Endogenous phosphorylation of platelet membrane proteins.

The characteristics of the phosphorylating activity of platelet membranes have been studied. Plasma membranes of human platelets isolated by the glycerol lysis technique were shown to incorporate significant amounts of [³²P]phosphate into specific membrane proteins. This activity was only partially cyclic 3′:5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-dependent but had most of the other characteristics of protein kinases derived from other sources. Maximal stimulation of endogenous phosphorylation was obtained at 1 × 10^?7, m cyclic AMP and exceeded by approximately 30% the [³²P]phosphate incorporation in the absence of this cyclic nucleotide. The platelet membrane protein kinase was able to phosphorylate exogenous proteins, e.g., histone, fibrinogen etc., as well as endogenous membrane proteins. The latter solubilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate and separated by dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis incorporated [³²P]phosphate into three polypeptides of apparent molecular weights 52,000, 31,000, and 20,000. The phosphorylation of the polypeptide of molecular weight 52,000 was cyclic AMP-dependent.     

Effect of brassinolide on tyrosine phosphorylation of pea leaf proteins

Brassinosteroid-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in proteins was studied. Proteins of crude extract of pea leaves were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by Western blotting with monoclonal antibodies PY20 to phosphotyrosine proteins. One- and two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed 7 and 13 tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, respectively. Brassinolide increased the phosphorylation level of most of these proteins. With inhibitors of tyrosine protein phosphatases, such as phenylarsine oxide and orthovanadate, the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins increased.     

Short-time phosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins by endogenous kinases.

Endogenous protein phosphorylation in plasma membranes isolated from SV 40-transformed mouse fibroblasts was studied in the presence and absence of cyclic nucleotides. Using low concentrations of membrane protein the kinetics of ATP-dependent ³²P-incorporation showed a rapid phosphorylation reaction up to 2 sec of incubation which was stimulated by cAMP and inhibited by cGMP. This short-time phosphorylation reaction was followed by a rapid dephosphorylation and a slower rephosphorylation. This phenomenon was dependent on protein concentration.     

Selective phosphorylation of erythrocyte membrane proteins by the solubilized membrane protein kinases.

This report describes the substrate and phosphoryl donor specificities of solubilized erythrocyte membrane cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-independent protein kinases toward human and rabbit erythrocyte membrane proteins. Three types of substrate preparations have been utilized: heat-inactivated ghosts, isolated spectrin, and 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMMA)-extracted membranes. A 30 000-dalton protein kinase, extracted from either human or rabbit erythrocyte membranes, catalyzes the phosphorylation of heat-inactivated membranes in the presence of ATP. The resulting phosphorylation profile is analogous to that of the autophosphorylation of membranes with ATP (in the absence of cAMP). These kinases also phosphorylate band 2 of isolated spectrin and band 3, but not glycophorin, in the DMMA-extracted ghosts. The ability of the 30 000-dalton kinases to use GTP as a phosphoryl donor appears to be related to the substrate or some other membrane factor. A second kinase, which is 100 000 daltons and derived from rabbit erythrocyte membranes, uses ATP or GTP to phosphorylate membrane proteins 2, 2.1, 2.9-3 in heat-inactivated ghosts, band 2 in isolated spectrin, glycophorin, and to a lesser extent, band 3 in the DMMA-extracted ghosts.     

Modulation of platelet responsiveness through selective phosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins.

32P phosphorylation of plasma membranes from human blood platelets, under conditions that closely resemble physiological ones (endogeneous phosphate donors and intact platelets in homologous plasma), result in the incorporation of the label mainly in a membrane glycoprotein of apparently high molecular weight (greater than 400 000). Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, specifically increases the degree of phosphorylation of this glycoprotein. Moreover, it has been found that prostaglandin E1 one of the most potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation which also increases phosphorylation of the same glycoprotein, is significantly more effective than cyclic AMP. Cyclic GMP does not have any apparent effect on platelet aggregation. However, incubation of platelet-rich plasma with both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP results in a partial recovery of the platelet responsiveness towards ADP-induced aggregation. Coincidently, the degree of phosphorylation of the high molecular weight glycoprotein under these conditions, although still higher than in controls (no nucleotides added), is significantly decreased as compared with cyclic AMP-treated cells. Furthermore, cyclic GMP inhibits the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in isolated platelet plasma membranes. These results suggest a central role for this membrane phosphoglycoprotein in the triggering of platelet aggregation and, furthermore, suggest that modulation of its degree of phosphorylation may be exerted through some cyclic AMP/cyclic GMP relationship, which in the basal state might be critical for platelet responsiveness.     

The phosphorylation of the major proteins of the human erythrocyte membrane.

Both the major sialoglycoprotein (PAS-1) and the component designated by Fairbanks et al. (G. Fairbanks, T. L. Steck, and D. F. H. Wallach, 1971, Biochemistry10, 2606–2617) as Band 3 are shown to be bonafide phosphoproteins by virtue of the presence of covalently bound serine and threonine phosphate residues. In agreement with the findings of others, PAS-1 does not seem to be phosphorylated when ghosts are incubated with [γ-³²P]ATP, but the phosphorylation is significant (about 0.15 mol/mol) when the cells are incubated in the presence of ³²P_i. Band 3 is phosphorylated to the extent of 0.90 mol/mol, and these sites are apparently distributed in several places along the polypeptide chain. Spectrin is also a phosphoprotein containing approximately four molecules of phosphate per 450,000 daltons of protein. The phosphorylation of these three polypeptides is not stimulated by the presence of cAMP.     

Effects of low temperature on wheat leaf proteins

Finnish wheat cultivars, winter wheat ‘Vakka’ and spring wheat ‘Apu’, grown for 9 days at 25° and then for 52 days at 2–4°, were called ‘hardened’. Proteins and esterases of young leaves were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), porosity gradient PAGE (poroPAGE), isoelectric focusing (PAGIF) between pH 3 and 9, and by Na-dodecylsulfate (SDS)-PAGE. Hardened and unhardened leaves have different protein patterns after PAGE, PAGIF, poroPAGE and SDS-PAGE, respectively, as well as for esterases after PAGE and PAGIF. The PAGIF patterns of esterases show distinct changes of two bands especially for hardened leaves of winter wheat, one appearing, the other one disappearing.     

A rapid effect of kinetin on rehydration of tobacco leaf tissue

Partly dehydrated tobacco leaf tissue (Nicotiana rustica), stripped of the lower epidermis, was used to study the effect of kinetin on the rate of rehydration. Depending on the rate of rehydration in untreated tissue, kinetin either increased or decreased rehydration rates. The response to kinetin was very rapid and could be discerned in less than 2 minutes. On extensive dehydration, the tissue lost the capacity to respond to kinetin. Salinity stress, which decreases the endogenous level of cytokinins in the plant, conditions the leaf to stimulation of rehydration by kinetin.     

The phosphorylation of coated membrane proteins in intact neurons

To complement studies that have demonstrated the prominent phosphorylation of a 50-kD coated vesicle polypeptide in vitro, we have evaluated the phosphorylation of coated membrane proteins in intact cells. A co-assembly assay has been devised in which extracts of cultured rat sympathetic neurons labeled with [32P]-Pi were combined with unlabeled carrier bovine brain coat proteins and reassembled coat structures were isolated by gradient centrifugation. Two groups of phosphorylated polypeptides, of 100-110 kD (pp100-110) and 155 kD (pp155) apparent molecular mass, were incorporated into reassembled coats. The neuronal pp100-110 are structurally and functionally related to the 100-110-kD component of the bovine brain assembly protein (AP), a protein complex that also contains 50-kD and 16.5-kD components and is characterized by its ability to promote the reassembly of clathrin coat structures under physiological conditions of pH and ionic strength (Zaremba, S. and J. H. Keen, 1983, J. Cell Biol., 97:1337-1348). The neuronal pp155 detected in reassembled coat structures was readily observable in total extracts of [32P]-Pi-labeled neurons dissolved in SDS-containing buffer. A bovine brain counterpart to the neuronal pp155 was also observed when brain coated vesicles were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Phosphoserine was the predominant phosphoaminoacid found in both the pp100 and pp155. A structural and functional counterpart to the 50-kD brain assembly polypeptide (AP50) was also identified in these neurons. Although the brain AP50 is prominently phosphorylated by an endogenous protein kinase in isolated coated vesicle preparations, the neuronal AP50 was not detectably phosphorylated in intact cells as assessed by two-dimensional non-equilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis of labeled cells dissolved directly in SDS-containing buffers. These results demonstrate that the bovine brain assembly polypeptides of 50 kD and 100-110 kD that we have previously described, as well as a novel 155-kD polypeptide reported here, have structural and functional counterparts in cultured neurons. They also indicate that phosphorylation of the 100-110-kD AP may be involved in the regulation of coated membrane structure and function. The extent of phosphorylation of the AP50 in intact cells and in isolated coated vesicles is strikingly different: it has been suggested that the latter process reflects an autophosphorylation reaction (Campbell C., J. Squicciarini, M. Shia, P. F. Pilch, and R. E. Fine, 1984, Biochemistry, 23:4420-4426).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Thyroid microsomal membrane proteins. Effects of solubilization on molecular size.

The molecular size of microsomal membrane proteins from frozen porcine thyroids before and after solubilization by proteolytic and non-proteolytic techniques has been investigated by means of polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of 1% sodium dodecylsulfate. When thyroid microsomal membrane proteins are solubilized by non-proteolytic methods such as high pH, n-butanol, or deoxycholate, no major change in the electrophoretic pattern compared to untreated microsomes has been observed, thereby suggesting that these non-proteolytic methods are capable of extracting membrane proteins from thyroid microsomes without altering their molecular size. However, treatment of microsomes with protein-solubilizing levels of trypsin (1-5 mug trypsin per mg thyroid protein) results in degradation of all major proteins with a molecular weight greater than 30 000. The high-molecular-weight proteins are particularly susceptible to attack by trypsin. Thus, these experiments indicate that the use of trypsin to solubilize thyroid microsomal membrane proteins, particularly thyroid peroxidase, will result in fragmented proteins and should be avoided if intact membrane proteins are desired.     

Capacitation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in the boar sperm plasma membrane.

Capacitation (activation) of mammalian spermatozoa is accompanied by protein phosphorylation, elevation of the intracellular calcium concentration and an increased plasma membrane fluidity. The subcellular localization of tyrosine phosphorylation during capacitation have not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether boar sperm capacitation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins. Capacitation induced tyrosine phosphorylation of 3 proteins (27, 37, and 40 kDa), which coincided with an increase in the plasma membrane fluidity. The importance of the induced tyrosine phosphorylation in sperm binding to the zona pellucida and the induction of the acrosome reaction is discussed.     

Cryoprotective leaf proteins.

Leaves of frost-resistant plants contain a number of soluble proteins which are capable of protecting isolated biomembranes against inactivation during freezing. Such proteins have not been found in non-hardy summer material. The pattern of protective proteins was not uniform in hardy material of different origin and appeared to change with the season. Cryoprotective proteins were isolated by preparative gel electrophoresis. Molecular weights of different proteins as determined by their electrophoretic mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels were between 10000 and 20000. Circular dichroism measurements failed to indicate helical structures. The amino acid composition of 2 active proteins revealed a high content of polar amino acids. The proteins were heat-stable. They were, on a molar basis, more than 1000 times as effective in protecting thylakoid membranes against freezing damage as low-molecular-weight cryoprotectants such as sucrose, glycerol or dimethylsulfoxide. Very low concentrations of the proteins increased cryoprotection provided by sucrose. Of a number of oligopeptides of known composition, only a few were cryoprotective. Their activity was very small as compared with that of the active proteins. The concentration of the cryoprotective proteins in hardy leaves appeared to be high enough for a significant contribution of the proteins to the frost tolerance of resistant plants.     

The cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphorylation of aortic smooth muscle membrane proteins

Membrane proteins of Mr 240,000, 130,000, and 85,000 (GS-proteins) were rapidly and selectively phosphorylated in particulate fractions of rabbit aortic smooth muscle in the presence of [Mg-32P]ATP and low concentrations of cGMP (Ka = 0.01 microM) or cAMP (Ka = 0.2 microM). The effects of both cyclic nucleotides in this preparation were mediated entirely by an endogenous, membrane-bound form of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (G-kinase). The GS-proteins were also phosphorylated by the soluble form of G-kinase purified from bovine lung; this effect was most evident following removal of endogenous G-kinase from the membranes using Na2CO3 and high salt washes. The membrane-bound and cytosolic forms of G-kinase phosphorylated the Mr 130,000 GS-protein with the same specificity as determined by two-dimensional peptide mapping. Despite this functional homology between the two forms of G-kinase, only the particulate enzyme appears to play a role in phosphorylating the GS-proteins. Although little endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) activity was detected in washed aortic smooth muscle membranes, the GS-proteins could be phosphorylated when purified A-kinase catalytic subunit was added to this preparation. Peptide mapping of the Mr 130,000 GS-protein indicated that A-kinase phosphorylated a subset of the same peptides labeled by the two forms of G-kinase. The endogenous A-kinase of rabbit aortic smooth muscle homogenates was also found to phosphorylate the GS-proteins. Since the intracellular concentrations of cGMP or cAMP can be selectively elevated by different stimuli, these results suggest several possible mechanisms by which the phosphorylation state of the GS-proteins may be regulated by cyclic nucleotides: activation of the membrane-bound G-kinase by cGMP or cAMP; and activation of cytosolic A-kinase by cAMP.     

Effects on capacitance by overexpression of membrane proteins

Functional Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) overexpression of about 10⁴ channels/μm² in the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells was studied by patch-clamp and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Simultaneous electrorotation measurements revealed that ChR2 expression was accompanied by a marked increase of the area-specific membrane capacitance (C_m). The C_m increase apparently resulted partly from an enlargement of the size and/or number of microvilli. This is suggested by a relatively large C_m of 1.15 ± 0.08 μF/cm² in ChR2-expressing cells measured under isotonic conditions. This value was much higher than that of the control HEK293 cells (0.79 ± 0.02 μF/cm²). However, even after complete loss of microvilli under strong hypoosmolar conditions (100 mOsm), the ChR2-expressing cells still exhibited a significantly larger C_m (0.85 ± 0.07 μF/cm²) as compared to non-expressing control cells (0.70 ± 0.03 μF/cm²). Therefore, a second mechanism of capacitance increase may involve changes in the membrane permittivity and/or thickness due to the embedded ChR2 proteins.     

Effects of cycloheximide and kinetin pretreatments on responses of susceptible and resistant Avena leaf protoplasts to the phytotoxin victorin

Avena leaf protoplasts from varieties susceptible (cv. Park)and resistant (cv. Victory) to victorin incorporate the labelfrom ³H-L-leucine, ³H-uridine and ³H-thymidine into trichloroaceticacid-insoluble materials at comparable rates. When incubatedin the presence of the toxin, susceptible protoplasts beginto lyse after a short period of time; the effect on resistantprotoplasts is minimal. Victorin also significantly reducesincorporation of label from leucine and to a lesser extent fromuridine and thymidine into susceptible protoplasts but has anegligible effect on resistant protoplasts. Pretreatment ofsusceptible leaves with cycloheximide but not kinetin protectsagainst the subsequent action of victorin on apparent proteinsynthesis and lysis of protoplasts. ¹Permanent address: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique,Station de Physiologie et Biochemie Végétales,"La Grande Ferrade", Centre de Recherches de Bordeaux, 33 Pont-de-la-Maye,Bordeaux, France. ²School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University. ³Supported by grant GI-32958 of the RANN program of the NationalScience Foundation to A. W. Galston. We are indebted to WhitneyAdams, jr. for expert assistance. (Received April 10, 1976; )     

Effects of superoxide anions on red cell deformability and membrane proteins.

The effect of superoxide anions (O2-) on red blood cells (RBC) deformability and membrane proteins was investigated using hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Exposure of RBC to O2- caused a marked decrease in RBC deformability with a concomitant increase in cell volume and shape changes. The RBC exposed to O2- also displayed pronounced degradation of membrane proteins such as band 3 protein and spectrin; new bands of low molecular weight products appeared as the original membrane proteins tended to diminish, without the appearance of high molecular weight products. Since the membrane proteins are involved in processes regulating membrane properties such as permeability and viscoelasticity, the decreased deformability induced by O2- may be attributable to changes in membrane proteins. Interestingly, resealed ghosts exposed to O2- did not show any significant change in membrane proteins, which suggests the existence of further generation of O2- and subsequent production of other active oxygen species mediated by O2(-)-initiated autoxidation of hemoglobin in intact RBC. Furthermore, electrophoretic analysis suggested that active oxygens increased the endogenous proteolytic susceptibility of RBC. In conclusion, a close linkage was suggested between RBC deformability and the membrane proteins.     

A solid-phase assay for the phosphorylation of proteins blotted on nitrocellulose membrane filters

A new procedure for the phosphorylation and assay of phosphoproteins is described. Proteins are solubilized from tissue samples, separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane filters, and the blotted polypeptides are phosphorylated with the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP (adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate)-dependent protein kinase. The method was developed for the assay of dephosphosynapsin I, but it has also proven suitable for the phosphorylation of other proteins. The patterns of phosphorylation of tissue samples phosphorylated using the new method are similar to those obtained using the conventional test tube assay. Once phosphorylated, the adsorbed proteins can be digested with proteases and subjected to phosphopeptide mapping. The phosphorylated blotted proteins can also be analyzed by overlay techniques for the immunological detection of polypeptides.