The primary structure of neuropeptide F (NPF) from the garden snail, Helix aspersa

Neuropeptide F (NPF), originally isolated from the sheep tapeworm, Moniezia expansa, consists of 39 amino acid residues terminating in a phenylalaninamide. An analogous neuropeptide has been isolated and sequenced from extracts of circumoesophageal ganglia of the garden snail, Helix aspersa. This neuropeptide exhibits partial primary structural similarity to members of the vertebrate neuropeptide Y (NPY)/pancreatic polypeptide (PP) superfamily. NPF is thus of widespread occurrence in the nervous systems of invertebrates from different phyla and may represent the phylogenetic precursor of the vertebrate NPY/PP superfamily.

Immunohistochemical localization of pancreatic spasmolytic polypeptide (PSP) in the pig

Pancreatic spasmolytic polypeptide (PSP) is a peptide that is isolated from the porcine pancreas and that affects intestinal motility and growth of intestinal tumour cells in vitro. The peptide was recently demonstrated to be present in large amounts in pancreatic juice. The cellular origin of the peptide, however, is largely unclarified and the localization was therefore studied of PSP in pigs using immunohistochemistry. Positive immunoreactions were seen in the pancreas, the stomach, the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. In the pancreas, the PSP immunoreaction was seen in all acinar cells; no immunoreaction was seen in the endocrine islets. In the stomach, it was localized to the mucous cells of the glands in the cardiac gland region, the corpus and the pylorus. In the duodenum a strong immunoreaction was present in Brunner's glands and in the cells of their excretory ducts. In the jejunum and ileum, PSP immunoreactivity was seen in some of the cells in the epithelium of the crypts of Lieberkühn. A peptide chromatographically identical to highly purified PSP was identified in pancreas and stomach extracts. Thus epithelial cells in all parts of the stomach and small intestine contribute to the supply of PSP to the gut lumen.

Peptide tyrosine phenylalanine: a novel neuropeptide F-related nonapeptide from the brain of the squid, Loligo vulgaris

A novel nonapeptide, sequence YAIVARPRFamide, was isolated from brain extracts of the squid, L. vulgaris. Designated peptide tyrosine phenylalanine (PYF), the peptide shows marked homology with the C-terminal nonapeptides of pancreatic polypeptide and neuropeptide F (NPF) from a number of sources. If PYF is the C-terminal nonapeptide of squid NPF, then it may be derived by a novel processing mechanism involving specific cleavage between two TYR residues. PYF may be a highly truncated, receptor-active variant of NPF.

Pancreatic spasmolytic polypeptide: crystallization, circular dichroism analysis, and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies

Pancreatic spasmolytic polypeptide (PSP) isolated from porcine pancreas has been crystallized by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis were grown at pH 4.7 from a solution of 6% saturated ammonium sulfate. The space group is orthorhombic I222 or I2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell parameters a = 54.38 A, b = 72.29 A, and c = 180.85 A. There are three molecules of PSP per asymmetric unit and a water content of 46.9%. The crystals diffracts to an estimated resolution of 2.7 A. The far-UV CD spectrum of PSP shows some exceptional features which cannot be accounted for thoroughly in terms of standard secondary structures commonly seen in protein CD spectroscopy. With this limitation, the secondary structure analysis predicts 15% alpha-helix, between 10 and 20% antiparallel beta-strand, 10% parallel beta-strand, 15% turn, and 25 to 40% of other structures.

Generation of Gla-domainless FVIIa by cathepsin G-mediated cleavage

Coagulation factor VII contains ten gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues in the N-terminal region (Gla-domain) which are essential for the hemostatic function of FVII. The present study shows that granulocyte cathepsin G degrades the Gla-domain of FVIIa in vitro. Characterization of the truncated FVIIa by SDS-PAGE and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis revealed that cleavage had occurred between Tyr-44 and Ser-45 and that further cleavage was only obtained on extensive cathepsin G exposure. Cleavage of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors by cathepsin G may play a role in vivo, and it offers a convenient way of obtaining proteins deprived of their Gla-domain for functional and structural studies.

The primary structure of peptide Y (PY) of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias: immunocytochemical localisation and isolation from the pancreas

1. Endocrine cells within islets, exocrine parenchyma and ductal epithelium in the pancreas of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, were immunostained with an antiserum to the C-terminal region of mammalian neuropeptide Y (NPY). 2. Radioimmunoassay of pancreatic extracts with the same antiserum detected immunoreactivity in the dorsal lobe (338 pmol/g) and ventral lobe (433 pmol/g). Reverse phase HPLC analysis of both extracts resolved a single immunoreactive peptide. 3. The primary structure of the isolated peptide was established as: YPPKPENPGEDAPPEELAKYYSALRHYINLITRQRY.NH2. 4. Peptide Y (PY) from Squalus acanthias is identical in primary structure to an NPY-related peptide isolated from the pancreas of Scyliorhinus canicula and has a 31/36 residue homology with porcine NPY. The 5 substitutions are highly-conservative.

Isolation and primary structure of a novel chromogranin A-derived peptide, WE-14, from a human midgut carcinoid tumour

The primary structure of a novel human chromogranin A-derived tetradecapeptide, WE-14, possessing N-terminal tryptophanyl (W) and C-terminal glutamyl (E) residues was isolated from a hepatic metastasis of an human ileal carcinoid tumour. Human and bovine WE-14 are structurally identical, while rat, mouse and porcine analogues exhibit 93% homology. WE-14 is flanked by paired basic residues (KR) in all known chromogranin A sequences.

Isolation and primary structure of an amphibian neurotensin

Using a radioimmunoassay system employing an antiserum which recognises the common C-terminal tripeptide (YIL) of neurotensin (NT) and neuromedin N (NN), immunoreactivity was identified in extracts of brain (65.8 pmol/g), small intestine (44.2 pmol/g) and rectum (13.2 pmol/g) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria). No immunoreactivity was detected in extracts of stomach and skin. Reverse-phase HPLC analysis of each tissue extract resolved a single immunoreactive peptide with identical retention time in each case. The immunoreactive peptide was isolated by reverse-phase HPLC from brain extracts and an N-terminal pyroglutamyl residue was successfully removed enzymatically. The molecular mass of des(pyroglutamyl) frog NT, determined by plasma desorption mass spectroscopy, was 1440 Da. The primary structure of this peptide was determined by gas-phase sequencing and the calculated molecular mass, 1440.7 Da, was in close agreement with that derived by mass spectroscopy. The full primary structure of frog NT was established as: QSHISKARRPYIL. When compared with bovine NT, frog NT exhibits five amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal region, whereas the C-terminal hexapeptide sequence (RRPYIL), which mediates the classical biological effects of NT, is completely conserved. Amphibia thus possess a tridecapeptide NT which is analogous to that of higher vertebrates and considerable constraints on the primary structure of the C-terminal biologically-active core have existed for a vast evolutionary time span.

The primary structure and tissue distribution of an amphibian neuropeptide Y

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been isolated and sequenced from brain extracts of the European common frog, Rana temporaria. Plasma desorption mass spectroscopy of the purified peptide indicated a molecular mass of 4243.3 Da which was in agreement with that deduced from the sequence (4243.7 Da), incorporating a C-terminal amide. The primary structure of frog NPY was established as: YPSKPDNPGEDAPAEDMAKYYSALRHYINLITRQRY-NH2. Frog NPY contains a single, highly-conservative amino acid substitution (Lys for Arg at residue 19) with respect to human NPY. NPY immunoreactivity was localised exclusively in nerves within the brain, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract and reverse-phase HPLC of extracts of these tissues resolved a single immunoreactive peptide of identical retention time in each case. The primary structure of NPY has therefore been highly-conserved over a considerable evolutionary time-span.

Sphenoid sinus mucocoele: a possible late complication of radiotherapy to the head and neck

A case of sphenoid sinus mucocoele following radiotherapy in a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma is reported. Diagnosis was made by radiological investigation and confirmed at surgery performed via a sublabial transeptal approach. Its content was completely removed and continuous drainage of the sinus was maintained by an indwelling tube. It is felt that the sphenoid mucocoele developed as a result of occlusion of the sinus ostium by scarred mucosa following radiotherapy.

Galanin and galanin extended at the N-terminus with seven and nine amino acids are produced in and secreted from the porcine adrenal medulla in almost equal amounts

Galanin is present in high concentrations in porcine adrenals, but nothing is known about the processing and secretion of other products of the 123-amino acid precursor preprogalanin. Using, in combination, RIA against galanin, a variety of chromatographic procedures, mass spectrometry, and amino acid sequencing, we studied the processed and the secreted products of preprogalanin. From the tissue extracts we isolated in equimolar amounts and sequenced two major pools of galanin immunoreactive peptides: galanin and two N-terminally extended forms, preprogalanin-(24-61) and preprogalanin-(26-61). The same peptides were identified upon gel chromatography and analytical HPLC in effluents collected during electrical stimulation of the intact splanchnic nerve supply of an isolated perfused preparation of porcine adrenals. The processing of preprogalanin in porcine adrenals thus includes the formation and release of galanin, preprogalanin-(24-61), and preprogalanin-(26-61). The signal peptidase cleaves the preprogalanin at either Gly23 or Gly25.

Marsupial possum neurotensin: a unique mammalian regulatory peptide exhibiting structural homology to the avian analogue

Neurotensin has been isolated from small intestinal extracts of an Australian marsupial, the brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). The primary structure was determined as: pGlu-Leu-His-Val-Asn-Lys-Ala-Arg-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-Leu. When compared with bovine neurotensin, marsupial possum neurotensin exhibits four amino acid substitutions. His for Tyr3, Val for Glu4 and Ala for Pro7 are identical with those found in chicken neurotensin. In addition, substitution of Pro10 with Val is unique among all neurotensins sequenced to date. Marsupial possum neurotensin is therefore of unique primary structure, displaying most sequence homology with its avian counterpart. This neurotensin may thus resemble the phylogenetic precursor present at the time of divergence of primitive mammals and birds.

Human plasma and recombinant factor VII. Characterization of O-glycosylations at serine residues 52 and 60 and effects of site-directed mutagenesis of serine 52 to alanine

Factor VII is a multidomain, vitamin K-dependent plasma glycoprotein that participates in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Earlier studies demonstrated a novel disaccharide (Xyl-Glc) or trisaccharide (Xyl2-Glc) O-glycosidically linked to serine 52 in human plasma factor VII (Nishimura, H., Kawabata, S., Kisiel, W., Hase, S., Ikenaka, T., Shimonishi, Y., and Iwanaga, S. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 20320-20325). In the present study, human plasma and recombinant factor VII were isolated and subjected to enzymatic fragmentation. Peptides comprising residues 48-62 of the first epidermal growth factor-like domain of each factor VII preparation were isolated for comparative analysis. Using a combined strategy of amino acid sequencing, carbohydrate and amino acid composition analysis, and mass spectrometry, three different glycan structures consisting of either glucose, glucose-xylose, or glucose-(xylose)2 were detected O-glycosidically linked to serine 52 in plasma and recombinant factor VII. Approximately equal amounts of the three glycan structures were observed in plasma factor VII, whereas in recombinant factor VII the glucose and the glucose-(xylose)2 structures predominated. In addition to the O-linked glycan structures observed at serine 52, a single fucose was found to be covalently linked at serine 60 in both human plasma and recombinant factor VII. Carbohydrate and mass spectrometry analyses indicated that the fucosylation of serine 60 was virtually quantitative. Metabolic labeling studies using [14C]fucose confirmed the presence of O-linked fucose at serine 60. In order to assess whether the carbohydrate moiety at serine 52 contributes to the biological activity of factor VII, we have constructed a site-specific mutant of recombinant factor VII in which serine 52 has been replaced with an alanine residue. Mutant factor VIIa exhibited approximately 60% of the coagulant activity of wild-type factor VIIa in a clotting assay. The amidolytic activity of mutant factor VIIa was indistinguishable from that observed for recombinant wild-type factor VIIa. In addition, the ability of mutant factor VIIa in complex with either purified relipidated tissue factor apoprotein or tissue factor on the surface of a human bladder carcinoma cell line (J82) to activate either factor X or factor IX was virtually identical to that observed for wild-type factor VIIa. These results indicate that the carbohydrate moiety O-glycosidically linked to serine 52 does not appear to be involved either in the interaction of factor VIIa with tissue factor, or the expression of its proteolytic activity toward factor X or factor IX following complex formation with tissue factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A model for interfacial activation in lipases from the structure of a fungal lipase-inhibitor complex

Lipases are hydrolytic enzymes which break down triacylglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerols. They have been classified as serine hydrolases owing to their inhibition by diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate. Lipase activity is greatly increased at the lipid-water interface, a phenomenon known as interfacial activation. X-ray analysis has revealed the atomic structures of two triacylglycerol lipases, unrelated in sequence: the human pancreatic lipase (hPL)4, and an enzyme isolated from the fungus Rhizomucor (formerly Mucor) miehei (RmL). In both enzymes the active centres contain structurally analogous Asp-His-Ser triads (characteristic of serine proteinases), which are buried completely beneath a short helical segment, or 'lid'. Here we present the crystal structure (at 3 A resolution) of a complex of R. miehei lipase with n-hexylphosphonate ethyl ester in which the enzyme's active site is exposed by the movement of the helical lid. This movement also increases the nonpolarity of the surface surrounding the catalytic site. We propose that the structure of the enzyme in this complex is equivalent to the activated state generated by the oil-water interface.

Rabbit neuromedin U-25: lack of conservation of a posttranslational processing site

The rabbit small intestine contains neuromedin U-like immunoreactivity (22 pmol/g wet tissue weight) that was resolved into a single major molecular form by reversed-phase HPLC. The primary structure of the peptide was established as: Phe-Pro-Val-Asp-Glu-Glu-Phe-Gln-Ser-Pro10-Phe-Gly-Ser-Arg-Ser-Arg- Gly-Tyr-Phe- Leu20-Phe-Arg-Pro-Arg-Asn.NH2. In rabbit neuromedin U, the Arg16-Arg17 dibasic residue processing site that is found in pig and dog neuromedin U-25 is replaced by Arg-Gly, but this potential monobasic processing site is not utilized by cleavage enzyme(s) in the intestine.

The primary structure of glucagon-like peptide but not insulin has been conserved between the American eel, Anguilla rostrata and the European eel, Anguilla anguilla

Insulin was isolated from the pancreas of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, and its primary structure was established as (Formula: see text). Eel insulin contains unusual substitutions at B-21, B-22, and B-26 in the putative receptor-binding region of the molecule compared with other mammalian and fish insulins. The A-chain of insulin from the European eel contains an asparagine rather than a serine residue at position A-12. Similarly, amino acid composition data indicate the B-chain of insulin from the European eel is appreciably different from that from the American eel. The primary structure of glucagon-like peptide (GLP) from the American eel is identical to that from the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. The primary structure of the peptide was established as (Formula: see text). Fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry demonstrated that the COOH-terminal arginyl residue is alpha-amidated. The strong evolutionary pressure to conserve the structure of GLP provides further support for the assertion that the peptide plays an important regulatory role in teleost fish.

Neuropeptide Y-related peptides from the pancreas of a teleostean (eel), holostean (bowfin) and elasmobranch (skate) fish

Homologous peptides belonging to the pancreatic polypeptide (PP) family were isolated from the pancreas of a teleostean fish, the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), an holostean fish, the bowfin (Amia calva) and an elasmobranch fish, the skate (Raja rhina), and their primary structures were determined. The peptides show stronger homology to neuropeptide Y, particularly in their COOH-terminal regions, than to peptide YY or pancreatic polypeptide and contain an alpha-amidated COOH-terminal tyrosine residue. The skate peptide Tyr-Pro-Pro-Lys-Pro-Glu-Asn-Pro-Gly-Asp10-Asp-Ala-Ala-Pro-Glu-Glu- Leu-Ala-Lys- Tyr20-Tyr-Ser-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu30-Ile-Thr-Arg- Gln-Arg-Tyr-NH2 represents the first member of the PP family to be isolated from a cartilaginous fish. The primary structure of the pancreatic PP family peptide has been more strongly conserved among the phylogenetically more ancient holostean and elasmobranch fishes than among the teleosts. A comparison of the primary structures of all PP family peptides supports the hypothesis and evolution has acted to conserve features of tertiiary structure in the molecules (e.g., the polyproline- and alpha-helices) rather than individual amino acid residues.

Isolation and partial sequencing of a pancreatic polypeptide-like neuropeptide from the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica

1. A pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-immunoreactive neuropeptide has been isolated and partially sequenced from the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica. 2. Gel permeation chromatography of an acid ethanol extract of cattle flukes showed that the peptide is similar in size to mammalian (bovine) PP. 3. The Fasciola peptide was purified to homogeneity by means of reverse-phase HPLC, employing different column chemistries. 4. The purified peptide was sequenced using automated gas-phase Edman degradation and the first 24 amino acid residues determined.

The complete primary structure of pancreatic polypeptide from the European common frog, Rana temporaria

Using an antiserum directed against the highly-conserved C-terminal hexapeptide amide of mammalian pancreatic polypeptide (PP), numerous immunoreactive endocrine cells were identified within the pancreas of the European common frog, R. temporaria. An acidified ethanolic extract of pancreatic tissue (0.859 g, n = 35) contained 26.2 nmol equivalents/g of tissue. Gel permeation chromatography of the extract resolved a single peak of immunoreactivity co-eluting with synthetic bovine PP standard. Reverse phase HPLC of this material resolved a single peak of immunoreactivity which was purified to homogeneity following chromatography on a semipreparative C-18 column and an analytical C-8 column. Plasma desorption mass spectrometry (PDMS) of the purified peptide resolved a single component with a molecular mass of 4240.9 Da. Direct gas phase sequencing established the sequence of the first 26 residues. Following incubation of the peptide with endopeptidase Asp-N and direct application of the digest to the sequencer, the entire primary structure of the peptide was established as: APSEPHHPGDQATQDQLAQYYSDLYQYITFVTRPRF. The derived molecular mass of this peptide, incorporating a C-terminal amide, was 4240.6 Da which is entirely consistent with that obtained by PDMS.

Calcium binding in alpha-amylases: an X-ray diffraction study at 2.1-A resolution of two enzymes from Aspergillus

X-ray diffraction analysis (at 2.1-A resolution) of an acid alpha-amylase from Aspergillus niger allowed a detailed description of the stereochemistry of the calcium-binding sites. The primary site (which is essential in maintaining proper folding around the active site) contains a tightly bound Ca2+ with an unusually high number of eight ligands (O delta 1 and O delta 2 of Asp175, O delta of Asn121, main-chain carbonyl oxygens of Glu162 and Glu210, and three water molecules). A secondary binding site was identified at the bottom of the substrate binding cleft; it involves the residues presumed to play a catalytic role (Asp206 and Glu230). This explains the inhibitory effect of calcium observed at higher concentrations. Neutral Aspergillus oryzae (TAKA) alpha-amylase was also refined in a new crystal at 2.1-A resolution. The structure of this homologous (over 80%) enzyme and additional kinetic studies support all the structural conclusions regarding both calcium-binding sites.

Limited proteolysis of beta 2-microglobulin at Lys-58 by complement component C1s

We have now demonstrated that activated complement component C1s cleaves beta 2-microglobulin at the position identical to that at which beta 2-microglobulin is cleaved in serum of patients suffering from lung cancer. The main cleavage is in the disulphide loop C-terminal to Lys-58, generating a modified form of beta 2-microglobulin with a two-chain structure. The C-terminal Lys-58 in the A chain is highly susceptible to removal by a carboxypeptidase-B-like activity causing the formation of des-Lys58-beta 2-microglobulin. This is the first demonstration of a noncomplement protein substrate for the proteolytic activity of C1s. The C1s-induced cleavage of beta 2-microglobulin can be inhibited in the presence of C1 esterase inhibitor, demonstrating a regulatory function of C1 esterase inhibitor in the C1s-induced cleavage of beta 2-microglobulin.