Phosvitin phosphate content. Implications for protein kinase assay

Recombinant human casein kinase II. A study with the complete set of subunits (alpha, alpha' and beta), site-directed autophosphorylation mutants and a bicistronically expressed holoenzyme

Human casein kinase II (CKII) is a ubiquitous and multipotential Ser/Thr kinase involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Biochemically, two characteristics are particularly notable; first, the tetrameric composition of two catalytic subunits (alpha and/or alpha') and two regulatory subunits (beta); second, the autophosphorylation of the holoenzyme at the N-terminus of CKII beta, suspected to be involved in tuning of the kinase activity. Whether CKII alpha and CKII alpha' reconstitute comparably with CKII beta to form holoenzyme is unclear. For a systematic investigation, the complete set of recombinant CKII subunits and of autophosphorylation mutants of CKII beta were expressed in Escherichia coli and comparative reconstitutions carried out. At 1:1 molar ratio, CKII beta stimulated both catalytic subunits roughly fivefold with phosvitin as a substrate. The level of activity reached with both of the reconstituted CKII isoforms was of the same order of magnitude as that of holoenzyme isolated from human placenta. It was also similar to a recombinant alpha 2 beta 2 holoenzyme whose expression had been attained in E. coli with a bicistronic construct containing the coding regions of CKII beta and CKII alpha in a tandem arrangement. Both Ser2 and Ser3 were identified as the autophosphorylation sites; replacement of one of these with Ala by oligonucleotide-mediated site-directed mutagenesis influenced only the extent of CKII beta autophosphorylation, replacement of both resulted in a loss of autophosphorylation. Despite these differences, the stimulatory effect of all the CKII beta mutants was comparable both to each other and to that of wild-type CKII beta. This was also obtained when substrates other than phosvitin were employed such as tubulin, or upstream-binding factor (UBF). However, the degree of stimulation was substrate specific and ranged from 2-5-fold with no major differences between CKII alpha and CKII alpha' stimulation. Calmodulin phosphorylation by both CKII alpha and CKII alpha' was decreased similarly by CKII beta and the CKII beta mutants. Proteins such as cAMP-responsive-element-binding protein (CREB), HPV16 E7 or Jun were not phosphorylated by either catalytic subunit but became substrates of both in the presence of CKII beta or CKII beta mutants. The data suggest that CKII alpha and CKII alpha' form similar CKII holoenzymes and that the tuning of holoenzyme activity is independent of the autophosphorylation status of CKII beta.

Purification of nuclear cAMP-independent protein kinases from rat ventral prostate

Two nuclear cAMP-independent protein kinases (designated PK-N1 and PK-N2) were purified from rat ventral-prostate and liver. The yield of enzyme units was 4-5% and 7-9% for each enzyme from the prostatic nuclei and liver nuclei, respectively. The average fold purification for prostatic nuclear protein kinase N1 and N2 was 1360 and 1833, respectively. The respective average specific activity of the two enzymes towards casein was 81,585 and 110,000 nmol 32P incorporated/hr/mg of enzyme. Protein kinase N1 comprised one polypeptide of Mr 35,000 which underwent phosphorylation in the presence of Mg2+ + ATP. Protein kinase N2 comprised two polypeptides Mr 40,000 and 30,000 of which only the Mr 30,000 polypeptide was autophosphorylated. Both enzymes were active towards casein, phosvitin, dephosphophosvitin, spermine-binding protein, and non-histone proteins in vitro. Little activity was detected towards histones. Both enzymes were stimulated by 150-200 mM NaCl. MgCl2 requirement varied with the protein substrate but was between 2-4 mM for both enzymes. With dephosphophosvitin as substrate, the apparent Km for ATP for N1 protein kinase was 0.01 mM. GTP did not replace ATP in this reaction. Protein kinase N2 was active in the presence of ATP or GTP. The apparent Km was 0.01 mM for ATP, but 0.1 mM for GTP.

Differential localization and androgen sensitivity of prostatic nuclear protein kinases in euchromatin and heterochromatin fractions

We have examined the distribution and androgenic regulation of protein kinases and phosphoproteins in euchromatin and heterochromatin fractions of rat ventral prostate chromatin. Available procedures to prepare euchromatin and heterochromatin fractions were found to result in the loss of various chromatin-associated protein kinases even though there was no gross change in the gel electrophoretic profile of proteins in these fractions. This loss was prevented by the addition of 0.5 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride throughout the preparative procedures, which indicates that the protein kinases associated with the chromatin may be particularly susceptible to proteolytic degradation during further subfractionation. By utilizing an improved method for fractionation of chromatin, we have demonstrated a marked enrichment of protein kinase activity (towards phosvitin and endogenous chromosomal proteins) in the euchromatin fraction as compared with heterochromatin. Both of these fractions were also examined for the incorporation of 32P into two main classes of nonhistone proteins (namely, H2SO4-soluble and -insoluble nonhistones). The amount of 32P incorporated into heterochromatin-associated proteins of both classes was markedly less than that in the euchromatin-associated proteins. Protein kinase activities (especially those active towards phosvitin and nonhistone proteins) in the euchromatin fraction as compared with the heterochromatin were significantly reduced within 24 h after androgenic deprivation in the animal. The decreased phosphorylation of nonhistone proteins could be attributed to the loss of endogenous protein kinase activity. The results indicate that not only are chromatin-associated protein phosphokinases preferentially localized in euchromatin fractions but also that these euchromatin-associated protein kinases display the greatest sensitivity to androgenic status of the animal.

Polyamine-stimulated phosphorylation of prostatic spermine-binding protein is mediated only by cyclic AMP-independent protein kinases

Spermine-binding protein (a rat ventral prostatic protein with high affinity for spermine) was phosphorylated in situ through the action of intrinsic cellular protein kinase(s), suggesting it to be a phosphoprotein in vivo. The purified protein served as a substrate in a number of cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase reactions in vitro, but not for cyclic AMP-dependent, Ca2+ + calmodulin-dependent or Ca2+ + phospholipid-dependent protein kinases. Available data indicate that at least one of the cyclic AMP-independent protein kinases (cytosolic protein kinase C2) may be physiologically relevant in mediating the phosphorylation of this protein. The phosphorylation reaction was stimulated several-fold in the presence of spermine. Spermidine was somewhat less effective, whereas putrescine, cadaverine and 1,6-hexanediamine were minimally active. Phospho amino acid analysis of 32P-labelled spermine-binding protein indicated that phosphoserine was the only labelled phospho amino acid. Spermine-binding protein did not undergo autophosphorylation, or modify the stimulative effect of spermine on the phosphorylation of other substrates such as non-histone proteins. In situ the phosphorylation of spermine-binding protein in tissue from castrated rats was markedly diminished as compared with the normal. Since the phosphorylation of spermine-binding protein appears to be mediated by cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase(s) whose activity in the prostate is under androgenic control, it is suggested that androgen-dependent modulation of the protein kinase(s) exerts a regulatory control (via phosphorylation-dephosphorylation) on the spermine-binding activity and stability of this protein in vivo. Further, since this protein is a substrate for only the cyclic AMP-independent protein kinases, it could serve as a tool for the investigation of such kinases.

Differential androgenic control of prostatic cytosolic cAMP-dependent and -independent protein kinases

Whether or not various cytosolic protein kinases (and especially the type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase) of rat ventral prostate are specifically regulated with respect to total activity or specific activity by androgen has been investigated. Following androgen deprivation, the total activity per prostate of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (with histone as substrate) changed little at 24 h, declining by about 20% at 96 h. Under these conditions, its specific activity remained unaltered at 24 h, but was markedly enhanced at 96 h postorchiectomy. Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase in rat ventral prostate cytosol was the only form of cAMP-dependent protein kinases present as determined by measurement of catalytic activity as well as [32P]-8-N3-cAMP binding to the regulatory subunits. There was no alteration in the distribution of the isoenzymes of cAMP-dependent protein kinases or the response of these kinase activities to cAMP owing to castration of animals. The prostatic cytosol also contains free regulatory subunit (with molecular weight similar to that of regulatory subunit R1) which coelutes with type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This finding was confirmed by using [32P]-8-N3-cAMP photoaffinity labeling of cAMP-binding proteins. With respect to cAMP-independent protein kinase (measured with dephosphophosvitin as substrate), a decline of 31% in its specific activity was observed in cytosol of prostates from rats castrated for a period of 24 h without significant further change at later periods following castration. However, there was a marked progressive reduction in total activity of this enzyme per prostate (loss of 72% at 96 h postorchiectomy). The increase in specific activity of cAMP-dependent, but not cAMP-independent, protein kinase in the face of decreasing total activity in the cytosol at later periods of castration (e.g., at 96 h) may reflect a slower loss of the former enzyme protein than the bulk of the cytosolic proteins. Administration of testosterone to castrated animals prevented these changes. These data do not indicate a specific regulation by steroid of the type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the prostate. Rather, the cAMP-independent protein kinase (with dephosphophosvitin as substrate) appears to be modulated by the androgenic status of the animal.

Studies of prostatic cytosol protein kinases of the aging ACI rat

Changes in prostatic cytosolic cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent and independent protein kinases associated with aging in ACI rats were determined. A decrease in prostatic weight and tissue protein content (but not DNA) with age was noted. The cytosolic cAMP-dependent protein kinase was present predominantly as the type II isozyme. Total content of this enzyme per prostate declined by 37% in 12-month-old rats but remained relatively stable thereafter. However, the activity ratio (+cAMP/-cAMP) increased with aging, indicating an elevation in the amount of the holoenzyme or a decrease in the amount of the free catalytic subunit. Concomitantly the specific activity (activity/unit protein in the cytosol) of this enzyme was found to be increased; this is most likely due to the loss of bulk proteins in the cytosol, and may indicate a slower loss of this enzyme protein in relation to other cytosolic proteins. By comparison, the cAMP-independent protein kinase demonstrated a marked and progressive decline in amount as well as in specific activity with aging, e.g. 80-90% decline at 12 months of age. The above changes in these enzymes did not appear to be due to low circulating androgen in the animals, since they were not reversed on administration of 3.0 mg of testosterone propionate per rat daily for four consecutive days. It is therefore suggested that the above-described changes in prostatic cytosolic protein kinases are primarily associated with cellular senescence in this organ.

Tissue sources of protein kinase activities in human seminal fluid: studies of normal, oligozoospermic, and vasectomized men

Protein kinase activities in seminal fluids of normo-, hypo-, and oligozoospermic and vasectomized men were measured using lysine-rich histones and partially dephosphorylated phosvitin as acceptor substrates. There was a significant relationship of histone kinase but not phosvitin kinase activities with the number of spermatozoa originally present in the semen. Histone kinase and phosvitin kinase activities were diminished 88% and 62%, respectively, in vasectomy seminal fluid. The sex accessory gland sources of seminal fluid protein kinase activities not associated with spermatozoa were examined in split ejaculates of vasectomized men. Histone kinase activity was greater in the first fractions, suggesting that the prostate is its predominant contributor; whereas the distribution of phosvitin kinase activity did not indicate any preferential accessory gland source of this enzyme.

Fractionation and partial purification of rat liver nuclear protein kinases

We have fractional and partially purified several rat liver nuclear protein kinases by utilizing endogenous (nonhistone proteins) and exogenous acidic (dephosphophosvitin) and basic (lysine-rich histone) protein substrates. Three enzymes were active towards endogenous substrates, two towards dephosphophosvitin and two towards lysine-rich histone. Of the latter only one was cAMP-dependent, however, only minimal cAMP binding activity was detected. Several features of these enzyme reactions are described revealing distinct differences in the characteristics of each of these enzymes.

Presence and characterization of two protein kinase activities in human seminal fluid

The presence of two protein kinase (ATP: protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) activities has been demonstrated in human seminal fluid, utilizing partially dephosphorylated phosvitin and lysine-rich histones as model acceptor substrates. Both kinase activities were maximal in the presence of MgCl2 and a sulfhydryl-protecting agent such as dithiothreitol; however, the histone kinase was stimulated to a greater extent by the latter. The histone kinase displayed a broad shoulder of activity at pH values of 7.1 to 7.6 with optimal activity at pH 8.0, and was inhibited by increased ionic strength (53% at 160 mM NaCl) and by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein inhibitor from rabbit muscle. The kinase activity towards phosvitin exhibited a broad pH profile with maximal activity at pH 7.2, was slightly stimulated by NaCl (20% at 160 mM), and was unaffected by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. Kinetic studies revealed more than one apparent Km for the protein substrates and ATP. These differences in enzymic properties of kinase activities towards phosvitin and lysine-rich histones strongly indicate the presence of multiple enzymes. It appears that the histone kinase activity is attributable to the free catalytic subunit of a cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme. The protein kinase activities of seminal fluids from vasectomized men were 12-20% of those found for seminal fluids of normal men. This suggests that sperm may be a major source of protein kinase activities in seminal fluid.

Phosphoproteins and protein kinase activities of ventral prostate chromatin during sexual maturation in the rat

1. In the ventral prostates of rats undergoing normal sexual development, chromatin-associated phosphokinase activities toward dephosphophosvitin and lysine-rich histones were maximal at 48 days of age, whereas phosphorylation of endogenous chromosomal proteins was greatest in the sexually mature adult. 2. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of chromatin proteins from these animals revealed age-dependent changes in the amount of phosphorylation of specific proteins. 3. These were most evident in highly phosphorylated H2SO4-soluble nonhistone proteins and in those nonhistones (13-16 K and 20-35 K mol. wt) which are insoluble in H2SO4.

Nuclear envelope of the seminal-vesicle epithelium

The nuclear envelope of seminal-vesicle epithelium was isolated by a procedure involving enzymic digestion with deoxyribonuclease I, sonication in the presence of 0.34 M-sodium citrate, and centrifugation through sucrose density gradients. The mass of envelope DNA was only 0.8% of that of envelope protein, and by transmission electron microscopy the envelope was 98-99% pure. We showed that the envelope possess a protein kinase activity which is uninfluenced by cyclic nucleotides. Both lysine-rich histone and dephosphophosvitin as substrates gave a greater specific activity than did envelope protein itself. Optimum requirements with respect to Na+, Mg2+, pH and ATP were established for each substrate, and the influence of other factors on enzyme activity was investigated. Data, obtained mainly with the use of lysine-rich histone, are presented which indicate that nuclear envelope from intact and 96 h-castrated guinea pigs may have equal protein kinase activities and, in separate experiments, equal phosphoprotein phosphatase activities. Clarification of these initial observations must await identification of the natural substrates or the envelope's phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reactions.

A modified paper-binding procedure for the assay of nucleus-associated protein phosphokinases

Previously existing paper-binding assay procedures gave results with large variations when employed for the measurement of nucleus-associated protein phosphokinase activities. However, a modified method, utilizing the binding of 32P-labeled phosphoprotein substrates to paper and employing washing procedures in 20% trichloroacetic acid at 60 degrees to 70 degrees C, gave highly reproducible results. This modified procedure was satisfactory with either chromatin or a nonhistone protein fraction derived therefrom as a source of enzyme, and dephosphophosvitin, lysine-rich histones, or casein as phosphoprotein substrates.

Effects of polyamines on prostatic chromatin- and non-histone-protein-associated protein kinase reactions

Studies are presented on the influence of polyamines on prostatic chromatin- and non-histone-protein-associated protein kinase reactions involving both exogenous and endogenous substrates. The activities toward the model acidic protein substrate, dephosphophosvitin, were maximal at 160--200mM-NaCl (or -KCl or -NH4Cl). Under these conditions, spermidine and spermine added in concentrations up to 2mM were essentially without effect. However, without addition of NaCl to the medium, marked stimulation of these reactions was elicited by these polyamines at 1--2mM concentrations. The stimulatory effects were not due to non-specific changes in the ionic strength or to substitution of spermine for Mg2+, as maximal stimulation by 1 mM-spermine was observed only at optimal (2--4mM) Mg2+ concentrations. Qualitatively similar effects of polyamines were observed with enzyme preparations from the prostates of castrated rats, and with chromatin and non-histone-protein preparations from other tissues besides ventral prostate. When phosphorylation of endogenous non-histone proteins of the chromatin was measured, spermine stimulated both the initial rates and the final extent of transphosphorylation, even in the presence of optimal concentration of NaCl. By contrast, spermine or spermidine had no effect on the chromatin- and non-histone-protein-associated protein kinase reactions determined with lysine-rich histones as substrates. Chemically NN-dimethylated dephosphophosvitin was a less active substrate for the chromatin-associated protein kinase, but its phosphorylation was more markedly stimulated by spermine in comparison with unmodified dephosphophosvitin. These observations hint that the polyamine stimulations of the various protein kinase reactions may be due to effects on the conformations of the non-histone protein substrates rather than on the kinases themselves.

Acidic-phosphoprotein phosphatase activity of rat ventral prostate nuclei: apparent lack of effect of androgens

A protein phosphatase activity has been demonstrated in nuclei of rat ventral prostate utilizing 32P-labelled phosvitin as a model acidic phosphoprotein substrate. This phosphoprotein phosphatase has a pH optimum of 6.7, is unaffected by the sulphydryl protecting agent 2-mercaptoethanol, and requires a divalent cation for maximal activity. Of the various divalent cations tested, Mg2+ is the most effective in reactivating the EDTA-inhibited enzyme. The phosphatase is inhibited by sodium flouride, sodium oxalate, N-ethylmaleimide, ATP and ADP but is relatively insensitive to ammonium molybdate. Increased ionic strength of the reaction medium also causes a reduction in the enzyme activity, e.g., by 48% at 200 mM sodium chloride. The activity of the acidic phosphoprotein phosphatase did not change significantly at 48 h or 96 h post-orchiectomy when expressed per unit of nuclear protein. However, it is reduced by approx. 30% at these times after castration if based on DNA content. The decline in activity per nucleus reflects the decrease in the realtive nuclear protein content observed at 48 h or 96 h post-orchiectomy. This suggests that the decline in the phosphorylation of prostatic nuclear acidic proteins which occurs upon androgen withdrawal is not due to increased nuclear phosphatase activity.

The differential response of prostatic nucleolar and extra-nucleolar protein phosphokinase activities following androgen deprivation

Protein phosphokinase activities of nucleolar and extra-nucleolar compartments of rat ventral prostate nuclei were measured using the model acidic phosphoprotein, dephosphophosvitin, as substrate. Following orchiectomy, the activity in both of these fractions declined; however, the kinase activity of the nucleolus decreased at a much greater rate than that in the extra-nucleolar portion of the nucleus. Testosterone maintenance of castrated animals prevented this decline in activity. The regulation of protein phosphokinases which phosphorylate prostatic nucleolar acidic proteins may be an important mechanism in the androgen mediated activation of the nucleolus in this target tissue.