Pyridoxal 5'-diphospho-5'-adenosine binds at a single site on isolated alpha-subunit from Escherichia coli F1-ATPase and specifically reacts with lysine 201

Pyridoxal 5'-diphospho-5'-adenosine (PLP-AMP), an adenine nucleotide affinity analog, was found to bind in a saturable fashion to isolated alpha-subunit from Escherichia coli F1-ATPase with a stoichiometry of one mol/mol and a Kd approximately 150 microM. The binding was shown to be specific by the following criteria: 1) ATP reduced the binding of PLP-AMP by 80%, and 2) PLP-AMP, like ATP, induced a conformational change which increased the mobility of alpha-subunit in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and rendered alpha-subunit resistant to mild trypsin proteolysis. A stable adduct was formed between isolated alpha-subunit and [3H] PLP-AMP after reduction with NaBH4. alpha-Subunit labeled to the extent of 0.4-0.7 mol/mol was digested with trypsin and subjected to high pressure liquid chromatography purification, yielding a single labeled peptide. Automated amino acid sequencing showed that residue alpha-Lys-201 was specifically labeled. The results suggest that Lys-201 occupies a position proximate to the phosphate groups of bound ATP in the alpha.ATP complex. PLP-AMP did not support repolymerization of isolated alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subunits, consistent with previous reports that subunit repolymerization in vitro is dependent upon the presence of nucleoside triphosphate. Further, PLP-AMP-labeled alpha-subunit could not be reconstituted with isolated beta- and gamma-subunits in the presence of ATP, showing that occupation of the alpha-subunit nucleotide site by PLP-AMP impairs normal subunit-subunit interaction.     

Affinity labelling with MgATP analogues reveals coexisting Na+ and K+ forms of the alpha-subunits of Na+/K+-ATPase.

To test the hypothesis that Na+/K+-ATPase works as an (alpha beta)2-diprotomer with interacting catalytic alpha-subunits, tryptic digestion of pig kidney enzyme, that had been inactivated with substitution-inert MgATP complex analogues, was performed. This led to the demonstration of coexisting C-terminal Na+-like 80-kDa as well as K+-like 60-kDa peptides and N-terminal 40-kDa peptides of the alpha-subunit. To localize the ATP binding sites on tryptic peptides, studies with radioactive MgATP complex analogues were performed: Co(NH3)4-8-N3-ATP specifically modified the E2ATP (low affinity) binding site of Na+/K+-ATPase with an inactivation rate constant (k2) of 12 x 10-3.min-1 at 37 degrees C and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 207 +/- 28 microm. Tryptic digestion of the [gamma32P]Co(NH3)4-8-N3-ATP-inactivated and photolabelled alpha-subunit (Mr = 100 kDa) led, in the absence of univalent cations, to a K+-like C-terminal 60-kDa fragment which was labelled in addition to an unlabelled Na+-like C-terminal 80-kDa fragment. Tryptic digestion of [alpha32P]-or [gamma32P]Cr(H2O)4ATP - bound to the E1ATP (high affinity) site - led to the labelling of a Na+-like 80-kDa fragment besides the immediate formation of an unlabelled K+-like N-terminal 40-kDa fragment and a C-terminal 60-kDa fragment. Because a labelled Na+-like 80-kDa fragment cannot result from an unlabelled K+-like 60-kDa fragment, and because unlabelled alpha-subunits did not show any catalytic activity, the findings are consistent with a situation in which Na+- and K+-like conformations are stabilized by tight binding of substitution-inert MgATP complex analogues to the E1ATP and E2ATP sites. Hence, all data are consistent with the hypothesis that ATP binding induces coexisting Na+ and K+ conformations within an (alphabeta)2-diprotomeric Na+/K+-ATPase.     

Detection of G Proteins in Purified Bovine Brain Myelin

Following a previous report on detection of muscarinic receptors in myelin with the implied presence of G proteins, we now demonstrate by more direct means the presence of such proteins and their quantification. Using [35S]guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) ([35S]GTP gamma S) as the binding ligand, purified myelin from bovine brain was found to contain approximately half the binding activity of whole white matter (138 +/- 9 vs. 271 +/- 18 pmol/mg of protein). Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data revealed two slopes, a result suggesting at least two binding populations. This binding was inhibited by GTP and its analog but not by 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate [App(NH)p], GMP, or UTP. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of myelin proteins and blotting on nitrocellulose, [alpha-32P]GTP bound to three bands in the 21-27-kDa range in a manner inhibited by GTP and GTP gamma S but not App(NH)p. ADP-ribosylation of myelin with [32P]NAD+ and cholera toxin labeled a protein of 43 kDa, whereas reaction with pertussis toxin labeled two components of 40 kDa. Cholate extract of myelin subjected to chromatography on a column of phenyl-Sepharose gave at least three major peaks of [35S]GTP gamma S binding activity. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analyses of peak I indicated the presence of Go alpha, Gi alpha, and Gs alpha. Further fractionation of peak II by diethyl-aminoethyl-Sephacel chromatography gave one [35S]GTP gamma S binding peak with the low-molecular-mass (21-27 kDa) proteins and a second showing two major protein bands of 36 and 40 kDa on SDS-PAGE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tight ATP and ADP binding in the noncatalytic sites of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase is not affected by mutation of bulky residues in the 'glycine-rich loop'

It is shown that ATP dissociates very slowly (koff less than 6.4 x 10(5) s-1, t1/2 greater than 3 h) from the three noncatalytic sites of E. coli F1-ATPase and that ADP dissociates from these three sites in a homogeneous fashion with koff = 1.5 x 10(-4) s-1 (t1/2 = 1.35 h). Mutagenesis of alpha-subunit residues R171 and Q172 in the 'glycine-rich loop' (Homology A) consensus region of the noncatalytic sites was carried out to test the hypothesis that unusually bulky residues at these positions are responsible wholly or partly for the observed tight binding of adenine nucleotides. The mutations alpha Q172G or alpha R171S,Q172G had no effects on ATP or ADP binding to or rates of dissociation from F1 noncatalytic sites. KdATP and KdADP of isolated alpha-subunit were weakened by approximately 1 order of magnitude in both mutants. The results suggest that neither residue alpha R171 nor alpha Q172 interacts directly with bound nucleotide, and show that the presence of bulky residues per se in the glycine-rich loop region of F1-alpha-subunit is not responsible for tight binding in the noncatalytic sites.     

Immunological and biochemical differentiation of guanyl nucleotide binding proteins: interaction of Go alpha with rhodopsin, anti-Go alpha polyclonal antibodies, and a monoclonal antibody against transducin alpha subunit and Gi alpha

Guanyl nucleotide binding proteins couple agonist interaction with cell-surface receptors to an intracellular enzymatic response. In the adenylate cyclase system, inhibitory and stimulatory effects are mediated through guanyl nucleotide binding proteins, Gi and Gs, respectively. In the visual excitation complex, the photon receptor rhodopsin is linked to its target, cGMP phosphodiesterase, through transducin (Gt). Bovine brain contains another guanyl nucleotide binding protein, Go. The proteins are heterotrimers of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits; the alpha subunits catalyze receptor-stimulated GTP hydrolysis. To examine the interaction of Go alpha with beta gamma subunits and rhodopsin, the proteins were reconstituted in phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The GTPase activity of Go alpha purified from bovine brain was stimulated by photolyzed, but not dark, rhodopsin and was enhanced by bovine retinal Gt beta gamma or by rabbit liver G beta gamma. Go alpha in the presence of G beta gamma is a substrate for pertussis toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylation; the modification was inhibited by photolyzed rhodopsin and enhanced by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate). ADP-Ribosylation of Go alpha by pertussis toxin inhibited photolyzed rhodopsin-stimulated, but not basal, GTPase activity. It would appear from this and prior studies that Go alpha is similar to Gt alpha and Gi alpha; all three proteins exhibit photolyzed rhodopsin-stimulated GTPase activity, are pertussis toxin substrates, and functionally couple to Gt beta gamma. Go alpha (39K) can be distinguished from Gi alpha (41K) but not from Gt alpha (39K) by molecular weight.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies of the nucleotide-binding sites on the mitochondrial F1-ATPase through the use of a photoactivable derivative of adenylyl imidodiphosphate

(1)N-4-Azido-2-nitrophenyl-gamma-[3H]aminobutyryl-AdoPP[NH] P(NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P) a photoactivable derivative of 5-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AdoPP[NH]P), was synthesized. (2) Binding of [3H]NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P to soluble ATPase from beef heart mitochondria (F1) was studied in the absence of photoirradiation, and compared to that of [3H]AdoPP[NH]P. The photoactivable derivative of AdoPP[NH]P was found to bind to F1 with high affinity, like AdoPP[NH]P. Once [3H]NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P had bound to F1 in the dark, it could be released by AdoPP[NH]P, ADP and ATP, but not at all by NAP4 or AMP. Furthermore, preincubation of F1 with unlabeled AdoPP[NH]P, ADP, or ATP prevented the covalent labeling of the enzyme by [3H]NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P upon photoirradiation. (3) Photoirradiation of F1 by [3H]NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P resulted in covalent photolabeling and concomitant inactivation of the enzyme. Full inactivation corresponded to the binding of about 2 mol [3H]NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P/mol F1. Photolabeling by NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P was much more efficient in the presence than in the absence of MgCl2. (4) Bound [3H]NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P was localized on the alpha- and beta- subunits of F1. At low concentrations (less than 10 microM), bound [3H]NAP4-AdoPP[NH]P was predominantly localized on the alpha-subunit; at concentrations equal to, or greater than 75 microM, both alpha- and beta-subunits were equally labeled. (5) The extent of inactivation was independent of the nature of the photolabeled subunit (alpha or beta), suggesting that each of the two subunits, alpha and beta, is required for the activity of F1. (6) The covalently photolabeled F1 was able to form a complex with aurovertin, as does native F1. The ADP-induced fluorescence enhancement was more severely inhibited than the fluorescence quenching caused by ATP. The precentage of inactivation of F1 was virtually the same as the percentage of inhibition of the ATP-induced fluorescence quenching, suggestion that fluorescence quenching is related to the binding of ATP to the catalytic site of F1.     

The effects of exchange-inert metal-nucleotide complexes on the kinetics of beef heart mitochondrial F1-ATPase

The inhibition of beef heart mitochondrial F1 by exchange-inert metal-nucleotide complexes was examined. Mono- and bidentate Cr(NH3)4ATP were found to be mixed noncompetitive inhibitors of F1-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis (values of Ki = 0.5 and 0.1 mM; values of alpha = 0.2 and 24, respectively). Rh(H2O)nATP was also found to be a mixed noncompetitive inhibitor of F1-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis (Ki = 0.3 mM, alpha = 0.7). These compounds were used in a series of dual inhibition experiments, along with mono- and bidentate CrATP and Co(NH3)4ATP. All the exchange-inert metal-nucleotides examined were found to be mutually exclusive inhibitors of F1, indicating that they all bind to the same site(s). It is postulated that the pKa of the metal-coordinated ligands is related to the potency of inhibition by these compounds. It appears probable that the exchange-inert nucleotide complexes are binding to site(s) in addition to the catalytic site(s) of F1.     

Properties of the Mg2+-induced low-affinity nucleotide binding site of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase

The Mg2+-induced low-affinity nucleotide binding by (Na+ + K+)-ATPase has been further investigated. Both heat treatment (50-65 degrees C) and treatment with N-ethylmaleimide reduce the binding capacity irreversibly without altering the Kd value. The rate constant of inactivation is about one-third of that for the high-affinity site and for the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. Thermodynamic parameters (delta H degree and delta S degree) for the apparent affinity in the ATPase reaction (Km ATP) and for the true affinity in the binding of AdoPP[NH]P (Kd and Ki) differ greatly in sign and magnitude, indicating that one or more reaction steps following binding significantly contribute to the Km value, which thus is smaller than the Kd value. Ouabain does not affect the capacity of low-affinity nucleotide binding, but only increases the Kd value to an extent depending on the nucleotide used. GTP and CTP appear to be most sensitive, ATP and ADP intermediately sensitive and AdoPP[NH]P and AMP least sensitive to ouabain. Ouabain reduces the high-affinity nucleotide binding capacity without affecting the Kd value. The nucleotide specificity of the low-affinity binding site is the same for binding (competition with AdoPP[NH]P) and for the ATPase activity (competition with ATP): AdoPP[NH]P greater than ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP. The low-affinity nucleotide binding capacity is preserved in the ouabain-stabilized phosphorylated state, and the Kd value is not increased more than by ouabain alone. It is inferred that the low-affinity site is located on the enzyme, more specifically its alpha-subunit, and not on the surrounding phospholipids. It is situated outside the phosphorylation centre. The possible functional role of the low-affinity binding is discussed.     

Integrin-dependent translocation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase to the cytoskeleton of thrombin-activated platelets involves specific interactions of p85 alpha with actin filaments and focal adhesion kinase

Thrombin-induced accumulation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2) but not of PtdIns(3,4,5,)P3 is strongly correlated with the relocation to the cytoskeleton of 29% of the p85 alpha regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PtdIns 3-kinase) and is accompanied by a significant increase in PtdIns 3-kinase activity in this subcellular fraction. Actually, PtdIns(3,4)P2 accumulation and PtdIns 3-kinase, pp60c-src, and p125FAK translocations as well as aggregation were concomitant events occurring with a distinct lag after actin polymerization. The accumulation of PtdIns(3,4)P2 and the relocalization of PtdIns 3-kinase to the cytoskeleton were both dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation, integrin signaling, and aggregation. Furthermore, although p85 alpha was detected in anti- phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates obtained from the cytoskeleton of thrombin-activated platelets, we failed to demonstrate tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoskeletal p85 alpha. Tyrphostin treatment clearly reduced its presence in this subcellular fraction, suggesting a physical interaction of p85 alpha with a phosphotyrosyl protein. These data led us to investigate the proteins that are able to interact with PtdIns 3-kinase in the cytoskeleton. We found an association of this enzyme with actin filaments: this interaction was spontaneously restored after one cycle of actin depolymerization-repolymerization in vitro. This association with F-actin appeared to be at least partly indirect, since we demonstrated a thrombin-dependent interaction of p85 alpha with a proline-rich sequence of the tyrosine-phosphorylated cytoskeletal focal adhesion kinase, p125FAK. In addition, we show that PtdIns 3-kinase is significantly activated by the p125FAK proline-rich sequence binding to the src homology 3 domain of p85 alpha subunit. This interaction may represent a new mechanism for PtdIns 3-kinase activation at very specific areas of the cell and indicates that the focal contact-like areas linked to the actin filaments play a critical role in signaling events that occur upon ligand engagement of alpha IIb/beta 3 integrin and platelet aggregation evoked by thrombin.     

Neuroblastoma Differentiation Involves the Expression of Two Isoforms of the α-Subunit of Go

The regulation of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) was examined during the course of differentiation of neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells. N1E-115 cell membranes possess three Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX) substrates assigned to alpha-subunits (G alpha) of Go (a G protein of unknown function) and "Gi (a G protein inhibitory to adenylate cyclase)-like" proteins and one substrate of Vibrio cholerae toxin corresponding to an alpha-subunit of Gs (a G protein stimulatory to adenylate cyclase). In undifferentiated cells, only one form of Go alpha was found, having a pI of 5.8 Go alpha content increased by approximately twofold from the undifferentiated state to 96 h of cell differentiation. This is mainly due to the appearance of another Go alpha form having a pI of 5.55. Both Go alpha isoforms have similar sizes on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, are recognized by polyclonal antibodies to bovine brain Go alpha, are ADP-ribosylated by PTX, and are covalently myristylated in whole N1E-115 cells. In addition, immunofluorescent staining of N1E-115 cells with Go alpha antibodies revealed that association of Go alpha with the plasma membrane appears to coincide with the expression of the most acidic isoform and morphological cell differentiation. In contrast, the levels of both Gi alpha and Gs alpha did not significantly change, whereas that of the common beta-subunit increased by approximately 30% over the same period. These results demonstrate specific regulation of the expression of Go alpha during neuronal differentiation.     

Functional studies on the candidate ATPase domains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MutLalpha

Saccharomyces cerevisiae MutL homologues Mlh1p and Pms1p form a heterodimer, termed MutLalpha, that is required for DNA mismatch repair after mismatch binding by MutS homologues. Recent sequence and structural studies have placed the NH(2) termini of MutL homologues in a new family of ATPases. To address the functional significance of this putative ATPase activity in MutLalpha, we mutated conserved motifs for ATP hydrolysis and ATP binding in both Mlh1p and Pms1p and found that these changes disrupted DNA mismatch repair in vivo. Limited proteolysis with purified recombinant MutLalpha demonstrated that the NH(2) terminus of MutLalpha undergoes conformational changes in the presence of ATP and nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs. Furthermore, two-hybrid analysis suggested that these ATP-binding-induced conformational changes promote an interaction between the NH(2) termini of Mlh1p and Pms1p. Surprisingly, analysis of specific mutants suggested differential requirements for the ATPase motifs of Mlh1p and Pms1p during DNA mismatch repair. Taken together, these results suggest that MutLalpha undergoes ATP-dependent conformational changes that may serve to coordinate downstream events during yeast DNA mismatch repair.     

A revised model for AMP-activated protein kinase structure: The alpha-subunit binds to both the beta- and gamma-subunits although there is no direct binding between the beta- and gamma-subunits

The 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master sensor for cellular metabolic energy state. It is activated by a high AMP/ATP ratio and leads to metabolic changes that conserve energy and utilize alternative cellular fuel sources. The kinase is composed of a heterotrimeric protein complex containing a catalytic alpha-subunit, an AMP-binding gamma-subunit, and a scaffolding beta-subunit thought to bind directly both the alpha- and gamma-subunits. Here, we use coimmunoprecipitation of proteins in transiently transfected cells to show that the alpha2-subunit binds directly not only to the beta-subunit, confirming previous work, but also to the gamma1-subunit. Deletion analysis of the alpha2-subunit reveals that the C-terminal 386-552 residues are sufficient to bind to the beta-subunit. The gamma1-subunit binds directly to the alpha2-subunit at two interaction sites, one within the catalytic domain consisting of alpha2 amino acids 1-312 and a second within residues 386-552. Binding of the alpha2 and the gamma1-subunits was not affected by 400 mum AMP or ATP. Furthermore, we show that the beta-subunit C terminus is essential for binding to the alpha2-subunit but, in contrast to previous work, the beta-subunit does not bind directly to the gamma1-subunit. Taken together, this study presents a new model for AMPK heterotrimer structure where through its C terminus the beta-subunit binds to the alpha-subunit that, in turn, binds to the gamma-subunit. There is no direct interaction between the beta- and gamma-subunits.     

Localization of antigenic sites for monoclonal antibodies against alpha-subunit of Go-protein from the bovine brain]

The properties of monoclonal antibodies (MA) specifically raised against the alpha-subunit of the GTP-binding protein from bovine brain, G0, were studied. The hybridoma clones were found to secrete MA capable to interact with different antigenic sites of G0 alpha. Clone 1D2 MA interacted with the N-terminal domain of G0 alpha. The antigenic sites for clones 3DE. 1H6 and 2E3 MA were localized in the C-terminal domain of the protein molecule. Using clone 1H6 MA, the site of G0 alpha involved in the interaction with the beta gamma complex located in the C-terminal domain of the alpha-subunit, was revealed. It was found that the interaction of the alpha-subunit with the beta gamma complex changed the conformation of the C-terminal fragment of G0 alpha (Mr5000) together with an increase in the alpha-subunit affinity for clone 2E3 MA. It was concluded that the observed conformational changes may be the reason for the increased affinity of the alpha-subunit for the receptor.     

A new GTP-binding protein in brain tissues serving as the specific substrate of islet-activating protein, pertussis toxin

A new GTP-binding protein serving as the specific substrate of islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, was purified from porcine brain membranes as an alpha beta gamma-heterotrimeric structure. The alpha-subunit of the purified protein (alpha 40 beta gamma) had a molecular mass of 40 kDa and differed from that of Gi (alpha 41 beta gamma) or Go (alpha 39 beta gamma) previously purified from brain tissues. The fragmentation patterns of limited tryptic digestion and immunological cross-reactivities among the three alpha were different from one another. However, the beta gamma-subunit resolved from the three IAP substrates similarly inhibited a membrane-bound adenylate cyclase and their beta-subunits were immunologically indistinguishable from one another. Thus, the alpha 40 beta gamma is a new IAP substrate protein different from Gi or Go, in the alpha-subunit only.     

Inhibition of the GTPase activity of transducin by an NAD+:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase from turkey erythrocytes.

The bacterial toxins, choleragen and pertussis toxin, inhibit the light-stimulated GTPase activity of bovine retinal rod outer segments by catalysing the ADP-ribosylation of the alpha-subunit (T alpha) of transducin [Abood, Hurley, Pappone, Bourne & Stryer (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 10540-10543; Van Dop, Yamanaka, Steinberg, Sekura, Manclark, Stryer & Bourne (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 23-26]. Incubation of retinal rod outer segments with NAD+ and a purified NAD+:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase from turkey erythrocytes resulted in approx. 60% inhibition of GTPase activity. Inhibition was dependent on both enzyme and NAD+, and was potentiated by the non-hydrolysable GTP analogues guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) and guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-methylene]triphosphate (p[CH2]ppG). The transferase ADP-ribosylated both the T alpha and T beta subunits of purified transducin. T alpha (39 kDa), after ADP-ribosylation, migrated as two distinct peptides with molecular masses of 42 kDa and 46 kDa on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. T beta (36 kDa), after ADP-ribosylation, migrated as a 38 kDa peptide. With purified transducin subunits, it was observed that the GTPase activity of ADP-ribosylated T alpha, reconstituted with unmodified T beta gamma and photolysed rhodopsin, was decreased by 80%; conversely, reconstitution of T alpha with ADP-ribosyl-T beta gamma resulted in only a 19% inhibition of GTPase. Thus ADP-ribosylation of T alpha, the transducin subunit that contains the guanine nucleotide-binding site, has more dramatic effects on GTPase activity than does modification of the critical 'helper subunits' T beta gamma. To elucidate the mechanism of GTPase inhibition by transferase, we studied the effect of ADP-ribosylation on p[NH]pp[3H]G binding to transducin. It was shown previously that modification of transducin by choleragen, which like transferase ADP-ribosylates arginine residues, did not affect guanine nucleotide binding. ADP-ribosylation by the transferase, however, decreased p[NH]pp[3H]G binding, consistent with the hypothesis that choleragen and transferase inhibit GTPase by different mechanisms.     

Inhibition of human choriotropin binding to receptor by human choriotropin alpha peptides. A comprehensive synthetic approach

Synthetic overlapping peptides of the alpha-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were made by solid-phase peptide synthesis employing a comprehensive synthetic approach. The entire primary structure of the alpha-subunit was synthesized as a series of nine consecutive peptides, each 15 residues in length, and overlapping with its two adjacent neighbors by 5 residues on each side. Receptor binding activity of each synthetic peptide was measured by the inhibition of binding of 125I-labeled hCG to rat ovarian receptor. Peptides alpha 21-35, alpha 31-45, alpha 71-85, and alpha 81-92 were shown to compete for binding with native hCG, thus demonstrating that at least two regions on the alpha-subunit may be part of the binding site(s) of the hormone. The low affinity of the peptides (10(-5)-10(-6) M) compared to native hormone (10(-10) M) for receptor is not unexpected due to the probability of discontinuous and multiple sites involved in receptor binding. An ultrapure preparation of hCG alpha-subunit also had low affinity (10(-5), suggesting that conformational changes upon combination with beta-subunit to form dimer or changes in conformation after binding are necessary for high affinity interaction. These results correlate with previous predictions of binding sites based on studies employing chemical and enzymatic modifications of intact hormone and show that synthetic peptide strategies are helpful in the elucidation of protein structure and function.     

Mechanism of regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by calcium, guanosyl nucleotides, and positive effectors.

This study presents the results of a kinetic investigation of adenylate cyclase in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In the presence of a saturating concentration of substrate (1 mM), the basal activity was increased severalfold by increasing Mg2+ from 1 to 25 mM. A Hill coefficient of 1.9 was obtained for Mg2+ or ATP. The data suggest cooperative interactions between the substrate binding sites in the neutrophil adenylate cyclase complex. It has been observed that guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) (S0.5 = 10 MUM) significantly increased and Ca2+ (S0.5 = 0.5 MM) significantly decreased only the Vmax without affecting the Hill coefficient or S0.5 for ATP. The Hill coefficients for Ca2+ or Gpp(NH)p were 0.9 and 0.8, respectively. The Hill coefficient for Ca2+ was not changed by the increased Gpp(NH)p concentrations. It appears that neutrophil adenylate cyclase has distinct binding sites for Gpp(NH)p and Ca2+, one for each compond. The binding of ligands is not changed by the other effectors and the action is directed only toward the Vmax of the enzyme. The stimulatory action of positive effectors (prostaglandin E1, isoproterenol, histamine) was enhanced by Gpp(NH)p and depressed by Ca2+. No preferential stimulation by Gpp(NH)p nor inhibition by Ca2+ of the action of the positive effectors has been found. The data suggests that only one type of catalytic subunit responds to the action of several positive effectors. Extracellular Gpp(NH)p or Ca2+ do not affect the cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) level in whole neutrophils and the effect of positive effectors on cAMP production is also not significantly changed by 5 mM Ca2+ or 0.1 mM Gpp(NH)p. Ionophore A23187 in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+ enhances Ca2+ entry into cells and decreases the basal cAMP formation. It appears that Gpp(NH)p or Ca2+ act only at the intracellular site of the adenylate cyclase complex.     

Ontogenesis of α2-Adrenoceptor Coupling with GTP-Binding Proteins in the Rat Telencephalon

The ontogenesis of alpha 2-adrenoceptors and GTP-binding proteins and their coupling activity were investigated in telencephalon membranes of developing rats. The manganese-induced elevation of [3H]clonidine binding was increased in an age-dependent manner but the guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate-induced decrease in binding did not change. The extent of the binding of [3H]clonidine at 15 nM (saturable concentration) increased in an age-dependent manner and reached the adult level at 4 days after birth. Cholera toxin and pertussis toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of proteins of 46 and 41/39 kilodaltons (kDa) in solubilized cholate extracts of the membranes. The 41/39-kDa proteins ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin (Gi alpha + Go alpha) were increased with age and reached the adult level at day 12, whereas the 46-kDa protein (Gs alpha) reached its peak on day 12 and then decreased to the fetal level at the adult stage. The immunoblot experiments of the homogenates with antiserum (specific antibody against alpha- and beta-subunit of GTP-binding proteins) demonstrated that the 39-kDa alpha-subunit of (Go alpha) and the 36-kDa beta-subunit of GTP-binding protein (beta 36) increased with postnatal age. In contrast, 35-kDa beta-subunit (beta 35) did not change. From these results, it is suggested that the coupling activity of alpha 2-adrenoceptor with GTP-binding protein gradually develops in a manner parallel with the increase of alpha 2-adrenoceptor and pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins, Gi, and that alpha 39 beta 36 gamma may be related to the differentiation and/or growth of nerve cells in rat telencephalon.     

Fluorescence studies on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from bovine heart muscle

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a glycolytic enzyme that catalyses conversion of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-diphosphoglycerate. ATP has been found to have an inhibitory effect on this enzyme. To establish the interaction between the enzyme and ATP, a fluorescence technique was used. Fluorescence quenching in the presence of ATP suggests cooperative binding of ATP to the enzyme (the Hill obtained coefficient equals 2.78). The interaction between glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and ATP may control not only glycolysis but other activities of this enzyme, such as binding to the cytoskeleton.     

Directed mutagenesis of the strongly conserved lysine 175 in the proposed nucleotide-binding domain of alpha-subunit from Escherichia coli F1-ATPase

The alpha-subunit of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase contains an adenine-specific noncatalytic nucleotide-binding domain. A recent proposal (Maggio, M. B., Pagan, J., Parsonage, D., Hatch, L., and Senior, A. E. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 8981-8984) suggested that this domain is formed by residues 160-340, approximately, in alpha-subunit. Within this proposed domain is a sequence Gly-X-X-X-X-Gly-Lys which is conserved in a large and diverse group of nucleotide-binding proteins and is thought to interact with phosphate groups of bound nucleotide. In this work, residue alpha Lys-175, the terminal residue of the above conserved sequence in F1-alpha-subunit, was mutagenized to Ile or Glu. The specific activity of purified mutant F1-ATPase was reduced by 2.5-fold (Ile) or 3-fold (Glu). Apparent binding of ATP to alpha-subunit, as measured by the centrifuge column procedure, was strongly impaired and ATP-induced conformational change in alpha-subunit, as measured by protection against trypsin proteolysis, was nearly abolished in both mutants. The results suggest that residue alpha Lys-175 is located within the nucleotide-binding domain of alpha-subunit, and that this residue is functionally involved in nucleotide binding. The results support previous suggestions that the alpha-subunit nucleotide-binding site is not involved, directly or indirectly, in catalysis.