Choline head groups stabilize the matrix loop regions of the ATP/ADP carrier ScAAC2

ATP/ADP carriers (AACs) are essential to the cell as they exchange ATP produced in mitochondria for cytosolic ADP. Monoclonal antibodies against the isoform 2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AAC (ScAAC2) were used to probe the accessibility of the matrix loops 1 and 3 depending on the environment of the carrier. In mitochondrial membranes ScAAC2 was not recognized, whereas in dodecylmaltoside the antibodies bound to the carrier, suggesting that the epitopes are hidden in the native environment. Exposure of the epitopes by detergents was reversed by reconstitution of the carrier in phospholipids or by exchanging with detergents having a choline or a trimethylammonium head group. Circular dichroism spectroscopy on peptides representing the C-terminal regions of all three matrix loops showed that only phosphocholine detergents induced a structural reorganization. Since in addition phosphatidylcholine was found to be tightly associated with the purified carrier, the matrix loop regions are likely to be associated to the membrane by phosphatidylcholine.     

CAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibits proline transport across the rat renal tubular brush border membrane

Very little is known about the cellular mechanisms controlling renal tubular amino acid transport. cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAK) modulates the activity of several ion channels and pumps in biological membranes. The direct influence of cAK on transmembrane amino acid transport has not been investigated. We studied the effect the cAK-mediated phosphorylation on Na+- and Cl–-linked proline transport across the rat renal brush border membrane (BBM). cAK bioassay and Western hybridization analysis using cAK subunit-specific antibodies demonstrated the presence of the enzyme in the BBM. Brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were phosphorylated using the hyposmotic shock technique. cAMP, by activating endogenous cAK,and exogenous, highly purified catalytic subunit of cAK inhibited NaCl-dependent proline transport by phosphorylated, lysed/resealed BBMV compared with control vesicles. The cAK-mediated inhibition of proline uptake was completely abolished when phosphorylation at the cytoplasmic (inner side) of the membrane was prevented by isosmotic, rather than hyposmotic, phosphorylation. The cAK-induced inhibition of proline transport was reversed by the specific cAK inhibitor peptide, PKl. These data suggest that cAMP-dependent protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation modulates Na+- and Cl–-linked proline transport across the tubular luminal membrane.     

Isolation and functional analysis of a Brassica juncea gene encoding a com-ponent of auxin efflux carrier

Polar auxin transport plays a divergent role in plant growth and developmental processes including root and embryo development, vascular pattern formation and cell elongation. Recently isolated Arabidopsis pin gene family was believed to encode a component of auxin efflux carrier (G(?)lweiler et al, 1998). Based on the Arabidopsis pin1 sequence we have isolated a Brassica juncea cDNA (designated Bjpin1), which encoded a 70-kDa putative auxin efflux carrier. Deduced BjPIN1 shared 65% identities at protein level with AtPINl and was highly homologous to other putative PIN proteins of Arabidopsis (with highest homology to AtPIN3). Hydrophobic analysis showed similar structures between BjPINl and AtPIN proteins. Presence of 6 exons (varying in size between 65 bp and 1229 bp) and 5 introns (sizes between 89 bp and 463 bp) in the genomic fragment was revealed by comparing the genomic and cDNA sequences. Northern blot analysis indicated that Bjpin1 was expressed in most of the tissues tested, with a relatively h     

Does any yeast mitochondrial carrier have a native uncoupling protein function?

In this study, we explore the hypothesis that some member of the mitochondrial carrier family has specific uncoupling activity that is responsible for the basal proton conductance of mitochondria. Twenty-seven of the 35 yeast mitochondrial carrier genes were independently disrupted in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Six knockout strains did not grow on nonfermentable carbon sources such as lactate. Mitochondria were isolated from the remaining 21 strains, and their proton conductances were measured. None of the 21 carriers contributed significantly to the basal proton leak of yeast mitochondria. A possible exception was the succinate/fumarate carrier encoded by the Xc2 gene, but deletion of this gene also affected yeast growth and respiratory chain activity, suggesting a more general alteration in mitochondrial function. If a specific protein is responsible for the basal proton conductance of yeast mitochondria, its identity remains unknown.     

Thyroid Status Is a Key Regulator of Both Flux and Efficiency of Oxidative Phosphorylation in Rat Hepatocytes

Thyroid status is crucial in energy homeostasis, but despite extensive studies the actual mechanism by which it regulates mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis is still unclear. We studied oxidative phosphorylation in both intact liver cells and isolated mitochondria from in vivo models of severe not life threatening hyper- and hypothyroidism. Thyroid status correlated with cellular and mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates as well as with maximal mitochondrial ATP production. Addition of a protonophoric uncoupler, 2,4-dinitrophenol, to hepatocytes did not mimic the cellular energetic change linked to hyperthyroidism. Mitochondrial content of cytochrome oxidase, ATP synthase, phosphate and adenine nucleotide carriers were increased in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism as compared to controls. As a result of these complex changes, the maximal rate of ATP synthesis increased in hyperthyroidism despite a decrease in ATP/O ratio, while in hypothyroidism ATP/O ratio increased but did not compensate for the flux limitation of oxidative phosphorylation. We conclude that energy homeostasis depends on a compromise between rate and efficiency, which is mainly regulated by thyroid hormones.     

Design of a synthetic adhesion protein by grafting RGD tailed cyclic peptides on bovine serum albumin

A synthetic adhesion protein was designed by chemical grafting of the RGD tailed cyclic peptide cyclo[-d-Val-Arg-Gly-Asp-Glu(-Ahx-Tyr-Cys-NH₂)-] on the carrier protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). The cyclic conformation of the RGD motif grafted on the protein mimics the conformation of the motif displayed in native adhesion proteins such as fibronectin. The adhesion of the cells on polystyrene coated with the conjugate BSA–peptide was similar or even better than the one obtained when the proadhesive protein fibronectin was coated on the plates. Results also indicated that covalent coupling of the peptide on BSA is not absolutely required, since simple adsorption of the peptide on the protein coated on plates was efficient for enhancing cell adhesion. These results show that polystyrene support can be reconditioned with conformationally constrained RGD peptides to enhance cell adhesion on solid supports. The same methodology can be adapted for the development of new biomaterials based on the recognition of specific peptides.     

Structural characterization of the entire 1.3S subunit of transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium shermanii.

Transcarboxylase (TC) from Propionibacterium shermanii, a biotin-dependent enzyme, catalyzes the transfer of a carboxyl group from methylmalonyl-CoA to pyruvate in two partial reactions. Within the multisubunit enzyme complex, the 1.3S subunit functions as the carboxyl group carrier. The 1.3S is a 123-amino acid polypeptide (12.6 kDa), to which biotin is covalently attached at Lys 89. We have expressed 1.3S in Escherichia coli with uniform 15N labeling. The backbone structure and dynamics of the protein have been characterized in aqueous solution by three-dimensional heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The secondary structure elements in the protein were identified based on NOE information, secondary chemical shifts, homonuclear 3J(HNHalpha) coupling constants, and amide proton exchange data. The protein contains a predominantly disordered N-terminal half, while the C-terminal half is folded into a compact domain comprising eight beta-strands connected by short loops and turns. The topology of the C-terminal domain is consistent with the fold found in both carboxyl carrier and lipoyl domains, to which this domain has approximately 26-30% sequence similarity.     

arg-13可能参与鸟氨酸在粗糙脉孢霉线粒体的过膜转运(英文)

arg-13为精氨酸代谢途径里的一个渗露型突变。经研究发展了该突变的严格选择方法。该法省略了基本培养基的氮源而加上相似浓度的鸟氨酸与赖氨酸。此法在严紧山梨糖/葡萄糖条件下能强烈抑制arg-13突变株生长,但在斑点试验条件下允许arg-13突变株生长。由于鸟氨酸是通过线粒体合成和由细胞质至线粒体的过膜转运而积累,我们构建了arg-4,arg-13双突变株,其中arg-4阻断了线粒体鸟氨酸合成。在斑点试验条件下,arg-4,arg-13双突变株能利用鸟氨酸作为唯一氮源与精氨酸合成前体,但受赖氨酸与刀豆氨酸强烈抑制。具正常鸟氨酸转运功能的arg-4单突变株在鸟氨酸基本培养基的生长只受微弱的赖氨酸抑制。已有报道arg-13为嘧啶合成代谢途径里pyr-3(CPSACT~ )突变的部分抑制基因,序列分析表明arg-13编码一线粒体转运酶。本文数据提示arg-13在线粒体鸟氨酸过膜转运过程中起主要作用。arg-13突变株仍携带一定的线粒体鸟氨酸转运功能并受碱性氨基酸赖氨酸、刀豆氨酸抑制,可能为另一线粒体碱性氨基酸转运酶介导。