Fluorogenic substrates of glycogen debranching enzyme for assaying debranching activity

Glycogen debranching enzyme (GDE) degrades glycogen in concert with glycogen phosphorylase. GDE has two distinct active sites for maltooligosaccharide transferase and amylo-1,6-glucosidase activities. Phosphorylase limit dextrin from glycogen is debranched by cooperation of the two activities. Fluorogenic branched dextrins were prepared as substrates of GDE from pyridylaminated maltooctaose (PA-maltooctaose) and maltotetraose, taking advantage of the synthetic action of Klebsiella pneumoniae pullulanase. Their structures were as follows: Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4(Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-6)Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4GlcPA (B3), Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4(Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-6)Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4GlcPA (B4), Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4(Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-6)Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4GlcPA (B5), Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4(Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-6)Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4GlcPA (B6), Glcalpha1-4(Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-6)Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4GlcPA (B7), and Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-6Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4Glcalpha1-4GlcPA (B8). These dextrins were incubated with porcine skeletal muscle GDE. No fluorogenic product was found in the digest of B8. The fluorogenic products from B3, B4, and B5 were PA-maltooctaose only. PA-maltooctaose, PA-maltoundecaose, and 6(7)-O-alpha-glucosyl-PA-maltooctaose were from B7. PA-maltooctaose and 6(6)-O-alpha-glucosyl-PA-maltooctaose were from B6. These results indicate that the maltooligosaccharide transferase removed the maltotriosyl residues from the maltotetraosyl branches by hydrolysis or intramolecular transglycosylation to expose 6-O-alpha-glucosyl residues, and then the amylo-1,6-glucosidase hydrolyzed the alpha-1,6-glycosidic linkages of the products rapidly. Probably, 6-O-alpha-glucosyl-PA-maltooctaoses from B7 and B6 were less susceptible to the amylo-1,6-glucosidase than were those from B3, B4, and B5. Taking this into account, B3, B4, and B5 are suitable substrates for GDE assay.     

Spectroscopic studies on ethidium bromide binding to intramolecular parallel and antiparallel triple helices containing T*A:T and G*G:C triplets

The interaction of ethidium bromide (EB), a DNA intercalator, with two intramolecular triplexes 5'd(G4A4G4-[T4]-C4T4C4-[T4]-G4T4G4), 5'd(G4T4G4-[T4]-G4A4G4-[T4]-C4T4C4) ([T4] represents a stretch of 4 thymine residues) and their precursor duplexes has been investigated by circular dichroism, fluorescence and UV absorption spectroscopy. Binding of EB induces a circular dichroism band in the region around 310 nm which is positive for the duplex forms but negative for the triplex forms. We observed that the binding of EB to the duplex form does not induce the formation of the triplex structures. Thermal denaturation experiments demonstrate that EB stabilizes more the parallel triple helix than the antiparallel one. Analysis of the binding process from fluorescence measurements shows that binding constants to the triple helical forms and to the hairpin reference duplex [T4]-G4A4G4-[T4]-C4T4C4) are close. However the binding site size is larger for the triplexes (4-6 base triplets) than for the duplex (2 base pairs).     

Effect of strand orientation on the interaction of berenil with DNA triple helices

Using circular dichroism spectroscopy the ability of berenil, a minor groove binding drug, to induce triple helix formation was investigated with two oligonucleotides designed to form two intramolecular triplexes containing T*A:T and G*G:C triplets, which differ only by the orientation of their third strand: 5'-d(G4A4G4-[T4]-C4T4C4-[T4]-G4T4G4), and 5'-d(G4T4G4-[T4]-G4A4G4-[T4]-C4T4C4), where [T4] represents a stretch of four thymine residues. We demonstrate that when added to the duplex form of these oligonucleotides, berenil induces triplex structure formation only if the orientation of third strand is anti-parallel to the purine strand.     

Isoguanine quartets formed by d(T4isoG4T4): tetraplex identification and stability.

The self-aggregation of the oligonucleotide d(T4isoG4T4) (1) is investigated. Based on ion exchange HPLC experiments and CD spectroscopy, a tetrameric structure is identified. This structure was formed in the presence of sodium ions and shows almost the same chromatographic mobility on ion exchange HPLC as d(T4G4T4) (2). The ratio of aggregate versus monomer is temperature dependent and the tetraplex of [d(T4isoG4T4)]4 is more stable than that of [d(T4G4T4)]4. A mixture of d(T4isoG4T4) and d(T4G4T4) forms mixed tetraplexes containing strands of d(T4isoG4T4) and d(T4G4T4).     

Five epitopes of a differentiation antigen on human inducer T cells distinguished by monoclonal antibodies

A series of mouse monoclonal antibodies reacting with human T cells of the helper/inducer subclass, OKT4, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, have been reported. Using double-fluorescent staining and complement-mediated depletion, it was shown that the antigen(s) recognized by OKT4, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D antibodies are present on the same cell. Using FITC-labeled OKT4, 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, a lack of competition between the antibodies for their epitopes was shown. Immunoprecipitation of the antigen recognized by each antibody yielded a molecule of approximately 60,000-62,000 Da. Sequential precipitation with several antibodies resulted in a minimum of additional precipitated antigen following removal of the first antigen. Capping of cell surface antigen with OKT4, followed by staining with OKT4, 4A, 4B, 4C, or 4D, indicated that the epitopes for all five antibodies co-cap. A sandwich ELISA assay using OKT4 and the other antibodies showed that molecules binding to OKT4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D also bound OKT4. It can therefore be concluded that monoclonal antibodies OKT4, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D recognize distinct epitopes present on a molecule of approximately 60-62,000 Da on human helper/inducer T cells.     

Biodegradation of 4-nitrotoluene by Pseudomonas sp. strain 4NT.

A strain of Pseudomonas spp. was isolated from nitrobenzene-contaminated soil on 4-nitrotoluene as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. The organism also grew on 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, and 4-nitrobenzoate. 4-Nitrobenzoate and ammonia were detected in the culture fluid of glucose-grown cells after induction with 4-nitrotoluene. Washed suspensions of 4-nitrotoluene- or 4-nitrobenzoate-grown cells oxidized 4-nitrotoluene, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol, and protocatechuate. Extracts from induced cells contained 4-nitrobenzaldehyde dehydrogenase, 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase activities. Under anaerobic conditions, cell extracts converted 4-nitrobenzoate or 4-hydroxylaminobenzoate to protocatechuate. Conversion of 4-nitrobenzoate to protocatechuate required NADPH. These results indicate that 4-nitrotoluene was degraded by an initial oxidation of the methyl group to form 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol, which was converted to 4-nitrobenzoate via 4-nitrobenzaldehyde. The 4-nitrobenzoate was reduced to 4-hydroxylaminobenzoate, which was converted to protocatechuate. A protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase catalyzed meta-ring fission of the protocatechuate. The detection of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and 4-nitrotoluene oxygenase activities in 4-nitrobenzoate-grown cells suggests that 4-nitrobenzoate is an inducer of the 4-nitrotoluene degradative pathway.     

Specificity of receptors for leukotrienes A4, B4, C4, D4, E4 and histamine on the guinea-pig lung parenchyma. Effect of FPL-55712 and desensitization of the myotropic activity

The novel metabolites of arachidonic acid, leukotriene (LT) A4, B4, C4, D4 and E4 have potent myotropic activity on guinea-pig lung parenchymal strip in vitro. The receptors responsible for their action were characterized using desensitization experiments and the selective SRS-A antagonist, FPL-55712. During the continuous infusion of LTB4, the tissues became desensitized to LTB4 but were still responsive to histamine, LTA4, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4. When LTD4 was infused continuously, the lung strips contracted to LTB4 and histamine but were no longer responsive to LTA4, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4. Furthermore, FPL-55712 (10 ng ml-1 - 10 ug ml-1) produced dose-dependent inhibitions of LTA4, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 without inhibiting the contraction to LTB4 and histamine. On the basis of these results, it appears that the guinea-pig lung parenchyma may have one type of receptor for LTB4 and another for LTD4; LTA4, LTC4 and LTE4 probably act on the LTD4 receptor.     

(4-->6)-Coupled proteracacinidins and promelacacinidins from Acacia galpinii and Acacia caffra

The series of naturally occurring proanthocyanidins with 7,8-dihydroxylated A-rings is extended by identification of the proteracacinidins epioritin-(4beta-->6)-oritin-4alpha-ol, epioritin-(4beta-->6)-ent-oritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4beta-->6)-epioritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4beta-->6)-oritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4alpha-->6)-epioritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4alpha-->6)-oritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4alpha-->6)-epioritin-4beta-ol, the 'mixed' pro-teracacinidins/-melacacinidins epioritin-(4beta-->6)-epimesquitol-4alpha-ol, epioritin-(4beta-->6)-epimesquitol-4beta-ol and epimesquitol-(4beta-->6)- epioritin-4alpha-ol, and the promelacacinidin epimesquitol-(4beta-->6)-epimesquitol-4beta-ol.     

Mutagenic activity of possible metabolites of 4-nitrobiphenyl ether

A series of possible metabolites--4-nitrosobiphenyl ether (4-NO), 4-hydroxylaminobiphenyl ether (4-NHOH), 4-aminobiphenyl ether (4-NH2), 4-hydroxyacetylaminobiphenyl ether (4-N(OH)Ac), 4-acetoxyacetylaminobiphenyl ether (4-N(OAc)Ac)involved in the toxic effects of 4-nitrobiphenyl ether (4-NO2) was synthesized and tested for mutagenic activity toward Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain in the presence and the absence of liver homogenates of guinea pig treated with Kaneclor-500. 4-NO2, 4-NO and 4-NHOH showed direct-acting mutagenicity. 4-NO and 4-NHOH showed high mutagenic activity, while the mutagenic activity of 4-NO2 was very weak compared to 4-NO and 4-NHOH. 4-NO showed antimicrobial action at high concentrations. The other three compounds tested induced no mutation. Upon addition of NAD(P)H, the mutagenic activities of 4-NO and 4-NHOH were slightly enhanced, but no enhancement was observed by addition of NAD(P)+. Metabolic activation with guinea pig liver homogenates enhanced the mutagenic activities of 4-NO2 and 4-NO, and converted 4-NH2, 4-N(OH)Ac and 4-N(OAc)Ac to the product(s) responsible for the mutagenic activity. Addition of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate, a deacetylase inhibitor, inhibited the mutagenic activities of 4-N(OH)Ac and 4-N(OAc)Ac by about 70% in the presence of NADPH and about 77% in the absence of NADPH. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of non-enzymatic conversion-products of 4-NHOH and 4-BO with and without NADPH indicated that 4-NHOH disappeared after 30 min of incubation and was converted completely to 4-NO without NADPH, while with NADPH, 4-NHOH disappeared very slowly and was detected even after 4 h of incubation. In the case of 4-NO, no decrease of 4-NO was observed without NADPH, while with NADPH 4-NO decreased quickly and a significant amount of 4-NHOH appeared. The mechanism of the NAD(P)H-dependent increase in mutagenicity is also discussed.     

Differing requirements for CCR4, E-selectin, and α4β1 for the migration of memory CD4 and activated T cells to dermal inflammation

CCR4 on T cells is suggested to mediate skin homing in mice. Our objective was to determine the interaction of CCR4, E-selectin ligand (ESL), and α(4)β(1) on memory and activated T cells in recruitment to dermal inflammation. mAbs to rat CCR4 were developed. CCR4 was on 5-21% of memory CD4 cells, and 20% were also ESL(+). Anti-TCR-activated CD4 and CD8 cells were 40-55% CCR4(+), and ～75% of both CCR4(+) and CCR4(-) cells were ESL(+). CCR4(+) memory CD4 cells migrated 4- to 7-fold more to dermal inflammation induced by IFN-γ, TNF, TLR agonists, and delayed-type hypersensitivity than CCR4(-) cells. CCR4(+) activated CD4 cells migrated only 5-50% more than CCR4(-) cells to these sites. E-selectin blockade inhibited ～60% of CCR4(+) activated CD4 cell migration but was less effective on memory cells where α(4)β(1) was more important. Anti-α(4)β(1) also inhibited CCR4(-) activated CD4 cells more than CCR4(+) cells. Anti-E-selectin reduced activated CD8 more than CD4 cell migration. These findings modify our understanding of CCR4, ESL, α(4)β(1), and dermal tropism. There is no strict relationship between CCR4 and ESL for skin homing of CD4 cells, because the activation state and inflammatory stimulus are critical determinants. Dermal homing memory CD4 cells express CCR4 and depend more on α(4)β(1) than ESL. Activated CD4 cells do not require CCR4, but CCR4(+) cells are more dependent on ESL than on α(4)β(1), and CCR4(-) cells preferentially use α(4)β(1). The differentiation from activated to memory CD4 cells increases the dependence on CCR4 for skin homing and decreases the requirement for ESL.     

CD4 expression decrease by antisense oligonucleotides: inhibition of rat T CD4+ cell reactivity

In previous studies, we have demonstrated the inhibition of CD4 expression in rat lymphocytes treated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) by antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODNs) directed against the AUG start region of the cd4 gene. The aim of the present study was to inhibit CD4 expression in lymphocytes without promoting CD4 synthesis and to determine the effect of this inhibition on CD4+ T cell function. Four 21-mer ODNs against the rat cd4 gene (AS-CD4-1 to AS-CD4-4) were used. Surface CD4 expression was measured by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry, and mRNA CD4 expression was measured by RT-PCR. T CD4+ cell function was determined by specific and unspecific proliferative response of rat-primed lymphocytes. After 24 hours of incubation, AS-CD4-2 and AS-CD4-4 reduced lymphocyte surface CD4 expression by 40%. This effect remained for 72 hours and was not observed on other surface molecules, such as CD3, CD5, or CD8. CD4 mRNA expression was reduced up to 40% at 24 hours with AS-CD4-2 and AS-CD4-4. After 48 hours treatment, CD4 mRNA decreased up to 27% and 29% for AS-CD4-2 and AS-CD4-4, respectively. AS-CD4-2 and AS-CD4-4 inhibited T CD4+ cell proliferative response upon antigen-specific and unspecific stimuli. Therefore, AS-ODNs against CD4 molecules inhibited surface and mRNA CD4 expression, under physiologic turnover and, consequently, modulate T CD4+ cell reactivity.     

MAP4K4: an emerging therapeutic target in cancer

The serine/threonine kinase MAP4K4 is a member of the Ste20p (sterile 20 protein) family. MAP4K4 was initially discovered in 1995 as a key kinase in the mating pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and was later found to be involved in many aspects of cell functions and many biological and pathological processes. The role of MAP4K4 in immunity, inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular disease has been recognized. Information regarding MAP4K4 in cancers is extremely limited, but increasing evidence suggests that MAP4K4 also plays an important role in cancer and MAP4K4 may represent a novel actionable cancer therapeutic target. This review summarizes our current understanding of MAP4K4 regulation and MAP4K4 in cancer. MAP4K4-specific inhibitors have been recently developed. We hope that this review article would advocate more basic and preclinical research on MAP4K4 in cancer, which could ultimately provide biological and mechanistic justifications for preclinical and clinical test of MAP4K4 inhibitor in cancer patients.     

Characterization of mammalian eIF4E-family members.

The translational factor eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is a central component in the initiation and regulation of translation in eukaryotic cells. Through its interaction with the 5' cap structure of mRNA, eIF4E functions to recruit mRNAs to the ribosome. The accumulation of expressed sequence tag sequences has allowed the identification of three different eIF4E-family members in mammals termed eIF4E-1, eIF4E-2 (4EHP, 4E-LP) and eIF4E-3, which differ in their structural signatures, functional characteristics and expression patterns. Unlike eIF4E-1, which is found in all eukaryotes, orthologues for eIF4E-2 appear to be restricted to metazoans, while those for eIF4E-3 have been found only in chordates. Like prototypical eIF4E-1, eIF4E-2 was found to be ubiquitously expressed, with the highest levels in the testis. Expression of eIF4E-3 was detected only in heart, skeletal muscle, lung and spleen. Similarly to eIF4E-1, both eIF4E-2 and eIF4E-3 can bind to the mRNA cap-structure. However, in contrast to eIF4E-1 which interacts with both the scaffold protein, eIF4G and the translational repressor proteins, the eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs), eIF4E-2 and eIF4E-3 each possesses a range of partial activities. eIF4E-2 does not interact with eIF4G, but does interact with 4E-BPs. Conversely, eIF4E-3 interacts with eIF4G, but not with 4E-BPs. Neither eIF4E-2 nor eIF4E-3 is able to rescue the lethality of eIF4E gene deletion in yeast. It is hypothesized that each eIF4E-family member fills a specialized niche in the recruitment of mRNAs by the ribosome through differences in their abilities to bind cap and/or to interact with eIF4G and the 4E-BPs.     

A novel function of the MA-3 domains in transformation and translation suppressor Pdcd4 is essential for its binding to eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A

An alpha-helical MA-3 domain appears in several translation initiation factors, including human eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) and DAP-5/NAT1/p97, as well as in the tumor suppressor Pdcd4. The function of the MA-3 domain is, however, unknown. C-terminal eIF4G (eIG4Gc) contains an MA-3 domain that is located within the eIF4A-binding region, suggesting a role for eIF4A binding. Interestingly, C-terminal DAP-5/NAT1/p97 contains an MA-3 domain, but it does not bind to eIF4A. Mutation of amino acid residues conserved between Pdcd4 and eIF4Gc but not in DAP-5/NAT1/p97 to the amino acid residues found in the DAP-5/NAT1/p97 indicates that some of these amino acid residues within the MA-3 domain are critical for eIF4A-binding activity. Six Pdcd4 mutants (Pdcd4(E249K), Pdcd4(D253A), Pdcd4(D414K), Pdcd4(D418A), Pdcd4(E249K,D414K), and Pdcd4(D253A,D418A)) lost >90% eIF4A-binding activity. Mutation of the corresponding amino acid residues in the eIF4Gc also produced similar results, as seen for Pdcd4. These results demonstrate that the MA-3 domain is important for eIF4A binding and explain the ability of Pdcd4 or eIF4Gc but not DAP-5/NAT1/p97 to bind to eIF4A. Competition experiments indicate that Pdcd4 prevents ca. 60 to 70% of eIF4A binding to eIF4Gc at a Pdcd4/eIF4A ratio of 1:1, but mutants Pdcd4(D253A) and Pdcd4(D253A,D418A) do not. Translation of stem-loop structured mRNA is susceptible to inhibition by wild-type Pdcd4 but not by Pdcd4(D253A), Pdcd4(D418A), or Pdcd4(D235A,D418A). Together, these results indicate that not only binding to eIF4A but also prevention of eIF4A binding to the MA-3 domain of eIF4Gc contributes to the mechanism by which Pdcd4 inhibits translation.     

MEKK4 is an effector of the embryonic TRAF4 for JNK activation

TRAF4 has previously been shown to activate JNK through an unknown mechanism. Here, we show that endogenous TRAF4 and MEKK4 associate in both human K562 cells and mouse E10.5 embryos. TRAF4 interacts with the kinase domain of MEKK4. However, this association does not require MEKK4 kinase activity. The interaction of MEKK4 and TRAF4 are further demonstrated by the colocalization of TRAF4 and MEKK4 in cells. Importantly, although TRAF4 has little or no ability to activate JNK independently, coexpression of TRAF4 and MEKK4 results in synergistic activation of JNK that is inhibited by a kinase-inactive mutant of MEKK4, MEKK4K1361R. MEKK4 binds the TRAF domain of TRAF4 and MEKK4/TRAF4 activation of JNK is inhibited by expression of the TRAF domain. Furthermore, TRAF4 stimulates MEKK4 kinase activity by promoting MEKK4 oligomerization and JNK activation can be stimulated by chemical induction of MEKK4 dimerization. The findings identify MEKK4 as the MAPK kinase kinase for TRAF4 regulation of the JNK pathway.     

卟啉化合物四-[3-甲氧基-4-(N-咔唑)]正丁氧苯基和四-[3-甲氧基-4-(N-咔唑)]正己氧苯基与小牛胸腺DNA相互作用的研究

〔四-[3-甲氧基-4-(N-咔唑)正丁氧苯基],4C4-TPP〕和〔四-[3-甲氧基-4-(N-咔唑)正己氧苯基],4C6-TPP〕是两个结构相似但侧链不同的卟啉化合物,4C6-TPP的侧链长于4C4-TPP。应用紫外吸收光谱、荧光光谱和园二色谱,研究了4C4-TPP和4C6-TPP与小牛胸腺DNA（Calf thymus, ctDNA）之间的相互作用。结果表明：4C4-TPP和4C6-TPP均以侧链插入DNA与之作用,计算二者与DNA之间的结合常数,4C6-TPP与DNA的结合常数远大于4C4-TPP与DNA的结合常数。基于4C4-TPP与4C6-TPP二者之间结构差异仅在于侧链基团,证明了侧链基团对于卟啉与DNA作用的影响不是主要决定于其空间尺寸大小,取代基化学结构是影响卟啉与DNA的相互作用的重要因素。     

Metabolism of LTC4 to LTD4 and LTE4 in isolated guinea pig lung lobes

Leukotrienes are known to be easily metabolized to other substances. But the metabolic fates of LTC4 and LTD4 have not been established in the intact lung. In this investigation we perfused isolated guinea pig lung lobes and injected synthesized LTC4 and LTD4. The effluent was assayed by HPLC. LTD4 and LTE4 were detected following perfusion of LTC4, and LTE4 was detected following perfusion of LTD4. These results suggest that perfused guinea pig lung lobes may metabolize LTC4 to LTD4 and LTE4, and LTD4 to LTE4.     

Direct interaction of Rab4 with syntaxin 4

In the present study, we examined the possible interaction between Rab4 and syntaxin 4, both having been implicated in insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation. Rab4 and syntaxin 4 were coimmunoprecipitated from the lysates of electrically permeabilized rat adipocytes. The interaction between the two proteins was reduced by insulin treatment and increased by the addition of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS). An in vitro binding assay revealed that the bacterially expressed Rab4 was bound to a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing the cytoplasmic domain of syntaxin 4 (GST-syntaxin 4-(1-273)) but not to syntaxin 1A or vesicle-associated membrane protein-2. The interaction between Rab4 and syntaxin 4 seemed to be regulated by the guanine nucleotide status of Rab4, because 1) GTPgammaS treatment of the cells significantly increased, but guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPbetaS) treatment decreased the amount of Rab4 pulled down with GST-syntaxin 4-(1-273) from the cell lysates; 2) GTPgammaS loading on Rab4 caused a marked increase in the affinity of Rab4 to syntaxin 4 whereas GDPbetaS loading had little effect; and 3) a GTPase-deficient mutant of Rab4 (Rab4(Q67L)), but not a GTP-binding-defective mutant (Rab4(S22N)), was bound to GST-syntaxin 4-(1-273). Although insulin stimulated [gamma-(32)P]GTP binding to Rab4 in a time-dependent fashion, its effect on the Rab4 interaction with syntaxin 4 was apparently biphasic; an initial increase in Rab4 associated with syntaxin 4 was followed by a gradual dissociation of the GTPase from syntaxin 4. Finally, the binding of Rab4(Q67L) to GST-syntaxin 4-(1-273) was inhibited by munc-18c in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that GTP-loaded Rab4 binds to syntaxin 4 in the open conformation. These results suggest that 1) Rab4 interacts with syntaxin 4 in a direct and specific manner, and 2) the interaction is regulated by the guanine nucleotide status of Rab4 as well as by the conformational status of syntaxin 4.     

The unique N-terminal domain of the cAMP phosphodiesterase PDE4D4 allows for interaction with specific SH3 domains

Of the five PDE4D isoenzymes, only the PDE4D4 cAMP specific phosphodiesterase was able to bind to SH3 domains. Only PDE4D4 and PDE4A5, but not any other PDE4A, B, C and D isoforms expressed in rat brain, bound to src, lyn and fyn kinase SH3 domains. Purified PDE4D4 could bind to purified lyn SH3. PDE4D4 and PDE4A5 both exhibited selectivity for binding the SH3 domains of certain proteins. PDE4D4 did not bind to WW domains. We suggest that an important function of the unique N-terminal region of PDE4D4 may be to allow for association with certain SH3 domain-containing proteins.