Molecular analysis of physiological responses to changes in nitrogen in a marine macroalga, Porphyra yezoensis (Rhodophyta).

The rhodophyte seaweed Porphyra yezoensis, known more commonly world-wide as "nori", is an important commercial crop in Japan. Cultivation of nori in Japan is often affected by outbreaks of "iroochi", a discoloration of the thalli due to a decrease in inorganic nutrients in the culture area that in turn decreases the amount of photosynthetic pigments in the thalli. Treating thalli with inorganic nitrogen can reverse iroochi. In this paper, we report on the characterization of three P. yezoensis genes, a nitrate transporter (PyNRT2) and two urea transporters (PyUT1 and PyUT2), which may be involved in reversing iroochi. The predicted length of the PyNRT2 protein was 479 amino acids (AA), while PyUT1 and PyUT2 were 740 and 680 AA, respectively. PyNRT2 was more similar to NRT2 from a chromophyte than to NRTs from Chlamydomonas and higher plants. The two P. yezoensis UTs had 56% AA identity to each other, and showed the closest relationship to higher plant and yeast DUR3 proteins which formed a subfamily of the sodium-solute symporter protein family. Hydrophobicity plots of the AA sequences showed that the PyNRT2, PyUT1, and PyUT2 included 12, 15, and 16 transmembrane domains, respectively. Southern blot analysis indicated that the P. yezoensis genome has a single NRT2-encoding gene and at least four UT-encoding genes. Expression analysis of PyNRT2 and PyUT genes showed that the messenger RNA level of the PyNRT2 gene reached a maximum after 48 h in the nitrate starvation condition and was then restored to the constitutive level, while expression of the PyUT genes was induced in proportion to treatment times in the nitrate starvation condition. These results suggest that the PyNRT2 and PyUT are responsible for the high-affinity nitrate/urea transport systems that operate under low external nitrate concentrations.

A novel C-type lectin regulating cell growth, cell adhesion and cell differentiation of the multipotent epithelium in budding tunicates.

We have isolated two Ca(2+)-dependent, galactose-binding polypeptides from the budding tunicate, Polyandrocarpa misakiensis. Based on their partial amino acid sequences, full-length cDNAs were cloned. One of them was identical with a tunicate C-type lectin (TC14-2) reported previously. The other was a novel C-type lectin, referred to as TC14-3. In living animals, they appeared to be coupled. This complex of lectins, when applied in vitro to tunicate multipotent cells of epithelial origin, blocked cell proliferation and induced cell aggregation. The aggregates expressed a homolog of the integrin alpha-chain and other differentiation markers specific for epithelial cells. Recombinant TC14-3 could reproduce all the activities of native lectins by itself, which was accelerated by recombinant TC14-2. The inhibitory activity of TC14-3 on cell growth was completely abolished by the addition of 50 microM D-galactose. Anti-TC14-3 monoclonal antibody showed that the antigen was expressed constitutively by the multipotent epithelial and mesenchymal cells. These results provide evidence that in P. misakiensis a C-type lectin plays a novel, cytostatic role in regulating cell growth, cell adhesion and cell differentiation during asexual reproduction.

3-(3'-fluorenyl-9'-oxo)-L-alanine: a novel photoreactive conformationally constrained amino acid.

Photoaffinity scanning of the ligand-G-protein-coupled receptor bimolecular interface is a direct approach to mapping the interactions of ligands and receptors. Such studies are an important first step toward generating an experimentally based model of the ligand-receptor complex. The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of Boc-3-(3'-fluorenyl-9'-oxo)-L-alanine and 9-fluorenone-3-carboxylic acid are described. Incorporation of these two photophores into the parathyroid hormone (PTH) molecule yields potent agonists. These photoreactive analogs cross-link specifically with the recombinant human PTH1 receptor stably expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. The availability of the 9-fluorenone (a conformationally constrained derivative of benzophenone, the abundantly used photophore) for photoaffinity scanning provides an important tool to probe the effect of conformational flexibility of the photophore on the selection of the cross-linking site in the macromolecular acceptor.

Conformational studies of a potent Leu11,D-Trp12-containing lactam-bridged parathyroid hormone-related protein-derived antagonist.

Human parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is expressed in various tissues where it acts as an endocrine/paracrine factor involved in cellular growth, differentiation and development of fetal skeleton. As for parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is the hormone responsible for regulation of extracellular calcium homeostasis, the N-terminal 1-34 fragment can reproduce the full spectrum of calciotropic activities inherent in full-length PTH. Truncation of six amino acid residues from the N-terminus of both hormone sequences generates 7-34 fragments which act as weak antagonists. Although PTH(7-34) is a pure antagonist, PTHrP(7-34) acts as partial agonist against the receptor shared by both hormones, the PTH/PTHrP receptor. In the current study, we analyzed the conformation of [Leu11,D-Trp12, Lys26,Asp30]PTHrP(7-34)NH2 (hybrid-lactam) in a 1:1 mixture of H2O/TFE-d3 at pH approximately equal to 4 by circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance and distance geometry calculations. This weak antagonist (Kb = 650 nM) combines two modifications: Leu11,D-Trp12 (Kb = 5.1 nM), reported to eliminate partial agonism and enhance potency, and Lys26-Asp30 lactamization (Kb = 31 nM), aimed to stabilize the helical structure of the principal binding domain attributed to residues 25-34. The helical content in 30% trifluoroethanol is 88%, i.e., higher than the corresponding linear analog, and comprises the D-Trp12-Thr33 segment. This hybrid lactam contains a rigid helical segment spanning the 14-18 sequence followed by a hinge motif around Arg19-20, but the sequence 14-18 forms a stable helix. In all potent lactam-containing, PTHrP-derived agonists and antagonists studied so far, the dominant structural motif consists of two helical domains at the two ends of the sequence and of two hinge regions centered around Gly12-Lys13 and Arg19. The weakly active agonists and antagonists do not exhibit the "hinge" around position 19. These findings suggest that the presence and location of discrete hinge regions that connect the N- and C-terminal helices are essential for generating the bioactive conformation of ligands for the PTH/PTHrP receptor.

Direct mapping of an agonist-binding domain within the parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor by photoaffinity crosslinking.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) are calciotropic hormones interacting with a shared seven-transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptor, which is located predominantly in bone and kidney. To map the interface of the bimolecular interaction between hormone and receptor, we designed and radioiodinated a bioactive, photoreactive PTH agonist, (125)I-[Nle(8,18),Lys13(epsilon-p-(3-I-Bz)Bz),L-2-Nal(23),Arg(26,2 7),Tyr34] bPTH-(1-34)NH2 ((125)I-all-R-K13). This ligand contains a photoreactive benzophenone moiety attached to the side chain of Lys13. All other lysyl residues are substituted by argynyls. The analog photocrosslinks specifically to the recombinant hPTH/PTHrP receptor stably transfected into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293/C-21 cells, approximately 400,000 receptors per cell), generating a diffuse approximately 87-kDa band on SDS/PAGE autoradiography. To identify the "contact domain" within the hPTH/PTHrP receptor involved in binding of (125)I-all-R-K13, the radiolabeled band containing the ligand-receptor conjugate was subjected to chemical and enzymatic cleavage. Two independent pathways of sequential digestion were used: Route A, lysyl endopeptidase C, then endo-N-glycosidase F, followed by cyanogen bromide; Route B, cyanogen bromide followed by endo-N-glycosydase F. The identified domain is in contact with position 13 in (125)I-all-R-K13 and corresponds to amino acids 173-189 of the hPTH/PTHrP receptor, located at the C-terminal region of the N-terminal extracellular domain.

Mono- and bicyclic analogs of parathyroid hormone-related protein. 1. Synthesis and biological studies.

The bioactive conformation of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), a single-chain linear peptide structurally similar to parathyroid hormone (PTH), is of considerable interest because PTH and PTHrP both recognize and bind to a shared G-protein-coupled receptor. Both hormones are thought to present a bioactive conformation to the receptor which is substantially alpha-helical in nature. To better characterize this putative biologically relevant conformation, we prepared a series of conformationally constrained analogs of PTHrP with enhanced alpha-helical stability. A combination of structural constraint and helix stabilization was achieved through side chain-to-side chain lactam ring formation between Lys(i) and Asp(i+4) residues (13-to-17 and 26-to-30) along the PTHrP sequence. Mono- and bicyclic analogs derived from the agonist PTHrP-(1-34)NH2 and the antagonist PTHrP-(7-34)NH2 were prepared and characterized in terms of receptor binding and stimulation (or antagonism) of PTH-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in osteoblast-like cells. The binding affinity of monocyclic [Lys13,Asp17]-(I) and bicyclic [Lys13,Asp17,Lys26,Asp30]PTHrP-(1-34)NH2 (III) agonists was in the low nanomolar range and similar to that of the parent linear peptide. Furthermore, their efficacy was in the sub-nanomolar range and about 10-fold higher than that of the corresponding linear parent peptide. Analogs I and III are the first cyclic PTH/PTHrP receptor agonists and amongst the most potent PTHrP analogs yet designed. The rank-order of potency in the cyclic antagonist series does not correlate with the binding affinities. In light of the positional dependence and the differential effects of lactam bridge formation on the biological activities of agonist vs antagonists, these analogs may provide insight regarding the biologically relevant conformations of PTHrP-derived ligands [Maretto et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 3300-3307].

Histidine at position 5 is the specificity "switch" between two parathyroid hormone receptor subtypes.

The PTH and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) system consists of two hormones, at least two G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane domain receptors, and at least two intracellular signal transduction pathways for each receptor. The PTH/PTHrP receptor is present in the conventional target tissues of PTH action, namely kidney and bone. Both PTH and PTHrP bind to and activate the PTH/PTHrP receptor with equal affinity and efficacy. The newly discovered receptor, termed the human (h) PTH2 receptor, has 70% homology with the PTH/PTHrP receptor, but is found predominantly in brain and pancreas. It interacts selectively with PTH and not with PTHrP. PTH and PTHrP differ in several positions, including position 5 (Ile in PTH; His in PTHrP). To define the role of position 5 in receptor selectivity, we designed and synthesized a series of hybrid analogs containing specific elements of both the PTH and PTHrP sequences. Using human cell lines stably expressing either human receptor subtype, we evaluated the biological profile of the hybrids in assays of receptor binding and action. Both point-mutated hybrids, [Ile5]PTH-(1-34) and [His5]PTH-(1-34), bind to and stimulate cAMP accumulation and the release of cytosolic free calcium in HEK293/C-21, a clonal human embryonic kidney cell line stably expressing the recombinant hPTH/PTHrP receptor. However, only [Ile5]PTHrP-(1-34), and not [His5]PTH-(1-34), binds to and stimulates cAMP accumulation and the release of cytosolic free calcium in HEK293/BP-16, a clonal human embryonic kidney cell line stably expressing the recombinant hPTH2 receptor. The segmental hybrid PTHrP-(1-14)-PTH-(15-34) binds to and activates the hPTH/PTHrP receptor, but not the hPTH2 receptor, similar to the biological profile of His5-containing ligands: PTHrP-(1-34) and [His5]PTH-(1-34). Exchanging Ile5 for His5 in the segmental hybrid produces the analog [Ile5]PTHrP-(1-14)-PTH-(15-34), which interacts with both receptor subtypes. We conclude that His5 in PTHrP is the major structural determinant of receptor subtype specificity in the hPTH/PTHrP and hPTH2 two-receptor system. The mechanism of the specificity "switch" remains to be elucidated, but may result from a subtle perturbation of the bioactive conformation and/or from a direct steric hindrance at the hPTH2 receptor-ligand interface created by histidine at position 5. The hPTH2, but not the hPTH/PTHrP, receptor can discriminate between the two hormones based on the structural differences generated at position 5.

Evaluation in vivo of a potent parathyroid hormone antagonist: [Nle8,18,D-Trp12,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2.

In an effort to design and select potent parathyroid hormone (PTH) antagonists suitable for clinical utility, a PTH analog was evaluated in vivo in an animal model to assess its properties in preparation for human studies. The previously described PTH antagonist, [Nle8,18,D-Trp12,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2, which is highly active in vitro, was documented in these studies to be an effective antagonist of the PTH-stimulated calcemic response in vivo. In thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats, the efficacy of the antagonist was demonstrated to be dose-dependent. Inhibition was demonstrated when intravenous administration of antagonist started 1 h prior to coinfusion with the PTH agonist [Nle8,18,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34)NH2. Maximal inhibition by antagonist (an 84% decline in serum calcium levels compared with agonist alone) of the calcemic response was observed when a 200-fold molar excess of antagonist (12 nmol/h) was administered. At dose ratios of antagonist:agonist as low as 10:1, a 40-50% inhibition of PTH-stimulated calcemic response is evident, provided a longer (2 h) lead time for antagonist infusion is allowed. Based on these and related studies, the antagonist [Nle8,18,D-Trp12,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2 has displayed sufficient potency to obtain approval from the appropriate institutional and regulatory agencies for clinical trials in hypercalcemic states of parathyroid and tumor origin.

The human PTH2 receptor: binding and signal transduction properties of the stably expressed recombinant receptor.

We have generated a series of stably transfected HEK-293 cell lines expressing the newly identified alternate human PTH receptor (hPTH2 receptor). This receptor subtype is selectively activated by N-terminal PTH-(1-34) and not the corresponding N-terminal (1-34) region of the functionally and structurally related hormone, PTH-related protein (PTHrP). A total of 20 distinct clones displaying different levels of PTH-responsive cAMP production were analyzed. None responded to PTHrP-(1-34). One of these clones (BP-16), displaying maximal PTH responsiveness, was chosen for more detailed evaluation. The BP-16 clone (and the parental HEK-293 cell line lacking both the hPTH/PTHrP receptor and the hPTH2 receptor) were examined for PTH binding, PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation, PTH-stimulated changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels, and hPTH2 receptor messenger RNA expression. In addition, we studied the photomediated cross-linking of a potent PTH agonist, namely [Nle8,18,Lys13 (epsilon-pBz2), 2-L-Nal23,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34)NH2 (K13), to the hPTH2 receptor on BP-16 cells. Photoaffinity cross-linking identified an approximately 90-kDa cell membrane component that was specifically competed by PTH-(1-34) and other receptor-interacting ligands. PTH-(1-34) and K13 are potent stimulators of both cAMP accumulation and increases in (Ca2+]i levels, and both bind to the hPTH2 receptor with high affinity (apparent Kd, 2.8 +/- 0.9 x 10(-8) and 8.5 +/- 1.7 x 10(-8) M, respectively). There was no apparent binding, cAMP-stimulating activity, or [Ca 2+]i signaling observed, nor was specific competition vs. binding of a PTH-(1-34) radioligand ([125I]PTH) with PTHrP-(1-34)NH2 found. PTHrP-(1-34) failed to inhibit cross-linking of the hPTH2 receptor by radiolabeled K13 ([125I]K13). However, effective competition vs. [125I]PTH and [125I]K13 binding and [125I]K13 cross-linking were observed with the potent PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonists, PTHrP-(7-34)NH2 and PTH-(7-34)NH2. PTHrP-(7-34)NH2 was shown to be a partial agonist that weakly stimulates both cAMP accumulation and increases in [Ca 2+]i levels in BP-16 cells. These data suggest that the hPTH2 receptor is distinct from the hPTH/PTHrP receptor in the structural features it requires for ligand binding in the family of PTH and PTHrP peptides.

Probing the bimolecular interactions of parathyroid hormone with the human parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor. 1. Design, synthesis and characterization of photoreactive benzophenone-containing analogs of parathyroid hormone.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism through a G-protein-coupled receptor which is shared with PTH-related protein (PTHrP). Therefore, structure-activity studies of PTH and PTHrP with their common receptor provide an unusual opportunity to examine the structural elements in the two hormones and their common receptor which are involved in the expression of biological activity. Our approach to studying the nature of the bimolecular interface between hormone and receptor is to use a series of specially designed photoreactive benzophenone- (BP-) containing PTH analogs in "photoaffinity scanning" of the PTH/PTHrP receptor. In this report we describe a series of BP-containing agonists and antagonists which have been synthesized by solid-phase methodology and characterized physiocochemically and biologically. Each of the 12 analogs contains a single BP moiety at a different defined position. Examples of BP-containing agonists prepared and studied in human osteogenic sarcoma Saos-2/B-10 cells are [Nle8,18,Lys13(epsilon-pBZ2),L-2-Nal23,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34 )NH2(K13)(Kb = 13 nM; Km = 2.7 nM) and [Nle8,18,L-Bpa23,Tyr34[bPTH(1-34)NH2(L-Bpa23) (Kb = 42 nM; Km = 8.5 nM). Another BP-containing analog, [Nle8,18,D-2-Nal12,Lys13(epsilon-pBZ2),L-2-Nal23 ,Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2, was a potent antagonist (Kb = 95 nM; Ki = 72 nM). The amino acids substituted by residues carrying the BP moiety span the biologically active domain of the hormone (Phe7, Gly12, Lys13, Trp23, and Lys26). Analysis of photo-cross-linked conjugates of PTH/PTHrP receptor with BP-containing PTH analogs should help to identify the "contact points" between ligand and receptor.

Probing the bimolecular interactions of parathyroid hormone and the human parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor. 2. Cloning, characterization, and photoaffinity labeling of the recombinant human receptor.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) acts to regulate calcium homeostasis by interacting with a G-protein-coupled receptor that also binds PTH-related protein (PTHrP). In this report we describe the cloning, characterization, and biological activity of the cloned human (h) PTH/PTHrP receptor (Rc) and cross-linking of a benzophenone-substituted PTH analog, [Nle8,18,Lys13(epsilon-pBZ2),L-2-Nal23,Tyr34]bPTH(1-34 )NH2(K13), to cells endogenously expressing the Rc and cells transiently or stably transfected with the human Rc. A full-length cDNA clone was isolated and fully sequenced from a human kidney cDNA library. Northern blot analysis of normal human tissues revealed a limited tissue distribution: a single transcript of approximately 2.3 kb was detected in kidney, lung, placenta, and liver. In human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293, clone C-21) stably transfected with hPTH/PTHrP Rc, a single 85-90 kDa Rc-hormone complex was formed after photolysis in the presence of K13. This covalent cross-linking reaction was specifically inhibited by excess quantities of biologically active 1-34 analogs of bovine (b) PTH or hPTHrP but not by C-terminal and midregion PTH peptides. Photoincorporation of 125I-labeled K13 into the Rc occurred with high efficiency (60-70%), approximately an order of magnitude greater than that achieved with conventional aryl azide cross-linking reagents. These results support the feasibility of our approach for specifically cross-linking a tagged PTH analog to the Rc, as a first step in the effort to identify directly the amino acid residues that constitute the Rc binding site.

Individual and combined effects of intact PTH, amino-terminal, and a series of truncated carboxyl-terminal PTH fragments on alkaline phosphatase activity in dexamethasone-treated rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells, ROS 17/2.8.

The individual and combined effects of intact PTH, amino-terminal, and a series of truncated carboxyl-terminal PTH fragments on alkaline phosphatase activity were examined in dexamethasone-treated rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells ROS 17/2.8. Dexamethasone-induced alkaline phosphatase activity was inhibited not only by hPTH(1-84) and amino-terminal PTH fragment hPTH(1-34), but also by carboxyl-terminal PTH fragment hPTH(69-84) in a dose-related fashion. At 10(-7) mol/l, hPTH(1-84) completely abolished dexamethasone-induced alkaline phosphatase activity, while hPTH(1-34) and hPTH(69-84) reduced alkaline phosphatase activity to 0.16 +/- 0.02 and 0.80 +/- 0.03 fold, respectively, of the control value obtained in the absence of PTH peptides. The combination of hPTH(1-34) and hPTH(69-84) resulted in reduction of alkaline phosphatase activity to the level obtained by hPTH(1-84). The shorter carboxyl-terminal PTH fragment hPTH(71-84) did not affect alkaline phosphatase activity or modulate the action of hPTH(1-34). The longer carboxyl-terminal PTH fragment hPTH(53-84) stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity up to 1.23 +/- 0.03 fold and partially blunted the inhibitory effect of hPTH(1-34) on alkaline phosphatase activity. These findings suggest that carboxyl-terminal PTH fragments could exert diverse effects on the target cells, depending on the length of deletion of amino-terminal amino acids of PTH molecule, and interact with amino-terminal PTH fragment. The two amino-terminal amino acids of hPTH(69-84) and the 53-68 portion of hPTH(53-84) might be responsible for the respective inhibitory and stimulatory effects of the peptides on alkaline phosphatase activity.

New actions of parathyroid hormone through its degradation.

Parathyroid hormone degradation is intimately connected with its action. By the action of the unique renal neutral cytosolic PTH ase, PTH is split into 1-34 and 35-84 fragments, and further into 35-70 and 71-84 fragments. Amino-terminal 1-34 peptide was found to participate in the autoregulation of PTH secretion, suppressing the intact PTH secretion both in vivo in humans and in vitro in the dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. C-terminal fragment 35-84 and N-terminal fragment 1-34 both suppress the alkaline phosphatase production by ROS 17/2.8 cells to a lesser extent than the intact PTH 1-84, and the sum of the effects of the two fragments approximately equaled that of the intact hormone. Fragments 35-70 and 71-84 were devoid of such activity. Intracellular free calcium of human vascular endothelial cells was raised by intact 1-84, lowered on the contrary by C-terminal 35-84 fragment, but fragments 1-34, 35-70 and 71-84 had no effect. Fragments generated by the actions, supporting the physiological significance of PTH degradation by its target cells.