Rapid and Reversible High-Affinity Binding of the Dinitroaniline Herbicide Oryzalin to Tubulin from Zea mays L

Oryzalin, a dinitroaniline herbicide, was previously reported to bind to plant tubulin with a moderate strengthe interaction (dissociation constant [Kd] = 8.4 [mu]M) that appeared inconsistent with the nanomolar concentrations of drug that cause the loss of microtubules, inhibit mitosis, and produce herbicidal effects in plants (L.C. Morejohn, T.E. Bureau, J. Mole-Bajer, A.S. Bajer, D.E. Fosket [1987] Planta 172: 252-264). To characterize further the mechanism of action of oryzalin, both kinetic and quasi-equilibrium ligand-binding methods were used to examine the interaction of [14C]-oryzalin with tubulin from cultured cells of maize (Zea mays L. cv Black Mexican Sweet). Oryzalin binds to maize tubulin dimer via a rapid and pH-dependent interaction to form a tubulin-oryzalin complex. Both the tubulin-oryzalin binding strength and stoichiometry are underestimated substantially when measured by kinetic binding methods, because the tubulin-oryzalin complex dissociates rapidly into unliganded tubulin and free oryzalin. Also, an uncharacterized factor(s) that is co-isolated with maize tubulin was found to noncompetitively inhibit oryzalin binding to the dimer. Quasi-equilibrium binding measurements of the tubulin-oryzalin complex using purified maize dimer afforded a Kd of 95 nM (pH 6.9; 23[deg]C) and an estimated maximum molar binding stoichiometry of 0.5. No binding of oryzalin to pure bovine brain tubulin was detected by equilibrium dialysis, and oryzalin has no discernible effect on microtubules in mouse 3T3 fibroblasts, indicating an absence of the oryzalin-binding site on mammalian tubulin. Oryzalin binds to pure taxol-stabilized maize microtubules in a polymer mass- and number-dependent manner, although polymerized tubulin has a much lower oryzalin-binding capacity than unpolymerized tubulin. Much more oryzalin is incorporated into polyment during taxol-induced assembly of pure maize tubulin, and half-maximal inhibition of the rapid phase of taxol-induced polymerization of 5 [mu]M tubulin is obtained with 700 [mu]M oryzalin. The data are consistent with a molecular mechanism whereby oryzalin binds rapidly, reversibly, and with high affinity to the plant tubulin dimer to form a tubulin-oryzalin complex that, at concentrations substoichiometric to tubulin, copolymerizes with unliganded tubulin and slows further assembly. Because half-maximal inhibition of maize callus growth is produced by 37 nM oryzalin, the herbicidal effects of oryzalin appear to result from a substoichiometric poisoning of microtubules.     

Oryzalin,a dinitroaniline herbicide,binds to plant tubulin and inhibits microtubule polymerization in vitro

The effects of oryzalin, a dinitroaniline herbicide, on chromosome behavior and on cellular microtubules (MTs) were examined by light microscopy and immunogold staining, respectively, in endosperm cells from Haemanthus katherinae Bak. Brief treatments with 1.0·10^-8 M oryzalin reduced markedly the migration rate of anaphase chromosomes and 1.0·10^-7 M oryzalin stopped migration abruptly. Oryzalin (1.0·10^-7 M) depolymerized MTs and prevented the polymerization of new MTs at all stages of the mitotic cycle. The chromosome condensation cycle was unaffected by oryzalin. Endothelial cells from the heart of Xenopus leavis showed no chromosomal or microtubular rearrangements after oryzalin treatment. The inhibition by oryzalin of the polymerization of tubulin isolated from cultured cells of Rosa sp. cv. Paul's scarlet was examined in vitro by turbidimetry, electron microscopy and polymer sedimentation analysis. Oryzalin inhibited the rapid phase of taxol-induced polymerization of rose MTs at 24°C with an apparent inhibition constant (K _i ) of 2.59·10⁶ M. Shorter and fewer MTs were formed with increasing oryzalin concentrations, and maximum inhibition of taxol-induced polymerization occurred at approx. 1:1 molar ratios of oryzalin and tubulin. Oryzalin partially depolymerized taxol-stabilized rose MTs. Ligand-binding experiments with [¹⁴C]oryzalin demonstrated the formation of a tubulin-oryzalin complex that was time- and pH-dependent. The tubulin-oryzalin interaction (24°C, pH 7.1) had an apparent affinity constant (K _app) of 1.19·10⁵ M^-1. Oryzalin did not inhibit taxol-induced polymerization of bovinebrain MTs and no appreciable binding of oryzalin to brain tubulin or other proteins was detected. The results demonstrate pharmacological differences between plant and animal tubulins and indicate that the most sensitive mode of action of the dinitroaniline herbicides is the direct poisoning of MT dynamics in cells of higher plants.Abbreviations MT microtubule - SIB sucrose isolation buffer - TO tubulin-oryzalin complex     

Interaction of tubulin with a new fluorescent analogue of vinblastine

Vinblastine is an antimitotic agent that has been used extensively in cancer chemotherapy. The biological effects of the drug are believed to be the result of its interaction with tubulin, the major component of cellular microtubules. Fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful and versatile technique for studying drug-tubulin interactions, but it rarely has been applied to studies involving vinca alkaloids. We have prepared a new fluorescent derivative of vinblastine designed to retain high affinity for tubulin while possessing a fluorophore that absorbs and emits visible light. A coumarin derivative of vinblastine, 17-deacetyl-O-(3-carbonylamino-7-diethylaminocoumarin) vinblastine (F-VLB), was prepared by reaction of 17-deacetylvinblastine with 7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carbonyl azide. F-VLB was a potent inhibitor of in vitro microtubule assembly (IC(50) = 0.5 microM). F-VLB binding to tubulin was inhibited by vinblastine. Tubulin binding induced an increase in the F-VLB emission intensity and shifted the emission maximum to higher energy (from 500 to 480 nm). The Stokes shift of tubulin-bound F-VLB was about the same as the Stokes shift of the molecule in ethanol, indicating that the tubulin-bound fluorophore is probably on the exterior of the vinblastine binding site. Unlike vinblastine, F-VLB failed to induce self-assembly of tubulin that could be detected by light scattering or electron microscopy, although some self-association could be detected by analytical ultracentrifugation. Equilibrium binding parameters were quantitatively determined by monitoring the change in fluorescence anisotropy of F-VLB upon tubulin binding. The apparent equilibrium constant for F-VLB binding to tubulin [K(a)(app) = (7.7 +/- 0.5) x 10(4) M(-1) at 25 degrees C] was identical to the equilibrium constant for vinblastine binding to 2 microM tubulin (K(1)) measured under similar buffer and temperature conditions using ultracentrifugation [Vulevic, B., Lobert, S., and Correia, J. J. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 12828-12835]. Binding allocolchicine to tubulin did not significantly affect F-VLB's affinity for the protein [K(a)(app) = (9.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(4) M(-1) at 25 degrees C]. Analysis of the steady-state emission spectra yielded a distance between the colchicine and vinca binding sites on tubulin of approximately 40 A. F-VLB bound to paclitaxel- and glutaraldehyde-stabilized microtubules, with approximately equal affinity. We conclude that F-VLB can be used to obtain information about the vinblastine binding site on tubulin under equilibrium conditions.     

Microtubule-associated proteins-dependent colchicine stability of acetylated cold-labile brain microtubules from the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

Assembly of brain microtubule proteins isolated from the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, was found to be much less sensitive to colchicine than assembly of bovine brain microtubules, which was completely inhibited by low colchicine concentrations (10 microM). The degree of disassembly by colchicine was also less for cod microtubules. The lack of colchicine effect was not caused by a lower affinity of colchicine to cod tubulin, as colchicine bound to cod tubulin with a dissociation constant, Kd, and a binding ratio close to that of bovine tubulin. Cod brain tubulin was highly acetylated and mainly detyrosinated, as opposed to bovine tubulin. When cod tubulin, purified by means of phosphocellulose chromatography, was assembled by addition of DMSO in the absence of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), the microtubules became sensitive to low concentrations of colchicine. They were, however, slightly more stable to disassembly, indicating that posttranslational modifications induce a somewhat increased stability to colchicine. The stability was mainly MAPs dependent, as it increased markedly in the presence of MAPs. The stability was not caused by an extremely large amount of cod MAPs, since there were slightly less MAPs in cod than in bovine microtubules. When "hybrid" microtubules were assembled from cod tubulin and bovine MAPs, these microtubules became less sensitive to colchicine. This was not a general effect of MAPs, since bovine MAPs did not induce a colchicine stability of microtubules assembled from bovine tubulin. We can therefore conclude that MAPs can induce colchicine stability of colchicine labile acetylated tubulin.     

Perturbation of microtubule polymerization by quercetin through tubulin binding: a novel mechanism of its antiproliferative activity

The dietary flavonoid quercetin has a broad range of biological activities, including potent antitumor activity against several types of tumors. Recently, it has been shown that quercetin inhibits cancer cells proliferation by depleting cellular microtubules and perturbing cellular microtubule functions. However, the direct interactions of quercetin with tubulin and microtubules have not been examined so far. Here, we found that quercetin inhibited polymerization of microtubules and depolymerized microtubules made from purified tubulin in vitro. The binding of quercetin with tubulin was studied using quercetin fluorescence and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of tubulin. Quercetin bound to tubulin at a single site with a dissociation constant of 5-7 microM, and it specifically inhibited colchicine binding to tubulin but did not bind at the vinblastine site. In addition, quercetin perturbed the secondary structure of tubulin, and the binding of quercetin stimulated the intrinsic GTPase activity of soluble tubulin. Further, quercetin stabilized tubulin against decay and protected two cysteine residues of tubulin toward chemical modification by 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid. Our data demonstrated that the binding of quercetin to tubulin induces conformational changes in tubulin and a mechanism through which quercetin could perturb microtubule polymerization dynamics has been proposed. The data suggest that quercetin inhibits cancer cells proliferation at least in part by perturbing microtubule functions through tubulin binding.     

Identification and characterization of the catecholamine transporter in bovine chromaffin granules using [3H]reserpine

Characterization of the catecholamine transporter in chromaffin granule membranes has been hampered by the lack of a radioligand with high specific activity which binds selectively to the carrier with high affinity. We report here the identification of a high affinity binding site for [3H]reserpine on chromaffin granule membranes isolated from bovine adrenal gland which has the characteristics expected of the catecholamine transporter. [3H]Reserpine bound predominately to a high affinity site with a Kd for [3H]reserpine of 9 nM and a binding site density of 7.8 pmol/mg of protein. Comparison of the characteristics of the high affinity reserpine binding site to the characteristics of catecholamine transport indicated that (a) the Ki and rank order of potency for inhibition of [3H]reserpine binding by various biogenic amines was similar to their Ki for inhibition of catecholamine transport (b) both the inhibition of (-)-[3H]norepinephrine transport and inhibition of [3H]reserpine binding showed similar stereo-specificity, and (c) Kd for binding of reserpine to chromaffin granule membranes was similar to the Ki for reserpine inhibition of catecholamine transport. These results demonstrate that the high affinity binding site for [3H]reserpine on chromaffin granule membranes is associated with the catecholamine transporter.     

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.     

Taxol binds to cellular microtubules

Taxol is a low molecular weight plant derivative which enhances microtubule assembly in vitro and has the unique ability to promote the formation of discrete microtubule bundles in cells. Tritium-labeled taxol binds directly to microtubules in vitro with a stoichiometry approaching one (Parness, J., and S. B. Horwitz, 1981, J. Cell Biol. 91:479-487). We now report studies in cells on the binding of [3H]taxol and the formation of microtubule bundles. [3H]Taxol binds to the macrophagelike cell line, J774.2, in a specific and saturable manner. Scatchard analysis of the specific binding data demonstrates a single set of high affinity binding sites. Maximal binding occurs at drug concentrations which produce maximal growth inhibition. Conditions which depolymerize microtubules in intact and extracted cells as determined by tubulin immunofluorescence inhibit the binding of [3H]taxol. This strongly suggests that taxol binds specifically to cellular microtubules. Extraction with 0.1% Nonidet P-40 or depletion of cellular ATP by treatment with 10 mM NaN3 prevents the characteristic taxol-induced bundle formation. The binding of [3H]taxol, however, is retained under these conditions. Thus, there formation. The binding of [3H]taxol, however, is retained under these conditions. Thus, there must be specific cellular mechanisms which are required for bundle formation, in addition to the direct binding of taxol to cytoplasmic microtubules.     

The mechanism of action of vinblastine. Binding of [acetyl-3H]vinblastine to embryonic chick brain tubulin and tubulin from sea urchin sperm tail outer doublet microtubules.

Tritium-labeled viblastine, specific activity 107 Ci/mol, was prepared by acetylation of desacetylvinblastine with [3H]acetic anhydride, and has been employed in a study of vinblastine binding to tubulin. There are two high affinity vinblastine-binding sites per mole of embryonic chick brain tubulin (KA = 3-5 X 10(5) l./mol). Binding to these sites was rapid, and relatively independent of temperature between 37 and 0degreeC. Vincristin sulfate and desacetylvinblastine sulfate, two other active vinca alkaloid derivatives, competitively inhibited the binding of vinblastine. The inhibition constant for vincristine was 1.7 X 10(-5) M; and for desacetylvinblastine, 2 X 10(-5) M. The vinblastine binding activity of tubulin decayed upon aging, but this property was not studied in detail. Vinblastine did not depolymerize stable sea urchin sperm tail outer doublet microtubules, nor did it bind to these microtubules. However, tubulin solubilized from the B subfiber of the outer doublet microtubules possessed the two high affinity binding sites (KA = 1-3 X 105 l./mol). These data suggest that vinblastine destroys microtubules in cells primarily by inhibition of microtubule polymerization, and does not directly destroy preformed microtubules.     

Synthesis and evaluation of alpha-hydroxymethylated conjugated nitroalkenes for their anticancer activity: inhibition of cell proliferation by targeting microtubules

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) type reaction of a variety of aromatic and heteroaromatic conjugated nitroalkenes with formaldehyde in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of imidazole and catalytic amounts (10 mol %) of anthranilic acid at room temperature provided the corresponding hydroxymethylated derivatives in moderate to good yield. The parent nitroalkenes and their MBH adducts were subsequently screened for their anticancer activity. Some of the MBH adducts were found to inhibit cervical cancer (HeLa) cell proliferation at low micromolar concentrations with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 1-2 microM. The antiproliferative activity of 3-((E)-2-nitrovinyl)furan and three potent MBH adducts, namely, hydroxymethylated derivatives of 3-((E)-2-nitrovinyl)thiophene, 1-methoxy-4-((E)-2-nitrovinyl)benzene, and 1,2-dimethoxy-4-((E)-2-nitrovinyl)benzene was correlated well with their antimicrotubule activity. At their effective concentration range, the tested compounds perturbed the organization of mitotic spindle microtubules and chromosomes. In the presence of hydroxymethylated nitroalkenes, abnormal bipolar or multipolar mitotic spindles were apparent. Interphase microtubules were found to be significantly depolymerized at relatively higher concentrations of the tested compounds. These compounds inhibited tubulin assembly into microtubules in vitro by binding to tubulin at a site distinct from the vinblastine and colchicine binding sites. The compounds reduced the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of tubulin and the fluorescence of tubulin-1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS) complex indicating that they induced conformational changes in the tubulin. The results suggest that hydroxymethylated nitroalkenes exert their antiproliferative activity at least in part by depolymerizing cellular microtubules through tubulin binding and indicate that hydroxymethylated nitroalkenes are promising lead compounds for cancer therapy.     

Presence of D2-dofamine Receptors in Human Term Placenta

Abstract

We studied the binding of [³H]-spiperone on human term placental membranes. This binding reached plateau level after 30 min incubation at 37°C and was reversed (t_1/2 ～ 5 min) by addition of an excess of unlabeled spiperone. Scatchard analysis of saturation experiments with increasing doses of [³H]-spiperone (0–25 nM) showed one class of high affinity binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 14 ± 2 nM and a maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 222 ± 9 fmoles/mg protein. The affinity of 5 competitors was determined in competitive binding assays. The D₂-dopamine antagonists were the most potent inhibitors: Ki for spiperone and haloperidol were 8 ± 2 and 56 ± 22 nM respectively. Dopamine inhibited [³H]-spiperone binding with a Ki of 570 ± 50 μM whereas Schering 23390 (D₁ antagonist) and propranolol (β-adrenergic antagonist) were without effect. The binding was also inhibited by 100 μM GTPγS (38 ± 8% inhibition), indicating that the dopamine receptor is coupled with a GTP binding protein. These results demonstrate for the first time the presence of D₂-dopamine receptors in human placenta.     

XKCM1 acts on a single protofilament and requires the C terminus of tubulin

The stability of microtubules during the cell-cycle is regulated by a number of cellular factors, some of which stabilize microtubules and others that promote breakdown. XKCM1 is a kinesin-like protein that induces microtubule depolymerization and is required for mitotic spindle assembly. We have examined the binding and depolymerization effects of XKCM1 on different tubulin polymers in order to learn about its mechanism of action. Zinc-induced tubulin polymers, characterized by an anti-parallel protofilament arrangement, are depolymerized by XKCM1, indicating that this enzyme acts on a single protofilament. GDP-tubulin rings, which correspond to the low-energy state of tubulin, are stable only under conditions that inhibit XKCM1 depolymerizing activity, but can be stabilized by XKCM1 bound to AMPPNP. Tubulin polymers made of subtilisin-treated tubulin (lacking the tubulin C-terminal tail) are resistant to XKCM1-induced depolymerization, suggesting that the interaction of the acidic tail of tubulin with basic residues in XKCM1 unique to Kin I proteins is required for depolymerization.     

Covalent binding of the benzamide RH-4032 to tubulin in suspension-cultured tobacco cells and its application in a cell-based competitive-binding assay

The benzamide, RH-4032, was found to be a potent antimicrotubule agent in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells. It strongly inhibited root growth and produced swollen club-shaped roots, an accumulation of cells in arrested metaphase, and loss of microtubules. RH-4032 inhibited the in vitro assembly of bovine tubulin into microtubules, with inhibition requiring a relatively long incubation period. Treatment of tobacco suspension-cultured cells or isolated bovine tubulin with [(14)C]RH-4032, and analysis of radiolabeled protein revealed a highly specific covalent attachment to beta-tubulin. Binding of [(3)H]RH-4032 in tobacco suspension-cultured cells was shown to be saturable and to be influenced by pre-incubation of the cells with various antimicrotubule agents: Binding of [(3)H]RH-4032 was inhibited by the benzamides, pronamide and zarilamide, the N-phenylcarbamate, chlorpropham, and the microtubule-stabilizing drug, paclitaxel, whereas trifluralin and amiprophosmethyl were not inhibitory. A common characteristic of agents that cause microtubule disassembly was a slight enhancement of [(3)H]RH-4032 binding at low concentrations, which did not occur with the microtubule-stabilizing agent paclitaxel. For structural analogs of RH-4032 and various N-phenylcarbamates, it was shown that the ability to inhibit binding of [(3)H]RH-4032 was correlated with the ability to inhibit tobacco root elongation. The results suggest a common binding site on beta-tubulin for RH-4032, pronamide, zarilamide, and chlorpropham, which is distinct from the binding site(s) for trifluralin and amiprophosmethyl. RH-4032 provides a unique approach to studying effects of antimicrotubule agents on plant cells by allowing competitive tubulin binding assays to be conducted in whole cells.     

Biochemical determination of tubulin-microtubule equilibrium in cultured cells.

The relative amount of free and microtubule-associated tubulin in tissue culture cells was determined by colchicine binding. Both microtubules and tubulin were stabilized in a dilute homogenate containing 50% glycerol and 5% dimethylsulfoxide. Microtubules were separated by sedimentation at 100,000g for 10 min in a benchtop ultracentrifuge and then depolymerized to tubulin. Colchicine binding to free tubulin could be performed only after dilution of the organic solvents present to prevent a 70% reduction in apparent affinity of tubulin for colchicine. Tubulins purified from rat brain, human skin fibroblasts, and rat GH₃ cells were each homogeneous and similar in molecular weight, affinity for DEAE-cellulose, and apparent affinity for colchicine. Microtubules contained 34–41% of tissue culture cell tubulin. Colchicine (10^?6 to 10^?5m) and incubation at 4°C reduced microtubule-derived tubulin to less than 6% of expected.     

Assembly properties of tubulin after carboxyl group modification

By chemically modifying carboxyl groups we have investigated the role of the highly acidic COOH-terminal domains of alpha- and beta-tubulin in regulating microtubule assembly. Using a carbodiimide-promoted amidation reaction, as many as 25 carboxyl groups were modified by the addition of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide and an amine nucleophile, [14C] glycine ethyl ester or [3H]methylamine, to assembled microtubules. Modification occurred primarily in the carboxyl-terminal region as demonstrated by limited proteolysis of modified tubulin by trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin, and carboxypeptidase Y. Modified tubulin polymerized into microtubules with a critical concentration that was 15% of that for unmodified tubulin. Assembly of modified tubulin and microtubules formed from modified tubulin were less sensitive to Ca2+ and high ionic strength. Ca2+ binding studies under low ionic strength conditions indicated that modified tubulin does not contain the high affinity Ca2+ binding site. While assembly of unmodified tubulin was stimulated by Mg2+ up to 10 mM, assembly of the modified protein was inhibited by concentrations greater than 1 mM. When 24 residues were modified, polymerization was no longer stimulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) or polylysine and incorporation of high molecular weight MAPs into the polymers was reduced by about 70% compared to unmodified tubulin. These studies demonstrate that chemical modification of carboxyl groups in tubulin, most of which are localized in the COOH-terminal region, leads to an enhanced ability to polymerize and a decrease in interaction with MAPs and other positively charged species.     

Inhibitors of cell division and protoplasmic streaming fail to cause a detectable effect on intracellular calcium levels in stamen-hair cells of Tradescantia virginiana L.

The herbicides amiprophos-methyl (APM) and oryzalin disrupt mitosis and cytokinesis in plant cells by causing the depolymerization of microtubules. These drugs have also been shown to affect calcium sequestration by mitochondria. Controversy thus exists as to whether microtubule depolymerization occurs as a result of direct interaction between the drug and tubulin, or because of elevated intracellular calcium levels resulting from drug interference with calcium regulation. In order to clarify this issue we have directly measured the effect of these herbicides and other cell-motility-altering drugs on intracellular calcium levels in stamen-hair cells of Tradescantia. The results indicate that low levels (1–3 M) of APM and oryzalin can act within 3–7 min causing disorganization of mitosis. Studies using the calcium indicator indo-1 injected into stamen-hair cells to monitor internal levels of calcium, show that at drug concentrations where inhibitory effects on mitosis and-or cytokinesis are clearly seen, APM, oryzalin, isopropyl-N-phenyl carbamate, caffeine and cytochalasin D produce no change in intracellular calcium levels. Furthermore, except for cytochalasin D, these drugs do not inhibit cytoplasmic streaming, a calcium-sensitive process. We conclude that the mode of action of these drugs on the cytoskeleton is independent of an effect on intracellular calcium.Abbreviations and Symbols APM amiprophos-methyl - [Ca²⁺]_i free intracellular calcium ion concentration - CD cytochalasin D - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - IPC isopropyl N-phenylcarbamate - MT(s) microtubule(s) To whom correspondence should be addressedWe thank Dr. L.C. Morejohn, University of Texas, Austin, for encouraging us to perform this study and for his gift of amiprophosmethyl and oryzalin. We also thank our colleagues at the University of Massachusetts for many helpful discussions. This work has been supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (88-37261-3727) and the National Science Foundation (DCB-88-01-01750).     

Stoichiometry for guanine nucleotide binding to tubulin under polymerizing and nonpolymerizing conditions

The maximal stoichiometry for [³H]GTP binding to depolymerized tubulin with saturating amounts of added [³H]GTP is 0.4 mol/110,000 g protein. In contrast, 1 mol of radioactive nucleotide is incorporated into microtubules as a result of polymerization with [³H]GTP. The different stoichiometries result from a difference in the nucleotide binding properties of ring protein under polymerizing and nonpolymerizing conditions: ring protein at 0 °C is devoid of binding activity but binds added radioactive guanine nucleotide during microtubule assembly. The radioactive nucleotide which is incorporated into rings during microtubule assembly is not displaced by excess GDP, although it is at a site which is distinct from the N site.     

Studies on in vitro polymerization of tubulin from renal medullary extracts.

Previous in vivo studies showed that microtubules are involved in the cellular action of vasopressin. In order to analyze the role of renal medullary microtubules, a system was developed which would allow the study of the assembly of tubulin in renal medulla extracts into microtubules in vitro. The assembly of tubulin into microtubules occurred in renal medullary cytosol (100 000 times g supernatant) under specific conditions which include pre-concentration of cytosol by ultrafiltration, the presence of ethylene glycol bis(2-aminoethyl)ether tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and 4 M glycerol, and warming at 37 degrees C. Formation of microtubules, which sedimented at 100 000 times g, was proved by (a) an increase in the apparent [3H]colchicine-binding activity of depolymerized pellets, (b) appearance of typical microtubules as shown by electron microscopy, and (c) by the increase in the quantity of microtubular protein analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Vinblastine at a concentrationof 10(-6) M completely blocked formation of microtubules. A slight increase of ionized calcium in the polymerization mixture also prevented microtubule assembly; this inhibitory effect of ionized calcium was present at concentrations as low as 10(-4) M. Blockade of microtubule assembly by the increase in concentration of ionized calcium or by vinblastine may be the basis of known inhibitory effect of these two agents upon the hydroosmotic effect of vasopressin in vivo.     

Quantitative analysis of the interaction between S-100 proteins and brain tubulin

S-100 was shown to regulate the in vitro assembly of brain microtubule proteins (MTPs) in a Ca2+-mediated way by acting on both the nucleation and the elongation of microtubules (MTs). Here data will be shown suggesting that S-100 binds to tubulin. The binding is time-, temperature-, Ca2+-, and pH-dependent, and saturable with respect to S-100. At pH 6.75, the saturation curve is biphasic, displaying a high affinity component (dissociation constant, Kd1, approximately 0.1 microM) and a low affinity component (Kd2 approximately 3.8 microM). At pH 6.75, as the free Ca2+ concentration raises from 0 to 100 microM, the overall binding capacity increases from 0.065 to 0.66 mol S-100/mol tubulin dimer. This finding, together with the observation that the S-100 effect on MTP assembly is Ca2+-dependent at that pH, suggests that the S-100-induced inhibition of MTP assembly depends on S-100 binding to the low affinity sites on the tubulin molecule. The S-100 binding to tubulin is pH-dependent; as the pH raises from 6.75 to 8.3, both binding components are affected, the major changes consisting of an increase in the binding capacity and a decrease in the overall affinity. Moreover, as the pH raises, Ca2+ is no longer required for S-100 to bind to tubulin. S-100 also interacts with a component of whole MTPs (probably tubulin, on the basis of the above results). No S-100 binding to microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) could be evidenced by the techniques employed in this study. On the contrary, some competition between S-100 and MAPs for binding sites or tubulin seems to occur.     

Characterization of the sulfonylurea receptor on beta cell membranes

Specific, high affinity sulfonylurea receptors were characterized on membranes of an insulin-secreting hamster beta cell line (HIT cells). Saturable binding of the sulfonylurea, [3H]glyburide, was linear up to 0.8 mg/ml membrane protein. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data at room temperature indicated the presence of a single class of saturable, high affinity binding sites with a Kd of 0.76 +/- 0.04 nM and a Bmax of 1.09 +/- 0.13 pmol/mg protein, n = 9. The insulin secretory potency of glyburide, glipizide, tolbutamide, tolazamide, and carboxytolbutamide was compared to the ability of these ligands to displace [3H]glyburide from the sulfonylurea receptor. Tolbutamide, tolazamide, and glipizide demonstrated reasonable agreement with ED50 values of 15 microM, 3 microM, and 30 nM and Ki values of 25.3 microM, 7.2 microM, and 45 nM, respectively. The inactive tolbutamide metabolite, carboxytolbutamide, at the highest concentration tested, only partially displaced [3H]glyburide from the receptor and was a very poor secretagogue. At 37 degrees C the affinity of [3H]glyburide binding, Kd = 2.0 nM, was similar to the ED50 of 5.5 nM when the free glyburide concentrations were corrected for binding of the drug to albumin. These studies suggest that sulfonylureas initiate their biologic effect through a high affinity, specific interaction with sulfonylurea receptors on the beta cell membrane.