Effects of major-histocompatibility-complex-encoded subunits on the peptidase and proteolytic activities of human 20S proteasomes. Cleavage of proteins and antigenic peptides

The proteasome is responsible for the non-lysosomal degradation of misfolded, transient, or ubiquitin-tagged proteins. This fact and the identification of two major-histocompatibility-complex-(MHC)-encoded proteasomal subunits, LMP2/7, suggest an important role of the proteasome in antigen processing. Using purified 20S proteasomes from a wild-type and a LMP2/7-deletion T lymphoblastoid cell line, we analyzed the effect of LMP2/7 on the peptidase and proteolytic activities of the complex in the context of various purification and activation methods. The incorporation of LMP2/7 alters the peptidase activity against fluorogenic substrates, but these effects are not reflected in the time-dependent degradation pattern of oxidized insulin B chain or of peptide epitopes of an antigenic protein. No effect of LMP2/7 on the degradation pattern of these substrates was observed by either reverse-phase chromatography, pool sequencing, or mass spectrometry. The 20S proteasome can cleave insulin B chain at nearly every position, showing that the P1 position alone does not determine the cleavage sites. The maximum of the length distribution of the end products, makes these ideal candidates for MHC display; yet we find that a natural epitope derived from human histone H3 is further degraded by 20S proteasomes. Alanine scans and substitutions with related amino acids of this epitope indicate that, as in insulin B chain, the cleavage sites are not determined by the P1 position alone.

Human T lymphocyte activation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of alpha-tubulin and its association with the SH2 domain of the p59fyn protein tyrosine kinase

A glutathione-S-transferase-src-homology domain 2 (GST-SH2) fusion protein was employed to identify molecules interacting with the protein tyrosine kinase p59fyn. Among several proteins which bound to the fyn SH2 domain in lysates of human Jurkat T lymphocytes, alpha- and beta-tubulin were identified by N-terminal sequencing. Further analysis established that alpha-tubulin exists as a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in Jurkat cells, where it interacts with p59fyn, but not with p56lck. By contrast, in untransformed resting human T lymphocytes alpha-tubulin is not detectable as a tyrosine phosphorylated protein. However, following T cell activation, it becomes rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and subsequently associates with the SH2 domain of fyn. Interestingly, constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated alpha-tubulin that is able to interact with the fyn-SH2 domain is expressed in peripheral blood T lymphoblasts isolated from leukemic patients in the absence of external stimulation.

Isolation and structural characterization of different isoforms of the hypusine-containing protein eIF-5A from HeLa cells

Posttranslational modification of a specific lysine residue in eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) is essential for cell viability and proliferation. The product of this modification is hypusine, an amino acid unique to eIF-5A. We have purified and characterized one major and three minor isoforms of human eIF-5A from HeLa cells. The main form, which accounts for approximately 95% of the total eIF-5A, carries hypusine at position 50 and is amino-terminally acetylated as determined by amino acid composition analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Analytical gel filtration indicates that this protein variant possesses a native apparent molecular weight that lies between that expected for a monomeric and dimeric form. Nevertheless, several experiments confirm this protein to be monomeric. It is further shown that eIF-5A have well-defined secondary structure. Both the far-UV circular dichroism spectrum as well as secondary structure predictions using different algorithms suggest this protein to have predominantly beta-sheet structure. Two plausible models for the packing of the secondary structure elements are presented. In contrast to the main form, all three minor isoforms of eIF-5A are characterized by acetylation of the epsilon-amino group of lysine at position 47. The minor isoforms are distinguishable by their state of modification of the lysine residue at position 50. Whereas the main form occurs in both the cytoplasmic and the nuclear fraction of HeLa cells, the minor isoforms were not detectable in the preparation of the nuclear fraction. Therefore, acetylation of lysine at position 47 might play a controlling role in the distribution of the minor isoforms to the nucleus.

Stress-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of actin in Dictyostelium cells and localization of the phosphorylation site to tyrosine-53 adjacent to the DNase I binding loop

Actin is known to be phosphorylated at tyrosine, serine, or threonine residues in various cells. In cells of Dictyostelium discoideum, a rise in the tyrosine phosphorylation of actin is observed in response to ATP depletion. An actin fraction rich in phosphotyrosine was obtained by chromatography on the weak anion exchanger Mono-P. Mass spectrometry and amino acid sequencing of protease cleavage products indicated that a single tyrosine residue was phosphorylated. Localization of this residue to position 53 of the actin sequence attributed the modification to a site that is critical for the capability of actin to polymerize. Induction of the tyrosine phosphorylation by heat shock and Cd2+ ions indicates that this modification of actin is implicated in the response of Dictyostelium cells to stress.

Subunit E of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase of Hordeum vulgare L.: cDNA cloning, expression and immunological analysis

A tonoplast protein of 31 kDa apparent molecular mass (TpP 31) was isolated from two-dimensional gels. Amino acid sequences were determined from LysC endoproteinase-peptide fragments. Using degenerate oligonucleotides, a corresponding cDNA clone of 1034 bp was isolated from a barley leaf cDNA library. It encodes for subunit E of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, the first one identified in plants so far. The open reading frame extends over 681 bp, encoding a gene product of 227 amino acids and a calculated molecular weight of 26,228 g mol-1. Northern and Western blot analysis indicates constitutive expression of subunit E in all plant organs with only small effects of salt stress. Localization of TpP 31 at the tonoplast was confirmed in fractions of purified vacuolar membrane obtained by free-flow electrophoresis. Immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized 35S-labelled membrane proteins with anti-TpP 31 gave two additional bands with apparent molecular masses of about 53 and 62 kDa. Gel filtration after mild solubilization showed co-purification of TpP 31 with the 55 kDa subunit of the H(+)-ATPase. Both results provide evidence beyond the sequence homology that TpP 31 is a structural component of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase.

Purification and properties of benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase from a denitrifying Thauera sp

Toluene and related aromatic compounds are anaerobically degraded by the denitrifying bacterium Thauera sp. strain K172 via oxidation to benzoyl-CoA. The postulated initial step is methylhydroxylation of toluene to benzyl alcohol, which is either a free or enzyme-bound intermediate. Cells grown with toluene or benzyl alcohol contained benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, which is possibly the second enzyme in the proposed pathway. The enzyme was purified from benzyl-alcohol-grown cells and characterized. It has many properties in common with benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species. The enzyme was active as a homotetramer of 160 kDa, with subunits of 40 kDa. It was NAD(+)-specific, had an alkaline pH optimum, and was inhibited by thiol-blocking agents. No evidence for a bound cofactor was obtained. Various benzyl alcohol analogues served as substrates, whereas non-aromatic alcohols were not oxidized. The N-terminal amino acid sequence indicates that the enzyme belongs to the class of long-chain Zn(2+)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, although it appears not to contain a metal ion that can be removed by complexing agents.

High-level biosynthetic substitution of methionine in proteins by its analogs 2-aminohexanoic acid, selenomethionine, telluromethionine and ethionine in Escherichia coli

We have utilized a T7 polymerase/promoter system for the high-level incorporation of methionine analogs with suitable labels for structural research (X-ray and NMR studies) on recombinant annexin V produced in Escherichia coli. Here, we describe, to our knowledge, the first biosynthetic high-level substitution of methionine by 2-aminohexanoic acid (norleucine), ethionine and telluromethionine in a protein. The replacement has been confirmed by electrospray mass spectroscopy, amino acid analysis and X-ray structural analysis. Conditions for expression were optimized concerning the frequency of appearance of revertants, high-level replacement and maximal protein yield. For the incorporation of norleucine and ethionine, E. coli B834 (DE3)(hsd metB), which is auxotrophic for methionine, was grown under methionine-limited conditions with an excess of the analog in the culture medium, and the expression of protein under the control of the T7 promoter was induced after the methionine supply had been exhausted. The factor limiting the high-level incorporation of telluromethionine into protein is its sensitivity towards oxidation. To overcome this problem, bacteria were grown with a limited amount of methionine, harvested after its exhaustion and resuspended in fresh media without methionine; telluromethionine was added and protein synthesis induced. Under these conditions, significant amounts of protein can be expressed before telluromethionine has been completely degraded (within hours). Biosynthetic incorporation of heavy atoms such as tellurium into recombinant proteins can accelerate the process of obtaining heavy-atom derivatives suitable for X-ray structural analysis, supplementing the traditional trial-and-error preparation of heavy-atom derivatives for the method of multiple isomorphous replacement. Furthermore, the successful high-level incorporation of amino acid analogs can provide single-atom mutations for the detailed study of the structure and function of proteins.

The mitochondrial receptor complex: Mom22 is essential for cell viability and directly interacts with preproteins

A multisubunit complex in the mitochondrial outer membrane is responsible for targeting and membrane translocation of nuclear-encoded preproteins. This receptor complex contains two import receptors, a general insertion pore and the protein Mom22. It was unknown if Mom22 directly interacts with preproteins, and two views existed about the possible functions of Mom22: a central role in transfer of preproteins from both receptors to the general insertion pore or a more limited function dependent on the presence of the receptor Mom19. For this report, we identified and cloned Saccharomyces cerevisiae MOM22 and investigated whether it plays a direct role in targeting of preproteins. A preprotein accumulated at the mitochondrial outer membrane was cross-linked to Mom22. The cross-linking depended on the import stage of the preprotein. Overexpression of Mom22 suppressed the respiratory defect of yeast cells lacking Mom19 and increased preprotein import into mom19 delta mitochondria, demonstrating that Mom22 can function independently of Mom19. Overexpression of Mom22 even suppressed the lethal phenotype of a double deletion of the two import receptors known so far (mom19 delta mom72 delta). Deletion of the MOM22 gene was lethal for yeast cells, identifying Mom22 as one of the few mitochondrial membrane proteins essential for fermentative growth. These results suggest that Mom22 plays an essential role in the mitochondrial receptor complex. It directly interacts with preproteins in transit and can perform receptor-like activities.

The 2-oxoglutarate/malate translocator of chloroplast envelope membranes: molecular cloning of a transporter containing a 12-helix motif and expression of the functional protein in yeast cells

The 2-oxoglutarate/malate translocator of spinach chloroplasts transports carbon skeletons into chloroplasts for net glutamate synthesis. A sequence of a endoprotease Lys-C peptide derived from the purified protein allowed the design of an oligonucleotide which was then used for a hybridization screening of a cDNA library. A 1945 bp insert of 1 of the isolated clones codes for the entire 569 amino acid residues of the precursor protein corresponding to a molecular mass of 60,288 Da. There was no significant homology to the mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate/malate carrier from bovine heart or to any other known protein. The translocator protein is composed of a hydrophilic N-terminal region (the transit peptide) with a length of about 90-100 amino acid residues which shows, in contrast to presequences of other known envelope membrane proteins, typical features of higher plant chloroplast transit sequences. The mature protein contains 12 putative transmembrane segments in alpha-helical conformation. It is suggested that this translocator, in contrast to other known transporters of organellar origin which are all homodimers with a 6 + 6 helix folding pattern, may function as a monomer. The in vitro synthesized precursor protein is directed to chloroplasts where it is inserted into the chloroplast envelope membrane in a protease-resistant manner. The cDNA coding for the precursor protein was cloned into the yeast expression vector pEVP11, and this construct was used to transform cells from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The 2-oxoglutarate/malate translocator could be functionally expressed in the transformed yeast cells, and the recombinant protein showed substrate specificities identical to those of the authentic chloroplast protein.

Purification of the sequence-specific transcription factor CTCBF, involved in the control of human collagen IV genes: subunits with homology to Ku antigen

The common promoter region of the human collagen type IV genes COL4A1 and COL4A2 comprises a C5TC7 sequence ('CTC box') which is specifically recognized by the recently identified transcription factor CTC box binding factor (CTCBF) involved in the control of divergent transcription of the two genes. This factor has now been purified by affinity chromatography on heparin-agarose and CTC-Sepharose. The CTCBF contains two subunits, CTC75 and CTC85, with molecular weights of 75 and 85 kDa, respectively. Sequence analysis of LysC-derived peptides of the two subunits revealed identity or close homology to p70 and p80 subunits of the human autoantigen Ku. The sequence-specific binding CTCBF represents a presumably tetrameric complex composed of two CTC75/85 heterodimers with an apparent molecular weight of 360-400 kDa. UV crosslinking experiments, the use of Ku-specific antibodies in gel retardation assays and immunoblotting proved that both subunits are involved in sequence-specific interaction with the CTC box motif. The tetrameric complex dissociates in a concentration-dependent manner to CTC75/85 heterodimers which now bind sequence independently to DNA. Three lines of evidence indicate that TATA binding protein (TBP) is additionally involved in the formation of CTCBF: (i) TBP can be detected in purified CTCBF; (ii) the addition of recombinant TBP stimulates formation of the CTCBF-DNA complex; and (iii) antibodies directed against TBP interfere strongly with the formation of the specific protein-DNA complex. The results presented support the idea that the subunits CTC75 and CTC85 (identical or homologous to p70 and p80 of the Ku antigen) are integral parts of CTCBF, and give a first indication of the importance of TBP in the formation of CTCBF.

Soluble lipopolysaccharide receptor (CD14) is released via two different mechanisms from human monocytes and CD14 transfectants

The receptor for lipopolysaccharide LPS (CD14) exists in a membrane-associated (mCD14) and a soluble form (sCD14). Previous studies indicate that monocytes produce sCD14 by limited proteolysis of the membrane-bound receptor. In this study we demonstrate that human monocytes also produce sCD14 by a protease-independent mechanism. To investigate the molecular nature of this second pathway we studied sCD14 formation in the monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6 (MM6) and in CD14 transfectants. Both MM6 and the CD14 transfectants constitutively produce sCD14 by a protease-independent mechanism. Structural analysis of sCD14 produced by the CD14 transfectants reconfirmed the presence of the COOH terminus predicted from the cDNA. Since glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor attachment is associated with the removal of a hydrophobic C-terminal signal peptide, our finding demonstrates that the transfectants secrete sCD14 which escaped this posttranslational modification. Identical results obtained for sCD14 derived from peritoneal dialysis fluid of a patient with kidney dysfunction show the in vivo relevance of this pathway for sCD14 production.

The pH-sensitive actin-binding protein hisactophilin of Dictyostelium exists in two isoforms which both are myristoylated and distributed between plasma membrane and cytoplasm

The histidine-rich protein hisactophilin is known to be associated with the inner surface of the plasma membrane and to be present as a soluble protein in the cytoplasm of Dictyostelium discoideum cells. Mass spectrometry of hisactophilin from the cytosol or extracted from a membrane fraction showed that none of the hisactophilin purified from D. discoideum cells had the mass predicted from the known cDNA-derived amino acid sequence of the protein. Electrospray mass spectrometry and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry of tryptic fragments separated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified the most hydrophobic peptide as a myristoylated fragment from the N terminus of hisactophilin. Taken together the analytical data, it is concluded that all hisactophilin in D. discoideum cells is N terminally modified by myristoylation. By reversed-phase HPLC, two isoforms of hisactophilin, HsI and HsII, were recovered from the cytosolic as well as the membrane fraction of D. discoideum cells. Whereas the masses of HsI fragments produced by trypsin fit into the previously published sequence of hisactophilin (myristoylation considered), HsII is another protein distinguished from HsI by several amino acid exchanges. HsI and HsII can form homo- and heterodimers by disulfide bridges. Hisactophilin is phosphorylated in vivo. Both isoforms proved to be substrates of membrane-associated threonine/serine kinase from D. discoideum, which may regulate the interaction of hisactophilin with the plasma membrane.

LPAP, a novel 32-kDa phosphoprotein that interacts with CD45 in human lymphocytes

CD45, a leukocyte-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase involved in signal transduction, has previously been shown to associate with a 32-kDa phosphoprotein in human T-lymphocytes and T-lymphoma cell lines. The 32-kDa protein was purified and its coding cDNA cloned. Since expression of the protein was found to be restricted to B- and T-lymphocytes it was termed LPAP (lymphocyte phosphatase-associated phosphoprotein). LPAP exists in two differentially phosphorylated forms in resting human T-lymphocytes c, both of which undergo alterations during T-lymphocyte activation. Analysis of LPAP protein and mRNA expression in CD45-deficient mutant T-cell lines suggests that LPAP protein is subjected to degradation in the absence of its binding partner, CD45. Stable expression of LPAP protein seems to require particular portions of CD45 distinct from the phosphatase domains. In pervanadate-treated human T-lymphocytes LPAP undergoes phosphorylation on tyrosine residues in vivo. Since tyrosine phosphorylation of LPAP is undetectable in T-lymphocytes expressing enzymatically active CD45, these data suggest that LPAP likely represents a novel substrate for CD45.

Recombinant leech-derived tryptase inhibitor: construction, production, protein chemical characterization and inhibition of HIV-1 replication

A synthetic gene coding for leech-derived tryptase inhibitor, form C (LDTI-C), was designed, cloned and expressed. The gene assembled via 6 oligonucleotides contains linker sequences, stop codons and internal restriction recognition sites for cloning, expression and cassette mutagenesis. Periplasmatic expression products could not be detected in Escherichia coli (E. coli), but strong expression was found using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) ( > 10 mg/l culture broth) if a variant of pVT102U/alpha was used as vector. The secreted material was isolated after cross-flow filtration and purified by cation exchange chromatography. The recombinant material proved to be pure and homogeneous by electrophoretic and chromatographic analyses. Amino acid sequencing and molecular mass determination (4737.6 +/- 0.77 Da) by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry confirmed that rLDTI-C was processed correctly and that it is indistinguishable from LDTI-C. The far UV-CD (circular dichroism) spectrum of the recombinant inhibitor is typical for a small folded protein. rLDTI-C is inhibitorily fully active, its complexes with bovine trypsin and human mast cell tryptase display equilibrium dissociation constants which are nearly identical to those with the natural inhibitor. Remarkably, the inhibitor blocked replication of HIV-1 in HUT-78 cells at a concentration of 20 microM.

The fusicoccin receptor of plants is a member of the 14-3-3 superfamily of eukaryotic regulatory proteins

The receptor for the wilt-inducing phytotoxin fusicoccin was purified to homogeneity from plasma membranes of Commelina communis as a complex with the radioligand [3H]9'-nor-8'-hydroxyfusicoccin. The preparation consisted of two polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 30.5 kDa and 31.5 kDa and with isoelectric points of around pH 5.2 and 5.3, respectively. The proteins were N-terminally blocked. Internal amino acid sequences were obtained for both polypeptides of the fusicoccin-binding complex. Sequence information, as well as subsequent immunological analysis, proved that both polypeptides are members of the eukaryotic 14-3-3 family, which comprises structurally conserved regulatory proteins of widespread occurrence and a wide range of functions. 14-3-3 isoform(s) constituting the fusicoccin receptor are distinguishable from other cellular 14-3-3 proteins by their tight association with the plasma membrane. Applying temperature-induced Triton X-114 phase separation experiments, they, as well as the target enzyme of fusicoccin action, the H(+)-ATPase, partitioned into the phospholipid-rich fraction which contains the most hydrophobic proteins. The results discussed herein provide a basis for the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of fusicoccin action.

Existence of a molecular ruler in proteasomes suggested by analysis of degradation products

Analysis of the degradation products from two proteins, the insulin B-chain and human hemoglobin, generated by archaebacterial Thermoplasma acidophilum 20 S proteasomes, revealed an unexpectedly broad specificity. In spite of the vast number of different peptides found, they fell into a rather narrow size range. This suggests that a molecular ruler exists which determines the length of the cleavage products.

The amino acid sequence previously attributed to a protein kinase or a TCP1-related molecular chaperone and co-purified with phytochrome is a beta-glucosidase

A 60 kDa protein (P60) co-purified with phytochrome was identified as avenacosidase, a beta-glucosidase which is part of the defense system of Avena sativa. An antiserum raised against P60 was used to isolate a cDNA clone coding for the complete amino acid sequence of P60. The cDNA-derived amino acid sequence contained the partial sequences described before for a protein kinase [(1989) Planta 178, 199-206] and for a TCP1-related molecular chaperone [(1993) Nature 363, 644-647] co-purified with phytochrome. We conclude that these activities were related to minor contaminants and that only sequences of avenacosidase had been obtained.

DNA replication in vitro by recombinant DNA-polymerase-alpha-primase

DNA-polymerase-alpha--primase complex contains four subunits, p180, p68, p58, and p48, and comprises a minimum of two enzymic functions. We have cloned cDNAs encoding subunits of DNA-polymerase-alpha--primase from human and mouse. Sequence comparisons showed high amino acid conservation among the mammalian proteins. We have over-expressed the single polypeptides and co-expressed various subunit complexes using baculovirus vectors, purified the proteins and investigated their biochemical properties. The purified mouse p48 subunit (Mp48) alone had primase activity. Purification of co-expressed Mp48 and Mp58 subunits yielded stable DNA primase of high specific activity. Co-expression of all four subunits yielded large quantities of tetrameric DNA-polymerase-alpha--primase. The p180, p58 and p48 polypeptides were also co-expressed and immunoaffinity purified as a trimeric enzyme complex. The tetrameric and trimeric DNA-polymerase-alpha--primase complexes showed both DNA primase and DNA polymerase activities. The tetrameric recombinant DNA-polymerase-alpha--primase synthesized double-stranded M13 DNA and replicated polyoma viral DNA in vitro efficiently.

Costimulatory signals for human T-cell activation induce nuclear translocation of pp19/cofilin

Resting T lymphocytes that have recognized antigen bound to a major histocompatibility complex molecule with the T-cell receptor require costimulatory signals through accessory receptors, including CD2, CD4, CD8, and CD28, for their clonal growth and expression of their functional repertoires. Absence of costimulation, in contrast, can induce clonal anergy in vitro and selective tolerance in vivo. Here we have defined a potential intracellular messenger for T-cell activation which is strictly regulated by costimulatory signals mediated through accessory receptors: pp19/cofilin, a small actin-binding protein, undergoes dephosphorylation and subsequent translocation from the cytosol into the nucleus. In untransformed T cells this process correlates with functional responses essential for the induction of T-cell proliferation (i.e., production of interleukin 2). Moreover, spontaneous dephosphorylation as well as nuclear translocation of pp19/cofilin occur in the autonomously proliferating T-lymphoma cell line Jurkat.

The 24 kDa outer envelope membrane protein from spinach chloroplasts: molecular cloning, in vivo expression and import pathway of a protein with unusual properties

The 24 kDa outer envelope membrane protein of spinach chloroplasts (omp24) represents a major constituent of this membrane. Sequences of tryptic and endoprotease Glu-C peptides derived from omp24 allowed the design of oligonucleotides which were used to generate a DNA fragment by polymerase chain reaction using spinach cDNA as template. This fragment served as a probe to screen a cDNA library for a full-length clone of the omp24 coding sequence. The protein predicted from the complete sequence only has 148 amino acids and a molecular mass of 16294 Da. It is an acidic protein (calculated isoelectric point 4.8) with a high content of proline residues. Expression of the coding sequence in Escherichia coli and characterization of the purified recombinant protein produced revealed that the overestimation of its molecular mass by SDS-PAGE (ca. 25 kDa) is due to its abnormal amino acid composition. Despite its rather low hydrophobicity (polarity index 49%), omp24 appears to be deeply embedded in the outer membrane. Insertion of omp24 into the membrane proceeds almost independently of surface receptors or targeting sequence but, in contrast to other known outer envelope membrane proteins, is stimulated by ATP.

In organello assembly of respiratory-chain complex I: primary structure of the 14.8 kDa subunit of Neurospora crassa complex I

A cDNA encoding the 14.8 kDa subunit of complex I from Neurospora crassa was cloned and sequenced. The deduced primary structure of this subunit reveals a predominantly hydrophilic protein containing no obvious membrane-spanning domain. In agreement with this characteristic, we have localized the 14.8 kDa subunit in the peripheral arm of the enzyme. The 14.8 kDa subunit was found to be conserved in mammalian complex I. The conservation of this subunit in such distantly related organisms suggests that the 14.8 kDa subunit is an important component of complex I. We have used an in organello system to study the biosynthetic pathway of this subunit. The 14.8 kDa polypeptide could be efficiently imported into isolated mitochondria. Furthermore, a fraction of the in-vitro-imported subunit was found to assemble in complex I. This is the first time that assembly in complex I of an in-vitro-synthesized subunit is demonstrated.

Purification, characterization and molecular cloning of human hepatic lysosomal acid lipase

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is a hydrolase essential for the intracellular degradation of cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols. This report describes a multi-step procedure for the purification of LAL from human liver. After solubilization with non-ionic detergent, acid hydrolase activity was purified 17000-fold to apparent homogeneity by sequential chromatography on Concanavalin A Sepharose, carboxymethyl-cellulose, phenyl Superose, Mono S cation exchange and Superose 12 gel-filtration columns. This procedure yielded two silver-staining protein bands of 56 kDa and 41 kDa on SDS/PAGE. Size-exclusion chromatography of the 41-kDa protein indicated that the enzyme was catalytically competent as a monomer of approximately 38 kDa. When assayed in the presence of cholesteryl oleate or trioleoylglycerol, purified acid lipase had Vmax values of 4390 nmol fatty acid.min-1.mg protein and 4756 nmol fatty acid.min-1.mg protein-1, and apparent Km values of 0.142 mM and 0.138 mM, respectively. The purified enzyme was most active at low pH (4.5-5.0) and required non-ionic detergent and ethylene glycol for optimal stability. Incubation of the 41-kDa acid lipase with endoglucosaminidase H reduced the molecular mass by 4-6 kDa, demonstrating Asn-linked glycosylation with high-mannose oligosaccharides. Deglycosylation did not affect enzymic activity, indicating that carbohydrates are not required for LAL activity. Based on partial peptide sequence, an oligonucleotide was synthesized and utilized to isolate LAL cDNA clones from a human liver cDNA library. A full-length LAL cDNA contained 2626 nucleotides and coded for a predicted protein of 372 amino acids, preceded by a 27 residue hydrophobic signal peptide. Hepatic LAL differed from fibroblast acid lipase at the N-terminus and revealed extensive similarities with human gastric lipase and rat lingual lipase, confirming a gene family of acid lipases. Northern hybridization using the complete LAL cDNA as a radiolabeled probe indicated striking differences in mRNA expression among human tissues. LAL mRNA was most abundant in brain, lung, kidney and mammary gland. Placenta and HeLa cells expressed intermediate amounts of LAL mRNA, while RNA extracted from liver and heart showed low levels of expression.

Isolation and characterization of hirustasin, an antistasin-type serine-proteinase inhibitor from the medical leech Hirudo medicinalis

Antistasin, a potent inhibitor of the blood coagulation factor Xa, is the prototype of a novel family of serine-proteinase inhibitors. We have now isolated, sequenced and characterized an antistasin-type inhibitor from the medical leech Hirudo medicinalis. Hirustasin (Hirudo antistasin) was purified to apparent homogeneity by cation-exchange and affinity chromatography. Amino acid sequencing of the 55 amino acid protein (M(r) 5866) revealed that hirustasin is the only antistasin-type protein known to consist of one domain only; 27% and 32% sequence identity was found to the first and second domains of antistasin, respectively, and a nearly exact conservation of the spacing of the ten cysteine residues. Hirustasin is the first inhibitor of tissue kallikrein identified in leeches, and is also a tight-binding inhibitor of trypsin, chymotrypsin and neutrophil cathepsin G. However, despite the high similarity to antistasin, particularly in the vicinity of the putative reactive-site peptide bond, hirustasin neither inhibits blood coagulation in vitro nor amidolytic activity of isolated factor Xa. Thus, structural elements other than the reactive site sequence significantly influence the specificity of antistasin-type proteinase inhibitors.

Cloning and in vivo expression of functional triose phosphate/phosphate translocators from C3- and C4-plants: evidence for the putative participation of specific amino acid residues in the recognition of phosphoenolpyruvate

The primary sequences of the chloroplast triose phosphate/phosphate translocator precursor proteins from C4-plants (maize mesophyll cells and Flaveria trinervia) and from the C3-type Flaveria pringlei were determined. The mature parts of these translocators possess 83-94% identical amino acid residues. The C4-translocator protein can be correctly targeted to C3-type chloroplasts and inserted into the envelope membrane. Expression of the mature parts of these chloroplast translocators (cTPT) in transformed yeast cells and subsequent reconstitution of the functional proteins reveals the difference between the recombinant translocator proteins from the two cell types with respect to the transport of phosphoenolpyruvate. Comparison of the cTPT sequences from F. pringlei and F. trinervia in combination with computer-aided molecular modelling of the substrate translocation pore leads to the suggestion, that only minor exchanges of amino acid residues between the C3- and C4-translocator proteins are sufficient to extend their substrate specificities to recognize also phosphoenolpyruvate.

Determination and mutational analysis of the phosphorylation site in the hypusine-containing protein Hyp2p

Electrospray mass spectrometry of the purified isoforms of the hypusine-containing protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hyp2p suggested a phosphorylation of the acidic isoform, which was confirmed by phosphatase treatment. The phosphorylation site was mapped to the N-acetylated serine residue in position no. 1 by mass spectrometric analysis of enzymatic fragments. Mutation of this serine residue gives rise to only the basic isoform, confirming our protein chemical data. As this mutation has no effect on cell viability or growth rate, the unphosphorylated isoform is sufficient to exert the essential in vivo function of Hyp2p.