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E Meurs

Publications and source records attributed to E Meurs.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Human p68 kinase exhibits growth suppression in yeast and homology to the translational regulator GCN2.

The human p68 kinase is an interferon-regulated enzyme that inhibits protein synthesis when activated by double-stranded RNA. We show here that when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the p68 kinase produced a growth suppressing phenotype resulting from an inhibition of polypeptide chain initiation consistent with functional protein kinase activity. This slow growth phenotype was reverted in yeast by two different mechanisms: expression of the p68 kinase N-terminus, shown to bind double-stranded RNA in vitro and expression of a mutant form of the alpha-subunit of yeast initiation factor 2, altered at a single phosphorylatable site. These results provide the first direct in vivo evidence that the p68 kinase interacts with the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2. Sequence similarity with a yeast translational regulator, GCN2, further suggests that this enzyme may be a functional homolog in higher eukaryotes, where its normal function is to regulate protein synthesis through initiation factor 2 phosphorylation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Detection of protein kinase homologues and viral RNA-binding domains utilizing polyclonal antiserum prepared against a baculovirus-expressed ds RNA-activated 68,000-Da protein kinase.

The P68 protein kinase (referred to as P68 based on its M(r) of 68,000 in human cells) is a serine/threonine kinase induced by interferon treatment and activated by dsRNAs. The kinase is under tight controls in virus-infected cells since once activated, it phosphorylates its natural substrate eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (elF-2), leading to potential limitations in functional elF-2 and decreases in protein synthesis initiation. To further delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying kinase regulation, we attempted to express the P68 protein kinase in insect cells using a baculovirus vector. Repeated efforts to isolate recombinant baculoviruses containing a wild-type kinase failed, whereas recombinants expressing a nonfunctional kinase with a catalytic domain II mutation were readily isolated. When used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda cells, the recombinant virus expressed the exogenous mutant protein at almost 5-10% of the total proteins synthesized. We then purified the kinase by immunoaffinity chromatography to raise monospecific antiserum which recognized not only the human native wild-type P68, but also kinase homologues in murine, bovine, and monkey cells as determined by immunoblot and immunoprecipitation analysis. Fortunately, kinase function also could be assayed using this antibody since the human and nonhuman kinase homologues, present in immunoprecipitates, were autophosphorylated and phosphorylated the natural substrate, elF-2 alpha. Further, this antiserum recognized epitopes throughout the molecule including the amino and carboxyl termini in contrast to the available monoclonal antibody. In vitro assays using the polyclonal antibody revealed the importance of the amino terminus, especially amino acids 1-97, in the binding of the kinase to viral RNA activators and inhibitors. Finally, we determined that the P68 amino terminus was both necessary and sufficient for binding dsRNA as we were able to transfer dsRNA-binding properties to a reporter gene product previously unable to bind RNA.

Baculoviridae↗
PubMed1991

Functional expression and characterization of the interferon-induced double-stranded RNA activated P68 protein kinase from Escherichia coli.

The P68 protein (referred to as P68 on the basis of its molecular weight of 68,000 in human cells) is a serine/threonine kinase induced by interferon treatment and activated by double-stranded (ds) RNAs. Although extensively studied, little is currently known about the regulation of kinase function at the molecular level. What is known is that activation of this enzyme triggers a series of events which lead to an inhibition of protein synthesis initiation and may, in turn, play an integral role in the antiviral response to interferon. To begin to understand P68 and its biological functions in the eukaryotic cell, we have expressed the protein kinase in Escherichia coli under control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter. In rifampicin-treated cells, metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine and induced by IPTG, the P68 kinase was the predominant labeled product. Further, P68 was recovered from extracts as a fully functional enzyme, shown by its ability to become activated and phosphorylate its natural substrate, the alpha subunit of eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor 2 (eIF-2). Moreover, P68 was phosphorylated in vivo in E. coli, providing conclusive evidence that the kinase has the capacity to phosphorylate and activate itself in the absence of other eukaryotic proteins. In contrast, a mutant P68 protein, containing a single amino acid substitution in the invariant lysine in catalytic domain II, was completely inactive. Interestingly, both the mutant and wild-type protein kinases efficiently bound activator dsRNAs despite the fact that only the latter was activated by these RNAs. Finally, the expressed kinase could be isolated from contaminating E. coli proteins in an active form by immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody specific for P68.

Enzyme Activation↗
PubMed1991

Functional expression and RNA binding analysis of the interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-activated, 68,000-Mr protein kinase in a cell-free system.

Eukaryotic viruses have devised numerous strategies to downregulate activity of the interferon-induced, double-stranded (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (referred to as p68 on the basis of its Mr of 68,000 in human cells). Viruses must exert this control to avoid extensive phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2) by p68 and the resultant negative effects on protein synthesis initiation. To begin to define the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation, we optimized expression of p68 in an in vitro transcription-translation system utilizing the full-length cDNA clone. The in vitro-expressed kinase was autophosphorylated in response to dsRNAs and heparin in a manner similar to that for the native p68 provided that the kinase inhibitor, 2-aminopurine, was present during the in vitro translation reaction. Further, the activated kinase efficiently phosphorylated its natural substrate, the alpha subunit of eIF-2. Binding experiments revealed that the expressed kinase complexed with the dsRNA activator, reovirus dsRNA, as well as the adenovirus-encoded inhibitor, VAI RNA. Interestingly, both the reovirus RNAs and VAI RNA also complexed with protein kinase molecules that lacked the carboxyl terminus and all catalytic domains. Deletion analysis confirmed that the p68 amino terminus contained critical determinants for reovirus dsRNA and VAI RNA binding. Further, reovirus dsRNA efficiently bound to, but failed to activate, p68 kinase molecules containing a single amino acid substitution in the invariant lysine 295 present in catalytic domain II. Taken together, these data demonstrate that this expression system permits a detailed mutagenic analysis of the regions of p68 required for interaction with virus-encoded activators and repressors.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1990

Molecular cloning and characterization of the human double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase induced by interferon.

The double-stranded (ds) RNA-activated protein kinase from human cells is a 68 kd protein (p68 kinase) induced by interferon. On activation by dsRNA in the presence of ATP, the kinase becomes autophosphorylated and can catalyze the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2, which leads to an inhibition of the initiation of protein synthesis. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of several related cDNAs from which can be deduced the full-length p68 kinase sequence. All of the cDNAs identify a 2.5 kb RNA that is strongly induced by interferon. The deduced amino acid sequence of the p68 kinase predicts a protein of 550 amino acids containing all of the conserved domains specific for members of the protein kinase family, including the catalytic domain characteristic of serine/threonine kinases. In vitro translation of a reconstructed full-length p68 kinase cDNA yields a protein of 68 kd that binds dsRNA, is recognized by a monoclonal antibody raised against the native p68 kinase, and is autophosphorylated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Alpha-interferon inhibits the expression of heavy chain mu messenger RNA in Daudi cells.

A clone of Daudi cells (Daudi-S) synthesizes the heavy chain of IgM (mu-chain) under routine conditions of cell culture. In the presence of alpha-interferon, however, synthesis of mu-chain is decreased rapidly at a time when the overall protein synthesis is not modified and the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase and the 2-5A synthetase are induced. This inhibition of mu-chain synthesis seems to be correlated with the antiproliferative action of interferon since it occurs only slightly in another clone of Daudi cells resistant (Daudi-R) to the antiproliferative action of interferon. In these resistant cells, however, the protein kinase and the 2-5A synthetase are induced by interferon. Specific inhibition of mu-chain synthesis in interferon-treated Daudi-S cells is a consequence of decreased steady-state levels of mu-chain mRNA. This effect occurs 4-8 h after addition of interferon in parallel with decreased levels of c-myc mRNA and enhanced levels of HLA mRNA. Reduced levels of mu-chain mRNA in interferon-treated Daudi-S cells is not a consequence of its enhanced degradation as shown by actinomycin D chase experiments. Furthermore, nuclear run on experiments rule out an effect on the transcription of mu-chain mRNA. Therefore, the inhibitory mechanism mediated by interferon might be at the level of termination and/or post-transcriptional processing of mu-chain RNA. In contrast, in these same interferon-treated Daudi-S cells, the inhibition of c-myc gene expression is due to an enhanced degradation of its mRNA (in accord with other reports). These data indicate that interferon can inhibit gene expression by different mechanisms.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Rapid decrease in the levels of the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase during virus infections.

The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase from human cells is a 68,000 molecular weight protein (p68 kinase), the level of which is enhanced significantly in cells treated with interferon. With a monoclonal antibody specific for p68 kinase, here we show the phosphorylation and steady-state levels of p68 kinase during virus infection. The p68 kinase is phosphorylated in interferon-treated cells during infection with encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and vaccinia virus, thus indicating activation of p68 kinase during these virus infections, an essential step required for autophosphorylation of p68 kinase. However, in spite of this activation, the level of p68 kinase is rapidly decreased in virus-infected cells. The half-life of p68 kinase in uninfected cells is 6 to 7 hr, whereas in EMCV-infected cells it is 2 to 3 hr. This decrease in the level of p68 kinase is dependent on the multiplicity of virus infection and it seems to be specific since other cellular proteins as well as the activity of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase are not modified. Decreased levels of p68 kinase are also observed in cells infected with VSV and vaccinia virus. In the absence of virus infection, decreased levels of p68 kinase occur in cells following incubation with poly(I).poly(C).

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1984

Purification of the major species of human leucocyte interferon with the help of a monoclonal antibody.

A mouse hybridoma cell line has been isolated, which secretes a monoclonal antibody (HBA) specific of human leucocyte (alpha) interferon. This monoclonal antibody neutralizes biological activities (cellular and antiviral) of most of the molecular species of alpha interferon produced by human leucocytes. Bound to Sepharose, it has been used as an immunoadsorbent (HBA-Sepharose) to purify human leucocyte interferon. Human leucocyte interferon can be purified to homogeneity by a two-step chromatography on the immunoadsorbent. A high recovery (70-90%) of purified leucocyte interferon is obtained from crude or partially purified preparations, with a specific activity of 2,8 X 10(8) IU/mg of protein. Analysis of the purified proteins by SDS-gel electrophoresis and silver staining shows that the purified human leucocyte interferon consists of three species of molecular weight: 18 000-21 000 and 27 000. This simple and rapid technique can be applied for the preparation of homogeneous leucocyte interferon on a large scale.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Use of an anti-human leukocyte interferon monoclonal antibody for the purification and radioimmunoassay of human alpha interferon.

Mouse monoclonal antibody directed against human leukocyte alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) was coupled to Sepharose and used as an immunoadsorbent to purify human IFN-alpha. Leukocyte and lymphoblastoid (Namalva) IFNs were retained by the immunoadsorbent with a specificity of 80 to 100% and 40 to 60%, respectively. Human IFN-beta or -gamma and mouse IFN were not retained. The purified IFN-alpha retained its antiviral and anticellular properties as well as its ability to induce the 2-5A synthetase in human cells with a specific activity similar to that of the crude IFN. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of radioactively labeled IFN showed that it consisted of several proteins in the molecular weight range of 17,000 to 27,000. 125I-labeled IFN-alpha with a high specific activity (2,000 Ci/mmol) was used in a radioimmunoassay for the titration of IFN-alpha.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1981

Lack of systematic correlation between the interferon mediated antiviral state and the levels of 2-5A synthetase and protein kinase in three different types of murine cells.

The levels of two dsRNA-dependent enzyme activities, the pppA(2'p5'A)n synthetase (2-5A synthetase) and protein kinase were investigated in control and interferon-treated murine cells: L-929, K/Balb and NIH/3T3. Treatment of these cells with interferon resulted both in the establishment of the antiviral response and the development of anticellular effects. This latter was observed 3 days after treatment with interferon. The levels of 2-5A synthetase and protein kinase in control and interferon-treated cells seemed to vary from one cell type to the other. In L-929 cells, both the 2-5A synthetase and protein kinase were induced by interferon as has been shown previously. On the other hand, treatment of NIH/3T3 cells with interferon resulted in the induction of 2-5A synthetase in the absence of any enhanced protein kinase activity. This lack of protein kinase in interferon-treated NIH/3T3 cells was not due to the presence of high levels of protein phosphatases. A third type of mouse cells, K/Balb cells, contained very high levels of 2-5A synthetase in the absence of any apparent resistance to virus infection. On treatment with interferon the level of 2-5A synthetase in K/Balb cells remained constant while the protein kinase activity was enhanced by several fold. Both control and interferon-treated K/Balb cells showed similar sensitivity to the action of exogenous 2-5A thus suggesting that the 2-5A system (the 2-5A dependent nuclease and the phosphodiesterase which degrades 2-5A) was not altered on treatment with interferon. The significance of these results in relation to the mechanism of action of interferon is discussed.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1981

Interferon-mediated antiviral state in human MRC5 cells in the absence of detectable levels of 2-5A synthetase and protein kinase.

Treatment of human HeLa and MRC5 cells with human alpha (leukocyte) and beta (fibroblast) interferon results in the development of an antiviral state against two types of viruses: vesicular stomatitis virus (rhabdovirus) and encephalomyocarditis virus (picornavirus). These cells, however, differ in their ability to synthesize the two double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent enzymatic activities, pppA(2'p5'A)n synthetase (2-5A synthetase) and protein kinase which have been reported to be induced in several cell lines by interferon. Both the 2-5A synthetase and the protein kinase are enhanced by several fold in HeLa cells on treatment with interferon. In contrast, neither the 2-5A synthetase nor the protein kinase can be detected in MRC5 cell treated or not treated with interferon. The lack of detection of the 2-5A synthetase in MRC5 cells is not associated with the absence of the other components of the 2-5A system (2-5A dependent nuclease and 2'-phosphodiesterase). We have previously shown that MRC5 cells are sensitive to the action of 2-5A and furthermore the inhibitory action of 2-5A on these cells is transient. Mixing experiments between HeLa and MRC5 cell fractions after partial purification on columns of poly(I).poly(C)-Sepharose, showed that the absence of detection of the protein kinase activity in MRC5 cells cannot be attributed to the presence of phosphatases or other inhibitors of phosphorylation in control or interferon-treated MRC5 cell extracts. In addition, we show that the interferon-mediated protein kinase activity in HeLa cell extracts can be precipitated by treatment at pH 5, a procedure which leads to an enhanced level of detectable protein kinase activity in general. Once again, however, MRC5 cell extracts fail to show any interferon-mediated protein kinase activity. These results suggest that either the two enzyme activities are not necessary for the development of the antiviral response induced by interferon or the intracellular events leading to the establishment of the antiviral state vary from one cell system to the other.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1979

Increased nuclease activity in cells treated with pppA2'p5'A2'p5' A.

A series of 2'-5'-linked oligo(adenylic acid) triphosphate (2'-5' A) inhibitors of protein synthesis were described recently. These inhibitors are synthesized from ATP by an enzyme activated in interferon-treated cell extracts or rabbit reticulocyte lysates by double-stranded RNA. We show here that 2'-5' A is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in intact cells of different origin (human, monkey, hamster, and mouse). At a concentration of 10 nM (in AMP equivalents), protein synthesis is inhibited by 50-85%. There is also a secondary effect on the total RNA synthesis which becomes evident several hours after inhibition of protein synthesis. All of these effects, however, are transient and, after a recovery period, both RNA and protein synthesis resume rates comparable to the appropriate controls. A nuclease activity is detected in cells after treatment with 2'-5'A. The total polyadenylylated RNA is much reduced in comparison to that from untreated cells, and electrophoretic analysis in polyacrylamide slab gels provides evidence for its degradation. Similarly, there is an apparent degradation of ribosomal RNA. Consistent with these results, extracts from cells that had been treated with 2'-5'A manifest an enhanced nuclease activity in vitro on incubation with exogenous RNA. Here, we propose that, as in cell-free systems, the mechanism of action of 2'-5'A in intact cells involves activation of a nuclease. This activation is transient, but the nuclease remains sensitive to further activation by the inhibitor.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1979

Prophage substitution and prophage loss from superinfected Escherichia coli recA(P1) lysogens.

It is shown that the plasmid prophage P1 can be displaced by a superinfecting P1 phage in Escherichia coli recA(P1) lysogens. Six widely separated phage markers were used to distinguish between residual recombination and total substitution. It is further shown that superinfection of recA lysogens can lead to loss of both phage (curing). These two phenomena, previously reported in Rec+ strains, are thus independent of host recombination and may result from perturbations of some function involved in plasmid maintenance.

Chloramphenicol↗