Role of C-terminus of Kir7.1 potassium channel in cell-surface expression

Inward rectifier K+ channel Kir7.1 is predominantly expressed on the plasma membrane of a variety of ion-transporting epithelia. The electrophysiological property of Kir7.1 has been well characterized but the mechanism underlying the plasma-membrane targeting remains elusive. To address this issue, we examined the effect of deletion and site-directed mutagenesis on the plasma-membrane localization of Kir7.1 in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells by immunofluorescence microscopy and cell-surface biotinylation. Although deletions of up to 37 amino acid residues from the C-terminus had no effect, further deletion resulted in accumulation of the mutant proteins in intracellular membranes. No sequence motif for subcellular targeting was found in the distal C-terminal region. The cell-surface expression of the deletion mutant lacking 38 or 40 C-terminal residues was restored by addition of one or three alanine residues, respectively, to the C-terminus end. These results suggest that the C-terminal length plays an important role in the plasma-membrane localization of Kir7.1.     

Production of reactive oxygen species in peripheral blood is increased in individuals with Helicobacter pylori infection and decreased after its eradication

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported to cause gastroduodenal ulcer, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. Recent studies have suggested that H. pylori infection may also associate with other diseases, including hematologic and dermatologic disorders, and cardiovascular injury, by unknown mechanisms. METHODS: Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined in peripheral blood samples from 86 patients (34 H. pylori-negative and 52 H. pylori-positive subjects) using a highly sensitive chemiluminescence probe, L-012 (8-amino-5-chloro-7-phenylpyrido(3,4-d) pyridazine-1 and 4 (2H, 3H) dione). Eleven H. pylori-positive individuals were also analyzed their ROS production in peripheral blood after H. pylori eradication. RESULTS: ROS production was significantly higher in individuals with H. pylori infection than in those without infection. Enhanced production of ROS was decreased significantly after eradication of H. pylori. No correlation was found between the extent of ROS production and sex, age, smoking status, alcohol ingestion, use of medications, or serum level of C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that ROS production was enhanced in peripheral blood by H. pylori infection. Chemiluminescence analysis of blood samples using L-012 permits evaluation of systemic oxidative stress in patients with H. pylori infection.     

Large conformational changes in a kinesin motor catalyzed by interaction with microtubules

Kinesin motor proteins release nucleotide upon interaction with microtubules (MTs), then bind and hydrolyze ATP to move along the MT. Although crystal structures of kinesin motors bound to nucleotides have been solved, nucleotide-free structures have not. Here, using cryomicroscopy and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, we report the structure of MTs decorated with a Kinesin-14 motor, Kar3, in the nucleotide-free state, as well as with ADP and AMPPNP, with resolution sufficient to show alpha helices. We find large structural changes in the empty motor, including melting of the switch II helix alpha4, closure of the nucleotide binding pocket, and changes in the central beta sheet reminiscent of those reported for nucleotide-free myosin crystal structures. We propose that the switch II region of the motor controls docking of the Kar3 neck by conformational changes in the central beta sheet, similar to myosin, rather than by rotation of the motor domain, as proposed for the Kif1A kinesin motor.     

The potato transcriptional co-activator StMBF1 is up-regulated in response to oxidative stress and interacts with the TATA-box binding protein

To gain a better understanding on the function of the potato Solanum tuberosum Multiprotein Bridging Factor 1 protein (StMBF1) its interaction with the TATA box binding protein (TBP) was demonstrated. In addition we reported that StMBF1 rescues the yeast mbf1 mutant phenotype, indicating its role as a plant co-activator. These data reinforce the hypothesis that MBF1 function is also conserved among non closely related plant species. In addition, measurement of StMBF1 protein level by Western blot using anti-StMBF1 antibodies indicated that the protein level increased upon H(2)O(2) and heat shock treatments. However, the potato beta-1,3-glucanase protein level was not changed under the same experimental conditions. These data indicate that StMBF1 participates in the cell stress response against oxidative stress allowing us to suggest that MBF1 genes from different plant groups may share similar functions.     

Development of visible markers for transgenic plants and their availability for environmental risk assessment

Monitoring of transgenic plants in the field is important, but risk assessment has entailed laborious use of invisible marker genes. Here, we assessed three easily visible marker transgenes--green fluorescent protein (GFP), R, and Nicotiana tabacum homeobox (NTH) 15 genes--for their potential use as marker genes for monitoring genetically modified plants. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants for each of these genes were visibly distinguished from wild-type plants. We determined the germination rate, 3-week fresh weight, time to first flowering, and seed weight of the transgenic plants to evaluate whether the expression of these marker genes affected the growth of the host. Introduction of GFP gene had no effect on the evaluated parameters, and we then used the GFP gene as a marker to assess the outcrossing frequency between transgenic and two Arabidopsis species. Our results showed that the hybridization frequency between transgenic plants and Arabidopsis thaliana was 0.24%, and between transformants and Arabidopsis lyrata it was 2.6% under experimental condition. Out-crossing frequency was decreased by extending the distance between two kinds of plants. Thus, the GFP gene is a useful marker for assessing the whereabouts of transgenes/transformants in the field. We also demonstrated that the GFP gene is possibly applicable as a selection marker in the process of generation of transgenic plants.     

Tracing the first waves of lymphopoiesis in mice

RAG1/GFP knock-in mice were used to precisely chart the emergence and expansion of cells that give rise to the immune system. Lymphopoietic cells detectable in stromal co-cultures arose as early as E8.5, i.e. prior to establishment of the circulation within the paraaortic splanchnopleura (P-Sp). These cells were Tie2+ RAG1- CD34(Lo/-) Kit+ CD41-. While yolk sac (YS) also contained lymphopoietic cells after E9.5, CD41+ YS cells from < or =25-somite embryos produced myelo-erythroid cells but no lymphocytes. Notch receptor signaling directed P-Sp cells to T lymphocytes but did not confer lymphopoietic potential on YS cells. Thus, definitive hematopoiesis arises in at least two independent sites that differ in lymphopoietic potential. Expression of RAG1, the earliest known lymphoid event, first occurred around E10.5 within the embryos. RAG1/GFP+ cells appeared in the liver at E11.0 and progenitors with B and/or T lineage potential were enumerated at subsequent developmental stages.     

Design, synthesis, and biological activities of madindoline analogues

A research program is under way to develop a series of madindoline-based inhibitors targeting interleukin 6. Such inhibitors will have potential use in fighting a variety of diseases for which no effective therapeutic drugs currently exist. Madindoline is no longer available from natural sources. Consequently, we have developed a purely synthetic route to ensure a supply of the compound. The synthesis of a range of analogues is described, all of which were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the growth of IL-6-dependent 7TDI cells. From these assays, several synthetic madindoline analogues were identified as highly promising candidates for further development.     

Characterization of the ATP-dependent Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Transporter in Rat Erythrocytes

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid signal transmitter present in blood. Blood plasma S1P is supplied from erythrocytes and plays an important role in lymphocyte egress from lymphoid organs. However, the S1P export mechanism from erythrocytes to blood plasma is not well defined. To elucidate the mechanism of S1P export from erythrocytes, we performed the enzymatic characterization of S1P transporter in rat erythrocytes. Rat erythrocytes constitutively released S1P without any stimulus. The S1P release was reduced by an ABCA1 transporter inhibitor, glyburide, but not by a multidrug resistance-associated protein inhibitor, MK571, or a multidrug resistance protein inhibitor, cyclosporine A. Furthermore, we measured S1P transport activity using rat erythrocyte inside-out membrane vesicles (IOVs). Although the effective S1P transport into IOVs was observed in the presence of ATP, this activity was also supported by dATP and adenosine 5′-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate. The rate of S1P transport increased depending on S1P concentration, with an apparent K_m value of 21 μm. Two phosphorylated sphingolipids, dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide 1-phosphate, did not inhibit S1P transport. Similar to the intact erythrocytes, the uptake of S1P into IOVs was inhibited by glyburide and vanadate but not by the other ABC transporter inhibitors. These results suggest that S1P is exported from the erythrocytes by a novel ATP-dependent transporter.Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P),² a bioactive lipid molecule present in the blood, plays an important role in diverse cellular responses, such as migration, proliferation, and differentiation (1, 2). These processes are triggered by the binding of S1P to its specific receptors (3), of which five subtypes (S1P₁-S1P₅) have been identified in endothelial and immune cells (4). Studies using S1P₁ receptor-deficient mice showed abnormalities in lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus (5, 6). Whereas blood plasma contains a basal level of S1P from the nanomolar to the micromolar range (7–12), lymphoid tissues maintain a low S1P environment through the activity of S1P lyase (13). It has been proposed that a higher concentration of S1P in the blood plasma than in the lymphoid organs establishes an essential gradient along which lymphocytes expressing the S1P₁ receptor on cell surfaces migrate (2, 5, 6, 13–15).The source of plasma S1P remains unclear despite its importance in the cellular responses of endothelial cells and lymphocytes. Unlike most cells, blood cells, astrocytes, and vascular endothelial cells are reported to release S1P (8, 16–18). These cells contain sphingosine kinase, which synthesizes S1P through the phosphorylation of sphingosine (16, 18, 19). Whereas platelets and mast cells release S1P in a stimulus-dependent manner (17, 20), erythrocytes, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells release S1P in a stimulus-independent manner (16). The roles of S1P derived from erythrocytes, the most abundant of these blood cells, have not been elucidated. However, recent reports suggest that S1P released from erythrocytes is a major source of plasma S1P (7, 9) and promotes lymphocyte egress to blood (9).Previously, we showed that S1P is released from rat platelets upon stimulation by thrombin or Ca²⁺ (21). We proposed that an ATP-dependent transporter plays a key role in S1P release from platelets (21). However, the detailed mechanism of S1P release is unclear because there is no way to assay the transport of S1P across the membrane. In this study we compared the properties of S1P release from erythrocytes with that of platelets and showed that S1P release from erythrocytes does not require any stimuli. We then established an assay to measure the ATP-dependent S1P uptake into inside-out membrane vesicles (IOVs) prepared from rat erythrocytes and characterized S1P transport in erythrocytes.     

Cationic amino acid transporter 1-mediated l-arginine transport at the inner blood–retinal barrier

The purpose of this study was to identify the transporter mediating l -arginine transport at the inner blood–retinal barrier (BRB). The apparent uptake clearance of [³H] l -arginine into the rat retina was found to be 118 μL/(min·g retina), supporting a carrier-mediated influx transport of l -arginine at the BRB. [³H] l -Arginine uptake by a conditionally immortalized rat retinal capillary endothelial cell line (TR-iBRB2 cells), used as an in vitro model of the inner BRB, was primarily an Na⁺-independent and saturable process with Michaelis-Menten constants of 11.2 μM and 530 μM. This process was inhibited by rat cationic amino acid transporter (CAT) 1-specific small interfering RNA as well as substrates of CATs, l -arginine, l -lysine, and l -ornithine. The expression of cationic amino acid transporter (CAT) 1 mRNA was 25.9- and 796-fold greater than that of CAT3 in TR-iBRB2 and magnetically isolated rat retinal vascular endothelial cells, respectively. The expression of CAT1 protein was detected in TR-iBRB2 cells and immunostaining of CAT1 was observed along the rat retinal capillaries. In conclusion, CAT1 is localized in retinal capillary endothelial cells and at least in part mediates l -arginine transport at the inner BRB. This process seems to be closely involved in visual functions by supplying precursors of biologically important molecules like nitric oxide in the neural retina.