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J D Pearson

Publications and source records attributed to J D Pearson.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Insulin stimulates the phosphorylation of calmodulin in intact adipocytes.

Phosphorylation of cellular proteins is known to play an important role in mediating the metabolic effects of insulin in target cells. Here we show that exposure of intact adipocytes to physiological concentrations of insulin results in phosphorylation of the calcium receptor protein, calmodulin. The identity of the phosphorylated protein as being calmodulin in intact cells was demonstrated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide (W7)-affinity chromatography, and positive staining with the Ca2+ binding protein stain Stains All. Phosphorylation of calmodulin occurred at physiological insulin concentrations with maximum stimulation (608 +/- 114% over basal) at 50 microunits/ml (3.3 X 10(-10) M) insulin. The 32Pi incorporated into calmodulin was stable to base, indicating that phosphotyrosine was involved and thus implicating the insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase as being responsible for its phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of calmodulin may represent an important component of the mechanism for intracellular signaling not only for insulin, but potentially for other physiological regulators of cellular metabolism.

Adipose Tissue↗

Separation of protein hormones.

The purpose of this review is to highlight modern techniques in HPLC and electrophoresis used for protein hormone separations. The advent of biotechnological methods for production of synthetic polypeptides and recombinant proteins will have a significant future impact on the types of therapeutics and metabolites that need to be monitored in the clinical laboratory. The protein hormone examples given in this work were selected because of the comprehensive body of separation science literature and not necessarily for their future importance in medicine. The intention was to present an array of general methods and techniques which may be useful to the clinical investigator for analysis of any protein hormone.

Animals↗

Characteristics of the P2 purinoceptor that mediates prostacyclin production by pig aortic endothelial cells.

Release of prostacyclin was studied by superfusing small columns containing cells cultured on microcarrier beads. Transient dose-dependent stimulation of prostacyclin release by up to 500-fold was induced by adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP; 0.5-50 microM). Adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) gave similar responses, whereas adenosine 5'-phosphate (AMP) and adenosine were essentially inactive. Of other natural nucleotides tested only uridine 5'-phosphate (UTP) was active. The L-enantiomers of ATP and ADP were inactive. 2-Cl-ATP was approximately 100 times more potent than ATP; 2-MeS-ATP was also more potent (threshold 0.05 microM) but its maximal effectiveness was less than 20% that of ATP; 2-EtS-ATP had a similar threshold to ATP but was even less effective than 2-MeS-ATP. Phosphorothioate nucleotide analogues of ATP or ADP were active, with no stereoselectivity between Rp and Sp diastereoisomers. No analogue tested showed antagonist activity. We conclude that ATP mediates endothelial prostacyclin release apparently via a P2Y receptor, although there are some striking differences from the previously described P2Y receptor mediating endothelium-dependent vasodilation in pig aorta.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Separation and purification of S49 mouse lymphoma histones by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography procedure for the fractionation of histones from S49 mouse lymphoma cells is reported. The system utilizes a Vydac C4 macroporous column, heptafluorobutyric acid as solubilizing and ion-pairing agent, and an acetonitrile gradient. All five histone classes and several subclass species are separated, including two H1 species, H2B, two H2A species, H4, and two H3 species. Analytical to multimilligram semipreparative scale fractionations are demonstrated while maintaining resolution of all histone types.

Animals↗

The hydrolysis of extracellular adenine nucleotides by cultured endothelial cells from pig aorta. Feed-forward inhibition of adenosine production at the cell surface.

The time course of the extracellular reaction sequence ATP----ADP----AMP----adenosine has been examined during recirculation of substrate solutions over cultured pig aortic endothelial cells attached to polystyrene beads. This permits the study of reactions at volume to cell surface ratios approaching those of small blood vessels. When endothelial cells were presented with an initial bolus of ATP, high concentrations of the intermediates ADP and AMP developed before significant conversion of AMP to adenosine occurred. Further, the higher the initial ATP concentration, the slower the conversion of AMP to adenosine. Kinetic constants for each reaction were estimated by fitting simulated reaction curves to observed time courses. Apparent Km values estimated in this way agreed well with those reported for initial velocity measurements (ATPase = 300 microM; ADPase = 240 microM; and 5'-nucleotidase = 26 microM). The ratio of maximum velocities was ATPase:ADPase:AMPase = 6:1.5:1, with absolute values varying among cell batches. The data could only be fitted if the model incorporated inhibition of 5'-nucleotidase by ATP or ADP, and satisfactory fitting was achieved with a Ki value for ADP of 5 microM. These kinetic properties maximize the time separation of the intermediate pools. In vivo, at sites of platelet degranulation, they would create a time gap proportional to the size of the initial release between release of ADP (a proaggregatory milieu) and the appearance of adenosine (an anti-aggregatory milieu).

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Exogenous ATP raises cytoplasmic free calcium in fura-2 loaded piglet aortic endothelial cells.

Cultured piglet endothelial cells were grown to confluence on glass coverslips and loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura-2. Using a dual-wavelength excitation fluorescence spectrophotometer it was found that ATP caused a rapid transient elevation in [Ca2+]i in the presence of extracellular calcium which decreased to a maintained elevated level. With no extracellular calcium ATP evoked a similar transient increase which returned to the basal level. Addition of 50 mM K+ had no effect on [Ca2+]i or on the effect of ATP on [Ca2+]i in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The data suggest that ATP causes both discharge of calcium from an intracellular pool and influx across the plasma membrane although this is unlikely to be via a voltage-operated channel. ATP stimulated simultaneously the production of PGI2 to a similar extent in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium. Elevated [Ca2+]i may be an important activation pathway in the endothelial cell.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A nonurea electrophoretic gel system for resolution of polypeptides of Mr 2000 to Mr 200,000.

A sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system which resolves proteins and peptides from Mr 2000 to Mr 200,000 is described. Gradients of polyacrylamide, crosslinker, and glycerol buffered in Tris-phosphate (pH 6.8) are employed. Neither urea nor a stacking gel is required. This system has been used to separate molecules below Mr 3000 which differed by only seven amino acid residues, yet has the capacity to survey masses up to Mr 200,000 on the same gel. Examples are given for separations of myoglobin cyanogen bromide fragments and adrenocorticotropin peptides. Utilizing the same gradient slab gel system in tandem with isoelectric focusing, a two-dimensional separation pattern of mammalian liver cell lysate is shown. A comparison of two different silver stain methods with this system is also given.

Buffers↗

Ecological significance of hypometabolism in nonhuman primates: allometry, adaptation, and deviant diets.

The "Kleiber relationship" describes the interspecific allometry between body size and metabolism. Like other allometric relationships, the Kleiber relationship not only summarizes scaling effects across species but also provides a standard by which species can be compared. One well-noted deviation from the Kleiber relationship is "hypometabolism": metabolic rates below that expected for a given size. It has been suggested in the literature that hypometabolism may be a primitive mammalian trait, a thermoregulatory adaptation, an adaptation to arboreal folivory, or an adaptation to a diet that is deviant for body size. Data on primate physiology and behavior are used to evaluate these hypotheses. Only the deviant-diet hypothesis is supported by the data on nonhuman primates. Indeed, the Jarman-Bell relationship, which is the basis for this hypothesis, provides a more coherent explanation of correlated features of animal physiology and behavior than do the alternative models. Hypometabolism may be an energy-conserving adaptation to a variety of nutritional stresses. The present analysis underscores the point that metabolic rate, like foraging behavior, should be thought of as evolutionarily labile.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

High-performance liquid chromatography column length designed for submicrogram scale protein isolation.

High-performance liquid chromatography of small amounts of protein was readdressed with respect to current gas-phase sequencing technology. Useful primary sequence information can be obtained from as little as 5-100 pmol of material. This corresponds on a mass level to the nanogram to microgram range where, unfortunately, HPLC columns often give low recoveries depending on the size and surface hydrophobicity of the peptide or protein. It was rationalized in this study that reduced column length could have a beneficial effect on recovery without significant loss of resolution. To demonstrate this, six HPLC columns ranging from 0.2 to 25 cm in length were made and evaluated in terms of protein loading and resolution. Column lengths of less than 1 cm were found to increase recovery of surface hydrophobic proteins without loss of resolution, as shown for a standard protein profile. These columns resolve proteins best when loaded with less than 10 micrograms, with recoveries greater than 90%. All column internal diameters were at least 4.1 mm so that standard HPLC pumps could be used to generate gradients.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Investigation of the preferred Mg(II)-adenine-nucleotide complex at the active site of ectonucleotidases in intact vascular cells using phosphorothioate analogues of ADP and ATP.

In the presence of Mg2+ the ecto-(nucleoside diphosphatase) on intact vascular endothelial or smooth muscle cells in culture selectively catabolizes the PS diastereoisomer of adenosine 5'-[alpha-thio]diphosphate, (PS)-ADP [alpha S], and the ecto-(nucleoside triphosphatase) selectively catabolizes the PS isomer of adenosine 5'-[beta-thio]triphosphate, (PR)-ATP[beta S], but exhibits no selectivity towards ATP[alpha S] isomers. In the presence of Cd2+ selectivity to ADP[alpha S] and to ATP[beta S] isomers is reversed; in the presence of Co2+, selectivity is lost. We conclude that each enzyme preferentially recognises the lambda (screw-sense) bidentate Mg(II)-nucleotide complex at its active site.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Characterization of ectonucleotidases on vascular smooth-muscle cells.

We compared the properties of the ectonucleotidases (nucleoside triphosphatase, EC 3.6.1.15; nucleoside diphosphatase, EC 3.6.1.6; 5'-nucleotidase, EC 3.1.3.5) in intact pig aortic smooth-muscle cells in culture with the properties that we previously investigated for ectonucleotidases of aortic endothelial cells [Cusack, Pearson & Gordon (1983) Biochem. J. 214, 975-981]. In experiments with nucleotide phosphorothioate diastereoisomers, stereoselective catabolism of adenosine 5'-[beta-thio]triphosphate, but not of adenosine 5'-[alpha-thio]triphosphate, by the triphosphatase and stereoselective catabolism of adenosine 5'-[alpha-thio]diphosphate by the diphosphatase were found, as occurs in endothelial cells. In contrast with endothelial ecto-5'-nucleotidase, the smooth-muscle-cell enzyme catabolized adenosine 5'-monophosphorothioate (AMPS) to adenosine: the affinity of the enzyme for AMPS was greater than for AMP, and Vmax for AMPS was about one-sixth that for AMP. In both cell types AMPS was an apparently competitive inhibitor of AMP catabolism by 5'-nucleotidase. The relative rates of catabolism of nucleotide enantiomers in which the natural D-ribofuranosyl moiety is replaced by an L-ribofuranosyl moiety were similar to those in endothelial cells. No ectopyrophosphatase activity was detected in smooth-muscle cells, in contrast with endothelial cells, where modest activity is present.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Cationic amino acid transport by two renal epithelial cell lines: LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells.

LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells take up cationic amino acids (lysine and arginine) by a specific sodium independent transport system. Uptake is inhibited by ornithine in LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells either in the presence or absence of sodium and by glutamine or homoserine in MDCK cells in the presence of sodium. Trans-stimulation of uptake occurs in the presence of intracellular cationic amino acids. Experiments with valinomycin or with different extracellular potassium concentrations suggest that uptake is dependent on the membrane potential of these cells. These transport features are similar to those previously ascribed to a transport system denominated y+ in other cells. Further experiments suggested that this carrier system is localised to the basolateral membrane in each cell type.

Animals↗

Sialic acid moieties on surface glycoproteins protect endothelial cells from proteolytic damage.

The importance of the glycocalyx in controlling responses to proteinases was studied by enzymic removal of sialic acids from the luminal surface of arterial endothelium. In the perfused rat aorta collagenase induced cell detachment in greater numbers from the desialylated than from the untreated endothelium. Neuraminidase treatment increased by three-fold prostacyclin synthesis by the vessel wall in response to thrombin. The supernatant from activated human neutrophils, containing elastolytic activity, when perfused together with neuraminidase enhanced and prolonged sialic acid release induced by neuraminidase alone. Thus the effects of different proteinases on various endothelial cell functions are potentiated by removal of surface sialic acid residues.

Animals↗

Localisation of alanine uptake by cultured renal epithelial cells (LLC-PK1) to the basolateral membrane.

Alanine uptake by LLC-PK1 cells has previously been demonstrated to be almost exclusively sodium dependent. We here confirm that when the cells are grown on an impermeable substratum there is a marked fall in uptake as confluence is reached. By applying an autoradiographic technique to visualize transported alanine, it is clear, however, that even in subconfluent cultures there is marked cellular inhomogeneity with regard to uptake, which takes place predominantly in those cells at the periphery of growing islands and not those at the interior. In contrast, when cells are grown on permeable substrata, a uniform distribution of silver grains is found. In two other types of experiment, we found that when confluent cell monolayers on an impermeable support were treated briefly with a chelating agent or suspended by mechanical treatment, there was a marked increase per cell in sodium-dependent alanine uptake and in ouabain-sensitive potassium uptake. We conclude that the apparent fall in alanine uptake as cells reach confluence on an impermeable support is due to masking of transport sites, which are predominantly, if not exclusively, located at the basolateral membrane.

Alanine↗

Surface determinants of low density lipoprotein uptake by endothelial cells.

The surface sialic acid content of aortic endothelial cells in vitro was substantially lower in sparse cultures than at confluence. Binding of LDL to endothelial cells did not change at different culture densities and was unaffected by brief pretreatment with neuraminidase to partially remove surface sialic acid residues. In contrast, internalization of LDL declined by a factor of 3 between low density cell cultures and confluent monolayers; neuraminidase pretreatment increased LDL uptake and the effect was most marked (greater than 10-fold) at confluence. Pretreatment with cationised ferritin, which removed most of the surface sialic acid residues as well as glycosaminoglycans, increased LDL internalization by up to 20-fold, again with most effect on confluent monolayers. Thus LDL uptake is inversely correlated with sialic acid content. We conclude that changes in the surface density of sialic acid (and possibly other charged) residues significantly modulate endothelial LDL uptake, and suggest that focal increases in LDL accumulation during atherogenesis may be related to alterations in endothelial endocytic properties at sites of increased cell turnover or damage.

Animals↗