Effect of ascorbic acid on the production of singlet oxygen by purified human myeloperoxidase

We have previously studied purified human myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide ion systems as models of possible singlet oxygen production by granulocytes. While myeloperoxidase could efficiently produce singlet oxygen, the yield of singlet oxygen at a physiological pH with Cl- was very small due to enzyme inactivation. In that Bolscher et al. [(1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 784, 189-191] observed that micromolar concentrations of ascorbic acid prevented inactivation of myeloperoxidase and increased the production of hypochlorous acid, we examined whether ascorbic acid would augment singlet oxygen production by the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide ion systems. Ascorbic acid, however, fails to increase the singlet oxygen yield, suggesting that it does not augment singlet oxygen production in the intact granulocyte by a myeloperoxidase-dependent mechanism.     

Differential effects of flavonols on inactivation of alpha1-antitrypsin induced by hypohalous acids and the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system

Alpha1-antitrypsin is well known for its ability to inhibit human neutrophil elastase. Pretreatment of alpha1-antitrypsin with hypohalous acids HOCl and HOBr as well as with the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride (or bromide) system inactivated this proteinase. The flavonols rutin, quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol inhibited the inactivation of alpha1-antitrypsin by HOCl and HOBr with rutin having the most pronounced effect. In contrast, these flavonols did not remove the proteinase inactivation by the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system. Taurine did not protect against the inactivation of alpha1-antitrypsin by HOCl, HOBr, or the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system, while methionine was efficient in all systems. A close association between myeloperoxidase and alpha1-antitrypsin was revealed by native gel electrophoresis and in-gel peroxidase staining. In addition, alpha1-antitrypsin binds to the myeloperoxidase components transferred after SDS-PAGE on a blotting membrane. With this complex formation, myeloperoxidase overcomes the natural antioxidative protective system of plasma and prevents the inactivation of alpha1-antitrypsin.     

Thiocyanate is the major substrate for eosinophil peroxidase in physiologic fluids. Implications for cytotoxicity

The potent cytotoxic capacity of eosinophils for parasites and host tissue has in part been attributed to the catalytic action of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), which preferentially oxidizes Br- to the powerful bleaching oxidant HOBr in buffers that mimic serum halide composition (100 mM Cl-, 20-100 microM Br-, less than 1 microM I-). However, serum also contains 20-120 microM SCN-, a pseudohalide whose peroxidative product, HOSCN, is a weak, primarily sulfhydryl-reactive oxidant. Because of its relative abundance and high oxidation potential, we hypothesized that SCN-, not Br- or I-, is the major substrate for EPO in physiologic fluids. We find that in Earle's buffer (100 mM Cl-) supplemented with 100 microM Br- and varying concentrations of SCN-, HOBr production by activated eosinophils and purified EPO, assayed by conversion of fluorescein to dibromofluorescein, was 50% inhibited (ID50) by only 1 microM SCN-. SCN- also blocked (ID50 10 microM) EPO oxidation of I- to HOI, assayed as iodofluorescein, despite the presence of 100 microM (i.e. grossly supraphysiologic) I-. Thionitrobenzoic acid oxidation kinetics indicate that SCN- is the initial species oxidized by EPO in equimolar mixtures of SCN- and Br- and in human serum. EPO also catalyzed the covalent incorporation of [14C]SCN- into proteins in buffers regardless of Br- concentration and in human serum. Comparing the cytotoxicity of HOSCN and HOBr for host cells, we find that even subphysiologic concentrations of SCN- (3.3-10 microM) nearly completely abrogate the potent Br(-)-dependent toxicity of EPO for 51Cr-labeled aortic endothelial cells and isolated working rat hearts, recently developed models of eosinophilic endocarditis. Thus, HOSCN, hitherto best known as a bacteriostatic agent in saliva and milk, is likely also the major oxidant produced by EPO in physiologic fluids, and the presence of SCN- averts damage to EPO-coated host tissues that might otherwise accrue as a result of HOBr generation. In view of these findings, the potential role of HOSCN in eosinophil killing of parasitic pathogens deserves close examination.     

Thiocyanate catalyzes myeloperoxidase-initiated lipid oxidation in LDL

There is evidence that LDL oxidation may render the lipoprotein atherogenic. The myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide (MPO/H2O2) system of activated phagocytes may be involved in this process. Chloride is supposed to be the major substrate for MPO, generating reactive hypochlorous acid (HOCl), modifying LDL. The pseudo-halide thiocyanate (SCN-) has been shown to be a suitable substrate for MPO, forming reactive HOSCN/SCN*. As relatively abundant levels of SCN- are found in plasma of smokers--a well-known risk group for cardiovascular disease--the ability of SCN- to act as a catalyst of LDL atherogenic modification by MPO/H2O2 was tested. Measurement of conjugated diene and lipid hydroperoxide formation in LDL preparations exposed to MPO/H2O2 revealed that SCN- catalyzed lipid oxidation in LDL. Chloride did not diminish the effect of SCN- on lipid oxidation. Surprisingly, SCN inhibited the HOCl-mediated apoprotein modification in LDL. Nitrite--recently found to be a substrate for MPO--showed some competing properties. MPO-mediated lipid oxidation was inhibited by heme poisons (azide, cyanide) and catalase. Ascorbic acid was the most effective compound in inhibiting the SCN- -catalyzed reaction. Bilirubin showed some action, whereas tocopherol was ineffective. When LDL oxidation was performed with activated human neutrophils, which employ the MPO pathway, SCN- catalyzed the cell-mediated LDL oxidation. The MPO/H2O2/SCN- system may have the potential to play a significant role in the oxidative modification of LDL--an observation further pointing to the link between the long-recognized risk factors of atherosclerosis: elevated levels of LDL and smoking.     

Anion binding to neutral and positively charged lipid membranes

Aqueous anion binding to bilayer membranes consisting of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) was investigated by using deuterium and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Only those anions that exhibit chaotropic properties showed significant binding to POPC membranes. A detailed investigation of thiocyanate binding to neutral POPC and to positively charged mixed POPC/dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DHDMAB) (8:2 mol/mol) membranes revealed changes in the 2H NMR quadrupole splittings from POPC specifically deuteriated at either the alpha-segment or the beta-segment of the choline head group which were consistent with a progressive accumulation of excess negative charge at the membrane surface with increasing SCN- concentration. Both the 2H and 31P NMR spectra indicated the presence of fluid lipids in a bilayer configuration up to at least 1.0 M NaSCN with no indication of any phase separation of lipid domains. Calibration of the relationship between the change in the 2H NMR quadrupole splitting and the amount of SCN- binding provided thiocyanate binding isotherms. At a given SCN- concentration the positively charged membranes bound levels of SCN- 3 times that of the neutral membranes. The binding isotherms were analyzed by considering both the electrostatic and the chemical equilibrium contributions to SCN- binding. Electrostatic considerations were accounted for by using the Gouy-Chapman theory. For 100% POPC membranes as well as for mixed POPC/DHDMAB (8:2 mol/mol) membranes the thiocyanate binding up to concentrations of 100 mM was characterized by a partition equilibrium with an association constant of K approximately 1.4 +/- 0.3 M-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Human neutrophils use the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system to chlorinate but not nitrate bacterial proteins during phagocytosis

The generation of extracellular oxidants by neutrophils has been widely investigated, but knowledge about the chemical reactions that occur in the phagolysosome, the cellular compartment that kills pathogens, is more limited. One important pathway may involve the production of potent halogenating agents such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl) by the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system. However, explorations of the oxidation chemistry of phagolysosomes have been hampered by the organelle's inaccessibility. To overcome this limitation, we recovered Escherichia coli that had been internalized by human neutrophils. We then analyzed the bacterial proteins for 3-chlorotyrosine, a stable marker of damage by HOCl. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed that levels of 3-chlorotyrosine in E. coli proteins increased markedly after the bacteria were internalized by human neutrophils. This increase failed to occur in E. coli exposed to neutrophils deficient in NADPH oxidase or myeloperoxidase, implicating H(2)O(2) and myeloperoxidase in the halogenation reaction. The extent of protein chlorination by normal neutrophils paralleled bacterial killing. Our observations support the view that the phagolysosome of human neutrophils uses the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system to chlorinate bacterial proteins. In striking contrast, human neutrophils failed to nitrate bacterial proteins unless the medium was supplemented with 1 mm nitrite, and the level of nitration was low. Protein chlorination associated with bacterial killing was unaffected by the presence of nitrite in the medium. Nitration required NADPH oxidase but appeared to be independent of myeloperoxidase, suggesting that neutrophils can nitrate proteins through a pathway that requires nitrite but is independent of myeloperoxidase.     

A novel member of the integrin receptor family mediates Arg-Gly-Asp- stimulated neutrophil phagocytosis

Human neutrophils (PMN) express a heterodimeric receptor that has ligand binding specificity for the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence within many adhesive proteins. A monoclonal antibody, B6H12, which binds to this receptor, inhibits both RGD-mediated ligand binding and stimulation of IgG-mediated phagocytosis by fibronectin, fibrinogen, vitronectin, von Willebrand's factor, and collagen type IV. By several criteria this receptor is neither a known very late antigen, a known cytoadhesin (gp IIb/IIIa-vitronectin receptor), nor a member of the LFA-1, Mac-1, p150,95 group of integrin receptors. Ligand binding via this receptor is rapidly inactivated by products of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system of PMN. We conclude that this receptor, for which we propose the name leukocyte response integrin, is a signal-transducing molecule on PMN which may have a significant early role in modulation of PMN function at inflammatory sites.     

The bactericidal effects of the respiratory burst and the myeloperoxidase system isolated in neutrophil cytoplasts

Neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes kill bacteria by oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent mechanisms. Many potentially toxic mechanisms have been described, but the complexity of the phagosomal environment and the synergy between oxidative and non-oxidative systems hamper the investigation of individual bactericidal mechanism in whole cells. Neutrophil cytoplasts are greatly depleted of granule proteins and permit the investigation of the bactericidal effects of the respiratory burst in isolation. In this study they have been used to examine the role of the respiratory burst and myeloperoxidase in oxygen-dependent killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Cytoplasts generated oxygen radicals at comparable rates to human neutrophils and phagocytosed but did not kill S. aureus. The selective reconstitution of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system by coating bacteria with myeloperoxidase conferred on cytoplasts the ability to kill intracellular bacteria. However, extracellular killing by diffusible bactericidal factors was not detected in this system.     

Lysis of Streptococcus mutans by hen egg white lysozyme and inorganic sodium salts.

Streptococcus mutans BHT was grown in a synthetic medium containing radioactive thymidine to monitor deoxyribonucleic acid release. Kinetic experiments demonstrated that although lysozyme alone could not liberate deoxyribonucleic acid, cellular deoxyribonucleic acid was liberated from lysozyme-treated cells by addition of low concentrations of inorganic sodium salts. When the salts were tested for their ability to dislodge cell-bound tritiated lysozyme, the extent of the initial release of enzyme by individual anions correlated with the anion potency for deoxyribonucleic acid liberation (SCN- greater than ClO4- greater than I- greater than Br- greater than NO3- greater than Cl- greater than F-), although the total amount of lysozyme dislodged did not correspond directly with cell lysis. Differences in the effectiveness of anions (SCN-, HCO3-, Cl- and F-) in potentiating cell lysis could be enhanced or minimized by varying the lysozyme, anion, and bacterial cell concentrations. As the anion concentration was increased for each enzyme concentration and cell concentration, the lysis increased, in some cases markedly, until maximum levels of released deoxyribonucleic acid were attained. The maximum levels of lysis of SCN- and HCO3- were similar and were greater than those for Cl- and F-. In addition, the maximum levels were observed to increase for each of the anions as the concentration of lysozyme increased.     

Effects of hypochlorous acid on unsaturated phosphatidylcholines.

Effects of hypochlorous acid and of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system on mono- and polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines were analyzed by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Chlorohydrins and glycols were detected as main products according to the characteristic shift of molecular masses. Mainly mono-chlorohydrins result upon the incubation of HOCl/(-)OCl with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, whereas only traces of mono-glycols were detected. 1-Palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine yielded a complex mixture of products. Mono-chlorohydrins and glycols dominated only at short incubation, while bis-chlorohydrins as well as products containing one chlorohydrin and one glycol moiety appeared after longer incubation. Similarly, a complex product mixture resulted upon incubation of 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine with hypochlorous acid. Additionally, tris-chlorohydrins, products with two chlorohydrin and one glycol moiety, as well as lysophosphatidylcholines and fragmentation products of the arachidonoyl side chain were detectable. Mono-chlorohydrins of 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine were detected after the incubation of the latter phospholipid with the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system at pH 6.0. These chlorohydrins were not observed in the absence of chloride, hydrogen peroxide, or myeloperoxidase as well as in the presence of methionine, taurine, or sodium azide. Thus, mono-chlorohydrins in 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine produced by hypochlorous acid from the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system can also be detected by means of MALDI-TOF MS.     

Investigation of anion binding to neutral lipid membranes using 2H NMR.

The binding of aqueous anions (ClO4-, SCN-, I-, and NO3-) to lipid bilayer membranes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) was investigated using deuterium (2H) and phosphorus-31 (31P) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The ability of these anions to influence the 2H NMR quadrupole splittings of POPC, specifically labeled at the alpha or beta position of the choline head group, increased in the order NO3- much less than I- less than SCN- less than ClO4-. In the presence of these chaotropic anions, the quadrupole splitting increased for alpha-deuterated POPC and decreased for beta-deuterated POPC, indicating a progressive accumulation of negative charge at the membrane surface. Calibration of the 2H NMR quadrupole splittings with the amount of membrane-bound anion permitted binding isotherms to be generated for perchlorate, thiocyanate, and iodide, up to concentrations of 100 mM. The binding isotherms were analyzed by considering electrostatic contributions, according to the Gouy-Chapman theory, as well as chemical equilibrium contributions. For neutral POPC membranes, we obtained ion association constants of 32, 80, and 115 M-1 for iodide, thiocyanate, and perchlorate, respectively. These values increase in the order expected for a Hofmeister series of anions. We conclude that the factor determining whether a particular anion will bind to lipid bilayers is the ease with which that anion loses its hydration shell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Linoleic acid hydroperoxide favours hypochlorite- and myeloperoxidase-induced lipid peroxidation

Liposomes composed of soybean phosphatidylcholine were peroxidized using the reagent sodium hypochlorite or the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-Cl^- system. Linoleic acid hydroperoxide previously prepared from linoleic acid by means of lipoxidase was incorporated into liposomes. The yield of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) continuously increased with higher amounts of hydroperoxide groups after the initiation of lipid peroxidation by hypochlorous acid producing systems. The accumulation of TBARS was inhibited by scavengers of free radicals such as butylated hydroxytoluene and by the scavengers of hypochlorous acid, taurine and methionine. Lipid peroxidation was also prevented by sodium azide or chloride free medium in the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-Cl^- system. Here we show for the first time that the reaction of hypochlorous acid with a biologically relevant hydroperoxide yields free radicals able to cause further oxidation of lipid molecules.     

Myeloperoxidase-catalyzed inactivation of alpha 1-protease inhibitor by human neutrophils

We have examined the effect of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system and of activated human neutrophils on the ability of serum alpha 1-protease inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) to bind and inhibit porcine pancreatic elastase. Exposure to the isolated myeloperoxidase system resulted in nearly complete inactivation of alpha 1-PI. Inactivation was rapid (10 to 20 s); required active myeloperoxidase, micromolar concentrations of H2O2 (or glucose oxidase as a peroxide generator), and a halide cofactor (Cl- or I-); and was blocked by azide, cyanide, and catalase. Intact neutrophils similarly inactivated alpha 1-PI over the course of 5 to 10 min. Inactivation required the neutrophils, a halide (Cl-), and a phorbol ester to activate secretory and metabolic activity. It was inhibited by azide, cyanide, and catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase. Neutrophils with absent myeloperoxidase or impaired oxidative metabolism (chronic granulomatous disease) failed to inactivate alpha 1-PI, and these defects were specifically corrected by the addition of myeloperoxidase or H2O2, respectively. Thus, stimulated neutrophils secrete myeloperoxidase and H2O2 which combine with a halide to inactivate alpha 1-PI. We suggest that leukocyte-derived oxidants, especially the myeloperoxidase system, may contribute to proteolytic tissue injury, for example in elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema, by oxidative inactivation of protective antiproteases.     

Biological half-life of bromide in the rat depends primarily on the magnitude of sodium intake

The parallel course of the excretion rates of bromide and sodium ions was demonstrated in adult male and female rats administered simultaneously with potassium 82Br-bromide and 24Na-sodium chloride. The animals were exposed to various intakes of sodium ions accompanied with five different anions: Br-, Cl-, HCO3-, ClO4-, and SCN-. Regardless of the anion accompanying the sodium ion, the excretion rates of 82Br- and 24Na+ ions were proportional to the magnitude of sodium intake in the animals. Hence, we have proved our hypothesis that the biological half-life of bromide depends on the magnitude of sodium intake rather than on the intake of chloride.     

Anion binding properties of human serum albumin from halide ion quadrupole relaxation.

The nuclear magnetic quadrupole relaxation enhancement of 35Cl-, 81Br-, and 12I- anions on binding to human serum albumin has been studied under conditions of variable protein and anion concentration and also in the presence of simple inorganic, amphiphilic, and complex anions which compete with the halide ions for the protein anion binding sites. Two classes of anion binding sites with greatly different binding constans were identified. Experiments at variable halide ion concentration were employed to determin the Cl- and I- binding constants. By means of 35 Cl nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) the relative affinity for different anions was determined by competition experiments for both the strong and the weak anion binding sites. Anion binding follows the sequence SO42- smaller than F- smaller than CH3COO- smaller than Ci- smaller Br- smaller than NO3- smaller than I- smaller than ClO4- smaller than SCN- smaller than Pt(CN)42- smaller than Au(CN)2- smaller than CH3(CH2)11OSO3- for the high affinity sites, and the sequence SO42- congruent to F- congruent to Cl- smaller CH3COO- smaller than NO3- smaller than Br- smaller than I- smaller than ClO4- smaller than SCN- for the low affinity sites. These series are nearly identical with the well-known lyotropic series. Consequently, those effects of anions on proteins described by the lyotropic series can be correlated with the affinities of the anions for binding to the protein. The data suggest that the physical nature of the interaction is the same for both types of biding sites, and that the differences in affinity between different binding sites must be explained in terms of tertiary structure. Analogous experiments performed using 127I- quadrupole relaxation gave results very similar to those obtained with 35Cl-. A comparison between the Cl-, Br- and I- ions revealed that, as a result of the increasing affinity for the weak anion binding sites in the series Cl- smaller than Br- smaller than I-, Cl- is much more useful as a probe for the specific anion binding sites than the other two halide ions. The findings with human serum albumin in this and other respects are probably of general relevance in studies of protein-anion interactions. In addition to competition experiments, the magnitude of the relaxation rate is also discussed. Line broadening not related to anion binding to the protein is found to be small. A comparison of transverse and longitudinal 35Cl relaxation rates gives a value for the quadrupole coupling constant of the high affinity sites in good agreement with a calculated coupling constant assuming anion binding to arginine.     

A cyclic GMP-dependent calcium-activated chloride current in smooth-muscle cells from rat mesenteric resistance arteries

We have previously demonstrated the presence of a cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent calcium-activated inward current in vascular smooth-muscle cells, and suggested this to be of importance in synchronizing smooth-muscle contraction. Here we demonstrate the characteristics of this current. Using conventional patch-clamp technique, whole-cell currents were evoked in freshly isolated smooth-muscle cells from rat mesenteric resistance arteries by elevation of intracellular calcium with either 10 mM caffeine, 1 microM BAY K8644, 0.4 microM ionomycin, or by high calcium concentration (900 nM) in the pipette solution. The current was found to be a calcium-activated chloride current with an absolute requirement for cyclic GMP (EC50 6.4 microM). The current could be activated by the constitutively active subunit of PKG. Current activation was blocked by the protein kinase G antagonist Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMP or with a peptide inhibitor of PKG, or with the nonhydrolysable ATP analogue AMP-PNP. Under biionic conditions, the anion permeability sequence of the channel was SCN- > Br- > I- > Cl- > acetate > F- > aspartate, but the conductance sequence was I- > Br- > Cl- > acetate > F- > aspartate = SCN-. The current had no voltage or time dependence. It was inhibited by nickel and zinc ions in the micromolar range, but was unaffected by cobalt and had a low sensitivity to inhibition by the chloride channel blockers niflumic acid, DIDS, and IAA-94. The properties of this current in mesenteric artery smooth-muscle cells differed from those of the calcium-activated chloride current in pulmonary myocytes, which was cGMP-independent, exhibited a high sensitivity to inhibition by niflumic acid, was unaffected by zinc ions, and showed outward current rectification as has previously been reported for this current. Under conditions of high calcium in the patch-pipette solution, a current similar to the latter could be identified also in the mesenteric artery smooth-muscle cells. We conclude that smooth-muscle cells from rat mesenteric resistance arteries have a novel cGMP-dependent calcium-activated chloride current, which is activated by intracellular calcium release and which has characteristics distinct from other calcium-activated chloride currents.     

Implication of tryptophan and tyrosine in the binding of p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside by concanavalin A. A radiolytic study.

Equilibrium dialysis has been used to study the effects of 60Co gamma-radiolysis on the carbohydrate binding site of Con A. Reaction of eaq- and OH. with Con A is accompanied by a decrease in the number of binding sites. Modification of the binding site by (Br)2- is independent of the initial concentration of Br-. Reaction of (SCN)2- with the protein, however, is dependent on the initial SCN- concentration. The results imply that tryptophan and possibly tyrosine are probably involved in the carbohydrate binding process.     

Characterization of a cyclic AMP-activated Cl-transport pathway in the apical membrane of a human colonic epithelial cell line

This report describes a Cl- transport pathway in confluent monolayer cultures of the T84 human colonic carcinoma cell line which is: 1) activated by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, or other agents which induce or mimic cAMP; 2) independent of extracellular Na+ or K+; 3) refractory to inhibition by 0.1 mM bumetanide and 1 mM 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,-2'-disulfonic acid; 4) competitively inhibited by NO3-, I-, SCN-, and Br-; 5) inhibited in a noncompetitive-complex manner by the putative Cl- channel-blocking agent, N-phenylanthranilic acid; and 6) localized to the apical membrane of confluent monolayers. This Cl- transport system is, therefore, distinct from the bumetanide-sensitive, basolateral membrane-localized, Na+, K+, Cl- cotransport system previously described in these cells (Dharmsathaphorn, K., Mandel, K., Masui, H., and McRoberts, J.A. (1985) J. Clin. Invest. 75, 462-471). Kinetic studies revealed that Cl- transport by this pathway fit simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with an apparent Km for Cl- of about 6 mM. Activation by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide increased the Vmax but did not alter the apparent Km. We discuss the possibility that this transport system is a Cl- channel which is intimately involved in hormonally mediated, electrogenic Cl- secretion across T84 cell monolayers.     

Influence of protein conformation on its adaptability under chaotropic conditions

The thermostability of serum albumin and beta-lactoglobulin in various salt solutions was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Below 1.0 M salt concentrations, the relative effectiveness of various sodium salts on increasing the thermostability of beta-lactoglobulin followed the classic Hofmeister or lyotropic series, i.e. SO2-(4) greater than Cl- greater than Br- greater than ClO-4 greater than SCN-; however, in the case of serum albumin the above order was reversed, i.e. ClO-4 greater than SCN- greater than Br- greater than Cl- greater than SO2-(4), indicating that the thermostability of serum albumin was higher in chaotropic solution conditions. Circular dichroic analysis of serum albumin in NaClO4 solutions revealed that the alpha-helical content of the protein increased from 59% to 73% in 1.0 M NaClO4; no similar increase in secondary structure was observed for beta-lactoglobulin. These observations contradicted the general notion that the chaotropic effect of neutral salts on the stability of macromolecules is independent of any details of the macromolecular conformation itself. The results presented here indicate that the predisposition of the native conformation of a protein per se might affect whether the protein would undergo stabilization or destabilization (i.e. conformational adaptability) under moderate chaotropic solution conditions.