Calreticulin, and not calsequestrin, is the major calcium binding protein of smooth muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum and liver endoplasmic reticulum

A sialic acid-binding lectin from ovine placenta: purification, specificity and interaction with actin

A sialic-acid-specific lectin from ovine placental cotyledons was purified by affinity chromatography on bovine submaxillary mucin-agarose followed by gel filtration, and it showed a molecular weight of 65000 by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This lectin has the capacity to interact with actin, since it binds to actin-F in a cosedimentation assay and it acts as a mediator in the binding of actin to the affinity column. The lectin agglutinated rabbit and rat erythrocytes, but not human A, B or O erythrocytes. Haemagglutination inhibition assays of different saccharides, glycoproteins and glycolipids indicate that this lectin has affinity for sialic acid, which is enhanced by its O-acetylation. The N-terminal sequence of the protein shows 92% identity with rabbit and porcine uterine calreticulin.

Localisation of the C1q binding site within C1q receptor/calreticulin

C1q receptor (C1qR/collectin receptor) is located on many cell types. Binding of C1q to these cells elicits numerous responses. Protein sequencing has shown that C1qR is almost identical to calreticulin (CaR), an abundant multifunctional protein. Radioiodinated C1qR and CaR bind to C1q with identical characteristics. Three recombinant C1qR/CaR domains (N-, C-terminal domains and central P-domain) were expressed using the Thiofusion system, and used to study the interaction with C1q. Both the N- and P-domains were implicated in C1q binding. A region, termed the S-domain, spanning the N and P intersection was expressed, and showed concentration-dependent binding to C1q, demonstrating that the C1q binding site lies within this region.

Endoplasmic reticulum form of calreticulin modulates glucocorticoid-sensitive gene expression

Calreticulin is a ubiquitously expressed Ca2+-binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which inhibits DNA binding in vitro and transcriptional activation in vivo by steroid hormone receptors. Transient transfection assays were carried out to investigate the effects of different intracellular targeting of calreticulin on transactivation mediated by glucocorticoid receptor. BSC40 cells were transfected with either calreticulin expression vector (ER form of calreticulin) or calreticulin expression vector encoding calreticulin minus leader peptide, resulting in cytoplasmic localization of the recombinant protein. Transfection of BSC40 cells with calreticulin expression vector encoding the ER form of the protein led to 40-50% inhibition of the dexamethasone-sensitive stimulation of luciferase expression. However, in a similar experiment, but using the calreticulin expression vector encoding cytoplasmic calreticulin, dexamethasone-stimulated activation of the luciferase reporter gene was inhibited by only 10%. We conclude that the ER, but not cytosolic, form of calreticulin is responsible for inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene expression. These effects are specific to calreticulin, since overexpression of the ER lumenal proteins (BiP, ERp72, or calsequestrin) has no effect on glucocorticoid-sensitive gene expression. The N domain of calreticulin binds to the DNA binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor in vitro; however, we show that the N+P domain of calreticulin, when synthesized without the ER signal sequence, does not inhibit glucocorticoid receptor function in vivo. Furthermore, expression of the N domain of calreticulin and the DNA binding domain of glucocorticoid receptor as fusion proteins with GAL4 in the yeast two-hybrid system revealed that calreticulin does not interact with glucocorticoid receptor under these conditions. We conclude that calreticulin and glucocorticoid receptor may not interact in vivo and that the calreticulin-dependent modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor function may therefore be due to a calreticulin-dependent signaling from the ER.

Calreticulin expression in spinal motoneurons of the rat

We have examined the expression of calreticulin in rat spinal motoneurons in order to reveal the occurrence and distribution of Ca2(+)-storage organelles in these neurons. Calreticulin, the non-muscle equivalent of calsequestrin, is the low-affinity, high-capacity calcium-binding protein responsible for intracompartmental Ca2(+)-storage in a number of different cell types. The results of the present immunohistochemical study show that all spinal motoneurons express calreticulin at approximately the same level; no significant differences in cytoplasmic immunostaining intensity were observed between different motoneuron pools or between small and large spinal motoneurons. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the intracellular localization of calreticulin within spinal motoneurons was confined to the endoplasmic reticulum and to spherical or pleiomorphic, frequently 'coated' vesicles with a diameter ranging between 120 and 150 nm. Some of these vesicles may represent the so-called calciosomes, the intracellular Ca2(+)-storage vesicles described in liver cells and in cerebellar Purkinje cells. The molecular components responsible for the uptake and release of Ca2+ from the Ca2(+)-storage organelles in spinal motoneurons still remain to be identified.

Inhibition of retinoic acid receptor function and retinoic acid-regulated gene expression in mouse melanoma cells by calreticulin. A potential pathway for cyclic AMP regulation of retinoid action

Calcium is a second messenger that controls a wide variety of cellular functions. Because of its multiple actions, there is a stringent requirement for calcium homeostasis, and this is achieved in part by a system of transport and storage proteins such as calreticulin located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Calreticulin is also found in the nucleus, suggesting that it may have a role in transcriptional regulation. It has been reported that calreticulin can inhibit steroid-regulated gene transcription by preventing receptor binding to DNA. Here we report that overexpression of the calreticulin gene in B16 mouse melanoma cells resulted in a decrease in retinoic acid (RA)-stimulated reporter gene expression. Gel shift analysis showed that purified calreticulin inhibited the binding of endogenous RAR to a beta-RA response element oligonucleotide, only if added prior to the addition of the oligonucleotide. Co-immunoprecipitation studies suggest a physical interaction between RAR and calreticulin. Transfection of the calreticulin gene into B16 cells inhibited the RA induction of protein kinase Calpha, a marker of RA-induced differentiation. We also found that cyclic AMP increased the expression of calreticulin. Cyclic AMP may act to antagonize RA action by both decreasing RAR expression (Y. Xiao, D. Desai, T. Quick, and R. M. Niles, J. Cell Physiol., in press) and stimulating calreticulin levels.

What is the concentration of calcium ions in the endoplasmic reticulum?

Consideration of the data from a number of sources indicates that the concentration of Ca2+ in the endoplasmic reticulum is very high and perhaps in the mM range. A number of implications flow from this-an important one being that the magnitude of Ca2+ gradients across the endoplasmic and plasma membranes are very similar.

Overexpression of calreticulin increases intracellular Ca2+ storage and decreases store-operated Ca2+ influx

The widely distributed and highly conserved Ca(2+)-binding protein calreticulin has been suggested to play a role as a Ca2+ storage protein of intracellular Ca+ stores. To test this hypothesis, we have generated a mouse L fibroblast cell line stably transfected with a calreticulin expression vector. The calreticulin content of the overexpressers was increased by 1.6 +/- 0.2-fold compared with mock-transfected cells. The total cellular Ca2+ content of calreticulin-overexpressing and control cells, as assessed by equilibrium 45Ca+2 uptake, was 141 +/- 8 and 67 +/- 6 pmol of Ca2+/10(6) cells, respectively (i.e. a 2.1 +/- 0.2-fold increase in the Ca2+ content of calreticulin-overexpressing cells). Over 80% of the increased Ca2+ content was found within thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores. The pattern of calreticulin distribution, revealed by immunofluorescence microscopy, showed an endoplasmic reticulum-like pattern and was identical in overexpressers and control cells. In overexpressers, cytosolic free [Ca2+] elevations due to Ca2+ release were enhanced when either ATP or a combination of ionomycin and thapsigargin was used as a stimulus. In contrast, thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ and Mn2+ influxes from the extracellular space were markedly diminished in calreticulin-overexpressing cells, suggesting an active involvement of calreticulin in the regulation of store-operated Ca2+ influx.

Calcium pools, calcium entry, and cell growth

The Ca2+ pump and Ca2+ release functions of intracellular Ca2+ pools have been well characterized. However, the nature and identity of Ca2+ pools as well as the physiological implications of Ca2+ levels within them, have remained elusive. Ca2+ pools appear to be contained within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER); however, ER is a heterogeneous and widely distributed organelle, with numerous other functions than Ca2+ regulation. Studies described here center on trying to determine more about subcellular distribution of Ca2+ pools, the levels of Ca2+ within Ca2+ pools, and how these intraluminal Ca2+ levels may be physiologically related to ER function. Experiments utilizing in situ high resolution subcellular morphological analysis of ER loaded with ratiometric fluorescent Ca2+ dyes, indicate a wide distribution of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-sensitive Ca2+ pools within cells, and large changes in the levels of Ca2+ within pools following Insp3-mediated Ca2+ release. Such changes in Ca2+ may be of great significance to the translation, translocation, and folding of proteins in ER, in particular with respect to the function of the now numerously described luminal Ca(2+)-sensitive chaperonin proteins. Studies have also focussed on the physiological role of pool Ca2+ changes with respect to cell growth. Emptying of pools using Ca2+ pump blockers can result in cells entering a stable quiescent G(o)-like growth state. After treatment with the irreversible pump blocker, thapsigargin, cells remain in this state until they are stimulated with essential fatty acids whereupon new pump protein is synthesized, functional Ca2+ pools return, and cells re-enter the cell cycle. During the Ca2+ pool-depleted growth-arrested state, cells express a Ca2+ influx channel that is distinct from the store-operated Ca2+ influx channels activated after short-term depletion of Ca2+ pools. Overall, these studies indicate that significant changes in intraluminal ER Ca2+ do occur and that such changes appear linked to alteration of essential ER functions as well as to the cell cycle-state and the growth of cells.

Interaction of calreticulin with protein disulfide isomerase

We report here that calreticulin interacts with protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). The PDI-calreticulin complex can be dissociated by Zn(2+)-iminodiacetate-substituted Sepharose-agarose chromatography, suggesting that these interactions may be Zn2+-dependent. Direct interaction between calreticulin and PDI is also documented by calreticulin affinity chromatography. PDI was the only pancreatic microsomal protein retained on the calreticulum affinity column. Calreticulin and PDI were identified by their NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis, mobilities in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, binding of 45Ca2+, and their reactivity with specific antibodies. Using glutathione S-transferase-calreticulin fusion proteins, we show that PDI interacts strongly with the P-domain and only weakly with the N-domain of calreticulin. Expression of calreticulin domains and PDI as fusion proteins with GAL4 in the yeast two-hybrid system revealed that calreticulin interacted with PDI also under normal cellular conditions. Interaction with PDI required only the NH2-terminal region of the N-domain (amino acid residues 1-83) and the P-domain (amino acid residues 150-240) of calreticulin. Importantly, interaction between calreticulin and PDI led to the modulation of their activities. In the presence of PDI, calreticulin does not bind Ca2+ with high affinity. Calreticulin or the N-domain of calreticulin inhibited PDI ability to refold scrambled RNase A.

Calreticulin inhibits repetitive intracellular Ca2+ waves

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated calcium (Ca2+) signaling is subject to cytosolic and luminal regulatory mechanisms. In Xenopus oocytes, Ca(2+)-sensitive gating of the IP3 receptor (IP3R) produces repetitive waves of Ca2+ release. We examined the role of the luminal Ca(2+)-binding protein calreticulin (CRT) in IP3-mediated Ca2+ signaling by using Ca2+ wave activity as a sensitive Ca2+ release assay. Overexpression of CRT inhibited repetitive IP3-induced Ca2+ waves. Deletion mutagenesis demonstrated that CRT inhibition was mediated by the high affinity-low capacity Ca(2+)-binding domain, which contributes little to Ca2+ storage. This novel function of CRT in intracellular Ca2+ signaling may be regulated by Ca2+ occupancy of the high affinity binding site.

Identification of a 44 kDa protein localized within the endoplasmic reticulum of Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Immunoaffinity chromatography and gel electrophoresis were used to isolate a 44 kDa protein that was bound to a 72 kDa chaperone in Trypanosoma brucei brucei. A polyclonal antiserum to the 44 kDa protein was raised in rats and employed in conjunction with chromatography using DEAE-cellulose, Sephacryl S-300, and hydroxyapatite to purify the protein from membranes of bloodstream forms of the trypanosomes. Immunoblot analysis using this antiserum revealed a protein doublet of 44/45 kDa in T. b. brucei and a single protein band of 53 kDa in almost equivalent amounts throughout the life-cycle stages of T. congolense. Indirect immunofluorescence using affinity-purified antibodies specific for the 44 kDa protein showed labelling of the perinuclear area and reticular system extending throughout the parasites, suggesting that this protein was located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Localization of the 44 kDa molecule in the endoplasmic reticulum was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Protease protection experiments demonstrated that the epitopes bound by antibody were buried within the membrane or towards the lumenal face of the endoplasmic reticulum. Ruthenium Red overlay of nitrocellulose blots containing the 44/45 kDa doublet suggested that the molecules have the potential to bind calcium. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 44 kDa protein showed no sequence similarity to any proteins in the database.

Heat shock-sensitive expression of calreticulin. In vitro and in vivo up-regulation

Calreticulin (CRT) is an ubiquitous, highly conserved, Ca(2+)-binding protein of the sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum. The precise function(s) of CRT is unknown. However, based on sequence analyses and observations that it may bind to steroid receptors and integrins and store Ca2+ within the cell, it has been postulated to play a "housekeeping" role. To determine whether the level of expression of CRT is affected by stress, we examined the heat shock response of CRT from a variety of cultured cells, including vascular endothelial, lung epithelial, and lung fibroblasts. Following exposure of the cells to 42 degrees C, CRT mRNA transiently accumulated 2.5-4.2-fold at 1-6 h. Nuclear run-on studies and mRNA stability experiments confirmed that the predominant mechanism of augmentation was transcriptional. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays further indicated that the promoter region, containing a putative heat shock element between -172 and -158 of the human CRT gene, is heat shock-sensitive. Finally, we demonstrated the in vivo significance of these findings by exposing rats to hyperthermia. This resulted in accumulation of CRT mRNA and an augmentation of CRT protein in lung tissue. We hypothesize that this stress-induced up-regulation of CRT contributes to the mechanism(s) by which the vascular endothelium and lung tissue, and possibly other organ systems, maintain homeostasis when exposed to a variety of pathophysiological conditions.

Calreticulin, an antithrombotic agent which binds to vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors, stimulates endothelial nitric oxide production, and limits thrombosis in canine coronary arteries

Coagulation Factor IX/IXa has been shown to bind to cellular surfaces, and Factor IXa expresses its procoagulant activity by assembling into the intrinsic Factor X activating complex (Factors IXa/VIIIa/X), which also forms on membrane surfaces. This led us to identify cellular proteins which bind Factor IX/IXa; an approximately 55-kDa polypeptide was purified to homogeneity from bovine lung extracts based on its capacity to bind 125I-Factor IX in a dose-dependent and saturable manner. From protein sequence data of the amino terminus and internal peptides, the approximately 55-kDa polypeptide was identified as calreticulin, a previously identified intracellular calcium-binding protein. Recombinant calreticulin bound vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors, 125I-Factor IX, 125I-Factor X, and 125I-prothrombin (Kd values of approximately 2.7, 3.2, and 8.3 nM, respectively), via interaction with its C-domain, although it did not affect the coagulant properties of these proteins. 125I-Calreticulin also bound to endothelial cells in vitro (Kd approximately 7.4 nM), and mouse infusion studies showed an initial rapid phase of clearance in which calreticulin could be localized on the vascular endothelium. Exposure of endothelial cells to calreticulin led to dose-dependent, immediate, and sustained increase in the production of nitric oxide, as measured using a porphyrinic microsensor. In a canine electrically induced thrombosis model, intracoronary infusion of calreticulin (n = 7) prevented occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery in a dose-dependent manner compared with vehicle-treated controls (n = 5). These results indicate that calreticulin interacts with the endothelium to stimulate release of nitric oxide and inhibit clot formation.

Immunogold localization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and characterization of ultrastructural features of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in phasic and tonic smooth muscle

Although agonist stimulation leads to an increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and decreased calcium in peripherally and centrally located sarcoplasmic reticulum in smooth muscle, the distribution of InsP3 receptors is unknown. InsP3 receptor and the calcium binding protein, calsequestrin were localized by immunolabelling in a tonic and a phasic smooth muscle. InsP3 receptor labelling was predominantly localized at the cell periphery, where most of the sarcoplasmic reticulum is localized in vas deferens (phasic muscle). Elements of central sarcoplasmic reticulum, where present, were also labelled. Distribution of calsequestrin in vas deferens was similar to that of the InsP3 receptor. In aorta (tonic muscle) the InsP3 receptor labelling was proportional to sarcoplasmic reticulum distribution: predominantly central. No labelling of sections or immunoblots was observed with the anti-calsequestrin antibody in aorta. InsP3 and caffeine, but not cyclic ADP-ribose, released intracellular Ca2+ in permeabilized vas deferens and aorta. The ultrastructure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, investigated in stereo views of semi-thick and thin sections of osmium ferricyanide stained tissue, is shown to have several distinctive features, such as fenestrated sheets (single or in stacks), as well as numerous regions of continuity between central and peripheral sarcoplasmic reticulum, suggesting a single compartment within the smooth muscle cell. Regions of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were closely apposed to and often ensheathed mitochondria. We conclude that InsP3 receptors are present in both the central and the peripheral sarcoplasmic reticulum of tonic and phasic smooth muscle, consistent with electron probe analysis results showing calcium release from both regions.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calsequestrins: structural and functional properties

Calsequestrin is the major Ca(2+)-binding protein localized in the terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. Calsequestrin has been purified and cloned from both skeletal and cardiac muscle in mammalian, amphibian, and avian species. Two different calsequestrin gene products namely cardiac and fast have been identified. Fast and cardiac calsequestrin isoforms have a highly acidic amino acid composition. The amino acid composition of the cardiac form is very similar to the skeletal form except for the carboxyl terminal region of the protein which possess variable length of acidic residues and two phosphorylation sites. Circular dichroism and NMR studies have shown that calsequestrin increases its alpha-helical content and the intrinsic fluorescence upon binding of Ca2+. Calsequestrin binds Ca2+ with high-capacity and with moderate affinity and it functions as a Ca2+ storage protein in the lumen of the SR. Calsequestrin has been found to be associated with the Ca2+ release channel protein complex of the SR through protein-protein interactions. The human and rabbit fast calsequestrin genes have been cloned. The fast gene is skeletal muscle specific and transcribed at different rates in fast and slow skeletal muscle but not in cardiac muscle. We have recently cloned the rabbit cardiac calsequestrin gene. Heart expresses exclusively the cardiac calsequestrin gene. This gene is also expressed in slow skeletal muscle. No change in calsequestrin mRNA expression has been detected in animal models of cardiac hypertrophy and in failing human heart.

Characterization and localization of Schistosoma mansoni calreticulin Sm58

Recombinant Schistosoma mansoni calreticulin (SmCaR) was expressed in Escherichia coli, using the glutathione S-transferase fusion protein, and its Ca(2+)-binding capacity was determined. Results obtained by a 45Ca2+ overlay technique showed that Ca(2+)-binding site(s) were present in the recombinant CaR indicating that proper folding of the protein was obtained using this system. An antiserum raised against the recombinant SmCaR showed that the native protein (Sm58) was expressed in all stages of the life-cycle from cercariae to the adult worm and in the egg. However, SmCaR seems to be a developmentally regulated protein whose expression can be used to study the post-transformational differentiation of the schistosomulum. Localization of SmCaR demonstrated that the majority of SmCaR was expressed in the epithelia of the digestive duct and in the genital organs. These results suggest that SmCaR, by regulating the Ca2+ concentration, may play an important role during cell proliferation. Finally the presence of SmCaR in miracidia and in the genital organs suggests that the antibody response directed against this protein could interfere in egg production.

Cell attachment to extracellular matrix substrates is inhibited upon downregulation of expression of calreticulin, an intracellular integrin alpha-subunit-binding protein

We have demonstrated recently that calreticulin, an intracellular calcium-binding protein, can interact with the alpha-subunits of integrin receptors via the highly conserved KXGFFKR amino acid sequence present in the cytoplasmic domains of all integrin alpha-subunits (Rojiani et al. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 9859–9866). Here we demonstrate that calreticulin can be co-localized by immunofluorescence as well as co-purified with integrins, that recombinant calreticulin can also interact with integrins, and that the interaction occurs predominantly via the N-domain of calreticulin, to a much lesser extent with the C-domain, but not at all with the proline-rich P-domain. To demonstrate a physiological role for the interaction of calreticulin with integrins, calreticulin expression was downregulated by treating cells with antisense oligonucleotides designed to inhibit the initiation of translation of calreticulin. Antisense oligonucleotides, but not sense or non-sense oligonucleotides, inhibited attachment and spreading of cells cultured in the presence of fetal bovine serum, and also of cells plated on individual extracellular matrix substrates in the absence of serum. The antisense oligonucleotide inhibited cell proliferation of anchorage-dependent cells slightly, but there was no effect on cell viability. The effect on cell attachment was similar to that achieved by treating cells with an antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit translation of the integrin alpha 3 subunit, which resulted in the inhibition of cell attachment to alpha 3 beta 1-specific substrates. The effect of the antisense calreticulin oligonucleotide on cell attachment was demonstrated to be integrin-mediated since antisense calreticulin treatment of Jurkat cells abrogated the stimulation of collagen cell attachment achieved by attachment-stimulating signalling anti-alpha 2 (JBS2) and anti-beta 1 (21C8) antibodies. The oligonucleotides did not affect the rate of cell proliferation of these cells. These results demonstrate a fundamental role of calreticulin in cell-extracellular matrix interactions.

Modulation of gene expression by calreticulin binding to the glucocorticoid receptor

Calreticulin is a multifunctional protein that acts as a major Ca(2+)-binding (storage) protein in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. It is also found in the nucleus, suggesting that it may have a role in transcription regulation. Calreticulin has been reported to bind to the synthetic peptide KLGFFKR, which is almost identical to an amino-acid sequence in the DNA-binding domain of the superfamily of nuclear receptors. Could calreticulin interact with the DNA-binding domain of these receptors and affect their function? Here we report that the amino terminus of calreticulin interacts with the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor and prevents the receptor from binding to its specific glucocorticoid response element. Overexpression of calreticulin in mouse L fibroblasts inhibits glucocorticoid-response-mediated transcriptional activation of a glucocorticoid-sensitive reporter gene and of the endogenous, glucocorticoid-sensitive gene encoding cytochrome P450. Together these results indicate that calreticulin may be important in gene transcription, regulating the glucocorticoid receptor and perhaps other members of the super-family of nuclear receptors.

Crystallization of canine cardiac calsequestrin

Calsequestrin is the major Ca2+ binding protein in the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. Two X-ray quality crystal forms of canine cardiac calsequestrin were obtained by the hanging drop method using KCl as a precipitant. One form is monoclinic (space group P2(1), a = 73.4 A, b = 104.4 A, c = 60.2 A, beta = 120.4 degrees) with two molecules in the asymmetric unit and a solvent content of approximately 40%. The second form is trigonal (P3(1)21 or P3(2)21, a = b = 99.3 A, c = 89.8 A) with a single molecule in the asymmetric unit and 55% solvent content. Cross rotation function calculations show that despite the different space groups the packing of the molecules in both crystals is likely to be similar suggesting the existence of a stable dimer. The monoclinic crystals diffract beyond 3 A using a laboratory rotating anode source, while under the same conditions the trigonal crystals diffract only to approximately 4.5 A. This is the first report of successful preparation of X-ray quality crystals of a high capacity Ca2+ binding protein.

Identification of protein disulfide isomerase and calreticulin as autoimmune antigens in LEC strain of rats

Long Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, showing spontaneous hereditary hepatitis and hepatic carcinoma, were found to possess autoimmune antibodies to liver microsomal proteins, particularly to proteins with the molecular weight of 56kD and 55kD. The antibodies occurred in association with acute lethal hepatitis in the LEC rats in our previous study. Two-dimensional immunoblot analysis of the antigenic proteins revealed that the 56kDa and 55kDa proteins showed 4.2 and 4.0 pI values and were estimated to be protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and calreticulin, respectively, from NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. These proteins were further identified by immunoblot analyses using purified proteins and specific antibodies. PDI was a major autoimmune antigenic protein.

Coupling of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, Na+/K+ pump and sarcoplasmic reticulum in smooth muscle

The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, driven by a transmembrane Na+ gradient, plays a key role in regulating Ca2+ concentration in many cells. Although the exchanger influences Ca2+ concentration, its activity in smooth muscle appears to be closely coupled to Ca2+ availability from intracellular stores. This linkage might result if the exchanger were positioned close to Ca2+ storage sites within the sarcoplasmic reticulum. To test this hypothesis we have developed methods to assess the relative three-dimensional distribution of proteins involved in Na+/K+ pumping, Na+/Ca2+ exchange, Ca2+ storage within the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and attachment of contractile filaments to the membrane in smooth muscle. Here we report that the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is largely co-distributed with the Na+/K+ pump on unique regions of the plasma membrane in register with, and close to, calsequestrin-containing regions of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in sites distinct from the sites where contractile filaments attach to the membrane. This molecular organization suggests that the plasma membrane is divided into at least two functional domains, and appear to provide a mechanism for the strong linkage seen in smooth muscle between Na+/K+ pumping and Na+/Ca2+ exchange, and between Na+/Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Evidence for calcium-binding proteins and calcium-dependent regulatory proteins in sensory cells of the organ of Corti

Calcium is thought to play a major signaling role in outer hair cells to control metabolism, cytoskeletal integrity, cell shape and cell excitability. For this to happen, in resting cells the concentration of free calcium ions must be maintained at low levels so that focal increases can trigger specific events. In this paper, the localization of calcium, calcium-binding and calcium-dependent regulatory proteins in sensory cells from the guinea pig inner ear was demonstrated using immunocytochemical and histochemical techniques. We found the calcium buffer and/or calcium sensor proteins calmodulin, calbindin and calsequestrin predominantly in sensory cells and that when present, these proteins can be enriched in the outer hair cells. Calmodulin is found in the stereocilia, in the cuticular plate and in the cytoplasm and calbindin is found only in the cuticular plate and cytoplasm of both the inner and outer hair cells. The staining for these proteins in the outer hair cells is homogeneous, with no apparent compartmentalization along the lateral wall. Calsequestrin, thought to store and release calcium from membrane bound intracellular storage sites is found only in the cytoplasm of outer hair cells. There, it has a more punctuate staining pattern than does calmodulin or calbindin suggesting that it may be present in calciosomes rather than soluble in the cytoplasm. We did not detect caldesmon and S-100. Using the potassium pyroantimonate technique, we found precipitates containing calcium ions distributed throughout the cytoplasm of outer hair cells, with no evidence that the subsurface cisterns along the lateral wall act as calcium storage sites. Thus, calcium in resting cells is found in the cytoplasm along with calbindin and calmodulin and appears to have a punctate distribution consistent with a co-localization with calsequestrin. The implications of this distribution with respect to the slow shortening and elongation seen in outer hair cells are discussed.

Comparison of cDNAs from bovine brain coding for two isoforms of calreticulin

Calreticulin is a major calcium-binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum of non-muscle cells. In addition to a 1.9-kb calreticulin mRNA, some evidence has suggested the existence of another transcript of 3.75 kb, which is very similar to calreticulin. We report here the isolation and sequencing of cDNA clones from a bovine brain lambda gt11 cDNA library, two of which appear to code for calreticulin and a third for a novel isoform of calreticulin. The deduced amino-acid sequence of the novel clone shares high similarity with mouse calreticulin in the C-terminal 318 amino acids. However, its N-terminal sequence is completely divergent. Northern blot analysis of bovine cerebral cortex RNA indicates that the conserved region of the clone hybridizes to two messages of 1.9 kb and 3.75 kb. The divergent region of this clone hybridizes to the 3.75-kb message, but not to the 1.9-kb message. We believe that this novel clone corresponds to an alternate form of calreticulin which is identical to calreticulin toward the C-terminus, but completely different at the N-terminal region, and that this isoform is encoded by a much larger message.

Expression of Ca2+ binding proteins of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of striated muscle in the endoplasmic reticulum of pig smooth muscles

The Ca2+ binding proteins in the lumen of intracellular Ca2+ stores differ between muscle and non-muscle cells, indicating a specific role of these proteins in intracellular Ca2+ regulation. Since smooth muscle cells possess both muscle and non-muscle characteristics, we have studied the presence and the differential expression of the muscle-type Ca2+ binding proteins--calsequestrin, sarcalumenin, and the histidine-rich Ca2+ binding protein (HCP)--in several smooth muscle tissues from the pig. Western blot analysis showed that among the smooth muscles studied, the cardiac isoform of calsequestrin is expressed at the highest levels in the stomach. Calsequestrin was present at lower levels in ileum and trachea, whereas this protein was undetectable in aorta and main pulmonary artery. The total amount of calsequestrin in the stomach was estimated to be 20-30-times lower than in the pig heart. Whereas calsequestrin from pig presented the same apparent M(r) in sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gels as the well characterized protein from rabbit, the apparent M(r) of both sarcalumenin and HCP was lower in pig than in rabbit. The presence of HCP was demonstrated in pig stomach and ileum, while sarcalumenin was detected only in the stomach. These results demonstrate further biochemical differences between smooth muscle cells of large blood vessels and those of the digestive tract. The present findings on the differential distribution of muscle-type Ca2+ binding proteins are discussed in relation to biochemical and functional differences between these smooth muscle cells.

The modification and assembly of proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum

Proteins fold and assemble in the endoplasmic reticulum in an environment that is very different from the cytosol. The presence of relatively high concentrations of calcium, an oxidizing state, ATP and lumenal proteins are all important in mediating these events.

Genetic definition of a new bovine papillomavirus type 1 open reading frame, E5B, that encodes a hydrophobic protein involved in altering host-cell protein processing

We have previously observed that bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) induces the appearance of five cellular proteins in C127 mouse fibroblasts, four of which appear to arise by altered processing of resident endoplasmic reticulum proteins. Studies of various cell lines revealed that expression of the 3' end of the BPV early region was sufficient for induction of these changes. To identify the BPV gene responsible, we have utilized the simian virus 40 (SV40)/BPV-1 recombinant virus Pava-1, which expresses the 3' end of the BPV early region behind an SV40 early promoter. C127 cells infected with Pava-1 for 48 h show the expected BPV-associated alterations, as do cells infected with Pava constructs mutated in the E5 or E2 genes. However, a mutation in the start codon of a previously ignored open reading frame extending from nucleotides 4013 to 4170 (E5B) eliminated the BPV-associated changes. Similar results were obtained with COS cells infected with the Pava mutants and C127 cells transformed by full-length mutated BPV. Despite its influence on the processing of cellular endoplasmic reticulum proteins, this mutation in E5B did not alter BPV-transforming efficiency or the ability of transformants to form colonies in soft agar. The E5B open reading frame encodes a hydrophobic 52-amino-acid polypeptide that shares structural similarities with HPV6 E5A and HPV16 E5. Speculations on a role for E5B in the viral life cycle are discussed.

Molecular characterization of the Ro/SS-A autoantigens

Molecular techniques have recently revealed that there are several immunologically distinct Ro/SS-A antigens. Three genes encoding putative Ro/SS-A protein antigens with calculated masses of 46, 52, and 60 kD have been isolated. The encoded amino acid sequence of each is quite dissimilar. The 46-kD antigen is calreticulin (CR), a highly conserved calcium-binding protein that resides predominately in the endoplasmic reticulum where it may be involved in protein assembly. Although CR has recently been confirmed to be a new human rheumatic disease-associated autoantigen, its relationship to the other components of the Ro/SS-A ribonucleoprotein has become somewhat controversial owing predominately to the fact that recombinant forms of calreticulin have not displayed the same pattern of autoantibody reactivity possessed by the native form of this protein. The 52-kD antigen most likely resides in the nucleus and may be involved in the regulation of gene expression. The cellular location and function of the 60-kD antigen is uncertain but studies indicate that it is a RNA-binding protein. The 46- and 60-kD antigens share homology with foreign polypeptides, suggesting that an immune response initially directed against a foreign protein may give rise to the autoimmune response directed at cross-reacting self proteins.

Long-term sensitization training in Aplysia leads to an increase in calreticulin, a major presynaptic calcium-binding protein

Long-term memory for sensitization in Aplysia requires new protein and RNA synthesis. Here, we identify a late protein as calreticulin, the major Ca(2+)-binding protein of the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. An antiserum against Aplysia calreticulin reveals an enrichment of calreticulin immunoreactivity in presynaptic varicosities. Quantitative S1 nuclease analysis indicates that the steady-state level of calreticulin mRNA in Aplysia sensory neurons increases during the maintenance phase of long-term sensitization. The finding that this mRNA increases in expression late, some time after training, is consistent with the idea that long-term neuromodulatory changes underlying sensitization may depend on a cascade of gene expression in which the induction of early regulatory genes leads to the expression of late effector genes.

Expression and purification of recombinant and native calreticulin

Calreticulin is a 60-kDa Ca(2+)-binding protein of the endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum membranes of a variety of cellular systems. The protein binds approximately 25 mol of Ca2+ with low affinity and approximately 1 mol of Ca2+ with high affinity and is believed to be a site for Ca2+ binding/storage in the lumen of the endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum. In the present study, we describe purification procedures for the isolation of recombinant and native calreticulin. Recombinant calreticulin was expressed in Escherichia coli, using the glutathione S-transferase fusion protein system, and was purified to homogeneity on glutathione-Sepharose followed by Mono Q FPLC chromatography. A selective ammonium sulfate precipitation method was developed for the purification of native calreticulin. The protein was purified from ammonium sulfate precipitates by diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex and hydroxylapatite chromatography procedures, which eliminates the need to prepare membrane fractions. The purification procedures reported here for recombinant and native calreticulin yield homogeneous preparations of the proteins, as judged by the HPLC reverse-phase chromatography and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purified native and recombinant calreticulin were identified by their NH2-terminal amino acid sequences, by their Ca2+ binding properties, and by their reactivity with anticalreticulin antibodies.

Widespread tissue distribution of rabbit calreticulin, a non-muscle functional analogue of calsequestrin

Calreticulin was identified in a variety of rabbit tissues by Western blot analysis. Indirect immunofluorescence studies on cultured cells or frozen sections from the corresponding tissues revealed that the protein was distributed to the endoplasmic reticulum or sarcoplasmic reticulum. Calreticulin was found to be an abundant calcium-binding protein in non-muscle and smooth muscle cells and a constituent calcium-binding protein in cardiac and skeletal muscle. From the immunoblot data, calreticulin may exist as an isoform in rabbit neural retina. The present study establishes the ubiquity of calreticulin in intracellular calcium binding.