Structure and function of the yeast vacuolar membrane proton ATPase

Our current work on a vacuolar membrane proton ATPase in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae has revealed that it is a third type of H⁺-translocating ATPase in the organism. A three-subunit ATPase, which has been purified to near homogeneity from vacuolar membrane vesicles, shares with the native, membrane-bound enzyme common enzymological properties of substrate specificities and inhibitor sensitivities and are clearly distinct from two established types of proton ATPase, the mitochondrial F₀F₁-type ATP synthase and the plasma membrane E₁E₂-type H⁺-ATPase. The vacuolar membrane H⁺-ATPase is composed of three major subunits, subunita (M _r =67 kDa),b (57kDa), andc (20 kDa). Subunita is the catalytic site and subunitc functions as a channel for proton translocation in the enzyme complex. The function of subunitb has not yet been identified. The functional molecular masses of the H⁺-ATPase under two kinetic conditions have been determined to be 0.9–1.1×10⁵ daltons for single-cycle hydrolysis of ATP and 4.1–5.3×10⁵ daltons for multicycle hydrolysis of ATP, respectively.N,N-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide does not inhibit the former reaction but strongly inhibits the latter reaction. The kinetics of single-cycle hydrolysis of ATP indicates the formation of an enzyme-ATP complex and subsequent hydrolysis of the bound ATP to ADP and Pi at a 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazolesensitive catalytic site. Cloning of structural genes for the three subunits of the H⁺-ATPase (VMA1, VMA2, andVMA3) and their nucleotide sequence determination have been accomplished, which provide greater advantages for molecular biological studies on the structure-function relationship and biogenesis of the enzyme complex. Bioenergetic aspects of the vacuole as a main, acidic compartment ensuring ionic homeostasis in the cytosol have been described.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanidem-chlorophenyl hydrazone - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbondiimide - DES diethylstilbestrol - DIDS 4,4-diisothiocyano-2,2-stilbene disulfonic acid - NBD-Cl 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole - Pi inorganic phosphate - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate - SF6847 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidenemalononitrile - SITS 4-acetamide-4-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid - ZW3-14 N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate     

Guinea pig cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2 (gpCysLT2) mediates cell proliferation and intracellular calcium mobilization by LTC4 and LTD4

We cloned and pharmacologically characterized the guinea pig cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) 2 receptor (gpCysLT2). gpCysLT2 consists of 317 amino acids with 75.3%, 75.2%, 73.3% identity to those of humans, mice and rats, respectively. The gpCysLT2 gene is highly expressed in the lung, moderately in eosinophils, skin, spleen, stomach, colon, and modestly in the small intestine. CysLTs accelerated the proliferation of gpCysLT2-expressing HEK293. Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) enhanced the cell proliferation higher than Bay-u9773, a CysLT2 selective partial agonist and a nonselective antagonist for CysLT receptors. Bay-u9773 did not antagonize the cell proliferation by LTC4 and LTD4. Despite the equipotency of the mitogenic effect among these chemicals, calcium mobilization (CM) levels were variable (LTC4> LTD4> Bay-u9773), and Bay-u9773 antagonized the CM by LTC4. Moreover, the Gi/o inhibitor pertussis toxin perfectly inhibited agonist-induced cell proliferation. These results reveal that cell proliferation via CysLT2 signaling was mediated by Gi/o signaling but independent of calcium mobilization.     

Serum antibodies of periodontitis patients compared to the lipopolysaccharides of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum

Serum antibody titers against the lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were compared between 9 periodontitis patients and 24 healthy persons. The IgG titers against the LPSs of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277(T) and W50 were clearly higher in the patients than in the healthy persons. However, IgM titers against the LPSs of P. gingivalis strains were relatively low, and no significant difference was observed between the patients and healthy persons. On the other hand, IgG and IgM titers against the LPS of Fusobacterium nucleatum JCM 8532(T) in some patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy persons, although the difference in IgG titers was not large compared to that of the LPS of P. gingivalis. These results suggest that the antibody measurement of patients' sera against the LPS of periodontal bacteria can be applied for the diagnosis of periodontitis.     

Eimeria stiedai merozoite 49-kDa soluble antigen induces protection against infection

A soluble antigen isolated from Eimeria stiedai merozoites with a molecular mass of 49 kDa was detected in the bile of infected rabbits. Rabbits immunized with the antigen shed a lower number of oocysts than did nonimmunized rabbits postchallenge (p.c.). The immunized rabbits showed a marked and transient increase of alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) activity on day 8 p.c. The blood indocyanine green (ICG) clearance and r-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity showed no change throughout the experiment However, nonimmunized rabbits showed a gradual increase of ALT and GGT in the plasma and a delay of ICG p.c. Many merozoites were observed in the biliary ducts of the nonimmunized rabbits on day 8 p.c. using standard histology. In contrast, in the immunized rabbits, many inflammatory cells were observed around the biliary ducts, but there were few parasites in the tissue. These results suggest that the 49-kDa soluble protein antigen detected in the bile of the infected rabbits was a merozoite-specific antigen, and the immune reaction to the antigen may induce protective effects against the infection.     

Purification and characterization of a novel secondary fimbrial protein from Porphyromonas gingivalis strain 381

We previously reported the existence of two different kinds of fimbriae expressed by Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277. In this study, we isolated and characterized a secondary fimbrial protein from strain FPG41, a fimA-inactivated mutant of P. gingivalis 381. FPG41 was constructed by a homologous recombination technique using a mobilizable suicide vector, and failed to express the long fimbriae (41-kDa fimbriae) that were produced on the cell surface of P. gingivalis 381. However, short fimbrial structures were observed on the cell surface of FPG41 by electron microscopy. The fimbrial protein was purified from FPG41 by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography. The secondary fimbrial protein was eluted at 0.15 M NaCl, and the molecular mass of this protein was approximately 53 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE. An antibody against the 53-kDa fimbrial protein reacted with the short fimbriae of the FPG41 and the wild-type strain. However, the 41-kDa long fimbriae of the wild-type strain and the 67-kDa fimbriae of ATCC 33277 did not react with the same antibody. Moreover, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 53-kDa fimbrial protein showed only 2 of 15 residues that were identical to those of the 41-kDa fimbrial protein. These results show that the properties of the 53-kDa fimbriae are different from those of the 67-kDa fimbriae of ATCC 33277 as well as those of the 41-kDa fimbriae.     

Microbial Stimulation and Succession following a Test Well Injection Simulating CO? Leakage into a Shallow Newark Basin Aquifer

In addition to efforts aimed at reducing anthropogenic production of greenhouse gases, geological storage of CO₂ is being explored as a strategy to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas emission and mitigate climate change. Previous studies of the deep subsurface in North America have not fully considered the potential negative effects of CO₂ leakage into shallow drinking water aquifers, especially from a microbiological perspective. A test well in the Newark Rift Basin was utilized in two field experiments to investigate patterns of microbial succession following injection of CO₂-saturated water into an isolated aquifer interval, simulating a CO₂ leakage scenario. A decrease in pH following injection of CO₂ saturated aquifer water was accompanied by mobilization of trace elements (e.g. Fe and Mn), and increased bacterial cell concentrations in the recovered water. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence libraries from samples collected before and after the test well injection were compared to link variability in geochemistry to changes in aquifer microbiology. Significant changes in microbial composition, compared to background conditions, were found following the test well injections, including a decrease in Proteobacteria, and an increased presence of Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia and microbial taxa often noted to be associated with iron and sulfate reduction. The concurrence of increased microbial cell concentrations and rapid microbial community succession indicate significant changes in aquifer microbial communities immediately following the experimental CO₂ leakage event. Samples collected one year post-injection were similar in cell number to the original background condition and community composition, although not identical, began to revert toward the pre-injection condition, indicating microbial resilience following a leakage disturbance. This study provides a first glimpse into the in situ successional response of microbial communities to CO₂ leakage after subsurface injection in the Newark Basin and the potential microbiological impact of CO₂ leakage on drinking water resources.     

Identification of structural DNA variations in human cell cultures after long-term passage

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was adapted for genomic identification of cell cultures and evaluation of DNA stability in cells of different origin at different culture passages. DNA stability was observed in cultures after no more than 5 passages. Adipose-derived stromal cells demonstrated increased DNA instability. RAPD fragments from different cell lines after different number of passages were cloned and sequenced. The chromosomal localization of these fragments was identified and single-nucleotide variations in RAPD fragments isolated from cell lines after 8–12 passages were revealed. Some of them had permanent localization, while most variations demonstrated random distribution and can be considered as de novo mutations.     

Cloning and pharmacological characterization of a novel gene encoding human nucleoside transporter 1 (hNT1) from a human breast cancer cDNA library

AimsWe isolated a novel gene encoding human nucleoside transporter 1 (hNT1), from a human breast cancer cDNA library.Main methodsA nondirectional cDNA library was screened by an EST clone (GenBank?/EMBL/DDBJ: BU944345). A Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system was used for functional characterization. Membrane localization in the human breast was determined by immunohistochemistry.Key findingsIsolated hNT1 cDNA consisted of 246 base pairs that encoded an 82-amino acid protein. By RT-PCR analysis, hNT1 mRNA was strongly detected in the breast cancer tissues. When expressed in X. oocytes, hNT1 mediated the high affinity transport of [³H]5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with a K_m value of 69.2 ± 24.5 nM in time- and pH-dependent, and Na⁺-independent manners. A cis-inhibition experiment revealed that hNT1 mediated transport of [³H]5-FU is strongly inhibited by various nucleosides such as pyrimidine, uracil, uridine, guanosine, inosine, thymidine, adenosine, cytidine and purine suggesting that hNT1 may be involved in the trans epithelial transport of these endogenous substrates. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the hNT1 protein is localized in the lactiferous duct epithelium.SignificanceOur present results indicate that a newly isolated cDNA clone, hNT1, is a key molecule for the breast handling of 5-FU in humans.     

Starch debranching enzyme (R-enzyme or pullulanase) from developing rice endosperm: purification, cDNA and chromosomal localization of the gene

Starch debranching enzyme (R-enzyme or pullulanase) was purified to homogeneity from developing endosperm of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Fujihikari) using a variety of high-performance liquid chromatography columns, and characterized. A cDNA clone encoding the full length of the rice endosperm debranching enzyme was isolated and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 2958 bp. The mature debranching enzyme of rice appears to be composed of 912 amino acids with a predicted relative molecular mass (M_r) of 102069 Da, similar in size to its M_r of about 100 000 Da estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The amino acid sequence of rice debranching enzyme is substantially similar to that of bacterial pullulanase, while it bears little similarity to that of bacterial isoamylase or to glycogen debranching enzymes from human muscle and rabbit muscle. Southern blot analyses strongly suggest that the debranching enzyme gene is present as a single copy in the rice genome. Analysis by restriction fragment length polymorphism with a probe including the 3′-untranslated region of cDNA for rice debranching enzyme confirmed that the debranching enzyme gene is located on chromosome 4.