Desialylation of surface receptors as a new dimension in cell signaling.

Terminal sialic acid residues are found in abundance in glycan chains of glycoproteins and glycolipids on the surface of all live cells forming an outer layer of the cell originally known as glycocalyx. Their presence affects the molecular properties and structure of glycoconjugates, modifying their function and interactions with other molecules. Consequently, the sialylation state of glycoproteins and glycolipids has been recognized as a critical factor modulating molecular recognitions inside the cell, between the cells, between the cells and the extracellular matrix, and between the cells and certain exogenous pathogens. Until recently sialyltransferases that catalyze transfer of sialic acid residues to the glycan chains in the process of their biosynthesis were thought to be mainly responsible for the creation and maintenance of a temporal and spatial diversity of sialylated moieties. However, the growing evidence suggests that in mammalian cells, at least equally important roles belong to sialidases/neuraminidases, which are located on the cell surface and in intracellular compartments, and may either initiate the catabolism of sialoglycoconjugates or just cleave their sialic acid residues, and thereby contribute to temporal changes in their structure and functions. The current review summarizes emerging data demonstrating that mammalian neuraminidase 1, well known for its lysosomal catabolic function, is also targeted to the cell surface and assumes the previously unrecognized role as a structural and functional modulator of cellular receptors.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase: targeting and processing in peroxisomes and mitochondria.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase (HL, E.C. 4.1.3.4) has a unique dual localization in both mitochondria and peroxisomes. Mitochondrial HL ( approximately 31.0 kDa) catalyzes the last step of ketogenesis; the function of peroxisomal HL ( approximately 33.5 kDa) is unknown. On density gradient fractionation, normal human lymphoblasts contain both peroxisomal and mitochondrial HL whereas in lymphoblasts from a patient with Zellweger syndrome, in which functional peroxisomes are absent, only the mitochondrial HL isoform was present. To study the kinetics of the dual targeting of HL, we performed pulse-chase experiments in normal and Zellweger cells. Pulse-chase studies revealed a biphasic curve for processing of the HL precursor. The first phase, with a calculated half-life of approximately 3 h in both normal and Zellweger fibroblasts and lymphoblasts and in HepG2 cells, presumably reflects mitochondrial import and processing of the precursor; the second (t1/2, 12-19 h) is present only in normal cells and presumably represents the half-life of peroxisomal HL. The half-life of mature mitochondrial HL was 14 to 19 h in both normal and Zellweger cells. Studies of the HMG-CoA lyase precursor in isolated rat mitochondria showed a rate of processing approximately 2.6-fold lower than that of the ornithine transcarbamylase precursor.

Characterization of the hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA lyase precursor, a protein targeted to peroxisomes and mitochondria.

We previously showed that human liver hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) lyase (HL; EC 4.1.3.4) is found in both mitochondria and peroxisomes. HL contains a 27-residue N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence which in cleaved on mitochondrial entry, as well as a C-terminal Cys-Lys-Leu peroxisomal targeting motif. Because peroxisomal HL has a greater molecular mass and more basic pI value than mitochondrial HL, we predicted that peroxisomal HL retains the mitochondrial leader. To test this hypothesis, we expressed both the precursor (pHL) and mature (mHL) peptides in Escherichia coli and studied their properties. pHL purified by ion-exchange and hydrophobic chromatography had a pI of 7.6 on FPLC chromatofocusing and a molecular mass of 34.5 kDa on SDS/PAGE, similar to our findings for peroxisomal HL. For purified mHL, pI (6.2) and molecular mass (32 kDa) values resemble those of mitochondrial HL. Purified pHL is similar to mHL in K(m) for HMG-CoA (44.8 microM), k(cat) (6.3 min(-1)) and pH optimum (9.0-9.5). However, the quaternary structures of pHL and mHL differ. On Superose 12 FPLC gel filtration and also on ultrafiltration, both in the presence and in the absence of HMG-CoA), pHL behaves as a monomer whereas mHL migrates as a dimer. We conclude that the HL percursor is probably identical to peroxisomal HL, that its catalytic properties resemble those of mature mitochondrial HL, and that the mitochondrial leader peptide prevents dimerization on pHL.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase is present in mouse and human liver peroxisomes.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA metabolism is compartmentalized in mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and peroxisomes. We investigated the subcellular distribution of HMG-CoA lyase (HL), which is found principally in mitochondria but in which we observed the potential peroxisomal targeting motif cysteine-lysine/arginine-leucine at the carboxyl terminus. We used differential and density gradient centrifugation to separate peroxisomes and mitochondria in liver homogenates of outbred CD-1 mice. Peroxisomal fractions contained 6.4% of total HL activity in mouse liver and 5.6% in human liver. Liver peroxisomal HL activity increased 2.3-2.5 times following induction of peroxisomal proliferation by clofibrate administration. Western blotting with anti-human HL antibodies confirmed the presence of immunoreactive HL in peroxisomal fractions. Mouse liver peroxisomal HL is distinct from mitochondrial HL, measuring approximately 2.5 kDa more by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By fast protein liquid chromatofocusing analysis, the pI of peroxisomal HL is 7.3, in contrast to 6.2 for mitochondrial HL. These results are consistent with noncleavage of the mitochondrial leader peptide in peroxisomal HL. A distinct species of enzymatically active HL exists in peroxisomes and may play a role in HMG-CoA metabolism in that organelle.

[Glycolytic enzymes in human erythrocytes: association of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase with 3-phosphoglycerate kinase]. / Glikoliticheskie fermenty v éritrotsitakh cheloveka: assotsiatsiia glitseral'degid-3-fosfatdegidrogenazy s 3-fosfoglitseratkinazoi.

The ability of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) to associate with 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (3-PGK) in human erythrocytes has been studied. It was found that a stable GAPD-3-PGK complex can be isolated from human erythrocyte hemolysates using immobilized monoclonal antibodies that are specific for GAPD. The complex does not dissociate at high ionic strength (up to 0.3 M NaCl) but is decomposed in the presence of specific ligands interacting with GAPD and 3-PGK, e.g., 1,3-diphosphoglycerate. The interaction between GAPD and 3-PGK isolated from human erythrocytes was investigated. To assess the binding parameters, immobilized GAPD and soluble 3-PGK from erythrocytes were used. About 2.3 moles of monomeric 3-PGK (Kd = 2.4 microM) were bound per mole of the immobilized tetramer of GAPD. Under these conditions the rabbit muscle enzymes form more weak (Kd = 3.8 microM), whereas the yeast enzyme--more stable complexes (Kd = 1.5 microM). No such complexes were detected when the enzyme pairs were isolated from phylogenetically distant sources, such as yeast and mammalian tissues. The species specificity of binding of the two enzymes and possible causes of formation of such stable complexes in erythrocyte lysate are discussed.

Demonstration of enzyme associations by countermigration electrophoresis in agarose gel.

We propose a method to study multienzyme complex formation in vitro based on nondenaturing agarose gel electrophoresis. The enzymes with different isoelectric points (pI) were loaded at the opposite ends of the same lane of agarose gel and electrophoresis was performed at a pH value intermediate between their pI's. In cases where a complex of the enzymes was formed, an additional protein band of low electrophoretic mobility was found corresponding to the point where they crossed on the gel. This band contained both enzyme activities. The method was used to demonstrate association between two enzymes of the mitochondrial citric acid cycle, malate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase, and between the lysosomal hydrolases, beta-galactosidase and cathepsin A. Relative proportions of free and bound enzymes after electrophoresis suggest that interaction between the mitochondrial enzymes is relatively weak compared to that of lysosomal hydrolases. Microdensitometric scanning of countermigration electrophoresis gels was used to determine the stoichiometry of components in the complex.

Phosphorylation of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.

Rabbit muscle D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was shown to serve as a substrate for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II with a Km of 0.33 microM and a Vmax of 2.63 mumol.min-1.mg-1 at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C. In the absence of calmodulin, the Vmax was halved and Km unchanged. 0.99 mol of phosphate was incorporated per tetrameric molecule of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase under the experimental conditions employed.

Association of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase with mono- and polyribosomes of rabbit reticulocytes.

It has been shown recently that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) is one of the three major RNA-binding proteins of rabbit reticulocytes [Ryazanov, A. G. (1985) FEBS Lett. 192, 131-134]. It was suggested that, due to its RNA-binding capacity, GAPD can form loose dynamic complexes with polyribosomes. This communication reports that a considerable amount of GAPD activity can be found in the mono- and polyribosome fraction after sucrose gradient centrifugation of rabbit reticulocyte lysate. An increase of ionic strength, as well as the addition of exogenous RNA to the extract, result in the removal of GAPD from the complex with mono- and polyribosomes. It appears that GAPD forms the complex with polyribosomes due to the interaction with some exposed RNA regions of these structures. Although the interaction of GAPD with ribosomes is weak, it can be detected under physiological ionic conditions by the difference boundary sedimentation velocity technique. Association of GAPD with mono- and polyribosomes can be prevented by a low concentration (10 microM) of NADH, but not NAD+. A nitrocellulose filter binding assay also shows that NADH has a stronger inhibitory effect on the enzyme-RNA complex formation, as compared with NAD+. We propose that the RNA-mediated association of GAPD with mono- and polyribosomes can provide compartmentation of the energy-supplying system on these structures within the cell. This can maintain a high local concentration of ATP and GTP near the sites of protein synthesis.

Autophosphorylation of lactate dehydrogenase.

Incubation of rabbit muscle lactate dehydrogenase in the presence of Mg[alpha-32p]ATP results in the incorporation of the label into the protein. The autophosphorylation reaction is strongly pH-dependent. The maximal phosphorylation is observed at pH 6.8 with 3-4 moles of phosphate bound per mole of tetrameric enzyme. The enzyme-phosphate complex is readily hydrolyzed by hydroxylamine.

Yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Evidence that subunit cooperativity in catalysis can be controlled by the formation of a complex with phosphoglycerate kinase.

Sepharose-bound tetrameric, dimeric and monomeric forms of yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were prepared, as well as immobilized hybrid species containing (by selective oxidation of an active center cysteine residue with H2O2) one inactivated subunit per tetramer or dimer. The catalytic properties of these enzyme forms were compared in the forward reaction (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate oxidation) and reverse reaction (1,3-bisphosphoglycerate reductive dephosphorylation) under steady-state conditions. In the reaction of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate oxidation, immobilized monomeric and tetrameric forms exhibited similar specific activities. The hybrid-modified dimer contributed on half of the total activity of a native dimer. The tetramer containing one modified subunit possessed 75% of the activity of an unmodified tetramer. In the reaction of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate reductive dephosphorylation, the specific activity of the monomeric enzyme species was nearly twice as high as that of the tetramer, suggesting that only one-half of the active centers of the oligomer were acting simultaneously. Subunit cooperativity in catalysis persisted in an isolated dimeric species. The specific activity of a monomer associated with a peroxide-inactivated monomer in a dimer was equal to that of an isolated monomeric species and twice as high as that of a native immobilized dimer. The specific activity of subunits associated with a peroxide-inactivated subunit in a tetramer did not differ from that of a native immobilized tetramer; this indicates that interdimeric interactions are involved in catalytic subunit cooperativity. A complex was formed between the immobilized glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and soluble phosphoglycerate kinase. Three monomers of phosphoglycerate kinase were bound per tetramer of the dehydrogenase and one per dimer. Evidence is presented that if the reductive dephosphorylation of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate proceeds in the phosphoglycerate kinase - glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase complex, all active sites of the latter enzyme act independently, i.e. subunit cooperativity is abolished.

Immobilized glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase forms a complex with phosphoglycerate kinase.

Yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) covalently attached to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B was shown to be capable of binding soluble yeast phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) in the course of incubation in the presence of an excess of 1,3-diphosphoglycerate. The association of the matrix-bound and soluble enzymes also occurred if the kinase was added to a reaction mixture in which the immobilized glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, NAD, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and Pi had been preincubated. Three kinase molecules were bound per a tetramer of the immobilized dehydrogenase and one molecule per a dimer. An immobilized monomer of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was incapable of binding phosphoglycerate kinase. The matrix-bound bienzyme complexes were stable enough to survive extensive washings with a buffer and could be used repeatedly for activity determinations. Experimental evidence is presented to support the conclusion that 1,3-diphosphoglycerate produced by the kinase bound in a complex can dissociate into solution and be utilized by the dehydrogenase free of phosphoglycerate kinase.

Selective inhibition of an enzyme in crude cell extracts. The use of subunits modified with a half-of-the-sites reagent.

Yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase carboxymethylated at four active-site cysteine residues was incubated with a crude extract of baker's yeast. This resulted in a loss of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity initially present in the extract. The extent of inactivation depended upon the ratio modified enzyme/enzyme present in the extract. Under appropriate conditions 63.1% inactivation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in crude extract could be achieved. The observed effect is explained in terms of hybridization between the carboxymethylated dimers of the purified enzyme and dimeric species of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase present in the crude extract, the inactivation being due to the influence of the half-of-the-sites reagent transmitted via the interdimeric contacts.

[Use of immobilization in the study of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Immobilized monomers]. / Ispol'zovanie immobilizatsii dlia izucheniia glitseral'degid-3-fostfat-degidrogenazy. Immobilizirovannye monomery.

Active immobilized monomers of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase were prepared by means of dissociation of the tetrameric enzyme molecule covalently bound to Sepharose via a single subunit. The conditions were elaborated to achieve the inactivation and solubilization of the non-covalently bound subunits leaving the monomer coupled to the matrix intact. This procedure differs from the previously developed method of matrix-bound oligomeric enzymes dissociation in a detail which was found to be essentially important. The widely used method includes complete denaturation of all subunits during treatment with urea followed by reactivation of the immobilized one, whereas only the non-covalently bound subunits suffer denaturation under the conditions developed in the present work. The immobilized monomers of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase exhibit Vmax and Km (for NAD and substrate) values similar to those found for the immobilized tetramer. Reassociation of the immobilized monomers with soluble enzyme subunits obtained in the presence of urea produces matrix-bound tetrameric species. Immobilized trimers ae formed upon incubation of matrix-bound monomers in a diluted apoenzyme solution. The immobilized monomeric, trimeric and tetrameric enzyme species were used to study the role of subunit interactions in cooperative phenomena exhibited by the dehydrogenase.

Immobilized subunits can function as an affinity sorbent to purify oligomeric enzymes: the usefulness of hybridization on the solid support.

Immobilized dimers of yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase covalently bound to sepharose were shown to form hybrids with soluble dimers of the homologous enzymes present in crude tissue extracts (rats skeletal muscle, rat, rabbit and bovine hearts, rat liver, rat brain). Immobilized hybrid tetramers were then dissociated to form purified soluble enzymes.