Modification of lactoferrin by peroxynitrite reduces its antibacterial activity and changes protein structure

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional protein that plays important physiological roles as one of the most concentrated proteins in many human and other mammalian fluids and tissues. In particular, LF provides antibacterial properties to human milk, saliva, and tear fluid. LF also protects against stress-induced lipid peroxidation at inflammation sites through its iron-binding ability. Previous studies have shown that LF can be efficiently nitrated via biologically relevant mediators such as peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), which are also present at high intracellular concentrations during inflammation and nitrosative stress. Here, we examine changes in antibacterial properties and structure of LF following ONOO⁻ treatment. The reaction induces nitration of tyrosine and tryptophan residues, which are commonly used as biomarker molecules for several diseases. Treatment with ONOO⁻ at a 10/1 M ratio of ONOO⁻ to tyrosine inhibited all antibacterial activity exhibited by native LF. Secondary structural changes in LF were assessed using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Nitration products with and without the addition of Fe³⁺ show significant reduction in alpha-helical properties, suggesting partial protein unfolding. Iron-binding capacity of LF was also reduced after treatment with ONOO⁻, suggesting a decreased ability of LF to protect against cellular damage. LC-MS/MS spectrometry was used to identify LF peptide fragments nitrated by ONOO⁻, including tyrosine residue Y92 located in the iron-binding region. These results suggest that posttranslational modification of LF by ONOO⁻ could be an important pathway to exacerbate infection, for example, in inflamed tissues and to reduce the ability of LF to act as an immune responder and decrease oxidative damage.     

DNA-binding activity of retinoblastoma protein is intrinsic to its carboxyl-terminal region

The retinoblastoma (RB) gene encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein with a molecular weight of 110,000 (pp110RB) associated with DNA-binding activity. This sequence-nonspecific DNA binding activity was further studied by Southwestern and DNA-cellulose chromatography using purified fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. Three fusion proteins, containing amino acids 612-775, 776-928, and 612-928 of pp110RB, bound to DNA; the binding affinity of the latter was approximately 20-fold higher than those of either smaller region. Other regions of pp110RB had no detectable binding activity, indicating that the carboxyl-terminal region of the RB protein is the major domain responsible for interacting with DNA. Since several potential phosphorylation sites reside within this region, isoforms of RB protein from cellular lysates with various degrees of phosphorylation were compared with respect to their DNA-binding affinity. The hyperphosphorylated form was eluted from DNA-cellulose columns at 0.1-0.3 M NaCl, whereas the hypophosphorylated form appeared in the eluates only at salt concentrations of 0.4-0.7 M, implying that phosphorylation of RB protein may affect its DNA-binding activity. That pp110RB can bind DNA intrinsically, and that this activity can be modulated by phosphorylation, is consistent with the proposed regulatory role of the RB protein in cell growth and differentiation.     

Human lactoferrin receptor activity in non-encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae

Since the ability of bacteria to compete with lactoferrin for iron contributes to the pathogenesis of mucosal infections, the presence of lactoferrin receptor activity in non-encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae was investigated. The growth of 18 H. influenzae isolates from the sputum samples of chronic bronchitis patients and of six of seven H. influenzae throat isolates from healthy adults was stimulated by iron saturated human lactoferrin. Apo-lactoferrin did not stimulate the growth of H. influenzae. Human lactoferrin binding to iron limited bacteria was detected for 16 H. influenzae strains from chronic bronchitis patients and for five of seven isolates from healthy adults. We conclude that the majority of H. influenzae isolates tested bind human lactoferrin and that the iron from lactoferrin is used for growth.     

Expression of bovine lactoferrin and lactoferrin N-lobe by recombinant baculovirus and its antimicrobial activity against Prototheca zopfii.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional, iron-binding glycoprotein found in secretory fluids of mammals. In this study, DNA encoding bovine lactoferrin (bLF) or the N-terminal half of bLF (bLF N-lobe) was inserted into a baculovirus transfer vector, and a recombinant virus expressing bLF or bLF N-lobe was isolated. An 80-kDa bLF-related protein expressed by the recombinant baculovirus was detected by monoclonal antibodies against bLF N-lobe and the C-terminal half of bLF (bLF C-lobe). A 43-kDa bLF N-lobe-related protein expressed by the recombinant baculovirus was detected by anti-bLF N-lobe monoclonal antibody, but not by anti-bLF C-lobe monoclonal antibody. These proteins were also secreted into the supernatant of insect cell cultures. Recombinant bLF (rbLF) and bLF N-lobe (rbLF N-lobe) were affected by tunicamycin treatment, indicating that rbLF and rbLF N-lobe contain an N-linked glycosylation site. Antimicrobial activity of these recombinant proteins against Prototheca zopfii (a yeast-like fungus that causes bovine mastitis) was evaluated by measuring the optical density of the culture microplate. Prototheca zopfii was sensitive to rbLF and rbLF N-lobe, as well as native bLF. There was no difference in antimicrobial activity between rbLF N-lobe and bLF C-lobe.     

Human lactoferrin binds and removes the hemoglobin receptor protein of the periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis possesses a hemoglobin receptor (HbR) protein on the cell surface as one of the major components of the hemoglobin utilization system in this periodontopathogenic bacterium. HbR is intragenically encoded by the genes of an arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (rgpA), lysine-specific cysteine proteinase (kgp), and a hemagglutinin (hagA). Here, we have demonstrated that human lactoferrin as well as hemoglobin have the abilities to bind purified HbR and the cell surface of P. gingivalis through HbR. The interaction of lactoferrin with HbR led to the release of HbR from the cell surface of P. gingivalis. This lactoferrin-mediated HbR release was inhibited by the cysteine proteinase inhibitors effective to the cysteine proteinases of P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis could not utilize lactoferrin for its growth as an iron source and, in contrast, lactoferrin inhibited the growth of the bacterium in a rich medium containing hemoglobin as the sole iron source. Lactoferricin B, a 25-amino acid-long peptide located at the N-lobe of bovine lactoferrin, caused the same effects on P. gingivalis cells as human lactoferrin, indicating that the effects of lactoferrin might be attributable to the lactoferricin region. These results suggest that lactoferrin has a bacteriostatic action on P. gingivalis by binding HbR, removing it from the cell surface, and consequently disrupting the iron uptake system from hemoglobin.     

Human cytomegalovirus UL97 kinase activity is required for the hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and inhibits the formation of nuclear aggresomes

Cells infected with human cytomegalovirus in the absence of UL97 kinase activity produce large nuclear aggregates that sequester considerable quantities of viral proteins. A transient expression assay suggested that pp71 and IE1 were also involved in this process, and this suggestion was significant, since both proteins have been reported to interact with components of promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies (ND10) and also interact functionally with retinoblastoma pocket proteins (RB). PML bodies have been linked to the formation of nuclear aggresomes, and colocalization studies suggested that viral proteins were recruited to these structures and that UL97 kinase activity inhibited their formation. Proteins associated with PML bodies were examined by Western blot analysis, and pUL97 appeared to specifically affect the phosphorylation of RB in a kinase-dependent manner. Three consensus RB binding motifs were identified in the UL97 kinase, and recombinant viruses were constructed in which each was mutated to assess a potential role in the phosphorylation of RB and the inhibition of nuclear aggresome formation. The mutation of either the conserved LxCxE RB binding motif or the lysine required for kinase activity impaired the ability of the virus to stabilize and phosphorylate RB. We concluded from these studies that both UL97 kinase activity and the LxCxE RB binding motif are required for the phosphorylation and stabilization of RB in infected cells and that this effect can be antagonized by the antiviral drug maribavir. These data also suggest a potential link between RB function and the formation of aggresomes.     

Specific enzymatic dephosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein.

The retinoblastoma gene product (RB) undergoes cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that the change in RB gel electrophoretic migration which occurs near mitosis is due to enzymatic dephosphorylation (J. W. Ludlow, J. Shon, J. M. Pipas, D. M. Livingston, and J. A. DeCaprio, Cell 60:387-396, 1990). To determine the precise timing of RB dephosphorylation and whether a specific phosphatase is active in this process, we have utilized a nocodazole block and release protocol which allows a large population of cells to progress synchronously through mitosis. In such experiments, RB dephosphorylation began during anaphase and continued until complete dephosphorylation was apparent in the ensuing G1 period. In addition, late mitotic cell extracts were capable of dephosphorylating RB in vitro. This RB-specific mitotic phosphatase activity was more active in anaphase extracts than in pro- or metaphase extracts, which is consistent with the results obtained in vivo. Okadaic acid and protein phosphatase inhibitors 1 and 2 inhibited this specific RB phosphatase activity. These results suggest a role for serine and threonine phosphoprotein phosphatase type 1 in the late mitotic dephosphorylation of RB.     

Transglutaminase 2 kinase activity facilitates protein kinase A-induced phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2, tissue transglutaminase) is a multifunctional protein involved in cross-linking a variety of proteins, including retinoblastoma protein (Rb). Here we show that Rb is also a substrate for the recently identified serine/threonine kinase activity of TG2 and that TG2 phosphorylates Rb at the critically important Ser780 residue. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Rb by TG2 destabilizes the Rb.E2F1 complex. TG2 phosphorylation of Rb was abrogated by high Ca2+ concentrations, whereas TG2 transamidating activity was inhibited by ATP. TG2 was itself phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA). Phosphorylation of TG2 by PKA attenuated its transamidating activity and enhanced its kinase activity. Activation of PKA in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) with dibutyryl-cAMP enhanced phosphorylation of both TG2 and Rb by a process that was inhibited by the PKA inhibitor H89. Treatment with dibutyryl-cAMP enhanced Rb phosphorylation in MEFtg2+/+ cells but not in MEFtg2-/- cells. These data indicate that Rb is a substrate for TG2 kinase activity and suggest that phosphorylation of Rb, which results from activation of PKA in fibroblasts, is indirect and requires TG2 kinase activity.     

The retinoblastoma protein and the regulation of cell cycling.

Increasing attention has been focused on how the retinoblastoma (RB) protein regulates cell growth. Recent evidence indicates that it is a substrate for phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase-cyclin complexes and suggests that this phosphorylation modulates the ability of this protein to regulate transit through the cell cycle, perhaps in its G1 phase.     

Human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein inhibits DNA binding by the retinoblastoma gene product.

The human papillomavirus E7 gene can transform murine fibroblasts and cooperate with other viral oncogenes in transforming primary cell cultures. One biochemical property associated with the E7 protein is binding to the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene product (pRB). Biochemical properties associated with pRB include binding to viral transforming proteins (E1A, large T, and E7), binding to cellular proteins (E2F and Myc), and binding to DNA. The mechanism by which E7 stimulates cell growth is uncertain. However, E7 binding to pRB inhibits binding of cellular proteins to pRB and appears to block the growth-suppressive activity of pRB. We have found that E7 also inhibits binding of pRB to DNA. A 60-kDa version of pRB (pRB60) produced in reticulocyte translation reactions or in bacteria bound quantitatively to DNA-cellulose. Recombinant E7 protein used at a 1:1 or 10:1 molar ratio with pRB60 blocked 50 or greater than 95% of pRB60 DNA-binding activity, respectively. A mutant E7 protein (E7-Ala-24) with reduced pRB60-binding activity exhibited a parallel reduction in its blocking of pRB60 binding to DNA. An E7(20-29) peptide that blocks binding of E7 protein to pRB60 restored the DNA-binding activity of pRB60 in the presence of E7. Peptide E7(2-32) did not block pRB60 binding to DNA, while peptide E7(20-57) and an E7 fragment containing residues 1 to 60 partially blocked DNA binding. E7 species containing residues 3 to 75 were fully effective at blocking pRB60 binding to DNA. These studies indicate that E7 protein specifically blocks pRB60 binding to DNA and suggest that the E7 region responsible for this property lies between residues 32 and 75. The functional significance of these observations is unclear. However, we have found that a point mutation in pRB60 that impairs DNA-binding activity also blocks the ability of pRB60 to inhibit cell growth. This correlation suggests that the DNA-binding activity of retinoblastoma proteins contributes to their biological properties.     

Deregulated MAPK activity prevents adipocyte differentiation of fibroblasts lacking the retinoblastoma protein

A functional retinoblastoma protein (pRB) is required for adipose conversion of preadipocyte cell lines and primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) in response to treatment with standard adipogenic inducers. Interestingly, lack of functional pRB in MEFs was recently linked to elevated Ras activity. Ras-dependent signaling plays a significant, although incompletely understood, role in adipocyte differentiation, because activated Ras has been reported to either promote or inhibit adipogenesis depending on the cellular context. In various cell types activation of Ras leads to activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt, which exert opposing effects on adipogenesis, with ERK1/2 inhibiting and PKB/Akt promoting terminal differentiation. Here we report that the levels of activated ERK1/2 and PKB/Akt are significantly increased in pRB-deficient MEFs both before and after the addition of adipogenic inducers. Consistently, we detected higher levels of activated Ras in MEFs lacking pRB. Suppression of ERK1/2 activation by the MEK inhibitor UO126 restored the ability of pRB-deficient MEFs to undergo adipocyte differentiation, as manifested by expression of adipocyte marker genes and lipid accumulation. Furthermore and reflecting the elevated levels of activated PKB/Akt in the pRB-deficient MEFs, differentiation proceeded in an insulin-independent manner. In conclusion, we suggest that pRB plays a pivotal role in adipogenesis by suppressing MAPK activity.     

Preimplantation-embryo-specific cell cycle regulation is attributed to the low expression level of retinoblastoma protein

Biosynthesis of heme A, a prosthetic group of cytochrome oxidase (COX), involves an initial farnesylation of heme B. The heme O product formed in this reaction is modified by hydroxylation of the methyl group at carbon C-8 of the porphyrin ring. This reaction was proposed to be catalyzed by Cox15p, ferredoxin, and ferredoxin reductase. Oxidation of the alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde yields heme A. In the present study we have assayed heme A and heme O in yeast COX mutants. The steady state concentrations of the two hemes in the different strains studied indicate that hydroxylation of heme O, catalyzed by Cox15p, is regulated either by a subunit or assembly intermediate of COX. The heme profiles of the mutants also suggest positive regulation of heme B farnesylation by the hydroxylated intermediate formed at the subsequent step or by Cox15p itself.