The two human chymotrypsinogens. Purification and characterization

Biochemical evidence of specific trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitors in the rhynchobdellid leech, Theromyzon tessulatum

The presence of two specific trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitors from head parts of the rhynchobdellid leech Theromyzon tessulatum is reported. Two proteins, anti-trypsin chymotrypsin A (ATCA; 14636.6 +/- 131 Da) and anti-trypsin-chymotrypsin B (ATCB; 14368 +/- 95 Da) were purified by size exclusion and anion-exchange chromatography followed by reversed-phase HPLC. Based on amino-acid composition, N-terminal sequence determination (MELCELGQSCSRD-NPQPSNM), matrix assisted laser desorption-time of flight measurement (MALDI-TOF), trypsin mapping comparison, inhibition constant determination (Ki), and influence on amidolytic activity of different serine proteases, it is demonstrated that ATCA and ATCB are novel and highly potent serine-protease inhibitors of trypsin and chymotrypsin (ATCA: 350fM towards trypsin and chymotrypsin; ATCB: 400 and 75 fM towards trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively). It is further surmised that ATCA and ATCB are linked, in that ATCB would lead to the formation of ATCA after loss of few amino acid residues.

Sexual dimorphism of pancreatic gene expression in normal mice

A differential pancreatic behavior observed between male and female mice in diabetes and pancreatitis led us to study the gene and protein expressions of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic proteins in normal mice. We compared the levels of expression of six pancreatic genes and of four of the corresponding proteins in male and female mice OF1. Amylase gene expression was found to be significantly higher in females than in males, whereas trypsinogen and lipase gene expression were significantly lower. For chymotrypsinogen, reg, and insulin the differences were not significant. This sexual dimorphism did not exist in rat pancreas, where no gender difference was observed. After characterization of mice enzymes by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and antibodies directed to the closely related human pancreatic enzymes, we have compared the levels of these proteins in mice pancreatic homogenates. No significant difference was observed between males and females at the level of protein expression. These data suggest a hormonal sexual difference in the regulation of pancreatic protein synthesis at the pre- and posttranscriptional levels in normal mice, which may play a role in the development of mice pancreatic diseases.

A novel human chymotrypsin-like digestive enzyme

The gene of a novel chymotrypsin-like serine protease has been cloned from human pancreas. The chymotrypsin-like enzyme-1 gene is located on chromosome 16q22.1 in a tight cluster with four unrelated genes. The gene has seven exons with the signal and activation peptide and the three main catalytic residues forming the active site encoded by separate exons. Northern blots of pancreatic mRNA showed a major transcript of 1.0 kilobases and a minor transcript of 1.3 kilobases due to alternative polyadenylation. No transcript was found in other tissues. Its presence in pancreatic tissue, duodenal juice, and urine was demonstrated with antisera raised against synthetic peptides from the derived amino acid sequence of the gene. The peptide sequences were chosen for being most dissimilar to chymotrypsin, and the antisera obtained did not react with purified human chymotrypsin. The proteolytically active CTRL-1 has been identified in pancreatic homogenate, duodenal juice, and urine, and a recombinant CTRL-1 has been characterized. Increased pancreatic secretion of CTRL-1 was induced by protease inhibitors indicating that the enzyme is secreted from pancreas upon feedback stimulation. Both native and recombinant CTRL-1 displayed chymotrypsin- and elastase-2-like activities and hydrolyzed the amide bonds of substrates having tyrosine, phenylalanine, or leucine residues at the P1 position. The enzyme was active over a broad pH range (6.5-9. 0), with a maximum at pH 8.0-8.5. CTRL-1 was produced as a zymogen of 264 amino acids as deduced from the gene sequence, with a sequence identity of 54% with human chymotrypsin B. The number and location of intron/exon junctions as well as the sequence similarity to chymotrypsin both at the DNA and protein level and the presence in duodenal juice indicate that this is a novel digestive enzyme of the chymotrypsin superfamily, albeit one with distinct physiological and biochemical features.

Inhibition of human pancreatic proteinases by mucus proteinase inhibitor, eglin c and aprotinin

The kinetic investigation of the inhibition of human pancreatic trypsin 1, trypsin 2 and chymotrypsin A by mucus proteinase inhibitor, eglin c and aprotinin reveals that (i) the first protein is a potent inhibitor of chymotrypsin A (kass. = 1.4 x 10(6) M-1.s-1, Ki = 71 pM) but forms loose complexes with trypsin 1 (Ki = 0.5 microM) and trypsin 2 (Ki = 18 nM), (ii) eglin c does not inhibit the two trypsins but forms a tight complex with chymotrypsin A (kass. = 3.3 x 10(6) M-1.s-1, Ki < 0.1 nM) and (iii) aprotinin is a potent inhibitor of trypsin 1 (kass. = 1 x 10(6) M-1.s-1, Ki < 0.2 nM) and trypsin 2 (kass. = 2.4 x 10(5) M-1.s-1, Ki < 1 nM) but forms a loose complex with chymotrypsin A (Ki = 0.17 microM). These data, together with those published previously on human pancreatic elastase, suggest that a cocktail of aprotinin + eglin c might be a better intensive-care drug for acute pancreatitis than aprotinin alone, because it will efficiently inhibit all four human pancreatic proteinases. On the other hand, human gastric juice inactivates mucus proteinase inhibitor by pepsin-mediated cleavage. This indicates that the fraction of mucus proteinase inhibitor that reaches the stomach following aerosol delivery to cystic fibrosis patients does not reach the duodenum in an active form and, therefore, does not aggravate the pancreatic insufficiency of these patients.

Evolutionary conservation of chymotrypsinogen gene: genomic analysis and protein modeling

Chymotrypsinogen is widely present in various animal pancreases. To study evolutionary relationship of chymotrypsinogen gene in species, we used a cDNA probe of human prechymotrypsinogen to investigate the species distribution of chymotrypsinogen gene, and designed oligodeoxynucleotide primers to investigate the genomic organization in the three domains of active sites. The genomic analyses showed that chymotrypsinogen gene is evolutionary conserved in species. On the basis of the deduced amino acid residues, a three-dimensional model for human chymotrypsinogen was further built by computer graphics. The model showed high similarity to the X-ray crystal structure of bovine chymotrypsinogen A, thus, demonstrated that the three-dimensional structure is more conserved in evolution than protein sequences.

Genomic cloning and partial characterization of human chymotrypsinogen gene

Chymotrypsinogen is a principal precursor of pancreatic proteolytic enzymes. We previously isolated a cDNA clone for human prechymotrypsinogen from a human pancreatic cDNA library. In the present study, we used this cDNA sequences to isolate genomic DNA clones. Three overlapping cosmid clones spanning approximately 65-kb genomic sequences were isolated from a human cosmid library. The genomic DNA clones were characterized by restriction enzyme mapping and by hybridizing them to subfragments of the cDNA. The sequence tagged sites for human chymotrypsinogen gene were created by designing two oligonucleotides. Furthermore, the isolated genomic clones were confirmed to be localized on chromosome 16q23 by fluorescence in situ hybridization and G-banding analysis.

IDDM patients' sera recognize a novel 30-kD pancreatic autoantigen related to chymotrypsinogen

We have examined, by western immunoblot analysis, the sera of 16 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients (IDDM) for the presence of autoantibodies against proteins extracted from islet-cell enriched preparations of normal human pancreata. A novel putative autoantigen recognized by late stage IDDM patients sera was identified, and its amino acid sequence was partially determined. Islets of Langerhans were partially purified by a modified collagenase digestion procedure, and subsequent protein extracts were fractionated by one-dimensional or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1-D or 2-D SDS-PAGE). Immunoblot analysis revealed a 30-kD species which was recognized by 4 of 16 IDDM patients sera, but none of 16 normal sera. The 30-kD protein, appeared as a single band on 1-D SDS-PAGE, but was resolved on 2-D gel electrophoresis as several distinct protein species with different isoelectric points (pI's), ranging from 7 to 9. The amino terminal sequence of one such species was partially determined by microsequencing, and the second through the fourteenth amino acids were found to be identical to the corresponding sequence in human chymotrypsinogen. The fifteenth through the eighteenth amino acids were different from the known chymotrypsinogen sequence. This region corresponds with the site that is cleaved to activate chymotrypsinogen. Based on the size and sequence homology, this antigen appears to be related to chymotrypsinogen. We conclude that this 30-kD species may be an autoantigen in some late stage IDDM patients.

Separation of rat pancreatic secretory proteins by cation-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography

Rat pancreatic secretory proteins were separated by an automated liquid chromatography system utilizing a Mono S cation-exchange column. Optimal resolution was obtained with a multistep salt and pH gradient (0.01-2 M LiCl, pH 5.3-63). A total of fourteen well-separated peaks, as well as several minor peaks, were detected by UV absorption. The main pancreatic enzymes were resolved (two amylases, two chymotrypsinogens, two trypsinogens, proelastase, lipase, prophospholipase A2, procarboxypeptidase A, procarboxypeptidase B, and ribonuclease). In addition, proteins without enzymic activity, such as lithostathine and pancreatitis-associated protein, were identified. Activation of proenzymes did not occur during the separation. At a flow-rate of 0.5 ml/min, ca. 250 micrograms to 5 mg of protein could be applied with equal resolution. The reproducibility of retention volumes and peak areas was high (less than 1% or 5% variation, respectively). When radiolabeled proteins were separated, a comparable pattern of peaks was obtained. The technique described is, therefore, not only useful for analytical and preparative separation of pancreatic proteins but can additionally serve for quantitative determination of the pancreatic isoenzyme pattern.

Elastase 1 and chymotrypsin B in pancreatic juice and feces

A chymotrypsin-like protease was detected along with elastase 1 in pancreatic secretion and stool. This enzyme was isolated from necrobiotic human pancreas, purified, partially characterized and designated as chymotrypsin B. Quantitative studies by rocket immunoelectrophoresis indicated that neither elastase 1 nor chymotrypsin B was degraded during intestinal passage. On the basis of a clinical study, both enzymes were found to reflect pancreatic function.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of human pancreatic prechymotrypsinogen cDNA

The cDNA clone encoding human prechymotrypsinogen was isolated from a human pancreas cDNA library and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The sequence consists of a 16 bp 5' non-coding region, a 789 bp amino acid coding region and a 60 bp 3' non-coding region. The predicted product consists of 263 amino acids, including 18 amino acids for a signal peptide and 15 amino acids possible for an activation peptide. Southern blot analyses using the cloned cDNA as a probe revealed that human genomic DNA carries at least two genes that are related to chymotrypsinogen.

Subcellular localization of cholesterol ester hydrolase in the human intestine

Immunocytochemistry and subcellular fractionation were used to localize the cholesterol ester hydrolase in the human small intestine. A positive immunoreaction, when using antibodies directed against pancreatic cholesterol ester hydrolase, was mainly found in endocytotic vesicles. Moreover, a label by gold particles was observed in intercellular spaces where lymphatic tissue merges. No specific immunoreactivity was obtained with the mucosa when sera directed against human pancreatic chymotrypsinogen and human pancreatic lipase were used. Conventional subcellular fractionation was performed after extensive washing of enterocytes to rule out any possible contamination by pancreatic enzymes. In these conditions a bile salt-dependent cholesterol ester hydrolase activity was detected in the soluble fraction of cells. Data agree with the concept that the intestinal cholesterol ester hydrolase may have a pancreatic origin. The absorption, if any, of this enzyme by enterocytes seems specific since other pancreatic (pro)enzymes tested (lipase, chymotrypsinogen) are not detected in these cells.

Partial amino acid sequence of human pancreatic stone protein, a novel pancreatic secretory protein

Pancreatic stone protein (PSP) is the major organic component of human pancreatic stones. With the use of monoclonal antibody immunoadsorbents, five immunoreactive forms (PSP-S) with close Mr values (14,000-19,000) were isolated from normal pancreatic juice. By CM-Trisacryl M chromatography the lowest-Mr form (PSP-S1) was separated from the others and some of its molecular characteristics were investigated. The Mr of the PSP-S1 polypeptide chain calculated from the amino acid composition was about 16,100. The N-terminal sequences (40 residues) of PSP and PSP-S1 are identical, which suggests that the peptide backbone is the same for both of these polypeptides. The PSP-S1 sequence was determined up to residue 65 and was found to be different from all other known protein sequences.

Immunocytochemical localization of pancreatic carboxylic ester hydrolase in human paneth cells

The protein-A gold method using specific rabbit sera directed against pure human pancreatic chymotrypsinogen and carboxylic ester hydrolase was applied to locate these (pro)enzymes in human pancreatic acinar cells and intestinal Paneth cells. Quantitative evaluation of the labelling indicated that both (pro)enzymes are present in pancreatic acinar secretory granules. In Paneth cell secretory granules, only carboxylic ester hydrolase was present in significant amounts, although the labelling for this enzyme was less intense than that observed in pancreatic zymogen granules. The results obtained support the view that Paneth cells represent a "diffuse exocrine gland" scattered along the intestine, whose role is either to act as a substitute in the event of a deficient pancreas or to regulate the intestinal flora.

The molecular characteristics of a human pancreatic acidic phosphoprotein that inhibits calcium carbonate crystal growth

A CaCO3-crystal-growth inhibitor was isolated from human pancreatic stones by using EDTA demineralization, followed by DEAE-Trisacryl chromatography. The isolated inhibitor was found to be a phosphoglycoprotein with Mr 14017 and having an unusual chemical composition. It is characterized by a high (42%) acidic amino acid content, but lacks methionine and gamma-carboxyglutamic acid. The protein contains 2.65 mol of P/mol of protein, as phosphoserine (2 mol) and phosphothreonine (0.5 mol). Isoelectric focusing of the protein yields one major band corresponding to an isoelectric point of 4.2. Immunochemical quantification of the crystal-growth inhibitor in pure pancreatic juice reveals that it constitutes 14% of the normal exocrine secretion. Our findings demonstrate that this is a novel secretory protein, which has no enzymic activity and which maintains pancreatic juice in a supersaturated state with respect to CaCO3.

Protein concentration in the pancreatic zymogen granule

We have estimated the concentration of protein in the zymogen granule, a major storage depot for secretory protein in the pancreatic acinar cell, in four different ways. Each of these approaches yielded roughly similar values. The protein concentration in the granule is approx. 135-270 mg protein/ml granule volume in rat and rabbit, as compared to an average value for the protein concentration of tissue of 135 mg/g tissue for rabbits and 183 mg/g tissue for rats. This is equivalent to an average molarity for the contained proteins of between 4-9 mM based on an estimated average molecular weight for the mixture of 30 000-40 000. An upper limit for the concentration of protein in these granules can reasonably be set at about double the overall concentration of protein in the non-granule portion of the cell.

Isolation and properties of prophospholipase A2 from human pancreatic juice

Human prophospholipase A2 was purified from pancreatic juice. The protein has a molecular weight of 14500 and a free N-terminal residue identified as aspartic acid (or asparagine). The amino acid composition was determined. Partial immunological identity has been obtained between human and porcine prophospholipase A2. As other phospholipases, the human enzyme requires the presence of calcium for its activity. However, the activity of human phospholipase A2 on egg yolk emulsion is partially inhibited at 0.4 mM calcium concentration, which differs from the porcine homologous enzyme. Kinetics of activation of the two zymogens (human and porcine) by 4 different trypsins (bovine, porcine and human) indicate a difference between the two zymogens only when activated by human trypsins, which suggests a marked specificity of both human trypsins for human prophospholipase.

Agarose gel electrophoresis of duodenal juice in normal condition and in children with malabsorption

Agarose gel electrophoresis (at pH 8.6) was used for qualitative determination of pancreatic enzymes in duodenal juice. The various enzymes were identified by staining techniques with specific chromogenic substrates, by quantitative determination of enzymes in eluates of gel slices, and by immunoelectrophoresis. The various protein bands corresponded to the following enzymes (from the anode to the cathode): chymotrypsin, trypsin, carboxypeptidase A, chymotrypsin, amylase (around the slit), lipase, elastase, and trypsin. The method was applied to a study of exocrine pancreatic function in 10 adults and 83 children suspected of having malabsorption. The duodenal juice, also analyzed for trypsin and amylase content, was collected in fasting condition and after a test meal of water. In patients with normal pancreatic function, all the enzyme bands were present and easy to recognize. In 87 patients carboxypeptidase A was present as two bands in 68 (80%), anodal trypsin as two bands in 39 (45%), and cathodal trypsin as two bands in 85 (97%). Electrophoresis of duodenal juice gave as much information from the fasting sample as after the test meal. Six children with pancreatic insufficiency (cystic fibrosis and Shwachmar's syndrome) had no or only faintly stained enzyme bands and a strongly stained albumin-containing band most anodally. The method is simple, rapid, and useful in routine work. The combination of this qualitative test with a quantitative one (e.g. trypsin determination) provides good information about exocrine pancreatic function.

Kinetics of the inactivation of human and bovine trypsins and chymotrypsins by alpha1-proteinase inhibitor and of their reactivation by alpha2-macroglobulin

The time dependency of inactivation of human cationic trypsin and chymotrypsin II and of bovine trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin by human serum has been investigated. Since the molar concentration of serum alpha1-proteinase inhibitor is much higher than that of other inhibitors, this time dependence could be used to calculate the rate constants kass for the association of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor with the four proteases. The association process was found to be second order, with kass ranging from 1 x10(4) s-1 (human trypsin) to 2.6 x 10(6) s-1 (bovine chymotrypsin). The human proteases react much more slowly with human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor than the bovine ones. But, whatever the species, chymotrypsin is inhibited more quickly than trypsin. Addition of alpha2-macroblobulin to the inactive complexes resulted in a time-dependent regeneration of enzymic activity due to the formation of alpha2-macroglobulin-protease complexes. The reactivation (i.e. dissociation) process was first order and extremely slow: the half-life of the alpha1-proteinase inhibitor-proteinase complexes ranged from 8 days (bovine chymotrypsin) to 9 months (human chymotrypsin). The human proteases formed the most stable complexes with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor. The pathological implications of these findings are discussed.

Human pancreatic lipase: a glycoprotein

Human lipase has been purified from pancreatic juice. The protein has a molecular weight of 48 000 and an N-terminal residue of lysine. It has been characterized as a glycoprotein containing 4.7 mol of glucosamine, 2.8 mol of mannose, 2.9 mol of fucose, 3.0 mol. of galactose and 1.1 mol of glucose per mol of protein. Two isolipases have been separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their isoelectric points are 5.80 and 5.85, respectively and both are glycoproteins. Immunological cross reactions have been obtained between human lipase and other mammalian lipases (porcine, bovine, ovine, canine and rat).