Alternatively spliced variants of the human hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor, H2, differ in cellular trafficking and regulation of phosphorylation.
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The less abundant subunit of the asialoglycoprotein receptor, H2, may be encoded by at least four variant transcripts as a result of alternative mRNA splicing. We had cloned two H2-cDNAs that differed predominantly by the presence (clone H2') or absence (clone L-H2) of two presumed exons; one of 57 nucleotides was near the 5' end of the sequence, and the other was within the transmembrane region consisting of 15 nucleotides. The relevance of these two segments to H2 processing was studied after expression in rat-6 fibroblasts of these two isolates and of artificial constructs containing either only the 57-nucleotide (transfectant-57) or the 15-nucleotide (transfectant-15) region. H2 proteins encoded by cDNAs containing the 15-nucleotide region were intracellularly retained and degraded independently of the presence of the 57-nucleotide sequence. Of proteins derived from clones lacking the 15-nucleotide region, only a fraction was processed through the trans-Golgi, as evidenced by sensitivity to O-glycanase and neuraminidase, and reached the cell surface. The presence of the 57-nucleotide sequence was necessary for protein phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of serine residue(s) was detected in the endoglycosidase H-sensitive and mature forms of H2 protein encoded by transfectant-57. Since the 57-nucleotide region does not encode for serine residues, it per se cannot be the site of phosphorylation but rather constitutes a regulatory element for post-translational modification. (+info)
Characterization of benzodiazepine binding site on human alpha1-acid glycoprotein using flunitrazepam as a photolabeling agent.
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The binding of flunitrazepam (FNZP) by human alpha1-acid glycoprotein (hAGP) and the relationships between the extent of drug binding and desialylation and the genetic variants of hAGP were examined. The photolabeling specificity of [3H]FNZP was confirmed by findings in which other hAGP-binding ligands inhibited the formation of covalent bonds between [3H]FNZP and hAGP. The photolabeling of asialo-hAGP suggested that sialic acid does not involve in the binding of [3H]FNZP. No difference in the labeling could be found between the F1*S variants and A variant. Similarly, FNZP did not show a difference in binding affinity to the two genetic variants of hAGP. Sequence analysis of the photolabeled peptide indicated a sequence corresponding to Tyr91-Arg105 of hAGP. (+info)
Effect of desialylation on the biological properties of human plasminogen.
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There are two major isoenzymes of plasminogen (Pg) in human plasma, designated Pg1 and Pg2. Both Pg forms have an identical primary structure, but differ in their extent of glycosylation. Removal of the oligosaccharide chains alters the normal physiological function of the zymogen and decreases the circulation time of both Pg glycoforms. Recent studies in our laboratory demonstrated that Pg2, with one carbohydrate chain, binds to the surface of U937 monocytoid cells considerably better than Pg1, with two carbohydrate chains, indicating a major role for the carbohydrate chains as determinants for differential binding to the cell surface [Gonzalez-Gronow, Grenett, Fuller & Pizzo (1990) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1039, 269-276]. In this report we provide evidence that removal of terminal sialic acid from the Thr345-linked oligosaccharide chain of Pg2 is accompanied by the appearance of spontaneous amidolytic and fibrinolytic activity in the single-chain zymogen. Kinetic data demonstrate that asialo-Pg hydrolyses peptide substrates approximately 10% as efficiently as Pm. In addition, the change in carbohydrate content also alters Pg binding to U937 cells. Asialo-Pg binds to U937 cells with a decreased capacity but with a greater affinity than native Pg. Furthermore, asialo-Pg does not compete with native Pg for cell binding. These studies directly demonstrate that the oligosaccharide chains contribute to the heterogeneity observed in the physicochemical and biological properties of Pg1 and Pg2. (+info)
Retardation of removal of radiation-induced apoptotic cells in developing neural tubes in macrophage galactose-type C-type lectin-1-deficient mouse embryos.
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MGL1/CD301a is a C-type lectin that recognizes galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine as monosaccharides and is expressed on limited populations of macrophages and dendritic cells at least in adult mice. In this study, pregnant mice with Mgl1+/- genotype were mated with Mgl1+/- or Mgl1-/- genotype males, and the embryos were used to assess a hypothesis that this molecule plays an important role in the clearance of apoptotic cells. After X-ray irradiation at 1 Gy of developing embryos at 10.5 days post coitus (d.p.c.), the number of Mgl1-/- pups was significantly reduced as compared with Mgl1+/+ pups. Distributions of MGL1-positive cells, MGL2-positive cells, and apoptotic cells were histologically examined in irradiated Mgl1+/+ embryos. MGL1-positive cells were detected in the neural tube in which many cells undergo apoptosis, whereas MGL2-positive cells were not observed. Biotinylated recombinant MGL1 bound a significant portion of the apoptotic cells. When Mgl1+/+ and Mgl1-/- embryos were examined for the presence of apoptotic cells, similar numbers of apoptotic cells gave rise, but the clearance of these cells was slower in Mgl1-/- embryos than in Mgl1+/+ embryos. These results strongly suggest that MGL1/CD301a is involved in the clearance of apoptotic cells. This process should be essential in the repair and normal development of X-ray-irradiated embryos. (+info)
Purification, characterization, cDNA cloning, and expression of asialofetuin-binding C-type lectin from eggs of shishamo smelt (Osmerus [Spirinchus] lanceolatus).
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A novel C-type lectin (OLABL) was isolated from the eggs of shishamo smelt [Osmerus (Spirinchus) lanceolatus] by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-Sepharose. OLABL had a molecular mass of 29 kDa on SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions and two subunits with masses of 15 kDa (OLABL-H) and 14 kDa (OLABL-L) under reducing conditions. Thus, OLABL is a heterodimeric protein. cDNA sequence analysis revealed that the H- and L-subunits of OLABL were composed of 137 and 136 amino acid residues, respectively, and showed almost identical (95%) sequences, with slight differences in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions. Since each subunit contained only the characteristic motif of C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD), EPN-E-WND, OLABL is a member of group VII of the CTLD-containing protein family. Although OLABL had an EPN sequence that is known as a mannose-specific motif found in the collectin family, OLABL agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes without the addition of Ca(2+) ion, and this activity was inhibited by l-rhamnose and d-galactose derivatives, but not by d-mannose and d-glucose. These results indicate that OLABL has similar characteristics to AJL-2, a calcium-independent lactose specific lectin isolated from Japanese eel skin mucus. Recombinant OLABLs (rHisOLABLs), His-tagged homodimers of the H- and L-subunits, were refolded from inclusion bodies expressed by Escherichia coli. rHisOLABL-L was recovered as a soluble form, but rHisOLABL-H was hardly dissolved in a renaturing buffer. The specific activities of rHisOLABL-L, rHisOLABL-H, and native OLABL were 500, 36, and 20, respectively. These findings suggest that the combination of subunits may affect the solubility and activity of these dimeric form lectins. (+info)
Lipoprotein [a] is cleared from the plasma primarily by the liver in a process mediated by apolipoprotein [a].
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The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for lipoprotein [a] (Lp[a]) catabolism are unknown. We examined the plasma clearance of Lp[a] and LDL in mice using lipoproteins isolated from human plasma coupled to radiolabeled tyramine cellobiose. Lipoproteins were injected into wild-type, LDL receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-), and apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe-/-) mice. The fractional catabolic rate of LDL was greatly slowed in Ldlr-/- mice and greatly accelerated in Apoe-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, the plasma clearance of Lp[a] in Ldlr-/- mice was similar to that in wild-type mice and was only slightly accelerated in Apoe-/- mice. Hepatic uptake of Lp[a] in wild-type mice was 34.6% of the injected dose over a 24 h period. The kidney accounted for only a small fraction of tissue uptake (1.3%). To test whether apolipoprotein [a] (apo[a]) mediates the clearance of Lp[a] from plasma, we coinjected excess apo[a] with labeled Lp[a]. Apo[a] acted as a potent inhibitor of Lp[a] plasma clearance. Asialofetuin, a ligand of the asialoglycoprotein receptor, did not inhibit Lp[a] clearance. In summary, the liver is the major organ accounting for the clearance of Lp[a] in mice, with the LDL receptor and apolipoprotein E having no major roles. Our studies indicate that apo[a] is the primary ligand that mediates Lp[a] uptake and plasma clearance. (+info)
Decreased asialotransferrin in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with childhood-onset ataxia and central nervous system hypomyelination/vanishing white matter disease.
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BACKGROUND: A biomarker for the diagnosis of childhood-onset ataxia and central nervous system hypomyelination (CACH)/vanishing white matter disease (VWM) would have clinical utility and pathophysiologic significance. METHODS: We used 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis/mass spectrometry to compare the cerebrospinal fluid proteome of patients with mutation-confirmed CACH/VWM with that of unaffected controls. We characterized selected spots by in-gel digestion, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry, and nanospray Fourier transform mass spectrometry. RESULTS: A specific transferrin spot pattern was detected in the CSF samples of the CACH/VWM group (n = 7), distinguishing them from the control group (n = 23) and revealing that patients with CACH/VWM have a deficiency of the asialo form of transferrin usually present in healthy cerebrospinal fluid. The glycopeptide structure, determined from isolated transferrin spots by use of in-gel digestion and extraction, was found to be consistent with earlier reports. CONCLUSIONS: The transferrin isoform abnormality in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with CACH/VWM appears unique and is a potential clinical diagnostic biomarker. The rapid, efficient diagnosis of this disorder would have a significant impact on clinical studies exploring new strategies for the management and treatment of this disease. (+info)
Calcium is required for folding of newly made subunits of the asialoglycoprotein receptor within the endoplasmic reticulum.
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By resolving immunoprecipitates on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate gels, we have detected several disulfide-bonded intermediates in folding within the endoplasmic reticulum of newly made H1 subunits of the asialoglycoprotein receptor. H1 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be partially unfolded by treatment of cells with dithiothreitol, but H1 in Golgi or post-Golgi organelles is resistant to such unfolding. This defines a late step in H1 folding that occurs just prior to exit from the ER. Depletion of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum, either by treatment with A23187 or thapsigargin, has no effect on folding or secretion of newly made albumin, but totally blocks H1 maturation from the ER. No ER intermediates in H1 folding are formed in cells treated with A23187 or thapsigargin, indicating that at least an early step in H1 folding requires a high Ca2+ concentration in the ER lumen. As judged by cross-linking experiments, formation of H1 dimers and trimers occurs immediately after biosynthesis of the peptide chain, before monomer folding, and occurs normally in cells in which ER Ca2+ is reduced and where the monomer never folds properly. Calcium is essential for the asialoglycoprotein receptor to bind galactose, and our results suggest that Ca2+ is also essential for the receptor polypeptides to fold in the ER. (+info)