Modification of proteins by ADP-ribose has been shown to be a versatile modification with respect to the amino acid side chain. The results described here will allow the study of the biological importance of ADP-ribose glycation and also allow differentiation on crude extracts between enzymatic modifications from protein ADP-ribose glycation that can occur due to the presence of NAD glycohydrolases.

This study examined how the monoblast-like human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937 can be induced by phorbol 12-myristrate 13-acetate (PMA) to undergo differentiation. In order to study the mechanism of action of CSF-1, a CSF-1 receptor gene (c-fms) was transfected into U937 cells. Exogenous CSF-1 treatment induced an autocrine response in this CSF-1 was determined and all events were shown to be time dependent. CSF-1 stimulation also enhanced proto-oncogene c-jun and c-myc gene expression. Complementary DNA coding for Jun or Fos was introduced into U937 cells by transfection. The transfection did not generate a high level of CSF-1 gene expression which suggests that Fos and Jun alone are insufficient to induce CSF-1 synthesis.

Intracellular levels of NAD are of renewed interest in clinical and basic science research due to the new discovery of enzymes which utilize NAD as a substrate. Microtiter assays for the determination of NAD, NADP and protein were developed as modifications of previously published methods. The resulting assays are simple, cost effective and sensitive. An improved method of isolating lymphocytes was also developed. The resultant procedure requires one hour and removes greater than 99.9% of the platelets. Lymphocyte pools were stabilized with the addition of ADP-ribosyltransferase inhibitors and a modified extraction procedure. These studies have led to the development of a method for evaluation of NAD in human lymphocytes that is sensitive, selective and suitable for automation.

ADP-ribose polymer metabolism has been studied in human cells derived from a patient with Glutamyl Ribose Phosphate Storage Disease (GRPSD) and in mouse C3H1OT1/2 cells following oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H202 ). It has been postulated that GRPSD resulted from an abnormality in ADP-ribose polymer metabolism. This study has shown that these cells exhibit reduced poly(ADP ribose) polymerase activity which is proposed to result from modification of the enzyme with ribose phosphate groups. The modification in the polymerase is proposed to be secondary to a defect in either ADP-ribosyl proteinlyase or an overproduction of a cellular phosphodiesterase. The metabolism of ADP-ribose polymers was rapidly altered by H202 and there were independent effects on adenine nucleotide pools. The results suggest that ADP-ribose polymer metabolism is involved in cellular defenses to oxidative stress.

This study demonstrates the presence of protein kinase C activity in both cytosolic and membrane fractions of bovine lens epithelial cells in culture. Protein kinase C activity is similar in normal and hyperglycemic cells. Furthermore, the ability of the enzyme to translocate from the cytosol to the membrane following phorbol ester treatment is unimpeded by hyperglycemic conditions. Moreover, protein kinase C activation had no effect on myoinositol uptake either in normal cells or in cells exposed to hyperglycemic conditions.

A description of the nature of the transition state structure for phosphoryl transfer in the cAPK reaction requires a measurement of the primary 180 isotope effect at the serine hydroxyl acceptor. Since it is difficult to obtain primary 180 isotope effect directly, the 15N/1 4N ratio of the a-amine of the C-terminal glycine in the peptide Leu Arg-Lys-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly (when serine is phosphorylated) was used to represent on the phosphorylation at serine. 15N Glycine, ' 4N-Glycine and 180 serine were synthesized and used to synthesize two peptides, one containing 1 80-serine/' 5 N glycine and second 1 60-serine/1 4N-glycine. Methods were developed for hydrolyzing the peptides and quantitatively isolating glycine. Partitioning results suggest that catalytic rate was slow compare to substrate dissociation. The 180 primary isotope effect will be determined in the near future using the method developed herein.

DL-2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid, an isostere of phosphoserine, was incorporated into the heptapeptide sequence, Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-(DL-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid)-Leu-Gly, for kinetic mechanistic studies of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. To block the phosphono hydroxyl groups, methyl, ethyl and 4nitrobenzyl esters were studied as possible protecting groups. The phosphono diethyl ester of the N-Fmoc-protected amino acid was utilized in the synthesis of the heptapeptide. Two configurational forms of the protected peptide were obtained and were separated by C18-reverse phase HPLC. Characterization of the two isomeric forms was accomplished by 3 1P NMR, 1H NMR, 13C% NMR and amino acid analysis. The protecting groups of the isomeric phsophonopeptides were removed by HBr/AcOH and purified by cation exchange HPLC. Both phosphonopeptides were found to be inhibitors of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, having Ki values of 0.6 mM (peptide A) and 1.9 mM (peptide B).

Q-Beta phage RNAs with inactivating insertion (8 base) or deletion (17 base) mutations within their replicase genes were transfected into Escherichia coli spheroplasts containing QB replicase provided in trans by a resident plasmid. Replicase-defective (Rep~) Q3 phage produced by these spheroplasts were unable to form plaques on cells lacking this plasmid. When individual Rep~ phage were isolated and grown to high titer in cells containing plasmid derived Q3 replicase, revertant Q3 phage (Rep'), with the original mutation (insertion or deletion) repaired, were obtained at a frequency of ca. 1 x 108. RNA recombination via a "template switching" mechanism involving Q3 replicase, the mutant phage genome, and the plasmid-derived replicase mRNA was shown to be the primary means by which these mutant phages reverted to wild type.

Stopped-flow experiments in which the NAD-malic enzyme was preincubated with different reactants at near saturating substrate concentrations suggest a slow isomerization of the E:NAD:Mg complex. The lag is eliminated by preincubation with Mg˙² and malate suggesting that the formation of E:Mg:Malate either bypasses or speeds up the slow isomerization step. Circular dichroic spectral studies of the secondary structural changes of the native enzyme in the presence and absence of substrates supports the existence of conformational changes with NAD˙ and malate. Thus, a slow conformational change of the E:NAD:Mg complex is likely one of the rate-limiting steps in the pre-steady state.

A method for assaying poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP) activity in lymphocytes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has been developed. Using this method, PADPRP activity has been studied in lymphocytes from 15 patients and 13 controls. The mean activity in SLE lymphocytes was significantly lower than that in controls and 60% of the SLE patients demonstrated activities below the minimum of the control population. Possible mechanisms for this altered metabolism were investigated. The Km app of PADPRP for NAD; size distribution, branch frequency, and rates of turnover of polymers; competition for substrate; and number of PADPRP molecules were studied. The data demonstrated that SLE lymphocytes have a decreased synthetic capacity rather than alterations in the substrate or in turnover of the product.

Purified S6/H4 kinase (Mr 60,000) requires autophosphorylation for activation. A rabbit anti-S6/H4 kinase peptide (SVIDPVPAPVGDSHVDGAAK) antibody recognized both the S6/H4 kinase holoenzyme and catalytic domain. Immunoreactivity with p60 kinase protein, and S6/H4 kinase activity were precisely correlated in fractions obtained from ion exchange chromatography of P1798 lymphosarcoma extracts. An enzyme which catalyzed the MgATP-dependent phosphorylation and activation of S6/H4 kinase coeluted with immunoreactivity from Mono 5, but not Mono Q chromatography. Since S6/H4 kinase is homologous with rac-activated PAK65, the observation that phosphorylation is also required for activation suggests a complex mechanism for in vivo activation of the S6/H4 kinase.

Glyoxalase 11, the second enzyme of the glyoxalase system, hydrolyzes S-D-lactoylglutathione (SLG) to regenerate glutathione (GSH) and liberate free D-lactate. It was found that GTP binds with Gil from rat liver and inhibits Gil activity. Preincubation experiments showed that the binding is relatively tight, since more than 15 minutes are required to release GTP from the complex following dilution. Inhibition kinetics studies indicate that GTP is a "partially competitive inhibitor"; Thus, it would appear that the binding sites for substrate (SLG) and inhibitor (GTP) are different, but spatially close. Glyoxalase 11 binds to a GTP affinity medium, and with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Gil has a higher relative mobility when GTP is present (ATP has no effect). The functional consequences of GTP binding with a specific site on Gil are still unclear. It is speculated that Gil may interact with tubulin by serving as a dissociable GTP carrier, delivering GTP to the tubulinGTP binding site, and thus facilitating tubulin polymerization.

The mechanism by which nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) stimulates the activity of adenylate cyclase (AC) in canine plasma membrane has been studied. Using [3 2P]-NAD, the activation by NAD was correlated with the radiolabeling of the stimulatory guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding protein Gsa. Further characterization demonstrated that the modification occurred only in the presence of G-protein activators and that arginine residue(s) were modified by ADP-ribose by the action of a mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase. Inhibitors of the transferase blocked both the modification of Gsa and the activation of AC. Collectively, these studies suggest that ADP-ribosylation of Gsa by an endogenous mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase may regulate cardiac AC.

A novel molecular mechanism of autophosphorylation-dependent activation of the ser/thr S6/H4 kinase isolated from human placenta is described. Phosphopeptide mapping of the enzyme was used to determine the rate and extent of site-specific autophosphorylation. These data were correlated to phosphotransferase activity of the protein kinase. The results indicated that a sequential phosphorylation of two sites in the catalytic domain is required for maximum activation. Kinetic analysis determined that site 1 is modified by an intramolecular phosphorylation, and site 2 is modified by an intermolecular phosphorylation. On the basis of these data a model is proposed in which autophosphorylation of the pseudosubstrate domain and on a serine residue in subdomain VIII are both required for maximum activation of the S6/H4 kinase.

An 18.5-kb human DNA segment was selected from a human XCharon-4A library by hybridization to mammalian valine tRNAiAc and found to encompass a cluster of three tRNA genes. Two valine tRNA genes with anticodons of AAC and CAC, encoding the major and minor cytoplasmic valine tRNA isoacceptors, respectively, and a lysine tRNAcuu gene were identified by Southern blot hybridization and DNA sequence analysis of a 7.1-kb region of the human DNA insert. At least nine Alu family members were found interspersed throughout the human DNA fragment. The tRNA genes are accurately transcribed by RNA polymerase III in a HeLa cell extract, since the RNase Ti fingerprints of the mature-sized tRNA transcription products are consistent with the DNA sequences of the structural genes. Three members of the chimpanzee triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) gene family, the functional transcription unit and two processed pseudogenes, were characterized by genomic blotting and DNA sequence analysis. The bona fide TPI gene spans 3.5 kb with seven exons and six introns, and is the first complete hominoid TPI gene sequenced. The gene exhibits a very high identity with the human and rhesus TPI genes. In particular, the polypeptides of 248 amino acids encoded by the chimpanzee and human …

Recently, three distinct isoforms of phospholipase D (PLD) were identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLD α represents the well-known form found in plants, while PLD β and γ have been only recently discovered (Pappan et al., 1997b; Qin et al., 1997). These isoforms differ in substrate selectivity and cofactors required for activity. Here, I report that PLD β and γ isoforms were active toward N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), but PLD α was not. The ability of PLD β and γ to hydrolyze NAPE marks a key difference from PLD α. N-acylethanolamines (NAE), the hydrolytic products of NAPE by PLD β and γ, inhibited PLD α from castor bean and cabbage. Inhibition of PLD α by NAE was dose-dependent and inversely proportional to acyl chain length and degree of unsaturation. Enzyme kinetic analysis suggested non-competitive inhibition of PLD α by NAE 14:0. In addition, a 1.2-kb tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cDNA fragment was isolated that possessed a 74% amino acid identity to Arabidopsis PLD β indicating that this isoform is expressed in tobacco cells. Collectively, these results provide evidence for NAE producing PLD activities and suggest a possible regulatory role for NAE with respect to PLD α.

Initial velocity studies of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B (OASS-B) from Salmonella typhimurium using both natural and alternative substrates suggest a Bi Bi ping pong kinetic mechanism with double substrate competitive inhibition. The ping pong mechanism is corroborated by a qualitative and quantitative analysis of product and dead-end inhibition. Product inhibition by acetate is S-parabolic noncompetitive, indication of a combination of acetate with E followed by OAS. These data suggest some randomness to the OASS-B kinetic mechanism. The pH dependence of kinetic parameters was determined in order to obtain information on the acid-base chemical mechanism for the OASS-B reaction. A mechanism is proposed in which an enzyme general base accepts a proton from α-amine of O-acetylserine, while a second enzyme general base acts by polarizing the acetyl carbonyl assisting in the β-elimination of the acetyl group of O-acetylserine. The ε-amine of the active site lysine acts as a general base to abstract the α-proton in the β-elimination of acetate. At the end of the first half reaction the ε-amine of the active site lysine that formed the internal Schiff base and the general base are protonated. The resulting α-aminoacrylate intermediate undergoes a Michael addition with HS‾ and the active site lysine donates its …

A number of protein kinases have been shown to undergo autophosphorylation, but few have demonstrated a coordinate increase or decrease in enzymatic activity as a result. Described here is a novel S6 kinase isolated from human placenta which autoactivates through autophosphorylation in vitro. This S6/H4 kinase, purified in an inactive state, was shown to be a protein of Mr of 60,000 as estimated by SDS-PAGE and could catalyze the phosphorylation of the synthetic peptide S6-21, the histone H4, and myelin basic protein. Mild digestion of the inactive S6/H4 kinase with trypsin was necessary, but not sufficient, to activate the kinase fully

O-Acetyl-L-serine sulfhydrylase-A (OASS-A) forms acetate and L-cysteine from O-acetyl-L-serine (OAS) and sulfide. One molecule of the cofactor pyridoxal 5'- phosphate (PLP) is bound in each holoenzyme protomer.

The studies described in this dissertation examine the effects of F-2,6-P2 and AMP or phosphorylation on the kinetic mechanism of d-PFK. The effect of varied pH on the activation by F-2,6-P2 is also described.

N-Acylphosphatidylethanoiamine (NAPE) is synthesized in the microsomes of cotton seedlings by a mechanism that is possibly unique to plants, the ATP-, Ca2+-, and CoA-independent acylation ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE) with unesterified free fatty acids (FFAs), catalyzed by NAPE synthase. A photoreactive free fatty acid analogue, 12-[(4- azidosalicyl)amino]dodecanoic acid (ASD), and its 125I-labeled derivative acted as substrates for the NAPE synthase enzyme.

The kinetic mechanism of activation of the NAD-malic enzyme by fumarate and the transition state structure for the oxidation malate for the NAD-malic enzyme reaction have been studied. Fumarate exerts its activating effect by decreasing the off-rate for malate from the E:Mg:malate and E:Mg:NAD:malate complexes. The activation by fumarate results in a decrease in K_imalate and an increase in V/K_malate by about 2-fold, while the maximum velocity remains constant. A discrimination exists between active and activator sites for the binding of dicarboxylic acids. Activation by fumarate is proposed to have physiologic importance in the parasite. The hydride transfer transition state for the NAD-malic enzyme reaction is concerted with respect to solvent isotope sensitive and hydride transfer steps. Two protons are involved in the solvent isotope sensitive step, one with a normal fractionation factor, another with an inverse fractionation factor. A structure for the transition state for hydride transfer in the NAD-malic enzyme reaction is proposed.

A complete initial velocity study of the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from Candida utilis in both reaction directions suggests a rapid equilibrium random kinetic mechanism with dead-end E:NADP:(ribulose 5-phosphate) and E:NADPH:(6- phosphogluconate) complexes. Initial velocity studies obtained as a function of pH and using NAD as the dinucleotide substrate for the reaction suggest that the 2'-phosphate is critical for productive binding of the dinucleotide substrate. Primary deuterium isotope effects using 3-<i-6-phosphogluconate were obtained for the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase reaction using NADP and various alternative inucleotide substrates.

Three genomic clones encompassing human DNA segments (designated LhX-3, LhX-4, and LhX5) were isolated from an X chromosome-specific library and subjected to analysis by physical mapping and DNA sequencing. It was found that these three clones are very rich in repetitive DNA sequence elements and retropseudogenes.