Protein Of Apparent Molecular Mass Research Articles

Characterization of SIS1, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of bacterial dnaJ proteins.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SIS1 gene was identified as a high copy number suppressor of the slow growth phenotype of strains containing mutations in the SIT4 gene, which encodes a predicted serine/threonine protein phosphatase. The SIS1 protein is similar to bacterial dnaJ proteins in the amino-terminal third and carboxyl-terminal third of the proteins. In contrast, the middle third of SIS1 is not similar to dnaJ proteins. This region of SIS1 contains a glycine/methionine-rich region which, along with more amino-terminal sequences, is required for SIS1 to associate with a protein of apparent molecular mass of 40 kD. The SIS1 gene is essential. Strains limited for the SIS1 protein accumulate cells that appear blocked for migration of the nucleus from the mother cell into the daughter cell. In addition, many of the cells become very large and contain a large vacuole. The SIS1 protein is localized throughout the cell but is more concentrated at the nucleus. About one-fourth of the SIS1 protein is released from a nuclear fraction upon treatment with RNase. We also show that overexpression of YDJ1, another yeast protein with similarity to bacterial dnaJ proteins, can not substitute for SIS1.

Comparison of salt- and heat-induced alterations of protein synthesis in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Protein synthesis of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis spec. PCC 6803 decreases after a 684 mM NaCl salt shock. Qualitative changes were observed during the shock and the subsequent adaptation process using one-dimensional polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Proteins of apparent molecular masses of 13.0, 14.2, 16.6, 20.0, 21.0, 23.0, 33.0, 47.0, 52.0, 65.0 and 72.0 kDa are synthesized at enhanced rates after salt stress. The proteins of 14.2, 21.1 and 52.0 kDa are transiently induced during the first hours of the adaptation phase, while the other proteins are also synthesized at enhanced rates in salt-adapted cells. The proteins of 14.2, 23.0, 33.0 and 65.0 kDa are also induced by heat shock (43°C). Heat shock proteins of about 88.0, 75.0, 58.0, 17.5 and 13.8 kDa, in contrast, are induced by heat shock but not by salt. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide electrophoresis showed that the induced salt and heat shock proteins in some cases consisted of isoforms of different isoelectric points.

The murine haemopexin receptor. Evidence that the haemopexin-binding site resides on a 20 kDa subunit and that receptor recycling is regulated by protein kinase C.

Haemopexin receptors from mouse hepatoma (Hepa) cells were affinity-labelled by cross-linking to haem-125I-haemopexin complexes using two homo-[disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) and 3,3'-dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) (DTSSP)] and one hetero-[sulphosuccinimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (sulpho-SMPB)] bifunctional cross-linking agents. Analysis of the cross-linked products by SDS/PAGE in the absence of reducing agents revealed that 125I-haemopexin was cross-linked specifically to a protein of apparent molecular mass 85-90 kDa. Upon reduction, haemopexin remained cross-linked to a protein of 20 kDa, suggesting that the murine haemopexin receptor has a subunit structure. Two subunits were identified: alpha (p65) and beta (p20). Furthermore, because haemopexin was cross-linked by all three agents to p20, the shortest cross-linker arm being 1.1 nm (11 A), we propose that the haem-haemopexin-binding site resides on this subunit. In addition, a cysteine residue of p20 is located near the haemopexin-binding site, since haemopexin, which has no free thiol groups, is cross-linked to this subunit by the hetero-bifunctional agent sulpho-SMPB. Exposure of Hepa cells to the tumour-promoting phorbol ester 4 alpha-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) causes a rapid redistribution of haemopexin receptors from the cell surface to the cell interior. Within 2-4 min of incubation with 100 nM-PMA, there was an approx. 50% decrease in cell-surface haemopexin receptors, as judged by ligand binding at 0 degrees C and affinity labelling of the receptor. This time- and dose-dependent down-regulation was fully reversible within 60-90 min after removal of PMA, and the affinity of the remaining receptors was unaltered by PMA. The specificity of PMA was demonstrated by comparison with the non-tumour-promoter 4 alpha-phorbol, which did not affect any of the parameters examined. The amine H-7, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, antagonised the receptor redistribution effect of PMA, suggesting that the down-regulation of haemopexin receptors on the cell surface was a consequence of protein kinase C activation. The PMA-induced decrease in surface haemopexin receptors was due to a 2-fold increase in the rate of internalization (from 0.73 min-1 to 1.32 min-1), whereas the rate of exocytosis (0.6 min-1) was unchanged. PMA treatment, like binding of the natural ligand, haem-haemopexin, results in a lower steady-state level of surface haemopexin receptors independent of receptor synthesis, and the receptors were not degraded but were recycled back to the cell surface.

Developmental changes in growth hormone, insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) and IGF-binding proteins in plasma of young growing pigs

The relationship between plasma concentrations of normally secreted GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was investigated in pigs after weaning. Frequent blood sampling for between 12 and 24 h showed that plasma GH was pulsatile in pigs of 10, 20 and 35 kg liveweight. Pulses were brief in duration, low in amplitude and variable in frequency. Basal and average daily plasma concentrations of GH changed significantly with development, increasing by about 50% between 10 and 20 kg liveweight. Concentrations of IGF-I in plasma showed little or no evidence of diurnal periodicity and were not increased by GH pulses. Average daily concentrations of both IGF-I and IGF-II in plasma progressively increased between 10 and 35 kg liveweight, as did the total desaturated IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) activity of plasma. A strong positive correlation was observed between the total concentration of IGFs (IGF-I plus IGF-II) in the circulation and plasma IGFBP activity. The developmental rise in IGFBP activity of plasma was associated with increased labelling with 125I-labelled human IGF-II in ligand blots of binding proteins of apparent molecular masses greater than 200, 50, 43 and 29 kDa. One class of binding proteins of 34.5 kDa decreased with development. This study of young growing pigs shows that normally secreted endogenous GH exerts no significant immediate control over plasma IGF-I concentrations, and that plasma levels of IGF-I and IGF-II increase with maturation in this species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Isolation and characterization of two different molecular forms of basic fibroblast growth factor extracted from human placental tissue

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was purified to homogeneity from human placental tissue on a semi-large scale. Placental bFGF consists of two proteins of apparent molecular masses 16 000 and 18 000 dalton, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyaerylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions. Microsequence analysis showed that both proteins have ilic same N-terminal sequence Pro—Ala—Leu—Pro—Glu—Asp—Gly—Gly—Ser—Gly—Ala—Phe..., which is identical with that of (1—146) bFGF extracted from human brain. After reduction by dithiothreitol or mereaptoethanol, placental bFGF appears as a single protein of 16 000 dalton. The reduced protein displays the same ability to stimulate the proliferation of CCL39 fibroblasts as the non-reduced doublet. These data indicate that bFGF extracted from placental tissue consists of two proteins with different apparent molecular masses which do not differ in their N-terminal sequence but in their oxidation state.

Purification and characterization of avian β1,4 galactosyltransferase: comparison with the mammalian enzyme

Avian beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase (GalTase) was purified from chicken serum, partially characterized and compared to mammalian GalTase using antibody cross-reactivity, Northern blot hybridization and amino acid sequence analysis. The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity by alpha-lactalbumin(LA)-agarose affinity chromatography followed by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and identified as two proteins of apparent molecular masses of 39 and 46 kD. Chicken serum GalTase had a Km for UDPGal of 42 microM, for GlcNAc of 10 mM and had optimal activity in the presence of 10-20 mM MnCl2. Substrate and linkage specificity analyses indicated that the purified enzyme behaves as a traditional Gal beta 1,4 GlcNAc:GalTase, since: (i) the avian beta 1,4 GalTase bound to alpha-LA; (ii) terminal GlcNAc residues served as good acceptors for chicken serum GalTase; (iii) the enzyme was inhibited by high concentrations of GlcNAc; (iv) the galactosylated product was sensitive to beta 1,4-specific beta-galactosidase. Finally, the disaccharide reaction product comigrated with authentic beta 1,4 N-acetyllactosamine standard. No other GalTase activities were detectable using a battery of defined glycoside substrates. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the two gel-purified GalTase proteins showed reactivity with avian GalTase by ELISA and immunoprecipitation assays. The antibodies also inhibited GalTase activity toward both high mol. wt and monosaccharide acceptor substrates. Despite similar kinetics and substrate specificity, the avian and mammalian GalTases showed little overall structural similarity, since polyclonal anti-avian GalTase IgG failed to react with mammalian GalTase purified from bovine milk, and conversely anti-bovine milk GalTase IgG did not react with the avian enzyme. Furthermore, in Northern blot analysis, no hybridization was detected when chicken embryo liver poly(A)+ RNA was probed with a mouse GalTase cDNA, even under conditions of reduced stringency. Amino acid sequence analysis identified three of five tryptic peptides that are homologous to the mammalian sequence within a putative substrate binding domain and the carboxy terminal domain of the enzyme. Their overall structural disparity leads us to believe that regions of homology between the avian and mammalian GalTases may represent active sites of the enzyme.

A fibroblast heparan sulphate proteoglycan with a 70 kDa core protein is linked to membrane phosphatidylinositol

Here we present evidence that a fibroblast heparan sulphate proteoglycan of approx. 300 kDa and with a core protein of apparent molecular mass 70 kDa is covalently linked to the plasma membrane via a linkage structure involving phosphatidylinositol. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C releases such a heparan sulphate proteoglycan only from cells labelled with [35S]sulphate in the absence of serum. Cell cultures labelled with [3H]myo-inositol in the absence or presence of serum produce a radiolabelled heparan sulphate proteoglycan which was purified by gel-permeation chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography on MonoQ. Digestion with heparan sulphate lyase and analysis by gel-permeation chromatography and sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis revealed that the 3H-label is associated with a core protein of apparent mass 70 kDa.

The epidermal growth factor precursor isolated from murine kidney membranes. Chemical characterization and biological properties.

To understand the biology and the biochemistry of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) precursor in normal tissues we partially purified the EGF precursor from mouse kidney. The precursor was purified by affinity chromatography, using wheat germ lectin and antibodies to murine EGF. The EGF precursor is a glycosylated integral membrane protein of apparent molecular mass of 140-150 kDa. The solubilized EGF precursor is biologically active as evidenced by its ability to compete with 125I-labeled EGF for binding to the EGF receptor in intact fibroblasts and its ability to stimulate the growth of cells dependent on EGF for growth. The EGF precursor from mouse kidney can be proteolytically processed by the EGF-associated arginine esterase into a smaller fragment (97 kDa) that retains both immunologic sensitivity to EGF antiserum and biological activity. Extensive digestion of the EGF precursor with pepsin liberates a biologically and immunologically active protein of approximately the size of mature EGF.

Subcellular distribution of calcium-binding proteins and a calcium- ATPase in canine pancreas [published erratum appears in J Cell Biol 1990 Oct;111(4):1726

Using a 45Ca blot-overlay assay, we monitored the subcellular fractionation pattern of several Ca binding proteins of apparent molecular masses 94, 61, and 59 kD. These proteins also appeared to stain blue with "Stains-All." Additionally, using a monoclonal antiserum raised against canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase, we examined the subcellular distribution of a canine pancreatic 110-kD protein recognized by this antiserum. This protein had the same electrophoretic mobility as the cardiac protein against which the antiserum was raised. The three Ca binding proteins and the Ca-ATPase cofractionated into the rough microsomal fraction (RM), previously shown to consist of highly purified RER, in a pattern highly similar to that of the RER marker, ribophorin I. To provide further evidence for an RER localization, native RM were subjected to isopycnic flotation in sucrose gradients. The Ca binding proteins and the Ca-ATPase were found in dense fractions, along with ribophorin I. When RM were stripped of ribosomes with puromycin/high salt, the Ca binding proteins and the Ca-ATPase exhibited a shift to less dense fractions, as did ribophorin I. We conclude that, in pancreas, the Ca binding proteins and Ca-ATPase we detect are localized to the RER (conceivably a subcompartment of the RER) or, possibly, a structure intimately associated with the RER.

Purification of three related peripheral membrane proteins needed for vesicular transport.

We report conditions under which Golgi membranes depleted of peripheral membrane proteins can be reconstituted for intra-cisternal vesicular transport. Analysis of the reconstitution reveals requirements for N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein, a purified peripheral protein involved in the fusion stage of vesicular transport, as well as other peripheral protein activities which can be provided by mammalian cytosol but not yeast cytosol. The restorative activity in bovine brain cytosol is found in two broad and complementing fractions, of average native molecular masses of about 500 and 40 kDa, termed Fr1 and Fr2, respectively. This resolved transport system was used to develop a purification scheme for Fr2. Three proteins of apparent molecular masses of 35, 36, and 39 kDa (Fr2-alpha, -beta, and -gamma, respectively) were found to be responsible for Fr2 activity and were purified to homogeneity. Each Fr2 protein has activity by itself in the reconstituted in vitro Golgi transport assay, although each exhibits a different specific activity and plateau value. No synergy of the three Fr2 proteins was observed during mixing experiments. The three Fr2 proteins seem to be closely related based on size, in vitro activities, chromatographic properties, and peptide maps and may comprise a new family of proteins involved in vesicular transport.

Transcriptional activation of a conserved sequence element by ras requires a nuclear factor distinct from c-fos or c-jun.

The expression of transforming growth factor beta type 1 mRNA was increased by conditional expression of ras. A 31-base-pair sequence found approximately 420 base pairs upstream of the gene encoding human transforming growth factor beta 1 acted as a ras-responsive enhancer element in transient transfection assays. The human sequence contains the element TGACTCT that also is found in a murine ras-responsive enhancer. Analysis of nuclear factors present in cells stably transformed by ras indicated that both human and murine sequences were recognized by the same nuclear factor. The role of fos and jun in ras transcriptional activation was analyzed in transfection assays using murine elements that contained either TGACTCT or TGAGTAA. These experiments showed that while both elements are activated by fos/jun expression to nearly the same event, only the former element responded to ras. In addition, activation of reporters containing TGACTCT is 6-fold higher by ras than by fos/jun. Gel retention experiments revealed that the nuclear factor present in cells transformed by ras exhibited the same sequence preference as demonstrated in the transient transfection assays. UV-crosslinking experiments identify a protein of apparent molecular mass 120 kDa that recognizes the ras-responsive element. This work identifies a persistent signal transduction pathway that links ras to nuclear transcription and indicates that a 120-kDa protein is a target of this pathway.

Inventory of human skin fibroblast proteoglycans. Identification of multiple heparan and chondroitin/dermatan sulphate proteoglycans

Heparan sulphate and chondroitin/dermatan sulphate proteoglycans of human skin fibroblasts were isolated and separated after metabolic labelling for 48 h with 35SO4(2-) and/or [3H]leucine. The proteoglycans were obtained from the culture medium, from a detergent extract of the cells and from the remaining 'matrix', and purified by using density-gradient centrifugation, gel and ion-exchange chromatography. The core proteins of the various proteoglycans were identified by electrophoresis in SDS after enzymic removal of the glycosaminoglycan side chains. Skin fibroblasts produce a number of heparan sulphate proteoglycans, with core proteins of apparent molecular masses 350, 250, 130, 90, 70, 45 and possibly 35 kDa. The major proteoglycan is that with the largest core, and it is principally located in the matrix. A novel proteoglycan with a 250 kDa core is almost entirely secreted or shed into the culture medium. Two exclusively cell-associated proteoglycans with 90 kDa core proteins, one with heparan sulphate and another novel one with chondroitin/dermatan sulphate, were also identified. The heparan sulphate proteoglycan with the 70 kDa core was found both in the cell layer and in the medium. In a previous study [Fransson, Carlstedt, Cöster & Malmström (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 5657-5661] it was suggested that skin fibroblasts produce a proteoglycan form of the transferrin receptor. However, the core protein of the major heparan sulphate proteoglycan now purified does not resemble this receptor, nor does it bind transferrin. The principal secreted proteoglycans are the previously described large chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (PG-L) and the small dermatan sulphate proteoglycans (PG-S1 and PG-S2).

Epstein-Barr virus/complement fragment C3d receptor (CR2) reacts with p53, a cellular antioncogene-encoded membrane phosphoprotein: detection by polyclonal anti-idiotypic anti-CR2 antibodies.

Epstein-Barr virus and the C3d fragment of the third component of complement are specific extracellular ligands for complement receptor type 2 (CR2). However, intracellular proteins that react specifically with CR2 and are involved in post-membrane signals remain unknown. We recently prepared polyclonal anti-idiotypic anti-CR2 antibodies (Ab2) by using the highly purified CR2 molecule as original immunogen. We showed that Ab2 contained anti-idiotypic specificities that mimicked extracellular domains of CR2 and detected two distinct binding sites on CR2 for its specific extracellular ligands, Epstein-Barr virus and C3d. We postulated that Ab2 might also contain specificities that could mimic intracellular domains of CR2. Here we report that Ab2, which did not react with Raji B-lymphoma cell surface components, detected specifically, among all components solubilized from Raji cell membranes, a single intracellular membrane protein of apparent molecular mass of 53 kDa. This protein was identified as the p53 cellular antioncogene-encoded membrane phosphoprotein by analyzing its antigenic properties with Pab1801, a monoclonal anti-p53 antibody, and by comparing its biochemical properties with those of p53. Additionally, solubilized and purified CR2 bound to solubilized p53 immobilized on Pab1801-Sepharose. p53, like CR2, was localized only in purified plasma membranes and nuclei of Raji cells. These data suggest strongly that p53, a cellular antioncogene-encoded phosphoprotein, reacted specifically with CR2 in Raji membranes. This interaction may represent one of the important steps through which CR2 could be involved in human B-lymphocyte proliferation and transformation.

A naturally occurring molecular form of human plasma cholinesterase is an albumin conjugate

Human plasma cholinesterase (acylcholine acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.8) consists of four main molecular forms designated as C 1, C 2, C 3 and C 4 according to their electrophoretic mobility on gels. The major component, C 4, is the tetrameric form; C 1 and C 3 are the monomeric and dimeric forms, respectively. The C 2 form, which has an apparent free electrophoretic mobility higher than that of the three size isomers, and, moreover, a higher isoelectric point, was found to be a covalent conjugate between the cholinesterase monomer and serum albumin. This result is supported by the following arguments: the non-catalytic subunit of C 2 was found to be a carbohydrate-free protein of apparent molecular mass 65 kDa that could not be labelled by diisopropylfluorophosphonate in the labelling conditions of esterases. It possesses a high affinity for a long-chain aliphatic ligand (a substituted octadecylamine) and for Cibacron blue F3 GA, and could be adsorbed on an immunoadsorbent for albumin. The two subunits of C 2 are disulfide bridge linked; the active center of the cholinesterase subunit is partly masked by the albumin molecule. The conjugation reaction very likely occurs in the hepatic cell and not in plasma.

Two TFIIIA activities regulate expression of the Xenopus 5S RNA gene families.

Immunoblotting experiments with polyclonal and monoclonal anti-transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) antibodies reveal different electrophoretic forms of TFIIIA in extracts from immature and mature oocytes of Xenopus laevis. The well-characterized 39-kD TFIIIA species is present in approximately 10(12) copies per cell in stage I-III previtellogenic oocytes and declines in abundance by 10- to 20-fold during oogenesis. An immunologically related protein of apparent molecular mass of 42 kD is present at 2-4% of the level of 39-kD TFIIIA in immature oocytes, and the level of this protein increases dramatically during oogenesis. Both the 39- and 42-kD proteins are complexed with 5S RNA in 7S ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles. High-level transcription of the oocyte-type 5S genes in vitro requires 39-kD immature oocyte TFIIIA, whereas both 39-kD TFIIIA and the mature oocyte TFIIIA species of 42 kD support somatic-type 5S transcription. TFIIIA of 42 kD does not support oocyte-type 5S transcription in a fractionated transcription system derived from mature oocytes. Both proteins, however, bind the oocyte-type and somatic-type genes with comparable affinities and exhibit similar DNase footprints on both genes. These results suggest a model for the developmental regulation of 5S RNA gene transcription where 42-kD TFIIIA serves as an activator of somatic-type 5S transcription and as a repressor of oocyte-type transcription during early embryogenesis.

Production of Outer-membrane Proteins and an Extracellular Fluorescent Compound by Iron-limited Azomonas macrocytogenes

Outer membranes were isolated from iron-limited and iron-sufficient Azomonas macrocytogenes ATCC 12334 by sucrose density centrifugation or treatment with Sarkosyl. Analysis of the outer membranes by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that iron-limited cells produced greater amounts of two proteins of apparent molecular mass 74 kDa and 70 kDa than iron-sufficient cells. The enhanced production of these two proteins was evident when media contained less than 9·7 μm added iron with maximum production occurring when media contained less than 1·1 μm added iron. Iron-limited growth conditions also caused A. macrocytogenes ATCC 12334 to excrete a visible yellow, blue-white fluorescent compound into culture supernatant fluids with maximum levels being produced in media that contained less than 1·1 μm added iron. This fluorescent compound had a distinctive pH-dependent absorption maximum characteristic of pyoverdin-type siderophores and appeared to bind iron. Furthermore, culture supernatant fluids containing the fluorescent compound promoted the uptake of 55Fe in A. macrocytogenes ATCC 12334 cells. Three other A. macrocytogenes strains, NCIB 10958, NCIB 8700 and NCIB 9129, produced iron-repressible outer-membrane proteins but only the former two strains produced the iron-repressible fluorescent compound. It is proposed that the iron-regulated proteins and fluorescent compound produced by A. macrocytogenes may function in high-affinity iron uptake.

Cleavage of Langerhans cell surface CD1a molecule by trypsin

Les antigénes du premier ⪡cluster⪢ de différenciation (CD1) exprimés par les thymocytes corticaux sont divisés en trois sous-groupes de molécules: CD1a (PM 49.000) CD1b (PM 45.000) et CD1c (PM 43.000) associées de façon non-covalente à la β 2-microglobuline. Dans le présent travail, 4 anticorps monoclonaux (Acm) anti-CD1a (Na1/34, L544,Vit 6 et OKT6) ont étée utilisés pour identifier les antigénes CD1a exprimés par les cellules de Langerhans épidermiques humaines obtenues en suspension après trypsination et passage sur gradient de sédimentation. L'utilisation d'immunomarquages à l'or colloïdal en microscopie électronique a permis d'observer sur les cellules de Langerhans des différences quantitatives dans la densité des sites antigéniques marqués. Les cellules de Langerhans ont été radiomarquées en surface par 125I puis lysées. Le lysat des cellules iodinées a été immunoprécipité par les Acm anti-C immunoprécipitent une molécule supplémentaire de PM 27.000 en conditions réductrices. et non réductrices puis autoradiographiés. Tous les Acm anti-CD1 a sauf OKT6 immunoprécipitent une molécule supplémentaire de PM 27.000 en conditions réductrices. La molécule CD1 a de PM 49.000 est trouvée de façon similaire sur les thymocytes et les cellules de Langerhans alors que la molécule de PM 27.000 n'est pas observée sur les thymocytes. En électrophorèse bidimensionnelle la molécule de PM 27.000 montre trois spots principaux de pI 5,6, 5,9 et 6,2. Cette molécule présente une seule chaîne de type ⪢high manose⪢ lors du traitement par l'endoglycosidase F. Par immunonoprécipitation séquentielle, cette molécule de PM 27.000 apparaît différente des chaînes beta des molécules du complexe majeur d'histocompatibilité de classe II (DR et DP). Bien que cette molécule ne soit pas précipitée par les OKT6, l'immunoprécipitation séquentielle confirme la reconnaissance spécifique d'une protéine de faible poids moléculaire par les autres Acm anti-CD1a. Cette protéine de masse relative 27.000 est considérée comme un produit du clivage de la molécule CD1a (de PM 49.000) sous l'action de la trypsine. Ces résultats suggérent que la molécule CD1a est sensible à l'action de cet enzyme, et cette notion doit être prise en compte dans l'étude des antigènes CD1a des cellules de Langerhans obtenus par trypsinisation de l'épiderme.

Purification from human hepatoma cells of a 130-kDa membrane glycoprotein with properties of the heparin-binding growth factor receptor

The detergent-soluble 125I-labeled receptor complex resulting after affinity cross-linking of 125I-heparin-binding growth factor type one (HBGF-1, m = 15.2-kDa) to HepG2 cells had an apparent molecular mass of 145-kDa, eluted from immobilized wheat germ lectin in the presence of N-acetylglucosamine, shifted to apparent mass of 128-kDa when treated with N-glycanase and shifted to apparent mass of 205-kDa after reduction, carboxymethylation and succinylation. Electrophoretic analysis of HepG2 cell membrane proteins revealed a major silver-stained protein of apparent molecular mass of 130-kDa that has correlative properties. These properties were used to purify the 130-kDa HepG2 glycoprotein to apparent homogeneity and suggest the glycoprotein as a candidate for the human HBGF receptor.

Cell-substratum interactions: serum spreading factor

We have prepared a fraction of commercial fetal calf serum whose major component comprises proteins of apparent molecular mass 65–80 kDa. These preparations elicit cell spreading responses in serum-free medium at concentrations similar to those reported for human vitronectin. In addition, we have identified (by a protein blotting technique) the 65–80 kDa component as the active species in our preparations. Cell spreading responses in the presence of our ‘bovine vitronectin’ preparations are similar to cell spreading on fetal calf serum. (In contrast, cell spreading on bovine fibronectin shows very different kinetics.) Our results suggest that bovine vitronectin may be an important component of fetal calf serum involved in conditioning cell culture substrata.

Identification of zymogen and mature forms of human carboxypeptidase H A processing enzyme for the synthesis of peptide hormones

Carboxypeptidase H (CPH) is one of several processing enzymes required for the conversion of peptide hormone precursors into their smaller active forms. In this study, high levels of CPH activity was found in a liver metastasis of a human ideal carcinoid which expresses β-preprotachykinin mRNA and the tachykinin neuropeptides, substance P and substance K. This human CPH showed properties of a zinc-metallopeptidase that is structurally similar to bovine and rat CPH. Immunoblots of the human ileal carcinoma with anti-bovine CPH showed that CPH activity is represented by two proteins of apparent molecular masses 57 and 55 kDa. Cell-free translation of poly(A) + RNA followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-bovine CPH showed that human CPH mRNA encodes a precursor protein of apparent molecular mass 75 kDa. These data demonstrate that human CPH is synthesized as a zymogen, prepro-CPH, which must be cleaved to form catalytically active CPH.