The cyclic AMP receptor of Escherichia coli: Immunological studies in extracts of Escherichia coli and other organisms

An antiserum specific for the cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate receptor from Escherichia coli has been employed to detect the presence of a similar protein in cellular extracts of a number of diverse organisms. In Ouchterlony double-diffusion experiments cellular extracts from Photobacterium fisheri, Aerobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Salmonella typhimurium all showed precipitin bands with E. coli cyclic AMP receptor-antiserum. The extract from Caulobacter crescentus exhibited slight cross-reactivity. Similar results were obtained with an immuno-precipitation assay used to quantitate the amount of cyclic AMP receptor-like protein present. Extracts from a variety of organisms were found to bind cyclic AMP when the usual (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation assay for cyclic AMP receptor was employed. Only the extract from Methanosarcina barkeri was inactive. Some extracts prepared from E. coli grown on Luria broth were observed to have no cyclic AMP binding activity. Antiserum was used to determine the presence of cyclic AMP receptor in these inactive extracts. These preparations usually regain binding activity on standing at 4°C for 2–3 days.     

DYNAMICS OF A NOVEL CHROMOSOMAL POLYMORPHISM WITHIN A HYBRID ZONE BETWEEN TWO CHROMOSOME RACES OF THE SCELOPORUS GRAMMICUS COMPLEX (SAURIA,PHRYNOSOMATIDAE)

Several chromosome races of the mesquite lizard, Sceloporus grammicus complex, hybridize at localities in central Mexico. In most cases, the hybridizing populations are delineated by centric fissions at one or more of the macrochromosomes. One notable exception is the Tulancingo hybrid zone between the F5 and FM2 cytotypes. In addition to fission and/or inversion differences at chromosomes 1, 3, 4, and 6, these races differ by a complex rearrangement of chromosome 2, which carries the nucleolus-organizer region in this species. The meiotic consequences of heterozygosity at this chromosome were examined in males to assess the potential for this chromosome to contribute to the dynamics of the hybrid zone. Chromosomal analysis revealed several putative F₁ hybrids and confirmed the production of nonparental chromosomal morphologies through recombination. Pachytene analysis revealed meiotic pairing difficulties associated with chromosome 2 in males heterozygous for the parental chromosomal morphologies. Significant aneuploidy is expected because of random disjunction of the chromosome-2 elements. As a result, these males likely suffer reduced fertiliity and fitness. In contrast, males heterozygous for recombinant chromosomal morphologies displayed low levels of meiotic irregularities and presumably exhibit higher fertility than individuals heterozygous for parental morphologies. It is hypothesized that the recombinant phenotypes facilitate gene flow between the F5 and FM2 cytotypes.     

Insulin receptor overexpression in 184B5 human mammary epithelial cells induces a ligand-dependent transformed phenotype

To determine the role of the insulin receptor overexpression in breast epithelial cell transformation, the 184B5 human breast epithelial cell line was transfected with human insulin receptor cDNA. In two cell lines transfected with and overexpressing human insulin receptors (IR) (223.8 and 184.5 ng IR/10⁶ cells), but not in untransfected cells, insulin binding and tyrosine kinase activity were elevated, and insulin induced a dose-dependent increase in colony formation in soft agar.     

Characterization of an immune complex kinase in immunoprecipitates of avian sarcoma virus-transformed fibroblasts.

Kinase activity detected in immune complexes containing the src gene product of the avian sarcoma virus has been reported. To further characterize this immune complex kinase, we developed a routine quantitative assay involving trichloroacetic acid precipitation on filters. The enzyme reaction required either Mg2+ or Mn2+, but was inactive with Ca2+. The kinetics of the phosphorylation reaction indicated a transient enzyme activity limited by rapid substrate-dependent inactivation of the enzyme. A variety of nucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dATP, ATP, GTP, CTP, dGTP, TTP, dCTP) served as phosphoryl donors. The phosphorylation of immunoglobulin G was inhibited by the presence of nucleoside diphosphates. Deoxyribonucleoside diphosphates can either stimulate or inhibit the kinase reaction depending upon the concentration used. The unusual enzymatic properties of the immune complex kinase raise the possibility that the enzyme does not function as a protein kinase in vivo, but rather belongs to a different class of kinases (nucleotide kinases) which adventitiously phosphorylates immunoglobulin G when immunoprecipitated with immune serum.     

Construction of a recombinant bacterial plasmid containing pro-alpha 1(I) collagen DNA sequences

A partially purified mRNA preparation enriched for chick collagen messenger RNA activity was used as template for the synthesis of double stranded cDNA. The cDNA was ligated into the HindIII site of the plasmid vector pBR322 and used to transform Escherichia coli x1776. One plasmid with an 800-base pair insert was shown to contain DNA sequences corresponding to Type I pro-alpha 1 collagen.     

The possible role of cyclic AMP in the control of genetic tumor induction

Young seedlings of the tumor-prone amphiploid Nicotiana suaveolensx N. langsdorffii, grown aseptically on nutrient medium, weretreated with 1x10^–2 M cyclic adenosine 3': 5'-monophosphate(cyclic AMP). The incidence of tumor formation was scored atregular intervals subsequent to exposure. Cyclic AMP causeda significant reduction in the rate of tumor formation. In addition,untreated plants grown on nutrient medium were harvested atregular intervals after the seeds had been sown. Cyclic AMPwas extracted, partially purified, and assayed radioimmunologically.The endogenous level of cyclic AMP in stem tissue was highestin young seedlings, rapidly fell reaching a low point in 18day-old plants, and eventually leveled off. The presence ofindoleacetic acid (IAA) in the growth medium at a final concentrationof 2x10^–5 M prevented the decline in cyclic AMP that occurredin seedlings grown on unsupplemented medium. (Received May 21, 1976; )     

Chloroquine stimulation of insulin binding to IM-9 lymphocytes: Evidence for action at a nonlysosomal site

Chloroquine has been shown to both increase insulin binding and decrease intracellular insulin degradation in several target cells. However, whether this increased binding is a consequence of decreased degradation is unclear. Accordingly, we studied the effects of chloroquine on insulin binding to IM-9 cultured lymphocytes, a cell type that does not degrade insulin in the cell interior. In these cells, chloroquine enhanced insulin binding in a dose dependent manner over the concentration range of 100 μM to 1 mM; at 1 mM binding was increased by 70%. Scatchard analysis indicated that chloroquine acted to increase receptor affinity. These studies indicate, therefore, that chloroquine can enhance the binding of insulin to its receptor via a mechanism that is independent of effects on intracellular insulin degradation.     

Mechanism of cyclic AMP effect on nutrient transport in Chinese hamster ovary cells. A genetic approach

The effect of 8-bromo cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) on sugar and amino acid transport was investigated in wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in mutants selected for resistance to cAMP inhibition of cell growth. In wild type cells, both 3-O-methyl-D-glucose and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport were decreased in cells treated for 24 h with 8-Br-cAMP; kinetic analysis indicated that a decrease in Vmax, without a significant change in Km, accounted for the lower transport capacity of 8-Br-cAMP treated cells. Among the different transport systems contributing to amino acid entry, "alanine" preferring transport system (system A) appeared to be specifically affected. The sensitivity of transport processes to 8-Br-cAMP was tested in three cAMP-resistant cell lines. When tested for their capacity to phosphorylate histones in crude extracts, one strain had apparently normal amounts of protein kinase activity, one strain had a decreased enzyme sensitivity to cAMP, and one strain had little or no enzyme activity. In all three mutants, no effect of 8-Br-cAMP on 3-O-methyl glucose and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport could be observed, regardless of the level of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. These data do not indicate whether the effect of cAMP on nutrient transport in CHO cells is the cause or consequence of growth inhibition. However, they support the conclusion that, in CHO cells, the presence of a normally functioning cAMP-dependent protein kinase appears to be necessary but may not be sufficient to observe the effects of cAMP on nutrient transport as well as cell shape and cell growth.