The CK2 phosphorylation of vitronectin. Promotion of cell adhesion via the alpha(v)beta 3-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway.

Phosphorylation of vitronectin (Vn) by casein kinase II was previously shown to occur at Thr50 and Thr57 and to augment a major physiological function of vitronectin-cell adhesion and spreading. Here we show that this phosphorylation increases cell adhesion via the alpha(v)beta3 (not via the alpha(v)beta5 integrin), suggesting that alpha(v)beta3 differs from alpha(v)beta5 in its biorecognition profile. Although both the phospho (CK2-PVn) and non-phospho (Vn) analogs of vitronectin (simulated by mutants Vn(T50E,T57E), and Vn(T50A,T57A), respectively) trigger the alpha(v)beta3 as well as the alpha(v)beta5 integrins, and equally activate the ERK pathway, these two forms are different in their activation of the focal adhesion kinase/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB) pathway. Specifically, we show (i) that, upon exposure of cells to Vn/CK2-PVn, their PKB activation depends on the availability of the alpha(v)beta3 integrin on their surface; (ii) that upon adhesion of the beta3-transfected cells onto the CK2-PVn, the extent of PKB activation coincides with the enhanced adhesion of these cells, and (iii) that both the PKB activation and the elevation in the adhesion of these cells is PI3K-dependent. The occurrence of a cell surface receptor that specifically distinguishes between a phosphorylated and a non-phosphorylated analog of Vn, together with the fact that it preferentially activates a distinct intra-cellular signaling pathway, suggest that extra-cellular CK2 phosphorylation may play an important role in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration.

Localization of protein kinase A and vitronectin in resting platelets and their translocation onto fibrin fibers during clot formation.

Physiological stimulation of platelets with thrombin brings about the release of protein kinase A (PKA) into the plasma. In human blood, this kinase singles out and phosphorylates vitronectin (Vn), a multifunctional regulatory protein, which was proposed to play an important role in the control of fibrinolysis. Here we present immuno-cytochemical evidence to show: (i) that intact platelets possess on their surface an ecto-PKA which can preferentially phosphorylate Vn; (ii) that in the resting platelet, both the catalytic and the regulatory subunits of PKA are present on the platelet surface, in the surface-connected canalicular system, and within the alpha-granules of the platelets; (iii) that the process initiated upon platelet activation, which leads to the formation of fibrin fibers and consequently forms the fibrin net, is accompanied by a translocation of PKA, of Vn, and of PAI-1 onto the fibrin fibers. We propose that the localization and the translocation of these proteins in the fibrin net, together with our finding that PKA phosphorylation of Vn reduces its grip of PAI-1, can unleash PAI-1 in its free form. The free PAI-1 can then assume its latent (non inhibitory) conformation, allow plasminogen activators to trigger the formation of active plasmin, and to initiate fibrinolysis.

Evidence showing that the two-chain form of vitronectin is produced in the liver by a selective furin cleavage.

The adhesive protein vitronectin (75 kDa) occurs in human blood fluid in a one-chain (Vn75) or a two-chain form (Vn65-10), and is produced by a specific cleavage (at Arg379-Ala380), by a proteinase not identified hitherto. These two forms were shown to be functionally different and therefore, this cleavage may have a regulatory significance in vivo. Here, we report the use of a tailored one-chain recombinant Vn, a specific protein kinase A phosphorylation at Ser378, and sequence analysis to show: (1) that none of the proteinases originating from blood, previously thought to be the endogenous proteinase (plasmin, thrombin, tPA, and uPA), is indeed the in vivo convertase; and (2) that furin, a serine endoproteinase residing in the secretory pathway of hepatocytes, where Vn is synthesized, specifically cleaves Vn at the endogenous cleavage site. Consequently, we propose that the Vn75 to Vn65-10 conversion takes place in the liver (not in blood) and is carried out by furin.

Snapping of the carboxyl terminal tail of the catalytic subunit of PKA onto its core: characterization of the sites by mutagenesis.

A set of 45 mutants of the carboxyl terminal tail of the PKA catalytic subunit was prepared and used to assess the contribution of this tail to the structure and function of the kinase. Ala substitutions of Asp 323, Phe 327, Glu 333, and Phe 350 resulted in a complete loss of enzymatic activity. Other replacements by Ala (Phe 314, Tyr 330, Glu 332, and Phe 347) brought about either a drop in activity to less than 10% of the wild-type enzyme or a reduction of affinity toward ATP (Lys 317, Lys 319, Tyr 330, and Glu 332) or toward Kemptide (Ile 315, Tyr 330, Val 337, Ile 339, Lys 345, and Glu 346). Mutations of Ser 338, a major autophosphorylation site of PKA, by Ala, Glu, Asp, Gln, and Asn showed that the kinetic parameters of these mutants are similar to those of the wild-type. The contribution of each of these tail mutations to the structure and stability of the kinase was assessed by monitoring its effect on the heat stability (when measurable) or by determining the susceptibility of the mutant kinase to cleavage by the Kinase Splitting Membranal Proteinase/Meprin beta. Here we show that the tail of PKA has a key role in creating the active conformation of the kinase. It does so by means of specific amino acid residues, which act as "snapping points" to embrace the two lobes of the kinase and orient them in the correct juxtaposition for substrate docking, biorecognition, and catalysis.

The negative charge of Glu-127 in protein kinase A and its biorecognition.

A set of mutants of protein kinase A (PKA) in which Gln-127 was replaced by Gln, Asp, Asn, and Arg was prepared. Their Km and Vmax values show that the negative charge of Glu-127 (not merely its hydrogen bonding capacity) is indispensable for the kinase activity, since Glu-127/Gln is inactive, in spite of the fact that it can form hydrogen bonds and is very similar in bulkiness and conformation to wt-PKA. Glu-127 is involved in the biorecognition of PKA, interacting ionically with the positively charged guanido group of Arg P-3 (a major recognition element in the consensus sequence of PKA). In support of this conclusion, it is shown that a regression of the Glu-127 carboxylate by 1.54 A (as in Glu-127/Asp) results in an active kinase with a similar thermal stability and susceptibility to conformation-dependent proteolysis, a similar Vmax, an identical Km for ATP, but a > 20-fold higher Km for kemptide. The two inactive mutants of PKA, Glu-127/Gln and Glu-127/Asn, are potentially useful for studying protein-protein interactions of PKA, e.g. for monitoring enzymatically the displacement of active PKA from its complexes.

Vitronectin.

Vitronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein present in blood and in the extracellular matrix. It binds glycosaminoglycans, collagen, plasminogen and the urokinase-receptor, and also stabilizes the inhibitory conformation of plasminogen activation inhibitor-1. By its localization in the extracellular matrix and its binding to plasminogen activation inhibitor-1, vitronectin can potentially regulate the proteolytic degradation of this matrix. In addition, vitronectin binds to complement, to heparin and to thrombin-antithrombin III complexes, implicating its participation in the immune response and in the regulation of clot formation. The biological functions of vitronectin can be modulated by proteolytic enzymes, and by exo- and ecto-protein kinases present in blood. Vitronectin contains an RGD sequence, through which it binds to the integrin receptor alpha v beta 3, and is involved in the cell attachment, spreading and migration. Antibodies against alpha v beta 3 or synthetic peptides containing an RGD sequence are now being tested as therapeutic agents in the treatment of human cancers, bone diseases (e.g. osteoporosis) and in pathological disorders which involve angiogenesis.

The carboxyl-terminal tail of kinase splitting membranal proteinase/meprin beta is involved in its intracellular trafficking.

The kinase splitting membranal proteinase (KSMP), was recently shown to be identical with the beta-subunit of meprin. Meprin is a metalloendoproteinase located in brush border membranes and composed of the two types of subunits, alpha and beta. Despite their high sequence homology and similar domain organization, meprin subunits are differently processed during maturation; meprin alpha is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and undergoes a proteolytic removal of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, prior to its export from this organelle. In contrast, meprin beta retains these domains even after reaching its final destination in the plasma membrane. Using truncated mutants of rat meprin beta expressed in Cos-7 and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, we show here that the cytoplasmic tail is indispensable for its exit from the ER. A meprin beta mutant lacking the last 25 amino acids is shown to be transport-incompetent, although it does not contain any of the known ER retention signals. Systematic analysis of the rate of the ER to Golgi transport using a series of mutants with Ala or Pro substitutions in the tail, suggests that while no specific amino acid residue by itself is imperative for normal intracellular trafficking of meprin beta, the insertion of a bend at a distinct position in the tail (specifically by a Y685P mutation) suffices to retain this protein in the ER. We propose that the very length of the cytoplasmic tail, as well as its secondary structure are essential for the ER to Golgi transport of meprin beta, possibly by allowing an interaction with a cargo receptor.

Mapping substrate-induced conformational changes in cAMP-dependent protein kinase by protein footprinting.

Upon binding of substrates the catalytic subunit (C) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) undergoes significant induced conformational changes that lead to catalysis. For the free apoenzyme equilibrium favors a more open and malleable conformation while the ternary complex of C, MgATP, and a 20-residue inhibitor peptide [PKI (5-24)] adopts a tight and closed conformation [Zheng, J., et al. (1993) Protein Sci. 2, 1559]. It is not clear that binding of either ligand alone is responsible for this conformational switch or whether both are required. In addition, the catalytic subunit binds MgATP and inhibitor peptide synergistically. The structural basis for this synergism is also not defined at present. Using an Fe-EDTA-mediated protein footprinting technique, the conformational changes associated with the binding of MgATP and the heat stable protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) were probed by mapping the solvent-accessible surface and structural dynamics of C. The conformation of the free enzyme was clearly distinguished from the ternary complex. Furthermore, binding of MgATP alone induced extensive conformational changes, both local and global, that include the glycine-rich loop, the linker connecting the small and large lobes, the catalytic loop, the Mg2+ positioning loop, the activation loop, and the F helix. These changes, similar to those seen in the ternary complex, are consistent with a transition from an open to a more closed conformation and likely reflect the motions that are associated with catalysis and product release. In contrast, the footprinting pattern of C.PKI resembled free C, indicating minimal conformational changes. Binding of MgATP, by shifting the equilibrium to a more closed conformation, "primes" the enzyme so that it is poised for the docking of PKI and provides an explanation for synergism between MgATP and PKI.

Phosphorylation of vitronectin by casein kinase II. Identification of the sites and their promotion of cell adhesion and spreading.

The cell adhesion protein vitronectin (Vn) was previously shown to be the major target in human blood for an extracellular protein kinase A, which is released from platelets upon their physiological stimulation with thrombin and also prevails as an ectoenzyme in several other types of blood cells. Because plasma Vn was shown to have only one protein kinase A phosphorylation site (Ser378) but to contain approximately 3 mol of covalently bound phosphate, and because human serum and blood cells were shown to contain also a casein kinase II (CKII) on their surface, we studied the phosphorylation of Vn by CKII attempting to find out whether such phosphorylation modulates Vn function, an acid test for its having a physiological relevance. Here we show (i) that the CKII phosphorylation of Vn has a Km of 0.5-2 microM (lower than the Vn concentration in blood, 3-6 microM), (ii) that it is targeted to Thr50 and Thr57, which are vicinal to the RGD site of Vn, and (iii) that the phosphorylation of Thr57 facilitates the phosphorylation of Thr50. The maximal stoichiometry of the CKII phosphorylation of plasma Vn was found to be low, which, in principle, could be due to its partial prephosphorylation in vivo. However, for the detection of a functional modulation, we needed a comparison between a fully phosphorylated Vn (at Thr57 and Thr50) and a nonphosphorylated Vn. Therefore, we expressed Vn in a baculovirus system and show (i) that the CKII phosphorylation of wt-Vn enhances the adhesion of bovine aorta endothelial cells; (ii) that the double mutant T50E/T57E (in which the neutral Thr residues are replaced by the negatively charged Glu residues considered analogs of Thr-P) has a significantly enhanced capacity to promote cell adhesion and to accelerate cell spreading when compared with either wild-type Vn or to the neutral T50A/T57A mutant; and (iii) that, at least in the case of bovine aorta endothelial cells, the T50E/T57E mutant exhibits an enhanced adhesion, which seems to be due to an increased affinity toward the alphav beta3 Vn receptors.

Differential expression of the protein kinase A regulatory subunit (RIalpha) in pancreatic endocrine cells.

A PCR-based subtractive cloning procedure was used to identify genes expressed at higher levels in the pancreatic beta cell line betaTC1, as compared to the pancreatic alpha cell line alphaTC1. One of the clones isolated by this procedure corresponded to the regulatory subunit (RIalpha) of protein kinase A (PKA). Using antibodies directed against RIalpha, we now demonstrate both by immunoblot and immunofluorescence that RIalpha protein is present at higher levels in cultured beta cells as compared to alpha cells. In vitro PKA assays revealed high basal PKA activity in alphaTC1 extracts, which changed little on addition of exogenous cAMP. On the other hand, extracts from beta cells showed very low basal activity of PKA, which was elevated upon addition of cAMP. A similar trend was observed in vivo using transfected luciferase constructs bearing multiple copies of a CRE element: in alphaTC1 cells, no induction by forskolin was observed, whereas in betaTC1 cells, forskolin produced a 9-fold increase in activity. Therefore, the results indicate that RIalpha of PKA is selectively expressed in pancreatic beta cells as compared to alpha cells: this selective expression is associated with major differences in the properties of the PKA signal transduction pathway. Differential expression of the regulatory subunit may play a role in determining the patterns of gene expression and signal transduction characteristic of alpha and beta cells.

Conserved water molecules contribute to the extensive network of interactions at the active site of protein kinase A.

Protein kinases constitute a large family of regulatory enzymes, each with a distinct specificity to restrict its action to its physiological target(s) only. The catalytic (C) subunit of protein kinase A, regarded as a structural prototype for this family, is composed of a conserved core flanked by two nonconserved segments at the amino and carboxyl termini. Here we summarize evidence to show that (i) the active site consists of an extended network of interactions that weave together both domains of the core as well as both segments that flank the core; (ii) the opening and closing of the active site cleft, including the dynamic and coordinated movement of the carboxyl terminal tail, contributes directly to substrate recognition and catalysis; and (iii) in addition to peptide and ATP, the active site contains six structured water molecules that constitute a conserved structural element of the active site. One of these active-site conserved water molecules is locked into place by its interactions with the nucleotide, the peptide substrate/inhibitor, the small and large domains of the conserved core, and Tyr-330 from the carboxyl-terminal "tail."

The cluster of basic amino acids in vitronectin contributes to its binding of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1: evidence from thrombin-, elastase- and plasmin-cleaved vitronectins and anti-peptide antibodies.

Derivatives of vitronectin obtained by specific cleavage at its cluster of basic amino acids with thrombin, elastase and plasmin are shown to have a decreased ability to bind plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). The identification and localization of the segment involved in the binding of PAI-1 (Lys348-Arg379) were carried out by purification of these cleaved vitronectins and their subsequent structural characterization (sequence analysis, phosphorylation of Ser378 with cAMP-dependent protein kinase and immunostaining with peptide-specific antibodies), then measurement of the vitronectin-PAI-1 interaction by (a) a two-phase system (ELISA); (b) co-precipitation of the vitronectin-PAI-1 complex out of solution, and (c) analysis of the stereospecific interaction between the active conformation of PAI-1 and a peptide derived from the above-mentioned cluster; this interaction occurs when the peptide is composed of all-l-amino acids but not when it is composed of all-d-amino acids. Our results explain why workers who have used immobilized vitronectin to study this interaction could not have observed the involvement of the cluster of basic amino acids in PAI-1 binding, since the immobilization of vitronectin is shown to render this cluster inaccessible for interaction. We propose that vitronectin binds active PAI-1 by interaction via amino acid residues that originate from distal locations in the N- and C-termini of vitronectin.

Crystal structure of a polyhistidine-tagged recombinant catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase complexed with the peptide inhibitor PKI(5-24) and adenosine.

The crystal structure of the hexahistidine-tagged mouse recombinant catalytic subunit (H6-rC) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK), complexed with a 20-residue peptide inhibitor from the heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor PKI(5-24) and adenosine, was determined at 2.2 A resolution. Novel crystallization conditions were required to grow the ternary complex crystals. The structure was refined to a final crystallographic R-factor of 18.2% with good stereochemical parameters. The "active" enzyme adopts a "closed" conformation as found in rC:PKI(5-24) [Knighton et al. (1991a,b) Science 253, 407-414, 414-420] and packs in a similar manner with the peptide providing a major contact surface. This structure clearly defines the subsites of the unique nucleotide binding site found in the protein kinase family. The adenosine occupies a mostly hydrophobic pocket at the base of the cleft between the two lobes and is completely buried. The missing triphosphate moiety of ATP is filled with a water molecule (Wtr 415) which replaces the gamma-phosphate of ATP. The glycine-rich loop between beta1 and beta2 helps to anchor the phosphates while the ribose ring is buried beneath beta-strand 2. Another ordered water molecule (Wtr 375) is pentacoordinated with polar atoms from adenosine, Leu 49 in beta-strand 1, Glu 127 in the linker strand between the two lobes, Tyr 330, and a third water molecule, Wtr 359. The conserved nucleotide fold can be defined as a lid comprised of beta-strand 1, the glycine-rich loop, and beta-strand 2. The adenine ring is buried beneath beta-strand 1 and the linker strand (120-127) that joins the small and large lobes. The C-terminal tail containing Tyr 330, a segment that lies outside the conserved core, covers this fold and anchors it in a closed conformation. The main-chain atoms of the flexible glycine-rich loop (residues 50-55) in the ATP binding domain have a mean B-factor of 41.4 A2. This loop is quite mobile, in striking contrast to the other conserved loops that converge at the active site cleft. The catalytic loop (residues 166-171) and the Mg2+ positioning loop (residues 184-186) are a stable part of the large lobe and have low B-factors in all structures solved to date. The stability of the glycine-rich loop is highly dependent on the ligands that occupy the active site cleft with maximum stability achieved in the ternary complex containing Mg x ATP and the peptide inhibitor. In this ternary complex the gamma-phosphate is secured between both lobes by hydrogen bonds to the backbone amide of Ser 53 in the glycine-rich loop and the amino group of Lys 168 in the catalytic loop. In the adenosine ternary complex the water molecule replacing the gamma-phosphate hydrogen bonds between Lys 168 and Asp 166 and makes no contact with the small lobe. This glycine-rich loop is thus the most mobile component of the active site cleft, with the tip of the loop being highly sensitive to what occupies the gamma-subsite.

Unveiling the substrate specificity of meprin beta on the basis of the site in protein kinase A cleaved by the kinase splitting membranal proteinase.

The kinase splitting membranal proteinase (KSMP) is a metalloendopeptidase that inactivates the catalytic (C) subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) by clipping off its carboxyl terminal tail. Here we show that this cleavage occurs at Glu332-Glu333, within the cluster of acidic amino acids (Asp328-Glu334) of the kinase. The Km values of KSMP and of meprin beta (which reproduces KSMP activity) for the C-subunit are below 1 microM. The Km for peptides containing a stretch of four Glu residues are in the micromolar range, illustrating the significant contribution of this cluster to the substrate recognition of meprin beta. This conclusion is supported by a systematic study using a series of the C-subunit mutants with deletions and mutations in the cluster of acidics. Hydrophobic amino acids vicinal to the cleavage site increase the Kcat of the proteinase. These studies unveil a new specificity for meprin beta, suggesting new substrates that are 1-2 orders of magnitude better in their Km and Kcat than those commonly used for meprin assay. A search for substrates having such a cluster of acidics and hydrophobics, which are accessible to meprin under physiological conditions, point at gastrin as a potential target. Indeed, meprin beta is shown to cleave gastrin at its cluster of five glutamic acid residues and also at the M-D bond within its WMDF-NH2 sequence, which is indispensable for all the known biological activities of gastrins. The latter meprin cleavage will lead to the inactivation of gastrin and thus to the control of its activity.

Phosphorylation of vitronectin on Ser362 by protein kinase C attenuates its cleavage by plasmin.

Vitronectin, found in the extracellular matrix and in circulating blood, has an important role in the control of plasminogen activation. It was shown to be the major protein substrate in human blood fluid for a protein kinase A (PKA) released from platelets upon their physiological stimulation with thrombin. Since vitronectin was shown to have only one PKA phosphorylation site, but to contain 2-3 mol covalently bound phosphate, it was reasonable to assume that other protein kinases might phosphorylate vitronectin at other sites in the protein. We have reported earlier that human serum contains at least three protein kinases, one of which was found to be cAMP independent and to phosphorylate a repertoire of plasma proteins that was very similar to that obtained upon phosphorylation of human plasma with protein kinase C (PKC). Since there are now several examples of proteins with extracellular functions that are phosphorylated by PKC, we undertook to study the phosphorylation of vitronectin by PKC. Here, we show that vitronectin is a substrate for PKC, and characterize the kinetic parameters of this phosphorylation (Km approximately tenfold lower than the concentration of vitronectin in blood), indicating that, from the biochemical point of view, this phosphorylation can occur at the locus of a hemostatic event. We also identify Ser362 as the major PKC phosphorylation site in vitronectin, and confirm this localization by means of synthetic peptides derived from the cluster of basic amino acids in vitronectin surrounding Ser362. We show that the PKC phosphorylation at Ser362 alters the functional properties of vitronectin, attenuating its cleavage by plasmin at Arg361-Ser362. This phosphorylation has the potential to regulate plasmin production from plasminogen by a feedback mechanism involving the above-mentioned plasmin cleavage, a loosening of the vitronectin grip on inhibitor 1 of plasminogen activators, and a subsequent latency of this regulatory inhibitor.

The cleavage of protein kinase A by the kinase-splitting membranal proteinase is reproduced by meprin beta.

The Kinase-Splitting Membranal Proteinase (KSMP) is a metallo-endoproteinase that clips off the carboxyl terminus tail of the catalytic (C) subunit of protein kinase A to yield a truncated, catalytically inactive protein (C'). Here we report (a) a new procedure for the purification of KSMP, yielding a major protein band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that correlates with the characteristic KSMP activity; (b) the sequence of tryptic peptides obtained from this band, suggesting an identity between this protein and meprin beta; (c) the immuno-detection by specific anti-peptide antibodies of both the alpha and the beta subunits of meprin in KSMP preparations; (d) the stable expression of meprin beta in a mammalian cell line (293) to establish a clone that constitutively expresses the full-length precursor of meprin beta; and (e) the optimalization of the proteolytic activation of this precursor to obtain an enzyme exhibiting the specific KSMP cleavage, suggesting that KSMP is either derived from, or identical with, the meprin beta gene product. It is hoped that these results will shed light on the possible physiological role of KSMP and the way it may affect protein kinase A-mediated processes.

Functional malleability of the carboxyl-terminal tail in protein kinase A.

The catalytic (C) subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) is regarded as a framework for the protein kinase family. Its sequence is composed of a conserved core (residues 40 300) between two segments at the amino and carboxyl termini of the protein. Since the various protein kinases differ in their specificity, it seems reasonable to assume that these nonhomologous segments may be involved in endowing each kinase with its individual specificity. Here we present data to show that the cluster of acidic amino acids (328DDYEEEE334) at the carboxyl-terminal "tail" of the C subunit, specifically Tyr330, contributes to its substrate recognition. This is based on three complementary lines of evidence: (i) on a conformation-sensitive cleavage of the C subunit by a kinase-splitting membranal proteinase that specifically recognizes this cluster, to demonstrate the occurrence in solution of "open" (cleavable) and "closed" (noncleavable) conformations of the C subunit; (ii) on analysis of the three-dimensional structures of the open and closed conformations of the C subunit, showing an approximately 7-A movement of the phenolic hydroxyl of Tyr330 to reach (in the closed conformation) an approximately 3-A distance from the nitrogen atoms of the Arg residue at position p-3 of the PKA consensus sequence; and (iii) on single-site mutations of the C subunit (e.g. Y330A) that show a significant contribution of Tyr330 to the Km of PKA for its substrates/inhibitors and to its catalytic efficacy (Vmax/Km).

Anti-head and anti-tail antibodies against distinct epitopes in the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A. Use in the study of the kinase splitting membranal proteinase KSMP.

Protein kinases share a considerable sequence homology in their catalytic core (residues 40-300 in PKA). Each core is flanked by "head" and "tail" segments at its amino- and carboxy-termini, which are different in the various kinases. These end segments may play an important role in creating the preferential affinity of each kinase for its physiological substrates or regulatory ligands. Here we describe three anti-peptide antibodies (alpha P-1, alpha P-2, and alpha P-3) that specifically recognize the head and tail segments of the catalytic subunit (C) of PKA. (i) alpha P-1 (against 6A-K23) react with C when denatured but not when in its native structure; (ii) alpha P-2 (against 319K-I335), bind to the site in C cleaved by the kinase splitting membranal proteinase (KSMP) and inhibit this cleavage of C; (iii) alpha P-3 (against 338S-F350) react with C but not with the KSMP cleavage product C', useful for detecting a KSMP-like activity in different tissues and subcellular loci. The combined use of the antibodies described here provides a strict definition of C, and thus a high degree of fidelity in its biorecognition.

Vitronectin overrides a negative effect of TNF-alpha on astrocyte migration.

Morphogenesis and tissue repair require appropriate cross-talk between the cells and their surrounding milieu, which includes extracellular components and soluble factors, e.g., cytokines and growth factors. The present work deals with this communication needed for recovery after axotomy in the central nervous system (CNS). The failure of CNS axons to regenerate after axonal injury has been attributed, in part, to astrocyte failure to repopulate the injury site. The goal of this work was to provide an in vitro model to mimic the in vivo response of astrocytes to nerve injury and to find ways to modulate this response and create a milieu that favors astrocyte migration and repopulation of the injury site. In an astrocyte scratch wound model, we blocked astrocyte migration by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). This effect could not be reversed by astrocyte migration-inducing factors such as transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) or by any of the tested extracellular matrix (ECM) components (laminin and fibronectin) except for vitronectin (Vn). Vn, added together with TNF-alpha, counteracted the TNF-alpha blockage and allowed a massive migration of astrocytes (not due to cell proliferation) beyond that allowed by Vn only. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) were shown to be involved in the migration. The results may be relevant to regeneration of CNS axons, and may also provide an example that an extracellular component (Vn) can overcome and neutralize a negative effect of a growth factor/cytokine (TNF-alpha) and can act in synergy with other features of this cytokine to promote a necessary function (e.g., cell migration) that is otherwise inhibited.

Phosphorylation of the N-terminal intracellular tail of sucrase-isomaltase by cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

This paper reports the phosphorylation of the intracellular N-terminal tail of sucrase-isomaltase by protein kinase A and shows that this phosphorylation is targeted to Ser6 within a sequence Arg/Lys/Lys-Phe-Ser, which is conserved in all sucrase-isomaltase sequences known so far. By dephosphorylation of native sucrase-isomaltase with an immobilized acid phosphatase and rephosphorylation with protein kinase A, it is shown that Ser6 may be partially phosphorylated in vivo, raising the possibility that the tail itself and its phosphorylation by protein kinase A may be physiologically significant.