N-hydroxysulfosuccinimido active esters and the L-(+)-lactate transport protein in rabbit erythrocytes

Esters of N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide strongly inhibit L-(+)-lactate transport in rabbit erythrocytes, probably by acylating amino groups on the transport protein. Lactate transport studies using bis(sulfosuccinimido) suberate (BS3), bis(sulfosuccinimido) adipate (BS2A), bis(sulfosuccinimido) dithiobis(propionate), and a variety of monocarboxylate esters suggest that an exofacial amino group of the lactate transport protein is essential for lactate transport. Also, reductive methylation studies show that even when positive charge is preserved in modified amino groups, the transport is strongly inhibited. At pH less than 6, band 3 mediated inorganic anion transport is enhanced in BS3-treated cells, while at pH greater than 6, it is inhibited. BS3-induced inhibition of L-(+)-lactate transport does not have this pH dependence. BS3 reduces the labeling of a 40-50-kDa membrane polypeptide (band R) by tritiated 4,4'-diisothiocyanato-2,2-dihydrostilbenedisulfonate ([3H]H2DIDS) and by tritiated bis(sulfosuccinimido) adipate ([3H]BS2A). Tritiated sulfosuccinimido acetate (S2[3H]acetate) also labels band R, over a range of concentrations where lactate transport is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by S2 acetate. BS3 is a known impermeant protein cross-linker. S2 acetate permeates rabbit red cell membranes by an H2DIDS-inhibitable mechanism. BS3 cross-links the proteolytic fragments of rabbit band 3 produced by extracellular chymotrypsin. These labeling experiments support an association between band R and specific monocarboxylate transport.     

Protein-mediated chloride-phosphate and lactate-lactate exchange in cytoskeleton-free vesicles budded from rabbit erythrocytes

Spectrin-free budded vesicles from rabbit erythrocytes (Leonards, K.S. and Ohki, S. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 728, 383-393) exchange intravesicular L-[14C]lactate for extravesicular L-lactate and intravesicular [36C]chloride for extravesicular phosphate with inhibitor sensitivity consistent with what is seen in intact cells. The time-course of these fluxes is faster than for intact cells, but is somewhat slower than predicted from surface to volume ratios. Labelling with tritiated 4,4'-diisothiocyanyl-2,2'-dihydrostilbenedisulfonate (H2DIDS) at concentrations which selectively inhibit inorganic anion exchange or specific lactate exchange supports the involvement of a 93-110 kDa (band 3) polypeptide in anion transport and a 40-50 kDa polypeptide in lactate transport across these vesicle membranes. Since the budded vesicles have a markedly simplified protein profile on electrophoresis, their isolated membranes represent a preliminary stage in the purification of these transport proteins in which structure and function appear to be preserved.     

Keratin alterations during embryonic epidermal differentiation: a presage of adult epidermal maturation

Differentiation of the epidermis during embryonic rabbit development was found to be accompanied by dramatic changes in keratin proteins. Immunofluorescent labeling with keratin antiserum revealed that the undifferentiated epithelium of 12-d embryos was already committed to making keratin proteins. At 18 d of embryogenesis, the epithelium contained keratin proteins in the molecular weight range of 40,000-59,000. The stratification of the epithelium into two cell layers at 20 d of development coincided with the appearance of a 65-kdalton keratin. When a thick stratum corneum developed at 29 d, several additional keratins became prominent, most notably the large keratins (61- and 64-kdalton) and a 54-kdalton keratin. In addition, the 40-kdalton keratin, which had been present in earlier embryonic epidermis, disappeared. Newborn epidermis resembled that of a 29-d embryonic epidermis, with the exception of the appearance or increase in concentration of two more keratin species (46- and 50-kdalton). In vitro culturing of keratinocytes from 12- and 14-d embryonic skin demonstrated that these cells contained essentially the same keratin profiles as the undifferentiated epithelium of 18-d embryos (40-59 kdalton). Keratinocytes grown from older embryos contained increased amounts of keratin, similar to the in vivo situation, but did not synthesize the high molecular weight keratins. The changes observed during embryonic epidermal differentiation appear to be recapitulated during the sequential maturation steps of adult epidermis.     

Endocytosis and the recycling of plasma membrane

For study of the time order of glycosylation, formation of complex oligosaccharides and proteolytic maturation as well as the site of proteolytic maturation of cathepsin D, fibroblasts were subjected to pulse-chase labeling, and cathepsin D was isolated from either total cell extracts or subcellular fractions by immune precipitation and analyzed for its molecular forms and sensitivity to endo-beta-N- acetylglucosaminidase H. After a 10-min pulse, cathepsin D was detected in its glycosylated precursor form, indicating an early, probably a cotranslational, N-glycosylation of cathepsin D. Conversion of the high- mannose oligosaccharide side chains into forms resistant to endo-beta-N- acetylglucosaminidase H started after approximately 40 min, indicating that transport of cathepsin D from the endoplasmic reticulum to the trans-Golgi apparatus requires approximately 40 min. Processing of the 53-kdalton precursor polypeptide of cathepsin D to a 47-kdalton intermediate followed about 20 min after the formation of complex oligosaccharides, and, another 30 min later, 31-kdalton mature forms of cathepsin D were detected. Processing of cathepsin D was first observed in light membranes as a partial conversion of the 53-kdalton precursor into the 47-kdalton intermediate. Both the precursor and the intermediate are transferred into the high density-class lysosomes. After 8 h, the processing to the mature 31-kdalton form of cathepsin D is mostly completed.     

Site specific interaction of protons liberated from Photosystem II oxidation with a hydrophobic membrane component of the chloroplast membrane

Chloroplast membranes have been shown previously to undergo a change in radioactive labeling by chemical modification reagents that is dependent on electron transport and protolytic events in Photosystem II. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been used to show that a low molecular weight chloroplast polypeptide (7.2 Kilodaltons) undergoes the most change in acetic anhydride labeling upon Photosystem II electron transport. A similar polypeptide has been identified by other workers as a component of the hydrophobic trans-membrane proton channel in chloroplasts. Photosystem I electron transport does not give the change in level of incorporation of acetic anhydride into this membrane protein. These results suggest that protons liberated from Photosystem II interact with a hydrophobic portion of the chloroplast membrane, perhaps with the trans-membrane proton channel.     

Identity and origin of the ATPase activity associated with neuronal microtubules. II. Identification of a 50,000-dalton polypeptide with ATPase activity similar to F-1 ATPase from mitochondria

We determined that the ATPase activity contained in preparations of neuronal microtubules is associated with a 50,000-dalton polypeptide by four different methods: (a) photoaffinity labeling of the pelletable ATPase fraction with [gamma-32P]-8-azido-ATP; (b) analysis of two- dimensional gels (native gel X SDS slab gel) of an ATPase fraction solubilized by treatment with dichloromethane; (c) ATPase purification by glycerol gradient sedimentation and gel filtration chromatography of a solvent-released ATPase fraction, (d) demonstration of the binding of affinity-purified antibody to the 50-kdalton polypeptide to ATPase activity in vitro. Beginning with preparations of microtubules we have purified the ATPase activity greater than 700-fold and estimate that the purified enzyme has a specific activity of 20 mumol Pi x mg-1 x min- 1 and comprises 80-90% of the total ATPase activity associated with neuronal microtubules. With affinity-purified antibody we also demonstrate cross-reactivity to the 50-kdalton subunits of mitochondrial F-1 ATPase and show that the antibody specifically labels mitochondria in PtK-2 cells. Biochemical comparisons of the enzymes reveal similar but not identical subunit composition and sensitivity to mitochondrial ATPase inhibitors. These studies indicate that the principal ATPase activity associated with microtubules is not contained in high molecular weight proteins such as dynein or MAPs and support the hypothesis that the 50-kdalton ATPase is a membrane protein and may be derived from mitochondria or membrane vesicles with F-1-like ATPase activity.     

Comparison of intestinal brush-border 95-Kdalton polypeptide and alpha-actinins

To explore the suggestion that alpha-actinin cross-links actin filaments to the microvillar membrane (Mooseker and Tilney, 1975, J. Cell Biol. 67:725--743; Mooseker, 1976, J. Cell Biol. 71-417--433), we have assessed the possible relatedness of alpha-actinin and the brush- border 95-kdalton protein by four independent criteria: antigenicity, mobility on SDS gels, extractability in nonionic detergents, and peptide maps. We have found that anti-chicken gizzard alpha-actinin stains the junctional complex region of intact cells (Craig and Pardo, 1979, J. Cell Biol. 80:203--210) but does not stain isolated brush borders even though these structures contain a 95-kdalton polypeptide. Lack of staining is not caused by failure of the antibody to penetrate, as antiactin stains both the terminal web and the microvilli of isolated brush borders. By the antibody SDS gel overlay technique, we have established that anti-gizzard alpha-actinin recognizes homologous molecules in chicken skeletal and cardiac muscles, as well as in intestinal epithelial cells, but fails to recognize the brush-border 95- kdalton polypeptide. Conversely, anti-95-kdalton polypeptide does not recognize gizzard alpha-actinin. On high-resolution SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, alpha-actinin and brush-border 95-kdalton protein exhibit distinct mobilities. The two proteins also differ in their ability to be extracted in nonionic mobilities. The two proteins also differ in their ability to be extracted in nonionic detergent: epithelial cell immunoreactive alpha-actinin is soluble in NP-40, whereas 95-kdalton protein is insoluble. Finally, two-dimensional peptide mapping of iodinated tryptic peptides, as well as one- dimensional fingerprinting of partial tryptic, chymotryptic, papain, and S. aureus V8 protease digests, have revealed less than 5% homology between gizzard alpha-actinin and brush-border 95-kdalton polypeptide. The data suggest that there is no major structural homology between gizzard alpha-actinin and brush-border 95-kdalton protein. We conclude that it is unlikely that alpha-actinin cross-links actin filaments to the microvillar membrane.     

Characterization and chemical modification of the Na(+)-dependent bile-acid transport system in brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbit ileum.

The Na(+)-dependent uptake system for bile acids in the ileum from rabbit small intestine was characterized using brush-border membrane vesicles. The uptake of [3H]taurocholate into vesicles prepared from the terminal ileum showed an overshoot uptake in the presence of an inwardly-directed Na(+)-gradient ([Na+]out > [Na+]in), in contrast to vesicles prepared from the jejunum. The Na(+)-dependent [3H]taurocholate uptake was cis-inhibited by natural bile acid derivatives, whereas cholephilic organic compounds, such as phalloidin, bromosulphophthalein, bilirubin, indocyanine green or DIDS - all interfering with hepatic bile-acid uptake - did not show a significant inhibitory effect. Photoaffinity labeling of ileal membrane vesicles with 3,3-azo- and 7,7-azo-derivatives of taurocholate resulted in specific labeling of a membrane polypeptide with apparent molecular mass 90 kDa. Bile-acid derivatives inhibiting [3H]taurocholate uptake by ileal vesicles also inhibited labeling of the 90 kDa polypeptide, whereas compounds with no inhibitory effect on ileal bile-acid transport failed to show a significant effect on the labeling of the 90 kDa polypeptide. The involvement of functional amino-acid side-chains in Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake was investigated by chemical modification of ileal brush-border membrane vesicles with a variety of group-specific agents. It was found that (vicinal) thiol groups and amino groups are involved in active ileal bile-acid uptake, whereas carboxyl- and hydroxyl-containing amino acids, as well as tyrosine, histidine or arginine are not essential for Na(+)-dependent bile-acid transport activity. The irreversible inhibition of [3H]taurocholate transport by DTNB or NBD-chloride could be partially reversed by thiols like 2-mercaptoethanol or DTT. Furthermore, increasing concentrations of taurocholate during chemical modification with NBD-chloride were able to protect the ileal bile-acid transporter from inactivation. These findings suggest that a membrane polypeptide of apparent M(r) 90,000 is a component of the active Na(+)-dependent bile-acid reabsorption system in the terminal ileum from rabbit small intestine. Vicinal thiol groups and amino groups of the transport system are involved in Na(+)-dependent transport activity, whereas other functional amino acids are not essential for transport activity.     

Lactate and pyruvate transport is dominated by a pH gradient-sensitive carrier in rat skeletal muscle sarcolemmal vesicles

The mechanisms of lactate and pyruvate transport across the plasma membrane of rat skeletal muscle under various pH and ionic conditions were studied in skeletal muscle sarcolemmal (SL) membrane vesicles purified from 22 female Sprague-Dawley rats. Transport by SL vesicles was measured as uptake of L(+)-[U-14C] lactate and [U-14C] pyruvate. Lactate (La-) transport is pH-sensitive; stimulations to fivefold overshoot above equilibrium values were observed both directly by a proton gradient directed inward, and indirectly by a monensin- or nigericin-stimulated exchange of Na+ or K+ for H+ across the SL. Isotopic pyruvate could utilize the transporter, and demonstrated pH gradient-stimulated overshoot and cis-inhibition characteristics similar to those of lactate. Overshoot kinetics were also demonstrated by pH gradient formed by manipulation of external media at pH 5.9, 6.6, and 7.4 and intravesicular media at 6.6, 7.4, and 8.0, respectively. Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an H+ ionophore, was used as a "pH clamp" to return all stimulated uptake courses back to equilibrium values. Lactate uptake was depressed when internal pH was lower than external pH. These data strongly suggest that La- and H+ are either cotransported by the carrier, or transported as the undissociated HLa, and can account for the majority of the lactate uptake at pH 7.4. The mechanism does not require cotransport of either K+ or Na+. However, an inwardly directed Na+ gradient without ionophore in the absence of a pH gradient doubled La- transport; treatment with amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchanger, abolished this stimulation, suggesting that this transporter may be an important coregulator of intracellular pH, and could disrupt 1:1 H+ and La- efflux stoichiometry in vivo. We conclude that the majority of La- crosses the skeletal muscle SL by a specific carrier-mediated process that is saturable at high La- concentrations, but flux is passively augmented at low intracellular pH by undissociated lactic acid. In addition, a Na+/H+ exchange mechanism was confirmed in skeletal muscle SL, does affect both lactate and proton flux, and is potentially an important coregulator of intracellular pH and thus, cellular metabolism.     

Identification of exposed surface glycoproteins in undifferentiated and differentiated mouse N-18 neuroblastoma cells

A simple method is described that permitted rapid isolation of plasma membranes from mouse N-18 neuroblastoma cells. The purified plasma membranes gave a 10-fold increase in the specific activity of incorporated [³H]fucose over that of the cell homogenate. The specific activities of two other membrane markers, 5′-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase, increased 11-fold and 15-fold, respectively. Metabolic labeling with [³H]fucose identified a major fucosyl glycoprotein with apparent molecular weight of 92 000. Three surface labeling methods together with SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography were used to characterize and compare the surface glycoproteins of undifferentiated and differentiated N-18 cells. The galactose oxidase/NaB³H₄ method labeled two major galactoproteins (M_r = 52 000, 42 000) in both undifferentiated and differentiated cells. The neuraminidase/galactose oxidase/NaB³H₄ method revealed many sialylgalactoproteins. Among them, the 220-kdalton, 150-kdalton and 130-kdalton bands were at least 100% more prominently labeled in the differentiated calls whereas the 76-kdalton and 72-kdalton bands were less prominently labeled in the differentiated cells when compared to their undifferentiated counterparts. The prominently iodinated protein bands in the undifferentiated cells had apparent molecular weights of 130 000, 92 000, 76 000 and 72 000 as compared to 150-, 130-, 92- and 76-kdalton bands in the differentiated cells. The labeling data obtained will enable us to further study the changes of these identified surface glycoproteins, both quantitatively and topologically, during the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.     

Identification of a 32–34-kilodalton polypeptide as a herbicide receptor protein in Photosystem II

Photosystem II particles which retained high rates of herbicide-sensitive activity were used to examine the site(s) of action of various herbicides. A polypeptide of 32–34 kdaltons was identified as the triazine-herbicide binding site based upon: (a) parallel loss of atrazine activity and the polypeptide during either trypsin treatment or selective detergent depletion of protein in the Photosystem II complex, and (b) covalent labeling of the polypeptide by a ¹⁴C-labeled photoaffinity triazine.In Photosystem II particles depleted of the 32–34-kdalton polypeptide, electron transport was still active and was slightly sensitive to DCMU and largely sensitive to dinoseb (urea and nitrophenol herbicides, respectively). On the basis of this result it is proposed that the general herbicide binding site common to atrazine, DCMU and dinoseb is formed by a minimum of two polypeptides which determine affinity and/or mediate herbicide-induced inhibition of electron transport on the acceptor side of Photosystem II.     

A proton gradient, not a sodium gradient, is the driving force for active transport of lactate in rabbit intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles.

An inward-directed H+ gradient markedly stimulated lactate uptake in rabbit intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles, and uphill transport against a concentration gradient could be demonstrated under these conditions. Uptake of lactate was many-fold greater in the presence of a H+ gradient than in the presence of a Na+ gradient. Moreover, there was no evidence for uphill transport of lactate in the presence of a Na+ gradient. The H+-gradient-dependent stimulation of lactate uptake was not due to the effect of a H+-diffusion potential. The uptake process in the presence of a H+ gradient was saturable [Kt (concn. giving half-maximal transport) for lactate 12.7 +/- 4.5 mM] and was inhibited by many monocarboxylates. It is concluded that a H+ gradient, not a Na+ gradient, is the driving force for active transport of lactate in rabbit intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles.     

Processing and secretion of the Yarrowia lipolytica RNase.

Secretion of the extracellular RNase from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was studied in pulse-chase and immunoprecipitation experiments. A polypeptide of 45,000 daltons was immunoprecipitated from [35S]methionine-labeled cell extracts and supernatant medium by rabbit anti-RNase antiserum. The RNase was secreted rapidly; the time between synthesis and appearance in the extracellular medium was about 5 min. In pulse-chase experiments, about 50% of the RNase was still cell associated 30 min after labeling. A polypeptide of 73,000 daltons whose immunoprecipitation was blocked by an excess of purified RNase was also detected. It broke down to a polypeptide with the same mobility and same peptide map as the mature RNase. Peptide maps of the undegraded 73-kilodalton polypeptide and the intracellular mature RNase contained several peptides of identical mobility. Immunoprecipitates from cells labeled in the presence of tunicamycin contained 66- and 45-kilodalton polypeptides. Endoglycosidase H treatment of the 73-kilodalton polypeptide converted it to a 66-kilodalton form, but did not change the apparent molecular weight of the mature form of the RNase. Labeling kinetics from pulse-chase experiments did not clearly support a precursor-product relationship between the 73-kilodalton polypeptide and the intracellular 45-kilodalton form of the RNase, and other relationships between the two polypeptides are possible.     

Inhibition of anion transport associated with chymotryptic cleavages of red blood cell band 3 protein

Right-side-out vesicles derived from red blood cells treated with chymotrypsin retain specific anion transport function (defined as transport sensitive to the specific inhibitor, 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS)), even though the transport protein, band 3, is cleaved into two segments of 60 and 35 kdaltons. In contrast, vesicles derived from alkali-stripped ghosts treated with relatively high concentrations of chymotrypsin retain almost no specific anion function. The loss of function appears to be related to additional cleavages of band 3 protein that occur in treated ghosts, the 60-kdalton segment being reduced first to a 17- and then to a 15-kdalton segment and the 35-kdalton segment being reduced to a 9-kdalton segment plus a carbohydrate containing fragment. The chymotryptic cleavages of band 3 protein of ghosts are preferentially inhibited by high ionic strength, the production of the 9-kdalton segment being somewhat slower than that of the 15-kdalton segment. Vesicles derived from ghosts treated with chymotrypsin at different ionic strengths show a graded reduction in specific anion transport activity, but it was not possible to determine, definitively, which of the additional cleavages was inhibitory. In the light of these data and other information, the functional role of the segments of band 3 is discussed.     

Separate ion pathways in a Cl-/H+ exchanger

CLC-ec1 is a prokaryotic CLC-type Cl(-)/H+ exchange transporter. Little is known about the mechanism of H+ coupling to Cl-. A critical glutamate residue, E148, was previously shown to be required for Cl(-)/H+ exchange by mediating proton transfer between the protein and the extracellular solution. To test whether an analogous H+ acceptor exists near the intracellular side of the protein, we performed a mutagenesis scan of inward-facing carboxyl-bearing residues and identified E203 as the unique residue whose neutralization abolishes H+ coupling to Cl- transport. Glutamate at this position is strictly conserved in all known CLCs of the transporter subclass, while valine is always found here in CLC channels. The x-ray crystal structure of the E203Q mutant is similar to that of the wild-type protein. Cl- transport rate in E203Q is inhibited at neutral pH, and the double mutant, E148A/E203Q, shows maximal Cl- transport, independent of pH, as does the single mutant E148A. The results argue that substrate exchange by CLC-ec1 involves two separate but partially overlapping permeation pathways, one for Cl- and one for H+. These pathways are congruent from the protein's extracellular surface to E148, and they diverge beyond this point toward the intracellular side. This picture demands a transport mechanism fundamentally different from familiar alternating-access schemes.     

Site-specific interaction of ATPase-pumped protons with photosystem II in chloroplast thylakoid membranes

The chloroplast thylakoid ATPase proton pump-driven H+ accumulation in the dark was compared to the light-dependent proton pump driven by either photosystem II or I, in regard to the effects of the resultant acidity on chemical modification reactions. The assays used to detect the acidity effects were: (a)the incorporation of [3H]-acetic anhydride into membrane protein -NH2 groups, and (b) the effect of a certain level of that chemical modification on inhibition of photosystem II water oxidation activity. Based on labeling data with [3H]-acetic anhydride, 20-30 nmol.(mg chl)-1 of -NH3+ groups appear to be metastable in the dark in untreated membranes. The term metastable is used because proton leak-inducing treatments in the dark lead to about 20-30 nmol . (mg chl)-1 increase in acetic anhydride labeling probably due to reaction with the -NH2 form of amine groups. Addition of low levels of uncoupler or a brief thermal treatment caused a loss of protons from the membrane equivalent to the increase in acetic anhydride derivatization. The increase in acetic anhydride derivatization caused inhibition of water oxidation activity. Using thermally sensitized membranes, photosystem II but not photosystem I electron transport (each giving a steady-state proton accumulation of about 50 nmol H+ . (mg chl)-1 restored the lower level of acetic anhydride reactivity as in previous results (Baker et al., 1981). In dark-maintained, thermally treated membranes, ATPase activity, i.e., the proton pump associated with it, also restored the lower level of acetic anhydride labeling, and again acetic anhydride no longer inhibited water oxidation. Because photosystem I activity did not elicit this type of response to acetic anhydride, there appears to be a pathway for ATPase pumped protons which allows them to reach a restricted domain, perhaps intramembrane, common with the photosystem II water oxidation mechanism and unavailable to protons pumped by photosystem I. The membrane structure(s) which determines this site specificity is not yet understood.     

Photoaffinity labeling of platelet activating factor binding sites in rabbit platelet membranes

A photoreactive, radioiodinated derivative of platelet activating factor (PAF), 1-O-(4-azido-2-hydroxy-3-iodobenzamido)undecyl-2-O-acetyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphocholine ([125I]AAGP), was synthesized and used as a photoaffinity probe to study the PAF binding sites in rabbit platelet membranes. The nonradioactive analog, IAAGP, induced rabbit platelet aggregation with an EC50 value of 3.2 +/- 1.9 nM as compared to 0.40 +/- 0.25 nM for PAF. Specific binding of [125I]AAGP to rabbit platelet membranes was saturable with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 2.4 +/- 0.7 nM and a receptor density (Bmax) of 1.1 +/- 0.2 pmol/mg protein. Photoaffinity labeling of platelet membranes with [125I]AAGP revealed several 125I-labeled components by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A protein species with apparent molecular weight of 52,000 was consistently observed and inhibited significantly by unlabeled PAF at nanomolar concentrations. The labeling was specific since the PAF antagonists, SRI-63,675 and L-652,731, at 1 uM also blocked the appearance of this band; whereas lysoPAF was not effective at the same concentration. These results suggest that the binding sites of PAF receptor in rabbit platelets reside in the polypeptide of Mr = 52,000.     

Identification and organization of the components in the isolated microvillus cytoskeleton

We have examined the effects of ATP and deoxycholate (DOC) on the cytoskeletal organization of Triton-demembranated microvilli (MV) isolated from chicken intestine brush borders. Isolated MV are composed of a core of tightly bundled microfilaments from which arms project laterally to the plasma membrane with a 33-nm periodicity. These lateral arms spiral around the core microfilaments as a helix with a 25 degrees pitch. Demembranated MV consist of four polypeptides with mol wt of 110,000, 95,000, 68,000, and 42,000, present in molar ratios of 1.1:1.6:1.3:10.0. After addition of 50 microM ATP and 0.1 mM Mg++, the cytoskeletons are organized as a tight bundle of microfilaments from which lateral arms are missing. In these ATP-treated cytoskeletons, the 110-kdalton polypeptide is reduced in amount and the 95,000, 68,000, and 42,000 polypeptides are present in a 1.3:1.2:10.0 ratio. In contrast, after incubation with 0.5% DOC, the core microfilaments are no longer tightly bundled yet the lateral arms remain attached with a distinct 33-nm periodicity. These DOC-treated cytoskeletons are depleted of the 95,000 and 68,000 polypeptides and are composed of the 110,000 and 42,000 polypeptides in a 2:10 molar ratio. These results suggest that the microfilaments are associated into a core bundle by the 95- and 68-kdalton polypeptides and from this core bundle project the lateral arms composed of the 110-kdalton polypeptide.     

A squid dynein isoform promotes axoplasmic vesicle translocation

Axoplasmic vesicles that translocate on isolated microtubules in an ATP-dependent manner have an associated ATP-binding polypeptide with a previously estimated relative molecular mass of 292 kD (Gilbert, S. P., and R. D. Sloboda. 1986. J. Cell Biol. 103:947-956). Here, data are presented showing that this polypeptide (designated H1) and another high molecular mass polypeptide (H2) can be isolated in association with axoplasmic vesicles or optic lobe microtubules. The H1 and H2 polypeptides dissociate from microtubules in the presence of MgATP and can be further purified by gel filtration chromatography. The peak fraction thus obtained demonstrates MgATPase activity and promotes the translocation of salt-extracted vesicles (mean = 0.87 microns/s) and latex beads (mean = 0.92 microns/s) along isolated microtubules. The H1 polypeptide binds [alpha 32P]8-azidoATP and is thermosoluble, but the H2 polypeptide does not share these characteristics. In immunofluorescence experiments with dissociated squid axoplasm, affinity-purified H1 antibodies yield a punctate pattern that corresponds to vesicle-like particles, and these antibodies inhibit the bidirectional movement of axoplasmic vesicles. H2 is cleaved by UV irradiation in the presence of MgATP and vanadate to yield vanadate-induced peptides of 240 and 195 kD, yet H1 does not cleave under identical conditions. These experiments also demonstrate that the actual relative molecular mass of the H1 and H2 polypeptides is approximately 435 kD. On sucrose density gradients, H1 and H2 sediment at 19-20 S, and negatively stained samples reveal particles comprised of two globular heads with stems that contact each other and extend to a common base. The results demonstrate that the complex purified is a vesicle-associated ATPase whose characteristics indicate that it is a squid isoform of dynein. Furthermore, the data suggest that this vesicle-associated dynein promotes membranous organelle motility during fast axoplasmic transport.     

Bacillus subtilis YqkI is a novel malic/Na+-lactate antiporter that enhances growth on malate at low protonmotive force

Bacillus subtilis yheL encodes a Na(+)/H(+) antiporter, whereas its paralogue, yqkI, encodes a novel antiporter that achieves a simultaneous Na(+)/H(+) and malolactate antiport. B. subtilis yufR, a control in some experiments, encodes a Na(+)/malate symporter. YqkI complemented a malate transport mutant of Escherichia coli if Na(+) and lactate were present. YheL conferred Na(+) uptake capacity on everted membrane vesicles from an antiporter-deficient E. coli mutant that was consistent with a secondary Na(+)/H(+) antiport, but YqkI-dependent Na(+) uptake depended on intravesicular malate and extravesicular lactate. YqkI-dependent lactate uptake depended on intravesicular malate and extravesicular Na(+). YqkI mediated an electroneutral exchange, which is proposed to be a malic(-2)-2H(+) (or fully protonated malate)/Na(+)-lactate(-1) antiport. Because the composite YqkI-mediated exchanges could be driven by gradients of the malate-lactate pair, this transporter could play a role in growth of B. subtilis on malate at low protonmotive force. A mutant with a disruption of yqkI exhibited an abrupt arrest in the mid-logarithmic phase of growth on malate when low concentrations of protonophore were present. Thus growth of B. subtilis to high density on a putatively nonfermentative dicarboxylic acid substrate depends on a malolactate exchange at suboptimal protonmotive force.