Detection and characterization of GTP-binding proteins in the chloroplast envelope of spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

Proteins binding guanosine triphosphate (GTP) have emerged as important regulators in several cellular processes in plants. To investigate any role of such proteins in chloroplast functions, we subjected envelope, stroma and thylakoid fractions isolated from spinach chloroplasts to two different GTP-binding assays. With both methods, we detected GTP-specific binding only in the envelope fraction. Two chloroplast envelope proteins with the apparent molecular weights of 30.5 and 33.5 kDa, respectively, bound [α-³²P]GTP after SDS-PAGE followed by electroblotting onto a PVDF-membrane and renaturation. Both proteins were intrinsic proteins located in the outer chloroplast envelope. Also, when the fractions were incubated with [α-³²P]GTP, followed by periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction to cross-link GTP to proteins, two proteins in the envelope fraction, of apparent molecular weights of 28 and 39 kDa, appeared to specifically bind GTP. When agents that stimulate heterotrimeric G-proteins, cholera toxin or the mastoparan analogue mas7, were added to isolated chloroplast envelope, the binding of radiolabelled GTP to the 39 kDa protein, a protein of the inner chloroplast envelope, was stimulated, whereas GTP-binding of the 28 kDa protein, a protein of the outer envelope, was unchanged. Mas7 also stimulated synthesis of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol in isolated chloroplast envelope. The occurrence and regulation of GTP-binding proteins in the chloroplast envelope suggests that GTP-binding proteins could be involved in communication with the extraplastidic compartment during chloroplast biogenesis and development.     

A constituent of the chloroplast import complex represents a new type of GTP-binding protein

The 34 kDa polypeptide of the outer envelope membranes from pea chloroplasts (OEP 34) is a major constituent of this membrane. OEP 34 is detected on polyacrylamide gels under non-reducing condition in association with OEP 75, the putative protein translocation pore. An antiserum against OEP 34 is able to co-immunoprecipitate the precursor of Rubisco small subunit from a partially purified import complex of chloroplast outer envelope membranes. A full-length cDNA clone coding for pea OEP 34 has been isolated. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed typical and conserved sequence motifs found in GTP-binding proteins, making it a new and unique member of this superfamily. OEP 34 behaves as an integral constituent of the outer chloroplast envelope, which is anchored by its C-terminus into the membrane, while the majority of the protein projects into the cytoplasm. OEP 34 does not possess a cleavable N-terminal transit sequence but it is targeted to the chloroplasts and integrated into the outer membranes by internal sequence information which seems to be present in the C-terminal membrane anchor region. Productive integration of OEP 34 into the outer envelope requires, in contrast to other OEPs, protease-sensitive chloroplast surface components and is stimulated by ATR. The GTP binding specificity of OEP 34 is demonstrated by photo-affinity labelling in the presence of [α-³²P]GTP. Overexpressed and purified OEP 34 possesses endogenous GTPase activity. These results indicate a possible regulatory function of OEP 34 in protein translocation into chloroplasts.     

Primary structure and possible origin of the non-glycosylated basic proline-rich protein of human submandibular/sublingual saliva.

As a first step in determining the molecular mechanism of membrane fusion stimulated by GTP in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), we have looked for GTP-binding proteins. Rough microsomes from rat liver were treated for the release of ribosomes, and the membrane proteins were separated by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The polypeptides were then blotted on to nitrocellulose sheets and incubated with [alpha-32P]GTP [Bhullar & Haslam (1987) Biochem. J. 245, 617-620]. A doublet of polypeptides (23 and 24 kDa) was detected in the presence of 2 microM-MgCl2. Binding of [alpha-32P]GTP was blocked by 1-5 mM-EDTA, 10-10,000 nM-GTP or 10 microM-GDP. Either guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate or guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate at 100 nM completely inhibited binding, but ATP, CTP or UTP at 10 mciroM did not. Pretreatment of microsomes by mild trypsin treatment (0.5-10 micrograms of trypsin/ml, concentrations known not to affect microsomal permeability) led to inhibition of [alpha-32P]GTP binding, suggesting a cytosolic membrane orientation for the GTP-binding proteins. Two-dimensional gel-electrophoretic analysis revealed the 23 and 24 kDa [alpha-32P]GTP-binding proteins to have similar acid isoelectric points. [alpha-32P]GTP binding occurred to similar proteins of rough microsomes from rat liver, rat prostate and dog pancreas, as well as to a 23 kDa protein of rough microsomes from frog liver, but occurred to distinctly different proteins in a rat liver plasma-membrane-enriched fraction. Thus [alpha-32P]GTP binding has been demonstrated to two low-molecular-mass (approx. 21 kDa) proteins in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of several varied cell types.     

Annexin proteins PP4 and PP4-X. Comparative characterization of biological activities of placental and recombinant proteins.

Several G-proteins (GTP-binding proteins) were identified by SDS/PAGE in the cytosol (105,000 g supernatant) and membrane fractions of the oestrogen-dependent human mammary-tumour cell line ZR-75-1. These proteins, with molecular masses in the range 18-29 kDa, specifically bind [alpha-32P]GTP, which can be displaced by unlabelled GTP, GDP and their non-hydrolysable analogues guanosine 5'-[delta-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) and guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP[S]), but not by GMP, ATP, ADP, AMP and other unrelated nucleotides. The apparent dissociation constant for GTP was approx. 2 x 10(-8)M. Homogenization of ZR-75-1 cells in high-salt buffer (1 M-KCl), and successive washing of the membrane fraction, suggested that, among the major G-proteins found, the 18 kDa protein is predominantly soluble, whereas the 27-29 kDa complex is primarily bound to the membrane fraction under the experimental conditions employed. Possible translocation of these G-proteins between membrane and cytosol was analysed. No redistribution of the 27-29 kDa complex was observed, whereas GTP[S] in the presence of Mg2+ caused apparent translocation of the 18 kDa protein to the membrane fraction. This effect was specific for GTP and stable GTP analogues, whereas GDP, GMP, ATP, ADP, AMP and other unrelated nucleotides were ineffective. GTP[S] and guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]-triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) were equally potent (apparent Kd approximately 5 x 10(-6)M), whereas GTP was rather weak. The nucleotide effect is temperature-, time- and concentration-dependent. The translocation process was reversible, slow, and reached its maximum between 30 and 60 min at 37 degrees C. The apparent translocation of this small G-protein from the cytosol to the membrane fraction, and the specific effect of GTP analogues, suggest that this process may have functional significance in mammary-tumour cells.     

The M domain of atToc159 plays an essential role in the import of proteins into chloroplasts and chloroplast biogenesis

Toc159, a protein located in the outer envelope membrane and the cytosol, is an important component of the receptor complex for nuclear-encoded chloroplast proteins. We investigated the molecular mechanism of protein import into chloroplasts by atToc159 using the ppi2 mutant, which has a T-DNA insertion at atToc159, shows an albino phenotype, and does not survive beyond the seedling stage due to a defect in protein import into chloroplasts. First we established that transiently expressing atToc159 in protoplasts obtained from the white leaf tissues of ppi2 plants complements the protein import defect into chloroplasts. Using this transient expression approach and a series of deletion mutants, we demonstrated that the C-terminal membrane-anchored (M) domain is targeted to the chloroplast envelope membrane in ppi2 protoplasts, and is sufficient to complement the defect in protein import. The middle GTPase (G) domain plays an additional critical role in protein import: the atToc159[S/N] and atToc159[D/L] mutants, which have a mutation at the first and second GTP-binding motifs, respectively, do not support protein import into chloroplasts. Leaf cells of transgenic plants expressing the M domain in a ppi2 background contained nearly fully developed chloroplasts with respect to size and density of thylakoid membranes, and displayed about half as much chlorophyll as wild-type cells. In transgenic plants, the isolated M domain localized to the envelope membrane of chloroplasts but not the cytosol. Based on these results, we propose that the M domain is the minimal structure required to support protein import into chloroplasts, while the G domain plays a regulatory role.     

A guanosine 5′-triphosphate-dependent protein kinase is localized in the outer envelope membrane of pea chloroplasts

A guanosine 5-triphosphate (GTP)-dependent protein kinase was detected in preparations of outer chloroplast envelope membranes of pea (Pisum sativum L.) chloroplasts. The protein-kinase activity was capable of phosphorylating several envelope-membrane proteins. The major phosphorylated products were 23- and 32.5-kilo-dalton proteins of the outer envelope membrane. Several other envelope proteins were labeled to a lesser extent. Following acid hydrolysis of the labeled proteins, most of the label was detected as phosphoserine with only minor amounts detected as phosphothreonine. Several criteria were used to distinguish the GTP-dependent protein kinase from an ATP-dependent kinase also present in the outer envelope membrane. The ATP-dependent kinase phosphorylated a very different set of envelope-membrane proteins. Heparin inhibited the GTP-dependent kinase but had little effect upon the ATP-dependent enzyme. The GTP-dependent enzyme accepted phosvitin as an external protein substrate whereas the ATP-dependent enzyme did not. The outer membrane of the chloroplast envelope also contained a phosphotransferase capable of transferring labeled phosphate from [-³²P]GTP to ADP to yield (-³²P]ATP. Consequently, addition of ADP to a GTP-dependent protein-kinase assay resulted in a switch in the pattern of labeled products from that seen with GTP to that typically seen with ATP.Abbreviations GDP (GMP, GTP) guanosine 5-diphosphate (mono-, tri-); kDa-kilodalton - S_0.5 concentration of substrate supporting half-maximal velocity - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - Tricine N-(2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)glycine     

Identification of Low Molecular Mass GTP-Binding Proteins in Membranes of the Halotolerant Alga Dunaliella salina

A family of specific guanine nucleotide-binding proteins in Dunaliella salina was studied. Polypeptides of different subcellular fractions were separated by electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose or Immobilon membranes. Incubation of the transfer blots with [³⁵S]GTPγS or [α-³²P]GTP showed no evidence for GTP-binding proteins in the chloroplast and cytosol fractions. However, two GTP-binding proteins with molecular masses of 28 and 30 kilodaltons were present in the plasma membrane and microsomal fractions. An additional 29 kilodalton GTP-binding protein was detected in the plasma membrane. The mitochondrial fraction contained significant amounts of only the 28 kilodalton GTP-binding protein. Binding of [³²P]GTP to the protein blots was completely prevented by 10 micromolar GTP or guanosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (added in 3 × 10⁴-fold excess), whereas ATP or CTP had no effect on the binding. The 28 kilodalton GTP-binding protein was recognized by polyclonal antibodies to the ras-related YPT1 protein of yeast but not by the anti-ras Y13-259 monoclonal antibody. GTP-binding proteins present in the microsomal fraction could not be solubilized by incubation of microsomes with 1 molar NaCl or 0.2 molar Na₂CO₃, but some GTP-binding activity was solubilized when microsomes were treated with 6 molar urea. These results indicate that D. salina GTP-binding proteins are tightly associated with the membranes. The covalent attachment of fatty acids to these proteins was also investigated. Electrophoresis followed by fluorography of delipidated microsomal proteins extracted from [³H]myristic acid-labeled cells showed an intense labeling of a 28 kilodalton protein. We conclude that D. salina contains proteins resembling the ras-related proteins found in animal cells and higher plants.     

Low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in cardiac muscle. Association with a 32-kDa component related to connexins.

Low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins and their cellular interactions were examined in cardiac muscle. Heart homogenate was separated into various subcellular fractions by differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Various fractions were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, blotted to nitrocellulose, and GTP-binding proteins detected by incubating with [alpha-32]GTP. Three polypeptides of M(r) 23,000, 26,000, and 29,000 were specifically labeled with [alpha-32P]GTP in all the fractions examined and enriched in sarcolemmal membranes. The 23-kDa polypeptide was labeled to a higher extent with [alpha-32P]GTP than the 26- and 29-kDa polypeptides. A polypeptide of M(r) 40,000 was weakly labeled with [alpha-32P]GTP in the sarcolemmal membrane and tentatively identified as Gi alpha by immunostaining with anti-Gi alpha antibodies. Cytosolic GTP-binding proteins were labeled with [alpha-32P]GTP and their potential sites of interaction investigated using the blot overlay approach. A polypeptide of 32 kDa present in sarcolemmal membranes, intercalated discs, and enriched in heart gap junctions was identified as a major site of interaction. The low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins associated with the 32-kDa polypeptide through a complex involving cytosolic components of M(r) 56,000, 36,000, 26,000, 23,000, and 12,000. A monoclonal antibody against connexin 32 from liver strongly recognized the 32-kDa polypeptide in heart gap junctions, whereas polyclonal antibodies only weakly reacted with this polypeptide. The low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins associated with a 32-kDa polypeptide in liver membranes that was also immunologically related to connexin 32. These results indicate the presence of a subset of low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in a membrane-associated and a cytoplasmic pool in cardiac muscle. Their association with a 32-kDa component that is related to the connexins suggests that these polypeptides may be uniquely situated to modulate communication at the cell membrane.     

Identification of a GTP-binding protein in the contact sites between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes

Whilst investigating whether GTP hydrolysis may be required for the import of preproteins into mitochondria we have found that a GTP-binding protein is located at the contact sites between mitochondrial inner and outer membranes. When mitochondrial outer membranes purified from rat liver were UV-irradiated in the presence of [alpha-32P]GTP, a 52 kDa protein was radiolabelled, whereas [alpha-32P]ATP did not label this protein. GTP-binding proteins were also labelled in the cytosolic and microsomal fractions, but the 52 kDa protein was concentrated in mitochondrial membranes and was the only protein specifically labelled by GTP in these membranes. Fractionation of mitochondrial membrane vesicles into outer membranes, inner membranes and contact sites between outer and inner membranes showed that the GTP-binding activity was highly enriched in contact sites, the location at which preprotein import is believed to occur. A protein of almost identical size was also found to be labelled in mitochondria from yeast.     

GTP-binding proteins in a cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica

GTP-binding proteins were detected in a crude extract containing membrane components of Anabaena cylindrica. The crude extract was treated with 1% Lubrol PX and was fractionated by gel filtration. The binding of [35S]GTP gamma S to GTP-binding proteins was prevented in the presence of 0.1 mM GTP and in the presence of 0.1 mM ATP. Six fractions of these GTP-binding proteins, tentatively designated GA1 to GA6, were ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin. GA3, GA4 and GA5 had Km values of 10, 60 and 7 nM, respectively. The molecular weights of some of these GTP-binding proteins were reduced after being labelled with [35S]GTP gamma S.     

Partial characterization of GTP-binding proteins in Neurospora

Six fractions of GTP-binding proteins separated by gel filtration of a mycelial extract containing membrane components of Neurospora crassa were partially characterized. [35S]GTP gamma S bound to GTP-binding protein was assayed by repeated treatments with a Norit solution and centrifugation. The binding of [35S]GTP gamma S to GTP-binding proteins was competitively prevented in the presence of 0.1 to 1 mM GTP but not in the presence of ATP. These GTP-binding proteins fractionated by the gel column had Km values of 20, 7, 4, 4, 80 and 2 nM. All six fractions of these GTP-binding proteins showed the capacity to be ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin.     

Initial binding of preproteins involving the Toc159 receptor can be bypassed during protein import into chloroplasts

Two integral outer envelope GTPases, Toc34 and Toc86, are proposed to regulate the recognition and translocation of nuclear-encoded preproteins during the early stages of protein import into chloroplasts. Defining the precise roles of Toc86 and Toc34 has been complicated by the inability to distinguish their GTPase activities. Furthermore, the assignment of Toc86 function is rendered equivocal by recent reports suggesting that the standard protocol for the isolation of chloroplasts results in significant proteolysis of Toc86 (B. Bolter, T. May, J. Soll [1998] FEBS Lett 441: 59-62; G. Schatz [1998] Nature 395: 439-440). We demonstrate that Toc86 corresponds to a native protein of 159 kD in pea (Pisum sativum), designated Toc159. We take advantage of the proteolytic sensitivity of Toc159 to selectively remove its 100-kD cytoplasmic GTPase domain and thereby distinguish its activities from other import components. Proteolysis eliminates detectable binding of preproteins at the chloroplast surface, which is consistent with the proposed role of Toc159 as a receptor component. Remarkably, preprotein translocation across the outer membrane can occur in the absence of the Toc159 cytoplasmic domain, suggesting that binding can be bypassed. Translocation remains sensitive to GTP analogs in the absence of the Toc159 GTP-binding domain, providing evidence that Toc34 plays a key role in the regulation of translocation by GTP.     

GTP-binding proteins in luminal and basolateral membranes from pars convoluta and pars recta of rabbit kidney proximal tubule.

The GTP-binding proteins on luminal and basolateral membrane vesicles from outer cortex (pars convoluta) and outer medulla (pars recta) of rabbit proximal tubule have been examined. The membrane vesicles were highly purified, as ascertained by electron microscopy, by measurements of marker enzymes, and by investigating segmental-specific transport systems. The [35S]GTP gamma S binding to vesicles, and to sodium cholate-extracted proteins from vesicles, indicated that the total content of GTP-binding proteins were equally distributed on pars convoluta, pars recta luminal and basolateral membranes. The membranes were ADP-ribosylated with [32P]NAD+ in the presence of pertussis toxin and cholera toxin. Gel electrophoresis revealed, for all preparations, the presence of cholera toxin [32P]ADP-ribosylated 42 and 45 kDa G alpha s proteins, and pertussis toxin [32P]ADP-ribosylated 41 kDa G alpha i1, 40 kDa G alpha i2 and 41 kDa G alpha i3 proteins. The 2D electrophoresis indicated that Go's were not present in luminal nor in basolateral membranes of pars convoluta or pars recta of rabbit proximal tubule.     

Small GTP-binding proteins on rat liver lysosomal membranes.

GTP-binding proteins have been identified on the membranes of highly purified dextran-filled lysosomes (dextranosomes) and Triton-filled lysosomes (tritosomes) obtained from rat liver. Autoradiography of blots of lysosomal membrane proteins incubated with [alpha-32P]GTP revealed the presence of several specific GTP-binding proteins with a relative molecular mass (M(r)) predominantly in the range of 26-30 kDa. These GTP-binding proteins migrated slower in polyacrylamide gels than purified c-Ha-ras protein expressed in E. coli, whose apparent M(r) was 23 kDa in the same blot. The relative contents of GTP-binding proteins in lysosomal membranes were comparable or greater than that of plasma membranes and of microsomes. Chemical extraction showed that lysosomal GTP-binding proteins were more tightly associated with the membranes than with microsomal GTP-binding proteins. The possible involvement of lysosomal GTP-binding proteins in cellular functions including vacuolar (lysosomal) acidification and organellar dynamics are discussed.     

Reconstitution of a solubilized membrane but not cytosolic phospholipase C with membrane-associated Gp from GH3 cells

Hormones have been demonstrated to activate phosphoinositide hydrolysis in plasma membranes in a manner dependent upon or potentiated by GTP. For thyrotropin-releasing hormone activation in GH3 cell membranes, stimulation persisted in membranes from pertussis toxin-treated cells. These observations indicate the presence of a membrane phospholipase C (PL C) and a novel GTP-binding protein (Gp); however, neither of these proteins has been characterized. In this paper, we report studies of GH3 membrane PL C utilizing [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate liposome substrate. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP[S]), but not other nucleotides, was found to stimulate PL C activity and required greater than 1 nM Ca2+. High concentrations of Ca2+ (10 microM) also activated the membrane PL C. Treatment of membranes with N-ethylmaleimide inhibited Ca2+-activated but not GTP[S]-activated PL C. Extraction of membranes with 1 M KCl solubilized the membrane PL C; however, the solubilized PL C was not GTP[S]-stimulated. N-ethylmaleimide-treated, KCl-extracted membranes were markedly deficient in GTP[S]-stimulated PL C activity; however, activity could be restored by incubation with the desalted extracted PL C. Reconstitution appeared to involve the recoupling of membrane-associated Gp with soluble 330- and 110-kDa forms of the PL C. Cytosolic PL Cs failed to substitute for the solubilized membrane PL C. These results indicate that the Gp-regulated PL C in GH3 cell membranes is an extrinsic membrane protein that can be extracted reversibly at high ionic strength. Moreover, the membrane PL C can be distinguished from cytosolic PL C isoenzymes.     

Nod factors activate both heterotrimeric and monomeric G-proteins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna unguiculata</Emphasis> (L.) Walp

Nod factors are lipo-chito-oligosaccharides secreted by rhizobia that initiate many responses in the root hairs of the legume hosts, culminating in deformed hairs. The heterotrimeric G-protein agonists mastoparan, Mas7, melittin, compound 48/80 and cholera toxin provoke root hair deformation, whereas the heterotrimeric G-protein antagonist pertussis toxin inhibits mastoparan and Nod factor NodNGR[S]- (from Rhizobiumsp. NGR234) induced root hair deformation. Another heterotrimeric G-protein antagonist, isotetrandrine, only inhibited root hair deformation provoked by mastoparan and melittin. These results support the notion that G-proteins are implicated in Nod factor signalling. To study the role of G-proteins at a biochemical level, we examined the GTP-binding profiles of root microsomal membrane fractions isolated from the nodulation competent zone of Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp. GTP competitively bound to the microsomal membrane fractions labelled with [(35)S]GTPgammaS, yielding a two-site displacement curve with displacement constants ( K(i)) of 0.58 micro M and 0.16 mM. Competition with either ATP or GDP revealed a one-site displacement curve with K(i) of 4.4 and 29 micro M, respectively, whereas ADP and UTP were ineffective competitors. The GTP-binding profiles of microsomal membrane fractions isolated from roots pretreated with either NodNGR[S] or the four-sugar, N- N'- N"- N'"-tetracetylchitotetraose (TACT) backbone of Nod factors were significantly altered compared with control microsomal fractions. To identify candidate proteins, membrane proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and electrotransferred to nitrocellulose. GTP overlay experiments revealed that membrane fractions isolated from roots pretreated with NodNGR[S] or TACT contained two proteins (28 kDa and 25 kDa) with a higher affinity for GTPgammaS than control membrane fractions. Western analysis demonstrated that membranes from the pretreated roots contained more of another protein (~55 kDa) recognised by Galpha(common) antisera. These results provide pharmacological and biochemical evidence supporting the contention that G-proteins are involved in Nod factor signalling and, importantly, implicate monomeric G-proteins in this process.     

Modulation of 5-Hydroxytryptamine1A Receptor Density by Nonhydrolyzable GTP Analogues

Co-incubation of rat cortical membranes with 10(-4) M GTP results in a competitive inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptor binding sites labeled by [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin [( 3H]8-OH-DPAT). Preincubation of cortical membranes with 10(-4) M GTP does not significantly change either KD or Bmax values, indicating that the effect of GTP is reversible. By contrast, GTP gamma S and 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) are nonhydrolyzable analogues of GTP which lengthen the time course of guanine nucleotide activation of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) and thereby alter G protein-receptor interactions. These nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues were used to characterize the effects of persistent alterations in G proteins on [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding to 5-HT1A receptors. Co-incubation of rat cortical membranes with either 10(-4) M GTP gamma S or GppNHp results in a decrease in both the affinity and apparent density of 5-HT1A binding sites. Co-incubation with the nonhydrolyzable nucleotides reduces the affinity of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding by 65-70% and lowers the density of the binding site by 53-61%. Similarly, preincubation of membranes with a 10(-4) M concentration of either GTP gamma S or GppNHp significantly increases the KD value and reduces the Bmax value of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding. These results indicate that GTP gamma S and GppNHp induce persistent changes in 5-HT1A receptor-G protein interactions that are reflected as a decrease in the density of binding sites labeled by [3H]8-OH-DPAT.     

GTP-binding proteins in etiolated epicotyls of Pisum sativum (Alaska) seedlings

Seven fractions of GTP-binding proteins separated by gel filtration of an extract of epicotyls of Pisum sativum seedlings were partially characterized. Seven fractions of GTP-binding proteins tentatively designated GP1 to GP7 had the capacity to be ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin. Pooled fractions of GP2 to GP7 showed Km values 2, 20, 50, 10, 3 and 1 nM, respectively. The binding of [35S]GTP gamma S to GTP-binding proteins was prevented competitively in the presence of 0.1 mM GTP and also prevented in the presence of 0.1 mM ATP. Binding of [35S]GTP gamma S to the proteins produced a decrease in their molecular weights.     

Chloroplast envelope proteins are encoded by the chloroplast genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

To characterize envelope proteins encoded by the chloroplast genome, envelopes were isolated from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells labeled with [35S] sulfate while blocking synthesis by cytoplasmic ribosomes. One and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of envelopes and fluorography revealed four highly labeled proteins. Two with masses of 29 and 30 kDa and pI 5.5 were absent from the stroma and thylakoid fractions, while the others at 54 kDa, pI 5.2 and 61 kDa, pI 5.4 were detected there in smaller amounts. The 29- and 30-kDa proteins were associated with outer envelope membranes separated from inner envelope membranes after chloroplast lysis in hypertonic solution. A 32-kDa protein not labeled by [35S]sulfate was found exclusively in the inner membrane fraction, suggesting the existence of a phosphate translocator in C. reinhardtii. To identify envelope proteins exposed on the chloroplast surface, isolated active chloroplasts were surface-labeled with 125I and lactoperoxidase. The 54-kDa, pI 5.2 protein as well as a protein corresponding to either of the 29- or 30-kDa proteins described above were among the labeled components. These results show that envelope proteins of C. reinhardtii are encoded by the chloroplast genome and two are located on the outer envelope membranes.     

The binding of precursor proteins to chloroplasts requires nucleoside triphosphates in the intermembrane space.

Protein import into chloroplasts is initiated by a binding interaction between a precursor protein and the surface of the outer envelope. The binding step was previously shown to be energy-dependent (Olsen, L. J., Theg, S. M., Selman, B. R., and Keegstra, K. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 6724-6729). We took advantage of the broad nucleotide specificity of the energy requirement for binding to investigate the site of the nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) requirement. GTP supported precursor binding to chloroplasts. It was not converted to ATP, as determined by direct ATP measurements, and was not transported across the inner envelope. Thus, GTP supported binding from either the intermembrane space or outside the outer membrane. To distinguish between an intermembrane space and an external NTP requirement, we experimentally manipulated the NTP levels inside and outside chloroplasts. Internally generated ATP was able to support binding in the presence of an external membrane-impermeant ATP trap. Therefore, since GTP supported binding from either the intermembrane space or outside the chloroplast, and ATP supported binding from either the intermembrane space or the stroma, we concluded that the site of NTP utilization for precursor binding to chloroplasts was the intermembrane space between the two envelope membranes.