Characterization of the calmodulin-binding sites of muscle phosphofructokinase and comparison with known calmodulin-binding domains

Calmodulin has been shown to interact with high affinity with muscle phosphofructokinase (Mayr, G. W. (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 143, 513-520, 521-529). In this study, direct binding measurements indicated that each of the two subunits of dimeric phosphofructokinase bound two calmodulins with Kd values of about 3 nM and 1 microM, respectively, in a strictly Ca2+-dependent way. To get more detailed information about this interaction, calmodulin-binding fragments were isolated from a CNBr digest of phosphofructokinase using affinity chromatography on calmodulin-agarose. Two fragments, M11 (Mr 3080) and M22 (Mr 8060), formed a 1:1 stoichiometric complex with Ca2+-calmodulin. The amino acid sequences of these fragments were determined, and their positions in the three-dimensional structure-model of phosphofructokinase are proposed. Fragment M11, which binds to calmodulin with the higher affinity (Kd 11.4 nM), is located in a region of the subunit where two dimers have been proposed to make contacts if associating to active tetrameric enzyme. A stabilization of the dimeric form of the enzyme by binding of calmodulin supports this location of M11. The weaker binding fragment M22 (Kd 198 nM) corresponds to the C-terminal part of the polypeptide and contains the site which is phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Both fragments have structural properties in common with the isolated calmodulin-binding domains of myosin light chain kinase: two cationic segments rich in hydrophobic residues, one constantly possessing a tryptophan, and the other exhibiting an amino acid sequence resembling sites phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

The mitochondrial presequence translocase: an essential role of Tim50 in directing preproteins to the import channel

Mitochondrial proteins with N-terminal targeting signals are transported across the inner membrane via the presequence translocase, which consists of membrane-integrated channel proteins and the matrix Hsp70 import motor. It has not been known how preproteins are directed to the import channel. We have identified the essential protein Tim50, which exposes its major domain to the intermembrane space. Tim50 interacts with preproteins in transit and directs them to the channel protein Tim23. Inactivation of Tim50 strongly inhibits the import of preproteins with a classical matrix-targeting signal, while preproteins carrying an additional inner membrane-sorting signal do not strictly depend on Tim50. Thus, Tim50 is crucial for guiding the precursors of matrix proteins to their insertion site in the inner membrane.     

Guidance of primordial germ cell migration by the chemokine SDF-1

The signals directing primordial germ cell (PGC) migration in vertebrates are largely unknown. We demonstrate that sdf-1 mRNA is expressed in locations where PGCs are found and toward which they migrate in wild-type as well as in mutant embryos in which PGC migration is abnormal. Knocking down SDF-1 or its receptor CXCR4 results in severe defects in PGC migration. Specifically, PGCs that do not receive the SDF-1 signal exhibit lack of directional movement toward their target and arrive at ectopic positions within the embryo. Finally, we show that the PGCs can be attracted toward an ectopic source of the chemokine, strongly suggesting that this molecule provides a key directional cue for the PGCs.     

Calbindin-D(28k) controls [Ca(2+)](i) and insulin release. Evidence obtained from calbindin-d(28k) knockout mice and beta cell lines

The role of the calcium-binding protein, calbindin-D(28k) in potassium/depolarization-stimulated increases in the cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and insulin release was investigated in pancreatic islets from calbindin-D(28k) nullmutant mice (knockouts; KO) or wild type mice and beta cell lines stably transfected and overexpressing calbindin. Using single islets from KO mice and stimulation with 45 mM KCl, the peak of [Ca(2+)](i) was 3.5-fold greater in islets from KO mice compared with wild type islets (p < 0.01) and [Ca(2+)](i) remained higher during the plateau phase. In addition to the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in response to KCl there was also a significant increase in insulin release in islets isolated from KO mice. Evidence for modulation by calbindin of [Ca(2+)](i) and insulin release was also noted using beta cell lines. Rat calbindin was stably expressed in betaTC-3 and betaHC-13 cells. In response to depolarizing concentrations of K(+), insulin release was decreased by 45-47% in calbindin expressing betaTC cells and was decreased by 70-80% in calbindin expressing betaHC cells compared with insulin release from vector transfected betaTC or betaHC cells (p < 0.01). In addition, the K(+)-stimulated intracellular calcium peak was markedly inhibited in calbindin expressing betaHC cells compared with vector transfected cells (225 nM versus 1,100 nM, respectively). Buffering of the depolarization-induced rise in [Ca(2+)](i) was also observed in calbindin expressing betaTC cells. In summary, our findings, using both isolated islets from calbindin-D(28k) KO mice and beta cell lines, establish a role for calbindin in the modulation of depolarization-stimulated insulin release and suggest that calbindin can control the rate of insulin release via regulation of [Ca(2+)](i).     

Evidence against the reported linkage of the cutaneous melanoma-dysplastic nevus syndrome locus to chromosome Ip36.

The reported linkage between cutaneous melanoma and the dysplastic nevus syndrome (CM/DNS) to markers located on the distal portion of the short arm of chromosome 1 was examined in three Utah kindreds ascertained for multiple cases of melanoma. Family members in these kindreds were genotyped for the two markers reported to be most closely linked in the Bale study, PND and D1S47. Both melanoma alone and a combined melanoma/DNS phenotype were analyzed; no evidence for linkage was found. By multipoint linkage analysis the CM/DNS locus was excluded from an area of 55 cM containing the PND-D1S47 region. Diagnostic or genetic heterogeneity are alternate explanations for the discrepancy between our observations and those of Bale et al.     

Impact of Perfusion Map Analysis on Early Survival Prediction Accuracy in Glioma Patients

Studies investigating dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging-determined relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps as a metric of treatment response assessment have generated conflicting results. We evaluated the potential of various analytical techniques to predict survival of patients with glioma treated with chemoradiation. rCBV maps were acquired in patients with high-grade gliomas at 0, 1, and 3 weeks into chemoradiation therapy. Various analytical techniques were applied to the same cohort of serial rCBV data for early assessment of survival. Three different methodologies were investigated: 1) percentage change of whole tumor statistics (i.e., mean, median, and percentiles), 2) physiological segmentation (low rCBV, medium rCBV, or high rCBV), and 3) a voxel-based approach, parametric response mapping (PRM). All analyses were performed using the same tumor contours, which were determined using contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images. The predictive potential of each response metric was assessed at 1-year and overall survival. PRM was the only analytical approach found to generate a response metric significantly predictive of patient 1-year survival. Time of acquisition and contour volume were not found to alter the sensitivity of the PRM approach for predicting overall survival. We have demonstrated the importance of the analytical approach in early response assessment using serial rCBV maps. The PRM analysis shows promise as a unified early and robust imaging biomarker of treatment response in patients diagnosed with high-grade gliomas.     

CD66-mediated phagocytosis of Opa52 Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires a Src-like tyrosine kinase- and Rac1-dependent signalling pathway.

The interaction of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with human phagocytes is a hallmark of gonococcal infections. Recently, CD66 molecules have been characterized as receptors for Opa52-expressing gonococci on human neutrophils. Here we show that Opa52-expressing gonococci or Escherichia coli or F(ab) fragments directed against CD66, respectively, activate a signalling cascade from CD66 via Src-like protein tyrosine kinases, Rac1 and PAK to Jun-N-terminal kinase. The induced signal is distinct from Fcgamma-receptor-mediated signalling and is specific for Opa52, since piliated Opa- gonococci, commensal Neisseria cinerea or E.coli do not stimulate this signalling pathway. Inhibition of Src-like kinases or Rac1 prevents the uptake of Opa52 bacteria, demonstrating the crucial role of this signalling cascade for the opsonin-independent, Opa52/CD66-mediated phagocytosis of pathogenic Neisseria.