An active covalently linked dimer of human interferon-gamma. Subunit orientation in the native protein.

We have constructed and expressed a covalently linked head to tail dimer of human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in which two monomers are joined head to tail via a rigid peptide hinge using genetic engineering techniques. The hinge was derived from the human immunoglobin IgA1 sequence (Hallewell, R.A., Laria, I., Tabrizi, A., Carlin, G., Getzoff, E.D., Tainer, J.A., Cousens, L.S., and Mullenbach, G.T. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 5260-5268). Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows that the polypeptide produced by this construction migrates as a 30,000 polypeptide species. The protein elutes as a single species by molecular sieve chromatography under native conditions. The covalently linked dimer exhibits one-half the antiviral activity of native dimeric IFN-gamma; receptor binding assays show the covalently linked dimer binds to the IFN-gamma receptor with one-half the avidity of native IFN-gamma. This difference is not due to conformational differences between the two molecules, as the aromatic region of the NMR spectrum of the purified covalently linked dimer is identical with that of the wild type protein. From these data, we suggest that human IFN-gamma associates in a head to tail dimer in its active configuration. Regions of IFN-gamma are contiguous with the amino and carboxyl termini and are obscured by the hinge peptide in the covalently linked dimer. Our studies demonstrate that these regions may be important for receptor-ligand interaction.     

The molecular organization of the protein HC-IgA complex (HC-IgA)

Complexes of protein HC and monoclonal IgA1 or IgA2 or polyclonal IgA were isolated from human blood plasma. Dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting showed that all complexes contain three types of chains: two light immunoglobulin chains, one regular IgA alpha-chain, and one chain with Mr = 90,000 carrying both alpha-chain and protein HC epitopes. The complexes were split into Fab alpha and Fc alpha fragments by bacterial IgA proteases. The protein HC epitopes were linked to the Fc fragments. Complexes of protein HC and an alpha-chain devoid of the variable region and the first heavy chain constant domain could also be demonstrated to be present in the blood plasma of a patient with alpha-heavy chain disease. Pepsin digestion of HC-IgA released a fragment containing all the protein HC epitopes and the C-terminal nonapeptide of the IgA alpha-chain. The light immunoglobulin chains, the regular alpha-chain, and the 90,000-Da chain from monoclonal HC-IgA1 were isolated by preparative dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by repeated gel filtration in dodecyl sulfate-containing buffer. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the alpha-chain was identical with that of a regular human heavy immunoglobulin chain of subgroup III. Subtractive degradations of the 90,000-Da chain displayed 2 amino acid residues in each position in a pattern suggesting simultaneous degradations of a chain identical with the regular alpha-chain of HC-IgA and of uncomplexed, low molecular weight, protein HC. All the results are compatible with a model for HC-IgA in which a single low molecular weight protein HC polypeptide chain is covalently linked, side by side, to the C-terminal nonapeptide of one of the two alpha-chains of a regular monomeric IgA unit.     

Quaternary structure of oligomeric immunoglobulin A forms from human blood serum]

A character of forces stabilyzing quaternary structure of dimer and more high molecular human immunoglobulin A oligomers is found to be different. Quaternary structure of IgA dimer is formed when joining subunits with disulfide bonds and is stabilized by non-covalent interactions between them. Disulfide bonds play a main part in the formation of trimers and tetramers. Dimer IgA reconstructs by 40% from subunits with intact interchain S--S bonds. The addition of exogenous J-chain does not significantly affect the process of dimer self-assembling from subunits with recovered and intact interchain disulfide bonds.     

Iron-containing superoxide dismutase from Crithidia fasciculata. Purification, characterization, and similarity to Leishmanial and trypanosomal enzymes

Leishmania tropica, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Crithidia fasciculata have superoxide dismutases which are insensitive to cyanide and sensitive to peroxide and azide, properties characteristic of iron-containing superoxide dismutase. Studies on the superoxide dismutase of C. fasciculata have revealed that: 1) the enzyme is located in the cytosol; 2) isozymes exist; 3) the major superoxide dismutase isozyme (superoxide dismutase 2) has Mr approximately equal to 43,000 and consists of two equal-sized subunits, each of which contains 1.4 atoms of iron. Comparisons of the amino acid content of this crithidial superoxide dismutase with those of superoxide dismutases from other sources suggests that the crithidial enzyme is closely related to bacterial Fe-containing superoxide dismutases, and only distantly related to human Mn- and Cu,Zn-containing superoxide dismutases and to Euglena Fe-containing superoxide dismutase. Attempts are now underway to develop specific inhibitors of the trypanosomatid superoxide dismutase which may be of use in the treatment of leishmaniasis or trypanosomiasis.     

Porcine superoxide dismutase

Summary A cuprozinc superoxide dismutase has been isolated from pig liver. The enzyme is similar to previously described cuprozinc superoxide dismutases in that it is a dimer of about 32 000 molecular weight consisting of approximately two equally sized subunits, and 2 atoms of copper and two atoms of zinc per molecule. It differs, however, from previously described cuprozinc superoxide dismutases because of its higher isoelectric point; pI 6.8 vs 4.9 for bovine enzyme. The diffusion coefficient for the porcine enzyme was determined to be 7.53×10⁻⁷ cm²s⁻¹, while the equivalent spherical hydrodynamic radius was computed as 28.5 ?. The enzyme was observed to undergo self-association with time. Sulfhydryl interaction is postulated to be involved.     

Appendix. Purification, molecular weight, and NH2-terminal sequence of cystathionine gamma-synthase of Escherichia coli

The cystathionine gamma-synthase of Escherichia coli has been purified to homogeneity. It is a tetramer (Mr = 160,000) composed of identical subunits (Mr approximately 40,000). We have determined its amino acid terminal sequence and thus localized the starting codon of the metB structural gene.     

Trichinella spiralis: identification and purification of superoxide dismutase

A metalloprotein with superoxide dismutase activity was isolated and purified from muscle-stage Trichinella spiralis. The anti-genicity of the purified enzyme was demonstrated by an immunospecific reaction with T. spiralis antiserum in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition to its presence in somatic extracts of T. spiralis, the enzyme was also excreted into culture fluids in which the muscle-stage larvae had been incubated for periods as short as 3 hr and up to 72 hr. The enzyme was characterized as a copper- and zinc-containing, cyanide-sensitive, superoxide dismutase with a molecular weight of 36,000 (estimated by get filtration), consisting of two subunits of 17,000 Mr (estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The isoelectric point was 5.6. Muscle-stage T. spiralis contained one molecular form of the enzyme, whereas adult T. spiralis contained two molecular forms. This enzyme may function as an essential defense mechanism against the highly destructive superoxide radical encountered either intracellularly, as a product of biological oxidation, or externally, as a component of the host's immune system.     

Isolation and characterization of an iron-containing superoxide dismutase from a eucaryote, Brassica campestris

A cyanide-insensitive superoxide dismutase was purified from mustard leaves, Brassica campestris. The protein had a molecular weight of 41,000 and was composed of two equally sized subunits. Metal analysis revealed that the enzyme contained 1.6 g atoms of iron per dimer. The isolation of an iron-containing superoxide dismutase from mustard leaves represents the first report of this enzyme in a multicellular eucaryotic organism.     

Evolution of the Iga Heavy Chain Gene in the Genus Mus

To examine questions of immunoglobulin gene evolution, the IgA alpha heavy chain gene from Mus pahari, an evolutionarily distant relative to Mus musculus domesticus, was cloned and sequenced. The sequence, when compared to the IgA gene of BALB/c or human, demonstrated that the IgA gene is evolving in a mosaic fashion with the hinge region accumulating mutations most rapidly and the third domain at a considerably lower frequency. In spite of this pronounced accumulation of mutations, the hinge region appears to maintain the conformation of a random coil. A marked propensity to accumulate replacement over silent site changes in the coding regions was noted, as was a definite codon bias. The possibility that these two phenomena are interrelated is discussed.     

Purification and characterization of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) was purified 12 000-fold to homogeneity from yeast by a three-step procedure including acid precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography, and guanosine 5' -monophosphate affinity chromatography. The enzyme is a dimer consisting of two, probably identical, subunits of Mr 29 500. The enzyme recognized hypoxanthine and guanine, but not adenine or xanthine, as substrates. An antiserum against both native and denatured enzyme has been raised and shown to be specific for the enzyme. The antiserum has no affinity for Chinese hamster or human HPRT but does recognize subunits of yeast HPRT as well as some cyanogen bromide fragments of the enzyme.     

A time-resolved fluorescence study of human copper-zinc superoxide dismutase

The intrinsic fluorescence decay of human Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase was measured by frequency-domain techniques. The protein consists of two subunits, each containing one tryptophan and no tyrosine residues. Using a synchrotron radiation source, which allows facile selection of the excitation wavelength, the dependence of the emission decay upon excitation was studied. No significant excitation wavelength effects were found. The two tryptophans contained in the dimer, although fully equivalent and exposed to solvent, showed a fluorescence decay that cannot be described by a single lifetime. Either two lifetimes, or one Lorentzian-shaped continuous distribution of lifetimes, are needed to obtain a good fit. Under identical experimental conditions, control experiments showed that N-acetyltryptophanamide, an analogue of tryptophanyl residues in proteins, decays with a single lifetime. The heterogeneous decay of tryptophan fluorescence in superoxide dismutase is interpreted as due to the presence of static and/or dynamic conformers in the protein that decay with different lifetimes. The two models of discrete lifetimes and continuous distribution of lifetimes are discussed with reference to measurements on holo- and apo-human superoxide dismutase.     

Factor V is a substrate for the transamidase factor XIIIa

Coagulation Factor V (Mr = 330,000), upon cleavage by thrombin, produces Factor Va, which is composed of two subunits with Mr values of 94,000 and 74,000, along with two activation fragments possessing no known function. Studies were undertaken to assess the ability of the transamidase Factor XIIIa to covalently incorporate the lysine analogs [3H]putrescine and dansylcadaverine into the thrombin-cleaved (activated) and unactivated forms of human and bovine Factor V. The incorporation of either probe into thrombin-activated Factor V proceeded at an initial rate approximately twice that for unactivated Factor V. The extent of the incorporation of [3H]putrescine or dansylcadaverine into activated or unactivated human Factor V was identical; 4 mol of either probe per mol of Factor V. In the case of bovine Factor V, however, while 4 mol of probe were bound per mol of the unactivated pro-cofactor, 5 mol of either lysine analog were covalently linked to 1 mol of thrombin-cleaved Factor V. Polyacrylamide gel fluorography, immunoaffinity chromatography, and immunoprecipitation identified the largest activation fragment of human Factor V (Mr = 150,000) and bovine Factor V (Mr = 120,000) to contain the sites of incorporation of the covalently bound probes. High molecular weight, apparently covalent polymers of Factor V were produced by the action of Factor XIIIa on activated and unactivated human or bovine Factor V. The absence of either probe in the reaction mixtures did not appear to allow an enhancement of protein polymerization.     

Characterization of transducin from bovine retinal rod outer segments. II. Evidence for distinct binding sites and conformational changes revealed by limited proteolysis with trypsin

The first stage of amplification in the cyclic GMP cascade in bovine retinal rod is carried out by transducin, a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein consisting of two functional subunits, T alpha (Mr approximately 39,000) and T beta gamma (Mr approximately 36,000 and approximately 10,000). Limited trypsin digestion of the T beta gamma subunit converted the beta polypeptide to two stable fragments (Mr approximately 26,000 and approximately 14,000). The GTPase and Gpp(NH)p binding activities were not significantly affected by the cleavage. Trypsin digestion of the T alpha subunit initially removed a small segment from the polypeptide terminus and resulted in the formation of a single 38,000-Da fragment. When this fragment was recombined with the intact T beta gamma subunit in the presence of membranes containing photolyzed rhodopsin, the reconstituted transducin exhibited greatly reduced GTPase and Gpp(NH)p binding activities. The loss in activities was due to the inability of the cleaved T alpha to bind to the photolyzed rhodopsin. Prolonged digestion converted the 38,000-Da fragment to a transient 32,000-Da fragment and then to two stable 23,000-Da and 12,000-Da fragments. The cleavage of the 32,000-Da fragment, however, can be blocked by bound Gpp(NH)p. The 32,000-Da fragment contains the Gpp(NH)p binding site and retains the ability to activate phosphodiesterase. These results indicate that the guanine nucleotide binding and rhodopsin binding sites are located in topologically distinct regions of the T alpha subunit and proved evidence that a large conformational transition of the molecule occurs upon the conversion of the bound GDP to GTP.     

Glycyl- and alanyl-tRNA synthetases from Bombyx mori. Purification and properties

Glycyl- and alanyl-tRNA synthetases have been purified from an extract of Bombyx mori posterior silk glands by a procedure that allows for the simultaneous isolation of both enzymes. Glycyl-tRNA synthetase is a dimer of Mr = 160,000 consisting of similar or identical subunits, whereas alanyl-tRNA synthetase is a monomer of Mr = 110,000 to 115,000. The abundance of these two enzymes in the posterior silk gland is consistent with the observed adaptation of this organ to the production of the silk protein, fibroin. The two enzymes are similar in oligomeric structure to the corresponding enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but dissimilar from their counterparts in Escherichia coli.     

Characterization of ovarian gonadotropin receptor. Monomer and associated form of the receptor

We have purified luteinizing hormone/human choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor from rat ovary by sequential affinity column on wheat germ lectin-Sepharose and hCG-Sepharose chromatography. The purified receptor, previously identified as a single protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) (Kusuda, S., and Dufau, M.L. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 16161-16168), was further characterized by radioiodination with 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3 alpha, 6 alpha-diphenylglycouril, and column chromatography on wheat germ lectin-Sepharose. Autoradiography of SDS-PAGE analysis under reducing conditions showed a single radiolabeled band of Mr = 80,000. The radioiodinated receptors treated with peptide:N-glycosidase F migrated at Mr = 54,000. Treatment with neuraminidase alone caused only a minor reduction in molecular weight, and subsequent treatment with endo-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase had little further effect on the receptor. When the radioiodinated receptor was analyzed by fast protein liquid chromatography, a single broad peak was eluted with Mr of approximately 350,000. The higher Mr of radioiodinated receptors than that of native receptors (Mr = 190,000 dimeric form) could be due to the aggregation of labeled molecules. These complexes dissociated into the monomeric form in the presence of SDS. To determine whether the monomers can bind hormone, the purified unlabeled receptors resolved with SDS were electroblotted to nitrocellulose membranes and incubated with 125I-hCG. Autoradiograms of the blots showed a band of monomer (Mr = 78,000) as well as one of dimer (Mr approximately 150,000). These studies have demonstrated that the luteinizing hormone/hCG receptors are predominantly N-linked glycosylated and suggest that the native receptor is a dimer of identical hormone binding subunits associated by noncovalent interactions. Although the individual subunits can bind hormone, it is conceivable that the dimeric form is necessary for signal transduction.     

Crystal structure of the second domain of the human copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase

The human copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (hCCS) delivers the essential copper ion cofactor to copper,zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a key enzyme in antioxidant defense. Mutations in SOD1 are linked to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The molecular mechanisms by which SOD1 is recognized and activated by hCCS are not understood. To better understand this biochemical pathway, we have determined the X-ray structure of the largest domain of hCCS (hCCS Domain II) to 2. 75 A resolution. The overall structure is closely related to that of its target enzyme SOD1, consisting of an eight-stranded beta-barrel and a zinc-binding site formed by two extended loops. The first of these loops provides the ligands to a bound zinc ion, and is analogous to the zinc subloop in SOD1. The second structurally resembles the SOD1 electrostatic channel loop, but lacks many of the residues important for catalysis. Like SOD1 and yCCS, hCCS forms a dimer using a highly conserved interface. In contrast to SOD1, however, the hCCS structure does not contain a copper ion bound in the catalytic site. Notably, the structure reveals a single loop proximal to the dimer interface which is unique to the CCS chaperones.     

Superoxide dismutases from kidney bean leaves

Three isozymes of superoxide dismutase were found in the solubleextract of kidney bean leaves. Two of them, purified to nearhomogeneous states, were inhibited by cyanide and by the antibodyto spinach Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase. Thus, both isozymeswere the Cu and Zn containing enzyme that has a molecular weightof 32,000 and is composed of two subunits of equal size. Anotherisozyme was insensitive to cyanide and to the antibody, butwas inactivated by acetone or heating. The cyanideinsensitiveisozyme was not inactivated by H₂O₂ showing that this isozymeis Mn-superoxide dismutase. (Received June 13, 1979; )     

Gonadotropin beta subunits determine the rate of assembly and the oligosaccharide processing of hormone dimer in transfected cells

The glycoprotein hormones lutropin (LH) and chorionic gonadotropin (CG) share a common structure consisting of an identical alpha subunit noncovalently linked to a hormone-specific beta subunit. While LH is produced in the anterior pituitary, CG is synthesized in placenta. To compare the assembly, processing, and secretion of human LH and CG in the same cell type, we have expressed their subunits, individually and together, in mouse C-127 mammary tumor cells. Analysis of transfected clones revealed an unexpected difference in the secretion of individually expressed subunits. Whereas alpha and CG beta subunits were rapidly and quantitatively secreted, only 10% of newly synthesized LH beta subunit reached the medium. The remaining subunit was found in an intracellular, endoglycosidase H (endo H)-sensitive pool that had a turnover rate of approximately 8 h. Coexpression with alpha subunit resulted in "rescue" of LH beta subunit by formation of LH dimer, which was efficiently secreted. However, combination of LH beta with alpha was slow, with an overall efficiency of only 50% despite the presence of excess alpha. In contrast, CG beta was rapidly assembled with the alpha subunit after synthesis. The two beta subunits also differed in their influence on the N-linked oligosaccharide processing of combined alpha. The oligosaccharides of LH dimer were endo H resistant, while those of CG dimer remained partially endo H sensitive. Thus, despite a high degree of homology between LH beta and CG beta, the two subunits differ in their secretion as free subunits, their rate of assembly with alpha subunit, and in their effect on the N-linked oligosaccharide processing of combined alpha.     

Thymidylate synthetase from Escherichia coli K12. Purification, and dependence of kinetic properties on sugar conformation and size of the 2' substituent.

Thymidylate synthetase from Escherichia coli K12 has been purified 3600-fold by a series of chromatographic procedures. The final preparation had a specific activity of 1.47 units/mg protein and was approximately 80% pure. The enzyme is a dimer of relative molecular mass, Mr, 64000 composed of two subunits of Mr 32,000 each. Its isoelectric point is 4.7 and it is stimulated by Mg2+. Michaelis constants for (+)5,10-methylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate [(+)CH2H4folate] were 0.014 mM in the case of methylation of 2'-deoxyuridine-5'-phosphate (dUMP) and 0.55 mM when it served as methyl-group donor for 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-phosphate (dUflMP); the corresponding Km values for dUMP and dUflMP were 0.01 mM and 0.11 mM, respectively. The activation energies for the two reactions were found to be 72.8 kJ/mol (methylation of dUMP) and 66.1 kJ/mol (methylation of dUflMP). The data support a recognition mechanism between thymidylate synthetase and that fraction of the nucleotide the sugar moiety of which is in the 2'-endo-3'-exo conformation.     

Mitochondrially synthesized protein subunits of the yeast mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase. A reassessment

Evidence is presented that a mitochondrial translation product (Mr, 32,000) previously thought to be a subunit of the membrane sector of the yeast mitochondrial ATPase is a contaminant, consisting of subunit II of the cytochrome oxidase complex and cytochrome b apoprotein. Our data suggest that only two subunits (Mr, 7600 and 20,000) of the mitochondrial ATPase are synthesized in the mitochondria.