The perlecan fragment LG3 regulates homing of mesenchymal stem cells and neointima formation during vascular rejection.

Transplant vasculopathy is associated with neointimal accumulation of recipient-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Increased circulating levels of LG3, a C-terminal fragment of perlecan, were found in renal transplant patients with vascular rejection. Here, we evaluated whether LG3 regulates the migration and homing of mesenchymal stem cells and the accumulation of recipient-derived neointimal cells. Mice were transplanted with a fully-MHC mismatched aortic graft followed by intravenous injection of recombinant LG3. LG3 injections increased neointimal accumulation of α-smooth muscle actin positive cells. When green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic mice were used as recipients, LG3 injection favored accumulation of GFP+ cells to sites of neointima formation. LG3 increased horizontal migration and transmigration of mouse and human MSC in vitro and led to increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Neutralizing ß1 integrin antibodies or use of mesenchymal stem cells from α2 integrin-/- mice decreased migration in response to recombinant LG3. Reduced intima-media ratios and decreased numbers of neointimal cells showing ERK1/2 phosphorylation were found in α2-/- recipients injected with recombinant LG3. Collectively, our results suggest that LG3, through interactions with α2ß1 integrins on recipient-derived cells leading to activation of ERK1/2 and increased migration, favors myointimal thickening.

Antiperlecan antibodies are novel accelerators of immune-mediated vascular injury.

Acute vascular rejection (AVR) is characterized by immune-mediated vascular injury and heightened endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis. We reported previously that apoptotic ECs release a bioactive C-terminal fragment of perlecan referred to as LG3. Here, we tested the possibility that LG3 behaves as a neoantigen, fuelling the production of anti-LG3 antibodies of potential importance in regulating allograft vascular injury. We performed a case-control study in which we compared anti-LG3 IgG titers in kidney transplant recipients with AVR (n=15) versus those with acute tubulo-interstitial rejection (ATIR) (n=15) or stable graft function (n=30). Patients who experienced AVR had elevated anti-LG3 titers pre and posttransplantation compared to subjects with ATIR or stable graft function (p<0.05 for both mediators). Elevated pretransplant anti-LG3 titers (OR: 4.62, 95% CI: 1.08-19.72) and pretransplant donor-specific antibodies (DSA) (OR 4.79, 95% CI: 1.03-22.19) were both independently associated with AVR. To address the functional role of anti-LG3 antibodies in AVR, we turned to passive transfer of anti-LG3 antibodies in an animal model of vascular rejection based on orthotopic aortic transplantation between fully MHC-mismatched mice. Neointima formation, C4d deposition and allograft inflammation were significantly increased in recipients of an ischemic aortic allograft passively transferred with anti-LG3 antibodies. Collectively, these data identify anti-LG3 antibodies as novel accelerators of immune-mediated vascular injury and obliterative remodeling.

FMD empty capsids combined with the Immunostant Particle Adjuvant -ISPA or ISA206 induce protective immunity against foot and mouth disease virus.

Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) causes economy losses and is controlled by vaccination in many countries. Vaccine formulations based on empty capsids or Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) have the advantage of avoiding the biological hazard of using infectious FMDV, albeit are poorly immunogenic. Recently, we have described that ISPA a new Immune Stimulating Complex adjuvant, is useful to improve the response against FMD of vaccines that use inactivated virus. Now, the adjuvant effects of ISPA and ISA 206 (water/oil/water) on a VLPs-based FMD vaccine were evaluated. VLPs (strain A/Argentina/2001) were obtained in mammalian cell cultures and their elicitation of an immune response against FMDV with and without ISPA or ISA 206 was evaluated in mice as a first approach. Notably, VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 vaccines induced protection against viral challenge in 100 % of mice, while protection induced by VLPs alone was of 40 %. Total and neutralizing FMDV antibodies were higher in the VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 groups compared to the VLPs group. VLPs-ISPA induced significantly higher (p < 0.001) IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 titers than the VLPs vaccine. Moreover, in comparison with non-adjuvanted VLPs, VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 elicited an increased virus-specific T response, including higher IFNγ+/CD8 + lymphocyte production in mice. When these vaccines were tested in calves, antibody titers reached an Expected Percentage of Protection (EPP) above 90 % in the case of the VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 vaccines, while, in the VLPs group, EPP reached 25 %. IFNγ levels secreted by mononuclear cells of VLP-ISPA-vaccinated cattle were significantly higher than in the VLPs group. Overall, the results demonstrate that VLPs-ISPA or VLPs-ISA 206 are promising formulations for the development of a novel FMD vaccine.

An efficient and scalable process for helper-dependent adenoviral vector production using polyethylenimine-adenofection.

Safety requirements for adenoviral gene therapy protocols have led to the development of the third generation of vectors commonly called helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDVs). HDVs have demonstrated a high therapeutic potential; however, the poor efficiency and reliability of the actual production process hampers further large-scale clinical evaluation of this new vector. The current HDV production methods involve a preliminary rescue step through transfection of adherent cell cultures by an HDV plasmid followed by a helper adenovirus (HV) infection. Amplification by serial co-infection of complementary cells allows an increase in the HDV titer. Using a HEK293 FLP/frt cell system in suspension culture, an alternative protocol to the current transfection/infection procedure was evaluated. In this work, the adenofection uses the HDV plasmid linked to the HV with the help of polyethylenimine (PEI) and has shown to outperform standard protocols by producing higher HDV yield. The influence of complex composition on the HDV production was examined by a statistical design. The optimized adenofection and amplification conditions were successively performed to generate HDV at the 3 L bioreactor scale. Following only two serial co-infection passages, up to 1.44 x 10(8) HDV infectious units/mL of culture were generated, which corresponded to 26% of the total particles produced. This production strategy, realized in cell suspension culture, reduced process duration and therefore the probability of vector recombination by introducing a cost-effective transfection protocol, ensuring production of high-quality vector stock.

At-line monitoring of bioreactor protein production by Surface Plasmon Resonance.

An innovative and automated method for the at-line monitoring of secreted protein was developed by harnessing a Surface Plasmon Resonance-based biosensor to a bioreactor. The proof of concept was performed by following at-line the relative concentration of a secreted protein produced by transient transfection of mammalian cells in a bioreactor. Our results suggest that our approach can be readily applied to the at-line determination of both protein concentration and bioactivity. Our experimental setup and strategy can thus satisfy the needs related to the development of novel bioprocess control protocols in the context of the new process analytical technology that arises in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Tyrosine protein kinase activity of human hyperplastic prostate and carcinoma cell lines PC3 and DU145.

Using the substrate poly[Glu80Na,Tyr20] [poly(GT)] and the autoradiographic detection of alkali-resistant phosphoproteins after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, tyrosine protein kinase (TPK) has been evidenced in human hyperplastic prostates (BPH) and the prostatic carcinoma cell lines PC3 and DU145. The enzyme was mainly found in the soluble fractions from hyperplastic tissues and in Triton extracts from the cell lines. However, its specific activity in tissues was 1.5- to 4.5-fold times higher in particulate than in soluble fractions and it was of the same order of magnitude as that of neoplastic cells. Under these conditions, no activity was detected in human seminal plasma and in sera from normal adult males or patients with BPH and/or prostatic carcinoma. On the other hand, some TPK activity was associated with human spermatozoa, with a specific activity 4- to 6-fold lower than in BPH tissue fractions and a total activity, per 10(6) cells, 5- to 20-fold lower than that in prostatic carcinoma cells. The activity of prostatic TPK was dependent upon the presence of the divalent cations Mn2+ or Mg2+ and it was completely abolished by heat denaturation. Angiotensin II, casein, and histone H2B were poor substrates compared to poly(GT). The TPK activities towards poly(GT) as well as endogenous proteins were not stimulated by epidermal growth factor and insulin or by dihydrotestosterone and estradiol. The autoradiography of alkali-resistant phosphoproteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed several bands in both BPH tissues and neoplastic cells (molecular weight ranging from 17,000 to 200,000). Preliminary characterization of TPK by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 showed that the soluble enzyme from BPH tissues had a molecular weight of 50,000, while the particulate-associated TPK, when assayed on poly(GT), eluted with proteins of Mr 210,000. When these peak fractions were used for endogenous phosphorylation, several major alkali-resistant phosphoproteins in the range of Mr 40,000-60,000 were evidenced, together with a Mr 110,000 band phosphorylated by the particulate TPK of Mr 210,000. In similar conditions, the TPK solubilized from rat liver membranes and partially purified by gel filtration was associated with a Mr 170,000 alkali-resistant phosphoprotein. Thus, TPKs are expressed in BPH tissues and carcinoma cell lines. In BPH tissues, two forms of TPK are expressed and the predominant enzyme is soluble and of low molecular weight (Mr 40,000-60,000).

Activation of an 85 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase during serotonin-induced oocyte maturation.

Oocytes from the Japanese clam Ruditapes philippinarum are naturally blocked at the prophase-I stage of meiosis. Following physiological activation by the neurohormone serotonin (5HT), oocytes undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and reach a second cell cycle arrest in metaphase-I. To identify the kinases activated during meiosis reinitiation, we used a phosphorylation assay following sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in situ renaturation. A soluble 85-kDa serine/threonine kinase (PK85) was highly and consistently activated (up to 17-fold) within 5 minutes following addition of the hormone. This activation occurred 5 to 10 minutes before GVBD and only when 5HT concentration was sufficient to induce meiosis reinitiation. The calcium ionophore A23187 and NH4Cl, two compounds known to induce GVBD by increasing intracellular calcium concentration, also activate PK85. In crude oocyte extracts, the presence of beta-glycerophosphate, NaF, okadaic acid, calyculin A or microcystin, prevented inactivation of PK85, suggesting that it is activated by phosphorylation. Partial purification of PK85 followed by Western blotting showed that this kinase is related to the ribosomal S6 kinase pp90rsk. PK85 phosphorylates the peptides LRRASLG (kemptide) and PLARTLSVAGLPGGK (syntide-2), and to a lesser extent the synthetic polyamino acids poly(R3:S1) while myelin basic protein (MBP), histone III-S, casein, the peptides pEKRPSQRSKYL ((pGlu4)-MBP 4-14), GTFRASIRRLAARRR (NIMA kinase substrate), the protein kinase C (PKC) substrate LRTLRR and the synthetic polyaminoacids poly(R1:P1:T1) were poor substrates. 5HT-induced GVBD and PK85 activation are both inhibited by the phorbol ester 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and this inhibition can be reversed by 5 microM of the bisindolyl-maleimide GF109203X, a potent PKC inhibitor. PMA inhibitory action appears to take place between 5HT binding to its receptor and the intracellular calcium surge since it has no effect on GVBD induced by calcium ionophore A23187 and thapsigargin. Taken together, these results suggest that serotonin-induced activation of PK85 occurs after the intracellular calcium surge in a PKC-independent pathway.

4-aminopyridine acts as a weak base and a Ca2+ mobilizing agent in triggering oocyte meiosis reinitiation and activation in the Japanese clam Ruditapes philippinarum.

Ovarian oocytes of the prosobranch mollusc Patella vulgata and the pelecypod Ruditapes philippinarum are arrested during prophase of the first maturation division. Release from this blockade, which is revealed by germinal vesicle breakdown, drives these oocytes to a second arrest in metaphase I, at which time the oocytes become fertilizable. The respective roles of Ca2+ and H+ ion movements during this early step in meiosis reinitiation has not been fully established yet. In this work we reveal the presence of acidic vesicles and report that bafilomycin A1 and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, two inhibitors of the vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase, applied to Ruditapes oocytes, produce a significant inhibition of their response to the natural neurohormone serotonin. Since sodium deprivation did not affect this response, this suggests that a v-type ATPase pump, possibly located in the membrane of these acidic vesicles, may play a subtle role in the cascade of events that releases oocytes from their prophase block. We then describe how 4-aminopyridine, a drug reputed to be a K+ channel antagonist, triggers both meiosis reinitiation and activation of Patella and Ruditapes oocytes. This agent acts as a weak base, its effect depending on external pH. Moreover, using the fluorescent probes BCECF and Fluo-3/AM, we observe that this drug both alkalinizes the endoplasm and promotes an intracellular Ca2+ surge. This dual effect may explain why Ruditapes oocytes no longer stop in metaphase under these conditions and behave like other bivalve species which are directly fertilizable at the germinal vesicle stage.

Thimerosal triggers meiosis reinitiation in oocytes of the Japanese clam Ruditapes philippinarum by eliciting an intracellular Ca2+ surge.

Ovarian oocytes of the bivalve mollusc Ruditapes philippinarum are arrested during first meiotic prophase. Release from this blockade is triggered by the neurohormone serotonin (5HT or 5-hydroxytryptamine), which promotes germinal vesicle breakdown and drives these oocytes to a second arrest in metaphase I. 5HT action involves binding to a specific G protein-coupled receptor which results in a transient rise in IP3 and in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. Here we analyze the cytological effects and mode of action of the sulphydryl reagent thimerosal which could also trigger meiosis reinitiation in Ruditapes. No metaphase I spindle formed under these conditions since thimerosal was found to be able to preclude or reverse tubulin polymerization when applied to prophase- or to metaphase-arrested oocytes, respectively. Our results strongly suggest that the common final target for 5HT and thimerosal actions consists in a transient rise in internal free Ca2+ level that we could follow using Fluo3/AM as a probe. The effect of thimerosal in promoting oocyte maturation and increasing intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was improved by excess KCI. In addition, thimerosal, but not KCI, was found to facilitate 5HT-induced maturation at subthreshold hormone concentrations which, by themselves, did not produce an intracellular Ca2+ surge. These data suggest that thimerosal may inhibit Ca2+ pumps of the endoplasmic reticulum and unmask the plasma membrane voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels which also appear after 5HT-induced GVBD.

The major form of protein tyrosine kinase in the dog prostate is expressed by a 50 kDa polypeptide.

We have already reported that the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity in the dog prostate is distributed in cytosolic (75%) and particulate (Triton X-100-solubilized) fractions and that upon gel filtration, both PTKs migrate as entities of Mr 44,000 [(1991) Biochem. Cell. Biol. 69, 146-153]. Herein we demonstrate by immunoprecipitation with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies that the soluble PTK has the ability to undergo self-phosphorylation. In addition, the polypeptide responsible for that enzymatic activity has been identified by 2 approaches: (1) a two-dimensional electrophoresis, in which the first dimension performed in non-denaturing conditions allowed the localization of the native enzyme, while the second dimension (SDS-PAGE) permitted the analysis of alkali-resistant phosphoproteins corresponding to the activity; (2) protein renaturation after SDS-PAGE followed by in situ phosphorylation (with [gamma-32P]ATP) of polyGT electrophoresed together with the enzyme preparation; the exclusive presence of the radiolabeled phosphotyrosine in the renatured protein confirmed its enzymatic nature. Using these methods, the major form of PTK in the dog prostate was shown to be expressed by a 50 kDa polypeptide which possesses autophosphorylation sites and which is present in the cytosol as an active monomer.

Detection of phosphotyrosine in glutaraldehyde-crosslinked and alkali-treated phosphoproteins following their partial acid hydrolysis in gels.

Soluble fractions and particulate extracts from human prostate, and extracts from rat-liver membranes were used as a source of kinases to phosphorylate endogenous proteins in the presence of gamma- 32P-labeled ATP. Histone was also added as a substrate in order to compare the direct partial acid hydrolysis of phosphoproteins in gels to an indirect procedure involving partial acid hydrolysis after extraction in sodium dodecyl sulfate followed by precipitation with acetone. These procedures led to recoveries of 32P-labeled material of 90% and 40%, respectively, with a similar proportion of radiolabeled phosphoamino acids. Several 32P-labeled phosphoproteins separated in gels were therefore directly HCl-hydrolyzed and their phosphoamino acids were quantitated either prior to, or after glutaraldehyde crosslinking, with and without alkali treatment. By preventing protein losses occurring in hot alkali, glutaraldehyde crosslinking increased by an average factor of 6.5 the 32P-labeled material available for phosphoamino-acid analyses. For eight phosphoproteins analyzed, the overall effect of combined glutaraldehyde and alkali treatments was a relative decrease in phosphoserine (up to 8-fold), with concomitant relative increases in phosphotyrosine and phosphothreonine (up to 62- and 6-fold, respectively). This method will especially be useful for the detection of pTyr, a less abundant phosphoamino acid, in proteins which suffer from poor transfer efficiency in Western blot, are weakly antigenic towards anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, can hardly be extracted from a gel and for identification of protein tyrosine kinases renatured in gels.

Transcriptome profiling of a TGF-beta-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition reveals extracellular clusterin as a target for therapeutic antibodies.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta plays a dual role in tumorigenesis, switching from acting as a growth inhibitory tumor suppressor early in the process, to a tumor promoter in late-stage disease. Since TGF-beta's prometastatic role may be linked to its ability to induce tumor cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), we explored TGF-beta's EMT-promoting pathways by analysing the transcriptome changes occurring in BRI-JM01 mammary tumor epithelial cells undergoing a TGF-beta-induced EMT. We found the clusterin gene to be the most highly upregulated throughout most of the TGF-beta time course, and showed that this results in an increase of the secreted form of clusterin. By monitoring several hallmark features of EMT, we demonstrated that antibodies targeting secreted clusterin inhibit the TGF-beta-induced EMT of BRI-JM01 cells, as well as the invasive phenotype of several other breast and prostate tumor cell lines (4T1, NMuMG, MDA-MB231LM2 and PC3), without affecting the proliferation of these cells. These results indicate that secreted clusterin is a functionally important EMT mediator that lies downstream within TGF-beta's EMT-promoting transcriptional cascade, but not within its growth-inhibitory pathways. To further investigate the role played by secreted clusterin in tumor metastasis, we assessed the effect of several anti-clusterin monoclonal antibodies in vivo using a 4T1 syngeneic mouse breast cancer model and found that these antibodies significantly reduce lung metastasis. Taken together, our results reveal a role for secreted clusterin as an important extracellular promoter of EMT, and suggest that antibodies targeting clusterin may inhibit tumor metastasis without reducing the beneficial growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta.

Possible common central pathway for resistin and insulin in regulating food intake.

AIM: Adipose tissue has been the object of intense research in the field of obesity and diabetes diseases in the last decade. Examination of adipocyte-secreted peptides led to the identification of a unique polypeptide, resistin (RSTN), which has been suggested as a link between obesity and diabetes. RSTN plays a clearly documented role in blocking insulin (INS)-induced hypoglycaemia. As brain injection of INS affects feeding behaviour, we studied the possible interaction between INS and RSTN in food-deprived rats, measuring effects on food intake. In addition, we examined how RSTN might affect neuropeptide Y (NPY)-induced feeding, as studies have shown that rat RSTN can interfere with the NPY system. METHODS: Overnight food-deprived rats were injected into the third brain ventricle (3V) with either INS (10 or 20 mUI), RSTN (0.1-0.4 nmol/rat), or saline before access to food. Another group of rats was injected into the 3V with RSTN alone, NPY alone or RSTN plus NPY. Their food intake and body weight were measured. RESULTS: Our results confirm the hypophagic effect of RSTN on food deprivation-induced food intake, and more importantly, show that RSTN neither potentiates nor blocks the effects of INS on food intake, but does reduce the hyperphagic effect of NPY. CONCLUSION: The observation that RSTN does not modify feeding INS-induced hypophagia, but does influence NPY-induced feeding, points to the possibility that RSTN may be involved in control of food intake through an NPY-ergic mechanism as INS.

Glioblastoma-secreted factors induce IGFBP7 and angiogenesis by modulating Smad-2-dependent TGF-beta signaling.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is a selective biomarker of glioblastoma (GBM) vessels, strongly expressed in tumor endothelial cells and vascular basement membrane. IGFBP7 gene regulation and its potential role in tumor angiogenesis remain unclear. Mechanisms of IGFBP7 induction and its angiogenic capacity were examined in human brain endothelial cells (HBECs) exposed to tumor-like conditions. HBEC treated with GBM cell (U87MG)-conditioned media (-CM) exhibited fourfold upregulation of IGFBP7 mRNA and protein compared to control cells. IGFBP7 gene regulation in HBEC was methylation independent. U87MG-CM analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay contained approximately 5 pM transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, a concentration sufficient to stimulate IGFBP7 in HBEC to similar levels as U87MG-CM. Both pan-TGF-beta-neutralizing antibody (1D11) and the TGF-beta1 receptor (activin receptor-like kinase 5, ALK5) antagonist, SB431542, blocked U87MG-CM-induced IGFBP7 expression in HBEC, indicating that TGF-beta1 is an important tumor-secreted effector capable of IGFBP7 induction in endothelial cells. HBEC exposed to either U87MG-CM or IGFBP7 protein exhibited increased capillary-like tube (CLT) formation in Matrigel. Both TGF-beta1- and U87MG-CM-induced Smad-2 phosphorylation and U87MG-CM-induced CLT formation in HBEC were inhibited by the ALK5 antagonist, SB431542. These data suggest that proangiogenic IGFBP7 may be induced in brain endothelial cells by TGF-betas secreted by GBM, most likely through TGF-beta1/ALK5/Smad-2 pathway.

Transient gene expression in HEK293 cells: peptone addition posttransfection improves recombinant protein synthesis.

Gene expression by large-scale transfection of mammalian cells is becoming an established technology for the fast production of milligram and even gram amounts of recombinant proteins (r-proteins). However, efforts are still needed to optimize production parameters in order to maximize volumetric productivities while maintaining product quality. In this study, transfection efficiency and volumetric productivity following transient gene expression in HEK293 cells were evaluated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and human placental secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) as reporter genes. We show that a single pulse of peptones (protein hydrolysates) to the cultures performed in a low serum (1%, v/v) and in serum-free medium results in a significant increase in volumetric protein productivity. Sixteen peptones from different sources were tested and almost all of them showed a positive effect on r-protein production. This effect, however, is time- and concentration-dependent. By using Tryptone N1 (a casein peptone, TN1) to feed the cultures at 24 h posttransfection (hpt), a 2-fold increase in volumetric SEAP productivity was obtained 5 days posttransfection. This effect was shown to be equal to that obtained when the culture was fed with a supplementary 4% (v/v) of serum. The positive effect of TN1 on protein production was also demonstrated with Tie2 protein ectodomain produced in serum-free medium. HPLC analysis of amino acids consumption/production during control batch and TN1 pulse culture showed some major differences in amino acid metabolism when using TN1 pulse. Asparagine, glycine, histidine, threonine, leucine, and valine show accumulation in the medium over the cultivation period instead of being consumed as observed in unfed sample (except for asparagine, which remained unchanged). Isoleucine, tyrosine, methionine, and phenylalanine all remained unchanged or slightly fluctuated in TN1-fed culture after the feeding pulse, while they were all steadily consumed in the control run. The relative abundance of SEAP's mRNA suggests that the improvement in protein yield results both from an increase of the translational activity and transcription efficiency. Further understanding of mechanisms by which amino acids/peptides regulate transcriptional and translational machinery in mammalian cells should facilitate the design of new strategies for the improvement of r-protein production by large-scale transfection.

Protein tyrosine kinases in human breast cancer: kinetic properties and evidence for the presence of two forms of native enzyme.

The protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) of human breast tumors classified as positive (TM+) or negative (TM-) according to their estrogen and progestin receptor levels was partially characterized with regard to its distribution, kinetic parameters, molecular size, and ability to phosphorylate endogenous mammary proteins. For both types of tumors, PTK activity depended upon the presence of Mn++ (2-5 mM) and/or Mg++ (10-20 mM). The activities, total (per g of tissue) and specific (per mg of protein), were similar for both types of tumors, and an average of 60% of activity was located in cytosolic fractions. The autoradiographic detection of alkali-resistant phosphoproteins after SDS-PAGE showed very similar patterns between corresponding fractions from both types of tumors. Upon gel filtration, two peaks of activity of apparent Mr 245 kDa (peak I) and 47 kDa (peak II) were observed. Peak II was found in both cytosols and extracts from particulate fractions, while peak I was present only in the latter fraction for both TM+ and TM- tumors. The apparent Km's for ATP ranged from 4.1 to 6.6 microM, and from 11 to 34 micrograms/ml for the synthetic substrate poly [Glu80, Tyr20], at an optimal pH of 6.5-7.5. When endogenous alkali-resistant phosphorylation of peaks I and II was determined by autoradiography after SDS-PAGE, two major mammary proteins of Mr 60 and 45 kDa were phosphorylated by peak II and three, Mr 145, 74, and 62 kDa, by peak I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Identification of cytosolic protein tyrosine kinases of human prostate by renaturation after SDS/PAGE.

The identification of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) was successfully achieved by renaturation in gels after SDS/PAGE. To this effect, samples were mixed with a PTK substrate, namely the polydispersed co-polymer of glutamic acid and tyrosine [poly(Glu, Tyr), M(r) from 30,000 to 94,000], and were simultaneously submitted to electrophoresis. Following guanidine hydrochloride denaturation, renaturation and phosphorylation with [gamma-32P]ATP, kinase activity was detected by autoradiography. When applied to cytosol from human hyperplastic prostate, eleven protein kinases were detected, among which one major (M(r) 50,000) and two minor proteins (M(r) 40,000 and 38,000) were identified as PTKs by the presence of phosphotyrosine. Incubation of the gel in hot alkali after glutaraldehyde cross-linking almost completely eliminated the detection of non-PTK enzymes. On the other hand, in the absence of poly(Glu,Tyr), no PTK activity was detected. Partial purification of cytosolic PTKs indicates that the native M(r) of the major phosphotransferase was 44,000, as estimated by gel filtration following ammonium sulphate precipitation and anion-exchange chromatography. Upon renaturation after electrophoresis, this fraction showed only one major band active on poly(Glu,Tyr) which was associated with the polypeptide of M(r) 50,000. This enzyme was also identified following two-dimensional electrophoresis and renaturation in the presence of poly(Glu,Tyr), allowing the determination of a pI in the range 7.5-7.8. Thus PTKs can be easily renatured following electrophoresis and rapidly identified on the basis of their M(r) and pI in both crude or partially purified preparations. With the crucial role played by PTKs in the activation of cell function and carcinogenesis, this procedure could be useful in the identification of such enzymes and in distinguishing them from their substrates in gels.

Reception and transduction of the serotonin signal responsible for meiosis reinitiation in oocytes of the Japanese clam Ruditapes philippinarum.

Prophase-arrested oocytes of Ruditapes philippinarum are triggered to undergo germinal vesicle breakdown under the influence of the neurohormone serotonin (5HT) and then arrest in metaphase 1. Our data show that these oocytes possess a single class of original 5HT receptors. Their binding parameters have been determined on semipurified membrane preparations incubated with [3H]5HT. No significant differences were observed when comparing 5HT-competent and -incompetent batches as well as prophase- or metaphase-arrested oocytes. Specific experiments including incubation with mastoparan or mas 7, GTP iontophoresis, and IP3 quantification strongly suggest that these receptors must be coupled with G-proteins to be functional. Peak change in IP3 mass occurs at 3 min and is likely to trigger the 5HT-dependent Ca2+ transient that begins at this time. In metaphase-arrested oocytes, binding of 5HT to its receptors no longer produces a Ca2+ surger. This is likely to result from a negative retrocontrol loop which would involve kinase C and exert its effect upstream of the Ca2+ surge. Indeed, the phorbol ester PMA proved able to reduce the Ca2+ response and to block 5HT action when applied during the first 3 min corresponding to the hormone-dependent period. Such an inhibition was reversed in the presence of 5 microM of the C kinase inhibitor GF109203X and could be bypassed by ionophore, ammonia, and thapsigargin, which trigger a receptor-independent Ca2+ surge.

Prostatic epithelial cells in culture: phosphorylation of protein tyrosyl residues and tyrosine protein kinase activity.

The ability of dividing canine prostatic epithelial cells in primary monolayers to phosphorylate protein tyrosyl residues was evaluated by metabolic studies performed through incorporation of [32P]-phosphate into alkali-resistant phosphoproteins and by the assay of their tyrosine protein kinase activity. The presence of sodium orthovanadate during cell incubation with [32P]-phosphate greatly enhanced the relative labelling intensity of a 44 kDa alkali-resistant phosphoprotein and the total cellular content of phosphotyrosine in proteins; in this respect, growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I, and the steroids dihydrotestosterone and estradiol were inactive. When the cells were solubilized, sodium orthovanadate stimulated their tyrosine protein kinase activity and inhibited their phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity. To characterize the tyrosine protein kinase of these cultured cells, conditions for optimal activity were established using the substrate poly [Glu80Na, Tyr20]. The subcellular localization of the enzyme was determined upon cell fractionation: 88% of the kinase activity was associated with the particulate fraction and 30% of this activity was partially solubilized with 0.5% Triton X-100; this solubilization was improved to 83% in the presence of 0.25 M KCI. The enzyme directly solubilized from prostatic cells with Triton X-100 (38% of activity) mainly catalyzed the alkali-resistant phosphorylation of pp63, pp59, and pp44, which contained phosphotyrosine. These proteins were also phosphorylated by the major peak of kinase activity which was eluted at an apparent molecular weight of 300-350 kDa upon gel filtration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased production of active human beta(2)-adrenergic/G(alphas) fusion receptor in Sf-9 cells using nutrient limiting conditions.

Using the baculovirus/insect-cell expression vector system, we succeeded in obtaining a high yield of active human beta(2)-adrenergic receptor/G(alphas) fusion protein. This was achieved following high cell density production under nutrient-limiting conditions using a very low multiplicity of infection (MOI). This approach was found to significantly reduce inactive protein accumulation that occurred when production was done using conventional high MOI procedures. The maximum specific and volumetric yields of active receptor using this strategy increased by factors of two- and sixfold, respectively. Our results suggest that the increase in the ratio of active/total protein produced results from production under nutrient limitation. Since low multiplicity of infection offers many advantages for large-scale applications, we suggest that this simple production method should be considered when optimizing expression of G-protein-coupled receptors and other complex proteins.