Differential effects of volatile and intravenous anesthetics on the activity of human TASK-1.

Volatile anesthetics have been shown to activate various two-pore (2P) domain K(+) (K(2P)) channels such as TASK-1 and TREK-1 (TWIK-related acid-sensitive K(+) channel), and mice deficient in these channels are resistant to halothane-induced anesthesia. Here, we investigated whether K(2P) channels were also potentially important targets of intravenous anesthetics. Whole cell patch-clamp techniques were used to determine the effects of the commonly used intravenous anesthetics etomidate and propofol on the acid-sensitive K(+) current in rat ventricular myocytes (which strongly express TASK-1) and selected human K(2P) channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In myocytes, etomidate decreased both inward rectifier K(+) (K(ir)) current (I(K1)) and acid-sensitive outward K(+) current at positive potentials, suggesting that this drug may inhibit TASK channels. Indeed, in addition to inhibiting guinea pig Kir2.1 expressed in oocytes, etomidate inhibited human TASK-1 (and TASK-3) in a concentration-dependent fashion. Propofol had no effect on human TASK-1 (or TASK-3) expressed in oocytes. Moreover, we showed that, similar to the known effect of halothane, sevoflurane and the purified R-(-)- and S-(+)-enantiomers of isoflurane, without stereoselectivity, activated human TASK-1. We conclude that intravenous and volatile anesthetics have dissimilar effects on K(2P) channels. Human TASK-1 (and TASK-3) are insensitive to propofol but are inhibited by supraclinical concentrations of etomidate. In contrast, stimulatory effects of sevoflurane and enantiomeric isoflurane on human TASK-1 can be observed at clinically relevant concentrations.

Expression pattern in brain of TASK-1, TASK-3, and a tandem pore domain K(+) channel subunit, TASK-5, associated with the central auditory nervous system.

TWIK-related acid-sensitive K(+) (TASK) channels contribute to setting the resting potential of mammalian neurons and have recently been defined as molecular targets for extracellular protons and volatile anesthetics. We have isolated a novel member of this subfamily, hTASK-5, from a human genomic library and mapped it to chromosomal region 20q12-20q13. hTASK-5 did not functionally express in Xenopus oocytes, whereas chimeric TASK-5/TASK-3 constructs containing the region between M1 and M3 of TASK-3 produced K(+) selective currents. To better correlate TASK subunits with native K(+) currents in neurons the precise cellular distribution of all TASK family members was elucidated in rat brain. A comprehensive in situ hybridization analysis revealed that both TASK-1 and TASK-3 transcripts are most strongly expressed in many neurons likely to be cholinergic, serotonergic, or noradrenergic. In contrast, TASK-5 expression is found in olfactory bulb mitral cells and Purkinje cells, but predominantly associated with the central auditory pathway. Thus, TASK-5 K(+) channels, possibly in conjunction with auxiliary proteins, may play a role in the transmission of temporal information in the auditory system.

Cellular localization of the potassium channel Kir7.1 in guinea pig and human kidney.

BACKGROUND: K(+) channels have important functions in the kidney, such as maintenance of the membrane potential, volume regulation, recirculation, and secretion of potassium ions. The aim of this study was to obtain more information on the localization and possible functional role of the inwardly rectifying K(+) channel, Kir7.1. METHODS: Kir7.1 cDNA (1114 bp) was isolated from guinea pig kidney (gpKir7.1), and its tissue distribution was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, a genomic DNA fragment (6153 bp) was isolated from a genomic library. cRNA was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes for functional studies. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to localize Kir7.1 in guinea pig and human kidney. RESULTS: The expression of gpKir7.1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes revealed inwardly rectifying K(+) currents. The reversal potential was strongly dependent on the extracellular K(+) concentration, shifting from -14 mV at 96 mmol/L K(+) to -90 mV at 1 mmol/L K(+). gpKir7.1 showed a low affinity for Ba(2+). Significant expression of gpKir7.1 was found in brain, kidney, and lung, but not in heart, skeletal muscle, liver, or spleen. Immunocytochemical detection in guinea pig identified the gpKir7.1 protein in the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells of the proximal tubule. RT-PCR analysis identified strong gpKir7.1 expression in the proximal tubule and weak expression in glomeruli and thick ascending limb. In isolated human tubule fragments, RT-PCR showed expression in proximal tubule and thick ascending limb. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Kir7.1 may contribute to basolateral K(+) recycling in the proximal tubule and in the thick ascending limb.

Comparison of cloned Kir2 channels with native inward rectifier K+ channels from guinea-pig cardiomyocytes.

The aim of the study was to compare the properties of cloned Kir2 channels with the properties of native rectifier channels in guinea-pig (gp) cardiac muscle. The cDNAs of gpKir2.1, gpKir2.2, gpKir2.3 and gpKir2.4 were obtained by screening a cDNA library from guinea-pig cardiac ventricle. A partial genomic structure of all gpKir2 genes was deduced by comparison of the cDNAs with the nucleotide sequences derived from a guinea-pig genomic library. The cell-specific expression of Kir2 channel subunits was studied in isolated cardiomyocytes using a multi-cell RT-PCR approach. It was found that gpKir2.1, gpKir2.2 and gpKir2.3, but not gpKir2.4, are expressed in cardiomyocytes. Immunocytochemical analysis with polyclonal antibodies showed that expression of Kir2.4 is restricted to neuronal cells in the heart. After transfection in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) the mean single-channel conductance with symmetrical K+ was found to be 30.6 pS for gpKir2.1, 40.0 pS for gpKir2.2 and 14.2 pS for Kir2.3. Cell-attached measurements in isolated guinea-pig cardiomyocytes (n = 351) revealed three populations of inwardly rectifying K+ channels with mean conductances of 34.0, 23.8 and 10.7 pS. Expression of the gpKir2 subunits in Xenopus oocytes showed inwardly rectifying currents. The Ba2+ concentrations required for half-maximum block at -100 mV were 3.24 M for gpKir2.1, 0.51 M for gpKir2.2, 10.26 M for gpKir2.3 and 235 M for gpKir2.4. Ba2+ block of inward rectifier channels of cardiomyocytes was studied in cell-attached recordings. The concentration and voltage dependence of Ba2+ block of the large-conductance inward rectifier channels was virtually identical to that of gpKir2.2 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Our results suggest that the large-conductance inward rectifier channels found in guinea-pig cardiomyocytes (34.0 pS) correspond to gpKir2.2. The intermediate-conductance (23.8 pS) and low-conductance (10.7 pS) channels described here may correspond to gpKir2.1 and gpKir2.3, respectively.

Genetic and functional linkage of Kir5.1 and Kir2.1 channel subunits.

We have identified several cDNAs for the human Kir5.1 subunit of inwardly rectifying K(+) channels. Alternative splicing of exon 3 and the usage of two alternative polyadenylation sites contribute to cDNA diversity. The hKir5.1 gene KCNJ16 is assigned to chromosomal region 17q23.1-24.2, and is separated by only 34 kb from the hKir2.1 gene (KCNJ2). In the brain, Kir5.1 mRNA is restricted to the evolutionary older parts of the hindbrain, midbrain and diencephalon and overlaps with Kir2.1 in the superior/inferior colliculus and the pontine region. In the kidney Kir5.1 and Kir2.1 are colocalized in the proximal tubule. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, Kir5.1 is efficiently targeted to the cell surface and forms electrically silent channels together with Kir2.1, thus negatively controlling Kir2.1 channel activity in native cells.

THIK-1 and THIK-2, a novel subfamily of tandem pore domain K+ channels.

Two cDNAs encoding novel K(+) channels, THIK-1 and THIK-2 (tandem pore domain halothane inhibited K(+) channel), were isolated from rat brain. The proteins of 405 and 430 amino acids were 58% identical to each other. Homology analysis showed that the novel channels form a separate subfamily among tandem pore domain K(+) channels. The genes of the human orthologs were identified as human genomic data base entries. They possess one intron each and were assigned to chromosomal region 14q24.1-14q24.3 (human (h) THIK-1) and 2p22-2p21 (hTHIK-2). In rat (r), THIK-1 (rTHIK-1) is expressed ubiquitously; rTHIK-2 expression was found in several tissues including brain and kidney. In situ hybridization of brain slices showed that rTHIK-2 is strongly expressed in most brain regions, whereas rTHIK-1 expression is more restricted. Heterologous expression of rTHIK-1 in Xenopus oocytes revealed a K(+) channel displaying weak inward rectification in symmetrical K(+) solution. The current was enhanced by arachidonic acid and inhibited by halothane. rTHIK-2 did not functionally express. Confocal microscopy of oocytes injected with green fluorescent protein-tagged rTHIK-1 or rTHIK-2 showed that both channel subunits are targeted to the outer membrane. However, coinjection of rTHIK-2 did not affect the currents induced by rTHIK-1, indicating that the two channel subunits do not form heteromers.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels in capillaries isolated from guinea-pig heart.

The full-length cDNAs of two different alpha-subunits (Kir6.1 and Kir6.2) and partial cDNAs of three different beta-subunits (SUR1, SUR2A and SUR2B) of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels of the guinea-pig (gp) were obtained by screening a cDNA library from the ventricle of guinea-pig heart. Cell-specific reverse-transcriptase PCR with gene-specific intron-spanning primers showed that gpKir6.1, gpKir6.2 and gpSUR2B were expressed in a purified fraction of capillary endothelial cells. In cardiomyocytes, gpKir6.1, gpKir6.2, gpSUR1 and gpSUR2A were detected. Patch-clamp measurements were carried out in isolated capillary fragments consisting of 3-15 endothelial cells. The membrane capacitance measured in the whole-cell mode was 19.9 +/- 1.0 pF and was independent of the length of the capillary fragment, which suggests that the endothelial cells were not electrically coupled under our experimental conditions. The perforated-patch technique was used to measure the steady-state current-voltage relation of capillary endothelial cells. Application of K+ channel openers (rilmakalim or diazoxide) or metabolic inhibition (250 microM 2,4-dinitrophenol plus 10 mM deoxyglucose) induced a current that reversed near the calculated K+ equilibrium potential. Rilmakalim (1 microM), diazoxide (300 microM) and metabolic inhibition increased the slope conductance measured at -55 mV by a factor of 9.0 (+/-1.8), 2.5 (+/-0.2) and 3.9 (+/-1.7), respectively. The effects were reversed by glibenclamide (1 microM). Our results suggest that capillary endothelial cells from guinea-pig heart express KATP channels composed of SUR2B and Kir6.1 and/or Kir6.2 subunits. The hyperpolarization elicited by the opening of KATP channels may lead to an increase in free cytosolic Ca2+, and thus modulate the synthesis of NO and the permeability of the capillary wall.

TASK-3, a novel tandem pore domain acid-sensitive K+ channel. An extracellular histiding as pH sensor.

Tandem pore domain acid-sensitive K(+) channel 3 (TASK-3) is a new member of the tandem pore domain potassium channel family. A cDNA encoding a 365- amino acid polypeptide with four putative transmembrane segments and two pore regions was isolated from guinea pig brain. An orthologous sequence was cloned from a human genomic library. Although TASK-3 is 62% identical to TASK-1, the cytosolic C-terminal sequence is only weakly conserved. Analysis of the gene structure identified an intron within the conserved GYG motif of the first pore region. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed strong expression in brain but very weak mRNA levels in other tissues. Cell-attached patch-clamp recordings of TASK-3 expressed in HEK293 cells showed that the single channel current-voltage relation was inwardly rectifying, and open probability increased markedly with depolarization. Removal of external divalent cations increased the mean single channel current measured at -100 mV from -2.3 to -5.8 pA. Expression of TASK-3 in Xenopus oocytes revealed an outwardly rectifying K(+) current that was strongly decreased in the presence of lower extracellular pH. Substitution of the histidine residue His-98 by asparagine or tyrosine abolished pH sensitivity. This histidine, which is located at the outer part of the pore adjacent to the selectivity filter, may be an essential component of the extracellular pH sensor.

Separation of cardiomyocytes and coronary endothelial cells for cell-specific RT-PCR.

A simple method for analyzing the differential gene expression of coronary endothelial cells and cardiac muscle cells was developed. Cells were isolated from guinea pig hearts by collagenase digestion. In the diluted cell suspension, single cardiomyocytes and capillary fragments containing 6-15 endothelial cells could be identified morphologically. A simple "cell picker" was constructed using a polyethylene pipette with a tip diameter of approximately 150 micrometers that was attached to a micromanipulator and connected to an electric miniature valve. Intermittent suction pulses (1- to 2-cm water column) were applied by opening the valve for 100-200 ms at 1-s intervals. Cardiomyocytes (800-1,000) or capillary fragments (150) were picked under visual control using an inverted microscope. The cells were transferred to a reaction tube for RNA extraction, reverse transcription (RT), and DNA amplification (RT-PCR) with gene-specific and intron-spanning primers. All PCR products were verified by sequencing. Troponin T and endothelin-1 were found to be specific markers for guinea-pig cardiac muscle cells and coronary endothelial cells, respectively.

Grapevine protoplasts as a transient expression system for comparison of stilbene synthase genes containing cGMP-responsive promoter elements.

A method for preparing elicitor-responsive protoplasts from grapevine cells kept in suspension culture was established. The protoplasts were employed in order to perform transient gene expression experiments produced by externally added plasmids. Using the gene coding for bacterial beta-glucuronidase as the reporter gene, the transient expression under the control of various promoters of stilbene synthase genes were analyzed. The elicitor-responsiveness of promoters from grapevine genes and heterologous promoters were assayed: the grapevine stilbene synthase gene VST-1 and pine stilbene synthase genes PST-1, PST-2 and PST-3. Compared to the expression effected by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA-promoter, the stilbene synthase promoters caused a 2-5-fold increase in GUS-activity. Incubation of transformed protoplasts with fungal cell wall further stimulated the stilbene synthase promoters but not the 35S RNA-promoter. An even more pronounced differentiation between the promoters was observed when cGMP was included in the transient expression assays. Instead of treating transformed protoplasts with fungal cell wall we administered simultaneously cGMP and the plasmid to be tested. The cGMP-responsive increase was (a) specific concerning the nucleotide applied, (b) characteristic of grapevine protoplasts, and (c) not seen with shortened promoter-GUS constructs or GUS under the control of the 35S RNA-promoter. The highest cGMP-dependent response to stress was shown by the promoter of the grapevine stilbene synthase gene VST-1.

Characterization of a pine multigene family containing elicitor-responsive stilbene synthase genes.

Young pine seedlings respond to environmental stress by induced synthesis of pinosylvin, a stilbene phytoalexin. Heartwood of pine trees is characterized by a high content of pinosylvin. The formation of pinosylvin from cinnamoyl-CoA and three molecules malonyl-CoA catalysed by pinosylvin synthase is typical of the genus Pinus. Its enzyme activity not detectable in unstressed seedlings is substantially increased upon application of stimuli like UV-light or infection with the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea. A genomic DNA library was screened with pinosylvin synthase cDNA pSP-54 as a probe. Ten clones were isolated and grouped into five subclasses according to the size of their introns. After subcloning into plasmid T7T3, four different members of the five gene subclasses were characterized by sequencing. Emphasis was put on isolating various promoters and analyzing and comparing their responsiveness. The amino acid sequences deduced from genes PST-1, PST-2, PST-3 and PST-5 shared an overall identity of more than 95%. In gene PST-5, the putative translation start site ATG was replaced by CTG. While promoter regions near the TATAA box were almost identical PST-1, PST-2 and PST-3, further upstream sequences differed substantially. Differences in promoter strength were analysed both in transgenic tobacco plants and by transient expression in tobacco protoplasts. Constructs used contained the bacterial beta-glucuronidase under the control of the promoters of pine genes PST-1, PST-2 and PST-3. Upon treatment with UV light or fungal elicitor, the promoter of PST-1 showed highest responsiveness and led to tissue-specific expression in vascular bundles. The data suggest that in pine the gene product of PST-1 is responsible for both the stress response in seedlings and pinosylvin formation in the heartwood.

A phospholipase A2 is transiently synthesized during seed germination and localized to lipid bodies.

A patatin-like protein is present in the storage tissue of cucumber seedlings during the stage of fat mobilization. The cucumber protein is a homologue of a glycoprotein which in potatoes accounts for most of the total protein content of tubers. Following preparation of a cucumber cDNA library representing the developmental stage of cotyledons of 1 day old germinating seeds we isolated and characterized a clone encoding a patatin-like protein. Antibodies raised against the protein expressed in bacteria were used for immunodetection in subcellular fractions of cucumber seedlings. It was shown that the patatin-like protein was virtually exclusively confined to lipid bodies. The protein expressed in bacteria was characterized in vitro by its esterase activity acting on monoacylglycerols and phospholipids. Detailed analysis using various forms of phosphatidyl choline as substrates demonstrated that the patatin-like protein is a phospholipase A2 acting on palmitoyl, linoleoyl and hydroperoxidized linoleoyl groups equally well. Studying the temporal and tissue-specific expression of patatin-like protein mRNA we showed its appearance exclusively during fat catabolism. As maximal amounts of the protein were found at an early stage of mobilization and confined to lipid bodies, we propose that the patatin-like hydrolase is involved in lipid body mobilization.

A hyperprostaglandin E syndrome mutation in Kir1.1 (renal outer medullary potassium) channels reveals a crucial residue for channel function in Kir1.3 channels.

Loss of function mutations in kidney Kir1.1 (renal outer medullary potassium channel, KCNJ1) inwardly rectifying potassium channels can be found in patients suffering from hyperprostaglandin E syndrome (HPS), the antenatal form of Bartter syndrome. A novel mutation found in a sporadic case substitutes an asparagine by a positively charged lysine residue at amino acid position 124 in the extracellular M1-H5 linker region. When heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells, current amplitudes from mutant Kir1.1a[N124K] channels were reduced by a factor of approximately 12 as compared with wild type. A lysine at the equivalent position is present in only one of the known Kir subunits, the newly identified Kir1.3, which is also poorly expressed in the recombinant system. When the lysine residue in guinea pig Kir1.3 (gpKir1.3) isolated from a genomic library was changed to an asparagine (reverse HPS mutation), mutant channels yielded macroscopic currents with amplitudes increased 6-fold. From single channel analysis it became apparent that the decrease in mutant Kir1.1 channels and the increase in mutant gpKir1.3 macroscopic currents were mainly due to the number of expressed functional channels. Coexpression experiments revealed a dominant-negative effect of Kir1.1a[N124K] and gpKir1.3 on macroscopic current amplitudes when coexpressed with wild type Kir1.1a and gpKir[K110N], respectively. Thus we postulate that in Kir1.3 channels the extracellular positively charged lysine is of crucial functional importance. The HPS phenotype in man can be explained by the lower expression of functional channels by the Kir1. 1a[N124K] mutant.

Partial gene structure and assignment to chromosome 2q37 of the human inwardly rectifying K+ channel (Kir7.1) gene (KCNJ13).

The novel weakly inward rectifying potassium channel Kir7.1 is a low-conductance channel that is predominantly expressed in epithelial cells. Here we describe a partial genomic characterization and the chromosomal assignment of the human Kir7.1 gene (KCNJ13). Analysis of the genomic structure using a PCR-based approach revealed a single 2088-bp intron in the coding region of KCNJ13. PCR analysis of monochromosomal and radiation hybrid panels assigns KCNJ13 to band 2q37 between markers D2S331 and D2S345. In addition, a single nucleotide polymorphism (C524-->T), leading to an exchange of a Thr with an Ile residue at amino acid position 175, was found.

Plant polyketide synthases leading to stilbenoids have a domain catalyzing malonyl-CoA:CO2 exchange, malonyl-CoA decarboxylation, and covalent enzyme modification and a site for chain lengthening.

Stilbene synthases and the related bibenzyl synthases are plant polyketide synthases whose biological functions lie in the formation of antimicrobial phytoalexins. The formation of hydroxystilbenes from one molecule of acyl-CoA and three molecules of malonyl-CoA is catalyzed by a homodimeric 90 kDa protein and includes Claisen condensations and cleavage of a thioester followed by decarboxylation. Combining inhibitor studies, protein modifications, and site-directed mutagenesis, we were able to differentiate between the binding sites for malonyl-CoA and the regions responsible for the selection of the primer, p-coumaroyl-CoA or m-hydroxyphenylpropionyl-CoA, respectively. Mutations in the C-terminal part of the molecule or modification by photolabeling with p-azidocinnamoyl-CoA influence the overall reaction, the formation of hydroxystilbenes, but leave partial reactions, such as the malonyl-CoA:CO2 exchange and the malonyl-CoA-dependent modification of the enzyme, unaffected. Data obtained with several kinds of stilbene synthase and mutant forms suggest that the malonyl-CoA-dependent covalent modification takes place at a cysteine residue in the N-terminal part of the enzyme. Mutations in the C-terminal half of the enzyme molecule do not interfere with the malonyl-CoA-dependent reactions.

The inducible 9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene pathway: characterization and expression of bibenzyl synthase and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.

Tricyclic 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes originate from phenylpropane derivatives by chain elongation and cyclization according to the polyacetate rule. Bibenzyls are bicyclic intermediates, and O-methylation is a prerequisite for their conversion into dihydrophenanthrenes. cDNA clones encoding bibenzyl synthases and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase of the orchid Phalaenopsis sp. were isolated from a cDNA library representing the stage of elicitor-induced plants. The deduced amino acid sequences of two clones, pBibSy811 and pBibSy212, indicated that we obtained two full-length sequences of bibenzyl synthases characterized by their homology to stilbene synthases previously investigated. That indeed bibenzyl synthase cDNAs rather than a homologous stilbene synthase cDNA or chalcone synthase cDNA have been isolated was demonstrated by expression of two enzymatically active bibenzyl synthase proteins in Escherichia coli. These proteins showed virtually the same selectivity towards m-hydroxyphenylpropionyl-CoA as substrate as the enzyme isolated from orchid plants. In young sterile Phalaenopsis plants, the formation of both bibenzyl synthase mRNAs and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase mRNAs was increased upon elicitation more than 100-fold. The time courses of gene expression exhibited transient profiles, reaching maximum mRNA levels 20 h after onset of fungal infection followed by a rapid decline to 40 h.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of a chloroplast photosystem II gene from poplar and their use for species identification.

In a total DNA library from the poplar clone Beaupré (Populus trichocarpa x P. deltoides) one DNA clone was found to identify restriction site polymorphisms in different poplar species. This clone represents a cpDNA gene that shows close homology to a photosystem II gene of pea and spinach coding for the D2 protein and the 44 kDa reaction centre. In Southern blot analysis this probe identified interspecific restriction site variation among the different poplar species; intraspecific variation was not detectable. As the chloroplast genome is maternally inherited in poplars this cpDNA probe was used for identification of P. nigra or P. deltoides as the seed parents of F1 hybrid trees in natural stands of western Germany.

Domains of the tetrafunctional protein acting in glyoxysomal fatty acid beta-oxidation. Demonstration of epimerase and isomerase activities on a peptide lacking hydratase activity.

Peroxisomes from different eukaryotic organisms house a multifunctional protein acting in fatty acid beta-oxidation. In plant glyoxysomes, one of the isoforms of this protein contains the activities of L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA hydrolyase (EC 4.2.1.17), L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.211), D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA epimerase, and delta 3,delta 2-enoyl-CoA isomerase (EC 5.3.3.8). This was demonstrated after molecular cloning of a cDNA coding for a protein of 79047 Da and its bacterial expression. Chromatographic purification yielded a monomeric protein exhibiting all four activities. In addition, mutant forms were prepared, and peptides representing single domains were purified. Peptides containing the N-terminal region showed D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA epimerase and delta 3,delta 2-enoyl-CoA isomerase activities but lacked 2-trans-enoyl-CoA hydratase and L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities. Using the N-terminal fragment, we demonstrated that the D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA converting activity is actually an epimerase rather than part of a combined water eliminating and water attaching system. The C-terminal half of the multifunctional protein represents the dehydrogenase domain.

Heat shock enhances the amount of prenylated Dnaj protein at membranes of glyoxysomes.

Proteins similar to the bacterial Dnaj protein have been implicated as molecular chaperones in different compartments of eukaryots. A plant equivalent is now described in tissues of dark-grown cucumber seedlings. Using a cucumber Dnaj protein produced by expression in bacteria, we raised polyclonal antibodies against the protein and used them for localization studies. In etiolated cucumber seedlings, both cotyledons and hypocotyledons were found to contain Dnaj proteins. Cell fractionation of etiolated cotyledons showed that Dnaj proteins were detectable mainly in the postnuclear cell fraction after sedimentation at 10,000 x g, and in the microsomes. Following subfractionation by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and analysis by immunoblotting, a 53-kDa protein was attributed to the glyoxysomal fraction and an 80-kDa protein to the mitochondrial fraction. The glyoxysomal Dnaj protein behaved as a membrane-bound form. Upon heat shock, a slight increase in the content of the glyoxysomal Dnaj protein was found. When glyoxysomes were treated with protease and subsequently isolated by gradient centrifugation, virtually all immunologically detectable Dnaj protein was removed. Administration of radiolabelled mevalonic acid to cotyledons and isolation of glyoxysomes yielded labelled Dnaj protein which remained membrane bound during the purification of glyoxysomal membranes by floatation in a density gradient.

Plant dnaj homologue: molecular cloning, bacterial expression, and expression analysis in tissues of cucumber seedlings.

Proteins homologous to the bacterial dnaJ protein have been implicated as molecular chaperones in different compartments of eukaryotes. A plant equivalent is now described in various cucumber tissues. Using a cDNA library constructed from poly(A)-rich RNA of cotyledons of etiolated seedlings and dnaJ-specific probes, we isolated clones encoding full-length cDNAs: clone CSDNAJ-1 contained a 1.7-kb insert with a single open reading frame of 413 amino acid residues encoding a protein of M(r) 46, 012; pCSDNAJ-2 differed from pCSDNAJ-1 by an additional nucleotide and predicted a protein of M(r) 26, 104. Peptides of similar sizes were observed when the cDNA information was expressed by in vitro transcription and translation or expressed in vivo in bacteria. Using mRNA isolated by hybrid selection for in vitro translation we observed the formation of CSDNAJ-1 protein. Comparisons revealed that the similarity in primary structure between CSDNAJ-1 protein and dnaJ homologues in eukaryotes is most pronounced in the N-terminal region. The high degree of identity (39%) of CSDNAJ-1 protein with the yeast dnaJ homologue YDJ1 protein suggests that csdnaJ proteins assist intracellular protein transfer. The predicted CSDNAJ-1 protein is characterized by a fourfold repetition of the motif CXXCXGX(G) and by a C-terminus -QCAQQ. Analysis of gene expression at the level of mRNA showed that the putative dnaJ protein is expressed in cucumber seedlings in all tissues, but exceedingly high in hypocotyledons and roots. The level of dnaJ mRNA was transiently increased by a factor of 1.5-2.0 when heat shock was applied to the seedlings.