Self-catalyzed cyclization of the intervening sequence RNA of Tetrahymena: inhibition by methidiumpropyl.EDTA and localization of the major dye binding sites.

The intervening sequence (IVS) excised from the rRNA precursor of Tetrahymena thermophila is converted to a covalently closed circular RNA in the absence of proteins in vitro. This self-catalyzed cyclization reaction is inhibited by the intercalating dye methidiumpropyl.EDTA (MPE; R.P. Hertzberg and P.B. Dervan (1982) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 104, 313-315). The MPE binding sites have been localized by mapping the sites of MPE.Fe(II) cleavage of the IVS RNA. There are three major binding sites within the 414 nucleotide IVS RNA. Two of these sites coincide with the A.B and 9L.2 pairings. These are structural elements that are conserved in all group I introns and are implicated as being functionally important for splicing. We propose that interaction of MPE with these sites is responsible for dye inhibition of cyclization. The reactions of MPE.Fe(II) with an RNA of known structure, tRNAPhe, and with the IVS RNA were studied as a function of temperature, ionic strength and ethidium concentration. Based on the comparison of the reaction with these two RNAs, we conclude that the dye is a very useful probe for structural regions of large RNAs, while it provides more limited structural information about the small, compact tRNA molecule.     

Study of 2.5S RNA of 1,4-alpha-glucan branching enzyme by fluorescent methods using ethidium bromide

The fluorescence yield and lifetime of ethidium bromide complexes with 1,4-alpha-glucan branching enzyme and its free nucleic acid component 2.5S RNA were measured. Both fluorescence parameters showed a 10-fold increase in comparison with those characteristics for the free dye. This increase allows to suggest the existence of double-stranded regions in 2.5S RNA both in the free as well as in the protein bound state. The coefficients of fluorescence polarization were also determined for ethidium bromide complexed with free and protein bound 2.5S RNA. They proved to be 13 and 18% respectively. No concentration depolarization was observed in both types of ethidium bromide and ethidium bromide--enzyme--RNA complexes. This proves that the double-stranded regions are rather short and that two ethidium bromide molecules can't be bound to each of them. The binding isotherms were measured for ethidium bromide absorbed on 2.5S RNA and on the holoenzyme. Their parameters napp and rmax are identical in the cases of free and protein bound 2,5S RNA (rmax = 0.046 +/- 0.001). However the binding constants of ethidium bromide complexes with free and protein bound 2.5S RNA differ significantly (Kapp = 2.2 X 10(6) M-1 for free 2.5S RNA and Kapp = 1.6 X 10(6) M-1 for the holoenzyme). The quantity of nucleotides involved in the two double-stranded regions accessible for ethidium binding is estimated to be about 28%. Increasing of Mg2+ ion concentration up to 10(-3) results in a decrease of ethidium bromide binding with double stranded regions. It may be due to a more compact tertiary structure of 2.5S RNA in the presence of Mg2+ in the free as well as in protein bound state.     

Guanosine binding required for cyclization of the self-splicing intervening sequence ribonucleic acid from Tetrahymena thermophila

We have converted the intramolecular cyclization reaction of the self-splicing intervening sequence (IVS) ribonucleic acid (RNA) from Tetrahymena thermophila into an intermolecular guanosine addition reaction. This was accomplished by selectively removing the 3'-terminal nucleotide by oxidation and beta-elimination; the beta-eliminated IVS thereby is no longer capable of reacting with itself. However, under cyclization conditions, a free guanosine molecule can make a nucleophilic attack at the normal cyclization site. We have used this guanosine addition reaction as a model system for a Michaelis-Menten kinetic analysis of the guanosine binding site involved in cyclization. The results indicate that functional groups on the guanine that are used in a G-C Watson-Crick base pair are important for the cyclization reaction. This is the same result that was obtained for the guanosine binding site involved in splicing [Bass, B. L., & Cech, T. R. (1984) Nature (London) 308, 820-826]. Unlike splicing, however, certain additional nucleotides 5' to the guanosine moiety make significant binding contributions. We conclude that the guanosine binding site in cyclization is similar to, but not identical with, the guanosine binding site in splicing. The same binding interactions used in cyclization could help align the 3' splice site of the rRNA precursor for exon ligation. We also report that the phosphodiester bond at the cyclization site is susceptible to a pH-dependent hydrolysis reaction; the phosphodiester bond is somehow activated toward attack by the 3'hydroxyl of a guanosine molecule or by a hydroxyl ion.     

5-Doxylstearate-induced displacement of phencyclidine from its low-affinity binding sites on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Fatty acids as well as phencyclidine (PCP) inhibit the ion channel activity of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) by a noncompetitive mechanism. However, the exact localization of the fatty acid binding sites is unknown and, thus, the noncompetitive inhibitory mechanism for these endogenous modulators remains to be elucidated. In an attempt to determine the location of the fatty acid binding sites, we study the mutually exclusive action between 5-doxylstearate (5-SASL), a derivative of the endogenous noncompetitive antagonist (NCA) stearic acid, and other exogenous NCAs. For this purpose, both equilibrium and competitive binding assays using fluorescent and radiolabeled ligands were performed on desensitized AChRs. More specifically, we determined: (i) the effect of 5-SASL on the binding of the exogenous NCA [(3)H]PCP; (ii) the effect of 5-SASL on the binding of either quinacrine or ethidium, two fluorescent NCAs from exogenous origin; and (iii) the PCP-induced displacement of quinacrine and ethidium from their respective high-affinity binding sites. Our first target (i) is carried out by measuring the [(3)H]PCP binding in the absence or in the presence of increasing concentrations of 5-SASL. We found that 5-SASL displaces PCP from its low-affinity binding sites. The low-affinity PCP binding sites were pharmacologically characterized by an apparent dissociation constant (K(d)) of 6.1 +/- 5.0 microM and a stoichiometry of 3.7 +/- 1.5 sites per AChR. The fact that 5-SASL increased the apparent K(d) without changing the number of sites per AChR is indicative of a mutually exclusive action. From these results, an apparent inhibition constant (K(i)) of 75 +/- 31 microM for 5-SASL was calculated. In addition, 5-SASL affected neither the apparent K(d) (0.46 +/- 0.37 microM) nor the stoichiometry (1.07 +/- 0.57 sites per AChR) of the high-affinity PCP binding site. The second objective (ii) is achieved by titrating either quinacrine or ethidium into AChR native membranes in the absence or in the presence of increasing concentrations of 5-SASL. These experiments showed that 5-SASL efficiently increased the apparent K(d) of quinacrine without perturbing the interaction of ethidium with its high-affinity locus. Considering that (a) 5-SASL effectively quenched the AChR-bound quinacrine fluorescence (H. R. Arias, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1347, 9-22, 1997) and (b) fluorescence-quenching is a short-range process, it is possible to suggest that 5-SASL displaces quinacrine from its high-affinity binding site by a steric mechanism. In this regard, a K(i) of 38 +/- 5 microM for 5-SASL was calculated. Concerning the last objective (iii), AChR-bound quinacrine or ethidium was back titrated with PCP. Two PCP K(i) values were obtained by fitting the displacement plots by nonlinear regression with two components. The lowest K(i) values obtained for either quinacrine (0.86 +/- 0.37 microM) or ethidium (0. 29 +/- 0.23 microM) displacement from their respective high-affinity binding sites coincide with the previously determined high-affinity [(3)H]PCP K(d). In addition, the highest K(i) values obtained for either NCA displacement are in the same concentration range as the observed low-affinity [(3)H]PCP K(d). Taking into account all experimental data, we reached the following conclusions: (i) fatty acid molecules, or at least 5-SASL, sterically interact with both the PCP low-affinity and the quinacrine high-affinity binding sites; (ii) the low-affinity PCP binding sites, as well as the high-affinity quinacrine locus, are located at the nonannular lipid domain of the AChR; and, finally, (iii) fatty acid molecules are not accessible to the lumen of the ion channel, indicating an allosteric mode of action for fatty acids to inhibit ion flux. Thus, the 5-SASL, the quinacrine high-affinity, and the PCP low-affinity binding sites are all located at overlapping nonannular loci on the muscle-type AChR.     

Reversibility of cyclization of the Tetrahymena rRNA intervening sequence: implication for the mechanism of splice site choice

The Tetrahymena rRNA intervening sequence (IVS) excises itself from the pre-rRNA and then mediates its own cyclization. We now find that certain di- and trinucleotides with free 3' hydroxyl groups reopen the circular IVS at the cyclization junction, producing a linear molecule with the oligonucleotide covalently attached to its 5' end. This linear molecule recyclizes with release of the added oligonucleotide. Thus the IVS RNA, like an enzyme, lowers the activation energy for both forward and reverse cleavage-ligation reactions. Certain combinations of pyrimidines are required for circle reopening. The most reactive oligonucleotide is UCU. This sequence resembles those preceding the major and minor cyclization sites in the linear IVS RNA (UUU and CCU) and the 5' splice site in the pre-rRNA (UCU). We propose that an oligopyrimidine binding site within the IVS binds the sequences upstream of each of these target sites for cleavage-ligation.     

Fluorescence-based methods for evaluating the RNA affinity and specificity of HIV-1 Rev-RRE inhibitors

RNA plays a pivotal role in the replication of all organisms, including viral and bacterial pathogens. The development of small molecules that selectively interfere with undesired RNA activity is a promising new direction for drug design. Currently, there are no anti-HIV treatments that target nucleic acids. This article presents the HIV-1 Rev response element (RRE) as an important focus for the development of antiviral agents that target RNA. The Rev binding site on the RRE is highly conserved, even between different groups of HIV-1 isolates. Compounds that inhibit HIV replication by binding to the RRE and displacing Rev are therefore expected to retain activity across groups of genetically diverse HIV infections. Systematic evaluations of both the RRE affinity and specificity of numerous small molecule inhibitors are essential for deciphering the parameters that govern effective RRE recognition. This article discusses fluorescence-based techniques that are useful for probing a small molecule's RRE affinity and its ability to inhibit Rev-RRE binding. Rev displacement experiments can be conducted by observing the fluorescence anisotropy of a fluorescein-labeled Rev peptide, or by quantifying its displacement from a solid-phase immobilized RRE. Experiments conducted in the presence of competing nucleic acids are useful for evaluating the RRE specificity of Rev-RRE inhibitors. The discovery and characterization of new RRE ligands are described. Eilatin is a polycyclic aromatic heterocycle that has at least one binding site on the RRE (apparent Kd is approximately 0.13 microM), but it does not displace Rev upon binding the RRE (IC50 > 3 microM). In contrast, ethidium bromide and two eilatin-containing metal complexes show better consistency between their RRE affinity and their ability to displace a fluorescent Rev peptide from the RRE. These results highlight the importance of conducting orthogonal binding assays that establish both the RNA affinity of a small molecule and its ability to inhibit the function of the RNA target. Some Rev-RRE inhibitors, including ethidium bromide, Lambda-[Ru(bpy)(2)eilatin]2+, and Delta-[Ru(bpy)(2)eilatin]2+ also inhibit HIV-1 gene expression in cell cultures (IC50 = 0.2-3 microM). These (and similar) results should facilitate the future discovery and implementation of anti-HIV drugs that are targeted to viral RNA sites. In addition, a deeper general understanding of RNA-small molecule recognition will assist in the effective targeting of other therapeutically important RNA sites.     

Reactivity of modified ribose moieties of guanosine: new cleavage reactions mediated by the IVS of Tetrahymena precursor rRNA.

An RNA molecule consisting of the 5' exon and intervening sequence (IVS) of Tetrahymena precursor rRNA was oxidized with sodium periodate to convert the ribose moiety of the 3' terminal guanosine into a dialdehyde form. The modified RNA undergoes a specific cleavage reaction at the 5' splice site, but has no apparent cyclization activity. This novel reaction mediated by the IVS RNA is pH dependent over the range 6.5-8.5 and leaves a 5' phosphate and a 3'-OH at the newly created termini. The dialdehyde form of monomer guanosine is also capable of causing a specific cleavage reaction at the 5' splice site although the nucleotide is not covalently attached to the IVS RNA in the final product. These and other findings described in this report suggest that the cis diol of the intact ribose moiety of guanosine is not an absolute requirement for the IVS-mediated reactions.     

Investigation of the binding of Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ and K+ to the vitamin D-dependent Ca2+-binding protein from pig duodenum.

The cation-binding properties of the vitamin D-dependent Ca2+-binding protein from pig duodenum were investigated, mainly by flow dialysis. The protein bound two Ca2+ ions with high affinity, and Mg2+, Mn2+ and K+ were all bound competitively with Ca2+ at both sites. The sites were distinguished by their different affinities for Mn2+, the one with the higher affinity being designated A (Kd 0.61 +/- 0.02 microM) and the other B (Kd 50 +/- 6 microM). Competitive binding studies allied to fluorimetric titration with Mg2+ showed that site A bound Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ with Kd values of 4.7 +/- 0.8 nM, 94 +/- 18 microM and 1.6 +/- 0.3 mM respectively, and site B bound the same three cations with Kd values of 6.3 +/- 1.8 nM, 127 +/- 38 microM and 2.1 +/- 0.6 mM. For the binding of these cations, therefore, there was no significant difference between the two sites. In the presence of 1 mM-Mg2+ and 150 mM-K+, both sites bound Ca2+ with an apparent Kd of 0.5 microM. The cation-binding properties were discussed relative to those of parvalbumin, troponin C and the vitamin D-dependent Ca2+-binding protein from chick duodenum.     

Calcium ion downregulates soluble guanylyl cyclase activity: evidence for a two-metal ion catalytic mechanism

The inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase by Ca2+ has been kinetically characterized and the results support a two-metal-ion catalytic mechanism for formation of cGMP. Ca2+ reversibly inhibits both the basal and NO-stimulated forms of bovine lung soluble guanylyl cyclase. Inhibition is independent of the activator identity and concentration, revealing that Ca2+ interacts with a site independent of the heme regulatory site. Inhibition by Ca2+ is competitive with respect to Mg2+ in excess of substrate, with Kis values of 29 +/- 4 and 6.6 +/- 0.6 microM for the basal and activated states, respectively. Ca2+ inhibits noncompetitively with respect to the substrate MgGTP in both activity states. The qualitatively similar inhibition pattern and quantitatively different Ki values between the basal and NO-stimulated states suggest that the Ca2+ binding site undergoes some structural modification upon activation of the enzyme. The competitive nature of Ca2+ inhibition with respect to excess Mg2+ is consistent with a two-metal-ion mechanism for cyclization.     

Reduction of the fertilizing capacity of sea urchin sperm by cannabinoids derived from marihuana. I. Inhibition of the acrosome reaction induced by egg jelly.

delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and two other major cannabinoids derived from marihuana--cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN)--inhibit fertilization in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus by reducing the fertilizing capacity of sperm (Schuel et al., 1987). Sperm fertility depends on their motility and on their ability to undergo the acrosome reaction upon encountering the egg's jelly coat. Pretreatment of S. purpuratus sperm with THC prevents triggering of the acrosome reaction by solubilized egg jelly in a dose (0.1-100 microM) and time (0-5 min)-dependent manner. Induction of the acrosome reaction is inhibited in 88.9 +/- 2.3% of sperm pretreated with 100 microM THC for 5 min, while motility of THC-treated sperm is not reduced compared to solvent (vehicle) and seawater-treated controls. The acrosome reaction is inhibited 50% by pretreatment with 6.6 microM THC for 5 min and with 100 microM THC after 20.8 sec. CBN and CBD at comparable concentrations inhibit the acrosome reaction by egg jelly in a manner similar to THC. THC does not inhibit the acrosome reaction artificially induced by ionomycin, which promotes Ca2+ influx, and nigericin, which promotes K+ efflux. THC partially inhibits (20-30%) the acrosome reaction induced by A23187, which promotes Ca2+ influx, and NH4OH, which raises the internal pH of the sperm. Addition of monensin, which promotes Na+ influx to egg jelly or to A23187, does not overcome the THC inhibition. Inhibition of the egg jelly-induced acrosome reaction by THC produces a corresponding reduction in the fertilizing capacity of the sperm. The adverse effects of THC on the acrosome reaction and sperm fertility are reversible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reactions of the intervening sequence of the Tetrahymena ribosomal ribonucleic acid precursor: pH dependence of cyclization and site-specific hydrolysis

During self-splicing of the Tetrahymena rRNA precursor, the intervening sequence (IVS) is excised as a unique linear molecule and subsequently cyclized. Cyclization involves formation of a phosphodiester bond between the 3' end and nucleotide 16 of the linear RNA, with release of an oligonucleotide containing the first 15 nucleotides. We find that the rate of cyclization is independent of pH in the range 4.7-9.0. A minor site of cyclization at nucleotide 20 is characterized. Cyclization to this site becomes more prominent at higher pHs, although under all conditions examined it is minor compared to cyclization at nucleotide 16. The circular IVS RNAs are unstable, undergoing hydrolysis at the phosphodiester bond that was formed during cyclization. We find that the rate of site-specific hydrolysis is first order with respect to hydroxide ion concentration, with a rate constant 10(3)-10(4)-fold greater than that of hydrolysis of strained cyclic phosphate esters. On the basis of these results, we propose that circular IVS RNA hydrolysis involves direct attack of OH- on the phosphate at the ligation junction, that particular phosphate being made particularly reactive by the folding of the RNA molecule. Cyclization, on the other hand, appears to occur by direct attack of the 3'-terminal hydroxyl group of the linear IVS RNA without prior deprotonation.     

Binding of ethidium to the nucleosome core particle. 1. Binding and dissociation reactions

We have examined binding properties of and dissociation induced by the intercalating dye ethidium bromide when it interacts with the nucleosome core particle under low ionic strength conditions. Ethidium binding to the core particle results in a reversible dissociation which requires the critical binding of 14 ethidium molecules. Under low ionic strength conditions, dissociation is about 90% completed in 5 h. The observed ethidium binding isotherm was corrected for the presence of free DNA due to particle dissociation. The corrected curve reveals that the binding of ethidium to the core particle itself is a highly cooperative process characterized by a low intrinsic binding constant of KA = 2.4 X 10(4) M-1 and a cooperativity parameter of omega = approximately 140. The number of base pairs excluded to another dye molecule by each bound dye molecule (n) is 4.5. Through the use of a chemical probe, methidiumpropyl-EDTA (MPE), we have localized the initial binding sites of ethidium in the core particle to consist of an average of 27 +/- 4 bp of DNA that are distributed near both ends of the DNA termini. MPE footprint analysis has also revealed that, prior to dissociation, the fractional population of core particles which bind the dye (f) may be as low as 50%. Comparison of the binding and dissociation data showed that the cooperative maximum of the binding curve occurred at or near the critical value, i.e., at the point where dissociation began. The data were used to generate a detailed model for the association of ethidium with chromatin at the level of the nucleosome.     

Specific limitations for intracellular diffusion of ADP in cardiomyocytes

Isolated cardiomyocytes and bundles of cardiac fibers were studied after lysis of their sarcolemma by saponin (40-50 micrograms/ml). 60-70% of cardiomyocytes were rod-like and Ca2(+)-tolerant. The kinetics of stimulation of oxidative phosphorylation by ADP and creatine via the mitochondrial creatine kinase reaction: MgATP + creatine----MgADP + phosphocreatine, was investigated after perforation of sarcolemma. The criterion for sarcolemmal perforation was an almost complete (80-100%) leakage of lactate dehydrogenase. It was shown that the Km values for ADP during stimulation of oxidative phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes are 250 +/- 39 microM (264 +/- 57 microM in cardiac bundles) which exceeds by one order of magnitude the Km value for ADP in isolated mitochondria (18 +/- 5 microM). On the contrary, Km for creatine is the same for all preparations studied (6-6.9 mM). The data obtained suggest the absence of diffusion difficulties for creatine inside the cells. In contrast, intracellular diffusion of ADP is restricted, most probably, dye to its binding to intracellular structures. These data emphasize the crucial role of the creatine kinase system in energy transfer processes. In the presence of 25 mM creatine Km for ADP is decreased to 36 +/- 6 mM due to a manyfold use of ADP in the coupled creatine kinase-oxidative phosphorylation reaction occurring in mitochondria.     

The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi epimastigotes: molecular, kinetic, and regulatory properties

The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (ATP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.49) of the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi has been purified to homogeneity. The enzyme is composed of two apparently identical 42,000 +/- 500 subunits, is highly specific for adenine nucleotides, and has a strict requirement of Mn2+ ions for activity; the activation of the enzyme by ionic Mn2+ reveals that one Mn2+ ion required for each 42,000 subunit. Hyperbolic kinetics are observed for all substrates in the carboxylation reaction with Km (phosphoenolpyruvate) of 0.36 +/- 0.08 mM, Km (HCO-3) of 3.7 +/- 0.2 mM, and Km (Mg-ADP) of 39 +/- 1 microM. In the decarboxylation reaction the kinetics with respect to oxalacetic acid are also hyperbolic with a Km of 27 +/- 3 microM, but towards Mg-ATP there is a biphasic response: hyperbolic at low (less than 250 microM) concentrations with a Km of 39 +/- 1 microM, but at higher concentrations the nucleotide produces a strong inhibition of the enzyme activity. This inhibition is also observed with Mg-GTP and Mg-ITP which are not substrates of the reaction. The results are consistent with an important regulatory function of the enzyme in the amino-acid catabolism of T. cruzi.     

Characterization of the autophosphorylation of chicken gizzard caldesmon.

Caldesmon, an actin- and calmodulin-binding protein of smooth muscle, is a protein serine/threonine kinase capable of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent autophosphorylation [Scott-Woo & Walsh (1988) Biochem. J. 252, 463-472]. Phosphorylation nullifies the inhibitory effect of caldesmon on the actin-activated Mg2+-ATPase activity of smooth-muscle myosin [Ngai & Walsh (1987) Biochem. J. 244, 417-425]. We have characterized the kinase activity of caldesmon of chicken gizzard smooth muscle. Autophosphorylation requires Ca2+/calmodulin, but is unaffected by other second messengers (Ca2+/phospholipid/diacylglycerol, cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP), and is inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists chlorpromazine and compound 48/80, with 50% inhibition at 39.8 microM and 12.0 ng/ml respectively. Half-maximal activation of autophosphorylation occurs at 60-80 nM-Ca2+ and 0.14 microM-calmodulin, and maximal activity at 0.14-0.18 microM-Ca2+ and 1 microM-calmodulin; activation is gradually lost at higher Ca2+ and calmodulin concentrations. Autophosphorylation is pH-dependent, with maximal activity over the range pH 7-9, and requires free Mg2+ in addition to the MgATP2- substrate. The Km for ATP is 15.6 +/- 4.1 microM (mean +/- S.D., n = 4), and kinase activity is inhibited by increasing ionic strength [half-maximal inhibition at I = 0.094 +/- 0.009 M (mean +/- S.D., n = 4)]. Autophosphorylation does not affect the rate of hydrolysis of caldesmon (free or bound to calmodulin) by alpha-chymotrypsin. However, a slight difference in peptides generated from phospho- and dephospho-forms of caldesmon is observed. The binding of phospho- or dephospho-caldesmon to F-actin protects the protein against chymotryptic digestion, but does not alter the pattern of peptide generation. Characterization of proteolytic fragments of caldesmon generated by alpha-chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease enables localization of the phosphorylation sites and the kinase active site within the caldesmon molecule.     

Inhibition of [3H]platelet activating factor (PAF) binding by Zn2+: a possible explanation for its specific PAF antiaggregating effects in human platelets

Zinc ions in the micromolar range exhibited a strong inhibitory activity toward platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced human washed platelet activation, if added prior to this lipid chemical mediator. The concentration of Zn2+ required for 50% inhibition of aggregation (IC50) was inversely proportional to the concentration of PAF present. The IC50 values (in microM) for Zn2+ were 8.8 +/- 3.9, 27 +/- 5.8, and 34 +/- 1.7 against 2, 5, and 10 nM PAF, respectively (n = 3-6). Zn2+ exhibited comparable inhibitory effects on [3H]serotonin secretion and the IC50 values (in microM) were 10 +/- 1.2, 18 +/- 3.5, and 35 +/- 0.0 against 2, 5, and 10 nM PAF, respectively (n = 3). Under the same experimental conditions, aggregation and serotonin secretion induced by ADP (5 microM), arachidonic acid (3.3 microM), or thrombin (0.05 U/ml) were not inhibited. Introduction of Zn2+ within 0-2 min after PAF addition not only blocked further platelet aggregation and [3H]serotonin secretion but also caused reversal of aggregation. Analysis of [3H]PAF binding to platelets showed that Zn2+ as well as unlabeled PAF prevented the specific binding of [3H]PAF. The inhibition of [3H]PAF specific binding was proportional to the concentration of Zn2+ and the IC50 value was 18 +/- 2 microM against 1 nM [3H]PAF (n = 3). Other cations, such as Cd2+, Cu2+, and La3+, were ineffective as inhibitors of PAF at concentrations where Zn2+ showed its maximal effects. However, Cd2+ and Cu2+ at high concentrations exhibited a significant inhibition of the aggregation induced by 10 nM PAF with IC50 values being five- and sevenfold higher, respectively, than the IC50 for Zn2+, and with the IC50 values for inhibition of binding of 1 nM [3H]PAF being 5 and 19 times higher, respectively, than the IC50 for Zn2+. The specific inhibition of PAF-induced platelet activation and PAF binding to platelets suggested strongly that Zn2+ interacted with the functional receptor site of PAF or at a contiguous site.     

Interaction of chloroquine with linear and supercoiled DNAs. Effect on the torsional dynamics, rigidity, and twist energy parameter

The magnitude and uniformity of the torsion elastic constant (alpha) of linear pBR322 DNA and supercoiled pBR322 DNAs with high-twist (sigma = -0.083) and normal-twist (sigma = -0.48) are measured in 0.1 M NaCl as a function of added chloroquine/base-pair ratio (chl/bp) by studying the fluorescence polarization anisotrophy (FPA) of intercalated ethidium dye. The time-resolved FPA is measured by using a picosecond dye laser for excitation and time-correlated single-photon counting detection. A general theory is developed for the binding of ligands that unwind superhelical DNAs, and the simultaneous binding of two different intercalators is treated in detail. The equilibrium constant (K) for binding chloroquine to linear pBR322 DNA and the number (r) of bound chloroquines per base pair are determined from the relative amplitude ratio of the slow (normally intercalated) and fast (free) components in the decay of the (probe) ethidium fluorescence intensity as a function of chl/bp. For chloroquine binding to supercoiled pBR322 DNAs, the intrinsic binding constant is assumed to be the same as for the linear DNA, but the twist energy parameter ET (N times the free energy to change the linking number from 0 to 1 in units of kBT) is regarded as adjustable. Using the best-fit ET, the binding ratios r are calculated for each chl/bp ratio. Twist energy parameters are also determined for ethidium binding to these supercoiled DNAs by competitive dialysis. For chloroquine binding, we obtain ET = 360 and 460 respectively for the normal-twist and high-twist supercoiled DNAs. For ethidium binding the corresponding values are ET = 280 +/- 70 and 347 +/- 50. Like other dye-binding values, these are substantially lower than those obtained by ligation methods. In the absence of chloroquine, the torsion constants of all three DNAs are virtually identical, alpha = (5.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(-12) dyn.cm. For linear pBR322 DNA, the magnitude and uniformity of alpha remain unaltered by intercalated chloroquine up to r = 0.19. This finding argues that the FPA is not significantly relaxed by diffusion of any kinks or solitons. If alpha d denotes the torsion constant between a dye and a base pair and alpha 0 that between two base pairs, then our data imply that alpha d/alpha 0 lies in the range 0.65-1.64, with a most probable value of 1.0.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Food dye, erythrosin B, inhibits ATP-dependent calcium ion transport by brain microsomes

The widely-used food dye Erythrosin B inhibited ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation by rat brain microsomes, half-maximal inhibition requiring 1 microM dye. Addition of 0.5-20 microM dye to microsomes preloaded with Ca2+ did not cause any net Ca2+ release. 10 microM dye produced a constant inhibition of Ca2+ accumulation as the intravesicular free Ca2+ was lowered suggesting that, at low concentrations, it acts on the uptake system only. Ca2+ accumulation was ten-fold more sensitive to the dye than Erythrosin B-induced neurotransmitter release reported by others. Higher dye concentrations (100 microM) caused Ca2+ release.     

Modulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding to the recombinant ligand-binding site of the type-1 inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate receptor by Ca2+ and calmodulin

A recombinant protein (Lbs-1) containing the N-terminal 581 amino acids of the mouse type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R-1), including the complete IP3-binding site, was expressed in the soluble fraction of E. coli. The characteristics of IP3 binding to this protein were similar as observed previously for the intact IP3R-1. Ca2+ dose-dependently inhibited IP3 binding to Lbs-1 with an IC50 of about 200 nM. This effect represented a decrease in the affinity of Lbs-1 for IP3, because the Kd increased from 115 +/- 15 nM in the absence to 196 +/- 18 nM in the presence of 5 microM Ca2+. The maximal effect of Ca2+ on Lbs-1 (5 microM Ca2+, 42.0 +/- 6.4% inhibition) was similar to the maximal inhibition observed for microsomes of insect Sf9 cells expressing full-length IP3R-1 (33.8 +/- 10.2%). Conceivably, the two contiguous Ca2+-binding sites (residues 304-450 of mouse IP3R-1) previously found by us (Sienaert, I., Missiaen, L., De Smedt, H., Parys, J.B., Sipma, H., and Casteels, R. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 25899-25906) mediate the effect of Ca2+ on IP3 binding to IP3R-1. Calmodulin also dose-dependently inhibited IP3 binding to Lbs-1 with an IC50 of about 3 microM. Maximal inhibition (10 microM calmodulin, 43.1 +/- 5.9%) was similar as observed for Sf9-IP3R-1 microsomes (35.8 +/- 8.7%). Inhibition by calmodulin occurred independently of Ca2+ and was additive to the inhibitory effect of 5 microM Ca2+ (together 74.5 +/- 5.1%). These results suggest that the N-terminal ligand-binding region of IP3R-1 contains a calmodulin-binding domain that binds calmodulin independently of Ca2+ and that mediates the inhibition of IP3 binding to IP3R-1.     

Mutual binding inhibition of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin to their binding protein from the plasma of the puffer fish,Fugu pardalis

The mutual binding inhibition of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin to their binding protein from the plasma of Fugu pardalis was investigated by HPLC. The values for the half inhibitory concentration of tetrodotoxin (1.6 microM) binding to this protein (1.2 microM) for saxitoxin, and of saxitoxin (0.47 microM) binding to that (0.30 microM) for tetrodotoxin were 0.35 +/- 0.057 microM and 81 +/- 16 microM (n = 2), respectively.