An N-terminal peptide from p60src can direct myristylation and plasma membrane localization when fused to heterologous proteins

The src gene product, p60src, of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) is a tyrosine-specific protein kinase which is associated with the plasma membrane of infected cells. Myristic acid is bound in an amide linkage to glycine 2 of p60src. Of the N-terminal 30 kilodaltons of p60src, only amino acids 1-14 are required for myristylation, and myristylation of p60src may be required for its membrane association, and for cell transformation. To test the hypothesis that the first 14 amino acids of p60src contain a recognition sequence for myristylation, we have fused the DNA sequence coding for these amino acids to either the fps gene of the F36 derivative of Fujinami sarcoma virus (FSV), or to the chimpanzee alpha-globin gene. We report here that although the fusion proteins were myristylated, the parental proteins were not, and unlike the non-myristylated F36 p91fps which was not bound to the plasma membrane, the myristylated fusion protein was bound, like p60src. We conclude that the first 14 amino acids of p60src contain a sequence which is sufficient for myristylation, and which may direct proteins to the plasma membrane.     

Association of phosphatidylinositol kinase activity with polyoma middle-T competent for transformation

Polyoma middle-T antigen is required for viral transformation of cultured cells and for tumorigenesis in animals. Like many other transforming gene products, middle-T is bound to the membrane and has an associated tyrosine kinase activity in vitro. This activity seems to result from the interaction of middle-T with pp60c-src, the cellular homologue of the transforming gene product of the Rous sarcoma virus, pp60v-src (refs 3-5). Both pp60v-src (ref. 6) and another retrovirus transforming gene product, pp68v-ros (ref. 7) were shown recently to have an associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) kinase activity in vitro and to increase PI turnover in vivo. These results suggest that viral transformation may be directly connected to a complex network of second messengers generated from PI turnover. Here, we assayed for PI kinase activity in immunoprecipitates made with middle-T- or pp60c-src-specific antisera of cells infected with polyoma virus. A PI kinase activity was detected in those immunoprecipitates which contained middle-T. Studies of mutants of middle-T defective in transformation indicate a close correlation between PI kinase activity and transformation.     

Inhibition of exocytosis by intracellularly applied antibodies against a chromaffin granule-binding protein

Exocytotic secretion requires the interaction and fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane. This process could be mediated by specific recognition molecules acting as intracellular, membrane-bound receptors and ligands. One possible component of such a recognition site on the plasma membrane is a protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 51,000 (51K) that has been isolated from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. This protein binds strongly to chromaffin granules, the secretory vesicles of these cells. To determine the function of this membrane-anchored chromaffin granule-binding protein in exocytosis, we tested the effect of intracellularly injected antibodies on secretion. Here we show, by two independent techniques in two different cell types, that antibodies against this protein inhibit exocytosis. In rat pheochromocytoma cell cultures, monospecific antibodies, applied by erythrocyte ghost fusion, impair the release of 3H-noradrenaline. The same antibodies, introduced into individual chromaffin cells through a patch pipette, block exocytosis, as revealed by the measurement of membrane capacitance. These results demonstrate the functional involvement in exocytosis of a plasma membrane protein with high affinity for secretory vesicles.     

Differential activation by atrial and brain natriuretic peptides of two different receptor guanylate cyclases

Alpha atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide are homologous polypeptide hormones involved in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. These two natriuretic peptides apparently share common receptors and stimulate the intracellular production of cyclic GMP as a second messenger. Molecular cloning has defined two types of natriuretic peptide receptors: the ANP-C receptor of relative molecular mass (Mr) 60-70,000 (60-70 K), which is not coupled to cGMP production and may function in the clearance of ANP and the ANP-A receptor of Mr 120-140 K, which is a membrane form of guanylate cyclase in which ligand binding to the extracellular domain activates the cytoplasmic domain of the enzyme. Here we report the cloning and expression of a second human natriuretic peptide-receptor guanylate cyclase, the ANP-B receptor. The ANP-B receptor is preferentially activated by porcine brain natriuretic peptide rather than human alpha-ANP, whereas the ANP-A receptor responds similarly to both natriuretic peptides. These observations may have important implications for our understanding of the central and peripheral control of cardiovascular homeostasis.     

The p21 ras C-terminus is required for transformation and membrane association

The Harvey murine sarcoma virus (Ha-MuSV) transforming gene, v-rasH, encodes a 21,000 molecular weight protein (p21) that is closely related to the p21 proteins encoded by the cellular transforming genes of the ras gene family. The primary translation product (prop21), which is found in the cytosol, undergoes posttranslational modification and the mature protein subsequently becomes associated with the inner surface of the plasma membrane and binds lipid tightly. The p21 proteins have the capacity to bind guanine nucleotides non-covalently in vitro. To assess the biological relevance of these biochemical features of the protein, we have now studied a series of deletion mutants located at or near the C-terminus of the viral p21 protein. Our tissue culture studies indicate that amino acids located at or near the C-terminus are required for cellular transformation, membrane association and lipid binding.     

Internalization and half-life of membrane-bound macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The binding of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) soluble receptor (rh-M-CSF-sR) to membrane-bound macrophage colony stimulating factor (m-M-CSF) and the internalization and recycling of rh-M-CSF-sR/m-M-CSF complexes mediated by m-M-CSF were studied with a model of J6-1 cell line. The results indicated that m-M-CSF bound rh-M-CSF-sR with high affinity (k_d = 1.78×10¹² mol/L) and mediated a temperature- and energydependent internalization of rh-M-CSF-sR, and that internalized rh-M-CSF-sR could return to the cell surface in an m-M-CSF-bound state, suggesting that m-M-CSF may have a capability to mediate the internalization and recycling of rh-M-CSF-sR/m-M-CSF complexes. In addition, the half-lives of cell-associated M-CSF and its receptor of stimulated normal human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and 4 leukemic cell lines were measured by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The results showed that the half-lives of the various kinds of M-CSF isoforms and M-CSF-R in 4 leukemic cells, except those of membrane-bound M-CSF receptor (M-CSF-mR) of K562 and HL-60 cells, were longer than those of corresponding M-CSF isoform and its receptor in stimulated normal human CBMCs, suggesting that there is a slow degradation rate of cell-associated M-CSF and its receptor in leukemic cells.     

Clathrin light chains and secretory vesicle binding proteins are distinct

Recently, several groups have initiated studies on cytosolic proteins that bind to isolated secretory vesicle membranes in the presence of Ca2+ in order to identify proteins that may regulate exocytosis. Two major chromaffin granule binding proteins, of molecular weights 32,000 (32K) and 34,000 (34K), were reported to have the same mobility on one-dimensional SDS gels as clathrin-associated light chains from the adrenal medulla, and the 34K granule binding protein the same one-dimensional peptide map as the 34K clathrin light chain. These observations support the hypothesis that Ca2+-dependent recruitment of soluble light chains to the vesicle membrane may nucleate the assembly of a clathrin coat and initiate endocytosis. Here we report that two-dimensional peptide maps of the clathrin light chains and of all chromaffin granule membrane binding proteins in the 30K range are distinct, and therefore fail to support this hypothesis. It has also been suggested that some or all of the vesicle binding proteins require calmodulin for their interaction with the membrane. However, we find that antagonism of calmodulin by trifluoperazine does not prevent the association of the other cytosolic proteins with the chromaffin granule membrane.     

BRI1 is a critical component of a plasma-membrane receptor for plant steroids

Most multicellular organisms use steroids as signalling molecules for physiological and developmental regulation. Two different modes of steroid action have been described in animal systems: the well-studied gene regulation response mediated by nuclear receptors, and the rapid non-genomic responses mediated by proposed membrane-bound receptors. Plant genomes do not seem to encode members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. However, a transmembrane receptor kinase, brassinosteroid-insensitive1 (BRI1), has been implicated in brassinosteroid responses. Here we show that BRI1 functions as a receptor of brassinolide, the most active brassinosteroid. The number of brassinolide-binding sites and the degree of response to brassinolide depend on the level of BRI1 protein. The brassinolide-binding activity co-immunoprecipitates with BRI1, and requires a functional BRI1 extracellular domain. Moreover, treatment of Arabidopsis seedlings with brassinolide induces autophosphorylation of BRI1, which, together with our binding studies, shows that BRI1 is a receptor kinase that transduces steroid signals across the plasma membrane.     

Identification of a ribosome receptor in the rough endoplasmic reticulum

Attachment of ribosomes to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum is one of the crucial first steps in the transport and secretion of intracellular proteins in mammalian cells. The process is mediated by an integral membrane protein of relative molecular mass 180,000 (Mr 180K), having a large (at least 160K) cytosolic domain that, when proteolytically detached from the membrane, can competitively inhibit the binding of ribosomes to intact membranes. Isolation of this domain has led to the identification, purification and characterization of the intact ribosome receptor, as well as its functional reconstitution into lipid vesicles.     

A peptide fusion protein inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth by blocking VEGF binding to KDR

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) binding to its tyrosine kinase receptors (KDR/FLK1, Flt-1) induces angiogenesis. In search of the peptides blocking VEGF binding to its receptor KDR/FLK1 to inhibit tumorangiogenesis and growth, we screened a phage display peptide library with KDR as target protein, and some candidate peptides were isolated. In this study, we cloned the DNA fragment coding the peptide K237 from the library, into a vector pQE42 to express fusion protein DHFR-K237 in E. coli M15. The affection of fusion protein DHFR-K237 on endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis was investigated. In vitro, DHFR-K237 could completely block VEGF binding to KDR and significantly inhibit the VEGF-mediated proliferation of the human vascular endothelial cells. In vivo, DHFR-K237 inhibited angiogenesis in chick embryo chorioallantoric membrane and tumor growth in nude mice. These results suggest that K237 is an effective antagonist of VEGF binding to KDR, and could be a potential agent for cancer biotherapy.     

Uncoupling of cardiac muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors from ion channels by a guanine nucleotide analogue

Guanine nucleotide binding proteins, interchangeably called N or G proteins, seem to be the primary signal-transducing components of various agonist-induced cell membrane functions. In the heart, G proteins have been implicated in beta-adrenergic modulation of the slow inward Ca2+ current. We have investigated the role of G proteins in muscarinic activation of an inwardly rectifying, acetylcholine (ACh)-induced K+ current (IACh), and beta-adrenergic activation of an (isoprenaline)-induced Ca2+ current (Isi). Here we report that intracellular application of the non-hydrolysable GTP analogue 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) brought about an agonist-induced, antagonist-resistant, persistent activation of IACh and Isi. This functional uncoupling of channel from receptor suggests that the muscarinic receptor and the IACh channel are separate molecular structures. Membrane conductance responses to sequential activation of muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors demonstrate that in contrast to the muscarinic inhibition of Isi, muscarinic stimulation of IACh is mediated by a G protein via a pathway that does not involve adenylate cyclase. Taken together, the results support the notion that agonist is required to induce GppNHp binding and/or activation of the G proteins. Once triggered by agonist, the control system remains maximally activated, thereby transforming the cell so that it no longer responds to subsequent homologous receptor-mediated signals.     

3BP2的SH2结构域的晶体结构和与来源于FRS2的肽的复合物的晶体结构

3BP2最初被作为一个Abl SH3结合蛋白被分离,但是其功能并不确定。除了富含脯氨酸区域和间接与SH3结合外,3BP2还有一个PH和Src同源区2结构域(SH2)。 Src同源区2结构域(SH2)是一个很大的家族,它们通过人体基因组编码的模块间的相互作用来识别酪氨酸磷酸化序列,由此在细胞信号转导和控制中发挥中心作用。肽基可以被SH2识别从而形成一种复合物.这篇文章的内容是关于3BP2的SH2结构域的晶体结构和与来源于FRS2的肽的复合物的晶体结构。依照表面电荷性质,这个结合袋的特异性是半极性半中性的。这个结构的特点明显的表现在,对于亲和性来说,Glu(p+1)比Ala (p+1) 或 Val (p+1)更为重要。     

Identification of a receptor for protein import into mitochondria

Anti-idiotypic antibodies, prepared using a chemically synthesized signal peptide of a mitochondrial precursor protein, recognized a mitochondrial integral membrane protein (p32). Fab fragments derived from both anti-idiotypic antibodies and monospecific antibodies against purified p32 inhibited protein import into mitochondria. Moreover, anti-p32 antibodies specifically immunoprecipitated a precursor-p32 complex after detergent solubilization of mitochondria. Immunoelectron microscopy and subfractionation of mitochondria indicate that p32 is located in contact sites between the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes.     

Transforming activity of polyoma virus middle-T antigen probed by site-directed mutagenesis

The ability of polyoma virus to transform cells results primarily from the action of one of the virus-coded early proteins, called middle-T antigen. Middle-T has an associated tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity that can be measured in vitro and results in the phosphorylation of middle-T itself. Almost all mutants so far tested that lack the ability to transform cells, also lack associated kinase activity. Attempts to map within middle-T the tyrosine residue(s) that are phosphorylated in vitro suggest that a likely site of phosphorylation is tyrosine 315 (refs 8-10 and unpublished results). The amino acid sequence preceding Tyr 315 includes a tract of six contiguous glutamic acid residues and bears some homology with that preceding the tyrosine phosphorylated in vivo in pp60v-src, the transforming protein of Rous sarcoma virus, and with a region in the polypeptide hormone, gastrin, preceding a tyrosine that is sulphated. Furthermore, although surprisingly large tracts of middle-T may be removed without affecting its transforming activity, mutants that lack the sequences corresponding to amino acids 311-318 inclusive are transformation defective. Because the likely site of phosphorylation, the homology with pp60v-src and gastrin and the sequence apparently required for transformation all overlap, it has generally been accepted that this region of middle-T may form part of an essential region, possibly an active site on the protein. Here we have used techniques of site-directed and site-specific mutagenesis to probe the sequence requirements in more detail. Contrary to expectation, the results obtained strongly suggest that Tyr 315 and conservation of the surrounding amino acid sequence are not essential for transformation.     

Bovine papillomavirus E5 oncoprotein binds to the 16K component of vacuolar H(+)-ATPases.

The major transforming protein of bovine papillomavirus type 1, E5, is mainly associated with endomembranes, specifically binding to a cellular protein of relative molecular mass 16,000 (16K). At the same time as transformation, E5 causes the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in epidermal and platelet-derived growth factor receptors. We show here that the 16K protein associated with E5 is the 16K component of vacuolar ATPases. This protein is known to be an integral membrane protein in endosomes, bovine chromaffin granules, synaptic vesicles, fungal and plant vacuoles and clathrin-coated vesicles, as well as a component of gap-junction-like membrane complexes. Because proton pumps are critical for the function of cellular compartments that process growth-factor receptors, the interaction of E5 with the 16K protein could explain the pleiomorphic features of cells transformed by E5.     

Crystal structure of the phosphotyrosine recognition domain SH2 of v-src complexed with tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides.

Three-dimensional structures of complexes of the SH2 domain of the v-src oncogene product with two phosphotyrosyl peptides have been determined by X-ray crystallography at resolutions of 1.5 and 2.0 A, respectively. A central antiparallel beta-sheet in the structure is flanked by two alpha-helices, with peptide binding mediated by the sheet, intervening loops and one of the helices. The specific recognition of phosphotyrosine involves amino-aromatic interactions between lysine and arginine side chains and the ring system in addition to hydrogen-bonding interactions with the phosphate.     

Three loci related to the src oncogene and tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity in Drosophila

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) is an acutely oncogenic avian retrovirus which induces sarcomas in animals and transforms fibroblasts in cell culture. Genetic analysis indicates that the viral src gene (v-src) mediates neoplastic transformation. The product of v-src is a 60,000 molecular weight (MW) phosphoprotein (pp60v-src) possessing the enzymatic activity of a tyrosine-specific protein kinase. The viral src gene is derived from a cellular gene (c-src) which also encodes a 60,000 MW phosphoprotein (pp60c-src) with tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity. Both birds and mammals are known to possess c-src. Shilo and Weinberg have reported that the genome of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, contains nucleotide sequences that are homologous to v-src. We report here the molecular cloning and chromosomal mapping of three loci from the Drosophila genome that contain such sequences. We also show that Drosophila contain both phosphotyrosine and a tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity immunoprecipitated by antisera directed against pp60v-src. It should now be possible to identify the precise locus that encodes a src-specific protein kinase in Drosophila, and to explore the role of c-src in the growth and development of D. melanogaster.     

Increased phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 following microinjection of insulin receptor-kinase into Xenopus oocytes

The protein products of several transforming retroviruses as well as the receptors for several hormones and growth factors, including insulin, have been shown to possess a protein kinase activity in vitro specific for tyrosine residues in protein substrates, including themselves. In the case of pp60src and the insulin receptor, autophosphorylation activates the tyrosine kinase activity towards exogenous substrates. Experiments indicate that, in vivo, many of these viruses or growth factors induce an increase in cellular phosphotyrosine, as well as an increase in the phosphorylation of serine residues on proteins, including ribosomal protein S6. It seems likely that some of the effects of insulin might be mediated by phosphorylation of intracellular substrates by its receptor. As the beta subunit of the receptor is a transmembrane protein, such phosphorylation could occur either while the receptor is still in the membrane or after its internalization. In various cell systems, internalized receptors are degraded, reshuttled back to the plasmalemma or maintained in a separate compartment before reinsertion in the membrane; shuttling of the insulin receptor could provide the opportunity for it to phosphorylate various intracellular components as part of its mechanism of signal transduction. To approach directly the question of whether the receptor can elicit a signal while acting at an intracellular location, we have microinjected Xenopus oocytes with the insulin receptor kinase. The results indicate that an S6 protein-serine kinase is stimulated or an S6 protein-serine phosphatase inhibited by the activity of the insulin receptor, supporting the concept that the insulin receptor acting within the cell can elicit a biological response.     

Rapid neutrophil adhesion to activated endothelium mediated by GMP-140.

Granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140), a membrane glycoprotein of platelet and endothelial cell secretory granules, is rapidly redistributed to the plasma membrane during cellular activation and degranulation. Also known as PADGEM protein, GMP-140 is structurally related to two molecules involved in leukocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium: ELAM-1, a cytokine-inducible endothelial cell receptor for neutrophils, and the MEL-14 lymphocyte homing receptor. These three proteins define a new gene family, termed selectins, each of which contains an N-terminal lectin domain, followed by an epidermal growth factor-like module, a variable number of repeating units related to those in complement-binding proteins, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. Here we demonstrate that GMP-140 can mediate leukocyte adhesion, thus establishing a functional similarity with the other selectins. Human neutrophils and promyelocytic HL-60 cells bind specifically to COS cells transfected with GMP-140 complementary DNA and to microtitre wells coated with purified GMP-140. Cell binding does not require active neutrophil metabolism but is dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Within minutes after stimulation with phorbol esters or histamine, human endothelial cells become adhesive for neutrophils; this interaction is inhibited by antibodies to GMP-140. Thus, GMP-140 expressed by activated endothelium might promote rapid neutrophil targeting to sites of acute inflammation.     

Structure of the signal recognition particle interacting with the elongation-arrested ribosome

Cotranslational translocation of proteins across or into membranes is a vital process in all kingdoms of life. It requires that the translating ribosome be targeted to the membrane by the signal recognition particle (SRP), an evolutionarily conserved ribonucleoprotein particle. SRP recognizes signal sequences of nascent protein chains emerging from the ribosome. Subsequent binding of SRP leads to a pause in peptide elongation and to the ribosome docking to the membrane-bound SRP receptor. Here we present the structure of a targeting complex consisting of mammalian SRP bound to an active 80S ribosome carrying a signal sequence. This structure, solved to 12 A by cryo-electron microscopy, enables us to generate a molecular model of SRP in its functional conformation. The model shows how the S domain of SRP contacts the large ribosomal subunit at the nascent chain exit site to bind the signal sequence, and that the Alu domain reaches into the elongation-factor-binding site of the ribosome, explaining its elongation arrest activity.