Characterization of Choristoneura fumiferana genes of the sixth subunit of the origin recognition complex: CfORC6

A new protein was cloned and identified as the sixth subunit of Choristoneura fumiferana origin recognition complex (CfORC6). The newly identified 43 kDa protein CfORC6 is much bigger than DmORC6 (25.7 kDa) and HsORC6 (28.1 kDa), though itos 23.85% identical to DmORC6 and 23.81% identical to HsORC6. Although the molecular weight of CfORC6 is close to ScORc6 (50 kDa), CfORC6 is only 14.03% identical to ScORC6. By alignment, it was found that the N-terminal of CfORC6 has about 30% identities with other ORC6s, but about 100aa of C-terminal of CfORC6 has no identity with other ORC6s. Like ScORC6, CfORC6 has many potential phosphorylation sites, (S/T)PXK. Like DmORC6, CfORC6 has leucine-rich region in the relevant site. Northern Blot showed that CfORC6 mRNA is about 2,000nt. Southern Blot confirmed that there is one copy of CfORC6 gene in spruce budworm genome. Western blot showed that infection of Cf124T cells with CfMNPV didnot affect the expression levels of CfORC6, at least up to 26 hr post infection.     

Biosynthesis of brassinosteroids in cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus

Precursor administration experiments with 2H-labeled 6-oxocampestanol, 6-deoxocastasterone and 6alpha-hydroxycastasterone in cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus were performed and the metabolites were analyzed by GC-MS. [2H6]Cathasterone was identified as a metabolite of [2H6]6-oxocampestanol, whereas [2H6]6alpha-hydroxycastasterone and [2H6]castasterone were identified as metabolites of [2H6]6-deoxocastasterone, and [2H6]castasterone was identified as a metabolite of [2H6]6alpha-hydroxycastasterone, indicating that 6-deoxocastasterone is converted to castasterone via 6alpha-hydroxycastasterone. In addition, 6-deoxocathasterone, a putative biosynthetic intermediate in the late C6-oxidation pathway, was identified as an endogenous brassinosteroid. These studies provide further evidence supporting our proposed biosynthetic pathways for brassinolide.     

Metabolism of 6-nitrochrysene by intestinal microflora.

Since bacterial nitroreduction may play a critical role in the activation of nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, we have used batch and semicontinuous culture systems to determine the ability of intestinal microflora to metabolize the carcinogen 6-nitrochrysene (6-NC). 6-NC was metabolized by the intestinal microflora present in the semicontinuous culture system to 6-aminochrysene (6-AC), N-formyl-6-aminochrysene (6-FAC), and 6-nitrosochrysene (6-NOC). These metabolites were isolated and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and UV-visible spectrophotometry and compared with authentic compounds. Almost all of the 6-NC was metabolized after 10 days. Nitroreduction of 6-NC to 6-AC was rapid; the 6-AC concentration reached a maximum at 48 h. The ratio of the formation of 6-AC to 6-FAC to 6-NOC at 48 h was 93.4:6.3:0.3. Interestingly, compared with results in the semicontinuous culture system, the only metabolite detected in the batch studies was 6-AC. The rate of nitroreduction differed among human, rat, and mouse intestinal microflora, with human intestinal microflora metabolizing 6-NC to the greatest extent. Since 6-AC has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice and since nitroso derivatives of other nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are biologically active, our results suggest that the intestinal microflora has the enzymatic capacity to generate genotoxic compounds and may play an important role in the carcinogenicity of 6-NC.     

Metabolism of 6-nitrochrysene by intestinal microflora

Since bacterial nitroreduction may play a critical role in the activation of nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, we have used batch and semicontinuous culture systems to determine the ability of intestinal microflora to metabolize the carcinogen 6-nitrochrysene (6-NC). 6-NC was metabolized by the intestinal microflora present in the semicontinuous culture system to 6-aminochrysene (6-AC), N-formyl-6-aminochrysene (6-FAC), and 6-nitrosochrysene (6-NOC). These metabolites were isolated and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and UV-visible spectrophotometry and compared with authentic compounds. Almost all of the 6-NC was metabolized after 10 days. Nitroreduction of 6-NC to 6-AC was rapid; the 6-AC concentration reached a maximum at 48 h. The ratio of the formation of 6-AC to 6-FAC to 6-NOC at 48 h was 93.4:6.3:0.3. Interestingly, compared with results in the semicontinuous culture system, the only metabolite detected in the batch studies was 6-AC. The rate of nitroreduction differed among human, rat, and mouse intestinal microflora, with human intestinal microflora metabolizing 6-NC to the greatest extent. Since 6-AC has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice and since nitroso derivatives of other nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are biologically active, our results suggest that the intestinal microflora has the enzymatic capacity to generate genotoxic compounds and may play an important role in the carcinogenicity of 6-NC.     

Characterization of the heparin-binding properties of IL-6

We establish, using an ELISA approach, that recombinant human and murine IL-6 bind to an immobilized heparin-BSA complex. In the case of human IL-6, this binding is displaceable by soluble heparin, IC(50) approximately 2 microg/ml, corresponding to approximately 200 nM. This binding is specific because chondroitin sulfates B and C fail to compete, whereas chondroitin sulfate A and several heparan sulfates are weak inhibitors. Of a range of chemically modified heparins examined, the strongest competitor was the 2-O:-desulfated product, but even this showed a considerably reduced IC(50) ( approximately 30 microg/ml). The epitopes of five IL-6-specific mAbs were still accessible in heparin-bound IL-6, and the dimer formed from the association of rIL-6 with its truncated soluble receptor polypeptide, srIL-6alpha, still bound to heparin. Further analysis showed that heparin competed partially and weakly with the binding of srIL-6 to IL-6; however, it competed strongly for the binding of the rIL-6/srIL-6Ralpha dimer, to soluble glycoprotein 130. In studies of the proliferation of IL-6-sensitive Ba/F3 cells expressing glycoprotein 130, we were unable to detect any effect of either the removal of cell surface heparan sulfate, or addition of soluble heparin. By contrast, heparin was able to protect IL-6 from digestion by the bacterial endoproteinase Lys-C. Overall, our findings show that IL-6 is a heparin-binding cytokine. This interaction will tend to retain IL-6 close to its sites of secretion in the tissues by binding to heparin-like glycosaminoglycans, thus favoring a paracrine mode of activity. Moreover, this binding may serve to protect the IL-6 from proteolytic degradation.     

Effect of IL-6 trans-signaling on the pro-remodeling phenotype of airway smooth muscle

Increased levels of IL-6 are documented in asthma, but its contribution to the pathology is unknown. Asthma is characterized by airway wall thickening due to increased extracellular matrix deposition, inflammation, angiogenesis, and airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass. IL-6 binds to a specific membrane-bound receptor, IL-6 receptor-alpha (mIL-6Ralpha), and subsequently to the signaling protein gp130. Alternatively, IL-6 can bind to soluble IL-6 recpetor-alpha (sIL-6Ralpha) to stimulate membrane receptor-deficient cells, a process called trans-signaling. We discovered that primary human ASM cells do not express mIL-6Ralpha and, therefore, investigated the effect of IL-6 trans-signaling on the pro-remodeling phenotype of ASM. ASM required sIL-6Ralpha to activate signal transducer and activator 3, with no differences observed between cells from asthmatic subjects compared with controls. Further analysis revealed that IL-6 alone or with sIL-6Ralpha did not induce release of matrix-stimulating factors (including connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin, or integrins) and had no effect on mast cell adhesion to ASM or ASM proliferation. However, in the presence of sIL-6Ralpha, IL-6 increased eotaxin and VEGF release and may thereby contribute to local inflammation and vessel expansion in airway walls of asthmatic subjects. As levels of sIL-6Ralpha are increased in asthma, this demonstration of IL-6 trans-signaling in ASM has relevance to the development of airway remodeling.     

Evolutionary genetics of the capsular locus of serogroup 6 pneumococci

The evolution of the capsular biosynthetic (cps) locus of serogroup 6 Streptococcus pneumoniae was investigated by analyzing sequence variation within three serotype-specific cps genes from 102 serotype 6A and 6B isolates. Sequence variation within these cps genes was related to the genetic relatedness of the isolates, determined by multilocus sequence typing, and to the inferred patterns of recent evolutionary descent, explored using the eBURST algorithm. The serotype-specific cps genes had a low percent G+C, and there was a low level of sequence diversity in this region among serotype 6A and 6B isolates. There was also little sequence divergence between these serotypes, suggesting a single introduction of an ancestral cps sequence, followed by slight divergence to create serotypes 6A and 6B. A minority of serotype 6B isolates had cps sequences (class 2 sequences) that were approximately 5% divergent from those of other serotype 6B isolates (class 1 sequences) and which may have arisen by a second, more recent introduction from a related but distinct source. Expression of a serotype 6A or 6B capsule correlated perfectly with a single nonsynonymous polymorphism within wciP, the rhamnosyl transferase gene. In addition to ample evidence of the horizontal transfer of the serotype 6A and 6B cps locus into unrelated lineages, there was evidence for relatively frequent changes from serotype 6A to 6B, and vice versa, among very closely related isolates and examples of recent recombinational events between class 1 and 2 cps serogroup 6 sequences.     

The molecular basis of type 1 glycogen storage diseases

Glycogen storage disease type 1 (GSD-1), also known as von Gierke disease, is a group of autosomal recessive metabolic disorders caused by deficiencies in the activity of the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) system that consists of at least two membrane proteins, glucose-6-phosphate transporter (G6PT) and G6Pase. G6PT translocates glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) from cytoplasm to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and G6Pase catalyzes the hydrolysis of G6P to produce glucose and phosphate. Therefore, G6PT and G6Pase work in concert to maintain glucose homeostasis. Deficiencies in G6Pase and G6PT cause GSD-1a and GSD-1b, respectively. Both manifest functional G6Pase deficiency characterized by growth retardation, hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, kidney enlargement, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and lactic acidemia. GSD-1b patients also suffer from chronic neutropenia and functional deficiencies of neutrophils and monocytes, resulting in recurrent bacterial infections as well as ulceration of the oral and intestinal mucosa. The G6Pase gene maps to chromosome 17q21 and encodes a 36-kDa glycoprotein that is anchored to the ER by 9 transmembrane helices with its active site facing the lumen. Animal models of GSD-1a have been developed and are being exploited to delineate the disease more precisely and to develop new therapies. The G6PT gene maps to chromosome 11q23 and encodes a 37-kDa protein that is anchored to the ER by 10 transmembrane helices. A functional assay for the recombinant G6PT protein has been established, which showed that G6PT functions as a G6P transporter in the absence of G6Pase. However, microsomal G6P uptake activity was markedly enhanced in the simultaneous presence of G6PT and G6Pase. The cloning of the G6PT gene now permits animal models of GSD-1b to be generated. These recent developments are increasing our understanding of the GSD-l disorders and the G6Pase system, knowledge that will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches for these disorders.     

Effect of substitution at C-6 on the susceptibility of pullulan to pullulanases. Enzymatic degradation of modified pullulans.

Pullulan, with all of the primary hydroxyl groups modified, is an excellent substrate for defining the effect of degree of substitution on biodegradability because of the uniform distribution of substituents on the polysaccharide. 6-Chloro-6-deoxypullulan and 3,6-anhydropullulan are highly resistant to hydrolysis by the four different types of pullulanase. 6-Azido-6-deoxypullulan is resistant to three types but susceptible to hydrolysis by the fourth, isopullulanase. Neopullulanase is strongly inhibited by 6-chloro-6-deoxypullulan and 6-azido-6-deoxypullulan, the other pullulanases much less so.     

Cytoplasmic retention of protein tyrosine kinase 6 promotes growth of prostate tumor cells

Protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6) is an intracellular tyrosine kinase that is nuclear in epithelial cells of the normal prostate, but cytoplasmic in prostate tumors and in the PC3 prostate tumor cell line. The impact of altered PTK6 intracellular localization in prostate tumor cells has not been extensively explored. Knockdown of endogenous cytoplasmic PTK6 resulted in decreased PC3 cell proliferation and colony formation, suggesting that cytoplasmic PTK6 stimulates oncogenic pathways. In contrast, reintroduction of PTK6 into nuclei of PC3 cells had a negative effect on growth. Enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of the PTK6 substrate Sam68 was detected in cells expressing nuclear-targeted PTK6. We found that mechanisms regulating nuclear localization of PTK6 are intact in PC3 cells. Transiently over-expressed PTK6 readily enters the nucleus. Ectopic expression of ALT-PTK6, a catalytically inactive splice variant of PTK6, did not affect localization of endogenous PTK6 in PC3 cells. Using leptomycin B, we confirmed that cytoplasmic localization of endogenous PTK6 is not due to CRM-1/exportin-1 mediated nuclear export. In addition, over-expression of the PTK6 nuclear substrate Sam68 is not sufficient to bring PTK6 into the nucleus. While exogenous PTK6 was readily detected in the nucleus when transiently expressed at high levels, low-level expression of inducible wild type PTK6 in stable cell lines resulted in its cytoplasmic retention. Our results suggest that retention of PTK6 in the cytoplasm of prostate cancer cells disrupts its ability to regulate nuclear substrates and leads to aberrant growth. In prostate cancer, restoring PTK6 nuclear localization may have therapeutic advantages.     

Regulation of ribosomal S6 kinase 2 by effectors of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway

Ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K1), through phosphorylation of the 40 S ribosomal protein S6 and regulation of 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine tract mRNAs, is an important regulator of cellular translational capacity. S6K1 has also been implicated in regulation of cell size. We have recently identified S6K2, a homolog of S6K1, which phosphorylates S6 in vitro and is regulated by the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways in vivo. Here, we characterize S6K2 regulation by PI3-K signaling intermediates and compare its regulation to that of S6K1. We report that S6K2 is activated similarly to S6K1 by the PI3-K effectors phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1, Cdc42, Rac, and protein kinase Czeta but that S6K2 is more sensitive to basal activation by myristoylated protein kinase Czeta than is S6K1. The C-terminal sequence of S6K2 is divergent from that of S6K1. We find that the S6K2 C terminus plays a greater role in S6K2 regulation than does the S6K1 C terminus by functioning as a potent inhibitor of activation by various agonists. Removal of the S6K2 C terminus results in an enzyme that is hypersensitive to agonist-dependent activation. These data suggest that S6K1 and S6K2 are similarly activated by PI3-K effectors but that sequences unique to S6K2 contribute to stronger inhibition of its kinase activity. Understanding the regulation of the two S6K homologs may provide insight into the physiological roles of these kinases.     

New insights into the organisation and intracellular localisation of the two subunits of glucose-6-phosphatase

Glucose-6 phosphatase (G6Pase), a key enzyme of glucose homeostasis, catalyses the hydrolysis of glucose-6 phosphate (G6P) to glucose and inorganic phosphate. A deficiency in G6Pase activity causes type 1 glycogen storage disease (GSD-1), mainly characterised by hypoglycaemia. Genetic analyses of the two forms of this rare disease have shown that the G6Pase system consists of two proteins, a catalytic subunit (G6PC) responsible for GSD-1a, and a G6P translocase (G6PT), responsible for GSD-1b. However, since their identification, few investigations concerning their structural relationship have been made. In this study, we investigated the localisation and membrane organisation of the G6Pase complex. To this aim, we developed chimera proteins by adding a fluorescent protein to the C-terminal ends of both subunits. The G6PC and G6PT fluorescent chimeras were both addressed to perinuclear membranes as previously suggested, but also to vesicles throughout the cytoplasm. We demonstrated that both proteins strongly colocalised in perinuclear membranes. Then, we studied G6PT organisation in the membrane. We highlighted FRET between the labelled C and N termini of G6PT. The intramolecular FRET of this G6PT chimera was 27%. The coexpression of unlabelled G6PC did not modify this FRET intensity. Finally, the chimera constructs generated in this work enabled us for the first time to analyze the relationship between GSD-1 mutations and the intracellular localisation of both G6Pase subunits. We showed that GSD1 mutations did neither alter the G6PC or G6PT chimera localisation, nor the interaction between G6PT termini. In conclusion, our results provide novel information on the intracellular distribution and organisation of the G6Pase complex.     

Characterization of Six Bacteriophages of Serratia liquefaciens CP6 Isolated from the Sugar Beet Phytosphere

Six phages (ΦCP6-1 to ΦCP6-6) that are commonly found in the phytosphere of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris var. Amethyst) were investigated, and their relative impacts on their host (Serratia liquefaciens CP6) were compared. There were fundamental differences between the two most abundant predators of CP6 (ΦCP6-1 and ΦCP6-4). Like ΦCP6-2 and ΦCP6-5, ΦCP6-1 belonged to the family Siphoviridae, while ΦCP6-4 exhibited the morphology of the family Podoviridae. The other phages were members of the family Myoviridae. DNA-DNA cross-hybridization revealed that ΦCP6-1 and ΦCP6-4 had little common DNA, although all of the other phages exhibited some genetic similarity. Like ΦCP6-2, ΦCP6-3, and ΦCP6-5, ΦCP6-1 was capable of forming a lysogenic association with its host, while ΦCP6-4 and ΦCP6-6 appeared to be entirely virulent. Single-step growth curve experiments revealed that ΦCP6-4 had a much shorter latent period and a smaller burst size than ΦCP6-1. Also, ΦCP6-1 could transduce a number of host chromosomal markers with transfer frequencies of 2.9 × 10⁻⁹ to 3.9 × 10⁻⁷, whereas ΦCP6-4 could not transduce S. liquefaciens CP6 genes. When viewed in the context of the strikingly different temporal niches of these phages, our data provide an insight into how bacteriophage interactions with their hosts might reflect the natural ecology of bacteriophages. Our data also illustrate how the potential for gene transfer changes over time in an environment that supports several different phages.     

Localization of Phosphoglucose Isomerase in Escherichia coli and Its Relation to the Induction of the Hexose Phosphate Transport System

The localization of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) was studied in relation to the induction of hexose phosphate uptake in Escherichia coli. The uptake system is induced only by extracellular glucose-6-phosphate (G6P); there is no induction by intracellular G6P. Fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) is an indirect inducer, and isomerization of F6P to G6P must occur before induction. PGI has been considered to be an internal enzyme; therefore, uptake of F6P by noninduced cells and leakage of the G6P formed would be required for induction. In this study, it was concluded that part of the PGI activity is located in the cell surface because: (i) uninduced, intact cells are able to convert F6P to G6P, whereas the activity of G6P dehydrogenase is not detectable; (ii) when cells are subjected to osmotic shock, about 10% of the PGI activity is found in the shock fluid; and (iii) sorbitol-6-phosphate (S6P) inhibits both PGI activity of whole cells and the induction of hexose phosphate transport system by F6P. S6P was not taken by intact cells. The data indicate that the isomerization of F6P to G6P can take place on the cell surface, and this explains the indirect induction of hexose phosphate transport by F6P.     

Molecular mechanisms for viral mimicry of a human cytokine: activation of gp130 by HHV-8 interleukin-6

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, or HHV-8) encodes a pathogenic viral homologue of human interleukin-6 (IL-6). In contrast to human IL-6 (hIL-6), viral IL-6 (vIL-6) binds directly to, and activates, the shared human cytokine signaling receptor gp130 without the requirement for pre-complexation to a specific alpha-receptor. Here, we dissect the biochemical and functional basis of vIL-6 mimicry of hIL-6. We find that, in addition to the "alpha-receptor-independent" tetrameric vIL-6/gp130 complex, the viral cytokine can engage the human alpha-receptor (IL-6Ralpha) to form a hexameric vIL-6/IL-6Ralpha/gp130 complex with enhanced signaling potency. In contrast to the assembly sequence of the hIL-6 hexamer, the preformed vIL-6/gp130 tetramer can be decorated with IL-6Ralpha, post facto, in a "vIL-6-dependent" fashion. A detailed comparison of the viral and human cytokine/gp130 interfaces indicates that vIL-6 has evolved a unique molecular strategy to interact with gp130, as revealed by an almost entirely divergent structural makeup of its receptor binding sites. Viral IL-6 appears to utilize an elegant combination of both convergent, and unexpectedly divergent, molecular strategies to oligomerize gp130 and activate similar downstream signaling cascades as its human counterpart.     

Reaction and binding of oligodeoxynucleotides containing analogues of O6-methylguanine with wild-type and mutant human O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase.

O6-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) repairs DNA by transferring the methyl group from the 6-position of guanine to a cysteine residue on the protein. We previously found that the Escherichia coli Ada protein makes critical interactions with O6-methylguanine (O6mG) at the N1- and O6-positions. Human AGT has a different specificity than the bacterial protein. We reacted hAGT with double-stranded pentadecadeoxynucleotides containing analogues of O6mG. The second-order rate constants were in the following order (x10(-)5 M-1 s-1): O6mG (1.4), O6-methylhypoxanthine (1.6) > Se6-methyl-6-selenoguanine (0.1) > S6-methyl-6-thioguanine (S6mG) (0.02) > S6-methyl-6-thiohypoxanthine (S6mH), O6-methyl-1-deazaguanine (O6m1DG), O6-methyl-3-deazaguanine (O6m3DG), and O6-methyl-7-deazaguanine (O6m7DG) (all <0.0001). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were carried out to determine the binding affinity to hAGT. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing O6mG, S6mG and O6m3DG bound to AGT in the presence of competitor DNA with Kd values from 5 to 20 microM, while those containing G, S6mH, O6m1DG, and O6m7DG did not (Kd > 200 microM). These results indicate that the 1-, N2-, and 7- positions of O6mG are critical in binding to hAGT, while the 3- and O6-positions are involved in methyl transfer. These results suggest that the active site of ada AGT is more flexible than hAGT and may be the reason ada AGT reacts with O4mT faster than hAGT.     

Detection of direct binding of human herpesvirus 8-encoded interleukin-6 (vIL-6) to both gp130 and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and identification of amino acid residues of vIL-6 important for IL-6R-dependent and -independent signaling

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman's disease; in all of these diseases, interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated as a likely mitogenic and/or angiogenic factor. HHV-8 encodes a homologue of IL-6 (viral IL-6 [vIL-6]) that has been shown to be biologically active in several assays and whose activities mirror those of its mammalian counterparts. Like these proteins, vIL-6 mediates its effects through the gp130 signal transducer, but signaling is not dependent on the structurally related IL-6 receptor (IL-6R; gp80) subunit of the receptor-signal transducer complex. However, as we have shown previously, IL-6R can enhance vIL-6 signal transduction and can enable signaling through a gp130 variant (gp130.PM5) that is itself unable to support vIL-6 activity, indicating that IL-6R can form part of the signaling complex. Also, our analysis of a panel of vIL-6 mutants in transfection experiments in Hep3B cells (that express IL-6R and gp130) showed that most were able to function normally in this system. Here, we have used in vitro vIL-6-receptor binding assays to demonstrate direct binding of vIL-6 to both gp130 and IL-6R and vIL-6-induced gp130-IL-6R complex formation, and we have extended our functional analyses of the vIL-6 variants to identify residues important for IL-6R-independent and IL-6R-dependent signaling through native gp130 and gp130.PM5, respectively. These studies have identified residues in vIL-6 that are important for IL-6R-independent and IL-6R-mediated functional complex formation between vIL-6 and gp130 and that may be involved directly in binding to gp130 and IL-6R.     

Thyroid hormones and the reactivities of genetic variants of human erythrocytic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Thyroid hormones, throxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which are known to activate glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in vivo act as substrate inhibitors of G6PD in vitro. T4 competitively inhibits NADP in human erythrocyte G6PD variants G6PDA, G6PDB and G6PDA- with inhibition constants of 2.40 +/- 0.90 X 10(-6), 3.44 +/- 0.63 X 10(-6) and 6.53 +/- 0.60 X 10(-6) mol/l, respectively. The inhibition is, however, noncompetitive with respect to G6P in the three variants. T3 also has similar inhibition pattern to T4 with inhibition constants for NADP of 1.9 +/- 0.08 X 10(-5) and 1.28 +/- 0.17 X 10(-5) mol/l for G6PDB and G6PDA-, respectively. cAMP on the other hand inhibits G6P competitively with inhibition constants 1.50 +/- 0.22 X 10(-4), 1.06 +/- 0.24 X 10(-4) and 1.76 +/- 0.14 X 10(-4) mol/l for G6PDB, G6PDA and G6PDA-, respectively. There are significant differences in the inhibition effects of T4 and cAMP with respect to NADP as substrates for the normal enzyme G6PDA or G6PDB and the deficient enzyme G6PDA- when NADP is the substrate, the latter being much more inhibited. The activation effect of thyroid hormones in vivo may therefore not be a direct result of thyroid hormone binding to the G6PD enzyme nor mediated through the action of cAMP but plausibly be through complexation of inhibitory trace metal ions by the thyroid hormones T4 and T3.     

Reversal of some viral IL-6 electrostatic properties compared to IL-6 contributes to a loss of alpha receptor component recruitment

Human interleukin-6 (hIL-6) is a pleiotropic mediator of activation and proliferation across a large number of different cell types. Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) has been associated with classical and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). HHV-8 encodes viral IL-6 (vIL-6), a functional homolog of human interleukin-6, that promotes the growth of KS and of some lymphoma cells. Signaling induced by human IL-6 requires recruitment of the glycoprotein gp130, which acts as the signal transducing chain, and of IL-6Ralpha, which is necessary for cognate recognition and high affinity receptor complex formation. In contrast, the formation of a functional complex between vIL-6 and gp130 does not require the presence of IL-6Ralpha. The physico-chemical properties of vIL-6 have been analyzed and compared to those of hIL-6 and of the receptor chains, gp130 and IL-6Ralpha. Interaction sites on vIL-6 involve more hydrophobic residues than those of hIL-6. The electrostatic fields induced by vIL-6 and IL-6Ralpha are repulsive and prevent interaction between vIL-6 and IL-6Ralpha, whereas the electrostatic field induced by hIL-6 steers the complex formation with IL-6Ralpha. Subsequently, electrostatic binding free energy in the vIL-6/IL-6Ralpha complex is destabilizing, whereas it is stabilizing in the complex comprising hIL-6. These properties result from charge reversals between viral and human IL-6, an unusual phenomenon of amino acid substitutions within a homologous protein family. This suggests a selection pressure for vIL-6 to by-pass the IL-6Ralpha control of host defense against virus infection. This selection pressure has yielded the reversal of electrostatic properties of vIL-6 when compared to hIL-6.