Association of hnRNP S1 proteins C2 and D2 with vimentin intermediate filaments

S1 proteins A-D are hnRNP proteins which were originally isolated from nuclei of various tissues, by selective extraction of pH 4.9 from the supernatants of nuclei mildly treated with DNase I or RNase A. In the present study, a hybridoma was isolated which produced a monoclonal antibody that reacted specifically with S1 proteins C2 and D2. When the antibody was used in indirect immunofluorescence staining of cultured cells, it stained, in addition to the nuclei, the cytoskeleton-like fibrous structures in the cytoplasm. We demonstrate that the cytoskeletal filaments are vimentin intermediate filaments. This is the first report on the hnRNP protein-association with cytoskeleton, and will help to clarify cytoplasmic mRNA localization as well as cytoplasmic distribution of hnRNP proteins.

Characterization of ficolins as novel elastin-binding proteins and molecular cloning of human ficolin-1

A novel elastin-binding protein, EBP-37, was recently identified and purified from human plasma. Its partial amino acid sequences showed significant homology to porcine ficolins, which were originally purified from porcine uterus membranes as multimeric proteins with fibrinogen- and collagen-like domains. Here we report the presence of ficolins in an elastin-binding fraction of porcine plasma and the direct binding of recombinant porcine ficolin-alpha to elastin. In addition, a cDNA encoding a human counterpart of porcine ficolins that is composed of 319 amino acids and is different from EBP-37 was cloned and named human ficolin-1. Northern blotting of various human tissues revealed that human ficolin-1 mRNA is highly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes. These data suggested that there are at least two kinds of ficolin-related proteins in both pig and human, and they may function as plasma proteins with elastin-binding activities.

A novel beta-galactoside-binding lectin in cultured murine lymphocytic leukemia cells

Using affinity chromatography on lactosyl-Sepharose, a beta-galactoside-binding protein of 38 kDa was detected in mouse L1210 lymphocytic leukemia cells. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that it is distinct from any known larger molecular weight galectin. The partial amino acid sequences of the 38 kDa protein indicated that it is a novel member of the galectin family. This 38 kDa lectin is expressed in lymphocytic cell lines but not macrophage-like cell lines.

Isolation and characterization of a yeast gene, MPD1, the overexpression of which suppresses inviability caused by protein disulfide isomerase depletion

MPD1, a yeast gene the overexpression of which suppresses the inviability caused by the loss of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) was isolated and characterized. The MPD1 gene product retained a single disulfide isomerase active site sequence (APWCGHCK), an N-terminal putative signal sequence, and a C-terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal, and was a novel member of the PDI family. The gene product, identified in yeast extract, contained core size carbohydrates. MPD1 was not essential for growth, but overexpression of the gene suppressed the maturation defect of carboxypeptidase Y caused by PDI1 deletion, indicative of the related function to PDI in the yeast ER.

Molecular mechanisms of defense by rhizobacteria against root disease

Genetic resistance in plants to root diseases is rare, and agriculture depends instead on practices such as crop rotation and soil fumigation to control these diseases. "Induced suppression" is a natural phenomenon whereby a soil due to microbiological changes converts from conducive to suppressive to a soilborne pathogen during prolonged monoculture of the susceptible host. Our studies have focused on the wheat root disease "take-all," caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, and the role of bacteria in the wheat rhizosphere (rhizobacteria) in a well-documented induced suppression (take-all decline) that occurs in response to the disease and continued monoculture of wheat. The results summarized herein show that antibiotic production plays a significant role in both plant defense by and ecological competence of rhizobacteria. Production of phenazine and phloroglucinol antibiotics, as examples, account for most of the natural defense provided by fluorescent Pseudomonas strains isolated from among the diversity of rhizobacteria associated with take-all decline. There appear to be at least three levels of regulation of genes for antibiotic biosynthesis: environmental sensing, global regulation that ties antibiotic production to cellular metabolism, and regulatory loci linked to genes for pathway enzymes. Plant defense by rhizobacteria producing antibiotics on roots and as cohabitants with pathogens in infected tissues is analogous to defense by the plant's production of phytoalexins, even to the extent that an enzyme of the same chalcone/stilbene synthase family used to produce phytoalexins is used to produce 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. The defense strategy favored by selection pressure imposed on plants by soilborne pathogens may well be the ability of plants to support and respond to rhizosphere microorganisms antagonistic to these pathogens.

EBP-37, a new elastin-binding protein in human plasma: structural similarity to ficolins, transforming growth factor-beta 1-binding proteins

In order to study the elastin-binding factors in blood, human plasma was applied to an alpha-elastin-Sepharose column. The column-binding fraction contained a 37-kDa protein, which was tentatively named EBP-37. Partial amino acid sequences of EBP-37 were determined. It had collagenous and non-collagenous domains. Homology searches of the sequences revealed that the protein is very similar but not identical to ficolins, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)-binding proteins from porcine uterus membranes. Direct interaction of EBP-37 with elastin was confirmed by demonstrating the binding of the isolated EBP-37 to alpha-elastin on a nitrocellulose membrane using the EBP-37-specific antiserum. The existence of oligomers and multimers crosslinked by disulfide bonds was demonstrated by immunoblot analysis. Possible functions of EBP-37 are discussed.

Asian Pacific elders. Implications for health care providers

Asian Pacific Islanders are a diverse group that include recent immigrants as well as long-term residents. They may be isolated or unsettled in their relationships with their own families and unfamiliar with Western medical care and thought. Medical care should take into consideration unique features of their traditional health benefits, traditional medications, prevalence of medical problems, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, diet, health risks, and health promotion. Although they cannot be homogenized into one tidy bundle, certain commonalities apply, and are addressed.

A novel beta-galactoside-binding lectin in adult rat kidney

Two carbohydrate-binding proteins with subunit molecular weight of about 17,500 and 16,500, respectively, were isolated from Triton X-100 extracts of rat kidney using a lactose affinity column. They did not require Ca2+ for the carbohydrate-binding nor reducing agents for maintaining their activity. The partial amino acid sequence of the 17.5-kDa protein (rkCBP-17.5), the main component, revealed that this protein is a novel member of a superfamily of beta-galactoside-binding animal lectins. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 16.5 kDa component (rkCBP-16.5) indicated that it is a fragment derived from the IgE-binding protein (IgEBP). Monoclonal antibodies to rkCBP-17.5 were prepared and used to examine the distribution of the lectin in various organs of adult rats. Immunoreactive protein with the same molecular weight was found in lung, spleen and liver, in lesser amounts in heart, and in trace amounts in brain and skeletal muscle. rkCBP-17.5 exhibits binding activity to various saccharides with the following order of affinity: N-acetyllactosamine > lactose > D-galactose > methyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside > N-acetyl-D-galactosamine > methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside. It binds to Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm(EHS) tumor laminin and rat plasma fibronectin, but does not bind to human plasma fibronectin.

Interaction of human plasma fibronectin with alpha-elastin

Because there are contradictory reports about the interaction of plasma fibronectin with elastin, we investigated the interaction in vitro. When human plasma was applied to an alpha-elastin-Sepharose column at 4 degrees C, the column-binding fraction contained fibronectin. When isolated plasma fibronectin was applied to the same column at 4 degrees C, most of the fibronectin bound to the column and was eluted with 1 M KBr. However, the binding affinity of plasma fibronectin to the alpha-elastin-Sepharose column was much weaker at 25 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. The elastin-plasma fibronectin interaction was further confirmed by demonstrating the binding of alpha-elastin to fibronectin on polyvinylidene difluoride membranes using an alpha-elastin specific antibody. The elevation of the surface hydrophobicity of plasma fibronectin at 4 degrees C was observed by hydrophobic chromatography, using alkyl-Sepharose columns. It seems that the binding of plasma fibronectin to alpha-elastin involves hydrophobic interaction, which is affected by temperature and possibly by other factors.

Active oxygen-induced modification alters properties of collagen as a substratum for fibroblasts

Acid-soluble collagen from rat skin was modified by active oxygen in vitro, and properties of the modified collagen as a substratum for fibroblasts were studied. When collagen was treated with ascorbate-copper ion systems, cross-linking and a little degradation occurred rapidly. The cells attached but spread poorly on the modified collagen gel as compared with on the untreated collagen gel. On the other hand, when collagen was treated with H2O2-copper ion systems, only degradation of collagen molecule occurred rapidly. This treatment did not affect the attachment and spreading of the cells on the collagen gel, but when the incubation was continued for a long time, the cells migrated actively and gathered. Thymidine incorporation by the cells was suppressed on both modified collagen gels as compared with that on untreated collagen gel, and the extent of the suppression on the H2O2-copper-treated collagen was larger than that on the ascorbate-copper-treated collagen. These results indicate that the active oxygen-induced cross-linking and degradation significantly alter properties of collagen as a substratum for fibroblasts.

Increased gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (stromelysin) in skin fibroblasts from patients with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3 = stromelysin) was examined in the skin fibroblasts obtained from patients with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Steady-state mRNA level of MMP-3 was selectively increased in the unstimulated RDEB cells by a post-transcriptional mechanism. A parallel study on the susceptibility of type VII collagen to MMPs revealed that this type of collagen is degraded by MMP-3, but not by MMP-1 (collagenase). These data suggest that MMP-3 may play an important role in the blister formation fo the skin in RDEB patients by the degradation of anchoring fibrils consisting of type VII collagen.

Nonenzymatic glycation alters properties of collagen as a substratum for cells

Acid-soluble collagen from rat skin was glycated in vitro by incubating with 0.2 M D-ribose at 37 degrees C for several days, and properties of the glycated collagen as a substratum for fibroblasts 3 Y 1 were studied. The cells attached but spread poorly on the glycated collagen as compared with on the untreated collagen. Thymidine incorporation by the cells on the glycated collagen was higher than that by the cells on untreated collagen. These results indicate that the glycation significantly alters properties of collagen as a substratum for cells.

Effects of reduced malto-oligosaccharides on the thermal stability of pullulanase from Bacillus acidopullulyticus

We investigated the effects of the reduced malto-oligosaccharides, D-glucitol (G1-OH), maltitol (G2-OH), maltotriitol (G3-OH), maltotetraitol (G4-OH), and maltopentaitol (G5-OH) on the thermal stability of Bacillus acidopullulyticus pullulanase (EC 3.2.1.41). The thermal stability depended on the concentration of D-glucitol; after heat treatment for 90 min at 60 degrees in the presence of 0.56, 0.28, 0.14, or 0M G1-OH, the residual activity was 100, 80, 32, and 10% of the control, respectively. Stability increased with the number of glucosyl residues in the alditols added; the effects of G3-OH, G4-OH, and G5-OH on stability were remarkable. Addition of 30% G2-OH, G3-OH, and G4-OH also contributed to the thermal stability of the pullulanase immobilized onto chitosan beads treated with glutaraldehyde. A high concentration of G2-OH stabilized other debranching amylases, Klebsiella pneumoniae pullulanse, Bacillus sectorramus pullulanase, and Pseudomonas amyloderamosa isoamylase (EC 3.2.1.68) under heat treatment for 48 h at 60 degrees, as well as the pullullanase of B. acidopullulyticus.

Cell-adhesive immunoglobulin M in human plasma

Human plasma contains a cell-adhesive protein that has a structure related to immunoglobulins. This protein was purified by affinity chromatography on an elastin-Sepharose column and by Mono Q anion-exchange chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing and reducing conditions revealed that this protein is a kind of immunoglobulin M (IgM). Antibodies against the mu chain and against the Fc region of IgM inhibited the adhesion of cells to this protein. Addition of the peptide GRGDS into media inhibited the adhesion, too. These results suggest that this protein is a special subset of IgM having a cell-binding sequence in the Fc region. We propose the name "cell-adhesive immunoglobulin M (CA-IgM)" for this protein. CA-IgM binds to alpha-elastin and laminin suggesting that it may play a role in the interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix.

Cross-linking of collagen by ascorbate-copper ion systems

Cross-linking occurred rapidly in collagen when it was treated with ascorbate-copper ion systems. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic patterns of CNBr peptides suggest that in some respects the modifications by the ascorbate-copper ion systems mimicked those that occurred in collagen with aging.

Detection of the cross-linking amino acid, histidinoalanine, in human brown cataractous lens protein

In human nuclear cataract, with its progression, high polymers protein mass, which is aggregated and strengthened by disulfide cross-links and other covalent cross-links, accumulates in the nuclear region to cause hardening of the lens nucleus. However, the structure of non-disulfide covalent cross-links has not been clearly confirmed yet. Recently a cross-linking amino acid, histidinoalanine, was discovered in connective tissue and is thought to cause hardening of the tissue with aging. The content of this amino acid in the lens nucleus was studied. Nuclear cataract was classified on the basis of nuclear color as described by Pirie (1986). The content of histidinoalanine was found to be 0.05 +/- 0.03 nmol mg-1 in normal nucleus; 0.06 +/- 0.03 nmol mg-1 in grade I (uniform pale yellow); 0.05 +/- 0.03 nmol mg-1 in grade II (deep yellow nucleus); 0.38 +/- 0.07 nmol mg-1 (P less than 0.01) in grade III (hazel-brown nucleus) and 3.35 +/- 2.76 nmol mg-1 (P less than 0.01) in grade IV (deep brown nucleus). The result suggests that histidinoalanine is one of the non-disulfide cross-links of lens proteins in nuclear cataract and is closely related to the grade of cataract.

The relationship between trypsin activity in amniotic fluid and premature rupture of membranes

Trypsin activity and concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid were measured in patients with and without premature rupture of membranes. Trypsin activity in amniotic fluid with premature rupture of membranes (127 +/- 57 U/L) was found to be significantly higher than in cases without premature rupture of membranes (14 +/- 20 U/L) (p less than 0.01). The concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid with premature rupture of membranes (6.8 +/- 5.5 mg/dl) was significantly lower than in cases without premature rupture (25.2 +/- 20.2 mg/dl) (p less than 0.01). Trypsin activity and concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid were not influenced by rupture of membranes and labor. These studies suggest that high trypsin activity and low concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in amniotic fluid is one cause of premature rupture of membranes.

A cell-binding, immunoglobulin-like protein from human plasma. II. Cell-binding activity

Cell adhesion to plastic surfaces coated with a new high-molecular-mass immunoglobulin-like protein from normal human plasma was studied. Mouse subdermal fibroblasts, hamster kidney cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and human skin fibroblasts were found to become attached to the surface, but cancer cells derived from human stomach cancer and human breast cancer did not. The appearance of the attached cells differed from that of cells attached to surfaces coated with fibronectin or concanavalin A. The cell adhesion to the surfaces coated with the protein was inhibited by goat anti-human IgM. Furthermore, the binding of the protein to the cell surfaces was demonstrated by the indirect immunofluorescence method. It is concluded that this protein is a new cell-binding protein.

A cell-binding, immunoglobulin-like protein from human plasma. I. Isolation and subunit structure

A protein having Mr of more than 900K (900,000) was isolated by chromatography on a column of Sepharose 4B coupled with solubilized elastin, followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The protein is composed of several disulfide-linked subunits. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting indicated that two of the subunits are identical with the heavy chains of IgM and IgG, and one is immunologically related to the heavy chain of IgA. The results suggested that this protein is a new protein that belongs to the category of, or is closely related to, the immunoglobulins. As described in the succeeding paper, it has cell-binding activity (Fukamizu et al. (1986) J. Biochem. 100, 843-848). We tentatively refer to this protein as "cell-binding immunoglobulin-like protein (CIP)."

Histidinoalanine in human urine

Histidinoalanine, a cross-linking component of connective tissue proteins, was detected in the acid hydrolysate of human urine. The concentrations in urines from newborn babies, children, and adults were 1.33 +/- 0.27, 0.77 +/- 0.23, and 0.89 +/- 0.33 nmol/mg creatinine, respectively. Possible origins of urinary histidinoalanine are discussed.

Acceleration of glucose-mediated crosslinking of collagen by free lysine

Crosslinking occurred in collagen when it was incubated with glucose. Free lysine accelerated the crosslinking markedly.