FSH stimulates ovarian cancer cell growth by action on growth factor variant receptor

A number of FSH receptor (FSH-R) isoforms with distinct structural motifs and signaling paradigms have been described, including a single transmembrane domain variant that functions as a growth factor type receptor (FSH-R3). This study tested the hypothesis that FSH can stimulate ovarian cancer cell proliferation by acting on FSH-R3, using the tumorigenic mouse ovarian surface epithelial cell (MOSEC) line ID8. FSH enhanced ID8 proliferation in a concentration-dependent fashion. Moreover, FSH-treatment of ID8 elicited intracellular events consistent with activation of FSH-R3 and distinct from those associated with activation of the canonical G-protein coupled FSH-R isoform (FSH-R1). Specifically, the FSH-R3 signaling pathway included cAMP-independent activation of ERK downstream of an SNX-482 sensitive component likely to be the Cav2.3 calcium channel. Northern analysis using probes specific for exons 7 and 11 of FSH-R identified consistently only one 1.9kb transcript. Immunoblot analysis confirmed expression of FSH-R3 but not FSHR-1 in ID8. Together, these data suggest that FSH-R3 signaling promotes proliferation of ovarian cancer cells.

Using annotated peptide mass spectrum libraries for protein identification

A system for creating a library of tandem mass spectra annotated with corresponding peptide sequences was described. This system was based on the annotated spectra currently available in the Global Proteome Machine Database (GPMDB). The library spectra were created by averaging together spectra that were annotated with the same peptide sequence, sequence modifications, and parent ion charge. The library was constructed so that experimental peptide tandem mass spectra could be compared with those in the library, resulting in a peptide sequence identification based on scoring the similarity of the experimental spectrum with the contents of the library. A software implementation that performs this type of library search was constructed and successfully used to obtain sequence identifications. The annotated tandem mass spectrum libraries for the Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteomes and search software were made available for download and use by other groups.

Plasma concentrations of parathyroid hormone-related protein in dogs with potential disorders of calcium metabolism

The plasma concentrations of total calcium, ionised calcium, albumin, parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrp) were measured in 25 dogs with lymphoma, nine dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism and seven dogs with adenocarcinoma of the apocrine gland of the anal sac. Plasma total calcium, ionised calcium, albumin and parathyroid hormone-related protein were measured in 18 clinically normal control dogs. The concentration of PTHrp was high in 12 of the 14 dogs that were hypercalcaemic because of an underlying malignancy but was within the reference range in all the control dogs, in the 17 normocalcaemic dogs with lymphoma and in the seven dogs which were hypercalcaemic because of a parathyroid adenoma.

Helical order in tarantula thick filaments requires the "closed" conformation of the myosin head

Myosin heads are helically ordered on the thick filament surface in relaxed muscle. In mammalian and avian filaments this helical arrangement is dependent on temperature and it has been suggested that helical order is related to ATP hydrolysis by the heads. To test this hypothesis, we have used electron microscopy and image analysis to study the ability and temperature dependence of analogs of ATP and ADP.Pi to induce helical order in tarantula thick filaments. ATP or analogs were added to rigor myofibrils or purified thick filaments at 22 degrees C and 4 degrees C and the samples negatively stained. The ADP.Pi analogs ADP.AlF4 and ADP.Vi, and the ATP analogs ADP.BeFx, AMPPNP and ATPgammaNH2, all induced helical order in tarantula thick filaments, independent of temperature. In the absence of nucleotide, or in the presence of ADP or the ATP analog, ATPgammaS, there was no helical ordering. According to crystallographic and tryptophan fluorescence studies, all of these analogs, except ATPgammaS and ADP, induce the "closed" conformation of the myosin head (in which the gamma phosphate pocket is closed). We suggest that helical order requires the closed conformation of the myosin head but is not dependent on the hydrolysis of ATP.

An improved model for prediction of retention times of tryptic peptides in ion pair reversed-phase HPLC: its application to protein peptide mapping by off-line HPLC-MALDI MS

The proposed model is based on the measurement of the retention times of 346 tryptic peptides in the 560- to 4,000-Da mass range, derived from a mixture of 17 protein digests. These peptides were measured in HPLC-MALDI MS runs, with peptide identities confirmed by MS/MS. The model relies on summation of the retention coefficients of the individual amino acids, as in previous approaches, but additional terms are introduced that depend on the retention coefficients for amino acids at the N-terminal of the peptide. In the 17-protein mixture, optimization of two sets of coefficients, along with additional compensation for peptide length and hydrophobicity, yielded a linear dependence of retention time on hydrophobicity, with an R2 value about 0.94. The predictive capability of the model was used to distinguish peptides with close m/z values and for detailed peptide mapping of selected proteins. Its applicability was tested on columns of different sizes, from nano- to narrow-bore, and for direct sample injection, or injection via a pre-column. It can be used for accurate prediction of retention times for tryptic peptides on reversed-phase (300-A pore size) columns of different sizes with a linear water-ACN gradient and with TFA as the ion-pairing modifier.

Implementation of an Algorithm for Modeling Disulfide Bond Patterns Using Mass Spectrometry

The paper describes the implementation of a software system based on the Fenyö disulfide bond assignment algorithm. The system allows an investigator to enter data derived from mass spectrum peak assignments, a target protein sequence and other experimental conditions. The output of the system is the set of disulfide bonding pattern models that are consistent with the experimental evidence. The software and code are available through a public web site, which also has a functioning, publicly accessible version of the disulfide bond modeler. This implementation was tested as part of a project to check homology-based assignments disulfide bonding patterns of human integrins.

The promise of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is being increasingly utilized for the treatment of a whole spectrum of severe autoimmune diseases refractory to conventional therapy. Although allogeneic HSCT has been followed by durable complete remission in a restricted number of patients with coincidental disease, the autologous procedure is generally preferred because of its lesser toxicity. Most autoimmune diseases are the consequence of a multistep process, mainly originating from the interplay of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. It has been postulated that if immunosuppressive regimens can eliminate or effectively reduce the level of autoreactive T and B cells, then regeneration of de novo immunity even in the autologous setting may bypass the initial breakdown of self-tolerance and ensure prolonged disease remission. As mentioned in a recent review of this field, protocol design including conditioning regimen, patient selection, stem cell source and final outcome are likely to be disease-specific. The following is a summary of the 2002 International Bone Marrow Transplantation Registry/American Society of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation (IBMTR/ASBMT) satellite symposium in Orlando, Florida on 24 February 2002 on 'Expanding the Promise of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Autoimmune Diseases'.

Mechanism of phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain of myosin from tarantula striated muscle

Contraction is modulated in many striated muscles by Ca2+-calmodulin dependent phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) by myosin light chain kinase. We have investigated the biochemical mechanism of RLC phosphorylation in tarantula muscle to better understand the basis of myosin-linked regulation. In an earlier study it was concluded that the RLC occurred as two species, both of which could be phosphorylated, potentiating contraction. Here we present evidence that only a single species exists, and that this can be phosphorylated at one or two sites. In relaxed muscle we find evidence for a substantial level of basal phosphorylation at the first site. This is augmented on activation, followed by partial phosphorylation of the second site. We find in addition that Ca2+ has a dual effect on light chain phosphorylation, depending on its concentration. At low concentration (relaxing conditions) only basal phosphorylation is observed, while at higher concentrations (activating conditions) RLC phosphorylation is stimulated. At still higher Ca2+ concentrations we find partial inhibition of RLC phosphorylation, suggesting an additional mechanism by which the muscle cell can fine tune contractile activity by controlling the level of free Ca2+.

Purification of native myosin filaments from muscle

Analysis of the structure and function of native thick (myosin-containing) filaments of muscle has been hampered in the past by the difficulty of obtaining a pure preparation. We have developed a simple method for purifying native myosin filaments from muscle filament suspensions. The method involves severing thin (actin-containing) filaments into short segments using a Ca(2+)-insensitive fragment of gelsolin, followed by differential centrifugation to purify the thick filaments. By gel electrophoresis, the purified thick filaments show myosin heavy and light chains together with nonmyosin thick filament components. Contamination with actin is below 3.5%. Electron microscopy demonstrates intact thick filaments, with helical cross-bridge order preserved, and essentially complete removal of thin filaments. The method has been developed for striated muscles but can also be used in a modified form to remove contaminating thin filaments from native smooth muscle myofibrils. Such preparations should be useful for thick filament structural and biochemical studies.

Rational design of diflunisal analogues with reduced affinity for human serum albumin

Many lead compounds bind to serum albumin and exhibit markedly reduced efficacy in vivo as compared to their potency in vitro. To aid in the design of compounds with reduced albumin binding, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structural and binding studies on the complex between domain III of human serum albumin (HSA-III) and diflunisal, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor with antiinflammatory activity. The structural studies indicate that the aromatic rings of diflunisal are involved in extensive and specific interactions with hydrophobic residues that comprise the binding pocket in subdomain IIIA. The carboxylic acid of diflunisal forms electrostatic interactions with the protein similar to those observed in the X-ray structure of HSA complexed to myristic acid. In addition to the structural studies, NMR-derived binding constants were obtained for diflunisal and closely related analogues to develop a structure-affinity relationship for binding to subdomain IIIA. On the basis of the structural and binding data, compounds were synthesized that exhibit more than a 100-fold reduction in binding to domain III of HSA, and nearly a 10-fold reduction in affinity for full length albumin. Significantly, several of these compounds maintain activity against cyclooxygenase-2. These results suggest a rational strategy for designing out albumin binding in potential drug molecules by using structure-based design in conjunction with NMR-based screening.

The cytoprotective effects of the glycoprotein 130 receptor-coupled cytokine, cardiotrophin-1, require activation of NF-kappa B

Many cell types mount elaborate, compensatory responses to stress that enhance survival; however, the intracellular signals that govern these responses are poorly understood. Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), a stress-induced cytokine, belongs to the interleukin-6/glycoprotein 130 receptor-coupled cytokine family. CT-1 is released from the heart in response to hypoxic stress, and it protects cardiac myocytes from hypoxia-induced apoptosis, thus establishing a central role for this cytokine in the cardiac stress response. In the present study, CT-1 activated p38 and ERK MAPKs as well as Akt in cultured cardiac myocytes; these three pathways were activated in a parallel manner. CT-1 also induced the degradation of the NF-kappa B cytosolic anchor, I kappa B, as well as the translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B to the nucleus and increased expression of an NF-kappa B-dependent reporter gene. Inhibitors of the p38, ERK, or Akt pathways each partially reduced CT-1-mediated NF-kappa B activation, as well as the cytoprotective effects of CT-1 against hypoxic stress. Together, the inhibitors completely blocked CT-1-dependent NF-kappa B activation and cytoprotection. A cell-permeable peptide that selectively disrupted NF-kappa B activation also completely inhibited the cytoprotective effects of CT-1. These results indicate that CT-1 signals through p38, ERK, and Akt in a parallel manner to activate NF-kappa B and that NF-kappa B is required for CT-1 to mediate its full cytoprotective effects in cardiac myocytes.

Crossbridge and tropomyosin positions observed in native, interacting thick and thin filaments

Tropomyosin movements on thin filaments are thought to sterically regulate muscle contraction, but have not been visualized during active filament sliding. In addition, although 3-D visualization of myosin crossbridges has been possible in rigor, it has been difficult for thick filaments actively interacting with thin filaments. In the current study, using three-dimensional reconstruction of electron micrographs of interacting filaments, we have been able to resolve not only tropomyosin, but also the docking sites for weak and strongly bound crossbridges on thin filaments. In relaxing conditions, tropomyosin was observed on the outer domain of actin, and thin filament interactions with thick filaments were rare. In contracting conditions, tropomyosin had moved to the inner domain of actin, and extra density, reflecting weakly bound, cycling myosin heads, was also detected, on the extreme periphery of actin. In rigor conditions, tropomyosin had moved further on to the inner domain of actin, and strongly bound myosin heads were now observed over the junction of the inner and outer domains. We conclude (1) that tropomyosin movements consistent with the steric model of muscle contraction occur in interacting thick and thin filaments, (2) that myosin-induced movement of tropomyosin in activated filaments requires strongly bound crossbridges, and (3) that crossbridges are bound to the periphery of actin, at a site distinct from the strong myosin binding site, at an early stage of the crossbridge cycle.

The tip of the coiled-coil rod determines the filament formation of smooth muscle and nonmuscle myosin

Myosin II self-assembles to form thick filaments that are attributed to its long coiled-coil tail domain. The present study has determined a region critical for filament formation of vertebrate smooth muscle and nonmuscle myosin II. A monoclonal antibody recognizing the 28 residues from the C-terminal end of the coiled-coil domain of smooth muscle myosin II completely inhibited filament formation, whereas other antibodies recognizing other parts of the coiled-coil did not. To determine the importance of this region in the filament assembly in vivo, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged smooth muscle myosin was expressed in COS-7 cells, and the filamentous localization of the GFP signal was monitored by fluorescence microscopy. Wild type GFP-tagged smooth muscle myosin colocalized with F-actin during interphase and was also recruited into the contractile ring during cytokinesis. Myosin with the nonhelical tail piece deleted showed similar behavior, whereas deletion of the 28 residues at the C-terminal end of the coiled-coil domain abolished this localization. Deletion of the corresponding region of GFP-tagged nonmuscle myosin IIA also abolished this localization. We conclude that the C-terminal end of the coiled-coil domain, but not the nonhelical tail piece, of myosin II is critical for myosin filament formation both in vitro and in vivo.

Myosin light chain kinase binding to a unique site on F-actin revealed by three-dimensional image reconstruction

Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chains by the catalytic COOH-terminal half of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activates myosin II in smooth and nonmuscle cells. In addition, MLCK binds to thin filaments in situ and F-actin in vitro via a specific repeat motif in its NH2 terminus at a stoichiometry of one MLCK per three actin monomers. We have investigated the structural basis of MLCK-actin interactions by negative staining and helical reconstruction. F-actin was decorated with a peptide containing the NH2-terminal 147 residues of MLCK (MLCK-147) that binds to F-actin with high affinity. MLCK-147 caused formation of F-actin rafts, and single filaments within rafts were used for structural analysis. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed MLCK density on the extreme periphery of subdomain-1 of each actin monomer forming a bridge to the periphery of subdomain-4 of the azimuthally adjacent actin. Fitting the reconstruction to the atomic model of F-actin revealed interaction of MLCK-147 close to the COOH terminus of the first actin and near residues 228-232 of the second. This unique location enables MLCK to bind to actin without interfering with the binding of any other key actin-binding proteins, including myosin, tropomyosin, caldesmon, and calponin.

Effects of a cardiomyopathy-causing troponin t mutation on thin filament function and structure

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is caused by missense or premature truncation mutations in proteins of the cardiac contractile apparatus. Mutant proteins are incorporated into the thin filament or thick filament and eventually produce cardiomyopathy. However, it has been unclear how the several, genetically identified defects in protein structure translate into impaired protein and muscle function. We have studied the basis of FHC caused by premature truncation of the most frequently implicated thin filament target, troponin T. Electron microscope observations showed that the thin filament undergoes normal structural changes in response to Ca(2+) binding. On the other hand, solution studies showed that the mutation alters and destabilizes troponin binding to the thin filament to different extents in different regulatory states, thereby affecting the transitions among states that regulate myosin binding and muscle contraction. Development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can thus be traced to a defect in the primary mechanism controlling cardiac contraction, switching between different conformations of the thin filament.

Troponin organization on relaxed and activated thin filaments revealed by electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction

The steric model of muscle regulation holds that at low Ca(2+) concentration, tropomyosin strands, running along thin filaments, are constrained by troponin in an inhibitory position that blocks myosin-binding sites on actin. Ca(2+) activation, releasing this constraint, allows tropomyosin movement, initiating actin-myosin interaction and contraction. Although the different positions of tropomyosin on the thin filament are well documented, corresponding information on troponin has been lacking and it has therefore not been possible to test the model structurally. Here, we show that troponin can be detected on thin filaments and demonstrate how its changing association with actin can control tropomyosin position in response to Ca(2+). To accomplish this, thin filaments were reconstituted with an engineered short tropomyosin, creating a favorable troponin stoichiometry and symmetry for three-dimensional analysis. We demonstrate that in the absence of Ca(2+), troponin bound to both tropomyosin and actin can act as a latch to constrain tropomyosin in a position on actin that inhibits actomyosin ATPase. In addition, we find that on Ca(2+) activation the actin-troponin connection is broken, allowing tropomyosin to assume a second position, initiating actomyosin ATPase and thus permitting contraction to proceed.

Calcium-dependent structural changes in scallop heavy meromyosin

The mechanism of calcium regulation of scallop myosin is not understood, although it is known that both myosin heads are required. We have explored possible interactions between the heads of heavy meromyosin (HMM) in the presence and absence of calcium and nucleotides by sedimentation and electron microscope studies. The ATPase activity of the HMM preparation was activated over tenfold by calcium, indicating that the preparation contained mostly regulated molecules. In the presence of ADP or ATP analogs, calcium increased the asymmetry of the HMM molecule as judged by its slower sedimentation velocity compared with that in EGTA. In the absence of nucleotide the asymmetry was high even in EGTA. The shift in sedimentation occurred with a sharp midpoint at a calcium level of about 0.5 microM. Sedimentation of subfragment 1 was not dependent on calcium or on nucleotides. Modeling accounted for the observed sedimentation behavior by assuming that both HMM heads bent toward the tail in the absence of calcium, while in its presence the heads had random positions. The sedimentation pattern showed a single peak at all calcium concentrations, indicating equilibration between the two forms with a t(1/2) less than 70 seconds. Electron micrographs of crosslinked, rotary shadowed specimens indicated that 81 % of HMM molecules in the presence of nucleotide had both heads pointing back towards the tail in the absence of calcium, as compared with 41 % in its presence. This is consistent with the sedimentation data. We conclude that in the "off" state, scallop myosin heads interact with each other, forming a rigid structure with low ATPase activity. When molecules are switched "on" by binding of calcium, communication between the heads is lost, allowing them to flex randomly about the junction with the tail; this could facilitate their interaction with actin in contracting muscle.

A fission yeast homolog of Int-6, the mammalian oncoprotein and eIF3 subunit, induces drug resistance when overexpressed

Through a screen to identify genes that induce multi-drug resistance when overexpressed, we have identified a fission yeast homolog of Int-6, a component of the human translation initiation factor eIF3. Disruption of the murine Int-6 gene by mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been implicated previously in tumorigenesis, although the underlying mechanism is not yet understood. Fission yeast Int6 was shown to interact with other presumptive components of eIF3 in vivo, and was present in size fractions consistent with its incorporation into a 43S translation preinitiation complex. Drug resistance induced by Int6 overexpression was dependent on the AP-1 transcription factor Pap1, and was associated with increased abundance of Pap1-responsive mRNAs, but not with Pap1 relocalization. Fission yeast cells lacking the int6 gene grew slowly. This growth retardation could be corrected by the expression of full length Int6 of fission yeast or human origin, or by a C-terminal fragment of the fission yeast protein that also conferred drug resistance, but not by truncated human Int-6 proteins corresponding to the predicted products of MMTV-disrupted murine alleles. Studies in fission yeast may therefore help to explain the ways in which Int-6 function can be perturbed during MMTV-induced mammary tumorigenesis.

Measuring how acute care nurse practitioners affect outcomes

Nurse-leaders need a way to measure acute care nurse practitioners' (ACNPs') performance and justify their positions. An objective documentation tool can help to evaluate ACNPs' work activities and measure performance and outcomes.