Alterations in lipid-linked oligosaccharide metabolism in human melanoma cells concomitant with induction of stress proteins

Challenge of human A375 melanoma cells with sodium arsenite induced the synthesis of stress proteins and stimulated [3H]mannose incorporation into a novel component migrating on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an apparent molecular mass of 14 kDa (designated M14). Enhanced M14 expression was elicited by heavy metals (zinc, copper, cadmium, and nickel), thiol-reactive agents (iodoacetamide and auranofin), and hyperthermia. The kinetics of M14 induction and recovery from stress were similar to those of the stress proteins, but M14 half-life was only 15 min. Incorporation of [3H]mannose into M14 was inhibited by tunicamycin but not by cycloheximide or actinomycin D. M14 was metabolically labeled with [32P]orthophosphate but not by [35S] methionine or [3H]asparagine. Further studies revealed that M14 was selectively soluble in chloroform/methanol/water (10:10:3) and sensitive to both endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H digestion and mild acid hydrolysis. The latter released a water-soluble mannose-labeled moiety which eluted from Bio-Gel P-6 in a manner similar to Glc3Man9GlcNAc2. Together, these data suggest that M14 is a lipid-oligosaccharide intermediate of N-linked protein glycosylation and that enhanced expression of this class of molecule in response to chemical insults and hyperthermia is a newly described cellular reaction to stress.     

Purification and characterization of trichosanthin. Homology to the ricin A chain and implications as to mechanism of abortifacient activity

Trichosanthin, a protein from the Chinese medicinal herb Trichosanthes kirilowii, was purified in two essentially quantitative steps involving CM-Sephadex chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The protein was found to have a molecular mass of 25-26 kDa, to contain no cysteine, and to contain no glycosidic linkages. Pure trichosanthin was found to have potent abortifacient activity in pregnant mice. In order to understand the molecular basis of this unique biological activity, we have examined the amino acid sequence of the protein. As purified, trichosanthin was found to contain two amino-terminal sequences which differed only in the absence or presence of a tyrosine at residue 1. Sequence analysis of trichosanthin has allowed for determination of the NH2-terminal 38-amino acid residues. Comparison of this sequence to those present in a data base revealed homology with the ricin A-chain. Consistent with this structural homology, we have found that trichosanthin is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in a reticulocyte lysate system.     

Isolation of the glutamyl peptide labeled by the nucleotide analogue 2-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutylthio)-1,N(6)-ethenoadenosine 2',5'-biphosphate in the active site of NADP+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase

2-(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutylthio)-1,N(6)-ethenoadenosine 2',5'-bisphosphate (2-BDB-T epsilon A-2',5'-DP) is an affinity label for the coenzyme-binding site of pig heart NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase. Specific reaction occurs at the coenzyme site with an incorporation of 0.5 mol of reagent/mol of enzyme subunit (i.e. modification of only one subunit of the dimeric enzyme) (Bailey, J.M., and Colman, R.F. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 5367-5377). Modified enzyme, prepared by incubating 1 mg/ml isocitrate dehydrogenase with 75 microM 2-BDB-T epsilon A-2',5'-DP in the absence and presence of substrate or coenzyme, was reduced with NaBH4, carboxymethylated, and digested with trypsin. Nucleotidyl peptides were isolated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, followed by treatment with acid phosphatase (to decrease the negative charge by removing the phosphate groups from covalently bound reagent) and rechromatography on the same DEAE-cellulose column. The isolated peptides were characterized by amino acid analysis, dansylation, and gas-phase sequencing. A single triskaidekapeptide corresponding to modification of the coenzyme site by 2-BDB-T epsilon A-2',5'-DP was identified as: Asp-Leu-Ala-Gly-X-Ile-His-Gly-Leu-Ser-Asn-Val-Lys. Additional evidence indicated that X is a glutamate residue derivatized by 2-BDB-T epsilon A-2',5'-DP.     

Aqueous two-phase partition coefficients for Escherichia coli β-galactosidase fusions

The partition of native Escherichia coli -galactosidase and of two different fusion proteins comprised mainly of -galactosidase from E. coli was studied in aqueous two-phase systems composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran. These fusions contain an amino-terminal segment from the E. coli outer membrane protein F (OmpF) and a linker peptide. Differences in the partition pattern could be observed for the three enzymes despite their similarity. Decreased polymer concentrations in the phase system increased the partition coefficient for all three -galactosidases.     

Immediate breast reconstruction: reducing the risks

One-hundred and sixty-five consecutive immediate breast reconstructions in 157 patients were reviewed. Reconstructions were performed with tissue expanders (53 percent) or immediate gel prostheses (47 percent). Immediate reconstruction was associated with an 18 percent rate of implant loss. Certain risk factors were identified at the p less than 0.05 level using immediate gel implants: failure to achieve complete muscle coverage of the implant, smoking at the time of surgery, initial gel implants of 400 ml or more volume, and age. Expander loss was increased by detaching the pectoralis major (p less than 0.05) and probably by lack of complete muscle coverage in general. Chemotherapy, history of previous smoking, and clinical stage of the carcinoma did not seem to affect reconstructive success. Smoking and patient age should be considered during patient selection for immediate reconstruction. Muscle coverage of the prosthesis should always be attempted. Muscle coverage is mandatory in the smoker. Gel implants of 400 ml or more volume are to be avoided at the initial operation. This approach should enable all surgeons to achieve lower rates of implant loss.     

Effects of plasmid presence on growth and enzyme activity of Escherichia coli DH5α

Summary The effects of recombinant DNA propagation and gene expression on the physiology of the host cell was investigated using a series of copy number mutant plasmids. The plasmids at copy numbers of 30, 57, 115 and 501 per chromosome equivalent encoded constitutive production of the enzyme -lactamase. Ribose phosphate isomerase activity was relatively unaffected by plasmid presence, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose 1,6-diphosphate aldolase and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase activities were lower in plasmid-containing cells than in the plasmid-free host strain. Increasing copy number resulted in increased depression of enzyme activity levels. The results indicate that plasmid presence mediates subtle changes in the net expression of host enzymes involved in carbon metabolism. Responses of Escherichia coli DH5 in Evans medium to these plasmids differed substantially from responses of E. coli HB101 in rich medium.Offprint requests to: J. E. Bailey     

In vivo nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of immobilization effects on glucose metabolism of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Fermentation rates and intracellular compositions have been determined for alginate-entrapped Saccharomyces cerevisiae and for identical cells in suspension. Glucose uptake and ethanol and glycerol production are approximately two times faster in immobilized cells than in suspended cells. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of fermenting immobilized and suspended cells shows differences in intermediate metabolite levels such as fructose-1,6 diphosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, and 3-phosphoglycerate and in internal pH. Carbon-13 NMR shows an increase in polysaccharide production. These data suggest that immobilization has accelerated the rate of glucose transport or of glucose phosphorylation. These effects of immobilization upon cell metabolism are observed in a very short period of time under conditions in which negligible DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis takes place.     

The reactive serine residue of epidermolytic toxin A.

Comparison of amino acid sequence data suggested that there may be a functional relationship between the staphylococcal epidermolytic toxins and V8 proteinase. The hypothesis was tested by treating epidermolytic toxin with di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate, which bound specifically at serine-195, the homologue of the active-site serine residue of V8 proteinase.     

Substitution of a proline for alanine 183 in the hinge region of phosphoglycerate kinase: Effects on catalysis, activation by sulfate, and thermal stability

A hinge-bending domain movement has been postulated as an important part of the catalytic mechanism of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) (Bankset al., 1979). In order to test the role of the flexibility of a putative interdomain hinge in the substrate- and sulfate-induced conformational transitions, alanine-183 was replaced by proline using site-directed mutagenesis. The maximal velocity of the Ala 183Pro mutant, measured at saturating concentrations of ATP and phosphoglycerate (5 mM and 10 mM, respectively) and in the absence of sulfate ions, is increased approximately 21% in comparison to the wild type PGK. TheK _m values for both substrates are essentially unchanged. The effect of sulfate on the specific activity of the Ala 183Pro mutant and the wild type PGK was measured in the presence of 1 mM ATP and 2 mM 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG). A maximum activation of 70% was observed at 20 mM sulfate for the mutant enzyme, as compared to 130% activation at 30 mM sulfate for the wild type PGK. These results demonstrate that the increased rigidity of the putative hinge, introduced by the AlaPro mutation, does not impair catalytic efficiency of phosphoglycerate kinase, while it appears to decrease the sulfate-dependent activation. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies demonstrate an increased susceptibility of the Ala 183 Pro mutant to thermal denaturation. In contrast to one asymmetric transition observed in the DSC scan for the wild type PGK, withT _m near 54°C, two transitions are evident for the mutant enzyme withT _m values of about 45 and 54°C. Using a thermodynamic model for two interacting domains, a decrease in the free energy of domain-domain interactions of about 2 kcal was estimated from the DSC data.