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1.
Antioxidants (Basel) ; 12(10)2023 Sep 29.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37891892

Consumption of high amounts of ethanol is a risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension. The hypertensive state induced by ethanol is a complex multi-factorial event, and oxidative stress is a pathophysiological hallmark of vascular dysfunction associated with ethanol consumption. Increasing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vasculature trigger important processes underlying vascular injury, including accumulation of intracellular Ca2+ ions, reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), endothelial dysfunction, and loss of the anticontractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). The enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase plays a central role in vascular ROS generation in response to ethanol. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an upstream mechanism which contributes to NADPH oxidase stimulation, overproduction of ROS, and vascular dysfunction. This review discusses the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction induced by ethanol, detailing the contribution of ROS to these processes. Data examining the association between neuroendocrine changes and vascular oxidative stress induced by ethanol are also reviewed and discussed. These issues are of paramount interest to public health as ethanol contributes to blood pressure elevation in the general population, and it is linked to cardiovascular conditions and diseases.

2.
Subcell Biochem ; 94: 275-296, 2020.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32189304

During the past two decades, significant advances have been made in our understanding of the human fetal and embryonic hemoglobins made possible by the availability of pure, highly characterized materials and novel methods, e.g., nano gel filtration, to study their properties and to correct some misconceptions. For example, whereas the structures of the human adult, fetal, and embryonic hemoglobins are very similar, it has generally been assumed that functional differences between them are due to primary sequence effects. However, more recent studies indicate that the strengths of the interactions between their subunits are very different leading to changes in their oxygen binding properties compared to adult hemoglobin. Fetal hemoglobin in the oxy conformation is a much stronger tetramer than adult hemoglobin and dissociates to dimers 70-times less than adult hemoglobin. This property may form the basis for its protective effect against malaria. A major source of the increased strength of fetal hemoglobin resides within the A-helix of its gamma subunit as demonstrated in studies with the hybrid hemoglobin Felix and related hybrids. Re-activating fetal hemoglobin synthesis in vivo is currently a major focus of clinical efforts designed to treat sickle cell anemia since it inhibits the aggregation of sickle hemoglobin. The mechanisms for both the increased oxygen affinity of fetal hemoglobin and its decreased response to DPG have been clarified. Acetylated fetal hemoglobin, which makes up 10-20% of total fetal hemoglobin, has a significantly weakened tetramer structure suggesting a similar role for other kinds of protein acetylation. Embryonic hemoglobins have the weakest tetramer and dimer structures. In general, the progressively increasing strength of the subunit interfaces of the hemoglobin family during development from the embryonic to the fetal and ultimately to the adult types correlates with their temporal appearance and disappearance in vivo, i.e., ontogeny.


Embryo, Mammalian/blood supply , Fetal Hemoglobin/chemistry , Fetal Hemoglobin/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Fetus/blood supply , Humans
3.
Eur J Pharmacol ; 847: 103-112, 2019 Mar 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30710549

The effects on the vasculature produced by ethanol withdrawal include both vasodilatation and hypocontractility, although a detailed biochemical understanding of these processes is yet to be accomplished. Here, we sought to investigate some of the mechanisms underlying vascular hypocontractility induced by ethanol withdrawal. Male Wistar rats were treated with increasing doses of 3-9% ethanol (v/v) for 21 days and the impact of ethanol withdrawal on the vascular function was assessed 48 h after immediate ethanol suspension. Endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings showed a reduced contractile response to phenylephrine, angiotensin II, serotonin and KCl after ethanol withdrawal, but the same phenomenon was not observed in endothelium-intact rings. Indomethacin, but not L-NAME, tiron, PEG-catalase and SC560, restored the contractile response to phenylephrine of endothelium-denuded aortas from abstinent rats. Hyporeactivity to phenylephrine induced by ethanol withdrawal was reversed by SC236, a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor. Similarly, Ro1138452, a selective prostacyclin IP receptor antagonist, reversed vascular hypocontractility induced by ethanol withdrawal. Increased concentrations of 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F1α, a stable product of PGI2, was detected in endothelium-denuded aortas from abstinent rats, and this response was prevented by indomethacin. However, no changes in aortic PGE2 levels were detected after ethanol withdrawal. In situ quantification of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) using fluorescent dyes revealed that ethanol withdrawal decreased the levels of these two compounds in the tunica media. Our studies show that the vascular hypocontractility induced by ethanol withdrawal is independent of the endothelium and it is mediated by PGI2 derived from COX-2.


Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , Epoprostenol/metabolism , Ethanol/adverse effects , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/metabolism , Animals , Aorta/drug effects , Aorta/metabolism , Benzyl Compounds/pharmacology , Catalase/metabolism , Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/pharmacology , Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism , Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology , Imidazoles/pharmacology , Indomethacin/pharmacology , Male , Phenylephrine/pharmacology , Polyethylene Glycols/metabolism , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Vasoconstriction/drug effects , Vasodilation/drug effects
4.
Curr Hypertens Rev ; 15(1): 22-31, 2019.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30227820

BACKGROUND: Beta-adrenergic receptors are expressed in cardiomyocytes and activated by either noradrenaline released from sympathetic synapses or circulating catecholamines. Their corresponding receptors have three subtypes, namely, ß1, ß2 and ß3, which are members of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) family. Activation of ß1-adrenergic receptors causes various physiological reactions including cardiac contraction and renin secretion from juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney. Antagonists of ß-adrenergic receptors, known as ß-blockers, have been used effectively for over four decades and have beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. There are three generations of ß-blockers according to their pharmacological properties. Firstgeneration ß-blockers are non-selective, blocking both ß1- and ß2-receptors; second-generation ß- blockers are more cardioselective in that they are more selective for ß1-receptors; and thirdgeneration ß-blockers are highly selective drugs for ß1-receptors. The latter also display vasodilator actions by blocking α1-adrenoreceptors and activating ß3-adrenergic receptors. In addition, thirdgeneration ß-blockers exhibit angiogenic, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-hypertrophic and antiapoptotic activities among other effects that are still under investigation. CONCLUSION: The objective of this review is to describe the evolution observed during the development of the three distinctive generations, thereby highlighting the advantages of third-generation ß- blockers over the other two drug classes.


Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/therapeutic use , Cardiovascular Agents/therapeutic use , Heart Diseases/drug therapy , Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/drug effects , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/adverse effects , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/classification , Animals , Cardiovascular Agents/adverse effects , Cardiovascular Agents/classification , Heart Diseases/metabolism , Heart Diseases/pathology , Heart Diseases/physiopathology , Humans , Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism , Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/classification , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Treatment Outcome
5.
Anal Biochem ; 519: 38-41, 2017 Feb 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27965062

This report establishes a correlation between two known properties of the human embryonic hemoglobins-- their weak subunit assemblies as demonstrated here by gel filtration at very dilute protein concentrations and their high oxygen affinities and reduced cooperativities reported previously by others but without a mechanistic basis. We demonstrate here that their high oxygen affinities are a consequence of their weak assemblies. Weak vs strong hemoglobin tetramers represent a regulatory mechanism to modulate oxygen binding capacity by altering the equilibrium between the various steps in the assembly process that can be described as an inverse allosteric effect.


Chromatography, Gel/methods , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Hemoglobins, Abnormal/chemistry , Hemoglobins, Abnormal/metabolism , Hemoglobins/chemistry , Hemoglobins/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Allosteric Regulation , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Kinetics , Protein Binding , Thermodynamics
6.
Anal Chem ; 88(5): 2799-807, 2016 Mar 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26849307

The central players in most cellular events are assemblies of macromolecules. Structural and functional characterization of these assemblies requires knowledge of their subunit stoichiometry and intersubunit connectivity. One of the most direct means for acquiring such information is so-called "native mass spectrometry (MS)", wherein the masses of the intact assemblies and parts thereof are accurately determined. It is of particular interest to apply native MS to the study of endogenous protein assemblies-i.e., those wherein the component proteins are expressed at endogenous levels in their natural functional states, rather than the overexpressed (sometimes partial) constructs commonly employed in classical structural studies, whose assembly can introduce stoichiometry artifacts and other unwanted effects. To date, the application of native MS to the elucidation of endogenous protein complexes has been limited by the difficulty in obtaining pristine cell-derived assemblies at sufficiently high concentrations for effective analysis. Here, to address this challenge, we present a robust workflow that couples rapid and efficient affinity isolation of endogenous protein complexes with a sensitive native MS readout. The resulting workflow has the potential to provide a wealth of data on the stoichiometry and intersubunit connectivity of endogenous protein assemblies-information that is key to successful integrative structural elucidation of biological systems.


Chromatography, Affinity/methods , Proteins/analysis , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methods , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Proteins/isolation & purification
7.
J Am Soc Mass Spectrom ; 26(4): 659-67, 2015 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25667060

We demonstrate that the efficiency of ion transmission from atmosphere to vacuum through stainless steel electrodes that contain slowly divergent conical duct (ConDuct) channels can be close to 100%. Here, we explore the properties of 2.5-cm-long electrodes with angles of divergence of 0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 5°, 8°, 13°, and 21°, respectively. The ion transmission efficiency was observed to jump from 10-20% for the 0° (straight) channels to 90-95% for channels with an angle of divergence as small as 1°. Furthermore, the 2-3° ConDuct electrodes produced extraordinarily low divergence ion beams that propagated in a laser-like fashion over long distances in vacuum. To take advantage of these newly discovered properties, we constructed a novel atmosphere-to-vacuum ion interface utilizing a 2° ConDuct as an inlet electrode and compared its ion transmission efficiency with that of the interface used in the commercial (Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Jose, CA, USA) Velos Orbitrap and Q Exactive mass spectrometers. We observed that the ConDuct interface transmitted up to 17 times more ions than the commercial reference interface and also yielded improved signal-to-noise mass spectra of peptides. We infer from these results that the performance of many current atmosphere-to-vacuum interfaces utilizing metal capillaries can be substantially improved by replacing them with 1° or 2° metal ConDuct electrodes, which should preserve the convenience of supplying ion desolvation energy by heating the electrode while greatly increasing the efficiency of ion transmission into the mass spectrometer.


Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/instrumentation , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methods , Electrodes , Equipment Design , Ions/analysis , Ions/chemistry , Isotope Labeling , Peptide Fragments/analysis , Peptide Fragments/chemistry , Stainless Steel , Vacuum
8.
J Am Soc Mass Spectrom ; 26(4): 649-58, 2015 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25588722

We have discovered that an electrode containing a conical channel with a small angular divergence can transmit into the vacuum almost 100% of an electrospray ion current produced at atmospheric pressure. Our first implementation of such a conical duct, which we term "ConDuct," uses a conductive plastic pipette tip containing an approximately 1.6° divergent channel at its entrance. We observed that the beam formed by the ConDuct electrode has a very low divergence (less than 1°) and persists for long distances in vacuum. Intrigued by these properties, we incorporated this electrode into a novel atmosphere-to-vacuum ion transmission interface, and devised a technique for evaluating its performance relative to the commercial reference interfaces that contain heated metal capillaries. We determined that our new interface transmits at least 400 times more ions than the commercial Thermo LCQ DECA XP atmosphere-to-vacuum interface and 2 to 3 times more than the commercial interface in the Thermo Velos Orbitrap and the Q Exactive mass spectrometers. We conclude that it might be possible to optimize the properties of the transmitted ions further by manufacturing ConDuct inlet electrodes from metal rather than conductive plastic and by determining the optimum angle of channel divergence and channel length.


Ions/analysis , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/instrumentation , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methods , Atmospheric Pressure , Electrodes , Equipment Design , Peptide Fragments/analysis , Vacuum
9.
FEBS J ; 279(3): 361-9, 2012 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22129306

The expression of the six types of human Hb subunits over time is currently considered to be regulated mainly by transcription factors that bind to upstream control regions of the gene (the 'extrinsic' component of regulation). Here, we describe how subunit pairing and further assembly to tetramers in the liganded state is influenced by the affinity of subunits for one another (the 'intrinsic' component of regulation). The adult Hb dimers have the strongest subunit interfaces and the embryonic Hbs the weakest, with fetal Hbs being of intermediate strength, corresponding to the temporal order of their expression. These variable subunit binding strengths and the attenuating effects of acetylation contribute to the differences with which these Hb types form functional O(2) -binding tetramers consistent with gene switching.


Gene Expression Regulation , Hemoglobins/chemistry , Protein Multimerization , Animals , Hemoglobins/genetics , Humans , Ligands , Oxygen/metabolism , Protein Subunits
10.
Int J Mass Spectrom ; 301(1-3): 211-219, 2011 Mar 30.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21516228

A high-capacity ion trap coupled to a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer has been developed to carry out comprehensive linked scan analysis of all stored ions in the ion trap. The approach involves a novel tapered geometry high-capacity ion trap that can store more than 10(6) ions (range 800-4000 m/z) without degrading its performance. Ions are stored and scanned out from the high-capacity ion trap as a function of m/z, collisionally fragmented and analyzed by TOF. Accurate mass analysis is achieved on both the precursor and fragment ions of all species ejected from the ion trap. We demonstrate the approach for comprehensive linked-scan identification of phosphopeptides in mixtures with their corresponding unphosphorylated peptides.

11.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 38(22): 8357-69, 2010 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20702425

The transcription-repair coupling factor (TRCF, the product of the mfd gene) is a widely conserved bacterial protein that mediates transcription-coupled DNA repair. TRCF uses its ATP-dependent DNA translocase activity to remove transcription complexes stalled at sites of DNA damage, and stimulates repair by recruiting components of the nucleotide excision repair pathway to the site. A protein/protein interaction between TRCF and the ß-subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP) is essential for TRCF function. CarD (also called CdnL), an essential regulator of rRNA transcription in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, shares a homologous RNAP interacting domain with TRCF and also interacts with the RNAP ß-subunit. We determined the 2.9-Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of the RNAP interacting domain of TRCF complexed with the RNAP-ß1 domain, which harbors the TRCF interaction determinants. The structure reveals details of the TRCF/RNAP protein/protein interface, providing a basis for the design and interpretation of experiments probing TRCF, and by homology CarD, function and interactions with the RNAP.


Bacterial Proteins/chemistry , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/chemistry , Transcription Factors/chemistry , Amino Acid Sequence , Amino Acid Substitution , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Crystallography, X-Ray , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/genetics , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/metabolism , Models, Molecular , Molecular Sequence Data , Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Two-Hybrid System Techniques
12.
Biochemistry ; 48(32): 7568-74, 2009 Aug 18.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19583196

A previously unrecognized function of normal human hemoglobins occurring during protein assembly is described, i.e. self-regulation of subunit pairings and their durations arising from the variable strengths of their subunit interactions. Although many mutant human hemoglobins are known to have altered subunit interface strengths, those of the normal embryonic, fetal, and adult human hemoglobins have not been considered to differ significantly. However, in a comprehensive study of both types of subunit interfaces of seven of the eight normal oxy human hemoglobins, we found that the strengths, i.e., the free energies of the tetramer-dimer interfaces, contrary to previous reports, differ by 3 orders of magnitude and display an undulating profile similar to the transitions ("switches") of various globin subunit types over time. The dimer interface strengths are also variable and correlate linearly with their developmental profile. Embryonic hemoglobins are the weakest; fetal hemoglobin is of intermediate strength, and adult hemoglobins are the strongest. The pattern also correlates generally with their different O(2) affinities and responses to allosteric regulatory molecules. Acetylation of fetal hemoglobin weakens its unusually strong subunit interactions and occurs progressively as its level of expression diminishes and adult hemoglobin A formation begins; a causal relationship is suggested. The relative contributions of globin gene order and competition among subunits due to differences in their interface strengths were found to be complementary and establish a connection among genetics, thermodynamics, and development.


Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Hemoglobins/chemistry , Hemoglobins/metabolism , Protein Subunits/chemistry , Protein Subunits/metabolism , Adult , Animals , Hemoglobins/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Models, Molecular , Oxygen/metabolism , Protein Multimerization , Protein Structure, Quaternary , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Protein Subunits/genetics , Thermodynamics
13.
J Mol Biol ; 377(3): 774-89, 2008 Mar 28.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18294652

A novel bacteriophage infecting Escherichia coli was isolated during a large-scale screen for bacteriophages that may be used for therapy of mastitis in cattle. The 77,554-bp genome of the bacteriophage, named phiEco32, was sequenced and annotated, and its virions were characterized by electron microscopy and proteomics. Two phiEco32-encoded proteins that interact with host RNA polymerase were identified. One of them is an ECF family sigma factor that may be responsible for transcription of some viral genes. Another RNA polymerase-binding protein is a novel transcription inhibitor whose mechanism of action remains to be defined.


Coliphages/metabolism , Genome, Viral , Proteome/analysis , Coliphages/genetics , Coliphages/isolation & purification , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial , Gene Expression Regulation, Viral , Genomics , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Proteomics
14.
EMBO J ; 26(23): 4856-66, 2007 Nov 28.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17972917

The vector-borne, protistan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is the only known eukaryote with a multifunctional RNA polymerase I that, in addition to ribosomal genes, transcribes genes encoding the parasite's major cell-surface proteins-the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) and procyclin. In the mammalian bloodstream, antigenic variation of the VSG coat is the parasite's means to evade the immune response, while procyclin is necessary for effective establishment of trypanosome infection in the fly. Moreover, the exceptionally high efficiency of mono-allelic VSG expression is essential to bloodstream trypanosomes since its silencing caused rapid cell-cycle arrest in vitro and clearance of parasites from infected mice. Here we describe a novel protein complex that recognizes class I promoters and is indispensable for class I transcription; it consists of a dynein light chain and six polypeptides that are conserved only among trypanosomatid parasites. In accordance with an essential transcriptional function of the complex, silencing the expression of a key subunit was lethal to bloodstream trypanosomes and specifically affected the abundance of rRNA and VSG mRNA. The complex was dubbed class I transcription factor A.


Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Transcription, Genetic , Trypanosoma brucei brucei/metabolism , Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma/chemistry , Animals , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Cyclins/metabolism , Dyneins , Gene Silencing , Genes, Protozoan , Genetic Vectors , Models, Biological , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Protein Interaction Mapping , Protozoan Proteins/chemistry , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma/metabolism
15.
Protein Sci ; 16(8): 1641-58, 2007 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17656582

The different types of naturally occurring, normal human hemoglobins vary in their tetramer-dimer subunit interface strengths (stabilities) by three orders of magnitude in the liganded (CO or oxy) state. The presence of embryonic zeta-subunits leads to an average 20-fold weakening of tetramer-dimer interfaces compared to corresponding hemoglobins containing adult alpha-subunits. The dimer-monomer interfaces of these hemoglobins differ by at least 500-fold in their strengths; such interfaces are weak if they contain zeta-subunits and exchange with added beta-subunits in the form of beta(4) (HbH) significantly faster than do those with alpha-subunits. Subunit exchange occurs at the level of the dimer, although tetramer formation reciprocally influences the amount of dimer available for exchange. Competition between subunit types occurs so that pairs of weak embryonic hemoglobins can exchange subunits to form the stronger fetal and adult hemoglobins. The dimer strengths increase in the order Hb Portland-2 (zeta(2)beta(2)) < Hb Portland-1 (zeta(2)gamma(2)) approximately equal Hb Gower-1 (zeta(2)epsilon(2)) < Hb Gower-2 (alpha(2)epsilon(2)) < HbF(1) < HbF (alpha(2)gamma(2)) < HbA(2) (alpha(2)delta(2)), i.e., from embryonic to fetal to adult types, representing maturation from weaker to stronger monomer-monomer subunit contacts. This increasing order recapitulates the developmental order in which globins are expressed (embryonic --> fetal --> adult), suggesting that the intrinsic binding properties of the subunits themselves regarding the strengths of interfaces they form with competing subunits play an important role in the dynamics of protein assemblies and networks.


Fetal Hemoglobin/chemistry , Hemoglobins, Abnormal/chemistry , Hemoglobins/chemistry , Protein Subunits/chemistry , Animals , Dimerization , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Erythrocytes/cytology , Erythrocytes/metabolism , Hemoglobin A2/chemistry , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Kinetics , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Models, Molecular , Protein Conformation , Protein Subunits/metabolism , Species Specificity , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization , Structure-Activity Relationship
16.
J Vis Exp ; (3): 192, 2007.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18978997

This video demonstrates the preparation of an ultra-thin matrix/analyte layer for analyzing peptides and proteins by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) (1, 2). The ultra-thin layer method involves the production of a substrate layer of matrix crystals (alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) on the sample plate, which serves as a seeding ground for subsequent crystallization of a matrix/analyte mixture. Advantages of the ultra-thin layer method over other sample deposition approaches (e.g. dried droplet) are that it provides (i) greater tolerance to impurities such as salts and detergents, (ii) better resolution, and (iii) higher spatial uniformity. This method is especially useful for the accurate mass determination of proteins. The protocol was initially developed and optimized for the analysis of membrane proteins and used to successfully analyze ion channels, metabolite transporters, and receptors, containing between 2 and 12 transmembrane domains (2). Since the original publication, it has also shown to be equally useful for the analysis of soluble proteins. Indeed, we have used it for a large number of proteins having a wide range of properties, including those with molecular masses as high as 380 kDa (3). It is currently our method of choice for the molecular mass analysis of all proteins. The described procedure consistently produces high-quality spectra, and it is sensitive, robust, and easy to implement.


Peptides/analysis , Proteins/analysis , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/instrumentation , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods
17.
Phytochemistry ; 67(4): 362-70, 2006 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16406091

Nine chromatographic components containing trypsin inhibitor activity were isolated from Sechium edule seeds by acetone fractionation, gel filtration, affinity chromatography and RP-HPLC in an overall yield of 46% of activity and 0.05% of protein. The components obtained with highest yield of total activity and highest specific activity were sequenced by Edman degradation and their molecular masses determined by mass spectrometry. The inhibitors contained 31, 32 and 27 residues per molecule and their sequences were: SETI-IIa, EDRKCPKILMRCKRDSDCLAKCTCQESGYCG; SETI-IIb, EEDRKCPKILMRCKRDSDCLAKCTCQESGYCG and SETI-V, CPRILMKCKLDTDCFPTCTCRPSGFCG. SETI-IIa and SETI-IIb, which differed by an amino-terminal E in the IIb form, were not separable under the conditions employed. The sequences are consistent with consensus sequences obtained from 37 other inhibitors: CPriI1meCk_DSDCla_C_C_G_CG, where capital letters are invariant amino acid residues and lower case letters are the most preserved in this position. SETI-II and SETI-V form complexes with trypsin with a 1:1 stoichiometry and have dissociation constants of 5.4x10(-11)M and 1.1x10(-9)M, respectively.


Cucurbita/chemistry , Plant Proteins/chemistry , Seeds/chemistry , Trypsin Inhibitors/chemistry , Trypsin Inhibitors/pharmacology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Chromatography, Affinity , Chromatography, Gel , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Kinetics , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Molecular Sequence Data , Molecular Weight , Plant Proteins/isolation & purification , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1 , Trypsin/chemistry , Trypsin/metabolism , Trypsin Inhibitors/isolation & purification
18.
Anal Chem ; 77(24): 7845-51, 2005 Dec 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16351129

Determination of site-specific changes in the levels of protein phosphorylation in mammals presents a formidable analytical challenge. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for such analyses utilizing a combination of stable isotope chemical labeling and tandem mass spectrometry. Phosphoproteins of interest are isolated from two sets of animals that have undergone differential drug treatments, separated by SDS-PAGE, excised, and subjected to in-gel enzymatic digestion. Using a simple chemical labeling step, we introduce stable, isotopically distinct mass tags into each of the two sets of peptides that originate from the samples under comparison, mix the samples, and subject the resulting mixture to a procedure based on our previously reported hypothesis-driven multistage MS (HMS-MS) method (Chang, E. J.; Archambault, V.; McLachlin, D. T.; Krutchinsky, A. N.; Chait, B. T. Anal. Chem. 2004, 76, 4472-4483). The method takes advantage of the dominant loss of H3PO4 during MS/MS from singly charged phosphopeptide ions produced by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) in the ion trap mass spectrometer. In the present work, quantitation is achieved by isolating the range of m/z values that include both isotopic forms of the putative phosphopeptide and measuring the relative intensities of the two resulting -98-Da fragment ion peaks. This MS/MS measurement can be repeated on the same MALDI sample for all potential phosphopeptide ion pairs that we hypothesize might be produced from the protein under study. Use of MS/MS for quantitation greatly increases the sensitivity of the method and allows us to measure relatively low levels of phosphorylation, phosphopeptides, or both that are not easily observable by single-stage MS. We apply the current method to the determination of changes in the levels of phosphorylation in DARPP-32 from the mouse striatum upon treatment of animals with psychostimulant drugs.


Brain Chemistry , Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32/metabolism , Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods , Amino Acid Sequence , Amphetamine/pharmacology , Animals , Benzazepines/pharmacology , Brain Chemistry/drug effects , Cocaine/pharmacology , Colforsin/pharmacology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Sequence Data , Phosphoproteins/biosynthesis , Phosphorylation , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
19.
Protein Sci ; 14(6): 1458-71, 2005 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15929996

The presence of alanine (Ala) or acetyl serine (AcSer) instead of the normal Val residues at the N-terminals of either the alpha- or the beta-subunits of human adult hemoglobin confers some novel and unexpected features on the protein. Mass spectrometric analysis confirmed that these substitutions were correct and that they were the only ones. Circular dichroism studies indicated no global protein conformational changes, and isoelectric focusing showed the absence of impurities. The presence of Ala at the N-terminals of the alpha-subunits of liganded hemoglobin results in a significantly increased basicity (increased pK(a) values) and a reduction in the strength of subunit interactions at the allosteric tetramer-dimer interface. Cooperativity in O(2) binding is also decreased. Substitution of Ala at the N-terminals of the beta-subunits gives neither of these effects. The substitution of Ser at the N terminus of either subunit leads to its complete acetylation (during expression) and a large decrease in the strength of the tetramer-dimer allosteric interface. When either Ala or AcSer is present at the N terminus of the alpha-subunit, the slope of the plot of the tetramer-dimer association/dissociation constant as a function of pH is decreased by 60%. It is suggested that since the network of interactions involving the N and C termini of the alpha-subunits is less extensive than that of the beta-subunits in liganded human hemoglobin disruptions there are likely to have a profound effect on hemoglobin function such as the increased basicity, the effects on tetramer strength, and on cooperativity.


Hemoglobin A/chemistry , Acetylation , Alanine/chemistry , Alanine/genetics , Amino Acid Substitution/genetics , Hemoglobin A/genetics , Humans , Oxygen/chemistry , Protein Structure, Quaternary/genetics , Protons , Serine/chemistry , Serine/genetics
20.
Biochemistry ; 43(31): 10173-85, 2004 Aug 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15287745

Mnb/Dyrk1A is a proline-directed serine/threonine kinase implicated in Down's syndrome. Mnb/Dyrk1A was shown to phosphorylate dynamin 1 and alter its interactions with several SH3 domain-containing endocytic accessory proteins. To determine the mechanism of regulation, we mapped the Mnb/Dyrk1A phosphorylation sites in dynamin 1. Using a combination of deletion mutants and synthetic peptides, three potential Mnb/Dyrk1A phosphorylation sites (S778, S795, and S857) were first identified. Phosphorylation at S795 and S857 was confirmed in full-length dynamin 1, and S857 was subsequently determined to be the major Mnb/Dyrk1A phosphorylation site in vitro. Phosphorylation at S857 was demonstrated to be the basis for altering the binding of dynamin 1 to amphiphysin 1 and Grb 2 by site-directed mutants mimicking phosphorylation. Furthermore, S857 of dynamin 1 is phosphorylated by the endogenous kinase in brain extracts and in PC12 cells. In PC12 cells, the state of S857 phosphorylation is dependent on membrane potentials. These results suggest that S857 phosphorylation is a physiological event, which regulates the binding of dynamin 1 to SH3 domain-containing proteins. Since S857 is unique to dynamin 1xa isoforms, Mnb/Dyrk1A regulation of dynamin 1 is expected to be specific to these spliced variants.


Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing , Dynamin I/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Proteins/metabolism , src Homology Domains , Alternative Splicing , Animals , Binding Sites, Antibody , Brain/enzymology , Brain/metabolism , Dynamin I/genetics , Dynamin I/immunology , Endocytosis/genetics , GRB2 Adaptor Protein , Glutamic Acid/genetics , Mass Spectrometry , Mutagenesis, Site-Directed , PC12 Cells , Peptide Fragments/chemical synthesis , Peptide Fragments/genetics , Peptide Fragments/immunology , Peptide Fragments/metabolism , Phosphorylation , Protein Binding , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/chemistry , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/immunology , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , Rats , Serine/genetics , Serine/metabolism , src-Family Kinases/chemistry , src-Family Kinases/immunology , src-Family Kinases/metabolism , Dyrk Kinases
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