scholarly journals Characterization of prenylcysteine methyltransferase in insulin-secreting cells

1996 ◽  
Vol 316 (1) ◽  
pp. 345-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guodong LI ◽  
Anjaneyulu KOWLURU ◽  
Stewart A. METZ

Prenylcysteine carboxymethyltransferase, an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of many signalling proteins, was characterized in insulin-secreting INS-1 cells and normal rat pancreatic islets. The activity of this enzyme was monitored by the methylation of an artificial substrate (a prenylated cysteine analogue) with S-adenosyl[methyl-3H]methionine as methyl donor. More than 95% of the methyltransferase activity was associated with the membranes, and high-salt treatment only partially extracted the enzyme from the membranes. The highest specific activity was in the insulin-granule-enriched 25000 g pellet obtained by differential centrifugation. However, a highly purified insulin-enriched fraction obtained by density centrifugation in Percoll did not exhibit methyltransferase activity. The analyses of marker enzymes for cellular organelles revealed that the methyltransferase was co-localized with the plasma membrane and probably the endoplasmic reticulum, but not with the mitochondria or lysosomes. Guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate failed to increase methyltransferase activity directly, although it promotes the methylation of GTP-binding proteins. Mastoparan, Ca2+, cAMP and the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate did not alter enzyme activity. In addition, methyltransferase activity was not stably modified by stimulation of intact cells using glucose or other agents. However, the carboxymethylation of certain low-molecular-mass G-proteins is increased by glucose stimulation; conversely, treatment of cells with N-acetyl-S-trans, trans-farnesyl-L-cysteine inhibited glucose- and forskolin-induced insulin secretion. These results suggest that the membrane-associated prenylcysteine carboxymethyltransferase may be constitutively active and that the methylation of target proteins in vivo is regulated by the access of these proteins to the methyltransferase, as well as by their active (GTP-liganded) configuration.

1999 ◽  
Vol 342 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Pierre HASNE ◽  
Françoise LAWRENCE

Prenylated protein methyltransferase, an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of many signalling proteins, has been characterized in a parasitic flagellated protozoan, Leishmania donovani. The activity of this enzyme was monitored by the methylation of an artificial substrate, an S-prenylated cysteine analogue, with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H]methionine as methyl donor. More than 85% of the methyltransferase activity was associated with membranes. The enzyme methylates N-acetyl-S-trans,trans-farnesyl-L-cysteine and N-acetyl-S-all-trans-geranylgeranyl-L-cysteine, but N-acetyl-S-trans,trans-geranyl-L-cysteine only very weakly. In contrast with the enzyme from mammals, the leishmanial enzyme had a greater affinity for the farnesylated substrate than for the geranylgeranylated one. Activity in vitro was not modulated by cAMP, protein kinase C activator or guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate. An analysis of the endogenous substrates showed that the carboxymethylated proteins were also isoprenylated. The main carboxymethylated proteins have molecular masses of 95, 68, 55, 46, 34-23, 18 and less than 14 kDa. Treatment of cells with N-acetyl-S-trans,trans-farnesyl-L-cysteine decreased the carboxymethylation level, whereas treatment with guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate increased the carboxymethylation of various proteins, particularly those of molecular masses 30-20 kDa.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (2) ◽  
pp. C219-C229 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Muldoon ◽  
G. A. Jamieson ◽  
A. C. Kao ◽  
H. C. Palfrey ◽  
M. L. Villereal

The mitogen-induced activation of Na+-H+ exchange was investigated in two cultured human fibroblast strains (HSWP and WI-38 cells) that, based on previous studies, differed in their response to the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (L. M. Vincentini and M. L. Villereal, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82: 8053-8056, 1985). The role of protein kinase C in the activation of Na+-H+ exchange was investigated by comparing the effects of TPA on Na+ influx, in vitro phosphorylation, and in vivo phosphorylation in both cell types. Although both cell types have significant quantities of protein kinase C activity that can be activated by TPA in intact cells, the addition of TPA to intact cells stimulates Na+ influx in WI-38 cells but not in HSWP cells, indicating that in HSWP cells the stimulation of protein kinase C is not sufficient to activate the Na+-H+ exchanger. Cells were then depleted of protein kinase C activity by chronic treatment with high doses of TPA. Both HSWP and WI-38 cells were rendered protein kinase C deficient by this treatment as determined by in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation studies. Protein kinase C-deficient HSWP cells lose the ability for TPA to inhibit the serum-induced activation of Na+-H+ exchange, but there is no reduction in the stimulation of Na+ influx by serum, bradykinin, vasopressin, melittin, or vanadate, indicating that protein kinase C activity is not necessary for the mitogen-induced activation of Na+-H+ exchange in HSWP cells by agents known to stimulate phosphatidylinositol turnover (G. A. Jamieson and M. Villereal. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 252: 478-486, 1987). In contrast, depletion of protein kinase C activity in WI-38 cells significantly reduces both the TPA- and the serum-induced activation of the Na+-H+ exchange system, suggesting that protein kinase C activity is necessary for at least a portion of the mitogen-induced activation of the Na+-H+ exchanger in WI-38 cells. These results indicate that the mechanisms for regulating Na+-H+ exchange can differ dramatically between different types of fibroblasts.


1988 ◽  
Vol 252 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
G M Trakshel ◽  
M D Maines

We have developed chromatographic and mathematical protocols that allowed the high resolution of glutathione S-transferase (GST) subunits, and the identification of a previously unresolved GST monomer in rat kidney cytosol; the monomer was identified tentatively as subunit 6. Also, an aberrant form of GST 7-7 dimer appeared to be present in the kidney. This development was utilized to illustrate the response of rat kidney GST following cis-platinum treatment in vivo. Rat kidney cytosol was separated into three ‘affinity families’ of GST activity after elution from a GSH-agarose matrix. The affinity peaks were characterized by quantitative differences in their subunit and dimeric compositions as determined by subsequent chromatography on a cation-exchange matrix and specific activity towards substrates. By use of these criteria, the major GST dimers of affinity peaks were tentatively identified. The major GST dimers in peak I were GST 1-1 and 1-2, in affinity peak II it was GST 2-2, and in peak III they were GST 3-3 and 7-7. GST 3-6 and/or 4-6, which have not been previously resolved in kidney cytosol, were also present in peak II. Alterations in the kidney cytosolic GST composition of male rats were detected subsequent to the administration of cis-platinum (7.0 mg/kg subcutaneously, 6 days). This treatment caused a pronounced alteration in the GST profile, and the pattern of alteration was markedly different from that reported for other chemicals in the kidney or in the liver. In general, the cellular contents of the GSTs of the Alpha and the Mu classes decreased and increased respectively. It is postulated that the decrease in the Alpha class of GSTs by cis-platinum treatment may be related to renal cortical damage and the loss of GSTs in the urine. The increase in the Mu class of GSTs could potentially stem from a lowered serum concentration of testosterone; the latter is a known effect of cis-platinum treatment.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 618-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunita Coutinho ◽  
Thomas Jahn ◽  
Marc Lewitzky ◽  
Stephan Feller ◽  
Peter Hutzler ◽  
...  

We report here the characterization of an adapter protein identified in a yeast 2-hybrid screen with the use of Bcr-Abl as the bait. Grb4 bound to Bcr-Abl in a variety of systems, both in vitro and in vivo, and is an excellent substrate of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase. The association of Grb4 and Bcr-Abl in intact cells was mediated by an src homology (SH)2–mediated phosphotyrosine-dependent interaction as well as an SH3-mediated phosphotyrosine-independent interaction. Grb4 has 68% homology to the adapter protein Nck and has similar but distinct binding specificities in K562 lysates. Subcellular localization studies indicate that Grb4 localizes to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Coexpression of kinase-active Bcr-Abl with Grb4 resulted in the translocation of Grb4 from the cytoplasm and the nucleus to the cytoskeleton to colocalize with Bcr-Abl. In addition, expression of Grb4 with kinase-active Bcr-Abl resulted in a redistribution of actin-associated Bcr-Abl. Finally, coexpression of Grb4 and oncogenic v-Abl strongly inhibited v-Abl–induced AP-1 activation. Together, these data indicate that Grb4 in conjunction with Bcr-Abl may be capable of modulating the cytoskeletal structure and negatively interfering with the signaling of oncogenic Abl kinases. Grb4 may therefore play a role in the molecular pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia. (Blood. 2000;96:618-624)


1988 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 929-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Ito ◽  
T Tanaka ◽  
T Yoshida ◽  
K Onoda ◽  
H Ohta ◽  
...  

Immunological analysis using monoclonal antibodies against subspecies of protein kinase C revealed the predominant expression of the isozyme, type II, in human megakaryoblastic leukemic cells. We investigated the effects of phorbol diester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin and synthetic diacylglycerol 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) on the immunocytochemical localization of protein kinase C in these cells. Indirect immunofluorescence techniques revealed the enzyme to be located in a diffuse cytosolic pattern, in the intact cells. When the cells were exposed to 100 nM TPA, the immunofluorescent staining was translocated from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. The translocation was protracted and staining on the membrane decreased in parallel with the Ca2+, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity. Treatment of the cells with 500 nM ionomycin caused an apparent translocation comparable with that seen with TPA, however, this translocation was transient and most of the cytosolic staining was within 60 min. We also found that 30 micrograms/ml OAG did not have significant effects on distribution of the staining, but rather acted synergistically on the translocation with the suboptimal concentration of 100 nM ionomycin. A similar synergism was also observed with 10 nM TPA and 100 nM ionomycin. These results obtained in situ provide evidence that intracellular Ca2+ and diacylglycerol regulate membrane binding of the enzyme in vivo.


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C311-C311
Author(s):  
Diana Tomchick ◽  
Ranjit Deka ◽  
Chad Brautigam ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Michael Norgard

Treponema pallidum, an obligate parasite of humans and the causative agent of syphilis, has evolved the capacity to exploit host-derived metabolites for its survival. Flavin-containing compounds are essential cofactors that are required for metabolic processes in all living organisms, and riboflavin is a direct precursor of the cofactors FMN and FAD. Unlike many pathogenic bacteria, Treponema pallidum cannot synthesize riboflavin; we recently described a flavin-uptake mechanism composed of an ABC-type transporter [1]. However, there is a paucity of information about flavin utilization in bacterial periplasms. We have identified the TP0796 lipoprotein as a previously uncharacterized Mg2+-dependent FAD pyrophosphatase/FMN transferase within the ApbE superfamily [2,3]. Biochemical and structural investigations revealed that the enzyme has a unique bimetal Mg2+ catalytic center. Furthermore, the pyrophosphatase activity is product-inhibited by AMP, indicating a possible role for this molecule in modulating FMN and FAD levels in the treponemal periplasm. The ApbE superfamily was previously thought to be involved in thiamine biosynthesis, but our characterization of TP0796 prompts a renaming of this superfamily as a periplasmic flavin-trafficking protein (Ftp). Treponemal Ftp (Ftp_Tp) is the first structurally and biochemically characterized metal-dependent FAD pyrophosphatase/FMN transferase in bacteria. We have shown in vitro and in vivo that Ftps from several types of pathogenic bacteria are capable of flavinylating proteins through covalent attachment of FMN via a phosphoester bond to threonine residues of an appropriate sequence signature. Progress on the structural characterization of a product of this post-translational modification will be presented. This new paradigm for a bacterial flavin utilization pathway may prove to be useful for future inhibitor design.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Jianhao Ke ◽  
Jinwen Wang ◽  
Riqiang Deng ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
Bei Jinlong ◽  
...  

<p>ORF69 (Ac69) of <em>Autographa californica</em> multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (Ac<em>M</em>NPV) is conserved in some baculovirus genomes. Although it has been shown that Ac69 has cap 0-dependent methyltransferase activity and is not required for budded virus production in <em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em> Sf-9 cells, its role in occlusion-derived virus synthesis and virus oral infectivity is not known. This paper describes generation of an <em>ac69</em> knockout Ac<em>M</em>NPV bacmid mutant and analyses of the influence of <em>ac69</em> deletion on the viral infectivity in Sf-9 cells and <em>Trichoplusia ni</em> larvae so as to investigate the role of <em>ac69 in the viral life cycle. Results indicated that ac69</em> deletion has little effect on the production rates and morphogenesis of budded virus and occlusion-derived virus in Sf-9 cells. In addition, animal experiment revealed that the deletion mutant did not affect Ac<em>M</em>NPV infectivity for <em>Trichoplusia ni</em> larvae in LD<sub>50</sub> and LT<sub>50</sub> bioassay when administered orally. These results suggest that <em>ac69</em> may be dispensable for viral infectivity both in vitro and in vivo.</p>


1980 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-207
Author(s):  
S.M. Wolniak ◽  
W.Z. Cande

Physiological parameters affecting reactivated ciliary beat in spermatozoids of braken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) were studied using a Triton/glycerol permeabilized cell model system. Reactivation frequencies of polylysine-tethered cells equalled in vivo rates at neutral pH. Frequency was dependent on ATP and Mg2+ concentration, and reactivation was inhibited by millimolar or greater free calcium. Reactivation was reversibly inhibited by micromolar concentrations of sodium ortho-vanadate, while intact cells were not affected by millimolar levels of the inhibitor. This is the first characterization of in vitro ciliary beat in a non-algal plant cell and demonstrates that the nucleotide and ionic requirements for reactivation of bracken cilia are similar to those of other systems.


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