Action Of Degrading Enzymes Research Articles

Glycosylation inhibition reduces cholesterol accumulation in NPC1 protein-deficient cells

Lysosomes are lined with a glycocalyx that protects the limiting membrane from the action of degradative enzymes. We tested the hypothesis that Niemann-Pick type C 1 (NPC1) protein aids the transfer of low density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol across this glycocalyx. A prediction of this model is that cells will be less dependent upon NPC1 if their glycocalyx is decreased in density. Lysosome cholesterol content was significantly lower after treatment of NPC1-deficient human fibroblasts with benzyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside, an inhibitor of O-linked glycosylation. Direct biochemical measurement of cholesterol showed that lysosomes purified from NPC1-deficient fibroblasts contained at least 30% less cholesterol when O-linked glycosylation was blocked. As an independent means to modify protein glycosylation, we used Chinese hamster ovary ldl-D cells defective in UDP-Gal/UDP-GalNAc 4-epimerase in which N- and O-linked glycosylation can be controlled. CRISPR generated, NPC1-deficient ldl-D cells supplemented with galactose accumulated more cholesterol than those in which sugar addition was blocked. In the absence of galactose supplementation, NPC1-deficient ldl-D cells also transported more cholesterol from lysosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum, as monitored by an increase in cholesteryl [(14)C]-oleate levels. These experiments support a model in which NPC1 protein functions to transfer cholesterol past a lysosomal glycocalyx.

Enzymatic Pathways That Regulate Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Nervous System

Enzymatic Pathways That Regulate Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Nervous System

Mucin and proteoglycan functions in embryo implantation.

Embryo implantation is a complex series of events that involves changes in pattern of expression of embryonic as well as uterine cell surface components. In the case of the embryo, these changes are driven by the developmental program. In the case of the uterus, these changes are triggered by both maternal hormonal influences as well as embryo-derived factors. Aspects of the implantation process vary among species; however, interaction between the external surface of the embryonic trophectoderm and the apical surface of the lumenal uterine epithelium is a common event. Progress is being made in defining the molecular players in these cell surface interactions. Large-molecular-weight mucin glycoproteins such as MUC1 are present at the apical surface of the uterine epithelium under most conditions. Under most circumstances, these mucins appear to protect the mucosal surface from infection and the action of degradative enzymes. These mucins are antiadhesive and also appear to represent a barrier to embryo attachment. Consistent with this model, reduction of mucin expression is observed in uterine lumenal epithelia in many species. Nonetheless, mucin expression persists in the human uterus during the proposed receptive phase. It is possible that mucin loss is localized to implantation sites in humans. Alternatively, mucins may function differently within the context of human implantation than in other species. Studies primarily performed in mice indicate that heparan sulfate proteoglycans, in particular, perlecan, appears on the exterior trophectodermal surface coincident with the acquisition of attachment competence. Various in vitro studies indicate that heparan sulfate proteoglycans support embryo attachment activity that may represent an early event in embryo-uterine interaction. Uterine epithelia cells express several complementary heparan sulfate-binding proteins that may participate in these attachment processes. Use of molecular genetic approaches in mouse models, as well as careful studies of the expression and function of these molecules in the context of implantation in various species are beginning to shed light on the key molecular events of implantation.

Mucin and proteoglycan functions in embryo implantation

Embryo implantation is a complex series of events that involves changes in pattern of expression of embryonic as well as uterine cell surface components. In the case of the embryo, these changes are driven by the developmental program. In the case of the uterus, these changes are triggered by both maternal hormonal influences as well as embryo-derived factors. Aspects of the implantation process vary among species; however, interaction between the external surface of the embryonic trophectoderm and the apical surface of the lumenal uterine epithelium is a common event. Progress is being made in defining the molecular players in these cell surface interactions. Large-molecular-weight mucin glycoproteins such as MUC1 are present at the apical surface of the uterine epithelium under most conditions. Under most circumstances, these mucins appear to protect the mucosal surface from infection and the action of degradative enzymes. These mucins are antiadhesive and also appear to represent a barrier to embryo attachment. Consistent with this model, reduction of mucin expression is observed in uterine lumenal epithelia in many species. Nonetheless, mucin expression persists in the human uterus during the proposed receptive phase. It is possible that mucin loss is localized to implantation sites in humans. Alternatively, mucins may function differently within the context of human implantation than in other species. Studies primarily performed in mice indicate that heparan sulfate proteoglycans, in particular, perlecan, appears on the exterior trophectodermal surface coincident with the acquisition of attachment competence. Various in vitro studies indicate that heparan sulfate proteoglycans support embryo attachment activity that may represent an early event in embryo–uterine interaction. Uterine epithelia cells express several complementary heparan sulfate-binding proteins that may participate in these attachment processes. Use of molecular genetic approaches in mouse models, as well as careful studies of the expression and function of these molecules in the context of implantation in various species are beginning to shed light on the key molecular events of implantation. BioEssays 20:577–583, 1998. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Identification of basal lamina acidic glycoconjugates, particularly heparan sulphate proteoglycans, using a poly-l-lysine-gold probe in induced oral carcinomas

Acidic glycoconjugates represent the major non-fibrous macromolecular components that form the extracellular and cell-associated matrices of all animal tissues. The constituent molecules are principally structural glycoproteins and proteoglycans. While their protein component is determined by gene pools, it is the polyanionic (acidic) nature of the polysaccharides, determined by their degrees of carboxylation and sulphation, which confers both functional and diagnostic status on these molecules. Sulphated glycoconjugates in the basal laminae have been reported to play a role in tumour invasion and metastasis. In this study, we used cationic colloidal gold together with transmission electron microscopic methods to compare the expression of acidic glyconconjugates in the basal lamina of both normal rat tongue mucosa and experimentally induced oral carcinomas. Results indicated that heparan sulphate rich glycoconjugates were predominant and were mostly confined to the lamina lucida of the basal lamina in normal oral mucosa. Conversely, observation of basal laminae associated with induced carcinomas showed less intense and more widely dispersed gold labelling for heparan sulphate. The observed differences in gold labelling may reflect modified metabolism of sulphated glycoconjugates or result from the action of degradative enzymes in the induced tumours.

Quantitative tissue isolation from Drosophila freeze-dried in acetone.

Freeze-drying procedures were developed to enable collection of tissues from Drosophila flies. The flies were frozen in acetone at -86 or -94 degrees C, and dehydrated therein. After drying, many tissues could be easily taken in entirety and free of neighbouring tissues without action of degradative enzymes. Seven polypeptide species specific to retina, and nine specific to cornea, were identified on two-dimensional electrophoretograms. Phospholipids of the dried tissues could be studied by t.l.c., and phosphatidic acid of the fly head was found to occur predominantly in the retina. Activity of three enzymes in the dried tissues could be assayed. The results of protein, phospholipid and enzyme analyses were corroborated by analyses by 'genetic dissection' using an eyeless mutant line.

Purification and characterization of the carrier protein for juvenile hormone from the hemolymph of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta Johannson (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

The larval hemolymph of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, contains a carrier protein that binds specifically and with high affinity the juvenile hormone, an important regulator of insect development. This protein serves to transport the hormone and to protect it from the action of degradative enzymes during early larval stages. Using hemolymph from the last larval stage, we have isolated a pure carrier protein using acetone precipitation, gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and preparative isoelectric focusing. Gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, and equilibrium ultracentrifugation established that the carrier protein is a single chain polypeptide of approximately 28,000 daltons. The amino acid composition is unexceptional, and no evidence for hexosamine has been obtained. An ion exchange filter disc assay method was used to determine the formation of the complex between the carrier protein and isotopically labeled juvenile hormone. With this technique it was shown that each carrier protein binds one hormone molecule with a dissociation constant of 4.4 +/- 0.2 X 10(-7) M at 0 degrees.

Studies on Germination of Barley Seeds (Part 3)

Starch granules were isolated from the endosperm of barley at stages of germination and the apparent changes of granules resulting by the action of degradative enzymes were followed by the use of a scanning electron microscope. Also, the starch granules from ungerminated barley were subjected to the action of the crude enzyme extract from germinated barley, and the changes occurring in vivo and in vitro were compared. After about 2 days of germination, in parallel with the development of a-amylase activity in the endosperm, there appeared circular pits randomly distributed over the surface of large granules with the exception of the equatorial region of the granules where pits appeared preferentially. After about 3 or 4 days of germination, small starch granules disappeared, no pits were apparent on the surface of small granules during this stage. With the progress of germination, the erosion progressed through the layers towards the interior, and at the same time, the erosion progressed laterally, making apparent the layer structure of the inner architectures of the granule . The inner part of the granule was digested preferentially, while the outer layers resisted to the enzymic attack. These observations were discussed with special reference to the structure of starch granules .

Uptake of isolated chromosomes by mammalian cells and protective effect of protamine sulfate

Metaphase chromosomes isolated from mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells were either exposed to DNase in vitro or phagocytized by Chinese hamster Don cells. The in vitro digestion of the chromosomes by DNase was completed within 5 min of incubation at 37 °C. However, the presence of protamine sulfate in an incubation mixture prevented partially the disintegration of chromosomes. This protective effect was found to depend upon protamine concentration. The frequency of cells taking up the isolated chromosomes reached a peak 4 h after they were added to the culture. The majority of phagocytized chromosomes apperared to be digested in a relatively short time and to be reutilized by the recipient cells. Protamine sulfate protected the incorporated chromosomes remarkably well against the action of degradative enzymes in the recipient cells.

Action of degradative enzymes on the light fraction of bovine septa protein polysaccharide.

1. Fragments from enzymic degradation of protein-polysaccharide light fraction (PPL) have been analysed. 2. The time-course of action of some proteolytic enzymes and of hyaluronidase on PPL has been followed by viscometric techniques. 3. It is suggested that papain acts to produce single polysaccharide chains, whereas other proteolytic enzymes tried give evidence of twin-chain residues. 4. The molecular weight of the fragments derived from complete enzyme action on PPL supports this postulate. 5. A structure of the PPL complex is suggested.