Testis-specific calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase. A distinct high affinity cAMP isoenzyme immunologically related to brain calmodulin-dependent cGMP phosphodiesterase

A cell-specific isozyme of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent phosphodiesterase that exhibits micromolar affinity for cAMP has been purified 900-fold from mouse testis by DEAE chromatography, gel filtration, affinity chromatography with CaM-Sepharose 4B, and isoelectric focusing. The highly purified enzyme is stimulated 5-6-fold by CaM in the presence of Ca2+ and hydrolyzes both cAMP and cGMP with anomalous substrate dependence, i.e. high and low affinity components (Km 2 and 20 microM) are observed either in the presence or absence of CaM. Each of the substrates acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor of the other, suggesting the presence of two distinct catalytic sites on the enzyme. Hydrodynamic studies suggest that the testis phosphodiesterase is an asymmetric monomer of 68-70 kDa that forms a dimer after interaction with Ca2+ and CaM; the tetrameric complex exhibits an apparent molecular size of 180 kDa. These enzymatic and biophysical properties differ in many respects from those of the brain isozyme, suggesting that they are different proteins. Nevertheless, common epitopes do exist, since the testis enzyme interacted with rabbit antibodies raised against bovine brain CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase. The major peptide of 68 kDa was strongly reactive on immunoblots, and was distinguished unambiguously from the 60-kDa species from mouse brain. A comparison of the immunoreactive fragments produced by limited proteolysis with staphylococcal V-8 protease indicated several similarities in the domains of these polypeptides. Thus, although differing in several important physical and biochemical parameters, the testis enzyme appears immunologically related to CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase from brain. On the basis of these data, we conclude that common elements of the structural genes for these isozymes have been conserved, whereas certain biological properties, including substrate specificity, have diverged substantially.

Phosphorylation of ankyrin down-regulates its cooperative interaction with spectrin and protein 3

Ankyrin mediates the primary attachment between beta spectrin and protein 3. Ankyrin and spectrin interact in a positively cooperative fashion such that ankyrin binding increases the extent of spectrin tetramer and oligomer formation (Giorgi and Morrow: submitted, 1988). This cooperative interaction is enhanced by the cytoplasmic domain of protein 3, which is prepared as a 45-41-kDa fragment generated by chymotryptic digestion of erythrocyte membranes. Using sensitive isotope-ratio methods and nondenaturing PAGE, we now demonstrate directly (1) the enhanced affinity of ankyrin for spectrin oligomers compared to spectrin dimers; (2) a selective stimulation of the affinity of ankyrin for spectrin oligomer by the 43-kDa cytoplasmic domain of protein 3; and (3) a selective reduction in the affinity of ankyrin for spectrin tetramer and oligomer after its phosphorylation by the erythrocyte cAMP-independent membrane kinase. The phosphorylation of ankyrin does not affect its binding to spectrin dimer. Ankyrin also enhances the rate of interconversion between dimer-tetramer-oligomer by 2-3-fold at 30 degrees C, and in the presence of the 43-kDa fragment, ankyrin stimulates the rate of oligomer interconversions by nearly 40-fold at this temperature. These results demonstrate a long-range cooperative interaction between an integral membrane protein and the peripheral cytoskeleton and indicate that this linkage may be regulated by covalent protein phosphorylation. Such interactions may be of general importance in nonerythroid cells.

Cholinesterase evaluation in the prenatal diagnosis of open neural tube defects

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and cholinesterase levels in amniotic fluid were determined and the efficiency of these laboratory tests in the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects was examined. Using the AFP test with cut-off levels correlated to gestational age, we have detected 8 cases of neural tube defects and one case of abdominal wall defect in about 1,200 pregnancies; false-negative values were absent. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase activities were measured and the electrophoretic pattern of AChE was examined in 100 amniotic fluid samples. The diagnosis of neural tube defects was always confirmed. There were no diagnostic problems due to blood-contaminated amniotic fluid samples. The results obtained using different quantitative methods for the determination of cholinesterase activity, as well as the potential use of these tests in routine examinations, are discussed.