Processing of the precursor for the mitochondrial enzyme, carbamyl phosphate synthetase. Inhibition by rho-aminobenzamidine leads to very rapid degradation (clearing) of the precursor

Genetic, structural and biochemical basis of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) plays a paramount role in liver ureagenesis since it catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of the urea cycle, the major pathway for nitrogen disposal in humans. CPS1 deficiency (CPS1D) is an autosomal recessive inborn error which leads to hyperammonemia due to mutations in the CPS1 gene, or is caused secondarily by lack of its allosteric activator NAG. Proteolytic, immunological and structural data indicate that human CPS1 resembles Escherichia coli CPS in structure, and a 3D model of CPS1 has been presented for elucidating the pathogenic role of missense mutations. Recent availability of CPS1 expression systems also can provide valuable tools for structure-function analysis and pathogenicity-testing of mutations in CPS1. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive compilation of clinical CPS1 mutations, and discuss how structural knowledge of CPS enzymes in combination with in vitro analyses can be a useful tool for diagnosis of CPS1D.

Purification and characterization of catalytically active precursor of rat liver mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase expressed in Escherichia coli

The cDNA coding for the precursor (p-ALDH) or mature (m-ALDH) rat liver mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase was cloned in an expression vector pT7-7 and expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3)/plysS. The p-ALDH expressed in E. coli was a soluble tetrameric protein. It exhibited virtually the same specific activity and KmS for substrates as m-ALDH. N-terminal sequencing of isolated p-ALDH provided the evidence that the catalytic activity was not derived from a partially processed mature-like enzyme. The assembly states of both p-ALDH and m-ALDH synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate were also determined. Both of them were monomers and could not bind to a 5'-AMP-Sepharose column, showing that the monomeric form of the enzyme is inactive. The stabilities in vivo and in vitro were compared between p-ALDH and m-ALDH expressed in E. coli. p-ALDH was less stable than was m-ALDH both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, although the conformations of p-ALDH and m-ALDH are similar, the presence of signal peptide is a destabilizing factor to the p-ALDH. p-ALDH expressed in E. coli could bind to and be translocated into rat liver mitochondria, however, with lower efficiency when compared to the import of p-ALDH synthesized in reticulocyte lysate.

Biosynthetic studies of several of the nuclear-encoded subunits of mammalian NADH dehydrogenase

An investigation into the biogenesis of several of the nuclear-encoded subunits of the iron-protein fragment of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase was undertaken utilising a bovine kidney cell line (NBL-1). Inhibition of import was achieved by treating the cells with the uncoupler carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and it was demonstrated that the 75-kDa, 51-kDa and 49-kDa components of the enzyme were synthesised as larger polypeptides of 76-kDa, 52-kDa and 53-kDa, respectively. The precursors could subsequently be processed to the mature subunits by reversing the FCCP treatment and chasing for 45 min at 37 degrees C. Subcellular localisation studies using the detergent digitonin illustrated that the 76-kDa, 52-kDa and 53-kDa precursor forms were almost exclusively located in the soluble fraction of the cell, whereas the mature and pulse-chased proteins fractionated with the particulate portion of the cell. Although the mature 30-kDa and 24-kDa subunits of NADH dehydrogenase could be visualised, their precursor forms went undetected in this system.

Mitochondrial protein import

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized as precursor proteins on cytosolic polysomes and are subsequently imported into mitochondria. Many precursors carry amino-terminal presequences which contain information for their targeting to mitochondria. In several cases, targeting and sorting information is also contained in non-amino-terminal portions of the precursor protein. Nucleoside triphosphates are required to keep precursors in an import-competent (unfolded) conformation. The precursors bind to specific receptor proteins on the mitochondrial surface and interact with a general insertion protein (GIP) in the outer membrane. The initial interaction of the precursor with the inner membrane requires the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi) and occurs at contact sites between outer and inner membranes. Completion of translocation into the inner membrane or matrix is independent of delta psi. The presequences are cleaved off by the processing peptidase in the mitochondrial matrix. In several cases, a second proteolytic processing event is performed in either the matrix or in the intermembrane space. Other modifications can occur such as the addition of prosthetic groups (e.g., heme or Fe/S clusters). Some precursors of proteins of the intermembrane space or the outer surface of the inner membrane are retranslocated from the matrix space across the inner membrane to their functional destination ('conservative sorting'). Finally, many proteins are assembled in multi-subunit complexes. Exceptions to this general import pathway are known. Precursors of outer membrane proteins are transported directly into the outer membrane in a receptor-dependent manner. The precursor of cytochrome c is directly translocated across the outer membrane and thereby reaches the intermembrane space. In addition to the general sequence of events which occurs during mitochondrial protein import, current research focuses on the molecules themselves that are involved in these processes.

Biosynthesis of four rat liver mitochondrial acyl-CoA dehydrogenases: in vitro synthesis, import into mitochondria, and processing of their precursors in a cell-free system and in cultured cells

The synthesis, translocation, processing, and assembly of rat liver short chain acyl-CoA, medium chain acyl-CoA, long chain acyl-CoA, and isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenases were studied. These four acyl-CoA dehydrogenases are homotetrameric flavoproteins which are located in the mitochondrial matrix. They were synthesized in a cell-free rabbit reticulocyte lysate system, programmed by rat liver polysomal RNA, as precursor polypeptides which are 2-4 kDa larger than their corresponding mature subunits (Mr 41,000-45,000). When the radiolabeled precursors were incubated with intact rat liver mitochondria, they appeared to bind tightly to the mitochondrial outer membrane. At this stage they were completely susceptible to the action of exogenous trypsin. The precursors bound to mitochondria at 0 degrees C were translocated into the mitochondria and processed when the temperature was raised to 30 degrees C. No reaction occurred when the temperature was kept at 0 degrees C, however, suggesting that the binding of the precursors is temperature independent while the subsequent steps of the pathway are energy dependent. Indeed, the translocation reaction was inhibited by compounds such as dinitrophenol and rhodamine 6G which inhibit mitochondrial energy metabolism. The newly imported (mature) enzymes were inaccessible to the proteolytic action of added trypsin. The processing of the precursors to mature subunits was proteolytically carried out in the mitochondrial matrix, and the processed mature subunits mostly assembled to their respective tetrameric forms. Newly synthesized larger precursors of each of the four acyl-CoA dehydrogenases were recovered from intact, cultured Buffalo rat liver cells in the presence of dinitrophenol. When dinitrophenol was removed in a pulse-chase protocol, the accumulated precursors were rapidly (t1/2 3-5 min) converted to their corresponding mature subunits. On the other hand, when the chase was performed in the presence of the inhibitor, the labeled precursors disappeared with t1/2 of greater than 4 h for long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and 1-2 h for the other three enzyme precursors.

Immunological and biosynthetic studies on the mammalian 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex

High-titre, monospecific, polyclonal antisera have been raised against purified mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC) from ox heart and two of its three constituent enzymes, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (E1) and lipoyl succinyltransferase (E2). These specific antisera have been employed to monitor molecular events in the biosynthesis, import and maturation of this multimeric assembly. Lipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) elicits a poor antibody response in comparison to the other polypeptides of the complex. In cultured pig kidney cells (PK-15), incubated with [35S]methionine in the presence of uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, appearance of stable higher-Mr forms of the individual enzymes can be detected by specific immunoprecipitation and fluorographic analysis. In the case of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, E1, the initial cytoplasmic translation product has a subunit Mr value of 1500-3000 greater than in the mature enzyme while the precursor of the lipoyl succinyltransferase, E2, contains an additional sequence of Mr 6000-8000. Competition studies have revealed the immunological similarity of the precursor molecules to the native subunits. On removal of uncouplers, processing of accumulated precursors is rapidly initiated and is complete within 40 min. Interestingly, antiserum to native 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex fails to recognise E2 precursor molecules (pre-E2), which can be immunoprecipitated, however, by antibodies raised against the denatured E2 subunit. It is concluded that pre-E2 is conformationally dissimilar to native E2, which exists normally as a highly ordered, multimolecular aggregate in the native complex.

Synthesis, intracellular transport and processing of mitochondrial urea cycle enzymes

Carbamyl phosphate synthetase I and ornithine transcarbamylase are matrix enzymes synthesized outside the mitochondria in the form of larger precursors and are transported rapidly into mitochondria, in association with post-translational proteolytic processing to the mature enzymes. Treatment of isolated rat hepatocytes with 40 micrograms/ml of rhodamine 123 resulted both in a potent inhibition of the processing of the enzyme precursors and in accumulation of the precursors. In pulse-chase experiments, the labeled precursor disappeared much more slowly in the presence of the dye. Rhodamine 123 strongly inhibited the uptake and processing of the ornithine transcarbamylase precursor by isolated rat liver mitochondria. Other positively charged rhodamines such as rhodamines 6G and 6GX were also strongly inhibitory. On the other hand, rhodamine B which has no net charge was much less inhibitory. These results suggest that the positively charged rhodamines inhibit the binding of the positively charged enzyme precursors to a negatively charged protein(s) or to phospholipids of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Potassium and magnesium ions, and probably a cytosolic protein(s), were required for the maximal uptake and processing of the ornithine transcarbamylase precursor by the isolated mitochondria. The concentrations of potassium and magnesium ions required for the maximal transport and processing were about 120 mM and 0.8-1.6 mM, respectively. Dialyzed postribosomal supernatant of rabbit reticulocyte lysate (36-72 mg protein/ml), in combination with potassium and magnesium ions, stimulated the precursor transport and processing 3- to 4-fold. The stimulatory activity of the dialyzed lysate was inactivated by trypsin treatment or heat treatment. No significant amount of the enzyme precursor was associated with the mitochondria when incubation was performed in the absence of these compounds. All these results indicate that potassium and magnesium ions, and probably a cytosolic protein(s), are required for the binding of the ornithine transcarbamylase precursor to the mitochondria or its transport into the organelle.

Import of glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase precursor into glyoxysomes: A heterologous in-vitro system

A heterologous in-vitro system is described for the import of the precursor to glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase from watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad., cv. Kleckey's Sweet No. 6) cotyledons into glyoxysomes from castor-bean (Ricinus communis L.) endosperm. The 41-kDa precursor is posttranslationally sequestered and correctly processed to the mature 33-kDa subunit by a crude glyoxysomal fraction or by glyoxysomes purified on a sucrose gradient. The import and the cleavage of the extrasequence is not inhibited by metal chelators such as 1,10-phenanthroline and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Uncouplers (carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone), ionophores (valinomycin), or inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (oligomycin) and ATP-ADP translocation (carboxyatractyloside) do not interfere, thus indicating the independence of the process of import by the organelle from the energization of the glyoxysomal membrane.

Expression of nuclear genes encoding the urea cycle enzymes, carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I and ornithine carbamoyl transferase, in rat liver and intestinal mucosa

RNA dot-blot, quantitative electron microscope immunocytochemistry, and electrophoretic immunoblotting techniques were employed to investigate the expression of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I (CPS) and ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT) genes in rat liver and intestinal mucosa. Comparing only those cell types in the two tissues which express these enzymes, we show that the concentration of CPS and OCT in hepatocyte mitochondria is 2.3-times and 1.2-times greater, respectively, than in intestinal epithelial cell mitochondria. As a percentage of total tissue protein, however, liver homogenates contain 10-20 times more CPS and 5-10 times more OCT than is found in intestinal mucosa. These relatively large differences in enzyme protein levels between the two tissues are not reflected by differences in their mRNA levels. As a percentage of total translational activity in vitro (based on incorporation of [35S]methionine), total liver mRNA directed synthesis of about twice as much precursor CPS (pCPS) and precursor OCT (pOCT) than did equivalent amounts of mRNA from intestinal mucosa. The ratio of pCPS and pOCT mRNA levels between the two tissues (2:1, liver:intestinal mucosa) was confirmed by dot-blot and Northern hybridizations employing specific cDNA probes. The sizes of the respective mRNAs were the same for the two tissues: about 6000 residues for pCPS mRNA and about 1700 residues for pOCT mRNA.

Import and processing of cytochrome b-c1 complex subunits in isolated hepatoma ascites cells. Inhibition by Rhodamine 6G

The import and processing of cytochrome c1 and the iron sulfur protein of the cytochrome b-c1 complex were studied in Zajdela hepatoma ascites cells. Both peptides were synthesized as larger percursor molecules which were approximately 2-3 kDa and 5-6 kDa larger than the mature forms of apocytochrome c1 and apo-iron sulfur protein, respectively. Comparison of these precursors to those reported for functionally homologous peptides in yeast and Neurospora indicate significant size changes have occurred in mammals. Rhodamine 6G, a specific vital stain for mitochondria, is a potent inhibitor of precursor processing in isolated hepatoma cells. Both precursor to cytochrome c1 and precursor to FeS accumulate in the soluble and particulate fractions obtained by digitonin treatment of tumor cells treated with Rhodamine 6G. Appearance of the mature peptides was abolished. The precursors are unstable, however, and disappear from the cytosolic and membrane fractions during a 10 min chase. Comparison of the effects of Rhodamine 6G and carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone on precursor processing shows that: (a) Rhodamine 6G is a more effective inhibitor of processing, (b) it has less of an inhibitory effect on cellular protein synthesis, and (c) it inhibits processing under conditions in which it appears to have little influence on coupled respiration in whole cells. The data suggest that the most likely mode of action of Rhodamine 6G is on the matrix processing step.

Intracellular protein degradation: basis of a self-regulating mechanism for the proteolysis of endogenous proteins

The intracellular basal proteolysis system, as distinct from the lysosomal system, is important in sustaining a high flux of proteins required for maintenance, growth and adaptability of cells. Its activity automatically fluctuates with changes in protein synthetic activity, but with a considerably slower response time, since the two processes are only indirectly or passively linked. Since as much as one-third of intracellular proteolysis in mammalian cells is directed as nascent proteins, the consequences are more fully discussed in relation to cell growth state. During rapid growth, cells have to accumulate more than double their original protein mass in order to achieve a 100% increase between divisions. The effects of reducing protein synthesis by inducing quiescence, serum step-down or cycloheximide treatment on intracellular proteolysis are considered, and the possibility that this leads to enhanced degradation of existing proteins has been explored. No substantial evidence was found to support this latter notion. The basal proteolysis system is seen as a constitutive, pervasive and broad-spectrumed collection of hydrolytic enzymes. It destroys proteins randomly, having no means of distinguishing young from old, aberrant from normal. The rate of demise of protein substrates depends on two factors, the ease of access of the hydrolytic enzymes to their peptide bonds, and the length of time that any species of protein remains at risk to this hydrolytic potential. While the former has long been recognized, the importance of the second factor in relation to the ability of proteins to become integrated in the living fabric of the cell is only beginning to be appreciated. The discussion also suggests elaborate regulatory mechanisms akin to those for protein synthesis would be unnecessary for protein degradation, especially if it can now be substantiated that substrate availability determines the turnover rates of proteins by a pervasive and relatively unlimited proteolytic system (Grisolía, 1964).

The transport and processing of carbamyl phosphate synthetase-I in mouse hepatic mitochondria

Carbamyl phosphate synthetase-I (CPS-I)2, purified from mouse hepatic mitochondria consists of electrophoretically homogeneous polypeptide species of 160 kilodaltons molecular weight (Kd). Monospecific antibody to CPS-I immunoprecipitated a putative precursor of 165Kd protein from in vitro translation products programmed with mouse liver free polysomes or poly(A) RNA. Isolated mitochondrial particles can take up and process pCPS-I into mature CPS-I of 160Kd in an in vitro transport system. The in vitro transport of CPS-I is energy dependent and requires intact mitochondria. The processing of pCPS-I appears to involve a single endoproteolytic cleavage.

Transport of proteins into mitochondria

There is still much that is obscure concerning the transport of proteins into or through the mitochondrial membrane systems. In addition, as pointed out previously, it is unlikely that the details of the process are the same for proteins destined for different compartments of the organelle. A brief summary of the process for matrix proteins might be as follows: The proteins are synthesized on free polysomes as precursors of higher molecular weight than the native forms. These precursors are liberated into the cell cytosol and subsequently translocated into the mitochondria. This timing might be different in yeast under some circumstances, synthesis being completed in association with the mitochondria. The precursors interact with a receptor in the outer mitochondrial membrane interaction being mediated by the presequences of the precursors. The presequences therefore act as addressing signals as well as possibly playing a role in one or all of (a) solubilization of precursors, (b) prevention of premature assembly into multimeric structures, or (c) maintenance of nonnative configurations required for transport. Interaction occurs with a second receptor, this time in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, interaction being with multiple sites in the polypeptide chain. Transport across the inner membrane then occurs, this transport depending on a transmembrane electrochemical gradient of which the proton component is the essential part. Transport is accompanied or followed by proteolysis of the prepiece, and formation of the native structure. While steps 1 and 2 of this sequence can be considered well established, the remaining steps are still poorly understood or purely hypothetical. Nevertheless, this sequence of events is consistent with known facts about the process and provides a framework for future investigations.

Effects of glucagon on biosynthesis of the mitochondrial enzyme, carbamoyl-phosphate synthase I, in primary hepatocytes and Morris hepatoma 5123D

When freshly-dispersed rat hepatocytes are maintained in primary monolayer cultures, they quickly lose their capacity to synthesize the urea cycle enzyme, carbamoyl-phosphate synthase. The ability to synthesize many other proteins, e.g., serum proteins including albumin, is retained. After an initial recovery period following cell isolation (24-48 h), glucagon is able to restore the ability of cultured hepatocytes to make carbamoyl-phosphate synthase. mRNA encoding the enzyme is about 4-times higher in hepatocytes maintained for 48 h in the presence of glucagon compared to hepatocytes without the hormone, as judged by in vitro translational assays. The level of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase activity expressed in transformed hepatocytes is unique to each hepatoma. Here we show that Morris hepatoma 5123D has retained such expression, and actively synthesizes the enzyme when 5123D cells are placed in monolayer cultures. Unlike normal hepatocytes, however, synthesis continues uninterrupted at a high level whether or not glucagon is present. 5123D has higher levels of translatable carbamoyl-phosphate synthase mRNA than normal liver.

Control of the changes in rat-liver carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (ammonia) protein levels during ontogenesis: evidence for a perinatal change in immunoreactivity of the enzyme

To analyze the changes in rat-liver carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (Cpase) protein levels during ontogenesis, these levels were determined by means of two independent methods, i.e. radioimmunoassay and densitometric assay. During normal development the changes in catalytic activity of Cpase are accompanied by equivalent changes in the quantities of enzyme protein. We have obtained evidence for the existence of a perinatal Cpase which is immunochemically different from adult Cpase as immunoreactivity of Cpase decreases in the perinatal period and remains constant thereafter.

In vivo study of developmental changes in carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I in rat liver. Repression of the enzyme synthesis immediately after birth

The regulatory mechanism of the developmental increase of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I in fetal and neonatal rat liver was studied in vivo. The appearance and rapid increase of the enzyme in late fetal period were caused by de novo synthesis of the enzyme protein. The amount of the enzyme protein analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was proportional to the enzyme activity throughout the period of development. No indication was observed for preexisting protein which could be converted into the active protein. A novel system for the in vivo study of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I synthesis was developed. Hepatocytes, mechanically dispersed by repeated passage of the tissue through a pipet, incorporated [35S]methionine into the enzyme. Taking advantage of this system, the regulation of the enzyme synthesis was studied. In vivo synthesis of the enzyme was detected at 4 days before birth and rapidly increased until 1 day before birth. However, the enzyme synthesis was markedly repressed after birth, when the amount of carmamoyl-phosphate synthetase I itself reached the adult level. This result was in a clear contrast with the constant level of the translatable mRNA (Raymond, Y. and Shore, G.C. (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 656, 111-119) and suggested that post-transcriptional regulation is important in addition to the level of mRNA for the regulation of the carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I level.

Synthesis and intracellular transport of cytochrome oxidase subunit IV and ADP/ATP translocator protein in intact hepatoma cells

The biosynthesis of two mitochondrial membrane proteins - subunit IV of cytochrome oxidase and ADP/ATP translocator protein was studied in intact ascites hepatoma cells. Using pulse-chase labeling and rapid cell fractionation it was possible to identify the precursoric forms of these inner mitochondrial membrane proteins. It was found that the subunit IV of cytochrome oxidase is synthesized in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells in the form of a larger precursor while ADP/ATP translocator protein is synthesized in the form that is electrophoretically undistinguishable from the mature membrane integrated form.

Purification of 5-aminolaevulinate synthase from liver mitochondria of chick embryo

5-Aminolaevulinate synthase from chick-embryo liver mitochondria has, for the first time, been purified to homogeneity in its native non-degraded form by molecular sieve chromatography, chromatofocusing and affinity chromatography. The enzyme has a minimum molecular weight of 68000 as determined by sodium dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a specific activity of 35000 units/mg of protein. This result conflicts with the previous report of Whiting, M.J. and Granick, G. [(1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 1340-1346] that the chick embryo enzyme has a molecular weight of 49000. We show here that the purified form can be degraded proteolytically to a smaller form of molecular weight around 50000 while retaining full enzymatic activity. It seem evident, therefore, that the enzyme isolated by Whiting & Granick (1976) was degraded. We have further established by pulse-labelling studies and immunoprecipitation that the enzyme isolated by our new and rapid procedure has the same minimum molecular weight as that which exists in vivo.

Does more than one mitochondrially synthesized protein in yeast have larger precursors?

Yeast cells undergoing derepression (the phase of mitochondriogenesis) were exposed to [14C]formate in the presence of cycloheximide, the cytosolic protein synthesis inhibitor, and of 1,10-phenanthroline, a metallo-protease inhibitor. Extensive labelling was obtained under such conditions. Incubation of these labelled products with mitochondrial lysates released small peptides (mol. wt. 500-1000). These results indicate that mitochondria probably synthesize some of the proteins in the precursor form and they are processed by a specific matrix-located protease before proper integration.

Transport of newly synthesized proteins into mitochondria - a review

This review examines the mechanism of translocation of cytoplasmically synthesized proteins into mitochondria. Approximately 10% of the mitochondrial proteins are synthesized within the organelles while most mitochondrial proteins are coded for by nuclear genes and synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes. Those mitochondrial proteins synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes have to be transferred at some point into one of the mitochondrial compartments, a process which would require their insertion through one or both mitochondrial membranes. Data accumulated during the past five years indicate that the cytoplasmically synthesized mitochondrial proteins are synthesized on free polysomes then released into the cytoplasm. Most of the proteins examined so far are synthesized in the cytoplasm as larger precursors whose conformations may differ from the conformations of their respective mature forms. These precursor proteins become translocated into mitochondrial post-translationally and processed to their mature forms either during or immediately following translocation into the organelles. The translocation step appears to require mitochondrial ATP. Some processing activities have been localized in the matrix fractions of mitochondria from liver and yeast and they appear to be associated with soluble endopeptidases which act selectively on precursors of mitochondrial proteins. Although it is not clear how the precursor proteins interact with or recognize mitochondrial membranes, studies in yeast indicate that the interactions occur at specific regions on the other mitochondrial membranes.

Biogenesis of the mitochondrial enzyme, carbamyl phosphate synthetase. Appearance during fetal development of rat liver an rapid repression in freshly dispersed hepatocytes

Synthesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase was undetectable in fetal rat liver at 16 days gestation but by 4-5 days after birth (11-12 days later), this single protein accounted for approx. 5% of total liver protein and roughly 1% of total liver protein synthesis. Likewise, translatable mRNA coding for the enzyme was absent from 16-day fetal livers but then rapidly accumulated reaching maximum levels just after birth. The in vitro primary translation product of carbamyl phosphate synthetase mRNA corresponded to a higher molecular weight biosynthetic precursor of the enzyme; peptide maps obtained from the precursor synthesized both in vivo and in vitro and from the mature enzyme made in vivo were the same. When livers of neonatal rats were perfused with collagenase and further treated to yield a preparation of freshly dispersed hepatocytes highly active in general protein synthesis, a procedure which took about 45 min to complete, biosynthesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase was found to be completely absent in these cells. The mRNA coding for the enzyme, however, could be extracted from the dispersed hepatocytes and was actively translatable in vitro, at levels approximately 75% of those for mRNA obtained from intact liver. Repression of biogenesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase in dispersed hepatocytes, therefore, must involve a mechanism which shifts the mRNA coding for the enzyme out of active polysomal complexes and renders it further untranslatable in vivo but not in vitro.

Chloramphenicol inhibits hormone-dependent induction of cytoplasmic mRNA coding for the mitochondrial enzyme, carbamyl phosphate synthetase, in Rana catesbeiana tadpoles

In tadpoles injected with thyroxine (T4), synthesis of carbamyl phosphate synthetase 1 is induced so that within 7-8 days this single polypeptide represents one of the most abundant proteins in the liver. Translational assays in vitro showed that liver RNA from control animals had very low levels of translatable mRNA coding for the enzyme whereas carbamyl phosphate synthetase mRNA activity was prominent in liver from tadpoles which had been treated with T4 for just 2 days. When the primary translation product of carbamyl phosphate synthetase mRNA was immunoprecipitated from a messenger-dependent rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system programmed with total liver mRNA, it migrated on SDS-polyacrylamide gels more slowly than the in vivo form of the enzyme and otherwise demonstrated characteristics which were very similar to the precursor for carbamyl phosphate synthetase previously described in rat liver. If tadpoles were treated for 2 days with T4 plus an inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis, chloramphenicol, T4-dependent induction of both enzyme synthesis and translatable carbamyl phosphate synthetase mRNA activity were repressed by 45-65%. The two measurements, synthesis in vivo and mRNA activity in vitro, were made on the same liver and correlated closely in their response to chloramphenicol. The data suggest that a product of mitochondrial protein synthesis may be involved in mediating hormonal regulation of the nuclear gene coding for carbamyl phosphate synthetase.