Regulation of phosducin-like protein by casein kinase 2 and N-terminal splicing

Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) is a member of the phosducin family of G-protein betagamma-regulators and exists in two splice variants. The long isoform PhLP(L) and the short isoform PhLP(S) differ by the presence or absence of an 83-amino acid N terminus. In isolated biochemical assay systems, PhLP(L) is the more potent Gbetagamma-inhibitor, whereas the functional role of PhLP(S) is still unclear. We now report that in intact HEK 293 cells, PhLP(S) inhibited Gbetagamma-induced inositol phosphate generation with approximately 20-fold greater potency than PhLP(L). Radiolabeling of transfected HEK 293 cells with [(32)P] revealed that PhLP(L) is constitutively phosphorylated, whereas PhLP(S) is not. Because PhLP(L) has several consensus sites for the constitutively active kinase casein kinase 2 (CK2) in its N terminus, we tested the phosphorylation of the recombinant proteins by either HEK cell cytosol in the presence or absence of kinase inhibitors or by purified CK2. PhLP(L) was a good CK2 substrate, whereas PhLP(S) and phosducin were not. Progressive truncation and serine/threonine to alanine mutations of the PhLP(L) N terminus identified a serine/threonine cluster (Ser-18/Thr-19/Ser-20) within a small N-terminal region of PhLP(L) (amino acids 5-28) as the site in which PhLP(L) function was modified in HEK 293 cells. In native tissue, PhLP(L) also seems to be regulated by phosphorylation because phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms of PhLP(L) were detected in mouse brain and adrenal gland. Moreover, the alternatively spliced isoform PhLP(S) was also found in adrenal tissue. Therefore, the physiological control of G-protein regulation by PhLP seems to involve phosphorylation by CK2 and alternative splicing of the regulator.     

Assay of the concentration and (13)C isotopic enrichment of propionyl-CoA,methylmalonyl-CoA,and succinyl-CoA by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

We developed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assays for the concentration and mass isotopomer distribution of propionyl-CoA, methylmalonyl-CoA, and succinyl-CoA in tissues. The assays involves perchloric acid extraction of the tissue, spiking the extract with [(2)H(5)]propionyl-CoA and [(2)H(4)]succinyl-CoA internal standards, and isolation of short-chain acyl-CoA fraction on an oligonucleotide purification cartridge. Propionyl-CoA is reacted with sarcosine and the formed N-propionylsarcosine is assayed as its pentafluorobenzyl derivative. Methylmalonyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA are hydrolyzed and the corresponding acids assayed as tert-butyl dimethylsilyl derivatives. The assay was applied to a study of [U-(13)C(3)]propionate metabolism in perfused rat livers. While propionyl-CoA is only M3 labeled, succinyl-CoA is M3, M2, and M1 labeled because of isotopic exchanges in the citric acid cycle. Methylmalonyl-CoA is M3 and M2 labeled, reflecting reversal of S-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Thus, our assays allow measuring the turnover of the coenzyme A derivatives involved in anaplerosis of the citric acid cycle via precursors of propionyl-CoA, i.e., propionate, odd-chain fatty acids, isoleucine, threonine, and valine.     

Niemann-Pick type C disease: mutations of NPC1 gene and evidence of abnormal expression of some mutant alleles in fibroblasts

We analyzed Niemann-Pick type C disease 1 (NPC1) gene in 12 patients with Niemann-Pick type C disease by sequencing both cDNA obtained from fibroblasts and genomic DNA. All the patients were compound heterozygotes. We found 15 mutations, eight of which previously unreported. The comparison of cDNA and genomic DNA revealed discrepancies in some subjects. In two unrelated patients carrying the same mutations (P474L and nt 2972del2) only one mutant allele (P474L), was expressed in fibroblasts. The mRNA corresponding to the other allele was not detected even in cells incubated with cycloheximide. The promoter variants (-1026T/G and -1186T/C or -238 C/G), found to be in linkage with 2972del2 allele do not explain the lack of expression of this allele, as they were also found in control subjects. In another patient, (N1156S/Q922X) the N1156S allele was expressed in fibroblasts while the expression of the other allele was hardly detectable. In a fourth patient cDNA analysis revealed a point mutation in exon 20 (P1007A) and a 56 nt deletion in exon 22 leading to a frameshift and a premature stop codon. The first mutation was confirmed in genomic DNA; the second turned out to be a T-->G transversion in exon 22, predicted to cause a missense mutation (V1141G). In fact, this transversion generates a donor splice site in exon 22, which causes an abnormal pre-mRNA splicing leading to a partial deletion of this exon. In some NPC patients, therefore, the comparison between cDNA and genomic DNA may reveal an unexpected expression of some mutant alleles of NPC1 gene.     

Importance of a Small N-Terminal Region in Mammalian Peptide Transporters for Substrate Affinity and Function

The two closely related, proton-coupled, electrogenic mammalian peptide transporters PEPT1 and PEPT2 differ substantially in substrate affinity and mode of function. The intestinal carrier PEPT1 has a lower affinity for most substrates than the isoform PEPT2 that is expressed in kidney, lung, brain and other tissues. A previous analysis of PEPT1-PEPT2 chimeras has suggested that the N-terminal half of the carrier proteins is important for substrate affinity. We constructed and analyzed new PEPT1-PEPT2 chimeras for identifying smaller segments within the N-terminal region of the transporter proteins that contribute to the kinetic properties. The first 59 or 91 amino-acid residues of PEPT1 were used to replace the corresponding region in PEPT2 leading to the chimeras CH3 and CH4, which could be analyzed when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Substrate affinities of both chimeras for the zwitterionic substrate D-Phe-Ala ranged between those that are characteristic for either PEPT1 or PEPT2, but when charged dipeptide substrates were employed, both chimeras possessed PEPT1-like affinities. The chimera CH3 carrying the N-terminal 59 amino-acid residues of PEPT1 exhibited a PEPT2-like phenotype with respect to pHout-dependency as well as to the current-voltage relationship of inward currents. In the chimera CH4 possessing the 91 amino-terminal residues of PEPT1, a pronounced alteration in the pHout-dependence was observed, with highest transport rates occurring at pH values as low as pH 4.0. Based on this analysis, we propose that the two identified aminoterminal regions in mammalian peptide carriers play an important role in determining the substrate affinity and also other characteristic features of the two transporter subtypes.     

Assessment of essential fatty acid and omega3-fatty acid status by measurement of erythrocyte 20:3omega9 (Mead acid), 22:5omega6/20:4omega6 and 22:5omega6/22:6omega3

BACKGROUND: Early suspicion of essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) or omega3-deficiency may rather focus on polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) or long-chain PUFA (LCP) analyses than clinical symptoms. We determined cut-off values for biochemical EFAD, omega3-and omega3/22:6omega3 [docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)]-deficiency by measurement of erythrocyte 20:3omega9 (Mead acid), 22:5omega6/20:4omega6 and 22:5omega6/22:6omega3, respectively. METHODS: Cut-off values, based on 97.5 percentiles, derived from an apparently healthy omnivorous group (six Dominica breast-fed newborns, 32 breast-fed and 27 formula+LCP-fed Dutch low-birth-weight infants, 31 Jerusalem infants, 33 Dutch 3.5-year-old infants, 69 omnivorous Dutch adults and seven Dominica mothers) and an apparently healthy group with low dietary LCP intake (81 formula-fed Dutch low-birth-weight infants, 12 Dutch vegans). Cut-off values were evaluated by their application in an EFAD suspected group of 108, mostly malnourished, Pakistani children, three pediatric patients with chronic fat-malabsorption (abetal-ipoproteinemia, congenital jejunal and biliary atresia) and one patient with a peroxisomal beta-oxidation disorder. RESULTS: Erythrocyte 20:3omega9, 22:5omega6/20:4omega6 and 22:5omega6/22:6omega3 proved age-dependent up to 0.2 years. Cut-off values for ages above 0.2 years were: 0.46mol% 20:3omega9 for EFAD, 0.068mol/mol 22:5omega6/20:4omega6 for omega3-deficiency, 0.22mol/mol 22:5omega6/22:6omega3 for omega3/DHA-marginality and 0.48mol/mol 22:5omega6/22:6omega3 for omega3/DHA-deficiency. Use of RBC 20:3omega9 and 22:5omega6/20:4omega6 cut-off values identified 20.4% of the Pakistani subjects as EFAD+omega3-deficient, 12.9% as EFAD+omega3-sufficient, 38.9% as EFA-sufficient+omega3-deficient and 27.8% as EFA-sufficient+omega3-sufficient. The patient with the peroxisomal disorder was classified as EFA-sufficient, omega3-sufficient (based on RBC 22:5omega6/20:4omega6) and omega3/DHA-deficient (based on RBC 22:5omega6/22:6omega3). The three other pediatric patients were classified as EFAD, omega3-deficient and omega3/DHA-deficient. CONCLUSION: Use of the combination of the present cut-off values for EFA, omega3 and omega3/DHA status assessment, as based on 97.5 percentiles, may serve for PUFA supplement intervention until better concepts have emerged.     

Sex and the single (double-strand) break

It has been known for some time that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiate homologous recombination during meiosis. Two recent studies show that the fate of a single DSB in yeast is strongly influenced by the presence of other breaks in the genome, hinting that cell-wide or chromosome-regional mechanisms control the outcome of DSB repair.     

A new tiazofurin pronucleotide: synthesis and biological evaluation of cyclosaligenyl-tiazofurin monophosphate

Synthesis and biological activities of cyclosaligenyl-tiazofurin monophosphate (CycloSal-TRMP), a new tiazofurin pronucleotide, are reported. CycloSal-TRMP proved to be active in vitro against human myelogenous leukemia K562 cell line and as A1 adenosine receptor agonist.     

Effects of neuroactive steroids on myelin of peripheral nervous system

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) possess both classical (e.g. progesterone receptor, PR, androgen receptor, AR) and non-classical (e.g. GABA_A receptor) steroid receptors and consequently may represent a target for the action of neuroactive steroids. Our data have indicated that neuroactive steroids, like for instance, progesterone, dihydroprogesterone, tetrahydroprogesterone, dihydrotestosterone and 3-diol, stimulate both in vivo and in vitro (Schwann cell cultures), the expression of two important proteins of the myelin of peripheral nerves, the glycoprotein Po (Po) and the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22). It is important to highlight that the mechanisms by which neuroactive steroids exert their effects on the expression of Po and PMP22 involve different kind of receptors depending on the steroid and on the myelin protein considered. In particular, at least in culture of Schwann cells, the expression of Po seems to be under the control of PR, while that of PMP22 needs the GABA_A receptor.

Because Po and PMP22 play an important physiological role for the maintenance of the multilamellar structure of the myelin of the PNS, the present observations might suggest the utilization of neuroactive steroids as new therapeutically approaches for the rebuilding of the peripheral myelin.