Purification and chemical and biological characterizations of seven toxins from the Mexican scorpion, Centruroides suffusus suffusus

Seven polypeptides highly toxic to mice were isolated from the venom of the scorpion, Centruroides suffusus suffusus (Css), and their chemical and toxic properties were characterized. It was shown that the most active toxins by intracerebroventricular injection are less active when injected subcutaneously. The complete amino acid sequence (66 residues) of toxin II (Css II) has been determined. The C-terminal end is amidated as found for most other scorpion toxins. Css II is a beta-type toxin, previously used to define the binding site for activation of the sodium channel. Using rat brain synaptosomes, we demonstrated that all Css toxins compete with 125I-Css II to bind to site 4 and should be considered as beta-scorpion toxins. Specific binding parameters for Css VI, one of the most active toxins, were determined: KD = 100 pM; capacity in binding sites, 2.2 pmol of toxin/mg of synaptosomal protein. Css VI was shown to inhibit gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake by synaptosomes: K 0.5 = 100 pM, which agrees with its KD. Competition experiments between the seven Css toxins and 125I-Css II for antiserum raised against Css II demonstrated that all these toxins have common antigenic properties.     

Structural mapping of the voltage-dependent sodium channel. Distance between the tetrodotoxin and Centruroides suffusus suffusus II beta-scorpion toxin receptors

A 7- dimethylaminocoumarin -4-acetate fluorescent derivative of toxin II from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides suffusus suffusus (Css II) has been prepared to study the structural, conformational, and cellular properties of the beta-neurotoxin receptor site on the voltage-dependent sodium channel. The derivative retains high affinity for its receptor site on the synaptosomal sodium channel with a KD of 7 nM and site capacity of 1.5 pmol/mg of synaptosomal protein. The fluorescent toxin is very environmentally sensitive and the fluorescence emission upon binding indicates that the Css II receptor is largely hydrophobic. Binding of tetrodotoxin or batrachotoxin does not alter the spectroscopic properties of bound Css II, whereas toxin V from Leiurus quinquestriatus effects a 10-nm blue shift to a more hydrophobic environment. This is the first direct indication of conformational coupling between these separate neurotoxin receptor sites. The distance between the tetrodotoxin and Css II scorpion toxin receptors on the sodium channel was measured by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Efficiencies were measured by both donor quenching and acceptor-sensitized emission. The distance between these two neurotoxin sites is about 34 A. The implications of these receptor locations together with other known molecular distances are discussed in terms of a molecular structure of the voltage-dependent sodium channel.     

Functional unit size of the neurotoxin receptors on the voltage-dependent sodium channel

Radiation inactivation was used in situ to determine the functional unit sizes of the neurotoxin receptors of the voltage-dependent sodium channel from rat brain. Frozen or lyophilized synaptosomes were irradiated with high energy electrons generated by a linear accelerator and assayed for [3H]saxitoxin, 125I-Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriatus (alpha-scorpion toxin), 125I-Centruroides suffusus suffusus (beta-scorpion toxin), and batrachotoxinin-A 20 alpha-[3H]benzoate binding activity. The functional unit size of the neurotoxin receptors determined in situ by target analysis are 220,000 for saxitoxin, 263,000 for alpha-scorpion toxin, and 45,000 for beta-scorpion toxin. Analysis of the inactivation curve for batrachotoxinin-A 20 alpha-benzoate binding to the channel yields two target sizes of Mr approximately 287,000 (50%) and approximately 51,000 (50%). The results are independent of the purity of the membrane preparation. Comparison of the radiation inactivation data with the protein composition of the rat brain sodium channel indicates that there are at least two functional components.     

Tityus serrulatus venom contains two classes of toxins. Tityus gamma toxin is a new tool with a very high affinity for studying the Na+ channel

The interaction of TiTx gamma, the major toxin in the venom of the scorpion Tityus serrulatus, with its receptor in excitable membranes was studied with the use of 125I-TiTx gamma. This derivative retains biological activity, and its specific binding to both brain synaptosomes and electroplaque membranes from Electrophorus electricus is characterized by a dissociation constant equal to that of the native toxin-receptor complex, about 2 to 5 pM. This very high affinity results mainly from a very slow rate of dissociation, equivalent to a half-life longer than 10 h at 4 degrees C. There is a 1:1 stoichiometry between TiTx gamma binding and tetrodotoxin binding to the membranes, but neither tetrodotoxin nor any of 7 other neurotoxins that are representative of 4 different classes of effectors of the Na+ channel interfere with TiTx gamma binding. Similarly, local anesthetics and other molecules that affect other types of ionic channels or neurotransmitter receptors have no effect on TiTx gamma binding. However, toxin II from Centruroides suffusus suffusus does compete with TiTx gamma, though its affinity for the receptor is much lower. Since the Centruroides toxin II is known to affect Na+ channel function, these two scorpion toxins must be put into a fifth class of Na+ channel effectors.     

Expression of functional recombinant scorpion beta-neurotoxin Css II in E. coli

The gene for a beta-neurotoxin [Centruroides suffusus suffusus toxin II (Css II)] from the scorpion C. suffusus suffusus was synthesized by recursive PCR and cloned into the expression vector, pET15b. This recombinant vector was transformed into a thioredoxin mutant host bacterial cell, AD 494(DE3)pLysS, and expression was induced with isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG). Although the level of expression was low, the recombinant toxin was found only in the soluble fraction with no evidence for the formation of inclusion bodies as had been observed previously with other scorpion toxins. The recombinant Css II was purified by successive ion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectral measurements indicate that the protein has a native structure with no indication of denatured species. The recombinant neurotoxin inhibits the uptake of [(3)H]GABA [gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)] in neuronal cells as effectively as natural beta-toxins.     

Phosphatidylcholine Biosynthesis in the Neuroblastoma-Glioma Hybrid Cell Line NG 108-15: Stimulation by Phorbol Esters

Studies were conducted on curaremimetic neurotoxin binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor present on membrane fractions derived from the human medulloblastoma clonal line, TE671. High-affinity binding sites (KD = 2 nM for 1-h incubation at 20 degrees C) and low-affinity binding sites (KD = 40 nM) for 125I-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin are present in equal quantities (60 fmol/mg membrane protein). The kinetically determined dissociation constant for high-affinity binding of toxin is 0.56 nM (k1 = 6.3 X 10(-3) min-1 nM-1; k-1 = 3.5 X 10(-3) min-1) at 20 degrees C. Nicotine, d-tubocurarine, and acetylcholine are among the most effective inhibitors of high-affinity toxin binding. The quantity of toxin binding sites and their affinity for cholinergic agonists is sensitive to reduction, alkylation, and/or oxidation of membrane sulfhydryl residues. High-affinity toxin binding sites that have been subjected to reaction with the sulfhydryl reagent dithiothreitol are irreversibly blocked by the nicotinic receptor affinity reagent bromoacetylcholine. High-affinity toxin binding is inhibited in the presence of either of two polyclonal antisera or a monoclonal antibody raised against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from fish electric tissue. Taken together, these results indicate that curaremimetic neurotoxin binding sites on membrane fractions of the TE671 cell line share some properties with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of peripheral origin and with toxin binding sites on other neuronal tissues.     

Tetrodotoxin-insensitive sodium channels. Binding of polypeptide neurotoxins in primary cultures of rat muscle cells

The binding of 125I-labeled derivatives of scorpion toxin and sea anemone toxin to tetrodotoxin-insensitive sodium channels in cultured rat muscle cells has been studied. Specific binding of 125I-labeled scorpion toxin and 125I-labeled sea anemone toxin was each blocked by either native scorpion toxin or native sea anemone toxin. K0.5 for block of binding by several polypeptide toxins was closely correlated with K0.5 for enhancement of sodium channel activation in rat muscle cells. These results directly demonstrate binding of sea anemone toxin and scorpion toxin to a common receptor site on the sodium channel. Binding of both 125I-labeled toxin derivatives is enhanced by the alkaloids aconitine and batrachotoxin due to a decrease in KD for polypeptide toxin. Enhancement of polypeptide toxin binding by aconitine and batrachotoxin is precisely correlated with persistent activation of sodium channels by the alkaloid toxins consistent with the conclusion that there is allosteric coupling between receptor sites for alkaloid and polypeptide toxins on the sodium channel. The binding of both 125I-labeled scorpion toxin and 125I-labeled sea anemone toxin is reduced by depolarization due to a voltage-dependent increase in KD. Scorpion toxin binding is more voltage-sensitive than sea anemone toxin binding. Our results directly demonstrate voltage-dependent binding of both scorpion toxin and sea anemone toxin to a common receptor site on the sodium channel and introduce the 125I-labeled polypeptide toxin derivatives as specific binding probes of tetrodotoxin-insensitive sodium channels in cultured muscle cells.     

Isolation and primary structure of a potent toxin from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing.

A potent toxin has been purified from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing using the ion-exchange resin CM-Sepharose CL-6B at basic pH. The toxin, designated CsE M1, comprised 65 amino acid residues and its primary structure was established as: Lys-Glu-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Val-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Thr10-Gly-Cys-Lys-Tyr-Glu-Cys- Leu-Lys-Leu- Gly20-Asp-Asn-Asp-Tyr-Cys-Leu-Arg-Glu-Cys-Arg30-Gln-Gln-Tyr- Gly-Lys-Ser-Gly-Gly - Tyr-Cys40-Tyr-Ala-Phe-Ala-Cys-Trp-Cys-Thr-His-Leu50-Tyr-Glu- Gln-Ala-Val-Val-Trp - Pro-Leu-Pro60-Asn-Lys-Thr-Cys-Asn. CsE M1 is the most lethal protein to be identified in C. sculpturatus venom and the LD50 of the toxin, determined by subcutaneous injection into Swiss mice, is 87 micrograms/kg. CsE M1 shows strong structural similarity (92% positional identity) to the most potent beta-toxin, Css II, from the Mexican scorpion, Centruroides suffusus suffusus but is quite dissimilar to the previously characterized toxins with low potency isolated from C. sculpturatus Ewing.     

IL-12 receptor. I. Characterization of the receptor on phytohemagglutinin-activated human lymphoblasts.

IL-12 is a 75-kDa heterodimeric cytokine composed of disulfide-bonded 35-kDa and 40-kDa subunits. Included among the biologic activities mediated by IL-12 is induction of proliferation of PHA-activated human PBL. The concentration of IL-12 required to stimulate maximum proliferation of PHA-activated lymphoblasts is 50 to 100 pM. In this study, highly purified 125I-labeled IL-12 (7 to 15 microCi/microgram; 50 to 100% bioactive) was used to characterize the receptor for IL-12 on 4-day PHA-activated lymphoblasts. The binding of 125I-labeled IL-12 to PHA-activated lymphoblasts was saturable and specific because the binding of radiolabeled ligand was only inhibited by IL-12 and not by other cytokines. The kinetics of [125I]IL-12 binding to PHA-activated lymphoblasts was rapid at both 4 degrees C and 22 degrees C; reaching equilibrium within 60 min. At 22 degrees C, the rate of dissociation of [125I]IL-12 was slow in the absence of competing IL-12 (t1/2 = 5.9 h) and more rapid in the presence of 25 nM competing IL-12 (t1/2 = 2.5 h). The kinetically derived equilibrium dissociation constant ranged from 10 to 83 pM. Analysis of steady state binding data by the method of Scatchard identified a single binding site with an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of 100 to 600 pM and 1000 to 9000 sites/lymphoblast. The equilibrium dissociation constant for competing ligands and sites per cell calculated from unlabeled IL-12 competition experiments ranged from 164 to 315 pM and 1067 to 3336, respectively, which is in good agreement with the values determined from steady state binding. The variations in KD and sites per cell were dependent on the individual preparations of lymphoblasts. Although the steady state binding data were consistent with a single class of high affinity binding sites, the kinetic dissociation data indicates a cooperative interaction between receptors on PHA-activated lymphoblasts. Affinity cross-linking of surface bound [125I]IL-12 to PHA-activated lymphoblasts at 4 degrees C identified a major complex of approximately 210 to 280 kDa. Anti-IL-12 antibodies also immunoprecipitated a complex of approximately 210 to 280 kDa that was produced by cross-linking unlabeled IL-12 to 125I-labeled lymphoblast cell-surface proteins. Cleavage of this complex with reducing agent identified one radiolabeled protein of approximately 110 kDa. These data suggest that the IL-12 binding site on PHA-activated lymphoblasts may be composed of a single protein of approximately 110 kDa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Neutralization of gating charges in domain II of the sodium channel alpha subunit enhances voltage-sensor trapping by a beta-scorpion toxin

beta-Scorpion toxins shift the voltage dependence of activation of sodium channels to more negative membrane potentials, but only after a strong depolarizing prepulse to fully activate the channels. Their receptor site includes the S3-S4 loop at the extracellular end of the S4 voltage sensor in domain II of the alpha subunit. Here, we probe the role of gating charges in the IIS4 segment in beta-scorpion toxin action by mutagenesis and functional analysis of the resulting mutant sodium channels. Neutralization of the positively charged amino acid residues in the IIS4 segment by mutation to glutamine shifts the voltage dependence of channel activation to more positive membrane potentials and reduces the steepness of voltage-dependent gating, which is consistent with the presumed role of these residues as gating charges. Surprisingly, neutralization of the gating charges at the outer end of the IIS4 segment by the mutations R850Q, R850C, R853Q, and R853C markedly enhances beta-scorpion toxin action, whereas mutations R856Q, K859Q, and K862Q have no effect. In contrast to wild-type, the beta-scorpion toxin Css IV causes a negative shift of the voltage dependence of activation of mutants R853Q and R853C without a depolarizing prepulse at holding potentials from -80 to -140 mV. Reaction of mutant R853C with 2-aminoethyl methanethiosulfonate causes a positive shift of the voltage dependence of activation and restores the requirement for a depolarizing prepulse for Css IV action. Enhancement of sodium channel activation by Css IV causes large tail currents upon repolarization, indicating slowed deactivation of the IIS4 voltage sensor by the bound toxin. Our results are consistent with a voltage-sensor-trapping model in which the beta-scorpion toxin traps the IIS4 voltage sensor in its activated position as it moves outward in response to depolarization and holds it there, slowing its inward movement on deactivation and enhancing subsequent channel activation. Evidently, neutralization of R850 and R853 removes kinetic barriers to binding of the IIS4 segment by Css IV, and thereby enhances toxin-induced channel activation.     

Conformational flexibility of a scorpion toxin active on mammals and insects: a circular dichroism study

Three scorpion toxins have been analyzed by circular dichroism in water and in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) solutions. These toxins were chosen because they are representative of three kinds of pharmacological activities: (1) toxin AaH IT2, an antiinsect toxin purified from the venom of Androctonus australis Hector, which is able to bind to insect nervous system preparation, (2) toxin Css II, from the venom of Centruroides suffusus suffusus, which is a beta-type antimammal toxin capable of binding to mammal nervous system preparation, and (3) the toxin Ts VII from the venom of Tityus serrulatus, which is able to bind to both types of nervous systems. In order to minimize bias, CD data were analyzed by a predictive algorithm to assess secondary structure content. Among the three molecules, Ts VII presented the most unordered secondary structure in water, but it gained in ordered forms when solubilized in TFE. These results indicated that the Ts VII backbone is the most flexible, which might result in a more pronounced tendency for this toxin molecule to undergo conformational changes. This is consistent with the fact that it competes with both antiinsect and beta-type antimammal toxins for the binding to the sodium channel.     

Partial Agonist and Antagonist Activities of a Mutant Scorpion β-Toxin on Sodium Channels

Scorpion β-toxin 4 from Centruroides suffusus suffusus (Css4) enhances the activation of voltage-gated sodium channels through a voltage sensor trapping mechanism by binding the activated state of the voltage sensor in domain II and stabilizing it in its activated conformation. Here we describe the antagonist and partial agonist properties of a mutant derivative of this toxin. Substitution of seven different amino acid residues for Glu¹⁵ in Css4 yielded toxin derivatives with both increased and decreased affinities for binding to neurotoxin receptor site 4 on sodium channels. Css4^E15R is unique among this set of mutants in that it retained nearly normal binding affinity but lost its functional activity for modification of sodium channel gating in our standard electrophysiological assay for voltage sensor trapping. More detailed analysis of the functional effects of Css4^E15R revealed weak voltage sensor trapping activity, which was very rapidly reversed upon repolarization and therefore was not observed in our standard assay of toxin effects. This partial agonist activity of Css4^E15R is observed clearly in voltage sensor trapping assays with brief (5 ms) repolarization between the conditioning prepulse and the test pulse. The effects of Css4^E15R are fit well by a three-step model of toxin action involving concentration-dependent toxin binding to its receptor site followed by depolarization-dependent activation of the voltage sensor and subsequent voltage sensor trapping. Because it is a partial agonist with much reduced efficacy for voltage sensor trapping, Css4^E15R can antagonize the effects of wild-type Css4 on sodium channel activation and can prevent paralysis by Css4 when injected into mice. Our results define the first partial agonist and antagonist activities for scorpion toxins and open new avenues of research toward better understanding of the structure-function relationships for toxin action on sodium channel voltage sensors and toward potential toxin-based therapeutics to prevent lethality from scorpion envenomation.     

Properties of calcium binding by Myxicola axoplasmic protein

The 45Ca2+ binding properties of axoplasmic protein from the Myxicola giant axon have been investigated using a centrifugal/concentration-dialysis technique. Scatchard plot analysis of these binding data suggest that Ca2+ is attached to a site with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 7.7 +/- 0.5 microM and a capacity of 4.4 +/- 0.2 mumol/g axoplasmic protein (n = 11). Addition of other cations--Cd2+, Mn2+, Al3+, Cu2+, Ba2+, and Zn2(+)--at concentrations up to 10 microM did not displace 0.2 microM 45Ca2+ from its binding site, probably because of buffering of these cations by amino acid residues within the protein solutions. The protein could be stored at 4 degrees C for up to 16 days with no appreciable change in the number of calcium sites. Ca2+ binding equilibrium took place in less than 30 min of incubation. Increasing the incubation temperature from 4 degrees C to 37 degree C reduced the number of Ca2+ sites. The binding capacity was reduced by one-half when the protein was dialyzed with 4 M urea or high ionic strength KCl (2 M). Calcium binding was examined as a function of pH. When the protein was dialyzed overnight at different pH values and all the binding was done at pH 7.0, the apparent number of Ca2+ sites decreased as the pH of the dialysis medium was increased. When the protein was dialyzed overnight at pH 7.0 and the binding was done at different pH values, the apparent binding capacity increased as pH increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on the binding of a 32K rat epididymal protein to rat epididymal spermatozoa

A glycoprotein of molecular weight 32K has been isolated and purified from the rat caudal epididymal fluid by gel filtration, ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. The highly purified protein was labeled with radioactive iodine and the binding of the 125I-labeled 32K rat epididymal protein (REP) to washed rat caudal epididymal sperm was studied under various conditions. Scatchard plots of the binding data revealed two binding kinetics. One bound with high affinity (KD = 2.6 X 10(-10) ) but low capacity. The other bound with lower affinity (KD = 2.2 X 10(-9)M) but high capacity. The rate of binding of the labeled protein to sperm was dependent on the temperature of the incubation medium. At the scrotal temperature of 33 degrees C, maximal binding was obtained after 40 min. However, at 22 degrees C equilibrium state was reached after 90 min and at 0 degrees C, the equilibrium rate was not reached even after 120 min of incubation. Binding showed dependence on extracellular pH (optimal pH at 4) and ionic strength of the incubation medium. High ionic strength was found to inhibit binding of the 125I-labeled 32K REP to rat caudal epididymal sperm. Specific binding was abolished by 100-fold molar excess unlabeled 32K REP or by native rat caudal epididymal fluid proteins, but not by albumin or ovalbumin. This indicates high specificity of binding. This study has provided direct evidence for the interaction of an epididymal protein with epididymal spermatozoa.     

Interleukin 1 receptors on rabbit articular chondrocytes: relationship between biological activity and receptor binding kinetics

This study gives an account of the biologic and kinetic binding properties of interleukin 1 alpha (IL 1 alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL 1 beta), and Glu-4 (an NH2-terminal mutant of IL 1 beta) to interleukin 1 (IL 1) receptors in rabbit articular chondrocytes. All three IL 1's demonstrated full agonist properties in their ability to stimulate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis. IL 1 alpha was 23-fold more biologically active than IL 1 beta, which was around 110-fold more active than Glu-4 based on the concentration of IL 1 required for half-maximal stimulation of PGE2. The binding of all three ligands was concentration-dependent and saturable at 4 degrees C. Scatchard analysis of receptor binding data showed that the dissociation constant (KD) of IL 1 alpha was 46 +/- 12 pM, and the receptor density was 3120 sites/cell. The association of IL 1 alpha at 4 degrees C did not attain equilibrium until after 10 h at 100 pM of 125I-labeled IL 1 alpha. The dissociation of bound IL 1 alpha was very slow, t1/2 of 21 h, although only one class of high-affinity receptors was detected. The KD of IL 1 beta binding was 72 +/- 3 pM with a receptor density of 800 +/- 40 sites/cell. Dissociation of bound 125I-labeled IL 1 beta at 4 degrees C appeared to indicate the presence of two receptor subsets, a fast and a slower component with a t1/2 of 2 min and 5 h, respectively. The receptor binding affinity of Glu-4 was 324 +/- 3 pM, in line with its reduced biologic activity. Both IL 1 alpha and IL 1 beta are rapidly internalized in chondrocytes in a time- and temperature-dependent manner.     

Rat high density lipoprotein subfraction (HDL3) uptake and catabolism by isolated rat liver parenchymal cells.

Rat liver parenchymal cell binding, uptake, and proteolytic degradation of rat 125I-labeled high density lipoprotein (HDL) subfraction, HDL3 (1.10 less than d less than 1.210 g/ml), in which apo-A-I is the major polypeptide, were investigated. Structural and metabolic integrity of the isolated cells was verified by trypan blue exclusion, low lactic dehydrogenase leakage, expected morphology, and gluconeogenesis from lactate and pyruvate. 125I-labeled HDL3 was incubated with 10 X 10(6) cells at 37 degrees and 4 degrees in albumin and Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.4. Binding and uptake were determined by radioactivity in washed cells. Proteolytic degradation was determined by trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity in the incubation medium. At 37 degrees, maximum HDL3 binding (Bmax) and uptake occurred at 30 min with a Bmax of 31 ng/mg dry weight of cells. The apparent dissociation constant of the HDL3 receptor system (Kd) was 60 X 10(-8) M, based on Mr = 28,000 of apo-A-I, the predominant rat HDL3 protein. Proteolytic degradation showed a 15-min lag and then constant proteolysis. After 2 hours 5.8% of incubated 125I-labeled HDL3 was degraded. Sixty per cent of cell radioactivity at 37 degrees was trypsin-releasable. At 37 degrees, 125I-labeled HDL3 was incubated with cells in the presence of varying concentrations of native (cold) HDL3, very low density lipoproteins, and low density lipoproteins. Incubation with native HDL3 resulted in greatest inhibition of 125I-labeled HDL3 binding, uptake, and proteolytic degradation. When 125I-labeled HDL3 was preincubated with increasing amounts of HDL3 antiserum, binding and uptake by cells were decreased to complete inhibition. Cell binding, uptake, and proteolytic degradation of 125I-labeled HDL3 were markedly diminished at 4 degrees. Less than 1 mM chloroquine enhanced 125I-labeled HDL3 proteolysis but at 5 mM or greater, chloroquine inhibited proteolysis with 125I-labeled HDL3 accumulation in cells. L-[U-14C]Lysine-labeled HDL3 was bound, taken up, and degraded by cells as effectively as 125I-labeled HDL3. These data suggest that liver cell binding, uptake, and proteolytic degradation of rat HDL3 are actively performed and linked in the sequence:binding, then uptake, and finally proteolytic degradation. Furthermore, there may be a specific HDL3 (lipoprotein A) receptor of recognition site(s) on the plasma membrane. Finally, our data further support our previous reports of the important role of liver lysosomes in proteolytic degradation of HDL3.     

Binding properties of high-density lipoprotein subfractions and low-density lipoproteins to rabbit hepatocytes

Primary cultures of rabbit hepatocytes which were preincubated for 20 h in a medium containing lipoprotein-deficient serum subsequently bound, internalized and degraded 125I-labeled high-density lipoproteins2 (HDL2). The rate of degradation of HDL2 was constant in incubations from 3 to 25 h. As the concentration of HDL2 in the incubation medium was increased, binding reached saturation. At 37 degrees C, half-maximal binding (Km) was achieved at a concentration of 7.3 micrograms of HDL2 protein/ml (4.06 X 10(-8)M) and the maximum amount bound was 476 ng of HDL2 protein/mg of cell protein. At 4 degrees C, HDL2 had a Km of 18.6 micrograms protein/ml (1.03 X 10(-7)M). Unlabeled low-density lipoproteins (LDL) inhibited only at low concentrations of 125I-labeled HDL2. Quantification of 125I-labeled HDL2 binding to a specific receptor (based on incubation of cells at 4 degrees C with and without a 50-fold excess of unlabeled HDL) yielded a dissociation constant of 1.45 X 10(-7)M. Excess HDL2 inhibited the binding of both 125I-labeled HDL2 and 125I-labeled HDL3, but excess HDL3 did not affect the binding of 125I-labeled HDL3. Preincubation of hepatocytes in the presence of HDL resulted in only a 40% reduction in specific HDL2 receptors, whereas preincubation with LDL largely suppressed LDL receptors. HDL2 and LDL from control and hypercholesterolemic rabbits inhibited the degradation of 125I-labeled HDL2, but HDL3 did not. Treatment of HDL2 and LDL with cyclohexanedione eliminated their capacity to inhibit 125I-labeled HDL2 degradation, suggesting that apolipoprotein E plays a critical role in triggering the degradative process. The effect of incubation with HDL on subsequent 125I-labeled LDL binding was time-dependent: a 20 h preincubation with HDL reduced the amount of 125I-labeled LDL binding by 40%; there was a similar effect on LDL bound in 6 h but not on LDL bound in 3 h. The binding of 125I-labeled LDL to isolated liver cellular membranes demonstrated saturation kinetics at 4 degrees C and was inhibited by EDTA or excess LDL. The binding of 125I-labeled HDL2 was much lower than that of 125I-labeled LDL and was less inhibited by unlabeled lipoproteins. The binding of 125I-labeled HDL3 was not inhibited by any unlabeled lipoproteins. EDTA did not affect the binding of either HDL2 or HDL3 to isolated liver membranes. Hepatocytes incubated with [2-14C]acetate in the absence of lipoproteins incorporated more label into cellular cholesterol, nonsaponifiable lipids and total cellular lipid than hepatocytes incubated with [2-14C]acetate in the presence of any lipoprotein fraction. However, the level of 14C-labeled lipids released into the medium was higher in the presence of medium lipoproteins, indicating that the effect of those lipoproteins was on the rate of release of cellular lipids rather than on the rate of synthesis.     

Reconstitution of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel of rat brain from solubilized components

The voltage-sensitive sodium channel of rat brain synaptosomes was solubilized with sodium cholate. The solubilized sodium channel migrated on a sucrose density gradient with an apparent S20,w of approximately 12 S, retained [3H]saxitoxin ([3H]STX) binding activity that was labile at 36 degrees C but no longer bound 125I-labeled scorpion toxin (125I-ScTX). Following reconstitution into phosphatidylcholine vesicles, the channel regained 125I-ScTX binding and thermal stability of [3H]STX binding. Approximately 50% of the [3H]STX binding activity and 58% of 125I-ScTX binding activity were recovered after reconstitution. The reconstituted sodium channel bound STX and ScTX with KD values of 5 and 10 nM, respectively. Under depolarized conditions, veratridine enhanced the binding of 125I-ScTX with a K0.5 of 20 microM. These KD and K0.5 values are similar to those of the native synaptosome sodium channel. 125I-ScTX binding to the reconstituted sodium channel, as with the native channel, was voltage dependent. The KD for 125I-ScTX increased with depolarization. This voltage dependence was used to demonstrate that the reconstituted channel transports Na+. Activation of sodium channels by veratridine under conditions expected to cause hyperpolarization of the reconstituted vesicles increased 125I-ScTX binding 3-fold. This increased binding was blocked by STX with K0.5 = 5 nM. These data indicate that reconstituted sodium channels can transport Na+ and hyperpolarize the reconstituted vesicles. Thus, incorporation of solubilized synaptosomal sodium channels into phosphatidylcholine vesicles results in recovery of toxin binding and action at each of the three neurotoxin receptor sites and restoration of Na+ transport by the reconstituted channels.     

Regulation of cyclic GMP levels by neurotensin in neuroblastoma clone N1E115

The binding of 125I-labeled [monoiodo-Tyr3]neurotensin to intact neuroblastoma N1E115 cells and the effect of neurotensin on the intracellular concentration of cyclic nucleotides were studied at 37 degrees C and under physiological conditions of pH and ionic strength. The radiolabeled neurotensin analogue bound specifically to differentiated cells with a dissociation constant of 0.75 nM and a maximal binding capacity of 45 fmol/10(6) cells. Incubation of neuroblastoma cells with neurotensin in the presence of calcium ions resulted in a transient increase of 10 fold over basal level of the intracellular cyclic GMP concentration. Half-maximal stimulation was obtained with 2 nM neurotensin. Under identical conditions the cyclic AMP concentration only decreased by 20-30%. These results suggest that cyclic GMP is a second messenger of neurotensin in neuroblastoma clone N1E115.     

Human aldehyde dehydrogenase: coenzyme binding studies

The binding of NADH and NAD+ to the human liver cytoplasmic, E1, and mitochondrial, E2, isozymes at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C was studied by the NADH fluorescence enhancement technique, the sedimentation technique, and steady-state kinetics. The binding of radiolabeled [14C]NADH and [14C]NAD+ to the E1 isozyme when measured by the sedimentation technique yielded linear Scatchard plots with a dissociation constant of 17.6 microM for NADH and 21.4 microM for NAD+ and a stoichiometry of ca. two coenzyme molecules bound per enzyme tetramer. The dissociation constant, 19.2 microM, for NADH as competitive inhibitor was found from steady-state kinetics. With the mitochondrial E2 isozyme, the NADH fluorescence enhancement technique showed only one, high-affinity binding site (KD = 0.5 microM). When the sedimentation technique and radiolabeled coenzymes were used, the binding studies showed nonlinear Scatchard plots. A minimum of two binding sites with lower affinity was indicated for NADH (KD = 3-6 microM and KD = 25-30 microM) and also for NAD+ (KD = 5-7 microM and KD = 15-30 microM). A fourth binding site with the lowest affinity (KD = 184 microM for NADH and KD = 102 microM for NAD+) was observed from the steady-state kinetics. The dissociation constant for NAD+, determined by the competition with NADH via fluorescence titration, was found to be 116 microM. The number of binding sites found by the fluorescence titration (n = 1 for NADH) differs from that found by the sedimentation technique (n = 1.8-2.2 for NADH and n = 1.2-1.6 for NAD+).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)