Expression of beta 1, beta 3, beta 4, and beta 5 integrins by human epidermal keratinocytes and non-differentiating keratinocytes

We have compared the adhesive properties and integrin expression profiles of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes and a strain of nondifferentiating keratinocytes (ndk). Both cell types adhered to fibronectin, laminin, and collagen types I and IV, but ndk adhered more rapidly and at lower coating concentrations of the proteins. Antibody blocking experiments showed that adhesion of both cell types to fibronectin was mediated by the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin and to laminin by alpha 3 beta 1 in synergy with alpha 2 beta 1. Keratinocytes adhered to collagen with alpha 2 beta 1, but an antibody to alpha 2 did not inhibit adhesion of ndk to collagen. Both cell types adhered to vitronectin by alpha v-containing integrins. Immunoprecipitation of surface-iodinated and metabolically labeled cells showed that in addition to alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, and alpha 5 beta 1, both keratinocytes and ndk expressed alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha v beta 5. ndk expressed all these integrins at higher levels than normal keratinocytes. ndk, but not normal keratinocytes, expressed alpha v beta 1 and alpha v beta 3; they also expressed alpha 1 beta 1, an integrin that was not consistently detected on normal keratinocytes. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that in stratified cultures of normal keratinocytes integrin expression was confined to cells in the basal layer; terminally differentiating cells were unstained. In contrast, all cells in the ndk population were integrin positive. Our observations showed that the adhesive properties of ndk differ from normal keratinocytes and reflect differences in the type of integrins expressed, the level of expression and the distribution of integrins on the cell surface. ndk thus have a number of characteristics that distinguish them from normal basal keratinocytes.     

Mechanism of inactivation of alanine racemase by beta, beta, beta-trifluoroalanine

The alanine racemases are a group of PLP-dependent bacterial enzymes that catalyze the racemization of alanine, providing D-alanine for cell wall synthesis. Inactivation of the alanine racemases from the Gram-negative organism Salmonella typhimurium and Gram-positive organism Bacillus stearothermophilus with beta, beta, beta-trifluoroalanine has been studied. The inactivation occurs with the same rate constant as that for formation of a broad 460-490-nm chromophore. Loss of two fluoride ions per mole of inactivated enzyme and retention of [1-14C]trifluoroalanine label accompany inhibition, suggesting a monofluoro enzyme adduct. Partial denaturation (1 M guanidine) leads to rapid return of the initial 420-nm chromophore, followed by a slower (t1/2 approximately 30 min-1 h) loss of the fluoride ion and 14CO2 release. At this point, reduction by NaB3H4 and tryptic digestion yield a single radiolabeled peptide. Purification and sequencing of the peptide reveals that lysine-38 is covalently attached to the PLP cofactor. A mechanism for enzyme inactivation by trifluoroalanine is proposed and contrasted with earlier results on monohaloalanines, in which nucleophilic attack of released aminoacrylate on the PLP aldimine leads to enzyme inactivation. For trifluoroalanine inactivation, nucleophilic attack of lysine-38 on the electrophilic beta-difluoro-alpha, beta-unsaturated imine provides an alternative mode of inhibition for these enzymes.     

24xi-Methylcholestane-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 12beta, 25-pentol 25-monoacetate, a novel polyoxygenated marine sterol.

24xi--Methylcholestane-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 12beta, 25-pentol 25-monoacetate has been isolated from an Alyconarian and its structure was established in part through extensive high resolution mass spectral and nmr studies and partly through the nonidentity of one of its degradation products with 24xi-methylcholestane-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 12alpha-tetrol synthesized from deoxycholic acid.     

Differential expression of genes encoding TGFs beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3 during murine palate formation.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) has been shown to have multiple effects on primary cultures of palate-derived cell types. We report the analysis, by in situ hybridization, of RNA expression for three different TGF beta isoforms (TGF beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3) during murine embryonic palate development. Differential expression of the three TGF beta genes is seen in the palatal shelves in mesenchymal and epithelial cells known to be involved in the morphogenesis of this organ. Taken together, these results suggest that the TGF beta s act as endogenous factors involved in the formation of the mammalian palate.     

Discrimination among the human beta A, beta S, and beta C-globin genes using allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization probes.

Synthetic nonadecanucleotides complementary to the human beta A-, beta S-, or beta C-globin sequences were used as hybridization probes to screen human genomic DNA samples for these genes. The oligonucleotides were 32P-labeled and used as probes to genotype restriction endonuclease digests of human genomic DNA. The data obtained show that hybridization with oligonucleotide probes, unlike restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis or direct restriction enzyme digestion, can be used to directly distinguish among the three alleles of beta-globin, beta A, beta S, and beta C, when present either in one (heterozygous) or two copies.     

Differences in local conformation around cysteine residues in alpha alpha, alpha beta, and beta beta rabbit skeletal tropomyosin

The ability of 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoate (Nbs2) to form a disulfide crosslink between the Cys-190s of the alpha alpha and alpha beta molecular components of rabbit skeletal tropomyosin (Tm) and the Cys-36s and Cys-190s of purified beta beta was studied in separate experiments, as a function of urea concentration in 0.5 M NaCl, 20 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid, pH 7.4, 15 degrees C. In the absence of urea, complete reaction of the Cys-190s of Tm with Nbs2 as well as with 2- and 4-pyridine disulfide quantitatively produced two crosslinked species, alpha-alpha and alpha-beta, in a 60/40 ratio, respectively, visualized as bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels; similar reactions of beta beta produced both doubly (at Cys-36 and Cys-190) and singly crosslinked species (at Cys-190 as identified by amino acid analysis of separated tryptic peptides). In the presence of 4 M urea where the chains were unfolded and separated, only Nbs-blocked uncrosslinked species were obtained after complete reaction with Nbs2. The loss of Nbs2-crosslinking at increasing [urea] showed that the relative stability of the Cys-containing regions of the three species of Tm, alpha alpha, alpha beta, and beta beta increases in the order Cys-36 of beta beta, Cys-190 of alpha beta, Cys-190 of alpha alpha.     

Differential expression of TGF beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 genes during mouse embryogenesis

We have examined by Northern analysis and in situ hybridisation the expression of TGF beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 during mouse embryogenesis. TGF beta 1 is expressed predominantly in the mesodermal components of the embryo e.g. the hematopoietic cells of both fetal liver and the hemopoietic islands of the yolk sac, the mesenchymal tissues of several internal organs and in ossifying bone tissues. The strongest TGF beta 2 signals were found in early facial mesenchyme and in some endodermal and ectodermal epithelial cell layers e.g., lung and cochlea epithelia. TGF beta 3 was strongest in prevertebral tissue, in some mesothelia and in lung epithelia. All three isoforms were expressed in bone tissues but showed distinct patterns of expression both spatially and temporally. In the root sheath of the whisker follicle, TGF beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 were expressed simultaneously. We discuss the implication of these results in regard to known regulatory elements of the TGF beta genes and their receptors.     

Synthesis of 3 alpha,6 beta,7 alpha,12 beta- and 3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acids.

Chemical synthesis of 3 alpha,6 beta,7 alpha,12 beta- and 3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acids is described. 3 alpha,12 beta-Dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid used as the starting material in the synthesis was prepared via oxidation of 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid 3-hemisuccinate at C-12 followed by reduction with potassium/tertiary amyl alcohol. alpha-Epoxidation of the ester diacetate of 3 alpha,12 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid with m-chloroperbenzoic acid followed by cleavage of the epoxide with acetic acid and alkaline hydrolysis yielded 3 alpha,6 beta,7 alpha,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (overall yield 25%). N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide-catalyzed osmium tetroxide oxidation of the ester diacetate of 3 alpha,12 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid followed by alkaline hydrolysis yielded 3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (overall yield 33%). The structures of the synthesized bile acids were confirmed from their proto nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectral fragmentation patterns.     

Differential expression of mouse beta/goat beta c, mouse beta/goat beta F, and mouse beta/goat epsilon II hybrid globin genes in murine erythroleukemia cells.

We assembled three hybrid beta-globin genes by fusing the mouse beta-major promoter and initial transcribed region to one of three goat beta-like globin gene bodies: beta c (preadult), beta F (fetal), or epsilon II (embryonic). Thymidine kinase (tk)-deficient murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells were cotransformed with one of these constructs and a separate plasmid bearing the tk gene. Half of the 24 cell lines containing either the mouse beta/goat beta c or mouse beta/goat beta F genes expressed the transferred genes at significant levels; in many cases the hybrid genes were, like the endogenous beta-globin genes, inducible with dimethyl sulfoxide. We obtained 13 cell lines containing the mouse beta/goat epsilon II hybrid gene, 6 of which were cotransfected with a mouse beta/human beta fusion gene known to function in MEL cells. In contrast to the results with the other fusion genes, the mouse beta/goat epsilon II hybrid was very poorly expressed: in two separate experiments, 0 of 13 and 2 of 13 lines showed significant mouse beta/goat epsilon II RNA levels after induction. In all these lines the endogenous mouse beta and cotransfected mouse beta/human beta genes were expressed. As an initial test of possible reasons for the inactivity of the mouse beta/goat epsilon II hybrid, we recloned this fusion gene into a tk-bearing plasmid, adjacent to the tk gene. Of 12 cell lines transformed with this plasmid, 11 produced mouse beta/goat epsilon II RNA; in 6 cases the expression was both strong and dimethyl sulfoxide inducible.     

Molecular modeling of SWR-0342SA, a beta3-selective agonist, with beta1- and beta3-adrenoceptor

The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations study in the formation of the complex between compound SWR-0342SA and beta-ARs suggested that upon binding SWR-0342SA stimulates receptor activation through residues network (Asp104, Leu335 in beta(1)-AR; Asp117, Ser209, Leu303, Ser191 in beta(3)-AR) in an active conformation state. The models suggest that the structural origin of the selectivity of SWR-0342SA to beta(3)-AR vs. beta(1)-AR comes from the following results: (a) the tight interaction between the agonist and the TMs 3, 5, 6 and 2 nd EC loop. Asp117 interacts with the cationic amino group of the agonist molecule. (b) Additional contacts are done with Ser209, Leu303 and Ser191. These results are in good agreement with the binding affinities (pKi values) of SWR-0342SA to beta-AR family expressed in recombinant mammalian cells.     

Three isozymes of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (pyrocatechase), alpha alpha, alpha beta, and beta beta, from Pseudomonas arvilla C-1

Three isozymes of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (pyrocatechase) from Pseudomonas arvilla C-1 were separated using DEAE-Toyopearl chromatography. The specific activities of each isozyme were similar to one another. The molecular weights of isozymes 1, 2, and 3 were estimated to be approximately 67,000, 64,000, and 59,000, respectively, from gel filtration. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isozymes 1 and 3 gave a single protein band, corresponding to Mr = 32,000 and 30,000, respectively, and isozyme 2 gave two bands corresponding to Mr = 32,000 and 30,000. These results indicated that isozymes 1 and 3 were homodimers, while isozyme 2 was a heterodimer. The NH2-terminal sequences up to 20 residues of these three isozymes confirmed that isozymes 1, 2, and 3 consisted of beta beta, alpha beta, and alpha alpha, respectively, based on our previous data (Nakai, C., Kagamiyama, H., Saeki, Y., and Nozaki, M. (1979) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 195, 12-22). Properties of these isozymes such as absorption spectrum, iron content, substrate specificity, and kinetic constants were similar to one another. Subunit exchange between the different isozymes and dissociation of the isozymes into subunits was not observed under nondenaturing conditions. Available evidence indicates that these isozymes exist naturally in the bacterium and were not due to artifacts caused by purification.     

Human CD8 beta, but not mouse CD8 beta, can be expressed in the absence of CD8 alpha as a beta beta homodimer

The T cell coreceptor CD8 exists on mature T cells as disulfide-linked homodimers of CD8 alpha polypeptide chains and heterodimers of CD8 alpha- and CD8 beta-chains. The function of the CD8 alpha-chain for binding to MHC class I and associating with the tyrosine kinase p56lck was demonstrated with CD8 alpha alpha homodimers. CD8 alpha beta functions as a better coreceptor, but the actual function of CD8 beta is less clear. Addressing this issue has been hampered by the apparent inability of CD8 beta to be expressed without CD8 alpha. This study demonstrates that human, but not mouse, CD8 beta can be expressed on the cell surface without CD8 alpha in both transfected COS-7 cells and murine lymphocytes. By creating chimeric proteins, we show that the murine Ig domain of CD8 beta is responsible for the lack of expression of murine CD8 beta beta dimers. In contrast to CD8 alpha alpha, CD8 beta beta is unable to bind MHC class I in a cell-cell adhesion assay. Detection of this form of CD8 should facilitate studies on the function of the CD8 beta-chain and indicates that caution should be used when interpreting studies on CD8 function using chimeric protein with the murine CD8 beta beta Ig domain. In addition, we demonstrate that the Ig domains of CD8 alpha are also involved in controlling the ability of CD8 to be expressed. Mutation of B- and F-strand cysteine residues in CD8 alpha reduced the ability of the protein to fold properly and, therefore, to be expressed.     

Responses mediated via beta 1, but not beta 2-adrenoceptors, exhibit hypothermia-induced supersensitivity

The beta-adrenoceptor-mediated responses of various isolated tissues from the guinea-pig were examined at bath temperatures of 38 and 30 degrees C. The positive inotropic responses to orciprenaline of paced left atria and papillary muscles were potentiated at the lower bath temperature, as indicated by a significant shift of the dose-response curve to the left. A similar hypothermia-induced supersensitivity was observed for the positive chronotropic response of right atria. The beta-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of coaxially stimulated ileum in response to orciprenaline also exhibited supersensitivity at 30 degrees C. In contrast, the relaxation of lung strips was not altered at the lower bath temperature. The relaxant responses of potassium-contracted uterine strips from untreated guinea-pigs or progesterone-dominated guinea-pigs and rats also failed to reveal any hypothermia-induced supersensitivity. The responses of lung and uterine strips are mediated via beta-adrenoceptors of the beta 2-type, whereas they are of the beta 1-type in the cardiac preparations and ileum. Therefore, these results suggest that hypothermia-induced supersensitivity occurs only at the beta 1-adrenoceptors, indicating a fundamental temperature-dependent difference between the two receptor types.     

Circulating integrins: alpha 5 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 4 and Mac-1, but not alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 4 beta 1 or LFA-1.

The alpha 5 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 4 and Mac-1 integrins all participate in the endocytotic cycle. By contrast, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 4 beta 1 and LFA-1 do so much more slowly, or not at all, in the cell lines examined. This indicates that the alpha-chains appear to determine whether an integrin cycles or not, and that alpha 5 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 4 and Mac-1 can be brought to the leading edge of a moving cell by endocytosis and recycling.     

Cytoplasmic tails of beta 1, beta 2, and beta 7 integrins differentially regulate LFA-1 function in K562 cells.

The beta 2 integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) mediates activation-dependent adhesion of lymphocytes. To investigate whether lymphocyte-specific elements are essential for LFA-1 function, we expressed LFA-1 in the erythroleukemic cell line K562, which expresses only the integrin very late antigen 5. We observed that LFA-1-expressing K562 cannot bind to intercellular adhesion molecule 1-coated surfaces when stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), whereas the LFA-1-activating antibody KIM185 markedly enhanced adhesion. Because the endogenously expressed beta 1 integrin very late antigen 5 is readily activated by PMA, we investigated the role of the cytoplasmic domain of distinct beta subunits in regulating LFA-1 function. Transfection of chimeric LFA-1 receptors in K562 cells reveals that replacement of the beta 2 cytoplasmic tail with the beta 1 but not the beta 7 cytoplasmic tail completely restores PMA responsiveness of LFA-1, whereas a beta 2 cytoplasmic deletion mutant of LFA-1 is constitutively active. Both deletion of the beta 2 cytoplasmic tail or replacement by the beta 1 cytoplasmic tail alters the localization of LFA-1 into clusters, thereby regulating LFA-1 activation and LFA-1-mediated adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule 1. These data demonstrate that distinct signaling routes activate beta 1 and beta 2 integrins through the beta-chain and hint at the involvement of lymphocyte-specific signal transduction elements in beta 2 and beta 7 integrin activation that are absent in the nonlymphocytic cell line K562.     

Selective binding of ligands to beta 1, beta 2 or chimeric beta 1/beta 2-adrenergic receptors involves multiple subsites.

The molecular basis of ligand binding selectivity to beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes was investigated by designing chimeric beta 1/beta 2-adrenergic receptors. These molecules consisted of a set of reciprocal constructions, obtained by the exchange between the wild-type receptor genes of one to three unmodified transmembrane regions, together with their extracellular flanking regions. Eight different chimeras were expressed in Escherichia coli and studied with selective beta-adrenergic ligands. The evaluation of the relative effect of each chimeric exchange on ligand binding affinity was based on the analysis of delta G values, calculated from the equilibrium binding constants, as a function of the number of substituted beta 2-adrenergic receptor transmembrane domains. The data showed that the contribution of each exchanged region to subtype selectivity varies with each ligand; moreover, while several regions are critical for the pharmacological selectivity of all ligands, others are involved in the selectivity of only some compounds. The selectivity displayed by beta-adrenergic compounds towards beta 1 or beta 2 receptor subtypes thus results from a particular combination of interactions between each ligand and each of the subsites, variably distributed over the seven transmembrane regions of the receptor; these subsites are presumably defined by the individual structural properties of the ligands.