Permeabilization of the plasma membrane by deletion mutants of diphtheria toxin.

Diphtheria toxin B-fragment binds to cell-surface receptors and facilitates translocation of the enzymatically active A-fragment to the cytosol. In this process the B-fragment inserts into the plasma membrane and induces formation of cation-selective channels. We examined the ability of a number of diphtheria toxin-derived molecules translated in vitro to permeabilize cells. Two proteins consisting of the whole B-fragment and small parts of the A-fragment, and one protein comprising most of the B-fragment alone, were more efficient than full-length toxin in permeabilizing the plasma membrane to monovalent cations. Two shorter B-fragment-derived proteins, with 3 and 10 kd N-terminal deletions, permeabilized the cells to sulfate and sucrose in addition to monovalent cations. The relationship between channel formation and toxin translocation is discussed.     

Membrane interactions of diphtheria toxin analyzed using in vitro synthesized mutants.

We have developed a system to study the interactions of diphtheria toxin with the cell surface using non-toxic mutant proteins synthesized in vitro. Proteins obtained by N-terminal deletions containing the whole B fragment bound strongly to cells. Deletions extending into the B fragment did not yield an autonomous binding domain. Loss of only the N-terminal 3 kd of the B fragment significantly impaired the ability to recognize the receptor. This, together with previous reports that the C-terminal end of the B fragment is required for binding, suggests that both ends of the B fragment are necessary for receptor recognition. Receptor bound diphtheria toxin undergoes a conformational change at pH less than 5.3 that results in translocation of the A fragment to the cytosol and the appearance of a B fragment-derived 25 kd polypeptide (P25) resistant to externally applied protease. Only the B fragment was required for generation of P25. N-terminal deletions of 130 amino acids or more resulted in proteins that gave rise to P25 at higher pH than full length toxin. Furthermore, a second protease-inaccessible polypeptide of 18 kd (P18) was observed.     

Distinct structural elements of rab5 define its functional specificity.

Members of the rab family of small GTPases are localized to distinct cellular compartments and function as specific regulators of vesicle transport between organelles. Overexpression of rab5, which is associated with early endosomes and the plasma membrane, increases the rate of endocytosis [Bucci et al. (1992) Cell, 70, 715-728]. From sequence alignments and molecular modelling we identified structural elements that might contribute to the definition of the functional specificity of rab5. To test the role of these elements experimentally, we transplanted them onto rab6, which is associated with the Golgi complex. The chimeric proteins were assayed for intracellular localization and stimulation of endocytosis. First, we found that the C-terminus of rab5 could target rab6 to the plasma membrane and early endosomes but it did not confer rab5-like stimulation of endocytosis. Further replacement of other regions revealed that the N-terminus, helix alpha 2/loop 5 and helix alpha 2/loop 7 were all required to functionally convert rab6 into rab5. Reciprocal hybrids of rab5 containing these regions replaced with those of rab6 were inactive, demonstrating that each region is essential for rab5 function. These results indicate that distinct structural elements specify the localization, membrane association and regulatory function of rab5.     

Phylogenetic diversification of immunoglobulin genes and the antibody repertoire

Immunoglobulins are encoded by a large multigene system that undergoes somatic rearrangement and additional genetic change during the development of immunoglobulin-producing cells. Inducible antibody and antibody-like responses are found in all vertebrates. However, immunoglobulin possessing disulfide-bonded heavy and light chains and domain-type organization has been described only in representatives of the jawed vertebrates. High degrees of nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence identity are evident when the segmental elements that constitute the immunoglobulin gene loci in phylogenetically divergent vertebrates are compared. However, the organization of gene loci and the manner in which the independent elements recombine (and diversify) vary markedly among different taxa. One striking pattern of gene organization is the "cluster type" that appears to be restricted to the chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) and limits segmental rearrangement to closely linked elements. This type of gene organization is associated with both heavy- and light-chain gene loci. In some cases, the clusters are "joined" or "partially joined" in the germ line, in effect predetermining or partially predetermining, respectively, the encoded specificities (the assumption being that these are expressed) of the individual loci. By relating the sequences of transcribed gene products to their respective germ-line genes, it is evident that, in some cases, joined-type genes are expressed. This raises a question about the existence and/or nature of allelic exclusion in these species. The extensive variation in gene organization found throughout the vertebrate species may relate directly to the role of intersegmental (V<==>D<==>J) distances in the commitment of the individual antibody-producing cell to a particular genetic specificity. Thus, the evolution of this locus, perhaps more so than that of others, may reflect the interrelationships between genetic organization and function.      

Pulmonary vascular impedance and wave reflections in the hypoxic calf.

The alterations in pulsatile hemodynamics that occur during hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction have not been well characterized. Changes in oscillatory hemodynamics, however, may affect right ventricular-pulmonary vascular coupling and the dissipation of energy within the lung vasculature. To better define hypoxic pulsatile hemodynamics, we measured main pulmonary artery proximal and distal micromanometric pressures and ultrasonic flow in four open-chest calves during progressive hypoxia. Main pulmonary artery impedance and pressure transmission spectra were calculated using spectral analysis methods. Measured pressure and flow signals were separated in the time domain into forward and backward components. Hypoxia increased pulmonary blood pressure and resistance and produced multiple modifications in the impedance and pressure transmission spectra that indicated increased wave reflections and elasticity. The impedance and apparent phase velocity first-harmonic values were increased in amplitude, and the pressure transmission modulus plot showed an increased peak value. In addition, the impedance modulus plot demonstrated a rightward shift and increased oscillation in the mid- to high-frequency range. The time domain analysis also confirmed increased wave reflections and elasticity. Hypoxia produced large backward-traveling (reflected) pressure and flow waves. The initial portions of these waves arrived at the heart during systole, producing characteristic changes in the measured pressure and flow waveforms. With prolonged hypoxia, main pulmonary artery pulse wave velocity increased by 30%. Thus, hypoxia is associated with complex alterations in pulmonary artery elasticity and wave reflections that act to increase the oscillatory afterload of the right ventricle.     

Production of phosphatidylinositol 5‐phosphate via PIKfyve and MTMR3 regulates cell migration

Although phosphatidylinositol 5‐phosphate (PtdIns5P) is present in many cell types and its biogenesis is increased by diverse stimuli, its precise cellular function remains elusive. Here we show that PtdIns5P levels increase when cells are stimulated to move and we find PtdIns5P to promote cell migration in tissue culture and in a Drosophila in vivo model. First, class III phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, which produces PtdIns3P, was shown to be involved in migration of fibroblasts. In a cell migration screen for proteins containing PtdIns3P‐binding motifs, we identified the phosphoinositide 5‐kinase PIKfyve and the phosphoinositide 3‐phosphatase MTMR3, which together constitute a phosphoinositide loop that produces PtdIns5P via PtdIns(3,5)P₂. The ability of PtdIns5P to stimulate cell migration was demonstrated directly with exogenous PtdIns5P and a PtdIns5P‐producing bacterial enzyme. Thus, the identified phosphoinositide loop defines a new role for PtdIns5P in cell migration.     

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors

OBJECTIVES: The full potential of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), in the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic malignancies, has yet to be realized as our experience is still limited. Thus, we evaluated SBRT outcomes for primary and metastatic liver tumors, with the goal of identifying factors that may aid in optimization of therapy. METHODS: From2005 to 2010, 62 patients with 106 primary and metastatic liver tumors were treated with SBRT to a median biologic effective dose (BED) of 100 Gy (42.6-180). The majority of patients received either three (47%) or five fractions (48%). Median gross tumor volume (GTV) was 8.8 cm³ (0.2-222.4). RESULTS: With a median followup of 18 months (0.46-46.8), freedom from local progression (FFLP) was observed in 97 of 106 treated tumors, with 1- and 2-year FFLP rates of 93% and 82%. Median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 25.2 months, with 1- and 2-year OS of 81%and 52%. Neither BED nor GTV significantly predicted for FFLP. Local failure was associated with a higher risk of death [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.1, P = .0007]. One Child-Pugh Class B patient developed radiationinduced liver disease. There were no other significant toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT provides excellent local control for both primary and metastatic liver lesions with minimal toxicity. Future studies should focus on appropriate selection of patients and on careful assessment of liver function to maximize both the safety and efficacy of treatment.     

Screening for functional expression and overexpression of a family of diiron-containing interfacial membrane proteins using the univector recombination system

The large number of uncharacterized genes emerging from genome sequencing projects has resulted in a need for quick and reliable screening methods for protein expression parameters. We have utilized the univector plasmid recombination system (as previously reported) to develop a series of vectors for rapid screening for expression in Escherichia coli. A high level of recombinant protein expression is a requirement for purification of protein for structural determination and other purposes. In other applications, successful complementation of a missing enzyme activity in E. coli, as well as directed evolution studies and metabolic engineering, often require a much lower level of protein expression. In this report we describe the construction of a number of new pHOST vectors that can be screened for both low- and high-level expression. We isolated a mutant vector for MBP fusions that exhibited a more optimal level of expression for complementation of aerobic respiration in hemA(-) E. coli, our functional assay for the alternative oxidase. We then demonstrated the use of our system to rapidly screen for both optimal functional expression and optimal overexpression of the alternative oxidase as well as two other members of a family of membrane-bound diiron carboxylate proteins, the plastid terminal oxidase and 5-demethoxyquinone hydroxylase.