Functional homology between signal-coupling proteins. Cholera toxin inactivates the GTPase activity of transducin

Both the light-stimulated cGMP phosphodiesterase of retinal rod outer segments (ROS) and hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase are regulated by guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (N). Transducin serves as the signal-carrying regulatory protein in ROS, and the N protein (also called G or G/F) performs this role in the adenylate cyclase system. The GTP form of these regulatory proteins activates the corresponding enzyme, whereas the GDP form does not. Both transducin and the N protein possess a GTPase activity that restores the regulatory protein to the unstimulated state. Cholera enterotoxin catalyzes the transfer of ADP-ribose from NAD+ to the N protein, which inhibits its GTPase activity and activates adenylate cyclase. We report here that the toxin also catalyzes ADP-ribosylation of the alpha-subunit of transducin in ROS membranes. This modification of the guanine nucleotide-binding subunit of transducin is markedly enhanced by the bleaching of rhodopsin and by the addition of guanosine-5'-(beta, gamma-imino)triphosphate. In contrast, GDP, GTP, and guanosine-5'-(3-O)thiotriphosphate inhibit the reaction, while GMP and ATP have no effect. Under optimal conditions, toxin catalyzes labeling of 0.7 mol of the alpha-subunit of transducin/mol of bound [3H]guanosine-5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate and causes 70% inhibition of the light-dependent GTPase activity of transducin in ROS. These results indicate close functional homology between transducin of ROS and the N protein of adenylate cyclase.     

Role of photoreceptor-specific retinol dehydrogenase in the retinoid cycle in vivo

The retinoid cycle is a recycling system that replenishes the 11-cis-retinal chromophore of rhodopsin and cone pigments. Photoreceptor-specific retinol dehydrogenase (prRDH) catalyzes reduction of all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol and is thought to be a key enzyme in the retinoid cycle. We disrupted mouse prRDH (human gene symbol RDH8) gene expression by targeted recombination and generated a homozygous prRDH knock-out (prRDH-/-) mouse. Histological analysis and electron microscopy of retinas from 6- to 8-week-old prRDH-/- mice revealed no structural differences of the photoreceptors or inner retina. For brief light exposure, absence of prRDH did not affect the rate of 11-cis-retinal regeneration or the decay of Meta II, the activated form of rhodopsin. Absence of prRDH, however, caused significant accumulation of all-trans-retinal following exposure to bright lights and delayed recovery of rod function as measured by electroretinograms and single cell recordings. Retention of all-trans-retinal resulted in slight overproduction of A2E, a condensation product of all-trans-retinal and phosphatidylethanolamine. We conclude that prRDH is an enzyme that catalyzes reduction of all-trans-retinal in the rod outer segment, most noticeably at higher light intensities and prolonged illumination, but is not an essential enzyme of the retinoid cycle.     

ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA4: Molecular properties and role in vision and macular degeneration

ABCA4, also known as ABCR or the rim protein, is a member of the ABCA subfamily of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters expressed in vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptor cells and localized to outer segment disk membranes. ABCA4 is organized in two tandem halves, each consisting of a transmembrane segment followed successively by a large exocytoplasmic domain, a multispanning membrane domain, and a nucleotide-binding domain. Over 400 mutations in ABCA4 have been linked to Stargardt macular degeneration and related retinal degenerative diseases that cause severe vision loss in affected individuals. Direct binding studies and ATPase activation measurements have identified N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine, a product generated from the photobleaching of rhodopsin, as the substrate for ABCA4. Mice deficient in ABCA4 accumulate phosphatidylethanolamine, all-trans retinal, and N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine in photoreceptors and the diretinal pyridinium compound A2E in retinal pigment epithelial cells. On the basis of these studies, ABCA4 is proposed to actively transport or flip N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine from the lumen to the cytoplasmic side of disc membranes following the photobleaching of rhodopsin. This transport activity insures that retinoids do not accumulate in disc membranes. Disease-linked mutations in ABCA4 that result in diminished transport activity lead to an accumulation of all-trans retinal and N-retinylidene-PE in disc membranes which react to produce A2E precursors. A2E progressively accumulates as lipofuscin deposits in retinal pigment epithelial cells as a result of phagocytosis of outer segment discs. A2E and photo-oxidation products cause RPE cell death and consequently photoreceptor degeneration resulting in a loss in vision in individuals with Stargardt macular degeneration and other retinal degenerative diseases associated with mutations in ABCA4.     

Activation of adenylate cyclase in human platelet membranes by guanosine 5''-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate is inhibited by cyclic-AMP-dependent phosphorylation. Slow activation occurs in the absence of ATP.

Incubation of platelet membranes with guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate causes a slow increase in GS (stimulatory GTP-binding protein) activation of adenylate cyclase. Mg2+ is necessary for this slow activation. This process is inhibited in the presence of ATP, and inhibition is greater if cyclic AMP is also included in the incubation. Adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate instead of ATP in the incubation facilitates the slow activation in the presence of cyclic AMP, and incubation of membranes with cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor decreased inhibition of the slow activation of adenylate cyclase by ATP and cyclic AMP. A protein of 45 kDa in platelet membranes is phosphorylated in a cyclic-AMP-dependent manner. The transition from a reversibly activated form of GS to an irreversibly activated form is substantially slower in the presence of ATP and cyclic AMP. We propose that guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate-activated GS may exist in phosphorylated or non-phosphorylated forms, and that the non-phosphorylated form is the more active of the two species. The non-phosphorylated form of GS may correspond to the irreversibly activated state.     

GTP hydrolysis during methionyl-tRNAf binding to 40 S ribosomal subunits and the site of edeine inhibition.

Three lines of evidence are presented indicating that GTP hydrolysis associated with eukaryotic peptide initiation occurs in the absence of 60 S subunits when methionyl-tRNAf is bound to 40 S ribosomal subunits. An enzyme fraction required for binding of methionyl-tRNAf to 40 S subunits and peptide initiation, tentatively equated with eIF-(4 + 5), has GTPase activity and appears to be responsible for hydrolysis of GTP in the methionyl-tRNAf.eIF-2.GTP complex. Direct analysis of the methionyl-tRNAf.40 S complex formed with with eIF-2 and [8-3H] guanine, [gamma-32P]GTP reveals bound guanine but not gamma-phosphate. Edeine, a peptide antibiotic containing spermidine and beta-tyrosine residues at its COOH terminus and NH2 terminus, respectively, blocks peptide initiation and interferes with binding of methionyl-tRNAf to 40 S ribosomal subunits. Inhibition of binding is observed when the eIF-2-mediated binding reaction is carried out with GTP but not with guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene)triphosphate or guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate. Edeine was labeled by iodination and shown to bind with high affinity to 40 S but not to 60 S ribosomal subunits. It is suggested that edeine blocks a specific site on the 40 S ribosomal subunit to which a segment of the methionyl-tRNAf molecule is bound during the course of the initiation reaction sequence.     

Characterization of transducin from bovine retinal rod outer segments. Mechanism and effects of cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation

Transducin, a guanine nucleotide-binding protein consisting of two subunits (T alpha and T beta gamma), mediates the signal coupling between rhodopsin and a membrane-bound cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase in retinal rod outer segments. The T alpha subunit is an activator of the phosphodiesterase, and the function of the T beta gamma subunit is to physically link T alpha with photolyzed rhodopsin. In this study, the mechanism of cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of T alpha has been examined in a reconstituted system consisting of purified transducin and stripped rod outer segment membranes. Limited proteolysis of the labeled T alpha with trypsin indicated that the inserted ADP-ribose is located exclusively on a single proteolytic fragment with an apparent molecular weight of 23,000. Maximal incorporation of ADP-ribose was achieved when guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and T beta gamma were present at concentrations equal to that of T alpha and when rhodopsin was continuously irradiated with visible light in the 400-500 nm region. The stimulating effect of illumination was related to the direct interaction of the retinal chromophore with opsin. These findings strongly suggest that a transient protein complex consisting of T alpha X Gpp(NH)p, T beta gamma, and a photointermediate of rhodopsin is the required substrate for cholera toxin. Single turnover kinetic measurements demonstrated that the ADP-ribosylation of T alpha coincided with the appearance of a population of transducin molecules having a very slow rate of GTP hydrolysis. The hydrolysis rate of the bound GTP for this population was 1.1 X 10(-3)/s, which was 22-fold slower than the rate for the unmodified transducin.     

Biochemical aspects of the visual process,XXXV. Calcium binding by cattle rod outer segment membranes studied by means of equilibrium dialysis

The calcium binding capacity of cattle rod outer segment membranes has been studied by means of an equilibrium dialysis technique. The binding is not affected by prior lyophilization of the membranes or by the presence of ionophore A23187, indicating that only passive binding to membranes is involved without active translocation.The amount of calcium bound to the membranes is influenced by the ionic composition of the medium. Both Na⁺ and K⁺ decrease binding to about the same degree, but the size of the effects suggests a rather high specificity of the calcium binding sites on the membrane.From Scatchard plots for the amount of calcium bound as a function of the free calcium concentration, it appears that two types of binding sites exist: high affinity sites which can accommodate 5 nmol calcium per mg protein (0.3 mol. calcium/mol rhodopsin) and low affinity sites which can accommodate 195 nmol calcium per mg protein (13 mol calcium/mol rhodopsin). Depending on the medium composition, the high affinity sites show dissociation constants between 8 and 40 μM, and the low affinity sites between 0.3 and 1.6 mM.Illuminated rod outer segment membranes show a slight decrease of calcium binding as compared to dark-kept membranes, but the effect is independent of the amount of calcium bound and does not appear to be significant.From these findings and the assumption of a free calcium concentration of approx. 1 μM in the extrasaccular space in rod outer segments in vivo, it is concluded that mere passive binding to the rod sac membranes must be insufficient to explain the high calcium contents in rod outer segments.     

The roles of noncatalytic ATP binding and ADP binding in the regulation of dynein motile activity in flagella

The regulation of dynein activity to produce microtubule sliding in flagella has not been well understood. To gain more insight into the roles of ATP and ADP in the regulation, we examined the effects of fluorescent ATP analogues and fluorescent ADP analogues on the ATPase activity and motile activity of dynein. 21S dynein purified from the outer arms of sea urchin sperm flagella hydrolyzed BODIPY(R) FL ATP (FL-ATP) at 78% of the rate for ATP hydrolysis. FL-ATP at 0.1-1 mM, however, induced neither microtubule translocation on a dynein-coated glass surface nor sliding disintegration of elastase-treated axonemes. Direct observation of single molecules of the fluorescent analogues showed that both the ATP and ADP analogues were stably bound to dynein over several minutes (dissociation rates = 0.0038-0.0082/s). When microtubule translocation on 21S dynein was induced by ATP, the initial increase of the mean velocity was accelerated by preincubation of the dynein with ADP. Similar increase was also induced by the preincubation with the ADP analogues. Even after preincubation with ADP, FL-ATP did not induce sliding disintegration of elastase-treated axonemes. After preincubation with a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue, AMPPNP (adenosine 5'-(beta:gamma-imido)triphosphate), however, FL-ATP induced sliding disintegration in approximately 10% of the axonemes. These results indicate that both noncatalytic ATP binding and stable ADP binding, in addition to ATP hydrolysis, are involved in the regulation of the chemo-mechanical transduction in axonemal dynein.     

1H-NMR studies on nucleotide binding to the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase. Determination of the conformations of bound nucleotides by the measurement of proton-proton transferred nuclear Overhauser enhancements

The glycosidic bond torsion angles and the conformations of the ribose of Mg2+ATP, Mg2+ADP and Mg2+AdoPP[NH]P (magnesium adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate) bound to Ca2+ATPase, both native and modified with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), in intact sarcoplasmic reticulum have been determined by the measurement of proton-proton transferred nuclear Overhauser enhancements by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. This method shows clearly the existence of a low-affinity ATP binding site after modification of the high-affinity site with FITC. For all three nucleotides bound to both the high-affinity (catalytic) site and the low-affinity site, we find that the conformation about the glycosidic bond is anti, the conformation of the ribose 3'-endo of the N type and the conformation about the ribose C4'-C5' bond either gauche-trans or trans-gauche. The values for the glycosidic bond torsion angles chi (O4'-C1'-N9-C4) for Mg2+ATP, Mg2+ADP and Mg2+AdoPP[NH]P bound to the low-affinity site of FITC-modified Ca2+ATPase are approximately equal to 270 degrees, approximately equal to 260 degrees and approximately equal to 240 degrees respectively. In the case of the nucleotides bound to the high-affinity (catalytic) site of native Ca2+ATPase, chi lies in the range 240-280 degrees.     

Effects of spin-labeled stearates on duck erythrocyte adenylate cyclase.

The effects of various spin-labeled stearates on duck erythrocyte adenylate cyclase were investigated. Only 2-(3-carboxypropyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-tridecyl-3-oxazolidinyloxyl caused an increase in adenylate cyclase activity. It increased the basal rate by about 50%, and the activities stimulated by isoproterenol and isoproterenol plus guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate by 35%. Upon analysis of the width parameter delta1 in the electron spin resonance spectra for both the basal enzyme activity and the stimulation obtained with effectors such as guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate, isoproterenol, isoproterenol plus guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate and NaF, a correlation of the changes of modification in adenylate cyclase activities was found. These findings suggest that the molecular environment of the enzyme has been modified.     

The GTP-binding protein of rod outer segments. I. Role of each subunit in the GTP hydrolytic cycle

The GTP-binding protein of Bufo marinus rod outer segments (ROS) is composed of 3 subunits: G alpha, 39,000; G beta, 36,000; and G gamma, approximately 6,500. A stepwise analysis of the GTP hydrolytic cycle (GTP binding, GTP hydrolysis, and GDP release) was facilitated by using purified subunits of the GTP-binding protein. When G alpha and G beta, gamma concentrations were held constant, the initial rate of guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma-s) binding to G alpha was dependent upon the amount of bleached rhodopsin present (as illuminated, urea-washed ROS disc membranes). When G alpha and the quantity of these membranes was held constant, the initial rate of GTP gamma-s binding to G alpha was markedly enhanced by increasing the amount of G beta, gamma. G beta preparations (free of G gamma) also stimulated the binding of GTP gamma-s to G alpha to the same extent as G beta, gamma preparations, suggesting that G gamma is not an essential component of the G beta, gamma-dependent stimulation of the rate of GTP gamma-s binding to G alpha. Nonlinear regression analysis revealed a single class of binding sites with an apparent stoichiometry of 1 mol of site/mol of G alpha under optimal binding conditions. Following GTP binding to G alpha, the GTP X G alpha complex dissociates from G beta, gamma which remains primarily bound to the ROS disc membranes. Moreover, while GTP remains in excess, the rates of GTP hydrolysis exhibited saturation in the presence of increasing amounts of G beta, gamma. Nonlinear regression analysis of these data argues against a direct role for G beta, gamma in the hydrolysis of GTP. Thus, both topologic and kinetic data support the concept that GTP hydrolysis is carried out by G alpha alone. After hydrolysis of GTP, the GDP X G alpha complex returned to the ROS disc membrane when G beta, gamma was present on the membrane surface, in the presence and absence of light. Without guanine nucleotides GDP release occurred in the presence of illuminated ROS disc membranes and G beta, gamma. Guanine nucleotides (GTP gamma-s approximately equal to GTP approximately equal to guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate greater than GDP) could effectively displace GDP from G alpha under these conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Differential scanning calorimetry of bovine rhodopsin in rod-outer-segment disk membranes.

Rhodopsin-containing retinal rod disk membranes from cattle have been examined by differential scanning calorimetry. Under conditions of 67 mM phosphate pH 7.0, unbleached rod outer segment disk membranes gave a single major endotherm with a temperature of denaturation (Tm) of 71.9 +/- 0.4 degrees C and a thermal unfolding calorimetric enthalpy change (delta Hcal) of 700 +/- 17 kJ/mol rhodopsin. Bleached rod outer segment disk membranes (membranes that had lost their absorbance at 498 nm after exposure to orange light) gave a single major endotherm with a Tm of 55.9 +/- 0.3 degrees C and a delta Hcal of 520 +/- 17 kJ/mol opsin. Neither bleached nor unbleached rod outer segment disk membranes gave endotherms upon thermal rescans. When thermal stability is examined over the pH range of 4-9, the major endotherms of both bleached and unbleached rod outer segment disk membranes were found to show maximum stability at pH 6.1. The observed delta Hcal values for bleached and unbleached rod outer segment disk membranes exhibit membrane concentration dependences which plateau at protein concentrations beyond 1.5 mg/mL. For partially bleached samples of rod outer segment disk membranes, the calorimetric enthalpy change for opsin appears to be somewhat dependent on the degree of bleaching, indicating intramembrane nearest neighbor interactions which affect the unfolding of opsin. Delta Hcal and Tm are particularly useful for assessing stability and testing for completeness of regeneration of rhodopsin from opsin. Other factors such as sample preparation and the presence of low concentrations of ethanol also affect the delta Hcal values while the Tm values remain fairly constant. This shows that the delta Hcal is a sensitive parameter for monitoring environmental changes of rhodopsin and opsin.     

Cell-free lutropin-dependent desensitization of the lutropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase of pig ovarian follicles is dependent on ATP.

Experiments were conducted to clarify the nucleotide requirements for lutropin (LH)-dependent adenylate cyclase desensitization in a cell-free membrane preparation derived from a thecal-cell-enriched component of preovulatory pig ovarian follicles. The follicular membranes were extensively washed in 2M-urea to remove endogenously bound GTP, and ATP devoid of GTP was utilized. Results conducted in the presence of 60 microM-GTP and various concentrations of ATP confirm the dependence of LH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activation and desensitization on millimolar concentrations of ATP. In experiments in which adenylate cyclase activation was supported by Mg2+, LH and adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate, GTP did not support the desensitization response. Moreover, although GTP increased both basal and LH-stimulable adenylate cyclase activities in a concentration-dependent manner, the percentage desensitization was not significantly modified by the presence of 10nM-10mM-GTP. These results demonstrate that, even in the presence of exogenous GTP and Mg2+, activation of adenylate cyclase by saturating concentrations of LH in the presence of adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate is not sufficient to initiate desensitization; millimolar concentrations of ATP are also required for the adenylate cyclase desensitization response.     

Negative supercoiling of DNA by eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II and dextran sulfate.

In the presence of a molar excess of eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II and an appropriate concentration of dextran sulfate, relaxed closed circular DNA is converted to a negatively supercoiled form. The reaction is dependent on ATP. Neither adenosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]-triphosphate nor adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate can substitute for ATP. The negative supercoils formed are relaxed by subsequent addition of DNA topoisomerase I to the supercoiling reaction mixture. Covalent closure of a nicked circular DNA in the presence of DNA topoisomerase II and dextran sulfate but in the absence of ATP causes a small decrease in the linking number. These results suggest that when an appropriate concentration of dextran sulfate is present, the binding of a molar excess of eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II constrains a small number of negative supercoils in DNA, which in turn generate unconstrained negative supercoils at the expense of ATP.     

Evidence for GTP-binding protein involvement in the tyrosine phosphorylation of the T cell receptor zeta chain.

The zeta subunit of the T cell receptor (TCR) is a prominent substrate for a TCR-activated tyrosine kinase. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the zeta subunit in response to antibody-mediated receptor cross-linking was synergized in permeabilized T cells by either of two non-hydrolyzable GTP analogues, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S) or guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate Gpp(NH)p. ATP analogues did not significantly affect antibody-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Unlike the GTP analogues, the GDP analogue guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP beta S) did not enhance phosphorylation of zeta. The effect induced by the GTP analogues required TCR occupancy and was independent of protein kinase C. Taken together these observations implicate a GTP-binding protein in the modulation of TCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation.     

Inhibition of the GTPase activity of transducin by an NAD+:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase from turkey erythrocytes.

The bacterial toxins, choleragen and pertussis toxin, inhibit the light-stimulated GTPase activity of bovine retinal rod outer segments by catalysing the ADP-ribosylation of the alpha-subunit (T alpha) of transducin [Abood, Hurley, Pappone, Bourne & Stryer (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 10540-10543; Van Dop, Yamanaka, Steinberg, Sekura, Manclark, Stryer & Bourne (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 23-26]. Incubation of retinal rod outer segments with NAD+ and a purified NAD+:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase from turkey erythrocytes resulted in approx. 60% inhibition of GTPase activity. Inhibition was dependent on both enzyme and NAD+, and was potentiated by the non-hydrolysable GTP analogues guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) and guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-methylene]triphosphate (p[CH2]ppG). The transferase ADP-ribosylated both the T alpha and T beta subunits of purified transducin. T alpha (39 kDa), after ADP-ribosylation, migrated as two distinct peptides with molecular masses of 42 kDa and 46 kDa on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. T beta (36 kDa), after ADP-ribosylation, migrated as a 38 kDa peptide. With purified transducin subunits, it was observed that the GTPase activity of ADP-ribosylated T alpha, reconstituted with unmodified T beta gamma and photolysed rhodopsin, was decreased by 80%; conversely, reconstitution of T alpha with ADP-ribosyl-T beta gamma resulted in only a 19% inhibition of GTPase. Thus ADP-ribosylation of T alpha, the transducin subunit that contains the guanine nucleotide-binding site, has more dramatic effects on GTPase activity than does modification of the critical 'helper subunits' T beta gamma. To elucidate the mechanism of GTPase inhibition by transferase, we studied the effect of ADP-ribosylation on p[NH]pp[3H]G binding to transducin. It was shown previously that modification of transducin by choleragen, which like transferase ADP-ribosylates arginine residues, did not affect guanine nucleotide binding. ADP-ribosylation by the transferase, however, decreased p[NH]pp[3H]G binding, consistent with the hypothesis that choleragen and transferase inhibit GTPase by different mechanisms.     

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a major protein associated with the plasma membrane of retinal photoreceptor outer segments

A major 38-kDa protein associated with bovine rod outer segment plasma membranes, but not disk membranes, has been identified as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase on the basis of its N-terminal sequence and specific enzyme activity. This enzyme was extracted from lysed rod outer segments or isolated rod outer segment plasma membrane with 0.15 M NaCl and purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on a NAD(+)-agarose column. A specific activity of 90-100 units/mg of protein is within the range of activity obtained for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase isolated from other mammalian cells. Enzyme activity measurements indicate that this enzyme makes up approximately 2% of the total rod outer segment protein and over 11% of the plasma membrane protein. Protease digestion and binding studies on purified rod outer segment plasma and disk membranes suggest that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reversibly interacts with a protease-sensitive plasma membrane-specific protein of rod outer segments. The finding that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is present in large quantities in rod outer segments suggests that at least some of the energy required for the synthesis of ATP and GTP for phototransduction and other processes of the outer segment is derived from glycolysis which takes place within this organelle.     

Dynamic conformational changes of 21 S dynein ATPase coupled with ATP hydrolysis revealed by proteolytic digestion

Conformational changes of 21 S dynein ATPase from sea urchin sperm flagella were examined by tryptic digestion under physiological conditions. In the presence of 2 mM ATP or ADP plus 100 microM inorganic vanadate (Vi), dynein heavy chains were digested by trypsin into quite different polypeptides from those obtained in other cases (no addition, 2 mM ATP, 4 mM adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate, 4 mM adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene)triphosphate, 2 mM ADP, 100 microM Vi). In the presence of 4 mM adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), however, the digestion pattern was similar to that in the presence of ATP (ADP) and Vi, to a certain extent. In all conditions other than the presence of ATP (ADP) and Vi, 165- and 135-kDa polypeptides were the main products, whereas in the presence of ATP (ADP) and Vi, 200-, 150/148-, and 105/96-kDa peptides were produced and 320-kDa peptide became rather inaccessible to trypsin. The latter digestion pattern was not observed in the absence of divalent cations. These results suggest that, in the ATP hydrolysis cycle, dynein changes its conformation remarkably in the dynein-ADP-Pi state, which is presumably responsible for force generation.     

The effect of lipid environment and retinoids on the ATPase activity of ABCR, the photoreceptor ABC transporter responsible for Stargardt macular dystrophy

ABCR is a photoreceptor-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter that has been linked to various retinal diseases, including Stargardt macular dystrophy, and implicated in retinal transport across rod outer segment (ROS) membranes. We have examined the ATPase and GTPase activity of detergent-solubilized and reconstituted ABCR. 3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid-solubilized ABCR had ATPase and GTPase activity (K(m) approximately 75 micrometer V(max) approximately 200 nmol/min/mg) that was stimulated 1.5-2-fold by all-trans-retinal and dependent on phospholipid and dithiothreitol. The K(m) for ATP decreased to approximately 25 micrometer after reconstitution, whereas the V(max) was strongly dependent on the lipid used for reconstitution. ABCR reconstituted in ROS phospholipid had a V(max) for basal and retinal activated ATPase activity that was 4-6 times higher than for ABCR in soybean or brain phospholipid. This enhanced activity was mainly due to the high phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) content of ROS membranes. PE was also required for retinoid-stimulated ATPase activity. ATPase activity of ABCR was stimulated by the addition of N-retinylidene-PE but not the reduced derivative, retinyl-PE. ABCR expressed in COS-1 cells also exhibited retinal-stimulated ATPase activity similar to that of the native protein. These results support the view that ABCR is an active retinoid transporter, the nucleotidase activity of which is strongly influenced by its lipid environment.     

The role of nucleoside-diphosphate kinase reactions in G protein activation of NADPH oxidase by guanine and adenine nucleotides

NADPH-oxidase-catalyzed superoxide (O2-) formation in membranes of HL-60 leukemic cells was activated by arachidonic acid in the presence of Mg2+ and HL-60 cytosol. The GTP analogues, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gamma S] and guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate, being potent activators of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), stimulated O2- formation up to 3.5-fold. The adenine analogue of GTP[gamma S], adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (ATP[gamma S]), which can serve as donor of thiophosphoryl groups in kinase-mediated reactions, stimulated O2- formation up to 2.5-fold, whereas the non-phosphorylating adenosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate was inactive. The effect of ATP[gamma S] was half-maximal at a concentration of 2 microM, was observed in the absence of added GDP and occurred with a lag period two times longer than the one with GTP[gamma S]. HL-60 membranes exhibited nucleoside-diphosphate kinase activity, catalyzing the thiophosphorylation of GDP to GTP[gamma S] by ATP[gamma S]. GTP[gamma S] formation was half-maximal at a concentration of 3-4 microM ATP[gamma S] and was suppressed by removal of GDP by creatine kinase/creatine phosphate (CK/CP). The stimulatory effect of ATP[gamma S] on O2- formation was abolished by the nucleoside-diphosphate kinase inhibitor UDP. Mg2+ chelation with EDTA and removal of endogenous GDP by CK/CP abolished NADPH oxidase activation by ATP[gamma S] and considerably diminished stimulation by GTP[gamma S]. GTP[gamma S] also served as a thiophosphoryl group donor to GDP, with an even higher efficiency than ATP[gamma S]. Transthiophosphorylation of GDP to GTP[gamma S] was only partially inhibited by CK/CP. Our results suggest that NADPH oxidase is regulated by a G protein, which may be activated either by exchange of bound GDP by guanosine triphosphate or by thiophosphoryl group transfer to endogenous GDP by nucleoside-diphosphate kinase.