation of homopolymers has been found for 15% of the enzymes. Such changes in quaternary structure are usually mediated by appropriate physiological effectors, and this may serve as a mechanism for their regulation between active and less active forms. There is considerable structural organization of the various pathways: 19 enzymes are found in various multifunctional proteins, and 13 enzymes are found in different types of multienzyme complexes.     

Methylamine dehydrogenase of Pseudomonase sp. J Isolation and properties of the subunits.

Two kinds of subunits, light subunit (Mr =1300) and heavy subunit (Mr=40 000), were isolated from a methylamine dehydrogenase (Mr=105 000) of Pseudomonas sp. J. The isolation of the subunits was carried out by gel chromatography after the enzyme had been treated with 3M guanidine-HCl. Coexistence of both of the subunit exhibited an absorption maximum only at 278 nm but in addition to the peak at 278 nm. The results indicate that the prosthetic group, assumed to be a derivative of pyridoxal, was bound to the light subunit. The spectral changes of the light subunit were observed by addition of methylamine. Various physical and biochemical parameters of the subunits are reported.     

Isolation and immunological characterization of the four non-identical subunits of the soluble NAD-linked hydrogenase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16

The soluble NAD-linked hydrogenase of Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 is a tetramer consisting of 4 non-identical subunits with molecular weights of 63,000, 56,000, 30,000 and 26,000. Conditions have been elaborated to separate and isolate each of these subunits as a single polypeptide by a preparative scale of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Against each of the 4 subunits, polyclonal antibodies were produced. From the crude sera isolated from rabbits, the antibodies (IgG fractions) were purified by Protein A-Sepharose chromatography. By the double immunodiffusion method, comparison of the 4 types of subunits revealed that they are in fact different polypeptides. Subunit 1 (Mr = 63,000) and subunit 2 (Mr = 56,000) only reacted with their own specific antibodies and showed no cross-reaction whatsoever with the antibodies raised against the other subunits. The only immunological relationship among the different subunits was observed with subunit 3 (Mr = 30,000) and subunit 4 (Mr = 26,000); the type of cross-reaction indicated that they are partially identical. A. eutrophus H16 contains, in addition to the soluble hydrogenase, a membrane-bound hydrogenase which is a dimer composed of 2 subunits with Mr of 61,000 and 30,000. Whereas the 2 native enzymes did not show any immunological cross-reaction with the respective antibodies, it was demonstrated by double immunofluorescence labeling on nitrocellulose filters that the larger subunit of the membrane-bound hydrogenase cross-reacted significantly with the antibodies raised against subunit 2 of the soluble hydrogenase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Inhibition of hepatic and extrahepatic glutathione S-transferases by primary and secondary bile acids.

Glutathione S-transferases are a complex family of dimeric proteins that play a dual role in cellular detoxification; they catalyse the first step in the synthesis of mercapturic acids, and they bind potentially harmful non-substrate ligands. Bile acids are quantitatively the major group of ligands encountered by the glutathione S-transferases. The enzymes from rat liver comprise Yk (Mr 25 000), Ya (Mr 25 500), Yn (Mr 26 500), Yb1, Yb2 (both Mr 27 000) and Yc (Mr 28 500) monomers. Although bile acids inhibited the catalytic activity of all transferases studied, the concentration of a particular bile acid required to produce 50% inhibition (I50) varies considerably. A comparison of the I50 values obtained with lithocholate (monohydroxylated), chenodeoxycholate (dihydroxylated) and cholate (trihydroxylated) showed that, in contrast with all other transferase monomers, the Ya subunit possesses a relatively hydrophobic bile-acid-binding site. The I50 values obtained with lithocholate and lithocholate 3-sulphate showed that only the Ya subunit is inhibited more effectively by lithocholate than by its sulphate ester. Other subunits (Yk, Yn, Yb1 and Yb2) were inhibited more by lithocholate 3-sulphate than by lithocholate, indicating the existence of a significant ionic interaction, in the bile-acid-binding domain, between (an) amino acid residue(s) and the steroid ring A. By contrast, increasing the assay pH from 6.0 to 7.5 decreased the inhibitory effect of all bile acids studied, suggesting that there is little significant ionic interaction between transferase subunits and the carboxy group of bile acids. Under alkaline conditions, low concentrations (sub-micellar) of nonsulphated bile acids activated Yb1, Yb2 and Yc subunits but not Yk, Ya and Yn subunits. The diverse effects of the various bile acids studied on transferase activity enables these ligands to be used to help establish the quaternary structure of individual enzymes. Since these inhibitors can discriminate between transferases that appear to be immunochemically identical (e.g. transferases F and L), bile acids can provide information about the subunit composition of forms that cannot otherwise be distinguished.     

Selective elution of rodent glutathione S-transferases and glyoxalase I from the S-hexyglutathione-Sepharose affinity matrix.

1. The major hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) from gerbil, guinea-pig, hamster, mouse and rat comprise Ya- (Mr 25,500-25,800), Yb- (Mr 26,100-26,400), Yc- (Mr 27,000-27,500) and Yf- (Mr 24,800) type subunits. 2. In all rodent species the GST subunits possess characteristic affinities for S-hexyglutathione-Sepharose and are eluted at distinct positions when a gradient of counter-ligand is employed to develop this affinity gel. The enzymes that bind to this matrix can be eluted, according to their subunit composition, in the order Ya-, Yc-, Yf- and Yb-containing GST; glyoxalase I, also retained by S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose, is eluted after the major GST YbYb peak. 3. Conditions are also described for the isocratic affinity elution of S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose that allow rat GST to be divided into four separate fractions (pools 1-4). A further fraction (pool 5) can be prepared from material that does not bind S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose and is obtained by chromatography on glutathione-Sepharose. 4. The sequential use of S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose and glutathione-Sepharose has facilitated the isolation of novel GSTs by enriching the various affinity-purified fractions with different subunits. This strategy allowed the Yk (Mr 25,000) and Yo (Mr 26,500) subunits from rat testis as well as Y1 (Mr 25,700) from rat kidney to be rapidly purified. 5. The binding properties of GST subunits for S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose have been compared with their Km values for GSH. The elution order from this matrix is inversely related to the Km value. The GSTs that do not bind to S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose have considerably higher Km values for GSH (i.e. greater than 2.0 mM) than do those enzymes that readily bind to the affinity gel (i.e. 0.13-0.77 mM). GST YkYk and YoYo, which have weak affinities for S-hexylglutathione-Sepharose, possess intermediate Km values for GSH of 1.0 and 1.2 mM respectively.     

Phosphorylase phosphatase complex from skeletal muscle. Activation of one of two catalytic subunits by manganese ions

Sarcoplasmic phosphorylase phosphatase extracted from ground skeletal muscle was recovered in a high molecular weight from (Mr = 250000). This enzyme has been purified from extracts by anion-exchange and gel chromatography to yield a preparation with three major protein components of Mr 83000, 72000, and 32000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The phosphorylase phosphatase activity of the complex form was activated more than 10-fold by Mn2+, with a K0.5 of 10(-5) M, but not by Mg2+ or Ca2+. Manganese activation occurred over a period of several minutes and resulted primarily in an increase in Vmax of a phosphatase that was sensitive to trypsin. Activation persisted after gel filtration, and the active form of the enzyme did not contain bound manganese measured by using 54Mn2+. A contaminating p-nitrophenylphosphatase was activated by either Mn2+ (K0.5 of 10(-4) M) or Mg2+ (K0.5 of 10(-3) M). Unlike the protein phosphatase this enzyme was inactive following removal of the metal ions by gel filtration. The phosphatase complex could be dissociated into its component subunits by precipitation with 50% acetone at 20 degrees C in the presence of an inert divalent cation, reducing agent, and bovine serum albumin. Two catalytic subunits were quantitatively recovered; one of Mr 83000 was a trypsin-sensitive manganese-activated phosphatase and the second of Mr 32000 was trypsin-stable and metal ion dependent. Both enzymes were effective in catalyzing the dephosphorylation of either phosphorylase a or the regulatory subunit of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (cAMP) dependent protein kinase, but neither subunit possessed p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity.     

Subunit structures of three human myeloperoxidases

The heavy and the light subunits of human myeloperoxidase (donor: H2O2 oxidoreductase [EC 1.11.1.7]) I, II, and III were isolated from the reduced and S-carboxymethylated enzymes. These three enzymes have the same terminal amino acid sequences and similar chemical compositions in both subunits. The NH2-terminal sequences of the heavy and light subunits were determined to be Val-Asn-Cys-Glu-Thr- and Thr-Cys-Pro-Glu-Gln-, respectively; a heterogeneity was observed in the NH2-termini of the latter subunits for the three enzymes. As for COOH-termini, the sequences -(Asn, 2 Leu, Ala, Ser, Trp)-Arg-Glu-Ala and -Ala-Arg were obtained for the heavy and the light subunits, respectively. The heavy subunits contained 8-10 mol/mol of glucosamine. On the basis of these results and the amino acid sequence deduced from cDNA clones, the heavy subunits probably correspond to amino acids 279-744 and the light subunits to amino acids (164-167)-272. For the heavy subunits, Ser-745, which was predicted as the COOH-terminal amino acid from the nucleotide sequence, was removed. The light subunits were also processed at their COOH-termini by 6 residues. Four or five high mannose type carbohydrate chains were attached to the heavy subunits.     

Comparison of asymmetric forms of acetylcholinesterase from the electric organ of Narke japonica and Torpedo californica

The asymmetric forms of acetylcholinesterase were purified from the electric organs of the electric rays Narke japonica and Torpedo californica, and their properties were compared. Asymmetric acetylcholinesterase was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody (Nj-601) to acetylcholinesterase. The MgCl2 extracts of these electric organs were applied to a column of Nj-601-Sepharose, and the bound acetylcholinesterase was eluted by lowering the pH of the eluent to 2.8. The purified asymmetric acetylcholinesterases gave peaks of 17 S (A12) and 13 S (A8) on sucrose density gradients. The enzyme from N. japonica contained more A8 than A12, while that of T. californica contained more A12. After treatment with collagenase, the enzymes gave three peaks on sedimentation; 20 S, 16 S and 11 S for N. japonica, and 19 S, 15 S and 11 S for T. californica, indicating the presence of collagen-like tails. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, the asymmetric acetylcholinesterase from N. japonica gave bands of Mr 140 000, 100 000, 70 000 and 60 000, while that from T. californica gave bands of Mr 140 000, 100 000, 70 000 and 55 000. The bands of Mr 70 000 and 140 000 were monomers and non-reducible dimers, respectively, of the catalytic subunits. The bands of Mr 60 000 and 55 000 were the tail subunits, since collagenase treatment of the purified enzymes markedly decreased the amounts of these components. The Mr 100 000 subunit constituted less than 3% of the total asymmetric acetylcholinesterase from N. japonica but 18% of that from T. californica. The tail subunits constituted 6-8% of the two preparations. The catalytic subunits and the Mr 100 000 subunits bound concanavalin A, indicating that they are glycoproteins. The amino acid compositions of the enzymes from N. japonica and T. californica were very similar. Both contained hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, characteristic of the collagen-like tails. The enzyme required divalent metal ions for activity, but only Mn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were effective. Mn2+ was effective at the lowest concentrations, while Mg2+ gave the highest activity.     

Spermidine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biosynthesis and processing of a proenzyme form of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase

We have cloned and sequenced the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene for S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase. This enzyme contains covalently bound pyruvate which is essential for enzymatic activity. We have shown that this enzyme is synthesized as a Mr 46,000 proenzyme which is then cleaved post-translationally to form two polypeptide chains: a beta subunit (Mr 10,000) from the amino-terminal portion and an alpha subunit (Mr 36,000) from the carboxyl-terminal portion. The protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme contains both the alpha and beta subunits. About half of the alpha subunits have pyruvate blocking the amino-terminal end; the remaining alpha subunits have alanine in this position. From a comparison of the amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence with the amino acid sequence of the amino-terminal portion of each subunit (determined by Edman degradation), we have identified the cleavage site of the proenzyme as the peptide bond between glutamic acid 87 and serine 88. The pyruvate moiety, which is essential for activity, is generated from serine 88 during the cleavage. The amino acid sequence of the yeast enzyme has essentially no homology with S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase of E. coli (Tabor, C. W., and Tabor, H. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 16037-16040) and only a moderate degree of homology with the human and rat enzymes (Pajunen, A., Crozat, A., J?nne, O. A., Ihalainen, R., Laitinen, P. H., Stanley, B., Madhubala, R., and Pegg, A. E. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 17040-17049); all of these enzymes are pyruvoyl-containing proteins. Despite this limited overall homology the cleavage site of the yeast proenzyme is identical to the cleavage sites in the human and rat proenzymes, and seven of the eight amino acids adjacent to the cleavage site are identical in the three eukaryote enzymes.     

8-Hydroxy-5-deazaflavin-reducing hydrogenase from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum: 1. Purification and characterization

The 8-hydroxy-5-deazaflavin (coenzyme F420) reducing hydrogenase from the obligate anaerobe Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum delta H has been purified 41-fold to apparent homogeneity. The major active enzyme form is a high molecular weight aggregate of Mr ca. 800,000, composed of three subunits, alpha (Mr 47K), beta (Mr 31K), and gamma (Mr 26K). The hydrogenase is purified aerobically in reversibly inhibited form, and conditions for anaerobic reductive activation with H2, high salt, thiols, and electron acceptors have been defined. The minimal species transferring electrons from H2 to coenzyme F420 appears to be an alpha beta delta (Mr 115K) complex. The tightly associated redox cofactors per 115K species are 0.6-0.7 nickel atom, 0.8-0.9 flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and 13-14 iron atoms in iron-sulfur centers. The subunits have been separated by denaturing gel electrophoresis, which has permitted determination of amino acid composition, subunit N-terminal sequencing, and preparation of subunit-directed antibodies. There is iron associated with the alpha-subunit, but placement of the nickel and FAD has not been established.