scholarly journals Fibrinogenolysis by a neutrophil membrane protease generates an A α 1–21 fragment

1994 ◽  
Vol 298 (3) ◽  
pp. 689-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Kelly ◽  
S A Adams ◽  
S C Robson ◽  
R E Kirsch ◽  
E G Shephard
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Acute Phase Reactant ◽  
Apparent Molecular Mass ◽  
Gamma Chain ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus

The 600 kDa neutrophil membrane neutral protease, which had been shown to generate bioactive peptides from the acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein, has now been shown to have fibrinogenolytic activity that is distinct from fibrinogenolysis by plasmin and neutrophil lysosomal enzymes. This protease gradually reduces the apparent molecular mass of fibrinogen (340 kDa) to non-clottable products and generates terminal products with apparent molecular mass values of 270 kDa, 200 kDa, 100 kDa and less than 40 kDa through cleavage of all three of the constituent chains. Characteristics of fibrinogenolysis by this neutrophil protease are cleavage of the bond between amino acids valine and glutamic acid at positions 21 and 22 respectively from the N-terminus of the A alpha chain to release an A alpha 1-21 peptide, digestion of the B beta chain at positions within the C-terminus, and proteolysis of the bond between amino acids isoleucine and glycine at positions 394 and 395 respectively from the N-terminus of the gamma chain. This generates products that lack anticoagulant activity. The thrombin clotting time of the product with an apparent molecular mass of 330 kDa was prolonged, although clot formation was still observed. Loss of coagulability and inability to clot was found with further degradation of fibrinogen to an apparent molecular mass of 290 kDa. Activity of this neutrophil membrane protease in vivo could be important for the regulation of fibrin deposition at sites of inflammation, and may contribute to the reported plasma levels of the A alpha 1-21 peptide.

A fusion protein with improved thrombolytic effect and low bleeding risk

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (12) ◽  
pp. 1194-1203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisheng Wang ◽  
Qinglin Zhang ◽  
Yide Qin ◽  
Chutse Wu ◽  
Xiudong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Fibrin Clot ◽  
Clot Lysis ◽  
Recognition Sequence ◽  
Linker Peptide ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus

SummaryTo resolve the therapeutic dilemma between efficacy of thrombolysis and bleeding risk associated with the use of a combination of thrombolytic and anticoagulant treatments, we created a fusion protein. Staphylokinase was fused to the N-terminus of hirudin using thrombin recognition sequence as linker peptide, resulting in a fusion protein STH.We hypothesised that STH would be cleaved by thrombin at the thrombus site, releasing staphylokinase and hirudin to perform bifunctionally, and attenuating bleeding risk. SDS-PAGE andWestern blot analyses indicated that the linker peptide could be specially recognised and cleaved by thrombin. Amidolytic and thromboelastogram assays showed that the N-terminus of hirudin in STH was blocked by staphylokinase and linker peptide, impeding hirudin’s anticoagulant activity. Once cleaved, STH displayed 35.7% of the anticoagulant activity of equimolar hirudin and exhibited anticoagulant effects in the fibrin clot lysis assay.Thrombin-binding and fibrin clot lysis assays showed that the C-terminus of hirudin retained its high affinity for thrombin. Moreover, STH showed improved thrombolytic effects and a lower bleeding risk in animals. Thus, STH may have the capacity to perform bifunctionally and release anticoagulant activity in a thrombus-targeted manner in vivo, which may reduce the bleeding risk that often accompanies high thrombolytic efficacy in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases.

Structural characterization, tissue distribution, and functional expression of murine aminoacylase III

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (4) ◽  
pp. C848-C856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Pushkin ◽  
Gerardo Carpenito ◽  
Natalia Abuladze ◽  
Debra Newman ◽  
Vladimir Tsuprun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Rotational Symmetry ◽  
Aromatic Amino Acids ◽  
Functional Expression ◽  
Proximal Tubules ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Northern Analysis ◽  
Mercapturic Acids

Many xenobiotics are detoxified through the mercapturate metabolic pathway. The final product of the pathway, mercapturic acids ( N-acetylcysteine S-conjugates), are secreted predominantly by renal proximal tubules. Mercapturic acids may undergo a transformation mediated by aminoacylases and cysteine S-conjugate β-lyases that leads to nephrotoxic reactive thiol formation. The deacetylation of cysteine S-conjugates of N-acyl aromatic amino acids is thought to be mediated by an aminoacylase whose molecular identity has not been determined. In the present study, we cloned aminoacylase III, which likely mediates this process in vivo, and characterized its function and structure. The enzyme consists of 318 amino acids and has a molecular mass (determined by SDS-PAGE) of ∼35 kDa. Under nondenaturing conditions, the molecular mass of the enzyme is ∼140 kDa as determined by size-exclusion chromatography, which suggests that it is a tetramer. In agreement with this hypothesis, transmission electron microscopy and image analysis of aminoacylase III showed that the monomers of the enzyme are arranged with a fourfold rotational symmetry. Northern analysis demonstrated an ∼1.4-kb transcript that was expressed predominantly in kidney and showed less expression in liver, heart, small intestine, brain, lung, testis, and stomach. In kidney, aminoacylase III was immunolocalized predominantly to the apical domain of S1 proximal tubules and the cytoplasm of S2 and S3 proximal tubules. The data suggest that in kidney proximal tubules, aminoacylase III plays an important role in deacetylating mercapturic acids. The predominant cytoplasmic localization of aminoacylase III may explain the greater sensitivity of the proximal straight tubule to the nephrotoxicity of mercapturic acids.

scholarly journals Different expression levels of two KgmB-His fusion proteins

2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 1401-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Markovic ◽  
Sandra Vojnovic ◽  
Milija Jovanovic ◽  
Branka Vasiljevic
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Fusion Proteins ◽  
Kanamycin Resistance ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
E Coli ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Streptomyces Tenebrarius

The KgmB methylase from Streptomyces tenebrarius was expressed and purified using the QIAexpress System. Two expression vectors were made: pQEK-N, which places a (His)6 tag at the N-terminus, and pQEK-C, which places a (His)6 tag at the C-terminus of the recombinant KgmB protein. Kanamycin resistance of the E. coli cells containing either the pQEK-N or the pQEK-C recombinant plasmids confirmed the functionality of both KgmB-His fusion proteins in vivo. Interestingly, different levels of expression were observed between these two recombinant proteins. Namely, KgmB methylase with the (His)6 tag at the N-terminus showed a higher level of expression. Purification of the (His)6-tagged proteins using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography was performed under native conditions and the KgmB methylase with (His)6 tag at the N-terminus was purified to homogeneity >95 %. The recombinant KgmB protein was detected on a Western blot using anti-Sgm antibodies.

scholarly journals The Extracellular Transport Signal of the Vibrio cholerae Endochitinase (ChiA) Is a Structural Motif Located between Amino Acids 75 and 555

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (8) ◽  
pp. 2225-2234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Folster ◽  
Terry D. Connell
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Structural Motif ◽  
Terminal Branch ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Extracellular Transport

ABSTRACT ChiA, an 88-kDa endochitinase encoded by the chiA gene of the gram-negative enteropathogen Vibrio cholerae, is secreted via the eps-encoded main terminal branch of the general secretory pathway (GSP), a mechanism which also transports cholera toxin. To localize the extracellular transport signal of ChiA that initiates transport of the protein through the GSP, a chimera comprised of ChiA fused at the N terminus with the maltose-binding protein (MalE) of Escherichia coli and fused at the C terminus with a 13-amino-acid epitope tag (E-tag) was expressed in strain 569B(chiA::Kanr), a chiA-deficient but secretion-competent mutant of V. cholerae. Fractionation studies revealed that blockage of the natural N terminus and C terminus of ChiA did not prevent secretion of the MalE-ChiA-E-tag chimera. To locate the amino acid sequences which encoded the transport signal, a series of truncations of ChiA were engineered. Secretion of the mutant polypeptides was curtailed only when ChiA was deleted from the N terminus beyond amino acid position 75 or from the C terminus beyond amino acid 555. A mutant ChiA comprised of only those amino acids was secreted by wild-type V. cholerae but not by an epsD mutant, establishing that amino acids 75 to 555 independently harbored sufficient structural information to promote secretion by the GSP of V. cholerae. Cys77 and Cys537, two cysteines located just within the termini of ChiA(75-555), were not required for secretion, indicating that those residues were not essential for maintaining the functional activity of the ChiA extracellular transport signal.

scholarly journals The C-Terminal Flexible Domain of the Heme Chaperone CcmE Is Important but Not Essential for Its Function

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (13) ◽  
pp. 3821-3827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Enggist ◽  
Linda Thöny-Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Heme Binding ◽  
Membrane Anchor ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Conserved Domain ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Helical Turn ◽  
Low Activity

ABSTRACT CcmE is a heme chaperone active in the cytochrome c maturation pathway of Escherichia coli. It first binds heme covalently to strictly conserved histidine H130 and subsequently delivers it to apo-cytochrome c. The recently solved structure of soluble CcmE revealed a compact core consisting of a β-barrel and a flexible C-terminal domain with a short α-helical turn. In order to elucidate the function of this poorly conserved domain, CcmE was truncated stepwise from the C terminus. Removal of all 29 amino acids up to crucial histidine 130 did not abolish heme binding completely. For detectable transfer of heme to type c cytochromes, only one additional residue, D131, was required, and for efficient cytochrome c maturation, the seven-residue sequence 131DENYTPP137 was required. When soluble forms of CcmE were expressed in the periplasm, the C-terminal domain had to be slightly longer to allow detection of holo-CcmE. Soluble full-length CcmE had low activity in cytochrome c maturation, indicating the importance of the N-terminal membrane anchor for the in vivo function of CcmE.

Abstract 277: Elevated C-Reactive Protein Contributes to Preeclampsia via Kinin Signaling Pathways

Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Parchim ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Takayuki Iriyama ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
Athar H Siddiqui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Phase Reactant ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Induced Hypertension ◽  
Pregnant Mice

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy disease characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. Despite intensive research efforts, the underlying cause of PE remains a mystery. PE is, however, associated with abnormalities of the immune system. Here we report that the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an important acute phase reactant, were significantly elevated in the plasma of human with PE at the third trimester. Next, we found that CRP protein levels in the placentas of PE patients were also significantly increased compared to controls. In an effort to determine the exact role of elevated CRP in PE, we infused CRP into pregnant mice. We found that injection of CRP into pregnant mice induced hypertension (170 mmHg mean systolic vs. 125 mmHg mean systolic control; p<0.05) and proteinuria (25 mg/ug vs 12 mg/ug vehicle; p<0.05), indicating the direct role of CRP in PE. CRP is known to bind with phosphocholine on damaged cell membranes. Recent studies identified that neurokinin B (NKB), a placental enriched neuropeptide and known pathogenic molecule for PE, is phosphocholinated. This posttranslational modification increases its stability and enhances NKB-mediated receptor activation. These findings raise an intriguing hypothesis that CRP may bind with NKB coupled to NK3R activation and contribute to PE. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a pulldown assay, and we found that CRP bound with NKB. Next, using a cellular invasion assay, we revealed that CRP decreased invasion of human trophoblast cells (0.7 to 0.07 invasion index, p<0.05), while treatment with an NK3R selective antagonist, SB222200, ameliorated this shallow invasion. Finally, we provided in vivo evidence that inhibition of NK3R by SB222200 or knockdown of NK3R by specific siRNA in a potent nanoparticle delivery system significantly reduced CRP-induced hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant mice (170 mmHg mean systolic CRP-injected vs. 130 mmHg mean systolic siRNA NK3R; p<0.05 and proteinuria 25 mg/ug vs. 15 mg/ug; p<0.05). Overall, our findings demonstrate that elevated CRP contributes to PE and NKB/NK3R is a novel mechanism underlying CRP-mediated shallow invasion and disease development. These studies suggest novel pathogenic biomarkers and innovative therapeutic targets for PE.

Cdc18p can block mitosis by two independent mechanisms

1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (20) ◽  
pp. 3101-3108 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Greenwood ◽  
H. Nishitani ◽  
P. Nurse
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Checkpoint Control ◽  
Replication Checkpoint ◽  
Mitotic Kinase ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Dna Replication Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Genes

The DNA replication checkpoint is required to maintain the integrity of the genome, inhibiting mitosis until S phase has been successfully completed. The checkpoint preventing premature mitosis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe relies on phosphorylation of the tyrosine-15 residue on cdc2p to prevent its activation and hence mitosis. The cdc18 gene is essential for both generating the DNA replication checkpoint and the initiation of S phase, thus providing a key role for the overall control and coordination of the cell cycle. We show that the C terminus of the protein is capable of both initiating DNA replication and the checkpoint function of cdc18p. The C terminus of cdc18p acts upstream of the DNA replication checkpoint genes rad1, rad3, rad9, rad17, hus1 and cut5 and requires the wee1p/mik1p tyrosine kinases to block mitosis. The N terminus of cdc18p can also block mitosis but does so in the absence of the DNA replication checkpoint genes and the wee1p/mik1p kinases therefore acting downstream of these genes. Because the N terminus of cdc18p associates with cdc2p in vivo, we suggest that by binding the cdc2p/cdc13p mitotic kinase directly, it exerts an effect independently of the normal checkpoint control, probably in an unphysiological manner.

scholarly journals Insight from TonB Hybrid Proteins into the Mechanism of Iron Transport through the Outer Membrane

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (11) ◽  
pp. 4001-4016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace A. Kaserer ◽  
Xiaoxu Jiang ◽  
Qiaobin Xiao ◽  
Daniel C. Scott ◽  
Matthew Bauler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Hybrid Proteins ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus

ABSTRACT We created hybrid proteins to study the functions of TonB. We first fused the portion of Escherichia coli tonB that encodes the C-terminal 69 amino acids (amino acids 170 to 239) of TonB downstream from E. coli malE (MalE-TonB69C). Production of MalE-TonB69C in tonB + bacteria inhibited siderophore transport. After overexpression and purification of the fusion protein on an amylose column, we proteolytically released the TonB C terminus and characterized it. Fluorescence spectra positioned its sole tryptophan (W213) in a weakly polar site in the protein interior, shielded from quenchers. Affinity chromatography showed the binding of the TonB C-domain to other proteins: immobilized TonB-dependent (FepA and colicin B) and TonB-independent (FepAΔ3-17, OmpA, and lysozyme) proteins adsorbed MalE-TonB69C, revealing a general affinity of the C terminus for other proteins. Additional constructions fused full-length TonB upstream or downstream of green fluorescent protein (GFP). TonB-GFP constructs had partial functionality but no fluorescence; GFP-TonB fusion proteins were functional and fluorescent. The activity of the latter constructs, which localized GFP in the cytoplasm and TonB in the cell envelope, indicate that the TonB N terminus remains in the inner membrane during its biological function. Finally, sequence analyses revealed homology in the TonB C terminus to E. coli YcfS, a proline-rich protein that contains the lysin (LysM) peptidoglycan-binding motif. LysM structural mimicry occurs in two positions of the dimeric TonB C-domain, and experiments confirmed that it physically binds to the murein sacculus. Together, these findings infer that the TonB N terminus remains associated with the inner membrane, while the downstream region bridges the cell envelope from the affinity of the C terminus for peptidoglycan. This architecture suggests a membrane surveillance model of action, in which TonB finds occupied receptor proteins by surveying the underside of peptidoglycan-associated outer membrane proteins.

scholarly journals Five novel mutations located in exons III and IX of the protein C gene in patients presenting with defective protein C anticoagulant activity

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Gandrille ◽  
M Alhenc-Gelas ◽  
P Gaussem ◽  
MF Aillaud ◽  
E Dupuy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Direct Sequencing ◽  
Catalytic Triad ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Novel Mutations ◽  
Protein C Deficiency

We describe five families presenting with type II hereditary protein C deficiency characterized by normal antigen and amidolytic activity levels but low anticoagulant activity. All the exons and intron/exon junctions of the protein C gene were studied using a strategy combining amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of the amplified fragments, and direct sequencing of fragments displaying altered melting behavior. We detected five novel mutations. Three were located in the C-terminal part of the propeptide encoded by exon III: Arginine (Arg)-5 to tryptophan (Trp), Arg-1 to histidine (His), and Arg-1 to cysteine (Cys) mutations. The two others, located in exon IX, affected Arg 229 and serine (Ser) 252, which were respectively replaced by glutamine (Gln) and asparagine (Asn). DNA studies of the other exons from affected individuals showed no other abnormalities. These novel mutations provide further insight into the importance of the affected amino acids located close to the active site, near Asp 257, one of the three amino acids of the catalytic triad. The low anticoagulant activity of the abnormal protein C indicated that Arg 229 and Ser 252 play a key role during the interaction between protein C and its cofactor protein S, phospholipids, or factors Va and VIIIa. The Arg-1 to Cys mutation led to the dimerization of protein C with another plasmatic component, as evidenced by the presence in the plasma of a high molecular weight form of protein C that disappeared after reduction. No molecular mass abnormalities were observed in heavy and light chains of all other protein C mutants. In the five families explored, 9 (64%) of the 14 subjects bearing the mutations reported thrombotic events. This suggests that the protein C amino acids affected by the mutations are very important for the in vivo expression of the antithrombotic properties of protein C.

scholarly journals Localization of Functional Domains of the Mitogenic Toxin of Pasteurella multocida

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 7839-7850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian D. Pullinger ◽  
R. Sowdhamini ◽  
Alistair J. Lax
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Fusion Proteins ◽  
Pasteurella Multocida ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Terminal Fragment ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
N Terminus

ABSTRACT The locations of the catalytic and receptor-binding domains of thePasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) were investigated. N- and C-terminal fragments of PMT were cloned and expressed as fusion proteins with affinity tags. Purified fusion proteins were assessed in suitable assays for catalytic activity and cell-binding ability. A C-terminal fragment (amino acids 681 to 1285) was catalytically active. When microinjected into quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells, it induced changes in cell morphology typical of toxin-treated cells and stimulated DNA synthesis. An N-terminal fragment with a His tag at the C terminus (amino acids 1 to 506) competed with full-length toxin for binding to surface receptors and therefore contains the cell-binding domain. The inactive mutant containing a mutation near the C terminus (C1165S) also bound to cells in this assay. Polyclonal antibodies raised to the N-terminal PMT region bound efficiently to full-length native toxin, suggesting that the N terminus is surface located. Antibodies to the C terminus of PMT were microinjected into cells and inhibited the activity of toxin added subsequently to the medium, confirming that the C terminus contains the active site. Analysis of the PMT sequence predicted a putative transmembrane domain with predicted hydrophobic and amphipathic helices near the N terminus over the region of homology to the cytotoxic necrotizing factors. The C-terminal end of PMT was predicted to be a mixed α/β domain, a structure commonly found in catalytic domains. Homology to proteins of known structure and threading calculations supported these assignments.

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