Nucleotide binding to the C-terminal nucleotide binding domain of ArsA. Studies with an ATP analogue, 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine

ArsA protein, the catalytic component of the plasmid-encoded anion-translocating ATPase in Escherichia coli, contains two consensus nucleotide binding domains, A1 and A2, that are connected by a flexible linker. ATP has previously been shown to cross-link to the A1 domain upon activation with UV light but not to the A2 domain. The ATP analogue, 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (FSBA) was used to probe the nucleotide binding domains of ArsA. The covalently labeled protein was subjected to partial trypsin proteolysis, followed by Western blot analysis of the fragments with the anti-FSBA serum. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the labeled fragment showed that FSBA binds preferentially to the C-terminal domain A2 both in the absence and the presence of antimonite. Occupancy of the two nucleotide binding sites was determined by protection from trypsin proteolysis. Trypsin cleaved the ArsA protein at Arg290 in the linker to generate a 32-kDa N-terminal and a 27-kDa C-terminal fragment. The 32-kDa fragment is compact and largely inaccessible to trypsin; however, the 27-kDa was cleaved further. Incubation with FSBA, which binds to the C-terminal domain, resulted in significant protection of the 27-kDa fragment. This fragment was not protected upon incubation with ATP alone, indicating that A2 might be unoccupied. However, upon incubation with ATP and antimonite, almost complete protection from trypsin was seen. ATP and FSBA together mimicked the effect of ATP and antimonite, implying that this fully protected conformation might be the result of both sites occupied with the nucleotide. It is proposed that the A1 site in ArsA is a high affinity ATP site, whereas the allosteric ligand antimonite is required to allow ATP binding to A2, resulting in catalytic cooperativity. Thus antimonite binding may act as a switch in regulating ATP binding to A2 and hence the ATPase activity of ArsA.     

Tryptophan fluorescence reports nucleotide-induced conformational changes in a domain of the ArsA ATPase

The ars operon of plasmid R773 encodes an ATP-dependent extrusion pump for arsenite and antimonite in Escherichia coli. The ArsA ATPase is the catalytic subunit of the pump protein, with two nucleotide binding consensus sequences, one in the NH2-terminal half and one in the COOH-terminal half of the protein. A 12-residue consensus sequence (DTAPTGHTIRLL) has been identified in ArsA homologs from eubacteria, archebacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. ArsA enzymes were constructed containing single tryptophan residues at either end of this conserved sequence. The emission spectrum of the fluorescence of the tryptophan on the COOH-terminal end (Trp-159) indicated a relatively hydrophilic environment for this residue. An increase in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and a blue shift of the maximum emission wavelength were observed upon addition of MgATP, indicating movement of Trp-159 into a relatively less polar environment. No fluorescence response was observed with MgADP, with nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs, or with MgATP by catalytically inactive enyzmes. This suggests that the location Trp-159 is shifted only during hydrolysis of ATP. In contrast, the emission spectrum of Trp-141, located on the NH2-terminal side of the consensus sequence, indicated a relatively nonpolar environment. The maximum emission wavelength red shifted upon addition of MgADP. MgATP slowly produced a response that correlated with product formation, suggesting that the environment of Trp-141 is sensitive only to MgADP binding. Thus, during ATP hydrolysis the COOH-terminal end of the conserved domain moves into a less polar environment, whereas the NH2-terminal end moves into a more hydrophilic environment as product is formed. A hypothesis is presented in which the conserved domain of ArsA and homologs is an energy transduction domain involved in transmission of the energy of ATP hydrolysis to biological functions such as transport.     

Interaction of substrate and effector binding sites in the ArsA ATPase

The ars operon of plasmid R773 confers resistance to antimonials and arsenicals in Escherichia coli by encoding an ATP-dependent extrusion system for the oxyanions. The catalytic subunit, the ArsA protein, is an ATPase with two nucleotide binding consensus sequences, one in the N-terminal half and one in the C-terminal half of the protein. The ArsA ATPase is allosterically activated by tricoordinate binding of As(3+) or Sb(3+) to three cysteine thiolates. Previous measurements suggested that the intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophans might be useful for examining binding of Mg2+ ATP and antimonite. In the present study an increase in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence was observed upon addition of Mg2+ ATP. This enhancement was reversed by addition of antimonite. The ArsA protein contains four tryptophan residues: Trp159, Trp253, Trp522, and Trp524. The first two were altered to tyrosine residues by site-directed mutagenesis. Cells expressing both the arsAW159Y and arsAW253Y mutations retained resistance to arsenite, and the purified W159Y and W253Y proteins retained ATPase activity. While the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of the W253Y protein responded to addition of Mg2+ ATP, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence in the purified W159Y protein was no longer enhanced by substrate. These results suggest that Trp159 is conformationally coupled to one or both of the nucleotide binding sites and provides a useful probe for the interaction of effector and substrate binding sites.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of the distribution of the human ATPase (hASNA-I) in normal tissues and its overexpression in breast adenomas and carcinomas

Human ATPase (hASNA-I) is a novel human gene recently cloned on the basis of homology to the arsA gene of bacteria. Its protein product is an ATPase that is free in the cytoplasm and bound in the perinuclear area and nucleolus in human cells. We prepared the hASNA-I-specific 5G8 monoclonal antibody and used it to investigate the expression of hASNA-I in normal human tissues and breast cancers. hASNA-I was detected immunohistochemically only in the epithelial cells of the liver, kidney, and stomach wall, in the adrenal medulla, in the islet cells of the pancreas, in the red pulp of the spleen, and in cardiac and skeletal muscle. No staining was observed in the uterus, testis, lung, thyroid, cerebellum, and large intestine. Although no staining was also observed in normal breast tissue, all four cases of breast fibroadenomas and all 15 cases of either primary or metastatic breast carcinoma demonstrated increased staining. No embryological or functional common denominator is readily apparent. However, the increased expression in malignant breast cells is of particular interest with respect to the use of this antibody for screening of cytological specimens.     

Isolation and characterization of a DnaJ-like protein in rats: the C-terminal 10-kDa domain of hsc70 is not essential for stimulating the ATP-hydrolytic activity of hsc70 by a DnaJ-like protein

A DnaJ-like protein, RDJ1, was isolated from a rat brain cDNA library. The protein is predicted to have 397 amino acid residues and shares 99% identity to that of HDJ2, a human DnaJ-like protein. RDJ1 was also shown to rescue the temperature-sensitive lethality of a strain containing a mutated cytosolic DnaJ in yeast, ydj1-151. Fragments containing the J-domain of RDJ1 either with or without the G/F motif were expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified proteins stimulated the ATPase activity of hsc70 and of the 60-kDa N-terminal fragment of hsc70. These results imply that RDJ1 can interact with the N-terminal 60-kDa fragment of hsc70 to activate ATP hydrolysis by hsc70.     

Levels of major selenoproteins in T cells decrease during HIV infection and low molecular mass selenium compounds increase

It has been observed previously that plasma selenium and glutathione levels are subnormal in HIV-infected individuals, and plasma glutathione peroxidase activity is decreased. Under these conditions the survival rate of AIDS patients is reduced significantly. In the present study, using 75Se-labeled human Jurkat T cells, we show that the levels of four 75Se-containing proteins are lower in HIV-infected cell populations than in uninfected cells. These major selenoproteins migrated as 57-, 26-, 21-, and 15-kDa species on SDS/PAGE gels. In our earlier studies, the 57-kDa protein was purified from T cells and identified as a subunit of thioredoxin reductase. The 26- and 21-kDa proteins were identified in immunoblot assays as the glutathione peroxidase (cGPX or GPX1) subunit and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPX or GPX4), respectively. We recently purified the 15-kDa protein and characterized it as a selenoprotein of unknown function. In contrast to selenoproteins, low molecular mass [75Se]compounds accumulated during HIV infection and migrated as a diffuse band near the front of SDS/PAGE gels.     

Identification and characterization of S fimbria-binding sialoglycoproteins on brain microvascular endothelial cells

We have previously shown that S-fimbriated Escherichia coli binds brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) via a lectin-like activity of SfaS adhesin specific for NeuAc alpha2,3-galactose; however, BMEC molecules bearing these epitopes have not been identified. In the present study, we showed that the expression of S fimbriae conferred a three-fold increase in adhesion of E. coli to cow, human, and rat BMEC but did not enhance E. coli adhesion to systemic vascular endothelial cells such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human aortic arterial endothelial cells. Two BMEC-binding molecules for S fimbriae were identified as 65 (major)- and 130 (minor)-kDa sialoglycoproteins by S fimbria immunoblotting and were purified from bovine BMEC by wheat germ agglutinin and Maackia amurensis lectin (specific to NeuAc alpha2,3-galactose) affinity chromatography. The 65-kDa BMEC glycoprotein showed effective inhibition of S fimbria-mediated binding of E. coli to BMEC. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the mixture of 65- and 130-kDa proteins reacted to 65-kDa protein present only on BMEC, not on systemic vascular endothelial cells. Immunoprecipitation of biotinylated BMEC membrane proteins and immunocytochemistry studies of BMEC with anti-S fimbria-binding protein antibodies revealed that the 65-kDa protein is a surface protein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 65- and 130-kDa proteins showed no significant sequence homology with any other known proteins. These findings suggest that 65- and 130-kDa proteins represent novel sialoglycoproteins involved in the binding of S-fimbriated E. coli to BMEC.     

Structural studies of the H+/oligopeptide transport system from rabbit small intestine

A 127-kDa protein was identified as a component of the H+/oligopeptide transport system in brush-border membrane vesicles from rabbit small intestine by photoaffinity labeling with [3H]cephalexin and further photoreactive beta-lactam antibiotics and dipeptides. Reconstitution of stereospecific transport activity revealed the involvement of the 127-kDa protein in H+-dependent transport of oligopeptides and orally active alpha-amino-beta-lactam antibiotics (Kramer et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 204 (1992) 923-930). H+-Dependent transport activity was found in all segments of the small intestine concomitantly with the specific labeling of the 127-kDa protein. By enzymatic deglycosylation, fragments of Mr 116 and 95 kDa were obtained from the 127-kDa protein with endoglucosidase F and N-glycanase, whereas with endoglucosidase H, a fragment of Mr 116 kDa was formed. These findings indicate that the photolabeled 127-kDa protein is a microheterogenous glycoprotein. Surprisingly, it was found that the solubilized and purified 127-kDa protein showed enzymatic sucrase and isomaltase activity. Inhibition of the glucosidase activities with the glucosidase inhibitor HOE 120 influenced neither H+/oligopeptide transport nor photoaffinity labeling of the 127-kDa protein. With polyclonal antibodies raised against the purified 127-kDa protein, a coprecipitation of sucrase activity and the photolabeled 127-kDa beta-lactam antibiotic binding protein occurred. Target size analysis revealed a functional molecular mass of 165+/-17 kDa for photoaffinity labeling of the 127-kDa protein, suggesting a homo- or heterodimeric functional structure of the 127-kDa protein in the brush-border membrane. These findings indicate that the H+/oligopeptide binding protein of Mr 127000 is closely associated with the sucrase/isomaltase complex in the enterocyte brush-border membrane.     

Ubiquitin is conjugated to the cytoskeletal protein alpha-spectrin in mature erythrocytes

Ubiquitination of red blood cell (RBC) proteins was investigated by encapsulation of 125I-ubiquitin into human erythrocytes using a procedure of hypotonic dialysis, isotonic resealing, and reannealing. Incubation (37 degrees C, up to 2 h) of 125I-ubiquitin-loaded cells resulted in the recovery of 125I-ubiquitin with the cytosolic proteins (9.22 +/- 0.4 micrograms/ml RBC) and conjugated to membrane proteins (2.18 +/- 0.05 micrograms/ml RBC). This conjugation was time-dependent, and the predominant membrane protein band that became labeled showed an apparent molecular mass of 240 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Western blotting experiments with three different anti-ubiquitin antibodies revealed that this protein is also ubiquitinated in vivo. Cell-free experiments have shown that fraction II (a DEAE-bound protein fraction eluted by 0.5 M KCl) prepared from both mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes is able to conjugate ubiquitin to this protein. Ubiquitin conjugation was ATP-dependent (Km 0.09 mM), time-dependent, and fraction II-dependent (8 +/- 0.5 pmol of 125I-ubiquitin/h/mg of fraction II). Isolation of the major RBC membrane protein that is ubiquitinated was obtained by using biotinylated ubiquitin. Membrane proteins, once ubiquitinated with this derivative, were extracted and purified by affinity chromatography on immobilized avidin. The major components retained by the column were two peptides of molecular masses 220 and 240 kDa. Both proteins are recognized by a monoclonal anti-spectrin antibody, but only the 240-kDa component is detected by streptavidin peroxidase conjugate. That indeed the ubiquitinated membrane protein of 240-kDa is alpha-spectrin was confirmed by immunoaffinity chromatography using 125I-ubiquitin and a monoclonal anti-spectrin antibody. Antigen-antibody complexes were purified by protein A chromatography and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Again two bands of 240 and 220 kDa were eluted (alpha- and beta-spectrin), but only one band corresponding to the electrophoretic mobility of alpha-spectrin was detected by autoradiography. Thus, alpha-spectrin is a substrate for the ATP-dependent ubiquitination system, suggesting that the cytoskeleton is covalently modified by ubiquitination both in reticulocytes and mature RBC.     

Production of recombinant human brain type I inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase in Escherichia coli. Lack of phosphorylation by protein kinase C

The dephosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) to inositol 1,4-bisphosphate is catalyzed by InsP3 5-phosphatase. The coding region of human brain type I InsP3 5-phosphatase was expressed as a fusion protein with the maltose-binding protein (MBP) in Escherichia coli, using the pMAL-cR1 vector. The relative molecular mass of the purified fusion protein (MBP-InsP3-5-phosphatase) was approximately M(r) 85,000 as analysed by SDS/PAGE. The yield was about 10 mg fusion protein/l lysate. After cleavage from MBP with factor Xa, the specific activity of recombinant 5-phosphatase was 120-250 mumol.mg-1.min-1. The molecular mass of purified protein by SDS/PAGE was M(r) 43,000. The activity was inactivated by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. The possibility that protein kinase C might phosphorylate InsP3 5-phosphatase was tested on the purified 43,000 M(r) protein. In this study, we show that recombinant 5-phosphatase is not a substrate of protein kinase C.     

Angiotensin II AT1 receptors and Na+/K+ ATPase in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at passage 4 specifically bound 70 +/- 12 fmol [3,5-3H]Tyr4-Ile5-angiotensin (Ang) II/mg protein, with a Kd of 0.9 +/- 0.36 nM. Binding was eliminated in cells preincubated with a monoclonal antibody (6313/G2) raised against the subtype AT1 of the Ang II receptor. Freshly seeded HUVECs were positive for 6313/G2 antibody by immunocytochemistry, and such immunoreactivity was still retained at passage 4. Incubation of HUVECs for 20 min with different concentrations of Ang II provoked a significant increment in Na+/K+ ATPase activity compared with controls, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Maximal response was obtained with 1000 pM Ang II after 20 min stimulation and resulted in a 2.2-fold increment in Na+/K+ ATPase activity. This stimulation was abolished when cells were incubated with 1000 pM Ang II in the presence of 1 microM of the specific AT1 subtype inhibitor, DuP753. Moreover, preincubation of HUVECs with 6313/G2 or with 1 mM dithiothreitol also inhibited the stimulatory effect of Ang II. These results suggest that the AT1 receptor subtype mediates the Na+/K+ ATPase response to Ang II in these cells.     

The interaction of coumarin antibiotics with fragments of DNA gyrase B protein

DNA gyrase is the target of the coumarin group of antibacterial agents. The drugs are known to inhibit the ATPase activity of gyrase and bind to the 24-kDa N-terminal subdomain of gyrase B protein. Supercoiling assays with intact DNA gyrase and ATPase assays with a 43-kDa N-terminal fragment of the B protein suggest that the drugs bind tightly, with Kd values <10(-7) M. In addition, the ATPase data suggest that 1 coumermycin molecule interacts with 2 molecules of the 43-kDa protein while the other coumarins form a 1:1 complex. This result is confirmed by cross-linking experiments. Rapid gel-filtration experiments show that the binding of ADPNP(5'-adneylyl beta,gamm-imidodiphosphate) and coumarins to the 43-kDa protein is mutally exclusive, consistent with a competitive mode of action for the drugs. Rapid gel-filtration binding experiments using both the 24-and 43-kDa proteins also show that the drugs bind with association rate constants of >10(5) M-1.s-1, and dissociation rate constants of approximately 3x10(-3)s-1 and approximately 4x10(-3)s-1 for the 43-and 24-kDa proteins, respectively. Titration calorimetry shows that the Kd values for coumarins binding to both proteins are approximately 10-8M and that binding is enthalpy driven.     

The epidermal growth factor/cAMP-inducible ectoCa(2+)-ATPase of human hepatoma Li-7A cells is similar to rat liver ectoATPase/hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule (cell-CAM 105)

Human hepatoma Li-7A cells exhibit two cell surface ATPase (ectoATPase) activities distinguishable by their different biochemical properties. The activity of the minor ectoATPase, ectoCa(2+)-ATPase, is enhanced severalfold when Li-7A cells are treated simultaneously by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and cAMP elevating agents (Knowles, A. F., 1990, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 283, 114-119). Here we report that the human ectoCa(2+)-ATPase is biochemically similar to the major rat hepatocyte ectoATPase/cell adhesion molecule (cell-CAM 105) with respect to response to divalent ions and sulfhydryl reagents. Furthermore, the binding of rat liver ectoATPase antibody increased markedly in EGF/cholera toxin/hydrocortisone-treated Li-7A cells compared to untreated cells. Western blot analysis revealed cross-reactivity of the antibody with a 125-kDa protein. Partial purification of ectoCa(2+)-ATPase from EGF/cholera toxin/hydrocortisone-treated Li-7A cells confirmed that enrichment of the 125-kDa protein correlated with an increase in ATPase activity. We conclude that EGF and increased levels of cAMP lead to increased synthesis of the ectoCa(2+)-ATPase in Li-7A cells. The present demonstration of similarity between the ectoCa(2+)-ATPase and a rat liver cell adhesion molecule, cell-CAM 105, contributes significantly to an understanding of the implication of down-regulation of ectoCa(2+)-ATPase during hepatocyte-hepatoma transformation.     

Localization of the Wilson's disease protein product to mitochondria

Wilson's disease (WND) is an inherited disorder of copper homeostasis characterized by abnormal accumulation of copper in several tissues, particularly in the liver, brain, and kidney. The disease-associated gene encodes a copper-transporting P-type ATPase, the WND protein, the subcellular location of which could be regulated by copper. We demonstrate that the WND protein is present in cells in two forms, the 160-kDa and the 140-kDa products. The 160-kDa product was earlier shown to be targeted to trans-Golgi network. The 140-kDa product identified herein is located in mitochondria as evidenced by the immunofluorescent staining of HepG2 cells with specific mitochondria markers and polyclonal antibody directed against the C terminus of the WND molecule. The mitochondrial location for the 140-kDa WND product was confirmed by membrane fractionation and by analysis of purified human mitochondria. The antibody raised against a repetitive sequence in the N-terminal portion of the WND molecule detects an additional 16-kDa protein, suggesting that the 140-kDa product was formed after proteolytic cleavage of the full-length WND protein at the N terminus. Thus, the WND protein is a P-type ATPase with an unusual subcellular localization. The mitochondria targeting of the WND protein suggests its important role for copper-dependent processes taking place in this organelle.     

Cellular Ca2+ ATPase activity in diabetes mellitus

Basal and maximal Ca2+ ATPase activity was studied in erythrocytes of 29 healthy controls, 15 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 22 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Basal and maximal Ca2+ ATPase activity was significantly decreased in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (8.4 +/- 0.5 and 22.5 +/- 1.1 pmol/10(6) RBC/min) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (7.3 +/- 1.0 and 18.6 +/- 1.8 pmol/10(6) RBC/min) compared to healthy controls (9.3 +/- 1.0 and 24.6 +/- 1.1 pmol/10(6) RBC/min). Maximal Ca2+ ATPase activity showed a significant correlation to systolic blood pressure in both insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. There was no significant correlation of maximal Ca2+ ATPase activity to fasting serum glucose concentration and to HbA1 levels. Maximal Ca2+ ATPase activity was significantly correlated to creatinine clearance in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, but not in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It is concluded that a decreased cellular Ca2+ ATPase activity may predispose to the development of hypertension in diabetes mellitus.