Kilodalton Polypeptide Research Articles

Molecular Cloning of the cDNA of Heat Shock Protein 88 Gene from the Entomopathogenic Fungus, Paecilomyces tenuipes Jocheon-1

The full-length heat shock protein 88 (HSP88) complementary DNA (cDNA) of Paecilomyces tenuipes Jocheon-1 was obtained by screening the Paecilomyces tenuipes (P. tenuipes) Jocheon-1 Uni-Zap cDNA library and performing 5' RACE polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The P. tenuipes Jocheon-1 HSP88 cDNA contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 2,139-basepair encoding 713 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the P. tenuipe s Jocheon-1 HSP88 cDNA showed 77% identity to Nectria haematococca HSP88 and 45-76% identity to other fungal homologous HSP88s. Phylogenetic analysis and BLAST program analysis confirmed that the deduced amino acid sequences of the P. tenuipes Jocheon-1 HSP88 gene belonged to the ascomycetes group within the fungal clade. The P. tenuipes Jocheon-1 HSP88 also contained the conserved ATPase domain at the N-terminal region. The cDNA encoding P. tenuipes Jocheon-1 HSP88 was expressed as an 88 kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells. Under higher temperature conditions for the growth of the entomopathogenic fungus, mRNA expression of P. tenuipes Jocheon-1 HSP88 was quantified by real time PCR (qPCR). The results showed that heat shock stress induced a higher level of mRNA expression compared to normal growth conditions.

Yarrowia lipolytica SRP54 homolog and translocation of Kar2p.

To investigate the role of Srp54p in protein translocation, the Yarrowia lipolytica SRP54 homolog was cloned. Sequencing revealed an open reading frame of 536 amino acids coding for a 57.2 kilodalton polypeptide with 55 to 57% sequence identity to Srp54ps of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and mouse. Like these Srp54ps, Y. lipolytica Srp54p has an N-terminal domain with a highly conserved GTP-binding site and a methionine-rich C-terminal domain. Differing results regarding the essentiality of SRP subunits were obtained. SRP54 is important but not essential for growth, but it was reconfirmed that at least one SRP RNA gene is essential. Cells with SRP54 deleted grow about six times more slowly than wild type; faster-growing colonies, still growing much slower than wild type, appeared quite frequently. In srp54 delta cells, no untranslocated alkaline extracellular protease precursor was detected. Therefore, to develop another reporter molecule the Y. lipolytica KAR2 homolog was cloned and Kar2p antibodies were produced. For Kar2p an untranslocated precursor was detected in srp54 delta but not in wild-type cells, suggesting that its translocation was defective in the srp54 delta cells. These results confirm an in vivo rule for SRP in protein translocation in Y. lipolytica, suggest that SRP RNA or an SRP core-particle has functions not shared by Srp54p, and show that, as in S. cerevisiae and Sz. pombe, reporter molecules differ in their dependency on SRP for translocation.

The rpoD1 gene of Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 encodes the principal sigma factor of RNA polymerase.

RNA polymerase was purified from the unicellular cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942, and found to be associated with a 52 kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide. The determined N-terminal sequence of the polypeptide was identical to the predicted amino-acid sequence of the rpoD1 gene product. Furthermore, the rpoD1 gene is suggested to be indispensable for viability by the inability to disrupt the gene. These results indicate that the rpoD1 gene product is the principal sigma factor of RNA polymerase.

A 34-kilodalton polypeptide is associated with 1,3-beta-glucan synthase activity from the fungus Saprolegnia monoica.

Three major polypeptides of 34, 48 and 50 kDa which appear to copurify with 1,3-beta-glucan synthase activity were isolated by glycerol gradient centrifugation of Chaps-solubilized proteins from the fungus Saprolegnia monoica. The antiserum produced against the 34-kDa polypeptide revealed by protein immunoblotting that this polypeptide copurified with 1,3-beta-glucan synthase during enzyme purification. This antiserum adsorbs the enzymatic activity as well as the 48- and 50-kDa polypeptides. These results indicate that the 34-kDa peptide is a component of the multisubunit protein complex involved in 1,3-beta-glucan synthase activity.

A 34-kilodalton polypeptide is associated with 1,3-β-ghican synthase activity from the fungus Saprolegnia monoica

Three major polypeptides of 34, 48 and 50 kDa which appear to copurify with 1,3-β-glucan synthase activity were isolated by glycerol gradient centrifugation of Chaps-solubilized proteins from the fungus Saprolegnia monoica. The antiserum produced against the 34-kDa polypeptide revealed by protein immunoblotting that this polypeptide copurified with 1,3-β-glucan synthase during enzyme purification. This antiserum adsorbs the enzymatic activity as well as the 48- and 50-kDa polypeptides. These results indicate that the 34-kDa peptide is a component of the multisubunit protein complex involved in 1,3-β-glucan synthase activity.

A Ca 2+/cam protein kinase associated with Ca 2+ transport in sarco(endo)plasmic vesicles from tracheal smooth muscle

In this work, we show evidence to support the existence of a Ca 2+ calmodulin (CAM) dependent protein kinase and a substrate, a 17 kilodaltons (KDA) polypeptide being both associated to sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum vesicles from tracheal smooth muscle. Anti-CAM drugs such as compound 48 80 inhibited this protein kinase activity and this inhibition was reversed in the presence of Ca 2+CAM. Moreover, as a result of this phosphorylation, there is a significant increase in the ATP dependent Ca 2+ transport in these sarco (endo)plasmic vesicles.

Functional, Organizational, and Biochemical Analysis of Actin in Hyphal Tip Cells of Allomyces macrogynus

The actin cytoskeleton in hyphal tip cells of Allomyces macrogynus was detected using an actin monoclonal antibody and analyzed with microscopic and protein electrophoresis techniques. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that actin was concentrated in small plaques located in the peripheral cytoplasm within the first 10 to 12 μm of the hyphal tip. In a small number of hyphae, actin was detected in regions of the Spitzenkörper and nuclei. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry suggested that the fibrillar coating of filasomes represented the ultrastructural equivalent of actin plaques. The role of actin during hyphal growth was addressed by treating cells with micromolar concentrations of cytochalasin A, D, or E. For microscopic and biochemical analysis, cytochalasins were used at concentrations which produced approximately 50% inhibition of hyphal growth. Cytochalasin-treated hyphae exhibited a cessation of polarized growth followed by a swelling of the hyphal apex. The Spitzenkörper persisted for up to 30 min in most hyphae. Removal of cytochalasin resulted in reorganization of the Spitzenkörper and resumption of apical growth. Transmission electron microscopy of cytochalasin-treated hyphae confirmed the presence of a Spitzenkörper. Peripheral electron-dense fibrillar patches were common in the apical cytoplasm. Though reminiscent of filasomes, fibrillar patches were not observed in association with microvesicles in cytochalasin-treated hyphae. Immunoblot analysis of total protein extracts from control and cytochalasin-treated hyphae showed that the actin antibody bound predominantly to a single 45 kilodalton polypeptide band.

The tubulin cytoskeleton and its sites of nucleation in hyphal tips ofAllomyces macrogynus

The tubulin cytoskeleton in hyphal tip cells ofAllomyces macrogynus was detected with an α-tubulin monoclonal antibody and analyzed with microscopic and immunoblot techniques. The α-tubulin antibody identified a 52 kilodalton polypeptide band on immunoblots. Immunfluorescence data were collected from formaldehyde-and cryofixed hyphae. Both methods provided similar images of tubulin localization. However, cryofixation yielded more consistent labeling and did not require detergent extraction or cell-wall lytic treatments. Tubulin was primarily localized as microtubules observed in the peripheral and central cytoplasmic regions and in mitotic spindles. Cytoplasmic microtubules were oriented parallel to the cells' longitudinal axis, with central microtubules more often varied in their alignment, and emanated from a region in the hyphal apex resulting in an apical zone of bright fluorescence. A thin layer of microtubules appearing as bands of fluorescence encircled many nuclei. Discrete spots of fluorescence were also associated with nuclei. The MPM-2 antibody, which recognizes phosphorylated epitopes of several proteins that may be involved in the regulation of microtubule nucleation, stained centrosomes but not apical regions of hyphae. Nocodazole was used to depolymerize the microtubule network and reveal its regions of origin. A hocodazole concentration of 0.01 μg/ ml (3.3× 10−8M) provided a 70 to 75% inhibition of hyphal tip growth and was used throughout this study. The number of cells having an apical zone of fluorescence declined by 15 min of exposure. This zone was present in only a few cells after 60 min. After 30 min, the central cytoplasm consisted of small microtubule fragments and nuclear-associated spots. A small number of peripheral microtubules and nuclear-associated spots persisted throughout nocodazole treatments. Spindle microtubules were restored by 30 min after removal of nocodazole. This was followed by the reappearance of the apical zone of fluorescence and then by central and peripheral cytoplasmic microtubules. Apical fluorescence coincided with the presence of a Spitzenkorper. The results suggest that the Spitzenkorper and centrosome function as centers of microtubule nucleation and organization during hyphal tip growth in this fungus.

Investigation of possible autocrine functions for rat GRO/CINC (cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant).

Rat cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) is an eight kilodalton polypeptide originally purified from media conditioned by interleukin-1 beta stimulated 52E, an epithelioid clone derived from normal rat kidney (NRK) cells. Using a fibroblastic clone of the NRK cells, 49F, we found expression of the CINC gene to be induced by either serum or cytokines in growth-arrested cultures within 1 hour of stimulation. There was no observable CINC expression in exponentially growing cells in the absence of cytokine stimulation. CINC protein had no significant effect on 3H-thymidine incorporation or growth rate of NRK49F. We have observed that CINC is constitutively produced by some transformed NRK cells, clone RC20, suggesting an association with the expression of a transformed phenotype. Unlike the parent 49F, RC20 cells are capable of growth in soft agar and serum-free media and form highly metastatic tumors in nude mice. We have examined the possible autocrine functions of CINC and its possible links to the expression of the transformed phenotype by these cells. The use of a blocking CINC polyclonal antibody demonstrated that CINC did not function as an autocrine growth factor for RC20. Though CINC is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, it did not induce migration of either RC20 or 49F cells. CINC only moderately promoted adhesion of RC20 cells when used as a matrix protein. These data do not support the hypothesis that production of CINC by the RC20 cells provides an obvious advantage for the transformed cells constitutively producing it.

Cloning and DNA sequence of a 29 kilodalton polypeptide gene of Mycoplasma gallisepticum as a possible protective antigen

A λgt11 clone, designated M1 and having a 0.8 kilobase (kb) insert, was selected by screening a Mycoplasma gallisepticum (M.g.) genomic DNA library with antisera against M.g. cells and their membrane proteins. The sequence of a 1.7 kb EcoR1 fragment of genomic DNA covering the entire M1 insert revealed a long open reading frame, TM-1, that encoded a polypeptide with a deduced molecular weight of 29 kDa. An antiserum raised in chicken against the TM-1 polypeptide, which was produced by recombinant Escherichia coli cells and purified by column chromatography, inhibited growth of M.g. cells in vitro. Moreover, chickens immunized with this polypeptide were partially protected from a challenge with virulent M.g. This polypeptide may serve as the basis for a vaccine against M.g. infection.

馬伝染性貧血ウイルス抗体検出用ELISAの開発

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using purified equine infectious anemia (EIA) virus antigen was developed for the detection of antibodies to EIA virus. The purified antigen was analyzed by SDSpolyacrylamid gel electrophoresis, and 26 kilodalton polypeptide (26 K) was predominantly detected. In order to define the minimal absorbance reading (MAR) for a positive reaction, sera collected from 5 horses experimentally infected with EIA virus were examined by western blotting (WB) for the appearance of specific EIA antibody. Positive reaction against the 26 K was first observed at 18 days post-infection in 2 horses. Since these two sera showed an absorbance reading of approximately 0.5 by the ELISA, the MAR was established as 0.5. A serum which had been adjusted to give an absorbance reading of approximately 0.5 was applied as a reference, and test-samples showing an absorbance reading greater than that of the reference serum were judged to be positive. The detection of antibodies by the ELISA was compared with that by the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. The rate of coincidence between the tests was 90% in sera from horses with experimentally induced EIA and 99.6% in sera from horses in the field. Sera not in agreement were confirmed by WB, and the ELISA was evaluated to be more sensitive than the AGID test. Only 0.4% of the sera tested gave false-positive results by the ELISA. The present results indicate that the ELISA is a useful test for detecting antibodies to EIA virus.

Insulin modulation of human apolipoprotein B mRNA translation: studies in an in vitro cell-free system from HepG2 cells.

Insulin modulation of apolipoprotein B gene expression was studied at the translational level by the use of a cell-free translation system from a hepatoma cell-line, HepG2. Extracts of HepG2 cells lysed with lysolecithin were found to have high in vitro protein synthesizing activity utilizing endogenous mRNA. The level of peptide chain initiation was high, as suggested by a significant inhibition of translation by edeine. The translation products of endogenous mRNA in HepG2 cell-free lysate were probed with anti-apolipoprotein B antibodies to investigate its synthesis. A 550 kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide was selected by a polyclonal antibody, as well as a monoclonal antibody, against the C-terminal end of apolipoprotein B molecule. This in vitro synthesized polypeptide was also found to compare well in size with the in vivo product. The HepG2 lysate was also shown to efficiently synthesize in vitro a number of other proteins including albumin, apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein A1, and actin. The in vitro synthesis of polypeptides as large as 500 kDa was unexpected and has not previously been demonstrated in a cell-free system. The HepG2 translation system was used to investigate the effect of insulin on the in vitro translation of apolipoprotein B. Lysates prepared from HepG2 cells treated with insulin were found to have lower translational activity (by an average of 52.3%) for apolipoprotein B compared with lysates from control untreated cells. In vitro synthesis of actin and apolipoprotein E were unaffected under these conditions. The insulin-stimulated decline in in vitro apolipoprotein B synthesis was not due to a change in apolipoprotein B mRNA levels as determined by slot- and Northern-blot analyses, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of insulin may be exerted partly at the level of apolipoprotein B mRNA translation.

Subunit Composition and Organization of the Vacuolar H+-ATPase from Oat Roots

The vacuolar H(+)-translocating ATPase (H(+)-ATPase), originally reported to consist of three major subunits, has been further purified from oat roots (Avena sativa var Lang) to determine the complete subunit composition. Triton-solubilized ATPase activity was purified by gel filtration on Sephacryl S400 and ion-exchange chromatography (Q-Sepharose). ATP hydrolysis activity of purified preparations was inhibited by 100 nanomolar bafilomycin A(1), a specific vacuolar-type ATPase inhibitor. The purified oat H(+)-ATPase (relative molecular weight = 650,000) was composed of polypeptides of 70, 60, 44, 42, 36, 32, 29, 16, 13, and 12 kilodaltons. To analyze the organization of the H(+)-ATPase subunits, native vacuolar membranes were treated with KI and MgATP to dissociate peripheral proteins. Release of 70, 60, 44, 42, 36, and 29 kilodalton polypeptides from the membrane was accompanied by a loss of ATP hydrolysis and ATP-dependent H(+)-pumping activities. Five of the peripheral subunits were released from the membrane as a large complex of 540 kilodaltons. Vesicles that had lost the peripheral sector of the ATPase could hold a pH gradient generated by the proton-translocating pyrophosphatase, suggesting that the integral sector of the ATPase did not form a H(+)-conducting pathway. Negative staining of native vesicles revealed knob-like structures of 10 to 12 nanometers in dense patches on the surface of vacuolar membranes. These structures were removed by MgATP and KI, which suggested that they were the peripheral sectors of the H(+)-ATPase. These results demonstrate that the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase from oat roots has 10 different subunits. The oat vacuolar ATPase is organized as a large peripheral sector and an integral sector with a subunit composition similar, although not identical to, other eukaryotic vacuolar ATPases. Variations in subunit composition observed among several ATPases support the idea that distinct types of vacuolar H(+)-ATPases exist in plants.

Identification and Kinetics of Accumulation of Proteins Induced by Ethylene in Bean Abscission Zones

A two-dimensional gel electrophoresis system that combines a cationic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH near neutrality with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the spectrum of basic polypeptides that accumulate in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) abscission zones after treatment with ethylene. Results showed that, as abscission progressed, at least seven basic proteins accumulated in the abscission zone prior to the accumulation of 9.5 cellulase. Six of the seven proteins correspond to pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. Among them, two isoforms of beta-1,3-glucanase and multiple isoforms of chitinase were identified. A 22 kilodalton polypeptide that accumulated to high levels was identified as a thaumatin-like protein by analysis of its N-terminal sequence (up to 20 amino acids) and its serological relationship with heterologous thaumatin antibodies. A 15 kilodalton polypeptide serologically related to PR P1 (p14) from tomato was identified as bean PR P1 (p14)-like protein. The kinetics of accumulation of glucanases, chitinases, thaumatin-like and PR P1 (p14)-like proteins during ethylene treatment were similar and they showed that PR proteins accumulated in abscission zones prior to the increase in 9.5 cellulase. Addition of indoleacetic acid, a potent inhibitor of abscission, reduced the accumulation of these proteins to a similar extent (60%). The synchronized accumulation of this set of PR proteins, early in the abscission process, may play a role in induced resistance to possible fungal attack after a plant part is shed. The seventh protein does not correspond to any previously characterized PR protein. This new 45 kilodalton polypeptide accumulated in abscission zones on exposure to ethylene concomitantly with the increase in 9.5 cellulase. Its N-terminal sequence (up to 15 amino acids) showed some homology with the amino terminal sequence of chitinase. Polyclonal antibodies against chitinase recognized the 45 kilodalton polypeptide, but polyclonal antibodies against the 45 kilodalton protein recognized chitinase weakly. When abscission was inhibited by addition of indoleacetic acid, the accumulation of the 45 kilodalton protein was strongly inhibited (80%). This result suggests that the 45 kilodalton polypeptide may play a more direct role in abscission.

Novel Light-Regulated Chloroplast Thylakoid Membrane Protein

A 64 kilodalton chloroplast membrane polypeptide was dependent on growth irradiance with 10-fold greater quantities of the protein present in barley (Hordeum vulgare) grown under 500 micromoles of photons per square meter per second compared with growth at 50 micromoles per square meter per second. The concentration of the protein was sensitive to changes in irradiance, with a slow time course for the response (days) similar to other reported light acclimation processes. The polypeptide also was observed in maize (Zea mays), oats (Avena sativa), and wheat (Triticum aestivum), but not in soybean (Glycine max Merr). The 64 kilodalton polypeptide did not correspond to any thylakoid membrane protein with an assigned function, so its structural or regulatory role is not known.

Selective Inhibition of Active Uptake of Sucrose into Plasma Membrane Vesicles by Polyclonal Sera Directed against a 42 Kilodalton Plasma Membrane Polypeptide

Several polyclonal sera were raised in rabbits and in mice against putative sucrose carrier proteins, i.e. a 42 kilodalton (O Gallet, R Lemoine, C Larsson, S Delrot [1989] Biochim Biophys Acta 978: 56-64) and a 62 kD (KG Ripp, PV Viitanen, WD Hitz, VR Fransceschi [1988] Plant Physiol 88: 1435-1445) polypeptide of the plasma membrane. The effects of these sera on the active uptake of sucrose and of valine into purified plasma membrane vesicles from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaves and roots were studied. At a dilution of 1/50, the anti-42 kilodalton sera consistently inhibited sucrose uptake in plasma membranes from leaves or from roots. They had no effect on valine uptake. Under the same experimental conditions, the anti-62 kilodalton sera had no effect on active uptake of sucrose. The data further support the view that a 42 kilodalton polypeptide is a component of the transport system mediating sucrose uptake across the plasma membrane of plant cells.

Variation of the Polypeptide Composition of Mitochondria Isolated from Different Potato Tissues

The protein contents of mitochondria from different potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tissues (tubers, dark-grown shoots, and green leaves) grown in a greenhouse or in vitro were compared by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two different methods were used: using the method that gave the highest resolution, an average number of 360 polypeptides was revealed on the mitochondrial patterns after silver staining. The mitochondrial protein patterns of etiolated tissues (tubers, dark-grown shoots) are roughly similar but distinct from those of green leaves. The four subunits of the glycine decarboxylase complex (involved in photorespiration) and a few other polypeptides are very abundant in green tissues, compared with nonphotosynthetic tissues. Conversely, some other polypeptides that are abundant in tubers and dark-grown shoots are hardly detectable in green leaf mitochondria. A rabbit antiserum was raised against a 40 kilodalton polypeptide that is among the most characteristic of these nonphotosynthetic tissue-specific polypeptides, and the N-terminal sequence of this polypeptide was determined. No effect of in vitro culture was observed on the protein composition of mitochondria isolated from differentiated tissues. However, the protein patterns of callus and cell suspension mitochondria are distinct from those of any differentiated tissues, although their basic pattern is clearly mitochondrial.

Protein Compositions of Mesophyll and Paraveinal Mesophyll of Soybean Leaves at Various Developmental Stages

Mesophyll and paraveinal mesophyll protoplasts (PVMP) were isolated from leaves of soybean (Glycine max) at various stages of physiological development, and protein compositions of the two protoplast types were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Polypeptides of 27, 29 (previously shown to be storage proteins), and 94 kilodaltons were found to be PVMP-specific proteins and were present in both nodulated and nonnodulated plants. The 27 and 94 kilodalton polypeptides were major PVMP constituents. All three polypeptides accumulate as early as one-quarter leaf expansion. Immunoblotting and immunocytochemical studies using antibodies against the 27/29 kilodalton proteins confirmed that they are specific to the paraveinal mesophyll (PVM) and that they are localized in the PVM vacuole. The 27 kilodalton polypeptide increased significantly by two weeks depodding, and this accumulation was restricted to the PVM vacuole. Radiolabeling experiments showed that the difference in relative amounts of the 27 and 29 kilodalton polypeptides was due to a greater rate of synthesis of the 27 kilodalton polypeptide. The 94 kilodalton polypeptide accumulated to a maximum at anthesis, but was absent at 2 weeks postanthesis in both depodded and podded nodulated plants, probably because they were nitrogen limited. In nonnodulated plants, it was present through 2 weeks postanthesis. The results confirm that the 27 and 29 kilodalton proteins of soybean leaf are stored in the PVM vacuole and show that they are accumulated early during leaf development while they are still strong sinks for nitrogen. The 94 kilodalton protein, previously found to accumulate in leaves after depodding, is also a PVM protein and is likely a third vegetative storage protein, although its accumulation appears to be more dependent on excess nitrogen availability. The results further support the hypothesis that the PVM is a specialized leaf tissue that functions in synthesis and compartmentation of storage proteins.

Association of Phosphoenolpyruvate Phosphatase Activity with the Cytosolic Pyruvate Kinase of Germinating Mung Beans

The procedure of Malhotra and Kayastha ([1990] Plant Physiology 93: 194-200) for the purification to homogeneity of a phosphoenolpyruvate-specific alkaline phosphatase (PEP phosphatase) from germinating mung beans (Vigna radiata) was followed. Although a higher specific activity of 1.4 micromoles pyruvate produced per minute per milligram protein was obtained, the final preparation was less than 10% pure as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Attempts to further purify the enzyme resulted in loss of activity. The partially purified enzyme contained significant pyruvate kinase activity (0.13 micromole pyruvate produced per minute per milligram protein) when assayed at pH 7.2, but not at pH 8.5. The PEP phosphatase activity of the final preparation exhibited hysteresis; a lag time of 5 to 6 minutes was required before a steady-state reaction rate was attained. A western blot of the final preparation revealed an immunoreactive 57 kilodalton polypeptide when probed with monospecific rabbit polyclonal antibodies prepared against germinating castor bean cytosolic pyruvate kinase. No antigenic cross-reaction of the final preparation was observed with antibodies against castor bean leucoplast pyruvate kinase, or black mustard PEP-specific acid phosphatase. Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the final preparation resulted in a single PEP phosphatase activity band; when this band was excised and subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting, a 57 kilodalton silver-staining polypeptide was obtained that strongly cross-reacted with the anti-(cytosolic pyruvate kinase) immunoglobulin G. It is suggested that mung bean PEP-specific alkaline phosphatase activity is due to cytosolic pyruvate kinase, in which pyruvate and ortho-phosphate are formed in the absence of ADP.

Molecular Cloning and Expression of Rat Placental Lactogen-Iv, A Variant of rPL-I Present in Late Pregnant Rat Placenta*

Late pregnant rat placenta was found to contain a messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes an additional member of the prolactin-growth hormone family. This polypeptide was detected by hybridization of complementary DNA (cDNA) for rPL-I to a 1 kilobase mRNA transcript in late pregnant rat placenta. A cDNA clone for the new polypeptide was isolated from a phage lambda-gt10 library containing cDNA synthesized from day 18 rat placental mRNA. Sequencing of the day 18 cDNA clone revealed that it was most closely related structurally to rPL-I and at the amino acid terminal was identical to the rPL-I variant (rPL-Iv). The sequence of rPL-Iv (223 amino acids) is 85% homologous to rPL-I (230 amino acid). There are 71 base pair changes (85% nucleotide homology) between rPL-Iv and rPL-I which are not confined to any specific region of the molecule and which result in 36 amino acid changes. In vitro translation of rPL-Iv mRNA produced by transcription of the cDNA template yielded a 26 kilodalton polypeptide, the size of the expected precursor protein. In situ hybridization studies indicated that mRNA for rPL-Iv was present primarily in cytotrophoblasts of the basal zone as early as day 15 of gestation with some hybridization in a few giant cells as well.