Comparison of biologic activities of synthetic lipopentapeptide analogs of bacterial lipoprotein in mice

Mitogenicity, lethal toxicity, induction of tumor necrotizing factor (TNF), and antitumor activity against Meth A fibrosarcoma of four chemically synthesized lipopentapeptide analogs, S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-2R (designated as KAB-1), -2S(KAB-3)-propyl]-N-palmitoyl-(R)-cysteinyl-(S)-seryl- (S)-seryl-(S)-asparaginyl-(S)-alanine, S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-2R(KAB-2), and -2S(KAB-4)-propyl]-N-[(2,2,2)-trichloroethoxycarbonyl]-(R)- cysteinyl-(S)-seryl-(S)-seryl-(S)-asparaginyl-(S)-alanine, of bacterial lipoprotein were investigated. These four analogs, as well as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or synthetic Escherichia coli-type lipid A (506), were capable of increasing of [3H]thymidine into splenocytes of C3H/He mice. Although LPS and 506 did not exhibit the mitogenic activity in C3H/HeJ mice, KAB compounds showed remarkable mitogenicity. These analogs did not show the lethal toxicity at a high dose of 50 micrograms/mouse in galactosamine-loaded C57BL/6 mice. Peritoneal macrophages, stimulated with four analogs, caused the production of TNF which induces the L929 cell lysis in vitro. Twice, intravenous injections of 50 micrograms/mouse of these analogs showed weak growth inhibition of Meth A fibrosarcoma in BALB/c mice. The inhibitory effect of KAB-2 compound, which caused the strong TNF-induction among the four analogs, was the most potent. These results indicate that the biological activity of KAB-2 (R-configuration of the C-2 position in glycerol moiety with dipalmitoyl) is stronger than that of the other three analogs.     

A synthetic analogue of Escherichia coli lipoprotein, tripalmitoyl pentapeptide, constitutes a potent immune adjuvant

Lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli and other Enterobacteriaceae constitutes a potent B lymphocyte mitogen and polyclonal activator in various species. Tripalmitoyl pentapeptide (S-(2,3-bis-(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl)-N-palmitoyl-(R)-cysteinyl -(S)-seryl-(S)-seryl-(S)-asparaginyl-(S)-alanine) is a synthetic analogue of the N-terminal part of lipoprotein and has, in all assays tested, a biologic activity similar to native lipoprotein. It also exhibits a strong adjuvant activity in vitro: In the presence of 3.3 to 33.3 micrograms/ml of tripalmitoyl pentapeptide, the stimulation of the primary antibody response toward underivatized sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and toward trinitrophenylated (TNP-) SRBC was markedly enhanced, as measured by a direct hemolytic plaque assay. At optimal mitogen- and antigen-doses, plaque formation was increased up to 100-fold, and at suboptimal doses (0.03 to 0.3 microgram/ml) a 10- to 60-fold increase of plaque numbers was achieved. In the presence of tripalmitoyl pentapeptide, the antigen-specific IgM response was increased about sevenfold and the IgG response was augmented about 10-fold, as measured by ELISA. Similarly, in the secondary in vitro response to TNP-SRBC, a 7 to 10-fold enhancement of the antibody titer was obtained in the presence of the adjuvant. The application of tripalmitoyl pentapeptide and antigen had to occur concurrently in order to achieve a strong adjuvant effect. Addition of tripalmitoyl pentapeptide to the cell cultures 1 day after or 1 day before antigen application had no significant positive effect, and in several instances a decrease in antibody production was found. Thus, tripalmitoyl pentapeptide, a well-characterized synthetic product available in major amounts, constitutes a potent immune adjuvant for potential animal and clinical use.     

大肠杆菌脂蛋白与CTB-pres2抗原基因的融合及表达

首次采用基因融合方式,在乱毒素B亚基-乙型肝炎病毒Pres2抗原融合基因（ctxB-Pres2）的5’端了引入编码大肠杆菌脂蛋白信号肽及N端九个氨基酸的核苷酸序列,分别置于ctb及lpp／lac启动子下在大肠杆菌中获得分泌性表达．表达的融合蛋白均定位于膜上,并且可以和GM1、抗-CTB抗体及抗HBVPreS2单克隆抗体结合,说明该融合蛋白保留了CTB的基本高级结构及CTB、PreS2抗原的抗原性．3H-棕榈酸标记实验证实该融合蛋白发生脂肪化,为免疫原性研究奠定了基础．此外,还研究了不同信号肽和宿主菌对该蛋白表达的影响．     

Synthetic lipopeptide analogs of bacterial lipoprotein are potent polyclonal activators for murine B lymphocytes

The lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli and other Enterobacteriaceae is a potent polyclonal activator for B lymphocytes. To determine the molecular structure responsible for the biologic activity of lipoprotein, a well-defined series of analogs of its N-terminal part was synthesized: S-(2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2-RS)-propyl)-N-palmitoyl-(R)-cysteine, -cysteine methyl ester, -cysteinyl-serine, -cysteinyl-seryl-serine, -cysteinyl-seryl-seryl-asparagine, and -cysteinyl-seryl-seryl-asparaginyl-alanine. All compounds were tested for mitogenic activity toward spleen cells from BALB/c, LPS-non-responder C3H/HeJ, and congenitally athymic C3H/Tif/Bom/nu/nu mice, measuring the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. Lymphocyte activation was confirmed by determination of the incorporation of [3H]uridine into RNA and [3H]leucine into protein. The synthetic lipopeptides were also investigated for their ability to stimulate B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin secretion, as shown by a hemolytic plaque assay. Throughout our studies, the compounds carrying two to five amino acids exhibited strong stimulation activity toward B lymphocytes comparable to native lipoprotein. In contrast, products containing only one amino acid, cysteine or cysteine methyl ester, were only marginally active, indicating that to obtain full biologic activity the presence of the hydrophilic dipeptide structure is necessary. All compounds exhibited only a marginal effect on thymocytes. Thus, a series of defined synthetic fragments of a bacterial outer membrane component exhibits a pronounced mitogenic and polyclonally stimulating activity towards B lymphocytes. The substances will be valuable tools for more detailed investigations on the molecular mechanisms of B cell activation.     

Activation of C3H/HeJ macrophage tumoricidal activity and cytokine release by R-chemotype lipopolysaccharide preparations. Differential effects of IFN-gamma

We have investigated the relative immunostimulatory activities of S-chemotype LPS and R-chemotype LPS preparations on C3H/HeJ peritoneal macrophages in vitro. As assessed by either secretion of TNF-alpha or IL-1, some of the R-chemotype LPS manifest significant activity on these normally LPS-unresponsive cells. The expression of IL-1 activity by R-LPS-stimulated C3H/HeJ macrophages was unaffected by IFN-gamma; however, this cytokine significantly enhanced TNF-alpha production by the same cells. The R-chemotype LPS preparations alone were not able to activate C3H/HeJ macrophages to become tumoricidal but activity could readily be demonstrated in the presence of IFN-gamma. Of potential importance is the observation that the profile of relative activity of the various R-chemotype LPS preparations for macrophage activation does not parallel that previously obtained by us for the C3H/HeJ B-lymphocyte activation.     

B-lymphocyte mitogenicity and adjuvanticity of an ornithine-containing lipid or a serine-containing lipid

An ornithine-containing lipid (Orn-L) or a serine-containing lipid (Ser-L) from Flavobacterium meningosepticum exhibited strong mitogenicity for the splenocytes from both LPS-responder C3H/HeSlc and LPS-low-responder C3H/HeJ mice. The potency of the lipoamino acids was the same as that of LPS for responder mice. The lipoamino acids were B-lymphocyte mitogens. Furthermore, Orn-L or Ser-L exhibited strong adjuvanticity. Compared with the adjuvanticity of LPS, the activity of Orn-L was rather high. Based on these data, together with the previously reported data of macrophage activation, we propose that the lipoamino acids are non-toxic, potent immunoactivators.     

Binding of a synthetic analogue of mitogenic bacterial lipoprotein to murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products

Lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli and a synthetic analogue of its N-terminal lipopeptide part, tripalmitoyl-pentapeptide, constitute potent mitogens and polyclonal activators of murine B-lymphocytes in vitro. When entering the circulation after intravenous administration in experimental animals, they interact with the humoral and cellular elements of the blood, which results in splenomegaly and B-lymphocyte activation in vivo. We investigated lipopeptide-binding proteins in normal mouse serum and on splenocytes. By affinity chromatography using an affinity adsorbent prepared by coupling the lipoprotein analogue to CPG-aminopropyl derivatized glass beads, we could enrich one major binding protein for tripalmitoyl-pentapeptide from mouse serum, which was identified as albumin. Binding proteins on lymphocytes were determined as follows: Spleen cells of C3H/HeJ mice were activated by the B cell mitogen lipoprotein, biosynthetically labelled with [3H]leucine, and solubilized by the nonionic detergent Nonidet P40. From the cell lysate, binding proteins were isolated by affinity chromatography: As analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, proteins with molecular masses of 24, 27, 33, 45, 53, 61 and 71 kDa were eluted from the tripalmitoyl-pentapeptide adsorbent. The eluted material was further enriched for glycoproteins by Lens culinaris lectin affinity chromatography, and immunoprecipitation studies were performed with the glycoprotein fractions using alloantisera specific for class I and class II gene products of the H-2k haplotype. We could show that both class I and class II MHC glycoproteins could be enriched on the tripalmitoyl-pentapeptide column. This finding might suggest that, among other proteins, MHC-encoded proteins are involved in lymphocyte activation by a mitogenic lipopeptide.     

The inhibitory performance of flavonoid cyanidin-3-sambubiocide against H274Y mutation in H1N1 influenza virus

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is the most accepted antiviral drug that targets the neuraminidase (NA) protein to inhibit the viral release from the host cell. Few H1N1 influenza strains with the H274Y mutation creates drug resistance to oseltamivir. In this study, we report that flavonoid cyanidin-3-sambubiocide (C3S) compound acts as a potential inhibitor against H274Y mutation. The drug resistance mechanism and inhibitory activity of C3S and oseltamivir against wild-type (WT) and H274Y mutant-type (MT) have been studied and compared based on the results of molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and quantum chemical methods. Oseltamivir has been found less binding affinity with MT. C3S has more binding affinity with WT and MT proteins. From the dynamical study, the 150th loop of the MT protein has found more deformation than WT. A single H274Y mutation induces the conformational changes in the 150th loop which leads to produce more resistance to oseltamivir. The 150th cavity is more attractive target for C3S to stop the conformational changes in the MT, than 430th cavity of NA protein. The C3S is stabilized with MT by more number of hydrogen bonds than oseltamivir. The electrostatic interaction energy shows a stronger C3S binding with MT and this compound may be more effective against oseltamivir-resistant virus strains.     

Hydrolysis of chylomicron arachidonate and linoleate ester bonds by lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase

Chylomicrons labeled with [3H]arachidonic and [14C]linoleic acid were incubated with bovine milk lipoprotein lipase or rat postheparin plasma, containing both lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase. During incubation with bovine lipoprotein lipase, [3H]arachidonic acid was released from chylomicron triacylglycerols at a slower rate than [14C]linoleic acid. Only small amounts of [14C]linoleic acid were found as 1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerols, whereas a transient accumulation as [14C]monoacylglycerols was observed. In contrast, significantly more [3H]arachidonic acid was found as 1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerols than as monoacylglycerols at all time intervals investigated. The initial pattern of triacylglycerol hydrolysis by postheparin plasma was similar to that of bovine lipoprotein lipase. However, in contrast to the results obtained with bovine lipoprotein lipase, little [3H]1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerol accumulated. The addition of antiserum to hepatic lipase increased the amount of 3H found in 1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerols and inhibited the formation of free [3H]arachidonic acid. The antiserum also caused a significant inhibition of the hydrolysis of [3H]-but not of [14C]triacylglycerol. With regard to chylomicron phospholipids, the rate of hydrolysis of [14C]linoleoyl phosphatidylcholine with milk lipoprotein lipase was twofold higher than that of the [3H]arachidonyl phosphatidylcholine. However, the hepatic lipase of postheparin plasma had similar activity towards the two phosphatidylcholine species. Postheparin plasma rapidly hydrolyzed chylomicron 3H-labeled and 14C-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine to the same degree, and lipoprotein lipase similarly hydrolyzed 3H-labeled and 14C-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine at approximately equal rates. Antiserum to hepatic lipase inhibited the postheparin plasma hydrolysis of phosphatidylethanolamine and 3H-labeled phosphatidylcholine by about 60%, but the 14C-labeled phosphatidylcholine by only 27%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunobiological activities of a chemically synthesized lipid A of Porphyromonas gingivalis

A synthetic lipid A of Porphyromonas gingivalis strain 381 (compound PG-381), which is similar to its natural lipid A, demonstrated no or very low endotoxic activities as compared to Escherichia coli-type synthetic lipid A (compound 506). On the other hand, compound PG-381 had stronger hemagglutinating activities on rabbit erythrocytes than compound 506. Compound PG-381 also induced mitogenic responses in spleen cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice, as well as LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice. The addition of polymyxin B resulted in the inhibition of mitogenic activities, however, compound 506 did not show these capacities. Additionally, compound PG-381 showed a lower level of activity in inducing cytokine production in peritoneal macrophages and gingival fibroblasts from C3H/HeN mice, but not C3H/HeJ mice, in comparison to compound 506. Thus, this study demonstrates that the chemical synthesis of lipid A, mimicking the natural lipid A portion of LPS from P. gingivalis, confirms its low endotoxic potency and immunobiological activity.     

A functional polymorphism of apolipoprotein C1 detected by mass spectrometry

A survey of plasma proteins in approximately 1,300 individuals by MALDI-TOF MS resulted in identification of a structural polymorphism of apolipoprotein C1 (ApoC1) that was found only in persons of American Indian or Mexican ancestry. MS/MS analysis revealed that the alteration consisted of a T45S variation. The methyl group of T45 forms part of the lipid-interacting surface of ApoC1. In agreement with an impact on lipid contact, the S45 variant was more susceptible to N-terminal truncation by dipeptidylpeptidase IV in vitro than was the T45 variant. The S45 protein also displayed greater N-terminal truncation (loss of Thr-Pro) in vivo than the T45 variant. The S45 variant also showed preferential distribution to the very-low-density lipoprotein fraction than the T45 protein. These properties indicate a functional effect of the S45 variant and support a role for residue 45 in lipid contact and lipid specificity. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of the variant and its altered N-terminal truncation on the metabolic functions of ApoC1.     

Incomplete functional differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells by synthetic lipopeptides. Partial inhibition by pertussis toxin of enhanced superoxide formation.

In human neutrophils, the synthetic lipopeptide, N-palmitoyl-S-[2,3- bis(palmitoyloxy-(2RS)-propyl]-(R)-cysteinyl-(S)-seryl-(S)-lysyl-( S)-lysyl-(S) -lysyl-(S)-lysine [Pam3CysSer(Lys)4], activates NADPH-oxidase catalyzed superoxide (O2-) formation through pertussis-toxin-sensitive and pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanisms (Seifert, R., Schultz, G., Richter-Freund, M., Metzger, J., Wiesmüller, K.-H., Jung, G., Bessler, W. G. & Hauschildt, S. (1990) Biochem. J. 267, 795-802). We studied the effects of lipopeptides on differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells. Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 enhanced phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced O2- formation (presumably through the expression of components of NADPH oxidase) in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximal effect at 100 ng/ml and a maximum at 1 microgram/ml. The effect of the lipopeptide was evident after 24 h and reached a plateau after 48 h. (2S,6S)-2-Palmitoylamino-6,7- bis(palmitoyloxy)heptanoyl-(S)-seryl-(S)-lysyl-(S)-lysyl-(S) -lysyl-(S)-lysine enhanced O2- formation as well. The effects of Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 were potentiated by dibutyryl cAMP, dimethyl sulfoxide, retinoic acid, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, interferon-gamma and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha. Pertussis toxin, but not its B-oligomer, partially inhibited enhanced O2- formation induced by Pam3CysSer(Lys)4. O2- formation induced by arachidonic acid and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane were more sensitive to inhibition by pertussis toxin than O2- formation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Enhanced O2- formation induced by dibutyryl cAMP was not affected by pertussis toxin. Unlike ATP, histamine, prostaglandin E1 and the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 did not increase cytosolic Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) in undifferentiated HL-60 cells. Histamine but not lipopeptides stimulated high-affinity GTPase of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins in membranes of undifferentiated HL-60 cells. In Pam3CysSer(Lys)4-differentiated HL-60 cells, the responsiveness to the [Ca2+]i-increasing agonists, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, C5a and leukotriene B4, was increased, whilst the responsiveness to prostaglandin E1 and isoproterenol was decreased. Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 did not inhibit proliferation of HL-60 cells but decreased transferrin receptor expression and increased C3bi receptor expression. Pertussis toxin did not affect proliferation and expression of transferrin and C3bi receptors. Dibutyryl cAMP was considerably more effective than Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 at inducing alterations in the above parameters. Our results suggest that (a) Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 induces incomplete functional differentiation of HL-60 cells through a mechanism which does not depend on a rise in [Ca2+]i and is different from that of other differentiation-inducing substances and (b) the mechanism by which Pam3CysSer(Lys)4 induces differentiation involves pertussis-toxin-sensitive and pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanisms.     

A role for a novel luminal endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase in final trimming of 26 S proteasome-generated major histocompatability complex class I antigenic peptides

Peptides presented to cytotoxic T lymphocytes by the class I major histocompatability complex are 8-11 residues long. Although proteasomal activity generates the precise C termini of antigenic epitopes, the mechanism(s) involved in generation of the precise N termini is largely unknown. To investigate the mechanism of N-terminal peptide processing, we used a cell-free system in which two recombinant ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) constructs, one expressing the native H2-K(b)-restricted ovalbumin (ova)-derived epitope SIINFEKL (ODC-ova) and the other expressing the extended epitope LESIINFEKL (ODC-LEova), were targeted to degradation by 26 S proteasomes followed by import into microsomes. We found that the cleavage specificity of the 26 S proteasome was influenced by the N-terminal flanking amino acids leading to significantly different yields of the final epitope SIINFEKL. Following incubation in the presence of purified 26 S proteasome, ODC-LEova generated largely ESIINFEKL that was efficiently converted to the final epitope SIINFEKL following translocation into microsomes. The conversion of ESIINFEKL to SIINFEKL was strictly dependent on the presence of H2-K(b) and was completely inhibited by the metalloaminopeptidase inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline. Importantly, the converting activity was resistant to a stringent salt/EDTA wash of the microsomes and was only apparent when transport of TAP, the transporter associated with antigen processing, was facilitated. These results strongly suggest a crucial role for a luminal endoplasmic reticulum-resident metalloaminopeptidase in the N-terminal trimming of major histocompatability complex class I-associated peptides.     

Very low density lipoprotein. Fate of phospholipids, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein C during lipolysis in vitro.

In this study we have determined the fate of phospholipids, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein C during lipolysis of rat plasma very low density lipoprotein (rat VLDL). The experiment was carried out in vitro with lipoprotein lipase purified from bovine milk, VLDL labeled with [(14)C]palmitate, [(3)H]cholesterol, [(32)P]phospholipids, and (125)I-labeled apolipoprotein C and in plasma-devoid systems. Triglyceride hydrolysis ranged between 0 and 98.6%. [(32)P]Phospholipids, unesterified [(3)H]cholesterol, and (125)I-labeled apolipoprotein C were removed from the VLDL (d < 1.019 g/ml) during lipolysis. About one-third of the [(32)P]phosphatidylcholine was hydrolyzed to lysolecithin, and was transferred to the fraction d > 1.21 g/ml. The other two-thirds of the phospholipids were removed unhydrolyzed, mainly to the fraction d 1.04-1.21 g/ml. With the progression of the lipolysis, unesterified [(3)H]cholesterol was removed from VLDL at increasing rates, predominantly to the fraction d 1.04-1.21 g/ml. (125)I-Labeled apolipoprotein C removed from the VLDL partitioned between the fraction of d 1.04-1.21 g/ml and d > 1.21 g/ml. Negative-staining electron microscopy of the fraction d 1.04-1.21 g/ml (containing phospholipids, unesterified cholesterol, and apolipoprotein C) revealed many discoidal lipoproteins. [(3)H]Cholesteryl esters remained associated with the VLDL even when 70-80% of the triglycerides were hydrolyzed. These observations suggest that during in vitro lipolysis of VLDL, surface constituents leave the lipoprotein concomitantly with the hydrolysis of core triglycerides. The process of removal of surface constituents is independent of the presence of an acceptor lipoprotein and may occur in the form of a surface-fragment particle. -Eisenberg, S., and T. Olivecrona. Very low density lipoprotein. Fate of phospholipids, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein C during lipolysis in vitro.     

EGF-like module pair 3-4 in vitamin K-dependent protein S: modulation of calcium affinity of module 4 by module 3, and interaction with factor X.

Calcium-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like modules are found in numerous extracellular and membrane proteins involved in such diverse processes as blood coagulation, lipoprotein metabolism, determination of cell fate, and cell adhesion. Vitamin K-dependent protein S, a cofactor of the anticoagulant enzyme activated protein C, has four EGF-like modules in tandem with the three C-terminal modules each harbouring a Ca(2+)-binding consensus sequence. Recombinant fragments containing EGF modules 1-4 and 2-4 have two Ca(2+)-binding sites with dissociation constants ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M. Module-module interactions that greatly influence the Ca(2+) affinity of individual modules have been identified. As a step towards an analysis of the structural basis of the high Ca(2+) affinity, we expressed the Ca(2+)-binding EGF pair 3-4 from human protein S. Correct folding was shown by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Calcium-binding properties of the C-terminal module were determined by titration with chromophoric chelators; binding to the low-affinity N-terminal site was monitored by (1)H-(15)N NMR spectroscopy. At physiological pH and ionic strength, the dissociation constants for Ca(2+) binding were 1.0x10(-6) M and 4. 8x10(-3) M for modules 4 and 3, respectively, i.e. the calcium affinity of the C-terminal site was about 5000-fold higher than that of the N-terminal site. Moreover, the Ca(2+) affinity of EGF 4, in the pair 3-4, was about 9000-fold higher than that of synthetic EGF 4. The EGF modules in protein S are known to mediate the interaction with factor Xa. We have now found modules 3-4 to be involved in this interaction. However, the individual modules 3 and 4 manifested no measurable activity.     

Physicochemical transfer of [3H]cholesterol from plasma lipoproteins to cultured human fibroblasts.

The transfer of free cholesterol from [3H]cholesterol-labelled plasma lipoproteins to cultured human lung fibroblasts was studied in a serum-free medium. The uptake of [3H]cholesterol depended upon time of incubation, concentration of lipoprotein in the medium, and temperature. Modified (reduced and methylated) low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which did not enter the cells by the receptor pathway, gave a somewhat lower transfer rate than unmodified LDL, but if the transfer values for native LDL were corrected for the receptor-mediated uptake of cholesterol the difference was eliminated. The initial rates of transfer of [3H]cholesterol from LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were of the same order of magnitude (0.67 +/- 0.05 and 0.75 +/- 0.06 nmol of cholesterol/h per mg of cell protein, respectively) while that from very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) was much lower (0.23 +/- 0.02 nmol of cholesterol/h per mg) (means +/- S.D., n = 5). The activation energy for transfer of cholesterol from reduced, methylated LDL to fibroblasts was determined to be 57.5 kJ/mol. If albumin was added to the incubation medium the transfer of [3H]cholesterol was enhanced, while that of [14C]dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine was decreased compared with the protein-free system. The results demonstrate that, in spite of its low water solubility, free cholesterol can move from lipoproteins to cellular membranes, probably by aqueous diffusion. We propose that physicochemical transfer of free cholesterol may be a significant mechanism for net uptake of the sterol into the artery during atherogenesis.     

Phialomyces macrosporus: Chemical Constituents,Antimicrobial Activity and Complete NMR Assignments for the 7,7′‐Biphyscion

Five known secondary metabolites, chrysophanol ( 1 ), 7,7′‐biphyscion ( 2 ), secalonic acid D ( 3 ), mannitol ( 4 ) and trehalose ( 5 ) were isolated for the first time from the extracts of the fungus Phialomyces macrosporus. Their structures were elucidated by NMR methods (1D and 2D NMR analysis), optical activity and ESI‐MS. Complete ¹H and ¹³C assignments were performed for compound 2 . The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by serial microdilution assay for compounds 2 and 3 and results showed that compound 3 exhibited a significant growth inhibition at concentrations of 15.6 mg/ml (S. aureus and S. choleraesius) and 0.97 mg/mL (B. subtilis), comparable to the positive control.     

Replacement of helix 1' enhances the lipid binding activity of apoE3 N-terminal domain

The N-terminal domain of human apolipoprotein E (apoE-NT) harbors residues critical for interaction with members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family. Whereas lipid free apoE-NT adopts a stable four-helix bundle conformation, a lipid binding induced conformational adaptation is required for manifestation of LDLR binding ability. To investigate the structural basis for this conformational change, the short helix connecting helix 1 and 2 in the four-helix bundle was replaced by the sequence NPNG, introducing a beta-turn. Recombinant helix-to-turn (HT) variant apoE3-NT was produced in Escherichia coli, isolated and characterized. Stability studies revealed a denaturation transition midpoint of 1.9 m guanidine hydrochloride for HT apoE3-NT vs. 2.5 M for wild-type apoE3-NT. Wild-type and HT apoE3-NT form dimers in solution via an intermolecular disulfide bond. Native PAGE showed that reconstituted high-density lipoprotein prepared with HT apoE3-NT have a diameter in the range of 9 nm and possess binding activity for the LDLR on cultured human skin fibroblasts. In phospholipid vesicle solubilization assays, HT apoE3-NT was more effective than wild-type apoE3-NT at inducing a time dependent decrease in dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol vesicle light scattering intensity. In lipoprotein binding assays, HT apoE3-NT protected human low-density lipoprotein from phospholipase C induced aggregation to a greater extent that wild-type apoE3-NT. The results indicate that a mutation at one end of the apoE3-NT four-helix bundle markedly enhances the lipid binding activity of this protein. In the context of lipoprotein associated full-length apoE, increased lipid binding affinity of the N-terminal domain may alter the balance between receptor-active and -inactive conformational states.     

Importance of the different steps of glycosylation for the activity and secretion of lipoprotein lipase in rat preadipocytes studied with monensin and tunicamycin

Lipoprotein lipase synthesized by cultured rat preadipocytes is present in three compartments: an intracellular, a surface-related 3-min heparin-releasable, and that secreted into the culture medium. 30 min after addition of 6 microM monensin, the lipoprotein lipase activity in the heparin-releasable compartment starts to decrease; by 4 h of monensin treatment the lipoprotein lipase activity in the heparin-releasable pool and in the culture medium is about 10% of that found in control dishes. The intracellular activity, which had been identified as lipoprotein lipase by an antiserum to lipoprotein lipase, increases slowly and doubles by 24 h. However, since the cellular compartment accounts for 10-25% of total activity, this increase does not account for the missing enzyme activity. To determine whether this enzyme molecule is synthesized but is not active, incorporation of labeled leucine, mannose and galactose into immunoadsorbable lipoprotein lipase was studied in control, monensin- or tunicamycin-treated cells. Addition of tunicamycin (5 micrograms/ml) for 24 h caused a 30-50% reduction in immunoadsorbable lipoprotein lipase, but the enzyme activity was reduced by 90%. On the other hand, 4 h monensin treatment reduced both incorporation of [3H]leucine into immunoadsorbable lipoprotein lipase and heparin-releasable and medium lipoprotein lipase activity by 57 to 77%. The immunoadsorbable lipoprotein lipase in the intracellular compartment has a [14C]mannose to [3H]galactose ratio of 0.15 and this ratio increased 6-fold in monensin-treated cells. The intracellular lipoprotein lipase in monensin-treated cells had the same affinity for both the native and synthetic substrate as the lipoprotein lipase in control cells, yet its spontaneous secretion into the culture medium and its release by 3 min heparin treatment was markedly decreased. The present results indicate that: the presence of asparagine-linked oligosaccharide (formation of which is inhibited by tunicamycin) is mandatory for the expression of lipoprotein lipase activity; lipoprotein lipase is active also in a high mannose form; and terminal glycosylation and oligosaccharide processing, which is inhibited by monensin, may be important for the appearance of heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase and secretion of lipoprotein lipase into the medium.