The receptor for transferrin on murine myeloma cells: one-step purification based on its physiology, and partial amino acid sequence

The receptor for transferrin is one of the major surface proteins of proliferating lymphocytes and other cells. It binds ferrotransferrin from serum and endocytoses it into an acidic nonlysosomal intracellular compartment where iron is released, but in which apotransferrin remains tightly bound to its receptor. Recycling of the apotransferrin-receptor complex to the cell surface is associated with a return to neutral pH and concomitant loss of affinity of apotransferrin for its receptor. Apotransferrin is then free to leave the cell and initiate a new cycle. We have exploited this cycle in a novel method for the purification of the receptor for transferrin. Murine myeloma cells were lysed in nonionic detergent, and the lysate passed over a column of ferrotransferrin-agarose at pH 7.4. After washing with sodium acetate at pH 5.0, iron was removed with sodium citrate pH 5.0 and desferrioxamine. Upon returning the pH to neutrality, the receptor was eluted and found to be homogeneous by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under both reducing and nonreducing conditions. The degree of purification was estimated to be at least 3,000-fold, and the calculated yield was 10 to 20%. The purified receptor was capable of binding to transferrin. The receptor was digested with trypsin, and the resulting peptides were separated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography in NH4HCO3. Selected peptides were rechromatographed in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, and their amino acid sequences were determined.     

Slow heat rate increases yeast thermotolerance by maintaining plasma membrane integrity.

Thermal resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to be drastically dependent on the kinetics of heat perturbation. Yeasts were found to be more resistant to a plateau of 1 h at 50 degrees C after a slope of temperature increase (slow and linear temperature increments) than after a shock (sudden temperature change). Thermotolerance was mainly acquired between 40-50 degrees C during a heat slope, i.e., above the maximal temperature of growth. The death of the yeasts subjected to a heat shock might be related to the loss of membrane integrity: intracellular contents extrusion, i.e., membrane permeabilization, was found to precede cell death. However, the permeabilization did not precede cell death during a heat slope and, therefore, membrane permeabilization was a consequence rather than a cause of cell death. During a slow temperature increase, yeasts which remain viable may have time to adapt their plasma membrane and thus maintain membrane integrity.     

Vegetation,land use and management of the inner-dune zone in the North-Holland Dune Reserve,The Netherlands

The inner-dune zone between the villages of Bakkum and Egmond in the North-Holland Dune Reserve is one of the few remaining examples of the semi-natural boundary between the dunes and the polders. For several centuries this area has been used for various purposes, in particular for grazing. Large-scale excavating, especially after about 1900, has encroached upon the dunes. Vegetation and land-use history were studied and a provisional scheme on the vegetation development is presented. Management policies discussed are non-intervention, mowing in order to start natural processes such as rabbit grazing, and the continuation of traditional livestock grazing. Proposals for external management policies were made in order to maintain or enhance the original transition zone, based on comprehensive physical-geographical studies of the whole inner-dune zone.     

Receptor-binding and down-regulatory properties of 22000-Mr human growth hormone and its natural 20000-Mr variant on IM-9 human lymphocytes.

Our earlier binding studies of the 22000- and 20000-Mr variants of human growth hormone (somatotropin) to pregnant-rabbit liver and mammary receptors [Closset, Smal, Gomez & Hennen (1983) Biochem. J. 214, 885-892] suggested that the 20000-Mr variant was a lower-affinity analogue of the 22000-Mr molecule. Since the receptor population in these tissues is not fully characterized, we have now investigated the binding of both variants to the well-characterized and highly specific human-growth-hormone receptor of the human lymphocyte IM-9 cell line. The maximum bindability of radioiodinated 22000- and 22000-Mr to IM-9 cells was 60 and 45% respectively. Both hormone variants have essentially the same binding characteristics: slow association (equilibrium reached in 8-10h at 30 degrees C), poor reversibility ('tight binding'), linear Scatchard plot, same specificity as shown by lack of competition by bovine, porcine or equine growth hormones or human growth hormone-(32-46)-(missing in the 20000-Mr variant),-(1-134)- and -(141-191)-peptides. Both unlabelled hormones inhibit binding of both tracers completely, with the 20000-Mr variant being only half as potent as the 22000-Mr one. The apparent affinity is 2.8 X 10(9)M-1 for the 22000-Mr variant and 1.6 X 10(9)M-1 for the 20000-Mr variant. This decreased affinity of the 20000-Mr variant appears to be due to a lower association rate constant. Concentrations (5 ng/ml) of the two variants that occupy about 15% of the total sites induce a marked down-regulation of the receptors after 18h incubation, but the 20000-Mr variant (50% decrease) has a smaller effect than the 22000-Mr variant (75% decrease). Thus the only consequence of the residues-32-46 deletion in the 20000-Mr variant is a lower association rate and affinity for the IM-9 lymphocyte human-growth-hormone receptor. The close binding characteristics of the two forms suggest that the known differences in their insulin-like effects cannot be explained by differences in the nature of their interaction with the human-growth-hormone receptor.     

A new species of bound ubisemiquinone anion in QH2: cytochrome c oxidoreductase

Using a combination of EPR and low temperature diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, a new species of semiquinone anion has been detected in QH2:cytochrome c oxidoreductase in submitochondrial particles under conditions of oxidant-induced extra reduction of cytochrome b. In contrast to the previously detected semiquinone anion, this new species is insensitive to antimycin but sensitive to treatment with 2,3-dimercaptopropanol and O2. The two species can easily be distinguished on the basis of their respective EPR properties since they differ in g-value, line width, and microwave power saturation behavior. It is concluded that the two species of semiquinone anion are bound to different domains on QH2:cytochrome c oxidoreductase. The existence of two different semiquinone anions in the enzyme strongly supports a mechanism of electron flow as proposed in the Q-cycle.