Binding site mapping of a photoaffinity-labeled juvenile hormone binding protein.

The juvenile hormone binding protein (JHBP) of larval Manduca sexta was labeled by a photoaffinity analog of JH II and purified by preparative IEF and ion-exchange HPLC. The purified [3H]EHDA-labeled JHBP was selectively cleaved by CNBr and by endoproteinases Lys-C and Glu-C. The radioactive peptides were separated by tricine SDS-PAGE and sequenced after blotting to a PVDF membrane. The sequence revealed that Ala184-Asn226 contained a primary binding site of [3H]EHDA. Furthermore, peptide mapping indicated that Asp1-Glu34 also contained a second covalent attachment site of [3H]EHDA. Labeling of the N-terminal region increased when the photolysis was performed at lower temperature. Since Ala184-Asn226 is predicted to be a hydrophobic beta-sheet region, it may participate in the recognition of lipophilic backbone of JH. Five out of six cysteines are located in these two regions, consistent with a model in which the two binding regions connected by disulfide bridges provide a two-sided binding pocket for juvenile hormone.     

Isolation and N-terminal amino acid sequence of an octopamine ligand binding protein

An octopamine receptor photoaffinity probe was used to label membranes from the light organs of Photinus pyralis, a tissue highly enriched in octopamine receptors. Labeling was concentrated in a glycoprotein of 75 +/- 2 kDa with lesser labeling of a 79 +/- 2 kDa component. Labeling could be displaced by prior incubation with octopamine, mianserin, cyproheptadine, phentolamine or propranolol, with a relative potency that correlated with the ability of these same agents to modulate light organ octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. The 75 kDa binding protein was isolated and its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined.     

Lack of susceptibility of soil‐inhabiting Platyprepia virginalis caterpillars,a native arctiid,to entomopathogenic nematodes in nature

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can kill and regulate populations of soil‐inhabiting insects, but studies evaluating these interactions in native ecosystems are rare. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of EPNs on a non‐agricultural caterpillar, Platyprepia virginalis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), under natural conditions. Platyprepia virginalis caterpillars live in litter on the soil surface feeding beneath bush lupine during summer, autumn, and winter. Initial laboratory assays revealed that the caterpillars were vulnerable to at least two species of EPNs with which they co‐occur in the coastal prairie in northern California (USA). In contrast to laboratory assays, caterpillars survived exposure to prairie soil containing EPNs under natural conditions in field assays. To better understand the divergence between laboratory and field results for this native caterpillar, we used sentinel insects [Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] to identify particular locations where EPNs were present in the field. Platyprepia virginalis caterpillars were caged at these sites but again showed no evidence of susceptibility to EPNs. Platyprepia virginalis caterpillars reduce their exposure to EPNs by spending their time in and above the litter rather than contacting the soil when given the choice in nature. We conclude that P. virginalis is unlikely to serve as a reservoir for EPNs and that nematodes are unlikely to be important mortality factors for P. virginalis in this natural system.     

Adenosine deaminase 2 from chicken liver: purification, characterization, and N-terminal amino acid sequence

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is involved in purine metabolism and plays an important role in the mechanism of the immune system. ADA activity is composed of two kinetically distinct isozymes, which are referred to as ADA1 and ADA2. ADA1 is widely distributed in many animals and well characterized. On the contrary, relatively little is known about ADA2. In this study, we first purified ADA2 to homogeneity from chicken liver. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of approximately 110 kDa on gel filtration. Also, the enzyme was shown to be a homodimer with an estimated molecular mass of 61 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Following treatment with N-glycosidase, the molecular mass of ADA2 changed to 55 kDa. Several properties of the highly purified ADA2 were also investigated in this study. Furthermore, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of ADA2 was determined.     

Rapid purification of porcine colostral whey lactoferrin by affinity chromatography on single-stranded DNA-agarose. Characterization, amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequence

We have determined that the major iron-binding and DNA-binding protein in porcine colostral whey is lactoferrin. This lactoferrin was purified to homogeneity in one chromatographic step using immobilized single-stranded DNA-agarose. Although different in chromatographic behavior from human lactoferrin, the porcine lactoferrin purified in this manner was shown to be homogeneous by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography (Mono-S), immobilized metal ion (Cu2+) affinity chromatography, size-exclusion chromatography (TSK-4000SW), and reverse-phase (phenyl) chromatography. Electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gradient (10-20%) gels under reducing conditions showed the purified lactoferrin to be a single protein (silver-stained) of 78 kDa. Apolactoferrin purified in this manner bound iron and displayed a UV/VIS absorption spectrum indistinguishable from that of human lactoferrin. The molar absorption coefficient of hololactoferrin was 3.86 x 10(3) M-1 at 465 nm and 1.08 x 10(5) M-1 at 280 nm. Affinity elution analyses of the purified lactoferrin on immobilized DNA revealed that the affinity of this protein for DNA was independent of bound iron. Porcine lactoferrin was recognized by antibodies directed against human lactoferrin and bovine lactoferrin. The amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis (30 residues) revealed a high degree of sequence homology with human, equine and bovine lactoferrin. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of immobilized DNA as a rapid and simple lactoferrin purification procedure and demonstrate the presence of a lactoferrin in porcine colostral whey with a high degree of sequence homology to human lactoferrin.     

Two-step purification and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the rat Mr 90,000 heat shock protein

A fast and efficient method for the isolation of the rat Mr approximately 90,000 heat shock protein is presented, comprising a two-step high-performance anion-exchange and gel-permeation column chromatography. The Mr approximately 90,000 protein was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity in high yield (up to 2 mg per 10g of normal rat liver) in 4-5 h. The purified protein was recognized on protein immunoblots by monospecific rabbit antibodies raised against the rat glucocorticoid receptor-associated Mr approximately 90,000 non-ligand-binding protein. The N-terminal sequence of the first 25 amino acids of the purified protein showed a high degree of similarity with Mr approximately 90,000 heat shock proteins from calf, human, Drosophila, and yeast.     

Steroid-1-dehydrogenase of Rhodococcus erythropolis: purification and N-terminal amino acid sequence.

The inducible steroid-1-dehydrogenase from the bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis IMET 7030 was purified to homogeneity using affinity chromatographic, electrophoretic, and ion exchange techniques. The spectrum of the pure enzyme is characterized by the associated FAD. The M(r) of the enzyme is 56,000. The amino acid composition and the sequence of the 13 N-terminal amino acids are given.     

Rapid protein domain assignment from amino acid sequence using predicted secondary structure

The elucidation of the domain content of a given protein sequence in the absence of determined structure or significant sequence homology to known domains is an important problem in structural biology. Here we address how successfully the delineation of continuous domains can be accomplished in the absence of sequence homology using simple baseline methods, an existing prediction algorithm (Domain Guess by Size), and a newly developed method (DomSSEA). The study was undertaken with a view to measuring the usefulness of these prediction methods in terms of their application to fully automatic domain assignment. Thus, the sensitivity of each domain assignment method was measured by calculating the number of correctly assigned top scoring predictions. We have implemented a new continuous domain identification method using the alignment of predicted secondary structures of target sequences against observed secondary structures of chains with known domain boundaries as assigned by Class Architecture Topology Homology (CATH). Taking top predictions only, the success rate of the method in correctly assigning domain number to the representative chain set is 73.3%. The top prediction for domain number and location of domain boundaries was correct for 24% of the multidomain set (+/-20 residues). These results have been put into context in relation to the results obtained from the other prediction methods assessed.     

Purification and N-terminal amino acid sequence of solanapyrone synthase, a natural Diels-Alderase from Alternaria solani

The first natural Diels-Alderase, solanapyrone synthase, was purified 1,630-fold from a crude extract. The 41-kDa protein on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was identified as truncated solanapyrone synthase, and its N-terminal amino acid sequence was found to be QETQNLNNFLESNAINP.     

A heparin binding site in antithrombin III. Identification, purification, and amino acid sequence

A heparin-binding peptide within antithrombin III (ATIII) was identified by digestion of ATIII with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease followed by purification on reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography using a C-4 column matrix. The column fractions were assayed for their ability to bind heparin by ligand blotting with 125I-fluoresceinamine-heparin as previously described (Smith, J. W., and Knauer, D. J. (1987) Anal. Biochem. 160, 105-114). This analysis identified at least three fractions with heparin binding ability of which the peptide eluting at 25.4 min gave the strongest signal. Amino acid sequence analysis of this peptide gave a partially split sequence which was consistent with regions encompassing amino acids 89-96 and 114-156. These amino acids are present in a 1:1 molar ratio which is consistent with a disulfide linkage between Cys-95 and Cys-128. High affinity heparin competed more effectively for the binding of 125I-fluoresceinamine-heparin to this peptide than low affinity heparin. Chondroitin sulfate did not block the binding of 125I-fluoresceinamine-heparin to the peptide. These data strongly suggest that the isolated peptide represents a native heparin-binding region within intact ATIII. Computer generation of a plot of running charge density of ATIII confirms that the region encompassing amino acid residues 123-141 has the highest positive charge density within the molecule. A hydropathy plot of ATIII was generated using a method similar to that of Kyte and Doolittle (Kyte, J., and Doolittle, R. F. (1982) J. Mol. Biol. 157, 105-132). This plot indicates that amino acid residues 126-140 are exposed to the exterior surface of the molecule. Based on these data, we suggest that the region corresponding to amino acid residues 114-156 is a likely site for the physiological heparin-binding domain of ATIII. We also conclude that the proposed disulfide bridges within the protein are suspect and should be re-examined (Petersen, T. E., Dudek-Wojiechowska, G., Sottrup-Jensen, L., and Magnussun, S. (1979) in The Physiological Inhibitors of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis (Collen, D., Wiman, B., and Verstaeta, M., eds) pp. 43-54, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam).     

Ferredoxin:NADP oxidoreductase of Cyanophora paradoxa: purification, partial characterization, and N-terminal amino acid sequence.

The ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase of the protist Cyanophora paradoxa, as a descendant of a former symbiotic consortium, an important model organism in view of the Endosymbiosis Theory, is the first enzyme purified from a formerly original endocytobiont (cyanelle) that is found to be encoded in the nucleus of the host. This cyanoplast enzyme was isolated by FPLC (19% yield) and characterized with respect to the uv-vis spectrum, pH optimum (pH 9), molecular mass of 34 kDa, and an N-terminal amino acid sequence (24 residues). The enzyme shows, as known from other organisms, molecular heterogeneity. The N-terminus of a further ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase polypeptide represents a shorter sequence missing the first four amino acids of the mature enzyme.     

N-terminal amino acid sequence of cytochrome c-552 from Nitrosomonas europaea

Nitrosomonas europaea is an ammonia-oxidizing bacterium which contains multiple c-type cytochromes. Few of these components have been assigned physiological roles, but on the basis of molecular weight and redox potential cytochrome c-552 has been considered to be an analogue of the mitochondrial cytochrome-c family of proteins. We present the N-terminal amino acid sequence (47 residues) of cytochrome c-552 and show that this protein is most closely related to the group of small cytochrome-c components from pseudomonads (cytochromes c-551) and is probably evolutionarily distant from the analagous protein (cytochrome c-550) from the nitrite-oxidizing bacterium Nitrobacter agilis.     

Bile acid sulfotransferase I from rat liver sulfates bile acids and 3-hydroxy steroids: purification, N-terminal amino acid sequence, and kinetic properties

A bile acid:3'phosphoadenosine-5'phosphosulfate:sulfotransferase (BAST I) from adult female rat liver cytosol has been purified 157-fold by a two-step isolation procedure. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 30,000 subunit has been determined for the first 35 residues. The Vmax of purified BAST I is 18.7 nmol/min per mg protein with N-(3-hydroxy-5 beta-cholanoyl)glycine (glycolithocholic acid) as substrate, comparable to that of the corresponding purified human BAST (Chen, L-J., and I. H. Segel, 1985. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 241: 371-379). BAST I activity has a broad pH optimum from 5.5-7.5. Although maximum activity occurs with 5 mM MgCl2, Mg2+ is not essential for BAST I activity. The greatest sulfotransferase activity and the highest substrate affinity is observed with bile acids or steroids that have a steroid nucleus containing a 3 beta-hydroxy group and a 5-6 double bond or a trans A-B ring junction. These substrates have normal hyperbolic initial velocity curves with substrate inhibition occurring above 5 microM. Of the saturated 5 beta-bile acids, those with a single 3-hydroxy group are the most active. The addition of a second hydroxy group at the 6- or 7-position eliminates more than 99% of the activity. In contrast, 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (deoxycholic acid) is an excellent substrate. The initial velocity curves for glycolithocholic and deoxycholic acid conjugates are sigmoidal rather than hyperbolic, suggestive of an allosteric effect. Maximum activity is observed at 80 microM for glycolithocholic acid. All substrates, bile acids and steroids, are inhibited by the 5 beta-bile acid, 3-keto-5 beta-cholanoic acid. The data suggest that BAST I is the same protein as hydrosteroid sulfotransferase 2 (Marcus, C. J., et al. 1980. Anal. Biochem. 107: 296-304).     

Latent phenoloxidase activity and N-terminal amino acid sequence of hemocyanin from Bathynomus giganteus,a primitive crustacean

N-terminal amino acid sequences for the two hemocyanin subunits from the deep-sea crustacean Bathynomus giganteus have been determined by Edman degradation, providing the first sequence information for a hemocyanin from an isopod. In addition, purified hemocyanin from B. giganteus exhibited phenoloxidase activity in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Although a natural activator has not yet been identified, a preliminary study of the enzyme indicated a K(m) of 5mM for dopamine and an initial rate of 0.1 micromol per min per mg protein, values consistent with a significant role for this enzyme in the innate immune system of B. giganteus. Moreover, after separation of hemolymph by alkaline polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the only detectable phenoloxidase activity coincided with the two hemocyanin subunits. The hemocyanin of this primitive crustacean may fulfill dual functions, both as oxygen carrier and as the phenoloxidase crucial for host defense.     

The amino acid sequence of avian thymic hormone, a parvalbumin

The complete amino acid sequence of 'avian thymic hormone' (ATH), a protein from thymus tissue that appears to promote immune maturation in chicken bone marrow cells in culture, is presented. The sequence was obtained from sequences of ATH peptides isolated by HPLC after tryptic, chymotryptic, peptic or S aureus V8 protease digestions. The protein is a parvalbumin consisting of 108 residues with a blocked amino terminus, a single cysteine, tyrosine, proline and arginine and no histidine, methionine or tryptophan. This is the first amino acid sequence of a parvalbumin which is not derived from muscle tissue.     

Chromogranin from normal human adrenal glands: purification by monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography and partial N-terminal amino acid sequence

A method is presented for the purification of human chromogranin from adrenal glands obtained at autopsy. The procedure involved homogenization of whole glands in aqueous buffer, salt precipitation, affinity chromatography using a highly specific monoclonal antibody (LK2H10) and reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Chromogranin purified from autopsy adrenal glands revealed a high degree of polypeptide heterogeneity when analyzed by silver-stained SDS polyacrylamide gels. Greater than 90% of the protein was represented by a cluster of polypeptides with an Mr = 70 000 (i.e. chromogranin A), while the remaining protein was highly disperse in molecular weight. That these various polypeptides were in fact chromogranin was shown by Western blotting using monoclonal antibody LK2H10. About 6 nmol of chromogranin were obtained from 97 g of starting adrenals which was estimated to be a 25% yield and a 250-fold enrichment from adrenal homogenates. Critical to achieving reasonable yields of this protein was the need for particular low pH buffers for resuspension of chromogranin after solvent removal steps. Chromogranin purified from human adrenal glands was similar in amino acid composition, and identical in the N-terminal amino acid sequence (24 residues) to bovine chromogranin A. A secondary sequence representing 25% of the total protein and missing the first three residues of the N-terminus suggested the possibility of N-terminal processing of chromogranin in situ. The conservation of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of human and bovine chromogranin contrasts with the strong sequence variability predicted by antisera cross-reactivity and suggests that the N-terminus of chromogranin may be critical for its biological activity.     

Isolation, characterization, and amino acid sequence of a ubiquitin-like protein from insect eggs

A protein with a primary structure identical to that of human and bovine ubiquitin has been purified from insect eggs. The isolation, secondary structure, and amino acid sequence of this ubiquitin-like protein are reported. The sequence was determined by automatic Edman degradation of the intact molecule as well as by the manual sequence analysis of the enzymatic cleavage products. The polypeptide has 74 amino acid residues and internal homology regions. Interactions of the protein with peptides results in protective effects against proteolysis. This paper reports for the first time the presence of the ubiquitin molecule in invertebrates.