An intermediate in the assembly of a pore-forming protein trapped with a genetically-engineered switch

BACKGROUND

Studies of the mechanisms by which certain water-soluble proteins can assemble into lipid bilayers are relevant to several areas of biology, including the biosynthesis of membrane and secreted proteins, virus membrane fusion and the action of immune proteins such as complement and perforin. The alpha-hemolysin (alpha HL) protein, an exotoxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus that forms heptameric pores in lipid bilayers, is a useful model for studying membrane protein assembly. In addition, modified alpha HL might be useful as a component of biosensors or in drug delivery. We have therefore used protein engineering to produce variants of alpha HL that contain molecular triggers and switches with which pore-forming activity can be modulated at will. Previously, we showed that the conductance of pores formed by the mutant hemolysin alpha HL-H5, which contains a Zn(II)-binding pentahistidine sequence, is blocked by Zn(II) from either side of the lipid bilayer, suggesting that residues from the pentahistidine sequence line the lumen of the transmembrane channel.

RESULTS

Here we show that Zn(II) can arrest the assembly of alpha HL-H5 before pore formation by preventing an impermeable oligomeric prepore from proceeding to the fully assembled state. The prepore is a heptamer. Limited proteolysis shows that, unlike the functional pore, the prepore contains sites near the amino terminus of the polypeptide chain that are exposed to the aqueous phase. Upon removal of the bound Zn(II) with EDTA, pore formation is completed and the sites near the amino terminus become occluded. Conversion of the prepore to the active pore is the rate-determining step in assembly and cannot be reversed by the subsequent addition of excess Zn(II).

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of a simple Zn(II)-binding motif into a pore-forming protein has allowed the isolation of a defined intermediate in assembly. Genetically-engineered switches for trapping and releasing intermediates that are actuated by metal coordination or other chemistries might be generally useful for analyzing the assembly of membrane proteins and other supramolecular structures.

Environmental health and African Americans: challenges and opportunities

Demographic shifts and other social and economic forces as well as the increasing concerns about environmental determinants of disease and dysfunction have focused more attention on the disproportionate burden of environmental risk on blacks and other minorities. This article reviews these developments and identifies related challenges and opportunities confronting the medical community in the prevention of environmentally provoked disease among black Americans.

Carboxyfluorescein and biotin neuromedin C analogues: synthesis and applications

Two neuromedin C (NC) analogues were constructed by Fmoc synthesis and in situ coupling of 4(5)-carboxyfluorescein or biotin to the N-terminus. Both displayed full agonism in an amylase release assay and cross-reacted fully with a NC-specific antiserum. Biotin NC functioned in a streptavidin-capture ELISA. Carboxyfluorescein NC was used to probe receptor localization in rat stomach. Specific NC binding sites, which did not interact with substance P, angiotensin I, or neurokinin A, were labeled in the antrum. Identity of NC binding sites was confirmed by microautoradiography. The specifically labeled cells were all found in the lamina propria and at least some of cells were identified as eosinophils.

Surface labeling of key residues during assembly of the transmembrane pore formed by staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin

Structural changes in staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin (alpha HL) that occur during oligomerization and pore formation on membranes have been examined by using a simple gel-shift assay to determine the rate of modification of key single-cysteine mutants with the hydrophilic sulfhydryl reagent, 4-acetamido-4'-((iodoacetyl)amino)stilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (IASD). The central glycine-rich loop of alpha HL lines the lumen of the transmembrane channel. A residue in the loop remains accessible to IASD after assembly, in keeping with the ability of the pore to pass molecules of approximately 1000 Da. By contrast, residues near the N-terminus, which are critical for pore function, become deeply buried during oligomerization, while a residue at the extreme C-terminus increases in reactivity after assembly, consistent with a location in the part of the pore that projects from the surface of the lipid bilayer.

Psychosocial needs of family caregivers of terminally ill patients

The primary caregivers (mean age = 63 yr.) of 28 terminally ill veterans (mean age = 67 yr.) who were living at home were surveyed for their concrete and psychosocial needs. The caregivers also completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Life Satisfaction Index, the Provision of Social Relations scale, and the Burden Inventory. The rank order of concrete and psychosocial needs is reported for these caregivers. Increased scores on depression were associated with decreased life satisfaction as was low social support. Not surprisingly, higher numbers of concrete and psychosocial needs were associated with increases in depression.

Diabetes update

This article is a brief overview of the incidence, classification, and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Current concepts of diabetes management, including nutrition, exercise, and medication, are introduced.

Interdisciplinary evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics in the treatment of arteriovenous fistulae associated with giant varices

The techniques for the treatment of intracranial arteriovenous fistulae include angiographic balloon occlusion of the fistula as well as direct surgical attack. Regardless of the method, the occurrence of severe hyperemia caused by a lack of autoregulation after obliteration of the fistula remains a significant concern. We report the use of single photon emission computed tomography and transcranial Doppler studies to assess the occurrence of hyperemia during trial balloon occlusion of such fistulae in two patients. Single photon emission computed tomography and transcranial Doppler studies confirmed the lack of hyperemia during the test occlusion, allowing consideration of treatment plans involving acute fistula occlusion without the difficulty imposed by gradual occlusion and permitting a more accurate evaluation of risk. The purpose of this report is to illustrate how clinical evaluation of intracranial hemodynamics can contribute significantly to treatment decisions.

Analysis of tissues from normal lambs and those with spider syndrome

This study was undertaken to examine tissue abnormalities in sheep with spider lamb syndrome (SLS). The major skeletal abnormalities found in SLS animals were cartilage erosion and bone abnormalities with large amounts of cartilaginous tissues present in the spongy bone (chondrodysplasia). Eroded cartilage contained lower (P < 0.05) than normal concentrations of both collagen and proteoglycan. Key words: Spider lamb syndrome, cartilage, bone, sheep

Prediction of tolerance to carotid artery occlusion using transcranial Doppler ultrasound

Surgical sacrifice of the carotid artery is a frequently anticipated event during the treatment of certain aneurysms and tumors. The ability to predict tolerance to carotid artery occlusion is therefore of benefit when planning procedures in which the carotid artery is at risk. A trial of carotid artery occlusion using an angiographic balloon during concurrent neurological examination or blood flow studies is an accepted method for testing tolerance, but it carries the risks of an angiogram and cannot be performed at the bedside. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) is a noninvasive modality that permits measurement of blood velocity in cerebral vessels. The immediate effects of carotid artery occlusion on middle cerebral artery (MCA) perfusion can be obtained by insonating this artery during manual carotid artery compression. To compare the TCD response to carotid artery compression with the data obtained with more formal testing, the MCA of 22 patients was insonated during manual carotid artery compression and the results compared with the clinical tolerance to balloon occlusion in all patients and to blood flow studied by single photon emission computerized tomography before or during balloon occlusion in 14 of the 22 patients. Surgery was planned to treat giant unruptured aneurysms in 17 cases, intracranial tumors in three, a carotid-cavernous fistula in one, and a carotid artery injury in one. Fifteen patients showed a reduction in TCD flow velocities by no more than 65%; of these, 14 (93%) clinically tolerated the balloon occlusion test. Of the seven patients showing a TCD flow velocity decrease of more than 65%, six (86%) developed a transient focal deficit during the occlusion. It is concluded that the change in MCA velocity measured with TCD studies during manual carotid artery occlusion is a useful predictor of the clinical and blood flow responses to a trial of carotid artery occlusion with an angiographic balloon.

The detection, quantification and partial characterisation of cathepsin B-like activity in human pathological synovial fluids

In this study, the levels of the cysteine proteinase--cathepsin B were measured in diseased synovial fluids using a steady state fluorometric assay. Cathepsin B-like activity was shown to be present in all the samples analysed, with the rheumatoid arthritic synovial fluids possessing significantly higher concentrations (mean value ca. 416 mg/l) than the osteoarthritic fluids (mean value ca. 142.4 mg/l). In addition, upon treatment with pepsin, all of the rheumatoid arthritis samples were shown to possess additional cathepsin B-like activity, suggesting the presence of a reservoir of latent precursor molecules. By utilising a recently developed biotinylated affinity label for cathepsin B-like proteinases and sheep anti-(human cathepsin B) antibodies, used in combination with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, the rheumatoid arthritic synovial cathepsin B was shown to exist in two forms with apparent molecular masses of M(r) 29,000 and 42,000. We propose that the former is a functionally active proteinase, whereas the latter is a pepsin activatable proform which, when cleaved by this aspartyl proteinase, is converted into a catalytically competent species of M(r) 20,000.

Identification and characterization of the cysteine and serine proteinases of the trematode, Haplometra cylindracea and determination of their haemoglobinase activity

The excreted/secreted proteinases of Haplometra cylindracea maintained in vitro, were found to hydrolyse the fluorogenic substrates, Z-ArgArg-NHMec and Z-PheArg-NHMec. This activity was shown to be typically that of cysteine proteinases, as turn-over of both substrates could be blocked by pre-incubation with peptidyl diazomethyl ketones. The biotinylated affinity reagent, biotin-Phe Ala-DMK, used in combination with Z-PheTyr(OBut)-DMK, was employed for the labelling and characterization of these cysteine proteinase activities. Three cathepsin B-like species were detected, with molecular weights of 48, 22-23 and 14 kDa, together with a cathepsin L-like enzyme, with a molecular weight of 55 kDa. The proteinases were also found to have hydrolytic activity towards the substrate, Z-GlyGlyArg-NHMec, which could be blocked by pre-incubation with either of the serine proteinase-selective reagents, Z-Argp(OPh)2 or biotin-Lysp(OPh)2, showing the activity to be trypsin-like. Using the biotinylated affinity label to characterize the trypsin-like enzymes revealed two molecular species with molecular weights of 20 and 24 kDa.

A pore-forming protein with a metal-actuated switch

Staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin, a pore-forming exotoxin, is a polypeptide of 293 amino acids that is secreted by Staphylococcus aureus as a water-soluble monomer. It assembles to form hexameric pores in lipid bilayers. Previous studies of pore formation have established the involvement of a central glycine-rich loop. Here, we show that when five consecutive histidine residues replace amino acids 130-134 at the midpoint of the loop, they provide a switch with which pore activity can be (i) turned off by micromolar concentrations of divalent zinc ions and (ii) turned back on with the chelating agent EDTA. Planar bilayer recordings show that Zn2+ and EDTA can act on open channels from either side of the bilayer and thus demonstrate that the central loop lines part of the conductive pathway. Our results suggest that genetically-engineered pore-forming proteins might make useful components of metal ion sensors.

Modeling the growth of Yersinia enterocolitica in donated blood

BACKGROUND

Sepsis and death subsequent to the transfusion of blood containing Yersinia enterocolitica is an increasing problem. The organisms probably originate from bacteremia in the donor and can subsequently multiply at low temperature.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Reported here are experiments with a strain of Y. enterocolitica associated with a case of transfusion-associated bacteremia.

RESULTS

It was found that the rapid early killing of Y. enterocolitica injected into donated blood does not require viable phagocytes and can be explained by complement-mediated killing. Complement resistance in Y. enterocolitica is known to be plasmid-coded. It is expressed at 37 degrees C, but not at 20 degrees C, and is favored by calcium-deficient culture media. Y. enterocolitica organisms induced to express complement resistance were still killed in donated blood, though the initial rate was slower. Such organisms multiplied in plasma at 37 degrees C, but were killed after 6 hours of incubation at 20 degrees C, presumably because complement resistance genes are switched off at this temperature.

CONCLUSION

This experiment is thought to reflect the natural history of Y. enterocolitica contamination of blood, in which complement-resistant organisms in the donor blood encounter lower temperatures after donation. These observations suggest that the practice of plasma depletion may have contributed to the increased incidence of mortality due to Y. enterocolitica contamination of donated blood.

Synthesis of a cyclic analogue of the C-loop region of epidermal growth factor, containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid

We report the synthesis of a cyclic analogue of epidermal growth factor sequence 33-42 with substitution of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid for glycine at position 39 (N-acetyl-Cys-Val-Ile-Gly-Tyr-Ser-ACPCA-Asp-Arg-Cys-NH2). The analogue was synthesised by solid-phase methods, using t-Boc chemistry and acid-labile side-chain protecting groups. The use of the 4-methoxybenzyl protecting group for C- and N-terminal cysteine residues resulted in the spontaneous formation of the desired intramolecular disulfide bond after HF deprotection.

Single lung transplantation: a temporal look at rejection, infection, and survival

Single lung transplantation (SLT) has emerged as routine therapy for selected patients with end-stage lung disease. This study examines the incidence of rejection, infection, and survival during the first posttransplant year. Twenty-one patients (12 male, 9 female; mean age 46 +/- 13 years) underwent 23 SLT procedures (12 left, 11 right lung). Indications were pulmonary fibrosis in six, emphysema in seven, primary pulmonary hypertension in three, Eisenmenger's syndrome in one, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease in one, a-1 antitrypsin deficiency in two, CREST syndrome in one, and retransplantation (graft failure and bronchiolitis obliterans) in two. All were maintained on triple immunotherapy. Survival at 1 year was 100%. The five patients with preoperative pulmonary hypertension had normal hemodynamics at follow up. Freedom from event at 1 year was rejection 23 per cent, all infections 6 per cent, viral 40 per cent, bacterial 55 per cent, fungal 74 per cent. At 1 year, cumulative incidence (events/patient-year) was rejection 1.61, all infections 2.18, viral 0.78, bacterial 1.12, fungal 0.28. Two of 21 patients have developed bronchiolitis obliterans at 1 and 2 years posttransplant. SLT provided safe, effective treatment for a wide variety of end-stage lung diseases. Rejection and infection, although common, may be safely treated with resolution.

A pore-forming protein with a protease-activated trigger

alpha-Hemolysin (alpha HL) is a 293 amino acid pore-forming toxin, which is secreted as a water-soluble monomer by Staphylococcus aureus. By forming a hexameric pore, alpha HL damages the plasma membranes of target cells. Previous studies established that alpha HL proteins with nicks near the midpoint of a central glycine-rich loop are held together by a domain-domain interaction and are hemolytically active. In contrast, alpha HL proteins comprising two alpha HL truncation mutants that overlap in the central loop have no or greatly reduced pore-forming activity, even though the two chains again form a tight complex. Based on these findings, overlap mutants have now been designed that are activated when redundant amino acids in the loop are removed by proteases. Further, the identity of the activating enzyme can be specified by additional mutagenesis of the protease recognition site in the overlap sequence. Mutants of alpha HL that are activated by tumor-associated proteases might be useful components of immunotoxins.