Calcium modulates the binding of high-mobility-group protein 1 to DNA

Binding of 45Ca2+ to nonhistone protein HMG1 was detected after fixation of the protein to nitrocellulose membrane. The same experiment with HMG1 peptides, derived from HMG1 by protease V8 digestion, allowed to identify the highly glutamic and aspartic C-terminal domain of HMG1 as a 45Ca2(+)-binding region. Measurements of 32P-labeled DNA retention on nitrocellulose filters revealed that in the absence of Ca2+, the affinity of HMG1 for linear DNA decreased upon an increase of pH from 7 to 8.4. However, when Ca2+ was included in the assay buffer, the affinity of HMG1 for DNA remained unchanged between pH 7 to 8.4 and was higher than in the absence of Ca2+. The effect of Ca2+ on HMG1 - DNA interaction was no longer observed upon removal of the C-terminal domain from HMG1.     

Identity of nuclear high-mobility-group protein, HMG-1, and sulfoglucuronyl carbohydrate-binding protein, SBP-1, in brain

High-mobility-group (HMG) proteins are a family of non-histone chromosomal proteins which bind to DNA. They have been implicated in multiple aspects of gene regulation and cellular differentiation. Sulfoglucuronyl carbohydrate binding protein, SBP-1, which is also localized in the neuronal nuclei, was shown to be required for neurite outgrowth and neuronal migration during development of the nervous system. In order to establish relationship between SBP-1 and HMG family proteins, two HMG proteins were isolated and purified from developing rat cerebellum by heparin-sepharose and sulfatide-octyl-sepharose affinity column chromatography and their biochemical and biological properties were compared with those of SBP-1. Characterization by high performance liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), partial peptide sequencing and western blot analysis showed the isolated HMG proteins to be HMG-1 and HMG-2. Isoelectric focusing, HPLC-MS and peptide sequencing data also suggested that HMG-1 and SBP-1 were identical. Similar to SBP-1, both HMG proteins bound specifically to sulfated glycolipids, sulfoglucuronylglycolipids (SGGLs), sulfatide and seminolipid in HPTLC-immuno-overlay and solid-phase binding assays. The HMG proteins promoted neurite outgrowth in dissociated cerebellar cells, which was inhibited by SGGLs, anti-Leu7 hybridoma (HNK-1) and anti-SBP-1 peptide antibodies, similar to SBP-1. The proteins also promoted neurite outgrowth in explant cultures of cerebellum. The results showed that the cerebellar HMG-1 and -2 proteins have similar biochemical and biological properties and HMG-1 is most likely identical to SBP-1.     

Changes in quantities of high-mobility-group protein 1 in oviduct cellular fractions after oestrogen stimulation.

Antiserum against chick oviduct high-mobility-group protein 1 (HMG 1) has been induced in the rabbit. With this antiserum, immunobiochemical techniques have been used to probe the quantitative change of HMG 1 in the cellular fractions of chick oviduct before or after oestrogen stimulation. HMG 1 is detectable in the cytosol, microsomal and nuclear fraction of the chick oviduct cell. After administration of oestrogen to young chicks in vivo for 5 days, the quantity of HMG 1 is increased 4-fold in the cytosol, 3.5-fold in the microsomal fraction and 1.6-fold in the nuclear fraction. The finding of large amounts of HMG 1 in cytoplasm of oviduct cell is not likely due to its leakage from the nucleus. We anticipate that HMG 1 is synthesized in the cytoplasm and then transported into the nucleus. The synthesis and transportation of HMG proteins is probably regulated by oestrogen.     

The isolation and partial sequence of peptides produced by cyanogen bromide cleavage of calf thymus non-histone chromosomal high-mobility-group protein 2. Sequence homology with non-histone chromosomal high-mobility-group protein 1.

Peptides produced by CNBr cleavage of non-histone chromosomal protein HMG 2 (CNBr peptides) were isolated and characterized, and their partial sequences were determined. The present sequence data account for over half of the sequence of the protein HMG (high-mobility-group) 2 molecule, and, together with previously published results, provide interesting information on the charge distribution within the molecule. Comparison of the CNBr-peptide-sequence data for protein HMG 2 with the previously published data on the CNBr peptides from protein HMG 1 reveals extensive sequence homology between the two proteins. Detailed evidence for the amino acid-sequence data has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50095 (6 pages) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained on the terms given in Biochem. J. (1978) 169, 5.     

Characterization of multimeric complexes formed by the human PTB1 protein on RNA

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB or hnRNP I) has several known functions in eukaryotic cells, including exon exclusion during alternative splicing events, mRNA stabilization, and regulation of viral translation and replication. PTB contains four RNA Binding Domains (RBDs, or RRMs), all of which can potentially bind RNA, but their roles in the various biological functions of PTB are not clear. We investigate the properties of the complexes formed by human PTB1 on two target RNAs: the rat GABAA receptor gamma2 subunit pre-mRNA and the Hepatitis C Virus 3' NonTranslated RNA. The GABA RNA contains four polypyrimidine tracts in the intron and exon, while the HCV NTR contains a 75-nt U-rich tract and a highly structured 3'-terminus. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays show that PTB1 protein first binds to both RNAs with nanomolar affinities, but subsequent protein addition leads to formation of higher-order complexes. Stoichiometry experiments show that the ultimate complexes contain up to eight PTB1 proteins per RNA strand. Protein constructs containing two tandem RBDs also bind the two RNAs, but with different affinities and stoichiometries. Nuclease protection assays show that PTB1 protects the polypyrimidine tracts in the GABA RNA, as does a construct consisting of RBD3 and RBD4; however, a construct containing RBD1 and RBD2 enhances cleavage of bound RNA. The binding mechanisms of PTB1 are unique to the full-length protein; these modes appear to include direct association with the RNA as well as weaker intermolecular protein associations.     

Detection of monoclonal antibody to high-mobility-group protein 17 from chick oviduct.

Total chromosomal HMG (high-mobility-group) proteins have been isolated from oestrogen-stimulated chick oviduct. The antibodies against these proteins were induced in mice and subsequently their spleen cells were fused with myeloma cells to form hybridomas. A highly purified HMG protein, 17, was used to select for the hybridomas that produce antibody against HMG protein 17. The hybridomas were cultured and injected into mice to produce ascites. The antibody against HMG protein 17 in the IgG (immunoglobulin G) fraction of the ascites fluid was obtained by Protein A-Sepharose column chromatography. We have devised a solid-phase radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked serological assay for the detection and characterization of this antibody directed against HMG protein 17. This anti-(HMG protein 17) IgG interacted only with HMG protein 17, but not with other chromosomal proteins, e.g. histone H1, "95K protein' (a chick oviduct-specific chromosomal protein) and HMG proteins 1, 2 and 14. The monospecific nature of this anti-(HMG protein 17) IgG fraction is confirmed.     

Heterogeneity of proteins resembling high-mobility-group protein HMG-T in trout testes nuclei.

Two proteins, HMG-T1 and HMG-T2, with electrophoretic mobilities and compositions similar to those of protein HMG-T, were isolated from trout testes nuclei. The isoelectric points of proteins HMG-T1, HMG-T2 and HMG-T differ. The first 20 residues of protein HMG-T2 have been sequenced and differ from protein HMG-T by only one residue.     

Phosphorylation of high-mobility-group proteins by the calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase and the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

Purified lamb thymus high-mobility-group (HMG) proteins 1, 2, and 17 have been investigated as potential substrates for the Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. HMG proteins 1, 2, and 17 are phosphorylated by the Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase; the reactions are totally Ca2+ and lipid dependent and are not inhibited by the inhibitor protein of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. HMG 17 is phosphorylated predominantly in a single seryl residue, Ser 24 in the sequence Gln-Arg-Arg-Ser 24-Ala-Arg-Leu-Ser 28-Ala-Lys, with the second seryl moiety, Ser 28, modified to a markedly lesser degree. HMGs 1 and 2 are also phosphorylated in only seryl residues but with each there are multiple phosphorylation sites. HMG 17, but not HMG 1 or 2, is also phosphorylated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase with the site phosphorylated being the minor of the two phosphorylated by the Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase; the Km for phosphorylation by the cAMP-dependent enzyme is 50-fold higher than that by the Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent enzyme. HMG 17 is an equally effective substrate for the Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase either as the pure protein or bound to nucleosomes. Preliminary evidence has indicated that lamb thymus HMG 14 is also a substrate for the Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent enzyme. It is phosphorylated with a Km similar to that of HMG 17 (4-6 microM), and a comparison of tryptic peptides suggests that it is phosphorylated in a site that is homologous with Ser 24 of HMG 17 and distinct from the sites phosphorylated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Phosphorylation of high-mobility-group chromatin proteins by protein kinase C from rat brain

Chromosomal high-mobility-group (HMG) proteins have been examined as substrates for calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C. Protein kinase C from rat brain phosphorylated efficiently both HMG 14 and HMG 17 derived from calf thymus and the reactions were calcium/phospholipid-dependent. About 1 mol of ³²P was incorporated per mol of HMG 14 and HMG 17. Phosphopeptide mapping suggested that the same major site was phosphorylated in both proteins at serine. The apparent K_m values for HMG 14 and HMG 17 were about 5 μM. HMG 14, HMG 17 and the five histone H1 subtypes prepared from rat thymus, liver and spleen were phosphorylated by the kinase. HMG 14 and HMG 17 from transformed human lymphoblasts (Wi-L2) were also phosphorylated in a calcium/phospholipid-dependent manner. HMG 1 and HMG 2 from the tissues examined were found to be poor substrates for the kinase.     

Characterization of MDGA1, a novel human glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein localized in lipid rafts

We report the characterization of the novel human protein MDGA1 encoded by MDGA1 (MAM domain containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor-1) gene, firstly termed as GPIM. MDGA1 has been mapped to 6p21 and it is expressed in human tissues and tumors. The deduced polypeptide consists of 955 amino acids and exhibits structural features found in different types of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), such as the presence of both immunoglobulin domains and a MAM domain or the capacity to anchor to the cell membrane by a GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol) motif. Our results demonstrate that human MDGA1 (hMDGA1) is localized in the membrane of eukaryotic cells. The protein follows the secretion pathway and finally it is retained in the cell membrane by a GPI anchor, susceptible to be cleavaged by phospholipase C (PI-PLC). Moreover, our results reveal that hMDGA1 is localized specifically into membrane microdomains known as lipid rafts. Finally, as other proteins of the secretory pathway, hMDGA1 undergoes other post-translational modification consisting of N-glycosylation.     

Characterization of human palladin, a microfilament-associated protein

Actin-containing microfilaments control cell shape, adhesion, and contraction. In striated muscle, alpha-actinin and other Z-disk proteins coordinate the organization and functions of actin filaments. In smooth muscle and nonmuscle cells, periodic structures termed dense bodies and dense regions, respectively, are thought to serve functions analogous to Z-discs. We describe here identification and characterization of human palladin, a protein expressed mainly in smooth muscle and nonmuscle and distributed along microfilaments in a periodic manner consistent with dense regions/bodies. Palladin contains three Ig-domains most homologous to the sarcomeric Z-disk protein myotilin. The N terminus includes an FPPPP motif recognized by the Ena-Vasp homology domain 1 domain in Ena/vasodilatator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP)/Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) protein family. Cytoskeletal proteins with FPPPP motif target Ena/VASP/WASP proteins to sites of actin modulation. We identified palladin in a yeast two-hybrid search as an ezrin-associated protein. An interaction between palladin and ezrin was further verified by affinity precipitation and blot overlay assays. The interaction was mediated by the alpha-helical domain of ezrin and by Ig-domains 2-3 of palladin. Ezrin is typically a component of the cortical cytoskeleton, but in smooth muscle cells it is localized along microfilaments. These cells express palladin abundantly and thus palladin may be involved in the microfilament localization of ezrin. Palladin expression was up-regulated in differentiating dendritic cells (DCs), coinciding with major cytoskeletal and morphological alterations. In immature DCs, palladin localized in actin-containing podosomes and in mature DCs along actin filaments. The regulated expression and localization suggest a role for palladin in the assembly of DC cytoskeleton.     

Characterization of a human and mouse tetrapyrrole-binding protein

The cDNA for p22HBP has been cloned from human and mouse, and the protein expressed, purified, and characterized. Both mouse and human proteins bind heme and porphyrins with micromolar K(d)s, are highly homologous, monomeric, and soluble, and have a cytoplasmic location. The proteins bind metalloporphyrins, free porphyrins, and N-methylprotoporphyrin with similar affinities, and mutations of a selected set of putative metal ligating residues did not have any significant effect on the measured K(d)s. That the presence or absence of metal in the porphyrin has no effect on the binding constants and the observation that the EPR signal for heme does not change upon binding to the protein strongly suggest that p22HBP is a generic tetrapyrrole-binding protein rather than a dedicated heme-binding protein. A role for p22HBP in cellular porphyrin metabolism is discussed.     

The anti-inflammatory effects of heat shock protein 72 involve inhibition of high-mobility-group box 1 release and proinflammatory function in macrophages

High-mobility-group box 1 (HMGB1), a nuclear protein, has recently been identified as an important mediator of local and systemic inflammatory diseases when released into the extracellular milieu. Anti-inflammatory regulation by the stress response is an effective autoprotective mechanism when the host encounters harmful stimuli, but the mechanism of action remains incompletely delineated. In this study, we demonstrate that increases in levels of a major stress-inducible protein, heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) by gene transfection attenuated LPS- or TNF-alpha-induced HMGB1 cytoplasmic translocation and release. The mechanisms involved inhibition of the chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1)-dependent nuclear export pathway. Overexpression of Hsp72 inhibited CRM1 translocation and interaction between HMGB1 and CRM1 in macrophages post-LPS and TNF-alpha treatment. In addition, overexpression of Hsp72 strongly inhibited HMGB1-induced cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta) expression and release, which correlated closely with: 1) inhibition of the MAP kinases (p38, JNK, and ERK); and 2) inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway. Taken together, these experiments suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of Hsp72 is achieved by interfering with both the release and proinflammatory function of HMGB1. Our experimental data provide important insights into the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of heat shock protein protection.     

Characterization of expression and stability of recombinant cystein-rich protein human MT1A from yeast

Metallothionein (MT) is the protein that has been shown to bind heavy metals, scavenge free radicals, protect DNA from radiation damage, and alleviate disease symptoms. However, only very limited success has been achieved in expression and production of active recombinant metallothionein. In this study, human metallothionein 1A (hMT1A) was transformed into yeast Pichia pastoris for expression with secretion of the protein into the medium. The expression system was optimized to obtain the targeted protein in active form at 335 mg per litre culture. hMT1A showed the character of extreme instability in the experiment. High concentration, aeration and heavy metal ions are the main factors affecting hMT1A stability.