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Biomedical subjects

J Hawiger

Publications and source records attributed to J Hawiger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Noninvasive intracellular delivery of functional peptides and proteins.

In order to probe intracellular signaling based on interactions of thousands of proteins expressed in the living cell, new methods of noninvasive delivery of functional peptides and proteins to cells have been developed. These include cellular import of peptides and proteins based on the cell-membrane-permeable properties of the hydrophobic region of a signal peptide sequence. The prototypical cell-permeable SN50 peptide, which contains the nuclear localization signal sequence of NK-kappaB p50, has been applied in multiple cell types to block nuclear import of this and other transcription factors. Further developments, including site-specific ligation of bipartite import peptides and production of import-competent recombinant proteins, provide the means for easy and rapid delivery of peptides and proteins to a wide spectrum of cells in order to regulate intracellular pathways involved in adhesion, signaling and trafficking to the nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Regulation of NF-kappa B, AP-1, NFAT, and STAT1 nuclear import in T lymphocytes by noninvasive delivery of peptide carrying the nuclear localization sequence of NF-kappa B p50.

Activation of T lymphocytes by Ags or cytokines results in translocation of the transcription factors NF-kappa B, AP-1, NFAT, and STAT from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. The first step in the nuclear import process is recognition of a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) within the karyophilic protein by a cytoplasmic receptor such as the importin (karyopherin)-alpha subunit. The NLSs of NF-kappa B, AP-1, and NFAT differ and the NLS of STAT1 has not yet been identified. Herein we demonstrate that the inducible nuclear import of NF-kappa B, AP-1, NFAT, and STAT1 in Jurkat T lymphocytes is significantly inhibited by a cell-permeable peptide carrying the NLS of the NF-kappa B p50 subunit. NLS peptide-mediated disruption of the nuclear import of these transcription factors results in inhibition of I kappa B alpha and IL-2 gene expression, processes dependent on NF-kappa B or the combination of NF-kappa B, AP-1, and NFAT. Further, we show that inhibitory NLS peptide interacts in vitro with a cytoplasmic NLS receptor complex comprised of the Rch1/importin (karyopherin)-beta heterodimer expressed in Jurkat T cells. Taken together, these data indicate that the inducible nuclear import of NF-kappa B, AP-1, NFAT, and STAT1 in Jurkat T cells can be regulated by NLS peptide delivered noninvasively to the cytoplasm of Jurkat T cells to target members of the importin (karyopherin)-alpha beta NLS receptor complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Preparation of functionally active cell-permeable peptides by single-step ligation of two peptide modules.

Noninvasive cellular import of synthetic peptides can be accomplished by incorporating a hydrophobic, membrane-permeable sequence (MPS). Herein, we describe a facile method that expedites synthesis of biologically active, cell-permeable peptides by site-specific ligation of two free peptide modules: one bearing a functional sequence and the second bearing a MPS. A nonpeptide thiazolidino linkage between the two modules is produced by ligation of the COOH-terminal aldehyde on the MPS and the NH2-terminal 1, 2-amino thiol moiety on the functional sequence. This thiazolidine ligation approach is performed with stoichiometric amounts of fully unprotected MPS and functional peptide in an aqueous buffered solution, eliminating the need for additional chemical manipulation and purification prior to use in bioassays. Two different MPSs were interchangeably combined with two different functional sequences to generate two sets of hybrid peptides. One set of hybrid peptides, carrying the cytoplasmic cell adhesion regulatory domain of the human integrin beta3, inhibited adhesion of human erythroleukemia cells to fibrinogen-coated surfaces. A second set of hybrid peptides, carrying the nuclear localization sequence of the transcription factor NF-kappaB, inhibited nuclear import of transcription factors NF-kappaB, activator protein 1, and nuclear factor of activated T cells in agonist-stimulated Jurkat T lymphocytes. In each assay, these nonamide bond hybrids were found to be functionally comparable to peptides prepared by the conventional method. Cumulatively, this new ligation approach provides an easy and rapid method for engineering of functional, cell-permeable peptides and demonstrates the potential for synthesis of cell-permeable peptide libraries designed to block intracellular protein-protein interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

The tax oncoprotein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 associates with and persistently activates IkappaB kinases containing IKKalpha and IKKbeta.

The Tax oncoprotein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV1) chronically activates transcription factor NF-kappaB by a mechanism involving degradation of IkappaBalpha, an NF-kappaB-associated cytoplasmic inhibitor. Tax-induced breakdown of IkappaBalpha requires phosphorylation of the inhibitor at Ser-32 and Ser-36, which is also a prerequisite for the transient activation of NF-kappaB in cytokine-treated T lymphocytes. However, it remained unclear how Tax interfaces with the cellular NF-kappaB/IkappaB signaling machinery to generate a chronic rather than a transient NF-kappaB response. We now demonstrate that Tax associates with cytokine-inducible IkappaB kinase (IKK) complexes containing catalytic subunits IKKalpha and IKKbeta, which mediate phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha at Ser-32 and Ser-36. Unlike their transiently activated counterparts in cytokine-treated cells, Tax-associated forms of IKK are constitutively active in either Tax transfectants or HTLV1-infected T lymphocytes. Moreover, point mutations in Tax that ablate its IKK-binding function also prevent Tax-mediated activation of IKK and NF-kappaB. Together, these findings suggest that the persistent activation of NF-kappaB in HTLV1-infected T-cells is mediated by a direct Tax/IKK coupling mechanism.

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed1997

Cellular import of functional peptides to block intracellular signaling.

During the past few years, new approaches to the delivery of functional peptides to cells have been developed to probe intracellular protein-protein interactions. These approaches include a method based on the cell membrane permeability properties of the hydrophobic region of the signal sequence. This method provides easy and rapid delivery of functional peptides to a wide spectrum of cells involved in inflammatory and immune reactions (monocytes, endothelial cells, and T lymphocytes) as well as to NIH 3T3 cells and erythroleukemia HEL cells. The method has been applied to block signaling to the nucleus by transcription factors unclear factor-kappa B, AP-1, and nuclear factor of activated T cells, and to inhibit cell adhesion regulated by the cytoplasmic tails of integrins beta 3 and beta 1. New methods of peptide delivery provide direct access to intracellular proteins involved in adhesion, signaling, and trafficking to the nucleus.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1996

Identification of a functionally important sequence in the cytoplasmic tail of integrin beta 3 by using cell-permeable peptide analogs.

Integrins are major two-way signaling receptors responsible for the attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix and for cell-cell interactions that underlie immune responses, tumor metastasis, and progression of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. We report the structure-function analysis of the cytoplasmic tail of integrin beta 3 (glycoprotein IIla) based on the cellular import of synthetic peptide analogs of this region. Among the four overlapping cell-permeable peptides, only the peptide carrying residues 747-762 of the carboxyl-terminal segment of integrin beta 3 inhibited adhesion of human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells and of human endothelial cells (ECV) 304 to immobilized fibrinogen mediated by integrin beta 3 heterodimers, alpha IIb beta 3, and alpha v beta 3, respectively. Inhibition of adhesion was integrin-specific because the cell-permeable beta 3 peptide (residues 747-762) did not inhibit adhesion of human fibroblasts mediated by integrin beta 1 heterodimers. Conversely, a cell-permeable peptide representing homologous portion of the integrin beta 1 cytoplasmic tail (residues 788-803) inhibited adhesion of human fibroblasts, whereas it was without effect on adhesion of HEL or ECV 304 cells. The cell-permeable integrin beta 3 peptide (residues 747-762) carrying a known loss-of-function mutation (Ser752Pro) responsible for the genetic disorder Glanzmann thrombasthenia Paris I did not inhibit cell adhesion of HEL or ECV 304 cells, whereas the beta 3 peptide carrying a Ser752Ala mutation was inhibitory. Although Ser752 is not essential, Tyr747 and Tyr759 form a functionally active tandem because conservative mutations Tyr747Phe or Tyr759Phe resulted in a nonfunctional cell permeable integrin beta 3 peptide. We propose that the carboxyl-terminal segment of the integrin beta 3 cytoplasmic tail spanning residues 747-762 constitutes a major intracellular cell adhesion regulatory domain (CARD) that modulates the interaction of integrin beta 3-expressing cells with immobilized fibrinogen. Import of cell-permeable peptides carrying this domain results in inhibition "from within" of the adhesive function of these integrins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Role of the nuclear localization sequence in fibroblast growth factor-1-stimulated mitogenic pathways.

Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is a potent mitogen for mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cell types in vitro. However, a mutant FGF-1 with deletion in its nuclear localization sequence (NLS, residues 21-27) is not mitogenic in vitro. We demonstrated that synthetic peptides containing this NLS were able to stimulate DNA synthesis in a FGF receptor-independent manner after they were delivered into living NIH 3T3 cells by a cell-permeable peptide import technique. The stimulation of maximal DNA synthesis by these peptides required the presence of peptides during the entire G1 phase of the cell cycle. The mitogenic effect was specific for the NLS of FGF-1 because a peptide with double point mutations at lysine residues was inactive in stimulating DNA synthesis. Our results suggest that the NLS plays an important role in the mitogenic pathway initiated by exogenous FGF-1 by its direct involvement in the nuclear transport and signaling of internalized FGF-1.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Inhibition of nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-kappa B by a synthetic peptide containing a cell membrane-permeable motif and nuclear localization sequence.

To control agonist-induced nuclear translocation of transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) in intact cells, cell-permeable synthetic peptides were devised. Their import into intact cells was dependent on a hydrophobic region selected from the signal peptide sequences and was verified by their inaccessibility to extracellular proteases and by confocal laser scanning microscopy. When a cell-permeable peptide carried a functional cargo representing the nuclear localization sequence of NF-kappa B p50, it inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B in cultured endothelial and monocytic cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Synthetic peptide analogues with deleted hydrophobic cell membrane-permeable motif or with a mutated nuclear localization sequence were inactive. Cell membrane-permeable peptides were not cytotoxic within the concentration range used in these experiments. These results suggest that cell-permeable synthetic peptides carrying a functional cargo can be applied to control signal transduction-dependent subcellular traffic of transcription factors mediating the cellular responses to different agonists. Moreover, this approach can be used to study other intracellular processes involving proteins with functionally distinct domains.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Proteolytic processing of NF-kappa B/I kappa B in human monocytes. ATP-dependent induction by pro-inflammatory mediators.

Proteolytic processing of select constituents of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B)/inhibitor kappa B alpha (I kappa B) transcription factor system plays an important role in regulating the biological responses of monocytes to pro-inflammatory mediators. Nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B is preceded by the proteolytic degradation of I kappa B alpha, an ankyrin motif-rich inhibitor that traps NF-kappa B in the cytoplasm. In addition, formation of cytoplasmic NF-kappa B/I kappa B alpha complexes in quiescent cells requires constitutive proteolytic processing of p105, another ankyrin motif-rich inhibitory protein from which the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B is generated. We have demonstrated that, following stimulation of human monocytic cells with lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor-alpha, this critical p105 processing event is up-regulated in concert with the inactivation of I kappa B alpha. Moreover, the degradative loss of both p105 and I kappa B alpha is prevented in cells depleted of intracellular ATP. In activated monocytes, however, I kappa B alpha degradation occurs more rapidly than p105 processing to p50. Together these findings provide direct biochemical evidence that p105 and I kappa B alpha are differentially sensitive targets for inducible proteolysis via ATP-dependent degradative pathways.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Mechanisms involved in platelet vessel wall interaction.

The molecular mechanisms underlying formation of platelet thrombi constitute one of the central problems in vascular biology and medicine. Fibrinogen binding to its platelet integrin receptor alpha IIb beta 3 (glycoproteins IIb-IIIa complex) plays a pivotal role in formation of platelet thrombi by providing molecular bridges spanning platelets and by contributing to its receptor-mediated outside-in signaling. Conversely, fibrinogen binding to integrin alpha IIb beta 3 requires inside-out signaling mediated by intraplatelet signal transducers activated in response to external signals generated at the site of vascular injury. This tightly regulated fibrinogen-integrin alpha IIb beta 3 interaction constitutes a fundamental platelet mechanism of response to vascular injuries such as accidental and surgical wounds, rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary and cerebral atherosclerosis and microvascular endothelial desquamation in septic shock. After mapping the fibrinogen site on the gamma chain responsible for recognition of platelet integrin alpha IIb beta 3 and the development of synthetic peptide inhibitors, we solved the 3D structure of the carboxy-terminal segment of the human fibrinogen gamma chain using our new technology of carrier protein-driven crystallization. Fundamental knowledge concerning a molecular 3D model of fibrinogen-integrin alpha IIb beta 3 interaction, coupled to the mechanism of its inside-out and outside-in regulation, will lead to development of a new generation of platelet-selective antithrombotic drugs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Three-dimensional structure of the platelet integrin recognition segment of the fibrinogen gamma chain obtained by carrier protein-driven crystallization.

We have developed a method for crystallizing small functional protein segments so that their three-dimensional structure can be determined by x-ray diffraction analysis. This method consists of linking a small protein segment of unknown tertiary structure to either the amino or carboxyl terminus of a larger carrier protein of known tertiary structure. Crystallization of the small segment is then driven by crystallization of the carrier protein. Using this approach, we have obtained crystals of the human fibrinogen gamma-chain carboxyl-terminal segment linked to the carboxyl terminus of chicken egg white lysozyme. The three-dimensional structure of the carboxyl-terminal segment of the fibrinogen gamma chain was determined by x-ray diffraction analysis at a resolution of 2.4 A. This segment encompasses the recognition site for the integrin alpha IIb beta 3 receptor on activated platelets and for the clumping receptor on pathogenic staphylococci and also bears donor and acceptor sites for factor XIIIa-catalyzed crosslinking of fibrin. Therefore, the structural information derived from our analysis will provide a rational basis for the design of inhibitors of these important functions of fibrinogen. Moreover, carrier protein-driven crystallization will facilitate the determination of the three-dimensional structure of functional segments of other proteins that are, like fibrinogen, difficult to crystallize in toto.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

The integrin alpha v gene: identification and characterization of the promoter region.

We isolated a 15.5 kilobase pair DNA fragment that contains the 5' end of the human vitronectin receptor alpha subunit (alpha v) gene. The nucleotide sequence of the 5' flanking region, first exon and part of the first intron of the alpha v gene was determined. The sequence showed that the 5' end of the alpha v gene lies within a CpG island. The transcriptional initiation site was mapped 169 base pairs upstream of the alpha v translational initiation site. The 5' flanking region of the alpha v gene does not contain TATA or InR transcriptional control elements but does contain four Sp1 binding sites, two Ets binding sites and one GATA binding site. The identified alpha v gene 5' flanking region directed the expression of human growth hormone in transfected HeLa cells. Successive deletions of the 5' flanking region demonstrated a 222 bp region that exerts a strong positive effect on alpha v promoter activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Cell-free pool of CD14 mediates activation of transcription factor NF-kappa B by lipopolysaccharide in human endothelial cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major envelope component of Gram-negative bacteria, is the most frequent causative agent of septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. LPS activates both CD14-positive (monocytes, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes) and CD14-negative (B-cell lines, endothelial cells) cells. CD14, a 55-kDa glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein present on mature myeloid cells, serves as a receptor for LPS in complex with a soluble (serum-derived) LPS-binding protein (LBP). In this report, we show that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), which do not express measurable CD14 protein, become 3000-fold more sensitive to LPS-induced activation in the presence of serum, as measured by activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B and expression of mRNA encoding tissue factor, a procoagulant molecule. This enhanced responsiveness of HUVEC is specifically mediated by the cell-free pool of CD14 (soluble CD14, sCD14) found in serum. The role of sCD14 in HUVEC activation by LPS was established by (i) the blocking effect of monoclonal anti-CD14 antibodies which discriminate between cell-bound and sCD14, (ii) the lack of the serum-enhancing effect after immunodepletion of sCD14, and (iii) establishing a reconstituted system in which recombinant sCD14 was sufficient to enhance the effects of LPS in the absence of serum and without a requirement for LBP. Thus, this mechanism of endothelial cell activation by LPS involves a cell-free pool of sCD14 most likely shed from CD14-positive cells of the monocytic lineage.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Lipopolysaccharide induces phosphorylation of MAD3 and activation of c-Rel and related NF-kappa B proteins in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

Many effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on gene expression, including that of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in monocytic cells are mediated by activation of kappa B DNA-binding proteins. However, the specific members of the NF-kappa B/Rel transcription factor family involved in the LPS response, and the mechanisms through which LPS-generated signals are transduced remain unclear. Here we show that LPS induces nuclear expression of c-Rel/p50 heterodimers as well as p50/p65 (NF-kappa B) kappa B DNA-binding complexes in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Nuclear localization of these proteins occurred concomitantly with a rapid decrease in their cytosolic levels and was independent of phorbol ester-sensitive protein kinase C. Within 24 h following LPS stimulation there was a striking increase in the levels of c-Rel, p105, and p50 in the cytosol. The increased levels of these proteins correlated with increases in the amounts of their mRNAs during LPS activation of THP-1 cells. LPS activation of THP-1 cells resulted in phosphorylation of MAD3 (an I kappa B-like protein), a rapid increase in MAD3 mRNA, and an increase in MAD3 protein by 2 h. Thus, LPS activation of human monocytic cells results in nuclear expression of c-Rel/p50 and p50/p65 (NF-kappa B) and induces phosphorylation of MAD3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

A beta-turn is present in the 392-411 segment of the human fibrinogen gamma-chain. Effects of structural changes in this segment on affinity to antibody 4A5.

The interaction between fibrinogen gamma-peptide 392-411, LTIGEGQQHHLGGAKQAGDV, and monoclonal antibody 4A5, an antibody with a high affinity for both for the peptide and native fibrinogen, is being studied as a model for peptide-antibody interaction. Two-dimensional NMR studies of the free peptide at pH 5.2 indicated the presence of a significant population, about 60%, of type II beta-turn, spanning residues Gln407-Asp410. At pH 2.7, little, if any, turn structure is present. The D-Ala409 analog, which, for steric reasons, would be expected to preserve the beta-turn, and the L-Ala409 analog, which would not be expected to have this conformational feature, were synthesized, and NMR studies confirmed the respective structural predictions. The affinity of the D-Ala analog for antibody 4A5 is even greater than that displayed by native gamma 392-411, while the affinity of the L-Ala analog is less than one-tenth that of the native peptide. Both conformational and steric effects involving residues 407-410 may be important in recognition by antibody 4A5. Since gamma 392-411 includes a platelet receptor binding locus of fibrinogen, and this and related peptides are inhibitors of platelet aggregation, the D-Ala409 and L-Ala409 analogs were tested for platelet binding. Neither of the analogs displays any measurable platelet binding, indicating that the recognition requirements for the platelet receptor differ considerably from those for antibody 4A5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗