Unsaturated fatty acids as endogenous inhibitors of tamoxifen binding to anti-oestrogen-binding sites.

It is known that triphenylethylene anti-oestrogens such as tamoxifen bind to specific high-affinity anti-oestrogen-binding sites, which are distinct from oestrogen receptors. These binding sites are widely distributed in human and animal tissues, but their function and endogenous ligands are unknown. By using [3H]tamoxifen and a rat liver microsomal fraction, a radio-ligand-binding assay was developed in an attempt to identify endogenous ligands for the anti-oestrogen-binding sites in the rat. An ether extract of rat serum inhibited [3H]tamoxifen binding to rat liver binding sites in a dose-dependent manner. Identification of the active serum constituents that inhibited [3H]tamoxifen binding was achieved by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry after preliminary purification of a rat serum extract by silica-gel t.l.c. Three unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and arachidonic) accounted for about 50% of the total inhibiting activity of the serum extract. The concentrations of these fatty acids required to inhibit [3H]tamoxifen binding were in the range of 10-100 microM, comparable with those found in the rat circulation under physiological conditions. Saturated fatty acids present in rat serum (palmitic and stearic) did not inhibit [3H]tamoxifen binding. A survey of other fatty acids revealed that, in general, unsaturated fatty acids were far more potent than saturated fatty acids in inhibiting [3H]tamoxifen binding. These studies demonstrate that unsaturated fatty acids are quantitatively the most important circulating inhibitors of [3H]tamoxifen binding to the anti-oestrogen-binding sites. The biological significance of their interaction with these sites, however, remains to be clarified.     

Interactions of sterols with antiestrogen-binding sites: structural requirements for high-affinity binding

Animal and human tissues contain a microsomal protein that binds nonsteroidal antiestrogens with high affinity and specificity. The functions of these binding sites and the identity of their natural ligands are unknown. Following a report that certain sterols inhibit [3H]tamoxifen binding to this site, we attempted to define the structural requirements for maximal inhibition of [3H]tamoxifen binding to rat liver antiestrogen-binding sites. Our studies identified 5 alpha-cholestan-3 beta-ol-7-one (7-ketocholestanol) as the most potent sterol, having an inhibitory activity that was 12% that of unlabeled tamoxifen and an equilibrium dissociation constant of 6.3 nM. Structural features that appeared important for the inhibitory activity of this sterol include the presence of i) a hydrocarbon side chain at C17; ii) an oxygen function at C7; iii) a hydroxyl group at C3; and iv) the absence of a double-bond between C5 and C6. Saturation analysis and kinetic studies of [3H]tamoxifen binding in the presence of varying concentrations of 7-ketocholestanol clearly indicated that this sterol competed directly with tamoxifen for the antiestrogen-binding site. Unlike tamoxifen, this sterol did not bind to the estrogen receptor. These features make 7-ketocholestanol a potentially valuable tool for studying the properties and functions of this site.     

Cytostatic effect of antiestrogens in lymphoid cells: relationship to high affinity antiestrogen-binding sites and cholesterol

The antiproliferative effect of 10(-6) M antiestrogens in an estrogen receptor-negative lymphoid cell line (K36) was enhanced in lipoprotein-poor growth medium. The enhancement was not due to increased bioavailability because cellular uptake of [3H]tamoxifen was not increased and the lipoprotein fraction of serum had negligible [3H]tamoxifen-binding capacity. Cholesterol and lipoproteins, but not mevalonate, reversed the cytostatic effect of antiestrogens. Reversal by cholesterol was dose-related (10(-7) M to 10(-5) M), while that by lipoproteins could also be demonstrated in medium undepleted of lipoproteins. The cytostatic efficacy of a series of ten compounds correlated well with their relative binding affinities for solubilized antiestrogen-binding sites from K36 cells when log IC50 values (concentration required to reduce [3H]thymidine incorporation by 50%) were plotted against log RBA50 values (concentration required to reduce [3H]tamoxifen binding by 50%) (correlation coefficient 0.94). Transmission electron microscopy of antiestrogen-treated cells showed evidence of disordered cytokinesis which was partially reversed by cholesterol. These observations implicate the antiestrogen-binding protein in the antiproliferative effect of antiestrogens in nonestrogen target cells.     

Microsomal binding sites for antioestrogens in rat liver. Properties and detergent solubilization.

The properties of an antioestrogen binding site (AEBS), which has high affinity and specificity for nonsteroidal antioestrogens and structurally related compounds, have been studied in rat liver microsomes. When subcellular organelles were separated on Percoll density gradients the distribution of the AEBS paralleled that of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, indicating that the AEBS is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. Saturation analysis showed that [3H]tamoxifen was bound to a single class of saturable binding sites in liver microsomes with a KD of 0.9 +/- 0.1 nM at 0 degrees C. The equilibrium KD was not significantly different at 22 degrees C. The KD calculated from the association and dissociation rate constants for [3H]tamoxifen binding at 0 degrees C and 22 degrees C was compatible with the KD measured at equilibrium. Ligand specificity studies using tamoxifen analogues showed qualitatively similar structure-affinity relationships for the AEBS from both rat liver and the MCF 7 breast cancer cell line. In general structural modifications caused correspondingly greater changes in affinity for rat liver AEBS than for MCF 7 AEBS. The AEBS was solubilized from microsomal membranes with sodium cholate. This was the only detergent of nine tested that solubilized the site in high yield without loss of activity. Solubilization using cholate was more effective in the presence of 1 M-NaCl. In the solubilized state there was an apparent loss of [3H]tamoxifen binding activity which could be restored by dilution of the detergent. Gel filtration indicated an Mr of 440,000-490,000 for the AEBS-cholate complex. These studies demonstrate that rat liver contains high concentrations of a microsomal AEBS which has similar properties and specificity to the AEBS previously described in human breast cancer cells. This site can be solubilized by sodium cholate to supply material suitable for further purification.     

Antiestrogen binding sites in rat liver nuclei

Isolated, intact rat liver nuclei have high-affinity (Kd = 10(-9) M) binding sites that are highly specific for nonsteroidal antiestrogens, especially for compounds of the triphenylethylene series. Nuclear [3H]tamoxifen binding capacity is thermolabile, being most stable at 4 degrees C and rapidly lost at 37 degrees C. More [3H]tamoxifen, however, is specifically bound at incubation temperatures of 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C although prewarming nuclei has no effect, suggesting exchange of [3H]tamoxifen for an unidentified endogeneous ligand. Nuclear antiestrogen binding sites are destroyed by trypsin but not by deoxyribonuclease I or ribonuclease A. The nuclear antiestrogen binding protein is not solubilized by 0.6 M potassium chloride, 2 M sodium chloride, 0.6 M sodium thiocyanate, 3 M urea, 20 mM pyridoxal phosphate, 1% (w/v) digitonin or 2% (w/v) sodium cholate but is extractable by sonication, indicating that it is tightly bound within the nucleus. Rat liver nuclear matrix contains high-affinity (Kd = 10(-9) M) [3H]tamoxifen binding sites present in 5-fold higher concentrations (4.18 pmol/mg DNA) than in intact nuclei (0.78 +/- 0.10 (S.D.) pmol/mg DNA). Low-speed rat liver cytosol (20 000 X g, 30 min) contains high-capacity (955 +/- 405 (S.D.) fmol/mg protein), low-affinity (Kd = 10.9 +/- 4.5 (S.D.) nM) antiestrogen binding sites. In contrast, high-speed cytosol (100 000 X g, 60 min) contains low-capacity (46 +/- 15 (S.D.) fmol/mg protein), high-affinity (Kd = 0.61 +/- 0.20 (S.D.) nM) binding sites. Low-affinity cytosolic sites constitute more than 90% of total liver binding sites, high-affinity cytosolic sites 0.3%-3.2%, and nuclear sites less than 0.5% of total sites.     

Depression of cytochrome P-450 and alterations of protein metabolism in mice treated with the interferon inducer polyriboinosinic acid X polyribocytidylic acid

Treatment of mice with the interferon inducer polyriboinosinic acid X polyribocytidylic acid [poly(IC)] results in the depression of several hepatic proteins. In this study we examined synthesis and degradation of the proteins of liver cell organelles in mice treated with poly(IC). Effects on synthesis were determined by using [14C]- and L-[3H]leucine incorporation into control and poly(IC)-treated mice, respectively. At selected times after poly(IC) treatment the 3H/14C ratio was established for preparations of nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and 105,000g supernatant (cytosol). Time-dependent alterations in de novo protein synthesis were greatest in lysosomal and rough endoplasmic reticular fractions; both were depressed 9 h after treatment. The effects of poly(IC) on protein degradation were determined with [14C]bicarbonate. Poly(IC) treatment decreased the time required for disappearance of 50% of 14C-labeled protein (t1/2) of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticula. Examination of endoplasmic reticulum marker enzymes showed depression of cytochromes P-450 and b5 from 9 h onward after poly(IC) administration. Tyrosine aminotransferase activity was elevated 6 h after treatment with poly(IC), and then depressed after 9 h. The other organelle marker enzymes were not affected significantly. We conclude that poly(IC) decreases the content of proteins of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum, including certain cytochrome P-450 isozymes, by decreasing rates of protein synthesis and increasing rates of protein degradation.     

beta-Oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by rat liver peroxisomes. A role for 2,4-dienoyl-coenzyme A reductase in peroxisomal beta-oxidation

beta-Oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids was studied with isolated solubilized or nonsolubilized peroxisomes or with perfused liver isolated from rats treated with clofibrate. gamma-Linolenic acid gave the higher rate of beta-oxidation, while arachidonic acid gave the slower rate of beta-oxidation. Other polyunsaturated fatty acids (including docosahexaenoic acid) were oxidized at rates which were similar to, or higher than, that observed with oleic acid. Experiments with 1-14C-labeled polyunsaturated fatty acids demonstrated that these are chain-shortened when incubated with nonsolubilized peroxisomes. Spectrophotometric investigation of solubilized peroxisomal incubations showed that 2,4-dienoyl-CoA esters accumulated during peroxisomal beta-oxidation of fatty acids possessing double bond(s) at even-numbered carbon atoms. beta-Oxidation of [1-14C]docosahexaenoic acid by isolated peroxisomes was markedly stimulated by added NADPH or isocitrate. This fatty acid also failed to cause acyl-CoA-dependent NADH generation with conditions of assay which facilitate this using other acyl-CoA esters. These findings suggest that 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase participation is essential during peroxisomal beta-oxidation if chain shortening is to proceed beyond a delta 4 double bond. Evidence obtained using arachidionoyl-CoA, [1-14C]arachidonic acid, and [5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15-3H]arachidonic acid suggests that peroxisomal beta-oxidation also can proceed beyond a double bond positioned at an odd-numbered carbon atom. Experiments with isolated perfused livers showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids also in the intact liver are substrates for peroxisomal beta-oxidation, as judged by increased levels of the catalase-H2O2 complex on infusion of polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Binding of rat liver and hepatoma polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. Biological or an artifact?

Exposed thiol groups do not appear to be related to the binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. Treating stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum with GSSG did not diminish binding of polyribosomes, suggesting that binding in vitro has no correlation with the inhibition of protein synthesis in vitro reported by Kosower et al. (1971). Thiol reagents, which are known to dissociate ribosomes, did not significantly decrease binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum. Denaturing the protein of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes or stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum of liver or hepatoma with heat, trichloroacetic acid, or HClO(4) did not alter the binding in vitro. Therefore, the practice of measuring the binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro (Shires et al., 1971b) is an unsuitable indicator of biological significance in the intact cell.     

Antiestrogen binding sites in rat liver nuclei

Isolated, intact rat liver nuclei have high-affiity (K_d=10⁻⁹ M) binding sites that are highly specific for nonsteroidal antiestrogens, especially for compounds of the triphenylethylene series. Nuclear [³H]tamoxifen binding capacity is thermolabile, being most stable at 4°C and rapidly lost at 37°C. More [³H]tamoxifen, however, is specifically bound at incubation temperatures of 25°C and 37°C than at 4°C although prewarming nuclei has no effect, suggesting exchange of [³H]tamoxifen for an unidentified endogenous ligand. Nuclear antiestrogen binding sites are destroyed by trypsin but not by deoxyribonuclease I or ribonuclease A. The nuclear antiestrogen binding protein is not solubilized by 0.6 M potassium chloride, 2 M sodium chloride, 0.6 M sodium thiocyanate, 3 M urea, 20 mM pyridoxal phosphate, 1% (w/v) digitonin or 2% (w/v) sodium cholate but is extractable by sonication, indicating that it is tightly bound within the nucleus. Rat liver nuclear matrix contains high-affinity (K_d=10⁻⁹ M) [³H]tamoxifen binding sites present in 5-fold higher concentrations (4.18 pmol/mg DNA) than in intact nuclei (0.78±0.10 (S.D.) pmol/mg DNA). Low-speed rat liver cytosol (20 000×g, 30 min) contains high-capacity (955±405 (S.D.) fmol/mg protein), low-affinity (K_d=10.9±4.5 (S.D.) nM) antiestrogen binding sites. In contrast, high-speed cytosol (100 000×g, 60 min) contains low-capacity (46±15 (S.D.) fmol/mg protein), high-affinity (K_d=0.61± 0.20 (S.D.) nM) binding sites. Low-affinity cytosolic sites constitute more than 90% of total liver binding sites, high-affinity cytosolic sites 0.3%–3.2%, and nuclear sites less than 0.5% of total sites.     

Sterol carrier protein-2 localization in endoplasmic reticulum and role in phospholipid formation

Although sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2; also called nonspecific lipid transfer protein) binds fatty acids and fatty acyl-CoAs, its role in fatty acid metabolism is not fully understood. L-cell fibroblasts stably expressing SCP-2 were used to resolve the relationship between SCP-2 intracellular location and fatty acid transacylation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Indirect immunofluorescence double labeling and laser scanning confocal microscopy detected SCP-2 in peroxisomes > endoplasmic reticulum > mitochondria > lysosomes. SCP-2 enhanced incorporation of exogenous [(3)H]oleic acid into phospholipids and triacylglycerols of overexpressing cells 1.6- and 2.5-fold, respectively, stimulated microsomal incorporation of [1-(14)C]oleoyl-CoA into phosphatidic acid in vitro 13-fold, and exhibited higher specificity for unsaturated versus saturated fatty acyl-CoA. SCP-2 enhanced the rate-limiting step in microsomal phosphatidic acid biosynthesis mediated by glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. SCP-2 also enhanced microsomal acyl-chain remodeling of phosphatidylethanolamine up to fivefold and phosphatidylserine twofold, depending on the specific fatty acyl-CoA, but had no effect on other phospholipid classes. In summary, these results were consistent with a role for SCP-2 in phospholipid synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Gonadotropin and prostaglandins binding sites in rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi fractions of bovine corpora lutea.

Highly purified rough endoplasmic reticulum and three subfractions of golgi were prepared from 105,000g pellet of the homogenate by centrifugation in floatation and sedimentation discontinuous sucrose gradients. Highly purified plasma membranes were also prepared from 9,000g pellet of the same homogenates for assessment under the same experimental conditions. Although 5′-nucleotidase, a marker for plasma membranes, was markedly enriched in plasma membranes, very little or none of this enzyme activity was found in other fractions. Very little or no NADH cytochrome c reductase activity, a marker for rough endoplasmic reticulum, was found in fractions other than rough endoplasmic reticulum. Galactosyl transferase, a marker for golgi, was found and enriched in all the fractions; however, enrichment in golgi fractions was higher than in other fractions. Very little or no lysosomal marker activity, i.e., acid phosphatase, was found in rough endoplasmic reticulum or golgi fractions as compared to lysosomes. These marker enzyme data suggested that rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi fractions were relatively pure with little or no cross contamination with other organelles. The [¹²⁵I]human choriogonadotropin ([¹²⁵I]hCG), [³H]prostaglandin (PG)E₁, and [³H]PGF_2a specifically bound to rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi fractions in addition to plasma membranes. The enrichments of binding in the former two fractions, in some cases, were as high as plasma membranes itself. The specific binding of some of the ligands was found to be partially latent in rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi fractions but not in plasma membranes. Marker enzyme data, ratio between bindings and marker enzyme activities (an index of organelle contamination), and partial latency of binding suggest that rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi fractions intrinsically contain gonadotropin and PGs binding sites.     

PRODUCTION OF MEMBRANE WHORLS IN RAT LIVER BY SOME INHIBITORS OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

Inhibitors of protein synthesis capable of differential effects on nascent peptide synthesis on membrane-bound and free polyribosomes were employed to investigate the structure and function of cellular membranes of liver. The formation of membranous whorls in the cytoplasm and distension of nuclear membranes were induced by inhibitors of protein synthesis (i.e., cycloheximide and emetine) which predominantly interfere with nascent peptide synthesis on membrane-bound polyribosomes in situ. Other inhibitors of protein synthesis such as puromycin and fusidic acid, which inhibit nascent peptide synthesis on both free and membrane-bound polyribosomes, and chloramphenicol, which inhibits mitochondrial protein synthesis, did not induce these alterations. Cycloheximide, puromycin, and chloramphenicol produce some common cellular lesions as reflected by similar alterations in morphology, such as swelling of mitochondria, degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and aggregation of free ribosomes. The process of whorl formation in the cytoplasm, the incorporation of [³H]leucine and of [³H]choline into endoplasmic reticulum and the total NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity of the endoplasmic reticulum were determined. During maximum formation of membranous whorls, [³H]leucine incorporation into cytoplasmic membranes was inhibited, while [³H]choline incorporation into these structures was increased; maximum inhibition of protein synthesis and stimulation of choline incorporation into endoplasmic reticulum, however, preceded whorl formation. Cycloheximide decreased the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase of rough endoplasmic reticulum, but increased NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, cycloheximide decreased the content of hemoprotein in both the microsomal and mitochondrial fractions of rat liver, and the activities of mixed function oxidase and of oxidative phosphorylation were impaired to different degrees. Succinate-stimulated microsomal oxidation was also inhibited. The possible mechanisms involved in the formation of membranous whorls, as well as their functions, are discussed.     

The secretion of collagen by insects: uptake of [3H]proline by collagen-synthesizing cells in Locusta migratoria and Galleria mellonella.

The uptake of [H3]proline by collagen-secreting cells of the locust, Locusta migratoria, and wax-moth, Galleria mellonella, has been investigated by electron autoradiography. The locust cells are around the ejaculatory duct and they secrete collagen in the young adult male, while the wax-moth cells are those which produce the dorsal mass of connective tissue on the abdominal nerve cord during the late pupal stage. The cells were exposed to [H3]proline either by injection of the [3H]proline into the insect, or as a pulse while the tissue was maintained in a culture medium. The tissues were fixed at differeing experimental times after exposure to the [3H]proline. The resulting electron autoradiographs were subjected to quantitative analysis, and the silver grain distribution was determined as the relative number of grains per unit area over a series of tissue compartments. When the results of this analysis for the matrix, rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes of the two tissues were plotted against experimental time, it was seen that the relative number of grains per unit area over the rough endoplasmic reticulum decreases while that over the matrix increases; statistical analysis has shown that these changes are significant. For the Golgi complexes, however, the theoretical variances are much greater, due to the small relative area occupied by this organelle. There is little evidence for anything other than random sampling fluctuations in the relative numbers of grains per unit area, and hence it is unlikely that the time course of the label over the Golgi complexes follows that over the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The conclusions drawn from these experiments are firstly that a large portion of the labelled protein passes straight from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the matrix, but that a smaller portion of the labelled material might pass from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complexes and thence to the matrix. It is assumed that collagen comprises most of the protein which passes straight from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the matrix, and while there is no evidence to exclude collagen from the material passing through the Golgi complexes, it is probable that other proteins and glycosaminoglycans are also present in this labelled material. These conclusions about the intracellular pathway for collagen secretion are similar to those derived from recent studies of some vertebrate fibroblasts. There is, however, conflicting opinion about the intracellular pathway of collagen and it is pointed out that there is diversity in collagen-synthesizing cells, which may account for the differences in the intracellular pathways for collagen secretion which have been proposed.     

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.     

Saturated fatty acids induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis independently of ceramide in liver cells

Accumulation of lipids in nonadipose tissues can lead to cell dysfunction and cell death, a phenomenon known as lipotoxicity. However, the signaling pathways and mechanisms linking lipid accumulation to cell death are poorly understood. The present study examined the hypothesis that saturated fatty acids disrupt endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis and promote apoptosis in liver cells via accumulation of ceramide. H4IIE liver cells were exposed to varying concentrations of saturated (palmitate or stearate) or unsaturated (oleate or linoleate) fatty acids. ER homeostasis was monitored using markers of the ER stress response pathway, including phosphorylation of IRE1alpha and eIF2alpha, splicing of XBP1 mRNA, and expression of molecular chaperone (e.g., GRP78) and proapoptotic (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein) genes. Apoptosis was monitored using caspase activity and DNA laddering. Palmitate and stearate induced ER stress, caspase activity, and DNA laddering. Inhibition of caspase activation prevented DNA laddering. Unsaturated fatty acids did not induce ER stress or apoptosis. Saturated fatty acids increased ceramide concentration; however, inhibition of de novo ceramide synthesis did not prevent saturated fatty acid-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Unsaturated fatty acids rescued palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis. These data demonstrate that saturated fatty acids disrupt ER homeostasis and induce apoptosis in liver cells via mechanisms that do not involve ceramide accumulation.     

Biogenesis of very-low-density lipoproteins in rat liver. Intracellular distribution of apolipoprotein B

The hepatic subcellular distribution of apolipoprotein B (apo B) was studied quantitatively by using an enzyme immunoassay developed for apo B and by immunoadsorption-precipitation of [3H]leucine-labelled apo B. Over 50% (of 0.59 microgram/mg protein) of the apo B was located in the microsomal fraction. Further subfractionation of the microsomes revealed that 47% of the microsomal apo B was in the Golgi apparatus, while another 43% was associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum accounted for only 4% of the total. When rat livers were labelled with [3H]leucine for 10 min, the rough endoplasmic reticulum accounted for 80% of the total immunoadsorbed precipitable apo B radioactivity while the smooth accounted for 20%, with no contribution from the Golgi. However, only 8.7% of the total radioactive immunoadsorbed precipitable apo B was lipoprotein-associated, the remainder being membrane-bound. Lipoprotein-associated apo B radioactivity in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum accounted for 40%, with the rough contribution attributed at 50% and the Golgi at 9%. We concluded that (a) there are two major pools of apo B in rat liver microsomes; (b) although the apo B mass may be negligible in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, the latter does play a role in lipoprotein biogenesis. The possible function of apo B associated with membranes of the microsomes is also discussed.     

Solubilized auxin-binding protein

Discontinuous sucrose gradient fractionations indicate that the high-affinity auxin binding protein which can be solubilized from the microsomes of coleoptiles and primary leaves of Zea mays L. seedlings is probably located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Since aromatic hydroxylations are enzymatic activities typical of the ER of plant cells, we have examined the effects of several electron-transport inhibitors on the binding of 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA). NaN₃ strongly inhibits this binding, but KCN and CO do not. Trans-cinnamic acid and trans-p-coumaric acid, which are the substrates of ER hydroxylase activities in plants (but which are themselves not auxins), also inhibit this binding. Supernatant fractions from corn shoots contain factors inhibitory to the binding of NAA to the intact membranes and solubilized Site I auxin-binding protein. Here we show that these factors are competitive inhibitors of the binding of [¹⁴C]NAA but do not change the apparent affinity of the protein for indoleacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or naphthoxyacetic acid. Several tissues were assayed for factors inhibitory to auxin binding to the solubilized protein, but only supernants from corn shoots were markedly inhibitory at low concentrations.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - ER endoplasmic reticulum - IAA 3-indolylacetic acid - nKP n x 100 x g pellet - NAA 1-naphthylacetic acid C.I.W.-D.P.B. Publication No. 656     

Nuclease sensitivity of estradiol-charged estrogen receptor binding sites in nuclei isolated from normal and neoplastic rat mammary tissues

The interaction of partially purified calf uterine estradiol-charged estrogen receptor ([3H]ER) with rat nuclei was studied in vitro. We previously observed a significantly greater number of [3H]ER binding sites (at saturation) in nuclei of R3230AC mammary tumors from intact vs ovariectomized (ovex) rats with no difference in the affinity of [3H]ER binding for these nuclei. We now report on the nuclease sensitivity of [3H]ER binding sites in nuclei from these tumors and from normal rat tissues. Digestion of tumor nuclei with deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) prior to incubation with [3H]ER in vitro resulted in a progressive loss of [3H]ER binding capacity, which was not accompanied by alterations in the affinity of [3H]ER for the nuclei (Kd = 1-3 nM). A significantly lower concentration (P less than 0.005) of DNase I eliminated 50% of the [3H]ER binding sites in nuclei of tumors from intact hosts (8 unit.min/ml) compared to tumors from ovex hosts (22 unit.min/ml). These results indicate that DNA regions capable of binding ER are more susceptible to DNase I digestion in tumors from intact rats than those from ovex hosts, suggesting that the endogenous hormonal milieu is responsible, at least in part, for maintenance of nuclease-sensitive DNA conformations in this hormone-responsive mammary tumor. The amount of DNase I required to eliminate 50% of [3H]ER binding to nuclei from lactating mammary gland, liver, and kidney ranged from 14 to 56 unit.min/ml. Therefore, accessibility of [3H]ER binding sites to nuclease digestion in normal rat tissue is generally less than that of R3230AC tumors.     

Fatty acid-acylated proteins in secretory mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Yeast secretory (sec) mutants that are blocked in the transport of secretory proteins and accumulate membrane organelles were used to study the biosynthesis of fatty acid-acylated proteins. Four proteins were labeled with [3H]palmitate in sec mutants accumulating endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Three of these (molecular weights approximately equal to 20,000, 50,000, and 120,000) were N-linked glycoproteins, based on their ability to be labeled with [3H]mannose and their sensitivity to endoglycosidase H. The fourth protein (molecular weight approximately equal to 30,000) also was labeled with [3H]mannose but was insensitive to endoglycosidase H; it appeared to contain O-linked sugars. In sec mutants accumulating Golgi membranes or post-Golgi vesicles, a 35-kilodalton protein was labeled with [3H]palmitate. Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus protease V8 digests and pulse-chase experiments indicated that the 30-kilodalton protein was a precursor of 35 kilodaltons. None of these proteins was labeled with [3H]palmitate in a sec mutant that blocked the penetration of nascent polypeptides into endoplasmic reticulum; thus, acylation occurred in endoplasmic reticulum. All four proteins could be recovered from fractions enriched for yeast membranes. Fatty acids were not released from proteins by boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate or extraction with organic solvents but were recovered as methyl esters after proteins were treated with KOH-methanol, a reaction characteristic of an acyl ester linkage.     

ATP- and coenzyme A-dependent fatty acid incorporation into proteins of cell-free extracts from mouse tissues

The incorporation of tritiated fatty acids into proteins has been studied in cell-free extracts from mouse tissues. Incubation of heart extracts with [3H]tetradecanoic or [3H]palmitic acid in the presence of ATP and CoA resulted in the time-dependent and selective labeling of proteins (Mr = 60,000, 47,000, 42,000, 31,000, 16,000, and 13,000) which could be detected after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Two polypeptides (Mr = 47,000 and 42,000) reached a maximum in fatty acid incorporation very rapidly and were mainly localized in the membrane subcellular fractions of the extract. These proteins underwent transient labeling with [3H] tetradecanoyl-CoA, the maximum incorporation being obtained within 1 min. The fatty acid-labeled proteins from tissue extracts had the same properties as other proteins known to be acylated in intact cells, i.e. the acyl moiety was resistant to delipidation with organic solvents but could be hydrolyzed by treatment with neutral hydroxylamine. Screening of different tissues showed that extracts from liver and kidney also catalyze the ATP- and CoA-dependent formation of a similar group of fatty acid-acylated proteins. The results provide evidence for a group of proteins in mammalian tissues which selectively incorporate fatty acids in vitro and should be of value for further studies on the biosynthesis of acylated proteins.