A human membrane-associated folate binding protein is anchored by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol tail

Membrane-associated and soluble forms of folate binding protein (FBP) have been identified in mammalian tissues and biological fluids. Despite their solubility differences, these two forms are functionally similar, immunologically cross-reacting, and have the same apparent molecular weights. In this study we demonstrate, for the first time, that the membrane FBP of cultured human KB cells contains a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) tail which is responsible for its hydrophobic properties and distinguishes it from the soluble FBP released into the medium. Treatment of the purified membrane FBP with phospholipase C specific for phosphatidylinositol (PI-PLC) removed the GPI tail and converted it to the soluble form without a change in apparent Mr by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In addition, virtually all of the folate binding sites on the plasma membrane of the intact cells were released as soluble, functional FBP following treatment with PI-PLC. The GPI tail contained 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acylglycerol as a mixture of fatty alcohols in ether linkage at C1 of the glycerol backbone and almost exclusively docosanoic acid (22:0) as the fatty acid on C2. The inositol also contained a mixture of fatty acids (16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 20:4, 22:0) located on a site other than the C2 position since the FBP was susceptible to PI-PLC cleavage. After nitrous acid deamination, the aqueous portion of the FBP contained covalently bound fatty acids, predominantly palmitate (16:0) and stearate (18:0), indicating the presence of additional acyl groups attached to the peptide in the form of amide, ester, or thioester linkage.     

2-Acylglycerolphosphoethanolamine acyltransferase/acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase is a membrane-associated acyl carrier protein binding protein

Two enzymatic activities, 2-acylglycerolphosphoethanolamine (2-acyl-GPE) acyltransferase and acyl-acyl carrier protein (acyl-ACP) synthetase, were solubilized and purified from Escherichia coli membranes. Electrophoretic analysis of the final product of the purification procedure revealed a single protein species with an apparent molecular mass of 27 kilodaltons. The ratio of acyltransferase to synthetase activities remained the same throughout the purification scheme indicating that both activities were catalyzed by the same enzyme. 2-Acyl-GPE acyltransferase exhibited an apparent ACP Km of 64 nM under standard assay conditions that increased to 10 microM when the assay was conducted in the presence of 0.4 M LiCl. Acyl-ACP synthetase activity was not detected in the absence of 0.4 M LiCl, and the apparent ACP Km for this reaction was 16 microM. Direct evidence that ACP was a subunit of the acyltransferase/synthetase was obtained by the adsorption of both catalytic activities to an ACP-Sepharose affinity column and by the binding of [3H]ACP to the purified enzyme preparation. The apparent Km for acyl-ACP was 13 microM, and the rate of acyl transfer from this acyl donor was enhanced by the addition of 0.4 M LiCl indicating that the exchange of enzyme-bound ACP for acyl-ACP was a determinant factor in the rate of phosphatidylethanolamine formation from acyl-ACP. These data indicate that the 2-acyl-GPE acyltransferase and acyl-ACP synthetase reactions are catalyzed by the same membrane protein that possesses a high affinity binding site for soluble ACP.     

Induction of a cytoplasmic activator of DNA synthesis in lymphocytes is mediated through a membrane-associated protein kinase.

We have shown previously that cytoplasmic extracts from actively dividing lymphoid cells are capable of inducing DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. One of the factors involved in this activity, ADR, appears to be a greater than 90 kDa heat-labile protease. Cytoplasmic extracts prepared from nonproliferating lymphocytes express little to no ADR activity. However, ADR activity can be generated in these extracts by brief exposure to a membrane-enriched fraction of spontaneously proliferating, leukemic human T lymphoblastoid (MOLT-4) cells. This suggests that ADR activity is present in the resting cytoplasm in an inactive or precursor form. This in vitro generation of ADR activity can be inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the isoquinolinesulfonamide derivative, H-7 (1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride), an inhibitor of both cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinases and protein kinase C (PKC). However, more specific inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinases, including N-[( 2-methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride (H8) and N-(2-gua-nidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (HA-1004), had little to no effect on the in vitro generation of ADR activity. Furthermore, membranes from MOLT-4 cells depleted of PKC by long-term exposure (24 h) to phorbol esters and calcium ionophores were unable to induce ADR activity in resting peripheral blood lymphocytes extracts. The results of these studies suggest 1) ADR activity is present in resting cell cytoplasm in an inactive or precursor form; and 2) ADR activity can be induced in this resting cytoplasm through a mechanism involving a membrane-associated protein kinase, possibly PKC. The ability of alkaline phosphatase to deplete the activity of preformed ADR suggests the possibility that ADR itself is phosphoprotein.     

Glucose-induced cAMP signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by the CDC25 protein

Functional mapping of the cell cycle START gene CDC25 has revealed two domains which are dispensable for viability (germination and growth in glucose media), but are essential for sporulation and differentially involved in glucose-induced cAMP signaling. The transient rise of cAMP is completely prevented by various deletions within the amino-terminal half (alpha domain) of the CDC25 gene product. In contrast, the deletion of the carboxy-terminal 38 residues (beta 2 domain) results in a rapid, but persisting, rise of cAMP. Our data suggest that the alpha domain of the CDC25 protein is involved in glucose signal transduction, whereas the beta 2 domain is required for downregulating the cAMP control chain.     

The conversion of the human membrane-associated folate binding protein (folate receptor) to the soluble folate binding protein by a membrane-associated metalloprotease.

The membrane-associated (M-FBP) and soluble (S-FBP) forms of human folate binding proteins (FBP) have been well characterized. Although related in a precursor-product manner, the mechanism of conversion and the basis for differences between M-FBP and S-FBP are not known. The conversion of M-FBP to S-FBP in crude human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KB) cell preparations is demonstrated based on characteristic gel filtration elution profiles of M-FBP and S-FBP (Ve/V0 = 1.3 and 1.7, respectively) in Triton X-100. M-FBP is stoichiometrically converted to S-FBP in a time- and temperature-dependent reaction by a metalloprotease which is: heat-labile; particulate; contained in human KB cell and placental membranes, and rat kidney homogenates; inhibited by EDTA, 1,10-phenanthroline, and parahydroxymercuribenzoate; requires divalent cations; is maximally active at neutral pH; and is active in the presence or absence of detergent. The purified soluble FBP product appears to be identical to S-FBP. Conversion of purified endogenously [3H]leucine-labeled M-FBP yields a soluble FBP characterized by a 45% decrease in specific activity (moles of 3H/mol folate bound) relative to M-FBP and a non-folate binding fragment which contains 45% of the [3H]leucine from M-FBP, requires detergent and/or urea to remain soluble, and migrates aberrantly on gel filtration in 1% (v/v) Triton X-100 and 8 M urea. Based on changes in the specific activity and the gel filtration elution profiles of purified labeled M-FBP associated with conversion to S-FBP, the endoproteolytic cleavage site is predicted between residues 226 and 229 of the cDNA predicted human FBP amino acid sequence. These results suggest that the cDNA predicted hydrophobic carboxyl terminus (residues 227-257) remains intact on the fully processed, membrane-anchored M-FBP, contains the Triton binding domain, and is involved in the formation of the membrane anchor of M-FBP.     

Characterization of a membrane-associated 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine binding protein by use of monoclonal antibodies

Four mouse hybridoma cell lines have been isolated which secrete antibodies to the membrane-associated thyroid hormone binding protein (Mr 55,000) from human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. J6 is rat specific; J2 is human and monkey specific; J8 and J9 have a wider specificity and react with similar thyroid hormone binding proteins (p55) from human, monkey, rat, and hamster. None of these antibodies reacts with mouse cells. J2, J6, and J9 are of the IgG1k class, and J8 is an IgAk antibody. p55 was characterized by using these monoclonal antibodies. It is not posttranslationally processed by glycosylation, phosphorylation, or sulfation. It has a cellular degradation rate t1/2 approximately equal to 3.2 h. Using immunofluorescence and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, p55 was found to be associated with the lumenal face of the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope. When cell homogenates were prepared, significant amounts of p55 were released into the 110000g supernatant, indicating that p55 is loosely associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope.     

Down-regulation of insulin signaling by protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B is mediated by an N-terminal binding region

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) play a major role in regulating insulin signaling. Among the PTPs that regulate this signaling pathway, PTP1B plays an especially prominent role. PTP1B inhibits insulin signaling and has previously been shown to bind to the activated insulin receptor (IR), but neither the mechanism nor the physiological importance of such binding have been established. Here, we show that a previously undefined region in the N-terminal, catalytic half of PTP1B contributes to IR binding. Point mutations within this region of PTP1B disrupt IR binding but do not affect the catalytic activity of this phosphatase. This binding-defective mutant of PTP1B does not efficiently dephosphorylate the IR in cells, nor does it effectively inhibit IR signaling. These results suggest that PTP1B targets the IR through a novel binding element and that binding is required for the physiological effects of PTP1B on IR signal transduction.     

Ephrin-B reverse signaling is mediated by a novel PDZ-RGS protein and selectively inhibits G protein-coupled chemoattraction

Transmembrane B ephrins and their Eph receptors signal bidirectionally. However, neither the cell biological effects nor signal transduction mechanisms of the reverse signal are well understood. We describe a cytoplasmic protein, PDZ-RGS3, which binds B ephrins through a PDZ domain, and has a regulator of heterotrimeric G protein signaling (RGS) domain. PDZ-RGS3 can mediate signaling from the ephrin-B cytoplasmic tail. SDF-1, a chemokine with a G protein-coupled receptor, or BDNF, act as chemoattractants for cerebellar granule cells, with SDF-1 action being selectively inhibited by soluble EphB receptor. This study reveals a pathway that links reverse signaling to cellular guidance, uncovers a novel mode of control for G proteins, and demonstrates a mechanism for selective regulation of responsiveness to neuronal guidance cues.     

Proapoptotic function of protein kinase CK2alpha" is mediated by a JNK signaling cascade

Protein kinase CK2 (formerly casein kinase II) is a tetrameric enzyme constitutively expressed in all eurakyotic tissues that plays a significant role in the regulation of cell proliferation, malignant transformation, and apoptosis. The catalytic alpha-subunit of the enzyme is known to exist in three isoforms CK2alpha, CK2alpha' and CK2alpha". CK2alpha" is highly expressed in liver compared with other tissues and is required for the normal trafficking of several hepatocellular membrane proteins. Initial studies of dengue virus infection indicated that the CK2alpha"-deficient membrane trafficking mutant cell line (Trf1) was resistant to virus-induced cell death compared with the parental human hepatoma (HuH)-7 hepatoma line. Expression of recombinant CK2alpha" in Trf1 was capable of reverting this resistant phenotype. This study was extended to TNF-alpha in addition to other stimuli of cell death in an attempt to uncover common death pathways that might be modulated by CK2alpha". Evaluation of different pathways involved in death signaling suggest that the regulation of a critical proapoptotic step in HuH-7 cells by CK2alpha" is mediated by a JNK signaling cascade.     

Evidence that Clostridium difficile TcdC is a membrane-associated protein

Clostridium difficile produces two toxins, A and B, which act together to cause pseudomembraneous colitis. The genes encoding these toxins, tcdA and tcdB, are part of the pathogenicity locus, which also includes tcdC, a putative negative regulator of the toxin genes. In this study, we demonstrate that TcdC is a membrane-associated protein in C. difficile.     

Coupling of DNA binding and helicase activity is mediated by a conserved loop in the MCM protein

Minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicases are the presumptive replicative helicases, thought to separate the two strands of chromosomal DNA during replication. In archaea, the catalytic activity resides within the C-terminal region of the MCM protein. In Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus the N-terminal portion of the protein was shown to be involved in protein multimerization and binding to single and double stranded DNA. MCM homologues from many archaeal species have highly conserved predicted amino acid similarity in a loop located between β7 and β8 in the N-terminal part of the molecule. This high degree of conservation suggests a functional role for the loop. Mutational analysis and biochemical characterization of the conserved residues suggest that the loop participates in communication between the N-terminal portion of the helicase and the C-terminal catalytic domain. Since similar residues are also conserved in the eukaryotic MCM proteins, the data presented here suggest a similar coupling between the N-terminal and catalytic domain of the eukaryotic enzyme.     

A high-affinity folate binding protein in human semen

The presence of a folate binding protein of high-affinity type (affinity constant 3.10¹⁰M^–1, maximum folate binding 1.4 nM) in human semen was demonstrated in equilibrium dialysis experiments (37°C, pH 7.4) with the radioligand³H-folate. Radioligand dissociation from the binding protein was slow at pH 7.4, but rapid at pH 3.5. By use of rabbit antibodies against 25 kDa human milk folate binding protein we determined the concentration of folate binding protein in 16 speciments of human semen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentration of immunoreactive folate binding protein was independent of the number of spermatozoa in individual specimens. Gel filtration showed that immunoreactive and radioligand bound folate binding protein coeluted in two peaks: a major one of 100 kDa and a minor one of 25 kDa.     

Context-dependent proangiogenic function of bone morphogenetic protein signaling is mediated by disabled homolog 2

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have diverse functions during development in vertebrates. We have recently shown that BMP2 signaling promotes venous-specific angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. However, factors that confer a context-dependent proangiogenic function of BMP2 signaling within endothelial cells need to be identified. Here, we report that Disabled homolog 2 (Dab2), a cargo-specific adaptor protein for Clathrin, is essential to mediate the proangiogenic function of BMP2 signaling. We find that inhibition of Dab2 attenuates internalization of BMP receptors and abrogates the proangiogenic effects of BMP signaling in endothelial cells. Moreover, inhibition of Dab2 decreases phosphorylation of SMAD-1, 5, and 8, indicating that Dab2 plays an essential role in determining the outcome of BMP signaling within endothelial cells and may provide a molecular basis for a context-dependent proangiogenic function of BMP2 signaling.     

Hantavirus nucleocapsid protein is expressed as a membrane-associated protein in the perinuclear region

Black Creek Canal virus (BCCV) is a New World hantavirus which is associated with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. We have examined the site of expression of the BCCV nucleocapsid protein (NBCCV) in the absence of BCCV glycoproteins and found that the majority of the protein is localized to the Golgi region. Immunofluorescence analysis of BHK21 cells expressing the NBCCV and La Crosse virus nucleocapsid protein (NLACV) showed different intracellular localization patterns of these proteins within the same cell: NLACV is cytoplasmic, whereas NBCCV is perinuclear. NBCCV was found to be colocalized with alpha-mannosidase II, a marker for the Golgi complex. Also, NBCCV was found to be associated with microsomal membranes following cell fractionation. Sedimentation analysis in density gradients revealed that the membrane association of NBCCV is sensitive to treatments with high-salt and high-pH solutions, which indicates that NBCCV is a peripheral membrane protein. Analysis of NBCCV truncation mutants revealed that the 141-amino-acid C-terminal portion of this protein was capable of targeting green fluorescent protein to the perinuclear region. The difference in the intracellular localization between the NBCCV and NLACV proteins suggests that the mechanisms involved in the morphogenesis of New World hantaviruses are distinct from that documented for other members of the Bunyaviridae family.     

Rapid increase in endothelial nitric oxide production by bradykinin is mediated by protein kinase A signaling pathway

Bradykinin (BK) acutely increases endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production by activating endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and this increase is in part correlated with enhanced phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of eNOS by several protein kinases and phosphatases. However, the signaling mechanisms producing this increase are still controversial. In an attempt to delineate the acute effect of BK on endothelial NO production, confluent bovine aortic endothelial cells were incubated with BK, and NO production was measured by NO-specific chemiluminescence. Significant increase in NO levels was detected as early as 1 min after BK treatment, with concomitant increase in the phosphorylation of Ser(1179) (bovine sequence) site of eNOS (eNOS-Ser(1179)). This acute effect of BK on both increases was blocked only by treatment of protein kinase A inhibitor H-89, but not by the inhibitors of calmodulin-dependent kinase II and protein kinase B, suggesting that the rapid increase in NO production by BK is mediated by the PKA-dependent phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser(1179).