Comparison of an endogenous protein kinase C substrate in rat aorta with rat brain MARCKS

We have compared the properties of a rat aorta-derived protein kinase C substrate (p75) with those of 80 kDa kinase C substrates from rat brain (MARCKS) and rabbit aorta (p80). Rat aortic p75 appeared to be closely related to rat brain MARCKS on the basis of: solubility in perchloric acid and trichloroacetic acid, heat stability, isoelectric point (pI 4.2), overall V8 protease phosphopeptide map, and immunocrossreactivity with an antibody directed against the N-terminal domain of MARCKS. However, p75 could be distinguished from rat brain MARCKS and from the rabbit aorta-derived p80 on the basis of its consistently more rapid electrophoretic mobility in SDS-containing gels, and in terms of a unique proteolytic phosphopeptide found in MARCKS but not in aortic p75. We conclude that p75 probably belongs to the family of protein kinase C substrates represented by MARCKS, and that differences in post-translational processing (glycosylation) or mRNA processing may account for the unique properties of the p75 protein in rat aortic tissue.Abbreviations p75 75,000 Da protein - MARCKS Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate     

Molecular cloning and chromosomal mapping of a cDNA encoding human 80K-L protein: major substrate for protein kinase C.

We have isolated and sequenced complementary DNA (cDNA) for the human 80K-L protein, a major substrate for protein kinase C and the human homologue of an 80- to 87-kDa bovine protein named MARCKS (myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate). The human 80K-L cDNA encodes a protein of 332 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 31,534. Homology comparisons of the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs indicated that their 3'-untranslated regions are more homologous than the coding regions. Spot blot hybridization using flow-sorted human chromosomes indicated that the gene encoding the 80K-L protein, designated MACS, maps to the q15----qter region of human chromosome 6, and it also suggested that a genomic region with a sequence homologous to the 3'-untranslated region of the 80K-L mRNA exists on chromosome 21.     

Purification and internal amino acid sequence of the 80 kDa protein kinase C substrate from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Homology with substrates from brain

The acidic 80 kDa protein kinase C (PKC) substrate was purified from 2.3 x 10(10) Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Partial amino acid sequence data were obtained from five peptides generated by S. aureus V8 cleavage of the protein, enabling a total of 91 amino acid residues to be assigned. The sequences of these five peptides were compared to the deduced amino acid sequences of acidic 80-87 kDa PKC substrates from both actively proliferating A431 epidermal carcinoma cells, and fully differentiated neural tissue. Despite their similar physical properties, there was no homology between the peptides derived from the fibroblast 80 kDa protein and the PKC substrate from A431 cells. However, there was 66% homology with the 87 kDa bovine brain protein within the regions covered by the peptides about 30% of the total protein). Furthermore, comparison of the peptides from the fibroblast 80 kDa protein with proteolytic peptides derived from the acidic 80 kDa rat brain protein revealed an overall homology of 89%. These data provide the first direct evidence that the 80 kDa PKC substrate from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts is closely related to the 80-87 kDa PKC substrates detected in fully differentiated neural tissue.     

Phorbol ester-induced down-regulation of the 80-kDa myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate-related protein in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Inhibition by staurosporine.

A polyclonal antiserum raised against an oligopeptide with an amino acid sequence corresponding to a sequence of the myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) from mouse macrophages and rat brain recognizes the 80-kDa C-kinase substrate from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Using this antiserum for quantitative determination of the 80-kDa MARCKS-related protein, we found that the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces a rapid down-regulation of this protein in the fibroblasts. In accordance with earlier reports, TPA causes phosphorylation of the 80-kDa protein which can be inhibited by staurosporine. Staurosporine also suppresses the TPA-induced down-regulation, possibly indicating that the down-regulation of the MARCKS-related protein is dependent on its phosphorylation by protein kinase C.     

The presence in a mouse T cell line of a 97-kDa protein kinase C (PKC) with characteristics similar to known members of the novel PKC subgroup and its possible role in lymphocyte gene expression.

The receptor for tumor-promoting phorbol esters has been shown to be the Ca+2/phospholipid dependent enzyme protein kinase C (PKC). There are two major groups of PKC, the conventional PKC isotypes alpha, beta I, beta II, gamma) and the novel Ca+2-independent PKC (delta, epsilon, zeta, eta). Phorbol esters previously have been demonstrated to increase human IFN-gamma gene expression after treatment of a murine T cell line (Cl 9) that has been transfected with human IFN-gamma genomic DNA. In contrast, treatment with Ca+2 ionophore alone or in combination with phorbol ester did not enhance IFN-gamma production in a synergistic manner above the level obtained with phorbol ester treatment alone. To determine whether the lack of effect of Ca+2 ionophore is due to a defect in PKC, we compared the level of PKC autophosphorylation in the mouse T cell line (Cl 9), a mouse epidermal cell line (JB6), and purified rat brain PKC by in vitro kinase assays. The results demonstrate that instead of the expected 80-kDa autophosphorylated PKC band seen in purified rat brain PKC or mouse JB6 cell lysates, only a novel 97-kDa Ca+2-independent phosphoprotein was observed in Cl 9 cells. To ascertain if there was any nucleic acid sequence similarity to PKC epsilon, we hybridized Cl 9 poly(A+) RNA with a cloned fragment of the PKC epsilon gene and observed two hybridizing RNA bands (4.4 and 4.0 kb). Our results suggest that the 97-kDa phosphoprotein is similar to, but not identical with, PKC epsilon and is the major PKC expressed in the Cl 9 murine T cell line. These data suggested that the 97-kDa PKC may be responsible for the induction of both the transfected human IFN-gamma gene and the endogenous murine IL-2R alpha-chain.     

Phospholipase C delta-type consists of three isozymes: bovine PLCdelta2 is a homologue of human/mouse PLCdelta4

To date, 12 phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes have been identified in mammals, and they are divided into five classes, beta-, gamma-, delta-, epsilon-, and zeta-type. PLCdelta-type is reported to be composed of four isozymes, PLCdelta1-delta4. Here we report that a screening for mouse PLCdelta2 from a BAC library with primers that amplify a specific region of bovine PLCdelta2 resulted in isolation of one clone containing the mouse PLCdelta4 gene. Furthermore, a database search revealed that there is only one gene corresponding to PLCdelta2 and PLCdelta4 in the mouse and human genomes, indicating that bovine PLCdelta2 is a homologue of human and mouse PLCdelta4. However, PLCdelta2 Western blot analysis with a widely used commercial anti-PLCdelta2 antibody showed an expression pattern distinct from that of PLCdelta4 in wild-type mice. In addition, an 80-kDa band, which was recognized by antibody against PLCdelta2, was smaller than an 85-kDa band detected by anti-PLCdelta4 antibody, and the 80-kDa band was detectable in lysates of brain, testis, and spleen from PLCdelta4-deficient mice. We also found that immunoprecipitates from brain lysates with this PLCdelta2 antibody contained no PLC activity. From these data, we conclude that bovine PLCdelta2 is a homologue of human and mouse PLCdelta4, and that three isozymes (delta1, delta3, and delta4) exist in the PLCdelta family.     

Whole-cell recording of neuroblastoma x glioma cells during downregulation of a major substrate, 80K/MARCKS,of protein kinase C

Summary Differentiated neuroblastoma cells exhibit both the delayed rectifier potassium current (I _K) and the M-current (I _M). The present study was designed to determine the roles of protein kinase C (PKC) and of the calmodulin-binding protein 80K/MARCKS, a prominent substrate for PKC and possible regulator of these currents. Neuroblastoma x glioma (NG108-15) hybrid cells transfected with m1 muscarinic receptors were grown with 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) without the prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) usually added in preparation for electrophysiological studies. Under these conditions, the usual pleomorphism was largely abolished, leaving two populations of small cells with stellate and spherically symmetrical geometries. Whole-cell patch clamping indicated that the two cell types had identical electrophysiological properties, displaying: I _k, a small current through a T-like Ca²⁺ channel, and no M-current.Stimulation with carbachol shifted the distribution of cells to a more stellate morphology within 24 hr and later (after 48 hr) reduced the PKC substrate 80K/MARCKS by 22±7%. In contrast to the stimulation of I _k observed with cardiac cells, PKC activation produced only a small inhibition of I _k, which was independent of carbachol pretreatment. Thus, PKC and 80K/MARCKS can be dissociated from the regulation of I _k in neuroblastoma cells.Supported in part by research grants from the National Institutes of Health (DK-40145 and EY-08343) and from the U.K. Medical Research Council.We thank Dr. Peter J. Parker for his generous gift of PKC, and Yvonne Vallis for her skillful assistance with the cultures and harvesting of the NG108-15 transfected cells.     

Thrombin-induced phosphorylation of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a prominent protein kinase C (PKC) substrate that is targeted to the plasma membrane by an amino-terminal myristoyl group. In its nonphosphorylated form, MARCKS cross-links F-actin and binds calmodulin (CaM) reciprocally. However, upon phosphorylation by PKC, MARCKS releases the actin or CaM. MARCKS may therefore act as a CaM sink in resting cells and regulate CaM availability during cell activation. We have demonstrated previously that thrombin-induced myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and increased monolayer permeability in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) require both PKC- and CaM-dependent pathways. We therefore decided to investigate the phosphorylation of MARCKS in BPAEC to ascertain whether this occurs in a temporally relevant manner to participate in the thrombin-induced events. MARCKS is phosphorylated in response to thrombin with a time course similar to that seen with MLC. As expected, MARCKS is also phosphorylated by phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, but with a slower onset and more prolonged duration. Bradykinin also enhances MARCKS phosphorylation in BPAEC, but histamine does not. MARCKS is distributed evenly between the membrane and cytosol in BPAEC, and neither thrombin nor PMA caused significant translocation of the protein. Specific PKC inhibitors attenuated MARCKS phosphorylation by either thrombin or PMA. Since thrombin-induced MLC phosphorylation is also attenuated by these inhibitors, MARCKS may be involved in MLC kinase activation and subsequent BPAEC contraction. W7, a CaM antagonist, enhances the phosphorylation of MARCKS. This was expected since CaM binding to MARCKS has been shown to decrease MARCKS phosphorylation by PKC. On the other hand, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin, attenuate MARCKS phosphorylation but have no effect on MLC phosphorylation, suggesting that MARCKS may be phosphorylated by kinases other than PKC. Phosphorylation of MARCKS outside the PKC phosphorylation domain would not be expected to induce the release of CaM. These data provide support for the hypothesis that MARCKS may serve as a regulator of CaM availability in BPAEC. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Characterization of a selective protein kinase C substrate derived from the MARCKS phosphorylation site domain for use in brain tissue homogenates

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes play crucial roles in neuronal signal transduction and can regulate transmitter release, ion channels, neural development, and plasticity. In vitro assays of PKC are frequently used to associate PKC activity with cellular function, and the availability of selective PKC substrates can facilitate such studies. We have characterized a commercially available 12 amino acid peptide derived from the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS-PSD, Calbiochem) for use in crude rat brain homogenates. Assays were performed at 25 degrees C for 10 min (linear up to 12 min) using optimal concentrations of calcium and lipid cofactors. Kinetic analysis of MARCKS-PSD phosphorylation by PKC purified from rat brain gave a K(m) of 2.3 microM, which was similar to the K(m) of 2.8 microM obtained using rat brain cortical homogenates. The selective PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide reduced phosphorylation of MARCKS-PSD in a concentration-dependent manner, with greater than 95% inhibition at 1.0 microM. MARCKS-PSD was more potent than another widely used selective PKC substrate (neurogranin((28-43)) and was a good substrate for human recombinant PKC alpha, delta, and epsilon but not zeta. The ontogeny of PKC activity was examined in the cortex and cerebellum. PKC activity was low at birth and reached adult levels by 21 days of age in both regions. Calcium-independent PKC activity in brain homogenates could be measured with MARCKS-PSD and accounted for approximately 25 and 10% of total activity in 1-day-old and adult rat cortex, respectively. These results suggest that the MARCKS-PSD peptide can be used as a selective PKC substrate in rat brain homogenates.     

Evidence for a non-myristoylated pool of the 80 kDa protein kinase C substrate of rat brain.

A protein of 80 kDa apparent molecular mass was found to be specifically myristolylated in rat brain cytosols derived from either whole brain or synaptosomes. The attachment of the fatty acid took place in the absence of protein synthesis, since the cytosols did not incorporate [14C]lysine into protein, nor did cycloheximide affect the incorporation of the myristic acid into the protein. The fatty acid was incorporated into the protein via an acid-labile/alkali-resistant band, and Pronase digestion of the labelled protein showed that the lipid was covalently linked to a glycine residue. Together, these data suggested that the myristic acid was amide-linked to the N-terminal residue of the protein. The protein was identified as one of the major protein kinase C substrates, the MARCKS (myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate) protein, by showing that Ca2+ stimulated its phosphorylation, by its heat stability and by immune precipitation (using an antiserum to the MARCKS protein). Incorporation of myristic acid into intact protein continued for up to 12 h, despite the fact that over this period some degradation of the protein could be demonstrated. In pulse-chase experiments, the pattern of loss of the incorporated fatty acid was similar to that of the protein itself, and therefore the loss of radioactivity probably reflects protein degradation rather than specific de-acylation of the protein. Together, these results suggest that there is a pool of unacylated MARCKS protein in the rat brain.     

cGMP-dependent phosphorylation and degradation of myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate

In the mammalian brain, nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in neuronal signal transmissions. NO stimulates guanylate cyclase to increase intracellular cGMP, which in turn activates cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG), but the targets of PKG in the brain have not fully been understood. In this study, we examined cGMP-dependent phosphorylation of proteins in rat brain and found that one of the possible substrates was myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS), an actin-binding membrane-associated protein that regulates cell adhesion. In addition, possible degradation products of MARCKS were observed after transfection of PKG or stimulation with 8pCPT-cGMP. Western blot analysis showed that the MARCKS protein levels were decreased when the cells were stimulated with 8pCPT-cGMP. These results suggest that MARCKS is a target of PKG, and PKG-dependent phosphorylation of MARCKS results in its degradation to reduce its protein levels in the cells.     

ADP-ribosylation of 24-26-kDa GTP-binding proteins localized in neuronal and non-neuronal cells by botulinum neurotoxin D

Clostridium botulinum D (strain South Africa) produces ADP-ribosyltransferase which modifies eukaryotic 24-26-kDa proteins. ADP-ribosyltransferase activity was associated with a neurotoxin of 150 kDa (Dsa toxin) as confirmed by the elution profile of Dsa toxin from high performance anion-exchange column. The 24-kDa substrate of Dsa toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation was detected in several tissues examined including rat brain, heart, and liver; bovine adrenal medulla; sea urchin eggs; electric organs of electric fish; and cell lines of neural (N18, N1E115, NS20Y, NG108, PC12, and C6) and non-neural (3T3) origins, suggesting its ubiquitous localization in eukaryotic cells. On the other hand, the 26-kDa substrate was detected only in membrane fractions of neural tissues and neuronal cells, suggesting its specific localization in membrane of nerve terminals. ADP-ribosylation of both the 24-kDa substrate in PC12 membrane and the 24-26-kDa substrates in rat brain membrane was potentiated by either divalent cations or guanine nucleotides, whereas adenine nucleotides did not affect the ADP-ribosylation reaction. Trypsin digestion of the 24-kDa substrate in PC12 membrane and the 24-26-kDa substrates in rat brain membrane extract produced different tryptic fragments indicative of the structural difference between the 24- and 26-kDa substrates. Both the 24- and 26-kDa substrates were less sensitive to trypsin digestion before being ADP-ribosylated by Dsa toxin than after, suggesting the conformational alterations of the 24-26-kDa proteins induced by ADP-ribosylation. These results suggest that Dsa toxin modifies two distinct low molecular mass GTP-binding proteins by ADP-ribosylation to alter their putative function(s).     

Myristoylation-dependent N-terminal cleavage of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) by cellular extracts

The myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) has been proposed to regulate the plasticity of the actin cytoskeleton at its site of attachment to membranes. In macrophages, MARCKS is implicated in various cellular events including motility, adhesion and phagocytosis. In this report we show that macrophage extracts contain a protease which specifically cleaves human MARCKS, expressed in a cell-free system or in E. coli, between Lys-6 and Thr-7. Cleavage of MARCKS decreases its affinity for macrophage membranes by ca. one order of magnitude, highlighting the contribution of the myristoyl moiety of MARCKS to membrane binding. Importantly, cleavage requires myristoylation of MARCKS. Furthermore, MARCKS-related protein (MRP), the second member of the MARCKS family, is not digested. Since Thr-7 is lacking in MRP this suggests that Thr-7 at the P1 position is important for the recognition of lipid-modified substrates. A different product is observed when MARCKS is incubated with a calf brain cytosolic extract. This product can be remyristoylated in the presence of myristoyl-CoA and N-myristoyl transferase, demonstrating that cycles of myristoylation/demyristoylation of MARCKS can be achieved in vitro. Although the physiological relevance of these enzymes still needs to be demonstrated, our results reveal the presence of a new class of cleaving enzymes recognizing lipid-modified protein substrates.