Co-expression of human Kir3 subunits can yield channels with different functional properties

To date, no comprehensive study has been done on all combinations of the human homologues of the Kir3.0 channel family, and the human homologue of Kir3.3 has not yet been identified. To obtain support for the contention that most of the functional data on non-human Kir3.0 channels can be extrapolated to human channels, we have cloned the human homologues of the Kir3.0 family, including the yet unidentified human Kir3.3, and the human Kir4.1. The expression pattern of these channels in various human brain areas and peripheral tissues, analysed by Northern blot analysis, allows for the existence of various homomeric and heteromeric forms of human Kir3.0 channels. Expression studies of all possible combinations in Xenopus oocytes indicated that in homomeric Kir3.2c and heteromeric Kir3.1/3.2c channels mediate, in our studies, inward currents with largest amplitude of any other Kir3.0 channel combinations, followed by heteromeric Kir3.1/3.4 and homomeric Kir4.1 channels. Channel combinations which include Kir3.3 are detrimental to the formation of functional channels. The co-expression experiments with different Kir channel subunits indicate the selective formation of certain channel combinations, suggesting that channel specificity is not solely dependent on spatial and temporal regulation of Kir subunit expression.     

Extracellular links in Kir subunits control the unitary conductance of SUR/Kir6.0 ion channels.

Potassium (K+) channels are highly selective for K+ ions but their unitary conductances are quite divergent. Although Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 are highly homologous and both form functional K+ channels with sulfonylurea receptors, their unitary conductances measured with 150 mM extracellular K+ are approximately 35 and 80 pS, respectively. We found that a chain of three amino acid residues N123-V124-R125 of Kir6.1 and S113-I114-H115 of Kir6.2 in the M1-H5 extracellular link and single residues M148 of Kir6.1 and V138 of Kir6.2 in the H5-M2 link accounted for the difference. By using a 3D structure model of Kir6.2, we were able to recognize two independent plausible mechanisms involved in the determination of single channel conductance of the Kir6.0 subunits: (i) steric effects at Kir6.2V138 or Kir6.1M148 in the H5-M2 link influence directly the diffusion of K+ ions; and (ii) structural constraints between Kir6.2S113 or Kir6. 1N123 in the M1-H5 link and Kir6.2R136 or Kir6.1R146 near the H5 region control the conformation of the permeation pathway. These mechanisms represent a novel and possibly general aspect of the control of ion channel permeability.     

Action of Pasteurella multocida toxin depends on the helical domain of Galphaq

Pasteurella multocida produces a 146-kDa protein toxin (PMT), which activates multiple cellular signal transduction pathways, resulting in the activation of phospholipase Cbeta, RhoA, Jun kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Using Galpha(q)/Galpha(11) -deficient cells, it was shown that the PMT-induced pleiotropic effects are mediated by Galpha(q) but not by the highly related Galpha(11) protein (Zywietz, A., Gohla, A., Schmelz, M., Schultz, G., and Offermanns, S. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 3840-3845). Here we studied the molecular basis of the unique specificity of PMT to distinguish between Galpha(q) and/or Galpha(11). Infection of Galpha(q) -deficient cells with retrovirus-encoding Galpha(q) caused reconstitution of PMT-induced activation of phospholipase Cbeta, whereas Galpha(11) -encoding virus did not reconstitute PMT activity. Chimeras between Galpha(q) and/or Galpha(11) revealed that a peptide region of Galpha(q), covering amino acid residues 105-113, is essential for the action of PMT to activate phospholipase Cbeta. Exchange of glutamine 105 or asparagine 109 of Galpha(11), which are located in the all-helical domain of the Galpha subunit, with the equally positioned histidines of Galpha(q), renders Galpha(11) capable of transmission PMT-induced phospholipase Cbeta activation. The data indicate that the all-helical domain of Galpha(q) is essential for the action of PMT and suggest an essential functional role of this domain in signal transduction via G(q) proteins.     

Oligomerization of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y2 receptors in CHO cells depends on functional pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins

Human neuropeptide Y Y2 receptors expressed in CHO cells are largely oligomeric, and upon solubilization are recovered by density gradient centrifugation as approximately 180 kDa complexes of receptor dimers and G-protein heterotrimers. A large fraction of the receptors is inactivated in the presence of pertussis toxin, in parallel with inactivation of Gi alpha subunits (with half-periods of about 4 h for both). This is accompanied by a very long-lasting loss of receptor dimers and of masked surface Y2 sites (an apparent receptor reserve pre-coupled mainly to Gi alpha subunit-containing G-proteins). However, surface Y2 receptors accessible to large peptide agonists are much less sensitive to the toxin. All surface Y2 receptors are rapidly blocked by Y2 antagonist BIIE0246, with a significant loss of the dimers, but with little change of basal Gi activity. However, both dimers and Y2 receptor compartmentalization are restored within 24 h after removal of the antagonist. In CHO cells, the maintenance and organization of Y2 receptors appear to critically depend on functional pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins.     

Distinct roles for Galpha(i)2 and Gbetagamma in signaling to DNA synthesis and Galpha(i)3 in cellular transformation by dopamine D2S receptor activation in BALB/c 3T3 cells

Control of cell proliferation depends on intracellular mediators that determine the cellular response to external cues. In neuroendocrine cells, the dopamine D2 receptor short form (D2S receptor) inhibits cell proliferation, whereas in mesenchymal cells the same receptor enhances cell proliferation. Nontransformed BALB/c 3T3 fibroblast cells were stably transfected with the D2S receptor cDNA to study the G proteins that direct D2S signaling to stimulate cell proliferation. Pertussis toxin inactivates G(i) and G(o) proteins and blocks signaling of the D2S receptor in these cells. D2S receptor signaling was reconstituted by individually transfecting pertussis toxin-resistant Galpha(i/o) subunit mutants and measuring D2-induced responses in pertussis toxin-treated cells. This approach identified Galpha(i)2 and Galpha(i)3 as mediators of the D2S receptor-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity; Galpha(i)2-mediated D2S-induced stimulation of p42 and p44 mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) and DNA synthesis, whereas Galpha(i)3 was required for formation of transformed foci. Transfection of toxin-resistant Galpha(i)1 cDNA induced abnormal cell growth independent of D2S receptor activation, while Galpha(o) inhibited dopamine-induced transformation. The role of Gbetagamma subunits was assessed by ectopic expression of the carboxyl-terminal domain of G protein receptor kinase to selectively antagonize Gbetagamma activity. Mobilization of Gbetagamma subunits was required for D2S-induced calcium mobilization, MAPK activation, and DNA synthesis. These findings reveal a remarkable and distinct G protein specificity for D2S receptor-mediated signaling to initiate DNA synthesis (Galpha(i)2 and Gbetagamma) and oncogenic transformation (Galpha(i)3), and they indicate that acute activation of MAPK correlates with enhanced DNA synthesis but not with transformation.     

N-terminal transmembrane domain of the SUR controls trafficking and gating of Kir6 channel subunits

The sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein, assembles with a potassium channel subunit (Kir6) to form the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) complex. Although SUR is an important regulator of Kir6, the specific SUR domain that associates with Kir6 is still unknown. All functional ABC proteins contain two transmembrane domains but some, including SUR and MRP1 (multidrug resistance protein 1), contain an extra N-terminal transmembrane domain called TMD0. The functions of any TMD0s are largely unclear. Using Xenopus oocytes to coexpress truncated SUR constructs with Kir6, we demonstrated by immunoprecipitation, single-oocyte chemiluminescence and electrophysiological measurements that the TMD0 of SUR1 strongly associated with Kir6.2 and modulated its trafficking and gating. Two TMD0 mutations, A116P and V187D, previously correlated with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy, were found to disrupt the association between TMD0 and Kir6.2. These results underscore the importance of TMD0 in K(ATP) channel function, explaining how specific mutations within this domain result in disease, and suggest how an ABC protein has evolved to regulate a potassium channel.     

Role of pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein, K+ channels, and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in the antinociceptive effect of inosine

Inosine is the first metabolite of adenosine. It exerts an antinociceptive effect by activating the adenosine A₁ and A_2A receptors. We have previously demonstrated that inosine exhibits antinociceptive properties in acute and chronic mice models of nociception. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptors, as well as K⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels, in the antinociception promoted by inosine in the formalin test. Mice were pretreated with pertussis toxin (2.5 μg/site, i.t., an inactivator of G_i/0 protein); after 7 days, they received inosine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or morphine (2.5 mg/kg, s.c., used as positive control) immediately before the formalin test. Another group of animals received tetraethylammonium (TEA) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) (1 μg/site, i.t., a non-specific voltage-gated K⁺ channel blockers), apamin (50 ng/site, i.t., a small conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel blocker), charybdotoxin (250 pg/site, i.t., a large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel blocker), glibenclamide (100 μg/site, i.t., an ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel blocker) or CaCl₂ (200 nmol/site, i.t.). Afterwards, the mice received inosine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), diclofenac (10 mg/kg, i.p., a positive control), or morphine (2.5 mg/kg, s.c., a positive control) immediately before the formalin test. The antinociceptive effect of inosine was reversed by the pre-administration of pertussis toxin (2.5 μg/site, i.t.), TEA, 4-aminopyridine, charybdotoxin, glibenclamide, and CaCl₂, but not apamin. Further, all K⁺ channel blockers and CaCl₂ reversed the antinociception induced by diclofenac and morphine, respectively. Taken together, these data suggest that the antinociceptive effect of inosine is mediated, in part, by pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein coupled receptors and the subsequent activation of voltage gated K⁺ channel, large conductance Ca²⁺-activated and ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels or inactivation of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels. Finally, small conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels are not involved in the antinociceptive effect of inosine.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 activates a pertussis toxin-sensitive signaling pathway that stimulates the release of matrix metalloproteinase-9

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of structurally related metalloendopeptidases so named due to their propensity to target extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that these proteases cleave numerous non-ECM substrates including enzymes and cell surface receptors. MMPs may also bind to cell surface receptors, though such binding has typically been thought to mediate internalization and degradation of the bound protease. More recently, it has been shown that MMP-1 coimmunoprecipitates with the alpha2beta1 integrin, a receptor for collagen. This association may serve to localize the enzymatic activity of MMP-1 so that collagen is cleaved and cell migration is facilitated. In other studies, however, it has been shown that integrin engagement may be linked to the activation of signaling cascades including those mediated by Gialpha containing heterotrimers. As an example, alpha2beta1 can form a complex with CD47 that may associate with Gialpha. In the present study we have therefore investigated the possibility that MMP-1 may affect intracellular changes that are linked to the activation of a Gi protein-coupled receptor. We show that treatment of neural cells with MMP-1 is followed by a rapid reduction in cytosolic levels of cAMP. Moreover, MMP-1 potentiates proteinase activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) agonist-linked increases in intracellular calcium, an effect which is often observed when an agonist of a Gi protein-coupled receptor is administered in association with an agonist of a Gq coupled receptor. In addition, MMP-1 stimulates pertussis toxin sensitive release ofMMP-9 both from cultured neural cells and monocyte/macrophages. Together, these results suggest that MMP-1 signals through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein-coupled receptor.     

Stabilization of the activity of ATP-sensitive potassium channels by ion pairs formed between adjacent Kir6.2 subunits

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are formed by the coassembly of four Kir6.2 subunits and four sulfonylurea receptor subunits (SUR). The cytoplasmic domains of Kir6.2 mediate channel gating by ATP, which closes the channel, and membrane phosphoinositides, which stabilize the open channel. Little is known, however, about the tertiary or quaternary structures of the domains that are responsible for these interactions. Here, we report that an ion pair between glutamate 229 and arginine 314 in the intracellular COOH terminus of Kir6.2 is critical for maintaining channel activity. Mutation of either residue to alanine induces inactivation, whereas charge reversal at positions 229 and 314 (E229R/R314E) abolishes inactivation and restores the wild-type channel phenotype. The close proximity of these two residues is demonstrated by disulfide bond formation between cysteine residues introduced at the two positions (E229C/R314C); disulfide bond formation abolishes inactivation and stabilizes the current. Using Kir6.2 tandem dimer constructs, we provide evidence that the ion pair likely forms by residues from two adjacent Kir6.2 subunits. We propose that the E229/R314 intersubunit ion pairs may contribute to a structural framework that facilitates the ability of other positively charged residues to interact with membrane phosphoinositides. Glutamate and arginine residues are found at homologous positions in many inward rectifier subunits, including the G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK), whose cytoplasmic domain structure has recently been solved. In the GIRK structure, the E229- and R314-corresponding residues are oriented in opposite directions in a single subunit such that in the tetramer model, the E229 equivalent residue from one subunit is in close proximity of the R314 equivalent residue from the adjacent subunit. The structure lends support to our findings in Kir6.2, and raises the possibility that a homologous ion pair may be involved in the gating of GIRKs.     

External K activation of Kir1.1 depends on the pH gate

The inward rectifier Kir1.1 (ROMK) family is gated by both internal pH and external K, where the putative pH gate is formed by the convergence of leucine side chains, near the inner helical bundle crossing at L160-Kir1.1. However, it is unclear whether K activation is mediated at the pH gate or by another gate in the permeation path. In this study, we used the whole-cell conductance increase during rapid K elevation as a measure of K activation, assuming that activation is inherently slower than changes in channel conduction. Results indicate that structural disruption of the Kir1.1 bundle-crossing pH gate prevents both inactivation by low external K and reactivation by high external K.     

Activation of mu-opioid receptors transfers control of Galpha subunits to the regulator of G-protein signaling RGS9-2: role in receptor desensitization

In mouse periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) membranes, the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) coprecipitated the alpha-subunits of the Gi/o/z/q/11 proteins, the Gbeta1/2 subunits, and the regulator of G-protein signaling RGS9-2 and its partner protein Gbeta5. RGS7 and RGS11 present in this neural structure showed no association with MOR. In vivo intracerebroventricular injection of morphine did not alter MOR immunoreactivity, but 30 min and 3 h after administration, the coprecipitation of Galpha subunits with MORs was reduced by up to 50%. Furthermore, the association between Galpha subunits and RGS9-2 proteins was increased. Twenty-four hours after receiving intracerebroventricular morphine, the Galpha subunits left the RGS9-2 proteins and re-associated with the MORs. However, doses of the opioid able to induce tolerance promoted the stable transfer of Galpha subunits to the RGS9-2 control. This was accompanied by Ser phosphorylation of RGS9-2 proteins, which increased their co-precipitation with 14-3-3 proteins. In the PAG membranes of morphine-desensitized mice, the capacity of the opioid to stimulate G-protein-related guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thiotriphosphate) binding as well as low Km GTPase activity was attenuated. The in vivo knockdown of RGS9-2 expression prevented morphine from altering the association between MORs and G-proteins, and tolerance did not develop. In PAG membranes from RGS9-2 knockdown mice, morphine showed full capacity to activate G-proteins. Thus, the tolerance that develops following an adequate dose of morphine is caused by the stabilization and retention of MOR-activated Galpha subunits by RGS9-2 proteins. This multistep process is initiated by the morphine-induced transfer of MOR-associated Galpha subunits to the RGS9-2 proteins, followed by Ser phosphorylation of the latter and their binding to 14-3-3 proteins. This regulatory mechanism probably precedes the loss of MORs from the cell membrane, which has been observed with other opioid agonists.     

Genetic exchange of the S2 and S3 subunits in pertussis toxin

Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, produces a complex hetero-oligomeric exotoxin, named pertussis toxin (PTX), which is responsible for several of the clinical manifestations associated with whooping cough. The toxin is composed of five dissimilar subunits, named S1 through S5 and arranged in a hexameric structure with a 1S1:1S2:1S3:2S4:1S5 stoichiometry. Although S2 and S3 share 70% amino acid identity, these two subunits were previously thought not to be able to substitute for each other in toxin assembly/secretion and the biological activities of PTX. Here, we show that toxin analogues containing two S3 subunits and lacking S2 (PTXdeltaS2), or containing two S2 subunits and lacking S3 (PTXdeltaS3), can be produced, assembled and secreted by B. pertussis strains, in which the S2-encoding cistron or the S3-coding cistrons have been inactivated by internal in-frame deletions that avoid downstream effects. In fact, PTXdeltaS3 was produced in higher amounts in the bacterial culture supernatants than natural PTX, whereas PTXdeltaS2 was produced in lower amounts than PTX. The action of the toxin analogues on the clustering of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells was also affected differentially by the S2-S3 substitution. These toxin analogues constitute thus interesting probes for the study of cellular functions, in particular immune cell functions, for which natural PTX has already shown its usefulness.     

Membrane binding mode of intrinsically disordered cytoplasmic domains of T cell receptor signaling subunits depends on lipid composition

Intrinsically disordered cytoplasmic domains of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling subunits including ζ_cyt and CD3ε_cyt all contain one or more copies of an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), tyrosine residues of which are phosphorylated upon receptor triggering. Membrane binding-induced helical folding of ζ_cyt and CD3ε_cyt ITAMs is thought to control TCR activation. However, the question whether or not lipid binding of ζ_cyt and CD3ε_cyt is necessarily accompanied by a folding transition of ITAMs remains open. In this study, we investigate whether the membrane binding mechanisms of ζ_cyt and CD3ε_cyt depend on the membrane model used. Circular dichroic and fluorescence data indicate that binding of ζ_cyt and CD3ε_cyt to detergent micelles and unstable vesicles is accompanied by a disorder-to-order transition, whereas upon binding to stable vesicles these proteins remain unfolded. Using electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, we show that upon protein binding, unstable vesicles fuse and rupture. In contrast, stable vesicles remain intact under these conditions. This suggests different membrane binding modes for ζ_cyt and CD3ε_cyt depending on the bilayer stability: (1) coupled binding and folding, and (2) binding without folding. These findings explain the long-standing puzzle in the literature and highlight the importance of the choice of an appropriate membrane model for protein-lipid interactions studies.     

A new mode of Ca2+ signaling by G protein-coupled receptors: gating of IP3 receptor Ca2+ release channels by Gbetagamma

The most common form of Ca(2+) signaling by Gq-coupled receptors entails activation of PLCbeta2 by Galphaq to generate IP(3) and evoke Ca(2+) release from the ER. Another form of Ca(2+) signaling by G protein-coupled receptors involves activation of Gi to release Gbetagamma, which activates PLCbeta1. Whether Gbetagamma has additional roles in Ca(2+) signaling is unknown. Introduction of Gbetagamma into cells activated Ca(2+) release from the IP(3) Ca(2+) pool and Ca(2) oscillations. This can be due to activation of PLCbeta1 or direct activation of the IP(3)R by Gbetagamma. We report here that Gbetagamma potently activates the IP(3) receptor. Thus, Gbetagamma-triggered [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations are not affected by inhibition of PLCbeta. Coimmunoprecipitation and competition experiments with Gbetagamma scavengers suggest binding of Gbetagamma to IP(3) receptors. Furthermore, Gbetagamma inhibited IP(3) binding to IP(3) receptors. Notably, Gbetagamma activated single IP(3)R channels in native ER as effectively as IP(3). The physiological significance of this form of signaling is demonstrated by the reciprocal sensitivity of Ca(2+) signals evoked by Gi- and Gq-coupled receptors to Gbetagamma scavenging and PLCbeta inhibition. We propose that gating of IP(3)R by Gbetagamma is a new mode of Ca(2+) signaling with particular significance for Gi-coupled receptors.     

Involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein in the action of gastrin on gastric parietal cells

The mechanism whereby gastrin triggers phosphoinositide breakdown was investigated in an enriched preparation of isolated rabbit parietal cells (approx. 75%). In a permeabilized preparation of myo-[3H]inositol-labelled cells, GTP[S], a non-hydrolysable GTP analogue, enhanced [3H]inositol trisphosphate ([3H]InsP3 accumulation in a dose-dependent manner; submaximal concentrations of GTP[S] (less than 10 microM), potentiated gastrin-induced [3H]InsP3 release; preincubation for 5 min with GDP[S], a non-hydrolysable GDP analogue, dose-dependently reduced [3H]InsP3 accumulation stimulated by gastrin even in presence of GTP[S]. Exposure of intact parietal cells for 3 h to pertussis toxin (PTx) (200 ng/ml) led to a 15-50% reduction in gastrin-induced [14C]aminopyrine [(14C]AP) uptake (an index of in vitro acid secretion) and [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]InsP) accumulation. A decrease in the accumulation of the different [3H]inositol phosphate occurred in gastrin-stimulated parietal cells treated with PTx. A rightward shift of gastrin dose-response curves in the presence of PTx was observed for [14C]AP uptake (EC50 values: 0.125 +/- 0.045 nM without PTx and 1.05 +/- 0.63 nM with PTx), for [3H]InsP accumulation (EC50 values: 0.16 +/- 0.08 nM without PTx and 1.56 +/- 0.58 nM with PTx) and [125I]gastrin binding (IC50 values: 0.247 +/- 0.03 nM without PTx and 2.38 +/- 0.56 nM with PTx). In contrast, cholera toxin (CTx) treatment (100 ng/ml) for 3 h was without effect on gastrin-induced [3H]InsP accumulation. CTx induced a pronounced potentiation of gastrin-stimulated [14C]AP uptake; this effect can be mimicked by IBMX (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and by forskolin (an activator of adenylyl cyclase). We conclude that: (i) one or more than one G protein appeared to be involved in gastrin receptor coupling to phospholipase C (PL-C); (ii) these G proteins are not substrates for CTx; (iii) one of these appeared to be a PTx-sensitive 'Gi-like' protein which could be involved in hormone-induced acid secretion, (iiii) the potentiating effect of CTx observed on AP uptake stimulated by gastrin suggests the existence of a cooperative effect between cAMP pathway (CTx) and the gastrin-induced phosphoinositide breakdown in acid secretory activity of parietal cells.     

Mitogenic signaling pathways of growth factors can be distinguished by the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive guanosine triphosphate-binding protein and of protein kinase C.

We have examined the possible involvements of pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein (Gp) and protein kinase C (PKC) in the mitogenic signaling pathways of various growth factors by the use of PT-pretreated and/or 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-pretreated mouse fibroblasts. Effects of PT pretreatment (inactivation of PT-sensitive Gp) and TPA pretreatment (depletion of PKC) on mitogen-induced DNA synthesis varied significantly and systematically in response to growth factors: mitogenic responses of cells to thrombin, bombesin, and bradykinin were almost completely abolished both in PT- and TPA-pretreated cells; responses to epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and vanadate were reduced to approximately 50% both in PT- and TPA-pretreated cells compared with native cells; response to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was not affected in PT-pretreated cells but was inhibited to some extent in TPA-pretreated cells. Thus, growth factors examined have been classified into three groups with regard to the involvements of PT-sensitive Gp and PKC in their signal transduction pathways. Binding of each growth factor to its receptor was not affected significantly by pretreatment of cells with PT or TPA. Inhibitory effects of PT and TPA pretreatment on each mitogen-induced DNA synthesis were not additive, suggesting that the functions of PT-sensitive Gp and PKC lie on an identical signal transduction pathway. Although all three groups of mitogens activated PKC, signaling of each growth factor depends to a varying extent on the function of PKC. Our results indicate that a single peptide growth factor such as EGF, PDGF, or bFGF acts through multiple signaling pathways to induce cell proliferation.     

Possible involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein(s) in c-fos expression during differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to adipocytes.

Following the differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts by insulin/dexamethasone/methylisobutylxanthine, marked increases in cAMP levels by isoproterenol but not forskolin and in 2-deoxyglucose uptake by insulin occurred. Pertussis toxin-pretreatment prior to addition of insulin/dexamethasone/methylisobutylxanthine and exposure of cells to pertussis toxin during differentiation attenuated glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity as a differentiation marker enzyme and the responses to isoproterenol and insulin by approximately 50% of those in pertussis toxin-untreated cells. On the other hand, insulin/dexamethasone/methylisobutylxanthine caused induction of c-fos proto-oncogene in confluent 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. This induction was also reduced in pertussis toxin-pretreated cells. These results suggested that pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein(s) is involved in expression of c-fos mRNA accompanied by differentiation. In addition, accumulation of c-fos mRNA by insulin/dexamethasone/methylisobutylxanthine was enhanced in protein kinase C-depleted cells pretreated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, indicating that protein kinase C may negatively regulate c-fos expression induced by insulin/dexamethasone/methylisobutylxanthine.     

Fragment-based modeling of NAD binding to the catalytic subunits of diphtheria and pertussis toxins

We describe a novel application of a fragment-based ligand docking technique; similar methods are commonly applied to the de novo design of ligands for target protein binding sites. We have used several new flexible docking and superposition tools, as well as a more conventional rigid-body (fragment) docking method, to examine NAD binding to the catalytic subunits of diphtheria (DT) and pertussis (PT) toxins, and to propose a model of the NAD–PT complex. Docking simulations with the rigid NAD fragments adenine and nicotinamide revealed that the low-energy dockings clustered in three distinct sites on the two proteins. Two of the sites were common to both fragments and were related to the structure of NAD bound to DT in an obvious way; however, the adenine subsite of PT was shifted relative to that of DT. We chose adenine/nicotinamide pairs of PT dockings from these clusters and flexibly superimposed NAD onto these pairs. A Monte Carlo–based flexible docking procedure and energy minimization were used to refine the modeled NAD–PT complexes. The modeled complex accounts for the sequence and structural similarities between PT and DT and is consistent with many results that suggest the catalytic importance of certain residues. A possible functional role for the structural difference between the two complexes is discussed. Proteins 31:282–298, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.