The primary structure of rat liver cellular retinol-binding protein

Quantitation and tissue localization of the cellular retinoic acid-binding protein

The distribution of the cellular retinoic acid-binding protein (CRABP) in some rat tissues has been determined, and the protein has been localized by immunocytochemical techniques in sections from rat testis. In the testis CRABP was found in the seminiferous tubuli with Sertoli cells and the spermatogonia most intensely stained. All other cells of the germinal epithelium appeared largely devoid of CRABP. By use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay CRABP was quantitatively estimated in several tissues and the highest levels were found in testis and eye. Comparisons of the tissue levels of CRABP and of the cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) did not reveal any apparent correlation.

The homology of complement factor C8 gamma chain and alpha-1-microglobulin

The sequence of the complement factor C8 gamma chain shares a remarkable degree of similarity with that of alpha-1-microglobulin, a member of the alpha-2u-globulin superfamily. This superfamily comprises a diverse group of distantly related animal proteins possessing characteristic structural features and similar functions. Comparison of the C8 gamma chain with these proteins supports its homology to them and suggests a possible functional role.

Antibodies against mammary derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) react with a fibroblast growth inhibitor and with heart fatty acid binding protein

A polypeptide growth inhibitor, designated as mammary derived growth inhibitor, has previously been purified from lactating bovine mammary glands. Polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against mammary derived growth inhibitor cross-reacts with bovine heart fatty acid binding protein and bovine peripheral myelin P2 protein. These results are consistent with the observation that the amino acid sequence of mammary derived growth inhibitor showed homology to the sequences of these proteins. In a parallel series of immunoblotting experiments, rabbit anti-mammary derived growth inhibitor also reacted specifically with a fibroblast growth inhibitor purified from the conditioned medium of cultured mouse 3T3 fibroblasts. These data suggest that bovine mammary derived growth inhibitor and mouse fibroblast growth inhibitor may share common structural features and raise the possibility that these growth inhibitors may together define a new family of growth regulatory molecules.

A survey on cytosolic non-enzymic proteins involved in the metabolism of lipophilic compounds: from organic anion binders to new protein families

This review deals with recent advances in the research of cytosolic non-enzymic proteins involved in the metabolism of lipophilic compounds. Emphasis is given to the important contribution of structural data in the understanding of the functional properties of these proteins and in the emergence of new protein families. The possibility that many of the 'cytosolic' proteins might be structure-bound and structure-forming in the living cell is discussed, with references to so far available structural data and to recent investigations on the architecture and biochemical composition of the cytoplasm. The aim of this review is to present in a condensed form (227 references) the evolution in the study of cytosolic proteins binding and transferring lipophilic compounds and to enable interested investigators to become aware of current concepts and perspectives in this active and steadily growing area of research.

The primary structure of spinach-leaf phospholipid-transfer protein

The complete amino acid sequence phospholipid-transfer protein isolated from spinach leaves has been determined. The primary structure of the spinach protein was elucidated by analyses by HPLC of cyanogen bromide fragments and peptides obtained by tryptic digestions. The single polypeptide chain of the spinach protein consists of 91 amino acid residues. The protein contains six cysteines whereas phenylalanine and glutamine are absent. The present data, which are the first to be obtained with a phospholipid-transfer protein from a photosynthetic tissue, are compared to the amino acid sequences determined with plant and animal proteins involved in the intracellular transport of hydrophobic compounds.

Complete amino acid sequence of a basic 21-kDa protein from bovine brain cytosol

The complete amino acid sequence (186 amino acid residues) of a basic cytosolic protein from bovine brain has been determined. It was previously described as a phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein. Computer analyses have been used to calculate its hydropathy profile and to predict its secondary structure. Comparison with other proteins did not detect any significant sequence similarity, except for a short region which presents 53% sequence homology with bovine phosphatidylcholine transfer protein.

Specificity of cellular retinol-binding protein in the transfer of retinol to nuclei and chromatin

We have reported previously that cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) is able to transfer retinol to specific binding sites in nuclei and chromatin. In this report, we have examined the specificity of the interaction of the protein moiety of retinol-CRBP (R-CRBP) with chromatin and nuclei in the transfer process. We first determined the ability of apo-CRBP, apo-serum retinol-binding protein (RBP), and apo beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), all capable of retinol binding, to compete with R-CRBP in the transfer of retinol to chromatin and nuclei. Apo-CRBP was an effective competitor but apo-RBP and apo-BLG showed no competitive ability. On the other hand, cellular retinol-binding protein type II (CRBP(II], whose amino acid sequence shows a considerable similarity to CRBP, did compete for the transfer of retinol from the R-CRBP complex, but less effectively than CRBP. These results demonstrate that the interaction of the protein moiety of the R-CRBP complex with nuclei and chromatin is quite specific.

Purification and partial characterization of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein from human placenta

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein (CRABP) has been purified to homogeneity from human placenta by a series of procedures, including acetone powder extraction, gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and on SP-Sephadex. Cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) was isolated concurrently. CRABP was purified 75,400-fold, based on total soluble acetone powder extract of placenta. The protein is a single polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of 14,600 Da, estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis or gel filtration, and has an isoelectric point of 4.78 (apo-CRABP, 4.82). On analysis of absorption and fluorescence spectra, the protein was seen to exhibit an absorption peak at 350 nm, fluorescence excitation maxima at 350 and 370 nm, and a fluorescence emission maximum at 475 nm. Human CRABP was immunologically distinct from human CRBP and serum retinol-binding protein.

The complete amino acid sequence of human serum retinol-binding protein

The complete amino acid sequence of human serum Retinol-binding protein (RBP) including the distribution of its three disulfide bridges, has been determined. The protein consists of 182 amino acid residues, the order of which was determined following the isolation of five CNBr-fragments. Direct amino acid sequence analysis in an automatic liquid phase sequencer provided almost the entire sequences of the five CNBr-fragments. Several sets of enzymatically derived peptides of RBP were also used to elucidate the primary structure. RBP displays significant homology to bovine beta-lactoglobulin, human alpha 1-microglobulin and rat alpha 1-microglobulin. RBP contains an internal homology. Thus, residues 36 to 83 display statistically significant homology with residues 96 to 141.

Cellular retinoid binding proteins

The cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) and the cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP) have similar physicochemical characteristics. The amino acid sequences of rat CRBP and bovine CRABP have been elucidated and they display 40% sequence identity. Both protein sequences appear to be evolutionarily highly conserved. The amino acid sequence of human CRBP, deduced from a cDNA-clone, is 96% identical to the rat CRBP sequence. CRBP and CRABP are members of a protein family, all members of which may bind hydrophobic ligands and interact with membrane components. All members of the protein family are probably related in tertiary structure and might interact with membrane components through two regions with a high probability for alpha-helix. The tissue distribution of CRBP and CRABP, together with their relation to lipid transporting proteins suggests that CRBP and CRABP are cellular transporting proteins for retinol and retinoic acid, respectively.