scholarly journals Selective Ca2+-dependent interaction of calmodulin with the head domain of synapsin 1

1991 ◽  
Vol 275 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
N V Hayes ◽  
A F Bennett ◽  
A J Baines
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Calmodulin Binding ◽  
Head Domain ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Dependent Interaction ◽  
Synapsin 1

The calcium-dependent regulatory protein calmodulin is a critical element in the machinery regulating exocytosis at nerve terminals. Okabe & Sobue [(1987) FEBS Lett. 213, 184-188] showed that calmodulin interacts with one of the proteins intimately connected with the neuronal exocytotic process, i.e. synapsin 1. We have investigated the site at which calmodulin interacts with synapsin 1. We find that it is possible to generate chemically cross-linked Ca2(+)-dependent complexes between synapsin 1 and calmodulin in vitro, and have used covalent cross-linking in conjunction with calmodulin affinity chromatography to identify fragments of synapsin 1 that interact with calmodulin. Ca2(+)-dependent calmodulin binding is restricted to the ‘head’ domain (residues 1-453 in bovine synapsin 1). Within this domain the binding site is located in a unique 11 kDa Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase generated fragment. This fragment does not contain the site for cyclic-AMP-dependent phosphorylation and therefore does not represent the N-terminus of the protein.

scholarly journals Calmodulin and Calmodulin Binding Proteins in Dictyostelium: A Primer

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1210
Author(s):  
Danton H. O’Day ◽  
Ryan J. Taylor ◽  
Michael A. Myre
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Ion Binding ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Calmodulin Binding ◽  
Human Counterpart ◽  
Ef Hands

Dictyostelium discoideum is gaining increasing attention as a model organism for the study of calcium binding and calmodulin function in basic biological events as well as human diseases. After a short overview of calcium-binding proteins, the structure of Dictyostelium calmodulin and the conformational changes effected by calcium ion binding to its four EF hands are compared to its human counterpart, emphasizing the highly conserved nature of this central regulatory protein. The calcium-dependent and -independent motifs involved in calmodulin binding to target proteins are discussed with examples of the diversity of calmodulin binding proteins that have been studied in this amoebozoan. The methods used to identify and characterize calmodulin binding proteins is covered followed by the ways Dictyostelium is currently being used as a system to study several neurodegenerative diseases and how it could serve as a model for studying calmodulinopathies such as those associated with specific types of heart arrythmia. Because of its rapid developmental cycles, its genetic tractability, and a richly endowed stock center, Dictyostelium is in a position to become a leader in the field of calmodulin research.

Agonist-induced association of tropomyosin with protein kinase Cα in colonic smooth muscle

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (2) ◽  
pp. G268-G276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sita Somara ◽  
Haiyan Pang ◽  
Khalil N. Bitar
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Thin Filament ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Particulate Fraction ◽  
Calcium Dependent

Smooth muscle contraction regulated by myosin light chain phosphorylation is also regulated at the thin-filament level. Tropomyosin, a thin-filament regulatory protein, regulates contraction by modulating actin-myosin interactions. Present investigation shows that acetylcholine induces PKC-mediated and calcium-dependent phosphorylation of tropomyosin in colonic smooth muscle cells. Our data also shows that acetylcholine induces a significant and sustained increase in PKC-mediated association of tropomyosin with PKCα in the particulate fraction of colonic smooth muscle cells. Immunoblotting studies revealed that in colonic smooth muscle cells, there is no significant change in the amount of tropomyosin or actin in particulate fraction in response to acetylcholine, indicating that the increased association of tropomyosin with PKCα in the particulate fraction may be due to acetylcholine-induced translocation of PKCα to the particulate fraction. To investigate whether the association of PKCα with tropomyosin was due to a direct interaction, we performed in vitro direct binding assay. Tropomyosin cDNA amplified from colonic smooth muscle mRNA was expressed as GST-tropomyosin fusion protein. In vitro binding experiments using GST-tropomyosin and recombinant PKCα indicated direct interaction of tropomyosin with PKCα. PKC-mediated phosphorylation of tropomyosin and direct interaction of PKCα with tropomyosin suggest that tropomyosin could be a substrate for PKC. Phosphorylation of tropomyosin may aid in holding the slided tropomyosin away from myosin binding sites on actin, resulting in actomyosin interaction and sustained contraction.

LH release is facilitated by agents that alter cyclic AMP-generating system

1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (1) ◽  
pp. E44-E51 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Cronin ◽  
W. S. Evans ◽  
E. L. Hewlett ◽  
M. O. Thorner
Keyword(s):  
Adenylate Cyclase ◽  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Camp Analogue ◽  
Lh Release ◽  
Integral Proteins ◽  
Generating System

The issue of whether the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-generating system contributes to luteinizing hormone (LH) release was addressed by using several complementary probes in vitro. Pertussis toxin is considered to modify covalently an inhibitory adenylate cyclase regulatory protein. Treatment of gonadotrophs with this toxin increased both basal LH release and the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated LH release with no apparent effect on GnRH potency. Cholera toxin, which probably activates adenylate cyclase by covalently altering another regulatory protein, forskolin, which directly stimulates the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase, and the cAMP analogue 8-Br-cAMP amplified both basal LH release (in a dose-dependent manner) and GnRH-stimulated LH release after a lag of 1 (cholera toxin and 8-Br-cAmP) and 4 (forskolin) h. It is noteworthy that these belated effects occurred in spite of the fact that cellular cAMP accumulation was markedly increased within 30 min after cholera toxin and at 1 min after forskolin addition. There was no change in total radioimmunoassayable LH (cellular + released) in either the basal or GnRH-treated cells after cholera toxin and forskolin for up to 24 h. Finally, the forskolin-amplified LH release was reversible and calcium dependent because D-600, EDTA, and calcium-free medium inhibited this effect. These results, generated with three complementary probes that affect integral proteins of the adenylate cyclase complex, suggest a function for cAMP in modulating LH release.

Calcium-dependent exocytosis in an in vitro secretory granule plasma membrane preparation from sea urchin eggs and the effects of some inhibitors of cytoskeletal function

1983 ◽  
Vol 218 (1213) ◽  
pp. 397-413 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Calcium Sensitivity ◽  
Magnesium Concentration ◽  
Cortical Granule ◽  
Cortical Granules ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Cortical Granule Exocytosis

Egg cortical granules remain attached to the egg plasma membrane when the egg is ruptured. We present evidence that demonstrates that, when the cytoplasmic face of the egg plasma membrane is exposed to micromolar calcium concentrations, an exocytosis of the cortical granules occurs which corresponds to the cortical granule exocytosis seen when the egg is fertilized. The calcium sensitivity of the preparation is decreased by an increase in magnesium concentration and increased by a decrease in magnesium concentration. Exocytosis is inhibited by trifluoperazine (half inhibition at 6 μm), a drug that inhibits the action of the calciumdependent regulatory protein calmodulin. Colchicine, vinblastine, nocodazole, cytochalasin B, phalloidin N -ethylmaleimide-modified myosin subfragment 1, and antibody to actin are without effect on this in vitro exocytosis at concentrations that far exceed those required to disrupt microtubules and microfilaments. Conditions are such that penetration to the exocytotic site is optimal. It is unlikely, therefore, that either actin or tubulin participate intimately in exocytosis. Our data also exclude on quantitative grounds several other mechanisms postulated to account for the fusion of the secretory granule with the plasma membrane.

scholarly journals Flagellar Radial Spoke Protein 2 Is a Calmodulin Binding Protein Required for Motility in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinfen Yang ◽  
Chun Yang ◽  
Winfield S. Sale
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Radial Spoke ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Calmodulin Binding ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Radial Spokes

ABSTRACT Genetic and morphological studies have revealed that the radial spokes regulate ciliary and flagellar bending. Functional and biochemical analysis and the discovery of calmodulin in the radial spokes suggest that the regulatory mechanism involves control of axonemal protein phosphorylation and calcium binding to spoke proteins. To identify potential regulatory proteins in the radial spoke, in-gel kinase assays were performed on isolated axonemes and radial spoke fractions. The results indicated that radial spoke protein 2 (RSP2) can bind ATP and transfer phosphate in vitro. RSP2 was cloned and mapped to the PF24 locus, a gene required for motility. Sequencing revealed that pf24 contains a point mutation converting the first ATG to ATA, resulting in only trace amounts of RSP2 and confirming the RSP2 mapping. Surprisingly, the sequence does not include signature domains for conventional kinases, indicating that RSP2 may not perform as a protein kinase in vivo. However, the predicted RSP2 protein sequence contains Ca2+-dependent calmodulin binding motifs and a GAF domain, a domain found in diverse signaling proteins for binding small ligands including cyclic nucleotides. As predicted from the sequence, recombinant RSP2 binds calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner. We postulate that RSP2 is a regulatory subunit of the radial spoke involved in localization of calmodulin for control of motility.

scholarly journals A direct interaction between a glutamine-rich activator and the N terminus of TFIIB can mediate transcriptional activation in vivo.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 2311-2320 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Colgan ◽  
H Ashali ◽  
J L Manley
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Mutant Form ◽  
Transcription Factor Iib ◽  
Protein Binding Assay ◽  
N Terminus

Studies examining the mechanism by which transcriptional activators function have suggested that the general transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) can be a target for certain regulatory proteins. For example, we showed previously that expression of a mutant form of TFIIB can specifically inhibit activation in vivo mediated by the strong, glutamine-rich activator protein GAL4-ftzQ. Using transient cotransfection assays, we have defined the regions in both GAL4-ftzQ and TFIIB that are required for activity in vivo and provide evidence that a potential zinc finger structure at the N terminus of TFIIB is necessary for the observed functional interaction between the two proteins. Using a protein binding assay, we have demonstrated that GAL4-ftzQ can specifically interact with TFIIB in vitro. This interaction requires the same regions in both molecules necessary for function in vivo and is reduced or eliminated by mutations predicted to disrupt the zinc finger in TFIIB. These results support the idea that a direct interaction between a regulatory protein and TFIIB can be important for transcriptional activation in vivo and, combined with previous data of others, suggest that different activators can function by contacting distinct regions of TFIIB.

Neuroprotective and anti-amnestic effects of a combination therapy in a model of photochemical ischemic damage in the prefrontal cortex

2018 ◽  
pp. 39-45
Author(s):  
Ф.М. Шакова ◽  
Т.И. Калинина ◽  
М.В. Гуляев ◽  
Г.А. Романова
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Nerve Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Human Growth ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Nerve Growth

Цель исследования - изучение влияния комбинированной терапии (мутантные молекулы эритропоэтина (EPO) и дипептидный миметик фактора роста нервов ГК-2H) на воспроизведение условного рефлекса пассивного избегания (УРПИ) и объем поражения коры мозга у крыс с двусторонним ишемическим повреждением префронтальной коры. Методика. Мутантные молекулы EPO (MЕРО-TR и MЕPО-Fc) с значительно редуцированной эритропоэтической и выраженной цитопротекторной активностью созданы методом генной инженерии. Используемый миметик фактора роста нервов человека, эндогенного регуляторного белка, в экспериментах in vitro проявлял отчетливые нейропротективные свойства. Двустороннюю фокальную ишемию префронтальной коры головного мозга крыс создавали методом фотохимического тромбоза. Выработку и оценку УРПИ проводили по стандартной методике. Объем повреждения мозга оценивался при помощи МРТ. MEPO-TR и MEPO-Fc (50 мкг/кг) вводили интраназально однократно через 1 ч после фототромбоза, ГК-2Н (1 мг/кг) - внутрибрюшинно через 4 ч после фототромбоза и далее в течение 4 послеоперационных суток. Результаты. Выявлено статистически значимое сохранение выработанного до ишемии УРПИ, а также значимое снижение объема повреждения коры при комплексной терапии. Полученные данные свидетельствуют об антиамнестическом и нейропротекторном эффектах примененной комбинированной терапии, которые наиболее отчетливо выражены в дозах: МEPO-Fc (50 мкг/кг) и ГК-2Н (1 мг/кг). Заключение. Подтвержден нейропротекторный эффект и усиление антиамнестического эффекта при сочетанном применении мутантных производных эритропоэтина - MEPO-TR и MEPO-Fc и дипептидного миметика фактора роста нервов человека ГК-2H. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combination therapy, including mutant erythropoietin molecules (EPO) and a dipeptide mimetic of the nerve growth factor, GK-2H, on the conditioned passive avoidance (PA) reflex and the volume of injury induced by bilateral ischemia of the prefrontal cortex in rats. Using the method of genetic engineering the mutant molecules of EPO, MERO-TR and MEPO-Fc, with strongly reduced erythropoietic and pronounced cytoprotective activity were created. The used human nerve growth factor mimetic, an endogenous regulatory protein based on the b-bend of loop 4, which is a dimeric substituted dipeptide of bis- (N-monosuccinyl-glycyl-lysine) hexamethylenediamine, GK-2 human (GK-2H), has proven neuroprotective in in vitro experiments. Methods. Bilateral focal ischemic infarction was modeled in the rat prefrontal cortex by photochemically induced thrombosis. The PA test was performed according to a standard method. Volume of brain injury was estimated using MRI. MEPO-TR, and MEPO-Fc (50 mg/kg, intranasally) were administered once, one hour after the injury. GK-2Н (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected four hours after the injury and then for next four days. Results. The study showed that the complex therapy provided statistically significant retention of the PA reflex developed prior to ischemia and a significant decrease in the volume of injury. The anti-amnestic and neuroprotective effects of combination therapy were most pronounced at doses of MEPO-Fc 50 mg/kg and GK-2H 1 mg/kg. Conclusion. This study has confirmed the neuroprotective effect and enhancement of the anti-amnestic effect exerted by the combination of mutant erythropoietin derivatives, MEPO-TR and MEPO-Fc, and the dipeptide mimetic of human growth factor GK-2H.

scholarly journals Calpain activity in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is associated with platelet microparticles

Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 2246-2251 ◽  
Author(s):  
JG Kelton ◽  
TE Warkentin ◽  
CP Hayward ◽  
WG Murphy ◽  
JC Moore
Keyword(s):  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Membrane Association ◽  
Membrane Glycoproteins ◽  
Calpain Activity ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Active Protease ◽  
Triton X ◽  
Platelet Microparticles

Abstract Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by thrombocytopenia and disseminated platelet thrombi throughout the microvasculature. Studies by our group have demonstrated calcium- dependent proteolytic activity (calpain) that is no longer detectable in the serum of patients with acute TTP after their recovery. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the protease activity of TTP was detectable in plasma and, therefore, not an in vitro phenomenon secondary to the formation of serum. Additionally, we looked for evidence of membrane association of the active protease in the patients' samples, which would explain the persistence of its activity in the presence of plasma inhibitors. Acute TTP samples, both serum and plasma, were collected from 10 patients with TTP. Calpain was measured using bioassays for enzyme activity and also by detection of the protein using immunoblotting with an anticalpain monoclonal antibody (MoAb). In all instances, calpain could be detected both functionally and antigenically in the acute TTP sera and plasma. No calpain activity could be detected in any of the controls, although antigenic calpain was detectable in one sample from a patient who had undergone cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. To investigate whether the calpain was associated with microparticles in the plasma, the TTP plasma samples were ultrafiltered and ultracentrifuged. Activity was not lost by passage across a 0.2-micron filter but was detectable only in the pellet following ultracentrifugation. Membrane association of the calpain in the microparticles also was demonstrated using solubilization with Triton X-100. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that the calpain activity could be removed by MoAbs against platelet membrane glycoproteins (IX and IIb/IIa) but not by a MoAb against red blood cell membrane glycophorin. These studies indicate that active calpain is associated with platelet microparticles in plasma from patients with TTP.

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