Auxin-binding proteins without KDEL sequence in the moss Funaria hygrometrica

Whereas the important plant growth regulator auxin has multiple effects in flowering plants, it induces a specific cell differentiation step in the filamentous moss protonema. Here, we analyse the presence of classical auxin-binding protein (ABP1) homologues in the moss Funaria hygrometrica. Microsomal membranes isolated from protonemata of F. hygrometrica have specific indole acetic acid-binding sites, estimated to be about 3–5 pmol/mg protein with an apparent dissociation constant (K _d) between 3 and 5 μM. Western analyses with anti-ABP1 antiserum detected the canonical endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localised 22–24 kDa ABP1 in Zea mays, but not in F. hygrometrica. Instead, polypeptides of 31–33 and 46 kDa were labelled in the moss as well as in maize. In F. hygrometrica these proteins were found exclusively in microsomal membrane fractions and were confirmed as ABPs by photo-affinity labelling with 5-azido-[7-³H]-indole-3-acetic acid. Unlike the classical corn ABP1, these moss ABPs did not contain the KDEL ER retention sequence. Consistently, the fully sequenced genome of the moss Physcomitrella patens, a close relative of F. hygrometrica, encodes an ABP1-homologue without KDEL sequence. Our study suggests the presence of putative ABPs in F. hygrometrica that share immunological epitopes with ABP1 and bind auxin but are different from the classical corn ABP1.     

Characterization of the specific pyruvate transport system in Escherichia coli K-12.

A mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 lacking pyruvate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate synthase was used to study the transport of pyruvate by whole cells. Uptake of pyruvate was maximal in mid-log phase cells, with a Michaelis constant for transport of 20 microM. Pretreatment of the cells with respiratory chain poisons or uncouplers, except for arsenate, inhibited transport up to 95%. Lactate and alanine were competitive inhibitors, but at nonphysiological concentrations. The synthetic analogs 3-bromopyruvate and pyruvic acid methyl ester inhibited competitively. The uptake of pyruvate was also characterized in membrane vesicles from wild-type E. coli K-12. Transport required an artificial electron donor system, phenazine methosulfate and sodium ascorbate. Pyruvate was concentrated in vesicles 7- to 10-fold over the external concentration, with a Michaelis constant of 15 microM. Energy poisons, except arsenate, inhibited the transport of pyruvate. Synthetic analogs such as 3-bromopyruvate were competitive inhibitors of transport. Lactate initially appeared to be a competitive inhibitor of pyruvate transport in vesicles, but this was a result of oxidation of lactate to pyruvate. The results indicate that uptake of pyruvate in E. coli is via a specific active transport system.     

Maximal Force Characteristics of the Ca2+-Powered Actuator of Vorticella convallaria

The millisecond stalk contraction of the sessile ciliate Vorticella convallaria is powered by energy from Ca²⁺ binding to generate contractile forces of ～10 nN. Its contractile organelle, the spasmoneme, generates higher contractile force under increased stall resistances. By applying viscous drag force to contracting V. convallaria in a microfluidic channel, we observed that the mechanical force and work of the spasmoneme depended on the stalk length, i.e., the maximum tension (150–350 nN) and work linearly depended on the stalk length (～2.5 nN and ～30 fJ per 1 μm of the stalk). This stalk-length dependency suggests that motor units of the spasmoneme may be organized in such a way that the mechanical force and work of each unit cumulate in series along the spasmoneme.     

Membrane-integration Characteristics of Two ABC Transporters, CFTR and P-glycoprotein

To what extent do corresponding transmembrane helices in related integral membrane proteins have different membrane-insertion characteristics? Here, we compare, side-by-side, the membrane insertion characteristics of the 12 transmembrane helices in the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Our results show that 10 of the 12 CFTR transmembrane segments can insert independently into the ER membrane. In contrast, only three of the P-gp transmembrane segments are independently stable in the membrane, while the majority depend on the presence of neighboring loops and/or transmembrane segments for efficient insertion. Membrane-insertion characteristics can thus vary widely between related proteins.     

Using embryonic stem cells to form a biological pacemaker via tissue engineering technology

Biological pacemakers can be achieved by various gene‐based and cell‐based approaches. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs)‐derived pacemaker cells might be the most promising way to form biological pacemakers, but there are challenges as to how to control the differentiation of ESCs and to overcome the neoplasia, proarrhythmia, or immunogenicity resulting from the use of ESCs. As a potential approach to solve these difficult problems, tissue‐engineering techniques may provide a precise control on the different cell components of multicellular aggregates and the forming of a construct with‐defined architectures and functional properties. The combined interactions between ESC‐derived pacemaker cells, supporting cells, and matrices may completely reproduce pacemaker properties and result in a steady functional unit to induce rhythmic electrical and contractile activities. As ESCs have a high capability for self‐renewal, proliferation, and potential differentiation, we hypothesize that ESCs can be used as a source of pacemaker cells for tissue‐engineering applications and the ambitious goal of biological cardiac pacemakers may ultimately be achieved with ESCs via tissue‐engineering technology.     

Electron microscopy of bacteriophage phi 6 nucleocapsid: three-dimensional image analysis.

Electron micrographs of bacteriophage phi 6 nucleocapsids, negatively stained by neutralized phosphotungstate and tilted in a goniometer specimen cartridge, proved that the three distinct morphologies seen in the electron microscope are merely three different aspects of a single nucleocapsid structure and strongly suggested that this structure is dodecahedral.     

Effects of extracellular nucleotides on electrical properties of subconfluent Madin Darby canine kidney cells

ATP and ADP but not AMP lead to sustained hyperpolarization of Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The present study has been performed to test for an influence of other nucleotides on the potential difference across the cell membrane (PD) in subconfluent MDCK cells. PD has been continuously monitored with conventional microelectrodes during rapid exchange of extracellular fluid. Application of 1 mumol/1 UTP leads to a rapid (less than 2 s) hyperpolarization of the cell membrane by -17.0 +/- 0.4 mV (from -50.1 +/- 0.6 mV), a reduction of cell membrane resistance and an increase of the sensitivity of PD to alterations of extracellular potassium. The concentration needed for half maximal effect of UTP is approximately equal to 0.2 mumol/1. ITP is similarly effective, whereas UDP, GTP and GDP are less effective. Up to 1 mmol/1 UMP, GMP, TTP or CTP do not significantly alter PD. In calcium-free extracellular fluid the hyperpolarizing effect of UTP is blunted (-11.6 +/- 2.3 mV) and only transient. In conclusion, UTP similar to purine triphosphates hyperpolarizes MDCK cells by increasing the potassium conductance. The activation of potassium channels requires calcium, which is apparently recruited from both intra- and extracellular sources.     

Cooperation between PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon in the regulation of JNK activation in human lung cancer cells

Phorbol esters can induce activation of two mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Unlike ERK activation, JNK activation by phorbol esters is somehow cell-specific. However, the mechanism(s) that contribute to the cell-specific JNK activation remain elusive. In this study, we found that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced JNK activation only in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but not in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells, whereas ERK activation was detected in both cell types. In NSCLC cells, PMA induced JNK activation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. JNK activation was attenuated by protein kinase C (PKC) down-regulation through prolonged pre-treatment with PMA and significantly inhibited by PKC inhibitors G?6976 and GF109203X. Subcellular localization studies demonstrated that PMA induced translocation of PKC-alpha, -betaII, and -epsilon isoforms, but not PKC-delta, from the cytosol to the membrane. Analysis of various PKC isoforms revealed that PKC-epsilon was exclusively absent in the SCLC cell lines tested. Ectopic expression of PKC-epsilon in SCLC cells restored PMA activation of JNK signaling only in the presence of PKC-alpha, suggesting that PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon act cooperatively in regulating JNK activation in response to PMA. Furthermore, using dominant negative mutants and pharmacological inhibitors, we define that a putative Rac1/Cdc42/PKC-alpha pathway is convergent with the PKC-epsilon/MEK1/2 pathway in terms of the activation of JNK by PMA.     

Structural basis for altered soybean agglutinin lectin binding between a murine metastatic lymphoma and an adhesive low malignant variant

By selection for plastic adhesiveness we have previously established a variant tumor line (ESb-MP) from the metastatic murine lymphoma ESb. In contrast to the parental line, the adhesion variant is significantly decreased in malignancy and is altered in the capacity to bind soybean agglutinin (SBA) lectin. Here we show biochemically that the major SBA-binding cell-surface component of ESb-MP cells is the T200 glycoprotein. In ESb cells, T200 antigens bind SBA only after sialidase treatment. Enzymatic studies suggested that glycans detected by the lectin with or without sialidase treatment are different. Inhibition of N-glycosylation by tunicamycin and biosynthetic labeling revealed two T200 chains for ESb-MP cells that were larger in size than the single chain detected in ESb cells. Studies on the biosynthesis revealed that ESb-MP cells expressed two precursor chains for T200 whereas ESb cells displayed only one. There was no size difference detectable in the mature T200 molecules of ESb and ESb-MP cells. Our data suggest that the molecules differ in expression of O-linked glycans that can be recognized by SBA. Additional O-linked sugars on ESb-MP T200 molecules seem to be expressed in particular after trimming of the second T200 precursor chain.