Purification and properties of human acid-thermostable ribonucleases, and diagnosis of childhood pancreatic fibrosis

Site-specific RNase A activity was dramatically reduced in serum from multiple types of cancer patients

Potent RNase activities were found in the serum of mammals but the physiological function of the RNases was never well illustrated, largely due to the caveats in methods of RNase activity measurement. None of the existing methods can distinguish between RNases with different target specificities. A systematic study was recently carried out in our lab to investigate the site-specificity of serum RNases on double-stranded RNA substrates, and found that serum RNases cleave double-stranded RNAs predominantly at 5′-U/A-3′ and 5′-C/A-3′ dinucleotide sites, in a manner closely resembling RNase A. Based on this finding, a FRET assay was developed in the current study to measure this site-specific serum RNase activity in human samples using a double stranded RNA substrate. We demonstrated that the method has a dynamic range of 10⁻⁵ mg/ml- 10⁻¹ mg/ml using serial dilution of RNase A. The sera of 303 cancer patients were subjected to comparison with 128 healthy controls, and it was found that serum RNase activities visualized with this site-specific double stranded probe were found to be significantly reduced in patients with gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, ovary cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer and lung cancer, while only minor changes were found in breast and colon cancer patients. This is the first report using double stranded RNA as probe to quantify site-specific activities of RNase A in a serum. The results illustrated that RNase A might be further evaluated to determine if it can serve as a new class of biomarkers for certain cancer types.

Influence of proinflammatory stimuli on the expression of vascular ribonuclease 1 in endothelial cells

Extracellular RNA (eRNA) released under injury or pathological conditions has been identified as a yet unrecognized vascular alarm signal to induce procoagulant, permeability-promoting, and proinflammatory activities. eRNA-induced functions were largely prevented by administration of RNase1 as a natural blood vessel-protective antagonist of eRNA. The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammatory regulation of endothelial cell RNase1, which is partly stored in Weibel-Palade bodies of these cells. Long-term treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with inflammatory agents like tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) or interleukin 1β (IL-1β), but not with eRNA, significantly decreased the release (34 ± 5%; 34 ± 7% of control) as well as the cellular expression (19.5 ± 5%; 33 ± 8% of control) of RNase1. Down-regulation of RNase1 by TNF-α stimulation or RNase1 siRNA knockdown increased the permeability of HUVEC monolayers, demonstrated by dearrangement of VE-cadherins at cell-cell borders. Mechanistically, cytokine-induced decrease of RNase1 expression did not involve the nuclear factor κ B (NFκB) signaling pathway but epigenic modifications. Since inhibition of histone deacetylases resulted in recovery of RNase1 expression and secretion after cytokine treatment, an acetylation-dependent process of RNase1 regulation is proposed. These results indicate that cytokine-mediated down-regulation of RNase1 in endothelial cells may aggravate eRNA-induced inflammatory activities and thereby disturbs the vascular homeostasis of the extracellular RNA/RNase system.

Glycine 38 is crucial for the ribonucleolytic activity of human pancreatic ribonuclease on double-stranded RNA

Human pancreatic ribonuclease (HPR) and bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS-RNase) exhibit significantly higher activity against double stranded RNA (dsRNA), compared to RNase A. The high dsRNA cleavage activity of BS-RNase, in part, has been attributed to glycine residues at positions 38 and 111. HPR possesses a glycine residue at position 38, whereas it has a glutamic acid at position 111. To understand the mechanism of dsRNA degradation by the single strand preferring HPR, we have generated HPR variants containing mutations at positions 38 and 111. Our study shows that Glycine 38 is crucial for the full catalytic activity of the human enzyme on duplex RNA as its substitution with aspartate or alanine results in a drastic reduction in the dsRNA cleavage activity of HPR. The substitution of Glutamate111 with glycine also resulted in the reduction of the dsRNA cleavage activity of HPR, indicating that a glycine residue at 111 is not a requirement for the ribonucleolytic activity on double stranded substrate.

Isolation of a novel thermolabile heterodimeric ribonuclease with antifungal and antiproliferative activities from roots of the sanchi ginseng Panax notoginseng

An isolation procedure, consisting of ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sepharose, affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, and fast protein liquid chromatography on Mono S, was utilized to purify a base-nonspecific, heterodimeric ribonuclease (RNase) with diverse activities from roots of the sanchi ginseng Panax notoginseng. The RNase is unique in that it consists of two different nonglycoprotein subunits with a molecular weight of 27 and 29 kDa, respectively. The latter subunit is characterized by an N-terminal sequence showing remarkable similarity to that of the bitter gourd RNase. The Panax notoginseng RNase demonstrates potent RNase and translation-inhibitory activities. In addition, it exhibits antiproliferative activity toward leukemia L1210 cells and antifungal activity against Physalospora piricola and Coprinus comatus. Its RNase activity is not heat-resistant, unlike most RNases which are thermostable.

Expression in mammalian cells, purification and characterization of recombinant human pancreatic ribonuclease

A synthetic cDNA coding for human pancreatic RNase, equipped with a secretion signal sequence, was cloned and stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The recombinant RNase, secreted into the culture medium, was purified and characterized. It was found to be indistinguishable, by structural and catalytic parameters, from the enzyme isolated from human pancreas. Furthermore, the glycosylated forms were separated from the non-glycosylated form. Up until now, human RNases have been isolated only in small amounts from autopic specimens. This has hindered the exploitation of a human RNase for the construction of immunotolerated immunotoxins. On the other hand, the availability of an effective system for the expression of a human RNase may render feasible the transfer, by protein engineering, of the interesting pharmacological actions of non-human RNase [1993 Trends Cell Biol. 3, 106-109] to an immunotolerated, human RNase.

Serum enzymes and other laboratory tests in acute pancreatitis

This review evaluates selective enzymes and blood tests available for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute pancreatitis. It is concluded that serum amylase and lipase measurements represent the best available diagnostic methods. Newer alternative assays still require careful evaluation.

Purification and characterization of a human urine ribonuclease (RNAase 1) showing genetic polymorphism

A ribonuclease (RNAase) was isolated and purified from the urine of a 45-year-old man by column chromatographies on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, cellulose phosphate and CM-cellulose followed by gel filtrations on Bio-Gel P-100 and Sephadex G-75, and finally to a homogeneous state by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was designated RNAase 1. It was possible to detect RNAase 1 isozymes in urine and serum without difficulty using isoelectric focusing electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting with a rabbit antibody specific to RNAase 1. The existence of genetic polymorphism of RNAase 1 was detected in human serum utilizing this technique (Yasuda, T. et al. (1988) Am. J. Hum. Genet., in press). RNAase 1 in serum and urine seemed to exist in multiple forms with regard to molecular weight and pI value. Genetically polymorphic RNAase 1 was a glycoprotein, containing three mannose, one fucose, four glucosamine and no sialic acid residues per molecule, with a molecular weight of 16,000 and 17,500 determined by gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The enzyme was most active at pH 7.0 on yeast RNA substrate and inhibited remarkably by Cu2+, Hg2+ and Zn2+. It also showed definite substrate preference for poly(C) and poly(U), but much less activity against poly(A) and poly(G). Thus, the enzyme is a pyrimidine-specific RNAase.

Ribonuclease in different types of saliva from cystic fibrosis patients

The flow rate, the activity of ribonuclease (RNAase) and the concentration of protein were determined in whole saliva and in parotid and submandibular saliva from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and from healthy controls, both before and after stimulation of the salivary secretion. Lower flow rates were found in all types of saliva from CF-patients than in control saliva. Increased activity of RNAase was found in CF saliva, both before and after stimulation of the secretion. The concentration of protein was also increased, but to a lesser degree. No correlation was found between either RNAase activity or protein concentration and severity of the disease or age of the children. It is therefore unlikely that these disturbances are secondary to progression of the disease. Considerable variations in RNAase activity and protein concentration were observed, especially within the CF group, and therefore despite the significant increase in these variables in CF their estimation is of limited diagnostic value.

Sialic acid residues contribute to the heterogeneity of human serum ribonuclease: demonstration by isoelectric focusing and neuraminidase treatment of serum

Ribonuclease (RNase) activity from human serum appears as multiple zones of activity following isoelectric focusing in thin layer polyacrylamide gel. At least one but not all of these zones is cross reactive with rabbit antibovine pancreatic RNase A antiserum. Treatment of serum or partially purified serum RNase with neuraminidase reduces the complexity of the serum RNase banding pattern to a major band which focuses at a pH of 9.5 or greater and a minor zone of activity which focuses at about pH 6.0-6.2. Trypsin does not affect the pattern. Thus, sialic acid residues account for a large portion of the heterogeneity of human serum RNase. Neuraminidase treatment is requisite for evaluating RNase from serum and certain other sources.

A ribonuclease from human seminal plasma active on double-stranded RNA

A ribonuclease, active on single- and double-stranded RNAs, has been isolated from human seminal plasma 3-5 micrograms of enzyme were recovered per ml of seminal plasma, equivalent to 71% of total activity and a 2500-fold purification (measured with poly(A) X poly(U) as substrate) from the initial dialyzed material. Similar amounts of RNAase were found per g (wet weight) of human prostate, where the enzyme appears to be produced. Human seminal RNAase degrades poly(U) 3-times faster than poly(A) X poly(U), and poly(C) or viral single-stranded RNA about 10-times faster than poly(U). Degradation of poly(A) X poly(U), viral double-stranded RNA, and poly(A) by human seminal RNAase is 500-, 380- and 140-times more efficient, respectively, than by bovine RNAase A. The enzyme, a basic protein with maximum absorbance at 276 nm, occurs in two almost equivalent forms, one of which is glycosylated. Mr values of the glycosylated and non-glycosylated form are 21000 and 16000, respectively. The amino-acid composition of the RNAase is very similar to that of human pancreatic RNAase. The same is true for the carbohydrate content of its glycosylated form.

Salivary ribonuclease in cystic fibrosis and control subjects

Alkaline acid- and thermo-stable ribonuclease (RNAase) was assayed in whole mixed saliva from controls and from cystic fibrosis (CF) heterozygotes and homozygotes. There was a significant difference in salivary RNAase activity between control adults (n = 99) and CF heterozygotes (n = 77) (12.6 +/- 0.60 and 36.6 +/- 2.2 U/l, mean +/- SE respectively; p less than 0.001) and between control children (n = 1834) and CF patients (n = 60) (7.9 +/- 0.15 and 47.0 +/- 5.4 U/l respectively; p less than 0.001). A statistically significant difference in salivary RNAase activity was also found between control children and control adults (p less than 0.001) and between CF homozygotes and CF heterozygotes (p less than 0.001). The protein concentration was significantly increased by about 50-60% in saliva both from CF heterozygotes and from CF homozygotes (p less than 0.001 for both groups). It is concluded that in view of the great overlapping in values between the groups, these tests can only be of limited use for diagnostic purposes.

Clinical significance of acidic pI isoenzyme of ribonuclease in human serum

Employing isoelectric focusing with an Ampholine column, the presence of three major pI isoenzymes (basic, neutral and acidic) of human ribonuclease (RNase) is demonstrated. The acidic pI isoenzyme was observed in pancreatic and hepatic cancer cells and in fetal pancreas and liver tissues, and was frequently detected in the sera of patients with pancreatic and hepatic cancer. This isoenzyme was not, however, detected in the sera of non-cancerous patients. In pancreatic cancer tissues, other pI isoenzymes, except for the acidic one, were markedly suppressed and the isoelectrophoretic patterns of the cancerous tissues closely resembled those obtained from fetal pancreatic tissue. These results suggest that the acidic pI isoenzyme could represent one of the carcinofetal proteins and that the detection of this pI isoenzyme in the patient's serum may be useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic and hepatic cancer.

Radioimmunoassays for two types of human urinary ribonucleases: differential determination of ribonucleases in human serum

We developed radioimmunoassays for two types of human urinary ribonucleases. The assays are sensitive, reproducible and specific. One human urinary ribonuclease (RNase UL) showed strong immunological identity with human pancreatic ribonuclease, and the other ribonuclease (RNase Us) showed strong immuno cross-reactivity with human liver ribonuclease. There was no immuno cross-reactivity between these two urinary ribonucleases. Serum immunoreactive RNase UL was eluted as four peaks on phosphocellulose chromatography, whereas immunoreactive RNase US was eluted as a single peak. Serum content of immunoreactive RNase UL was 354 +/- 105 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) in normal individuals, and that of immunoreactive RNase Us was 15.9 +/- 5.7 ng/ml (mean +/- SD). No correlation was demonstrated between these two ribonuclease contents in serum.

Isozymes of ribonuclease in human serum and urine. II. A survey of patients with cystic fibrosis

A comparison of serum and urine RNase isozymes from CF patients, heterozygotes, and control subjects demonstrated that the major RNase isozymes are not abnormal in CF. Some preliminary evidence indicated that RNase activity of the pancreatic extracts administered to CF patients may appear in the urine and result in a slightly different urine isozyme pattern. In addition, the mean serum RNase activities of the CF patients and heterozygotes were significantly greater than the mean activity of the controls, but there was much overlap in values between the groups.

Isozymes of ribonuclease in human serum and urine. I. Methodology and a survey of a control population

Methods are presented for the electrophoretic analysis of ribonuclease (RNase) enzymes in human serum and urine. Protocols for sample treatment, electrophoresis, and the RNase zymogram technique are described. With the application of these methods, RNase from serum and urine was separated into components differing on the basis of charge (charge isomers or "isozymes"), but not differing with respect to hydrolyzable sialic acid residues. Preliminary characterization of the electrophoretically separated components showed that some of the RNase species have different properties (pH optima and substrate preference). The major urine RNase isozymes appeared to be distinct from the major serum RNase isozymes. A survey of a control population indicated that the major serum and urine RNase enzymes are not genetically polymorphic.

Evidence of age-dependent activity increase of poly(C)-avid-serum ribonuclease in man

The activity of ribonuclease (E 3.1.4.22) was estimated in sera of 401 normal subjects (normal renal function, no signs of catabolism), age ranging from 16 to 100 years (mean: 50.25 +/- 19.98) with Poly (C) as substrate. Further activity was measured with the substrates Poly (U), Poly (A) and Poly (G) in 10 sera from each age decade between 21-30 years and 81-90 years. Greatest activity was found with Poly (C) as substrate (mean: 15.88 kU/l +/- 9.57). Covariant analysis (age as covariant) revealed no sex-related activity distribution at any age, whereas the age-dependent activity increase was highly significant (p less than 0.001; 11-20 years: 9.48 kU/l +/- 3.07; 81-90 years: 34.72 kU/l +/- 5.88). Activity with the other substrates was very low and constant throughout all ages. It seems to be mandatory to consider the age of the patient when interpreting ribonuclease activity.

Purification and properties of ribonucleases from human urine

The two major ribonuclease (EC 3.1.27.5) present in normal human urine have been highly purified and extensively characterized for their enzymatic, physical, chemical and structural properties. One of the enzymes, RNAase C, is a glycoprotein which exhibits a pH optimum of 8.5 with RNA as the substrate and preferentially degrades the synthetic homoribopolymer poly(C). This enzyme is resolved into multiple components by column electrofocusing. However, prior treatment with neuraminidase results in a single form of RNAase C with an isoelectric point of 10.4, indicating that the charge heterogeneity is the result of variability in sialic acid content. Amino acid composition and NH2- and COOH-terminal sequence analyses of RNAase C show that this enzyme is very similar to mammalian pancreatic RNAases; the data indicate a peptide chain of 126 amino acid residues and a 33% carbohydrate content. The second enzyme isolated from urine, termed RNAase U, is also a glycoprotein which has a pH optimum of 7.0 with RNA as substrate and is virtually inactive against poly(C). RNAase U lacks sialic acid and focuses as a single component with a highly basic isoelectric point of greater than pH 11.0. The NH2- and COOH-terminal sequences of RNAase U show little homology with the pancreatic RNAases. However, the amino acid composition of this enzyme indicates it is very similar to human spleen RNAase.

Properties of purified salivary ribonuclease, and salivary ribonuclease levels in children with cystic fibrosis and in heterozygous carriers

Alkaline acid- and thermo-stable ribonuclease was isolated from human saliva of healthy subjects, children with cystic fibrosis, and from parents of the latter. The enzyme was purified about 180-200 times, and its ionic requirements, and specificity towards various substrates, characterized and compared with those for human pancreatic ribonuclease. The level of acid- and thermo-stable ribonuclease activity was five times higher in terms of enzyme level per ml saliva, and three times higher in terms of salivary protein, for 62% of children with cystic fibrosis, and for 73% of carrier subjects, relative to co-nrol groups. Assay of the level of this ribonuclease activity appears to be a promising diagnostic tool for detection of heterozygote carriers.

Ribonuclease activity in human serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine

Poly(C)-avid ribonucleases of molecular weight 33 000 are present in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine of humans. Purified human urinary ribonuclease was used to produce a monospecific antibody in rabbits. The antibody was capable of: (i) inhibiting the enzyme activities in the serum, CSF, and urine; (ii) reacting with antigens in the serum and CSF. The antigens in the serum, CSF and urine were found to be immunologically identical. Immunoelectrophoresis data suggested that the urinary and CSF RNAase are chemically identical. Succesful renal transplantation reduced elevated serum RNAase to normal levels. The data suggest that the most likely source of both urinary and CSF ribonuclease activity is the blood stream.

Purification and properties of a ribonuclease in human urine that hydrolyses polycytidylic acid

Human urine RNase was purified about 2000-fold. The preparation is free from phosphatase, phosphodiesterase and DNase activities. On electrophoresis through polyacrylamide gel at pH 8.3, it migrates toward the anode and stains with periodic acid-Schiff reagent, suggesting that it is acidic and glycoprotein in nature. Its isoelectric point is at pH 4.1. It has a molecular weight of about 21,500. It is thermostable at pH 4.2 and thermolabile at pH 8.5. It has a pH optimum at 6.5. It exhibits highest preference for cytidine 3'-phosphate linkages. Its activity on poly (C) is endonucleolytic. It cleaves poly (C) via intramolecular transphosphorylation. It has no action on cytidine 2': 3'-cyclic phosphate or uridine 2':3'-cyclic phosphate. Its rate of hydrolysis of poly (U) is less than 2% of that of poly C). Poly (A) and poly (G) are totally inert to its action. Its action on poly (C) is inhibited by poly (G), poly (A) and poly (U). It differs from bovine pancreatic Rnase A in its physical, chemical and catalytic properties. It is, however, similar to human serum and pancreatic RNase in all its properties, suggesting that pancreas is its likely source.

Activity of two components of serum ribonuclease under conditions of physical exercise

Serum ribonuclease activity before and after physical exercise in healthy persons was estimated. It is found that a work load of 6000 kgm/5 min increased ribonuclease activity measured at pH 8.5 and decreased the activity of the same enzyme measured at pH 7.0 in the presence of Zn SO4. The observed changes were more pronounced in untrained than in trained persons.

Human pancreatic-type ribonucleases with activity against double-stranded ribonucleic acids

Purified acid-thermostable ribonuclease (Ribonucleate 3'-pyrimidino-oligonucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.22) from human pancreas degrades double-stranded RNA at 2% the rate for single-stranded RNA. The activities against single-stranded RNA and double-stranded RNA were shown to be due to a single enzyme with properties similar to bovine pancreatic RNAase A. For purposes of comparison the activities against double-stranded RNA of crystalline ribonucleases of the whale, rat and cow were assayed and found to be 0.4%, 0.03% and 0.003%, respectively, of their activities against single-stranded RNA. Both human serum and urine contain RNAse components of pancreatic origin which hydrolyze double-stranded RNA at 2% and 0.4%, respectively, of the rates against single-stranded RNA. By contrast, purified acid-thermostable RNAases from human spleen and liver hydrlyze double-stranded RNA at least 20-fold more slowly than human pancreatic RNAase, relative to the corresponding rates against single-stranded RNA. The human pancreatic and serum enzymes exhibit appreciable activity against the poly(C) component of the double-stranded poly(I)-poly(C); they also attack poly(C) itself at approximately 25 times the rate for poly(U) and at more than 50 times the rate for single-stranded RNA.

Novel activity of potato nucleotide pyrophosphatase

The classical Kornberger-Pricer procedure for purification of potato nucleotide pyrophosphatase (EC 3.6.1.9) has been modified to yield a preparation purified 2500-fold. In addition to the known activity against pyrophosphate linkages in pyrophosphates located at the 5'-OH of nucleosides, and phosphodiester linkages in aryl esters of nucleoside-5'-phosphates, the enzyme has now been shown to catalyze the cleavage of: (a) aryl esters of nucleoside-3'-phosphates and orthophosphates, (b) nucleotide pyrophosphate linkages of the type (3')-pp-(3'), and (c) pm7G from m7GpppGm-terminated fragments of viral mRNA. Activities against aryl esters of nucleoside-3'- and 5'-phosphates, and NAD, were shown to be due to the same protein by three criteria: (a) constant ratio of activities during purification and gel electrophoresis, (b) identical chromatographic properties in various systems, and (c) similarities in pH-dependence, heat inactivation, and the effects of cations and other substances. Since potato nucleotide pyrophosphatase does not exhibit exonuclease or phosphatase activities against natural substrates for the latter enzymes, but does cleave synthetic aryl esters of nucleotide-3'- and 5'-phosphates and of orthophosphate, it follows that these substrates are not suitable for detection of such activities in higher plants.