Baculovirus-mediated overexpression of the phosphorylase b kinase holoenzyme and alpha gamma delta and gamma delta subcomplexes

Recombinant baculoviruses were created and used to coexpress rat phosphorylase kinase (Phk) alpha, gamma, and delta subunits and rabbit beta subunit in insect cells. Coexpression allowed creation of the (alphabetagammadelta)4 hexadecamer, the alphagammadelta heterotrimer, and the gammadelta heterodimeric subcomplexes. Neither the individual alpha, beta, or gamma subunit nor any complex containing the beta subunit other than the hexadecameric holoenzyme was obtained in soluble form. The expressed complexes exhibited pH- and [Ca2+]-dependent specific activities that were similar to those of the Phk holoenzyme purified from rabbit skeletal muscle (SkM Phk). SkM Phk, expressed Phk, and the alphagammadelta subcomplex were activated by exogenous calmodulin and underwent Ca(2+)-dependent autophosphorylation. In some of these features there were subtle differences that could likely be attributed to differences in the covalent modification state of the baculovirus-driven expressed protein. Our results provide an important avenue to probe the detailed characterization of the structure of Phk and the function of the individual domains of the subunits using baculovirus-mediated expression of Phk and Phk subcomplexes.

Metabolic causes of recurrent rhabdomyolysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the biochemical causes of recurrent rhabdomyolysis in Finland.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We examined 22 patients with recurrent rhabdomyolysis, and 26 patients with one episode of rhabdomyolysis or other symptoms compatible with metabolic myopathy. Muscle histopathology and activities of phosphorylase (PHRL) (total and active), phosphofructokinase (PFK), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) and myoadenylate deaminase (MAD) were studied. The limit of enzyme deficiency was defined as enzyme activity less than 5% of the mean of the control subjects.

RESULTS

We found 4 patients with muscle PHRL deficiency, 1 patient with PFK deficiency and 1 patient with evidence of phosphorylase kinase deficiency. One patient had Becker's muscle dystrophy, 2 patients had unspecified dystrophies, 1 patient had Miyoshi myopathy, and 1 patient had a form of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MELAS).

CONCLUSION

Enzyme defects were found in 23% of the patients with recurrent rhabdomyolysis. Other muscle diseases, muscular dystrophies or myopathies, were detected in 18% of these patients, emphasizing the value of clinical and histopathological examination of patients with previous rhabdomyolysis.

Neural regulation of the formation of skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase holoenzyme in adult and developing rat muscle

Neural influences on the co-ordination of expression of the multiple subunits of skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase and their assembly to form the holoenzyme complex, alpha4beta4gamma4delta4, have been examined during denervation and re-innervation of adult skeletal muscle and during neonatal muscle development. Denervation of the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus muscles of the rat hindlimb was associated with a rapid decline in the mRNA for the gamma subunit, and an abrupt decrease in gamma-subunit protein. The levels of the alpha- and beta-subunit proteins in the denervated muscles also declined rapidly, their time course of reduction being similar to that for the gamma-subunit protein, but they did not decrease to the same extent. In contrast with the rapid decline in gamma-subunit mRNA upon denervation, alpha- and beta-subunit mRNAs stayed at control innervated levels for approx. 8-10 days, but then decreased rapidly. Their decline coincided very closely with the onset of re-innervation. Re-innervation of the denervated muscles, which occurs rapidly and uniformly after the sciatic nerve crush injury, produced an eventual slow and prolonged recovery of the mRNA for all three subunits and parallel increases in each of the subunit proteins. A similar co-ordinated increase of both subunit mRNA and subunit proteins of the phosphorylase kinase holoenzyme was observed during neonatal muscle development, during the period when the muscles were attaining their adult pattern of motor activity. The phosphorylase kinase holoenzyme remains in a non-activated form during all of these physiological changes, as is compatible with the presence of the full complement of the regulatory subunits. These data are consistent with a model whereby the transcriptional and translational expression of phosphorylase kinase gamma subunit occurs only with concomitant expression of the alpha and beta subunits. This would ensure that free and unregulated, activated gamma subunit alone, which would give rise to unregulated glycogenolysis, is not produced. The data also suggest that control of phosphorylase kinase subunit expression and the formation of the holoenzyme in skeletal muscle is provided by the motor nerve, probably through imposed levels or patterns of muscle activity.

X-linked liver phosphorylase kinase deficiency is associated with mutations in the human liver phosphorylase kinase alpha subunit

Two Dutch patients with liver phosphorylase kinase (PhK) deficiency were studied for abnormalities in the PhK liver alpha (alpha L) subunit mRNA by reversed-transcribed-PCR (RT-PCR) and RNase protection assays. One patient, belonging to a large Dutch family that expresses X-linked liver PhK deficiency, had a C3614T mutation in the PhK alpha L coding sequence. The C3614T mutation leads to replacement of proline 1205 with leucine, which changes the composition of an amino acid region, containing amino acids 1195-1214 of the PhK alpha L subunit, that is highly conserved in different species. The patient showed normal levels of PhK alpha L mRNA. The second patient, from an unrelated family, was found to have a TCT (bp 419-421) deletion in the PhK alpha L coding sequence, resulting in a phenylalanine 141 deletion. The same deletion was found in the PhK alpha L coding sequence from lymphocytes of the patient's mother, together with a normal PhK alpha L coding sequence. The phenylalanine that is absent in the PhK alpha L coding sequence of the second patient is a highly conserved amino acid between species. Both the C3614T mutation and the TCT (bp 419-421) deletion were not found in a panel of 80 control X chromosomes. On the basis of these results, it is postulated that the mutations found are responsible for liver PhK deficiency in the two patients investigated.

The severe phenotype of females with tiny ring X chromosomes is associated with inability of these chromosomes to undergo X inactivation

Mental retardation and a constellation of congenital malformations not usually associated with Turner syndrome are seen in some females with a mosaic 45,X/46,X,r(X) karyotype. Studies of these females show that the XIST locus on their tiny ring X chromosomes is either not present or not expressed. As XIST transcription is well correlated with inactivation of the X chromosome in female somatic cells and spermatogonia, nonexpression of the locus even when it is present suggests that these chromosomes are transcriptionally active. We examined the transcriptional activity of ring X chromosomes lacking XIST expression (XISTE-), from three females with severe phenotypes. The two tiny ring X chromosomes studied with an antibody specific for the acetylated isoforms of histone H4 marking transcribed chromatin domains were labeled at a level consistent with their being active. We also examined tow of the XISTE- ring chromosomes to determine whether genes that are normally silent on an inactive X are expressed from these chromosomes. Analyses of hybrid cells show that TIMP, ZXDA, and ZXDB loci on the proximal short arm, and AR and PHKA1 loci on the long arm, are well expressed from the tiny ring X chromosome lacking XIST DNA. Studies of the ring chromosome that has XIST DNA but does not transcribe it show that its AR allele is transcribed along with the one on the normal X allele.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression, purification, characterization, and deletion mutations of phosphorylase kinase gamma subunit: identification of an inhibitory domain in the gamma subunit

A catalytic fragment, gamma 1-298, derived from limited chymotryptic digestion of phosphorylase b kinase (Harris, W.R. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265: 11740-11745, 1990), is reported to have about six-fold greater specific activity than does the gamma subunit-calmodulin complex. To test whether there is an inhibitory domain located outside the catalytic core of the gamma subunit, full-length wild-type and seven truncated forms of gamma were expressed in E. coli. Recombinant proteins accumulate in the inclusion bodies and can be isolated, solubilized, renatured, and purified further by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Q-Sepharose column. Four out of seven truncated mutants show similar (gamma 1-353 and gamma 1-341) or less (gamma 1-331 and gamma 1-276) specific activity than does the full-length wild-type gamma, gamma 1-386. Three truncated forms, gamma 1-316, gamma 1-300, and gamma 1-290 have molar specific activities approximately twice as great as those of the full-length wild-type gamma and the nonactivated holoenzyme. All recombinant gamma s exhibit similar Km values for both substrates, i.e., about 18 microM for phosphorylase b and about 75 microM for MgATP. Three truncated gamma s, gamma 1-316, gamma 1-300, and gamma 1-290, have a 1.9- to 2.5-fold greater catalytic efficiency (Vmax/Km) than that of the full-length wild-type gamma and a 3.5- to 4.5-fold greater efficiency than that of the truncated gamma 1-331. This evidence suggests that there is at least one inhibitory domain in the C-terminal region of gamma, which is located at gamma 301-331. gamma 1-290, but not gamma 1-276, which contains the highly conserved kinase domain, is the minimum sequence required for the gamma subunit to exhibit phosphotransferase activity. Both gamma 1-290 and gamma 1-300 have several properties similar to full-length wild-type gamma, including metal ion responses (activation by free Mg2+ and inhibition by free Mn2+), pH dependency, and substrate specificities.

Expression of the phosphorylase kinase gamma subunit catalytic domain in Escherichia coli

The catalytic subunit of phosphorylase b kinase (gamma) and an engineered truncated form (gamma-trc, residues 1-297) have been expressed in Escherichia coli. The truncated protein included the entire catalytic domain as defined by sequence alignment with other protein kinases but lacked the putative calmodulin binding domain. Full-length protein was produced in insoluble aggregates. Some activity was regenerated by solubilization in urea and dilution into renaturating buffer but the activity was found to be associated with a smaller molecular weight component. Full-length protein could not be refolded successfully. The truncated gamma subunit was produced in the soluble fraction of the cell as well as in inclusion bodies. The insoluble protein was refolded by dilution from urea and purified to homogeneity, in a one step separation on DEAE-Sepharose to give a protein mol. wt 32,000 +/- 2000 with a high sp. act. of 5.3 mumol 32P incorporated into phosphorylase b(PPB)/min/nmol. Kinetic parameters gave Km for ATP 46 +/- 3 microM and Km for PPb 27 +/- 1 microM. The sp. act. and the Km values are comparable to those observed for the activated holoenzyme and indicate that the gamma-trc retains the substrate recognition and catalytic properties. The ratio of activities at pH 6.8/8.2 was 0.84. gamma-trc was inhibited by ADP with a Ki of 52 microM and was sensitive to activation by Mg2+ and inhibition by Mn2+, properties that are characteristic of the holoenzyme and the isolated gamma subunit. Calmodulin which confers calcium sensitivity on the isolated gamma subunit had no effect on the enzymic properties of gamma-trc.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coordinated expression of phosphorylase kinase subunits in regenerating skeletal muscle

The developmental expression of the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase has been examined in regenerating muscle. Rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles, treated with bupivacaine, promptly undergo a rapid degeneration of the muscle, followed by regeneration and recovery of essentially normal morphology and physiology by 3-4 weeks post-treatment (Hall-Craggs, E. C. B., and Seyan, H. S. (1975) Exp. Neurol. 46, 345-354). Phosphorylase kinase activity dropped to approximately 10% of control within 3 days of bupivacaine treatment and remained at this low level for several days but had attained at least 60% of normal levels by day 21. The pH 6.8/8.2 activity ratio was unusually high during the period of low activity, suggesting that the catalytic activity was not under normal regulation at this time. The subunit mRNAs were readily detected in control EDL but were undetectable at day 3 post-bupivacaine treatment. Very small amounts of message for all three subunits were evident by day 6 and began to approach normal levels by day 12-15. The mRNA for both the alpha and alpha' subunits of phosphorylase kinase exhibited a similar pattern of recovery, as did also the mRNA for phosphorylase. In contrast to both phosphorylase kinase and phosphorylase, actin mRNA exhibited a quite a different pattern, with a nearly full recovery of message levels by day 6 post-bupivacaine. These data indicate that synthesis of phosphorylase and the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of phosphorylase kinase appears to be coordinately regulated at the level of message accumulation and that the expression of phosphorylase kinase activity is likely to be also regulated post-transcriptionally.

Molecular genetics of phosphorylase kinase: cDNA cloning, chromosomal mapping and isoform structure

A deficiency in phosphorylase kinase is responsible for several forms of glycogen storage disease which differ in heredity and affected tissues. This is so because phosphorylase kinase consists of four different subunits and has multiple tissue-specific isoforms. To elucidate the molecular basis of phosphorylase kinase deficiencies, the cDNAs encoding the subunits alpha and beta were cloned and sequenced. Each subunit was shown to be encoded by a single gene. The alpha subunit gene was mapped to chromosome Xq12-q13 and the beta subunit gene to chromosome 16q12-q13. Isoform cDNAs reveal differential mRNA splicing. Thus, the stage is set for the molecular characterization of the genes and their deficiency mutations.

Phosphorylase b kinase deficiency in man: a review

Phosphorylase b kinase is involved in the activation of glycogen phosphorylase and is thus involved in the breakdown of glycogen. The enzyme exists as several tissue specific isoenzymes of which the muscle enzyme (rabbit) has been most characterized. It is a multimeric protein composed of four subunits, alpha, beta, gamma and delta. The four subunits are coded on different chromosomes, the alpha, beta and gamma subunit genes being on the X, 16 and 17 chromosomes respectively. The delta subunit is a calmodulin and confers calcium sensitivity on phosphorylase b kinase. Tissue specificity of the enzyme is conferred, at least in some cases, by variation in the gamma subunit. Seven different clinical types of phosphorylase b kinase deficiency have been described. The most common type is X-linked and affects the liver only; other types affect liver, muscle and liver, muscle or heart and have an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, while in some types the mode of inheritance is not clear. Diagnosis based on the study of erythrocytes or leukocytes can be misleading due to the tissue specific nature of the enzyme, and liver or muscle biopsies may be required.

Expression of a cDNA for the catalytic subunit of skeletal-muscle phosphorylase kinase in transfected 3T3 cells

Phosphorylase kinase is a multimeric enzyme of composition (alpha, beta, gamma, delta)4 whose catalytic activity resides in the gamma-subunit. As an approach to understand further its regulation, a cDNA for the gamma-subunit of phosphorylase kinase (gamma PhK) has been cloned into a mammalian expression vector behind the mouse metallothionein-1 promoter. NIH 3T3 cells were co-transfected with this construct (pEV gamma PhK) and pSV2neo, G418-resistant clones were selected, and several were found to have stably incorporated the gamma-subunit cDNA into their genomic DNA. Phosphorylase kinase activity was clearly present in extracts from cultures of pEV gamma PhK-transformed cells and increased several-fold after 24 h of incubation with Zn2+, whereas it was undetectable in the parent 3T3 cells. A significant, but variable, proportion (15-70%) of the activity was Ca2+-dependent. We conclude that the phosphorylase kinase activity expressed by the cells transformed with pEV gamma PhK is due to free gamma-subunit and gamma-subunit associated with cellular calmodulin, which replaces the delta-subunit normally associated with the gamma-subunit in the holoenzyme.

Rat skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase: turnover and control of isozyme levels in culture

The expression of phosphorylase kinase was investigated in rat skeletal muscle cells developing in vitro. The enzyme was immunoprecipitated from cells cultured in the presence of [35S]methionine, and the 35S-labeled alpha-, alpha'-, and beta-subunits of the kinase were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Fusion of myoblasts into myotubes was associated with marked increases in the amounts of kinase activity and the three 35S-labeled subunits. In 2-wk-old myotubes, the net amount of alpha'-subunit represented less than 20% of the total alpha-subunits (alpha + alpha'); however, alpha'-subunits appeared to be synthesized at least as rapidly as alpha-subunits. That alpha'-subunits were degraded more rapidly was confirmed by pulse-chase experiments, which also indicated that alpha'-subunits were not formed by proteolytic processing of the larger alpha-subunit. Inhibition of the spontaneous contractile activity of the myotubes with lidocaine markedly increased both phosphorylase kinase activity and the amounts of the 35S-labeled subunits. The divalent cation ionophore, A23187, decreased the alpha-subunits by 60%, but did not change levels of the alpha'-subunits. Taken together, the present results indicate that rat myotubes synthesize the two isozymes of phosphorylase kinase, and that levels of both are controlled by differentiation and muscle activity.

Gene expression during the differentiation of myogenic cells of the L6 line

The problem of the mechanistic relationship among the different phenotypic expressions in an established myogenic line was approached by blocking cell fusion at different developmental stages, by addition of cytochalasin B. The addition of the drug to cultures at the time when the first two myotubes appeared on the dish, blocked fusion, but did not affect DNA synthesis, expression of myosin, phosphorylase, phosphocreatine kinase, phosphorylase kinase or glycogen synthetase, nor the organization of the elements of the hexagonal lattice. It is concluded that cell fusion is not a prerequisite for the expression of the differentiated phenotype.

Role of creatine in the regulation of cardiac protein synthesis

The observation that increased muscular activity leads to muscle hypertrophy is well known, but identification of the biochemical and physiological mechanisms by which this occurs remains an important problem. Experiments have been described (5, 6) which suggest that creatine, an end product of contraction, is involved in the control of contractile protein synthesis in differentiating skeletal muscle cells and may be the chemical signal coupling increased muscular activity and the increased muscular mass. During contraction, the creatine concentration in muscle transiently increases as creatine phosphate is hydrolyzed to regenerate ATP. In isometric contraction in skeletal muscle for example, Edwards and colleagues (3) have found that nearly all of the creatine phosphate is hydrolyzed. In this case, the creatine concentration is increased about twofold, and it is this transient change in creatine concentration which is postulated to lead to increased contractile protein synthesis. If creatine is found in several intracellular compartments, as suggested by Lee and Vissher (7), local changes in concentration may be greater then twofold. A specific effect on contractile protein synthesis seems reasonable in light of the work of Rabinowitz (13) and of Page et al. (11), among others, showing disproportionate accumulation of myofibrillar and mitochondrial proteins in response to work-induced hypertrophy and thyroxin-stimulated growth. Previous experiments (5, 6) have shown that skeletal muscles cells which have differentiated in vitro or in vivo synthesize myosin heavy-chain and actin, the major myofibrillar polypeptides, faster when supplied creatine in vitro. The stimulation is specific for contractile protein synthesis since neither the rate of myosin turnover nor the rates of synthesis of noncontractile protein and DNA are affected by creatine. The experiments reported in this communication were undertaken to test whether creatine selectively stimulates contractile protein synthesis in heart as it does in skeletal muscle.