Inhibition of MAPK pathway by a synthetic peptide corresponding to the activation segment of MAPK

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is activated by phosphorylation within its activation segment. Upon phosphorylation, the activation segment refolds to provide the active conformation of the enzyme. We reported previously that a phosphorylation-sensitive secondary structure could be formed in a 26-amino-acid long synthetic peptide corresponding to the activation segment of Xenopus MAPK, termed IDA (Inter-DFG-APE) MAPK peptide (Tokmakov, A. A., et al. 1997, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 236, 243-247). Here, we show that unphosphorylated IDA MAPK peptide can inhibit in vitro both MAPK and MAPK kinase activities with the inhibition constants of 82 and 18 microM, respectively. Phosphorylated forms of the peptide were of little effect. IDA MAPK peptide did not inhibit significantly the activity of some other protein kinases, including MAPK homologue p38 kinase, suggesting the specificity for MAPK and MAPK kinase. Microinjection of unphosphorylated IDA MAPK peptide into immature Xenopus oocytes significantly suppressed progesterone-induced oocyte maturation by inhibiting activation of both MAPK and maturation promoting factor. Similar inhibition of maturation was registered upon oocyte treatment with another specific inhibitor of MAPK pathway, PD098059. These results depict IDA MAPK peptide as a selective inhibitor of the MAPK pathway that can be used for the investigations of MAPK-mediated signaling.

Nitroglycerin-induced aortic relaxation mediated by calcium-activated potassium channel is markedly diminished in hypertensive rats

Nitroglycerin (NTG), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, is considered to relax vascular smooth muscle by stimulating soluble guanylate cyclase, which in turn increases cyclic GMP (cGMP) level. Recently it became evident that NO-induced vasodilatation is also mediated by stimulating Ca-activated K (K(Ca)) channels directly and/or indirectly through cGMP. We, therefore, tried to investigate the possible involvement or the alteration of K(Ca) channels in the mechanism of vasodilation induced by NTG in physiological and pathological conditions. Using rings prepared from thoracic aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and those of age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), we studied changes in isometric tension of the rings in response to NTG to evaluate effects of a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (MB), and a specific blocker of K(Ca) channel charybdotoxin (CTX). Rings from WKY and SHR precontracted with norepinephrine showed similar aortic relaxation to NTG. MB markedly suppressed the NTG-induced relaxation in both strains, leaving about 30% of MB-resistant relaxation. CTX nearly completely eliminated this MB-resistant relaxation in WHY but did not affect this relaxation in SHR. These results suggest that NTG-induced vasorelaxation is mediated through i) cGMP-dependent and ii) cGM P-independent K(Ca) channel involving mechanisms, the latter may be diminished or virtually eliminated in hypertensive state.

c-Src and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase are involved in NGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc in PC12 cells

The adaptor protein Shc exists in three isoforms; p46, p52, and p66, and is a key regulator of a variety of biological processes. Our previous studies have shown that the tyrosine kinase c-Src phosphorylates Shc in a phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent manner. Here we demonstrate that PtdIns 3,4,5-trisphosphate stimulates phosphorylation of Shc by c-Src. The phosphorylation is blocked by a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing Shc phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain or a phosphotyrosine-containing Shc PTB domain-binding peptide. In rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12, nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of both Triton-soluble and -insoluble Shc which was maximal at 2-5 min after NGF treatment. We find that pretreatment of PC12 cells with the PtdIns 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin or LY294002 results in almost half inhibition of the NGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of only Triton-insoluble Shc. Similar inhibitory effect is observed with tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and PP1. Upon NGF stimulation, c-Src also becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated and accumulates in the Triton-insoluble fraction. The c-Src events are insensitive to wortmannin but sensitive to genistein. These results suggest that coordinate action of PtdIns 3-kinase and/or PtdIns 3,4,5-trisphosphate and c-Src can function as positive regulator in tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc in vitro and in vivo.

Involvement of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in sperm-induced Xenopus egg activation

We have analyzed tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in Xenopus laevis eggs before and after fertilization by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. A number of egg proteins with different subcellular distribution became tyrosine-phosphorylated or dephosphorylated within 30 min after insemination. Tyrosine kinase-specific inhibitors genistein and herbimycin A were found to inhibit sperm-induced egg activation judged by the egg cortical contraction. Surprisingly, sodium orthovanadate, a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, also inhibited the egg activation. Moreover, we found that fertilization-dependent tyrosine dephosphorylation of 42-kDa mitogen-activated protein kinase was inhibited in genistein-treated eggs. These results suggest that both protein-tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation pathways play an important role in the sperm-induced Xenopus egg activation.

Tyrosine residues 239 and 240 of Shc are phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent phosphorylation sites by c-Src

In the previous study (Sato K.-I. et al. (1997) FEBS Lett. 410, 136-140), we showed that the phosphorylation of Shc protein by c-Src is dependent on the binding of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) to the PTB domain of Shc. In this study, we demonstrate that, in contrast to c-Src, v-Src and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor can phosphorylate Shc in a PtdIns(4,5)P2-independent manner and at different phosphorylation sites. To determine the phosphorylation sites in Shc, we used mutant Shc proteins in which tyrosine residues (Y) 317 and/or 239 and 240 were replaced by phenylalanine residues (F). We found that Y317F Shc but not Y239/240F or Y239/240/317F Shc was phosphorylated by c-Src. The reaction was PtdIns(4,5)P2-dependent and inhibited by the addition of PTB domain of Shc. On the other hand, v-Src and EGF receptor were able to phosphorylate both Y317F and Y239/240F but not Y239/240/317F Shc in a PtdIns(4,5)P2-independent manner. These results highlight the difference between c-Src and v-Src or EGF receptor and suggest that c-Src can phosphorylate predominantly on Tyr239/240 of Shc only when Shc PTB domain is bound to PtdIns(4,5)P2.

Fourier transform infrared study on the primary donor P798 of Heliobacterium modesticaldum: cysteine S-H coupled to P798 and molecular interactions of carbonyl groups

Light-induced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectra of the primary donor P798 upon its cation formation (P798(+)/P789) were measured using the membranes and purified RC complex of Heliobacterium modesticaldum. A differential signal at 2550/2560 cm-1 was observed in the difference spectra and assigned to the S-H stretching mode of cysteine by an isotopic shift to 1854/1861 cm-1 upon deuteration. The observed frequencies indicate that this S-H forms a strong hydrogen bond and that the bond is further strengthened upon P798(+) formation. Polarized FTIR difference spectra showed that this S-H group is oriented at <40 degrees with respect to the membrane normal. It was proposed that the cysteine S-H is coupled to P798 through a hydrogen-bond network or by direct hydrogen bonding to either a P798 carbonyl or a ligand histidine. In the carbonyl stretching region, differential signals were observed at 1741/1737, 1725/1718, 1702/1693, and 1687/1666 cm-1. In a dry membrane film, the signal at 1687/1666 cm-1 was mostly lost and hence was assigned to the amide I bands arising from the protein conformational change, which was suppressed upon dehydration of the membranes. The 1702/1693 cm-1 signal was assigned to the 13(1)-keto C&dbd;O of P798, which was free from hydrogen bonding and had a nearly parallel orientation to the membrane plane. The upshift by 9 cm-1 upon P798 oxidation, which is much smaller than upshifts of monomeric (bacterio)chlorophylls [(B)Chls] in organic solution, indicates that the positive charge on P798(+) is significantly delocalized in a BChlg dimer. The signals at 1741/1737 and 1725/1718 cm-1 were assigned to a free and a hydrogen-bonded ester C=O group, respectively. The dichroism measurement showed that the C=O of 1741/1737 cm-1 was oriented nearly parallel to the membrane plane while that of 1725/1718 cm-1 was considerably tilted by <31 degrees to the membrane normal. It was proposed that one of the two ester signals arose from the 13(2)-carbomethoxy C=O of P798 while the other arose either from the 17(2)-ester C=O of P798 or from an ester C&dbd;O of adjacent BChlg or 8(1)-OH-Chla that was electrostatically influenced by oxidation of P798.

A1 noradrenergic modulation of AV3V inputs to PVN neurosecretory cells

Phasically active neurosecretory neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of urethane-anesthetized rats displayed orthodromic excitation, inhibition or no response following electrical stimulation of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region, and exhibited orthodromic excitation or no response following electrical stimulation of the A1 noradrenergic region of the ventrolateral medulla. Of the 14 neurons that responded to both the stimuli, A1 region stimulation at the subthreshold current significantly enhanced the excitation induced by AV3V region stimulation, and the enhancement was abolished by iontophoretically applied phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, but not by timolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. These results suggest that A1 noradrenergic projections may act to potentiate the excitatory inputs from the AV3V region to vasopressinergic PVN neurons through alpha-adrenoceptor mechanisms.

A verrucous lesion on skin grafted after necrotizing fasciitis in a diabetic patient successfully treated with combined topical 5-FU and tacalcitol

Many complications of diabetes mellitus involve the feet. These include infections, neuropathy, vasculopathy, and poor wound healing. Neuropathy causes chronic pressure or friction on an area of sensory loss and occasionally causes verrucous skin lesions. We describe a diabetic patient, complicated by necrotizing fasciitis, who developed a verrucous skin lesion on a skin graft site. The verrucous skin lesion was treated successfully with combined topical 5-fluorouracil and vitamin D3 application.

Phosphorylation-sensitive secondary structure in a synthetic peptide corresponding to the activation loop of MAP kinase

A 26-amino acid long synthetic peptide corresponding to the activation loop of Xenopus MAP kinase (MAPK), termed IDA (Inter-DFG-APE) MAPK peptide, was found to efficiently inhibit the immunoprecipitation of the enzyme with anti-IDA MAPK serum. The value of half-inhibition concentration (100 nM) indicates that the IDA peptide and native MAPK activation loop are virtually indistinguishable in terms of antibody recognition. On the other hand, the Tyr-phosphorylated form of the peptide exerted its inhibitory action at around one order higher concentration. Shorter nonapeptides covering the epitope sequence of anti-IDA MAPK antibody could also affect the immunoprecipitation but at much higher concentrations (half-inhibition concentration approximately 100 microM) and independently of their phosphorylation state. Circular dichroic study revealed that a secondary structure could be readily induced with the aid of trifluoroethanol in the unphosphorylated and, to a less extent, in the Tyr-phosphorylated IDA MAPK peptide but not in the shorter nonapeptides. These results suggest that the secondary structure similar to that of the unphosphorylated activation loop of MAPK can be formed in the IDA MAPK peptide and may be lost upon its Tyr-phosphorylation.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate stimulates phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Shc by c-Src

The adaptor protein Shc was prepared as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins (GST-Shc) and used as in vitro substrate for c-Src. Since phosphotyrosine-binding domain of Shc has been shown to bind phosphatidyl-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) [Zhou et al. (1995) Nature 378, 584-592], effect of PtdIns(4,5)P2 on the phosphorylation of GST-Shc by c-Src was examined. PtdIns(4,5)P2 stimulated the phosphorylation of GST-Shc without any effect on the c-Src activity as judged by both its autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of exogenous substrate, Cdc2 peptide. On the other hand, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate but not phosphatidylcholine stimulated the c-Src activity itself. Km for GST-Shc in the presence of 1 microM PtdIns(4,5)P2 was calculated to be 90 nM. The PtdIns(4,5)P2-dependent phosphorylation of GST-Shc was inhibited by a GST-fusion protein containing the phosphotyrosine-binding domain of Shc. These results suggest that PtdIns(4,5)P2 can act as a regulator of phosphorylation of Shc by c-Src through its binding to Shc.

Role of K+ channels in EDHF-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine in canine coronary artery

To identify the K+ channels responsible for endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-dependent relaxation, we studied the effects of various K+ channel blockers on acetylcholine-induced relaxation, which persists even in the presence of both an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and that of cyclooxygenase, in canine coronary artery rings. A nonselective K+ channel blocker, tetrabutylammonium (TBA), a large and intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel blocker, charybdotoxin (CTX), and a voltage-dependent K+ channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), significantly inhibited this residual relaxation. A combined treatment with CTX and 4-AP almost completely blocked the relaxation. Neither a large (iberiotoxin) nor a small (apamin) conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel blocker blocked the relaxation. We also investigated effects of K+ channel blockers on basal tone to determine whether or not EDHF is involved in regulating basal tone. TBA and CTX substantially raised basal tone to a greater degree in endothelium-intact preparations than in endothelium-denuded preparations. These results indicate that EDHF may exert its relaxing action through intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated and voltage-dependent K+ channels in canine coronary arteries. In addition, EDHF may play a role in maintaining basal vascular tone.

Phosphoregulatory tyrosine of Xenopus mitogen-activated protein kinase is out of the reach of the enzyme catalytic center after autophosphorylation. Biochemical evidence for conformational changes upon phosphorylation

Autophosphorylation of the recombinant mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) from Xenopus laevis has been studied to detect the conformational changes in the region of regulatory phosphorylation upon enzyme activation. Slow autophosphorylation of Xenopus MAPK occurred predominantly on tyrosine, the major phosphoregulatory site of MAPKs, through an intramolecular mechanism and was accompanied by a low magnitude stimulation of the catalytic activity towards an exogenous substrate, myelin basic protein. Autophosphorylated but not unphosphorylated enzyme was shown to interact with the protein substrate. In contrast to the previously reported reversibility of many tyrosine kinase reactions, the tyrosine phosphorylation of Xenopus MAPK was found to be irreversible in the presence of high ADP concentrations, although ADP could competitively inhibit both autophosphorylation and myelin basic protein phosphorylation. We concluded, therefore, that the phosphoregulatory tyrosine is no more accessible to an intramolecular phosphotransferase reaction and is out of the reach of the enzyme catalytic center after phosphorylation. The conformational changes in the region of regulatory phosphorylation resulted in a reduced immunoprecipitation of autophosphorylated and MAPK-kinase-phosphorylated forms of the enzyme by a polyclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 173-197 of Xenopus MAPK which includes the sites of regulatory phosphorylation. The reduced recognition was not due to the phosphorylation itself, since the antibody efficiently immunoprecipitated SDS-denatured forms of the phosphorylated enzyme. The antibody was not a neutralizing antibody, allowing unphosphorylated MAPK to undergo autophosphorylation while in the immune complex. However, autophosphorylation caused a release of phosphorylated enzyme from the immune complex, suggesting that dramatic conformational changes, which could even overcome the antibody constraints, took place in the phosphoregulatory region of MAPK upon enzyme activation.

Purification and characterization of a Src-related p57 protein-tyrosine kinase from Xenopus oocytes. Isolation of an inactive form of the enzyme and its activation and translocation upon fertilization

In the previous study (Fukami, Y., Sato, K.-I., Ikeda, K., Kamisango, K., Koizumi, K., and Matsuno, T. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 1132-1140), we found that an antibody termed anti-pepY antibody causes a severalfold activation of bovine brain c-Src. The anti-pepY antibody was raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 410-428 of chicken c-Src, one of the most conserved regions among the Src family protein-tyrosine kinases. In this study, we have used this antibody as an in vitro activator and purified a c-Src-related protein-tyrosine kinase from the particulate fraction of Xenopus laevis oocytes. A synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 7-26 of fission yeast Cdc2 was used as substrate. Immunoreactivity toward the antibody was also monitored during the purification. The purified kinase displayed a single polypeptide of 57 kDa on SDS-gel electrophoresis and showed a specific activity of 2.37 and 20.1 nmol/min/mg protein in the absence and the presence of the anti-pepY antibody, respectively. The purified enzyme underwent autophosphorylation and phosphorylated actin and the Cdc2 peptide exclusively on tyrosine residues. Specific antibodies against c-Src, Fyn, c-Yes, c-Fgr, Lck, Lyn, Hck, and Blk proteins did not recognize the p57 Xenopus tyrosine kinase. The kinase activity of the Xenopus enzyme was not affected by oocyte maturation but was found to be elevated severalfold upon fertilization. Fertilization also caused a translocation of the activated enzyme from the particulate fraction to the cytosolic fraction. The activation and translocation was observed within 1 min after fertilization. These results suggest a possible involvement of the p57 Xenopus tyrosine kinase in the signal transduction of fertilization.

Biochemical evidence for the interaction of regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase with IDA (Inter-DFG-APE) region of catalytic subunit

To explore the structural basis required for the holoenzyme formation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, we have prepared rabbit anti-peptide antibodies that can block the holoenzyme formation without affecting the catalytic activity of the enzyme. The antibodies were raised against a specific site in the catalytic (C)-subunit, termed IDA (Inter-DFG-APE) region, which lies between the kinase subdomains VII and VIII. Although the C-subunit immunoprecipitated with anti-IDA antibodies could not form a stable complex with regulatory (R)-subunit, it was still susceptible to inhibition by the R-subunit or by PKI, a specific inhibitor peptide containing a pseudosubstrate site. These results indicate that there exists an IDA region-mediated interaction between the R- and C-subunits, which is distinct from that mediated through the substrate site and substrate binding site. In accordance with this idea, association of synthetic IDA peptides with the R-subunit was directly demonstrated by resonance mirror analysis. The calculated association constants of IDA peptides were high enough to suggest a possible involvement of the IDA region in the initial step of holoenzyme formation.

Amiloride inhibition of chorda tympani responses to NaCl and its temperature dependency in mice

Inhibitory effects of amiloride on salt responses of the chorda tympani nerve and its temperature dependency were compared among three inbred strains of mice (C57BL, BALB and 129). In C57BL mice, lingual treatment with amiloride significantly suppressed responses to 0.1-1.0 M NaCl at two different temperatures, 24 +/- 2 degrees C and 12 +/- 2 degrees C. The magnitude of the amiloride-inhibited component of NaCl response was slightly larger at the higher temperature. In contrast, in BALB mice, amiloride suppression of NaCl responses was observed only at the lower temperature. No such suppression was exhibited by 129 mice at either temperature levels. These results suggest that there exist at least two different amiloride-sensitive receptor components for NaCl in mice: one is more sensitive to NaCl at the higher temperature, and the other is more sensitive at the lower temperature. It is hypothesized, C57BL mice possess the former (or both) component(s), whereas BALB mice have the latter one. The 129 strain may be lacking both components.

Analysis of concentration-response relationship for enhanced sugar responses of the chorda tympani nerve in the diabetic db/db mouse

Chorda tympani responses to sugars were greater in diabetic (db/db) than in non-diabetic control mice. A kinetic analysis suggested that the greater sugar responses in db/db mice were unlikely due to the increased number of sugar receptors.

c-Src phosphorylates epidermal growth factor receptor on tyrosine 845

In the previous study [Sato et al. (1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 210, 844-851], we found that c-Src was associated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and activated upon EGF treatment in A431 cells. In the present study, we investigated the phosphorylation of EGF receptor by c-Src in the c-Src-EGF receptor complex. We have focused our attention to tyrosine residue 845 (Y845) of EGF receptor as a candidate for the phosphorylation site. A synthetic peptide containing Y845, named Y845 peptide, which corresponds to residue 837 to 856 of EGF receptor, was found to be phosphorylated by c-Src and used to provide the standard phosphopeptide. In addition to the autophosphorylated peptide of 25 kDa, a phosphopeptide of 7 kDa was detected in the cyanogen bromide-digested fragments of the c-Src-associated EGF receptor phosphorylated in vitro in an EGF-dependent manner. In phosphopeptide mapping, tryptic digest of the 7-kDa phosphopeptide was shown to co-migrate with that of the phosphorylated Y845 peptide. The 7-kDa phosphopeptide was found to be phosphorylated exclusively on tyrosine. These results suggest that c-Src can phosphorylate EGF receptor on Y845 in an EGF-dependent manner. Furthermore, we confirmed that the same site of the c-Src-associated EGF receptor was phosphorylated in EGF-treated A431 cells.

Site-specific association of c-Src with epidermal growth factor receptor in A431 cells

We have examined the interaction between c-Src and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in A431 cells. c-Src was found exclusively in the Triton X-100-solubilized particulate fraction and activated up to 3-fold within 1 min after EGF treatment of the cells. Association between c-Src and EGF receptor was detected by immunoprecipitation of c-Src followed by immunoblotting with anti-EGF receptor antibody. The c-Src-EGF receptor complex was found in both EGF-treated and untreated cells, but an augmented complex formation was observed in EGF-treated cells. We have isolated the complex by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and found that a site-specific anti-c-Src antibody, which was raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 413 to 431 of human c-Src, did not recognize the c-Src protein in the complex, while other c-Src-specific antibodies tested did. Incubation of the complex with this synthetic peptide resulted in a partial dissociation of the complex. These results suggest that the specific region of c-Src is involved in the association with EGF receptor.

Purification and characterization of protein kinase C from a higher plant, Brassica campestris L

Protein kinase C (PKC) was partially purified from Brassica campestris L., by successive chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose membrane, hydroxyapatite and phenyl-5PW columns. The purified preparation showed typical characteristics of the conventional type of mammalian PKC that responds to Ca2+, phosphatidylserine, and diacylglycerol or the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The plant PKC activity was apparently associated with a 75-kDa polypeptide that was recognized by an antibody against the catalytic domain of rat PKC. Substrate specificity of the plant PKC was similar to that of the rat PKC. A synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 4-14 of myelin basic protein, which is a selective substrate for the mammalian PKC, was phosphorylated efficiently by the plant PKC. These results indicate the existence of a PKC equivalent in higher plant cells.

Immunocytochemical localization of Na, K-ATPase in rat muscle spindles

In the muscle spindle, one of the major sensory receptors in the vertebrate skeletal muscle, it was demonstrated that stretching caused a conductance increase of the sensory terminal membrane mainly to Na+ (Hunt, Wilkinson and Fukami, 1978 (6)). Since the muscle spindle is a slowly adapting stretch receptor, and even at rest some spindles are active, a vigorous Na, K-pump activity is expected to counteract the incessant inflow of Na+ into the terminal. To test this assumption, rat muscle spindles were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy as well as by the electron microscopic immunogold technique using antibody against rat alpha-subunit of Na, K-ATPase. The results indicate that the sensory ending has the highest density of the enzyme among the other cellular components examined, and that the enzyme density appears to be higher in the plasma membrane of the sensory ending facing the intrafusal muscle fiber (synaptic membrane) than the rest of the membrane (extra-synaptic membrane). The functional significance of the above findings was discussed.

A novel stretch receptor in the jaw of the rat

We report here an unusual type of stretch receptor found on each side of the rat jaw. This receptor has unique morphological features: it is quite long (24-28 mm), lies in connective tissue in between masticatory muscles, and extends between the medial pterygoid muscle-tendon on the maxilla and the masseter-tendon on the mandible through a zigzag course, forming a Greek capital letter sigma when viewed from the side. The receptor is neither in parallel nor in series with any masticatory muscles and receives multiple innervation. The receptor increases its length when the jaw closes and shortens when the jaw opens. Electron microscopy revealed axial structures composed of a central cellular core surrounded by tightly packed collagen bundles which are separated from the capsule by a wide capsular space. Most of the sensory endings are found among axial collagen bundles, some in between core cells. The core cells have many finger-like processes on their surface, being coupled by desmosomes. The origin and nature of these cells are unclear. The wide capsular space is filled with Alcian blue positive substrate, probably acid glycosaminoglycans. The structures of outer and inner capsules are similar to those of muscle spindles, the former being composed of three to ten layers of thin flattened cells. The response of the receptor was examined with in vivo as well as in vitro preparations. In in vivo experiments, impulse discharges from this receptor increased with the increase in jaw closing. When the jaw was fully opened the impulse discharge from this receptor disappeared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence for autoinhibitory regulation of the c-src gene product. A possible interaction between the src homology 2 domain and autophosphorylation site

In the previous study (Sato, K., Miki, S., Tachibana, H., Hayashi, F., Akiyama, T., and Fukami, Y. (1990) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 171, 1152-1159), we found a synthetic peptide, termed peptide A, that inhibited the kinase activity of p60v-src. The peptide A sequence corresponds to residues 137 to 157 of p60v-src which are included in the amino-terminal portion of the src homology 2 domain. In this study, we attempted to specify the inhibitory sequence in this domain and to identify its target site. The most potent peptide A derivative was one that corresponds to residues 140 through 157. The target site of peptide A was assumed to reside in the autophosphorylation site of p60v-src, since synthetic peptides containing the sequence Phe424-Pro-Ile-Lys-Trp428 which is present downstream of the autophosphorylated Tyr416 partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of peptide A. An antibody was prepared against one of such target peptides, termed pepY. Cross-linking experiments showed that 125I-labeled peptide A could bind to p60v-src blotted on a membrane, and the binding was blocked by the anti-pepY antibody but not by other anti-p60v-src antibodies. Conversely, immunoblotting of p60v-src with anti-pepY antibody was blocked by the cross-linking of peptide A to p60v-src. To our surprise, anti-pepY antibody did not affect the p60v-src activity. Furthermore, p60c-src was activated 2- to 6-fold by this antibody. These results suggest that the pepY region in the catalytic domain of p60v-src or of p60c-src is not essential for the catalytic activity but rather is involved in the negative regulation of the kinase activity of p60c-src.

Isolation and characterization of delta-subspecies of protein kinase C from rat brain

The delta-subspecies of protein kinase C (delta PKC) was purified to near homogeneity from the Triton X-100 extract of the rat brain particulate fraction by successive chromatographies on S-Sepharose fast flow, phenyl 5PW, heparin 5PW, hydroxyapatite, and Mono Q columns. The purified enzyme was a doublet with molecular masses of 78 and 76 kDa on SDS/PAGE. The doublet proteins were separated partially by Mono Q column chromatography; both were recognized by the antibodies raised against synthetic oligopeptides, parts of the deduced amino acid sequence of the rat delta PKC. Protein phosphatase 2A treatment suggested that the 78-kDa protein was a phosphorylated form of the 76-kDa protein. To confirm the structural and genetic identity of the doublet proteins, delta PKC was expressed in COS 7 cells by transfecting its cDNA-constructed plasmid and was purified for comparison. This recombinant enzyme was also a doublet. The enzymes isolated from the brain and COS 7 cells showed identical reactivities with delta PKC-specific antibodies, chromatographic behaviors, and V8 protease peptide mappings. In addition, these two enzyme preparations were indistinguishable from each other in their responses to phosphatidylserine, diacylglycerol, phorbol esters, free fatty acids, Ca2+, and enzyme inhibitors. Comparison was also made between the enzymologic properties of delta PKC and alpha PKC, which were distinctly different from each other.

Characterization of protein kinase C in Xenopus oocytes

Protein kinase C (PKC) was partially purified from Xenopus laevis oocytes by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by DEAE-cellulose and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. In the latter chromatography, two distinct PKC activities were identified. Both PKC fractions contained an 80 kDa protein which was recognized by three antisera raised against the conserved regions of mammalian PKC. However, specific antisera against alpha, beta I, beta II, and gamma-subspecies of rat PKC did not recognize the protein. Kinetic properties of the Xenopus PKCs were very similar to those of the rat alpha PKC, and only a subtle difference was found in the mode of activation by arachidonic acid. When oocytes were treated with the tumor promoter, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, one of the Xenopus PKCs was found to disappear very rapidly, while the other remained unchanged up to 2 hr.

Evidence that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation is involved in the opening process of potassium channels in identified snail neurons

The effect of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation on K+ channels was examined in snail neurons, using several pharmacological agents, the voltage clamp method and the pressure injection technique. H-7, a general protein kinase inhibitor, reduced the delayed outward K+ current (IKD) which was suppressed by tetraethylammonium. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, when injected into neurons which had been treated with H-7, transiently restored the reduced IKD nearly to the pre-H-7 level. However, this restoration was blocked by W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor. In contrast, the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C injected into the H-7-treated neurons had little effect on the current. These findings suggest that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation is involved in the opening process of K+ channels.