Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for bovine carboxypeptidase E

Induced and spontaneous mutations at Ser202 of carboxypeptidase E. Effect on enzyme expression, activity, and intracellular routing

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is involved in peptide processing in the brain and various neuroendocrine tissues. In mice homozygous for the Cpefat mutation, the virtual absence of CPE activity in islets of Langerhans and pituitary was associated with a missense mutation effecting a Ser202 to Pro shift (Naggert, J. K., Fricker, L. D., Varlamov, O., Nishina, P. M., Rouille, Y., Steiner, D. F., Carroll, R. J., Paigen, B. J., and Leiter, E. H. (1995) Nat. Genet. 10, 135-142). To examine the importance of Ser202 in CPE function, several mutations in this position were generated (Pro202, Ala202, Gly202, and Phe202). When the mutant proteins were expressed in a Baculovirus system, both Phe202 and Pro202CPE were enzymatically inactive, were unable to bind to a substrate affinity column, and were not secreted from Sf9 cells. In contrast, Ala202CPE or Gly202CPE exhibited enzymatic properties similar to those of wild-type CPE and were secreted from Sf9 cells. When expressed in AtT-20 cells, a mouse pituitary-derived cell line, CPE with Pro202 and Phe202 were not secreted. Pulse-chase analysis with [35S]Met indicated that Pro202CPE was degraded in AtT-20 cells within several hours. This degradative process was blocked by incubation at 15 degrees C but not by brefeldin A or by lysosomotrophic drugs. Pulse-chase analysis using dispersed pituitary cells from C57BLKS/Lt-Cpefat/Cpefat mutant mice shows similar results; Pro202-CPE produced in these cells was not secreted but rather was degraded within 5 h. Immunofluorescence analysis of epitope-tagged CPE revealed Ser202CPE to be present primarily in secretory vesicles, whereas Pro202CPE was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and not the secretory vesicle-like structures. These results support the previous finding that Cpefat/Cpefat mice are defective in CPE activity because of the point mutation producing the Ser202 to Pro substitution. Furthermore, these results are consistent with a model that Ser202 is important for the intracellular folding of CPE.

The C-terminal region of carboxypeptidase E involved in membrane binding is distinct from the region involved with intracellular routing

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is involved in the biosynthesis of numerous peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. Previously, the C-terminal region of CPE has been shown to participate in the binding of the protein to membranes and to also contribute to the sorting of CPE into the regulated pathway. In this study, the role of the C-terminal region of CPE was further examined using several approaches. A series of CPE mutants with C-terminal deletions was expressed in the baculovirus system; constructs with a deletion of 14 or 23 residues were expressed at levels comparable to wild-type CPE. In contrast, deletion of 33 or more residues eliminated CPE activity, and the resulting protein was not secreted from the cells. Even though CPE mutants with a deletion of 14 or 23 residues were expressed normally, the resulting protein was mainly soluble, whereas approximately 55% of wild-type CPE was membrane associated. When expressed in AtT-20 cells, CPE with a deletion of 43 C-terminal amino acids was not secreted, whereas CPE with a deletion of 23 residues was secreted via the regulated pathway. Pulse-chase analysis revealed the protein with a deletion of 43 residues to be degraded in a non-acidic intracellular compartment. To investigate whether the C-terminal region of CPE can confer membrane binding and regulated pathway sorting to another protein, portions of the CPE C-terminal region were attached to the C terminus of albumin and the fusion proteins expressed in AtT-20 cells. Of the constructs examined, only the protein containing 51 amino acids of CPE was sorted to the regulated pathway, although with reduced efficiency compared to endogenous CPE. Although the C-terminal 14 amino acids of CPE are sufficient to target albumin to membranes, this fusion protein is not sorted into the regulated pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that the C-terminal 14 amino acids of CPE are important for membrane binding and that membrane binding and sorting require distinct signals.

Proinsulin cleaved by furin is processed to chromatographically mature insulin by carboxypeptidases in nonneuroendocrine cells

Proinsulin is converted to mature insulin by two reactions, cleavage by the prohormone convertases PC2 and PC3, and removal of basic residues by carboxypeptidase H. These reactions are performed in the secretory granules of pancreatic beta cells. When we replaced the processing sites of proinsulin with furin-cleavable sites, the three nonneuroendocrine cell lines Hep G2, CHO, and NIH/3T3 produced insulin with the same size as synthetic human insulin. Although the three cell lines expressed different quantities of carboxypeptidase H mRNA, the cytosol fractions of the cells exhibited similar levels of carboxypeptidase activity, suggesting that additional carboxypeptidases were active. The insulins resulting from the three cell lines were eluted as a single peak on a cation-exchange chromatography column, indicating that proinsulin can be maturated to insulin even in nonneuroendocrine cells.

Molecular cloning and expression of rat brain endopeptidase 3.4.24.16

We have isolated by immunological screening of a lambda ZAPII cDNA library constructed from rat brain mRNAs a cDNA clone encoding endopeptidase 3.4.24.16. The longest open reading frame encodes a 704-amino acid protein with a theoretical molecular mass of 80,202 daltons and bears the consensus sequence of the zinc metalloprotease family. The sequence exhibits a 60.2% homology with those of another zinc metallopeptidase, endopeptidase 3.4.24.15. Northern blot analysis reveals two mRNA species of about 3 and 5 kilobases in rat brain, ileum, kidney, and testis. We have transiently transfected COS-7 cells with pcDNA3 containing the cloned cDNA and established the overexpression of a 70-75-kDa immunoreactive protein. This protein hydrolyzes QFS, a quenched fluorimetric substrate of endopeptidase 3.4.24.16, and cleaves neurotensin at a single peptide bond, leading to the formation of neurotensin (1-10) and neurotensin (11-13). QFS and neurotensin hydrolysis are potently inhibited by the selective endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 dipeptide blocker Pro-Ile and by dithiothreitol, while the enzymatic activity remains unaffected by phosphoramidon and captopril, the specific inhibitors of endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 and angiotensin-converting enzyme, respectively. Altogether, these physicochemical, biochemical, and immunological properties unambiguously identify endopeptidase 3.4.24.16 as the protein encoded by the isolated cDNA clone.

Interaction between duck hepatitis B virus and a 170-kilodalton cellular protein is mediated through a neutralizing epitope of the pre-S region and occurs during viral infection

Identification of cell surface viral binding proteins is important for understanding viral attachment and internalization. We have fused the pre-S domain of the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) large envelope protein to glutathione S-transferase and demonstrated a 170-kDa binding protein (p170) in [35S]methionine-labeled duck hepatocyte lysates. This glycoprotein was found abundantly in all extrahepatic tissues infectible with DHBV and in some noninfectible tissues, though it is not secreted into the blood. The interaction of pre-S fusion protein with p170 was competitively inhibited by wild-type DHBV in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, infection of hepatocytes with DHBV blocked the binding of pre-S fusion protein to p170, which suggests a biological role for p170 during natural infection. The p170 binding site was mapped to a conserved sequence of 16 amino acid residues (positions 87 to 102) by using 24 pre-S deletion mutants; this binding domain coincides with a major virus-neutralizing antibody epitope. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis revealed that an arginine residue at position 97 is critical for p170 binding. p170 was purified by a combination of ion-exchange and affinity chromatographies, and four peptide sequences were obtained. Two peptides showed significant similarities to human and animal carboxypeptides H, M, and N. Taken together, these results raise the possibility that the p170 binding protein is important during the replication cycle of DHBV.

Purification and characterization of carboxypeptidase D, a novel carboxypeptidase E-like enzyme, from bovine pituitary

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is involved in the biosynthesis of most neuropeptides and peptide hormones. Until recently, CPE was the only intracellular carboxypeptidase thought to be involved in neuroendocrine peptide processing. However, the finding that fat/fat mice, which have a mutation within the CPE gene that inactivates the enzyme, are capable of a reduced amount of insulin processing suggests that another carboxypeptidase is present within the secretory pathway. We have detected a CPE-like enzyme, designated CPD, which has many properties in common with those of CPE. Like CPE, CPD is a metallocarboxypeptidase that has a pH optimum of 5.5-6. The Km and Kcat values for a series of short peptide substrates show only minor differences between CPD and CPE. Several active site-directed inhibitors also show generally similar potency toward the two enzymes, although guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid is approximately 10-fold more potent, and hippuryl-Arg is approximately 100-fold more potent as an inhibitor of CPD than of CPE. A major difference between the two enzymes is the molecular masses; CPE is 50,000-56,000, whereas CPD is approximately 180,000. Also, CPD does not elute from a substrate affinity column when the pH is raised to 8, which elutes CPE, although CPD can subsequently be eluted by arginine. Both CPE and CPD are present in purified bovine anterior pituitary secretory vesicles, but the tissue distribution of CPD is more uniform than that of CPE. Antisera to the N- and C-terminal regions of CPE do not recognize CPD. The partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of bovine CPD shows 30-40% homology with an N-terminal region of bovine and rat CPE and 70% homology with a duck protein known as gp180, a hepatitis B virus particle binding protein that shows 47% homology to CPE. Taken together, these results suggest that CPD is a novel secretory pathway enzyme that may be the bovine homologue of gp180.

Hyperproinsulinaemia in obese fat/fat mice associated with a carboxypeptidase E mutation which reduces enzyme activity

Mice homozygous for the fat mutation develop obesity and hyperglycaemia that can be suppressed by treatment with exogenous insulin. The fat mutation maps to mouse chromosome 8, very close to the gene for carboxypeptidase E (Cpe), which encodes an enzyme (CPE) that processes prohormone intermediates such as proinsulin. We now demonstrate a defect in proinsulin processing associated with the virtual absence of CPE activity in extracts of fat/fat pancreatic islets and pituitaries. A single Ser202Pro mutation distinguishes the mutant Cpe allele, and abolishes enzymatic activity in vitro. Thus, the fat mutation represents the first demonstration of an obesity-diabetes syndrome elicited by a genetic defect in a prohormone processing pathway.

Maintained PC1 and PC2 expression in the AtT-20 variant cell line 6T3 lacking regulated secretion and POMC: restored POMC expression and regulated secretion after cAMP treatment

Two variant cell lines were recently established from parent AtT-20 cells. Whereas HYA.15.10.T.2 have a reduced level of secretory granules, HYA.15.6.T.3 are completely devoid of both the regulated pathway of secretion and of dense-core secretory granules. AtT-20 cells normally express the processing enzymes PC1, PC2, furin, carboxypeptidase E, and peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase, as well as proopiomelanocortin, chromogranin B, and 7B2. We measured the expression of these mRNAs in both variant cell lines. Although some differences in mRNA level were noted, HYA.15.10.T.2 and HYA.15.6.T.3 cell lines maintained their expression of the processing enzymes and of 7B2. Furthermore, PC1 and PC2 were shown to be functionally active in the HYA.15.6.T.3 cells. In contrast, proopiomelanocortin and chromogranin B mRNA levels were no longer detectable in HYA.15.6.T.3 cells. Interestingly, stimulation of the HYA.15.6.T.3 cells with cAMP restored proopiomelanocortin mRNA, beta-endorphin immunoreactivity, and dense-core granules. Furthermore, at the ultrastructural level, beta-lipotropin immunoreactivity was detected in granules of cAMP-induced HYA.15.6.T.3 cells. Finally, depolarization of cAMP-induced HYA.15.6.T.3 cells with 56 mM potassium chloride resulted in a marked increase in the release of beta-endorphin immunoreactivity. These observations demonstrate that cAMP restores the regulated pathway of secretion in HYA.15.6.T.3 cells, which under untreated conditions do not demonstrate regulated release. These variant cell lines are unique models to understand better the relationship of the regulated pathway and the expression of the processing enzymes.

Processing specificity and biosynthesis of the Drosophila melanogaster convertases dfurin1, dfurin1-CRR, dfurin1-X, and dfurin2

Pro-protein and pro-hormone convertases are subtilisin/kexin-like enzymes implicated in the activation of numerous precursors by cleavage at sites mostly composed of pairs of basic amino acids. Six members of this family of enzymes have been identified in mammals and named furin (also called PACE), PC1 (also called PC3), PC2, PACE4, PC4, and PC5 (also called PC6). Multiple transcripts are produced for all the mammalian convertases, but only in the cases of PC4, PACE4, and PC5 does differential splicing result in the modification of the C-terminal sequence of these enzymes. A similar molecular diversity is also observed for the convertases of Hydra vulgaris, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila melanogaster. In the third species, two genes homologous to human furin called Dfur1 and Dfur2 have been identified. The Dfur1 gene undergoes differential splicing to generate three type I membrane-bound proteins called dfurin1, dfurin1-CRR, and dfurin1-X, which differ only in their C-terminal sequence. By using recombinant vaccinia viruses that express each of the dfurin proteins, we investigated the potential effect of the C-terminal domain on their catalytic specificities. For this purpose, these enzymes were coexpressed with the precursors pro-7B2, pro-opiomelanocortin, and pro-dynorphin in a number of cell lines, and the processed products obtained were characterized. Our studies demonstrate that these proteases display cleavage specificities similar to that of mammalian furin but not to that of PC2. In contrast, we noted significant differences in the biosynthetic fates of these convertases. All dfurins undergo rapid removal of their transmembrane domain within the endoplasmic reticulum, resulting in the release of several truncated soluble forms. However, in the media of cells containing secretory granules, such as GH4C1 and AtT-20, dfurin1-CRR and dfurin2 predominate over dfurin1, whereas dfurin1-X is never detected. While pro-segment removal occurs predominantly in the trans-Golgi network for all the dfurins, in the presence of brefeldin A, only dfurin1-CRR and dfurin2 can undergo partial zymogen cleavage. The conclusions drawn from the results of this study may well be applicable to the mammalian convertases PC4, PACE4, and PC5, which also display C-terminal sequence heterogeneity.

The mouse homeoprotein mLIM-3 is expressed early in cells derived from the neuroepithelium and persists in adult pituitary

LIM-homeodomain proteins are important in cell lineage specification and possibly mediate transcriptional processes in eukaryotes. During the screening of a mouse pituitary cDNA library, we isolated a partial cDNA coding for a novel gene product that exhibited a predicted amino-terminal sequence similar to the homeobox of LIM-homeodomain-containing proteins. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) performed on mouse pituitary mRNA using degenerate oligonucleotides based on the conserved LIM-domain sequences, allowed the extension of the 5' end of the sequence. The composite 2.2-kb cDNA structure predicts a 400-amino-acid-long novel mouse (m) protein, called mLIM-3. This name was chosen since within the 59-amino-acid homeodomain, it exhibits 97% sequence identity to a recently reported Xenopus homologue xLIM-3. The gene coding for mLIM-3 maps to the murine chromosome 2, most probably within the 2B band. Based on sequence characteristics, we suggest that LIM-3 belongs to a distinct subfamily of LIM-containing homeoproteins. Ontogeny studies using in situ hybridization demonstrated that mLIM-3 transcripts can be detected on embryonic day 11 (e11) in the primordium of the hypophysis. Following a maximum between e12 and e14, lower levels persisted into adulthood, where mLIM-3 was expressed primarily in the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. These results were confirmed by Northern blot analysis in adult mice which revealed a 2.4-kb pituitary mRNA transcript. mLIM-3 transcripts were also detected in pituitary cell lines such as the somatotrophs GH3 and GH4C1, the gonadotroph alpha T3-1, and the corticotroph AtT-20 cells, but not in 20 other cell lines derived from peripheral, endocrine, and neural tissues. Starting from e11, we also observed a transient expression of mLIM-3 in the ventral part of the spinal cord, pons, and medulla oblongata, reaching a maximum at e13 and from p7 onward, the expression of this transcript is no longer detectable. mLIM-3 is also expressed in the pineal gland with high levels observed at e20. These data suggest a potential role for mLIM-3 in the transcriptional regulation of certain genes during morphogenesis and/or maintenance of the differentiated state of the pituitary, motor neurons, and pineal gland.

Identification of carboxypeptidase H transcripts by antisense RNA

Carboxypeptidase H is a metallopeptidase involved in the processing of neuropeptide precursors and prohormones. In this study, northern analysis with antisense CPH RNA as probe detected the presence of three CPH mRNA transcripts of 2.2, 2.6, and 5.9 kb that are expressed in a tissue-specific manner in several species. Specifically, mouse brain and the mouse AtT-20 corticotroph cell line possess all three transcripts, but mouse pituitary and adrenal possess the 2.2 kb CPH mRNA as the main form. In bovine, the 5.9 kb CPH mRNA was detected in adrenal medulla, but not in pituitary; whereas, both of these bovine tissues possess the 2.2 kb form. Also, in rat brain, adrenal, heart, and pituitary, the 5.9 m,kb form was detected mainly in brain, and the 2.6 kb form was most abundant in pituitary; all rat tissues examined possessed the 2.2 kb form. Additional evidence for the existence of the largest CPH transcript was provided from a bovine adrenal medulla cDNA library by in vitro transcription of total library phage DNA, followed by analysis of resultant RNAs by Northern blot. It will be important in future studies to define the structural similarities and differences among these multiple CPH mRNA transcripts that are expressed in a tissue-specific manner.

Identification of cDNA clones expressed selectively during the critical period for visual cortex development by subtractive hybridization

We have used the method of subtractive hybridization to isolate cDNA clones of mRNAs expressed in abundance in the visual cortex of 30-day-old kittens but absent or in lower abundance in the adult cat visual cortex. Of 12,000 colonies screened, 200 clones which hybridized to the subtracted probe were isolated and characterized. Northern blots confirmed the specificity of the vast majority of the isolated clones. 120 of the 200 clones were sequenced and the EMBL and GenBank (release 76) database were searched for known identities using FASTA and BLAST programs. Twenty-seven of these sequenced clones were identifiable. The identities showed that these sequences code for proteins involved in a variety of cellular processes. These include cell-cell interaction (TAPA-1, contactin, tachykinin receptor, phospholipase A2), cellular remodeling (C1q beta isoform, heat shock protein), neurofilament assembly (alpha tubulin and alpha internexin), neurotransmitter release (VAMP-2, amphiphysin, carboxypeptidase E, scg 10 and proton channel), energy metabolism (mitochondrial hinge protein, ADP/ATP transporter, cytochrome oxidase subunits), RNA processing (helix destabilizing protein, ribonucleoprotein) and protein synthesis (eIF-4A initiation factor, ribosomal protein S27). The results show that gene expression in the kitten visual cortex differs rather little from that of the adult visual cortex since over 98% of the sequences appear common. The relatively rare kitten-specific sequences are likely to form the basis for the critical period plasticity in this system.

Expression of the carboxypeptidase E gene: characterization of the initiator-binding proteins

Several of the genes for enzymes involved in peptide hormone processing, such as carboxypeptidase E (CPE), do not contain a TATA box. The region surrounding the major transcription initiation site of the CPE gene has sequence homology with the 'initiator' (Inr) elements of the TATA-less terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT) gene, and the adenovirus major late (AdML) and other promoters. To investigate the promoter region of the CPE gene, GH4C1 cells were transiently transfected with constructs containing the luciferase reporter gene attached to various portions of the rat CPE gene (-395 to +45). Positive regulator elements were detected in positions -84 to -12 and +30 to +47. However, the Inr-like element of the CPE gene (-12 to +20) produced detectable luciferase activity in the absence of upstream and downstream sequences. This region of the CPE gene was much more active when expressed in the normal (sense) orientation than when expressed in the antisense orientation. A mutation within the consensus sequence between CPE and other Inr elements was much less active than the wild-type sequence. Interestingly, deletion of the Inr and surrounding sequences produced a large increase in the transcription from upstream sites, suggesting that proteins which bind at, or near, the Inr sequence suppress transcription from other sites. To characterize GH4C1 nuclear proteins which bind to the CPE gene, Southwestern blotting, UV cross-linking, and gel shift analyses were performed. The Southwestern analysis showed that the CPE and AdML Inr sequences labeled several proteins of similar sizes which are distinct from the transcription factor USF; this factor has been previously reported to bind to the AdML Inr sequence. A CPE Inr-binding protein co-purifies with an AdML Inr-binding protein on a CPE Inr affinity column. Gel shift assays showed that with some binding conditions, the proteins that bind to the CPE sequence also bind to the TdT and AdML Inr elements. Taken together, these results indicate that the -12 to +20 region of the CPE gene has the properties of an Inr element which binds some, but not all, of the factors which bind to other Inr elements.

Purification and characterization of the Manduca sexta neuropeptide processing enzyme carboxypeptidase E

The neuropeptide processing enzyme carboxypeptidase E (CPE) (E.C.3.4.17.10) has been well studied in vertebrates but its presence in invertebrates has not yet been reported. CPE activity in insects is present in membrane-bound and soluble forms. The soluble CPE has been purified to homogeneity from the brain of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. It is a 57 kDa glycoprotein containing 9% sugars. It is activated 9.2 +/- 1.8 fold by CoCl2 and inhibited by chelating agents. Its sensitivity to guanidinoethyl-mercaptosuccinic acid, and its molecular mass, make this enzyme a good candidate to be the insect equivalent of the mammalian CPE. Furthermore, its lack of sensitivity towards p-(chloromercuri)benzenesulfonate puts it closer to the vertebrate carboxypeptidase M (CPM). We postulate that insects may possess a single protein fulfilling both CPE and CPM functions.

Molecular cloning of a Drosophila melanogaster gene coding for an homologue of human carboxypeptidase E

PCR primers derived from two functional domains of vertebrate carboxypeptidase E (CPE) were used to generate a probe for screening a size-selected Drosophila melanogaster genomic library. A sequence representing about 50% of the expected complete sequence was obtained by translation of the two open reading frames present on a 1.6 kb DNA genomic fragment. This partial sequence, homologous to human CPE, CPM, and CPN, contained the conserved arginine and zinc binding domains. Similarities to the human enzymes were found with stretches that were equally divergent from the three vertebrate carboxypeptidases. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of a 6.9 kb transcript for this gene in Drosophila embryos. I postulate that insects possess a single protein fulfilling CPE, CPM, and CPN functions.

Gene expression of the neuropeptide-processing enzyme carboxypeptidase E in rat photoreceptor cells

We characterized the spatial expression of mRNA for the enzyme carboxypeptidase E (CPE) in the Long-Evans rat retina. CPE is involved in the processing of neuroactive peptides to a mature form. A cDNA encoding the 3' terminus of CPE mRNA was cloned by polymerase chain reaction amplification of rat retina single-stranded cDNA. The sequence of this cDNA was identical to a rat genomic clone for CPE and nearly identical (130/132 nucleotides) to a cDNA for rat brain CPE. In addition, the cDNA hybridized to a single allele on Southern blots and to a 2.1-kb mRNA on northern blots of both rat brain and retina. These data support the conclusion of others that CPE is a single-copy gene in the rat. In cell fractionation experiments, the majority of CPE mRNA fractionated with rod opsin mRNA, suggesting that CPE is expressed predominantly in rod photoreceptors. The high abundance of CPE mRNA in photoreceptors was confirmed by in situ hybridization studies, although CPE was detected at lower levels in other retinal cell types as well. The presence of abundant levels of the mRNA of a neuropeptide-processing enzyme in photoreceptor cells suggests that photoreceptors may utilize neuropeptides for normal function.

Posttranslational processing of carboxypeptidase E, a neuropeptide-processing enzyme, in AtT-20 cells and bovine pituitary secretory granules

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) functions in the posttranslational processing of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. Like other peptide processing enzymes, CPE is present in secretory granules in soluble and membrane-associated forms that arise from posttranslational processing of a single precursor, "proCPE." To identify the intracellular site of proCPE processing, the biosynthesis and posttranslational processing were investigated in the mouse anterior pituitary-derived cell line, AtT-20. Following a 15-min pulse with [35S]Met, both soluble and membrane-bound forms of CPE were identified, indicating that the posttranslational processing event that generates these forms of CPE occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum or early Golgi apparatus. The relative proportion of soluble and membrane-bound forms of CPE changed when cells were chased for 2 h at 37 degrees C but was unaffected when cells were chased at either 20 or 15 degrees C, suggesting that further processing of membrane forms to the soluble form occurs in a post-Golgi compartment. Treatment of the cells with chloroquine did not alter the relative distribution of soluble and membrane forms, suggesting that an acidic compartment is not required for this processing event. Overexpression of CPE did not influence the distribution of soluble and membrane forms of CPE, indicating that the CPE-processing enzymes are not rate-limiting. To examine directly CPE-processing enzymes, bovine anterior pituitary secretory vesicles were isolated. An enzyme activity that releases the membrane-bound form of CPE was detected in the purified secretory vesicle membranes. This enzyme, which removes the C-terminal region of CPE, is partially inhibited by EDTA and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and is activated by CaCl2. Together, the data indicate that posttranslational processing of CPE occurs in secretory granules and that this activity may be mediated by a prohormone convertase-like enzyme.

Posttranslational processing of proenkephalins and chromogranins/secretogranins

Posttranslational processing of peptide-precursors is nowadays believed to play an important role in the functioning of neurons and endocrine cells. Both proenkephalins and chromogranins/secretogranins are considered as precursor molecules in these tissues, resulting in posttranslationally formed degradation products with potential biological activities. Among the proteins and peptides of neuronal and endocrine secretory granules, the enkephalins and enkephalin-containing peptides have been most extensively studied. The characterization of the post-translationally formed degradation products of the proenkephalins have enabled the understanding of their processing pathway. Chromogranins/secretogranins represent a group of acidic glycoproteins, contained within hormone storage granules. The biochemistry, biogenesis and molecular properties of these proteins have already been studied for 25 years. The chromogranins/secretogranins have a widespread distribution throughout the neuroendocrine system, the adrenal medullary chromaffin granules being the major source of these storage components. Recent data provide evidence for a precursor role for all members of the chromogranins/secretogranins family although also several other functions have been proposed. In this review, some of the methods applied to study proteolytic processing are described. In addition, the posttranslational processing of chromogranins/secretogranins and proenkephalins, especially the biochemical aspects, will be discussed and compared. Recent exciting developments on the generation and identification of potential physiologically active fragments will be covered.

Efficient amidation of C-peptide deleted NPY precursors by non-endocrine cells is affected by the presence of Lys-Arg at the C-terminus

Post-translational processing of peptide precursors producing amidated, biologically active peptides generally occurs in specially differentiated endocrine or neural cells. However, we have previously shown that a C-peptide-deleted precursor of neuropeptide Y (NPY1-39) in which the precursor terminates in the sequence Gly-Lys-Arg was partially amidated by the non-endocrine cell line, CHO. In the present study we show that two other non-endocrine cell lines, NIH 3T3 and BHK, also possess amidating activities and that the NPY1-39 precursor was completely converted to NPY1-36 amide by the NIH 3T3 cell line. The role of the two basic residues (Lys-Arg) in the C-terminus was studied by transfection of a construct encoding a NPY precursor terminating with glycine alone. Both the CHO and NIH 3T3 cell lines, transfected with this construct, secreted a significantly smaller fraction of NPY reactive material as amidated NPY compared to the fraction of amidated NPY secreted by the cells transfected with the NPY1-39 precursor. It is concluded that the capacity to perform C-terminal amidation appears to be a universal feature of eukaryotic cells and that the carboxypeptidase E-like enzyme influences the amidation process, beyond its known ability to remove the C-terminal basic residues.

Insect neuropeptides: discovery and application in insect management

New approaches to the development of insect control agents have been revealed through the molecular description of neuropeptides, their biogenesis, action, and degradation. Prerequisite to the exploitation of a neuropeptide as a lead to control agent development is a thorough understanding of the biochemistry of the neuropeptide and appreciation of its physiological impact. Reliable bioassays must be coupled with advanced biochemical and molecular genetic technologies to overcome limitations imposed by the typically low endogenous levels of individual neuropeptides. Purification, amino acid sequencing, and gene cloning provide the molecular tools necessary for studies on neuropeptide synthesis, processing, secretion, receptor binding, and inactivation. Each of these areas consists of a number of amino acid sequence-, and enzyme-dependent steps which may be considered as targets for the development of highly specific control agents. These agents will include antagonist and superagonists, peptidomimetics, recombinant peptides delivered through the baculovirus technology, receptor blockers, and enzyme inhibitors.

Carboxypeptidase M in brain and peripheral nerves

Carboxypeptidase M (CPM), a plasma membrane-bound enzyme, cleaves C-terminal basic amino acids with a neutral pH optimum. We studied its distribution in human, baboon, and dog brain and in dog peripheral nerves. Areas were dissected, homogenized, centrifuged, and assayed for activity with dansyl-Ala-Arg. The corpus callosum and the pyramidal and optic tract were especially rich in CPM, whereas basal ganglia and cortex had low activity. The identity of the basic carboxypeptidase activity with CPM was shown by similarities in subcellular localization, membrane attachment, substrate hydrolysis, inhibition by a specific basic carboxypeptidase inhibitor, and cross-reaction with anti-human CPM antiserum. This antiserum immunoprecipitated an average of 85% of the activity in human and baboon brain and approximately 66% in dog brain. CPM co-purified with myelin extracted from the brain. Consistent with results obtained in placenta and cultured kidney cells, CPM in the brain appears to be membrane-bound via a phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor. In the peripheral nerves, the specific activity in dog sciatic nerve and in vagus was high (98 and 149 nmol/h/mg of protein, respectively). In immunohistochemical studies, glia in the brain, which appear to be oligodendrocytes or astrocytes, and the outer aspects of myelin sheaths and Schwann cells in sciatic and vagus nerves were stained. We conclude that in some areas of the CNS and the PNS, CPM is closely associated with myelin and myelin-forming cells. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of mRNA coding for CPM in the brain, showing that the enzyme is indeed synthesized there.

Primary structure of carboxypeptidase T: delineation of functionally relevant features in Zn-carboxypeptidase family

The primary structure of carboxypeptidase T--a Zn-dependent extracellular enzyme of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris--was determined from the cloned cpT gene nucleotide sequence and compared to Zn-carboxypeptidases from various organisms. The compilation and analysis of multiple alignment accompanied by consideration of available tertiary structure data have shown that in the overall spatial structure and active site arrangement CpT is similar to other enzymes constituting the Zn-carboxypeptidase family. Nine of 16 amino acid residues found to be strictly invariant are presumably located close to the active site. The preservation of His69, Glu72, Asn144, Arg145, His196, Tyr248, and Glu270 identified previously as essential catalytic site participants implicates basically the same catalytic mechanism in the Zn-carboxypeptidase family. It is proposed that Pro205 and Asp256 should play an important role in proper S1'-pocket spatial arrangement. The comparative analysis of amino acid variations in S1'-pocket enabled us to reveal structural determinants of the Zn-carboxypeptidase primary specificity. The relatively reduced size of the pocket and negative charge of Asp253 are supposed to contribute correspondingly to A- and B-type substrate preferences of carboxypeptidase T endowed with dual primary specificity.

Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and translation of proenkephalin mRNA from rat heart

Proenkephalin mRNA is abundant in rat cardiac ventricles but surprisingly low levels of opioid peptides or precursor forms derived from proenkephalin are present in tissue extracts. Proenkephalin mRNA in rat heart was characterized at the molecular level with the use of cDNA sequencing, in vitro translation, and primer extension. Two positive proenkephalin cDNA clones were obtained by screening approx. 20,000 recombinant phages from a heart cDNA library. Sequence analysis of the cDNA clones indicated that the heart transcript was the same form as in rat brain, but differed from the germ cell-specific testis transcript that utilizes a different transcriptional start site. Heart proenkephalin cRNA translated efficiently, resulting in the synthesis of a 35 kDa protein that was immunoprecipitated by an antibody specific to the protein. The transcriptional initiation sites utilized in the heart were the same as in the brain, based on primer extension studies. These data suggest that the proenkephalin transcript found in abundance in rat heart is the same form as found in the brain, and differs from the testis-type transcript. We conclude that the scant level of proenkephalin-derived peptides in the heart is not due to an intrinsic inability of the proenkephalin transcript to translate.

Carboxypeptidase H in bovine pituitary gland: soluble forms are not processed at the C-terminus

Carboxypeptidase H (CP-H) has been characterized in anterior and posterior lobes of bovine pituitary with regard to subcellular distribution, enzymatic properties, nature of membrane association, number of forms and C-terminal processing. Anterior lobe contained both soluble and membrane forms of CP-H with similar enzymatic properties after extraction at pH 5.5. The soluble forms represented about 70% of the total activity. Two soluble and two membrane forms, of 53 and 56 kDa, were demonstrated by immunoblotting and after purification. The amount of the 56 kDa soluble form increased with the salt content of the extraction buffer. Endoglycosidase digestions showed that the difference in size was not due to differential N-linked glycosylation and also showed that CP-H oligosaccharides do not become resistant to endoglycosidase H. CP-H in posterior lobe was also composed from about 70% soluble and 30% membrane forms. Only 53 kDa CP-H was detected in soluble and membrane fractions of posterior lobe. All forms of CP-H from both lobes reacted with antiserum directed to the C-terminus. These results do not support previous observations that soluble and membrane forms of CP-H can be distinguished by size and C-terminal processing.

Regulation of carboxypeptidase E. Effect of pH, temperature and Co2+ on kinetic parameters of substrate hydrolysis

Carboxypeptidase E is a member of the carboxypeptidase A and B gene family, with many of the putative active-site and substrate-binding residues conserved between these enzymes. However, the pH optimum of carboxypeptidase E is substantially lower than that of carboxypeptidases A and B. To evaluate whether the difference in the pH optima of these carboxypeptidases reflects fundamental differences in the ionization behaviour of active-site residues, the influence of pH on carboxypeptidase E activity was examined. The V(max) for hydrolysis of dansyl-Phe-Ala-Arg is pH-independent between 5 and 7, but decreases at pH values below 5. The pKa for the group the protonation of which leads to the loss of activity is approximately 4.8, and the slope of the V(max.)/pH profile suggests that only a single ionizable group is involved. In contrast, Km and V(max.)/Km are dramatically influenced by pH over the range 5-7, with multiple ionizable groups detected in this pH range. The pKa of the group the protonation of which decreases the V(max.) of substrate hydrolysis is lower (4.5) for carboxypeptidase E which had been reconstituted with Co2+. The enthalpy of ionization of the group observed in the V(max.) profile for carboxypeptidase E is approx. 28.9 kJ/mol. These results are compatible with the active-site model of the homologous carboxypeptidase A: in this model the ionization of a metal-bound water molecule is responsible for the observed decrease in V(max.).

Secretion of carboxypeptidase E from cultured astrocytes and from AtT-20 cells, a neuroendocrine cell line: implications for neuropeptide biosynthesis

Cultured astrocytes have recently been shown to produce certain neuropeptides, as well as neuropeptide processing enzymes. To characterize the secretory pathway in cultured astrocytes, we used the neuropeptide processing enzyme carboxypeptidase E (CPE) as a marker for neuropeptide secretion. Cultured astrocytes and AtT-20 cells, a mouse pituitary-derived neuroendocrine cell line, were labeled with [35S]Met for 15 min and then chased with unlabeled Met. CPE was isolated from either medium or cell extracts using a substrate affinity column. The time course of secretion of radiolabeled CPE was significantly different for cultured astrocytes as compared with AtT-20 cells. CPE was rapidly secreted from the astrocytes after a 30-min lag time, presumably reflecting transport through the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, followed by constitutive secretion. The secretion of radiolabeled CPE was essentially complete by 2 h. In contrast, only a portion of the radiolabeled CPE was secreted from AtT-20 cells over a 2-3-h period, indicating that the majority of newly synthesized CPE is stored, presumably in secretory granules within the AtT-20 cells. The regulation of CPE secretion from astrocytes was also examined. CPE secretion is stimulated two- to threefold by prolonged treatment (3-48 h) with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) but not by treatment with other secretagogues that stimulate CPE secretion from AtT-20 cells (forskolin, isoproterenol, A23187, and vasoactive intestinal peptide) or short (less than 3 h) exposure to TPA. Taken together, these results indicate that the secretory pathway for CPE, and presumably neuropeptides, is substantially different in astrocytes than the secretory pathway for CPE in neuroendocrine cells.

Proprotein and prohormone convertases of the subtilisin family Recent developments and future perspectives

Limited proteolysis of precursors at specific pairs of basic residues and/or at single basic amino acids is a widespread mechanism by which the cell expresses a repertoire of biologically active proteins and peptides. The cloning and cellular expression of the yeast KEX2 gene product demonstrated that this enzyme belongs to the subtilisin family of serine proteinases, and that it exhibits exquisite selectivity for cleavage post pairs of basic residues in a number of yeast and mammalian precursors. The search for the homologous mammalian convertases led to the identification and molecular cloning of three new members of the family, furin, PCI, and PC2. Whereas furin is almost ubiquitous, PCI and PC2 localize mostly in endocrine and neuroendocrine tissues and cells. Coexpression of each gene product with proproteins demonstrated that each proteinase selectively cleaved these precursors at distinct pairs of LysArg and ArgArg residues. In human and mouse, the genes coding for furin, PCI, and PC2 reside on three different chromosomes. Overexpression of PO and PC2 in Sf9 cells in the baculovirus system demonstrated that these enzymes are not secreted and that they both retained their N-terminal prodomain.

Expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kex2p endoprotease in inset cells. Evidence for a carboxy-terminal autoprocessing event

The pheromone-processing Kex2p endoprotease of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been difficult to characterize due to its low level of expression in yeast cells. To overcome this problem, we have overexpressed Kex2p using the baculovirus/insect cell expression system. Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus, containing the complete KEX2 gene which encodes the Kex2p protease (814 amino acids), accumulate an 120-kDa functional form of the enzyme. The inhibition profile of the insect-cell-derived endoprotease is similar to that of the yeast enzyme. The recombinant infected insect cells also secrete into the medium about half of the total Kex2p activity produced. Deleting the carboxyl-terminal tail and the transmembrane domain of Kex2p (Kex2 delta p, 666 amino acids) does not measurably interfere with the enzyme characteristics and results in the secretion of up to 90% of the total enzyme activity. The truncated form, Kex2 delta p, of the endoprotease accumulates in the cell supernatant to 6.7 x 10(5) U/l. The molecular mass of the secreted forms for both the wild-type Kex2p and Kex2 delta p is the same (70 kDa) and is 50-kDa lower than the intracellular form. This result implicates a processing event which gives rise to shorter extracellular forms of both the wild-type Kex2p and Kex2 delta p and which trims their carboxy termini upsteam of amino acid 666. This processing event requires the integrity of the Ser385 of the Kex2p active site.

Comparative molecular modeling of the active subunit of human kininase I

The structure of the enzymatically active subunit of human plasma carboxypeptidase N was determined by computer aided model building by homology using the structural coordinates from carboxypeptidase A. The active site of carboxypeptidase N has been well conserved in comparison with carboxypeptidase A. Differences in substrate specificity can be explained by the comparison of energetically favorable binding sites for different atomic probe groups.

Processing and secretion of human carboxypeptidase E by C6 glioma cells

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) catalyses the removal of C-terminal basic amino acids and is implicated in the processing of peptides and hormones in secretory vesicles. The enzyme has been isolated in multiple forms from both soluble and membrane-bound compartments, and has been demonstrated to be co-secreted with peptides from pancreatic and adrenal cells. To address the question regarding the origin of the multiple forms of the enzyme, we have transfected a construct containing the cDNA for human CPE under the control of the murine-sarcoma-virus enhancer and metallothionein promoter into the C6 rat glioma cell line, which itself has extremely low levels of CPE expression. Within transfectants, multiple forms of the enzyme have been detected by Western blotting, and their sizes are comparable with that in pituitary. Fractionation of the intracellular forms of CPE with Triton X-114 at various pH values indicates that the membrane-bound, but not the soluble, form is amphipathic; this difference probably arises from post-translational modification of the enzyme. Interestingly, the secreted enzyme is found to have the amphipathic characteristics of the membrane-bound form. By modification of the cDNA sequence, enzyme lacking N-terminal and C-terminal domains have been expressed: deletion of the 'pro' region of CPE, leading to loss of the signal cleavage site, gives a more hydrophobic but active enzyme which is not efficiently secreted from the cell; deletion of a C-terminal region gives a secreted form of the enzyme which no longer exhibits amphipathic behaviour. Our data indicate that a single mRNA species can give rise to the multiple forms of CPE enzyme that have been identified and that the C6 cells are able to carry out the intracellular processing events to generate these forms.

Processing of TRH precursor peptides in rat brain and pituitary is zinc dependent

The enzymes responsible for the posttranslational processing of precursor proteins to form alpha-amidated peptide hormones require the availability of several cofactors, including zinc, copper and ascorbate ions. Major changes in the availability of these cofactors, as well as the rate of hormone precursor conversion to active hormone, occur during neonatal development, aging and caloric restriction. The effects of 6 weeks of a zinc-deficient (ZD1) diet, pair feeding (PF) and partial zinc deficiency (ZD6) compared to a control diet on the enzymatic cleavage and processing of prepro-TRH to form TRH have been studied in the hypothalamus, brain, and pituitary of young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that TRH was the major TRH-IR component of the hypothalamus, brain and pituitary. The effect of zinc deficiency on the TRH-Gly-IR HPLC profile of rat brain was to reduce selectively the are of the peaks for TRH-Gly and other low molecular weight pro-TRH peptide fragments with a C-terminal Gly compared to the corresponding TRH-Gly-IR peaks of the control group. We conclude that the processing of prepro-TRH to form TRH is zinc dependent via posttranslational processing enzymes such as carboxypeptidase H.

Primary structure and tissue distribution of anglerfish carboxypeptidase H

Most peptide hormones are synthesized as part of larger precursor proteins which must be processed after translation to generate bioactive peptides. This usually involves cleavage of the precursor by an endopeptidase at sites marked by basic amino acids, followed by removal of N- or C-terminal basic residues by the action of an aminopeptidase or carboxypeptidase. These processing events have been observed in a variety of species, from yeast to mammals. As part of an effort to characterize prohormone processing enzymes in the anglerfish, Lophius americanus, we have cloned and sequenced a cDNA for the fish prohormone processing carboxypeptidase H (CPH). Polyadenylated RNA from anglerfish (AF) islet organs was used to construct a cDNA library in phage lambda gt11. The library was screened with a probe derived from the cDNA for rat CPH. A 2400 base pair AF cDNA clone was isolated. This cDNA encodes a polypeptide which is similar in size and composition to mammalian CPH. The sequence data indicate that the AF CPH precursor is a 454 amino acid polypeptide. The derived amino acid sequence of the putative fish CPH is 81% homologous to the rat and bovine CPH enzymes. Significantly, all of the amino acid residues thought to be important for metal ion and substrate binding, glycosylation, and catalytic activity of mammalian CPH are conserved in the fish enzyme. Northern hybridization using RNA from AF tissues indicates that a 2.5 kb fish CPH mRNA is expressed in brain, pituitary and islet organs, but not in other tissues which do not secrete peptide hormones.

Characterization of PC2, a mammalian Kex2 homologue, following expression of the cDNA in microinjected Xenopus oocytes

A human insulinoma cDNA (PC2) that encodes a protein homologous to the Kex2/subtilisin-like proteinases has recently been described [1990, J. Biol. Chem. 265, 2997-3000]. In order to characterise the associated proteinase activity, mRNA encoding PC2 was synthesised in vitro and microinjected into Xenopus oocytes. The proteinase activity released into the media from oocytes microinjected with PC2 mRNA was assayed using small peptide fluorogenic substrates. Boc.Gln.Arg.Arg aminomethyl coumarin was hydrolysed in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, but substrate analogues bearing a single basic aminoacid were not. The substrate specificity, inhibitor profile, and pH optimum of 5.5 were compatible with an involvement of PC2 in prohormone processing in mammalian cells.

Peptide processing and targeting in the neuronal secretory pathway

The abdominal ganglion of the marine mollusk Aplysia contains a pair of identified neuronal clusters, the bag cells, which control egg laying by means of a number of unique regulatory mechanisms. Each neuron in the bag cell clusters synthesizes several peptides derived from a single prohormone and packages them into separate vesicles. These vesicles are then differentially localized in specific neuronal processes, thus segregating peptides destined for autocrine and hormonal release sites. Therefore in this system, protein trafficking through the secretory pathway organizes multiple peptide neurochemical messengers to efficiently regulate simple behaviors.

Study of frog (Rana esculenta) proopiomelanocortin processing in the intermediate pituitary. Identification of alpha-melanotropin, beta-melanotropin, Lys-gamma-melanotropin, and corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide

The proteolytic processing of frog (Rana esculenta) proopiomelanocortin in melanotropic cells of the intermediate pituitary gland has been examined through purification of the mature fragments by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and microsequencing of isolated peptides. alpha-Melanotropin, beta-melanotropin, Lys-gamma-melanotropin, corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide, and hinge peptide have been isolated and chemically characterized. The results show a high preservation in the processing sites of frog proopiomelanotropin when compared to bovine counterparts. They reveal also a great conservation of the processing enzyme equipment of melanotropic cells in tetrapods species. Identification of Lys-gamma-melanotropin suggests the occurrence of an endopeptidase able to cleave between two basic residues. On the other hand alpha-melanotropin does not appear to be N-acetylated, as previously found in the clawed-toad Xenopus laevis, and this feature might distinguish amphibian from mammalian proopiomelanocortin processing.

Stimulation of rat adrenal medulla can induce differential changes in the peptide and mRNA levels of chromogranins, neuropeptides and other constituents of chromaffin granules

The levels of various components of chromaffin granules were determined in rat adrenals after treatment with several stimulants. After reserpine the levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and chromogranin B but not those of chromogranin A and secretogranin II were elevated. On the other hand, the mRNA of chromogranins A, B and secretogranin II were significantly increased. Treatment with oxotremorine or nicotine (multiple injections for 2 or 3 days) induced analogous changes for peptide and mRNA levels, however, the increases were smaller and for the mRNA less consistent. A single injection of oxotremorine or nicotine raised only the levels of CGRP and NPY and of the NPY mRNA whereas those of the chromogranins and their respective mRNAs remained unaltered. Amongst the membrane proteins only the levels of dopamine beta-hydroxylase are increased after prolonged stimulation, whereas those of cytochrome b-561, carboxypeptidase H and synaptin/synaptophysin (SYN) remain unaltered. Thus, the biosynthesis of chromaffin granules can be regulated in quite sophisticated patterns.

Characterization of the C-terminal flanking peptide of human beta-preprotachykinin

The nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding the common biosynthetic precursor of substance P, neurokinin A and neuropeptide K (beta-preprotachykinin) predicts that, in the human, the precursor contains a C-terminal flanking peptide of 19 amino acid residues [beta-preprotachykinin(111-129)-peptide]. Using an antiserum raised against synthetic human beta-preprotachykinin(117-126)-peptide in radioimmunoassay, we have demonstrated that an extract of a human neuroendocrine tumor of the adrenal medulla contained approximately equimolar concentrations of C-terminal preprotachykinin immunoreactivity (C-PPT-IR), substance P and neurokinin A. The C-terminal preprotachykinin flanking peptide was purified to homogeneity and its primary structure was determined. The amino acid sequence of the peptide, Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Val-Ala-Tyr-Glu-Arg-Ser-Ala-Met-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Glu, indicates identity with beta-preprotachykinin(111-126)-peptide. The data suggest that the C-terminal flanking peptide, like the tachykinins, is packed into secretory storage vesicles but the Arg127-Arg128-Arg129 residues in human beta-preprotachykinin are removed from the peptide by the action of endogenous processing enzyme(s).

Identification and characterization of glycoproteins after extraction of bovine chromaffin-granule membranes with lithium di-iodosalicylate. Purification of glycoprotein II from the soluble fraction

Chromaffin-granule membranes were separated into insoluble and soluble fractions after extraction with lithium di-iodosalicylate (LDIS). These fractions were characterized by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and glycoproteins were detected after electroblotting with peroxidase-labelled concanavalin A and wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA). The LDIS-insoluble fraction contained components identified as glycoproteins III, H, J and K (carboxypeptidase H). Microsequence analysis indicated that component J is an N-terminally extended form of glycoprotein K. A major glycoprotein, GpII (Mr 80,000-100,000), present in the LDIS-soluble fraction was purified by affinity chromatography on WGA-Sepharose. This was characterized by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with Coomassie Blue staining, by amino acid analysis and automated N-terminal sequence analysis. Extraction of chromaffin-granule membranes with LDIS is a simple and rapid procedure that facilitates studies concerned with the structure and function of membrane glycoproteins from these and other secretory granules.