Novel avian thymic parvalbumin displays high degree of sequence homology to oncomodulin

Molecular and gene expression analyses of chicken oncomodulin and their association with breast myopathies in broilers

Oncomodulins (OCMs), also known as non-α-parvalbumins, are small molecules known for their high-affinity binding of Ca2+ ions. They play crucial roles as Ca2+ buffers and participate in signaling pathways within muscle and neuron cells. In chickens, 3 oncomodulin molecules have been identified at the protein level and are named chicken oncomodulin 1 (OCM1), -3 (OCM3), and alpha-parvalbumin (PVALB). OCM4 was newly assigned by genome annotation. A gene cluster containing OCM1, OCM3, and OCM4 is located in chromosome 14, while a single gene of PVALB is on chromosome 1. The Ca2+ signaling pathway may be a potential contributor to the onset of chicken breast myopathies. However, chicken OCMs have not been extensively studied in muscle tissues. In this study, the genetic specifications, tissue-specific and differential expression of OCM1, OCM3, OCM4, and PVALB in the context of chicken breast myopathies were investigated. OCM1 exhibited moderate expression in the liver, intestine, and kidney. OCM3 was highly expressed in thymus and breast muscle. A long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed from the antisense strand of the OCM3 gene was found to be expressed in liver, lung, heart, intestine, and kidney tissues. OCM4 was barely expressed in thymus, thigh-, and breast muscle. PVALB exhibited high expression across all tissues examined. Results of quantitative PCR (qPCR) indicated that the expression of OCM3 was significantly increased (4.4 ± 0.7 fold; P-value = 0.03) in woody breast (WB) muscle and even greater (8.5 ± 0.6 fold; P-value = 0.004) in WB/white striping (WS) muscles. The expression of PVALB showed no difference in WB muscle, but it was notably higher (4.6 ± 0.7 fold; P-value = 0.054) in WB/WS muscle, although statistical significance was not reached. These findings suggest that increased expression of OCM3 and PVALB may be linked to chicken breast myopathies with regard to disruption of Ca2+ buffering.

Comprehensive Sequence Analysis of Parvalbumins in Fish and Their Comparison with Parvalbumins in Tetrapod Species

Parvalbumins are small molecules with important functions in Ca²⁺ signaling, but their sequence comparisons to date, especially in fish, have been relatively poor. We here, characterize sequence motifs that distinguish parvalbumin subfamilies across vertebrate species, as well as those that distinguish individual parvalbumins (orthologues) in fish, and map them to known parvalbumin structures. As already observed by others, all classes of jawed vertebrates possess parvalbumins of both the α-parvalbumin and oncomodulin subfamilies. However, we could not find convincing phylogenetic support for the common habit of classifying all non-α-parvalbumins together as "β-parvalbumins." In teleost (modern bony) fish, we here distinguish parvalbumins 1-to-10, of which the gene copy number can differ between species. The genes for α-parvalbumins (pvalb6 and pvalb7) and oncomodulins (pvalb8 and pvalb9) are well conserved between teleost species, but considerable variation is observed in their copy numbers of the non-α/non-oncomodulin genes pvalb1-to-5 and pvalb10. Teleost parvalbumins 1-to-4 are hardly distinguishable from each other and are highly expressed in muscle, and described allergens belong to this subfamily. However, in some fish species α-parvalbumin expression is also high in muscle. Pvalb5 and pvalb10 molecules form distinct lineages, the latter even predating the origin of teleosts, but have been lost in some teleost species. The present study aspires to be a frame of reference for future studies trying to compare different parvalbumins.

Identification and characterization of parvalbumin-like protein in Trichophyton violaceum

Parvalbumins play crucial physiological roles in neuromuscular systems of vertebrates, such as cell-cycle, development of neurons, contraction of muscles, and regulation of intracellular calcium. To perform these neuromuscular functions, parvalbumin may be in associated with other proteins including calbindin, carbonic anhydrase, and cytochrome oxidase. Humans may show an IgE-specific hypersensitivity to parvalbumins after consumption of some distinct fish species. While this protein is abundant in fish muscles, literature review of publications related to fish parvalbumins, do not point to the presence of parvalbumins in eukaryotic microbes. In this study, we propose that distantly related parvalbumins may be found in some non-fish species. Bioinformatics studies such as multiple sequence alignment (MSA), phylogenetic analysis as well as molecular-based experiments indicate that, at least two parvalbumins sequences (UniProt IDs: A0A178F775 and A0A178F7E4) with EF-hand domains and Ca²⁺-binding sites could be identified in Trichophyton violaceum, a pathogenic fungal species. It was determined that both genes consisted of a single exon and encoded for parvalbumin proteins possessing conserved amino acid motifs. Antigenicity prediction revealed antigenic sites located in both sides of the Ca²⁺-binding site of the first EF-hand domain. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that one of parvalbumins (UniProt ID: 0A178F775) can be evolved to other parvalbumins in T. violaceum (UniProt ID: A0A178F7E4) and fish species through evolutionary phenomenon. To confirm our in-silico findings, we designed three primer pairs to detect one of the T. violaceum parvalbumins (UniProt ID: A0A178F7E4) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); one primer pair showed a strong and specific band in agarose gel electrophoresis. To evaluate the specificity of the method, the primers were tested on extracted DNA from Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. The results demonstrated that the evaluated parvalbumin gene (UniProt ID: A0A178F7E4) was T. violaceum-specific and this pathogenic fungus can be differentiated from T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes through identification of parvalbumin genes. Further studies are necessary to unravel the biochemical and physiological functions of parvalbumins in T. violaceum.

Dysregulation of Calcium Handling in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Mechanisms and Experimental Therapeutic Strategies

: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disease resulting in the loss of dystrophin, a key cytoskeletal protein in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Dystrophin connects the extracellular matrix with the cytoskeleton and stabilizes the sarcolemma. Cardiomyopathy is prominent in adolescents and young adults with DMD, manifesting as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in the later stages of disease. Sarcolemmal instability, leading to calcium mishandling and overload in the cardiac myocyte, is a key mechanistic contributor to muscle cell death, fibrosis, and diminished cardiac contractile function in DMD patients. Current therapies for DMD cardiomyopathy can slow disease progression, but they do not directly target aberrant calcium handling and calcium overload. Experimental therapeutic targets that address calcium mishandling and overload include membrane stabilization, inhibition of stretch-activated channels, ryanodine receptor stabilization, and augmentation of calcium cycling via modulation of the Serca2a/phospholamban (PLN) complex or cytosolic calcium buffering. This paper addresses what is known about the mechanistic basis of calcium mishandling in DCM, with a focus on DMD cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we discuss currently utilized therapies for DMD cardiomyopathy, and review experimental therapeutic strategies targeting the calcium handling defects in DCM and DMD cardiomyopathy.

Oncomodulin: The Enigmatic Parvalbumin Protein

EF-hand Ca²⁺-binding protein family members, α- and β-parvalbumins have been studied for decades. Yet, considerable information is lacking distinguishing functional differences between mammalian α-parvalbumin (PVALB) and oncomodulin (OCM), a branded β-parvalbumin. Herein, we provide an overview detailing the current body of work centered around OCM as an EF-Hand Ca²⁺-binding protein and describe potential mechanisms of OCM function within the inner ear and immune cells. Additionally, we posit that OCM is evolutionarily distinct from PVALB and most other β-parvalbumins. This review summarizes recent studies pertaining to the function of OCM and emphasizes OCM as a parvalbumin possessing a unique cell and tissue distribution, Ca²⁺ buffering capacity and phylogenetic origin.

Insights into electrosensory organ development, physiology and evolution from a lateral line-enriched transcriptome

The anamniote lateral line system, comprising mechanosensory neuromasts and electrosensory ampullary organs, is a useful model for investigating the developmental and evolutionary diversification of different organs and cell types. Zebrafish neuromast development is increasingly well understood, but neither zebrafish nor Xenopus is electroreceptive and our molecular understanding of ampullary organ development is rudimentary. We have used RNA-seq to generate a lateral line-enriched gene-set from late-larval paddlefish (Polyodon spathula). Validation of a subset reveals expression in developing ampullary organs of transcription factor genes critical for hair cell development, and genes essential for glutamate release at hair cell ribbon synapses, suggesting close developmental, physiological and evolutionary links between non-teleost electroreceptors and hair cells. We identify an ampullary organ-specific proneural transcription factor, and candidates for the voltage-sensing L-type Ca_v channel and rectifying K_v channel predicted from skate (cartilaginous fish) ampullary organ electrophysiology. Overall, our results illuminate ampullary organ development, physiology and evolution.

Isolation and expression of two zebrafish homologues of parvalbumin genes related to chicken CPV3 and mammalian oncomodulin

Full-length cDNA clones coded for two beta-type homologues of parvalbumin genes, pvalb3a and pvalb3b, were isolated from zebrafish. The homology and phylogenetic analyses, based on the deduced amino acid sequences, revealed that PVALB3A and PVALB3B are co-orthologues to chicken CPV3 and mammalian oncomodulin (OCM) but are divergent from alpha-type PVALB of tetrapods and muscle-type PVALB of bony fish. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that the spatio-temporal expression of pvalb3a and pvalb3b were distinct and highly development-regulated during early embryogenesis. Unlike their counterparts of CPV3 in chicken and OCM in mammals, zebrafish pvalb3a transcripts were widely expressed in mucous cells, the olfactory epithelium, anterior pituitary, pharyngeal teeth germ, macrophages, inner ear and lateral line neuromasts, whereas, pvalb3b transcripts were more restrictedly expressed in the yolk syncytial layer, inner ear and pronephric ducts.

Characterization of avian thymic hormone and chicken parvalbumin 3 target cells

Avian thymic hormone (ATH) is a β-parvalbumin produced by epithelial cells in the thymic cortex and in the eyes of chickens. Chicken parvalbumin 3 (CPV3) is a homologous protein produced in the thymus and in hair cells of the chicken ear. ATH circulates in the blood on a five-day cycle and stimulates cell-mediated immunity when administered to young chickens. We report the identification of target cells for ATH and CPV3 and the immunophenotype of target cells for ATH. Newly hatched chicks were injected intracoelomically with ATH and killed 5, 10, 15 or 20 min later. Naïve chickens also were killed at 1, 7 and 14 days of age. Various tissues were examined by EM for the presence of either ATH or CPV3 using colloidal gold labeling. Gold particles were initially present on plasma membranes of lymphocytes in T cell areas of spleen and cecal tonsils from the chicks injected with ATH, internalized within 10 min, and accumulated in nuclei by 20 min. Immunofluorescence staining also identified the presence of ATH in T cell areas of spleen and cecal tonsils. Target cells labeled for ATH were immunophenotyped by double labeling. They were positive for CD3, CD8 and the lymphocyte receptor TCR-1, a phenotype characteristic of cytotoxic γδ T cells. Some of the target cells in the spleen were TCR-3 positive. Targeting of lymphocytes by CPV3 indicated that it may also be an immunomodulating hormone.

Calcium mishandling in diastolic dysfunction: mechanisms and potential therapies

Diastolic dysfunction is characterized by slow or incomplete relaxation of the ventricles during diastole, and is an important contributor to heart failure pathophysiology. Clinical symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and pulmonary and peripheral edema, all contributing to decreased quality of life and poor prognosis. There are currently no therapies available that directly target the heart pump defects in diastolic function. Calcium mishandling is a hallmark of heart disease and has been the subject of a large body of research. Efforts are ongoing in a number of gene therapy approaches to normalize the function of calcium handling proteins such as sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase. An alternative approach to address calcium mishandling in diastolic dysfunction is to introduce calcium buffers to facilitate relaxation of the heart. Parvalbumin is a calcium binding protein found in fast-twitch skeletal muscle and not normally expressed in the heart. Gene transfer of parvalbumin into normal and diseased cardiac myocytes increases relaxation rate but also markedly decreases contraction amplitude. Although parvalbumin binds calcium in a delayed manner, it is not delayed enough to preserve full contractility. Factors contributing to the temporal nature of calcium buffering by parvalbumin are discussed in relation to remediation of diastolic dysfunction. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cardiomyocyte Biology: Cardiac Pathways of Differentiation, Metabolism and Contraction.

Transcriptomic analysis supports similar functional roles for the two thymuses of the tammar wallaby

Background

The thymus plays a critical role in the development and maturation of T-cells. Humans have a single thoracic thymus and presence of a second thymus is considered an anomaly. However, many vertebrates have multiple thymuses. The tammar wallaby has two thymuses: a thoracic thymus (typically found in all mammals) and a dominant cervical thymus. Researchers have known about the presence of the two wallaby thymuses since the 1800s, but no genome-wide research has been carried out into possible functional differences between the two thymic tissues. Here, we used pyrosequencing to compare the transcriptomes of a cervical and thoracic thymus from a single 178 day old tammar wallaby.

Results

We show that both the tammar thoracic and the cervical thymuses displayed gene expression profiles consistent with roles in T-cell development. Both thymuses expressed genes that mediate distinct phases of T-cells differentiation, including the initial commitment of blood stem cells to the T-lineage, the generation of T-cell receptor diversity and development of thymic epithelial cells. Crucial immune genes, such as chemokines were also present. Comparable patterns of expression of non-coding RNAs were seen. 67 genes differentially expressed between the two thymuses were detected, and the possible significance of these results are discussed.

Conclusion

This is the first study comparing the transcriptomes of two thymuses from a single individual. Our finding supports that both thymuses are functionally equivalent and drive T-cell development. These results are an important first step in the understanding of the genetic processes that govern marsupial immunity, and also allow us to begin to trace the evolution of the mammalian immune system.

Structure of avian thymic hormone, a high-affinity avian beta-parvalbumin, in the Ca2+-free and Ca2+-bound states

Originally isolated on the basis of its capacity to stimulate T-cell maturation and proliferation, avian thymic hormone (ATH) is nevertheless a parvalbumin, one of two beta-lineage isoforms expressed in birds. We recently learned that addition of Ca(2+)-free ATH to a solution of 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate (ANS) markedly increases ANS emission. This behavior, not observed in the presence of Ca(2+), suggests that apolar surface area buried in the Ca(2+)-bound state becomes solvent accessible upon Ca(2+) removal. In order to elucidate the conformational alterations that accompany Ca(2+) binding, we have obtained the solution structure of the Ca(2+)-free protein using NMR spectroscopy and compared it to the Ca(2+)-loaded protein, solved by X-ray crystallography. Although the metal-ion-binding (CD-EF) domains are largely coincident in the superimposed structures, a major difference is observed in the AB domains. The tight association of helix B with the E and F helices in the Ca(2+)-bound state is lost upon removal of Ca(2+), producing a deep hydrophobic cavity. The B helix also undergoes substantial rotation, exposing the side chains of F24, Y26, F29, and F30 to solvent. Presumably, the increase in ANS emission observed in the presence of unliganded ATH reflects the interaction of these hydrophobic residues with the fluorescent probe. The increased solvent exposure of apolar surface area in the Ca(2+)-free protein is consistent with previously collected scanning calorimetry data, which indicated an unusually low change in heat capacity upon thermal denaturation. The Ca(2+)-free structure also provides added insight into the magnitude of ligation-linked conformational alteration compatible with a high-affinity metal-ion-binding signature. The exposure of substantial apolar surface area suggests the intriguing possibility that ATH could function as a reverse Ca(2+) sensor.

Leucine 85 is an important determinant of divalent ion affinity in rat beta-parvalbumin (Oncomodulin)

Despite 69% sequence identity with chicken parvalbumin 3 (CPV3), rat beta-parvalbumin (beta-PV) exhibits a substantially lower Ca(2+) affinity (DeltaDeltaG degrees ' = 2.0 kcal/mol). This difference largely reflects the disparate behavior of the respective CD sites. Replacement of the rat beta-PV codon with the CPV3 codon at positions 49, 50, and 57-60 produces virtual sequence identity with the CPV3 CD site. However, the resulting protein exhibits a modest (0.5 kcal/mol) improvement in Ca(2+) affinity, implying that sequence differences beyond the binding site modulate divalent ion binding behavior. The solution structure of Ca(2+)-free rat beta-PV suggested that Leu-85, phenylalanine in CPV3, might be an important determinant. Therefore, the impact of the L85F mutation on divalent ion affinity was examined in rat beta-PV, in the variant harboring all six of the aforementioned CD site mutations, and in the intermediate CD site variants. We find that the identity of residue 85, located within the E helix, strongly influences divalent ion affinity in the mammalian beta-PV isoform and that its impact is mediated by interactions with residues in the CD site. In the wild-type protein, L85F primarily affects the EF site. By contrast, in the presence of the six CD site mutations, L85F also improves the CD site performance, yielding a protein with Ca(2+) affinity rivaling that of CPV3 and markedly enhanced Mg(2+) affinity as well. The impact of L85F on CD site Ca(2+) affinity is particularly sensitive to the identities of residues 59 and 60. Interestingly, however, significant improvement in CD site Mg(2+) affinity also requires mutation of additional CD site residues.

Low-affinity signature of the rat beta-parvalbumin CD site. Evidence for remote determinants

Although rat beta-parvalbumin and chicken parvalbumin 3 (CPV3) are identical at 74 of 108 residues, rat beta exhibits perceptibly lower Ca2+ and Mg2+ affinities. At 25 degrees C, in Hepes-buffered saline, at pH 7.4, the overall deltadeltaG degrees ' values are 2.0 and 3.9 kcal/mol, respectively. These differences primarily reflect the disparate behavior of the CD sites in the two proteins. Their respective binding constants for Ca2+, for example, are 1.5 x 10(6) and 2.4 x 10(7) M-1. The extent to which this differential behavior is dictated by local and remote sequence differences is unknown. To explore this question, we performed mutagenesis on rat beta, substituting the corresponding CPV3 codon for residues 49, 50, 57, 58, 59, and 60. The resulting CD site is identical to CPV3 at 27 of 30 positions. The mutations were introduced in four stages, replacing residues 49 and 50 (yielding beta 49/50), then 57 and 58 (beta 49/50/57/58), then 59 (beta 49/50/57/58/59), and finally 60 (beta 49/50/57/58/59/60). Apoprotein stability was examined by scanning calorimetry and chemical denaturation and divalent ion affinity by titration calorimetry. All four variants exhibit elevated Tm values and are between 0.13 and 0.39 kcal/mol more stable at 25 degrees C. Although all four proteins display heightened divalent ion affinity, the increases are small. The maximal deltadeltaG degrees ' values, observed for 49/50/57/58/59/60, are just -0.56 and -0.96 kcal/mol for Ca2+ and Mg2+, respectively. Evidently, structural features beyond the metal ion-binding motif contribute to the unusual divalent ion-binding behavior associated with the rat beta CD site.

Parvalbumin isoforms in zebrafish

By using an analysis of existing genomic information it is concluded that in zebrafish nine genes encode parvalbumin (PV). These genes possess introns that differ in size and show nucleotide variability but they contain the same number of exons, and for each corresponding exon, the number of nucleotides therein are identical in all the paralogs. This rule also applies to the multiple PV genes of other species e.g. mammals. Each of these genes displays, however, characteristic 5' and 3' UTRs which appear highly conserved between closely related species (so that orthologs among these species can be readily identified) but which show larger numbers of mutations between species that are more distant in evolution. A tree is presented which suggests that the traditional classification of PVs as alpha or beta (based mainly on charge of the protein molecule) is not sustainable. Numbers 1-9 are assigned to the various isoforms to facilitate their identification in future studies. A bifurcation of isoforms into 1 and 4; 2 and 3; 6 and 7; 8 and 9 appears to have occurred simultaneously in more recent time, i.e. perhaps approximately 60 mys ago when primates and rodents branched.

Divalent ion-binding properties of the two avian β-parvalbumins

Birds express three parvalbumins, one alpha isoform and two beta isoforms. The latter are known as avian thymic hormone (ATH) and avian parvalbumin 3. Although both were discovered in thymus tissue, and presumably function in T-cell maturation, they have been detected in other tissue settings. We have conducted detailed Ca2+- and Mg2+-binding studies on recombinant ATH and the C72S variant of CPV3, employing global analysis of isothermal titration calorimetry data. In Hepes-buffered saline, ATH binds Ca2+ with apparent microscopic binding constants of 2.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(8) and 1.0 +/- 0.1 x 10(8) M(-1). The corresponding values for CPV3-C72S are substantially lower, 4.5 +/- 0.5 x 10(7) and 2.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(7) M(-1), a 1.9-kcal/mol difference in binding free energy. Thus, the beta-parvalbumin lineage displays a spectrum of Ca2+-binding affinity, with ATH and the mammalian beta isoform at the high- and low-affinity extremes and CPV3 in the middle. Interestingly, despite its decreased Ca2+ affinity, CPV3-C72S exhibits increased affinity for Mg2+, relative to ATH. Whereas the latter displays Mg2+-binding constants of 2.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(4) and 1.2 +/- 0.1 x 10(4) M(-1), CPV3-C72S yields values of 5.0 +/- 0.8 x 10(4) and 2.1 +/- 0.3 x 10(4) M(-1).

15N nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation studies on rat beta-parvalbumin and the pentacarboxylate variants, S55D and G98D

15N relaxation data for Ca(2+)-bound rat beta-parvalbumin (a.k.a. oncomodulin) were analyzed using the Lipari-Szabo formalism and compared with existing data for rat alpha-parvalbumin. Although the average S(2) values for the two proteins are very similar (0.85 for alpha, 0.84 for beta), residue-by-residue inspection reveals systematic differences. alpha tends to have the lower S(2) value in helical regions; beta tends to have the lower value in the loop regions. Rat beta was also examined in the Ca(2+)-free state. The 59 assigned residues displayed an average order parameter (0.90) significantly greater than the corresponding residues in the Ca(2+)-loaded form. The pentacarboxylate variants of rat beta-S55D and G98D-also were examined in the Ca(2+)-bound state. Although both mutations significantly heighten Ca(2+) affinity, they utilize distinct energetic strategies. S55D improves the Ca(2+)-binding enthalpy; G98D improves the binding entropy. They also show disparate peptide backbone dynamics. Whereas beta G98D displays an average order parameter (0.87) slightly greater than that of the wild-type protein, beta S55D displays an average order parameter (0.82) slightly lower than wild-type beta. Furthermore, whereas just two backbone N-H bonds in beta G98D show internal motion on the 20-200-psec timescale, fully 52 of the 93 residues analyzed in beta S55D show this behavior. These findings suggest that the increased electrostatic repulsion attendant to introduction of an additional carboxylate into the CD site ligand array impedes backbone vibrational motion throughout the molecule.

Interconversion of the ligand arrays in the CD and EF sites of oncomodulin. Influence on Ca2+-binding affinity

The parvalbumin metal ion-binding sites differ at the +z and -x residues: Whereas the CD site employs serine and glutamate (or aspartate), respectively, the EF site employs aspartate and glycine. Although frequently indistinguishable in Ca2+- and Mg2+-binding assays, the CD and EF sites nonetheless exhibit markedly different preferences for members of the lanthanide series [Williams et al. (1984) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106, 5698-5702], underscoring an intrinsic nonequivalence. This nonequivalence reaches its pinnacle in the mammalian beta-parvalbumin (oncomodulin). Whereas the oncomodulin EF site exhibits the expected Ca2+/Mg2+ signature, the Ca2+ affinity of the CD site is severely attenuated. To obtain insight into the structural factors responsible for this reduction in binding affinity, oncomodulin variants were examined in which the CD and EF site ligand arrays had been exchanged. Our data suggest that binding affinity may be dictated either by ligand identity or by the binding site environment. For example, the Ca2+ affinity of the quasi-EF site resulting from the combined S55D and D59G mutations is substantially lower than that of the authentic EF site. This finding implies that other local environmental variables (e.g., binding loop flexibility, electrostatic potentials) within the CD binding site supersede the influence of ligand identity. However, the CD site ligand array does not acquire a high-affinity signature when imported into the EF site, as in the D94S/G98D variant. Instead, it retains its Ca2+-specific signature, implying that this constellation of ligands is less sensitive to placement within the protein molecule. The D59G and D94S single mutations substantially lower binding affinity, consistent with removal of a liganding carboxylate. By contrast, the S55D and G98D mutations substantially increase binding affinity, a finding at odds with corresponding data collected on model peptide systems. Significantly, the Ca2+ affinity of the oncomodulin CD site is increased by mutations that weaken binding at the EF site, indicating a negatively cooperative interaction between the two sites.

Self-association of CPV3, an avian thymic parvalbumin

The avian parvalbumin called CPV3 readily forms disulfide-linked oligomers. Sedimentation data presented herein reveal that CPV3 also undergoes noncovalent self-association. Interestingly, the noncovalent interaction is promoted by either Ca2+ or Mg2+, whereas covalent complex formation displays an absolute requirement for the Ca(2+)-bound protein. Apo-CPV3 exhibits an apparent sedimentation coefficient of 2.08 S at 20 degrees C, in 0.15 M NaCl, 0.025 M HEPES-NaOH, pH 7.4. This value increases to 2.85 S or 3.16 S with addition of 1.0 mM Ca2+ or 5.0 mM Mg2+, respectively. Least-squares analysis of sedimentation equilibrium data suggests that 100 microM apo-CPV3 is primarily a mixture of monomeric and dimeric forms. With the addition of Ca2+, the equilibrium becomes exclusively monomer-trimer, with negligible amounts of dimer. A comparable distribution is observed in the presence of Mg2+.

Structure and chromosomal localization of the mouse oncomodulin gene

The rat gene encoding oncomodulin (OM), a small calcium-binding protein, is under the control of a solo LTR derived from an endogenous intracisternal A-particle. The latter sequence is the only OM promoter analyzed so far. In order to study cell type-specific OM expression in a species lacking LTR sequences in the OM locus, we initially synthesized an OM cDNA from mouse placenta. By sequencing, we found a 137-bp-long 5'leader region that differed markedly from its rat counterpart but had high similarity to several mouse genomic sequences. Primers specific to this sequence in addition with primers specific for an exon 2/intron 2 sequence were used to screen a mouse ES cell line genomic P1 library. One positive clone contained the whole OM gene, including intron 1 of 25kb and a 5' flanking region of 27 kb lacking an LTR. The region upstream of exon 1 contains no TATA or CCAAT boxes but has a homopurine/homopyrimidine stretch of 102 bp as well as a (CA)22 repeat. The latter sequence is polymorphic and was therefore, used to map the OM gene to the distal end of the long arm of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 5 by interspecific backcross analysis. Additionally we localized the OM gene by in situ hybridization to the region G1-3 on Chr 5, confirming the genetic linkage results. Finally, the OM gene was found to be structurally conserved and to exist in a single copy in mammals.

Oligomerization of an avian thymic parvalbumin. Chemical evidence for a Ca(2+)-specific conformation

CPV3, the third parvalbumin isoform to be identified in the chicken, is produced exclusively in the thymus gland. Although parvalbumins are typically cysteine-deficient, CPV3 contains two cysteine residues, at positions 18 and 72. The reported three-dimensional parvalbumin structures suggest that the side chain of cysteine-72 should be solvent-accessible. Accordingly, we find that CPV3 readily forms disulfide-linked oligomers in the absence of reducing agents. The reaction, employing either O2 or ferricyanide ion as the oxidant, is apparently restricted to the Ca(2+)-bound form of the protein. The differing reactivity of the Ca2+, Mg2+, and apo-forms has significant structural implications.