Glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchored membrane enzymes

Development of a Robust Consensus Modeling Approach for Identifying Cellular and Media Metabolites Predictive of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Potency

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown promise in regenerative medicine applications due in part to their ability to modulate immune cells. However, MSCs demonstrate significant functional heterogeneity in terms of their immunomodulatory function because of differences in MSC donor/tissue source, as well as non-standardized manufacturing approaches. As MSC metabolism plays a critical role in their ability to expand to therapeutic numbers ex vivo, we comprehensively profiled intracellular and extracellular metabolites throughout the expansion process to identify predictors of immunomodulatory function (T-cell modulation and indoleamine-2,3-dehydrogenase (IDO) activity). Here, we profiled media metabolites in a non-destructive manner through daily sampling and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as well as MSC intracellular metabolites at the end of expansion using mass spectrometry (MS). Using a robust consensus machine learning approach, we were able to identify panels of metabolites predictive of MSC immunomodulatory function for 10 independent MSC lines. This approach consisted of identifying metabolites in 2 or more machine learning models and then building consensus models based on these consensus metabolite panels. Consensus intracellular metabolites with high predictive value included multiple lipid classes (such as phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and sphingomyelins) while consensus media metabolites included proline, phenylalanine, and pyruvate. Pathway enrichment identified metabolic pathways significantly associated with MSC function such as sphingolipid signaling and metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and autophagy. Overall, this work establishes a generalizable framework for identifying consensus predictive metabolites that predict MSC function, as well as guiding future MSC manufacturing efforts through identification of high-potency MSC lines and metabolic engineering.

GC-MS-based metabolomics reveals new biomarkers to assist the differentiation of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Lack of efficient noninvasive biomarkers for differentiating prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a serious concern for men's health worldwide. In this study, we aimed to improve the diagnostic capability of the existing noninvasive biomarkers for PCa. GC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics was employed to analyze plasma samples for 41 PCa patients and 38 BPH controls. Both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to screen for differential metabolites between PCa and BPH, followed by the selection of potential biomarkers through machine learning. The chosen candidate biomarkers were then verified by targeted analysis and transcriptome data. The results showed that twelve metabolites were significantly dysregulated between PCa and BPH, three metabolites including L-serine, myo-inositol, and decanoic acid could be potential biomarkers for discriminating PCa from BPH. Most importantly, ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the involvement of the three potential biomarkers has increased the area under the curve (AUC) value of cPSA and tPSA from 0.542 and 0.592 to 0.781, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that the involvement of L-serine, myo-inositol, and decanoic acid can largely improve the diagnostic capability of the commonly used noninvasive biomarkers in the clinic for differentiating PCa from BPH.

Enzymatically Formed Peptide Assemblies Sequestrate Proteins and Relocate Inhibitors to Selectively Kill Cancer Cells

Herein, we show that an enzymatic reaction can generate peptide assemblies that sequestrate proteins to selectively kill cancer cells. A phosphopeptide bearing the antagonistic motif (AVPI) to the inhibitors of apoptotic proteins (IAPs) enters cancer cells and normal cells by caveolin-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis, respectively. The AVPI-bearing peptide assemblies sequestrates IAPs and releases bortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor, in the cytosol of cancer cells, but rescues the normal cells (namely, HS-5 cells) by trafficking the BTZ into lysosomes. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) acts as a context-dependent signal for trafficking the peptide/BTZ assemblies and selectively induces the death of the cancer cells. The assemblies of AVPI exhibit enhanced proteolytic resistance. This work, which utilizes the difference in endocytic uptake of enzymatically formed peptide assemblies to selectively kill cancer cells, promises a new way to develop selective cancer therapeutics.

Role of the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Protein TEX101 and Its Related Molecules in Spermatogenesis

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (APs) on the plasma membrane are involved in several cellular processes, including sperm functions. Thus far, several GPI-APs have been identified in the testicular germ cells, and there is increasing evidence of their biological significance during fertilization. Among GPI-APs identified in the testis, this review focuses on TEX101, a germ cell-specific GPI-AP that belongs to the lymphocyte antigen 6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor superfamily. This molecule was originally identified as a glycoprotein that contained the antigen epitope for a specific monoclonal antibody; it was produced by immunizing female mice with an allogenic testicular homogenate. This review mainly describes the current understanding of the biochemical, morphological, and physiological characteristics of TEX101. Furthermore, future avenues for the investigation of testicular GPI-Aps, including their potential role as regulators of ion channels, are discussed.

Modulation of bone turnover aberration: A target for management of primary osteoporosis in experimental rat model

Osteoporosis is a skeletal degenerative disease characterised by abnormal bone turnover with scant bone formation and overabundant bone resorption. The present approach was intended to address the potency of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), chitosan/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites (nCh/HA) and silver/hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nAg/HA) to modulate bone turnover deviation in primary osteoporosis induced in the experimental model. Characterisation techniques such as TEM, zeta-potential, FT-IR and XRD were used to assess the morphology, the physical as well as the chemical features of the prepared nanostructures. The in vivo experiment was conducted on forty-eight adult female rats, randomised into 6 groups (8 rats/group), (1) gonad-intact, (2) osteoporotic group, (3) osteoporotic + nHA, (4) osteoporotic + nCh/HA, (5) osteoporotic + nAg/HA and (6) osteoporotic + alendronate (ALN). After three months of treatment, serum sclerostin (SOST), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) levels were quantified using ELISA. Femur bone receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and cathepsin K (CtsK) mRNA levels were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. Moreover, alizarin red S staining was applied to determine the mineralisation intensity of femur bone. Findings in the present study indicated that treatment with nHA, nCh/HA or nAg/HA leads to significant repression of serum SOST, BALP and BSP levels parallel to a significant down-regulation of RANKL and CtsK gene expression levels. On the other side, significant enhancement in the calcification intensity of femur bone has been noticed. The outcomes of this experimental setting ascertained the potentiality of nHA, nCh/HA and nAg/HA as promising nanomaterials in attenuating the excessive bone turnover in the primary osteoporotic rat model. The mechanisms behind the efficacy of the investigated nanostructures involved the obstacle of serum and tissue indices of bone resorption besides the strengthening of bone mineralisation.

Comparison of myo-inositol and metformin on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and gene expression related to insulin and lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial

This investigation was conducted to evaluate comparison of myo-inositol and metformin on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and gene expression related to insulin and lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 53 women with PCOS, aged 18-40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to take either myo-inositol (n = 26) or metformin (n = 27) for 12 weeks. Myo-inositol supplementation, compared with metformin, significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (β -5.12 mg/dL; 95% CI, -8.09, -2.16; p=.001), serum insulin levels (β -1.49 µIU/mL; 95% CI, -2.28, -0.70; p<.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (β -0.36; 95% CI, -0.55, -0.17; p<.001), serum triglycerides (β 12.42 mg/dL; 95% CI, -20.47, -4.37; p=.003) and VLDL-cholesterol levels (β -2.48 mg/dL; 95% CI, -4.09, -0.87; p=.003), and significantly increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β 0.006; 95% CI, 0.002, 0.01; p=.006) compared with metformin. Moreover, myo-inositol supplementation upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (p=.002) compared with metformin. Overall, taking myo-inositol, compared with metformin, for 12 weeks by women with PCOS had beneficial effects on glycemic control, triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol levels, and gene expression of PPAR-γ.

Myo-inositol in autoimmune thyroiditis, and hypothyroidism

Myo-inositol (Myo-Ins) plays an important role in thyroid function and autoimmunity. Myo-Ins is the precursor for the synthesis of phosphoinositides, which takes part in the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) signal transduction pathway, and plays a decisive role in several cellular processes. In the thyroid cells, PtdIns is involved in the intracellular thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) signaling, via Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) (PIP-3). Moreover, the phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinases (PI3K) family of lipid kinases regulates diverse aspects of T, B, and Tregs lymphocyte behaviour. Different mouse models deficient for the molecules involved in the PIP3 pathway suggest that impairment of PIP3 signaling leads to dysregulation of immune responses and, sometimes, autoimmunity. Studies have shown that cytokines modulate Myo-Ins in thyroid cells. Moreover, clinical studies have shown that after treatment with Myo-inositol plus seleniomethionine (Myo-Ins + Se), TSH levels significantly declined in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis. The treatment was accompanied by a decline of antithyroid autoantibodies. After treatment serum CXCL10 levels declined, confirming the immune-modulatory effect of Myo-Ins. Additional research is necessary in larger population to evaluate the effect on the quality of life, and to study the mechanism of the effect on chemokines.

[Value of serum alkaline phosphatase for predicting 2-year fracture in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the value of baseline serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) for predicting 2-year fracture in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on maintenance dialysis.

METHODS

A total of 139 patients with CKD undergoing maintenance dialysis in our hospital were enrolled in this study. According to the median serum ALP level, the patients were divided into high ALP and low ALP groups. The demographic and clinical data of the patients including dialysis duration, serum calcium level, serum phosphorus level, and serum intact parathyroid hormone level were recorded, and their bone mineral density of the femur and the lumbar spine was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The patients were followed up for 2 years and fracture events were recorded. The risk factors of fracture were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, and their predictive value for fracture was analyzed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

The mean baseline serum ALP level was 132.55±167.68 U/L in these patients, significantly higher than that in the normal population (t=2.816, P=0.006). Baseline serum ALP level was negatively correlated with the bone mineral density of the lumbar spine (r=-0.203, P=0.006) and the femur (r=-0.196, P=0.021). Fractures occurred in 21 (15.1%) of the patients during the 2-year follow-up, and the fracture rate was significantly higher in patients with high ALP levels. Logistic regression analysis identified serum ALP level as an independent risk factor of fracture (OR: 1.010, P=0.001, 95%CI: 1.004-1.016). The areas under the ROC curve were 0.900 and 0.768 for serum ALP level and intact parathyroid hormone level in predicting 2-year fractures, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum ALP may serve as a good indicator for predicting 2-year fractures in patients with CKD on maintenance dialysis.

Management of women with PCOS using myo-inositol and folic acid. New clinical data and review of the literature

Introduction The use of 2 × 2000 mg myo-inositol +2 × 200 μg folic acid per day is a safe and promising tool in the effective improvement of symptoms and infertility for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, PCOS is one of the pathological factors involved in the failure of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Typically, PCOS patients suffer of poor quality oocytes. Patients and methods In an open, prospective, non-blinded, non-comparative observational study, 3602 infertile women used myo-inositol and folic acid between 2 and 3 months in a dosage of 2 × 2000 mg myo-inositol +2 × 200 μg folic acid per day. In a subgroup of 32 patients, hormonal values for testosterone, free testosterone and progesterone were analyzed before and after 12 weeks of treatment. The mean time of use was 10.2 weeks. In the second part of this trial it was investigated if the combination of myo-inositol + folic acid was able to improve the oocyte quality, the ratio between follicles and retrieved oocytes, the fertilization rate and the embryo quality in PCOS patients undergoing IVF treatments. Twenty-nine patients with PCOS, underwent IVF protocols for infertility treatment and were randomized prospectively into two groups. Group A (placebo) with 15 patients and group B (4000 mg myo-inositol +400 μg folic acid per day) with 14 patients were evaluated. The patients of group B used 2 months' myo-inositol + folic acid before starting the IVF protocol. For statistically analyses Student's t-test was performed. Results Seventy percent of the women had a restored ovulation, and 545 pregnancies were observed. This means a pregnancy rate of 15.1% of all the myo-inositol and folic acid users. In 19 cases a concomitant medication with clomiphene or dexamethasone was used. One twin pregnancy was documented. Testosterone levels changed from 96.6 ng/mL to 43.3 ng/mL and progesterone from 2.1 ng/mL to 12.3 ng/mL in the mean after 12 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05) Student's t-test. No relevant side effects were present among the patients. The women in the IVF treatment the group A showed a higher number of retrieved oocytes than group B. Nevertheless, the ratio follicle/retrieved oocyte was clearly better in the myo-inositol group (= group B). Out of the 233 oocytes collected in the myo-inositol group, 136 where fertilized whereas only 128 out of 300 oocytes were fertilized in the placebo group. With regards to the oocytes quality, better data were obtained in the myo-inositol group. More metaphase II and I oocytes were retrieved in relation to the total number of oocytes, when compared with the placebo group. Also, more embryos of grade I quality were observed in the myo-inositol group than in the placebo group. The duration of stimulation was 9.7 days (±3.3) in the myo-inositol group and 11.2 (±1.8) days in the placebo group and the number of used follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) units was lower in the myo-inositol group in comparison to the placebo group: 1850 FSH units (mean) versus 1850 units (mean). Discussion Myo-inositol has proven to be a new treatment option for patients with PCOS and infertility. The achieved pregnancy rates are at least in an equivalent or even superior range than those reported using metformin as an insulin sensitizer. No moderate to severe side effects were observed when myo-inositol was used at a dosage of 4000 mg per day. In addition, our evidence suggests that a myo-inositol therapy in women with PCOS results in better fertilization rates and a clear trend to a better embryo quality. As by the same way the number of retrieved oocytes was smaller in the myo-inositol group, the risk of a hyperstimulation syndrome in these patients can be reduced. Therefore, myo-inositol also represents an improvement in IVF protocols for patients with PCOS.

Alkaline phosphatase: a novel treatment target for cardiovascular disease in CKD

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of early death in the settings of chronic kidney disease (CKD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and ageing. Cardiovascular events can be caused by an imbalance between promoters and inhibitors of mineralization, which leads to vascular calcification. This process is akin to skeletal mineralization, which is carefully regulated and in which isozymes of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have a crucial role. Four genes encode ALP isozymes in humans. Intestinal, placental and germ cell ALPs are tissue-specific, whereas the tissue-nonspecific isozyme of ALP (TNALP) is present in several tissues, including bone, liver and kidney. TNALP has a pivotal role in bone calcification. Experimental overexpression of TNALP in the vasculature is sufficient to induce vascular calcification, cardiac hypertrophy and premature death, mimicking the cardiovascular phenotype often found in CKD and T2DM. Intestinal ALP contributes to the gut mucosal defence and intestinal and liver ALPs might contribute to the acute inflammatory response to endogenous or pathogenic stimuli. Here we review novel mechanisms that link ALP to vascular calcification, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. We also discuss new drugs that target ALP, which have the potential to improve cardiovascular outcomes without inhibiting skeletal mineralization.

Inositol(s) in thyroid function, growth and autoimmunity

Myo-inositol and phosphatidylinositol(s) play a pivotal function in many metabolic pathways that, if impaired, impact unfavorably on human health. This review analyzes several experimental and clinical investigations regarding the involvement of this class of molecules in physiological and pathological situations, with a major focus on thyroid. Central issues are the relationship between phosphatidylinositol and thyrotropin (TSH) signaling on one hand, and phosphatydylinositol and autoimmunity on the other hand. Other issues are the consequences of malfunction of some receptors, such as those ones for TSH (TSHR), insulin (IR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1R), or the connection between serum TSH concentrations and insulin resistance. Also covered are insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and their allied disorders (diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS]), autoimmunity and certain malignancies, with their reciprocal links. Myoinositol has promising therapeutic potential. Appreciation of the inositol pathways involved in certain disorders, as mentioned in this review, may stimulate researchers to envisage additional therapeutic applications.

Myoinositol as a Safe and Alternative Approach in the Treatment of Infertile PCOS Women: A German Observational Study

The use of 2 × 2000 mg myoinositol + 2 × 200 μg folic acid per day is a safe and promising tool in the effective improvement of symptoms and infertility for patients with a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Using a questionnaire an observational study was performed under German gynecologists to collect data on ovulation and pregnancy rates in PCOS patients with infertility. In this observational study, 3602 infertile women used myoinositol and folic acid between 2 and 3 months in a dosage of 2 × 2000 mg myoinositol + 2 × 200 μg folic acid per day. In a subgroup of 32 patients, hormonal values for testosterone, free testosterone, and progesterone were analyzed before and after 12 weeks of treatment. The mean time of use was 10.2 weeks. During this time 70% of these women had a restored ovulation, and 545 pregnancies were obtained. This means a pregnancy rate of 15.1% of all the myoinositol and folic acid users. In 19 cases a concomitant medication with clomiphene or dexamethasone was used. One twin pregnancy was documented. Testosterone levels changed from 96.6 ng/ml to 43.3 ng/ml and progesterone from 2.1 ng/ml to 12.3 ng/ml (p < 0.05) after 12 weeks of treatment. No relevant side effects were present among the patients. This study could show that a new treatment option for patients with a PCOS and infertility is available. The achieved pregnancy rates are at least in an equivalent or even superior range than those reported by the use of metformin.

The rationale of the myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol combined treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome

PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women and it is characterized by a combination of hyper-androgenism, chronic anovulation, and insulin resistance. While a significant progress has recently been made in the diagnosis for PCOS, the optimal infertility treatment remains to be determined. Two inositol isomers, myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI) have been proven to be effective in PCOS treatment, by improving insulin resistance, serum androgen levels and many features of the metabolic syndrome. However, DCI alone, mostly when it is administered at high dosage, negatively affects oocyte quality, whereas the association MI/DCI, in a combination reproducing the plasma physiological ratio (40:1), represents a promising alternative in achieving better clinical results, by counteracting PCOS at both systemic and ovary level.

Compound heterozygosity of two functional null mutations in the ALPL gene associated with deleterious neurological outcome in an infant with hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a heterogeneous rare, inherited disorder of bone and mineral metabolism caused by different mutations in the ALPL gene encoding the isoenzyme, tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). Prognosis is very poor in severe perinatal forms with most patients dying from pulmonary complications of their skeletal disease. TNAP deficiency, however, may also result in neurological symptoms such as neonatal seizures. The exact biological role of TNAP in the human brain is still not known and the pathophysiology of neurological symptoms due to TNAP deficiency in HPP is not understood in detail. In this report, we describe the clinical features and functional studies of a patient with severe perinatal HPP which presented with rapidly progressive encephalopathy caused by new compound heterozygous mutations in the ALPL gene which result in a functional ALPL "knock out", demonstrated in vitro. In contrast, an in vitro simulation of the genetic status of his currently asymptomatic parents who are both heterozygous for one mutation, showed a residual in vitro AP activity of above 50%. Interestingly, in our patient, the fatal outcome was due to progressive encephalopathy which was refractory to antiepileptic therapy including pyridoxine, rather than hypomineralization and respiratory insufficiency often seen in HPP patients. The patient's cranial MRI showed progressive cystic degradation of the cortex and peripheral white matter with nearly complete destruction of the cerebrum. To our knowledge, this is the first MRI-based report of a deleterious neurological clinical outcome due to a progressive encephalopathy in an infant harboring a functional human ALPL "knock out". This clinical course of disease suggests that TNAP is involved in development and may be responsible for multiple functions of the human brain. According to our data, a certain amount of residual TNAP activity might be mandatory for normal CNS function in newborns and early childhood.

Bone alkaline phosphatase in CKD-mineral bone disorder

Overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is greatly increased, without obvious current effective treatments. Mineral and bone disorder (MBD) is a common manifestation of CKD and contributes to the high risk of fracture and cardiovascular mortality in these patients. Traditionally, clinical management of CKD-MBD focused on attenuation of secondary hyperparathyroidism due to impaired renal activation of vitamin D and phosphate retention, although recently, adynamic forms of renal bone disease have become more prevalent. Definitive diagnosis was based on histologic (histomorphometric) analysis of bone biopsy material supported by radiologic changes and changes in levels of surrogate laboratory markers. Of these various markers, parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been considered to be the most sensitive and currently is the most frequently used; however, the many pitfalls of measuring PTH in patients with CKD increasingly are appreciated. We propose an alternative or complementary approach using bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is directly related to bone turnover, reflects bone histomorphometry, and predicts outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Here, we consider the overall merits of bone ALP as a marker of bone turnover in adults with CKD-MBD, examine published bone histomorphometric data comparing bone ALP to PTH, and discuss possible pathogenic mechanisms by which bone ALP may be linked to outcomes in patients with CKD.

Defective lipid remodeling of GPI anchors in peroxisomal disorders, Zellweger syndrome, and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata

Many cell surface proteins in mammalian cells are anchored to the plasma membrane via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). The predominant form of mammalian GPI contains 1-alkyl-2-acyl phosphatidylinositol (PI), which is generated by lipid remodeling from diacyl PI. The conversion of diacyl PI to 1-alkyl-2-acyl PI occurs in the ER at the third intermediate in the GPI biosynthetic pathway. This lipid remodeling requires the alkyl-phospholipid biosynthetic pathway in peroxisome. Indeed, cells defective in dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) or alkyl-DHAP synthase express only the diacyl form of GPI-anchored proteins. A defect in the alkyl-phospholipid biosynthetic pathway causes a peroxisomal disorder, rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), and defective biogenesis of peroxisomes causes Zellweger syndrome, both of which are lethal genetic diseases with multiple clinical phenotypes such as psychomotor defects, mental retardation, and skeletal abnormalities. Here, we report that GPI lipid remodeling is defective in cells from patients with Zellweger syndrome having mutations in the peroxisomal biogenesis factors PEX5, PEX16, and PEX19 and in cells from patients with RCDP types 1, 2, and 3 caused by mutations in PEX7, DHAP-AT, and alkyl-DHAP synthase, respectively. Absence of the 1-alkyl-2-acyl form of GPI-anchored proteins might account for some of the complex phenotypes of these two major peroxisomal disorders.

Serum bone formation marker correlation with improved osseointegration in osteoporotic rats treated with simvastatin

OBJECTIVE

Simvastatin has been shown to enhance osseointegration of pure titanium implants in osteoporotic rats. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the serum level of bone formation markers and the osseointegration of pure titanium implants in osteoporotic rats treated with simvastatin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3 months, were randomly divided into three groups: Sham-operated group (SHAM; n = 18), ovariectomized group (OVX; n = 18), and ovariectomized with simvastatin treatment group (OVX + SIM; n = 18). Fifty-six days after ovariectomy, screw-shaped titanium implants were inserted into the tibiae. Simvastatin was administered orally at 5 mg/kg each day after the placement of the implant in the OVX + SIM group. The animals were killed at either 28 or 84 days after implantation and the undecalcified tissue sections were processed for histological analysis. Total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and bone Gla protein (BGP) were measured in all animal sera collected at the time of euthanasia and correlated with the histological assessment of osseointegration.

RESULTS

The level of ALP in the OVX group was higher than the SHAM group at day 28, with no differences between the three groups at day 84. The level of BALP in the OVX + SIM group was significantly higher than both OVX and SHAM groups at days 28. Compared with day 28, the BALP level of all three groups showed a significant decrease at day 84. There were no significant differences in BGP levels between the three groups at day 28, but at day 84, the OVX + SIM group showed significantly higher levels than both the OVX and SHAM groups. There was a significant increase in BGP levels between days 28 and 84 in the OVX + SIM group. The serum bone marker levels correlated with the histological assessment showing reduced osseointegration in the OVX compared to the SHAM group which is subsequently reversed in the OVX + SIM group.

CONCLUSION

The results from this study indicate that the serum level of bone formation markers, especially BALP and BGP, could be correlated with the degree of osseointegration around titanium implants in osteoporotic rats treated with simvastatin.

Quantitative analysis of myo-inositol in urine, blood and nutritional supplements by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Myo-inositol plays key physiological functions, necessitating development of methodology for quantification in biological matrices. Limitations of current mass spectrometry-based approaches include the need for a derivatisation step and/or sample clean-up. In addition, co-elution of glucose may cause ion suppression of myo-inositol signals, for example in blood or urine samples. We describe an HPLC-MS/MS method using a lead-form resin based column online to a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer, which requires minimum sample preparation and no derivatisation. This method allows separation and selective detection of myo-inositol from other inositol stereoisomers. Importantly, inositol was also separated from hexose monosaccharides of the same molecular weight, including glucose, galactose, mannose and fructose. The inter- and intra-assay variability was determined for standard solutions and urine with inter-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.1% and 3.5% respectively, while intra-assay CV was 2.3% and 3.6%. Urine and blood samples from normal individuals were analysed.

Functional characterization of a novel mutation localized in the start codon of the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inborn disease caused by different mutations in the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) gene. Previous studies showed that gene mutations could exhibit a dominant negative effect leading to a mild HPP phenotype in heterozygous carriers. In the present report we describe the clinical and functional studies of a novel mutation localized in the start codon of transcript variant 1 of the ALPL gene from a female adult heterozygous carrier. The mutation results in translation of an N-terminally truncated protein, which might be identical to the deduced protein from ALPL transcript variant 2. When overexpressed in HEK-293 cells it does not exhibit any enzymatic activity and has no significant effect on the wild type ALPL protein. Furthermore it is not attached to the cell membrane. Due to the loss of the signal peptide an intracellular misrouting and a premature degradation is obvious. Hence the new isoform deposited in the database does not produce an active protein as it is the case in the natural mutation of our patient. Since the mutation does not produce a dominant negative protein in heterozygous carriers, the clinical phenotype in our patient and her relatives is very mild with only unspecific myalgia. However the patient developed bone marrow edema of both femoral heads during lactation after delivery of a healthy child, indicating a risk to develop alterations of bone metabolism in challenge situations. Her sister complains of identical symptoms, her father shows distinct symptoms of odonto-hypophosphatasia. The question if or if not carriers of ALPL mutations in general or only with distinct genotypes can be symptomatic in normal life or in challenge situations requires systematic clinical studies.

Glycosylation differences contribute to distinct catalytic properties among bone alkaline phosphatase isoforms

Three circulating human bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) isoforms (B1, B2, and B/I) can be distinguished in healthy individuals and a fourth isoform (B1x) has been discovered in patients with chronic kidney disease and in bone tissue. The present study was designed to correlate differing glycosylation patterns of each BALP isoform with their catalytic activity towards presumptive physiological substrates and to compare those properties with two recombinant isoforms of the tissue-nonspecific ALP (TNALP) isozyme, i.e., TNALP-flag, used extensively for mutation analysis of hypophosphatasia mutations and sALP-FcD(10), a chimeric enzyme recently used as therapeutic drug in a mouse model of infantile hypophosphatasia. The BALP isoforms were prepared from human osteosarcoma (SaOS-2) cells and the kinetic properties were evaluated using the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP) at pH 7.4 and 9.8, and the three suggested endogenous physiological substrates, i.e., inorganic pyrophosphate (PP(i)), pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), and phosphoethanolamine (PEA) at pH 7.4. Qualitative glycosylation differences were also assessed by lectin binding and precipitation. The k(cat)/K(M) was higher for B2 for all the investigated substrates. The catalytic activity towards PEA was essentially undetectable. The kinetic activity for TNALP-flag and sALP-FcD(10) was similar to the activity of the human BALP isoforms. The BALP isoforms differed in their lectin binding properties and dose-dependent lectin precipitation, which also demonstrated differences between native and denatured BALP isoforms. The observed differences in lectin specificity were attributed to N-linked carbohydrates. In conclusion, we demonstrate significantly different catalytic properties among the BALP isoforms due to structural differences in posttranslational glycosylation. Our data also suggests that PEA is not an endogenous substrate for the BALP isoforms or for the recombinant TNALP isoforms. The TNALP-flag and the sALP-FcD(10) isoforms faithfully mimic the biological properties of the human BALP isoforms in vivo validating the use of these recombinant enzymes in studies aimed at dissecting the pathophysiology and treating hypophosphatasia.

From lactose towards a novel galactosylated cyclooctenone

Lactose was converted into a disaccharide precursor incorporating an allyl vinyl ether substructure within the glucose residue by vinylation, regioselective silylation, tosylation and subsequent elimination. The thermal Claisen rearrangement led to a novel galactosylated cyclooctenone exhibiting a boat-chair conformation.

Antibodies in the small intestine: mucosal synthesis and deposition of anti-glycosyl IgA, IgM, and IgG in the enterocyte brush border

Synthesis and deposition of immunoglobulins in the brush border was studied in organ-cultured pig small intestinal mucosal explants. Surprisingly, comparable amounts of IgM and IgA were synthesized during a 6-h pulse, and also newly made IgG was detected in media and explants, including the microvillar fraction. For IgA and IgM, this subcellular distribution is consistent with basolateral-to-apical transcytosis, mediated by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor. IgG is a ligand for the Fc receptor FcRn, and beta2-microglobulin, the light chain of FcRn, coclustered in immunogold double labeling with IgG in subapical endosomes and in the basolateral membrane of enterocytes. In addition, beta2-microglobulin was copurified with IgG on protein G-Sepharose. Apical endocytosis of IgG, as judged by internalization of fluorescent protein G, was not detectable except in a few isolated cells. This suggests that IgG in the adult small intestine is transported across the enterocyte mainly in the basolateral to apical direction. Significant fractions of all immunoglobulins bound to lactoseagarose, indicating that "anti-glycosyl" antibodies, raised against commensal gut bacteria, are synthesized locally in the small intestine. By partial deposition in the brush border, these antibodies therefore may have a protective function by preventing lectin-like pathogens from gaining access to the brush border surface.

GPI-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) is expressed during mouse development and is localized to the extracellular matrix of the developing mouse skeleton

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) is abundant in serum and has a well-characterized biochemistry; however, its physiological role is completely unknown. Previous investigations into GPI-PLD have focused on the adult animal or on in vitro systems and a putative role in development has been neither proposed nor investigated. We describe the first evidence of GPI-PLD expression during mouse embryonic ossification. GPI-PLD expression was detected predominantly at sites of skeletal development, increasing during the course of gestation. GPI-PLD was observed during both intramembraneous and endochondral ossification and localized predominantly to the extracellular matrix of chondrocytes and to primary trabeculae of the skeleton. In addition, the mouse chondrocyte cell line ATDC5 expressed GPI-PLD after experimental induction of differentiation. These results implicate GPI-PLD in the process of bone formation during mouse embryogenesis.

Alkaline phosphatase retained in HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells vs. alkaline phosphatase released to culture medium: difference of aberrant glycosylation

Liver tissue is the source of 90% of serum alkaline phosphatase (AP). The serum levels and structures of tumor marker proteins change under many disease conditions as well as cancer. The study was aimed at determining the type of alkaline phosphatase (AP) present in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Alkaline phosphatase rich extracts of healthy human liver, HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells, as well as the condition medium of HepG2 cells were prepared by extraction with 40% n-butanol and 30-50% acetone precipitation, and subjected to various chromatographic procedures. Lectin affinity chromatography of the samples with concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B showed considerable differences in the elution patterns. Non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the culture medium yielded a relatively slow migrating band of activity that coincided with none of the three bands of activity produced by the normal liver extract, nor with the bands of the cell pellet extract. Inhibition patterns were established by measuring the enzyme activities in the presence of varying concentrations of L-phenylalanine, L-leucine, L-homoarginine, and levamisole. The APs from the cell line were neuraminidase sensitive. According to the results the main AP produced and released to the medium by HepG2 cell line is an aberrantly glycosylated tissue non-specific AP. In addition, the differences between the cell-pellet AP and the culture medium AP seemed to stem from different sugar moieties in their structures.

Effect of molecular surface packing on the enzymatic activity modulation of an anchored protein on phospholipid Langmuir monolayers

The catalytic activity of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored alkaline phosphatase has been studied in Langmuir phospholipid monolayers at different surface pressures. The enzyme substrate, p-nitrophenyl phosphate, was injected into the subphase of mixed enzyme/lipid Langmuir monolayers. Its hydrolysis product was followed by monitoring the absorbance at 410 nm in situ in the monolayer subphase of the Langmuir trough. Several surface pressures, corresponding to different molecular surface densities, were attained by lateral compression of the monolayers. The morphology of the monolayers, observed by fluorescence microscopy, showed three different types of domains owing to the heterogeneous partition of the enzyme within the mixed enzyme/lipid film. The catalytic activity was modulated by the enzyme surface density, and it increased until a pressure of 18 mN/m was reached, but it decreased significantly when the equilibrium in-plane elasticity (surface compressional modulus) increased more noticeably, resulting in alterations in the interface morphology. A model for the modulation of the enzyme orientation and catalytic activity by lipid/enzyme surface morphology and enzyme surface packing at the air/liquid interface is proposed. The results might have an important impact on the comprehension of the enzymatic activity regulation of GPI-anchored proteins in biomembranes.

Immunolocalization and histochemical evidence for the association of two different Arabidopsis annexins with secretion during early seedling growth and development

Annexins are a multigene, multifunctional family of calcium-dependent, membrane-binding proteins found in animal and plant cells. In plants, annexins have been localized in the cytoplasm and at the cell periphery of highly secretory cell types, and in the tip region of polarly growing cells. Consequently, one proposed function for annexins in plant cells is participation in the Golgi-mediated secretion of new wall materials. In Arabidopsis, there are eight different annexin cDNAs, which share between 30% and 81% deduced amino acid sequence identity. We have used two monospecific Arabidopsis anti-annexin antibodies, raised against divergent 31-mer peptides from AnnAt1 and AnnAt2 and a previously characterized pea anti-annexin p35 antibody, for Western blot and immunolocalization studies in Arabidopsis. Western blot analyses of various Arabidopsis protein fractions showed that the two Arabidopsis antibodies are able to specifically recognize annexins in both soluble and membrane fractions. Immunofluorescence results with the three annexin antibodies show staining of secretory cells, especially at the cell periphery in developing sieve tubes, outer root cap cells, and in root hairs, consistent with previous results. In developmentally different stages some staining was also seen near the apical meristem, in some leaf cells, and in phloem-associated cells. Autoradiography following 3H-galactose incorporation was used to more clearly correlate active secretion of wall materials with the localization patterns of a specific individual annexin protein in the same cells at the same developmental stage. The results obtained in this study provide further support for the hypothesis that these two Arabidopsis annexins function in Golgi-mediated secretion during early seedling growth and development.

Effects of tunicamycin, mannosamine, and other inhibitors of glycoprotein processing on skeletal alkaline phosphatase in human osteoblast-like cells

Skeletal alkaline phosphatase (sALP) is a glycoprotein- approximately 20% carbohydrate by weight, with five presumptive sites for N-linked glycosylation, as well as a carboxy-terminal site for attachment of the glycolipid structure (glycosylphosphatidylinositol, GPI), which anchors sALP to the outer surface of osteoblasts. The current studies were intended to characterize the effects of inhibiting glycosylation and glycosyl-processing on the synthesis, plasma membrane attachment, cellular-extracellular distribution, and reaction kinetics of sALP in human osteosarcoma (SaOS-2) cells. sALP synthesis, glycosylation, and GPI-anchor attachment were assessed as total protein synthesis/immunospecific sALP synthesis, sialic acid content (i.e., wheat germ agglutinin precipitation), and insolubility (i.e., temperature-dependent phase-separation), respectively. sALP reaction kinetics were characterized by analysis of dose-dependent initial velocity data, with a phosphoryl substrate. The results of these studies revealed that the inhibition of either N-linked glycosylation or oligosaccharide synthesis for GPI-anchor addition could affect the synthesis and the distribution of sALP, but not the kinetics of the phosphatase reaction. Tunicamycin-which blocks N-linked glycosylation by inhibiting core oligosaccharide synthesis-decreased cell layer protein and the total amount of sALP in the cells, while increasing the relative level of sALP in the cell-conditioned culture medium (CM, i.e., the amount of sALP released). These effects were attributed to dose- and time-dependent decreases in sALP synthesis and N-linked glycosylation, and an increase in apoptotic cell death (P <0.001 for each). In contrast to the effects of tunicamycin on N-linked glycosylation, the effects of mannosamine, which inhibits GPI-anchor glycosylation/formation, included (1) an increase in cell layer protein; (2) decreases in sALP specific activity, in the cells and in the CM; and (3) increases in the percentages of both anchorless and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-soluble sALP in the medium, but not in the cells (P <0.005 for each). These effects of mannosamine were, presumably, a consequence of inhibiting the insertion/attachment of sALP to the outside of the plasma membrane surface. Neither mannosammine nor tunicamycin had any effect on the reaction kinetics of sALP or on the apparent affinity (the value of KM) for the phosphoryl substrate.

Intact growth factors are conserved in the extracellular matrix of ancient human bone and teeth: a storehouse for the study of human evolution in health and disease

For the first time we have extracted, solubilized and identified growth factors, such as insulin growth factor II (IGF-II), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), from archaeological compact human bone and tooth dentin dating from the late pre-ceramic pottery Neolithic (late PPNB) and the early Middle Ages. These factors are typical of special physiological or pathological situations in the metabolism of bone. The extracellular matrix proteins from bone and teeth of individuals from the late PPNB and early Middle Ages were separated by 2-D electrophoresis and more than 300 different protein spots were detected by silver staining. The matrix protein patterns of compact bone and tooth from the same individual (early Middle Ages) are very different and only 16% of the protein spots were detected in both compact bone and tooth dentin.

Overexpression of tomato LeAGP-1 arabinogalactan-protein promotes lateral branching and hampers reproductive development

LeAGP-1 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Patterns of mRNA expression and protein localization for LeAGP-1 indicate that it likely functions in certain aspects of plant growth and development. To elucidate LeAGP-1 function(s), transgenic tomato plants expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to LeAGP-1 [GFP-LeAGP-1] or two LeAGP-1 variants, one lacking the C-terminal GPI-anchor domain [GFP-LeAGP-1DeltaC] and the other lacking the lysine-rich domain [GFP-LeAGP-1DeltaK], under the control of the CaMV35S promoter were produced using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic T0 and T1 lines with high levels of both GFP-LeAGP-1 mRNA and protein: (i) were significantly shorter; (ii) were highly branched; (iii) produced more flower buds, but most of these flowers did not mature, resulting in less fruit production; and (iv) produced seeds that were significantly smaller than normal seeds. Overexpression of LeAGP-1DeltaK had a similar or even more pronounced effect on plant vegetative and reproductive growth, while the effect of LeAGP-1DeltaC overexpression on plant reproduction was minimal. These results indicate that the GPI anchor is critical for LeAGP-1 function. As the phenotype of GFP-LeAGP-1 overexpressing transgenic plants is similar to that of cytokinin-overproducing plants, mRNA expression patterns of LeAGP-1 under different hormone treatments were examined. Cytokinins upregulated LeAGP-1 mRNA expression, while auxins and ABA inhibited LeAGP-1 mRNA expression. Based on these results, GPI-anchored LeAGP-1 most likely functions in plant growth and development in concert with auxin/cytokinin signaling.

Segregation of Nogo66 receptors into lipid rafts in rat brain and inhibition of Nogo66 signaling by cholesterol depletion

NogoA, a myelin-associated component, inhibits neurite outgrowth. Nogo66, a portion of NogoA, binds to Nogo66 receptor (NgR) and induces the inhibitory signaling. LINGO-1 and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75), the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor, are also required for NogoA signaling. However, signaling mechanisms downstream to Nogo receptor remain poorly understood. Here, we observed that NgR and p75 were colocalized in low-density membrane raft fractions derived from forebrains and cerebella as well as from cerebellar granule cells. NgR interacted with p75 in lipid rafts. In addition, disruption of lipid rafts by beta-methylcyclodextrin, a cholesterol-binding reagent, reduced the Nogo66 signaling. Our results suggest an important role of lipid rafts in facilitating the interaction between NgRs and provide insight into mechanisms underlying the inhibition of neurite outgrowth by NogoA.

Determination of CD59 protein in normal human serum by enzyme immunoassay, using octyl-glucoside detergent to release glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-CD59 from lipid complex

In this study we have optimised the enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) to quantify CD59 antigen in human serum or plasma. The glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked form of CD59 is known to complex with serum high-density lipoprotein. For ELISA optimisation, therefore, we investigated the effect of detergents, added to the sample diluent, on the determined values of CD59. Values obtained in the presence of octyl-glucoside (OG) for 20 adults aged 18-35 years and 17 children 1-5 years old were, respectively, 33-119 ng/ml (mean +/- S.D.: 66+/-22 ng/ml) and 37-143 ng/ml (76+/-33 ng/ml). These results were higher than those measured without OG and were in contrast with published results showing absence, or eight to nine times lower levels, of the protein in serum. A known range for serum concentrations of CD59 in healthy individuals will establish an important reference point for clinical work and for the investigation of diseases involving the complement membrane attack complex (MAC) and its regulation.

The fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins of Arabidopsis. A multigene family of putative cell adhesion molecules

Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) are a subclass of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) that have, in addition to predicted AGP-like glycosylated regions, putative cell adhesion domains known as fasciclin domains. In other eukaryotes (e.g. fruitfly [Drosophila melanogaster] and humans [Homo sapiens]), fasciclin domain-containing proteins are involved in cell adhesion. There are at least 21 FLAs in the annotated Arabidopsis genome. Despite the deduced proteins having low overall similarity, sequence analysis of the fasciclin domains in Arabidopsis FLAs identified two highly conserved regions that define this motif, suggesting that the cell adhesion function is conserved. We show that FLAs precipitate with beta-glucosyl Yariv reagent, indicating that they share structural characteristics with AGPs. Fourteen of the FLA family members are predicted to be C-terminally substituted with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor, a cleavable form of membrane anchor for proteins, indicating different FLAs may have different developmental roles. Publicly available microarray and expressed sequence tag data were used to select FLAs for further expression analysis. RNA gel blots for a number of FLAs indicate that they are likely to be important during plant development and in response to abiotic stress. FLAs 1,2, and 8 show a rapid decrease in mRNA abundance in response to the phytohormone abscisic acid. Also, the accumulation of FLA1 and FLA2 transcripts differs during callus and shoot development, indicating that the proteins may be significant in the process of competence acquisition and induction of shoot development.

Proteomic analysis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane proteins

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are a functionally and structurally diverse family of post-translationally modified membrane proteins found mostly in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane in a variety of eukaryotic cells. Although the general role of GPI-APs remains unclear, they have attracted attention because they act as enzymes and receptors in cell adhesion, differentiation, and host-pathogen interactions. GPI-APs may represent potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in humans and are interesting in plant biotechnology because of their key role in root development. We here present a general mass spectrometry-based proteomic "shave-and-conquer" strategy that specifically targets GPI-APs. Using a combination of biochemical methods, mass spectrometry, and computational sequence analysis we identified six GPI-APs in a Homo sapiens lipid raft-enriched fraction and 44 GPI-APs in an Arabidopsis thaliana membrane preparation, representing the largest experimental dataset of GPI-anchored proteins to date.

Inactivation of ether lipid biosynthesis causes male infertility, defects in eye development and optic nerve hypoplasia in mice

Although known for almost 80 years, the physiological role of plasmalogens (PLs), the major mammalian ether lipids (ELs), is still enigmatic. Humans that lack ELs suffer from rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), a peroxisomal disorder usually resulting in death in early childhood. In order to learn more about the functions of ELs, we generated a mouse model for RCDP by a targeted disruption of the dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase gene. The mutant mice revealed multiple abnormalities, such as male infertility, defects in eye development, cataract and optic nerve hypoplasia, some of which were also observed in RCDP. Mass spectroscopic analysis demonstrated the presence of highly unsaturated fatty acids including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in brain PLs and the occurrence of PLs in lipid raft microdomains (LRMs) isolated from brain myelin. In mutants, PLs were completely absent and the concentration of brain DHA was reduced. The marker proteins flotillin-1 and F3/contactin were found in brain LRMs in reduced concentrations. In addition, the gap junctional protein connexin 43, known to be recruited to LRMs and essential for lens development and spermatogenesis, was down-regulated in embryonic fibroblasts of the EL-deficient mice. Free cholesterol, an important constituent of LRMs, was found in these fibroblasts to be accumulated in a perinuclear compartment. These data suggest that the EL-deficient mice allow the identification of new phenotypes not related so far to EL-deficiency (male sterility, defects in myelination and optic nerve hypoplasia) and indicate that PLs are required for the correct assembly and function of LRMs.

Infertility in female mice with an oocyte-specific knockout of GPI-anchored proteins

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins on the egg surface have been proposed to play a role in gamete fusion on the basis of in vitro experiments. We tested this hypothesis by asking if oocyte GPI-anchored proteins are required for fertilization in vivo. Oocyte-specific knockout mice were created using the Cre/loxP system to delete a portion of the Pig-a gene, which encodes an enzyme involved in GPI anchor biosynthesis. Conditional Pig-a-knockout females are infertile, and eggs recovered from the females after mating are unfertilized. In in vitro assays, the knockout eggs are severely deficient in their ability to fuse with sperm. These results demonstrate that GPI-anchored proteins are required for gamete fusion. Loss of the GPI-anchored complement of plasma membrane proteins could prevent fusion by altering the organization and function of GPI-anchored protein-containing lipid domains. Alternatively, a single GPI-anchored protein may be required in the fusion process. To distinguish between these possibilities, we have begun to identify the GPI-anchored proteins on the egg surface. We have identified one egg GPI-anchored protein as CD55, an approximately 70 kDa complement regulatory protein. It has previously been found that CD55-knockout mice are fertile, demonstrating that CD55 is not essential for fertilization. This finding also means that the presence of the full complement of egg GPI-anchored proteins is not necessary for gamete fusion. Other egg GPI-anchored proteins acting in the fusion process can now be investigated, with the goal of understanding the mechanism of their function in sperm-egg fusion.

Oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein growth inhibition function requires its conserved leucine-rich repeat domain, not its glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol anchor

The oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) inhibits neurite outgrowth and axonal regeneration after brain injury, but its normal function remains unknown. Several observations suggest its implication in cell growth regulation. Here we report an analysis of the domain requirement in OMgp proliferation inhibitory function. We first studied the OMgp protein sequence in 14 mammal species and observed a high conservation of its leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain. The deletion of this LRR domain is responsible for a total loss of function in an in vitro expression system. The possible three-dimensional structure of the LRR domain of OMgp was modelled using the structure of Yersinia pestis YopM cytotoxin as a template. The predicted arrangement of the LRR segments is compatible with a function of OMgp as a binding protein. The OMgp is a glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol-linked protein anchored in the plasma membrane of oligodendrocytes and neurones. Using deletion mutagenesis, we demonstrated the dispensability of the glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol anchor for OMgp proliferation inhibition function. Our results suggest that OMgp is part of a receptor complex, either as a coreceptor or as a membrane-bound or soluble ligand, involved in the transmission of a growth suppressive signal.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins: structure, function, and cleavage by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C

A wide variety of proteins are tethered by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor to the extracellular face of eukaryotic plasma membranes, where they are involved in a number of functions ranging from enzymatic catalysis to adhesion. The exact function of the GPI anchor has been the subject of much speculation. It appears to act as an intracellular signal targeting proteins to the apical surface in polarized cells. GPI-anchored proteins are sorted into sphingolipid- and cholesterol-rich microdomains, known as lipid rafts, before transport to the membrane surface. Their localization in raft microdomains may explain the involvement of this class of proteins in signal transduction processes. Substantial evidence suggests that GPI-anchored proteins may interact closely with the bilayer surface, so that their functions may be modulated by the biophysical properties of the membrane. The presence of the anchor appears to impose conformational restraints, and its removal may alter the catalytic properties and structure of a GPI-anchored protein. Release of GPI-anchored proteins from the cell surface by specific phospholipases may play a key role in regulation of their surface expression and functional properties. Reconstitution of GPI-anchored proteins into bilayers of defined phospholipids provides a powerful tool with which to explore the interactions of these proteins with the membrane and investigate how bilayer properties modulate their structure, function, and cleavage by phospholipases.

Different distributions of human bone alkaline phosphatase isoforms in serum and bone tissue extracts

BACKGROUND

In vitro, bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) is released from the osteoblast membrane with its glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor still attached (i.e., in an anchor-intact form); however, in vivo, BALP circulates as a variable mixture of anchorless isoforms, which can be identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Previous studies have shown that the relative abundance of these BALP isoforms in serum may be clinically useful for the diagnosis and management of metabolic bone disease.

METHODS

In the current studies, we describe a method for the determination of anchorless BALP isoforms in extracts of bone and we present novel data on the conversion of anchor-intact to anchorless BALP by incubation with endogenous circulating GPI-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD).

RESULTS

A 72-h extraction with 0.1% Triton X-100 released approximately 90% of the BALP activity from powdered bone. An average of 19% of this activity was anchorless, but essentially all of the activity could be converted to the anchorless form by incubation with partially purified GPI-PLD from human serum. Using HPLC, we detected four BALP isoforms (B/I, B1x, B1, and B2) in these GPI-PLD-treated extracts of bone. An additional BALP fraction was also detected in the samples during the initial phase of GPI-PLD treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The abundance of the BALP isoforms differed between bone and serum, particularly for the B/I isoform, which comprised, on average, 18% of the BALP in GPI-PLD-treated extracts of healthy bone tissue, but only 6% of the total BALP activity in serum from healthy individuals. Based on our recent finding of differences in the number of sialic acid residues between the BALP isoforms, we hypothesize that this difference between BALP isoforms in serum and extracts of bone is due to the different patterns of glycosylation, which results in different biological half-lives in the circulation. A preliminary application of our method to the extraction of BALP isoforms from a small number of human bone samples suggests that the method should be useful for studies of human skeletal site-specific and metabolic bone disease-specific differences in the amounts and distributions of the BALP isoforms in bone.

ATP as a cotransmitter in sympathetic nerves and its inactivation by releasable enzymes

ATP and norepinephrine (NE) are cotransmitters released from many postganglionic sympathetic nerves. In this article, we review the evidence for ATP and NE cotransmission in the rodent vas deferens with special attention to the mechanisms involved in removing the cotransmitters from the neuroeffector junction. Although the clearance of NE is well understood (e.g., the primary mechanism being reuptake into the nerves), the clearance of ATP is just beginning to be explained. The general belief has been that ATP is metabolized by cell-fixed ecto-nucleotidases. It now seems, however, that when ATP is released from nerves as a transmitter there is a concomitant release of nucleotidases that rapidly degrade ATP sequentially to ADP, AMP, and adenosine, thereby terminating the action of ATP. In the guinea pig vas deferens, there appear to be at least two enzymes, one that converts ATP to ADP and ADP to AMP (an ATPDase) and a second enzyme that converts AMP to adenosine (an AMPase). An important feature of this process is that the transmitter-metabolizing nucleotidases are released into the synaptic space as opposed to being fixed to cell membranes. A preliminary characterization of these enzymes suggests that the releasable ATPDase exhibits some similarities to known ectonucleoside triphosphate/diphosphohydrolases, whereas the releasable AMPase exhibits some similarities to ecto-5'-nucleotidases.

Adenovirus vector-mediated delivery of the prodrug-converting enzyme carboxypeptidase G2 in a secreted or GPI-anchored form: High-level expression of this active conditional cytotoxic enzyme at the plasma membrane

Carboxypeptidase G2 (CPG2) is a powerful prodrug-converting enzyme. Without a requirement for endogenous enzymes or cofactors, it can directly activate mustard alkylating prodrugs to cytotoxic species, killing both quiescent and dividing cells. This paper provides the first report of its use in the context of a clinically relevant delivery vehicle using adenovirus vectors. To strengthen the efficacy of the prodrug-activating system, the enzyme has been engineered to be secreted or glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored to the extracellular membrane of tumor cells, resulting in an enhanced bystander effect by facilitating diffusion of the active drug through extracellular, rather than intracellular, activation. Using the vectors, we have achieved expression of functional secreted or GPI-anchored CPG2 in a panel of tumor cell lines demonstrating no loss in efficacy as a result of GPI anchor retention. Despite variable transduction efficiencies inherent to these vectors, greater than 50% cell kill was achievable in all of the cell lines tested following only a single exposure to the prodrug ZD2767P. Even in cell lines refractive to infection with the vectors, substantial cell death was recorded, indicative of the enhanced bystander effect generated following extracellular prodrug activation. A direct evaluation of the efficacy of our system has been made against adenoviral delivery of herpes simples virus thymidine kinase plus ganciclovir (GCV), a suicide gene therapy approach already in the clinic. In a short-term human glioma culture (IN1760) resistant to the clinical chemotherapeutic drug CCNU (1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea), thymidine kinase/GCV effected no cell killing compared to 70% cell killing with our system.

The neural cell adhesion molecule regulates cell-surface delivery of G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channels via lipid rafts

Mice deficient in the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) exhibit increased anxiety and anxiolytic sensitivity to serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonists. Here, we investigate the relationship between NCAM and 5-HT1A receptor signaling pathways modulating G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir3) channels. When studying this relationship in cultured hippocampal neurons, we observed that in cells from NCAM-deficient mice, inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir3) currents were increased compared with wild-type controls. Analysis of this modulatory mechanism in Xenopus oocytes and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells revealed that the recombinantly expressed major transmembrane isoforms NCAM140 and NCAM180 specifically reduced inward currents generated by neuronal Kir3.1/3.2 and Kir3.1/3.3 but not by cardiac Kir3.1/3.4 channels. Using fluorescence measurements and surface biotinylation assays, we show that this effect was caused by a reduced surface localization of Kir3 channels. Furthermore, expression of flag-tagged Kir3 channels in cultured neurons of NCAM-deficient mice resulted in a higher transport of these channels into neurites and a higher cell-surface localization compared with wild-type neurons. Neuronal Kir3 channels and NCAM isoforms are associated with cholesterol-rich microdomains (lipid rafts) in CHO cells and in isolated brain membranes. Mutational and pharmacological disruption of the lipid raft association of NCAM140 normalizes surface delivery of channels. We conclude that the transmembrane isoforms of NCAM reduce the transport of Kir3 channels to the cell surface via lipid rafts. Thus, regulation of Kir3 channel activity by NCAM may represent a novel mechanism controlling long-term excitability of neurons.

Enzyme kinetics and pharmacological characterization of nucleotidases released from the guinea pig isolated vas deferens during nerve stimulation: evidence for a soluble ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-like ATPase and a soluble ecto-5'-nucleotidase-like AMPase

Previously, we have demonstrated that stimulation of the sympathetic nerves of the guinea pig vas deferens evokes release not only of the cotransmitters ATP and norepinephrine but also of soluble nucleotidases that break down extracellular ATP, ADP, and AMP into adenosine. In this study we show that the apparent K(m) values of the releasable enzyme activity vary depending on which of these adenine nucleotides is used as initial substrate. The K(m) value for ATP was 33.6 +/- 2.3 microM, 21.0 +/- 2.3 microM for ADP, and 10.0 +/- 1.1 microM for AMP. The ratios of the V(max) values for each enzyme reaction were 4:2:3. We have also found a different sensitivity of the metabolism of ATP and AMP by releasable nucleotidases to known nucleotidase inhibitors. Suramin inhibited the breakdown of ATP by releasable nucleotidases in a noncompetitive manner and with a K(i) value of 53 microM, but had no effect on the breakdown of AMP. The 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor alpha,beta-methylene ADP inhibited the breakdown of AMP but not that of ATP. Concanavalin A inhibited the breakdown of AMP but had neither inhibitory nor facilitatory effects on the breakdown of ATP. 6-N,N-Diethyl-beta,gamma-dibromomethylene-D-ATP (ARL67156), an ecto-ATPase inhibitor, suppressed ATPase and AMPase activities, whereas NaN(3) (10 mM) affected neither reaction, but inhibited the ADP metabolism. Phosphatase- and phosphodiesterase inhibitors did not affect the activity of the releasable nucleotidases. This evidence suggests that the soluble nucleotidases released during neurogenic stimulation of the guinea pig vas deferens combine an ecto-5'-nucleotidase-like and an ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-like activity.

Stomatin-related olfactory protein, SRO, specifically expressed in the murine olfactory sensory neurons

We identified a stomatin-related olfactory protein (SRO) that is specifically expressed in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). The mouse sro gene encodes a polypeptide of 287 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 32 kDa. SRO shares 82% sequence similarity with the murine stomatin, 78% with Caenorhabditis elegans MEC-2, and 77% with C. elegans UNC-1. Unlike other stomatin-family genes, the sro transcript was present only in OSNs of the main olfactory epithelium. No sro expression was seen in vomeronasal neurons. SRO was abundant in most apical dendrites of OSNs, including olfactory cilia. Immunoprecipitation revealed that SRO associates with adenylyl cyclase type III and caveolin-1 in the low-density membrane fraction of olfactory cilia. Furthermore, anti-SRO antibodies stimulated cAMP production in fractionated cilia membrane. SRO may play a crucial role in modulating odorant signals in the lipid rafts of olfactory cilia.

Proximity of the protein moiety of a GPI-anchored protein to the membrane surface: a FRET study

GPI-anchored proteins are ubiquitous on the eukaryotic cell surface, where they are involved in a variety of functions ranging from adhesion to enzymatic catalysis. Indirect evidence suggests that the GPI anchor may hold the protein close to the plasma membrane; however, there is a lack of direct information on the proximity of the protein portion of GPI-anchored proteins to the bilayer surface. The present study uses fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to address this important problem. The GPI-anchored ectoenzyme placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) was purified from a plasma membrane extract of human placental microsomes without the use of butanol. The protein was fluorescently labeled at the N-terminus with 7-(dimethylamino)coumarin-4-acetic acid succinimidyl ester (DMACA-SE) or Oregon Green 488 succinimidyl ester (OG488-SE), and each was reconstituted by detergent dilution into defined lipid bilayer vesicles containing an increasing mole fraction of a fluorescent lipid probe. The fluorescence of the labeled PLAP donors was quenched in a concentration-dependent manner by the lipid acceptors. The energy transfer data were analyzed using an approach that describes FRET between a uniform distribution of donors and acceptors in an infinite plane. The distance of closest approach between the protein moiety of PLAP and the lipid-water interfacial region of the bilayer was estimated to be smaller than 10-14 A. This indicates that the protein portion of PLAP is located very close to the lipid bilayer, possibly resting on the surface. This contact may allow transmission of structural changes from the membrane surface to the protein, which could influence the behavior and catalytic properties of GPI-anchored proteins.

The Arabidopsis SKU5 gene encodes an extracellular glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein involved in directional root growth

To investigate how roots respond to directional cues, we characterized a T-DNA-tagged Arabidopsis mutant named sku5 in which the roots skewed and looped away from the normal downward direction of growth on inclined agar surfaces. sku5 roots and etiolated hypocotyls were slightly shorter than normal and exhibited a counterclockwise (left-handed) axial rotation bias. The surface-dependent skewing phenotype disappeared when the roots penetrated the agar surface, but the axial rotation defect persisted, revealing that these two directional growth processes are separable. The SKU5 gene belongs to a 19-member gene family designated SKS (SKU5 Similar) that is related structurally to the multiple-copper oxidases ascorbate oxidase and laccase. However, the SKS proteins lack several of the conserved copper binding motifs characteristic of copper oxidases, and no enzymatic function could be assigned to the SKU5 protein. Analysis of plants expressing SKU5 reporter constructs and protein gel blot analysis showed that SKU5 was expressed most strongly in expanding tissues. SKU5 was glycosylated and modified by glycosyl phosphatidylinositol and localized to both the plasma membrane and the cell wall. Our observations suggest that SKU5 affects two directional growth processes, possibly by participating in cell wall expansion.

Cosignaling of NCAM via lipid rafts and the FGF receptor is required for neuritogenesis

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been reported to stimulate neuritogenesis either via nonreceptor tyrosine kinases or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor. Here we show that lipid raft association of NCAM is crucial for activation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase pathway and induction of neurite outgrowth. Transfection of hippocampal neurons of NCAM-deficient mice revealed that of the three major NCAM isoforms only NCAM140 can act as a homophilic receptor that induces neurite outgrowth. Disruption of NCAM140 raft association either by mutation of NCAM140 palmitoylation sites or by lipid raft destruction attenuates activation of the tyrosine focal adhesion kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, completely blocking neurite outgrowth. Likewise, NCAM-triggered neurite outgrowth is also completely blocked by a specific FGF receptor inhibitor, indicating that cosignaling via raft-associated kinases and FGF receptor is essential for neuritogenesis.