Inhibition of mitochondrial UCP1 and UCP3 by purine nucleotides and phosphate.

Mitochondrial membrane uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is not only expressed in skeletal muscle and heart, but also in brown adipose tissue (BAT) alongside UCP1, which facilitates a proton leak to support non-shivering thermogenesis. In contrast to UCP1, the transport function and molecular mechanism of UCP3 regulation are poorly investigated, although it is generally agreed upon that UCP3, analogous to UCP1, transports protons, is activated by free fatty acids (FFAs) and is inhibited by purine nucleotides (PNs). Because the presence of two similar uncoupling proteins in BAT is surprising, we hypothesized that UCP1 and UCP3 are differently regulated, which may lead to differences in their functions. By combining atomic force microscopy and electrophysiological measurements of recombinant proteins reconstituted in planar bilayer membranes, we compared the level of protein activity with the bond lifetimes between UCPs and PNs. Our data revealed that, in contrast to UCP1, UCP3 can be fully inhibited by all PNs and IC50 increases with a decrease in PN-phosphorylation. Experiments with mutant proteins demonstrated that the conserved arginines in the PN-binding pocket are involved in the inhibition of UCP1 and UCP3 to different extents. Fatty acids compete with all PNs bound to UCP1, but only with ATP bound to UCP3. We identified phosphate as a novel inhibitor of UCP3 and UCP1, which acts independently of PNs. The differences in molecular mechanisms of the inhibition between the highly homologous transporters UCP1 and UCP3 indicate that UCP3 has adapted to fulfill a different role and possibly another transport function in BAT.

Insect salivary glands: stimulation of fluid secretion by 5-hydroxytryptamine and adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate.

Low concentrations (10(-9)M) of 5-hydroxytryptamine increase the rate of fluid secretion by isolated salivary glands of adult Calliphora. 5-Hydroxytry ptamine is present in Calliphora brain. Adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) also stimulates fluid secretion and may be involved in the mode of action of 5-hydroxytryptamine.

2-5A antisense telomerase RNA therapy for intracranial malignant gliomas.

Malignant gliomas are the most common intracranial tumors and are considered incurable. Therefore, exploration of novel therapeutic modalities is essential. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that is detected in the vast majority of malignant gliomas but not in normal brain tissues. We, therefore, hypothesized that telomerase inhibition could be a very promising approach for the targeted therapy of malignant gliomas. Thus, 2-5A (5'-phosphorylated 2'-5'-linked oligoadenylate)-linked antisense against human telomerase RNA component (2-5A-anti-hTER) was investigated for its antitumor effect on an intracranial malignant glioma model. 2-5A is a mediator of one pathway of IFN actions by activating RNase L, resulting in RNA degradation. By linking 2-5A to antisense, RNase L degrades the targeted RNA specifically and effectively. Prior to the experiments using intracranial tumor models in nude mice, we modified the in vitro and in vivo treatment modality of 2-5A-anti-hTER using a cationic liposome to enhance the effect of 2-5A-anti-hTER. Here we demonstrate that 2-5A-anti-hTER complexed with a cationic liposome reduced the viability of five malignant glioma cell lines to 20-43% within 4 days but did not influence the viability of cultured astrocytes lacking telomerase. Furthermore, treatment of intracranial malignant gliomas in nude mice with 2-5A-anti-hTER was therapeutically effective compared with the control (P < 0.01). These findings clearly suggest the therapeutic potentiality of 2-5A-anti-hTER as a novel approach for the treatment of intracranial malignant gliomas.

A specific adenine nucleotide effect on the rat liver glucocorticoid receptor, demonstrated by aqueous two-phase partitioning.

The effect of mononucleotides on the cytosolic rat liver glucocorticoid receptor has been studied by the use of aqueous dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) two-phase partitioning. During incubations in 0.4 M KCl at 0 degrees C, millimolar concentrations of ADP and ATP, but not AMP, CTP, UTP and GTP, inhibit the increase in the receptor partition coefficient associated with receptor activation. This inhibition is counteracted by millimolar concentrations of theophylline and MgCl2. Two nonhydrolyzable analogues of ATP, alpha, beta-Methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate and beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate, also inhibit the increase in the partition coefficient. alpha, beta-Methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate is much more potent than ATP in doing so, and this compound was also shown to reduce the amount of receptor to bind to DNA-Sepharose after the incubations. Thus, adenine nucleotides induce a change in the state of the receptor, apparently consisting in an inhibition of receptor activation.

Dinucleoside tetraphosphatase from human blood cells. Purification and characterization as a high specific activity enzyme recognized by an anti-rat tetraphosphatase antibody.

Dinucleoside tetraphosphatase (Np4Nase; EC 3.6.1.17) has been purified 170,000-fold from a 30-60% ammonium sulfate fraction of a human blood cell extract. Purification included a dye-ligand affinity elution step using the inhibitor adenosine 5'-tetraphosphate. Human blood Np4Nase resembled rat liver Np4Nase, including recognition by anti-rat Np4Nase, but differed from homogeneous human leukemia Np4Nase in the 1000-fold lower specific activity of the latter. The results are discussed in relation to the potential role of diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) in the control of cell division and the turnover of Ap4A in blood.

The influence of salicylate on platelets and whole blood adenine nucleotides.

1. The addition of sodium salicylate to freshly withdrawn human blood or native platelet-rich plasma significantly delays platelet aggregation in vitro.2. The administration of acetylsalicylic acid to human subjects also significantly delays platelet aggregation in their whole blood and there is a short delay in the formation of fibrin but this is not statistically significant.3. Salicylate, whether added to human blood in vitro as sodium salicylate or given by mouth as acetylsalicylic acid, significantly reduces the platelet clumping activity of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) added to whole blood in vitro.4. The administration of aspirin in high doses for several days produces a marked increase in the total adenine nucleotide content of whole blood. The percentage of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was increased, that of ADP decreased while there is an obvious increase in the ATP: ADP ratio.5. There is little correlation between the plasma salicylate level and the delay aspirin produces in platelet aggregation in vitro or the changes that occur in the levels of ADP or ATP in whole blood during administration of aspirin.6. Significant correlations do occur, however, between the delay in platelet aggregation in vitro and (i) the percentage increase in the ATP concentration, (ii) the percentage decrease in ADP concentration, (iii) the percentage change in the ATP: ADP ratio observed during aspirin administration.

Modulation of branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase activity by adenine nucleotides in isolated rat liver mitochondria.

Feeding a 17.5% amino acid diet to rats results in inactivation of the hepatic branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complex. Reactivation occurs when preincubating mitochondria in the presence of 0.3 mM ATP, ADP, and AMP. The effect of AMP is assumed to be due to de novo formation of ADP. NaF (25 mM) blocks reactivation suggesting the involvement of a protein phosphatase in the activation process. At high nucleotide concentrations (3 mM) the enzyme is inactive. In the presence of Mg2+ ions nucleotide induced activation is further increased. Mg2+ ions themselves influence the equilibrium state of the enzyme complex. Low concentrations (1 mM) favor inactivation while high concentrations (10 mM) stimulate activation of the enzyme suggesting that Mg2+ ions may act by regulating the associated kinase and phosphatase.

Failure of presynaptic purinoceptors to modulate noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves in human dental pulp.

The effects of putative presynaptic P1- and/or P2-purinoceptors on the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves in human dental pulp were examined by testing the effects of agonists and an antagonist of these receptors on the stimulation-induced overflow of [(3)H]noradrenaline from tissue treated with desipramine (0.3 micromol/l) and preincubated with [(3)H]noradrenaline (0.6 micromol/l). The P1-purinoceptor agonists adenosine (1.0 mmol/l) and 2-chloroadenosine (0.01-1.0 mmol/l) and the antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropyl xanthine (1.0 micromol/l), and the P2-purinoceptor agonists ATP (0.1 mmol/l) and beta, gamma-methylene-ATP (0.01 mmol/l), did not modulate the release of noradrenaline. Adenosine was also without effect in dental pulp treated with the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist rauwolscine. It is concluded that presynaptic P1-purinoceptors and those P2-purinoceptors activated by adenine nucleotides are either not present on sympathetic nerves in human dental pulp or that they exert little or no effect on the release of noradrenaline.

The stimulatory effect of L-glutamate and related agents on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production in the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta.

The effects of L-glutamate, acetylcholine, and serotonin (5HT) were examined on generation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], in membrane preparations of the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta. Only L-glutamate and acetylcholine stimulated a significant elevation in Ins(1,4,5)P3. The response to L-glutamate was stereospecific; D-glutamate or L-aspartate were not as potent. A role for G-protein(s) was supported by the observations that sodium fluoride stimulated Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation, and the L-glutamate response was potentiated by GTP and GTP-S and was suppressed by GDPS. However, studies with pertussis and cholera toxins indicated that the putative G-protein(s) was not pertussis or cholera toxin sensitive. The pharmacological profile of the L-glutamate response was examined partially. Trans-ACPD was a very effective agonist at 10(-5)M. While 10(-3)M L-glutamate, NMDA, and AMPA significantly elevated Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels, quisqualate and kainate did not. The elevation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels by L-glutamate and NMDA was antagonized by the specific glutamatergic antagonists AP-5, AP-7, CNQX, and CPP. While the response to ACPD was antagonized by AP5, CPP and CPG, CNQX was without effect. Collectively, the data support the hypothesis that in the cestode H. diminuta, L-glutamate activation of a metabotropic (ACPD) and/or ionotropic-like AMPA/NMDA receptor subtypes proceeds via a G protein(s) to enhance phospholipase C activity, ultimately resulting in the elevation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels in the tissues.

Activation of 2-5A-dependent RNase by analogs of 2-5A (5'-O-triphosphoryladenylyl(2'----5')adenylyl(2'----5')adenosine ) using 2',5'-tetraadenylate (core)-cellulose.

A variety of 2-5A (px(A2'p)nA; x = 2 or 3, n greater than or equal to 2) analogs were assayed for their abilities to activate murine 2-5A-dependent RNase (subsequently "the nuclease") using a recently developed method. This technique consists of immobilizing and partially purifying the nuclease using core-cellulose [A2'p)3A-cellulose) and then monitoring the breakdown of poly(U)-3'-[32P]Cp into acid-soluble fragments. Several 5'-adenosinecapped analogs of 2-5A (containing a tetra-, tri-, or diphosphate) were analyzed, and it was found that reducing the number of phosphoryl groups between the 5' to 5'-diadenosine linkages resulted in a progressive loss of activity. Because A5' pppp(A2'p)3A was a potent activator of the nuclease yet stable during the assay these results suggested that a free 5'-phosphoryl group may not be required for the activation of the nuclease. A number of 8-bromoadenosine-substituted analogs of 2-5A were also studied. Curiously, the brominations decreased the activities of the 5'-di- and triphosphorylated molecules while substantially increasing the activities of the 5'-monophosphorylated species. The results indicated that a tri- or diphosphate moiety on the 5'-end of 2-5A or the presence of ATP is not absolutely required for the nuclease to be active. Furthermore, the ATP analog, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, did not inhibit the activity of the nuclease. Finally, a 3',5'-phosphodiester linkage isomer of 2-5A and a 3'-deoxy (cordycepin) analog of 2-5A were tested, and both were found to be completely without activity.

Evidence for two species of glutamate dehydrogenases in Thiobacillus novellus.

When grown autotrophically in a thiosulfate-mineral salts medium, cells of the facultative chemoautotrophic bacterium, Thiobacillus novellus, produced two distinct glutamate dehydrogenases, one specific for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) and the other specific for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). When glutamate was supplied exogenously as the sole carbon source, the NAD-specific glutamate dehydrogenase was fully induced. Lower levels of the enzyme were found in bacteria grown in l-arginine, l-alanine, glucose, glycerol, lactate, citrate, or succinate. Arginine, histidine, and aspartate, on the other hand, caused a marked repression of the NADP-specific glutamate dehydrogenase activity. The NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase was allosteric. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate and adenosine-5'-diphosphate acted as positive effectors. Both glutamate dehydrogenases were purified about 250-fold and were shown to be distinct protein with different physical properties.

Conformation analysis of 3'-fluorinated A(2'-5')A(2'-5')A fragments. Relation between conformation and biological activity.

A one- and two-dimensional NMR study has been performed on seven A(2'-5')A(2'-5')A fragments containing 9-(3'-fluoro-3'-deoxy-beta-D-xylofuranosyl)-adenine (AF) or 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxyadenosine (AF) residues at different positions, and on the corresponding monomers. A(2'-5')A(2'-5')A served as a reference compound. The fluoro substituent governs the conformation of the sugar ring: an AF residue displays mainly N-type sugar and the ring is considerably flattened (phi N approximately 30 degrees) compared to AF residues (phi S approximately 40 degrees), which exhibit almost pure S-type conformation. Moreover, in AF moieties the rotamer distribution around torsion angle gamma (O5'-C5'-C4'-C3') and the base orientation are influenced to a large extent by the presence of the fluorine substituent. The sugar rings of nonfluorinated residues in the trimers appear rather flexible. A possible correlation between the conformational characteristics of the fluorinated fragments and their biological activity has been found: the fragments that meet the prerequisites for binding to RNase L indeed show enhanced binding to this endonuclease. Furthermore, substitution of the 3'-OH group of the second residue by hydrogen or of the 3'-OH group of the 2'-terminal residue by fluorine or hydrogen results in increased resistance towards 2'-5'-phosphodiesterase.

2-5A-dependent RNase molecules dimerize during activation by 2-5A.

2-5A-dependent RNase is an interferon-inducible enzyme that requires 5'-phosphorylated, 2',5'-linked oligoadenylates (2-5A) for its endoribonuclease activity against single-stranded RNAs. We demonstrate here that recombinant, human 2-5A-dependent RNase forms stable homodimers during its stimulation by 2-5A. The protein dimers were observed to form only upon binding to 2-5A, as shown using gel filtration chromatography and chemical cross-linking and after centrifugation in glycerol gradients. A monoclonal antibody to 2-5A-dependent RNase was prepared and used to probe the subunit structure of the enzyme in the presence or absence of 2-5A. Using oligoadenylates of different length, structure, and 5'-phosphorylation states we determined that conversion of 2-5A-dependent RNase from its monomeric, inactive form to its homodimeric, active form required the presence of functional 2-5A. These results demonstrate that the catalytically active form of 2-5A-dependent RNase is a homodimer.

Reversible, nonionic, and pH-dependent association of cytochrome c with cardiolipin-phosphatidylcholine liposomes.

Membrane association of cytochrome c (cyt c) was monitored by the efficiency of resonance energy transfer from a pyrene-fatty acid containing phospholipid derivative (1-palmitoyl-2[6-(pyren-1-yl)]hexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PPHPC)) to the heme of cyt c. Liposomes consisted of 85 mol% egg phosphatidylcholine (egg PC), 10 mol% cardiolipin, and 5 mol% PPHPC. Cardiolipin was necessary for the membrane binding of cyt c over the pH range studied, from 4 to 7. In accordance with the electrostatic nature of the membrane association of cyt c at neutral pH both 2 mM MgCl2 and 80 mM NaCl dissociated cyt c from the vesicles completely. At neutral pH also adenine nucleotides in millimolar concentrations were able to displace cyt c from liposomes, their efficiency decreasing in the sequence ATP > ADP > AMP. In addition, both CTP and GTP were equally effective as ATP. The detachment of cyt c from liposomes by nucleotides is likely to result from a competition between cardiolipin and the nucleotides for a common binding site in cyt c. When pH was decreased to 4 there was a small yet significant increase in the apparent affinity of cyt c to cardiolipin containing liposomes. Notably, at pH 4 the above nucleotides as well as NaCl and MgCl2 were no longer able to dissociate cyt c and, on the contrary, they slightly enhanced the quenching of pyrene fluorescence by cyt c. The above results do suggest that the membrane association of cyt c at acidic pH was non-ionic and presumably due to hydrogen bonding. The pH-dependent binding of cyt c to membranes was fully reversible. Accordingly, in the presence of sufficient concentrations of either nucleotides or salts rapid detachment and membrane association of cyt c could be induced by varying pH between neutral and acidic values, respectively.

Synthesis and biological activity of 2',5'-oligoadenylate trimers containing 5'-terminal 5'-amino-5'-deoxy- and 5'-amino-3',5'-dideoxyadenosine derivatives.

Some new 2',5'-oligonucleotide trimers containing 5'-terminal 5'-amino-5'-deoxy- and 5'-amino-3',5'-dideoxyadenosine derivatives have been synthesized. Some of the trimers showed biological inhibitions of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), HIV-1 induced syncytia formation and PCR amplification.

Regeneration of enzyme activity after western blot: activation of RNase L by 2-5A on filter--importance for its detection.

A rapid and convenient new procedure for detecting RNase L activity following Western blot by renaturation of the enzyme on the nitrocellulose sheets is described. This method allows the simultaneous analysis of enzymatic activity (e.g., cleavage of poly(uridylic acid)-3'-[32P]pCp) and RNase L binding to radioactivE probes (e.g., 2-5A-3'-[32P]pCp) in the same sample. Unlike previously published methods, this procedure eliminates interference from proteases or other RNases during the analysis of RNase L activity. The detection of RNase(s) L is also affected by the presence of endogenous 2-5A, 2-5A derivatives, or other possible "inhibitors" in cell extracts; this Western blot assay allows of RNase(s) L to be detected independently of intracellular 2-5A or analogs. Differences between the procedures used so far and this Western blot technique can indeed be demonstrated. It is shown with this Western blot assay that although RNase L has been described as a protein of 185-200 kDa under nondenaturating conditions, its 80-kDa (and 40-kDa) component is able to bind 2-5A and to cleave poly(uridylic acid) in a 2-5A-dependent way, independently of other subunit(s) or cofactor(s).