Creating a common language: defining individualized, personalized and precision prevention in public health.

Background: Because of the limited success of population-based prevention methods and due to developments in genomic screening, public health professionals and health policy makers are increasingly interested in more individualized prevention strategies. However, the terminology applied in this field is still ambiguous and thus has the potential to create misunderstandings. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted to identify how individualized, personalized and precision prevention are used in research papers and documents. Based on the findings a set of definitions were created that distinguish between these activities in a meaningful way. Results: Definitions were found only for precision prevention, not for individualized or personalized prevention. The definitions of individualized, personalized and precision medicine were therefore used to create the definitions for their prevention counterparts. By these definitions, individualized prevention consists of all types of prevention that are individual-based; personalized prevention also consists of at least one form of -omic screening; and precision prevention further includes psychological, behavioral and socioeconomic data for each patient. Conclusions: By defining these three key terms for different types of individual-based prevention both researchers and health policy makers can differentiate and use them in their proper context.

Purification and partial characterization of protein phosphatases from rat thymus.

Protein phosphatases assayed with phosphorylase alpha are present in the soluble and particulate fractions of rat thymocytes. Phosphorylase phosphatase activity in the cytosol fraction was resolved by heparin-Sepharose chromatography into type-1 and type-2A enzymes. Similarities between thymocyte and muscle or liver protein phosphatase-1 included preferential dephosphorylation of the beta subunit of phosphorylase kinase, inhibition by inhibitor-2 and retention by heparin-Sepharose. Similarities between thymocyte and muscle or liver protein phosphatase-2A included specificity for the alpha subunit of phosphorylase kinase, insensitivity to the action of inhibitor-2, lack of retention by heparin-Sepharose and stimulation by polycationic macromolecules such as polybrene, protamine and histone H1. Protein phosphatase-1 from the cytosol fraction of thymocytes had an apparent molecular mass of 120 kDa as determined by gel filtration. The phosphatase-2A separated from the cytosol of thymocytes may correspond to phosphatase-2A0, since it was completely inactive (latent) in the absence of polycation and had activity only in the presence of polycations. The apparent molecular mass of phosphatase-2A0 from thymocytes was 240 kDa as determined by gel filtration. The catalytic subunit of thymocyte type-1 protein phosphatase was purified with heparin-Sepharose chromatography followed by gel filtration and fast protein liquid chromatography on Mono Q column. The purified type-1 catalytic subunit exhibited a specific activity of 8.2 U/mg and consisted of a single protein of 35 kDa as judged by SDS-gel electrophoresis. The catalytic subunit of type-2A phosphatase from thymocytes appearing in the heparin-Sepharose flow-through fraction was further purified on protamine-Sepharose, followed by gel filtration. The specific activity of the type-2A catalytic subunit was 2.1 U/mg and consisted of a major protein of 34.5 kDa, as revealed by SDS-gel electrophoresis.

Cloning of a novel testis specific protein serine/threonine phosphatase, PPN 58A, from Drosophila melanogaster.

A gene encoding a novel member of the PPP family of protein serine/threonine phosphatases, termed PPN 58A, was cloned from Drosophila melanogaster. The deduced amino acid sequence of PPN 58A exhibits 59-62% identity to D. melanogaster PP1 isoforms, 51% identity to D. melanogaster PPY 55A and < or = 40% identity to other members of the PPP family. The single copy gene PPN 58A maps to chromosome 2 locus 58A. Analysis of PPN 58A mRNA reveals that, like PPY 55A, PPN 58A is a testis specific enzyme.

pzl-1 encodes a novel protein phosphatase-Z-like Ser/Thr protein phosphatase in Neurospora crassa.

The gene and cDNA of a novel protein phosphatase were cloned from Neurospora crassa. The pzl-1 gene encompasses three introns and is localized to the left arm of chromosome I between cyt-21 and Fsr-12. It encodes a protein of 58.3 kDa containing a Ser/Pro rich N-terminal segment, and a C-terminal domain that is similar to the catalytic subunit of type 1 protein phosphatases. The first 51 amino acid residues, including a potential N-myristoylation site, as well as the C-terminal domain (about 300 residues) have a high level of sequence identity with yeast PPZ phosphatases. However, residues 52-208 do not share high similarity with other proteins. The mRNA of pzl-1 was detected in all phases of asexual development of the filamentous fungus.

Mutations in the protein phosphatase 1 gene at 87B can differentially affect suppression of position-effect variegation and mitosis in Drosophila melanogaster.

The suppressor of position effect variegation (PEV) locus Su-var(3)6 maps to 87B5-10. The breakpoints of deficiencies that define this interval have been placed on a 250-kb molecular map of the region. The locus is allelic to the ck19 complementation group previously shown to encode a type 1 serine-threonine protein phosphatase (PP1) catalytic subunit. When introduced into flies by P element-mediated transformation, a 5.8-kb genomic fragment carrying this gene overcomes the suppressor phenotype of Su-var(3)6(01) and recessive lethality of all mutations of the locus. Four of the mutant alleles at the locus show a broad correlation between high levels of suppression of PEV, a high frequency of aberrant mitosis and low PP1 activity in larval extracts. However, some alleles with low PP1 activity show weak suppression of PEV with a high frequency of abnormal mitosis, whereas others show strong suppression of PEV with normal mitosis. The basis for these discussed.

Protein phosphorylation is involved in the regulation of chromatin condensation during interphase.

Loci affecting the condensation state of interphase chromatin have been previously identified from analysis of suppression and enhancement of position effect variegation (PEV) in Drosophila. Here we show that Su-var(3)6 and an allelic mutant, e078, which both show suppression of PEV in the heterozygous state, have point mutations (Gly220-->Ser and Gly220-->Asp, respectively) in a protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit located at 87B (PP1 87B). The mutated glycine is conserved in all known protein serine/threonine phosphatases in the same gene family, and its substitution decreases PP1 activity. We conclude that protein dephosphorylation by PP1 87B regulates the condensation state of chromatin during interphase.

Protein phosphatase 1 activity in Drosophila mutants with abnormalities in mitosis and chromosome condensation.

A Drosophila gene encoding a protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) has been sequenced, and lethal mutations in this locus (87B) analysed. Two mutants (ck19e211 and ck19hs46), which disrupt mitosis, lack the 87B isoenzyme and express only approximately 20% of wild type PP1 activity. The promoter region of the gene is deleted in the ck19e211 mutant. A third mutant (ck19e078), which shows suppression of position effect variegation, but has little effect on mitosis, possesses approximately 35% of wild type PP1 activity. The results indicate that the PP1 87B isoenzyme is involved in regulation of chromosome condensation at interphase as well as mitosis.

Molecular cloning and chromosomal localization of a novel Drosophila protein phosphatase.

A 1.0 kilobase cDNA coding for the complete amino acid sequence of a putative protein phosphatase (314 amino acid residues, molecular mass 36 kDa) has been isolated from a Drosophila head cDNA library. The cDNA hybridises to a single site on the right arm of the second chromosome at cytological position 55A1-3. The deduced sequence of the protein, designated protein phosphatase-Y, is homologous to the catalytic subunits of Drosophila and rabbit protein phosphatase-1 alpha (64 and 59% identity, respectively) and rabbit protein phosphatase-2A (39% identity). These and other comparisons demonstrate that this novel enzyme is not the Drosophila counterpart of mammalian protein phosphatases 1, 2A, 2B, 2C or X.

Dephosphorylation of distinct sites on microtubule-associated protein MAP1B by protein phosphatases 1, 2A and 2B.

Rat brain microtubule-associated protein MAP1B has been tested as a substrate for Ser/Thr protein phosphatases (PP). The dephosphorylation reactions were followed by specific antibodies recognizing phosphorylated and phosphorylatable epitopes. One set of phosphorylation sites on MAP1B are referred to as mode I sites, and their phosphorylation is presumably catalyzed by proline-directed protein kinases. These mode I sites are efficiently dephosphorylated by PP2B and 2A but not by PP1. Another set of phosphorylation sites on MAP1B are named mode II sites, and their phosphorylation is possibly due to casein kinase II. These mode II sites are dephosphorylated by PP2A and PP1, the PP2B being ineffective. The selectivity of phosphatases for different sites within the same protein indicates the complexity of the dephosphorylation reactions regulating the functionality of MAP1B in neurons.

Dephosphorylation of tau protein from Alzheimer's disease patients.

Tau protein-prepared post-mortem from brains of Alzheimer's disease patients was treated with protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit, 2A catalytic subunit, and 2B (calcineurin). Dephosphorylation was monitored by immunoblotting with two monoclonal antibodies, TAU-1 and SMI31, which recognize in tau the dephospho- and phospho-states, respectively, of proline-directed protein kinase phosphorylation sites. Out of the three enzymes tested, protein phosphatase 2A was only effective in dephosphorylating tau at these Alzheimer-type epitopes.

The catalytic subunits of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases from Caenorhabditis elegans.

The catalytic activities of protein phosphatase 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C were detected in crude extracts of Caenorhabditis elegans with different phosphoprotein substrates and specific inhibitors or activators. The enzymological properties of protein phosphatase 2B as well as those of the catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A were determined after partial purification. Gene fragments encoding the catalytic subunits of the protein phosphatase 1-2A-2B superfamily were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and were identified by DNA sequencing. Besides the homologs of protein phosphatase 1, 2B, and X, five protein phosphatase 1-type sequences and four novel protein phosphatase sequences were found. Our data, together with the results of the C. elegans genome project, suggest that this nematode contains an extensive family of Ser/Thr specific protein phosphatases including several up to now biochemically uncharacterized members.

Isolation and characterization of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A from Neurospora crassa.

The catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac) was purified from Neurospora crassa extract by (NH4)2SO4-ethanol precipitation followed by DEAE-Sephacel, heparin-Sepharose, and MonoQ chromatography steps about 900-fold to a specific activity of 1200 U/g with a 2% yield. The apparent M(r) of PP2Ac was estimated to be 35 kDa by gel filtration and 33 kDa by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Half maximal inhibition of PP2Ac was achieved at 0.3 nM okadaic acid, 0.1 nM microcystin-LR, 56 nM cantharidin and 280 nM endothall concentrations. The preparation was completely inhibited by 20 mM NaF, was insensitive to rabbit muscle inhibitor-2, and was specific for the alpha-subunit of rabbit muscle phosphorylase kinase. According to its biochemical properties, N. crassa PP2Ac is very similar to its mammalian counterparts. Antipeptide antibodies raised against the N-terminal and C-terminal ends of human PP2Ac did not cross-react with N. crassa PP2Ac, indicating sequence differences outside the catalytic core of the enzyme.

Purification and characterization of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 from Neurospora crassa.

Protein phosphorylation is a universal regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells. The phosphorylation state of proteins is affected by the antagonistic activities of protein kinases and phosphatases. Protein phosphatases (PPs) can be classified as serine/threonine and tyrosine specific phosphatases. Ser/Thr phosphatases are divided into four subclasses (PP1, PP2A, PP2B, PP2C) on the basis of their substrate specificity, metal ion dependence and inhibitor sensitivity. We were able to detect the activities of all four Ser/Thr protein phosphatases in the mycelial extract of Neurospora crassa. The catalytic subunit of PP1 was purified 1500-fold with a yield of 1.3% using ammonium sulfate-ethanol precipitation, DEAE-Sephacel, heparin-Sepharose and MonoQ FPLC chromatography. The protein product was nearly homogenous, as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The most important properties of the enzyme were the following: /1/ its molecular mass proved to be 35 kD, /2/ it was completely inhibited by inhibitor-2, microcystin and okadaic acid, /3/ it was bound to heparin-Sepharose, and /4/ its specific activity was 2000 mU/mg. These biochemical properties are very similar to those of the homologous enzyme from rabbit muscle and indicate a high level of conservation of PP1 structure during evolution.

Role of SH groups in the activity of pig phosphorylase b isoenzymes.

The reaction of phosphorylases from rabbit skeletal muscle, pig skeletal muscle and pig heart with DTNB and the effects of AMP and glucose-6-phosphate on the above reaction were examined and compared. The SH groups of pig heart-specific phosphorylase b were found to be the same as those of rabbit skeletal muscle. Pig skeletal muscle phosphorylase b differed from the foregoing enzymes in that its slowly reacting SH groups played a minor role in the catalytic activity and AMP and glucose-6-phosphate affected neither the DTNB reaction nor the small decrease of activity during the reaction.

Effect of ligands on Drosophila phosphorylase a as monitored by its enzymic inactivation.

The dephosphorylation of Drosophila phosphorylase a with the catalytic subunit of fruit-fly protein phosphatase-1 was inhibited by AMP, IMP, ADP, ATP, glucose-6-P, glucose-1-P and UDPG. Glucose, caffeine and glycogen did not influence the reaction. The inhibitory effect of AMP was reduced by glucose and caffeine. The above ligands acted through the modification of phosphorylase a conformation. This conclusion was drawn from the ligands' effect on the dephosphorylation of phosphohistone by Drosophila phosphatase-1 and on the tryptic digestion of fruit-fly phosphorylase a.

Limited proteolysis by subtilisin reveals structural differences between phosphorylase a and b.

The limited proteolysis of rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase a and b was studied with subtilisin BPN' immoblized to Sepharose 4B. The activity of phosphorylase b is nearly resistant to subtilisin under the conditions (pH 7.0, 30 degrees C) where phosphorylase a rapidly loses its activity. The pH profile of phosphorylase a and b digestion is different. Proteolytic fragments of mol. wt 70,000 and 30,000 generated from phosphorylase a, while mol. wt 80,000 and 70,000 generated from phosphorylase b can be detected by SDS gel electrophoresis. Addition of AMP to phosphorylase b favours a conformation similar to--but not identical with--phosphorylase a as recognised by subtilisin action.

Structural changes in phosphorylase b as revealed by proteolysis with subtilisin BPN'.

The proteolysis of rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase b was studied with Sepharose 4B bound subtilisin BPN' in the absence and presence of various ligands. The proteolysis was carried out at pH 7.0 and pH 8.5 and was followed by measuring phosphorylase b activity and by SDS gel electrophoresis. The effect of ligands proved to be qualitatively the same at both pH values. It was found that AMP and alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate accelerated the inactivation of phosphorylase b by subtilisin, two main proteolytic products (Mr 70 000 and 30 000) were formed in the presence of these ligands. IMP and glycogen protected phosphorylase b against proteolytic attack. Subtilisin treatment in the presence of D-glucose, caffeine and D-glucose-6-phosphate produced a reproducible increase (about 20%) of phosphorylase b activity. This "activation" resulted in an increased Vmax of phosphorylase b though did not alter the subunit size, the aggregation state and the ligand binding capacity of the enzyme.