The structure of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor gene

The cellular receptor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPAR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein that plays a central role in pericellular plasminogen activation. It contains 313 amino acid residues, including 28 cysteine residues in a pattern of three homologous repeats. The cysteine residue pattern suggests that uPAR belongs to a superfamily of proteins including CD59, murine Ly-6, and a variety of elapid snake venom toxins. A novel 1.7-kb uPAR cDNA was isolated that is missing exon 5 and that contains 380 bp not previously reported at the 5' end. This cDNA was used to probe a human genomic library from which three clones were isolated and analyzed. The uPAR gene consists of 7 exons spread over 23 kb of genomic DNA. Exons 2, 4, and 6 code for homologous domains within the mature protein, as do exons 3, 5, and 7; CD59-like homologous pairs are encoded by exons 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7, respectively. The structure of the gene for uPAR further confirms the relationship of this molecule to the superfamily containing CD59, Ly-6, and the elapid snake venom toxins.

Acute splenic sequestration in the absence of palpable splenomegaly

PURPOSE

Acute splenic sequestration in children with sickle hemoglobinopathies is a medical emergency characterized by splenomegaly, anemia, and thrombocytopenia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We describe a young girl with hemoglobin SC disease who experienced an acute splenic sequestration without palpable splenomegaly.

CONCLUSIONS

We emphasize the need for a high index of suspicion for splenic sequestration and the utility of ultrasonography in documenting splenomegaly.

Molecular characterization of the band 3 protein from Southeast Asian ovalocytes

Southeast Asian ovalocytosis (SAO) is a hereditary form of elliptocytosis resulting in rigid, oval-shaped erythrocytes resistant to invasion by malaria parasites. The molecular defect is due to deletion of codons 400-408, encoding a 9-amino-acid sequence located at the boundary between the cytosol and the first transmembrane segment in Band 3, the erythrocyte anion transport protein. We have carried out an extensive characterization of Band 3 isolated from SAO erythrocytes which contain about 50% mutant Band 3. A slightly higher proportion of Band 3 in SAO erythrocytes was left associated with the cytoskeleton after extraction of ghost membranes with non-ionic detergents. Size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that SAO Band 3 contained a higher proportion of tetramers relative to dimers (50% tetramer) than normal Band 3 (33% tetramer). The circular dichroism spectrum of Band 3 from SAO erythrocytes was very similar to the spectrum for normal Band 3. Enzymatic deglycosylation and tomato lectin binding showed that SAO Band 3 lacked the polylactosaminyl oligosaccharide found on normal Band 3. SAO Band 3 was unable to bind the anion transport inhibitor 4-benzamido-4'-aminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate, suggesting a dramatic alteration in the inhibitor binding site. In conclusion, deletion of 9 amino acids from Band 3 on the cytosolic side of the membrane affects the properties (glycosylation and inhibitor binding) of Band 3 on the opposite side of the membrane without dramatic changes in the secondary and quaternary structure of the protein.

Detergent interaction with band 3, a model polytopic membrane protein

The interaction of band 3, the 95-kDa anion-exchange protein of the human erythrocyte membrane, with a variety of nonionic detergents was studied. Band 3 dimers (Stokes radius = 76 A) prepared in octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E8) could be exchanged into a variety of detergents by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with complete removal of C12E8 from band 3 being confirmed using radiolabeled detergent. Critical micellar concentration (cmc) values, determined for all detergents in the buffer used for HPLC analysis, ranged from 0.47 microM to 223 mM. Band 3 was found to aggregate in all detergents below their cmc, and concentrations of detergents 2-200 times the cmc were required to prevent aggregation. For detergents with a low cmc, it was important to ensure that the concentration of detergent micelles minimally equalled the concentration of protein. Hydrodynamic measurements and cross-linking studies showed that band 3 remained dimeric in most detergents above their cmc. Furthermore, circular dichroism and inhibitor binding studies supported the view that band 3 can retain its native structure after detergent exchange. Detergents with short alkyl chains (C8) denature band 3, while detergents with longer alkyl chains (C12) maintained the native structure of band 3. The ability to exchange band 3 into a variety of detergents with the maintenance of native structure is an essential prerequisite for crystallization trials. The results obtained in this study of band 3, a model polytopic (multispanning) membrane protein, may be generally applicable to other membrane proteins.

Enzymatic deglycosylation of human Band 3, the anion transport protein of the erythrocyte membrane. Effect on protein structure and transport properties

The structural and functional roles of the single asparagine (N)-linked oligosaccharide chain of Band 3 (AE1), the anion transport protein of the human erythrocyte membrane, were examined. Purified Band 3 (M(r) = 95,000) in 0.1% octaethylene glycol mono n-dodecyl ether (C12E8) detergent solution was deglycosylated using N-glycosidase F. This treatment sharpened the protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and decreased its apparent molecular weight by 5,000. The purified membrane domain could be deglycosylated under similar conditions, causing a shift from a broad band centered at 55 kDa to a sharp 46-kDa band. Band 3 was shown to bind tomato lectin, and loss of lectin binding on blots provided a sensitive assay for deglycosylation. Carbohydrate analysis revealed that greater than 80% of the oligosaccharide could be removed from Band 3 by N-glycosidase F digestion. The deglycosylated protein maintained its dimeric structure and level of detergent binding but had a smaller Stokes radius (RS = 72 A) than native Band 3 (RS = 75 A). The Stokes radius of the membrane domain (RS = 60 A) also decreased upon deglycosylation (RS = 58 A). Circular dichroism studies showed that deglycosylation did not change the secondary structure of Band 3 or the membrane domain. The sensitivity of Band 3 or the membrane domain to proteolytic digestion by trypsin or proteinase K was also unaffected by deglycosylation. The deglycosylated protein aggregated more rapidly and was much more readily precipitable by ammonium sulfate. The deglycosylated protein bound the anion transport inhibitor 4-benzamido-4'-amino-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonate with the same affinity (Kd = 1 microM) as the native protein. Transport studies using reconstituted Band 3 and resealed ghosts showed that deglycosylated Band 3 retained its ability to transport anions. We conclude that removal of the oligosaccharide chain from Band 3 and any resultant structural changes had no effect on the transport function of this protein.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in young patients with sickle hemoglobinopathies

Nine young patients with sickle hemoglobinopathies successfully underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy; no complications resulted from the procedure. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.6 days. This technique appears to be a safe and efficacious procedure in children with sickle hemoglobinopathies who require cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis.

Analysis of the oligomeric state of Band 3, the anion transport protein of the human erythrocyte membrane, by size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography. Oligomeric stability and origin of heterogeneity

The oligomeric state of human Band 3 (Mr = 95,000), the erythrocyte membrane anion exchanger, was examined by size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography in solutions containing the nonionic detergent C12E8 (octaethylene glycol n-dodecyl monoether). Band 3 was heterogeneous with respect to oligomeric composition, the predominant (70%) species being a dimer that bound 0.57 mg of C12E8/mg of protein (Stokes radius = 78 A, s20,w = 6.9 S). Variable amounts of larger oligomers were also present; however, no evidence for equilibration between oligomeric species was observed in detergent solution. Analytical and large zone size exclusion chromatography showed that Band 3 could not be dissociated to monomers, other than by protein denaturation. The membrane domain of Band 3 (Mr = 52,000) was also dimeric, but without evidence for higher oligomeric forms, which implies that the interactions responsible for higher associations involve the cytoplasmic domain. Prelabeling of Band 3 with the anion exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate had no effect upon the oligomeric state of either intact Band 3 or its 52-kDa membrane domain. Band 3 oligomeric state could be reversibly changed in the membrane by altering the pH of the solution. The fraction of Band 3 not associated with the cytoskeleton was almost entirely dimeric. Band 3 purified from erythrocytes separated by density gradient centrifugation revealed that older red cells contained a larger proportion of higher oligomers than did younger cells. We conclude that Band 3, in the membrane and in C12E8 solution, exists as a mixture of dimers and larger oligomers. The higher oligomers interact with the cytoskeleton, increase in amount with cell age, and are held together by interactions of the cytoplasmic domain.