Characterization of the oligosaccharide component of alpha3beta1 integrin from human bladder carcinoma cell line T24 and its role in adhesion and migration

Malignant transformation is highly associated with altered expression of cell surface N-linked oligosaccharides. These changes concern integrins, a family of cell surface glycoproteins involved in the attachment and migration of cells on various extracellular matrix proteins. The integrin alpha3beta1 is particularly interesting because of its role in migration and invasion of several types of metastatic tumours. In this study, alpha3beta1 from human bladder T24 carcinoma cells was purified and treated with peptide N-glycosidase F. Then the N-glycans of the alpha3 and beta1 subunits were characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). In alpha3beta1 integrin the presence of high-mannose, hybrid and predominantly complex type N-oligosaccharides was shown. Unlike to normal epithelium cells, in both subunits of alpha3beta1 integrin from cancer cells, the sialylated tetraantennary complex type glycan Hex7HexNAc6FucSia4 was present. In a direct ligand binding assay, desialylated alpha3beta1 integrin exhibited significantly higher fibronectin-binding capability than untreated integrin, providing evidence that sialic acids play a direct role in ligand-receptor interaction. Moreover, alpha3beta1 integrin was shown to take part in T24 cell migration on fibronectin: anti-alpha3 antibodies induced ca 30% inhibition of wound closure. Treatment of T24 cells with swainsonine reduced the rate of bladder carcinoma cell migration by 16%, indicating the role of beta1,6 branched complex type glycans in this process. Our data show that alpha3beta1 integrin function may be altered by glycosylation, that both subunits contribute to these changes, and that glycosylation may be considered a newly found mechanism in the regulation of integrin function.     

Subcellular distribution of Wnt-1 at adherens junctions and actin-rich densities in endothelial cells

The Wnt family of signaling proteins functions in embryonic development and mammalian oncogenesis. It is unknown whether these molecules have a role in normal, postdevelopmental, homeostatic processes. Possessing a putative signal sequence and potential glycosylation sites, Wnt-1 is believed to be secreted and remain associated with the cell surface and extracellular matrix. While it has been suggested that Wnt proteins may target cytoskeletal structures more directly, no definitive studies have identified an intracellular association and function for these molecules. Here, we report that Western blots of lysates from retinoic-acid-differentiated P19 cells and bovine endothelial cells indicate the presence of a 45-kDa Wnt-1 protein. In endothelium, Wnt-1 was present in both the Triton X soluble and the insoluble cell fractions. Immunocytochemical labeling localized Wnt-1 to adherens junctions, codistributing with beta-catenin. Wnt-1 also was detected at actin-rich densities (ARDs) within basal cell regions. In wounded monolayers, ARDs delineated the distal margins of cells undergoing directed migration. Transfection with antisense oligonucleotides to Wnt-1 resulted in reduced cohesion of wound edge cells, abnormal protrusive activity, and random movement. Our data indicate that Wnt-1 protein is present in postdevelopmental endothelial cells where it associates with cytoskeletal elements and may retain function as a tissue polarity gene.     

Antioxidant effects of dihydrocaffeic acid in human EA.hy926 endothelial cells

Dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) is a metabolite of caffeic acid with potent antioxidant properties. Since DHCA has been detected in human plasma following coffee ingestion, we tested the hypothesis that DHCA protects the endothelium from oxidative stress in a model in human-derived EA.hy926 endothelial cells. During culture for 16-24 hours, the cells accumulated DHCA against a concentration gradient to low millimolar concentrations. In alpha-tocopherol-loaded cells, DHCA spared alpha-tocopherol during overnight culture in a dose-dependent manner. In response to oxidant stress induced by a water-soluble free radical initiator, both alpha-tocopherol and DHCA diminished oxidation of cis-parinaric acid that had been incorporated into the cells, although their antioxidant activities were not additive. DHCA also decreased intracellular oxidation of dihydrofluorescein due to redox cycling by menadione. This suggests that the protective effects of DHCA were caused by scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species. DHCA also increased nitric oxide synthase activity in a dose-dependent manner in cultured cells, which was associated with a comparable increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein. Although the DHCA concentrations required for these effects are higher than those likely to be present in plasma or the interstitium, these results indicate that DHCA can function as an intracellular antioxidant.     

Inflammatory cytokines increase extracellular procathepsin D in permanent and primary endothelial cell cultures

The protease cathepsin D (Cath D) and its proteolytically inactive proform, procathepsin D (ProCath D), turned out to be multifunctional within and outside the cell. Elevated levels of ProCath D occur in malignant tumors and in organs under chronic inflammation. One important source for this increase of ProCath D might be endothelial cells. Here we examined the expression of Cath D in the human endothelial cell line EA.hy 926 and in primary endothelial cells isolated from human umbilical cord veins (HUVEC). After serum-free incubation with or without human interferon-gamma (hIFN-gamma) and/or human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (hTNF-alpha) immature and mature Cath D forms were examined in cell extracts and in cell-conditioned medium concentrates by Western blotting. Lysates of EA.hy 926 cells as well as of HUVEC contained active Cath D as two-chain form, but only negligible amounts of ProCath D and Cath D intermediates. Yet both endothelial cell cultures accumulated ProCath D in their conditioned media in the absence of any stimulus. The treatment with hIFN-gamma and/or hTNF-alpha had little effect on intracellular levels of Cath D, whereas the cytokine stimulation increased the extracellular presence of ProCath D in both endothelial cell cultures. The extracellular increase of ProCath D was not related to induction of apoptosis, as validated by cleaved caspase-3 in cell lysates. Acidification of cytokine-treated media converted ProCath D into Cath D, which was associated with cathepsin-like activity using a fluorogenic substrate-linked assay. We conclude, in vitro, endothelial cells are a cytokine-dependent source for extracellular ProCath D.     

Immunomodulatory activity of Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate from broccoli (Brassica oleracea)

The effect of Sulforaphane on the immune system was studied using BALB/c mice. Intraperitoneal administration of five doses of Sulforaphane (500 microg/dose/animal/day) was found to enhance the total WBC count (12,950 cells/mm3) on 9th day. Bone marrow cellularity (23 x 10(6) cells/femur) and number of alpha-esterase positive cells (1346.66/4000 cells) were also increased by the administration of Sulforaphane. Treatment with Sulforaphane along with the antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBC), produced an enhancement in the circulating antibody titre and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen. Maximum number of PFC (315.83 PFC/10(6) spleen cells) was obtained on the 6th day. Administration of Sulforaphane also showed an enhancement in the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages. Moreover administration of Sulforaphane significantly reduced the elevated level of TNF-alpha production by LPS stimulated macrophages. These results indicate the immunomodulatory activity of Sulforaphane.     

Inhibition of FGF-2-mediated chemotaxis of murine brain capillary endothelial cells by cyclic RGDfV peptide through blocking the redistribution of c-Src into focal adhesions

The alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is essential for fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-induced angiogenesis in vivo. However, the role of this integrin in FGF-2-mediated cellular responses by cultured endothelial cells is largely unknown. Cyclic RGDfV (cRGDfV) peptide is widely used to inhibit the binding of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin to vitronectin. To investigate the role of this integrin in FGF-2-mediated cellular responses, we used immortalized murine brain capillary endothelial cells, denoted IBE cells. Because IBE cells proliferate and migrate in response to FGF-2-treatment, when cultured on fibronectin-coated surface, we first examined the inhibitory activity of this peptide on the binding of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin to fibronectin as well as vitronectin. Solid phase binding assay revealed that cRGDfV peptide strongly inhibited the binding of purified alpha(v)beta(3) integrin to vitonectin- and fibronectin-coated plastic surfaces at a concentration of 50 microM. cRGDfV peptide at 50 microM inhibited spreading as well as adhesion of IBE cells on vitronectin-coated plastic surface but not on fibronectin. On fibronectin-coated substrata, cRGDfV at 50 microM attenuated FGF-2-mediated chemotaxis, but not FGF-2-induced proliferation, of IBE cells. We have previously demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation within focal adhesions through c-Src activity was involved in FGF-2-induced chemotaxis of IBE cells. Treatment of cells with cRGDfV peptide was associated with reduced c-Src activity without tyrosine dephosphorylation. Immunofluorescent staining showed that cRGDfV inhibited redistribution of c-Src into focal adhesions. MAPK activation by FGF-2 within focal adhesions was also attenuated in the presence of cRGDfV peptide. Our results indicated that cRGDfV peptide inhibited redistribution of c-Src into focal adhesions, leading to impaired MAPK activation within focal adhesions and motility in FGF-2-treated endothelial cells.     

Antiangiogenic Activity of the Lipophilic Antimicrobial Peptides from an Endophytic Bacterial Strain Isolated from Red Pepper Leaf

The induction of angiogenesis is a crucial step in tumor progression, and therefore, efficient inhibition of angiogenesis is considered a powerful strategy for the treatment of cancer. In the present study, we report that the lipophilic antimicrobial peptides from EML-CAP3, a new endophytic bacterial strain isolated from red pepper leaf (Capsicum annuum L.), exhibit potent antiangiogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo. The newly obtained antimicrobial peptides effectively inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells at subtoxic doses. Furthermore, the peptides suppressed the in vitro characteristics of angiogenesis such as endothelial cell invasion and tube formation stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as neovascularization of the chorioallantoic membrane of growing chick embryos in vivo without showing cytotoxicity. Notably, the angiostatic peptides blocked tumor cell-induced angiogenesis by suppressing the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and its target gene, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To our knowledge, our findings demonstrate for the first time that the antimicrobial peptides from EML-CAP3 possess antiangiogenic potential and may thus be used for the treatment of hypervascularized tumors.     

Purification, biochemical characterisation and partial primary structure of a new α-amylase inhibitor from Secale cereale (rye)

Plant α-amylase inhibitors show great potential as tools to engineer resistance of crop plants against pests. Their possible use is, however, complicated by the observed variations in specificity of enzyme inhibition, even within closely related families of inhibitors. Better understanding of this specificity depends on modelling studies based on ample structural and biochemical information. A new member of the α-amylase inhibitor family of cereal endosperm has been purified from rye using two ionic exchange chromatography steps. It has been characterised by mass spectrometry, inhibition assays and N-terminal protein sequencing. The results show that the inhibitor has a monomer molecular mass of 13 756 Da, is capable of dimerisation and is probably glycosylated. The inhibitor has high homology with the bifunctional α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors from barley and wheat, but much poorer homology with other known inhibitors from rye. Despite the homology with bifunctional inhibitors, this inhibitor does not show activity against mammalian or insect trypsin, although activity against porcine pancreatic, human salivary, Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus α-amylases was observed. The inhibitor is more effective against insect α-amylases than against mammalian enzymes. It is concluded that rye contains a homologue of the bifunctional α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor family without activity against trypsins. The necessity of exercising caution in assigning function based on sequence comparison is emphasised.     

cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the cardiac L-type Ca channel: A missing link?

Cardiac inotropic effects of β adrenergic agonists occur mainly through an increase in L-type (class C) calcium channel activity. This response has been attributed to phosphorylation of the L-type Ca channel, or a closely associated protein, by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Among the three subunits forming the cardiac L-type Ca channel (α1, β and α2-δ), biochemical studies have revealed that two subunits, α1 and β, are phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase A, the α1 subunit being the primary target. However, attempts to reconstitute the cAMP-dependent regulation of the expressed class C Ca channel, either in Xenopus oocytes or in cell lines, have provided contradictory results. We were unable to detect cAMP-dependent modulation of class C α1 subunit Ca channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, even when coinjected with auxiliary subunits β and α2-δ. Nevertheless, activity of Ca channels recorded from cardiac-mRNA injected oocytes was potentiated by injection of cAMP or PKA, even when expression of the β subunit was suppressed using antisense oligonucleotide. Taken together, these results indicate that cAMP-dependent regulation does not exclusively involve the α1 and the β subunits of the Ca channel and suggest that unidentified protein(s), expressed in cardiac tissue, are most likely necessary.     

Gene expression profiles of endothelial progenitor cells by oligonucleotide microarray analysis

Among the many tissue stem or progenitor cells recently being unveiled, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have attracted particular attention, not only because of their cardinal role in vascular biology and embryology but also because of their potential use in the therapeutic development of a variety of postnatal diseases, including cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disorders and cancer. The aim of this study is to provide some basic and comprehensive information on gene expression of EPCs to characterize the cells in molecular terms. Here, we focus on EPCs derived from CD34-positive mononuclear cells of human umbilical cord blood. The EPCs were purified and expanded in culture and analyzed by a high-density oligonucleotide microarray and real-time RT-PCR analysis. We identified 169 up-regulated and 107 down-regulated genes in the EPCs compared with three differentiated endothelial cells of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), human lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMEC) and human aortic endothelial cells (AoEC). It is expected that the obtained list include key genes which are critical for EPC function and survival and thus potential targets of EPC recognition in vivo and therapeutic modulation of vasculogenesis in cancer as well as other diseases, in which de novo vasculogenesis plays a crucial role. For instance, the list includes Syk and galectin-3, which encode protein tyrosine kinase and β-galactoside-binding protein, respectively, and are expressed higher in EPCs than the three control endothelial cells. In situ hybridization showed that the genes were expressed in isolated cells in the fetal liver at E11.5 and E14.5 of mouse development.     

Induction of mouse β integrin expression following transfection with human α4 chain

We report here an analysis of the expression and function of the α chain of human VLA-4 in stable mouse L cell transfectants and the requirement for the β chain in these processes. L cells were transfected with human α4 cDNA or α4 and human β1 cDNA. Unexpectedly, human α4 cDNA, when transfected alone, could induce de novo surface expression of host β7 and increased expression of host β1. Induction of mouse β7 and β1 surface expression was not due to de novo gene activation, but instead represented α4/β intracellular subunit association and transport to the cell surface. Transfection with human β1 prevented surface expression of mouse β integrins. Whereas human α4 and human β1 subunits associated very tightly in anti-α4 immunoprecipitates, human α4 and mouse β subunits were only partially associated. Furthermore, binding of human/mouse chimeric receptors to recombinant VCAM, a major ligand for α4β7 and α4β1, was very poor, whereas human α4/human β1 receptors bound strongly to VCAM. One α4 transfectant, which exhibited a tight human α4/mouse β1 association, could be induced, but only after PMA activation, to bind strongly to VCAM. These results indicate that α4 subunits have specific affinity for β7 and β1 integrins and require β subunits for surface expression as well as high affinity ligand binding activity. Our results indicate that a tight association between the α4 and β subunit appears to be critical for ligand binding, consistent with a direct as well as regulatory role for the β subunit in ligand binding. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate that expression of foreign recombinant proteins can alter host cell protein expression resulting in de novo surface protein expression. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Purification and characterisation of the cardenolide-specificβ-glucohydrolase CGH II from Digitalis lanata leaves

A cardenolide-hydrolysing β-D-glucosidase was isolated from young leaves of Digitalis lanata. Since this enzyme differs from the cardenolide glucohydrolase (CGH) described and characterised previously, it was termed cardenolide glucohydrolase II (CGH II). CGH II was detected in various Digitalis tissue cultures as well as in young leaves of D. lanata. The latter source was used as the starting material for the isolation and purification of CGH II. The specific enzyme activity reached about 15 pkat·mg^–1 protein in buffered leaf extracts. Optimal CGH II activity was seen at around pH 6.0 and 50 °C. CGH II was purified about 600-fold by anion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The apparent molecular mass of CGH II was 65 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. CGH II exhibited a high substrate specificity towards cardenolide disaccharides, especially to those with a 1-4-β-linked glucose-digitoxose moiety such as glucoevatromonoside. The K_m- and V_max-values for this particular substrate were calculated to be 101 μM and 19.8 nkat·mg^–1 protein, respectively.     

Regulatory signals for endothelial podosome formation

Podosomes are punctate actin-rich adhesion structures which spontaneously form in cells of the myelomonocytic lineage. Their formation is dependent on Src and RhoGTPases. Recently, podosomes have also been described in vascular cells. These podosomes differ from the former by the fact that they are inducible. In endothelial cells, such a signal can be provided by either constitutively active Cdc42, the PKC activator PMA or TGFbeta, depending on the model. Consequently, other regulatory pathways have been reported to contribute to podosome formation. To get more insight into the mechanisms by which podosomes form in endothelial cells, we have explored the respective contribution of signal transducers such as Cdc42-related GTPases, Smads and PKCs in three endothelial cell models. Results presented demonstrate that, in addition to Cdc42, TC10 and TCL GTPases can also promote podosome formation in endothelial cells. We also show that PKCalpha can be either necessary or entirely dispensable, depending on the cell model. In contrast, PKCdelta is essential for podosome formation in endothelial cells but not smooth muscle cells. Finally, although podosomes vary very little in their molecular composition, the signalling pathways involved in their assembly appear very diverse.     

Cloning, characterisation and expression analysis of α-glucuronidase from the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii

The aguA gene encoding α-glucuronidase was isolated from the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii by degenerate PCR. AguA has no introns and consists of an open reading frame of 2511 bp, encoding a putative protein of 837 amino acids. The N-terminus of the protein contains a putative signal peptide of 17 amino acids yielding a mature protein of 820 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 91.6 kDa. Twenty putative N-glycosylation sites and four O-glycosylation were identified. The T. emersonii α-glucuronidase falls into glycosyl hydrolase family 67, showing approximately 63% identity to similar enzymes from other fungi. Analysis of the aguA promoter revealed several possible regulatory motifs including two XlnR and a CreA binding site. Enzyme activity was optimal at 50 °C and pH 5. Enzyme production was investigated on a range of carbon sources and showed induction on beechwood, oat spelt and birchwood xylan, and repression by glucose or glucuronic acid.     

Cloning, purification, and characterization of a non-collagenous anti-angiogenic protein domain from human alpha1 type IV collagen expressed in Sf9 cells

alpha1(IV)NC1, a cleavage fragment of the carboxy terminal non-collagenous human alpha1 chain of type IV collagen, is derived from the extracellular matrix specifically by MMP-2. Recently we determined the in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic activity of alpha1(IV)NC1 and presently, its role in cancer therapy is under evaluation. To characterize alpha1(IV)NC1 as a potential candidate for drug development and to test its efficacy in animal models, an effective method to produce a purified active form of alpha1(IV)NC1 is needed. In the present study, expression of alpha1(IV)NC1 in Sf9 cells using baculovirus expression system was discussed, this method was found to be effective in the production of a functionally active soluble form of the recombinant protein. The purified protein showed its characteristic activities such as inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in endothelial cells.     

Expression of a chimeric GUS gene construct as a tool to study nodule morphogenesis in chicory leaves

Leaves from micropropagated chicory plantlets were cultivated in vitro to regenerate organogenic nodules. The nodules were transformed with a 2.3 kb fragment of an apple calmodulin promoter region fused to the coding sequence of uidA reporter gene. Histochemical detection of β-glucuronidase expression in transgenic regenerants showed that vessel-associated cells were strongly stained. Previous histological investigations have shown that the differentiation of vascular elements is essential to nodule and bud-derived-nodule development. Therefore, β-glucuronidase activity was tested in a single transgenic chicory line during nodule morphogenesis and bud regeneration. The vascular connections between leaves and nodules, then between nodules and buds were stained blue, indicating an alternative system for determining the histological origin of nodules and adventitious buds from chicory leaf explants. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Purification and characterization of carbonyl reductase from Geotrichum candidum

Geotrichum candidum is well known for the reduction of prochiral ketones to chiral alcohol with high yield and excellent enantioselectivity. Carbonyl reductase from G. candidum was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatographies. Gel filtration chromatography together with SDS-PAGE revealed this protein to be a dimer of 60 kDa subunits. Maximum enzyme activity was found in acetate buffer at pH 5.4 with t_1/2 of 7.13 h at 30 °C and t_1/2 of 2.8 h at 65 °C. The enzyme was inhibited by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and hydroxylamine indicating the involvement of thiol and carbonyl groups in the reduction reaction catalyzed by the enzyme. Chelating agents also reduced the enzyme activity indicating the requirement of metal ions as cofactors. The purified carbonyl reductase was found to be highly selective for ketones containing naphthyl ring, whereas aryl or hetero-aryl ketones showed very less or no activity at all.     

Properties of a novel β-glucosidase from Fusarium proliferatum ECU2042 that converts ginsenoside Rg3 into Rh2

A novel β-glucosidase from Fusarium proliferatum ECU2042 (FPG) was successfully purified to homogeneity with a 506-fold increase in specific activity. The molecular mass of the native purified enzyme (FPG) was estimated to be approximately 78.7 kDa, with two homogeneous subunits of 39.1 kDa, and the pI of this enzyme was 4.4, as measured by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The optimal activities of FPG occurred at pH 5.0 and 50 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at pH 4.0–6.5 and temperatures below 60 °C, and the deactivation energy (E_d) for FPG was 88.6 kJ mo1⁻¹. Moreover, it was interesting to find that although the purified enzyme exhibited a very low activity towards p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucoside (pNPG), and almost no activity towards cellobiose, a relatively high activity was observed on ginsenoside Rg₃. The enzyme hydrolyzed the 3-C, β-(1 → 2)-glucoside of ginsenoside Rg₃ to produce ginsenoside Rh₂, but did not sequentially hydrolyze the β-d-glucosidic bond of Rh₂. The K_m and V_max values of FPG for ginsenoside Rg₃ were 2.37 mM and 0.568 μmol (h mg protein)⁻¹, respectively. In addition, this enzyme also exhibited significant activities towards various alkyl glucosides, aryl glucosides and several natural glycosides.     

Inhibition of THP-1 cell adhesion to endothelial cells by alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol is dependent on intracellular concentration of the antioxidants

Vitamin E analogs such as alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol have been shown to reduce endothelial expression of adhesion molecules. The reactivity of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol in inhibiting lipid peroxidation in vitro was essentially identical but the inhibition of adhesion of THP-1 cells, a monocytic-"like" cell line, to endothelial cells differs substantially. To determine the mechanism underlying this response, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assessed for their ability to accumulate vitamin E analogs. alpha-Tocotrienol accumulated in HUVECs to levels approximately 10-fold greater than that of alpha-tocopherol. The decrease in expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the adhesion of THP-1 cells to HUVECs by alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol was also determined. Both alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol suppressed VCAM-1 expression and adhesion of THP-1 cells to HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner. The efficacy of tocotrienol for reduction of VCAM-1 expression and adhesion of THP-1 cells to HUVECs was also 10-fold higher than that of tocopherol. The inhibitory effects of vitamin E analogs on the adhesiveness of endothelial cells clearly correlated with their intracellular concentrations. The data demonstrated that, in assessing the biological responses of antioxidants, intracellular accumulation and metabolism were additional important factors that must be considered.