The p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase associates with the Fc receptor gamma-chain and linker for activitor of T cells (LAT) in platelets stimulated by collagen and convulxin

There is extensive evidence to show that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase plays an important role in signaling by the immune family of receptors, which has recently been extended to include the platelet collagen receptor, glycoprotein VI. In this report we present two potential mechanisms for the regulation of this enzyme on stimulation of platelets by collagen. We show that on stimulation with collagen, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase associates with the tyrosine-phosphorylated form of the adapter protein linker for activator of T Cells (LAT) and the tyrosine-phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif of the Fc receptor gamma-chain (a component of the collagen receptor complex that includes glycoprotein VI). The associations of the Fc receptor gamma-chain and LAT with p85 are rapid and supported by the Src-homology 2 domains of the regulatory subunit. We did not obtain evidence to support previous observations that the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is regulated through association with the tyrosine kinase Syk. The present results provide a molecular basis for the regulation of the p85/110 form of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by GPVI, the collagen receptor that underlies activation.

Mapping the subsite preferences of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-1B using combinatorial chemistry approaches

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) are important regulators of signal transduction systems, but the specificity of their action is largely unexplored. We have approached this problem by attempting to map the subsite preferences of these enzymes using combinatorial chemistry approaches. Protein-tyrosine peptidomimetics containing nonhydrolyzable phosphotyrosine analogues bind to PTPases with high affinity and act as competitive inhibitors of phosphatase activity. Human PTP-1B, a PTPase implicated to play an important role in the regulation of growth factor signal transduction pathways, was used to screen a synthetic combinatorial library containing malonyltyrosine as a phosphotyrosine mimic. Using two cross-validating combinatorial chemistry screening approaches, one using an iterative method and the other employing library affinity selection-mass spectrometric detection, peptides with high affinity for PTP-1B were identified and subsite preferences were detailed by quantitatively comparing residues of different character. Consistent with previous observations, acidic residues were preferred in subsites X-3 and X-2. In contrast, aromatic substitutions were clearly preferred at the X-1 subsite. This information supports the concept that this class of enzymes may have high substrate specificity as dictated by the sequence proximal to the phosphorylation site. The results are discussed with regards to the use of combinatorial techniques in order to elucidate the interplay between enzyme subsites.

Identification of a phosphopeptide in bovine alpha s1-casein digest as a factor influencing proliferation and immunoglobulin production in lymphocyte cultures

Digestion of bovine alpha s1-casein with bovine trypsin produced peptide(s) with an inhibitory effect on concanavalin A-induced proliferation of mouse spleen cells. One of these peptides was isolated from the alpha s1-casein digest following ultrafiltration, hydroxyapatite chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC, and amino acid composition and sequence analyses showed it to be sequence 59-79 from the phosphoserine-rich region of alpha s1-casein. The isolated peptide significantly inhibited the concanavalin A-induced proliferation of mouse spleen cells and rabbit Peyer's patch cells, whereas it enhanced the lipopolysaccharide- and phytohaemagglutinin-induced proliferation of both cells. The peptide displayed mitogenic activity in the cell cultures without the commercial mitogen, and significantly enhanced immunoglobulin production. Moreover, residues 1-25 from the phosphoserine-rich region of bovine beta-casein had a similar effect on the proliferation of mouse spleen cells and rabbit Peyer's patch cells stimulated or not stimulated by the commercial mitogen. These results indicate that caseinophosphopeptides may act as a humoral immunostimulator in cell cultures.

Minimum effective dose of casein phosphopeptides (CPP) for enhancement of calcium absorption in growing rats

We examined the effect of ingested casein phosphopeptides (CPP) on intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption and determined the minimum effective dose for enhancement of Ca absorption under conditions of marginal dietary Ca levels. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided upon weaning into five groups, were fed a control diet (isolated soyprotein, ISP; 20%) or a CPP diet (ISP + CPP; 20%, CPP/Ca: 0.1, 0.2, 0.35 and 1.0) for 4 weeks. All diets contained the same amounts of Ca (0.35%) and phosphorus (0.70%). The apparent Ca absorption, the retention of Ca, and the luminal soluble Ca content in the small intestine as determined at 4 weeks in the rats fed CPP diet with a weight ratio of CPP/Ca of more than 0.2 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in the rats fed control diet. The wet weight, length and Ca content of the femur were not significantly different among the groups. These results indicate that the minimum effective dose of CPP for enhancement of Ca absorption is 0.7 g/kg or a weight ratio of CPP/Ca of 0.2 in the ISP diet and that CPP supplementation has the effect of significantly increasing Ca absorption at least under conditions of marginal dietary Ca levels.

Structure-based design of peptidomimetic ligands of the Grb2-SH2 domain

We have designed and synthesized a (3-aminomethyl-phenyl)-urea scaffold to mimic the X+1-Asn part of the minimal phosphopeptide sequence, Ac-pTyr-X+1-Asn-NH2, recognized by the Grb2-SH2 domain. The resulting compounds show the same degree of affinity as their peptide counterparts for the Grb2-SH2 domain. This is the first example reported to date of ligands of the Grb2-SH2 domain with substantially reduced peptidic character.

A dimeric 14-3-3 protein is an essential cofactor for Raf kinase activity

cRaf-1 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase that is the main effector recruited by GTP-bound Ras in order to activate the MAP kinase pathway. Inactive Raf is found in the cytosol in a complex with Hsp90, Hsp50 (Cdc37) and the 14-3-3 proteins. GTP-bound Ras binds Raf and is necessary but not sufficient for the stable activation of Raf that occurs in response to serum, epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor or insulin. These agents cause a two- to threefold increase in overall phosphorylation of Raf on serine/threonine residues, and treatment of cRaf-1 with protein (serine/threonine) phosphatases can deactivate it, at least partially. The role of 14-3-3 proteins in the regulation of Raf's kinase activity is uncertain and is investigated here. Active Raf can be almost completely deactivated in vitro by displacement of 14-3-3 using synthetic phosphopeptides. Deactivation can be substantially reversed by addition of purified recombinant bacterial 14-3-3; however, Raf must have been previously activated in vivo to be reactivated by 14-3-3 in vitro. The ability of 14-3-3 to support Raf activity is dependent on phosphorylation of serine residues on Raf and on the integrity of the 14-3-3 dimer; mutant monomeric forms of 14-3-3, although able to bind Raf in vivo, do not enable Raf to be activated in vivo or restore Raf activity after displacement of 14-3-3 in vitro. The 14-3-3 protein is not required to induce dimerization of Raf. We propose that dimeric 14-3-3 is needed both to maintain Raf in an inactive state in the absence of GTP-bound Ras and to stabilize an active conformation of Raf produced during activation in vivo.

Identification and characterization of receptors for riboflavin carrier protein in the chicken oocyte. Role of the phosphopeptide in mediating receptor interaction

Riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) is a phosphoglycoprotein found in the egg and the serum of laying birds and other animals. We have investigated the binding of chicken RCP (cRCP) to membranes prepared from the whole chicken oocytes. RCP binding had an absolute requirement for calcium, with an affinity (Kd 10(-8) M) high enough to be physiologically relevant. Ligand blotting experiments using labeled RCP and vitellogenin, with proteins solubilized from oocyte membranes, indicated that RCP and vitellogenin bound specifically to three proteins of Mr 380, 260 and 110 kDa. Vitellogenin also bound to proteins of Mr 515 kDa and 97 kDa, similar in size to those identified by receptor associated protein of RAP. Reduced and carboxyamidated RCP inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled RCP to chicken oocyte membranes, but recombinant RCP expressed in E. coli, and dephosphorylated RCP, failed to interact with the receptors, indicating that post-translational modifications were necessary for ligand-receptor interaction. The purified phosphopeptide, prepared from tryptic digests of egg white RCP, was able to inhibit the binding of RCP to the receptor proteins, with an affinity comparable to native RCP indicating that the phosphopeptide sequence present in RCP serves as the focal point for RCP-receptor interactions.

A core-shell model of calcium phosphate nanoclusters stabilized by beta-casein phosphopeptides, derived from sedimentation equilibrium and small-angle X-ray and neutron-scattering measurements

Calcium phosphate nanoclusters were prepared under standardised conditions using 10 mg ml(-1) of the 25-amino-acid N-terminal tryptic phosphopeptide of bovine beta-casein as a stabilising agent. The Mr determined by sedimentation equilibrium was 197,600+/-13,700 and the apparent radius of gyration determined by X-ray scattering was 2.80+/-0.05 nm. A small-angle neutron scattering contrast variation study in 1H2O/2H2O mixtures was performed and gave radii of gyration at the calculated match points for the calcium phosphate (88.2% 2H2O) and phosphopeptide (41.3% 2H2O) of 3.39+/-0.08 nm and 1.85+/-0.05 nm, respectively. Measurements at larger scattering wave vector showed a subsidiary maximum at about Q = 1.6 nm(-1). The results are consistent with a model of the nanoclusters comprising a spherical core of 355+/-20 CaHPO4 x 2 H2O units, density 2.31 g ml(-1) and radius 2.30+/-0.05 nm surrounded by 49+/-4 peptide chains with a partial specific volume of 0.7 cm3 g(-1), forming a tightly packed shell with an outer radius of 4.04+/-0.15 nm. This model suggests that the phosphopeptide is able to arrest the process of growth of the precipitating phase of calcium phosphate at its earliest stages. A similar role for whole casein could be vital to the normal functioning of the mammary gland during milk secretion.

Anticariogenic complexes of amorphous calcium phosphate stabilized by casein phosphopeptides: a review

Using laboratory, animal, and human in situ caries models, investigators have shown that casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate complexes (CPP-ACP) exhibit an anticariogenic activity. The casein phosphopeptides (CPP) are produced from a tryptic digest of the milk protein casein by aggregation with calcium phosphate and purification by ultrafiltration. The CPP have a remarkable ability to stabilize calcium phosphate in solution and substantially increase the level of calcium phosphate in dental plaque. Through their multiple phosphoseryl residues, the CPP bind to forming clusters of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in metastable solution, preventing their growth to the critical size required for nucleation and precipitation. The proposed mechanism of anticariogenicity for the CPP-ACP is that they localize ACP in dental plaque, which buffers the free calcium and phosphate lon activities, thereby helping to maintain a state of supersaturation with respect to tooth enamel depressing demineralization and enhancing remineralization. The CPP-ACP, unlike fluoride, can be added to sugar-containing foods and therefore have commercial potential as an additive to foods as well as to toothpastes and mouthwashes for the control of dental caries.

Male-dependent variability of fertilization and embryo development in two bovine in vitro fertilization systems and the effects of casein phosphopeptides (CPPs)

This study investigated the effects of semen from five different bulls and two different ejaculates of the same bull on penetration, cleavage, blastocyst formation, and cell allocation in bovine blastocysts produced in vitro. Casein phosphopeptides (CPPs) were tested for their ability to enhance fertilization and minimize variability among bulls and ejaculates. In Experiment 1, the BO-fertilization system was employed. Penetration and polyspermy both displayed great variation among bulls and between ejaculates, whereas no significant differences were observed in cleavage and blastocyst-formation rates. Similar variability was observed in penetration, polyspermy, cleavage, blastocyst-formation rates and cell allocation and distribution when the two fertilization systems, TALP and BO, were compared in Experiment 2. The BO-system supported penetration and polyspermy better (P < 0.05) than the TALP-system, whereas the TALP-system was superior (P < 0.05) in supporting cleavage and blastocyst formation. Significant interactions existed between bulls and the fertilization system employed. It is concluded that the success of in vitro fertilization is markedly dependent on individual bulls as well as on ejaculates from the same bull. CPPs are able to enhance penetration and embryo development in certain bulls or ejaculates and thus contribute to reducing the degree of individual variability, but they do not generally improve the success of bovine embryo production in vitro.

Design, synthesis, and biochemical evaluation of phosphonate and phosphonamidate analogs of glutathionylspermidine as inhibitors of glutathionylspermidine synthetase/amidase from Escherichia coli

Three phosphapeptides designed to mimic two distinct tetrahedral intermediates formed during either the synthesis or hydrolysis of glutathionylspermidine (Gsp) were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the bifunctional enzyme Gsp synthetase/amidase. While the polyamine-containing phosphapeptides were determined to be potent and selective inhibitors, they selectively inhibit the synthetase activity over the amidase domain. A phosphonate-containing tetrahedral mimic is a reversible mixed-type inhibitor of Gsp synthetase with an inhibition constant of 6 microM for the inhibitor binding to the free enzyme (Ki) and 14 microM for the inhibitor binding to the enzyme-substrate complex (Ki'). The corresponding phosphonamidate is a slow-binding inhibitor with a Ki of 24 microM and a Ki* (isomerization inhibition constant) of 0.88 microM. A non-polyamine-containing phosphonamidate exhibits no significant inhibition of the synthetase or amidase activity.

Effect of casein phosphopeptides on zinc and calcium absorption from bread meals

Animal studies suggest that casein phosphopeptides (CPP), formed by proteolytic digestion of casein, have a positive effect on Ca availability. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of CPP to improve Zn and Ca absorption from phytate-containing bread meals. Secondly, it was tested whether the Ca content of the meal influenced the effect of CPP on Zn absorption from a high-phytate meal. Zn and Ca absorption from single model meals was determined by extrinsic labeling with 65Zn and 47Ca and measurement of whole-body retention. Thirty-one healthy adults (19-30 y) divided into three groups received one of three meal types based on white-wheat rolls with different phytate and Ca content: A: low-phytate/high-Ca (n = 10), B: high-phytate/high-Ca (n = 10) and C: high-phytate/low-Ca (n = 11). Each individual received the same meal type at three different occasions with 0, 250 and 1000 mg CPP added. CPP had no effect on Zn absorption: A: 14.3 +/- 4.4% (mean +/- SD) (0 mg CPP), 16.7 +/- 6.6% (250 mg CPP) and 16.0 +/- 8.8% (1000 mg CPP); B: 7.0 +/- 1.6%, 7.7 +/- 3.0% and 8.0 +/- 2.6%; C: 7.7 +/- 2.5%, 7.0 +/- 2.3% and 6.5 +/- 1.6%, respectively. Addition of 1000 mg CPP reduced fractional Ca absorption from meal A: 33.8 +/- 7.1%, 30.5 +/- 6.3% and 25.9 +/- 8.7% (p < 0.05), whereas CPP had no effect in meal B: 29.3 +/- 8.3%, 27.0 +/- 7.4% and 27.6 +/- 11.0%. However, the absolute quantity of Ca absorbed was unaffected. In conclusion, Zn and Ca absorption from these meals were not significantly influenced by the addition of CPP, Ca addition could not explain the failure of CPP to improve Zn absorption.

14-3-3 (epsilon) interacts with the insulin-like growth factor I receptor and insulin receptor substrate I in a phosphoserine-dependent manner

The 14-3-3 proteins have been implicated as potential regulators of diverse signaling pathways. Here, using two-hybrid assays and in vitro assays of protein interaction, we show that the epsilon isoform of 14-3-3 interacts with the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR) and with insulin receptor substrate I (IRS-1), but not with the insulin receptor (IR). Coprecipitation studies demonstrated an IGFI-dependent in vitro interaction between 14-3-3-glutathione S-transferase proteins and the IGFIR. In similar studies no interaction of 14-3-3 with the IR was observed. We present evidence to suggest that 14-3-3 interacts with phosphoserine residues within the COOH terminus of the IGFIR. Specifically, peptide competition studies combined with mutational analysis suggested that the 14-3-3 interaction was dependent upon phosphorylation of IGFIR serine residues 1272 and/or 1283, a region which has been implicated in IGFIR-dependent transformation. Phosphorylation of these serines appears to be dependent upon prior IGFIR activation since no interaction of 14-3-3 was observed with a kinase-inactive IGFIR in the two-hybrid assay nor was any in vitro interaction with unstimulated IGFIR derived from mammalian cells. We show that the interaction of 14-3-3 with IRS-1 also appears to be phosphoserine-dependent. Interestingly, 14-3-3 appears to interact with IRS-1 before and after hormonal stimulation. In summary, our data suggest that 14-3-3 interacts with phosphoserine residues within the COOH terminus of the IGFIR and within the central domain of IRS-1. The potential functional roles which 14-3-3 may play in IGFIR and IRS-1-mediated signaling remain to be elucidated.

Mechanistic studies on full length and the catalytic domain of the tandem SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase: analysis of phosphoenzyme levels and Vmax stimulatory effects of glycerol and of a phosphotyrosyl peptide ligand

SHP-1, a protein tyrosine phosphatase containing two tandem SH2 domains, is autoinhibited at rest by its N-terminal SH2 (N-SH2) domain. Relief from autoinhibition and a subsequent 10-60-fold increase in V(max) have been observed upon N-SH2 domain engagement by a specific phosphotyrosyl ligand or upon deletion of the SH2 domains to yield the catalytic PTPase domain. In this study, we observed that glycerol and propane-1,2-diols, at concentrations of 4-6 M, accelerated the k(cat) of the full length enzyme by 47-fold and of the PTPase domain by 8-fold. Glycerol also increases the rate of proteolytic cleavage between the SH2 and catalytic PTPase domains. In stopped-flow studies using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) as a substrate, a burst of p-nitrophenolate in the full length enzyme was not observed; however, a 50-70% stoichiometric burst was observed with the PTPase domain. Rapid quench studies using [32P]pNPP as a substrate showed a very low level of covalent [32P]phosphocysteinyl enzyme intermediate accumulation: 0.06% in the full length enzyme and 1% in the PTP domain. Stimulation by glycerol reduced the accumulating levels of phosphocysteinyl enzyme in both cases of full length SHP-1 and the PTPase domain; however, glycerol is not acting as a cosubstrate since no glycerophosphate product was detectable. It is likely that, for full length SHP-1, with pNPP as a model substrate, enzyme-substrate complex (ES) accumulates in its basal autoinhibited state, whereas enzyme-product complex (EP(i)) accumulates in its pY ligand-bound activated state. Glycerol probably relaxes the compact structure of SHP-1 and the PTP domain, thereby accelerating the catalytic rates in both cases by increasing forward reaction rates of ES and EP(i).

Cellular effects of phosphotyrosine-binding domain inhibitors on insulin receptor signaling and trafficking

Shc and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) are cytoplasmic substrates of tyrosine kinase receptors that engage, localize, and activate downstream SH2 enzymes. Each contains a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain that is structurally unrelated to SH2 domains. We have designed high-affinity, cellular inhibitors of the Shc PTB domain by incorporating nonnatural, phosphatase-resistant amino acids into short peptides. None of the inhibitors bind the IRS-1 PTB domain, consistent with distinct specificities for domains. The best inhibitor of the Shc domain was introduced by electroporation into Rat1 fibroblasts that express human insulin receptors. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Shc was inhibited, with no effect on IRS-1, and downstream effects on mitogen-activated protein kinase and DNA synthesis were both inhibited. The PTB domain inhibitor had less influence on epidermal growth factor-induced effects and essentially no impact on serum- or phorbol ester-induced effects. The inhibitor did not affect insulin internalization and its degradation. We conclude that the PTB domain of Shc is critical for its phosphorylation by the insulin receptor, that Shc is an important mediator of insulin's mitogenic effects, and that Shc is not central to insulin receptor cycling in these cells. PTB domains can be inhibited selectively in cells and represent potential targets for drug discovery.

Tandem SH2 binding sites mediate the RasGAP-RhoGAP interaction: a conformational mechanism for SH3 domain regulation

Many cellular signaling proteins contain SH3 (Src homology 3) domains that mediate protein interactions via specific proline-containing peptides. Unlike SH2 domains, whose interactions with tyrosine-containing peptides are promoted by phosphorylation of the SH2 binding site, the regulatory mechanism for SH3 interactions is unclear. p120 RasGAP (GTPase-activating protein), which contains an SH3 domain flanked by two SH2 domains, forms an abundant SH2-mediated complex with p190 RhoGAP in cells expressing activated tyrosine kinases. We have identified two closely linked tyrosine-containing peptides in p190 that bind simultaneously to the RasGAP SH2 domains upon p190 phosphorylation. This interaction is expected to bring the two SH2 domains into close proximity. Consequently, RasGAP undergoes a conformational change that results in a 100-fold increase in the accessibility of the target binding surface of its SH3 domain. These results indicate that the tandem arrangement of SH2 and SH3 domains found in a variety of cellular signaling proteins can provide a conformational mechanism for regulating SH3-dependent interactions through tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, it appears that the role of p190 in the RasGAP signaling complex is to promote additional protein interactions with RasGAP via its SH3 domain.

Casein phosphopeptides improve zinc and calcium absorption from rice-based but not from whole-grain infant cereal

BACKGROUND

Casein phosphopeptides (CPP) are phosphorus-rich peptide fragments of casein, assumed to contribute to the high bioavailability of calcium from milk.

METHODS

The effect of casein phosphopeptides on calcium and zinc absorption from infant foods was investigated. Twenty-two men and women were given single test meals extrinsically labeled with Ca and Zn. Absorption was calculated from measurements on whole-body retention of the radioisotopes. Each subject was given either rice-based cereal (n = 11) or whole-grain cereal (n = 11) on three occasions together with 250 ml water and added 0, 1, and 2 g CPP in random order. One serving of rice-based cereal contained 481 mg Ca and 1.29 mg Zn; whole-grain cereal contained 541 mg Ca and 1.77 mg Zn. One and 2 g of CPP contributed with additional 69 and 138 mg Ca, respectively.

RESULTS

From rice-based cereal, fractional calcium absorption was not affected by CPP addition (mean +/- SD): 16.0 +/- 4.0% (no CPP), 17.6 +/- 4.5% (1 g CPP), and 15.8 +/- 4.3% (2 g CPP), while the total quantity of calcium absorbed was significantly improved: 7 +/- 19 mg, 97 +/- 25 mg, and 98 +/- 26 mg, respectively (p = 0.0004). Fractional zinc absorption as well as total quantity of zinc absorbed were increased with addition of CPP: 19.4 +/- 9.0% (0.25 +/- 0.12 mg), 25.2 +/- 7.5% (0.33 +/- 0.10 mg) and 23.9 +/- 5.4% (0.31 +/- 0.07 mg) at the three CPP levels (p = 0.04). From whole-grain cereal, CPP had no effect on the percentage or actual quantity of calcium absorbed: 17.0 +/- 3.2% (92 +/- 18 mg), 17.2 +/- 4.5% (105 +/- 27 mg), and 15.0 +/- 4.6% (102 +/- 31 mg), respectively. Zinc absorption was also not influenced by CPP: 16.0 +/- 5.1% (0.28 +/- 0.09 mg), 15.3 +/- 3.1% (0.27 +/- 0.06 mg) and 18.1 +/- 4.4% (0.32 +/- 0.08 mg), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CPP addition improved calcium and zinc absorption from rice-based cereal, while no effect was seen from whole-grain cereal.

Controlling epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated Ras activation in intact cells by a cell-permeable peptide mimicking phosphorylated EGF receptor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated Ras activation involves specific interactions between the EGF receptor (EGFR), the adaptor proteins Grb2 and Shc, and the nucleotide exchange factor Sos-1. Study and control of these protein-protein interactions in vivo can be greatly promoted by introducing intracellular reagents that mimic EGFR functions. Here, we showed that a synthetic phosphopeptide encompassing the autophosphorylation site 1068 of EGFR formed a complex with endogenous Grb2 after this peptide was delivered into intact cells by a cell-permeable peptide import technique. Consequently, this intracellular peptide inhibited EGF-induced EGFR/Grb2 associations but not EGFR/Shc or Shc/Grb2 associations. Peptide-mediated disruption of the EGF/Grb2/Sos-1 cascade led to reduced Ras activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. These results indicate that the binding of Grb2 to the phosphorylated Tyr-1068 of EGFR is crucial to the EGF-induced Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. The application of cell-permeable peptides to this study demonstrates a useful biochemical tool to probe and control various intracellular processes involved in signal transduction and gene transcription.

The effect of casein phosphopeptides on zinc and calcium absorption from high phytate infant diets assessed in rat pups and Caco-2 cells

Milk and other foods of animal origin have been shown to improve zinc absorption from phytate-rich diets. The ability of milk proteins and casein phosphopeptides (CPP), the latter formed during digestion of casein, to overcome the inhibitory effect of phytate on zinc and calcium absorption was investigated. Suckling rat pups were given aqueous phytate-containing solutions, oat diet, or soy formula alone or with milk proteins or CPP added. Diets labeled extrinsically with 65Zn and 47Ca were given by gastric intubation. Absorption was determined from measurement of radioisotope activity in intestine, organs, and carcass. Addition of CPP improved zinc and calcium absorption from aqueous phytate-containing solutions and from oat diet. The effect of CPP on calcium absorption from soy formula was less pronounced. The influence of CPP on zinc absorption from aqueous phytate-containing solutions was also examined using a human colon carcinoma-derived cell line, Caco-2. Binding + uptake of 65Zn was determined after incubation with these solutions. Phytate reduced zinc binding + uptake to 79% of the control value. Addition of 14 mumol of CPP/L increased zinc binding + uptake to 94%, whereas 36 and 72 mumol of CPP/L depressed zinc binding + uptake (75 and 39%). In conclusion, CPP improved zinc and calcium bioavailability from high phytate meals in the rat pup model. In the Caco-2 cell system, addition of 14 mumol of CPP/L showed a positive effect on zinc binding + uptake from phytate-containing solutions, whereas higher levels of CPP inhibited zinc binding + uptake.

Platelet-derived growth factor-induced formation of tensin and phosphoinositide 3-kinase complexes

Tensin is an SH2 domain-containing cytoskeletal protein that binds to and caps actin filaments. Investigation of signal transduction mechanisms associated with tensin revealed the presence of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity in tensin immunoprecipitates from platelet-derived growth factor-treated cells. Association of PI 3-kinase activity with tensin was transitory, and the amount of activity was approximately 1% of the total PI 3-kinase activity found in anti-phosphotyrosine (anti-pY) immunoprecipitates. In vitro, PI 3-kinase activity associated with the SH2 domain of tensin in a platelet-derived growth factor-dependent manner. The optimal phosphopeptide binding specificity of the SH2 domain of tensin was determined to be phospho-Y (E or D), N, (I, V, or F). Synthetic phosphopeptides containing the sequence YENI could specifically block the association of PI 3-kinase activity with tensin in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that PI 3-kinase interacts with the cytoskeleton via the SH2 domain of tensin and may play an important role in platelet-derived growth factor-induced cytoskeletal reorganization that is concomitant with cell migration and proliferation.

Characterization of casein phosphopeptides prepared using alcalase: determination of enzyme specificity

Tryptic casein phosphopeptides containing the cluster sequence-Ser(P)-Ser(P)-Ser(P)-Glu-Glu- have been shown to stablize amorphous calcium phosphate at neutral and alkaline pH and be anticariogenic in various in vitro, animal and human experiments. Furthermore, metal ion complexes of the casein phosphopeptides (CPPs) have potential as dietetic supplements to increase the bioavailability of calcium, iron, and other essential metal ions. In this study, we have used a Ca2+/ethanol selective precipitation procedure to produce a range of phosphopeptides from an alcalase digest of whole casein. The CPPs released by alcalase were truncated relative to those which are released by trypsin. The peptides could be grouped into those containing the cluster sequence as well as the group of tri-, di-, and monophosphorylated peptides. The two groups contained a number of homologous peptides of varying lengths resulting from the broad specificity of alcalase. Alcalase was observed to cleave peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of Glu, Met, Leu, Tyr, Lys, and Gln; however, of the twenty-six different cleavage sites, seventeen contained a Glu in the P1 position and of these, fifteen contained a hydrophobic residue in either the P2' or P3' positions. Furthermore, of the twenty-six cleavage sites identified, twenty-two contained a hydrophobic residue in either the P2' or P3' positions. Of the four other sites cleaved by alcalase, two contained a hydrophobic residue in the P1' position and one a hydrophobic residue in the P1 position.

Effect of casein phospho peptides and Ca2+ on penetration of boar spermatozoa into pig oocytes matured in vitro

To investigate the promoting effect of casein phospho peptides (CPP) on the penetration of ejaculated boar spermatozoa into in vitro-matured oocytes, preincubated spermatozoa were coincubated with in vitro-matured oocytes in fertilization medium with or without CPP for 60-240 min. Sperm penetration into zona-intact oocytes was observed within 90 min of coincubation. The penetration rate reached a maximum earlier in the presence of CPP than in the absence of CPP. Furthermore, spermatozoa preincubated in fertilization medium with CPP before coincubation with matured oocytes retained the ability to penetrate oocytes for a longer time than spermatozoa preincubated in fertilization medium without CPP. In fertilization medium containing CPP, Ca2+ uptake by spermatozoa increased within 90 min of incubation, with a peak of 113 nm/1 x 10(7) cells. On the other hand, in fertilization medium with no CPP, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration remained constant or gradually decreased until 180 min of incubation. When preincubated spermatozoa were coincubated with oocytes for 5 h in a fertilization medium containing CPP and/or EGTA, or with no addition, EGTA decreased the rate of oocytes penetrated by spermatozoa and the number of spermatozoa penetrating each oocyte. On the other hand, when CPP was added to the medium containing EGTA, the inhibitory effect of EGTA was neutralized. These results indicate that CPP promotes Ca2+ uptake of boar spermatozoa, resulting in a more rapid and longer-lasting shift of a subpopulation of spermatozoa that can penetrate oocytes; the findings also suggest that CPP neutralizes the inhibitory effect of EGTA on sperm penetration.

Synergistic activation of PtdIns 3-kinase by tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide and beta gamma-subunits of GTP-binding proteins

Stimulation of differentiated THP-1 cells by insulin led to rapid accumulation of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, a product of PtdIns 3-kinase. Stimulation of the GTP-binding-protein-linked receptor by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) also induced the accumulation of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in the cells. The effect of insulin was, while that of fMLP was not, accompanied by increased PtdIns 3-kinase activity in the anti-phosphotyrosine immuno-precipitate. The combination of insulin and fMLP induced more PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 production than the sum of the individual effects. The insulin-induced recruitment of PtdIns 3-kinase activity in the anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitate was unaffected by the combined treatment with fMLP. To investigate the mechanism underlying the synergistic accumulation of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, we separated the cytosolic proteins of THP-1 cells on a Mono Q column. PtdIns 3-kinase activities were eluted in two peaks, and one of the peaks markedly increased on the addition of beta gamma-subunits of GTP-binding proteins (G beta gamma). The other peak was affected only slightly by G beta gamma, but was synergistically increased by G beta gamma and a tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide which was synthesized accordingly to the amino acid sequence of insulin receptor substrate-1. The activity in the latter fraction was completely immunoprecipitated by an antibody against the regulatory subunit of PtdIns 3-kinase (p85). These results suggest that the conventional PtdIns 3-kinase (p85/p110), which has been implicated in insulin-induced cellular events, or a closely related isoenzyme is controlled by a combination of a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein and a GTP-binding protein in intact cells.

Beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides inhibit Candida albicans binding to murine macrophage

Interaction of Candida albicans with cells of the macrophage lineage was examined by using heat-killed (HK) and live yeast cells. Laminarin, an analogue of the cell wall beta-glucans, strongly inhibited HK yeasts adherence to J774 cell line but had no effect on live yeast binding. Phosphopeptidomannan (PPM) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae had a limited effect on the binding of both HK and live yeasts but significant inhibition was achieved by the use of C. albicans PPM. The role of beta-1,2-oligomannosides was examined with regard to their exclusive presence within C. albicans PPM. PPM acid labile beta-1,2-oligomannosides or a synthetic beta-1,2-mannotetraose, inhibited yeasts binding in a manner comparable to the original PPM. These latter results were confirmed by using mouse peritoneal macrophages, thus suggesting a general role for beta-1,2-oligomannosides in the adherence of the yeast to the macrophage membrane.