重组不可分型流感嗜血杆菌E蛋白与血浆脂蛋白(a)的相互作用

目的:E蛋白(Protein E,PE)是不可分型流感嗜血杆菌(Nontypeable Haemophilus influenza,NTHi)表面的一种纤溶酶原(plasminogen,Plg)受体,其C末端含有两个赖氨酸残基。NTHi可通过其表面的PE与Plg结合,从而利用机体的纤溶系统深层入侵宿主。基于脂蛋白(a)[Lipoprotein(a),Lp(a)]中载脂蛋白(a)[Apolipoprotein(a),Apo(a)]与Plg高度的同源性,拟证明Lp(a)是否会与重组表达的PE(r PE)结合。方法:原核表达并纯化r PE及敲除C末端两个赖氨酸残基的r PEΔKK,密度梯度离心结合阴离子交换层析分离人血浆Lp(a),通过ELISA、Pull down、Western blot等方法研究r PE与Lp(a)的相互作用。结果:r PE与Lp(a)结合,但不与LDL结合,且r PEΔKK与Lp(a)的结合能力明显低于r PE;赖氨酸类似物6-氨基乙酸(EACA)能有效抑制r PE与Lp(a)的结合;Lp(a)对r PE与Plg的结合具有微弱的抑制作用。结论:r PE能够与Lp(a)结合,其中r PE的C末端赖氨酸残基和Apo(a)的赖氨酸结合位点(lysine binding sites,LBS)是r PE与Lp(a)结合的主要位点。     

铜绿假单胞菌二氢硫辛酸酰胺脱氢酶的重组表达及其与脂蛋白(a)的相互作用

【目的】二氢硫辛酸酰胺脱氢酶(Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase,Lpd)是铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)表面的一种纤溶酶原(Plasminogen,Plg)受体,旨在研究Lpd与脂蛋白(a)[Lipoprotein(a),Lp(a)]以及Plg之间的相互作用。【方法】用大肠杆菌表达rLpd及其突变分子(rLpd K476A、rLpd K477A、rLpdΔKKR),用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)、亲和色谱层析及Western blot等技术检测rLpd及其突变分子与Lp(a)、Plg的相互作用。【结果】ELISA及亲和色谱层析实验结果表明,rLpd可以与Lp(a)结合但不与LDL结合,Lp(a)与rLpdΔKKR的结合能力显著低于其与rLpd的结合能力。1 mmol/L的赖氨酸类似物6-氨基己酸(EACA)对rLpd与Lp(a)的结合有显著的抑制作用。1 000μg/L的Lp(a)对rLpd与Plg的结合起到显著的抑制作用。【结论】Lpd能够与Lp(a)特异性结合,其476和477两个相邻的赖氨酸残基是与Lp(a)结合的主要位点,Lp(a)可以竞争性地抑制rLpd与Plg的结合。     

脂蛋白(a)的赖氨酸结合异质性对人动脉SMC增殖的影响

为探讨脂蛋白 ( a) [Lp( a) ]的赖氨酸结合功能在致动脉粥样硬化中的作用 ,利用短时超速离心结合凝胶层析分离纯化 Lp( a) ,以 Lysine- Sepharose4B亲和层析分离出能与柱结合的 Lp( a)Lys+ 和不能与柱结合的 Lp( a) Lys-.采用 MTT比色法、流式细胞仪分析细胞增殖状况 ,同时以ELISA法检测细胞培养液中转化生长因子β( TGF-β)的活化水平 ,观察了两种 Lp( a)对培养的人动脉平滑肌细胞 ( SMC)增殖的影响 .结果表明 :Lp( a)、Lp( a) Lys+ 较 Lp( a) Lys-能有效地促进SMC增殖 ,刺激细胞从 G0 /G1期进入 S和 G2 /M期 ,并显著降低培养液中 TGF- β活化量 .提示 :Lp( a) Lys+ 可能是 Lp( a)促人 SMC增殖的主要组分 ,其机制可能与干扰纤溶酶原活化 ,从而抑制TGF-β活化有关 .     

降脂蛋白(a)研究

脂蛋白(a)[Lp(a)]是由载脂蛋白(a)(apo(a))与载脂蛋白B100(apoB100)通过共价键连接的脂蛋白。高血浆水平Lp(a)是心血管疾病的独立风险因子,Lp(a)的血浆水平主要受遗传因素调控,主要有LPA[lipoprotein,Lp(a)]基因的三环结构域kringle IV/2拷贝数和单核苷酸多态性(SNP)。欧洲动脉粥样硬化协会(EAS)和美国心脏病协会(AHA)建议对于高Lp(a)的人群应当考虑降高Lp(a)的治疗。目前已有多种降高Lp(a)的药物和方法,如血浆分离置换法、雌激素治疗、反义核苷酸治疗、类法尼醇X核内受体(farnesoid X receptor,FXR)激动治疗等,但应用于临床的降高Lp(a)的药物和方法依然缺乏。本文拟就降Lp(a)的药物和方法进展情况进行综述。     

重组apo(a) Kringle Ⅳ-10对纤溶酶原与内皮细胞结合的影响

通过研究重组apo(a)KringleⅣ 10 (KⅣ 10 )的赖氨酸结合能力对纤溶酶原与内皮细胞结合的影响 ,探讨apo(a)在抑制纤溶过程中的作用 ,为脂蛋白 (a) [lipoprotein(a) ,Lp(a) ]致动脉粥样硬化机理研究提供依据 .将含apo(a)野生型KⅣ 10 ((wild typeKⅣ 10 Trp72 ,wt KⅣ 10 Trp72 )和突变型KⅣ 10 (mutate typeKⅣ 10 Trp72 ,mut KⅣ 10 Arg72 )基因片段重组质粒 ,分别转化至E .coliDH5α菌株中并表达含这 2个重组片段的融合蛋白 ,通过Glutathione Agarosebeads亲和层析柱进行分离和提纯 ,经L Lys Sepharose 4B亲和层析柱检测其赖氨酸结合能力 .再以异硫氰酸荧光素标记的纤溶酶原为配基 ,观察这 2种基因表达片段对纤溶酶原与人脐静脉内皮细胞 (humanumbilicalveinendothe lialcells ,HUVEC)结合的影响 .结果显示 :在E .coliDH 5α菌株中表达的野生型谷胱甘肽S 转移酶(glutathioneS transferase ,GST) KⅣ 10 Trp72 (GST wt KⅣ 10 Trp72 )融合蛋白和突变型谷胱甘肽S 转移酶 (GST mut KⅣ 10 Arg72 )融合蛋白在赖氨酸结合能力上存在明显差异 .其中GST wt KⅣ 10 Trp72能有效地抑制纤溶酶原与人脐静脉内皮细胞的结合 ;而GST mut KⅣ 10 Arg72 在任一浓度范围内均无这种抑制作用 .结果     

猴肝细胞膜脂蛋白(a)受体的研究

猴肝细胞膜蛋白经 SDS- PAGE和蛋白转移电泳后用免疫印迹法测定 ,硝酸纤维素膜分别与抗牛肾上腺皮质 LDL受体的抗体、LDL、Lp( a)和 PLG温育后见有 3条不同的蛋白条带 ,分子量分别为 370 kd、2 90 kd和 80 kd.用酶标法测定猴肝细胞膜蛋白 ,发现经 Lp( a) + PLG温育后用 Lp( a)抗体反应的结果与 Lp( a)温育后用 Lp( a)抗体反应的结果比较无显著差异 ,而经 Lp( a) + PLG温育后用 PLG抗体反应的结果比单独用 PLG温育后用 PLG抗体反应的作用强 ;同样经 Lp( a) +LDL温育后用 Lp( a)抗体反应的结果与经 Lp( a)温育后用 Lp( a)抗体反应的结果比较无显著差异 ,而经 Lp( a) + LDL温育后用 LDL抗体反应比单独经 LDL温育后用 LDL抗体的反应强 ,排除Lp( a)与 PLG和 LDL的交叉反应 ,实验认为猴肝细胞膜上可能同时存在 LDL受体、PLG受体和Lp( a)受体     

不受纤维蛋白溶酶原干扰的脂蛋白(a)酶联免疫吸附测定法

实验证实脂蛋白(a)和纤维蛋白溶酶原之间具有免疫同源性,据此建立了不受Pg干扰的酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测Lp(a)。a.根据Lp(a)含有apo(a)、apoB两种抗原位点,设计了抗apo(a)-Lp(a)-酶标抗apoB法;b.抗apo(a)经Pg亲和层析柱吸附处理后的抗apo(a)-Lp(a)-酶标抗apo(a)法。同时以火箭电泳为参考,经比较后,方法间相关性良好。     

eIF4A1与TrkA相互作用后抑制TrkA的泛素化（英文）

神经生长因子(NGF)结合细胞表面受体p75NTR (p75神经营养素受体)和TrkA (酪氨酸蛋白激酶A)后介导了细胞分化、细胞生存、凋亡、增殖和侵袭等多个重要的生理病理过程. TrKA能与细胞内多个蛋白质相互作用,但是由于NGF信号通路的复杂性,现在仍有必要发现与之相互作用的蛋白质以更准确地了解NGF信号通路.本研究中我们通过酵母双杂交的方法筛选到了一个新的与TrKA相互作用的蛋白质——真核生物翻译起始因子4A1 (eIF4A1),然后通过谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶融合蛋白沉降实验(GST-pull-down)和免疫共沉淀实验(Co-IP)证明了TrkA和eIF4A1的相互作用.此外NGF能够增强TrkA和eIF4A1的相互作用.在鉴定相互作用位点实验中,我们发现eIF4A1的氨基端结构域和TrkA的TK结构域参与了相互作用. TrkA和e IF4A1共定位在细胞膜上. NGF能够引起TrkA与泛素蛋白63位的赖氨酸连接,而eIF4A1与TrkA相互作用后能够抑制TrkA与泛素蛋白63位的赖氨酸连接.综上,得出结论 e IF4A1通过与TrkA相互作用抑制其泛素化调控NGF信号通路.     

阻塞性黄疸患者总胆汁酸的表达及与血脂水平的关系研究

目的:探讨阻塞性黄疸(OJ)患者血清总胆汁酸(TBA)水平与血脂水平的关系。方法:选择2015年5月到2015年12月我院收治的70例OJ患者作为观察组,同期选择70例健康人员作为对照组。检测并比较两组血清TBA、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、载脂蛋白AI(Apo AI)、载脂蛋白B(Apo B)、脂蛋白α[Lp(α)]、总胆红素(T-Bil)及直接胆红素(D-Bil)水平,并分析血清TBA与血脂水平的关系。结果:观察组患者的血清TBA、TG、TC、Apo B、T-Bil及D-Bil水平均明显低于对照组,血清LDL-C、HDL-C、Apo AI及Lp(α)水平均明显高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。Pearson直线相关性分析结果表明,血清TBA水平与血清TG、TC、Apo B、T-Bil及D-Bil呈正相关性,与血清LDL-C、HDL-C、Apo AI及Lp(α)水平呈负相关性。结论:OJ患者体内存在血脂水平紊乱,血清TBA可能是导致OJ患者血脂代谢紊乱的重要因素。     

Complete genome sequence of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus containing a heterogeneic staphylococcal cassette chromosome element

Staphylococcus aureus is a common human bacterium that sometimes becomes pathogenic,causing serious infections.A key feature of S.aureus is its ability to acquire resistance to antibiotics.The presence of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome(SCC) element in serotypes of S.aureus has been confirmed using multiplex PCR assays.The SCC element is the only vector known to carry the mecA gene,which encodes methicillin resistance in S.aureus infections.Here,we report the genome sequence of a novel methicillin-sensitive S.aureus(MSSA) strain:SCC-like MSSA463.This strain was originally erroneously serotyped as methicillin-resistant S.aureus in a clinical laboratory using multiplex PCR methods.We sequenced the genome of SCC-like MSSA463 using pyrosequencing techniques and compared it with known genome sequences of other S.aureus isolates.An open reading frame(CZ049;AB037671) was identified downstream of attL and attR inverted repeat sequences.Our results suggest that a lateral gene transfer occurred between S.aureus and other organisms,partially changing S.aureus infectivity.We propose that attL and attR inverted repeats in S.aureus serve as frequent insertion sites for exogenous genes.     

Baboon lipoprotein(a) binds very weakly to lysine-agarose and fibrin despite the presence of a strong lysine-binding site in apolipoprotein(a) kringle IV type 10

Human apolipoprotein(a) kringle IV type 10 [apo(a) KIV(10)] contains a strong lysine-binding site (LBS) that mediates the interaction of Lp(a) with biological substrates such as fibrin. Mutations in the KIV(10) LBS have been reported in both the rhesus monkey and chimpanzee, and have been proposed to explain the lack of ability of the corresponding Lp(a) species to bind to lysine and fibrin. To further the comparative analyses with other primate species, we sequenced a segment of baboon liver apo(a) cDNA spanning KIV(9) through the protease domain. Like rhesus monkey apo(a), baboon apo(a) lacks a kringle V (KV)-like domain. Interestingly, we found that the baboon apo(a) KIV(10) sequence contains all of the canonical LBS residues. We sequenced the apo(a) KIV(10) sequence from an additional 10 unrelated baboons; 17 of 20 alleles encoded Trp at position 70, whereas only two alleles encoded Arg at this position and thus a defective LBS. Despite the apparent presence of a functional KIV(10) LBS in most of the baboons, none of the Lp(a) in the plasma of the corresponding baboons bound specifically to lysine-Sepharose (agarose) even upon partial purification. Moreover, baboon Lp(a) bound very poorly to plasmin-modified fibrinogen. Expression of baboon and human KIV(10) in bacteria allowed us to verify that these domains bind comparably to lysine and lysine analogues. We conclude that presentation of KIV(10) in the context of apo(a) lacking KV may interfere with the ability of KIV(10) to bind to substrates such as fibrin; this paradigm may also be present in other non-human primates.     

Oxidation of apolipoprotein(a) inhibits kringle-associated lysine binding: the loss of intrinsic protein fluorescence suggests a role for tryptophan residues in the lysine binding site.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a low-density lipoprotein complex consisting of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] disulfide-linked to apolipoprotein B-100. Lp(a) has been implicated in atherogenesis and thrombosis through the lysine binding site (LBS) affinity of its kringle domains. We have examined the oxidative effect of 2,2'-azobis-(amidinopropane) HCl (AAPH), a mild hydrophilic free radical initiator, upon the ability of Lp(a) and recombinant apo(a), r-apo(a), to bind through their LBS domains. AAPH treatment caused a time-dependent decrease in the number of functional Lp(a) or r-apo(a) molecules capable of binding to fibrin or lysine-Sepharose and in the intrinsic protein fluorescence of both Lp(a) and r-apo(a). The presence of a lysine analogue during the reaction prevented the loss of lysine binding and provided a partial protection from the loss of tryptophan fluorescence. The partial protection of fluorescence by lysine analogues was observed in other kringle-containing proteins, but not in proteins lacking kringles. No significant aggregation, fragmentation, or change in conformation of Lp(a) or r-apo(a) was observed as assessed by native or SDS-PAGE, light scattering, retention of antigenicity, and protein fluorescence emission spectra. Our results suggest that AAPH destroys amino acids in the kringles of apo(a) that are essential for lysine binding, including one or more tryptophan residues. The present study, therefore, raises the possibility that the biological roles of Lp(a) may be mediated by its state of oxidation, especially in light of our previous study showing that the reductive properties of sulfhydryl-containing compounds increase the LBS affinity of Lp(a) for fibrin.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) solution structure, dynamics, and binding properties of the kringle IV type 8 module of apolipoprotein(a)

The plasma lipoprotein lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] comprises a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-like particle covalently attached to the glycoprotein apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)]. Apo(a) consists of multiple tandem repeating kringle modules, similar to plasminogen kringle IV (designated KIV1-KIV10), followed by modules homologous to the kringle V module and protease domain of plasminogen. The apo(a) KIV modules have been classified on the basis of their binding affinity for lysine and lysine analogues. The strong lysine-binding apo(a) KIV10 module mediates lysine-dependent interactions with fibrin and cell-surface receptors. Weak lysine-binding apo(a) KIV7 and KIV8 modules display a 2-3-fold difference in lysine affinity and play a direct role in the noncovalent step in Lp(a) assembly through binding to unique lysine-containing sequences in apolipoproteinB-100 (apoB-100). The present study describes the nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of apo(a) KIV8 and its solution dynamics properties, the first for an apo(a) kringle module, and compares the effects of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (epsilon-ACA) binding on the backbone and side-chain conformation of KIV7 and KIV8 on a per residue basis. Apo(a) KIV8 adopts a well-ordered structure that shares the general tri-loop kringle topology with apo(a) KIV6, KIV7, and KIV10. Mapping of epsilon-ACA-induced chemical-shift changes on KIV7 and KIV8 indicate that the same residues are affected, despite a 2-3-fold difference in epsilon-ACA affinity. A unique loop conformation within KIV8, involving hydrophobic interactions with Tyr40, affects the positioning of Arg35 relative to the lysine-binding site (LBS). A difference in the orientation of the aromatic side chains comprising the hydrophobic center of the LBS in KIV8 decreases the size of the hydrophobic cleft compared to other apo(a) KIV modules. An exposed hydrophobic patch contiguous with the LBS in KIV8 and not conserved in other weak lysine-binding apo(a) kringle modules may modulate specificity for regions within apoB-100. An additional ligand recognition site comprises a structured arginine-glycine-aspartate motif at the N terminus of the KIV8 module, which may mediate Lp(a)/apo(a)-integrin interactions.     

Antifibrinolytic effect of single apo(a) kringle domains: relationship to fibrinogen binding

Elevated plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are associated with an increased risk for the development of atherosclerotic disease which may be attributable to the ability of Lp(a) to attenuate fibrinolysis. A generally accepted mechanism for this effect involves direct competition of Lp(a) with plasminogen for fibrin(ogen) binding sites thus reducing the efficiency of plasminogen activation. Efforts to determine the domains of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] which mediate fibrin(ogen) interactions have yielded conflicting results. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to determine the ability of single KIV domains of apo(a) to bind plasmin-treated fibrinogen surfaces as well to determine their effect on fibrinolysis using an in vitro clot lysis assay. A bacterial expression system was utilized to express and purify apo(a) KIV (2), KIV (7), KIV (9) DeltaCys (which lacks the seventh unpaired cysteine) and KIV (10) which contains a strong lysine binding site. We also expressed and examined three mutant derivatives of KIV (10) to determine the effect of changing critical residues in the lysine binding site of this kringle on both fibrin(ogen) binding and fibrin clot lysis. Our results demonstrate that the strong lysine binding site in apo(a) KIV (10) is capable of mediating interactions with plasmin-modified fibrinogen in a lysine-dependent manner, and that this kringle can increase in vitro fibrin clot lysis time by approximately 43% at a concentration of 10 microM KIV (10). The ability of the KIV (10) mutant derivatives to bind plasmin-modified fibrinogen correlated with their lysine binding capacity. Mutation of Trp (70) to Arg abolished binding to both lysine-Sepharose and plasmin-modified fibrinogen, while the Trp (70) -->Phe and Arg (35) -->Lys substitutions each resulted in decreased binding to these substrates. None of the KIV (10) mutant derivatives appeared to affect fibrinolysis. Apo(a) KIV (7) contains a lysine- and proline-sensitive site capable of mediating binding to plasmin-modified fibrinogen, albeit with a lower apparent affinity than apo(a) KIV (10). However, apo(a) KIV (7) had no effect on fibrinolysis in vitro. Apo(a) KIV (2) and KIV (9) DeltaCys did not bind measurably to plasmin-modified fibrinogen surfaces and did not affect fibrinolysis in vitro.     

Recombinant kringle IV-10 modules of human apolipoprotein(a): structure, ligand binding modes, and biological relevance

The kringle modules of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are highly homologous with kringle 4 of plasminogen (75-94%) and like the latter are autonomous structural and functional units. Apo(a) contains 14-37 kringle 4 (KIV) repeats distributed into 10 classes (1-10). Lp(a) binds lysine-Sepharose via a lysine binding site (LBS) located in KIV-10 (88% homology with plasminogen K4). However, the W72R substitution that occurs in rhesus monkeys and occasionally in humans leads to impaired lysine binding capacity of KIV-10 and Lp(a). The foregoing has been investigated by determining the structures of KIV-10/M66 (M66 variant) in its unliganded and ligand [epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA)] bound modes and the structure of recombinant KIV-10/M66R72 (the W72R mutant). In addition, the EACA liganded structure of a sequence polymorph (M66T in about 42-50% of the human population) was reexamined (KIV-10/T66/EACA). The KIV-10/M66, KIV-10/M66/EACA, and KIV-10/T66/EACA molecular structures are highly isostructural, indicating that the LBS of the kringles is preformed anticipating ligand binding. A displacement of three water molecules from the EACA binding groove and a movement of R35 bringing the guanidinium group close to the carboxylate of EACA to assist R71 in stabilizing the anionic group of the ligand are the only changes accompanying ligand binding. Both EACA structures were in the embedded binding mode utilizing all three binding centers (anionic, hydrophobic, cationic) like plasminogen kringles 1 and 4. The KIV-10/T66/EACA structure determined in this work differs from one previously reported [Mikol, V., Lo Grasso, P. V. and, Boettcher, B. R. (1996) J. Mol. Biol. 256, 751-761], which crystallized in a different crystal system and displayed an unbound binding mode, where only the amino group of EACA interacted with the anionic center of the LBS. The remainder of the ligand extended into solvent perpendicular to the kringle surface, leaving the hydrophobic pocket and the cationic center of the LBS unoccupied. The structure of recombinant KIV-10/M66R72 shows that R72 extends along the ligand binding groove parallel to the expected position of EACA toward the anionic center (D55/D57) and makes a salt bridge with D57. Thus, the R72 side chain mimics ligand binding, and loss of binding ability is the result of steric blockage of the LBS by R72 physically occupying part of the site. The rhesus monkey lysine binding impairment is compared with that of chimpanzee where KIV-10 has been shown to have a D57N mutation instead.     

Effect of phospholipase A2 digestion on the conformation and lysine/fibrinogen binding properties of human lipoprotein[a

In vitro hydrolysis of human lipoprotein[a] (Lp[a]) by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) decreased the phosphatidylcholine (PC) content by 85%, but increased nonesterified fatty acids 3.2-fold and lysoPC 12.9-fold. PLA2-treated Lp[a] had a decreased molecular weight, increased density, and greater electronegativity on agarose gels. In solution, PLA2-Lp[a] was a monomer, and when assessed by sedimentation velocity it behaved like untreated Lp[a], in that it remained compact in NaCl solutions but assumed the extended form in the presence of 6-amino hexanoic acid, which was shown previously to have an affinity for the apo[a] lysine binding site II (LBS II) comprising kringles IV5-8. We interpreted our findings to indicate that PLA2 digestion had no effect on the reactivity of this site. This conclusion was supported by the results obtained from lysine Sepharose and fibrinogen binding experiments, in the presence and absence of Tween 20, showing that phospholipolysis had no effect on the reactivity of the LBS-II domain. A comparable binding behavior was also exhibited by the free apo[a] derived from each of the two forms of Lp[a]. We did observe a small increase in affinity of PLA2-Lp[a] to lysine Sepharose and attributed it to changes in reactivity of the LBS I domain (kringle IV10) induced by phospholipolysis. In conclusion, the extensive modification of Lp[a] caused by PLA2 digestion had no significant influence on the reactivity of LBS II, which is the domain involved in the binding of apo[a] to fibrinogen and apoB-100. These results also suggest that phospholipids do not play an important role in these interactions.     

Determinants of binding of oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein (a) and lipoprotein (a)

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) are present on apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)] and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] but the determinants influencing their binding are not known. The presence of OxPLs on apo(a)/Lp(a) was evaluated in plasma from healthy humans, apes, monkeys, apo(a)/Lp(a) transgenic mice, lysine binding site (LBS) mutant apo(a)/Lp(a) mice with Asp^55/57→Ala^55/57 substitution of kringle (K)IV₁₀)], and a variety of recombinant apo(a) [r-apo(a)] constructs. Using antibody E06, which binds the phosphocholine (PC) headgroup of OxPLs, Western and ELISA formats revealed that OxPLs were only present in apo(a) with an intact KIV₁₀ LBS. Lipid extracts of purified human Lp(a) contained both E06- and nonE06-detectable OxPLs by tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Trypsin digestion of 17K r-apo(a) showed PC-containing OxPLs covalently bound to apo(a) fragments by LC-MS/MS that could be saponified by ammonium hydroxide. Interestingly, PC-containing OxPLs were also present in 17K r-apo(a) with Asp⁵⁷→Ala⁵⁷ substitution in KIV₁₀ that lacked E06 immunoreactivity. In conclusion, E06- and nonE06-detectable OxPLs are present in the lipid phase of Lp(a) and covalently bound to apo(a). E06 immunoreactivity, reflecting pro-inflammatory OxPLs accessible to the immune system, is strongly influenced by KIV₁₀ LBS and is unique to human apo(a), which may explain Lp(a)’s pro-atherogenic potential.     

Comparative analyses of the lysine binding site properties of apolipoprotein(a) kringle IV types 7 and 10.

Apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] shares extensive sequence similarity with plasminogen and consists of multiple tandem repeats of domains similar to plasminogen kringle IV (KIV), followed by domains homologous to the plasminogen KV and protease domains. The apo(a) KIV domains can be classified into 10 types on the basis of amino acid sequence (KIV(1)-KIV(10)) of which KIV(10) contains a canonical lysine binding site (LBS); KIV(10) mediates the lysine-dependent interaction of Lp(a) with certain biological substrates. Molecular modeling studies indicated the presence of weak LBS in each of KIV(5)-KIV(8), and subsequent biochemical studies have revealed contributions of these kringles to lysine-mediated interactions involving apo(a). The present study describes the direct demonstration of a weak LBS within KIV(7), as well as the first characterization of the ligand specificity of an LBS outside that of KIV(10). We have expressed both KIV(7) and KIV(10) from bacterial cells and purified them to homogeneity from cell lysates. Equilibrium binding analyses of the KIV(7) LBS using intrinsic fluorescence revealed an affinity for L-lysine and its analogues approximately 10-fold weaker (K(D) = 230 +/- 42 microM for epsilon-aminocaproic acid) than that of KIV(10) (K(D) = 33 +/- 4 microM for epsilon-aminocaproic acid). Moreover, we demonstrated differences in specificity of the LBS of KIV(7) in comparison with KIV(10) in that KIV(7) preferentially bound L-proline. Both kringles bind 4-aminobutyric acid with similar affinities albeit with apparently different mechanisms. Key Phe(62) --> Tyr and Asp(56) --> Glu substitutions in the KIV(7) LBS result in alterations in the size of the LBS and in the spatial relationship between the cationic and anionic centers in the LBS and thus account for the differences in the binding properties of KIV(7) and KIV(10).     

Inhibition of plasminogen activation by apo(a): role of carboxyl-terminal lysines and identification of inhibitory domains in apo(a)

Apo(a), the distinguishing protein component of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], exhibits sequence similarity to plasminogen and can inhibit binding of plasminogen to cell surfaces. Plasmin generated on the surface of vascular cells plays a role in cell migration and proliferation, two of the fibroproliferative inflammatory events that underlie atherosclerosis. The ability of apo(a) to inhibit pericellular plasminogen activation on vascular cells was therefore evaluated. Two isoforms of apo(a), 12K and 17K, were found to significantly decrease tissue-type plasminogen activator-mediated plasminogen activation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and THP-1 monocytes and macrophages. Lp(a) purified from human plasma decreased plasminogen activation on THP-1 monocytes and HUVECs but not on THP-1 macrophages. Removal of kringle V or the strong lysine binding site in kringle IV₁₀ completely abolished the inhibitory effect of apo(a). Treatment with carboxypeptidase B to assess the roles of carboxyl-terminal lysines in cellular receptors leads in most cases to decreases in plasminogen activation as well as plasminogen and apo(a) binding; however, inhibition of plasminogen activation by apo(a) was unaffected. Our findings directly demonstrate that apo(a) inhibits pericellular plasminogen activation in all three cell types, although binding of apo(a) to cell-surface receptors containing carboxyl-terminal lysines does not appear to play a major role in the inhibition mechanism.     

Analysis of the interactions between streptokinase domains and human plasminogen.

The contrasting roles of streptokinase (SK) domains in binding human Glu1-plasminogen (Plg) have been studied using a set of proteolytic fragments, each of which encompasses one or more of SK's three structural domains (A, B, C). Direct binding experiments have been performed using gel filtration chromatography and surface plasmon resonance. The latter technique has allowed estimation of association and dissociation rate constants for interactions between Plg and intact SK or SK fragments. Each of the SK fragments that contains domain B (fragments A2-B-C, A2-B, B-C, and B) binds Plg with similar affinity, at a level approximately 100- to 1,000-fold lower than intact SK. Experiments using 10 mM 6-aminohexanoic acid or 50 mM benzamidine demonstrate that either of these two lysine analogues abolishes interaction of domain B with Plg. Isolated domain C does not show detectable binding to Plg. Moreover, the additional presence of domain C within other SK fragments (B-C and A2-B-C) does not alter significantly their affinities for Plg. In addition, Plg-binding by a noncovalent complex of two SK fragments that contains domains A and B is similar to that of domain B. By contrast, species containing domain B and both domains A and C (intact SK and the two-chain complex A1 x A2-B-C) show a significantly higher affinity for Plg, which could not be completely inhibited by saturating amounts of 6-AHA. These results show that SK domain B interacts with Plg in a lysine-dependent manner and that although domains A and C do not appear independently to possess affinity for Plg, they function cooperatively to establish the additional interactions with Plg to form an efficient native-like Plg activator complex.