Partial NH2-terminal Amino Acid Sequence Research Articles

Cloning, purification, and identification of the liver canalicular ecto-ATPase as NTPDase8

Extracellular nucleotides regulate critical liver functions via the activation of specific transmembrane receptors. The hepatic levels of extracellular nucleotides, and therefore the related downstream signaling cascades, are modulated by cell-surface enzymes called ectonucleotidases, including nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (NTPDase1/CD39), NTPDase2/CD39L1, and ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73. The goal of this study was to determine the molecular identity of the canalicular ecto-ATPase/ATPDase that we hypothesized to correspond to the recently cloned NTPDase8. Human and rat NTPDase8 cDNAs were cloned, and the genes were located on chromosome loci 9q34 and 3p13, respectively. The recombinant proteins, expressed in COS-7 and HEK293T cells, were biochemically characterized. NTPDase8 was also purified from rat liver by Triton X-100 solubilization, followed by DEAE, Affigel Blue, and concanavalin A chromatographies. Importantly, NTPDase8 was responsible for the major ectonucleotidase activity in liver. The ion requirement, apparent K(m) values, nucleotide hydrolysis profile, and preference as well as the resistance to azide were similar for recombinant NTPDase8s and both purified rat NTPDase8 and porcine canalicular ecto-ATPase/ATPDase. The partial NH(2)-terminal amino acid sequences of all NTPDase8s share high identity with the purified liver canalicular ecto-ATPase/ATPDase. Histochemical analysis showed high ectonucleotidase activities in bile canaliculi and large blood vessels of rat liver, in agreement with the immunolocalization of NTPDase1, 2, and 8 with antibodies developed for this study. No NTPDase3 expression could be detected in liver. In conclusion, NTPDase8 is the canalicular ecto-ATPase/ATPDase and is responsible for the main hepatic NTPDase activity. The canalicular localization of this enzyme suggests its involvement in the regulation of bile secretion and/or nucleoside salvage.

The Ubiquinone-binding Site in NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase from Escherichia coli

An azido-ubiquinone derivative, 3-azido-2-methyl-5-methoxy[3H]-6-decyl-1,4-benzoquinone ([3H]azido-Q), was used to study the ubiquinone/protein interaction and to identify the ubiquinone-binding site in Escherichia coli NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I). The purified complex I showed no loss of activity after incubation with a 20-fold molar excess of [3H]azido-Q in the dark. Illumination of the incubated sample with long wavelength UV light for 10 min at 0 degrees C caused a 40% decrease of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity. SDS-PAGE of the complex labeled with [3H]azido-Q followed by analysis of the radioactivity distribution among the subunits revealed that subunit NuoM was heavily labeled, suggesting that this protein houses the Q-binding site. When the [3H]azido-Q-labeled NuoM was purified from the labeled reductase by means of preparative SDS-PAGE, a 3-azido-2-methyl-5-methoxy-6-decyl-1,4-benzoquinone-linked peptide, with a retention time of 41.4 min, was obtained by high performance liquid chromatography of the protease K digest of the labeled subunit. This peptide had a partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of NH2-VMLIAILALV-, which corresponds to amino acid residues 184-193 of NuoM. The secondary structure prediction of NuoM using the Toppred hydropathy analysis showed that the Q-binding peptide overlaps with a proposed Q-binding motif located in the middle of the transmembrane helix 5 toward the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Using the PHDhtm hydropathy plot, the labeled peptide is located in the transmembrane helix 4 toward the periplasmic side of the membrane.

Identification and purification of proteins from germ cell-conditioned medium (GCCM).

Germ cells are known to regulate Sertoli cell and testicular function possibly through released factor(s) or via cell-cell contact. However, the identities of many of these putative biological factors are not known. The aim of this study is to present a strategy to identify and purify germ cell-derived proteins found in germ cell-conditioned medium (GCCM) at a quantity sufficient to permit protein microsequencing. The purification scheme of a novel germ cell-derived protein from GCCM designated GC-26 is presented along with several germ cell proteins using a combination of high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns. The purity of GC-26 and other germ cell proteins were confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and silver staining. The identities of GC-26, a 26-kDa polypeptide, and other proteins were determined by direct protein microsequencing. These partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequences were compared with the existing databases at Protein Identification Resource (PIR), GenBank, and BLAST. These analyses revealed that these proteins are unique. This strategy should be useful for the micropurification of proteins from other biological samples and/or fluids.

Purification and partial sequencing of the major mitogen for human uterine smooth muscle-like cells in leiomyoma extracts.

We purified the major mitogen for human smooth muscle-like cells in leiomyoma extracts by sequential liquid chromatography on (a) carboxymethyl-Sepharose, (b) heparin-Sepharose columns, (c) cartridges of C18 silica, and (d) linear gradient reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The mitogenic activity of the leiomyoma extract throughout purification was tested by tritiated thymidine incorporation and DNA content in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and KW human smooth muscle-like cells. Purification of the leiomyoma-derived growth factor (LDGF) for KW smooth muscle-like cells confirmed that its partial NH2-terminal amino acid (aa) sequence (1-20 aa) was identical to 113-132 aa of the human cysteine-rich protein (hCRP). A synthetic peptide which was engineered based on the purified aa sequence, stimulated the proliferation and growth of KW cells. An oligonucleotide probe constructed by the cDNA of the hcrp gene that encodes this aa sequence depicted the expression of 1.9-kb LDGF mRNA in leiomyomas and myometrium. The expression of the LDGF mRNA was three to sixfold higher in leiomyomas compared with adjacent myometrium of women harboring leiomyomas by in situ hybridization analysis. These data suggest that LDGF may participate in the pathophysiology of uterine leiomyomas.

Purification of a candidate gonadotropin surge inhibiting factor from porcine follicular fluid.

Several lines of evidence suggest that the ovaries of many species produce a nonsteroidal substance, termed gonadotropin surge inhibiting factor (GnSIF), which inhibits the midcycle gonadotropin surge and attenuates the pituitary response to endogenous or exogenous GnRH. We have previously reported the partial purification of GnSIF from porcine follicular fluid (pFF) and its differentiation from inhibin. We present now the purification of GnSIF to homogeneity and determination of the partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. The bioassay for GnSIF used rat pituitary cells in short-term culture that were incubated with test fractions for 48 h, washed, and then incubated with 10 nM GnRH plus test fractions for 4 h. GnSIF activity is defined as the suppression of GnRH-stimulated LH secretion. GnSIF was purified from 500 ml of pFF using sequential heparin-Sepharose, anion-exchange, and cation-exchange liquid chromatography followed by gel permeation, hydrophobic interaction, and mono-Q HPLC steps. Using these six purification steps, we have obtained an apparently homogenous preparation that stains as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. GnSIF has an apparent mol wt of 69K. Limited NH2-terminal sequence analysis reveals that GnSIF has no sequence homology with other reproductive hormones including the inhibins, activins, and follistatins. Over the dose range tested, GnSIF had no effect on basal LH or FSH secretion by pituitary cells in culture and only slightly inhibited GnRH-stimulated FSH secretion at the highest dose tested. In addition, there was no inhibin or follistatin immunoactivity in the GnSIF preparation. As such, GnSIF appears to be a novel protein in pFF that inhibits GnRH-stimulated LH secretion, and which may participate along with other ovarian proteins and steroids in the regulation of pituitary gonadotropin secretion.

The Isolation and Comparison of Multiple Forms of CYP2B from Untreated and Phenobarbital-Treated Rabbit Liver Microsomes

At low levels of phenobarbital induction two forms of isoenzyme 2 (LM2; CYP2B4) were obtained during purification of cytochrome P450 from rabbit liver microsomes. At high levels of induction only one form (LM2A) was present. Although the two purified forms (LM2A and LM2B) were very similar they differed in: (a) peak elution on CM-Sepharose, (b) wavelength maximum of the reduced P450-CO spectrum, and (c) metabolism of several substrates, where the activities of LM2B ranged from 0.6 to 2.65 times that of LM2A. A third LM2 fraction (2C) was isolated from untreated rabbit liver and, although homogenous on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, appeared to be a mixture of LM2B and a form of P450 LM2 other than LM2A. LM2A was not found in the untreated rabbit liver microsomes. On CM-Sepharose the elution of fraction 2C overlapped that of LM2B. The apparent molecular weight and immunoresponse to anti-LM2A IgG were the same for fraction 2C as for LM2A and LM2B. Peptide mapping using trypsin showed no difference between LM2A and LM2B, but consistently revealed at least one extra band with fraction 2C. After CNBr cleavage and high-pressure liquid chromatography separation of the LM2A and LM2B fragments the peptide beginning with Pro(347) of LM2A (peak 4A) eluted 12 min later than that of LM2B (peak 4B) indicating a difference in the fragments, although partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequences and molecular masses were the same. The corresponding CNBr fragment of fraction 2C splits into two peaks (4C:1 and 4C:2) with retention times corresponding to 4B and 4A, respectively. The mass of 4C:1. was the same as that of 4B, while the mass of 4C:2 markedly differed from that of 4A and 4B. Both fragments had the same partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence as 4A and 4B. After comparing the physicochemical properties as well as catalytic activities of these isolated and purified LM2 forms with the cDNA-expressed forms 2B-B0, 2B-B1, 2B-B2, and 2B-Bx [see R. Ryan et al. (1993) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 304, 454-463], the data suggest that LM2A is the form designated as 2B-B0 (LM2), LM2B is 2B-Bx, and fraction 2C is a mixture containing 2B-B1 and 2B-Bx. This is the first isolation and identification of the three isozymic LM2 proteins from rabbit liver.

Isolation of antimicrobial peptides from avian heterophils

Five bactericidal peptides (chicken heterophil peptides CHP1 and CHP2; turkey heterophil peptides THP1, THP2, and THP3) were purified from avian heterophil granules. All peptides were cationic and rich in cysteine, arginine, and lysine. The complete amino acid sequence, consisting of 39 amino acids, was determined for CHP1. This peptide had a molecular weight of 4481 as determined by mass spectrometry. Partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequences were obtained for the remaining peptides. Both chicken peptides and THP1 shared sequence homology at 22 residues and a cysteine motif which was similar to that of bovine beta-defensins. THP2 and THP3 were homologous to each other but were not homologous to the other three and had a unique cysteine motif. Peptides CHP1, CHP2, and THP1 killed Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in vitro, whereas THP2 and THP3 killed only S. aureus in vitro.

Localized adherence by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is an inducible phenotype associated with the expression of new outer membrane proteins.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli grow as discrete colonies on the mucous membranes of the small intestine. A similar pattern can be demonstrated in vitro; termed localized adherence (LA), it is characterized by the presence of circumscribed clusters of bacteria attached to the surfaces of cultured epithelial cells. The LA phenotype was studied using B171, an O111:NM enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strain, and HEp-2 cell monolayers. LA could be detected 30-60 min after exposure of HEp-2 cells to B171. However, bacteria transferred from infected HEp-2 cells to fresh monolayers exhibited LA within 15 min, indicating that LA is an inducible phenotype. Induction of the LA phenotype was found to be associated with de novo protein synthesis and changes in the outer membrane proteins, including the production of a new 18.5-kD polypeptide. A partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of this polypeptide was obtained and showed it to be identical through residue 12 to the recently described bundle-forming pilus subunit of EPEC. Expression of the 18.5-kD polypeptide required the 57-megadalton enteropathogenic E. coli adherence plasmid previously shown to be required for the LA phenotype in vitro and full virulence in vivo. This observation, the correspondence of the 18.5-kD polypeptide to an EPEC-specific pilus protein, and the temporal correlation of its expression with the development of the LA phenotype suggest that it may contribute to the EPEC colonial mode of growth.

Amino acid composition and NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of human phospholipase A2 purified from rheumatoid synovial fluid.

The amino acid composition and partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of an extracellular phospholipase A2 in human rheumatoid synovial fluid were determined. The predominant amino acids in the phospholipase A2 were cysteine, glycine, arginine, and lysine, suggesting that it is a basic one. The NH2-terminal 34 amino acids were found to be as follows: Asn-Leu-Val-Asn-Phe-His-Arg-Met-Ile-Lys-Leu-Thr-Thr-Gly-Lys-Glu-Ala-Ala-Leu- Ser-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Tyr-Gly-Cys-X-Cys-Gly-Val-Gly-Gly-Arg-Gly The enzyme contains Phe-5, Met-8, Ile-9, Tyr-24, Gly-25, Cys-26, Cys-28, Gly-29, Gly-31, Gly-32, and Gly-34 residues, all of which are conserved in most of the sequenced phospholipase A2. The remarkable feature of this enzyme was the absence of Cys-11, which is conserved in the "Group I" enzyme family. This is the first report concerning partial amino acid sequences of human non-pancreatic phospholipase A2.

Macrophages secrete a novel heparin-binding protein with inflammatory and neutrophil chemokinetic properties.

We report the identification and purification of a new inflammatory monokine synthesized by the macrophage tumor cell line RAW 264.7 in response to endotoxin. This monokine, which we term "macrophage inflammatory protein" (MIP), is a doublet with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 8,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE but forms aggregates of greater than 2 x 10(6) daltons as assessed by gel filtration. Partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence data reveal no significant homology with any previously described protein. Although the monokine is anionic under physiological conditions, it is one of two major macrophage-secreted proteins that bind to heparin at high salt concentrations. At 100 ng/ml or greater, MIP is chemokinetic for human polymorphonuclear cells and triggers hydrogen peroxide production. Subcutaneous injection of 10 ng or greater of MIP into footpads of C3H/HeJ mice elicits an inflammatory response, characterized by neutrophil infiltration. These findings suggest that MIP is an endogenous mediator that may play a role in the host responses that occur during endotoxemia and other inflammatory events.

Complementary DNA for a novel human interleukin (BSF-2) that induces B lymphocytes to produce immunoglobulin.

When stimulated with antigen, B cells are influenced by T cells to proliferate and differentiate into antibody-forming cells. Since it was reported that soluble factors could replace certain functions of helper T cells in the antibody response, several different kinds of lymphokines and monokines have been reported in B-cell growth and differentiation. Among these, human B-cell differentiation factor (BCDF or BSF-2) has been shown to induce the final maturation of B cells into immunoglobulin-secreting cells. BSF-2 was purified to homogeneity and its partial NH2-terminal amino-acid sequence was determined. These studies indicated that BSF-2 is functionally and structurally unlike other known proteins. Here, we report the molecular cloning, structural analysis and functional expression of the cDNA encoding human BSF-2. The primary sequence of BSF-2 deduced from the cDNA reveals that BSF-2 is a novel interleukin consisting of 184 amino acids.

Purification to homogeneity and NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of a novel interleukin 1 species derived from a human B cell line.

A subclone, referred to as 3B6, derived from a DR-negative EBV-transformed B cell line, has been found to spontaneously produce IL 1. 3B6-IL 1 displays a pI of 5 on FPLC chromatofocusing. It has been purified to homogeneity by a sequence of ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography on procion red agarose. The homogeneous material migrated with an apparent m.w. of 13,500 on SDS-PAGE. The overall recovery of IL 1 activity was estimated at 57%. The final material had a specific activity of 7.8 X 10(6) half-maximal units/mg and represented a 50,000-fold purification. A partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence has been obtained that is different from those reported from monocytic IL 1. However, this molecule can formally be identified as IL 1 on its spectrum of biologic activities. In addition to inducing the proliferation of murine thymocytes in the co-stimulator assay. 3B6-IL 1 is active on both human T and B cells, respectively, in inducing IL 2 synthesis by cells from a subcloned HSB 2 line and promoting the proliferation of anti-IgM-stimulated human peripheral blood B lymphocytes. Furthermore, 3B6-IL 1 acts as a growth factor for normal human fibroblasts and for the 3B6 line itself. However, 3B6-IL 1 is not pyrogenic in rabbits. Thus, the 3B6 cell line was shown to produce a new molecular species of IL 1, with respect to its NH2-terminal sequence, which shared all of the studied biologic activities of monocytic IL 1 except for pyrogenicity.

Purification and partial sequence analysis of human interleukin-2 derived from peripheral blood leukocytes

Human peripheral blood leukocyte-derived interleukin-2 (IL-2) was resolved by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography into three peaks of activity, IL-2A, B, and C, with isoelectric points of 7.2, 6.6, and 7.9, respectively. IL-2 A, B, and C were further purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and resolved into two apparently homogeneous peaks each with identical molecular weight: A-1 and A-2 (Mr17000); B-1 and B-2 (Mr17500); and C-1 and C-2 (Mr14400). The amino acid compositions and partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of these molecular species were consistent with those predicted from IL-2 cDNA sequences derived from Jurkat and peripheral blood leukocytes.

BASILEA rabbits express two types of immunoglobulin light chains: lambda and kappa-like.

In the variant rabbit strain BASILEA, immunoglobulin G were shown to contain two distinct populations of IgG molecules whose light (L) chains belonged to the known lambda isotype and to a new kappa-like type. These two L chains differed from each other by electrophoretic, chemical, and antigenic properties. The kappa-like L chain fraction showed (i) an acid-labile Asp-Pro bond at the end of the joining region and (ii) a tryptic peptide, whose amino acid sequence of the NH2-terminal 15 residues was identical to the homologous constant (C) region sequence of b9 kappa chain with the exception of the residue in position 70, which is asparagine in the kappa-like chain instead of the characteristic half-cystine residue in all L chains of kappa B type expressing b4, b5, b6, or b9 allotypes. The data suggest that the kappa-like L chain component does not contain the C region half-cystine residue involved in the formation of the extra variable (V) region-C region disulfide bridge in L chains of the kappa B [Rejnek, J., Appella, E., Mage, R. G. & Reisfeld, R. A. (1969) Biochemistry 8, 2712-2718]. The partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the C region of the kappa-like L chain was shown to be markedly different from b4, b6, or b9 region sequences and from rabbit lambda C region sequence. Taken together, the chemical data suggest that the kappa bas component represents a new subtype of kappa chain. A rabbit alloantiserum made against bas IgG and adsorbed with IgG fractions showing b4, b5, b6, b95, and b96 L chain allotypes appeared to be directed against the kappa-like L chain component of BASILEA IgG exclusively. All BASILEA animals expressed IgG molecules containing kappa-like chains; in contrast, IgG molecules derived from the standard domestic rabbit did not react with this antiserum.

Amino-terminal sequence analysis of alphavirus polypeptides.

The single late 26S mRNA of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) directs the synthesis of the four viral structural proteins, C, E3, E2, and E1, and the recently described nonstructural protein, 6K. We report here partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the SFV polypeptides E3 and 6K and of p62, the precursor to E3 and E2. In addition, were have determined a partial NH2-terminal sequence of the Sindbis virus homolog of 6K, the 4.2K protein. p62 and E3 of SFV have identical NH2-terminal amino acid sequences. Comparison of the partial NH2-terminal sequences of 6K of SFV and 4.2K of Sindbis virus with the deduced amino acid sequence encoded by the 26S mRNA of each virus reveals that the genes for these peptides are located in each case between those for E2 and E1. The order of the genes on the 26S mRNA of the alphaviruses is therefore 5'-C-E3-E2-6K-E1-3'. We discuss two mechanisms by which the nascent viral glycoproteins may be inserted into the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Structure of murine Ia antigens: partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of products of the I-E or I-C subregion.

Partial amino acid sequence of the Ia molecule encoded by the I-E or I-C (I-EC) subregion of the major histocompatibility complex of the mouse are presented. The Ia molecule appears to be comprised of two noncovalently associated polypeptides. The larger subunit, alpha, has an approximate molecular weight of 35,000 and the smaller subunit, beta, an approximate molecular weight of 28,000. Several interesting homology relationships (or the lack thereof) are apparent when the Ia polypeptides from the I-EC subregion are compared both with their counterparts from man and guinea pig and with the molecules encoded in the I-A subregion. Clearly the most impressive homology relationship is that seen between the alpha polypeptide from the I-EC subregion of mouse and its human counterpart. This is in striking contrast to the beta polypeptide, which bears no apparent homology to its human counterpart.