Interaction with substrate sensitises caspase-3 to inactivation by hydrogen peroxide

Caspases have an active site cysteine whose oxidation blocks catalytic activity. Caspase activity, measured in lysates of apoptotic cells, was inhibited by H2O2 with an IC50 of 7 microM. Recombinant caspase-3 was directly inhibited by H2O2, with an estimated second-order rate constant of 750 M-1 s-1. These values were determined when H2O2 was added while the caspases were cleaving a peptide substrate. There was a 40-fold decrease in sensitivity to inactivation if the substrate was absent at the time of H2O2 addition. These results rationalise conflicting reports of the sensitivity of caspase-3 to H2O2, and identify a novel mechanism for sensitising a thiol enzyme to oxidative inactivation.     

Purification and characterization of a cytosolic phospholipase A2 from rat liver

A cytosolic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was purified 640-fold from rat liver by sequential anion-exchange chromatography, Ca2+-precipitation/KCl-solubilization, gel filtration chromatography, and affinity chromatography. A single peak of PLA2 activity was eluted at an apparent molecular mass of 197 kDa from a Superdex 200HR gel filtration column. In the presence of Ca2+, the purified enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of 81.8 nmol of phosphatidylethanolamine per hour per mg of protein. The apparent Km was 1.83 nM. The enzyme was inhibited by arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3), an inhibitor of cPLA2. However, it was not inhibited by bromoenol lactone (BEL), an inhibitor of iPLA2, and p-bromophenacyl bromide (p-BPB), an inhibitor of sPLA2. These data suggest that the purified enzyme is a novel Ca2+-dependent cytosolic PLA2.     

Regulation of collagen gene expression in the Tsk2 mouse

The tight skin 2 (Tsk2) mutation is an ENU induced dominant mutation localized on mouse chromosome 1. While the molecular defect is unknown, Tsk2/+ mice display cutaneous thickening associated with excessive matrix production and are used as a model of scleroderma. The purpose of this study was to examine the cellular mechanisms associated with the excessive synthesis of matrix macromolecules using a collagen promoter GFP reporter transgene (pOBCol3.6GFP) as a marker of Col1a1 expression. This analysis of pOBCol3.6GFP expression in Tsk2/+ skin showed an increase in transgene activity compared to wild-type (+/+) samples. In addition, an increased area of "high" GFP fluorescence in Tsk2/+ dermis in both 1- and 4-month-old mice was observed that was also associated with an increased number of dermal fibroblasts per unit area of dermis. These data collectively suggest an important mechanism of Tsk2/+ skin fibrosis; an increased number of collagen expressing cells as well as elevated collagen expression on a per cell basis. During this study it was noted that Tsk2/+ mice appeared consistently smaller than wild-type (+/+) siblings and measurements of body length revealed a decrease (5-10%) in 1- and 2-month-old Tsk2/+ mice as well as a decrease in body weight in both age groups as compared to wild-type (+/+) control mice. Femur length was also decreased (2-9%) in Tsk2/+ mice. Finally, in contrast to Tsk/+ mice that display an emphysema-like lung pathology, histological sections of lungs from Tsk2/+ mice were normal and indistinguishable from wild-type (+/+) controls.     

Enzymatic formation of prostamide F2alpha from anandamide involves a newly identified intermediate metabolite, prostamide H2

Prostaglandin F2alpha 1-ethanolamide (prostamide F2alpha) is a potent ocular hypotensive agent in animals and represents a new class of fatty acid amide compounds. Accumulated evidence indicated that anandamide, an endogenous bioactive ligand for cannabinoid receptors, may serve as a common substrate to produce all prostamides, including prostamide F2alpha. After incubation of anandamide with cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), the reaction mixture was profiled by HPLC and an intermediate metabolite was discovered and characterized as a cyclic endoperoxide ethanolamide using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Formation of prostamide F2alpha was also demonstrated when the intermediate metabolite was isolated and incubated with prostaglandin F synthase (PGF synthase). These results suggest that the biosynthesis of prostamide F2alpha proceeds in two consecutive steps: oxidation of anandamide to form an endoperoxide intermediate by COX-2, and reduction of the endoperoxide intermediate to form prostamide F2alpha by PGF synthase. This endoperoxide ethanolamide intermediate has been proposed as prostamide H2.     

Identification and characterization of a diamine exporter in colon epithelial cells

SLC3A2, a member of the solute carrier family, was identified by proteomics methods as a component of a transporter capable of exporting the diamine putrescine in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells selected for resistance to growth inhibition by high exogenous concentrations of putrescine. Putrescine transport was increased in inverted plasma membrane vesicles prepared from cells resistant to growth inhibition by putrescine compared with transport in inverted vesicles prepared from non-selected cells. Knockdown of SLC3A2 in human cells, using short hairpin RNA, caused an increase in putrescine uptake and a decrease in arginine uptake activity. SLC3A2 knockdown cells accumulated higher polyamine levels and grew faster than control cells. The growth of SLC3A2 knockdown cells was inhibited by high concentrations of putrescine. Knockdown of SLC3A2 reduced export of polyamines from cells. Expression of SLC3A2 was suppressed in human HCT116 colon cancer cells, which have an activated K-RAS, compared with their isogenic clone, Hkh2 cells, which lack an activated K-RAS allele. Spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SAT1) was co-immunoprecipitated by an anti-SLC3A2 antibody as was SLC3A2 with an anti-SAT1 antibody. SLC3A2 and SAT1 colocalized on the plasma membrane. These data provide the first molecular characterization of a polyamine exporter in animal cells and indicate that the diamine putrescine is exported by an arginine transporter containing SLC3A2, whose expression is negatively regulated by K-RAS. The interaction between SLC3A2 and SAT1 suggests that these proteins may facilitate excretion of acetylated polyamines.     

烟草乙烯受体类似物NTHK2全长基因的克隆及其激酶结构域生化特性

应用5′-ARCE方法克隆到烟草NTHK2的全长cDNA。其全长cDNA共有3216bp,其中5′非编码区为509bp,3′非编码区为427bp,编码区为2280bp,编码产物为760个氨基酸。NTHK2氨基酸序列与植物中的许多杂合型的两组分乙烯受体基因有较高的同源性,具有推测的组氨酸激酶结构域和接受域。但是,在激酶结构域中没有保守的组氨酸,而是被一个天冬氨酸残基所替代。为了研究其生化特性,在酵母中以融合蛋白的形式表达了激酶结构域,体外激酶分析表明,当有Mg^2 存在的情况下NTHK2能够自我磷酸化。进一步的研究应阐明NTHK2在植物体内是否能够作为乙烯受体。参与乙烯的信号传导过程。     

Characterization of a calcium/proton antiporter and an electrogenic calcium transporter in membrane vesicles from Azotobacter vinelandii

Ca2+ transport across the membrane of vesicles derived from Azotobacter vinelandii was studied in the absence of respiration or functioning ATPase. Two facilitated diffusion systems were found. One, an electroneutral Ca2+/2H+ antiporter, responded to an artificially imposed deltapH, was heat-labile, and was insensitive to low concentrations of ruthenium red and lanthanides. The second, an electrogenic transporter, responded to an electrical membrane potential, was heat-stable, was inhibited by ruthenium red, lanthanides, monovalent cations, and certain anions. In vivo, when coupled to the protonmotive force, the systems would provide for the cell: (i) a mechanism to keep intracellular Ca2+ concentration low (Ca2+/2H+ antiporter); (ii) a mechanism for Ca2+ entry (electrogenic transporter).     

Bioavailability of a series of novel acylated ascorbic acid derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids,as an ascorbic acid supplement in rats and guinea pigs

The bioavailability of a series of novel acylated ascorbic acid derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids (6-Acyl-AA-2G), as an ascorbic acid (AA) supplement was investigated in rats and guinea pigs. Oral administration of 6-Acyl-AA-2G to rats resulted in an increase in the plasma AA level. However, the intact form was not detectable in the plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography, indicating its hydrolysis through the process of absorption. After an intravenous injection to rats of 6-Octa-AA-2G as a representative derivative, the intact form rapidly disappeared from the plasma, being followed by a prolonged and marked elevation of the plasma AA level. Various tissue homogenates from guinea pigs were examined for their releasing activity of AA, 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) and 6-O-acyl-AA from 6-Acyl-AA-2G. High activity was observed in the small intestine. These hydrolytic activities to AA and 6-O-acyl-AA were completely inhibited by castanospermine, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, and AA-2G was observed as the only resulting hydrolysate, suggesting the participation of alpha-glucosidase and esterase in the in vivo hydrolysis of 6-Acyl-AA-2G. 6-Octa-AA-2G was found to exhibit an obvious therapeutic effect in scorbutic guinea pigs from its repeated oral administration. These results indicate that 6-Acyl-AA-2G is a readily available source of AA activity in vivo, and may be useful as an effective pharmacological agent and as a promising food additive.     

Central cell nuclear-cytoplasmic incongruity:a mechanism for segregation distortion in advanced backcross and selfed generations of (Allium cepa L. x Allium fistulosum L.) x A. cepa interspecific hybrid derivatives

A model is presented as an explanation for an anomaly observed in germination and establishment and isozyme segregation patterns in Allium cepa x A. fistulosum F2BC3 populations generated in an introgression-breeding program. The F1BC3 parent of these populations was selected for its heterozygous PGI phenotype, Pgi-1(2/3); Pgi-1(2) was inherited from an A. cepa (Ac) seed parent and Pgi-1(3) from an A. fistulosum (Af) pollen parent. Germination and establishment was recorded for the F2BC3 progeny population. Segregation of Ac and Af Pgi-1 alleles was investigated in F2BC3 seeds and embryo and endosperm tissue was isolated and tested for isozyme expression. A pooled goodness-of-fit test of the segregation of Pgi-1 alleles in the populations to the expected Mendelian 1:2:1 ratio using the chi-square statistic gave a chi2 = 185.9, well beyond the accepted limits at 2 degrees of freedom. The 1:2:1 ratio expected for simple Mendelian inheritance was rejected, while a pooled chi-square goodness-of-fit test of the segregation of Pgi-1 alleles in the populations fit a 1:1 ratio with a chi2 = 0.203, based on the incongruity model. We present here the central cell nuclear-cytoplasmic incongruity hypothesis to explain the observed anomalies.     

烟草乙烯受体类似物NTHK2全长基因的克隆及其激酶结构域生化特性

应用5＇-RACE方法克隆到烟草NTHK2的全长cDNA.其全长cDNA共有3 216bp,其中5'非编码区为509bp,3＇非编码区为427bp,编码区为2 280bp,编码产物为760个氨基酸.NTHK2氨基酸序列与植物中的许多杂合型的两组分乙烯受体基因有较高的同源性,具有推测的组氨酸激酶结构域和接受域;但是,在激酶结构域中没有保守的组氨酸,而是被一个天冬氨酸残基所替代.为了研究其生化特性,在酵母中以融合蛋白的形式表达了激酶结构域.体外激酶分析表明,当有Mg2+存在的情况下NTHK2能够自我磷酸化.进一步的研究应阐明NTHK2在植物体内是否能够作为乙烯受体,参与乙烯的信号传导过程.     

Altered E2 glycoprotein of Sindbis virus and its use in complementation studies.

We have detected a Sindbis virus variant that contains a smaller-molecular-weight form of the viral glycoprotein E2. The molecular weight of the PE2 precursor and the glycosylation pattern of the smaller E2 are normal, thus indicating that this E2 is formed by an aberrant proteolytic cleavage. The altered E2 was detected in an RNA+ temperature-sensitive mutant that was defective in proteolytic cleavage, but the abnormal PE2-to-E2 reaction could be separated from the ts mutation and is not itself a temperature-sensitive defect. We used the variant E2 as a marker to monitor the complementation reaction between an RNA+ and an RNA- mutant and discovered that complementation was not reciprocal; the RNA defect was corrected by the RNA+ mutant gene products but the RNA+ defect was not complemented by any RNA- gene products. Other studies have shown that the smaller E2 is not preferentially selected during viral maturation and budding. No significant changes have been detected in the biological activity of virions with this altered E2 protein. Comparison of the electrophoretic migration of the E1 and E2 Sindbis viral glycoproteins in a two-dimensional polyacrylamide slab gel system that was first run in the absence of sulfhydryl-reducing reagent and then with beta-mercaptoethanol indicated that the mobility of E1, but not that of E2, was significantly altered by reduction.     

Dependence of transcutaneous O2 partial pressure on cutaneous blood flow

Transcutaneous PO2 was measured using a transcutaneous PO2 electrode heated to 45 degrees C on the forearm of 19 healthy volunteers. Cutaneous blood flow (CBF) was estimated indirectly from the heating power of the electrode (HP) and with an 8-MHz bidirectional ultrasonic probe by Doppler shift in a fingertip at 45 degrees C (DF). Blood flow was regulated by an upper arm cuff. Mean transcutaneous PO2 during air respiration was 86.0 +/- 6.2 Torr, and the correlation to arterial PO2 (Pao2) was 0.96 at normal blood flow. The arterial inflow was intermittently reduced in 10-15% stages of effective perfusion pressure (Peff). There was a hyperbolic decrease in PO2 when CBF was restricted in stages. A linear dependence between Peff, HP, and DF was found, which means that there is no autoregulation in the capillary bed at 45 degrees C. Transcutaneous PO2 can be also taken as an indication of CBF. The transcutaneous index, transcutaneous PO2/Pao2, is helpful for estimating local O2 availability.     

Thapsigargin activates a calcium influx pathway in the unfertilized mouse egg and suppresses repetitive calcium transients in the fertilized egg.

At fertilization, the sperm initiates development of the mouse egg by inducing a large transient increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), which is followed by repetitive transient increases in [Ca2+]i. To determine how the repetitive Ca2+ transients are produced, thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase, was used to deplete intracellular Ca2+ stores within the egg. In the unfertilized egg, thapsigargin (1-50 microM) caused a slowly rising and falling transient increase in [Ca2+]i with or without extracellular Ca2+. An influx pathway for Ca2+ is activated by thapsigargin, since an immediate increase in [Ca2+]i occurred when Ca2+ was added to eggs after thapsigargin treatment in a Ca2+, Mg(2+)-free medium. This suggests that Ca2+ entry in the mouse egg may be coupled to the emptying of an intracellular store. The magnitude of the first Ca2+ transient at fertilization was reduced by as much as 84% in eggs pretreated with thapsigargin. Reduction of extracellular Ca2+, by addition of a Ca2+ chelator, suppressed the repetitive Ca2+ transients following fertilization. The Ca2+ transients also require filling of an intracellular store; they were suppressed when thapsigargin was added before or after fertilization. These results support the hypothesis that the first sperm-induced Ca2+ transient at fertilization depletes an intracellular Ca2+ store, triggering an increase in plasma membrane Ca2+ permeability, and that the enhanced Ca2+ influx causes repetitive Ca2+ transients due to the periodic filling and emptying of an intracellular Ca2+ store.     

SseA is required for translocation of Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 effectors into host cells

The Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 (SPI2) is a virulence locus on the bacterial chromosome required for intracellular proliferation and systemic infection in mice. Cell culture models and a murine model of systemic infection were used to address the role of an uncharacterized SPI2 open reading frame, designated as sseA, in Salmonella virulence. A Salmonella strain with an unmarked internal deletion of sseA displayed a phenotype that was similar to an SPI2-encoded type III secretion system apparatus mutant. Moreover, SseA was required for survival and replication within epithelial cells and macrophages. Murine infection studies confirmed that the DeltasseA strain was severely attenuated for virulence. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, the virulence defect in the DeltasseA strain was attributed to an inability to translocate SPI2 effector proteins into host cells. These data demonstrate that SseA is essential for SPI2-mediated translocation of effector proteins.     

Mechanisms for increased levels of phosphorylation of elongation factor-2 during hibernation in ground squirrels

Previously, eEF-2 phosphorylation has been identified as a reversible mechanism involved in the inhibition of the elongation phase of translation. In this study, an increased level of phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF-2) was observed in the brains and livers of hibernating ground squirrels. In brain and liver from hibernators, eEF-2 kinase activity was increased relative to that of active animals. The activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a phosphatase that dephosphorylates eEF-2, was also decreased in brain and liver from hibernators. This was associated with an increase in the level of inhibitor 2 of PP2A (I(2)(PP2A)), although there was an increase in the level of the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2A/C) in hibernating brains and livers. These results indicate that eEF-2 phosphorylation represents a specific and previously uncharacterized mechanism for inhibition of the elongation phase of protein synthesis during hibernation. Increased levels of eEF-2 phosphorylation in hibernators appear to be a component of the regulated shutdown of cellular functions that permits hibernating animals to tolerate severe reductions in cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery capacity.     

NH2-terminal processing of Drosophila melanogaster actin. Sequential removal of two amino acids

Class II actins, such as Drosophila and mammalian skeletal muscle actins, have genes that code for a Met-X-Asp NH2 terminus where X is usually cysteine. These actins have an Ac-Asp NH2 terminus so two amino acids must be removed. To determine the nature of this processing, we labeled Drosophila Schneider L-2 cells with [35S]methionine or cysteine, isolated the actin, and analyzed the NH2-terminal actin tryptic peptides and their thermolysin digestion products. After a 4-h labeling period, we detected completed actin polypeptide chains with either an unblocked Asp or an Ac-Asp NH2 terminus. No intermediate with an NH2-terminal Cys or Met could be demonstrated. If, however, Drosophila mRNA was translated in a mRNA-dependent rabbit reticulocyte lysate system, an additional 43-kDa actin intermediate was observed. On the basis of thermolysin digestion studies and experiments using mild acid hydrolysis of a labeled actin NH2-terminal tryptic peptide fragment, we identified this intermediate as having an Ac-Cys-Asp NH2 terminus. In a time-dependent fashion, Ac-Cys was removed generating actin with an exposed NH2-terminal Asp which was subsequently acetylated to produce the mature form of actin. The removal of Met and the acetylation of Cys may occur early in translation while the nascent polypeptide chain is still attached to the ribosome. Subsequent processing occurs following completion of the synthesis of the actin polypeptide. The removal of Ac-Cys from Drosophila actin is thus similar to removal of Ac-Met from the NH2 terminus of class I actins although in the case of the class II actins, it is the second amino acid that is removed as an acetylated species.     

GABAA receptor-mediated increase of cytosolic Ca2+ in isolated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

We have studied the effects of GABA on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) as a means of investigating the role of GABA in adrenal catecholamine (CA) secretion. It was demonstrated that GABA caused an elevation of [Ca2+]i via the GABAA receptor in a concentration-dependent manner, which was well correlated with an increase of 45Ca uptake, an increase of CA release and a depolarization of chromaffin cells assessed with bis-oxonol fluorescence. Since the GABA-induced rise of [Ca2+]i was absolutely dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and partly sensitive to nifedipine, at least one entry route for Ca2+ facilitated by GABA via a voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel was suggested. When extracellular Cl- was lowered, GABA-induced CA release, depolarization, and rise of [Ca2+]i were all markedly enhanced. It is possible that GABA plays a modulatory role in the regulation of adrenal CA secretion as a facilitatory modulator.     

Anti-VSG antibodies induce an increase in Trypanosoma evansi intracellular Ca2+ concentration

Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma vivax have shown a very high immunological cross-reactivity. Anti-T. vivax antibodies were used to monitor changes in the T. evansi intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by fluorometric ratio imaging from single parasites. A short-time exposure of T. evansi parasites to sera from T. vivax-infected bovines induced an increase in [Ca2+]i, which generated their complete lysis. The parasite [Ca2+]i boost was reduced but not eliminated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ or following serum decomplementation. Decomplemented anti-T. evansi VSG antibodies also produced an increase in the parasite [Ca2+]i, in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Furthermore, this Ca2+ signal was reduced following blockage with Ni2+ or in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that this response was a combination of an influx of Ca2+ throughout membrane channels and a release of this ion from intracellular stores. The observed Ca2+ signal was specific since (i) it was completely eliminated following pre-incubation of the anti-VSG antibodies with the purified soluble VSG, and (ii) affinity-purified anti-VSG antibodies also generated an increase in [Ca2+]i by measurements on single cells or parasite populations. We also showed that an increase of the T. evansi [Ca2+]i by the calcium A-23187 ionophore led to VSG release from the parasite surface. In addition, in vivo immunofluorescence labelling revealed that anti-VSG antibodies induced the formation of raft patches of VSG on the parasite surface. This is the first study to identify a ligand that is coupled to calcium flux in salivarian trypanosomes.