Arrangement of MP26 in lens junctional membranes: Analysis with proteases and antibodies |
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Authors: | Peggy Keeling Keith Johnson Daryl Sas Kathleen Klukas Peter Donahue Ross Johnson |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota, 55108 St. Paul, Minnesota |
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Abstract: | Summary The major membrane protein of the bovine lens fiber cell is a 26-kilodalton (kD) protein (MP26), which appears to be a component
of the extensive junctional specializations found in these cells. To examine the arrangement of MP26 within the junctional
membranes, various proteases were incubated with fiber cell membranes that had been isolated with or without urea and/or detergents.
These membranes were analyzed with electron microscopy and SDS-PAGE to determine whether the junctional specializations or
the proteins were altered by proteolysis. Microscopy revealed no obvious structural changes. Electrophoresis showed that chymotrypsin,
papain, and trypsin degraded MP26 to 21–22 kD species. A variety of protease treatments, including overnight digestions, failed
to generate additional proteolysis. Regions on MP26 which were sensitive to these three proteases overlapped. Smaller peptides
were cleaved from MP26 with V8 protease and carboxypptidases A and B. Protein domains cleaved by these proteases also overlapped
with regions sensitive to chymotrypsin, papain, and trypsin. Specific inhibition of the carboxypeptidases suggested that cleavage
obtained with these preparations was not likely due to contaminating endoproteases. Since antibodies are not thought to readily
penetrate the 2–3 nm extracellular gap in the fiber cell junctions, antibodies to MP26 were used to analyze the location of
the protease-sensitive domains. Antisera were applied to control (26 kD) and proteolyzed (22 kD) membranes, with binding being
evaluated by means of ELISA reactions on intact membranes. Antibody labeling was also done following SDS-PAGE and transfer
to derivatized paper. Both assays showed a significant decrease in binding following proteolysis, with the 22 kD product showing
no reaction with the anti-MP26 sera. These investigations suggest that MP26 is arranged with approximately fourfifths of the
primary sequence “protected” by the lipid bilayer and the narrow extracellular gap. One-fifth of the molecule, including the
C-terminus, appears to be exposed on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. |
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Keywords: | membrane topography ELISA electrophoretic transfer calf lens gap junctions |
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