Involvement of membrane sulfhydryls in the activation and maintenance of nutrient transport in chick embryo fibroblasts

At 5 μg/ml, insulin stimulates hexose, A-system amino acid, and nucleoside transport by serum-starved chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF). This stimulation, although variable, is comparable to that induced by 4% serum. The sulfhydryl oxidants diamide (1–20 μM). hydrogen peroxide (500 μM), and methylene blue (50 μM) mimic the effect of insulin in CEF. PCMB-S,¹ a sulfhydryl-reacting compound which penetrates the membrane slowly, has a complex effect on nutrient transport in serum- and glucose-starved CEF. Hexose uptake is inhibited by 0.1–1 mM PCMB-S in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, whereas A-system amino acid transport is inhibited maximally within 10 min of incubation and approaches control rates after 60 min. A differential sensitivity of CEF transport systems is also seen in cells exposed to membrane-impermeant glutathione-maleimide I, designated GS-Mal. At 2 mM GS-Mal reduces the rate of hexose uptake 80–100% in serum- and glucose-starved CEF; in contrast A-system amino acid uptake is unaffected. D-glucose, but not L-glucose or cytochalasin B, protects against GS-Mal inhibition. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that sulfhydryl groups are involved in nutrient transport and that those sulfhydryls associated with the hexose transport system and essential for its function are located near the exofacial surface of the membrane in CEF.     

Transport of physiological nucleosides and anti-viral and anti-neoplastic nucleoside drugs by recombinant Escherichia coli nucleoside-H(+) cotransporter (NupC) produced in Xenopus laevis oocytes

The recently identified human and rodent plasma membrane proteins CNT1, CNT2 and CNT3 belong to a gene family (CNT) that also includes the bacterial nucleoside transport protein NupC. Heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes has established that CNT1-3 correspond functionally to the three major concentrative nucleoside transport processes found in human and other mammalian cells (systems cit, cif and cib, respectively) and mediate Na(+) - linked uptake of both physiological nucleosides and anti-viral and anti-neoplastic nucleoside drugs. Here, one describes a complementary Xenopus oocyte transport study of Escherichia coli NupC using the plasmid vector pGEM-HE in which the coding region of NupC was flanked by 5'- and 3'-untranslated sequences from a Xenopus beta-globin gene. Recombinant NupC resembled human (h) and rat (r) CNT1 in nucleoside selectivity, including an ability to transport adenosine and the chemotherapeutic drugs 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), 2',3'- dideoxycytidine (ddC) and 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluorocytidine (gemcitabine), but also interacted with inosine and 2',3'- dideoxyinosine (ddl). Apparent affinities were higher than for hCNT1, with apparent K(m) values of 1.5-6.3 microM for adenosine, uridine and gemcitabine, and 112 and 130 microM, respectively, for AZT and ddC. Unlike the relatively low translocation capacity of hCNT1 and rCNT1 for adenosine, NupC exhibited broadly similar apparent V(max) values for adenosine, uridine and nucleoside drugs. NupC did not require Na(+) for activity and was H(+) - dependent. The kinetics of uridine transport measured as a function of external pH were consistent with an ordered transport model in which H(+) binds to the transporter first followed by the nucleoside. These experiments establish the NupC-pGEM-HE/oocyte system as a useful tool for characterization of NupC-mediated transport of physiological nucleosides and clinically relevant nucleoside therapeutic drugs.     

Involvement of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and cell adhesion molecule L1 in transendothelial migration of melanoma cells

Tumor metastasis involves many stage-specific adhesive interactions. The expression of several cell adhesion molecules, notably the integrin alpha(v)beta(3), has been associated with the metastatic potential of tumor cells. In this study, we used a novel in vitro assay to examine the role of alpha(v)beta(3) in the transmigration of melanoma cells through a monolayer of human lung microvascular endothelial cells. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of the integrin alpha(v)beta(3) on melanoma membrane protrusions and pseudopods penetrating the endothelial junction. alpha(v)beta(3) was also enriched in heterotypic contacts between endothelial cells and melanoma cells. Transendothelial migration of melanoma cells was inhibited by either a cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide or the anti-alpha(v)beta(3) monoclonal antibody LM609. Although both platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and L1 are known to bind integrin alpha(v)beta(3), only L1 serves as a potential ligand for alpha(v)beta(3) during melanoma transendothelial migration. Also, polyclonal antibodies against L1 partially inhibited the transendothelial migration of melanoma cells. However, addition of both L1 and alpha(v)beta(3) antibodies did not show additive effects, suggesting that they are components of the same adhesion system. Together, the data suggest that interactions between the integrin alpha(v)beta(3) on melanoma cells and L1 on endothelial cells play an important role in the transendothelial migration of melanoma cells.     

CFTR directly mediates nucleotide-regulated glutathione flux

Studies have shown that expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is associated with enhanced glutathione (GSH) efflux from airway epithelial cells, implicating a role for CFTR in the control of oxidative stress in the airways. To define the mechanism underlying CFTR-associated GSH flux, we studied wild-type and mutant CFTR proteins expressed in Sf9 membranes, as well as purified and reconstituted CFTR. We show that CFTR-expressing membrane vesicles mediate nucleotide-activated GSH flux, which is disrupted in the R347D pore mutant, and in the Walker A K464A and K1250A mutants. Further, we reveal that purified CFTR protein alone directly mediates nucleotide-dependent GSH flux. Interestingly, although ATP supports GSH flux through CFTR, this activity is enhanced in the presence of the non-hydrolyzable ATP analog AMP-PNP. These findings corroborate previous suggestions that CFTR pore properties can vary with the nature of the nucleotide interaction. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that GSH flux is an intrinsic function of CFTR and prompt future examination of the role of this function in airway biology in health and disease.     

The Walker B motif of the second nucleotide-binding domain (NBD2) of CFTR plays a key role in ATPase activity by the NBD1-NBD2 heterodimer

CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), a member of the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) superfamily of membrane proteins, possesses two NBDs (nucleotide-binding domains) in addition to two MSDs (membrane spanning domains) and the regulatory 'R' domain. The two NBDs of CFTR have been modelled as a heterodimer, stabilized by ATP binding at two sites in the NBD interface. It has been suggested that ATP hydrolysis occurs at only one of these sites as the putative catalytic base is only conserved in NBD2 of CFTR (Glu1371), but not in NBD1 where the corresponding residue is a serine, Ser573. Previously, we showed that fragments of CFTR corresponding to NBD1 and NBD2 can be purified and co-reconstituted to form a heterodimer capable of ATPase activity. In the present study, we show that the two NBD fragments form a complex in vivo, supporting the utility of this model system to evaluate the role of Glu1371 in ATP binding and hydrolysis. The present studies revealed that a mutant NBD2 (E1371Q) retains wild-type nucleotide binding affinity of NBD2. On the other hand, this substitution abolished the ATPase activity formed by the co-purified complex. Interestingly, introduction of a glutamate residue in place of the non-conserved Ser573 in NBD1 did not confer additional ATPase activity by the heterodimer, implicating a vital role for multiple residues in formation of the catalytic site. These findings provide the first biochemical evidence suggesting that the Walker B residue: Glu1371, plays a primary role in the ATPase activity conferred by the NBD1-NBD2 heterodimer.     

Evaluation of the membrane-spanning domain of ClC-2

The ClC family of chloride channels and transporters includes several members in which mutations have been associated with human disease. An understanding of the structure-function relationships of these proteins is essential for defining the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis. To date, the X-ray crystal structures of prokaryotic ClC transporter proteins have been used to model the membrane domains of eukaryotic ClC channel-forming proteins. Clearly, the fidelity of these models must be evaluated empirically. In the present study, biochemical tools were used to define the membrane domain boundaries of the eukaryotic protein, ClC-2, a chloride channel mutated in cases of idiopathic epilepsy. The membrane domain boundaries of purified ClC-2 and accessible cysteine residues were determined after its functional reconstitution into proteoliposomes, labelling using a thiol reagent and proteolytic digestion. Subsequently, the lipid-embedded and soluble fragments generated by trypsin-mediated proteolysis were studied by MS and coverage of approx. 71% of the full-length protein was determined. Analysis of these results revealed that the membrane-delimited boundaries of the N- and C-termini of ClC-2 and the position of several extramembrane loops determined by these methods are largely similar to those predicted on the basis of the prokaryotic protein [ecClC (Escherichia coli ClC)] structures. These studies provide direct biochemical evidence supporting the relevance of the prokaryotic ClC protein structures towards understanding the structure of mammalian ClC channel-forming proteins.     

ClC-2 Activation Modulates Regulatory Volume Decrease

ClC-2 belongs to a large family of chloride channels and its expression in certain cell types is associated with the appearance of swelling-activated chloride (Cl⁻) currents. In the present report, we examined the hypothesis that ClC-2 plays a role in regulatory volume decrease by expressing ClC-2 in Sf9 cells using the baculovirus system. First, we showed that ClC-2 protein expression is associated with appearance of a Cl⁻ conductance which is activated by hypo-osmotic shock and can be distinguished from swelling-activated chloride currents endogenous to Sf9 cells on the basis of its pharmacology and specific inhibition by an anti-ClC-2 antibody. Second, we show that the rate of regulatory volume decrease is significantly enhanced in Sf9 cells expressing ClC-2 protein. Hence, our data support the hypothesis that ClC-2 is capable of mediating regulatory volume decrease. Received: 12 August/Revised: 23 October 1998     

Purification and functional reconstitution of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

Circumstantial evidence has accumulated suggesting that CFTR is a regulated low-conductance Cl- channel. To test this postulate directly, we have purified to homogeneity a recombinant CFTR protein from a high-level baculovirus-infected insect cell line. Evidence of purity included one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, N-terminal peptide sequence, and quantitative amino acid analysis. Reconstitution into proteoliposomes at less than one molecule per vesicle was accomplished by established procedures. Nystatin and ergosterol were included in these vesicles, so that nystatin conductance could serve as a quantitative marker of vesicle fusion with a planar lipid bilayer. Upon incorporation, purified CFTR exhibited regulated chloride channel activity, providing evidence that the protein itself is the channel. This activity exhibited the basic biophysical and regulatory properties of the type of Cl- channel found exclusively in CFTR-expressing cell types and believed to underlie cAMP-evoked secretion in epithelial cells.     

The locations of the three cysteine residues in the primary structure of the intrinsic segments of band 3 protein,and implications concerning the arrangement of band 3 protein in the bilayer

The intrinsic domains of band 3 protein contain three cysteine residues, one in a 17 kDa middle segment and two in a 35 kDa C-terminal segment. The latter are retained in an 8 kDa fragment produced by chymotrypsin treatment of ghosts. Cleavage of cysteine residues by 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid (NTCB) allows localization of this amino acid in the primary structure of the 8, 17, 35 and 52 (17 plus 35) kDa segments of band 3 protein. The mapping of these residues taken with other information concerning accessibility of various sites at the two sides of the membrane leads to the conclusion that band 3 protein crosses the membrane at least five times, or ten times in a dimer structure. The implications of this conclusion in terms of band 3 protein structure and function are briefly discussed.     

Stabilization of enzymes by their specific antibodies.

In nature, increased stability of enzymes has often been found to be associated with noncovalent protein-protein interactions. Specific antibodies should be suitable for this purpose. To test this hypothesis, we used a number of model enzymes, complexed them with their specific antibodies, and exposed them and the free enzymes to low and high temperature, lyophilization, oxidation, and alcohol. The retained activity of the antibody-complexed enzymes was substantially, and in some cases dramatically, higher. In general mechanistic terms, stabilization may have been accomplished either by noncovalent antibody crosslinking of discontinuous oligopeptide chains on the surface of the enzyme, thereby increasing resistance to unfolding of the enzyme, or by physical shielding by the antibodies of vulnerable sites on the surface of the enzyme.