Evolution of haptoglobin: comparison of complementary DNA encoding Hp alpha 1S and Hp alpha 2FS.

Haptoglobin is a transport glycoprotein which removes free hemoglobin from the circulation of vertebrates. In human populations haptoglobin is polymorphic due to three alleles, Hp alpha 1F, Hp alpha 1S and Hp alpha 2. The Hp alpha 2 allele is roughly twice the length of the Hp alpha 1 alleles and is the product of a partial gene duplication possibly resulting from an unequal crossover event in a heterozygous genotype Hp alpha 1F/Hp alpha 1S. In the study described here we compare the cDNA encoding Hp alpha 1S to that encoding Hp alpha 2FS . Both have a leader sequence followed by the genotypic alpha chain sequence, a beta sequence and an untranslated sequence in the 3' end. The cDNA encoding Hp alpha 2FS is composed of alpha 1F and alpha 1S domains differing by four nucleotide replacements. Hp alpha 1S cDNA contains the same replacement site mutations found in the alpha 1S domain of Hp alpha 2FS , indicating that this coding region has sustained few, if any, mutations since its incorporation into the Hp alpha 2FS gene.     

Relationship between Hp1S and Hp2 gene frequencies among human populations

In this work, we present new data on the Hp1alpha- and Hp2alpha-chains polymorphism in different populations. We confirm the singularity of the geographical distribution of the Hp2 alleles in our samples. The analysis of the results shows that a significant correlation exists in the population between the Hp1S and Hp2 gene frequencies. An additional Hp1alpha-chain variant is described in a Pyrenean sample.     

Haptoglobin patterns in essential hypertension and associated conditions--increased risk for Hp 2-2

Blood samples from 257 hypertensive patients and 180 normotensive controls were analysed for their association with haptoglobin levels and phenotypes. Compared to controls, patients with Hp 2-2 phenotype showed a significantly increased risk for essential hypertension (p less than 0.001) and hypertension associated with ischaemic heart disease (p less than 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the mean levels of serum haptoglobins in hypertension as compared to controls, suggesting the possibility for intravascular haemolysis due to vascular damage leading to further complications.     

The association of Hp 1 and sickle cell disease

The distribution of gene frequencies and types for haptoglobin (Hp) were studied in a normal black population and one with sickle cell disease. The statistical analysis of our findings indicated a significant association between sickle cell disease and the Hp 1 type.     

Purification of human haptoglobin 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2 using monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography

Similar to blood type, human plasma haptoglobin (Hp) is classified as 3 phenotypes: Hp 1-1, 2-1, or 2-2. The structural and functional relationship between the phenotypes, however, has not been studied in detail due to the complicated and difficult isolation procedures. This report provides a simple protocol that can be used to purify each Hp phenotype. Plasma was first passed through an affinity column coupled with a high affinity Hp monoclonal antibody. The bound material was washed with a buffer containing 0.2M NaCl and 0.02 M phosphate, pH 7.4, eluted at pH 11, and collected in tubes containing 1M Tris-HCl, pH 6.8. The crude Hp fraction was then chromatographed on a HPLC Superose 12 column in 0.05 M ammonium bicarbonate at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. The homogeneity of purified Hp 1-1, 2-1, or 2-2 was greater than 95% as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Essentially, each Hp isolated was not contaminated with hemoglobin and apolipoprotein A-I as that reported from the other methods, and was able to bind hemoglobin. Neuraminidase treatment demonstrated that the purified Hp possessed a carbohydrate moiety, while Western blot analysis confirmed alpha and beta chains corresponding to each Hp 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2 phenotype. The procedures described here represent a significant improvement in current purification methods for the isolation of Hp phenotypes. Circular dichroic spectra showed that the alpha-helical content of Hp 1-1 (29%) was higher than that of Hp 2-1 (22%), and 2-2 (21%). The structural difference with respect to its clinical relevance is discussed.     

Meiotic Gene Conversion Mutants in SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE . I. Isolation and Characterization of pms1-1 and pms1-2

The pms1 mutants, isolated on the basis of sharply elevated meiotic prototroph frequencies for two closely linked his4 alleles, display pleiotropic phenotypes in meiotic and mitotic cells. Two isolates carrying recessive mutations in PMS1 were characterized. They identify a function required to maintain low postmeiotic segregation (PMS) frequencies at many heterozygous sites. In addition, they are mitotic mutators. In mutant diploids, spore viability is reduced, and among survivors, gene conversion and postmeiotic segregation frequencies are increased, but reciprocal exchange frequencies are not affected. The conversion event pattern is also dramatically changed in multiply marked regions in pms1 homozygotes. The PMS1 locus maps near MET4 on chromosome XIV. The PMS1 gene may identify an excision-resynthesis long patch mismatch correction function or a function that facilitates correction tract elongation. The PMS1 gene product may also play an important role in spontaneous mitotic mutation avoidance and correction of mismatches in heteroduplex DNA formed during spontaneous and UV-induced mitotic recombination. Based on meiotic recombination models emphasizing mismatch correction in heteroduplex DNA intermediates, this interpretation is favored, but alternative interpretations involving longer recombination intermediates in the mutants are also considered.     

The role of human glutathione S-transferases hGSTA1-1 and hGSTA2-2 in protection against oxidative stress.

In order to elucidate the protective role of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) against oxidative stress, we have investigated the kinetic properties of the human alpha-class GSTs, hGSTA1-1 and hGSTA2-2, toward physiologically relevant hydroperoxides and have studied the role of these enzymes in glutathione (GSH)-dependent reduction of these hydroperoxides in human liver. We have cloned hGSTA1-1 and hGSTA2-2 from a human lung cDNA library and expressed both in Escherichia coli. Both isozymes had remarkably high peroxidase activity toward fatty acid hydroperoxides, phospholipid hydroperoxides, and cumene hydroperoxide. In general, the activity of hGSTA2-2 was higher than that of hGSTA1-1 toward these substrates. For example, the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of hGSTA1-1 for phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydroperoxide and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) hydroperoxide was found to be 181.3 and 199.6 s-1 mM-1, respectively, while the catalytic efficiency of hGSTA2-2 for PC-hydroperoxide and PE-hydroperoxide was 317.5 and 353 s-1 mM-1, respectively. Immunotitration studies with human liver extracts showed that the antibodies against human alpha-class GSTs immunoprecipitated about 55 and 75% of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity of human liver toward PC-hydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide, respectively. GPx activity was not immunoprecipitated by the same antibodies from human erythrocyte hemolysates. These results show that the alpha-class GSTs contribute a major portion of GPx activity toward lipid hydroperoxides in human liver. Our results also suggest that GSTs may be involved in the reduction of 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, an important intermediate in the 5-lipoxygenase pathway.     

Kaempferol-3-O-glucosyl(1-2)rhamnoside from Ginkgo biloba and a reappraisal of other gluco(1-2, 1-3 and 1-4)rhamnoside structures.

A kaempferol-3-O-glucorhamnoside from Ginkgo biloba is defined as the 3-O-alpha-L-[ beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-2)rhamnopyranoside] on the basis of 2D NMR evidence. Complete assignments of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of this compound and of its known p-coumaroyl derivative are presented for the first time. The NMR distinctions of 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 linked glucopyranosylrhamnopyranosides are discussed and indicate (i) that the 13C NMR assignments for one published gluco(1-3)rhamnoside are in need of modification, (ii) that the published structure of hordenine-O-[6-O-t-cinnamoyl-beta-glucosyl(1-4)-alpha-rhamnoside] from Selaginella doederleinii is not distinguished from the 1-3 linked glucorhamnoside structure, and (iii) that the 8-prenylkaempferol-3-O-[glucosyl(1-4)rhamnoside]-7-O-glucoside and the equivalent 4'-O-methylated xylosyl(1-4)rhamnoside from Epimedium pubescens and E. washanense, respectively, are (1-2)-linked.     

A unique tetrameric structure of deer plasma haptoglobin--an evolutionary advantage in the Hp 2-2 phenotype with homogeneous structure

Similar to blood types, human plasma haptoglobin (Hp) is classified into three phenotypes: Hp 1-1, 2-1 and 2-2. They are genetically inherited from two alleles Hp 1 and Hp 2 (represented in bold), but only the Hp 1-1 phenotype is found in almost all animal species. The Hp 2-2 protein consists of complicated large polymers cross-linked by alpha2-beta subunits or (alpha2-beta)n (where n>or=3, up to 12 or more), and is associated with the risk of the development of diabetic, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we found that deer plasma Hp mimics human Hp 2, containing a tandem repeat over the alpha-chain based on our cloned cDNA sequence. Interestingly, the isolated deer Hp is homogeneous and tetrameric, i.e. (alpha-beta)4, although the locations of -SH groups (responsible for the formation of polymers) are exactly identical to that of human. Denaturation of deer Hp using 6 m urea under reducing conditions (143 mmbeta-mercaptoethanol), followed by renaturation, sustained the formation of (alpha-beta)4, suggesting that the Hp tetramers are not randomly assembled. Interestingly, an alpha-chain monoclonal antibody (W1), known to recognize both human and deer alpha-chains, only binds to intact human Hp polymers, but not to deer Hp tetramers. This implies that the epitope of the deer alpha-chain is no longer exposed on the surface when Hp tetramers are formed. We propose that steric hindrance plays a major role in determining the polymeric formation in human and deer polymers. Phylogenetic and immunochemical analyses revealed that the Hp 2 allele of deer might have arisen at least 25 million years ago. A mechanism involved in forming Hp tetramers is proposed and discussed, and the possibility is raised that the evolved tetrameric structure of deer Hp might confer a physiological advantage.     

Subtypes of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.

The adrenergic receptors are members of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. There are three major types of adrenergic receptors: alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta. Each of these three major types can be divided into three subtypes. Within the alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, alpha 1A and alpha 1B subtypes have been defined pharmacologically on the basis of reversible antagonists, such as WB4101 and phentolamine, and the irreversible antagonist chloroethylclonidine. In at least some tissues the mechanism of action of the alpha 1A subtype is related to activation of a calcium channel, whereas the alpha 1B receptor exerts its effect through the second messenger inositol trisphosphate. Both of these receptor subtypes as well as a third, the alpha 1C, have been identified by molecular cloning. Three pharmacological subtypes of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor have also been identified. Prototypic tissues and cell lines in continuous culture have been developed for each of these subtypes, which facilitated their study. The definition of the alpha 2 subtypes has been based on radioligand binding data and more limited functional data. All three subtypes have been shown to inhibit the activation of adenylate cyclase and thus reduce the levels of cAMP. Three alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes have been identified by molecular cloning in both the human and rat species. There is reasonable agreement between the pharmacological identified subtypes and those identified by molecular cloning.     

Calculation of the conformation of glycosphingolipids. 2. GM1- and GM2-gangliosides

The conformations of GM1- and GM2-gangliosides have been predicted by energy minimization techniques including an orbital force field approach. The global energy minimum conformers for these two gangliosides show marked differences, particularly in the relative orientation of the sugar rings. The predicted structures are compared with those postulated from NMR spectroscopy in relation to the formation of a cation-binding site. The minimum energy conformer of GM2-ganglioside is able to form this binding site whereas this conformer of GM1-ganglioside is not. The nature of the specific interaction of gangliosides with activator proteins is discussed.     

Transformation of 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene by Cunninghamella elegans.

Cunninghamella elegans metabolized 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene primarily at the methyl group to form 1- and 2-hydroxymethylnaphthalene, respectively. Other compounds isolated and identified were 1- and 2-naphthoic acids, 5-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid, 5-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, and phenolic derivatives of 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene. The metabolites were isolated by thin-layer and reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and characterized by the application of UV-visible absorption, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectral techniques. Experiments with [8-14C]2-methylnaphthalene indicated that over a 72-h period, 9.8% of 2-methylnaphthalene was oxidized to metabolic products. The ratio of organic-soluble in water-soluble metabolites at 2 h was 92:8, and at 72 h it was 41:59. Enzymatic treatment of the 48-h aqueous phase with either beta-glucuronidase or arylsulfatase released 60% of the metabolites of 2-methylnaphthalene that were extractable with ethyl acetate. In both cases, the major conjugates released were 5-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. The ratio of the water-soluble glucuronide conjugates to sulfate conjugates was 1:1. Incubation of C. elegans with 2-methylnaphthalene under an 18O2 atmosphere and subsequent mass spectral analysis of 2-hydroxymethylnaphthalene indicated that hydroxylation of the methyl group is catalyzed by a monooxygenase.     

A general method for the isolation of haptoglobin 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2 from human plasma

A general method for the isolation of haptoglobin 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2 human plasma is described. Plasma is fractionated by affinity chromatography on chicken hemoglobin-Sepharose using the full capacity of the column; then after washing the column thoroughly, haptoglobin is eluted with 8 M urea and the eluate is collected in fractions to separate active and denatured haptoglobin. The urea-free, active fractions of haptoglobin are fractionated by affinity chromatography on Affi-Gel Con A to remove nonglycoproteins, principally apolipoprotein A-I, and the haptoglobin is eluted with 0.5 M glucose. Then the haptoglobin-containing fractions are fractionated by negative immunoadsorption chromatography on anti-chicken hemoglobin-protein A-Sepharose to remove chicken hemoglobin-human haptoglobin complexes. Haptoglobin prepared by this three-step procedure is biologically active and nearly homogeneous. The recovery is approximately 70%, irrespective of phenotype. The procedure can be completed in 3 days. A partial purification of apolipoprotein A-I is obtained simultaneously by this method.