Potential energy fields about nitrogen in choline and ethanolamine: biological function at cellular surfaces.

Partial charge distribution on first and second neighbor atoms to nitrogen in choline and ethanolamine have been calculated. Coulombic and steric parameters were then utilized to evaluate the interaction of a negative test charge with the two molecules. Both the position and the magnitude of the maximum of interaction energy in the two systems were significantly different. The results suggest that ethanolamine interacts more strongly with anions than choline does. This is due principally to steric repulsion of the negative charge by the methyl groups in choline.

Is genetic code redundancy related to retention of structural information in both DNA strands?

We have noted that the sense-antisense relationships inherent in the genetic code divide the amino acids into three separate groups. The nature of the amino acids in each group may allow the polypeptides coded by the antisense strand to retain the secondary structure patterns of the translated strand. Also, this relationship requires all but eight of the codons in the eukaryotic code and all but four in the mitochondrial code. Thus, genetic code redundancy could be related to evolutionary pressure toward retention of protein structural information in both strands of DNA.

Metabolism of bovine parathyroid hormone. Immunological and biological characteristics of fragments generated by liver perfusion.

The metabolism of bovine parathyroid hormone (PTH) by the perfused rat liver was studied. Labeled hormone, with or without cold hormone, was infused into the circulating perfusion medium containing various calcium concentrations. Pefusate samples at various time periods after the introduction of PTH into the system were chromatographed on Bio-gel P-10; radioactivity and/or immunoreactivity were measured in eluted fractions. Before the perfusion, all immuno- and radioactivity eluted in a single peak, with an apparent mol wt of 9,500 (peak I). After perfusion for 15 min, two other peaks with approximate mol wt of 7,000 (peak II) and 3,500 (peak III) were discernible. Peak I contained both NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal immunoreactivity and was biologically active at all time periods tested. The relative contribution of NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal immunoreactivity to the total immunoreactivity remained constant in this peak throughout the perfusion. In every respect, peak I had the characteristics of intact hormone. At all times, peak II consisted of only COOH-terminal immunoreactivity and was biologically inactive. At early time periods, peak III contained predominantly NH2-terminal immunoreactivity and was biologically active. With time, the relative contribution of NH2-terminal immunoreactivity decreased strikingly while that of COOH-terminal immunoreactivity increased. The three peaks identified in these experiments were analogous in size, biological activity, and immunological characteristics to those we have previously described for fractionated human hyperparathyroid serum. The rate of metabolism of PTH appeared to be regulated by the calcium concentration in the medium. At a high concentration of calcium (greater than 11 mg/100 ml), PTH metabolism was greatly retarded. At a low concentration of calcium (smaller than 5 mg/100 ml), the rate of metabolism was greatly increased. The physiological significance of our observations on the metabolism of PTH by isolated perfused rat liver is not known. However, since such metabolism results in a biologically active fragment, it is suggested that metabolism of intact hormone may be required before full biological expression is possible.

Studies of a serum albumin-liposome complex as a model lipoprotein membrane.

Electron microscopy shows that the lipoprotein dispersions formed from the interaction of negatively charged liposomes with bovine serum albumin contain closed, vesicu lar, multilamellar structures. Discontinuous density gradient studies indicate that the lipoprotein suspensions are vesicles in which bovine serum albumin homogenously associates with lipid. Low angle X-ray diffraction results show that all the systems, positively and negatively charged, with and without protein, have the characteristic lamellar structure observed in biological membranes. The lamellar spacing (bilayer plus water layer) of negatively charged liposomes without bovine serum albumin is 55 A. The same lamellar separation in the positively charged system is 108 A. The lamellar spacing corresponding to bilayer, water, and protein for the negatively charged lipoprotein system is 93 A while that for the positively charged lipoprotein system is 91 A. These dimensions suggest that a layer of protein one molecule thick is incorporated between the lamellae bound to the surface of the bilayer. Wide angle X-ray diffraction results indicate no major effect of the protein on the 4.1 A spacing, characteristic of hexagonal packing of the hydrocarbon chains. A classical light scattering technique is used to show that the lipoprotein systems are osmotically active. The solute permeability exhibited by these lipoprotein systems follows the sequence (glucose smaller than arabinose smaller than malonamide smaller than glycerol). K+ diffusion from negatively charged lipoprotein systems is greater than that found for positively charged lipoprotein systems.

ATP activation of protein degradation by extracts of crude and purified lysosomal preparations.

Activation of proteolysis by ATP was studied in lysates of crude and purified lysosomal preparations from liver and kidney at acid pH. In the crude system, from kidney, it was found that ATP activates proteolysis over a concentration range of 0.1-2 mM. Up to 4-fold activation was observed. GTP and CTP also activated proteolysis, but to a lesser extent. Proteolysis was inhibited by vanadate and molybdate. Fractionation of the kidney lysosomes on Percoll gradients produced two fractions containing lysosomal marker enzymes. Most of the acid phosphatase and the acid pyrophosphatase were found in the lighter band, while most of the beta-galactosidase and cathepsin activity was found in a more dense band. Proteolysis by lysates of both fractions was activated by ATP and inhibited by vanadate and molybdate. In the dense band proteolysis was also nearly totally blocked by pepstatin, and was enhanced by an inhibitor of pyrophosphatases, sodium fluoride. ATP also activates proteolysis in crude lysosomes from liver, but upon fractionation of this tissue it was found that all the lysosomal enzyme markers are present in the dense fraction obtained from the Percoll gradient. Again, proteolysis by lysates of the purified fractions was activated by ATP and inhibited by vanadate and molybdate. These data indicate that ATP can activate proteolysis at acid pH in a lysosomal milieu containing enzymes which also catalyze its breakdown. In the kidney there may be two lysosomal compartments which separate the enzymes catalyzing ATP breakdown from the proteolytic enzymes, but this is not essential for ATP activation as shown by the data from the liver and the crude lysosomal fractions.

Identification of an ATP-activated endopeptidase from rat kidney which catalyzes cleavage of parathyroid hormone to fragments identical to those produced in the rat kidney in vivo.

An endopeptidase catalyzing cleavage of parathyroid hormone to specific C-terminal and N-terminal fragments was identified in a partially purified membrane fraction from rat kidney. Fractionation on sucrose gradient showed that this activity is present primarily in a light membrane fraction rather than in the basal-lateral membranes, or in the classic lysosomal fraction. The endopeptidase can be extracted from the membranes by freezing and thawing, it has an acid pH optimum, and it catalyzes production of specific fragments of PTH. The major C-terminal fragment produced has its N-terminus at residue 39 of the native hormone. This fragment is identical to the primary PTH fragment found in kidney tissue following injection of iodinated PTH into the systemic circulation of rats (D'Amour et al., 1979). Finally, the cleavage of PTH by this acid endopeptidase is activated by physiological concentration of ATP (10(-4) - 10(-3)M). These results suggest that this enzyme may be involved in PTH catabolism by the kidney, that it may be located in a specialized cell fraction and that hormone catabolism may be regulated by the energy status of the cell.

The beta-subunit of the bovine mitochondrial F1 ATPase specifically binds the amino terminal domain of parathyroid hormone.

A protein which specifically binds the amino terminal domain of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on nitrocellulose blots of polyacrylamide gels was fragmented with cyanogen bromide (CNBr), and two fragments were sequenced through 20 residues. The sequence obtained was 100% homologous with the beta-subunit of bovine F1 mitochondrial ATPase. Purified F1 ATPase from bovine heart and Escherichia coli were obtained and the binding of PTH examined on the blots. The beta-subunit of the bovine enzyme bound PTH specifically through its amino terminal domain. However, both the alpha- and beta-subunit of the E. coli enzyme were found to bind the hormone. This binding was also specific for the amino terminal domain of the hormone. The subcellular distribution of the PTH-binding protein from bovine kidney was also examined further. While the mitochondria and plasma membrane appear to possess similar PTH-binding capability, submitochondrial particles enriched in F1 ATPase were also enriched in PTH-binding activity.

Examination of parathyroid hormone antisera for the presence of receptor antibodies.

Proteins from bovine kidney membranes were separated by denaturating polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and blotted onto nitrocellulose paper. The blots were immunostained with parathyroid hormone (PTH) antisera, and the effect of the presence of PTH on immunostaining was determined. Immunostaining of membrane proteins by two specific antisera was altered by PTH. With one antiserum, the immunostaining of two specific proteins (apparent mass 90 and 105 kDa) was prevented by PTH. With the second antiserum the immunostaining of a 150 kDa protein was prevented by the hormone. These effects were strongest with the 90 and 150 kDa proteins and these were investigated further. Antibody binding was prevented either by co-incubation or by preincubation of the blots with PTH, followed by washing and subsequent exposure to the antisera. Concentrations of PTH as low as 1 nM prevented antibody binding to the 90 kDa species, but somewhat higher PTH concentrations were required with the 150 kDa protein. Oxidation of the PTH methionine residues in the amino terminal segment of PTH, and deletion of the first nine residues in the hormone greatly reduced the competition with the 90 kDa protein, but had no effect on immunostaining of the 150 kDa species. The 35-84 fragment of PTH was not a competitor for the 90 kDa species, while the 1-34 fragment was ineffective with the 150 kDa protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Deletion of lysine 13 alters the structure and function of parathyroid hormone.

A peptide of unknown structure was found as a side product in a commercial preparation of the 1-34 fragment of bovine parathyroid hormone (PTH). CNBr cleavage and amino acid analysis showed that this peptide is the des-lys-13 form of 1-34 bovine PTH. The peptide thus represents a deletion mutant of PTH and structure-function studies are of interest. This peptide was a full agonist in the adenylyl cyclase bioassay for PTH, but its potency was about 5% of that found for the complete 1-34 peptide. Proton NMR studies showed that the pK values for the histidine residues in the des-lys-13 form were essentially identical to those of the intact peptide. However, pH-dependent changes in the chemical shifts for the tryptophan protons (residue 23) and several unidentified methyl group resonances were observed in the des-lys peptide. The latter are major shifts and probably represent ring-current effects; these were not seen in the intact 1-34 peptide. The results show that Lys-13 is important in the folding of the active domain of PTH, and are interpreted in the context of a previously published model for the folding of this hormone.

The role of the methionine residues in the structure and function of parathyroid hormone.

Forms of the biologically active N-terminal fragment of bovine parathyroid hormone oxidized at methionine 8, methionine 18, and both positions were prepared, separated from one another, and characterized as described earlier for the native hormone (A. L. Frelinger and J. E. Zull, (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 5507). The biological properties of the oxidized forms were compared to those of the native hormone, using the renal membrane adenylyl cyclase assay. Oxidation at position 18 produced full agonists of the hormone with slightly reduced potency. Oxidation at position 8 produced partial agonists of greatly reduced potency. Oxidation at both positions produced partial agonists of even lower potency. Thus, methionine 8 is implicated both in binding and in activation of adenylyl cyclase, but methionine 18 is implicated only in binding. Further study showed that oxidation of both residues is dependent on the pH, ionic strength, and polarity of the solvent. However, methionine 8 is less easily oxidized than methionine 18. This difference is eliminated in 3 M guanidine-HCl with 1-34 and in 6 M guanidine-HCl with 1-84. On the other hand the difference in reactivity is greatly increased in high ionic strength, with methionine 8 becoming much less reactive. These results suggest that the methionine residues are important in the biologically active conformation of parathyroid hormone and that methionine 8 is less accessible than methionine 18 under certain conditions. These conclusions are discussed in the context of a specific model for the folding of parathyroid hormone.

Production of biologically active fragments of parathyroid hormone by isolated Kupffer cells.

Cleavage of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by isolated Kupffer cells from rat liver was examined. Iodinated PTH labeled at position 43 was converted into two radioactive fragments which were shown by Edman degradation to have residues 35 and 38 as their NH2 termini. Cleavage at these positions is characteristic of cathepsin D. Amino-terminal fragments were detected by bioassay of fractions obtained by high performance liquid chromatography. These fragments eluted in positions characteristic of the 1-34 and 1-37 peptides also previously shown to be produced by purified cathepsin D. The putative 1-37 fragment was rapidly converted to 1-34 upon digestion with cathepsin D, whereas the putative 1-34 fragment was not further digested by this enzyme, behavior previously shown to be characteristic of 1-37 and 1-34 bovine PTH. Fragmentation of PTH as measured by generation of fragments soluble in trichloroacetic acid was inhibited by methylamine, monensin, and ammonium chloride. In addition, monensin significantly inhibited production of both carboxyl- and amino-terminal fragments. Finally, active PTH fragments were also produced by elicited peritoneal macrophages. It is concluded that Kupffer cells, and other macrophages, can produce active fragments of PTH which appear in the medium. These fragments may be generated by cathepsin D within the cells.

Kidney membrane binding of native parathyroid hormone compared to binding of its synthetic 1 - 34 fragment.

Kidney membrane binding of tritiated native parathyroid hormone (PTH) was compared to that of its active fragment 1 - 34 PTH. Native hormone specific binding is transient and disappears rapidly (integral of 30 minutes) at 37 degrees C but is stable up to 2 hours at 0 degrees C. The rate of binding loss appears relatively independent of the amount of hormone-receptor complex or of the amount of cold PTH in the medium. Loss of specific binding is also seen with iodinated PTH. Loss of specific binding of native PTH does not appear to be the result of enzymatic degradation of the hormone since significant amounts of intact hormone are present, both bound to membranes and in the medium after incubation. Biologically active tritiated 1 - 34 PTH binds specifically to isolated membrane, and both total and specific binding is stable for at least one hour at room temperature. The pH dependence for binding of 1 - 84 PTH and its activation of adenylyl cyclase are very similar, but differ from that reported for specific binding of 1 - 34 PTH. these results suggest that the interaction of native PTH with kidney cells may be more complex than that of its 1 - 34 fragment.

A theoretical study of the structure of parathyroid hormone.

Theoretical analysis of the tertiary and secondary structure of parathyroid hormone was conducted. By combining interpretations from this analysis with chemical data available in the literature, certain structural features of the hormone are consistently predicted. The proposed model for the hormone contains two domains dominated by hydrophobic clustering of critical residues within each domain and separated by an exposed linker region. In the prediction of two domains with a linker region, the model is similar to that proposed by Fiskin et al. [Fiskin, A.M., Cohn, D.M. & Peterson, G.S. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 8261-8268], but it differs significantly in other respects. The proposed structural features are apparent in the bovine, human, and porcine species of hormone.

Activation of bovine renal cortex membrane adenylyl cyclase by low concentrations of parathyroid hormone.

Under conditions designed to reduce non-specific adsorption of parathyroid hormone (PTH), the sensitivity of the renal membrane adenylyl cyclase to PTH was significantly enhanced. Stimulation of the enzyme could be observed at hormone concentrations as low as 2 x 10-11M. In addition, kinetic analysis of hormone activation revealed that under conditions where non-specific adsorption is great, downward concavity of Eadie-Hofstee plots is observed, whereas when such adsorption is reduced these plots become upwardly concave. These results suggest that in the absence of non-specific adsorption, PTH activation of kidney membrane adenylyl cyclase can occur at hormone concentrations approaching physiological. In addition, at low hormone concentrations PTH activation is probably more complex than previously recognized.