The isolation of lysosomes from brain

Monitoring stress-induced autophagic engulfment and degradation of the 26S proteasome in mammalian cells

Almost 70 years after the discovery of the lysosome, and about four decades following the unraveling of ubiquitin as a specific "mark of death," the field of protein turnover-the numerous processes it regulates, the pathologies resulting from its dysregulation, and the drugs that have been developed to target them-is still growing exponentially. Accordingly, the need for new technologies and methods is ever growing. One interesting question in the field is the mechanism(s) by which the "predators become prey". We have reported recently that the 26S proteasome, the catalytic arm of the ubiquitin system, is degraded by the autophagy-lysosome machinery, in a process requiring specific ubiquitination of the proteasome, and subsequent recognition by the shuttle protein p62/SQSTM1. Studying the modification(s), recognition sites, engulfment, and breakdown of the 26S proteasome via such "proteaphagy" has required the use of microscopy, subcellular fractionation, 'classical biochemistry', and proteomics. In this chapter, we present the essentials of these protocols, with emphasis on the refinements we have introduced in order for them to better suit the particular study of proteaphagy.

Lysosomal protease pathways to apoptosis. Cleavage of bid, not pro-caspases, is the most likely route

We investigated the mechanism of lysosome-mediated cell death using purified recombinant pro-apoptotic proteins, and cell-free extracts from the human neuronal progenitor cell line NT2. Potential effectors were either isolated lysosomes or purified lysosomal proteases. Purified lysosomal cathepsins B, H, K, L, S, and X or an extract of mouse lysosomes did not directly activate either recombinant caspase zymogens or caspase zymogens present in an NT2 cytosolic extract to any significant extent. In contrast, a cathepsin L-related protease from the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, cruzipain, showed a measurable caspase activation rate. This demonstrated that members of the papain family can directly activate caspases but that mammalian lysosomal members of this family may have been negatively selected for caspase activation to prevent inappropriate induction of apoptosis. Given the lack of evidence for a direct role in caspase activation by lysosomal proteases, we hypothesized that an indirect mode of caspase activation may involve the Bcl-2 family member Bid. In support of this, Bid was cleaved in the presence of lysosomal extracts, at a site six residues downstream from that seen for pathways involving capase 8. Incubation of mitochondria with Bid that had been cleaved by lysosomal extracts resulted in cytochrome c release. Thus, cleavage of Bid may represent a mechanism by which proteases that have leaked from the lysosomes can precipitate cytochrome c release and subsequent caspase activation. This is supported by the finding that cytosolic extracts from mice ablated in the bid gene are impaired in the ability to release cytochrome c in response to lysosome extracts. Together these data suggest that Bid represents a sensor that allows cells to initiate apoptosis in response to widespread adventitious proteolysis.

Ocrl1, a PtdIns(4,5)P(2) 5-phosphatase, is localized to the trans-Golgi network of fibroblasts and epithelial cells

PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and PtdIns(4,5)P(2) 5-phosphatases play important roles in diverse aspects of cell metabolism, including protein trafficking. However, the relative importance of the PtdIns(4,5)P(2) 5-phosphatases in regulating PtdIns(4,5)P(2) levels for specific cell processes is not well understood. Ocrl1 is a PtdIns(4,5)P(2) 5-phosphatase that is deficient in the oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe, a disorder characterized by defects in kidney and lens epithelial cells and mental retardation. Ocrl1 was originally localized to the Golgi in fibroblasts, but a subsequent report suggested a lysosomal localization in a kidney epithelial cell line. In this study we defined the localization of ocrl1 in fibroblasts and in two kidney epithelial cell lines by three methods: immunofluorescence, subcellular fractionation, and a dynamic perturbation assay with brefeldin A. We found that ocrl1 was a Golgi-localized protein in all three cell types and further identified it as a protein of the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The TGN is a major sorting site and has the specialized function in epithelial cells of directing proteins to the apical or basolateral domains. The epithelial cell phenotype in Lowe syndrome and the localization of ocrl1 to the TGN imply that this PtdIns(4,5)P(2) 5-phosphatase plays a role in trafficking. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:179-189, 2000)

Omega-oxidation of monocarboxylic acids in rat brain

The accumulation of dicarboxylic acids is a prominent feature of inborn and toxin induced disorders of fatty acid metabolism which are characterized by impaired mental status. The formation of dicarboxylic acids is also a critical step in liver in the induction of intracellular fatty acid binding proteins and the proliferation of peroxisomes. In order to understand what potential roles dicarboxylic acids have in brain, we examined the extent of omega-oxidation in rat brain. Homogenates of rat brain catalyze the omega-oxidation of monocarboxylic acids with a specific activity of between 0.87 and 5.23 nmol/mg of post-mitochondrial protein/h, depending on the substrate. The activity is remarkably high, between one-fourth and 4 times the activity found in rat liver, depending on the chain length of the substrate. Specific activity increases with increasing chain length of the substrate. The omega-oxidation of palmitic acid is linear over a range of 0.125-3.0 mg of protein and 5-50 microM substrate for up to 45 minutes of incubation. The product of omega-oxidation in brain is almost exclusively dicarboxylic acid. Cultured rat neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes all contain omega-oxidation activity. Western blots of rat brain homogenate demonstrate a protein that is recognized by antibody to rat liver CYP4A omega-hydroxylase. These results demonstrate that the omega-oxidative pathway is prominent in brain and could play a role in brain fatty acid metabolism.

A comparison of cathepsin B processing and distribution during neuronal death in rats following global ischemia or decapitation necrosis

The objective of this study was to examine the possible role of the cysteine protease cathepsin B (E.C. 3.4.22.1) in the delayed neuronal death in rats subjected to the two-vessel occlusion model of global ischemia. Immunohistochemistry of the hippocampus showed an alteration in the distribution of cathepsin B in CA1 neurons from a lysosomal pattern to a more intense label redistributed into the cytoplasm. This change was not detected until the neurons had become morphologically altered with obvious shrinkage of the cytoplasmic region. Western blotting and enzyme activity measurements of subcellular fractions, including lysosomes and a cell soluble fraction, demonstrated that there was an overall decrease in cathepsin B activity at this time but an increase in the proenzyme form, particularly in the soluble fraction. This was found to be completely different from the marked loss of all forms of cathepsin B in necrotic neurons following decapitation.

A novel metalloprotease in rat brain cleaves the amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease generating amyloidogenic fragments

The amyloid protein (A beta or beta A4) is the major constituent of amyloid plaques in the Alzheimer's disease brain. A beta is cleaved from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by a mechanism which is poorly understood. Cell culture studies suggest that APP may be cleaved by secretases within the late Golgi compartment. Studies performed so far have mainly used exogenous APP and synthetic peptides as substrates. For this study, a Golgi and plasma membrane-enriched fraction was isolated from rat brain and incubated at 37 degrees C at pH 7.2 to study the degradation of endogenous APP. The breakdown of APP was accompanied by the concomitant generation of A beta-containing C-terminal fragments, in a time-dependent fashion. The metal ion chelators EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline inhibited this degradation. The inhibition by EDTA was reversed by 50 microM Zn2+ but not by other metal ions. The protease activity was not inhibited by cysteine, serine or aspartic protease inhibitors nor was it inhibited by compounds which are inhibitors of known metalloendopeptidases and matrix metalloproteinases (cFP, phosphoramidon and TIMP-2). Our data suggest that a novel Zn(2+)-dependent metalloprotease activity associated with a Golgi and plasma membrane-enriched fraction can degrade endogenous APP to generate A beta containing C-terminal fragments. This protease may generate amyloidogenic fragments of APP which may serve as precursors for A beta.

A selective colorimetric assay for cathepsin L using Z-Phe-Arg-4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamide

Among the intracellular proteinases, the thiol proteinases such as cathepsin B (EC 3.4.22.1), cathepsin H (EC 3.4.22.16) and cathepsin L (EC 3.4.22.15) which act at slightly acidic pHs are more likely to play an important role in lysosomal protein catabolism. Out of these, cathepsin L plays a major role primarily because it has high degradative activity on cellular and matrix proteins. However, the studies on cathepsin L in crude homogenates and subcellular fractions have always been hampered by the lack of a specific substrate to exclusively measure the activity of this proteinase. The only synthetic substrate alpha-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-Phe-L-Arg-4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamide (Z-Phe-Arg-NNapOMe) which is hydrolysed by cathepsin L is hydrolysed equally well by cathepsin B. This substrate was manipulated to act as a selective substrate for cathepsin L. In presence of 4 M urea at pH 5.0, cathepsin B (the only other cathepsin which also hydrolyses Z-Phe-Arg-NNapOMe) was inactivated and, therefore, under these conditions, the enzyme activity quantitated by using this substrate is only due to cathepsin L. Using this newly-developed colorimetric assay method specific for cathepsin L, the subcellular and regional distribution of this proteinase were established in goat brain tissue. About 80% cathepsin L activity was recovered in the lysosomal fraction thus establishing its lysosomal nature. Among the various brain parts, highest activity was found in cerebrum followed by cerebellum, pituitary body, pons-varolli, thalamus, medulla-oblongata and hypothalamus.

Modulation of rat olfactory bulb mitochondrial function by atrial natriuretic peptide

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and receptors for ANP are widely distributed in many tissues and cell types in vertebrates. ANP has been shown to be internalized into the cytoplasm in several cell types and thus it raises the possibility that it may act on intracellular receptors. Displacement experiments of [125I]-ANP binding to rat olfactory bulb mitochondrial fraction demonstrated the presence of high affinity (Kd < 10(-9)M) binding sites (Bmax, 112 fmol/mg protein) in this preparation. The addition of ANP (10(-8) M) to this mitochondrial preparation resulted in a 25% increase in TPP+ accumulation, signifying a striking hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. In contrast ANP did not increase TPP+ uptake to liver mitochondrial preparations. This direct effect of ANP on Olfactory bulb mitochondrial membrane potential may underly the known effects of this hormone on steroidogenesis.

Protein differences in tau mutant hamsters: candidate clock proteins

In the tau mutant hamster, the period of the circadian rhythm is shortened from about 24 h to about 22 h in heterozygotes and to about 20 h in homozygotes. Understanding the biochemical basis of the period changes in the tau mutant may elucidate the regulation of the vertebrate pacemaker. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we have found two sets of proteins that differ between the different genotypes. P33tau (about 33 kDa; pI 6.5) was found in all gels from wild type and heterozygous animals, but was absent in gels from all except one of the homozygous mutant animals. P32tau (about 32 kDa; pI 4.8) was a chain of spots, which showed a striking difference in pattern between gels from wild type animals and from mutant animals. P33tau was greatly enriched in soluble cellular fractions, whereas P32tau was found only in insoluble fractions. These differences between P33tau and P32tau were apparent in gels from both SCN and cortical tissue, suggesting that both proteins are distributed throughout the brain. These proteins should be useful as new tools to explore the biochemistry of circadian pacemakers.

The distribution of A1 adenosine receptor and 5'-nucleotidase in pig brain cortex subcellular fractions

Pig brain cerebral cortex was subfractionated by isopycnic centrifugation in sucrose gradients. In each subfraction the content of the agonist [3H]R-PIA binding, the activity of adenosine metabolizing enzymes (5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase) and the activity of membrane marker enzymes were determined. The fractions were also examined by electron microscope. In general, the results suggest a widespread distribution of A1 adenosine receptors in membranes from different origins. Marker enzyme profile characterization indicated an enrichment of A1 adenosine receptor in pre-synaptic membranes isolated from the crude synaptosomal fraction (P2B subfraction) as well as in membranes of glial origin such as myelin. The receptor is also present in the endoplasmic reticulum and in membranes isolated from the microsomal fraction that seem to have a post-synaptic origin (P3B). In subfractions having a high content of adenosine receptor the equilibrium binding parameters were obtained as well as the proportion of high- to low-affinity sites. From the values of the equilibrium constants it was not possible to find differences between the receptor in the different subfractions. Analysis of the affinity state distribution showed a diminished percentage of high-affinity sites in fraction P3A, which can be accounted by the existence of myelin membranes; in contrast the percentage of high-affinity states was higher in P2 and P3B, indicating that in these fractions the receptor is present in synaptosomal membranes. The close correlation shown between the enzyme 5'-nucleotidase specific activity and the specific ligand binding distributions led us to postulate an important role for the enzyme in the regulation of adenosine action in pig brain cortex.

Interaction of cerebral-cortical membranes with exogenously added phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Effects on measured phospholipase C activity

Exogenously added phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) is rapidly associated with cerebral-cortical membranes. Substrate association with membranes was promoted by Mg2+, but inhibited by bivalent chelators. Once associated with the membrane, the PtdInsP2 was resistant to displacement by EDTA. The apparent phospholipase C activity was dependent on the degree of association of substrate with membranes. After preincubation of membranes with substrate, PtdInsP2 hydrolysis was independent of the incubation volume, indicating that substrate and membrane-associated phospholipase C were not independently diluted. Hydrolysis of the membrane-associated substrate was stimulated by Ca2+, guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG), guanosine 5'[gamma-thio]triphosphate and carbachol in the presence of p[NH]ppG. Carbachol in the absence of guanine nucleotides, GDP, GTP, ATP and pyrophosphate was ineffective. These results demonstrate that exogenously added PtdInsP2 substrate is rapidly associated with membranes and hydrolysed by a phospholipase C whose activity is regulated by guanine nucleotides and agonist in the presence of guanine nucleotides. Use of exogenously added substrate for studies on the regulation of membrane phospholipase C requires consideration as to possible effects of incubation conditions on the partitioning of substrate into membranes.

Guanine nucleotides mediate stimulatory and inhibitory effects on cerebral-cortical membrane phospholipase C activity

In cerebral-cortical membranes, hydrolysis-resistant guanine nucleotides exert a dual regulatory effect on phospholipase C activity. Nanomolar concentrations of guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) or guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) inhibited basal phospholipase C activity, with a maximum inhibition of 30% at 10 nM. Increasing the concentration of p[NH]ppG or GTP[S] to over 10 nM resulted in a reversal of the inhibitory effect and onset of stimulation of phospholipase C activity. These inhibitory effects were blocked by 100 microM-guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate. GTP was relatively ineffective in producing either stimulation or inhibition of phospholipase C activity. Similarly, ATP, adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate and GDP were also ineffective. Expression of the dual effects of guanine nucleotides was affected by the Mg2+ concentration. At 0.3 mM-Mg2+, both the inhibitory and the stimulatory components of p[NH]ppG action were evident. At 2.5 mM-Mg2+, only p[NH]ppG stimulation was observed. Pertussis-toxin treatment blocked the p[NH]ppG-mediated inhibition of phospholipase C activity. These results demonstrate that non-hydrolysable guanine nucleotides exert both a stimulatory and an inhibitory effect on membrane phospholipase C activity. These effects may be mediated through distinct GTP-binding proteins.

Demonstration of acid hydrolase activity in primary cultures of bovine brain microvessel endothelium

The existence of lysosomes and acid hydrolase activity was demonstrated in an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model comprising primary cultures of bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell (BMEC) monolayers. BMEC lysosomes were observed by the uptake of acridine orange and fluorophore-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein by fluorescence microscopy. Cytochemical localization of the acid hydrolase, sulfatase, and acid phosphatase (AcP) activities with light microscopy also revealed hydrolase-positive vacuoles or lysosomes that varied in number from cell to cell. BMEC monolayers were fractionated and biochemical assays of the sulfatase, AcP, and beta-galactosidase were performed. Significant activities of the acid hydrolases were found to be associated with lysosome and microsome fractions (69-77%). The majority of beta-galactosidase (approximately 48%) and total sulfatase (approximately 58%) activity was associated with the lysosome fraction of the BMECs. In contrast, approximately 52% of AcP activity was associated with the microsome fraction of the cells. The results of this study are consistent with the demonstration in vivo of acid hydrolases as potential factors in the endocytic pathway for transport of proteins through the BBB and as contributors to the BBB's enzymatic barrier function.

Lysosomal isozyme patterns in ethylnitrosourea-induced brain tumors

Isozyme patterns for five acid hydrolases, acid phosphatase (AP), aryl-sulfate (AS), beta-glucuronidase (beta-Glu), N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) and beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal), were studied in isolated lysosomes from ethylnitrosourea (ENU)-induced gliomas and compared with normal and newborn rat brains. With polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), AP was separated into three bands, acidic (A), intermediate (B) and basic (C). In tumors and newborn brains there was a decrease in A and C but a significant increase in B. For NAG the acidic form was elevated by 9-19% in tumors, while newborn brains showed a 19% decrease. Even though the band intensities of beta-Glu in tumors and newborn brains were increased, the relative distribution remained similar to normal brain. With isoelectric focusing, five hydrolases were separated into four to five distinct forms. In ENU-induced gliomas the intensities of all peaks were considerably increased, but in most cases the number of isozymes remained the same. In tumors the isoelectric points were shifted towards the acidic side and smaller peaks in the basic regions merged into more acidic peaks. This effect was especially evident for AP and Gal. In the cases of AS, beta-Glu and NAG, consistently more activity was associated with acidic peaks than with the basic ones. Our data indicates that there is a significant increase in acidic forms of some of the lysosomal hydrolases studied in ENU-induced brain tumors.

The hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol by lysosomal enzymes of rat liver and brain

1. Lysosomes from rat liver contain two enzymic systems for hydrolysing phosphatidyl-inositol: a deacylation via lysophosphatidylinositol producing glycerophosphoinositol and non-esterified fatty acid, and a phospholipase C-like cleavage into inositol 1-phosphate and diaclygycerol. 2. The separate enzyme systems involved can be distinguished by gel filtration, differential temperature-stability and the inhibitory action of detergents. 3. The enzyme systems both have pH optima at 4.8 and their attack on a pure phosphatidylinositol substrate is inhibited by many bivalent metals including Ca2+ and Mg2+, and cationic drugs. 4. Whereas the deacylation system will attack other glycerophospholipids, the phospholipase C shows a marked specificity towards phosphatidylinositol, although it will also slowly attach phosphatidylcholine with the liberation of phosphocholine. 5. Gel filtration and temperature-stability distinguish the phospholipase C from lysosomal phosphatidic acid phosphatase, but not from sphingomyelinase. 6. Evidence is presented that an EDTA-insensitive phospholipase C degrading phosphatidylinositol is present in rat brain.