Nodulin-26, a peribacteroid membrane nodulin is expressed independently of the development of the peribacteroid compartment.

The peribacteroid membrane (pbm) of root nodules is derived from the plant cell plasma membrane but contains in addition several nodule-specific host proteins (nodulins). Antibodies raised against purified pbm of soybean were used to immunoprecipitate polysomes to isolate an RNA fraction that served as a template for the synthesis of a cDNA probe for screening a nodule-specific cDNA library. Clone p1B1 was found to encode a 26.5 kDa polypeptide (nodulin-26) which is immunoprecipitable specifically with the anti-pbm serum. Nodulin-26 has features of a transmembrane protein and its structure differs from that of nodulin-24 which appears to be a surface protein of pbm. The expression of these two pbm nodulins was examined in nodules induced by Bradyrhizobium japonicum Tn5 mutants that arrest nodule development at different stages of pbm biosynthesis. Nodules that do not show release of bacteria from the infection thread express nodulin-24 at a very low level. In contrast, the expression of nodulin-26 occurs fully in nodules that form infection threads only and is not affected by the release of bacteria from the threads.     

Heparin induces changes in the synthesis of porcine aortic endothelial cell heparan sulfate proteoglycans

Heparin is known to bind to cultured endothelial cells. This report documents that addition of heparin to endothelial cells results in an alteration of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan synthetic pattern. Specifically, the addition of saturating amounts of heparin to confluent cultures of porcine aortic endothelial cells results in an increase in the amount of radiolabeled heparan sulfate proteoglycan secreted into the growth medium. The increase is apparent as early as 8 h after heparin administration. Although there is often a decrease in the amount of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan produced, it is not sufficient to account for the increase in the secreted form. Of the other glycosaminoglycans tested, only dextran sulfate and commercial heparan sulfate induce changes in heparan sulfate proteoglycan synthesis and secretion. Chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans do not elicit this synthetic change. These data indicate that endothelial cells can alter the synthesis of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in response to extracellular signals including heparin and related glycosaminoglycans.     

Solution-phase detection of polynucleotides using interacting fluorescent labels and competitive hybridization

DNA was assayed in a homogeneous format using DNA probes containing hybridization-sensitive labels. The DNA probes were prepared from complementary DNA strands in which one strand was covalently labeled on the 5'-terminus with fluorescein and the complementary strand was covalently labeled on the 3'-terminus with a quencher of fluorescein emission, either pyrenebutyrate or sulforhodamine 101. Probes prepared in this manner were able to detect unlabeled target DNA by competitive hybridization producing fluorescence signals which increased with increasing target DNA concentration. A single pair of complementary probes detected target DNA at a concentration of approximately 0.1 nM in 10 min or about 10 pM in 20-30 min. Detection of a 4 pM concentration of target DNA was demonstrated in 6 h using multiple probe pairs. The major limiting factors were background fluorescence and hybridization rates. Continuous monitoring of fluorescence during competitive hybridization allowed correction for variable sample backgrounds at probe concentrations down to 20 pM; however, the time required for complete hybridization increased to greater than 1 h at probe concentrations below 0.1 nM. A promising application for this technology is the rapid detection of amplified polynucleotides. Detection of 96,000 target DNA molecules in a 50-microliters sample was demonstrated following in vitro amplification using the polymerase chain reaction technique.     

IGF-1-dependent subunit communication of the IGF-1 holoreceptor: interactions between alpha beta heterodimeric receptor halves

Examination of 125I-IGF-1 affinity cross-linking and beta-subunit autophosphorylation has indicated that IGF-1 induces a covalent association of isolated alpha beta heterodimeric IGF-1 receptors into an alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state, in a similar manner to that observed for the insulin receptor [Morrison, B.D., Swanson, M.L., Sweet, L.J., & Pessin, J.E. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 7806-7813]. The formation of the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric IGF-1 receptor complex from the partially purified alpha beta heterodimers was time dependent with half-maximal formation in approximately 30 min at saturating IGF-1 concentrations. The IGF-1-dependent association of the partially purified alpha beta heterodimers into an alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state was specific for the IGF-1 receptors since IGF-1 was unable to stimulate the protein kinase activity of the purified alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptor complex. Incubation of the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric IGF-1 holoreceptor with the specific sulfhydryl agent iodoacetamide (IAN) did not alter 125I-IGF-1 binding of IGF-1 stimulation of protein kinase activity. In addition, IAN did not affect the Mn/MgATP-dependent noncovalent association of IGF-1 receptor alpha beta heterodimers into an alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state. However, IAN treatment of the alpha beta heterodimeric IGF-1 receptors inhibited the IGF-1-dependent covalent formation of the disulfide-linked alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric complex. These data indicate that IGF-1 induces the covalent association of isolated alpha beta heterodimeric IGF-1 receptor complexes into a disulfide-linked alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state whereas Mn/MgATP induces a noncovalent association.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Segmental flexibility and complement fixation of genetically engineered chimeric human, rabbit and mouse antibodies.

We generated a family of chimeric immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules having identical antigen-combining sites for the dansyl (DNS) hapten, in conjunction with nine heavy chain constant (CH) regions. This family of antibody molecules allows comparison of CH dependent properties independent of possible variable region contributions to IgG function. The segmental flexibility and complement fixation activity were measured of six genetically engineered molecules (the four human IgG isotypes, mouse IgG3 and rabbit IgG) and the remaining three mouse IgG isotypes, (IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b), isolated previously by somatic cell genetic techniques. These properties of antibody molecules each correlate with the length of the immunoglobulin hinge region which separate the first and second CH (CH1 and CH2) domains. These results attribute a structural basis for two critical properties of antibody molecules.     

Fish infected with Sphaerospora spp. Thélohan (Myxosporea) from waters enzootic for proliferative kidney disease of salmonids

Sphaerospores were found among three species of fish examined from waters known to be enzootic for proliferative kidney disease (PKD) of salmonids. They were detected in the renal tubules of both hatchery-reared rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) exposed to the infectious stage of PKD and in chubs (Gila bicolor) in the headwaters of a hatchery where PKD is enzootic. Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) collected near net pens where Pacific salmon had experienced a PKD epizootic were also found to harbor sphaerospores in the lumen of the kidney tubules. The latter two host species contained developmental stages of a myxosporidan in the blood and in the lumen of the kidney tubules which are similar to those of PKX, the causative agent of PKD in salmonid fish. The sphaerospores observed in the rainbow trout are the first to be observed in this species. The similarity to previously observed developmental stages, rarity, and presence of these sphaerospores in salmonid fish from a hatchery where PKD is enzootic suggest that they are the most mature stage of the PKX myxosporidan yet observed.     

Integration of membrane proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum requires GTP

We have examined the requirement for ribonucleotides and ribonucleotide triphosphate hydrolysis during early events in the membrane integration of two membrane proteins: the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus and the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoprotein of Newcastle disease virus. Both proteins contain a single transmembrane-spanning segment but are integrated in the membrane with opposite orientations. The G protein has an amino-terminal signal sequence and a stop-transfer sequence located near the carboxy terminus. The HN glycoprotein has a single sequence near the amino terminus that functions as both a signal-sequence and a transmembrane-spanning segment. Membrane insertion was explored using a cell-free system directed by transcribed mRNAs encoding amino-terminal segments of the two proteins. Ribosome-bound nascent polypeptides were assembled, ribonucleotides were removed by gel filtration chromatography, and the ribosomes were incubated with microsomal membranes under conditions of defined ribonucleotide content. Nascent chain insertion into the membrane required the presence of both the signal recognition particle and a functional signal recognition particle receptor. In the absence of ribonucleotides, insertion of nascent membrane proteins was not detected. GTP or nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues promoted efficient insertion, while ATP was comparatively ineffective. Surprisingly, the majority of the HN nascent chain remained ribosome associated after puromycin treatment. Ribosome-associated HN nascent chains remained competent for membrane insertion, while free HN chains were not competent. We conclude that a GTP binding protein performs an essential function during ribosome-dependent insertion of membrane proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum that is unrelated to protein synthesis.     

95-kilodalton B-Raf serine/threonine kinase: identification of the protein and its major autophosphorylation site.

B-Raf, a member of the Raf family of serine/threonine kinases, is expressed primarily in the brain and in the nervous system. In this study, the biochemical properties of the B-Raf protein were investigated in nerve growth factor (NGF)-responsive cell lines and in brain tissues. B-Raf was identified by using phosphopeptide mapping analysis and cDNA analysis as a 95-kDa protein which is primarily localized in the cytosol. NGF rapidly stimulated both serine and threonine phosphorylation in vivo and autophosphorylation activity in vitro of the B-Raf protein. In PC12 cells, B-Raf autokinase activity was induced by both differentiation factors and mitogens, with maximal activity observed after 5 min of factor addition. B-Raf kinase activity was also observed following NGF treatment of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and in adult mouse brain and hippocampus. Induction of B-Raf kinase activity in NGF-treated PC12 cells required expression of kinase-active trk receptors. Exogenous substrates or a peptide containing the autophosphorylation site became phosphorylated when added to immune complex kinase assays and reduced the in vitro autophosphorylation activity of B-Raf, suggesting that in vitro autophosphorylation sites and exogenous substrates compete for active sites of the B-Raf kinase. Finally, the major in vitro autophosphorylation site of B-Raf was identified as threonine 372 in the conserved region 2 domain. A threonine residue is present at similar positions in all three mammalian Raf family members and may represent a regulatory site for these proteins.     

Comparative studies of nickel,cobalt, and copper uptake by some nickel hyperaccumulators of the genus Alyssum

The uptake of Ni, Co, and Cu by the nickel hyperaccumulator Alyssum troodii Boiss and the non-accumulator Aurinia saxatilis (L.) Desv. were studied in pot trials using artificial rooting media with varying concentrations of the metals added as soluble salts, singly and in combination. The ability of five other Ni hyperaccumulating species of Alyssum to hyperaccumulate Co was also investigated.Leaves and stems of A. troodii accumulated Ni to almost the same extent (8000–10 000 g g^-1). In roots, the highest Ni concentration was 2000 g g^-1. In leaves of Au. saxatilis, the maximum Ni concentration was only 380 g g^-1 and the level in roots was even lower.In media containing Co, the maximum concentration of this element in A. troodii (2325 g g^-1) was ten times higher than in the non-accumulator species. Slightly less Co was found in stems and roots of both species. Among the other Ni hyperaccumulators, the maximum concentration of Co in leaves ranged from about 1000–8000 g g^-1.Copper concentrations were the same in all organs of both species when they were grown in copper-rich media and were in the range 40–80 g g^-1, showing that neither plant was capable of taking up Cu at levels comparable to those of Ni and Co.When both plants were grown in media containing equal amounts of both Co and Ni, the Co concentrations in plant organs were the same as for specimens grown in media containing Co only. However, the Ni levels were lower in both species. Uptake of Co therefore appeared to suppress Ni uptake.Pot trials showed that the order of tolerance was Ni>Cu>Co for A. troodii and Ni>CoCu for Au. saxatilis, whereas the seedling tests showed the order to be Co>Ni>Cu. At metal concentrations 10 000 g g^-1, the overall tolerance of A. troodii was greater than that of Au. saxatilis which exhibited equally low tolerance to Ni and Cu.We conclude that in A. troodii, A. corsicum Duby, A. heldreichii Hausskn., A. murale Waldstein & Kitaibel, A. pintodasilvae T.R. Dudley, and A. tenium Hálácsy, Ni tolerance and hyperaccumulation conveys the same character towards Co. This behaviour should be investigated in other hyperaccumulators of Ni and/or Co.