Topography of protein kinases and phosphoproteins in the plasma membrane of 3T3 cells

Cell surface phosphorylation by a novel ecto-protein kinase: a key regulator of cellular functions in spermatozoa

Since 1976 many studies have been reported on the occurrence and functional significance of ecto-protein kinases in a variety of cell types although their precise biochemical identity is largely unknown. This study reports for the first time purification to apparent homogeneity of an ecto-protein kinase (ecto-CIK) and some of its characteristics using caprine sperm as the cell model. The ecto-CIK is a unique membrane-specific serine/threonine protein kinase. It is a strongly basic 115 kDa protein made up of two subunits: 63 and 55 kDa. The ecto-kinase undergoes a remarkable lateral movement on the outer cell surface culminating in capping on the sperm acrosomal tip. MPS, its major protein substrate is also located on the acrosomal tip. Both ecto CIK and MPS serve as potential regulators of flagellar motility. This novel enzyme appears to be major kinase responsible for the reported regulation of mammalian cellular functions by modulating phosphorylation of the membrane-bound proteins.

Identification of goat sperm ecto-cyclic AMP independent protein kinase substrate localized on sperm outer surface

We have demonstrated the location of a cyclic AMP independent serine/threonine protein kinase (ecto-CIK) on the outer surface of mature goat spermatozoa. We purified and characterized the major physiological protein substrate (MPS) of ecto-CIK. 32P-labeled membrane proteins phosphorylated by endogenous ecto-CIK of intact cauda-epididymal spermatozoa was solubilized with 1% Triton X-100 and then fractionated by following several chromatographic techniques like Sephacryl S-300 molecular sieve chromatography, DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography and chromatofocussing. The MPS of ecto-CIK has been purified to apparent homogeneity and it was found to be a monomeric protein of 100 kDa. Three isoforms of MPS have been found with pI of 6.37, 6.05, and 5.14 and all these isoforms served as the specific substrate of ecto-CIK. The ecto-kinase has nearly 30 times greater affinity for MPS as compared to casein the most potent exogenous protein substrate. Addition of MPS (pI 5.14) antibody caused head-to-head sperm agglutination. The Fv/Fab fragment of anti-MPS caused significant inhibition of sperm motility. The data show that MPS is an ecto-protein localized on the sperm head. MPS may thus play an important role for the regulation of sperm-egg interaction.

Cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase on the external surface of LS-174T human colon carcinoma cells

The analysis of purified plasma membranes and the surface of intact cells revealed the presence of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-(cAMP) dependent protein kinase (PKA) on the external surface of LS-174T human colon carcinoma cells. Photoaffinity labeling of intact cells at confluence with 8-azido-[32P]cAMP identified the cAMP-binding proteins on the surface. Immunoprecipitation identified the photoaffinity-labeled cAMP-binding proteins as the RIIalpha regulatory subunit of PKA. During the logarithmic stage of growth, both the RIalpha and RIIalpha subunits of PKA were localized on the cell surface. Intact LS-174T cells catalyzed the phosphorylation of Kemptide in a cAMP-dependent manner; upon substitution of cAMP in the medium with 8-chloroadenosine, which did not compete with cAMP for the binding on intact cells, the ecto-PKA was no longer activated. The specific inhibitory protein for PKA, PKI, abolished the stimulation of phosphorylation by cAMP. Forskolin, which elevates intracellular levels of cAMP, activated ecto-PKA. Moreover, probenecid, which blocks the export of cAMP, inhibited the forskolin-mediated activation of ecto-PKA. These results demonstrate that LS-174T colon carcinoma cells possess an ecto-PKA on the external surface. This ecto-PKA is similar, if not identical, to the soluble intracellular PKA.

Specific expression of proteins and phosphoproteins in 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells at distinct growth arrest and differentiation states

Murine mesenchymal stem cells can be induced to arrest their growth at a series of growth and differentiation states in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These include the predifferentiation arrest state (GD) at which the integrated control of proliferation and differentiation is mediated, the growth factor/serum deficiency arrest state (GS), and the nutrient deficiency arrest state (GN). Cells at states of reversible nonterminal differentiation (GD') and irreversible terminal differentiation (TD) can also be isolated. In this paper we have employed 1- and 2-dimensional (D) gel electrophoresis to evaluate changes in specific proteins that occur during the various growth and differentiation states of 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells. The protein composition of membrane, microsome and cytosol preparations of cells arrested at GD, GS and GN states was determined by 2-D gel electrophoresis. More than 50 distinct polypeptides could be identified for each arrest state in gels analysed by a silver staining procedure or by autoradiography following [35S]-methionine labelling. A second series of studies established that a more limited number of differences could be identified if phosphoproteins were analysed by 1-D gel electrophoresis in cells at the GS, GD, GD' and TD states. These results established that one distinct 37 kD phosphoprotein is present in all growth arrested cells and that two distinct differentiation-associated phosphoproteins with molecular weights of 29 kD and 72 kD are present in cells at the GD' and TD states. Thus, the composition of proteins and phosphoproteins in mesenchymal stem cells serves to characterize different states of growth arrest and differentiation.2+he identification of differential

Biochemical parameters of initiation and regulation of sperm motility

Studies of in vitro models demonstrate that a forward motility protein (FMP) is required for the initiation of forward motility in the immature epididymal spermatozoa. FMP is a heat-stable glycoprotein derived from epididymal plasma. During the epididymal maturation of spermatozoa in vivo, there is a marked increase of intrasperm pH and level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Several studies suggest that exogenous FMP in concert with elevated intrasperm pH and level of cAMP initiates flagellar motility during the epididymal transit of sperm. cAMP activates sperm cytosolic cAMP-dependent protein kinases, which in turn phosphorylate multiple intrasperm phosphoproteins that may regulate flagellar motility. Exogenous calcium ion activates intact sperm motility, although it inhibits motility of demembranated cells on reactivation. Occurrence of cAMP-dependent type I and II protein kinases, a novel cAMP-independent protein kinase, and a phosphoprotein phosphatase has been demonstrated on the external surface of spermatozoa. The sperm surface has a coupled-enzyme system: ecto-cAMP-independent protein kinase and phosphoprotein phosphatase that regulate the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of endogenous sperm ectophosphoproteins. The specific activities of these ecto-enzymes increase markedly during forward progression, suggesting that they may have a role in regulating flagellar motility.

cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation of membrane proteins in the parotid gland, platelets and liver. Comparison of a 22-kDa phosphoprotein from rat parotid microsomes (protein III) with phosphoproteins of similar molecular size from platelet and liver membranes

Stimulation of secretion in exocrine secretory glands leads to the phosphorylation of a 22-kDa membrane protein (protein III) whose function is still unknown [Jahn et al. (1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 112, 345-352; Jahn & Söling (1980) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 78, 6903-6906]. This report describes the comparison of this protein with phosphorylated membrane proteins of similar molecular mass in platelets and liver. Incubation of platelets with agents which raise the intracellular cAMP concentration results in the phosphorylation of a 22-kDa protein which is also phosphorylated in membrane preparations by endogenous kinases or by exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase. It is shown that this protein is distinct from protein III although both proteins have the same molecular mass and are substrates of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In contrast to platelets, protein III could be demonstrated in liver microsomes. This indicates that the function of protein III is not exclusively linked to the stimulus-secretion coupling in exocrine cells.

Endothelial cell plasma membrane obtained by chemically induced vesiculation

A method using low concentrations of formaldehyde and dithiothreitol was applied to obtain 'right-side out' luminal plasmalemma-derived vesicles from bovine aortic endothelial cells (EC) in culture, and from human umbilical vein and bovine or porcine aortas perfused ex vivo with the vesiculation solution. Vesicle formation and shedding were examined by phase-contrast microscopy and by transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vesicles showed the characteristic trilaminar pattern of the unit membrane and did not contain cellular organelles. As detected in freeze-fracture preparations, vesicle membrane displayed intramembrane particles and filipin-detectable cholesterol. Like EC plasmalemma, vesicle surface was heavily stained by Ruthenium Red and bound under a normal pattern cationized ferritin and ferritin hydrazide. As indicated by lectin agglutination assays and by ultrastructural cytochemistry, vesicles maintained on their ectodomains glycoconjugates bearing monosaccharides such as N-acetyl-neuraminic acid, beta-N-acetylglucosamine and beta-D-galactose, and expressed 5'-nucleotidase activity. The electrophoretic profiles of externally disposed 125I-labelled polypeptides of vesicles were found to be similar to those of intact EC. Chemically-induced vesiculation appears as a suitable method to obtain EC plasmalemma for studying its composition and functions in various vascular beds.

Phorbol ester, retinoic acid and diacylglycerol decrease ecto- but increase total basal-protein kinase activity of human fibroblasts

Studies have been carried out on intact human lung fibroblasts (HLF) in situ to investigate the effect of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and the anti-tumor promoter retinoic acid (RA) on ecto-protein kinases. The ecto-kinase reaction of the HLF-cells was cAMP-independent, showed an apparent Km for ATP of 6.99 +/- 0.35 (microM) and was substantially inhibited by TPA and RA. With the notable exception of a approximately 57 kD phosphoprotein both compounds decreased the overall phosphorylation of intact cells. In contrast to RA-treatment, however, TPA caused the release of a high molecular weight (approximately 210 kD) phosphoprotein from the HLF. RA was the most potent retinoid in reducing ecto-kinase activity. The physiological modulators of protein kinase C: 1,2- and 1,3-diolein as well the synthetic 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol decreased the ecto-kinase activity to an extent similar to that of TPA. The drop in ecto-kinase activity of HLF-cells in situ caused by TPA, RA and the diacylglycerols was accompanied by an increase in total basal-(Mg++-dependent) protein kinase activity present in extracts of treated cells. The results suggest an important role of ecto-kinase in the response of intact cells to TPA and RA.