Engineering herbicide tolerance in transgenic plants

The herbicide glyphosate is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate- 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase in higher plants. A complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding EPSP synthase was isolated from a complementary DNA library of a glyphosate-tolerant Petunia hybrida cell line (MP4-G) that overproduces the enzyme. This cell line was shown to overproduce EPSP synthase messenger RNA as a result of a 20-fold amplification of the gene. A chimeric EPSP synthase gene was constructed with the use of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter to attain high level expression of EPSP synthase and introduced into petunia cells. Transformed petunia cells as well as regenerated transgenic plants were tolerant to glyphosate.

A single dose of pegylated leridistim significantly improves neutrophil recovery in sublethally irradiated rhesus macaques

Leridistim, a member of the myelopoietin family of dual receptor agonists that binds interleukin-3 and G-CSF receptors, has been shown to enhance hematopoietic activity in rhesus monkeys above that observed with either cytokine alone or in combination. This study demonstrated the ability of a pegylated form of leridistim (peg-leridistim), administered s.c., as a single- or two-dose regimen separated by 4 or 7 days, to significantly improve neutrophil recovery following radiation-induced myelosuppression. Rhesus macaques were total body x-irradiated (250 kVp, TBI) to 600 cGy. Following TBI, two groups received peg-leridistim (n = 5) or leridistim (n = 4) at a dose of 600 microg/kg on day 1, while two other groups (both n = 4) received peg-leridistim at 200 microg/kg on day 1 and day 4, or day 1 and day 7. The irradiation controls (n = 7) received 0.1% autologous serum for 18 days. All peg-leridistim treatment schedules significantly improved all neutrophil-related parameters following TBI as compared with nontreated controls and were equivalent in effect when compared among themselves. Administration of a single high dose or two separate lower doses of peg-leridistim significantly improved neutrophil regeneration, in a manner equal to that of conventional daily or abbreviated every-other-day administration of leridistim in this nonhuman primate model of severe myelosuppression.

Promegapoietin, a family of chimeric growth factors, supports megakaryocyte development through activation of IL-3 and c-Mpl ligand signaling pathways

OBJECTIVE

The signaling pathways induced by promegapoietin (PMP), a family of chimeric growth factors that activate the human IL-3 and c-Mpl receptors, were investigated.

METHODS

The biological activity of PMP was examined by receptor binding, cell proliferation, ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells, and in vivo production of platelets. The activation of signaling pathways was examined by Western blot and Northern blot analyses.

RESULTS

Two PMP molecules, PMP-1 and PMP-1a, induced proliferation of cells expressing the IL-3 receptor, c-Mpl, or both receptors and bound to the IL-3 receptor and c-Mpl with high affinity. Ex vivo expansion assays using human bone marrow CD34(+) cells suggested that PMP-1 induced greater total cellular expansion as well as expansion of CD41(+) megakaryocytic precursor cells than IL-3 or c-Mpl ligand alone. Subcutaneous administration of 50 microg/kg of PMP-1 for 10 days to rhesus monkeys resulted in increased platelet production in vivo from a baseline of 357 +/- 45 x 10(3) cells/mL to 1376 +/- 151 x 10(3) cell/mL. PMP-1 induced phosphorylation of the beta(c) subunit of IL-3 receptor and c-Mpl, JAK2, and STAT5b, but not STAT3. PMP-1 induced greater expression of Pim-1, c-Myc, and cyclin D2 than did either an IL-3 receptor agonist or c-Mpl receptor agonist alone. The magnitude of induction of early response genes was similar for PMP and the coaddition of IL-3 receptor agonist and c-Mpl receptor agonist.

CONCLUSION

PMP combines the biological activities of IL-3 and c-Mpl ligand in a single molecule that can simultaneously activate signaling pathways induced by both these ligands.

AMP-deaminases from chicken and rabbit muscle: partial primary sequences of homologous 17-kDa CNBr fragments: autorecognition by rabbit anti-[chicken AMPD]

The apparent size (87.5 kDa) of the major polypeptide in freshly isolated chicken muscle AMP deaminase (AMPD.M) was comparable with that predicted from the sequences of the genes for the major muscle isoforms from human and rat. The size of the subunit of AMP deaminase from chicken muscle is indistinguishable from that of the rabbit enzyme. The peptide profiles of cyanogen bromide digests of AMPD.M from chicken and rabbit share a 17-kDa fragment, representing approximately 20% of the intact subunits of these enzymes. The first 25 residues of these fragments are 88.5% identical; the rabbit and chicken segments are greater than 92% and 84% identical, respectively, to the sequences predicted for residues 310-335 for AMPD.M from human and rat. Polyclonal rabbit antisera directed against AMPD.M from chicken breast recognize the full-length AMPD.M polypeptides on immunoblots of extracts of both avian and rabbit muscle, including an antiserum from the rabbit in which the antibody was prepared. The 17-kDa fragments, derived by incomplete cleavage of highly conserved internal segments of the deaminase subunit, share epitopes involved in the autorecognition of rabbit AMPD.M by rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed against the avian AMPD.M.

Protein synthesis elongation factor EF-1 alpha is essential for ubiquitin-dependent degradation of certain N alpha-acetylated proteins and may be substituted for by the bacterial elongation factor EF-Tu

Targeting of different cellular proteins for conjugation and subsequent degradation via the ubiquitin pathway involves diverse recognition signals and distinct enzymatic factors. A few proteins are recognized via their N-terminal amino acid residue and conjugated by a ubiquitin-protein ligase that recognizes this residue. Most substrates, including the N alpha-acetylated proteins that constitute the vast majority of cellular proteins, are targeted by different signals and are recognized by yet unknown ligases. We have previously shown that degradation of N-terminally blocked proteins requires a specific factor, designated FH, and that the factor acts along with the 26S protease complex to degrade ubiquitin-conjugated proteins. Here, we demonstrate that FH is the protein synthesis elongation factor EF-1 alpha. (a) Partial sequence analysis reveals 100% identity to EF-1 alpha. (b) Like EF-1 alpha, FH binds to immobilized GTP (or GDP) and can be purified in one step using the corresponding nucleotide for elution. (c) Guanine nucleotides that bind to EF-1 alpha protect the ubiquitin system-related activity of FH from heat inactivation, and nucleotides that do not bind do not exert this effect. (d) EF-Tu, the homologous bacterial elongation factor, can substitute for FH/EF-1 alpha in the proteolytic system. This last finding is of particular interest since the ubiquitin system has not been identified in prokaryotes. The activities of both EF-1 alpha and EF-Tu are strongly and specifically inhibited by ubiquitin-aldehyde, a specific inhibitor of ubiquitin isopeptidases. It appears, therefore, that EF-1 alpha may be involved in releasing ubiquitin from multiubiquitin chains, thus rendering the conjugates susceptible to the action of the 26S protease complex.

Isolation of Escherichia coli synthesized recombinant eukaryotic proteins that contain epsilon-N-acetyllysine

Recombinant porcine (rpST) and bovine somatotropins (rbST) synthesized in Escherichia coli contain the amino acid, epsilon-N-acetyllysine. This amino acid was initially discovered in place of the normal lysine144 in a modified reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) species of rpST. Mass spectrometry and amino acid sequencing of a tryptic peptide isolated from this RP-HPLC purified protein were used to identify this altered residue as epsilon-N-acetyllysine. Ion-exchange chromatography was utilized to prepare low isoelectric point (pI) forms of rpST and rbST, which are enriched in epsilon-N-acetyllysine. Electrospray mass spectrometry demonstrated that the majority of the protein in these low pI fractions contained species 42 Da larger than normal. Immobilized pH gradient electrophoresis (IPG) of the ion-exchange purified low pI proteins was used to isolate several monoacetylated species of rpST and rbST. The location of the acetylated lysine in each IPG-purified protein was determined by tryptic peptide mapping and amino acid sequencing of the altered tryptic peptides. Amino acid analyses of enzymatic digests of rpST and rbST were also used to confirm the presence of epsilon-N-acetyllysine in these recombinant proteins. These data demonstrate that a significant portion of rpST and rbST produced in E. coli contain this unusual amino acid.

Purification and characterization of a novel species of ubiquitin-carrier protein, E2, that is involved in degradation of non-"N-end rule" protein substrates

Ubiquitin-carrier proteins (E2s, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, UBCs) participate in proteolysis by catalyzing transfer of activated ubiquitin to the protein substrates, which are bound to specific ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s). Yeast UBC2 (RAD6) and the mammalian E2(14kDa) bind to the ligase that recognizes and is involved in the degradation of certain free amino-terminal substrates ("N-end rule" substrates). As such proteins are rather scarce, the role of these E2s in general proteolysis is probably limited. Here, we report the purification and characterization of a novel 18-kDa species of E2 from rabbit reticulocytes. Unlike most members of the E2 family, this enzyme does not adsorb to anion exchange resin in neutral pH, and it is purified from the unadsorbed material (Fraction 1). Thus, it is designated E2-F1. Like all members of the E2 family, it generates a thiol ester with ubiquitin that serves as an intermediate in the conjugation reaction. Sequence analysis revealed a significant homology to many known species of E2s. The enzyme generates multiply ubiquitinated proteins in the presence of an E3 that has not been characterized yet. Most importantly, the ubiquitination via this E2 leads to the degradation of certain non-"N-end rule" substrates such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Val at the NH2 terminus) and to the ubiquitination and degradation of certain N-alpha-acetylated proteins such as histone H2A, actin, and alpha-crystallin. The enzyme is also involved in the conjugation and degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53.

Isolation and characterization of porcine somatotropin containing a succinimide residue in place of aspartate129

Aspartate129 in porcine somatotropin was converted into a cyclic imide residue (succinimide) under acidic solution conditions. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was utilized to isolate and quantitate this altered species, which accounted for approximately 30% of the total protein. The molecular mass of this modified species was determined by electrospray mass spectrometry to be 18 Da less than normal porcine somatotropin, indicative of a loss of 1 H2O molecule. Tryptic peptide mapping demonstrated that the peptide composed of residues 126-133 was altered in this modified protein. Amino acid analysis, amino acid sequencing, mass spectrometry, and capillary zone electrophoresis were used to demonstrate that aspartate129 in this peptide had been converted into a succinimide residue. Further confirmation that this peptide contained a succinimide was obtained by hydrolyzing the modified peptide at pH 9.0, which yielded both the aspartate and isoaspartate peptides.

P36, a Dictyostelium discoideum protein whose phosphorylation is stimulated by GDP, is homologous to the alpha-subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase

Previously, we reported the phosphorylation of a 36 kDa protein, p36, in crude membranes from the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum (Anschutz, A.L., Howlett, A. and Klein, C. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 3665-3668). Here, we report the purification and identification of p36. The protein was purified approximately 35-40-fold with a yield of 8-10%. This material was then separated on 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gels and the band corresponding to p36 was isolated. Partial peptide sequencing of this band revealed p36 to be homologous to the alpha-subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase. This identification of the protein was supported by the results of phosphorylation studies which examined the effects of substrates of succinyl-CoA synthetase on p36 phosphorylation. In crude sample preparations, p36 could be phosphorylated by both ATP or GTP and in either case, its phosphorylation was stimulated by low concentrations of GDP. Partially purified p36 retained its ability to be phosphorylated with GTP while exhibiting little or no phosphorylation with ATP. GDP still enhanced the rate of p36 phosphorylation with GTP. Therefore, the stimulation of p36 phosphorylation by GDP is not due to substrate conversion and is best explained by a regulatory mechanism.

Cloning and sequence determination of bovine insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2): comparison of its structural and functional properties with IGFBP-1

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) are secreted by several cell types and can modify IGF actions. Mandin-Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells have been shown to secrete a 34,000 Da form of IGF binding protein whose N-terminal sequence is similar to a form of IGFBP purified from rat BRL-3A cells that has recently been named IGFBP-2. These studies report the complete amino acid sequence of bovine IGFBP-2 and compare its functional properties with human IGFBP-1. The protein is 81% identical to rat IGFBP-2. When compared with both rat IGFBP-2 and human IGFBP-1, the positions of all 18 cysteine residues are conserved. Similarly an RGD sequence is present near the carboxyl terminus in both proteins. IGFBP-2 has a higher affinity for IGF-II than for IGF-I and its affinity for both forms of IGF is greater than for human IGFBP-1. Like IGFBP-1 the protein can enhance the DNA synthesis response of porcine aortic smooth muscle cells to IGF-I; however, IGFBP-2 was much less potent. The maximum potentiation of the IGF-mediated mitogenic response that could be achieved was approximately 42% that of IGFBP-1. This potentiation is dependent upon a factor contained in platelet poor plasma and if this factor is omitted from the incubation medium, IGFBP-2 inhibits DNA synthesis. The purification of IGFBP-2 will allow more detailed comparisons to be made between it and other forms of IGFBPs in physiologic test systems.

Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase in soybean nodules: isolation/partial primary structure/evidence for isozymes

Electrophoretic evidence was obtained for two forms of pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR) in soybean nodules. One form was purified over 2300-fold. The apparent sizes of the polypeptides comprising the pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductases from soybean cytosol (29,700) and Escherichia coli (28,000) were consistent with those predicted from the sequences of the genes encoding them (Deutch et al., 1982 Nucleic Acid Res. 10, 7701-7714; Delauney and Verma, 1990 Mol. Gen. Genet. 221, 299-305). Primary structural analysis of the intact soybean P5CR subunit indicated that the amino-terminal residue is blocked. Analyses of a 12-mer and a 21-mer isolated from a cyanogen bromide digest were consistent with the proposition that the soybean P5CR isolated in these studies is very similar, although perhaps not identical, to the polypeptide predicted for the recently cloned soybean reductase (Delauney and Verma, 1990 Mol. Gen. Genet. 221, 299-305).

Determination of the disulfide bond pairings in bovine transforming growth factor-alpha

A rapid method for determining the three disulfide bond pairings in bovine transforming growth factor-alpha (bTGF-alpha) was developed by digesting bTGF-alpha with thermolysin followed by separation of the generated peptides by reversed-phase HPLC. The disulfide-bonded peptides were identified by amino acid sequencing and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The disulfide bond pairings in bTGF-alpha were determined to be homologous to those in the human and mouse TGF-alpha molecules. A species of low bioactivity isolated from the folding/oxidation mixture of chemically synthesized bTGF-alpha was demonstrated to contain two incorrect disulfide bonds. These results indicate that mispairing of disulfide bonds in bTGF-alpha significantly reduces the activity of this molecule.

Identity of a second type of allatostatin from cockroach brains: an octadecapeptide amide with a tyrosine-rich address sequence

An octadecapeptide that inhibits juvenile hormone synthesis has been isolated by HPLC from brain-retrocerebral complexes of the cockroach Diploptera punctata. The primary structure of this allatostatin has been elucidated by tandem mass spectrometry: Ala-Tyr-Ser-Tyr-Val-Ser-Glu-Tyr-Lys-Arg-Leu-Pro-Val-Tyr-Asn-Phe-Gly-Leu- NH2 (ASB2). The amidated three-residue C terminus of this type B allatostatin is identical to that of four known type A allatostatins, and the preceding three residues show close structural homology. ASB2 has over twice the activity of the type A tridecapeptide Ala-Pro-Ser-Gly-Ala-Gln-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (ASA1) in inhibiting juvenile hormone biosynthesis in corpora allata from females in early vitellogenesis (day 2), and its efficacy persists during pregnancy, but it is equally effective as ASA1 on glands from day-10 females (IC50 = 0.31 nM). The octadecapeptide is characterized by a potential dibasic cleavage site, Lys9-Arg10, the integrity of which is needed for high potency. The ASB2-(11-18)-octapeptide amide gives a full response at high concentrations at day 10 (IC50 = 48 nM), but the C-truncated (1-9)-, (1-11)-, and (1-17)-amide fragments of ASB2 are inactive. Thus, the endocrine message is located at the C terminus. N alpha-acetylation of the N-truncated (9-18), (10-18), and (11-18) fragments of ASB2 increases activity relative to the nonacetylated peptides. The site of action of type A and type B allatostatins is located before mevalonate kinase in the biosynthetic pathway for juvenile hormone.

Purification and structural characterization of ovine placental lactogen

Discrepancies exist in the reported purity and biological activity of ovine placental lactogen (oPL), and little structural characterization has been reported. Ovine PL was purified from fetal cotyledonary tissue (day 100 of gestation) by monitoring activity with a recombinant bovine GH (bGH) liver radioreceptor assay. Two hundred grams of tissue yielded 4.2 mg of oPL, with an approximately 1000-fold purification of oPL specific activity following initial tissue extraction. The oPL was radioiodinated and used in an ovine fetal liver (day 100 of gestation) radioreceptor assay to examine competitive displacement of oPL, ovine GH (oGH) and ovine prolactin (oPRL). The potency of oPL (ED50 = 0.18 nmol/l; ED50 is the quantity of ligand necessary to displace 50% of specifically bound 125I-labelled oPL) was greater than that of oGH (ED50 = 4.1 nmol/l) and oPRL (ED50 = 1.1 mumol/l) in competing for 125I-labelled oPL-binding sites. Attempts to sequence the NH2 terminus of oPL by vapour-phase sequencing indicated that the NH2 terminus was blocked. Purified oPL was subjected to trypsin and CnBr digestion, and two CnBr and six tryptic peptides were sequenced. The peptide sequences were compared with other PLs, oPRL and bGH for sequence similarity, and found to be most similar to bovine PL (bPL; 68% overall identity) and oPRL (47% overall identity). Complementary DNA (cDNA) clones were isolated for oPL by screening a lambda ZAP cDNA library with a cDNA coding for bPL. Three cDNAs were nucleotide sequenced, and their combined sequence included 41 nucleotides of 5'-untranslated region, the complete coding region of pre-oPL (708 nucleotides) and a portion of the 3' untranslated region (158 nucleotides).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alternative mechanisms for atriopeptin prohormone processing by isolated perfused rat hearts

The isolated perfused rat heart releases atriopeptin-28 [AP28 (ANF99-126)], whereas the storage form of AP in the heart is the intact prohormone AP126 (ANF1-126). Right atrial stretch or phenylephrine (5 x 10(-5) M) stimulated the release of AP28. The processing of the prohormone during stretch was inhibited by infusion of the protease inhibitor aprotinin, resulting in the appearance of intact AP126 in the cardiac effluent. Other protease inhibitors including p-aminobenzamidine and soybean trypsin inhibitor did not alter prohormone processing by the isolated heart subjected to stretch. In contrast, aprotinin did not block the prohormone processing induced by phenylephrine. Ca+(+)-free medium markedly inhibited prohormone processing during stretch without a significant effect on AP release, whereas phenylephrine-stimulated AP release was completely suppressed by Ca+(+)-free medium. Exogenous AP126 could be cleaved by isolated rat hearts perfused either with Krebs-Henseleit solution or with Ca+(+)-free medium. However, amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the prohormone cleavage in Ca+(+)-free medium occurred at sites other than between Arg98 and Ser99 and that the resultant low molecular weight APs were not AP28. These findings suggest: 1) the characteristics of the enzyme(s) involved in the processing of AP prohormone in isolated perfused rat hearts are different from the described properties of purified enzymes; 2) in isolated perfused rat hearts the specific AP processing enzyme is Ca++ dependent, whereas nonspecific cleavage does not necessarily require Ca++ and 3) two independent AP processing pathways differentially activated by mechanical (stretch) and pharmacologic (alpha 1-adrenergic agonist) stimuli exist.

Formation of isoaspartate 99 in bovine and porcine somatotropins

Asparagine 99 in bovine (BST) and porcine somatotropins (PST) was converted to an isoaspartate residue during incubation at neutral or alkaline pH. Isoaspartate 99 BST or isoaspartate 99 PST was resolved from the normal somatotropin by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The altered peptide of residues 96-108 which contains isoaspartate 99 was detected by tryptic peptide mapping of the modified BST or PST. Amino acid sequencing, amino acid analysis, mass spectrometry, and co-elution with a chemically synthesized peptide containing isoaspartate 99 were used to demonstrate the existence of isoaspartate in the modified peptides. Peptide bond cleavage between Asn 99 and Ser 100 also occurred during incubation of BST and PST at neutral or alkaline pH. This chemically cleaved product was resolved on reversed-phase HPLC from both the isoaspartate 99 and normal somatotropin molecules.

A novel 17 kD heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF-8) in bovine uterus: purification and N-terminal amino acid sequence

We have purified to near homogeneity a novel 17 kD growth factor from bovine uterus which we designated heparin-binding growth factor-8 (HBGF-8). The growth factor binds tightly to cation exchange resins and to Heparin-Sepharose and is stable to acetone precipitation and labile in acid. Based upon total activity in acetone extracts of bovine uterus stimulating 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA of serum-starved NIH 313 cells, a 6940 fold purification was achieved with an overall yield of HBGF-8 activity of 0.4%, using extraction of acetone powders and chromatographic separations at neutral pH. Approximately 18 micrograms protein was obtained from 1.2 kg wet weight of tissue. HBGF-8 was clearly separated from 17.5 kD bovine uterus basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by purification and its N-terminal amino acid sequence analyzed. A polypeptide with a unique 25 N-terminal amino acid sequence was found. HBGF-8 was as active as acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and slightly less active than bFGF in the mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblast mitogenic assay system with an intrinsic specific activity of 5000 dpm/ng under standard assay conditions.

Tumor vascular permeability factor stimulates endothelial cell growth and angiogenesis

Vascular permeability factor (VPF) is an Mr 40-kD protein that has been purified from the conditioned medium of guinea pig line 10 tumor cells grown in vitro, and increases fluid permeability from blood vessels when injected intradermally. Addition of VPF to cultures of vascular endothelial cells in vitro unexpectedly stimulated cellular proliferation. VPF promoted the growth of new blood vessels when administered into healing rabbit bone grafts or rat corneas. The identity of the growth factor activity with VPF was established in four ways: (a) the molecular weight of the activity in preparative SDS-PAGE was the same as VPF (Mr approximately 40 kD); (b) multiple isoforms (pI greater than or equal to 8) for both VPF and the growth-promoting activity were observed; (c) a single, unique NH2-terminal amino acid sequence was obtained; (d) both growth factor and permeability-enhancing activities were immunoadsorbed using antipeptide IgG that recognized the amino terminus of VPF. Furthermore, 125I-VPF was shown to bind specifically and with high affinity to endothelial cells in vitro and could be chemically cross-linked to a high-molecular weight cell surface receptor, thus demonstrating a mechanism whereby VPF can interact directly with endothelial cells. Unlike other endothelial cell growth factors, VPF did not stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation or promote growth of other cell types including mouse 3T3 fibroblasts or bovine smooth muscle cells. VPF, therefore, appears to be unique in its ability to specifically promote increased vascular permeability, endothelial cell growth, and angio-genesis.

Identification of an allatostatin from adult Diploptera punctata

A peptide (allatostatin) causing strong and rapid inhibition of juvenile hormone synthesis in vitro by corpora allata from reproductively active females has been isolated from brain/retrocerebral complexes of the cockroach Diploptera punctata. The primary structure of this 13-residue peptide has been determined: Ala-Pro-Ser-Gly-Ala-Gln-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2. Removal of the terminal amide group caused at least a ten thousandfold loss of activity. This neurohormone has no sequence similarity with any other known neuropeptide. Its target in the biosynthetic pathway is located prior to the conversion of farnesol to juvenile hormone.

Cell-type-specific and site-specific N-glycosylation of type I and type II human tissue plasminogen activator

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is an important initiator of fibrinolysis. The t-PA polypeptide has four potential N-glycosylation sites of which three are occupied in type I (Asn-117, -184, and -448) and two in type II (Asn-117 and -448). In an effort to elucidate the factors controlling the expression of N-linked oligosaccharides on this polypeptide, we have used a combination of sequential exoglycosidase digestion, methylation analysis, and controlled acetolysis to determine the oligosaccharide structures at each of the N-glycosylation sites of type I and type II t-PA when isolated from a human colon fibroblast cell strain and from a Bowes melanoma cell line. Our results suggest the following: (i) type I and type II t-PA are N-glycosylated in an identical way at Asn-117 and Asn-448, when isolated from the same cell line; (ii) Asn-117 is predominantly associated with oligomannose-type structures in all cases; (iii) Asn-184 and Asn-448 are predominantly associated with complex-type structures when t-PA is isolated from fibroblast cells, but with both complex- and oligomannose-type structures when isolated from melanoma cells; (iv) fibroblast cell derived t-PA is associated with both neutral and sialylated oligosaccharides, while melanoma cell derived t-PA is also associated with sulfated oligosaccharides, which are located exclusively at Asn-448 of type II t-PA; (v) no complex-type structures occur in common between t-PA from the two cell lines. These results indicate that the t-PA glycoprotein is secreted by each cell line as a set of glycoforms, each glycoform being unique with respect to the nature and disposition of oligosaccharides on a common polypeptide. Further, the two cell lines express no glycoform in common, despite expressing the same t-PA polypeptide. The implications of these results for both the control of oligosaccharide processing in different cell lines and the genetic engineering of mammalian glycoproteins are discussed.

Purification and characterization of pituitary bovine somatotropin

Bovine somatotropin (bST) has been isolated from pituitary glands and compared in a variety of chemical analyses and bioassays with somatotropin derived from recombinant Escherichia coli. Comparison of pituitary extracts and purified bST by Western blot analysis of two-dimensional gels suggested that the immunoreactive somatotropin species present in the extract were also present in the purified material, with no significant losses or degradation as a result of the purification method. NH2-terminal sequence analysis indicated the presence of equal quantities of Ala-Phe-Pro-Ala-Met-Ser-Leu-Ser- and Phe-Pro-Ala-Met-Ser-Leu-Ser- sequences. The Met-Ser-Leu-Ser-NH2-terminal sequence, a degradation product observed in NIH standard lots, was not detected. Assay of bioactivity in a bovine liver receptor-binding assay and in a female rat growth assay showed pituitary bST and recombinant methionyl-bovine somatotropin to be equipotent. Tryptic maps and sequence analysis of pituitary-derived somatotropin suggest the presence of isoaspartate derivatization at Asp128.

Identification, purification, and characterization of truncated forms of the human nerve growth factor receptor

We report the presence of truncated forms of the nerve growth factor receptor (NGFRt) in the conditioned medium of the human melanoma cell line A875 and in human urine and amniotic fluid. Radioiodinated nerve growth factor (125I-NGF) specifically bound to NGFRt was chemically cross-linked. After immunoprecipitation, labeled receptor species were visualized by autoradiography following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. NGFRts were purified from human adult male urine or a mixture of human amniotic fluid and infant urine by using a combination of either ion exchange chromatography (adult) or ammonium sulfate precipitation (infant) and immunoaffinity chromatography. Typical yields were about 1 microgram/liter of adult urine and 75 micrograms/liter of amniotic fluid/infant urine. The purified proteins, with molecular masses of 45, 40, and 35 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (12%), were confirmed to be NGFRts by amino-terminal sequencing and were designated NGFRt-1, NGFRt-2, and NGFRt-3, respectively. The isoelectric points of these three species ranged from 3.3 to 3.95 and displayed intraspecies heterogeneity; subsequently, amino acid residues covalently modified with sialic acid-containing carbohydrates were documented. The binding affinities of these species for nerve growth factor were comparable to that of the low affinity cell surface receptor. The potential to isolate milligram quantities of human NGFRts allows for model studies of the physicochemical structure of the intact receptor and the generation of polyclonal antibodies to study the biological functions of the NGF receptor.

Clonal characterization of the human IgG antibody repertoire to Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide. II. IgG antibodies contain VH genes from a single VH family and VL genes from at least four VL families

To define the V gene family repertoire of human IgG anti-Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide antibodies, we purified six IgG1 and nine IgG2 anti-Hib-PS antibodies to monoclonality from immune serum of six individuals and performed N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. Of the 15 clonal antibodies we examined, all H chain V regions were of the VHIII family. In contrast, the L chains of these antibodies were clearly from at least four different VL families; VKI, VKII, VKIII, and V lambda. Interestingly. VL family expression correlated with the cross-reactivity of these antibodies to the capsular carbohydrate of Escherichia coli K100. VKII antibodies did not cross-react, whereas antibodies expressing V lambda, VKI, or VKIII generally cross-reacted. We conclude that L chain V regions are very important contributors to the limited heterogeneity in this antibody repertoire.

Clonal characterization of the human IgG antibody repertoire to Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide. II. IgG antibodies contain VH genes from a single VH family and VL genes from at least four VL families

To define the V gene family repertoire of human IgG anti-Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide antibodies, we purified six IgG1 and nine IgG2 anti-Hib-PS antibodies to monoclonality from immune serum of six individuals and performed N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. Of the 15 clonal antibodies we examined, all H chain V regions were of the VHIII family. In contrast, the L chains of these antibodies were clearly from at least four different VL families; VKI, VKII, VKIII, and V lambda. Interestingly. VL family expression correlated with the cross-reactivity of these antibodies to the capsular carbohydrate of Escherichia coli K100. VKII antibodies did not cross-react, whereas antibodies expressing V lambda, VKI, or VKIII generally cross-reacted. We conclude that L chain V regions are very important contributors to the limited heterogeneity in this antibody repertoire.

Degradation of proteins with acetylated amino termini by the ubiquitin system

A free NH2-terminal group has been previously shown to be an obligatory signal for recognition and subsequent degradation of proteins in a partially fractionated and reconstituted ubiquitin proteolytic system. Naturally occurring proteins with acetylated NH2-termini--most cellular proteins fall in this category--were not degraded by this system. Other studies have suggested that the identity of the NH2-terminal residue is important in determining the metabolic stability of a protein in vivo (N-end rule). Whole reticulocyte lysate and antibodies directed against the ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) have now been used to show that such acetylated proteins are degraded in a ubiquitin-dependent mode. Although fractionation of lysate does not affect its proteolytic activity toward substrates with free NH2-termini, it completely abolishes the activity toward the blocked substrates, indicating that an important component of the system was either removed or inactivated during fractionation. An NH2-terminal "unblocking" activity that removes the blocking group, thus exposing a free NH2-terminus for recognition according to the N-end rule, does not seem to participate in this pathway. Incubation of whole lysate with labeled histone H2A results in the formation of multiple ubiquitin conjugates. In contrast, the fractionated system is devoid of any significant conjugating activity. These results suggest that a novel conjugating enzyme (possibly a ubiquitin-protein ligase) may be responsible for the degradation of these acetylated proteins by recognizing structural features of the substrate that are downstream and distinct from the NH2-terminal residue.

In vitro and in vivo activity of chymotrypsin-activated big endothelin (porcine 1-40)

We investigated whether big endothelin (porcine 1-40) had contractile activity in isolated rat aorta or pressor activity when injected intravenously into the anesthetized rat. When isolated rat aorta was exposed to a 100 nM concentration of big endothelin, 4.8% of a maximal KCl contraction was observed, compared to 131% of KClmax when paired aortic rings were exposed to an equivalent concentration of synthetic endothelin. Likewise, big endothelin had very weak pressor activity when injected intravenously into anesthetized, ganglion-blocked rats at 10 nmol/kg. When big endothelin was incubated with chymotrypsin, native endothelin and other peptide fragments were formed. Chymotrypsin-treated big endothelin produced an endothelin-like contraction when applied to isolated rat aortic rings, and a characteristic endothelin-like effect on blood pressure in vivo. Our results indicate that the biological activity of endothelin could be effectively blocked by inhibiting the enzyme which converts big endothelin to endothelin.

Affinity purification of active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) using immobilized anhydrourokinase. Demonstration of the binding, stabilization, and activation of PAI-1 by vitronectin

Human Hep G2 hepatoma and HT 1080 fibrosarcoma cells were cultured in large scale under conditions which allowed enhanced secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). A modified urokinase was obtained by reacting urokinase with phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride followed by alkali treatment. The resulting product, called anhydrourokinase, was found to reversibly bind the PAI-1 when immobilized on cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B beads. Using this affinity absorbent, we have purified PAI-1 from the cell-conditioned media. A number of differences have been observed during Hep G2 and HT 1080 PAI purification. 1) The PAI activity in Hep G2 medium concentrate is more stable, and the concentrate depleted of active PAI-1 showed spontaneous regeneration of PAI-1 activity. In contrast, the PAI activity in HT 1080 medium concentrate declines rapidly on standing. 2) Hep G2 PAI-1 invariably copurified with an adhesive protein, vitronectin or its NH2-terminal fragment, while pure HT 1080 PAI-1 alone was obtained by affinity purification on anhydrourokinase-Sepharose 4B. 3) Based on specific activity measurement and complex formation analysis using a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique, the purified Hep G2 PAI-1 appears completely active while the HT 1080 PAI-1 is only one-fourth as active. SDS was found to exert dual effects on purified PAI-1s. SDS treatment partially inactivated a fully active Hep G2 PAI-1 and a moderately active HT 1080 PAI-1 but partially activated an HT 1080 PAI-1 whose activity had previously been allowed to decay to a very low level. Purified vitronectin was found to enhance and stabilize the PAI-1 activity of the partially active HT 1080 PAI-1. It is concluded that fully active PAI-1 in association with vitronectin can be isolated by anhydrourokinase-Sepharose 4B chromatography and that vitronectin is a binding protein for PAI-1 which activates and stabilizes PAI-1.

Expression of secreted insulin-like growth factor-1 in Escherichia coli

The synthesis, processing and secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1 or somatomedin-C) fused to LamB and OmpF secretion leader sequences in Escherichia coli have been investigated. Expression and secretion of IGF-1 was achieved. The major portion of this secreted IGF-1 accumulated in the periplasmic space as insoluble aggregates. A small amount of IGF-1 was found folded in its native conformation in the medium. The lamB and ompF signal sequences were fused to the 5' coding sequence of IGF-1. Fusion of the lamB signal sequence directly to IGF-1 (lamB-IGF-1) resulted in accumulation of 16-20 micrograms/A550/ml of correctly processed IGF-1 in the periplasmic space. The processing efficiency of LamB-IGF-1 and OmpF-IGF-1 was enhanced in an E. coli strain bearing a prlA4 mutation. Amino acid sequence analysis of IGF-1 secreted into the periplasm and exported into the medium confirmed the precise removal of the LamB or OmpF signal sequence. IGF-1 synthesized in E. coli was demonstrated to be active in a cell proliferation bioassay.

Phosphorylation of vitronectin by a protein kinase in human plasma. Identification of a unique phosphorylation site in the heparin-binding domain

Incubation of human plasma with 27 nM [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of 20 mM MnCl2 results in the phosphorylation of several proteins detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. About 60% of the incorporated radioactivity is found in a 75-kDa protein containing [32P] phosphoserine. The amino-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified 75-kDa [32P]phosphoprotein is identical to that of vitronectin (also termed serum spreading factor or complement S protein). Rabbit antiserum against vitronectin precipitates greater than 90% of the 75-kDa [32P]phosphoprotein from plasma. Reverse phase chromatography of [32P]vitronectin degraded sequentially with CNBr and chymotrypsin yields one major labeled peptide. The sequence of the peptide, Ser-Arg-Arg-Pro-[32PO4]Ser-Arg-Ala-Thr, corresponds to residues 374-381 which are located in the heparin-binding fragment of vitronectin identified by Suzuki et al. [1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 15307-15314). Vitronectin could potentially be phosphorylated in vivo with ATP released from injured cells or secreted by platelets activated during hemostasis.

Structure of LEP100, a glycoprotein that shuttles between lysosomes and the plasma membrane, deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the encoding cDNA

LEP100, a membrane glycoprotein that has the unique property of shuttling from lysosomes to endosomes to plasma membrane and back, was purified from chicken brain. Its NH2-terminal amino acid sequence was determined, and an oligonucleotide encoding part of this sequence was used to clone the encoding cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence consists of 414 residues of which the NH2-terminal 18 constitute a signal peptide. The sequence includes 17 sites for N-glycosylation in the NH2-terminal 75% of the polypeptide chain followed by a region lacking N-linked oligosaccharides, a single possible membrane-spanning segment, and a cytoplasmic domain of 11 residues, including three potential phosphorylation sites. Eight cysteine residues are spaced in a regular pattern through the lumenal (extracellular) domain, while a 32-residue sequence rich in proline, serine, and threonine occurs at its midpoint. Expression of the cDNA in mouse L cells resulted in targeting of LEP100 primarily to the mouse lysosomes.

Atrial peptide inactivation by rabbit-kidney brush-border membranes

Atriopeptin (AP) 24, containing amino acids Ser103-Tyr126 of the carboxy-terminal portion of the atrial natriuretic peptide prohormone, was degraded rapidly by rabbit kidney brush border membranes. The rate of degradation of AP24 measured by the loss of vasorelaxant activity followed a similar time course to the decrease in peptide peak area measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Inactivation of AP24 produced peptide fragments which were separated by HPLC. The major products were purified individually and their peptide sequences determined. Results indicate that AP24 was proteolytically cleaved at three peptide bonds: Ser103-Ser104, Cys105-Phe106 and Ser123-Phe124. des-Ser103-AP24 had similar vasorelaxant activity to AP24, while AP24 cleaved at Cys105-Phe106 was inactive. Regarding the proteolytic cleavage at Ser123-Phe124, there was an accumulation of the C-terminal tripeptide, Phe-Arg-Tyr, only at the later time points of the incubation. Degradation experiments were repeated with an amino- and carboxy-terminal protected peptide, acetyl-AP24-amide. Peptide sequence analysis of the major degradation products of this peptide revealed that the critical peptide bond cleaved was Cys105-Phe106. We conclude that the Cys-Phe peptide bond renders atrial peptides highly susceptible to proteolysis by renal brush border membranes, resulting in inactivation.

Purification and characterization of a tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex from human umbilical vein endothelial cell conditioned medium

Tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complexes were purified from the conditioned medium of human umbilical vein endothelial cells by affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration. It was found that a single complex was isolated which can exist in two distinct interconvertible conformations. These may be separated by electrophoresis into a form with a 105,000 apparent molecular weight and a form with an 88,000 apparent molecular weight. The particular conformation which predominates may be altered by changing the pH at which preparations are incubated or by including dithiothreitol in incubation buffers. Plasminogen activator enzymatic activity may be partially recovered from purified complexes by incubation in the presence of fibrin. Incubation in 1.5 M NH4OH results in the dissociation of the complex into two major polypeptides of 67 and 40 kilodaltons (kDa). The 40-kDa protein was isolated by gel filtration high-pressure liquid chromatography. N-Terminal amino acid analysis of this protein revealed three distinct sequences. Two of these were nearly identical and matched the N-terminal sequence recently reported for the native plasminogen activator inhibitor from endothelial cells. The third sequence exactly matched an internal portion of the same protein. The results suggest that the internal sequence is located at the site where the inhibitor is cleaved by tissue plasminogen activator.

Human tissue factor: cDNA sequence and chromosome localization of the gene

A human placenta cDNA library in lambda gt11 was screened for the expression of tissue factor antigens with rabbit polyclonal anti-human tissue factor immunoglobulin G. Among 4 million recombinant clones screened, one positive, lambda HTF8, expressed a protein that shared epitopes with authentic human brain tissue factor. The 1.1-kilobase cDNA insert of lambda HTF8 encoded a peptide that contained the amino-terminal protein sequence of human brain tissue factor. Northern blotting identified a major mRNA species of 2.2 kilobases and a minor species of approximately 3.2 kilobases in poly(A)+ RNA of placenta. Only 2.2-kilobase mRNA was detected in human brain and in the human monocytic U937 cell line. In U937 cells, the quantity of tissue factor mRNA was increased severalfold by exposure of the cells to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Additional cDNA clones were selected by hybridization with the cDNA insert of lambda HTF8. These overlapping isolates span 2177 base pairs of the tissue factor cDNA sequence that includes a 5'-noncoding region of 75 base pairs, an open reading frame of 885 base pairs, a stop codon, a 3'-noncoding region of 1141 base pairs, and a poly(A) tail. The open reading frame encodes a 33-kilodalton protein of 295 amino acids. The predicted sequence includes a signal peptide of 32 or 34 amino acids, a probable extracellular factor VII binding domain of 217 or 219 amino acids, a transmembrane segment of 23 amino acids, and a cytoplasmic tail of 21 amino acids. There are three potential glycosylation sites with the sequence Asn-X-Thr/Ser.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of hybrid (Na+ + K+)-ATPase molecules after transfection of mouse Ltk-cells with DNA encoding the beta-subunit of an avian brain sodium pump

A cDNA encoding the beta-subunit of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was cloned from a chicken brain cDNA library, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. High cross-species sequence homologies were found both in coding and noncoding regions. The cDNA was subcloned into a shuttle vector derived from pSV2CAT and was stably incorporated into mouse Ltk-cells. The avian beta-subunit was expressed on the cell surface (1-8 X 10(5) molecules/cell) complexed with alpha-subunits of the murine (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. In the hybrid system there was rapid assembly of subunits, post-translational N-glycosylations of the beta-subunit at its three Asn-X-Ser (or Thr) positions, and modification of high mannose oligosaccharides to complex type. Avian beta-subunits expressed in the mouse cells had an apparent molecular weight of about 55,000 as compared with 47,000 in avian cells, due to post-translational modifications, presumably differences in complex oligosaccharides. Despite the high number of interspecies hybrid (Na+ + K+)-ATPase molecules, the cells had none of the high affinity ouabain binding sites (KD = 2 X 10(-7) M) characteristic of avian cells, consistent with the view that the ouabain binding site is located largely or exclusively on the alpha-subunit and is not greatly affected by alpha-beta interaction.

Inactivation of atrial natriuretic factor by the renal brush border

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), a 28-amino-acid peptide secreted from the mammalian heart, is known to be cleared rapidly from the circulation. In vitro and in vivo studies implicate the kidney as an important site for clearance and subsequent degradation of atrial natriuretic factor. We have observed that atrial natriuretic factor is inactivated rapidly by rabbit kidney brush-border membranes. The rate of degradation of ANF measured by the loss of bioactivity followed a similar time-course to the decrease in peptide peak area measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Interestingly, inactivation of ANF produced only a single major degradation product, which was isolated and purified. Sequence analysis revealed that the product had the same sequence of amino acids as ANF with the Cys-7-Phe-8 bond cleaved and the disulfide bridge between Cys-7 and Cys-23 remaining intact. As the renal brush border contains an abundance of proteolytic activities, it is surprising that this peptide is cleaved primarily at a single peptide bond.

Identification of the cardiac and circulating form of atriopeptin in rabbit

Analysis of peptides purified from high and low molecular weight fractions of rabbit atrial extracts indicates that the sequence of the first 30 residues of rabbit atriopeptigen exhibits 80% homology with the rat peptide, and that the low molecular weight rabbit peptide (28 residues) is identical to rat atriopeptin 28 (AP 28). The effects of infused 1-deaminoarginine8-vasopressin (dAVP) and phenylephrine, volume expansion, and water immersion on AP release into the circulation of the rabbit was studied. Neither dAVP, nor water immersion elevated right atrial pressure (RAP) or plasma AP levels in the anesthetized rabbits. Phenylephrine induced a sustained increase in systemic blood pressure and right atrial pressure which was accompanied by elevated plasma AP immunoreactivity which appeared to be identical to rat AP-28 on HPLC. There is obviously a preferential conservation of the AP sequence, since the C-terminal peptide is exactly the same in rabbit, rat and mouse and differs from human, dog, cow and pig only by the single substitution of an isoleucine for a methionine residue.

Cartilage-inducing factor-A. Apparent identity to transforming growth factor-beta

Comparison of the sequence of the N-terminal 30 amino acids of cartilage-inducing factor-A (CIF-A) from bovine demineralized bone with the corresponding sequence of human transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) revealed 100% identity. Furthermore, CIF-A stimulated normal rat kidney fibroblasts to become anchorage-independent and form colonies in soft agar (in the presence of epidermal growth factor) in a manner similar to TGF-beta. Similarly, TGF-beta from human platelets induced rat muscle mesenchymal cells to differentiate and synthesize cartilage-specific macromolecules in a manner equivalent to CIF-A. These data show that CIF-A and TGF-beta are closely related or identical molecules and that these factors may be involved in cell differentiation including cartilage formation as the first step in endochondral bone formation.

Ser-Leu-Arg-Arg-atriopeptin III: the major circulating form of atrial peptide

Vasopressin induces a concentration-dependent increase in atriopeptin immunoreactivity in plasma. Rat plasma, rat atrial extract, and synthetic atriopeptin III (APIII) produced parallel displacement curves of iodine-125-labeled APIII binding to specific antiserum. Fractionation of plasma atriopeptin immunoreactivity by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the major portion consists of two species of low molecular weight peptides in a ratio of 10 to 1. Both peaks exhibited potent vasorelaxant activity, suggesting the presence of the carboxyl terminal Phe-Arg sequence of atriopeptin in each species. Sequence determination of the purified peptides indicated that the major peptide is Ser-Leu-Arg-Arg-APIII and the minor peptide APIII. It appears that the former is the major species of atrial peptide in the rat circulation and that it is the product of selective cleavage of the high molecular weight precursor.

Atriopeptins: bioactive peptides derived from mammalian cardiac atria

Mammalian atria possess bioactive peptides that are natriuretic-diuretic and potent relaxants of vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle. Characterization of the biological activity of rat atrial extracts indicates two major peaks, having apparent molecular weight of 20,000-30,000 (atriopeptigen) and less than 10,000 (atriopeptins). The amino acid sequence of atriopeptins I, II and III have been determined, and it has been found that their structures are only slightly different. Atriopeptin I (twenty-one amino acid residues); ser-ser-cys-phe-gly-gly-arg-ile-asp-arg-ile-gly-ala-gln-ser-gly-leu-gly- cys- asn-ser) relaxes intestinal but not vascular smooth muscle strips, and is natriuretic. Atriopeptins II and III (23 and 24 residues; the 21-sequence of I with the addition of phe-arg or phe-arg-tyr at the C-terminus, respectively) relax intestinal and vascular smooth muscle strips and are potent natriuretics. Since atriopeptigen and the atriopeptins exhibit similar biological effects the possibility of a precursor-product relationship was tested. Mild proteolytic digestion (1IU/ml trypsin) of atriopeptigen activates this peptide and reduces its apparent molecular weight. Examination of whether the atria of Krebs perfused isolated hearts released the bioactive atrial peptides revealed the presence in the cardiac effluent of a trypsin-labile substance that was natriuretic-diuretic and a smooth muscle relaxant. To determine which form of the atrial peptide (e.g. atriopeptigen or atriopeptin) is released by the atria the cardiac effluents were concentrated and partially purified. The cardiac effluent contained a substance(s) similar to atriopeptin, but did not appear to possess the less-active high molecular weight peptide, atriopeptigen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The sequence of an atriopeptigen: A precursor of the bioactive atrial peptides

The high molecular weight fraction ( atriopeptigen -APG) obtained by gel filtration chromatography of rat atrial extracts was fractionated by isoelectric focusing and reverse phase HPLC to obtain a pure APG. Purification of cyanogen bromide digests of the crude high molecular weight fraction resulted in the isolation of a single biologically active cyanogen bromide cleavage peptide. Sequence analyses of these peptides coupled with recent reports of sequence analyses of intermediate molecular weight atrial peptides ( Thibault , et al. (1984) FEBS Letters 167, 352-356, and Kangwa , et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun 119, 933-940) provide the complete primary structure of an 111 residue APG.

Atriopeptins: a family of potent biologically active peptides derived from mammalian atria

Extracts of rat atria are potent stimulators of sodium and urine excretion, and relax vascular and intestinal smooth muscle preparations. The structures of six biologically active peptides obtained from atrial extracts are reported here. Ion exchange chromatography of a low molecular weight fraction obtained by gel filtration of atrial extracts produced two natriuretic fractions: the first induced relaxation of intestinal smooth muscle strips only, whereas the second also relaxed vascular strips as well. From the first fraction four pure biologically active peptides obtained by reverse phase HPLC have been sequenced: the 21 amino acid peptide, designated atriopeptin I, and three homologs (des- ser1 -, des- ser1 -ser2-, and des- ser21 - atriopeptin I). From the second fraction two pure biologically active peptides were obtained, which had C-terminal extensions of atriopeptin I: atriopeptins II (23 amino acid residues) and III (24 residues), having respectively phe-arg and phe-arg-tyr C-termini. These results suggest that this family of six peptides, sharing the same 17 membered ring formed by an internal cystine disulfide, is derived from a common high molecular weight precursor.

Purification and sequence analysis of bioactive atrial peptides (atriopeptins)

Mammalian cardiac atria have several biologically active peptides that exert profound effects on sodium excretion, urine volume, and smooth muscle tone. In the present study two such peptides of low molecular weight were purified and separated from each other on the basis of differences in charge, hydrophobicity, and biological profile. The first peptide, designated atriopeptin I, exhibits natriuretic and diuretic activity and selectivity relaxes intestinal smooth muscle but not vascular smooth muscle strips. The second peptide, atriopeptin II, is a potent natriuretic and diuretic that relaxes both intestinal and vascular strips. Sequence analysis of atriopeptin I indicates that it is composed of 21 amino acids, of which serine and glycine residues predominate. The amino terminal sequence of atriopeptin II up to residue 21 is the same as that of atriopeptin I, with the addition of the Phe-Arg extension at the carboxyl terminus. Both peptides appear to be derived from a common high molecular weight precursor (designated atriopeptigen); their biological selectivity and potency may be determined by the site of carboxyl terminal cleavage.

A comparison of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid metabolism in cultured soybean cells and in embryogenic carrot cells

The removal or reduction in concentration of auxin is often a successful method for obtaining morphogenesis in cell cultures of higher plants, such as carrot, but not for soybean. For this reason, the metabolism of one auxin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), was compared in both carrot and soybean cells. Whereas soybean cells conjugated a high percentage of their 2,4-D to amino acids, carrot cells contained primarily free 2,4-D. Moreover, after long-term exposure to 2,4-D, carrot cells released much more 2,4-D upon transfer to 2,4-D-free (embryogenic) medium than did soybean cells. It appears that the retention of 2,4-D by soybean cells might interfere with subsequent morphogenesis. Because no impairment of 2,4-D efflux was found with short-term exposure to radiolabeled 2,4-D, it was concluded that 2,4-D retention in soybean cells might be due to a time-dependent, metabolic process. The conjugation of 2,4-D to amino acids was shown to be one such time-dependent process. Additionally, the release of 2,4-D from the cells was shown to be due primarily to a loss of free 2,4-D and not 2,4-D-amino acid conjugates. It seems that the greater retention of 2,4-D by soybean cells upon transfer to 2,4-D-free medium is due to greater formation of 2,4-D-amino acid conjugates.

Inhibition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid conjugation to amino acids by treatment of cultured soybean cells with cytokinins

Kinetin, and all other cytokinins tested, inhibited the conjugation of [(14)C]2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) to amino acids when supplied simultaneously with the 2,4-D to cultured soybean cells. Upon transfer to hormone-free medium, the cytokinin-treated cells released more of their [(14)C]2,4-D than did the control cells. Initial exposure to low 2,4-D and high kinetin levels resulted in the greatest release of 2,4-D upon subsequent transfer. The observed alteration in 2,4-D metabolism did not seem to be correlated with growth rate. Appropriate treatment of soybean cells with kinetin resulted in 2,4-D metabolism that resembled the 2,4-D metabolism of embryogenic carrot cells. However, no new morphological structures were observed in these soybean cultures, indicating that other factors are related to the failure of soybean cells to regenerate in culture.

Soluble polyvinylpyrrolidine and bovine serum albumin adsorb polyphenols from soybean suspension cultures

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill, cv. Dare) suspension cultures grown in Gamborg B5 medium became discolored and the cells began aggregating after 1 week in culture, especially in the absence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The addition of either soluble polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) to cultures grown in Gamborg B5 medium with 2,4-D prevents discoloration and cell aggregation by adsorbing excess polyphenols from the cells. Transfer of the PVP-treated cultures to fresh medium without 2,4-D stimulated the recurrence of excess polyphenols. Cultures pretreated with BSA did not develop excess polyphenols when transferred to fresh 2,4-D-free medium. Addition of either PVP or BSA to cultures grown in the absence of 2,4-D was found to inhibit growth.

The Isolation and Characterization of Adenosine Monophosphate-rich Polynucleotides Synthesized by Soybean Hypocotyl Cells: Their Relation to Messenger Ribonucleic Acid

Plant ribonucleic acids which have high adenosine monophosphate concentrations were studied. Purified deoxyribonucleic acid-like ribonucleic acid and tenaciously bound ribonucleic acid fractions both contained poly-adenosine monophosphate sequences (those from the latter being longer than those from the former); without these poly-adenosine monophosphate sequences their base compositions were the same. The average poly-adenosine monophosphate sequence from purified tenaciously bound ribonucleic acid was 160 residues long, as measured by gel electrophoresis. However, base hydrolysis and chromatography indicated one 3'-nucleoside (adenosine) per 71 nucleotides, giving a chain length of 72 residues. The dominant species in the cytoplasm, as measured by radioactive precursor incorporation, was tenaciously bound ribonucleic acid, whereas deoxyribonucleic acid-like ribonucleic acid was present in greater amounts in the nucleus. This work provides evidence that deoxyribonucleic acid-like ribonucleic acid and tenaciously bound ribonucleic acid represent forms of messenger ribonucleic acid in soybean, with deoxyribonucleic acid-like ribonucleic acid residing in the nucleus, perhaps as the messenger ribonucleic acid precursor, and tenaciously bound ribonucleic acid residing, as the active messenger ribonucleic acid, in the cytoplasm.