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The membrane-bound ATPase activity of Bacillus subtilis was inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). The DCCD-reactive proteolipid of B. subtilis was extracted, from labelled or untreated membranes containing F₁ or depleted of F₁, with neutral or acidic chloroform/methanol. Purification of the [₁₄C]DCCD-binding proteolipid was attempted by column chromatography on methylated Sephadex G-50 and on DEAE-cellulose. The maximal amount of DCCD which could be bound to the purified proteolipid was found to exceed the amount bound by the purified proteolipid extracted from membranes labelled with the lowest [₁₄C]DCCD concentration required for maximal inhibition of the membrane-bound ATPase activity. The radioactive protein peaks eluted by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography were analysed by urea-SDS polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Radioactivity was incorporated into two components of M_r 18 000 and 6000 when proteolipid was purified by methylated Sephadex. The 6000 polypeptide was always present, whatever the extraction and purification procedures. However, the 18 000 polypeptide was present in largest quantity only when proteolipid was extracted from membranes containing F₁ and purified by methylated Sephadex. When proteolipid was purified on DEAE-cellulose this [₁₄C]DCCD binding component of M_r 18 000 was absent.     

Purification of an elicitor-induced glucan synthase (callose synthase) from suspension cultures of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): purification and immunolocation of a probable Mr-65 000 subunit of the enzyme

Membrane preparations from suspension-cultured cells of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) contained callose synthase (EC 2.4.1.34) activity which was preserved upon solubilisation. Following elicitor treatment of cell cultures, increased activity could be extracted and this increase was maintained during purification. The enzyme was purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography and active fractions showed a variable association of two polypeptides of relative molecular masses (M_r) 55 000 and 65 000, the latter being in excess. The M_r-65 000 polypeptide was purified to homogeneity and an antibody raised to it. This antibody showed complex effects on callose synthase activity when incubated with membrane and soluble extracts. In comparison with other systems, the M_r-55 000 subunit is likely to represent the catalytic subunit while the M_r-65 000 polypeptide is a possible regulatory subunit. The M_r-65 000 polypeptide was immunolocated in membranes at sites of callose synthesis in the plant, in cell plates, in sieve plates, at the plasma membrane-wall interface of wounded cells and in papillae in infected cells. Received: 18 January 1997 / Accepted: 8 May 1997     

Simple high-performance liquid chromatographic purification procedure for porcine plasma haptoglobin

Haptoglobin is an acute-phase protein and its plasma levels increase consistently in response to infection and inflammation. Some evidence has demonstrated that haptoglobin is involved in the immune responses. In this study, we established a novel high-performance liquid chromatographic purification procedure for porcine plasma haptoglobin. The procedure required an ammonium sulfate fractionation and a HPLC Superose 12 gel-permeation chromatography. Purified porcine haptoglobin possessed one heavy (β) and light chain (α) on sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, under reducing conditions, with a M_r (molecular mass) of about 42 000 and 14 000 for heavy (β) and light chains (α), respectively. Although the N-terminal amino acid sequence of porcine heavy chain of haptoglobin has never been reported previously, the analyses of N-terminal amino acid sequence showed a great sequence similarity to that of human and other animal species. In addition, Western blot using our specific antibody prepared against porcine M_r 42 000 chain did react with human haptoglobin and likewise, the antibody against human haptoglobin also cross-reacted with purified porcine M_r 42 000 chain. Thus, it confirmed that the identity of the porcine protein purified from our procedures was as haptoglobin.     

Isolation and characterization of an inter-α-trypsin inhibitor-IgG complex from human serum

Inter-α-trypsin inhibitor is a human serum protease inhibitor of M_r 180 000 which may release physiological derivatives. A complex between IgG and an inter-α-trypsin inhibitor derivative of M_r 30000 has been recently detected in human serum and was found to be inactive against trypsin, in contrast with the known inhibitory activity of the free 30-kDa derivative. The present study deals with detailed characterization of an inter-α-trypsin inhibitor-IgG complex following its purification by affinity chromatography techniques (anti-inter-α-trypsin inhibitor immunoadsorbent and Protein A-Sepharose) in mild conditions. The resulting product reacted simultaneously with anti-IgG and anti-inter-α-trypsin inhibitor antibodies. This complex contained M_r 180 000 inhibitor at least to some extent. It migrated in the β-γ zone in agarose; its molecular weight was estimated to be 1500 000 or more; part of it displayed covalent bonding between inter-α-trypsin inhibitor and IgG; it had a trypsin inhibitor activity. Immunoelectrophoresis allowed one to demonstrate the native complex in serum owing to the use of anti-inter-α-trypsin inhibitor and anti-γ radioactively labelled antibodies. The double immunoreactivity thus evidenced proved to be heterogeneous with respect to its level and location in the native as well as in the purified complex.     

Hevains: Serine-centred proteases from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis

Hevains b and l, isolated respectively from the serum and lutoids of freeze-dried latex from Hevea brasiliensis, were purified to homogeneity and compared with hevain a from commercial, ammonia-treated latex. The M_rs of hevains a and b are 69 000 and 58 000, respectively, and both exist in several charged forms. The amino acid compositions of the two enzymes differ significantly, but the reactivities to a variety of ester and protein substrates are similar, as are the pH optima. Hevain l is a distinct protease of M_r 80 000 and unique amino acid composition. It displays esterolytic activity and will digest insulin B chain, but is not proteolytic to azocollagen, azocasein, bovine serum albumen or haemoglobin. The activities of all three enzymes are dependent on the presence of serine and histidine residues.     

The purification and partial amino acid sequence of a polypeptide from the glutelin fraction of rice grains; homology to pea legumin

The glutelin fraction was extracted from grain meals of rice (Oryzea sativa) with 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.8) containing 6 M urea and 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol. Polypeptides of glutelin were separated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography under denaturing conditions. Analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that 2 major polypeptides of the rice glutelin fraction, M_r 36 000 and 22 000, were linked in disulphide bonded pairs containing one M_r 36 000 and one M_r 22 000 subunit. A partial amino acid sequence of the purified M_r 22 000 glutelin subunit showed it to be homologous to the β-subunit of pea legumin, a storage protein which also contains disulphide-linked subunit pairs (M_r 38 000 and M_r 22 000). It is therefore proposed that the major component of rice glutelin is a legumin-like protein.     

Selective inhibition of the spinach thylakoid LHC II protein kinase

Treatment of spinach thylakoids with the adenosine affinity inhibitor 5′-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine (FSBA) resulted in at least 95% inhibition of phosphorylation of the light-harvesting protein complex of Photosystem II (LHC II), while the M_r 10 000 polypeptide showed a 35% decrease in phosphorylation. This residual kinase activity after FSBA treatment appears to have the same properties as the control, since phosphorylation of the M_r 10 000 polypeptide subsequent to FSBA treatment could be achieved with either light or reducing conditions in the dark. [¹⁴C]FSBA labelled several polypeptides, but only the M_r 50 000 band was protected against the label by prior addition of ADP or adenosine, making it a possible candidate for the LHC II kinase. FSBA had no effect on electron transport, and [¹⁴C]FSBA did not label LHC II or the M_r 10 000 polypeptide, indicating that the FSBA was not interfering with activation of the kinase or modifying the substrates, but rather acting at the level of the LHC II protein kinase. Inhibition of LHC II phosphorylation by FSBA resulted in the elimination of the slow ATP-induced decrease in variable fluorescence, a parameter believed to be associated with phosphorylation of the LHC II. The half-times and time-course for inhibition of LHC II phosphorylation and inhibition of the ATP-induced decrease of fluorescence yield were identical, consistent with the concept that LHC II phosphorylation plays a major role in this fluorescence change.     

Functional characterization of single-chain factor X from rat liver

¹⁴C-Labeled single-chain factor X prepared by vitamin K-dependent carboxylation in vitro was partially purified by adsorption to BaSO₄ and chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel. Known activators of factor X were analyzed for their effect on the single-chain molecule. ¹⁴C-Labeled factor X antigens were recovered immunochemically from incubation mixtures and characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Incubation with trypsin resulted in the generation of factor Xa clotting activity, and the ¹⁴C-labeled product migrated after reduction with an apparent molecular weight of 22,500 ± 1500 (mean ± 1 SD). The light chain produced by factor Xa was similar to that produced by trypsin (M_r 24,500 ± 1500; mean ± 1 SD). Incubation of single-chain factor X with factor VII and thromboplastin, factor IXa, or the factor X activating enzyme from Russell's viper venom gave a reducible product with a light chain of higher apparent molecular weight (M_r 37,000–38,000). Incubation with factor VII and thromboplastin also resulted in the generation of factor Xa clotting activity. Incubation of single-chain factor X with platelets resulted in the binding of about 20% of the ¹⁴C. The bound ¹⁴C-labeled factor X antigen released by freezing and thawing in the presence of EDTA was reduced to give a ¹⁴C-labeled polypeptide with M_r 31,000. Walker 256 tumor cells bound about 30% of the ¹⁴C. The bound material, after reduction, gave a ¹⁴C-labeled polypeptide with M_r 23,000.     

Characterization and immunocytochemical demonstration of glucocorticoid receptor using antisera specific to transformed receptor

Cytosolic and nuclear forms of the glucocorticoid receptor were characterized using immunochemical techniques. Antibodies were raised in rabbits to an M_r 58,000 fragment of the transformed (DNA-binding) glucocorticoid receptor purified from rat liver cytosol by DNA-cellulose chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Antibodies reacted with the transformed receptor form in a radioimmunoassay for glucocorticoid receptor. Western blot analysis of antibody reactivity revealed a single M_r 185,000 receptor form in rat liver cytosol but a smaller M_r 85,000 form in nucleosol, indicating the M_r 85,000 form is the transformed receptor. Furthermore, western blot analysis indicates that the M_r 185,000 receptor undergoes proteolysis during receptor purification and in vitro transformation processes by generating immunochemically similar proteins of smaller molecular weights. An identical M_r 185,000 glucocorticoid receptor was detected in cytosols of four rat tissues; liver, brain, adrenal medulla, and thymus. The glucocorticoid receptor was localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus of rat adrenal medulla cells by immunohistochemistry, demonstrating the existence in vivo of the transformed receptor and translocation of the receptor from cytoplasm to nucleus.     

Identification of antigenic components of Toxoplasma gondii by an immunoblotting technique

Proteins of Toxoplasma gondii were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with subsequent transfer to a nitrocellulose sheet by electrophoretic blotting. Immunologically reactive polypeptides were detected by human sera with previously known toxoplasma antibody levels. Heavy chain-specific, peroxidase-conjugated anti-human immunoglobulins were used as the indicator antibodies for the separate identification of IgG and IgM reactive polypeptides. IgG toxoplasma antibodies reacted with several antigens of M_r ≈27 000–67 000, while toxoplasma-specific IgM seemed to detect only a few polypeptides. The M_r of 35 000 for the dominating IgM reactive polypeptide was observed.     

Phosphorylation of the α-subunit of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by carbachol in tissue slices and the role of phosphoproteins in stimulus-secretion coupling

This study examined the changes in protein phosphorylation in response to cholinergic (muscarinic) stimulation of salivary secretion in the rat submandibular gland. Carbachol stimulation was associated with phosphorylation in a number of protein bands as detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. The molecular masses (M_r) of two proteins, in which the amount of phosphorylation more than doubled in response to carbachol, were 22 000 and 96 000. The M_r 96 000 protein precipitated at 120 000 × g while most of the M_r 22 000 protein remained in the supernatant at this speed. The effect of carbachol on the phosphorylation of the M_r 22 000 and 96 000 proteins was blocked by atropine, indicating that the cholinergic receptor involved is muscarinic. The time course of phosphorylation of the M_r 22 000 protein consisted of a rapid incrase in phosphorylation within the first min of carbachol stimulation. This increased phosphorylation persisted for less than 1 min. The increased phosphoryaltion of the M_r 96 000 protein also occurred within the first min but it persisted for at least 10 min. However, removal of the muscarinic agonist, carbachol, resulted in the rapid dephosphorylation of this protein. When the plasma membranes were purified, the M_r 96 000 protein was phosphorylated by ATP in the presence of Na⁺ and Mg²⁺. It was dephosphorylated by K⁺. This proves that the M_r 96 000 dalton protein is the α-subunit of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase.     

Structure-activity relationships of chlorinated benzenes as inducers of different forms of cytochrome P-450 in rat liver

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) produced increases in ethoxyresorufin (ERR) O-deethylase, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and aminopyrine N-demethylase activities in rat liver microsomes which were intermediate between those produced by phenobarbital and 3,4-benzpyrene (BP). α-Naphthoflavone (ANF) selectively inhibited ERR activity in BP and HCB-induced microsomes (94% and 88%). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of liver microsomes indicated that HCB did not produce a detectable increase in a polypeptide with electrophoretic properties similar to those of purified cytochrome P-448 (M_r = 56 000). However, HCB did induce a polypeptide with M_r = 53 000 corresponding to one of two polypeptide bands induced by BP. This polypeptide may represent a second form of cytochrome P-448. Purification of HCB to remove possible dibenzo-p-dioxin impurities did not alter the ‘mixed-type’ induction produced by HCB. In contrast to HCB, all other chlorinated benzenes tested resembled phenobarbital as inducers.     

Immunological studies on lysosomal sphingomyelinase: Identification of a 28 000-Da component deficient in urine from patients with Niemann-Pick disease types A and B

The immunoblotting technique was used to identify sphingomyeJinase protein in samples of tissue and urine after subjection to poIyacrylamide-gel etectrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. In a sphingomyelinase preparation purified from control urine a prominent band was seen with an M_r of 28 000 Da. Glycoprotein fractions from urine and placenta, a membrane extract from spleen, and a partially purified sphingomyelinase preparation from placenta contained the 28 000-Da band plus additional, higher-M_r bands. The 28 000-Da band was detectable in urine from a patient with Niemann-Pick disease type C, but not in urine from patients with Niemann-Pick disease types A and B. It is concluded t h a t sphingomyeJinase is composed of at least one polypeptide with an M_r of 28 000 Da and that this polypeptide is deficient in the urine of patients with Niemann-Pick disease types A and B.     

Differential expression of laminin chains in hepatic lipocytes

The lipocyte is an important source of laminin in the normal liver. We have investigated the expression of the 3 chains of laminin in isolated rat lipocytes. Both B₁ and B₂ chains, but not A, were found in medium from 5-day-old lipocyte primary cultures by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation of ³⁵S-labeled proteins after reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An additional polypeptide of M_r=380 000 was identified by immunoprecipitation. Under non-reducing conditions only one M_r=900 000 band was revealed. High levels of B₁ and B₂ mRNAs were also demonstrated in 5-day-old cultured lipocytes while at the time of seeding, only B₂ chain mRNAs were clearly detectable. A chain mRNA was constantly absent. These results suggest that lipocytes produce a variant form of laminin in primary culture and that the M_r=380 000 polypeptide could be unrelated to the A chain of laminin.     

A comparison of the membrane-bound and extracellular cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases of Dictyostelium discoideum

The Dictyostelium discoideum membrane-bound and extracellular cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (EC 3.1.4.17) shear several properties including the ability to react with a specific glycoprotein inhibitor and small inhibitory molecules. We have partialy purified the membrane-bound enzyme and compared its properties to those of the extracellular form. The kinetic properties of the two forms were similar except that, while associated with membrane particles, the membrane-bound form exhibited non-linear kinetics when assayed ove a broad substrate range. The isoelectric point of the membrane-bound phosphodiesterase was identical to that of the extracellular enzyme when isoelectrofocusing was done in the presence of 6 M urea. The molecular weights of membrane-bound and extracellular enzyme, determined by gel filtration, were the same following isoelectrofocusing in the presence of 6 M urea. When precipitated with an antiserum prepared against purified extracellular phosphodiesterase, the partially purified membrane-bound enzyme preparation was shown to contain a M_r 50 000 polypeptide comigrating with the extracellular enzyme during SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When the iodinated extracellular enzyme and the iodinated M_r 50 000 polypeptide from membrane-bound enzyme were subjected to partial proteolytic digestion, similar profiles were obtained indicating extensive regions of homology.     

Common identity of substrate binding subunit of vacuolar h-translocating inorganic pyrophosphatase of higher plant cells

There have been conflicting reports in the literature concerning the polypeptide composition of the vacuolar H⁺-translocating inorganic pyrophosphatase (tonoplast H⁺-PPase) of plant cells. The major subunit(s) of the enzyme have been attributed to polypeptides of relative molecular weight (M_r) 64,500 (Beta vulgaris), 67,000 (Beta vulgaris), 73,000 (Vigna radiata), and 37,000 to 45,000 (Zea mays). Here, we reconcile these differences to show, through the combined application of independent purification, affinity-labeling, sequencing, and immunological procedures, that the major polypeptide associated with the H⁺-PPase from all of these organisms, and Arabidopsis thaliana, corresponds to the same moiety. The principal polypeptide components of the H⁺-PPase purified from Beta and Vigna by independent procedures have similar apparent subunit masses when subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under identical conditions (M_r(Beta) = 64,500; M_r(Vigna) = 66,000) and exhibit identical kinetics of irreversible inhibition and ligand-modified labeling by [¹⁴C]-N-ethylmaleimide. Similarly, the M_r 64,500 and 67,000 polypeptides isolated from Beta by independent methods (cf. C.J. Britten, J.C. Turner, P.A. Rea [1989] FEBS Lett 256: 200-206 versus V. Sarafian and R.J. Poole [1989] Plant Physiol 91: 34-38) are indistinguishable: the two polypeptides comigrate when electrophoresed under the same conditions and yield tryptic fragments with identical overlapping sequences. Because both the N-terminal sequence of the M_r 66,000 subunit of the H⁺-PPase isolated from Vigna and the direct sequence data from Beta align precisely with the deduced amino acid sequence of cDNAs encoding the H⁺-PPase of Arabidopsis, all three enzymes are inferred to be highly conserved structurally. Accordingly, immunoblots of membranes prepared from Arabidopsis, Beta, Vigna, and Zea, probed with antibody affinity purified against the magnesium inorganic pyrophosphate-binding, M_r 66,000 polypeptide of Vigna, reveal a single immunoreactive band at M_r 64,500 to 67,000 in all four preparations. The M_r 66,000 polypeptide of Zea membranes is, however, prone to proteolysis during membrane fractionation and selective aggregation during sample denaturation for SDS-PAGE. The anomalous M_r 37,000 to 45,000 subunit pattern previously ascribed to the H⁺-PPase from Zea (A. Chanson and P.E. Pilet [1989] Plant Physiol 90: 934-938) is attributed to loss of the M_r 66,000 subunit and the appearance of polypeptide fragments of M_r 44,700 and 39,000 through the combined effects of sample aggregation before SDS-PAGE and proteolysis, respectively. It is, therefore, concluded that the substrate-binding subunit of the tonoplast H⁺-PPase has a common identity in all four organisms.     

Myosin heavy chains: Detection by immuno-blotting in higher plants and localization by immunofluorescence in the alga chara

A monoclonal antibody to the heavy chain of myosin from mouse 3T3 cells was used to identify myosin heavy chains in four flowering plants and to identify and localize them in the green alga Chara. The M_r of the immunoreactive bands varied from ca 200 000 in Chara and Arabidopsis to 170 000 in mung beans, peas and wheat. An additional band of 158 000-M_r was resolved in roots and shoots of mung beans. Chara contained a second, immunoreactive band of 110 000-M_r whose possible relationship to the tail-less myosin I enzymes is discussed.Immunofluorescence of giant internodal cells of Chara showed that myosin was almost entirely confined to the streaming endoplasm. Individual organelles and beaded endoplasmic strands were heavily labelled as were the sub-cortical filament bundles. Actin, in contrast, was confined to the sub-cortical bundles. It is proposed that force is generated by interaction of the actin in the subcortical bundles with myosin on individual organelles and on the beaded endoplasmic strands. By ramifying through the endoplasm, the strands may ensure the cohesive movement of the whole mass of endoplasm.     

Immunodetection of a 90 000-Mr polypeptide related to yeast plasma membrane ATPase in plasma membrane from maize shoots

Maize shoot plasma membranes were prepared using either polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-dextran phase partition or centrifugation through a 30% sucrose cushion. The ATPase specific activity of membranes obtained with the phase partition method (1.4 μmol P_i · min⁻¹ · mg⁻¹ protein) was twice that of those prepared with the sucrose cushion method. After solubilization by lysolecithin and precipitation by ammonium sulfate, ATPase activities of the order of 3.0–3.5 μmol P_i · min⁻¹ · mg⁻¹ were obtained. A polypeptide of M_r = 90 000 was enriched during ATPase purification.Antibodies against pure plasma membrane ATPase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae inhibited the plant ATPase activity. Immunodetection during purification of the plant enzyme strongly supported the conclusion that the polypeptide of M_r = 90 000 belongs to plant plasma membrane ATPase.     

Structure and expression of the mouse homologue of the XK gene

 The human Kx blood group antigen is carried by a 37 000 M _r apparent molecular mass membrane polypeptide which is deficient in rare individuals with the McLeod syndrome. The X-linked human XK gene is transcribed in many tissues including adult skeletal muscle and brain, sieges of disorders observed in McLeod syndrome. We report here the cloning of the orthologous mouse XK mRNA. Comparison of XK from human and mouse revealed 80% sequence similarity at the amino acid level. The mouse XK gene is organized in two exons and is expressed in many tissues, but its expression pattern is slightly different from that of the human gene. The presence in mouse erythrocyte membrane of a 43 000 M _r Kx-related protein was demonstrated by immunoblotting with a rabbit antiserum directed against the human protein. With non-reduced samples, a 140 000 M _r species was detected instead of the 43 000 M _r protein, suggesting that, as demonstrated in the Kx polypeptide might be complexed with another protein in mouse red cells, presumably the homologue of the human Kell protein of 93 000 M _r. Received: 22 February 1999 / Revised: 8 June 1999     

Purification and partial characterization of a midgut membrane-bound α-glucosidase from Quesada gigas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

Adults of Quesada gigas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) have a major α-glucosidase bound to the perimicrovillar membranes, which are lipoprotein membranes that surround the midgut cell microvilli in Hemiptera and Thysanoptera. Determination of the spatial distribution of α-glucosidases in Q. gigas midgut showed that this activity is not equally distributed between soluble and membrane-bound isoforms. The major membrane-bound enzyme was solubilized in the detergent Triton X-100 and purified to homogeneity by means of gel filtration on Sephacryl S-100, and ion-exchange on High Q and Mono Q columns. The purified α-glucosidase is a protein with a pH optimum of 6.0 against the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenyl α-d-glucoside and M_r of 61,000 (SDS-PAGE). Taking into account V_Max/K_M ratios, the enzyme is more active on maltose than sucrose and prefers oligomaltodextrins up to maltopentaose, with lower efficiency for longer chain maltodextrins. The Q. gigas α-glucosidase was immunolocalized in perimicrovillar membranes by using a monospecific polyclonal antibody raised against the purified enzyme from Dysdercus peruvianus. The role of this enzyme in xylem fluid digestion and its possible involvement in osmoregulation is discussed.