Disulfide bonds are critical for tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase function revealed by analysis of mutant proteins bearing a C-Y or C-S substitution associated with severe hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare genetic disease characterized by reduced serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and failure in bone and tooth mineralization, is caused by mutations in tissue-nonspecific ALP (TNSALP) gene. Two missense mutations (C201Y and C489S, standardized nomenclature) of TNSALP, involved in intra-chain disulfide bonds, were reported in patients diagnosed with perinatal HPP (Taillandier A. et al. Hum. Mutat. 13 (1999) 171-172, Hum. Mutat. 15 (2000) 293). To investigate the role of the disulfide bond in TNSALP, we expressed TNSALP (C201Y) and TNSALP (C489S) in COS-1 cells transiently. Compared with the wild-type enzyme [TNSALP (W)], both the TNSALP mutants exhibited a diminished ALP activity in the cells, where a 66 kDa immature form was predominant with a marginal amount of a 80 kDa mature form of TNSALP. Detailed studies on Tet-On CHO established cell line expressing TNSALP (W) or TNSALP (C201Y) showed that the 66 kDa form of TNSALP (C201Y) exists as a monomer in contrast to a dimer of TNSALP (W). Only a small fraction of the TNSALP (C201Y) reached cell surface as the 80 kDa mature form, though most of the 66 kDa form was found to be endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H sensitive and rapidly degraded in proteasome following polyubiquitination. Collectively, these results indicate not only that the intra-subunit disulfide bonds are crucial for TNSALP to properly fold and assemble into the dimeric enzyme, but also that the development of HPP associated with TNSALP (C201Y) or TNSALP (C489S) is attributed to decreased cell surface appearance of the functional enzyme.     

Aberrant interchain disulfide bridge of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase with an Arg433-->Cys substitution associated with severe hypophosphatasia

Various mutations in the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene are responsible for hypophosphatasia characterized by defective bone and tooth mineralization; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely to be elucidated. Substitution of an arginine at position 433 with a histidine [TNSALP(R433H)] or a cysteine [TNSALP(R433C)] was reported in patients diagnosed with the mild or severe form of hypophosphatasia, respectively. To define the molecular phenotype of the two TNSALP mutants, we sought to examine them in transient (COS-1) and conditional (CHO-K1 Tet-On) heterologous expression systems. In contrast to an 80 kDa mature form of the wild-type and TNSALP(R433H), a unique disulfide-bonded 160 kDa molecular species appeared on the cell surface of the cells expressing TNSALP(R433C). Sucrose density gradient centrifugation demonstrated that TNSALP(R433C) forms a disulfide-bonded dimer, instead of being noncovalently assembled like the wild-type. Of the five cysteine residues per subunit of the wild-type, only Cys102 is thought to be present in a free form. Replacement of Cys102 with serine did not affect the dimerization state of TNSALP(R433C), implying that TNSALP(R433C) forms a disulfide bridge between the cysteine residues at position 433 on each subunit. Although the cross-linking did not significantly interfere with the intracellular transport and cell surface expression of TNSALP(R433C), it strongly inhibited its alkaline phosphatase activity. This is in contrast to TNSALP(R433H), which shows enzyme activity comparable to that of the wild-type. Importantly, addition of dithiothreitol to the culture medium was found to partially reduce the amount of the cross-linked form in the cells expressing TNSALP(R433C), concomitantly with a significant increase in enzyme activity, suggesting that the cross-link between two subunits distorts the overall structure of the enzyme such that it no longer efficiently carries out its catalytic function. Increased susceptibility to proteases confirmed a gross conformational change of TNSALP(R433C) compared with the wild-type. Thus, loss of function resulting from the interchain disulfide bridge is the molecular basis for the lethal hypophosphatasia associated with TNSALP(R433C).     

Molecular basis of perinatal hypophosphatasia with tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase bearing a conservative replacement of valine by alanine at position 406. Structural importance of the crown domain

Hypophosphatasia, a congenital metabolic disease related to the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene (TNSALP), is characterized by reduced serum alkaline phosphatase levels and defective mineralization of hard tissues. A replacement of valine with alanine at position 406, located in the crown domain of TNSALP, was reported in a perinatal form of hypophosphatasia. To understand the molecular defect of the TNSALP (V406A) molecule, we examined this missense mutant protein in transiently transfected COS-1 cells and in stable CHO-K1 Tet-On cells. Compared with the wild-type enzyme, the mutant protein showed a markedly reduced alkaline phosphatase activity. This was not the result of defective transport and resultant degradation of TNSALP (V406A) in the endoplasmic reticulum, as the majority of newly synthesized TNSALP (V406A) was conveyed to the Golgi apparatus and incorporated into a cold detergent insoluble fraction (raft) at a rate similar to that of the wild-type TNSALP. TNSALP (V406A) consisted of a dimer, as judged by sucrose gradient centrifugation, suggestive of its proper folding and correct assembly, although this mutant showed increased susceptibility to digestion by trypsin or proteinase K. When purified as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchorless soluble form, the mutant protein exhibited a remarkably lower Kcat/Km value compared with that of the wild-type TNSALP. Interestingly, leucine and isoleucine, but not phenylalanine, were able to substitute for valine, pointing to the indispensable role of residues with a longer aliphatic side chain at position 406 of TNSALP. Taken together, this particular mutation highlights the structural importance of the crown domain with respect to the catalytic function of TNSALP.     

Novel aggregate formation of a frame-shift mutant protein of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase is ascribed to three cysteine residues in the C-terminal extension. Retarded secretion and proteasomal degradation

In the majority of hypophosphatasia patients, reductions in the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase activity are caused by various missense mutations in the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene. A unique frame-shift mutation due to a deletion of T at cDNA number 1559 [TNSALP (1559delT)] has been reported only in Japanese patients with high allele frequency. In this study, we examined the molecular phenotype of TNSALP (1559delT) using in vitro translation/translocation system and COS-1 cells transiently expressing this mutant protein. We showed that the mutant protein not only has a larger molecular size than the wild type enzyme by approximately 12 kDa, reflecting an 80 amino acid-long extension at its C-terminus, but that it also lacks a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. In support of this, alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells expressing TNSALP (1559delT) was localized at the juxtanucleus position, but not on the cell surface. However, only a limited amount of the newly synthesized protein was released into the medium and the rest was polyubiquitinated, followed by degradation in the proteasome. SDS/PAGE and analysis by sucrose-density-gradient analysis indicated that TNSALP (1559delT) forms a disulfide-bonded high-molecular-mass aggregate. Interestingly, the aggregate form of TNSALP (1559delT) exhibited a significant enzyme activity. When all three cysteines at positions of 506, 521 and 577 of TNSALP (1559delT) were replaced with serines, the aggregation disappeared and instead this modified mutant protein formed a noncovalently associated dimer, strongly indicating that these cysteine residues in the C-terminal region are solely responsible for aggregate formation by cross-linking the catalytically active dimers. Thus, complete absence of TNSALP on cell surfaces provides a plausible explanation for a severe lethal phenotype of a homozygote hypophosphatasia patient carrying TNSALP (1559delT).     

Molecular Evolution of the Tissue-nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase Allows Prediction and Validation of Missense Mutations Responsible for Hypophosphatasia

ALPL encodes the tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP), which removes phosphate groups from various substrates. Its function is essential for bone and tooth mineralization. In humans, ALPL mutations lead to hypophosphatasia, a genetic disorder characterized by defective bone and/or tooth mineralization. To date, 275 ALPL mutations have been reported to cause hypophosphatasia, of which 204 were simple missense mutations. Molecular evolutionary analysis has proved to be an efficient method to highlight residues important for the protein function and to predict or validate sensitive positions for genetic disease. Here we analyzed 58 mammalian TNSALP to identify amino acids unchanged, or only substituted by residues sharing similar properties, through 220 millions years of mammalian evolution. We found 469 sensitive positions of the 524 residues of human TNSALP, which indicates a highly constrained protein. Any substitution occurring at one of these positions is predicted to lead to hypophosphatasia. We tested the 204 missense mutations resulting in hypophosphatasia against our predictive chart, and validated 99% of them. Most sensitive positions were located in functionally important regions of TNSALP (active site, homodimeric interface, crown domain, calcium site, …). However, some important positions are located in regions, the structure and/or biological function of which are still unknown. Our chart of sensitive positions in human TNSALP (i) enables to validate or invalidate at low cost any ALPL mutation, which would be suspected to be responsible for hypophosphatasia, by contrast with time consuming and expensive functional tests, and (ii) displays higher predictive power than in silico models of prediction.     

Hypophosphatasia: Clinical Assessment and Management in the Adult Patient–A Narrative Review

Objective: To review literature and present a schematic approach to hypophosphatasia (HPP) evaluation and management applicable to practicing physicians to ease its recognition and diagnosis.Methods: Studies were obtained from online databases PubMed and MEDLINE using keyword ‘hypophosphatasia.’Results: HPP is a rare disease characterized by low serum alkaline phosphatase along with diverse musculoskeletal symptoms that mimic different disorders. To date, the prevalence of HPP and its impact on adults has been unrecognized. There is lack of evidence from larger and long-term studies examining the adult type of this condition.Conclusion: It is essential to increase awareness on the complexity of the pathophysiology and clinical features of HPP, which causes debilitating physical conditions that severely affects quality of life. A better comprehension of adult forms of HPP is essential to reduce a delay in diagnosis as well as ensure suitable management.Abbreviations: ALP = alkaline phosphatase; HPP = hypophosphatasia; PEA = phosphorethanolamine; PLP = pyridoxal-5-phosphate; PPi = inorganic pyrophosphate; TNSALP/TNAP = tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase     

Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase with an Asp(289)-->Val mutation fails to reach the cell surface and undergoes proteasome-mediated degradation

A missense mutation in the gene of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, which replaces aspartic acid at position 289 with valine [TNSALP (D289V)], was reported in a lethal hypophosphatasia patient [Taillandier, A. et al. (1999) Hum. Mut. 13, 171-172]. To define the molecular defects of TNSALP (D289V), this mutant protein in transiently transfected COS-1 cells was analyzed biochemically and morphologically. TNSALP (D289V) exhibited no alkaline phosphatase activity and mainly formed a disulfide-linked high molecular mass aggregate. Cell-surface biotinylation, digestion with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and an immunofluorescence study showed that the mutant protein failed to appear on the cell surface and was accumulated intracellularly. In agreement with this, pulse/chase experiments demonstrated that TNSALP (D289V) remained endo-beta-N-acetyl- glucosaminidase H-sensitive throughout the chase and was eventually degraded, indicating that the mutant protein is unable to reach the medial-Golgi. Proteasome inhibitors strongly blocked the degradation of TNSALP (D289V), and furthermore the mutant protein was found to be ubiquitinated. Besides, another naturally occurring TNSALP with a Glu(218)-->Gly mutation was also found to be polyubiquitinated and degraded in the proteasome. Since the acidic amino acids at positions 218 and 289 of TNSALP are thought to be directly involved in the Ca(2+) coordination, these results suggest the critical importance of calcium binding in post-translational folding and assembly of the TNSALP molecule.     

Disulfide bonds are critical for tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase function revealed by analysis of mutant proteins bearing a C(201)-Y or C(489)-S substitution associated with severe hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare genetic disease characterized by reduced serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and failure in bone and tooth mineralization, is caused by mutations in tissue-nonspecific ALP (TNSALP) gene. Two missense mutations (C201Y and C489S, standardized nomenclature) of TNSALP, involved in intra-chain disulfide bonds, were reported in patients diagnosed with perinatal HPP (Taillandier A. et al. Hum. Mutat. 13 (1999) 171-172, Hum. Mutat. 15 (2000) 293). To investigate the role of the disulfide bond in TNSALP, we expressed TNSALP (C201Y) and TNSALP (C489S) in COS-1 cells transiently. Compared with the wild-type enzyme [TNSALP (W)], both the TNSALP mutants exhibited a diminished ALP activity in the cells, where a 66kDa immature form was predominant with a marginal amount of a 80kDa mature form of TNSALP. Detailed studies on Tet-On CHO established cell line expressing TNSALP (W) or TNSALP (C201Y) showed that the 66kDa form of TNSALP (C201Y) exists as a monomer in contrast to a dimer of TNSALP (W). Only a small fraction of the TNSALP (C201Y) reached cell surface as the 80kDa mature form, though most of the 66kDa form was found to be endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H sensitive and rapidly degraded in proteasome following polyubiquitination. Collectively, these results indicate not only that the intra-subunit disulfide bonds are crucial for TNSALP to properly fold and assemble into the dimeric enzyme, but also that the development of HPP associated with TNSALP (C201Y) or TNSALP (C489S) is attributed to decreased cell surface appearance of the functional enzyme.     

A molecular approach to dominance in hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia is an inherited disorder characterized by defective bone mineralization and a deficiency of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) activity. The disease is highly variable in its clinical expression, because of various mutations in the TNSALP gene. In approximately 14% of the patients tested in our laboratory, only one TNSALP gene mutation was found, despite exhaustive sequencing of the gene, suggesting that missing mutations are harbored in intron or regulatory sequences or that the disease is dominantly transmitted. The distinction between these two situations is of importance, especially in terms of genetic counseling, but dominance is sometimes difficult to conclusively determine by using familial analysis since expression of the disease may be highly variable, with parents of even severely affected children showing no or extremely mild symptoms of the disease. We report here the study of eight point mutations (G46 V, A99T, S164L, R167 W, R206 W, G232 V, N461I, I473F) found in patients with no other detectable mutation. Three of these mutations, G46 V, S164L, and I473F, have not previously been described. Pedigree and/or serum alkaline phosphatase data suggested possible dominant transmission in families with A99T, R167 W, and G232 V. By means of site-directed mutagenesis, transfections in COS-1 cells, and three-dimensional (3D) modeling, we evaluated the possible dominant effect of these eight mutations. The results showed that four of these mutations (G46 V, A99T, R167 W, and N461I) exhibited a negative dominant effect by inhibiting the enzymatic activity of the heterodimer, whereas the four others did not show such inhibition. Strong inhibition resulted in severe hypophosphatasia, whereas partial inhibition resulted in milder forms of the disease. Analysis of the 3D model of the enzyme showed that mutations exhibiting a dominant effect were clustered in two regions, viz., the active site and an area probably interacting with a region having a particular biological function such as dimerization, tetramerization, or membrane anchoring.     

Characterization of the mutant (A115V) tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene from adult-type hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HOPS) is a clinically heterogeneous heritable disorder characterized by defective skeletal mineralization, deficiency of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) activity, and premature loss of deciduous teeth. To date, various mutations in the TNSALP gene have been identified. Especially, A115V located in exon 5 has been detected in a Japanese patient with severe periodontitis and adult-type HOPS. In this study, we have characterized the protein translated from the mutant A115V gene. Wild-type and A115V mutant-type TNSALP cDNA expression vector pcDNA3 have been constructed and transfected to COS-1 cells by lipofectin technique. After 48-h transfection, the cells were subjected to assay ALP activity. In order to identify possible dominant effect of the mutation, we performed co-transfections of wild-type and mutated cDNA, and evaluated the residual activities of each mutation. Detection of TNSALP synthesized by COS-1 cells transfected with the wild- or the mutated-type was also performed by using an immunofluorescent method. ALP activity of cell transfected with the mutant cDNA (A115V) plasmid after 48-h transfection exhibited 0.399+/-0.021 U/mg. As the enzymatic activity of the wild type was taken as 100%, the value of the mutant was estimated as 16.9%. When co-transfected this mutant showed no inhibition of the wild-type enzyme. TNSALP in COS-1 cells with transfected with the mutant exhibited strong fluorescence at the surface of cells as wild-type. This study indicated that the mutant (A115V) TNSALP gene produced the defective ALP enzyme and it could be recessively transmitted and be a disease-causing mutation of the adult-type hypophosphatasia.     

Characterization of missense mutations and large deletions in the ALPL gene by sequencing and quantitative multiplex PCR of short fragments

Hypophosphatasia is a rare inherited bone disorder characterized by defective bone and dental mineralization and deficiency of serum and liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase activity. The disease is due to mutations in the alkaline phosphatase liver-type (ALPL) gene. Gross deletions or insertions have not previously been reported in this gene. We report here the characterization of nine novel ALPL gene mutations in a series of 8 patients affected by various forms of hypophosphatasia. The newly discovered mutations included five missense mutations (c.368C --> A, c.814C--> T, c.1196C--> T, c.1199C--> T, c.1283G--> C), two small deletions (c.797_802del, c.1044_1055del), and two large deletions. The large deletions were detected by quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of short fluorescent fragments (QMPSF). We conclude that QMPSF slightly reduces the proportion of undetected mutations in hypophosphatasia and improves genetic counselling in the affected families.     

Autoimmune-associated PTPN22 R620W Variation Reduces Phosphorylation of Lymphoid Phosphatase on an Inhibitory Tyrosine Residue

A missense C1858T single nucleotide polymorphism in the PTPN22 gene recently emerged as a major risk factor for human autoimmunity. PTPN22 encodes the lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (LYP), which forms a complex with the kinase Csk and is a critical negative regulator of signaling through the T cell receptor. The C1858T single nucleotide polymorphism results in the LYP-R620W variation within the LYP-Csk interaction motif. LYP-W620 exhibits a greatly reduced interaction with Csk and is a gain-of-function inhibitor of signaling. Here we show that LYP constitutively interacts with its substrate Lck in a Csk-dependent manner. T cell receptor-induced phosphorylation of LYP by Lck on an inhibitory tyrosine residue releases tonic inhibition of signaling by LYP. The R620W variation disrupts the interaction between Lck and LYP, leading to reduced phosphorylation of LYP, which ultimately contributes to gain-of-function inhibition of T cell signaling.     

Severe hypophosphatasia due to mutations in the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene

Hypophosphatasia is a rare autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism characterized by a defective bone mineralisation and deficiency of serum and tissue liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase activity. We report the characterisation of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene mutation in a patient affected by infantile hypophosphatasia. This boy was the first child of non affected, non related parents. At 1 month of age he presented with palsy of the left upper limb with hypotonia. Length was - 2SD. The anterior fontanel was large. There was a markedly decreased ossification of all bones. All limbs were shortened. Ultrasonographic examination of the kidneys showed nephrocalcinosis. Level of alkaline phosphatases was decreased in the child as well as in the parents. Bone density was decreased. At 2 years of age development was delayed. Weight was - 3,5 SD and OFC - 3SD. The child had craniosynostosis. Molecular studies showed 2 missense mutations, both in exon 6 of the TNSALP gene.     

Characterization of two Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants with defective secretion of extracellular proteins and comparison with other mutants

We have isolated 2 new pleiotropic mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO with defective secretion of extracellular proteins (Xcp mutants). One of these mutants was compared to 2 different, previously isolated secretion mutants. All had similar phenotypes and were unable to release at least 4 exoproteins (lipase, elastase, alkaline phosphatase, and phospholipase C), whilst alkaline protease was still secreted. The exoproteins appeared to be blocked in the periplasmic space. No difference in molecular weight was detected between cell-bound forms of elastase and alkaline phosphatase in the different mutants and the corresponding extracellular forms from the wild-type strain. Genetic mapping showed that the mutations were located in the 55′ region of the chromosome.     

Treatment of Adult Hypophosphatasia with Teriparatide

ObjectiveTo describe the effects of 24 months of teriparatide therapy in an adult with hypophosphatasia, which thus far has no established medical treatment.MethodsA 75-year-old woman with hypophosphatasia was treated with ergocalciferol and calcium supplements for 2 years. She had sustained multiple spontaneous and low-trauma fractures since she was 10 years old. Baseline biochemical values (and reference ranges) were as follows: serum total alkaline phosphatase ranged from 14 to 17 U/L (30 to 110), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP) was 5 U/L (14 to 43), serum phosphorus was elevated at 5.4 mg/dL (2.6 to 4.4), and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate was high at 250 ng/mL (5 to 30). At baseline, she had mild secondary hyperparathyroidism (intact parathyroid hormone, 76 pg/mL; reference range, 10 to 65), which was corrected by the calcium supplementation and vitamin D therapy. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning in 2003 showed L1-L4 bone mineral density (BMD) of 0.786 g/cm², T score of -3.3, and Z score of -1.7; DXA also showed femoral neck BMD of 0.740 g/cm², T score of -2.5, and Z score of -0.5. During walking, the patient sustained a low-trauma fracture in a metatarsal. Teriparatide, synthetic parathyroid hormone(1-34), in a dosage of 20 μg subcutaneously was given daily from April 2004 until June 2006.ResultsAfter about 1.5 years of teriparatide therapy, BSALP reached the lower end of the reference range at 16 U/L, and after 24 months of continuous teriparatide treatment, both serum total alkaline phosphatase and BSALP normalized at 30 U/L and 18 U/L, respectively. Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate declined from a baseline of 250 to 188 ng/mL after 17 months of treatment. Urinary N-telopeptide increased from a baseline of < 6 to 19 after 17 months and to 70 bone collagen equivalents/mmol creatinine after 24 months of anabolic therapy. Repeated DXA scanning showed a substantial improvement in lumbar spine BMD and stability in hip BMD. The patient experienced no clinical fractures or adverse events during teriparatide therapy.ConclusionIn one woman with adult hypophosphatasia, 2 years of teriparatide treatment improved bio-chemical markers of bone remodeling and increased skeletal mineralization. Teriparatide may prove to be a viable treatment for adult hypophosphatasia; thus, this intervention warrants further evaluation. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:204-208)     

Conformational stability and activity analysis of two hydroxymethylbilane synthase mutants,K132N and V215E,with different phenotypic association with acute intermittent porphyria

The autosomal dominantly inherited disease AIP (acute intermittent porphyria) is caused by mutations in HMBS [hydroxymethylbilane synthase; also known as PBG (porphobilinogen) deaminase], the third enzyme in the haem biosynthesis pathway. Enzyme-intermediates with increasing number of PBG molecules are formed during the catalysis of HMBS. In this work, we studied the two uncharacterized mutants K132N and V215E comparative with wt (wild-type) HMBS and to the previously reported AIP-associated mutants R116W, R167W and R173W. These mainly present defects in conformational stability (R116W), enzyme kinetics (R167W) or both (R173W). A combination of native PAGE, CD, DSF (differential scanning fluorimetry) and ion-exchange chromatography was used to study conformational stability and activity of the recombinant enzymes. We also investigated the distribution of intermediates corresponding to specific elongation stages. It is well known that the thermostability of HMBS increases when the DPM (dipyrromethane) cofactor binds to the apoenzyme and the holoenzyme is formed. Interestingly, a decrease in thermal stability was measured concomitant to elongation of the pyrrole chain, indicating a loosening of the structure prior to product release. No conformational or kinetic defect was observed for the K132N mutant, whereas V215E presented lower conformational stability and probably a perturbed elongation process. This is in accordance with the high association of V215E with AIP. Our results contribute to interpret the molecular mechanisms for dysfunction of HMBS mutants and to establish genotype–phenotype relations for AIP.     

A general method for rapid purification of soluble versions of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins expressed in insect cells: an application for human tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase.

A soluble form of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase was purified to apparent homogeneity from the culture media of Sf9 cells which had been infected with recombinant baculoviruses encoding human tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP). To facilitate purification, an oligonucleotide consisting of 6 tandem codons for histidine and a stop codon was engineered into the TNSALP cDNA. The molecular mass of the enzyme purified through a nickel-chelate column was estimated to be 54 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. That of the native enzyme was 90 kDa as estimated by gel filtration, indicating that the purified soluble TNSALP is dimeric. The enzyme was used for production of antibodies specific for human TNSALP. Immunoblotting analysis showed a single 80-kDa band in the cell homogenate prepared from Saos-2 (human osteosarcoma) cells. However, upon digestion with peptide: N-glycosidase F, the 80-kDa TNSALP of human origin and the soluble enzyme of insect origin migrated to the same position on SDS-polyacrylamide gel, indicating that the size difference between the two enzymes is ascribed to N-linked oligosaccharides. The antibodies prepared against the purified TNSALP were found to be useful also for immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies.     

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) decreases butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity and changes its relationship with lipids

Many conditions interfere with butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity, e.g., pregnancy or presence of the BCHE gene variant −116A can decrease activity whereas obesity and types I and II diabetes mellitus can increase activity. In this study, we examined BChE activity, −116A and 1615A BCHE gene variants, and anthropometric and biochemical variables associated with diabetes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and in healthy pregnant women. BChE activity was measured spectrophotometrically using propionylthiocholine as substrate and genotyping of the −116 and 1615 sites of the BCHE gene was done with a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Three groups were studied: 150 patients with GDM, 295 healthy pregnant women and 156 non-pregnant healthy women. Mean BChE activity was significantly lower in healthy pregnant women than in women from the general population and was further reduced in GDM patients. BChE activity was significantly reduced in carriers of −116A in GDM patients and healthy pregnant women. Although GDM patients had a significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI) and triglycerides than healthy pregnant women, they had lower mean BChE activity, suggesting that the lowering effect of GDM on BChE activity was stronger than the characteristic enhancing effect of increased BMI and triglycerides.     

Early events in glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor addition. substrate proteins associate with the transamidase subunit gpi8p

The addition of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors to proteins occurs by a transamidase-catalyzed reaction mechanism soon after completion of polypeptide synthesis and translocation. We show that placental alkaline phosphatase becomes efficiently GPI-anchored when translated in the presence of semipermeabilized K562 cells but is not GPI-anchored in cell lines defective in the transamidase subunit hGpi8p. By studying the synthesis of placental alkaline phosphatase, we demonstrate that folding of the protein is not influenced by the addition of a GPI anchor and conversely that GPI anchor addition does not require protein folding. These results demonstrate that folding of the ectodomain and GPI addition are two distinct processes and can be mutually exclusive. When GPI addition is prevented, either by synthesis of the protein in the presence of cell lines defective in GPI addition or by mutation of the GPI carboxyl-terminal signal sequence cleavage site, the substrate forms a prolonged association with the transamidase subunit hGpi8p. The ability of the transamidase to recognize and associate with GPI anchor signal sequences provides an explanation for the retention of GPI-anchored protein within the ER in the absence of GPI anchor addition.     

Interaction of β2-glycoprotein I with lipopolysaccharide leads to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent activation of macrophages

β(2)-Glycoprotein I (β(2)GPI) is an abundant plasma protein that binds to the surface of cells and particles expressing negatively charged lipids, but its physiological role remains unknown. Antibodies to β(2)GPI are found in patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome, a systemic autoimmune disease associated with vascular thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. Although it has been suggested that anti-β(2)GPI antibodies activate endothelial cells and monocytes by signaling through TLR4, it is unclear how anti-β(2)GPI antibodies and/or β(2)GPI interact with TLR4. A number of mammalian proteins (termed "endogenous Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands") have been reported to bind to TLR4, but, in most cases, subsequent studies have shown that LPS interaction with these proteins is responsible for TLR activation. We hypothesized that, like other endogenous TLR ligands, β(2)GPI interacts specifically with LPS and that this interaction is responsible for apparent TLR4 activation by β(2)GPI. Here, we show that both LPS and TLR4 are required for β(2)GPI to bind to and activate macrophages. Untreated β(2)GPI stimulated TNF-α production in TLR4-sufficient (but not TLR4-deficient) macrophages. In contrast, neither polymyxin B-treated nor delipidated β(2)GPI stimulated TNF-α production. Furthermore, β(2)GPI bound to LPS in a specific and dose-dependent manner. Finally, untreated β(2)GPI bound to the surface of TLR4-sufficient (but not TLR4-deficient) macrophages. Polymyxin B treatment of β(2)GPI abolished macrophage binding. Our findings suggest a potential new biological activity for β(2)GPI as a protein that interacts specifically with LPS and point to the need to evaluate newly discovered endogenous TLR ligands for potential interactions with LPS.