Selective secretion of annexin 1, a protein without a signal sequence, by the human prostate gland

Mediation of annexin 1 secretion by a probenecid-sensitive ABC-transporter in rat inflamed mucosa

Annexin 1 is secreted by mammalian cells but lacks a leader signal sequence necessary to lead it to the classical secretory pathway via the endoplasmic reticulum. The mechanisms involved in the secretion of leaderless proteins remain uncertain. It has been suggested to involve membrane translocation via an ABC-transporter (ATP binding cassette). Using cultured inflamed mucosa from rectocolitis induced in rats, we studied if annexin 1 secretion followed the two main characteristics of ABC-transporter substrates: dependency on ATP hydrolysis and competitive inhibition by several other ABC-transporter substrates. Annexin 1 secretion is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by two ATPase inhibitors. The inhibition reached 63.2+/-3.2%, 66.1+/-3.73% and 88.6+/-1.4% in the presence of 2mM vanadate, 0.5 and 1mM pervanadate, respectively. The efflux of calcein, a known ABC-transporter substrate, is similarly inhibited by 69.4+/-2.8% in the presence of 1mM pervanadate. Probenecid, an inhibitor of several ABC-transporters of the subfamilly ABCC or MRP (multidrug resistant associated protein), also inhibited annexin 1 secretion in a dose-dependent manner. As compared to control, 10mM probenecid reduced annexin 1 secretion by 72+/-20% and 20mM by 95.0+/-9%. By contrast, annexin 1 secretion is not blocked by other inhibitors of MRP1 (indomethacin, MK571), MRP2 (ochratoxin A1 or MK571), MRP5 (trequinsin or sulfinpyrazone) or by verapamil, cyclosporin A or glyburide. Taken together, our results show that annexin 1 secretion appears to share the efflux properties of ABC-transporter substrates.

PKCδ-dependent cleavage and nuclear translocation of annexin A1 by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate

Annexin A1 (ANX-1), a calcium-dependent, phospholipid binding protein, is known to be involved in diverse cellular processes, including regulation of cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis, and inflammation. The mitogen phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induces expression and phosphorylation of ANX-1. However, the roles of ANX-1 in PMA-induced signal transduction is unknown. Here, we study the cellular localization of ANX-1 in the PMA-induced signal transduction process. We have found that PMA induces the cleavage of ANX-1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, and that the cleaved form of ANX-1 translocates to the nucleus. The PMA-induced nuclear translocation of ANX-1 was inhibited by the protein kinase C (PKC)delta-specific inhibitor rottlerin, indicating that PKCdelta plays a role in nuclear translocation of the cleaved ANX-1. We propose a novel mechanism of PMA-induced translocation of ANX-1 to the nucleus that may participate in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation.

Dexamethasone enhances interaction of endogenous annexin 1 with L-selectin and triggers shedding of L-selectin in the monocytic cell line U-937

(1) L-selectin, constitutively expressed by leukocytes, is involved in the initial binding of leukocytes to activated endothelium. Anti-inflammatory drugs like glucocorticoids can induce shedding of L-selectin, but the mechanism is still unknown. Annexin 1, a protein whose synthesis and externalization/secretion are induced during the inflammatory response, has been proposed as a mediator of the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids. (2) The monocytic cell line U-937 strongly expresses Annexin 1 after 24 h of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 1 nm) treatment and externalizes/releases the protein after additional 16 h of dexamethasone (1 microm) treatment. (3) This study investigated the possible regulation of cell surface L-selectin shedding by endogenous Annexin 1, and its role in glucocorticoid-induced L-selectin shedding in the U-937 cell line. (4) PMA- and dexamethasone treatment-induced L-selectin shedding was potentially mediated by Annexin 1, since neutralizing antibodies against Annexin 1 reduced dexamethasone- and Annexin 1-induced shedding. (5) Immunoprecipitation and binding assays provided support for the suggestion that this effect could be mediated by an interaction between externalized Annexin 1 and L-selectin. Such interaction involved the N-terminal domain of Annexin 1 and was calcium-dependent. Confocal microscopy studies demonstrated increased colocalization of Annexin 1 and L-selectin on the cell surface. (6) Overall, our study provides new insights into the potential role of endogenous ANXA1 as a mediator of dexamethasone-induced L-selectin shedding, which may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of glucocorticoids.

A novel calcium-dependent proapoptotic effect of annexin 1 on human neutrophils

The glucocorticoid-inducible protein annexin (ANXA) 1 is an anti-inflammatory mediator that down-regulates the host response. Endogenously, ANXA1 is released in large amounts from adherent polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and binds to their cell surface to inhibit their extravasation into inflamed tissues. The present study determined the effects of exogenous ANXA1 on several functions of human PMN in vitro. Addition of 0.1-1 microM human recombinant ANXA1 to the PMN provoked rapid and transient changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations that were blocked by the Ca2+ channel inhibitor SKF-96365. Although ANXA1 did not affect oxidant production and only minimally affected PMN chemotactic properties, the ANXA1-promoted Ca2+ influx was associated with two important functional effects: shedding of L-selectin and acceleration of PMN apoptosis. The latter effect was confirmed using three distinct technical procedures, namely, cell cycle, Hoechst staining, and ANXA5 binding assay. ANXA1-induced PMN apoptosis was insensitive to inhibitors of L-selectin shedding, whereas it appeared to be associated with dephosphorylation of the proapoptotic intracellular mediator BAD. In conclusion, exogenous ANXA1 displayed selective actions on human PMN. We propose that the new proapoptotic effect reported here may be part of the spectrum of ANXA1-mediated events involved in the resolution of acute inflammation.

Evidence for a role of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 in the externalization of annexin I from pituitary folliculo-stellate cells

Annexin 1 (ANXA1) has a well-demonstrated role in early delayed inhibitory feedback of glucocorticoids in the pituitary. ANXA1 is located in folliculo-stellate (FS) cells, and glucocorticoids act on these cells to externalize and stimulate the synthesis of ANXA1. However, ANXA1 lacks a signal sequence so the mechanism by which ANXA1 is externalized from FS cells was unknown and has been investigated. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large group of transporters with varied roles that include the externalization of proteins. Glucocorticoid-induced externalization of ANXA1 from an FS cell line (TtT/GF) and rat anterior pituitary was blocked by glyburide, which inhibits ABC transporters. Glyburide also blocked the glucocorticoid inhibition of forskolin-stimulated ACTH release from pituitary tissue in vitro. RT-PCR revealed mRNA and Western blotting demonstrated protein for the ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) transporter in mouse FS, TtT/GF, and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells from which glucocorticoids also induce externalization of ANXA1. In TtT/GF cells, immunofluorescence labeling revealed a near total colocalization of cell surface ANXA1 and ABCA1. We conclude that ANXA1, which mediates the early delayed feedback of glucocorticoids in the anterior pituitary, is externalized from FS cells by an ABC transporter and that the ABCA1 transporter is a likely candidate.

Endonuclein is a cell cycle regulated WD-repeat protein that is up-regulated in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

The transcript encoding endonuclein, the human homolog of yeast PWP1, was previously found up-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissue. By immunohistochemistry we detected a ubiquitous presence in several tissues examined: skin, liver, thyroid gland, heart muscle, neurons, kidney, bladder, pancreas, adrenal gland, ovary, uterus, testis and prostate gland. We especially noticed that normal pancreatic exocrine cells exhibited low protein levels while pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells revealed high levels. We found a heterogeneous subcellular distribution, especially with varying nuclear levels. In proliferating cells endonuclein protein expression and localization was cell cycle dependent, with increasing levels and nuclear focusing during the interphase toward mitosis. Ultrastructural analysis revealed ER and nuclear localization. Endonuclein contains five WD-repeats, indicating a putative role in crucial regulatory activities in the nucleus as well as in the ER.

Characterization of EHD4, an EH domain-containing protein expressed in the extracellular matrix

To identify proteins that promote assembly of type VI collagen tetramers or stabilize type VI collagen filaments, a two-hybrid screen of a human placenta library was used and a new extracellular protein discovered. The cDNA sequence of the new protein encodes 541 amino acid residues. This cDNA sequence is identical to EHD4, a recently described member of the EH domain family of proteins. Two mRNAs of 4.4 and 3.0 kilobases were present in human skin fibroblasts and most tissues tested but were most prevalent in the heart. The chromosomal localization of the gene for this new protein was determined to be at 15q14-q15. Three polyclonal peptide antibodies were made against synthetic EHD4 peptides. The affinity-purified antibodies were used in immunofluorescent staining of developing limbs and matrices produced by human skin fibroblasts and mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts in culture. Embryonic rat limb cartilage was strongly stained throughout development, and cultured fibroblasts deposited an extracellular filamentous network containing EHD4. In non-denaturing extracts of fetal bovine cartilage and in human skin fibroblast culture media, two components of approximately 220 and 158 kDa were observed, which, after reduction, migrated as a 56-kDa component on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. EHD4 is the first extracellular matrix protein described that contains an EH domain.

Secretion of annexin V from cultured cells requires a signal peptide

Annexin V is an intracellular protein that lacks a hydrophobic signal peptide. However, there are several studies reporting the extracellular presence of annexin V. In this study, we designed transgenes of annexin V with or without an attached secretory signal peptide and investigated the secretion of the transgene products in COS-7 cells. The signal peptide, targeted annexin V to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi and culture media of transfected cells. In contrast, without the signal peptide, annexin V was present only in the cytoplasm and was not detected in the medium. To confirm our results we also evaluated the presence of extracellular annexin V in two cultured cell lines: BeWo, a choriocarcinoma cell model of placental trophoblasts, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Our results showed that annexin V was immunolocalized on the surfaces of both cells but could not be detected in the culture medium of either cell type. Our results suggest that the secretion of annexin V required the recombinant addition of a hydrophobic signal peptide and that the limited quantities of endogenous cell surface annexin V on BeWo and HUVEC cells is most likely derived from adjacent damaged cells.

Alteration of annexin IV expression in alcoholics

Western blot analysis was performed by using a specific antibody to measure annexin IV in human postmortem brain samples from alcoholic subjects. The analysis showed a significantly augmented expression in the hippocampus compared with controls, whereas the expression in the frontal cortex was equivalent in both groups. Annexin IV expression in the occipital cortex tended to increase in alcoholics. It was shown further that autoantibodies to annexin IV were increased significantly in alcoholic patients compared with controls. Thus, annexin IV may become a novel biological marker for alcoholics.

A potential role for annexin 1 as a physiologic mediator of glucocorticoid-induced L-selectin shedding from myeloid cells

Glucocorticoids can dampen inflammatory responses by inhibiting neutrophil recruitment to tissue sites. The detailed mechanism by which glucocorticoids exert this affect on neutrophils is unknown. L-selectin is a leukocyte cell surface receptor that is implicated in several steps of neutrophil recruitment. Recently, several studies have shown that systemic treatment of animals and humans with glucocorticoids induces decreased L-selectin expression on neutrophils, suggesting one mechanism by which inflammation may be negatively regulated. However, when neutrophils are treated in vitro with glucocorticoids, no effect on L-selectin expression is observed. Thus, the existence of an additional mediator is plausible. In this study, we investigate whether annexin 1 (ANX1), a recognized second messenger of glucocorticoids, could be such a mediator. We show that ANX1 induces a dose- and time-dependent decrease in L-selectin expression on both peripheral blood neutrophils and monocytes but has no effect on lymphocytes. The loss of L-selectin from neutrophils is due to shedding that is mediated by a cell surface metalloprotease ("sheddase"). Using cell shape and a beta(2) integrin activation epitope, we show that the ANX1-induced shedding of L-selectin appears to occur without overt cell activation. These data may provide the basis for further understanding of mechanisms involved in the down-regulation of inflammatory responses.

Neutrophil interaction with inflamed postcapillary venule endothelium alters annexin 1 expression

Annexin 1 (ANX-A1) exerts antimigratory actions in several models of acute and chronic inflammation. This is related to its ability to mimic the effect of endogenous ANX-A1 that is externalized on neutrophil adhesion to the postcapillary endothelium. In the present study we monitored ANX-A1 expression and localization in intravascular and emigrated neutrophils, using a classical model of rat peritonitis. For this purpose, a pair of antibodies raised against the ANX-A1 N-terminus (ie, able to recognize intact ANX-A1) or the whole protein (ie, able to interact with all ANX-A1 isoforms) was used by immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry analyses. The majority ( approximately 50%) of ANX-A1 on the plasma membrane of intravascular neutrophils was intact. Extravasation into the subendothelial matrix caused loss of this pool of intact protein (to approximately 6%), concomitant with an increase in total amount of the protein; only approximately 25% of the total protein was now recognized by the antibody raised against the N-terminus (ie, it was intact). In the cytoplasm of these cells, ANX-A1 was predominantly associated with large vacuoles, possibly endosomes. In situ hybridization confirmed de novo synthesis of ANX-A1 in the extravasated cells. In conclusion, biochemical pathways leading to the externalization, proteolysis, and synthesis of ANX-A1 are activated during the process of neutrophil extravasation.

A novel ligand of the formyl peptide receptor: annexin I regulates neutrophil extravasation by interacting with the FPR

The glucocorticoid-regulated protein annexin I (lipocortin I) has been shown to mediate antiinflammatory activities of glucocorticoids, but the molecular basis of its action has remained elusive. Here we show that annexin I acts through the formyl peptide receptor (FPR) on human neutrophils. Peptides derived from the unique N-terminal domain of annexin I serve as FPR ligands and trigger different signaling pathways in a dose-dependent manner. Lower peptide concentrations possibly found in inflammatory situations elicit Ca2+ transients without fully activating the MAP kinase pathway. This causes a specific inhibition of the transendothelial migration of neutrophils and a desensitization of neutrophils toward a chemoattractant challenge. These findings identify annexin I peptides as novel, endogenous FPR ligands and establish a mechanistic basis of annexin I-mediated antiinflammatory effects.

Annexins V and XII insert into bilayers at mildly acidic pH and form ion channels

The functional hallmark of annexins is the ability to bind to the surface of phospholipid membranes in a reversible, Ca(2+)-dependent manner. We now report that human annexin V and hydra annexin XII reversibly bound to phospholipid vesicles in the absence of Ca(2+) at low pH; half-maximal vesicle association occurred at pH 5.3 and 5. 8, respectively. The following biochemical data support the hypothesis that these annexins insert into bilayers at mildly acidic pH. First, a photoactivatable reagent (3-trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[(125)I]iodophenyl)diazirine) which selectively labels proteins exposed to the hydrophobic domain of bilayers reacted with these annexins at pH 5.0 and below but not at neutral pH. Second, in a Triton X-114 partitioning assay, annexins V and XII act as integral membrane proteins at low pH and as hydrophilic proteins at neutral pH; in the presence of phospholipids half-maximal partitioning into detergent occurred at pH approximately 5.0. Finally, annexin V or XII formed single channels in phospholipid bilayers at low pH but not at neutral pH. A model is discussed in which the concentrations of H(+) and Ca(2+) regulate the reversible conversion of three forms of annexins-soluble, peripheral membrane, and transmembrane.

Nitric oxide synthases in normal and benign hyperplastic human prostate: immunohistochemistry and molecular biology

The expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms has been investigated in normal (three subjects) and benign hyperplastic prostate (ten patients) by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The inducible NOS (iNOS or NOS-2) is not detected in normal prostate, while it is expressed in the prostate of all benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients, even in the absence of prostatitis or systemic signs of an inflammatory condition. This suggests that sex hormones may be involved in iNOS induction and that there may be a role for NO in the pathogenesis of BPH. Constitutive NOSs (nNOS and eNOS) are expressed in both normal and hyperplastic prostate and are co-expressed in epithelial cells. eNOS, however, is present mainly in the basal layer cells; nNOS seems abundantly expressed in the more superficial cells of the affected prostate. This indicates that the switching between the two constitutive isoforms may be part of the usual process of cell differentiation from the basal to the secretory layer of the epithelium.

Transcription, biochemistry and localization of nematode annexins

The transcription of three annexin genes in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, was detected by reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction amplification of messenger RNAs. The highest level of expression was from the nex-1 gene, with lower levels detected for the nex-2 and nex-3 genes. The expression of nex-1 was reduced in the Dauer larval stage relative to the other annexins, correlating with the absence of the spermathecal valves, a major site of nex-1 protein localization. Recombinant nex-1 protein was expressed in yeast, isolated by calcium-dependent binding to acidic phospholipids, and its membrane binding and aggregating activities characterized using bovine chromaffin granules as a representative intracellular substrate. Binding to granule membranes was promoted by calcium with half-maximal binding seen at 630 microM calcium. Chromaffin granule aggregation was similarly promoted by the nex-1 protein at 630 microM calcium. This low sensitivity to calcium suggests the annexin can only be activated in vivo near the plasma membrane or other sources of calcium. Sequences including the nex-1 promoter were fused to the gene for green fluorescent protein and this construct was introduced into nematodes by microinjection. Examination of transgenic offspring revealed specific nex-1 promoter activity in the pharynx, the hypodermal cells, the vulva, and the spermathecal valve, locations in which the annexin may function in collagen secretion/deposition and membrane-membrane interactions. A sensitive anti-nex-1 antibody labelled with rhodamine was injected into body cavities of the nematode but did not detect extracellular nex-1 protein. Therefore, this annexin is apparently cytosolic and may function on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane of the spermathecal valve to chaperon the folding of this membrane during the opening and closing of the valve.

Output of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) in bile

Liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a small cytoplasmic molecule highly expressed in the liver. Since L-FABP exhibits affinities for several biliary components, its presence in bile was explored by Western blotting and competitive ELISA in various mammalian species. A L-FABP-like immunoreactivity was consistently found in both hepatic and gallbladder bile. A close molecular identity between this 14 kDa biliary protein and the purified L-FABP was assessed by immunological analyses and high performance capillary electrophoresis. Pharmacological induction of hepatic L-FABP biosynthesis led to a similar increase in biliary L-FABP levels showing a close relationships between the cytosolic and biliary contents of this protein. Finally, a correlation between the presence of L-FABP in bile and both bile flow and bile acid release was found. These data suggest an output of L-FABP in bile in normal conditions which might be coupled with the physiological release of biliary components.

The p11 subunit of the annexin II tetramer plays a key role in the stimulation of t-PA-dependent plasminogen activation

Annexin II tetramer (AIIt) is an important endothelial cell surface protein receptor for plasminogen and t-PA. AIIt, a heterotetramer, is composed of two p36 subunits (called annexin II) and two p11 subunits. In this report, we have compared the ability of the isolated p36 and p11 subunits to stimulate t-PA-dependent [Glu]plasminogen activation. The fluid-phase recombinant p11 subunit stimulated the rate of t-PA-dependent activation of [Glu]plasminogen about 46-fold compared to an approximate stimulation of 2-fold by the recombinant p36 subunit and 77-fold by recombinant AIIt. The stimulation of t-PA-dependent activation of [Glu]plasminogen by the p11 subunit was Ca2+-independent and inhibited by epsilon-aminocaproic acid. [Glu]Plasminogen bound to a p11 subunit affinity column and could be eluted with epsilon-aminocaproic acid. Both AIIt and the p11 subunit protected t-PA and plasmin from inactivation by PAI-1 and alpha2-antiplasmin, respectively. A peptide to the C terminus of the p11 subunit (85-Y-F-V-V-H-M-K-Q-K-G-K-K-96) inhibited the p11-dependent stimulation of t-PA-dependent plasminogen activation. In addition, a deletion mutant of the p11 subunit, missing the last two C-terminal lysine residues, retained only about 15% of the activity of the wild-type p11 subunit. Similarly, a mutant AIIt composed of the wild-type p36 subunit and the p11 subunit deletion mutant possessed about 12% of the wild-type activity. These results, therefore, suggest that the C-terminal lysine residues of the p11 subunit bind plasminogen and participate in the stimulation of t-PA-dependent activation of plasminogen by AIIt.

Annexin VI binds S100A1 and S100B and blocks the ability of S100A1 and S100B to inhibit desmin and GFAP assemblies into intermediate filaments

Annexin VI, a member of a family of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid- and membrane-binding proteins, interacts with the Ca(2+)-regulated EF-hand proteins, S100A1 and S100B, and blocks the ability of these two proteins to inhibit the assembly of desmin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) into intermediate filaments in a Ca(2+)- and dose-dependent manner. S100A1 and S100B each possess one annexin VI binding site, characterized by an affinity for annexin VI in the submicromolar range. Binding of annexin VI to either S100 protein occurs at a site that appears to differ in some parts from that recognizing desmin and GFAP. As S100A1 and S100B exist in solution as homodimers in which the two monomers are related by a 2-fold symmetry axis, each of the above S100 homodimers likely crosslinks two annexin VI molecules, a situation that appears typical of all the annexin-S100 protein complexes described thus far. However, whereas in the cases of other annexin-S100 complexes the C-terminal extension of the S100 molecule appears indispensable for annexin binding, the annexin VI binding site cannot be restricted to the S100A1 and S100B C-terminal extension. We speculate that the annexin VI site on S100A1/B may only partially overlap to the desmin/GFAP site. In contrast, no effects of annexin V on the ability of S100A1 or S100B to affect the desmin and GFAP assemblies could be documented, although binding of annexin V to S100A1 and S100B could be detected at relatively high Ca2+ concentrations. The present data suggest that annexin VI might regulate S100A1 and S100B activities and vice versa.

Synaptotagmin-1 is required for fibroblast growth factor-1 release

By using p65 synaptotagmin-1 and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1:beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) NIH 3T3 cell co-transfectants, we demonstrate that a proteolytic fragment consisting of the extravesicular domain of synaptotagmin-1 is released into the extracellular compartment in response to temperature stress with similar kinetics and pharmacological properties as FGF-1:beta-gal. Using a deletion mutant that lacks 95 amino acids from the extravesicular domain of synaptotagmin-1, neither synaptotagmin-1 nor FGF-1:beta-gal are able to access the stress-induced release pathway. Furthermore, the p40 extravesicular fragment of synaptotagmin-1 is constitutively released in p40 synaptotagmin-1 NIH 3T3 cell transfectants, and this release is potentiated when the cells are subjected to temperature stress. These data demonstrate that the p40 fragment derived from synaptotagmin-1 is able to utilize the FGF-1 non-classical exocytotic pathway and that the release of FGF-1 is dependent on synaptotagmin-1.

Secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 by human peripheral blood monocytes occurs via an endoplasmic reticulum-golgi-independent pathway

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI-2) is a serine protease inhibitor (serpin) that is secreted and accumulated intracellularly by monocytes. We investigated PAI-2 synthesis by isolated human peripheral blood monocytes and found that a 47-kDa nonglycosylated form of PAI-2 was abundant in conditioned medium from monocytes. Secretion of PAI-2 by monocytes was not inhibited by agents that inhibit either ER-Golgi pathway-dependent secretion, brefeldin A, or N-linked glycosylation, tunicamycin. IL-1beta served as a control for a protein that is secreted by an ER-Golgi-independent pathway, and secretion of IL-1beta was not inhibited by brefeldin A. This was in contrast to secretion of TNFalpha, which was dependent on the ER-Golgi pathway. None of the treatments was cytotoxic toward monocytes, as measured by release of the intracellular enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the conditioned medium. Subcellular fractionation revealed that PAI-2 and IL-1beta were colocalized. The mechanism for secretion of PAI-2 was not dependent on calcium or intracellular trafficking via the classical vesicular mechanism(s), distinguishing it from IL-1beta secretion. These studies show that PAI-2 is secreted by primary human monocytes via an ER-Golgi-independent pathway.

Lipocortin 1 (annexin 1) in patches associated with the membrane of a lung adenocarcinoma cell line and in the cell cytoplasm

Lipocortin 1 (annexin I) is a calcium- and phospholipid-binding annexin protein which can be externalised from cells despite the lack of a signal sequence. To determine its cellular distribution lipocortin 1 in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells was localised by light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry and by cell fractionation and western blotting. Lipocortin 1 immunoreactivity is concentrated in prominent patches associated with the plasma membrane. The intensity of these patches varied with the confluence and duration of the culture and was not detectably diminished by an EDTA wash before fixation. Tubulin and cytokeratin 8 were colocalized with lipocortin 1 in the patches. Within the cells lipocortin 1 was distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Electron microscopy revealed prominent immunoreactivity along the plasma membrane with occasional large clusters of gold particles in contact with the membrane surface of the cells; within the cytoplasm the membrane of some vesicle/vacuole structures and some small electron-dense bodies was immunoreactive, but no immunogold particles were associated with the multilamellar bodies. Subcellular fractionation, extraction and western blotting showed that lipocortin 1 in the membrane pellet was present as two distinct fractions; one, intimately associated with the lipid bilayer, which behaved like an integral membrane protein and one loosely attached which behaved like a peripheral membrane protein. The results show that a substantial amounts of lipocortin 1 is concentrated in focal structures associated with and immediately beneath the plasma membrane. These might form part of the mechanism by which lipocortin 1 is released from the cells.

Glycosaminoglycan binding properties of annexin IV, V, and VI

We have previously demonstrated that annexin IV, one of the calcium/phospholipid-binding annexin family proteins, binds to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in a calcium-dependent manner (Kojima, K., Yamamoto, K., Irimura, T., Osawa, T., Ogawa, H., and Matsumoto, I. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 7679-7685). In this study, we investigated the GAG binding specificities of annexins IV, V, and VI by affinity chromatography and solid phase assays. Annexin IV was found to bind in a calcium-dependent manner to all the GAG columns tested. Annexin V bound to heparin and heparan sulfate columns but not to chondroitin sulfate columns. Annexin VI was adsorbed to heparin and heparan sulfate columns in a calcium-independent manner, and to chondroitin sulfate columns in a calcium-dependent manner. An N-terminal half fragment (A6NH) and a C-terminal half fragment (A6CH) of annexin VI, each containing four units, were prepared by digestion with V8 protease and examined for GAG binding activities. A6NH bound to heparin in the presence of calcium but not to chondroitin sulfate C, whereas A6CH bound to heparin calcium-independently and to chondroitin sulfate C calcium-dependently. The results showed that annexin IV, V, and VI have different GAG binding properties. Some annexins have been reported to be detected not only in the cytoplasm but also on the cell surface or in extracellular components. The findings suggest that the some annexins function as recognition elements for GAGs in extracellular space.

Annexins II and V inhibit cell migration

Cell motility is a crucial component involved in wound healing, development, and tumor metastasis. This study investigated whether extracellular annexins, members of a calcium- and phospholipid-binding family of proteins, play a role in the migration of Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Using assays for wound closure and migration through 8-micron pores, it was found that annexins II and V significantly (> 40%) inhibited migration of these highly metastatic cells. Additionally, anti-annexin II antibodies enhanced migration of these same cells in the wound closure assay, while an irrelevant antibody (anti-calmodulin) showed no effect. These effects may be due to annexin-membrane binding and inhibition of phospholipid movement that is necessary for the formation of membrane protrusions.

Absence of cell-surface annexin V is accompanied by defective collagen matrix binding in the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma

Annexin V has been characterized as a major collagen type II binding cell-surface component of normal chondrocytes and is also called anchorin CII in chondrogenic populations. Herein we present evidence that in vitro cultured Swarm rat chondrosarcoma cells are not capable of binding collagen type II in significant quantities to their surfaces, as compared to normal rat chondrocytes. This finding coincides with a deficiency of annexin V on the surface of these cells. A small quantity of an intracellular polypeptide could be detected which is immunologically cross-reactive with annexin V but displayed a mobility in SDS-PAGE of less than 34 kD compared to the M(r) 36 kD of intact rat annexin V. By immunohistochemistry the protein could be localized in the cytoplasm of in vitro and in vivo grown tumor cells. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis, a regular-sized mRNA for annexin V could be detected in the chondrosarcoma cells that is expressed in only slightly lower quantities than in normal chondrocytes. Taken together, the data suggest a modified processing or turnover for annexin V in the chondrosarcoma excluding it from being a functionally active collagen type II binding protein. The findings support the hypothesis of cell-surface annexin V as a key component for the formation of the pericellular matrix of chondrocytes.

Glucocorticoid induced the expression of mRNA and the secretion of lipocortin 1 in rat astrocytoma cells

The lipocortins are a family of structurally related proteins that have been shown to be implicated in multiple aspects of cell biology. Subsequent research has shown that lipocortin 1 (LC1) participates in the physiological and pathological functioning of the CNS and neuroendocrine system. In the present study, the effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) or dexamethasone (DEX) on expression of LC1 were investigated by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in rat astrocytoma (C6) cells. Time-dependent experiments revealed that the intracellular protein content and the mRNA of rat LC1 increased significantly 4 h after TPA (10 mM) or DEX (1 microM) addition. TPA and DEX elicited a prominent induction of LC1 at 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M, respectively. Bt2cAMP (0.5 mM) also appeared to induce, but the induction was not statistically significant. In addition, DEX increased the extracellular secretion of LC1 without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that LC1 synthesis is chemically induced and selectively released from C6 cells by dexamethasone.

Enhancement by ganglioside GT1b of annexin I phosphorylation in bovine mammary gland in the presence of phosphatidylserine and Ca2+

Ganglioside GT1b and, to a lesser extent, GD3, enhanced phosphorylation of a 36 kDa protein (the substrate of protein kinase C) in the particulate fraction from bovine mammary gland. Sialic acids, asialogangliosides, and GM3 were without effect, and GD1a conversely inhibited phosphorylation of the 36 kDa protein. The enhanced phosphorylation by GT1b required the simultaneous presence of phosphatidylserine (PS) and Ca2+. The 36 kDa protein reacted with anti-annexin I in Western blot analysis. Addition of purified annexin I to the reaction mixture containing the particulate fraction increased the extent of phosphorylated 36 kDa protein, and the phosphorylation was further enhanced by GT1b. The enhanced phosphorylation of annexin I by GT1b was also dependent on PS and Ca2+. When annexin I was phosphorylated by purified protein kinase C, GT1b inhibited the annexin I phosphorylation. Addition of epidermal growth factor or insulin to the particulate fraction had little effect on the enhancement. These results suggest that an enzyme or enzymes other than protein kinase C, epidermal growth factor receptor kinase, or insulin receptor kinase is responsible for the GT1b- and GD3-enhanced phosphorylation of annexin I in the presence of PS and Ca2+.

Interaction of the fibrinolytic receptor, annexin II, with the endothelial cell surface. Essential role of endonexin repeat 2

Endothelial cells express a cell surface co-receptor for plasminogen and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) which we recently identified as annexin II (Hajjar, K. A., Jacovina, A. T., and Chacko, J. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21191-21197). This protein enhances the catalytic efficiency of t-PA-dependent plasmin generation by 60-fold (Cesarman, G. M., Guevara, C. A., and Hajjar, K. A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21198-21203). Here, we demonstrate that annexin II is constitutively translocated to the endothelial cell surface within 16 h of biosynthesis, and that cell surface annexin II comprises 4.3 +/- 1.0% of the total cellular pool. Exogenous 125I-annexin II bound to EGTA-washed endothelial cells with high affinity (Kd 49 nM) and in a calcium-dependent (I50 = 3 microM), phospholipid-sensitive manner. Peptides KASMKGLGTDED and YDSMKGKGTRDK, mimicking the calcium-binding "endonexin" motif (KGXGT) of annexin II, blocked its interaction with endothelial cells. Recombinant annexin II, bearing the calcium-binding site substitution D161A of core repeat 2, failed to compete with binding of the wild type protein to the cell surface, while E246A and D321A mutants, corresponding to core repeats 3 and 4, behaved as effective competitors. These data suggest that translocated annexin II interacts with cell surface phospholipid via a high affinity calcium-dependent binding site that includes residues 118-122 (KGLGT) and the coordinating Asp161 of core repeat 2. Thus, calcium-regulated expression of annexin II on the endothelial cell surface may play a central role in control of plasmin-mediated processes.

Diverse effects of different neutrophil organelles on truncation and membrane-binding characteristics of annexin I

A neutrophil annexin I-related protein, detected after translocation of cytosolic proteins to specific granules and secretory vesicles/plasma membrane (Sjölin et al. (1994) Biochem. J. 300, 325-330), has been characterized with respect to origin and organelle-binding properties. The annexin I-related protein is formed as a result of annexin I cleavage, and this occurs during translocation of annexin I to the specific granules and secretory vesicles/plasma membrane, but not when annexin I is translocated to azurophil granules. The cleavage required calcium and it was facilitated in the presence of specific granules or secretory vesicles/plasma membrane, but not in the presence of azurophil granules. We conclude that the membranes of specific granules and secretory vesicles/plasma membrane contain a protease which is able to cleave annexin I into a truncated 38 kDa fragment, which retains the ability to bind to these organelles. The azurophil granules lack the capacity to cleave annexin I as well as the ability to bind the 38 kDa fragment. These findings may implicate a role for annexin I in the divergent regulation of exocytosis of the different neutrophil granules.

Calcium-dependent binding of the plasma protein apolipoprotein A-I to two members of the annexin family

Affinity chromatography with purified annexins coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B was used to determine the capacity of proteins found in cytosolic fractions of the bovine adrenal medulla to bind to an immobilized annexin in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Several proteins were eluted from a recombinant annexin I column in the presence of 2 mM EGTA, including protein kinase C (PKC), members of the annexin family, and a 26 kDa protein that appeared as the most prominent band on SDS-PAGE. The identities of PKC, annexin I, annexin IV, annexin VI, and annexin VII were confirmed by Western blotting. The 26 kDa protein was purified by anion exchange chromatography on a Poros Q column and determined to be apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) by peptide sequencing. Comigration of apoA-I and chromobindin 2 on two-dimensional gels identified apoA-I as chromobindin 2. Overlay assays were performed to verify the apoA-I-annexin I interaction using apoA-I immobilized on nitrocellulose and annexin I in solution with binding detected using anti-annexin I antiserum. Additionally, the ability of biotin-labeled apoA-I in solution to bind to several purified annexins immobilized on nitrocellulose was determined by detection with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated avidin. Using these methods, it was shown that both annexin I and annexin VII bind to bovine apoA-I in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Other annexins, such as annexin IV and annexin VI, do not exhibit this binding. The results suggest that certain annexins may function as extracellular binding sites for plasma proteins.

Characterization of carbohydrate-binding protein p33/41: relation with annexin IV, molecular basis of the doublet forms (p33 and p41), and modulation of the carbohydrate binding activity by phospholipids

A protein, p33/41, expressed in bovine kidney and many other tissues was identified as a lectin which binds to sialoglycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans in a calcium-dependent manner. Partial amino acid sequences of p33/41 are highly homologous to those of calcium/phospholipid-binding annexin protein, annexin IV (endonexin), p33/41 exhibited similar calcium/phospholipid-binding activity (Kojima, K., Ogawa, H., Seno, N., Yamamoto, K., Irimura, T., Osawa, T., and Matsumoto, I. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 20536-20539). To further characterize p33/41, we cloned the p33/41 cDNA and characterized the recombinant protein encoded by this cDNA. Oligonucleotide probes were synthesized based on partial amino acid sequences of p33/41 and used for screening. A p33/41 cDNA clone was isolated encoding a protein of 319 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 35,769 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence was identical to that of bovine annexin IV except for one amino acid substitution. The recombinant protein gave two 33-kDa (p33) and 41-kDa (p41) bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions, and only one 33-kDa band under reducing conditions, as did the native protein. Mass spectrometric analysis combined with site-directed mutagenesis of each of the four cysteine residues of the recombinant protein revealed that p41 is a dimer of p33 cross-linked at Cys-198 via a disulfide bond. The recombinant protein bound to columns of heparin and fetuin glycopeptides in a calcium dependent manner and to phospholipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylserine (PS)/phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)/PC or phosphatidylinositol (PI)/PC. Furthermore, concurrent binding assays showed that the binding of the recombinant protein to phospholipid vesicles was not affected by heparin, whereas that to heparin was influenced by the phospholipid composition of the vesicles; the highest binding was observed with vesicles composed of PE/PC. These results suggest that p33/41 binds two types of ligands via different sites and that phospholipids modulate the carbohydrate binding activity of p33/41.

Differential distribution of annexins-I, -II, -IV, and -VI in synovium

OBJECTIVES

To examine the distribution of four annexins in non-inflamed rheumatoid arthritic and osteoarthritic synovial tissue.

METHODS

Frozen sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for annexins-I, -II, -IV, and -VI, and for cell lineage related markers including CD68 and CD14 (macrophages), prolyl hydroxylase (fibroblasts), and CD3 (T cells).

RESULTS

Each of the annexins was present in synovial tissues in significant amounts in the three groups studied. Annexin-I was predominantly found within the synovial lining layer and double labelling showed it to be present predominantly in cells of the macrophage lineage. In rheumatoid specimens there was increased staining within the lining layer, perivascularly and on macrophages within the tissue stroma. Annexin-II was present in a distribution similar to that of annexin-I, but with more prominent perivascular staining. Annexins-IV and -VI were seen chiefly in association with areas of lymphocyte infiltration in rheumatoid tissue, whereas annexins-I and -II were absent from these areas. Endothelial cells stained weakly positive for annexins-I and -II, and more strongly for -IV and -VI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that annexins (particularly annexin-I, a putative mediator of the anti-inflammatory activities of glucocorticoids) are abundant in rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid synovial tissue, annexins-IV and -VI having a distribution distinct from that of -I and -II.

Calcium-induced relocation of annexins IV and V in the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63

In cell culture, human osteoblasts and the osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 express annexins I, II, IV, V and VI. Small proportions of annexins IV and V are lost from MG-63 cells into the culture medium in a sedimentable form. however, the bulk of these annexins is intracellular. In non-confluent cells 3 days after passaging, annexin IV and annexin V are strongly present throughout the nucleus and are also present in the cytoplasm. On elevation of the intracellular calcium concentration with the lonophore ionomycin, the intranuclear pools of annexin IV in 38 +/- 4% of cells and annexin V in 70 +/- 5% of cells show relocation to the nuclear membrane within 40 s. Extracellular ATP, which causes a transient increase in the cytosolic free calcium concentration by acting at P2-purinoceptors, also causes relocation of the intranuclear pool of annexin IV in 22 +/- 4% of cells and of annexin V in 38 +/- 8% of cells. After stimulation no significant reversal of the relocation is observed. Elevation of intracellular calcium with ionophore and ATP also causes relocation of the cytoplasmic pools of annexins IV and V. The results support a role for annexins at cellular membranes in response to elevation of cytosolic calcium levels.

Changes in the cellular distribution of lipocortin-1 (Annexin-1) in C6 glioma cells after exposure to dexamethasone

Glucocorticoid-induced changes in cellular levels of Lipocortin-1 (LC-1) (Annexin 1) in C6 glioma cells were determined by electrotransfer and immunoblotting techniques. Separate cell protein fractions were prepared to study the influence of the glucocorticoid steroid, dexamethasone, on LC-1 localisation. Cells were grown in steroid-depleted medium and exposed to dexamethasone (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) for 2, 6, and 16 hr. The glucocorticoid-dependent changes in cellular content of LC-1 were both dose- and time-related. Increases above control levels in intracellular and extracellular LC-1 content were detected with the greatest changes occurring at the cell surface. The glucocorticoid-dependent alteration in LC-1 distribution in C6 glioma cells was attenuated by the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, indicating the involvement of de novo LC-1 synthesis. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the current concept that some of the anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticoids occurs through the action of extracellular LC-1.

Annexin 1 is overexpressed and specifically secreted during experimentally induced colitis in rats

Annexin 1 is a protein induced by glucocorticoids endowed with extracellular anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the local expression and secretion of annexins 1-6, in rat proximal colon, were studied at different times after intracolonic administration of 30 mg trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid in 50% ethanol. Secretion was identified by incubating colonic tissues in a culture medium. The expression of annexins was detected by immunoblotting in tissue homogenates and incubation media. Inflammatory stages were evaluated by measuring myeloperoxidase activity. Annexin 1 expression in colons increased after trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid treatment and was maximal between days 1 to 9, during the cellular stage of the inflammation that corresponded to maximal myeloperoxidase activity. From 12 h to 9 days after trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid/ethanol treatment, annexin 1 was specifically secreted. Annexin 3 was also overexpressed during the cellular stage, but the expression of annexins 2, 4, 5, and 6 was unchanged; none of these annexins were secreted. Annexin 1 was shown to be physiologically secreted because its release was specific, abundant, and not correlated with cellular lysis. Annexin 1 may be considered as a putative candidate in the control of the gut inflammatory processes.

Annexin II tetramer: structure and function

The annexins are a family of proteins that bind acidic phospholipids in the presence of Ca2+. The interaction of these proteins with biological membranes has led to the suggestion that these proteins may play a role in membrane trafficking events such as exocytosis, endocytosis and cell-cell adhesion. One member of the annexin family, annexin II, has been shown to exist as a monomer, heterodimer or heterotetramer. The ability of annexin II tetramer to bridge secretory granules to plasma membrane has suggested that this protein may play a role in Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis. Annexin II tetramer has also been demonstrated on the extracellular face of some metastatic cells where it mediates the binding of certain metastatic cells to normal cells. Annexin II tetramer is a major cellular substrate of protein kinase C and pp60src. Phosphorylation of annexin II tetramer is a negative modulator of protein function.

Glucocorticoid-induced annexin 1 secretion by monocytes and peritoneal leukocytes

1. We have studied the ability of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, to induce annexin 1 secretion by either human blood monocytes or rat peritoneal leukocytes. 2. The in vivo treatment of rats with dexamethasone (1.25 mg kg-1) selectively induced secretion of annexin 1 by peritoneal leukocytes, as assessed by incubating these cells in culture medium. Annexin 1 secretion was also induced in human cultured monocytes, in vitro, by 10(-6) M dexamethasone. 3. Annexin 1 secretion was inhibited in the presence of 20 mM NH4Cl or by conducting the experiments at 18 degrees C. In contrast, it was not inhibited by monensin, nocodazole or brefeldin A. 4. The time necessary for annexin 1 synthesis and secretion was less than 15 min. 5. These data indicate that glucocorticoids induce annexin 1 secretion by monocytes or peritoneal leukocytes. Because it is not inhibited by monensin, nocodazole or brefeldin A and it is rapid, annexin 1 secretion seems to occur by the secretory pathway similar to that used by several cytosolic proteins such as interleukin-1 beta.

Annexin I in female rabbit reproductive organs: varying levels in relation to maturity and pregnancy

The level of annexin I, a 36 kDa calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein (36 kDa PLBP) in the reproductive organs of young, mature, and pregnant rabbits was determined immunologically with antibodies raised against purified rabbit lung annexin I. In the cytosolic fractions of the ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, and placenta, annexin I was the only major immunoreactive protein. The reproductive organs appeared to have higher annexin I levels than most nonreproductive organ tissues, except the lung and the spleen which were also rich in annexin I. A small amount of annexin I and a nearly equal amount of its hydrolytic product, a 33 kDa polypeptide, were detected in the amniotic fluid between 21 and 27 days gestation. Structural similarity of annexin I in the reproductive organs and in the lung was suggested by their identical isoelectric point values. Annexin I in the ovary of adult rabbits was 70% higher than that in the respective organ of immature rabbits. The uterus of pregnant rabbits had about 84% higher annexin I contents than that of the nonpregnant rabbits. The placenta had more annexin I per mg cytosolic protein than either the ovary or the uterus during pregnancy. The high concentration of annexin I in the reproductive organs may reflect specific functions of these organs in the reproductive years and during the reproductive cycle.

Calmodulin and in vitro regenerating frog sciatic nerves: release and extracellular effects

Although calmodulin (CaM) is commonly considered to be an intracellular protein, it has been suggested lately that it is released and exerts functions extracellularly. In the present investigation this was studied in in vitro regenerating adult frog (Rana temporaria) sciatic nerves. Using a multi-compartment incubation chamber, the non-neuronal cells in the outgrowth region of such nerves were radiolabelled with amino acid precursors. Based on immunological criteria, these cells were shown to release CaM. When the nerves were treated with CaM, both the outgrowth of sensory axons and the injury-induced proliferation of non-neuronal cells were partially inhibited. The inhibitory effects occurred even when the incubation medium contained as little as 30 pM CaM. Furthermore, treatment with anti-CaM antibodies resulted in reduced outgrowth, which suggested that during normal conditions extracellular CaM is kept at an optimal concentration. Finally, conditioned medium was found to contain several CaM-binding proteins. The present findings may reflect an earlier unknown function of extracellular CaM in controlling various growth mechanisms in integrated tissues.

Presence of MRP8 and MRP14 in pancreatic cell lines: differential expression and localization in CFPAC-1 cells

A complex of two calcium binding proteins, MRP8 [also called cystic fibrosis (CF) antigen] and MRP14, proteins known to be expressed in cells of myeloid origin, has been shown to be present in higher amounts in the serum of CF patients and heterozygotes compared with normal subjects. We demonstrated here for the first time, by dot-blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, the expression and the presence of these S100 calcium binding proteins in the pancreatic cell lines CAPAN-1 and CFPAC-1, the latter provided from a patient with CF. Moreover, using immunocytochemical methods, we showed that the localization of MRP8 and MRP14 on the plasma membrane seems to be restricted to the cells expressing a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) wild-type protein such as CAPAN-1 cells and CFPAC-1 cells transfected with a plasmid containing the nonmutated CFTR gene (CFPAC-PLJ-CFTR-6 cells). In CFPAC-1 cells, immunoreactivity remains in the cytoplasm throughout the stationary phase. We also showed an increased level of the mRNAs of the two proteins in the CFPAC-1 cells compared with those transfected with the nonmutated CFTR. The demonstration of a difference in the cellular localization of these two proteins and in their mRNA levels in the cell line of CF origin leads us to assume the existence of a possible correlation in the expression of the MRPs with that of the CFTR protein.

Clinical applications of two-dimensional electrophoresis

Two-dimensional electrophoresis is increasingly being used as an important tool for biological research although it continues to have few direct clinical applications. In the absence of simple systems to identify and quantify individual proteins or groups of proteins it is unlikely that clinical applications will increase. Measurement of some individual proteins, for example a single acute phase reactant, often yields as much clinically useful information as could be currently expected from quantitation of several proteins with the same physiological role. Cost-containment pressures within the clinical laboratory will prevent the technique from becoming widely used in the clinical laboratory until it can clearly demonstrate that it can produce clinically important and necessary information that can not be obtained by other means. We continue to believe that the technique's greatest potential lies in identifying a protein or proteins whose concentration can be correlated with a disease and whose concentration varies with the progress of the disease. Antibodies to such proteins can then be produced and used to quantify the disease-associated proteins by a simple procedure, such as nephelometry. In spite of our belief of the likely clinical application of the technique there appears to be no systematic use of two-dimensional electrophoresis for this purpose. With clinical specimens a few investigators still run gels of serum or urine from patients with apparently unusual disorders and compare them visually with gels from healthy individuals. Nevertheless, the technique continues to have considerable unmet promise for clinical applications.

Annexins: a novel family of calcium- and membrane-binding proteins in search of a function

Although the annexins have been extensively studied and much detailed structural information is available, their in vivo function has yet to be established.

Levels and localization of group II phospholipase A2 and annexin I in interleukin- and dexamethasone-treated rat mesangial cells: evidence against annexin mediation of the dexamethasone-induced inhibition of group II phospholipases A2

The mechanism by which glucocorticosteroids inhibit the synthesis and secretion of pro-inflammatory arachidonate metabolites is still controversial. Initially it was postulated that glucocorticoids can induce the formation of PLA2 inhibitory proteins termed annexins. We have previously shown that the cytokine-induced 14 kDa PLA2 activity and the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in rat mesangial cells is dose-dependently blocked by pretreatment of the cells with dexamethasone (Schalkwijk et al. (1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 180, 46-52). Concurrently, the synthesis of 14 kDa group II PLA2 is suppressed. The regulation of PLA2 activity is complex and may well involve superimposable mechanisms. Thus, although the decrease in PLA2 protein levels could in itself explain the dexamethasone-induced decrease in PLA2 activity, a contribution of the glucocorticoid-induced anti-phospholipase A2 protein annexin cannot be ruled out a priori. To investigate this possibility we analyzed the level of annexin I by Western blotting and immunostaining in mesangial cells treated with interleukin-1 beta and/or dexamethasone. Under conditions where 14 kDa group II PLA2 activity and protein levels were dramatically affected by interleukin-1 and dexamethasone, the level of annexin I in the cells remained constant. Dexamethasone also did not induce the secretion of annexin I. In addition, no evidence for dexamethasone-induced translocation of annexin I from the cytosol to membranes, thereby possibly sequestering the substrates for PLA2, was obtained. Immunofluorescence studies localized the cytokine-induced PLA2 to the Golgi area and punctate structures in the cytoplasm. We have also studied the subcellular localization of annexin I in rat mesangial cells using confocal microscopy. These studies located annexin I mainly in the cytoplasma and the nucleus. We conclude from these experiments that the dexamethasone-induced inhibition of 14 kDa group II PLA2 in rat mesangial cells is not mediated by annexin I and is solely due to the suppression of PLA2 gene expression.

Immunocharacterization and developmental regulation of rabbit lung calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins

The purpose of this work was to use the immunoblotting methods to study the 36 kDa calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein (PLBP) in the adult and fetal rabbit lungs to gain insight into the significance of this protein in lung development. The identity of the 36 kDa PLBP and the antigen specificity of the antiserum raised against this protein in the guinea pig were tested against known annexins and antibodies to the annexins. Our results showed that the rabbit lung 36 kDa PLBP contained only one protein which cross-reacted with antibodies against annexin 1. However, the 36 kDa PLBP was slightly smaller (36 vs. 37 kDa) and more acidic (pI 6.0 vs. 6.9) than the recombinant human annexin 1. The guinea pig antiserum only reacted with annexin 1, not with any of the other annexins tested. In the cytosolic fractions of the lung and the alveolar epithelial type II cells, and in the lung lavage fluid, the 36 kDa PLBP was by far the most prominent protein with minor presence of a 33 kDa protein recognized by the guinea pig antiserum. The amount of the 36 kDa PLBP of type II cells was 55% higher than that in the lung tissue and 2.6-times higher than that in the lung lavage (9.3 +/- 0.62, 6.0 +/- 0.31 and 3.6 +/- 0.04 micrograms/mg protein, respectively). The 36 kDa PLBP appeared in the fetal rabbit lungs as early as at 21 days gestation and increased 2-fold to reach the adult level at 27 days gestation (term 31 days). The high content of PLBP in type II cells and the rapid increase in this protein in the fetal lungs at late gestations suggest an important role of the 36 kDa PLBP in lung development and surfactant biogenesis.